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Widow
This novel reveals the emotional churnings of three people. Peggy Waldren, her son Ned and a sensitive army veteran, Ken Lister.
The day before the story begins, 30-year-old Peggy Waldren discovers that Peter, her loving husband of ten years, has been killed in an auto accident. She is left with her 8-year-old son Ned, not much life insurance and a deeply wounded heart. Ned is devastated. Peggy builds a wall around her emotions.
Two years pass. Peggy’s wall remains up even after she meets Ken Lister, an army veteran, who finds her enchanting.
The situation changes when Peggy discovers her son’s beloved baseball coach is the same man whose overtures she has spurned, Ken Lister.
Peggy’s wall eventually collapses when she realizes her love for Ken will not replace what Peter has meant in her life. Love is infinite.
- GenresContemporary
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2016
50 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Gleason
7 books1 followerAuthor Biography
Chuck Gleason
“Collision Course” - “Fired Angels”
Have we discovered a literary Grandpa Moses?
Author Chuck Gleason is eighty five years old and writing love stories at a prodigious rate. He started dating his wife, Janet, in 1945 when they were just fifteen. They were married in 1950 and are still in love sixty four years later!
“Fired Angels,” Chuck’s second romance novel, has just been released. This book is a fun read, taking many twists and unexpected turns. The story concerns three teachers who start a Charter School in East Lansing, Michigan, where the Gleason’s lived for ten years.
Both books are available at the University Book Store in Dahlonega, at Amazon.com. and at the Lumpkin County Library.
Chuck achieved business success selling life insurance. Chuck’s speech, “Are You Running Your Business or is Your Business Running You?” has been delivered in twenty seven states and seven foreign countries.
The couple retired to Dahlonega in 2003. Chuck began writing at age 80. After over 1200 rejections, he found Black Rose Writing who has published both of Chuck’s books. The first book, “Collision Course,” got fabulous reviews and was selected as a finalist in the Forward Reviews Romance book contest.
They have two children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
“If you marry your best friend you’ll have a wonderful life.”
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 30, 2017
This book started out slow but as I got into it further it picked up. It was a sweet, sad story of love, loss & new love with a few bumps in the road. The characters were well written & well rounded with great ethics & morals. What starts out as a tragedy in the beginning ends up with new love dawning & the chance to start over with love found in a small town. The character of Ken was a proverbial knight in shining armour coming in to help the damsel Peggy & her young son Ned. This book truly ended up being a very wonderful light hearted read. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review.
May 6, 2017
Pleasant read
This book is very pleasant and sweet. It has a few dramatic moments but over all it is heartwarming and romantic.
This book is very pleasant and sweet. It has a few dramatic moments but over all it is heartwarming and romantic.
September 10, 2017
A Good Read
A good light read with recurring message that makes you feel warm and cozy inside.
Thank you. I enjoyed it.
A good light read with recurring message that makes you feel warm and cozy inside.
Thank you. I enjoyed it.
January 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet love story. I like the characters in the book and even though you knew soon in the book what the ending would be, it was still a nice fun read.
October 5, 2016
What a great story just loved it read it in one go just couldnt put it down cant wait to read more books by this author
November 6, 2016
Widow by Chuck Gleason was a book I found on Netgalley that intrigued me. The story is about a new widow and her son and how they move on emotionally over time. The line that caught my attention is that love is infinite. The story was poignant and emotionally charged. There should be a warning label about crying near the beginning - Like avoid reading the first ¼ of the book in public - you may cry.
The story starts with Peggy and Ned (mother and child) finding out about their husband/father’s death. The scenes between them are often quite touching. The strength they find to move on and continue to grow gives hope to the reader about their future. Then Ken Lister enters the picture and the hope continues to grow.
I felt the book was a little old fashion for me, but it certainly could appeal to many people. The characters and the town’s people reminded me clearly of small town life. I was impressed with the quality of the writing with the poems and poignant phrasing in places.
The story starts with Peggy and Ned (mother and child) finding out about their husband/father’s death. The scenes between them are often quite touching. The strength they find to move on and continue to grow gives hope to the reader about their future. Then Ken Lister enters the picture and the hope continues to grow.
I felt the book was a little old fashion for me, but it certainly could appeal to many people. The characters and the town’s people reminded me clearly of small town life. I was impressed with the quality of the writing with the poems and poignant phrasing in places.
January 2, 2017
I sincerely enjoyed reading this book. I have to say it was very heartbreaking in the very beginning and I cried quite a bit. Ken was a true Godsend, not only was he a very patient man but he also brought a mother and son slowly out of their grief. The Lord brings people into your life at the most odd times, but that a for a reason. It is usually for your own good. I love how this story played out and I looking forward to reading more of this author's work in the near future.
November 27, 2016
What a wonderful love story with Peggy getting a second chance at love and happiness with local little league coach Ken. Her son Ned already idolizes him and he's willing to give her time to adjust to to having a new man in her life. I love the beginning with the puppy introducing the cast of characters. A very thoughtful story written by a man.
