About the Book
Imagine moving nearly 80 times and living in almost 20 states before graduating high school. This is the story of a young boy growing up on the road. Shawn D. Congleton shares his account of overcoming his life's challenges, of never settling, that included poverty, constant change, and an alcoholic and abusive father. He learned some memorable lessons along the way as he grew up in this most unforgettable experience and found hope to overcome.
Journey with him across the United States as he moves from his birthplace of Camp Pendleton, California to Indiana to Colorado and sixteen other states only to return to Camp Pendleton for Marine Corps boot camp where his life changes forever. Find the hope he found and never settle for what life throws at you!
"Readers will be glad that Shawn Congleton never settled for a life like the one in which he grew up. Now his story can give hope to hearts that are looking for a chance to be loved and to belong." Tanya Anderson, Award-Winning Author and Editor
"This memoir quickly drew me in and I found myself engulfed in the narrative." Jeremy Hudson, Pastor, Fellowship Church
"In a beautifully raw and compassionate way, Shawn invites us into his painful, yet hopeful story." Chris LeMaster, LPC
"This book, more than most others, was able to reach all five senses! It took me back on a nostalgic journey of childhood memories that I had previously tucked away." Todd Buck, Educator
About the Author :
Shawn D. Congleton has lived a life on the move; moving nearly 80 times before he graduated and living in almost 20 states. Since that time, he has spent most of it in Ohio with his wife, Heidi and three girls, Morgan, Jordan, and Brooklyn. He has been an admin clerk for the United States Marine Corps, secretary for Wright State University, youth and young adult pastor at High Street Church of the Nazarene, church planter with Life House Community, secretary with Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center, school counselor for Dunbar High School and Springfield High School, and co-principal with his wife, Heidi at the Eagle & Dove Academy.
Review :
"Childhood for many is a blissful time of discovery, familial love, and security. However, Shawn's early and teen years were characterized by mental and physical abuse, confusion, and running away. He didn't run away-his whole family did, time after time. Shawn never knew from one day to the next if he would be forced to pack up all his belongings at a moment's notice and get in the car with the rest of his family to head out to unknown destinations or if he would be the target of his father's rage and blame. Later, as an adult, Shawn knew he had to look to another Father for healing, support, and forgiveness. Readers will be glad that Shawn D. Congleton never settled for a life like the one in which he grew up. Now his story can give hope to hearts that are looking for a chance to be loved and to belong." - Tanya Anderson, award-winning author and editor
"Never Settled is a moving memoir written by Shawn D. Congleton. As a reader, you'll experience first hand the struggles of a young man striving towards a way out of his tumultuous situation. There's a wave of emotion as you see young Shawn battle parental guidance, poverty, a nomadic lifestyle, tragedy, and a fear of what the future may hold. Open this book, and get lost in a lifestyle that at times seems surreal and other times seems like a chapter out of your own story." - Michelle Carn, Educator
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this memoir. This book, more than most others, was able to reach all five senses! It took me back on a nostalgic journey of childhood memories that I had previously tucked away. I found myself relating fully to not only the stories, but the time period as well. It is a relatable story of struggle, grit, determination and triumph rolled into one that is fun to read and insightful to remember." - Todd Buck, Educator
"When I first cracked open Never Settled, I did it mainly as a favor to a friend. However, this memoir quickly drew me in and I found myself engulfed in the narrative. I kept thinking to myself, "How can one person go through so much and not be angry at the world? Or at God?" I appreciate Shawn's candor and authenticity as he shares his story. But even more than that-I am thankful for the reminder that there is no such thing as a story too broken for God to redeem. You will find such a story in the pages of this book!" - Jeremy Hudson, Pastor, Fellowship Church
"In a beautifully raw and compassionate way, Shawn invites us into his painful, yet hopeful story. Through his willingness to process the pain of his childhood, we are also able to experience with him the power of redemption. I really appreciated Shawn's candor, and his ability to tell his story with a genuine openness. Family can be the means of our greatest joys or the place of our deepest pain. To anyone who dares to look back in order to be able to finally move forward, I recommend this memoir." - Chris LeMaster, LPC
