Made with Love by Tricia Goyer & Sherry Gore (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

A Dash of Love, a Pinch of Hope, and a Whole Lot of Good Cooking

Lovina Miller should be thrilled. Pinecraft, Florida, has everything a young Amish woman could ask for: sun, sand, volleyball games, and evening singings in the park. But Pinecraft lacks the one thing Lovina desperately wants—a pie shop of her own. She longs for a place to gather with the community and serve the treat she loves.

A young carpenter named Noah Yoder strolls into her life and offers a way to make her dream come true. But before Noah and Lovina can build a shop—and a life—together, they must each face heartaches from the past. Is their new love stronger than their regrets?

Find inspiration, romance, and authentic Amish recipes for everyone’s favorite food—pie!

My thoughts-

Not long ago I read Sherry Gore's book about how she has been one of the few people from the outside to join the Amish church. She lives in Pinecraft and I know this book would have a very personal touch to it because of that. My absolute favorite author of Amish fiction is Tricia Goyer. This book to me sounded like a match made in heaven. Made with Love was a cute love story that gives us the opportunity to learn a bit about a different kind of Amish community. Pinecraft residents don't seem to follow the same stringent rules as many of the other Amish communities. This books serves as a reminder that there are Amish communities all over the United States and that each one is unique. In other words, there are Amish people outside of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Anyway, I loved the story! I found Lavina to be an interesting and likeable character. Who can not like someone who's nickname is Love? Lovina and Noah working on her pie shop and learning more about each other was a great story to watch unfold. I also enjoyed the parts of the book where Lovina's mom Ann and her best friend Regina write letters back and forth. There is just something about the written word that gets to me, it's such a personal glimpse into someone's life. As always, my favorite thing about this type of Amish fiction is that at the end of nearly every chapter there is a fantastic Amish recipe just waiting to be cooked! I can't wait to try them all! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction or has ever dared to dream big! 

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Where Treetops Glisten (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book: 

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime

Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America's involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

In Cara Putman's White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements---until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

Abigail's brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin's I'll Be Home for Christmas,trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he's no longer the bully she once knew?

In Tricia Goyer's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, "Merry" to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that's precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

The Turner family believes in God's providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ's birth and His plan for a future?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/BwVP9

My thoughts-

I have been on a WWII reading kick lately. Where Treetops Glisten was probably 3rd or 4th in a hodge podge of different books on the subject that I have read. I am so glad I saved it for last! Novels set during any war, but maybe especially during this tumultuous time that is not that far off in the past, can be daunting and heartbreaking. I liked these stories for the great romantic aspect in them. They didn't sugar coat the war, but these stories were sweet and a light although set in such a dark time. I loved that  the stories in these three novellas interweave effortlessly and yet gave us three wonderful stories about the three separate siblings- Abigail, Pete and Merry. I thought all 3 stood well on their own and really added to the overall book. There were different things I liked about each story. In White Christmas I loved seeing Abigail overcome her fears of loving again and I enjoyed the mystery aspect of trying to figure out what happened to the money he had been sending home.  I couldn't put down the book when I was on I'll Be Home for Christmas. The sweet, feisty little girl Linnie got me interested in it and I thought that redemption and forgiveness (and of course a chance at love) were great themes. Finally, I am always excited to read novels (or a novella in this case) set in different countries. What I found interesting about Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas was the small glimpse we get into what life for an Army nurse on the front lines in Europe might have been like during the war. These women were very important and Tricia Goyer is so good at painting a picture with her words, that I felt like I was right there with Merry. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about war time romance or that is interested in the WWII era or the 1940's.

About the authors-

TRICIA GOYER is a prolific author of nearly forty books, including Chasing Mona Lisa, and a speaker and blogger. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

CARA PUTMAN is the author of twenty books includingShadowed by Grace. She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction. 

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SARAH SUNDIN is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.

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Mom's Night Out by Tricia Goyer Blog Tour & Book Review + Win $200 Visa Gift Card!

