Safe Pasture

Rating:
Summary: A Very Descriptive book about love, life, and outcome
Review: I have read a lot of books -- some very bad and some very good. Safe Pasture is one of those "Very, very good books". I would highly recommend this book to young couples just beginning their lives together or to older people who have lived much of their lives. This is an inspirational book for all ages.

I have been in contact with others who have read this book and their response always is: "I wish Mrs. Gilbert would write more about this family" or "when will she write another book?" I think all libraries should carry this book on their shelves. It is a clean, lovely story about a young woman with a child striving to do the right thing in the eyes of the Lord.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Descriptive book about love, life, and outcome
Review: I have read a lot of books -- some very bad and some very good. Safe Pasture is one of those "Very, very good books". I would highly recommend this book to young couples just beginning their lives together or to older people who have lived much of their lives. This is an inspirational book for all ages.

I have been in contact with others who have read this book and their response always is: "I wish Mrs. Gilbert would write more about this family" or "when will she write another book?" I think all libraries should carry this book on their shelves. It is a clean, lovely story about a young woman with a child striving to do the right thing in the eyes of the Lord.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Descriptive book about love, life, and outcome
Review: I have read a lot of books -- some very bad and some very good. Safe Pasture is one of those "Very, very good books". I would highly recommend this book to young couples just beginning their lives together or to older people who have lived much of their lives. This is an inspirational book for all ages.

I have been in contact with others who have read this book and their response always is: "I wish Mrs. Gilbert would write more about this family" or "when will she write another book?" I think all libraries should carry this book on their shelves. It is a clean, lovely story about a young woman with a child striving to do the right thing in the eyes of the Lord.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: Rarely do you come across a book so well-written that the characters become your friends. While I read, I laughed, I cried, I held my breath and signed in relief as the characters vividly faced life's challenges.

Rating:
Summary: God Plays a Role
Review: Safe Pasture
Donna Chapman Gilbert
Publishamerica, 2003
ISBN 1413710077
306 pages

Review by Barbara Bamberger Scott
****

Donna Chapman Gilbert knows how to move characters around 9in a vivid fictional landscape. She keeps us in the mood for more, and even though her book, Safe Pasture, is fully resolved by the last page, we could happily contemplate a sequel.

Safe Pasture is about Susanna Parker, a widow struggling to raise a son and grappling with issues that confront all single women - employment, relationships, deeper meaning on the spiritual journey. It's clear that the author is a religious seeker -God plays an essential role in her book. In the course of this well constructed novel, the heroine is converted to a significantly serious kind of Christianity that won't let her relax, even when she is angry at the Creator, even when she'd like to stray from the path.

In fact, the man in her life, Zeke, has to compete with the Lord, and that doesn't come easy to someone not used to being subjected to the whims and dictates of another, even the Almighty. But Susanna's inner strength, and her grasp on the true meaning of prayer, win him over.

In between there is a fascinating and carefully crafted story, with admirable and often humorous good guys and some nasty villains. There is Zeke's little girl, who refuses to speak, and Rusty, the fatherless boy whose disappearance becomes the focal point for Zeke's conversion. In the background there's Mark, darkly handsome and seductive, whose treachery and callous machismo are a counterpoint to Zeke's gentle, artistic and honorable male power, power that ultimately sways Susanna and gives her reason to believe that her loneliness is at an end.

Set on a cattle ranch in Wyoming, where Susanna learns to appreciate the quiet of a sunset and to respect the hard work of the ranch hands for whom she cooks and cleans, this novel has a wide lens, focusing out on the life of a cowhand in rich detail, and in on the personal fears and foibles of a youthful widow whose sorrows threaten to keep her from seeing the love that's there for the taking. One can believe that the author has had experience with much of the subject matter, herself a Texan and mother of two boys.

Gilbert's book will be an attractive offering for Christian women who can deal with classic romance and heart-felt religion mixed in the same well plotted tale. Susanna and Zeke are credible three dimensional people and Susanna's love of God is more than just a device - it's central to the story.

Rating:
Summary: A perfectly written first novel
Review: Safe Pastures is a first novel crafted with some of the best writing I've seen, even in seasoned writers. The characters are alive and real, and the story is compelling with plenty of depth and tension to hold the writer's interest. But what most impressed me was the multilayered style of Ms. Gilbert's writing. She uses natural, flowing, complex sentence structures that pulled me along in the story, yet made me want to stop, re-read and relish a turn of phrase. Her writing is full of lush yet efficient description that manages not to get in the way of the story. I enjoyed wandering along through paragraphs with plenty of rich details but no unneeded snags to trip me or distract me from the plot. It's good literature and a good story in a perfect fit. Read this book! You will stay up late, saying to yourself, "Just one more chapter and then I'll turn out the light."

Rating:
Summary: from www.inspiredbyfaith.tk
Review: Sue is a widow and single mother. As one might guess, her life is pretty stressful. Then the bank that she works for goes under. And, thus, God leads a woman who doesn't really know Him into a "cowboy" adventure that she'll never forget.

-RELIGIOUS CONTENT: The path that God uses to lead Sue to Him is as wonderful and varied as the means that He sometimes uses to bring real people to Him.

Sue's aunt, Ora, is a devout Christian who thanks God for everything. The widowed wife of a preacher, she has taught the children who live in her neighborhood how to pray and feels like a grandmother to them. She cares for them all very deeply. She is there for a neighborhood boy whose mother is rarely home. In this way, a distinction is drawn between a loving, supportive family and a neglectful one.

After accepting Christ, Sue refuses to marry an otherwise good man, because he isn't a Christian.

-ADULT LANGUAGE/CONTENT: Sue runs a red light to get to work on time. The word "hell" is used as a swear word. Urinating is referred to as "a leak," prompting Sue's son, Rusty, to ask her what the speaker meant.

It is noted that one girl has moved to Texas to be with a man that she has just met and has been divorced four times. This is not glamorized, however.

Sue and one romantic interest kiss passionately. She pushes him away when she realizes that he wants more.

Some characters drink alcohol, but drunkenness is vilified.

-VIOLENT CONTENT: Sue is nearly raped. This is shown to be the horrible experience that it is. A fight breaks out between the attempted rapist and the man who saves her.

-CONCLUSION: Safe Pastures is one of those books that makes me wonder why I like it. I'm normally a Science Fiction/Fantasy/Action/Adventure type of reader. A western romance really doesn't fit into my normal reading preferences. But I just couldn't put this book down. I grew to care for Sue as a person and was overjoyed by the ending of the book. You will be, too. That's not to say that this is a children's . . . Or even a teen's . . . book. This is a well-crafted story that adults, however, will treasure.

Rating:
Summary: MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Review: Susanna Parker, the main character of our story, is a young widowed mother. At the onset of the story Susanna is fired from her job and decides to take up her Aunt Ora's invitation and visit with her for a while in Wyoming. Her son Rusty is overjoyed and can't wait to begin the adventure, but Susanna is only looking forward to some quiet relaxing time.

Aunt Ora is a believing woman, setting her hopes on the Lord for her everyday existence. Susanna loves and respects her aunt but does not share the devotion and commitment to the Lord that she does. However that would soon change. And you know, without being told, that Aunt Ora was inspired by a higher force to invite her niece to spend time with her. Realizing this, you are aware that God has a plan for this young woman's life and you await to see it unfold before you.

On Aunt Ora's insistence Susanna and her son accompany her to church where Susanna meets and is befriended by Beth O'Connor. She also meets Mark, a man she finds quite appealing despite Aunt Ora's disapproval of him, and is one of our colorful sinister characters in this work. The author did a good job using this character to show how the enemy sends counterfeits along our path to sway us from God's ultimate purpose. But the Lord is at work in Susanna's life and things are about to change as he turns her to him.
Her conversion takes place when her son is missing and Susanna promises the Lord that she will change if he is returned safely to her.

We are introduced to Zeke McCall, a rancher that is in need of a cook. Aunt Ora thinks this would be the perfect opportunity for Susanna to pick up some extra funds and for Rusty to enjoy ranch life for a while. Susanna is not so sure but agrees to at least meet the man and discuss the possibilities. Their meeting does not go well and instead of making Susanna pick up and leave she decides to prove to this man that she can indeed take on the responsibility of cooking for the likes of him and his men.

Zeke is a widower with a young daughter named Laura who has not spoken since the tragic death of her mother in a car accident.
This is where the true meat of the story begins as the author introduces you to colorful ranch hands that challenge Susanna to battle for her acceptance as one of them; you will smile at their playful antics towards Susanna, but you will also
cringe as the author has woven in some very distasteful characters that almost destroy Susanna's life. Good mix.

