Finding Jeena

I don't even know where to start with this book. I'm at a loss for words. Finding Jeena is an absolutely amazing story of grace, forgiveness, and redemption. I love stories about redemption, I always have, but Jeena's story is different. It is more real and much more profound that others I have read. It is amazing how quickly life can change and how little control we really have over our lives. Jeena had a lot to learn and God taught her what she needed to know in order to start over. There were some parts of this book when I felt tremendous compassion for Jeena and other times I was so frustrated by her I wanted to shake her. I think there is a little Jeena in all of us, which is why this book will have such a strong impact on anyone who reads it. I also loved the strong cast of supporting characters in this book. They all added unique insight into Jeena's life and her redemption. Now, I did find that this book wrapped up a bit too tidy, but that is the way God works, so I that did not affect my feelings about this absolutely amazing story. God is perfect and his timing is perfect and this book shows us that. This book made me examine my faith and my view of other people. I also saw some of my judgments of others in Jeena, so I learned a great deal about myself while reading this book. Overall, Finding Jeena is a fantastic book. Well, fantastic is not a big enough word for how I feel about this book. I loved every moment of it and I love the feeling it has left in my heart after finishing it.

Sometimes I roll my eyes and groan, thinking I'm to the point where certain things might embarrass me. And in all honesty, I was convinced that agreeing to read "The Other Daughter," by Miralee Ferrell was going to make me look like a real sissy. But being a sucker for comtemporary reading, along with all the other stuff I like, I'd agreed, and I was instantly proven wrong. And when given the opportunity to read "Finding Jeena" this year, I instantly agreed! There's nothing wrong with taking an honest chance, and I'm glad I did. "Finding Jeena" centers around a woman named Jeena, as if you didn't figure that out, right? But despite an infuriating back-stab by her ex-boyfriend, Jeena's landed a new job. So, screw him, and the rest of the world too, except for Grammie and a couple of close friends. And without benefits in this new job, Jeena doesn't care because they will pay her well, and the rest of the world can simply kiss her butt! But Jeena finds out within a couple of months that her boss, Charles, and his tight-lipped, mean as a snake, secretary Pat, are snakes. And all of a sudden, because of her boss, Jenna has become a target for the IRS, and what she thought she had, is now frozen. And when things go from bad to worse, Jeena reluctantly goes where she never imagined herself going, to a homeless shelter. And while Jeena thought she'd never lower her standards, she never expected her expectations of a place such as this to exceed her way of thinking. And she never fathomed that it could be this amazing at times! Let me tell you something. I'm glad I quit snickering at what Miralee Ferrell had to offer. I had to grow up just a bit. And in giving her a chance, she has me convinced that she might sit beside Francine Rivers or Karen Kingsbury someday, just because she's really good at what she does. And in light of reading authors like Ted DeKker, Steven James, Jeffery Deaver, Dean Koontz, and many others, Miralee Ferrell is welcome in my home! And I'm glad I found her. OOPS! I'd better be straight-she actually found me! Good find!

I absolutely loved Miralee's debut novel The Other Daughter and was eager to read her next book. By the time Finding Jenna came out I had forgotten the part she had played in the first book. This story is a great stand alone book. If I had not read The Other Daughter it would not have spoiled the reading of Finding Jenna. Miralee has a cast of characters I came to care about and I would love to know what happens next.

A gripping, "very well could be true" story; thought provoking and enjoyable. As I walked through Jeena's problems with her I found myself thinking, "Wow! I never really thought of that possibility...".. but it gave a real opportunity to put myself in a place I would never have imagined. It also gave me a perspective on my blessings, unearned and sometimes unappreciated, and a new meaning to the old saying, "There, but for the Grace of God, go I." This is not a romance, not a mystery, not historical---just good good reading.

This book is fiction but the situations and choices portrayed could in any one of our lives. It is a thought provoking and riveting story of the providence of God in a womans life. The writer has a good understanding of a womans heart and the difference Gods grace makes. After reading "Another Daughter" by Miralee Ferrell, I was anxious to hear how Jeena became the person she was. In "Another Daughter" Jeena was a self-centered and cynical friend of Susanne. In "Finding Jeena" we saw how her dysfunctional childhood and later her choices brought her to a place of despair. When she lost all she held dear, even the death of her Grammie, she turned to alcohol to numb the pain. Coming to the end of herself she agreed to stay at a homeless shelter for few days. There she found friends who truely cared for her. In that atmosphere she learned to accept people for who they were instead of what they could do for her. Her journey took her full circle and helped her understand why she made the choices she did. In that understanding she saw the bigger picture of Gods love. Tears came to my eyes as I read of her realization that God loved her. How extraordinary when she had been so selfish and thoughtless. More tears came as she decided to follow Grammies example to serve God. The hope and peace she received from that decision changed the direction of her life and gave her the fulfillment she desired. Thank You Miralee!