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Mom's Night Out is a novelization of the hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life---where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed mom's night out . But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours-what could go wrong?

Chronicling one night out gone awry, three harried moms, their husbands, a sister-in-law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang, and a bewildered cabbie all learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. This book spotlights the unfulfilled expectations and serial self-doubts many moms feel . . . then reassures us that the key is raising kids in a loving home. Mom's Night Out is an endearing, true-to-life comedy.

My thoughts-

As soon as I heard that there was a movie called Mom's Night Out, I was very curious to know what it was about. The one form of entertainment I love more than watching movies is reading, so when I heard there was a novelization of the movie being done, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. I know I have mentioned before that I will pretty much read anything that is written by Tricia Goyer, so the fact that she was the one that wrote the novelization further sealed the deal that I had to read this book. I could tell from the very beginning that someone that was a mom wrote this book. There were several instances through the book where I could absolutely relate to all of the moms in this group of friends. I think most mothers will find this book to easy to relate to, laugh out loud funny and heartwarming. It can be, at times, a bit predictable, but that doesn't take away from the joy of a story about moms out for a night and all of the hi-jinx that ensue. Since the movie came out first, I already knew who was playing each of these characters and I could definitely imagine several of them in their roles as I was reading through the book. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I will have to soon. I would recommend this book to any mom who has ever felt overwhelmed. I think we all feel the same way as these characters do from time to time and sometimes it is just nice to see that we are not alone in our struggles.

About the author: 

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series andLead Your Family Like Jesus (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.

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**********Enter to win a $200 Visa Gift Card!**********

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer has written the novelization to the much-anticipated movie, Moms' Night Out. Don't miss this hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life—where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

And, look for the companion devotional written by comedian Kerri Pomarolli, Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive.

Tricia and Kerri have teamed up for the "No More Frumpy Mommy" challenge.

Motherhood can sometimes seem like survival of the fittest. Every day brings its own troubles, and by the end of the day, you’re spent. Between school, soccer practice, cleaning, laundry, cooking dinner, putting away dishes, and keeping your kids from going at each others’ throats, the last thing on your mind is getting away for an evening. If that’s you, you’re invited to take part in Tricia and Kerri's No More Frumpy Mommy challenge.

Tricia and Kerri will choose 10 winners to receive a Fandango gift card to see Moms' Night Out, as well as copies of Moms' Night Out (the book) and Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss. One grand-prize winner will receive $200 to put toward her own moms' night out or her own moms' night out "ride" (getting her car detailed and cleaned).

GO HERE TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE!

In addition to the novelization of Mom's Night Out, there is also a Mom's Night Out devotional book. 

About the book-

As a Mom, couldn't you use a good laugh?

Inspired by the endearing, true-to-life movie Moms' Night Out, comedian Kerri Pomarolli has created this light, yet inspiring devotional that will definitely make you laugh, but will also help you discover that indeed you are not alone, and that God's gracious provision of love and faithfulness is at work in your life and of your loved ones.

Whether you're running full-speed-ahead or disappointed that it's Monday (again), you'll find joy in these devotions where Kerri shares hilarious stories and insights on daily life. Messy homes, messy kids, lost pets, never ending casseroles, forgetful husbands, and the desire to just take a long bath . . . This world can be a funny place, and these stories are bound to prove it. Read a devotion to brighten your morning, or catch a few words to make you smile before bed. There's never a bad time for a good laugh, and as a Mom, you need aMoms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/wAUa1

My thoughts-

I thought this was a funny devotional, but full of great insight. It goes well with the book or if you have seen the movie, but I think it could stand alone as well if you are just looking for a good devotional book.

About the author: 

Called Hollywood's "God Girl," Kerri Pomarolli is an accomplished actress, comedian, published author, Christian speaker and veteran of television---with credits that include 29 appearances on The Tonight Show and Comedy Central. 

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Plain Faith by Ora-Jay & Irene Eash with Tricia Goyer (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Book Look in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book- 

This is the true story of Ora-Jay and Irene Eash, Amish farmers from northwest Montana whose lives changed in an instant when a semi-truck struck the family buggy, killing their two young daughters.

