Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story

By Dee Henderson

Eagerly Awaited Novella from Dee Henderson

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley. The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, and meeting Tom Peterson, and falling in love, is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce him to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested in a way she didn't expect, and the results will soon transform her entire family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: May 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781441261533

Dee Henderson

Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Unspoken, Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O’Malley series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Visit her at DeeHenderson.com.

Book preview

Cover

1

Her arms full of screaming, squirming boy, Dr. Jennifer O’Malley turned the corner of the Dallas hospital hallway and slammed open the ER doors with her shoulder. Watch his burned hands! In order to be heard over the angry cries of the child, her order had to cut like a sharp blade, and she pitched her voice accordingly. She headed toward the nearest empty exam area. She had a pretty good lock on the young boy from behind, and he wasn’t going to reach anything but possibly her with his flailing feet and hands. It was the head butts that were going to make her lose her grip if they didn’t get this situation quickly under control.

Can he handle Amit? the chief ER resident shouted, already pulling open the medicine cabinet door and grabbing for a syringe.

Three milligrams. And follow it with two milligrams of Doram for the pain. The boy’s bandaged hands were healing from second-degree burns and she was determined to not let him land one of his swings. She could feel the adrenaline in the child, fed by fear, anger, and pain. The boy managed to get a foot on the bed and shove it away.

The brush of a white coat across her shoulders combined with the whiff of perspiration and aftershave as a man reached over and around her to help hold the boy. Easy, son. What happened?

His brother thought the bed restraints were some kind of punishment and undid them. Peter slid out of the bed, started running to find his mom—not knowing she’s in the ICU—and we didn’t catch up with him until he’d tried to put himself through a glass door.

Yeah, that would make for a brutal afternoon.

The resident managed to get two clean injections into the boy’s thigh. Within minutes Jennifer was holding a drowsy little boy, looking more for a place to lay his head than any further struggle.

Okay?

Jennifer nodded. The doctor behind her shifted the boy’s weight fully back to her. She turned and placed the boy onto the bed, running a hand lightly across his cheek and brushing back his hair as he gave a last half sob. She was ready to share a few tears for him herself. I’m sorry, honey. It’s just not your week.

The boy was drifting further away with the meds. She lifted his left hand, saw the new damage under the disarray of the existing bandages, and looked over at his right. The skin was too fragile for the kind of impact he’d made with the glass door. Carrie, page John. See if the OR can take him straight from here. He’d need the burns cleaned again and the open blisters tended, and that would have to be done with the boy under heavy sedation. She removed the existing bandages and used new gauze to protect the open wounds from drying out.

His mom?

At the query she glanced over and saw a face to go with the white coat for the first time. A tall man, sandy hair, blue eyes, and a rather nice face. In the ICU burn unit, stable, thankfully. A cousin trying to be helpful brought Peter’s brother in with her to visit him.

Has the hospital assigned a family aide to assist the kids?

If they haven’t, I’m next going to chew out someone who probably signs my paycheck.

He smiled, and she thought she liked the smile. The ER hadn’t been her normal terrain for close to six years now. The fact that she didn’t know the man didn’t surprise her. But she guessed from the garb he wore that he wasn’t on his normal turf either. Those were surgical greens under the white coat.

Carrie rejoined them. John said ten minutes, Jen. I’ll take the boy up myself.

Thanks. Jennifer was aware of her own adrenaline fading. She hadn’t been expecting to step off the elevator and find herself in the middle of a chase to stop a desperate little boy looking for his mom.

She gently straightened his Superman pajamas, hoping he wouldn’t be that mad at her when he woke up later. He’ll do for now. It was just bad luck they didn’t open that door for him and let him keep running.

You took a couple knocks yourself. Let me see that eye.

She held still because the doctor was already probing. It’s a bruise. And I’m late for rounds.

It’s definitely bruised. He glanced at the suckers in her lab-coat pocket. What floor?

Oncology, pediatrics side.

Go handle rounds. I’ll back up Carrie to see our sleeping boy safely upstairs. But he paused her for a moment and offered a hand. I’m Tom Peterson, by the way.