Read
February 20, 2017got through 5 chapters and could not keep reading this book ... horrible writing style ....the mom kept asking her son about dating other men after his Dad died ... . so annoying ....
January 8, 2021
Heartwarming
This book warmed the ockles of my heart. The honest sincerity and patience of Men and Peggy, the love they share and expression with Ned is so endearing.
This book warmed the ockles of my heart. The honest sincerity and patience of Men and Peggy, the love they share and expression with Ned is so endearing.
April 20, 2017
I loved the idea behind this book. A man dies tragically leaving behind a family that loves him dearly. His wife, Peggy, is still young (early 30s) and his son, Ned, is only 8 years old. They are both completely heartbroken, but Peggy does her best to be everything Ned needs. She is forced to get a new job and attempt to be both mother and father to Ned. They struggle to move on, but eventually Ken enters the picture and both Peggy and Ned connect with him separately. Can he help them pick up the pieces and move on?
Seems like a book I would enjoy. However, it was an incredibly hard read for me. What should’ve taken a couple of days to read stretched out over about a week because I continually avoided reading it. My problem was with the writing. The characters didn’t sound at all like a 30 year old woman and a little boy. Both the dialogue and inner thoughts were poorly done. I knew I was in trouble from the beginning. In the first chapter, Peggy thinks, “I’ve loved Peter ever since we met in that accounting class in college. He was a successful CPA and his practice was beginning to take off. I am devastated, and our Ned is totally unhinged. Ned? Where is Ned? I better check on him.” I was willing to give this a pass, because we needed some backstory, but no one really thinks like that.
It, however, didn’t get better. In chapter 10, Ned thinks, “They tell me my eyes are as blue as the sky; but I’m sure there is sadness in them. I feel so lonely since Daddy died.” In chapter 17, Peggy says, “What I want to do with your lap is sit in it. Oh darn, there I go again putting my foot in my mouth. I’m going to hang up now. I’m too flustered to talk further.”
These are just a few examples. I could go on and on. Ken’s constant speeches and “profound” words of wisdom were just as unbelievable. In fact, by the end I was continually highlighting things that were completely unrealistic or poorly written. I had a really hard time connecting with the characters because they didn’t sound their age. Instead, I constantly thought about how they wouldn’t really say that, do that, think that, etc. I think the author is just too far removed from these characters to write them believably.
I also thought it was interesting that he seemed to use Hamilton, IL, without actually researching the area. Being incredibly familiar with this area, myself I thought I should warn you not to visit based on the descriptions given. Yes, Hamilton is a small town near Warsaw and Keokuk, but that is where the accuracy ends. For example, they are constantly sneaking off to Warsaw for dinner and a movie. Warsaw is so small there is no movie theater. There are also no new subdivisions being built in Hamilton and certainly no Hamilton University. I get that most people won’t be bothered by this, but for someone familiar with the area I couldn’t help but notice how inaccurate the setting was.
For me, this is a pass. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted on www.NovelMomma.com
Seems like a book I would enjoy. However, it was an incredibly hard read for me. What should’ve taken a couple of days to read stretched out over about a week because I continually avoided reading it. My problem was with the writing. The characters didn’t sound at all like a 30 year old woman and a little boy. Both the dialogue and inner thoughts were poorly done. I knew I was in trouble from the beginning. In the first chapter, Peggy thinks, “I’ve loved Peter ever since we met in that accounting class in college. He was a successful CPA and his practice was beginning to take off. I am devastated, and our Ned is totally unhinged. Ned? Where is Ned? I better check on him.” I was willing to give this a pass, because we needed some backstory, but no one really thinks like that.
It, however, didn’t get better. In chapter 10, Ned thinks, “They tell me my eyes are as blue as the sky; but I’m sure there is sadness in them. I feel so lonely since Daddy died.” In chapter 17, Peggy says, “What I want to do with your lap is sit in it. Oh darn, there I go again putting my foot in my mouth. I’m going to hang up now. I’m too flustered to talk further.”
These are just a few examples. I could go on and on. Ken’s constant speeches and “profound” words of wisdom were just as unbelievable. In fact, by the end I was continually highlighting things that were completely unrealistic or poorly written. I had a really hard time connecting with the characters because they didn’t sound their age. Instead, I constantly thought about how they wouldn’t really say that, do that, think that, etc. I think the author is just too far removed from these characters to write them believably.
I also thought it was interesting that he seemed to use Hamilton, IL, without actually researching the area. Being incredibly familiar with this area, myself I thought I should warn you not to visit based on the descriptions given. Yes, Hamilton is a small town near Warsaw and Keokuk, but that is where the accuracy ends. For example, they are constantly sneaking off to Warsaw for dinner and a movie. Warsaw is so small there is no movie theater. There are also no new subdivisions being built in Hamilton and certainly no Hamilton University. I get that most people won’t be bothered by this, but for someone familiar with the area I couldn’t help but notice how inaccurate the setting was.
For me, this is a pass. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted on www.NovelMomma.com
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews