Made With Love

Made With Love by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore is a different look on Amish life in Sarasota, Florida. I enjoyed reading how Lovina's family adapted to life away from a farm. One thing we can take away from this story is how to handle someone's past. Do we hold it against them or look at who they are now? This seems like an easy decision until we're faced with the choice. There are quite a few things we can learn from this book about marriage, trust in God, and community.

Although I enjoyed the story it did feel slow. I was near the end of the book when I felt the excitement pick up. Do I need excitement? I need a story that will grip me enough I can't put it down till I'm done. I read the last 20% of the book in one sitting because I HAD to know how it ended; I wish I felt that way in the first 20%.

*This book was given to me by Net Galley for an honest review.

The Promise Box

The Promise Box is a powerful book about loss, love, consequences, and your personal walk with God. We get to see the beauty of adoption after horrific circumstances and the love of a mother. We also witness the over protection of some parents and the patient love of others.

I found this book quite inspiring and at times I was moved to tears. Tricia Goyer's sprinkled wonderful life nuggets throughout the book.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review. This is my second time reading it after I realized I didn't review it the first time.

The Memory Jar

I mentioned The Memory Jar before, but it was recently released on October 23rd, so now I want to tell you about it.  On a random note I decided to read it again once it was officially released.  It was wonderful both times.

Tricia Goyer, takes us back to Montana and the Amish in West Kootenai to get better acquainted with Sarah Shelter.  I say she takes us back because her first Amish series, Big Sky Amish Series, was about the same group of people.  We actually met Sarah in the first series, but she didn't play a big part.  Actually, from what I remember she was really quiet. 

In The Memory Jar we learn that Sarah isn't just a quiet Amish girl who can bake; she has a heart for God and others.  While on a hike with two friends and a couple Amish bachelors Sarah finds herself hurt and lost by herself on a mountain side.  After taking the wrong path down from the top one of the bachelors walks the other two girls back down while the other one, Jathon, goes back looking for Sarah.  While hiking Jathon starts discovering God in a whole new way.  The way Tricia shows God being so real in the life of the Amish is my favorite part of her writing.  Instead of me spoiling the book for you I'm going to suggest if you want to be challenged in your faith while reading a great book, read The Memory Jar.  This isn't your typical Amish book.  There are some authors that do a boy meets girl; the end.  Then there are boy meets girl, will they - won't they get married: the end.  And then there are boy meets girl, they meet God, you get wonderful nuggets (Godly inspiration to think about), and in the end well, they may get married. =)  Tricia writes like the latter.  After reading the Big Sky Amish Series she went from being an unknown author with me to being on my favorites list.

While reading on an elliptical when I would get to something worth highlighting I would snap a picture.  Sorry they are blurry, I only paused briefly before snapping the photo.  Here are a couple good quotes...

One of my best friends has been asking what she should do next.  God told her to go back to school, but now she doesn't have the money to stay there. This quote made me think of her.  One of my old pastor's used to say this.

Oh, I love this one.  I'm planning on making a plaque for my wall with this quote.  After talking about The Memory Jar all morning in the library I finally pulled out my phone and read this quote to the librarian.  She said, "What book is that?  Do we have it?  We need to get it." 

Protect This House I WILL

Is anyone out there reading and getting fit? I was up in the rafters at the gym again today. While getting ready I put on this top...

I like it because it reminds me if I want to be healthy it's all up to me.  If I do nothing, I'm not protecting my body.  So when I'm fighting the urge to go to the gym... Protect This House I WILL.  I know, my self portrait doesn't do the shirt justice, but I'm okay with that.  So throw on whatever inspires you and head to the gym or your home equipment, but don't forget your book, Kindle or eReader of your choice.

The Kindle screen has been blurred because the book hasn't been released

While up in the rafters sweating to death from both exercise and the want of a fan, I was reading a Tricia Goyer book on my Kindle.  If you've never read one of her books I HIGHLY suggest it.  It's never just a story.  Tricia does a wonderful job showing God in all the different circumstances.

Tricia Goyer

Have you heard of the author Tricia Goyer?  I didn't know she existed until LifeWay sent me a calender last year that was all Amish with a coupon at the end for Tricia's new and first Amish book, Beside Still Waters.  I put off buying it for a while.  I'm always afraid to buy a book then find it's lousy.  Well, I'm pleased to say I LOVED the book.  I loved it so much I found myself watching the calender for the next two books in her Big Sky Amish Series to come out.  When I find myself in a lull I want to read some of her other books.  I'm sure their good too.

Here's what I loved about her books...  There are certain Amish authors who quickly do a "boy meets girl" and you know from the first chapter they will eventually get married.  Ugh!  Give me some mystery.  Keep me guessing.  Well, Tricia Goyer does that.  Her writing reminds me a lot of Beverly Lewis who is my FAVORITE Amish author.  I seriously read a lot of Amish books; perhaps to much????  I believe Tricia is my second favorite Amish author.  She only gets second place because I've read Beverly's books longer and she has more of them out.  Something else I loved was how I could forget the main character was Amish.  She just lived life.

I'm currently reading The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer and published by Zondervan Publishing which is due to be released on October 23rd. My thoughts so far?  Love it!

I'm reviewing this book for Net Galley.

Exercise, Read, Enjoy

Hanging with Karen (Kingsbury) at the gym

I would like to call this sit and be fit, but of course that name is already taken.  I’m going to combine two hobbies which mothers can really struggle with: exercise and reading.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard moms say they don’t have time to excise hence the stretch pants over their stretch marks.  We spend so much time taking care of our kids that we completely miss the mark on taking care of ourselves.  I know in the south this can be easier said then done with our crazy heat, but what about going for a walk, push your little ones in a stroller or pull them in a wagon?  It will give them time outside the house and you a good walk in.  If your kids are older you could let them ride their bikes while you walk.  Is it to hot out?  No problem, just go for some laps around the mall or a department store.  If you’re lucky enough to have exercise equipment AWESOME!  Now go dust it off, put your kids to bed at a good time, and grab a good book so you can kill two birds with one stone.  Yep, I’m asking you to read while you work out.  Are you up for the challenge?  I need the exercise and I love reading so why not combine the two?
I signed up with Net Galley to review books.  Although I read a lot I've actually never reviewed a book before.  Last spring when Tricia Goyer's final addition to the Big Sky Amish Series came out I quickly bought it.  I was shocked to see someone had already reviewed the book and gave it a terrible rating.  Given the first two books are really good I was surprised at the review.  And then I noticed they got the copy from Net Galley and never read the first two additions.  First off I didn't think their opinion was fair and secondly I wanted to know more about Net Galley.  I registered at the end of March, but just signed up and was given my first book to review.  It seems appropriate while working out at the gym and reading Karen Kingsbury's book Take Two (yes, I'm behind) that Zondervan would send me my first book to review...  the final book in the multiple series about the Baxter family and their friends, Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury.  If you want to read some great books that will show you love from different angles, read Karen Kingsbury's Redemption Series.

Alright, are you ready to read a good book and to get your sweat on? 

One small tip, keep a hand towel or washcloth handy when reading and exercising; sweaty books really are gross. =)