She took the offered hand, and hers disappeared in his. Jennifer O’Malley.

Nice to meet you, Jennifer.

She was sure now she liked the smile. And his timing. There wasn’t much she could do but smile in reply. She headed back to work, wondering what other surprises were going to be in her day.

Tom Peterson relaxed in the staff break room, half dozing as he listened to a ball game on the radio behind him. The surgical wing had more silent stretches than most of the hospital floors. To the extent the surgery work could be scheduled, rotations started before seven a.m. and tended to end by midafternoon. There were still two cases coming through tonight, both relatively minor procedures, and he’d offered to be the one to stay so his partners could go on home.

He missed the hands-on general practice where he had begun his career, and young Peter this morning had reminded him of that time. Rarely did he encounter screamers anymore. The kid’s hands had to have been really hurting.

Tom, we’re about ready, his chief surgical nurse said, appearing in the open break room door. The anesthesiologist is beginning his countdown.

Thanks, Gina. He stretched his arms out and flexed the tiredness away. Gina?

She paused in the doorway.

Did you hear back from your sister?

Marla says Dr. O’Malley is in the same medical building as you and your partners, but on the third floor. She’s one of the five partners in the LMR group. Kids that no one else can keep healthy, she does.

Thanks.

Just let me know before you go out with her so I can forewarn Marla. O’Malley’s the sweetheart of the building, and there’s a list floating around among her staff for who she should ideally date. Your name’s not on it, by the way.

Really?

The door swung closed on her laugh. Let’s go, boss.

This isn’t good. You pulled your back helping the boy this morning.

The concerned words had Jennifer moving her hand away from the ache she had been rubbing deep in the muscles around her lower spine, and she straightened, trying not to show her wince. Just twisted it a bit, she murmured, accepting the second cup the man carried. He must have spotted her long before she realized there was even someone else on this floor tonight, except the two nurses she had already spoken with. Tom, was it?

She knew it was, but there were protocols for first introductions becoming second ones when it was a guy she thought she might enjoy getting to know. She was thinking this was a situation that warranted all the protocols she could remember.

Good memory. Heading somewhere in particular?

He was definitely a surgeon, she decided, for he still wore booties over his shoes that spoke of the ultraclean scrub rooms lining this seventh floor. She picked up the two charts she had been reading. Not really. My patients tend to spread across most of the hospital. Any hallway leads somewhere interesting at this point.

She specialized in wellness care for kids who were chronically or terminally ill. They already had the heart surgeon or oncologist in their lives. What they needed most was someone doing the preventive care so their colds and earaches didn’t tip into something much worse for them. There was no such thing as a minor cold in a child who was already desperately ill.

Rather than walk, Tom chose to lean back against the wall beside the nurses’ station. My emergency eight o’clock started bleeding into his chest again, meaning the thoracic guy takes precedence over my starting work to rebuild the boy’s jaw. And I’ve got a patient being medevaced in that won’t be here for a couple hours. So this is me stalling, carrying around two cups of coffee, looking for someone who is equally bored or trying to stay awake.

She sipped at the lukewarm coffee he’d offered even as she studied him. She liked the fact there was a sense of calm patience about the man. He wasn’t the typical type A personality she so often met on the surgical floor. Who do you normally find at this time of night?

"The guy in B-312 is recovering from a third

Reviews for Jennifer

[sarahgracegrzy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my word. Can I give this a thousand stars?

Y'all. THIS is how you write romance!

**Prepare yourselves for a minor rant on romances **

A good romantic relationship is not built on the "feels", the physical aspect - a tingling feeling when he touches your arm, constantly wanting to kiss, swooning over his blue eyes, getting lightheaded when you smell his aftershave . . . (*rolls eyes*) It's built on a solid friendship and a deep mutual respect and reverence for the other person - for their heart, their soul, their personality, not how cute they are.

Henderson nails that perfectly in "Jennifer". Tom and Jennifer's relationship is so pure, so sweet, and so beautiful. I fell in love with these amazing characters from the very start. I loved Jennifer's sweet servant's heart for others, and Tom's respect and support of her. Jennifer's salvation was incredibly realistic and beautiful, and actually had me tearing up. Henderson brings up some tough issues on God's sovereignty, and handles them with great tact, making things clear for the unbeliever, and strengthening the faith of the believer.

While very short, the pacing of this story was slow, peaceful, meandering. But not too slow that I lost interest. Just perfect. This could have been a full-blown novel and I would have loved it even more.

All in all, I very much enjoyed this short novella, and greatly look forward to reading more by this talented author! Highly recommended!

[missyvonnee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fan of Dee Henderson's O'Malley series, I anxiously awaited reading this story of Jennifer O'Malley. Touching and heartfelt, I enjoyed reading this novella. The only disappointment, I wanted a full novel with deeper character developments. If you enjoy Dee Henderson and the messages about faith she brings to her books, you will not be disappointed.

[fantasia655 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really great, it was really interesting and lovely to find out how Jennifer met Tom and how they both reacted when they found out she had cancer. I really enjoyed this book as I do all Dee Henderson's books.

[rjmoren · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good read on the beginning of The O'Malley's story. This related specifically to how Jennifer and Tom met and fell in love. It causes me to want to read the series all over again. As usual, Dee Henderson is spot on in pulling you in to the characters' lives and leaving you wanting to read more. Truly enjoyable.

[anotherjoy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very nice prequel to the O'Malley series. I read it in one sitting, and now really want to re-read the whole series again. Jennifer's story flows right into the rest of the books.

[jnut1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed it but since it has been so long since I read the others it also frustrates me.

[macnoid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was great to finally hear Jennifer's side of the story! After reading the O'Mally series, it was interesting to hear about how she and Tom got together, and what her life was like before she was diagnosed with cancer.The character development was great..... I felt I knew them, and I felt their pain. One thing I was a bit disappointed with was the size of the book. I realize that her story picks up in the first book of the series, but I still wish I could have gotten to know Jennifer a little bit better. I like thick books!!! All in all, it was great to see how her story started and it gives it more depth to her character and to the story as it unfolds through the rest of the series. I'm glad Dee Henderson decided to write this book.

[wrbinpa · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a simple story dealing with a tender love and faith with a deeply touching ending. The characters are easy to care for, but the tempo doesn't pick up until later in the book - a bit of a let down for me. Dr Jennifer O'Malley specializes in wellness care for kids who are chronically and terminally ill. Kids that no one else can keep healthy, she does. She loves her job and finds being a doctor exhilarating. Jennifer loves kids first and medicine second and gives enormous amounts of energy and time, but still has the heart to give more. Tom Peterson, in his mid-thirties, works on the surgical wing of the same hospital as Jennifer. He is a surgeon, and very much at peace with his life. Jennifer likes the friendship she is forming with Tom and appreciates his humor. But, now their friendship is moving beyond friends to something more - she is feeling cared for, and cared about. Jennifer starts to question Christianity. She's gone a lifetime without it and if it weren't for Tom, she wouldn't be considering it now. Jennifer and Tom's love blossoms, but suddenly the unexpected happens and their future seems to be in jeopardy as their faith is tested. This novella will leave you hanging at the end, with its heartbreaking conclusion. I felt the last few chapters were extremely rushed, and the story was too predictable. However, the ending was enjoyable, enticing you to read the series. It is a prequel, written for the O'Malley series and the story continues through Book 1, The Negotiator. My rating is 3.5 stars. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions shared in this review are my own.I invite you to follow me on Twitter - @ghmstudio.

[tiinaj1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The O'Malley books have long been a favorite series of mine and when Jennifer was released and offered for review I jumped right up on the bandwagon! Jennifer is the first of her family to become a Christian, get married and is the catalyst for all the other stories that are part of the O'Malley series. Her story is the backbone for everything that happens to each member and the one that brings the message of Christ to her family. I found the writing in Jennifer to be much easier to read and loved that we didn't have the "explanation" offered in all the other O'Malley books to explain how this family became a family. It's much smoother. Jennifer is someone I would of loved to have known in "real life" and her relationship with Tom is another bond that you see bits n pieces of in the other books. It's strong and secure - exactly what all the other members of the family want. Tom's faith is beautifully written and the salvation message is presented in a way that would make a nonbeliever want to know more. I would of loved a longer book, the last couple of chapters are a bit rushed and I would of loved to know more about what happens after a major event that occurs at the end of the book. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger but it's a wonderful introduction to the whole series - it would make a nice book to give to a friend or just to add to complete your series.

[judyg54 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This novella is about the youngest O'Malley sibling from the "O'Malley Series" by Dee Henderson. I read this series several years ago, and after reading this book it makes me want to go back and read the series all over again. This story is a pre-quel to book one in the series. It leaves you off where "The Negotiator" (book one in the series) picks up in the life of Jennifer O'Malley.Jennifer is a busy physician who loves her job in pediatrics in Dallas. Tom Peterson is also a doctor and he wants to get to know Jennifer. It takes some slow going, but Tom and Jennifer become good friends, which will eventually lead to falling in love. Their journey from friendship to love was very precious and special. Jennifer also will fall in love with Jesus in this story and that is just as special to see happen. She will need that special bond with both Tom and Christ as she faces some unexpected testing in her life.I can only say if you enjoyed "the O'Malley series" you will definitely want to read this book. If you haven't read the series, then start with this one and keep on reading the whole series, you will not be disappointed. Dee Henderson does a good job of making her characters come alive with real problems and not all of them work out as "happily ever after", but she also always gives hope through that special relationship we can all have with the Lord.* A Complimentary copy of this book was sent to me from LibraryThing Early Reviewers for my honest review.*

[mandat_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story is a novella that tells the beginning of Jennifer and Tom's story. Jennifer is a pediatric physician who stumbles upon a handsome surgeon, Tom Peterson, and decides to take a chance on love. Just when all seems to be going well, Jennifer's new faith in God is tested and put to the test. When it comes to her family, Jennifer is the youngest of six siblings and is not sure how to share with her older siblings the many things that have come into her life in the past few months. Their relationship is a unique one in that they are all adopted. As the family fourth of July event approaches, she has to figure out how to share with them her new budding romance with Tom, her faith in God and other trials that are facing her life.I enjoyed reading this novella. It was short and is able to be read in a day or so. It did peak my curiosity for the rest of the series and I'm definitely going to pick up the next book. The story line drew me in right from the start and the story kept me interested throughout the book. I would definitely recommend this book. The rest of Jennifer's story can be read throughout the O'Malley series beginning with The Negotiator, Book One. **I received this free book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[nextian_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dee Henderson is back up to form with "Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story". It is the long-awaited prequel to the O'Malley series which has made Henderson so popular. In a few short pages she has managed to add a depth and understanding to Jennifer's story as she finds herself, her love, and her faith. The reader finally gets to see what happened in the months leading up to "The Negotiator" that started the chain of events for so many characters throughout the series. It's a bit heavy on the romance and very light on action which is not my usual taste. It seems to work for this story though. My only wish is that it was a bit longer. A novella just doesn't give you enough time to spend with characters you have grown to love over the years. It is well worth the read and will keep you turning pages without any desire to put it down.

[love2readnovels_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer O'Malley is a busy physician who pours her heart and soul into her pediatric patient's. They are more like her kids. While trying to help a hurting child, she runs into Dr. Tom Peterson who gives her some assistance. Her strength and dedication attracts Tom while Jennifer finds herself drawn to Tom's gentle personality and strong faith. Tom introduces Jennifer to the Lord and she is excited about her future and new found faith. She wants to introduce Tom to her family at their Fourth of July gathering. But what will happen when Jennifer's faith is push to the ultimate limit?I have read the entire O'Malley Series so I was very excited to about reading 'Jennifer'. It's not a long story but it was very endearing and loaded with emotion. I found myself reaching for the Kleenex at one point. Jennifer's life is a secondary story within the O'Malley Series and you get to know her while reading through the stories. That's what made this story so touching, because you get to see how Jennifer and Tom met and got to know each other. If you haven't read the O'Malley Series, you could start with this story but understand, to find the conclusion to Jennifer's story, you have to read the entire series. (which you'll want to do because it's a GREAT series). If you've read the O'Malley Series, you will definitely want get this book. I think it's a great addition you won't want to miss.*This complimentary copy was provided by Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*Hardcover: 160 pagesPublisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2013)ISBN-10: 0764211129ISBN-13: 978-0764211126