After the accident, the couple turned to their Amish community for comfort, but they remained haunted by the thought that they might not see their girls again in heaven. Would their deeds be good enough? Eventually Ora-Jay and Irene learned that grace—not works—was enough to ensure their place in eternity. But with that knowledge came the realization that they could no longer live in an Amish community that didn’t share this precious belief. Could they sever their connection to the Amish family they loved?

This is the story of their journey to the hope that is heaven, a hope stronger than the loss of children, family, and a way of life. Fans of Amish fiction will appreciate such a real-life look into the Amish community, co-written by bestselling author Tricia Goyer, and readers of all kinds will resonate with this tale of courage, resilience, and the redemption found in the grace of Jesus.

My thoughts-

I read a lot of Amish fiction and I am pretty interested in the Amish lifestyle and beliefs, so I was interested the minute I heard about this book. A good majority of the Amish fiction I read is written by the wonderful Mrs. Tricia Goyer, so with her name attached, I knew it would be a high quality book. This story is heartbreaking. With each page read, I would feel angrier and angrier for Irene and Ora-Jay and all that they had to go through, but I had to remind myself that their friends and family reacted the way they did because they were raised to react that way. It is difficult enough that the Eashs' lost their daughters, but then to have pretty much no one comforting them the way they needed- I couldn't imagine. The story goes on to tell the story of how they ultimately left the Amish and all they dealt with in the process. I could not put this book down. It is pretty rare for that to happen for me with a non-fiction book, but this I read in two days. I just find it fascinating the way that the Amish react to their own when they don't follow the ways anymore. It is heartbreaking. I think the Amish have a great thing going with their huge sense of community, family and unity. We could certainly learn a lot from them in this regard and I wish we would. There would probably be a whole lot less depression going on. But to me, their downfall is the way they shun and silence members of their church who they feel are going astray From what I read in this book, it seems that Amish people are discouraged from reading the Bible among themselves and I think this is a big part of the problem. They are only allowed to believe what is preached to them and it seems like a good portion of the Bible is left out of these sermons. My heart broke for Ora-Jay and Irene when they struggled so much and had to make a decision between a personal relationship with Jesus or living in the only way they had ever known. The ultimate message in Plain Faith is that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice and that even the biggest sacrifice you may have to make is absolutely worth it. There is nothing better. The Eashs' know that and I am glad that they found hope in Him. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Amish, or learning about lifestyles or religions different then their own. 

Plain Faith is available at Amazon.com and Christian retailers nationwide. 

The Kissing Bridge by Tricia Goyer (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Book Look. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

In the third book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, award-winning author Tricia Goyer introduces a surprising new resident to West Kootenai as a young woman escapes from her stifling conservative Amish community to find a new life. Rebecca is an Amish woman whose pained past compels her to leave everything to become a nurse—abandoning her family and community. Caleb is an Amish man who is counting down the days until hunting season. At a crossroads in his own life, the excitement of hunting game is all he looks forward to. All the while he wonders what to do with the rest of his life. Even though he likes the Amish lifestyle, what good is an Amish man without faith in God?

An unexpected meeting pushes them together, and they embark with friends on a two-week-long wilderness wagon journey. Hardship tears down the flimsy walls of protection they've placed around their hearts, and as their friendship grows they open up to each other and eventually reveal their deepest secrets. While on the outside they appear to be traditional Amish people, inside they both know they are anything but that. Will their secrets pull them together or draw them apart? And will their faith in God grow? There is a bridge to cross at the end of the journey. Will true love take them across?

My thoughts-

This is the third installment in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series written by Tricia Goyer. All of the books stand alone well, but it is fun to see random characters from the first book show up from the previous books, so I hope that continues on in the series. I really like Amish fiction, so I read a lot of books in this genre and without a doubt Tricia Goyer is my favorite Amish fiction writer. I am always counting down the days until her new book will come out the second I am done with the previous book!