The author takes you on a journey in this read of this woman Susanna, this man Zeke, both struggling with their inner hurts and fears. Both feeling the force that is drawing them together and both battling against the tide. Susanna's faith is growing and Zeke has not yet accepted the Lord, this is not acceptable to Susanna who could never have a relationship with a man who does not have the Lord in his life.

The story takes you through many trauma's, from a near rape of Susanna, the near loss of the ranch for Zeke, to the desperate search for the children during a blinding blizzard, which leads to Zeke's acceptance of the Lord. The author shows through each and everyone of these the saving grace of God.

Safe Pasture is a work that takes the lives of two people and shows how God is able to intervene to bring them to the place he wants them to be. It is a work that is filled with raw emotions, tender love, nail biting suspense and deep inward faith all interwoven in a great storyline. One that will keep you reading, and will encourage you in your walk as you see how the steadfastness of one believer can indeed move mountains and change lives forever.
Very highly recommended.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

Rating:
Summary: MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Review: Susanna Parker, the main character of our story, is a young widowed mother. At the onset of the story Susanna is fired from her job and decides to take up her Aunt Ora's invitation and visit with her for a while in Wyoming. Her son Rusty is overjoyed and can't wait to begin the adventure, but Susanna is only looking forward to some quiet relaxing time.

Aunt Ora is a believing woman, setting her hopes on the Lord for her everyday existence. Susanna loves and respects her aunt but does not share the devotion and commitment to the Lord that she does. However that would soon change. And you know, without being told, that Aunt Ora was inspired by a higher force to invite her niece to spend time with her. Realizing this, you are aware that God has a plan for this young woman's life and you await to see it unfold before you.

On Aunt Ora's insistence Susanna and her son accompany her to church where Susanna meets and is befriended by Beth O'Connor. She also meets Mark, a man she finds quite appealing despite Aunt Ora's disapproval of him, and is one of our colorful sinister characters in this work. The author did a good job using this character to show how the enemy sends counterfeits along our path to sway us from God's ultimate purpose. But the Lord is at work in Susanna's life and things are about to change as he turns her to him.
Her conversion takes place when her son is missing and Susanna promises the Lord that she will change if he is returned safely to her.

We are introduced to Zeke McCall, a rancher that is in need of a cook. Aunt Ora thinks this would be the perfect opportunity for Susanna to pick up some extra funds and for Rusty to enjoy ranch life for a while. Susanna is not so sure but agrees to at least meet the man and discuss the possibilities. Their meeting does not go well and instead of making Susanna pick up and leave she decides to prove to this man that she can indeed take on the responsibility of cooking for the likes of him and his men.

Zeke is a widower with a young daughter named Laura who has not spoken since the tragic death of her mother in a car accident.
This is where the true meat of the story begins as the author introduces you to colorful ranch hands that challenge Susanna to battle for her acceptance as one of them; you will smile at their playful antics towards Susanna, but you will also
cringe as the author has woven in some very distasteful characters that almost destroy Susanna's life. Good mix.

The author takes you on a journey in this read of this woman Susanna, this man Zeke, both struggling with their inner hurts and fears. Both feeling the force that is drawing them together and both battling against the tide. Susanna's faith is growing and Zeke has not yet accepted the Lord, this is not acceptable to Susanna who could never have a relationship with a man who does not have the Lord in his life.

The story takes you through many trauma's, from a near rape of Susanna, the near loss of the ranch for Zeke, to the desperate search for the children during a blinding blizzard, which leads to Zeke's acceptance of the Lord. The author shows through each and everyone of these the saving grace of God.

Safe Pasture is a work that takes the lives of two people and shows how God is able to intervene to bring them to the place he wants them to be. It is a work that is filled with raw emotions, tender love, nail biting suspense and deep inward faith all interwoven in a great storyline. One that will keep you reading, and will encourage you in your walk as you see how the steadfastness of one believer can indeed move mountains and change lives forever.
Very highly recommended.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: This book grabbed me right from the start. I felt like I knew the characters. Ms. Gilbert paints a picture with her words in such a way that, even having never been to Wyoming, I felt as though I had. This book took me on a journey that made me feel good. It brought up spirituality in ways that made me pause and consider my own faith and what role it played in my life. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read her next one!