Customer Reviews

Finding Jeena: A Novel

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

I had read and enjoyed The Other Daughter and looked forward to getting the review copy of Finding Jeena and to learn more about Jeena's story. Jeena Gregory is a woman on a mission to be successful at what she does and live the good life. Jeena lands a job that's almost too good to be true. Her new job with 'Browning and Thayer' promised big things, and she intended to explore all her opportunities. She'd start her new life with a few new clothes, new townhouse, new car, and new furniture to start with. Jeena heard talk in the office that put a hole in her perfect job, and put her new boss in an unfavorable light, but she sets aside her uncomfortable feelings...she wanted to keep this job, her bosses principles weren't her concern.

Soon, Jeena's world turns upside-down. She doesn't get paid, she hears money is missing from the company and the investors are making trouble. Then her boss vanishes leaving his partners to take the fall, along with anyone else associated with the company. She's only been with them three months. How could they go after her? She'd soon find out.


With no money coming in and no way to pay her bills or eat Jeena looks at life in a whole new light, seeking ways to survive. Jeena starts to see the world around her with new eyes. Miralee captures the essence of our society today. People are out of work unexpectedly. These are people who have worked hard all of their lives, they've had good jobs for a long time, and they live in nice homes and have a pretty good savings. It's staggering when they find themselves in food lines and no place to live! How did their lives end up like this? They have just become one of "those" people, the ones they used to judge!

Miralee captures the readers' heart through her believable characters and gives hope in what seems to be a hopeless situation! God can do more than we can even imagine through us, if we let Him be in the driver's seat of our lives. Jeena realized all to well that people are far more complex, God loved us all, right were we are at and His ways are definitely not our ways. There is a battle for the heart and soul of people. God gives us all a choice of who we will serve.

This book will touch your heart and lifel. Miralee shows Jesus is alive and well and moving in the lives of those who let Him. He can move in our life, love us and fill the hole in our heart like nothing else will. Will you give Him the driver's seat of your life? It's a question Miralee's character face. Thanks Miralee for this hopeful story and a look at situations we don't normally talk about!

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network [...] Finding Hope Through Fiction
[...]

Finding Jeena is a beautifully crafted illustration of Matt 6:20, "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." As I watched Jeena's world crack and crumble, I thought how good this story was so timely in today's world. Powerful and poignant, Finding Jeena offers hope for the hopeless. Novel Journey and I give it a high recommendation.

I liked this book because, to be honest, it was entirely different from what I had expected. Having read The Other Daughter, I assumed this story would follow up with Jeena and Suzanne's relationship, with Suzanne being the changing influence in Jeena's life. As it turned out, Suzanne plays a very minor part in this story.

The story takes the reader on a journey with her character from the pinnacle of success to the valley of despair. The people who touch Jeena's life, from her sweet, loving grandmother to the innocent and accepting little girl, Kirsten, all help her down a path that leads to the ultimate goal of renewal and redemption.

I found the plot to be well written and a reminder that we don't realize how fortunate we are until we lose the things we think are most important to us. The author conveys the message that once we are stripped of our material possessions, we discover it is relationship with family, friends, and most important, God, that truly defines who we are.

Miralee Ferrell is an author who clearly proclaims the message of God's guidance and desire for redemption for all of His children. She reveals that message through stories that entertain and enlighten her readers.

What a journey, Jeena has a dream life - beautiful home, expensive car, fancy clothes, and dream job. Her world is one only many can dream of having. The American dream but it comes crumbing down in one day's time. Her job lost, her car repossessed, her home taken, and she has no where to go. She goes from everything to nothing in a very short time. As she is looking for hope, she doesn't realize God is directing her path. His plan is not always our plan. He knows what we need and where true happiness is found. It isn't in things but in a person.
Those Jeena used to look down on, she begins to see in a different life. She learns many lessons when she is no longer walking on Cloud 9 so to speak.
This story is one so many today could take to heart and learn from.
I was struggling with my own issues different from Jeena's but found inspiration and hope to keep struggling because of this book. From beginning to end you are held in it's grip.
The stories of the Women's Shelter will make you look at them with renewed interest. Jeena first views them the same way many people today do. But when she is on the other side and walking in the shoes of others, she is shown a new light and a new life.
God's provisions are not what we would chose but they are what we need. Jeena learned what was most valuable in life.

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 love history and archeology so the books that Miralee Ferrell has set in the old west are very enjoyable; but surprisingly there was something about "Finding Jeena" that totally grabbed me. Although it is not set in the old west; it is, hands down, my favorite book by Miralee Ferrell. Miralee is a very talented writer with an adept ability to weave interesting plots and to pull the reader into the story. I highly recommend this story.

I had read "The Other Daughter" and was really looking forward to reading this book. It was very different from what I expected. It was definitely a book of redemption, growth, and development as well as learning things the hard way. She knew just what she wanted out of life, very settled in her ways and thoughts and than found her life pulled out from under her feet due to circumstances beyond her control and could do nothing about. It was a very powerful, moving book and one once you start, you don't want to put down.

I Found this a good read. As often it seems themes follow in books or even in real life. Some of the issues in this book are topical for todays economical climate. Jenna has everything going for her with her job, home etc. But through no fault of her own things change and as mentioned in the book description she finds herself dealing with issues she thought were beneath her. She also has to deal with her own prejudices and preconceived ideas of people and situations. I found the book very relevant and also thought provoking. In some ways I was thinking but for the grace of God I could have been where Jenna ended up. Very good read.