I really enjoyed The Kissing Bridge. The characters are easy to relate to, although it is so difficult to "see" them struggle internally when if they would just reach out to someone, maybe they would be able to work through their issues better. Rebecca's pretty much running from the life she knows because she wants to better herself after the death of her sister because she feels like she might have been able to help if she would have been more educated. On the way to the school she is going to attend, she makes an impromptu stop at her friend Marianne, who has recently left the Amish church to marry her husband. It is while visiting Marianne that she meets Caleb and begins to struggle with whether she is doing the right thing by going to school because she feels an immediate attraction to Caleb. The best part of Amish novels is always the romance that develops between the central characters and this is no exception. I love seeing the relationship develop between Caleb and Marianne, but I think the love story in this novel goes even further showing the deep love of friendship and, of course, the love of God. One of my favorite parts of the book was toward the end when Caleb and Rebecca are by the river and some young boys are being wild. It is great to see the story come full circle and reiterate that God has a purpose for every single thing that happens in our life, even if it doesn't seem apparent at the time. As usual, I am already ready for the next installment in this series and I will be counting down the days until the 5th book makes it's way to the retail shelves. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story or a story about faith.

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The Promise Box by: Tricia Goyer (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher Zondervan via the Book Sneeze Blogger Program in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:

Every year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive “resident” status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides!
In The Promise Box, the second book of bestselling author Tricia Goyer’s Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai, Montana to give comfort to her father after her mother's death. She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother’s most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational “tell-all” book about the Amish.
Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride. Will the pain of her childhood— and her potential betrayal of her community—keep her from committing her whole heart?

My thoughts: 

I have been waiting for this book to come out since I finished up The Memory Jar, which was the first book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelor's series. The Memory Jar is one of my favorite Amish fiction novels of all time and I haven't met a Tricia Goyer novel that I haven't liked yet. I was excited to read about how another Amish couple was to come together in The Promise Box. I have to say that I love this book every bit as much as the first. I got pretty wrapped up in Lydia and Gideon's story. Lydia's mother told her at age 16 the tragic event that led to her birth mother putting her up for adoption and it causes Lydia to question where she belongs so she leaves the Amish. She comes back for her mother's funeral and her very first meeting with Gideon is definitely an interesting one! I love learning each of their back stories piece by piece throughout the book. I really feel like I need to point out that I think the most romantic scene I have ever read in an Amish fiction novel occurred in this book, my heart got fluttery for them a couple of different times, that's how strongly Goyer writes these characters, that you feel what they feel. I absolutely love that I can read a love story and feel like one of the scenes is that wonderfully romantic, but that it is completely innocent behavior, these are the kinds of love stories I want my daughter to grow up and read, the sweet ones that sweep you away! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or a really sweet love story. Is it bad I am already ready for book #3 in this series? The Kissing Bridge doesn't come out until April, 11 2014 so I guess I'll have to be patient!! :)

About the author:

Tricia Goyer has written more than thirty-five books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and non- fiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts, Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.

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The Promise Box is available now on Amazon.com.

A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer Book Review & Blog Tour + Win a Kindle HDX for You AND a Friend!!

*Disclosure- I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:

Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II---only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own
kind---Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.




My thoughts:


