"Jennifer" by Dee Henderson ~ a review

A very short prequel to the prequel of the O'Malley series, this story introduces the youngest of the O'Malley clan, Jennifer.  Jennifer is a very compassionate, caring pediatrician working with children who have very serious, sometimes terminal illnesses.  She loves her job and all the children who come into her care.  Which makes it extremely difficult when any her young patients pass away.  Her whole life is about her job and she very deliberately put aside having any relationships to devote her whole heart to her patients.  But when she meets Tom, another doctor, he slowly works his way into her life and her heart.  Jennifer is leary to go beyond just a friendship, especially when it is very apparent that Tom is very seriously devoted to his faith and belief in Jesus.  She is not prepared at all to go down that road.  But she sees qualities in Tom that she knows stems from his deep beliefs and it draws her.  But just when her own faith takes it's first steps she is dealt a medical blow that threatens to shatter it's beginnings.

Jennifer is first introduced in the O'Malley series in the first book, the Negotiator.  This is her back story to that initial introduction.  Written in the same style as the whole O'Malley series which puts faith in the forefront, her story explores faith in God and serious illness.  Each book in the series delves into a different aspect of faith.  What I appreciate about this series is that it is unapologetic that it is Christian and doesn't skirt around topics but takes them head on and presents a very strong biblical world view.  Jennifer was the first in her unusual family to be introduced to faith and this story tells of that experience.  She was also the first in the family to be married even though she is the youngest and the story also tells how she met her future husband.  An enjoyable and quick read.  Makes me want to read the whole O'Malley series as it's one of my favorites.