[holly_combs_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a longtime fan of Dee Henderson’s suspenseful O’Malley series, so when I learned she would be writing Jennifer’s story in a new novella, I couldn’t wait to read it. I wasn’t disappointed in Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story.Jennifer, the youngest O’Malley sibling, is a dedicated pediatrician focused on keeping “her” kids healthy for as long as possible. Then Tom, a successful surgeon, enters her life with a casual, but ever sweet friendship. Most importantly, Tom introduces her to the God who loves her–gently helping her explore and ask her questions. Before long, Jennifer comes to realize that she is not only falling for Tom, but also her Lord.While I wasn’t terribly impressed by Henderson’s latest novel, Full Disclosure, I felt like the voice I know and love from her early work returned to tell Jennifer’s story.Over the course of six books, readers were given open doors into the lives of the other O’Malleys, but only glimpses into Jennifer. As a youngest sibling myself, I always found her fascinating but never felt I really got to know her. This book allowed readers a real opening into Jennifer’s character and life beyond just her role in the larger family.There were a few disappointments with Jennifer’s book, though. A noticeable omission was her back story. While I realize that much of the O’Malley story has already been told in the series, I would have appreciated learning more about Jennifer’s childhood and how it affected her as an adult from her own perspective. The novella also doesn’t have the breadth and depth of most of Henderson’s books so Jennifer and Tom are not fully developed and, of course, the story lacks the suspense of the rest of the series. Just remember, it is a novella.That said, Jennifer’s story is a sweet love story as she falls for both Tom and her Lord. And I am so glad Henderson chose to write and publish the story for those of us who love the O’Malleys.I received a complimentary copy of Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story from Bethany House Publishers, but I was not otherwise compensated for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.

[deanna13-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson is a novella that introduces Jennifer, the youngest of the seven O’Malleys and one of the characters in the O’Malley series. Jennifer is a pediatric doctor in a large hospital in Dallas and during one of her visits to the ER she meets Tom Peterson, a surgeon at the hospital. The mutual attraction between the two is almost instantaneous. As their relationship develops she is wondering how to introduce him to her brothers and sisters for she knows that they will all put him through the third degree with their questions. Tom is amazed at the compassion that Jennifer shows to all her patients and how deeply she feels the loss when one dies. Tom invites Jennifer to attend church with him and at first she is hesitant but then she starts to enjoy church and reading the Bible. Just as she is learning to trust God, she receives news that at first makes her doubt God and His love.The author has a real talent for writing romance novels and this novella does not disappoint. She did an excellent job of developing the personalities and dialogue of the characters and they were so real that I was laughing or crying right along with them. The plot was somewhat predictable concerning the romance but there was a surprise twist near the end that was not expected. One thing that I really like about Dee Henderson’s novels is that in every book she writes, God has an important role in the life of the characters.I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a heartwarming romance and also likes for the characters to love God and have faith in Him.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[glenajo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Complete the CircleIf you’ve read the entire O’Malley series, you need to read Jennifer to complete the circle. However, if you haven’t, definitely read the series, but start with Jennifer. It is written as a prequel, and if you’ve read the rest of the series, then you know how it ends, and you will have to struggle to read the book. If you are just looking for a beautiful love story, along with a good cry, read Jennifer for a nice weepy afternoon. Dee Henderson writes quick, easily read novels, but Jennifer is definitely a novella. The theme of Christianity and the desire to know and love God runs through them all. Each one I’ve read has encouraged me to be a stronger Christian, and lead a better life. I would recommend it to Christian women of any age, or as a gift to someone, you think might be thinking of becoming a Christian.

[alanbethcam_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer is the kind of doctor every parent of a sick child, wishes to have. She loves her patients – and they know it. I enjoyed this novella so much and cried with Jennifer and Tom when her life took a turn that no one, least of all her, expected. It made me want to go back and read the rest of the series. Maybe I will!