This was the first Amish fiction novel I have read that wasn't set in the present day and I thought one of the coolest things about this story was- it didn't matter. It read the same. The Amish are the same now as they were then. While this was not a surprise, I still found it refreshing that a group of people could remain largely unchanged generations later. As usual, we could certainly learn a thing or two from the Amish. A Christmas Gift for Rose was an interesting story altogether. Through a confession or her mother's Rose learns that she is actually adopted and not Amish by birth which causes her some huge struggles. Is she even truly Amish since she wasn't born that way? Did she have any right to judge her former beau Jonathan chose to go off to war (even though he didn't fight or break any of his Amish beliefs while there)? I really liked this story. It brought to mind something I would have never thought of- how would the surrounding Englishers feel when the Amish chose not to participate in a war? I liked following Rose's story and how she grows in just a short amount of time after her mom drops the adoption bombshell on her. It was also interesting to follow Jonathan's thought process and how he felt he needed to do one thing, but was able to stay true to his beliefs while doing so. I think Jonathan is probably more a character I would relate to more than Rose because he feels like he needs to do what he knows in his heart is right, regardless of what might be thought of him. I find the Great Depression time period to be an interesting one, so it was neat to think of it from the prospective of the Amish, something I have never considered when thinking about this time period. I also really enjoyed the protective relationship Rose is on the receiving end of when it comes to her brother, just a few years older than she. It was sweet to see where that began and how it never really stopped. I really enjoyed this novella. It is a great, quick little holiday read. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction or a love story set during Christmastime.

About Tricia Goyer:

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.


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A Christmas Gift for Rose is now available for purchase on Amazon.com

                                
                                **********Win a Kindle HDX for you & a friend!**********

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her first Christmas novella, A Christmas Gift for Rose, with a Christmas Gift giveaway! 

Enter to win a NEW Kindle Fire HDX for you AND one for a friend!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX and one to give away to a friend!
• A Christmas Gift for Rose, by Tricia Goyer for you and your friend!

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Christmas Gift for Rose Christmas pack (includes a recipe card, bookmark, a signed book plate, discussion questions, and a Gathering & Giving handout!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. All winners will be announced October 21st at Tricia's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Tricia's blog on the 21st to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Lead Your Family Like Jesus Book Review & Blog Tour + Chance to win an iPad!

About the book:

Does your family need an event planner to get organized? A psychologist to calm the drama? A playground monitor to halththe hair-pulling? When it comes to family leadership, what your children really need is...you, acting like Jesus.

Sound scary? Let Ken Blanchard, best-selling author of The One Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus, show how to become more like your ultimate role model, the Son of God. Joined by veteran parents and authors Phil Hodges and Tricia Goyer, legendary mentor Blanchard explains how every family member benefits when parents taket he reins as servant-leaders. 

Lead Your Family Like Jesus reveals twelve priceless parenting principles based on the Savior's life and teachings- from "Say Yes to the Best and No to the Rest" to "Know the Difference Between a Crisis and a Bump in the Road." You'll discover how your heart, head, hands and habits work together as you serve your way to a truly Christ-centered family.

What would Jesus Do? Found out by gaining strength and joy in following His example at home.


My thoughts:

There are books on parenting that have great ideas and that offer a few good principles to take and make your own, but I have never picked up a book on parenting that has spoken too me as much as Lead Your Family Like Jesus. That makes sense, of course, as Jesus and how He lived His life is the way we should all strive to live our own lives and raise our kids to do the same. I had a hard time putting this book down and, highlighter in hand, I managed to highlight at least over half of what the book had to offer. Lead Your Family Like Jesus touches on everything from comparing yourself to other parents (and maybe missing out on some great friendships in the process!) to over-scheduling and not spending enough time on our families and everything in between. The book is divided into four sections: The Heart, The Head, The Hands, and The Habits. In each of the four sections the 3 authors (and veteran parents) offer their perspectives, as well as offer little snippits of parents and situations and "a ha" moments they have had. Having more than one perspective in the book, coupled with Biblical principles and the Pause and Reflect questions at the end of each chapter, really brought it together for me. While I found that all 3 authors points were things that I could resonate with, I felt like, as a mother, Trisha Goyer's sections of the book spoke to me the most. I like that there was both a male and female point of view, making this a great book for both moms and dads alike. I have been applying principles from the book with my three little ones since I began reading it and I can definitely feel a huge difference in our house. Where things were once tense a lot of the time (with my very spirited 5 year old) things are now a lot calmer. I have a long way to go, but I am so happy to have such a good guide book to help me a long the way as a mom. I know I will be reaching for this book often and for years to come.

*Disclosure- I received a free copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus for being part of the Litfuse Blog Tour. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About The Authors:

Ken Blanchard Leadership expert and author of over 50 books, including the New York Times bestseller, The One-Minute Manager; cofounder of Lead Like Jesus; and coauthor of Lead Like Jesus; Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time.

To learn more about Ken visit www.kenblanchard.com

Phil Hodges A human resource and industrial relations manager in corporate America for 36 years with Xerox Corporation and U.S. Steel, co- founder of Lead Like Jesus; co-author of five books, including The Servant Leader and Leadership by the Book with Bill Hybels.

To learn more about Phil visit www.leadlikejesus.com

Tricia Goyer Bestselling author of more than 30 novels, nine nonfiction books, and more than three hundred articles for national publications; 2003 "Writer of the Year" at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference; popular blog writer, speaker, and radio host 

To learn more about Tricia visit www.triciagoyer.com. 

Lead Your Family Like Jesus is available for purchase on Amazon.com

Your Chance to Win an iPad!

Celebrate the release of Lead Your Family Like Jesus with Tricia by entering her iPad Mini Giveaway and RSVPing for the Lead, Momma Lead LIVE Webcast Event (with MomLife Today's Tracey Eyster) on April 16th.

  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Tricia Goyer library 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 15th. Winner will be announced at the "Lead, Momma Lead" Live Webcast Event on April 16th. Connect with authors and everyday moms, Tricia Goyer and Tracey Eyster, for an evening of sharing and perspective-changing encouragement for leading your family. Tricia and Tracey will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Lead Your Family Like Jesus and join Tricia and Tracey on the evening of April 16th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 16th!

The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer Book Review/Blog Tour

About The Memory Jar:

Book One in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series

Every year, 30-40 young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive "resident" status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides! Sarah Shelter has lived in West Kootenai for the last ten years and wonders if she will ever fall in love. Since the tragic death of her best friend, she carries her memories in a jar along with the small items connected to them. For just as long, she's also been carrying around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep in her heart. Now she's met a kind and gentle man who may be able to break down the wall. But can Sarah risk her heart to finally achieve her dreams?

My Thoughts:

This novel started off with the death of Sarah's best friend Patty in an accident that Sarah watched happen right before her eyes. It causes her to close herself off from everyone and it especially seems to make her shut down where finding a husband is involved. That all changes when she meets Jathan. I loved watching their story unfold and kept wondering as obstacles got in their way how things might turn out in the end for them. I thought this was a unique novel in the Amish genre and I really enjoyed reading something different. Sarah's habit of picking up little things and putting them into her jar to have memories of special days made me wish I had thought of something that cool when I was younger. Oh, the things I would have saved. I may start my own memory jar! It's just such a clever idea. Anyway, I really enjoyed the book and that it wasn't all roses. We see Sarah struggle with her grief over losing Patty, we also see that her relationship with Jathan although strong from the beginning suffer a few set backs. I was rooting for the two of them throughout the story and couldn't wait to see what would become of them at the end. I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or a good love story!

Meet Tricia: 

Tricia Goyer is the award-winning author of over 30 books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir Like Blue Play Dough. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences and is the host of Living Inspired. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry FamilyLife.




Find out more about Tricia on her Website
Connect with Tricia on Facebook
Connect with Tricia on Twitter
Buy The Memory Jar on Amazon.com

Celebrate with Tricia by entering her Amish Kindle Gift Pack Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on November 7th. (And be sure to catch the fun video trailer or try your hand at one of the simple, keepsake crafts Tricia has put together on her website.)

One fortunate winners will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• Custom-made Memory Jar Kindle Cover
• Amish-made decorative items {Wall hanging, horse/buggy and Amish houses}
• The Memory Jar {Be swept away by this captivating series.}

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 6th. Winner will be announced at the ”Memory Jar Author Chat Party on 11/7. Connect with Tricia for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of The Memory Jar and join Tricia on the evening of the November 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 7th!

*Disclosure- I received a copy of The Memory Jar for the purpose of rendering this review. I was not compensated and all opinions stated are 100% my own.