Saturday, January 2, 2016

The Memory Jar

GIVEAWAY

GOYER, TRICIA
THE STORY JAR

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 into 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 Review:

Published in 2012, The Memory Jar  is the first book in the wildly popular Seven Brides for Seven Brothers series. I love the concept of a memory jar -- collecting tangible prompts for important memories. That's the way that Sarah chooses to hold tight to special moments. I really enjoyed the flashbacks that included her friend, Patty, as they were growing up. They reveal a lot about Sarah and the reasons for the way she is in the present day. She's somewhat tenuous, carrying a burden she can't bear to share with anyone...until Jathan.

He arrives in West Kootenai with his own share of troubles. Their friendship quickly hints at something deeper but Sarah and Jathan have a lot of growing to do before their happily-ever-after is secured.

"In math, two halves made a whole. But in life -- and with relationships -- two halves offered up from broken souls seemed a poor way to begin something wonderful." (p. 127)

These 'broken souls' struggle with family expectations and it isn't until they learn to trust -- in God and each other -- that their future becomes clear. In fact, the impossible dreams they have longed for don't become possible until they join forces and make them a reality together.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Memory Jar please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 3 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!



22 comments:

  1. I have read a lot of Amish books but never did read this series. I know I would enjoy The Memory Jar since I love Tricia Goyer's writing so much!

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    1. She's a wonderful storyteller, isn't she? Good luck, rubynreba.

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  2. Sounds like a good story. Thanks for letting me enter. Twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com.

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  3. ooh this looks really good! aelindermanATsbcglobalDOTnet

    Amy (Guillaume)Linderman

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  4. Looks like i will be getting more ebooks this year only way to keep up with all the authors. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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    1. But then you still have to find the time to read them all. LOL Good luck, Kim.

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  5. I would love to read this book. I have wanted to read it for a long time. Thank you for this opportunity

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  6. "In math, two halves made a whole. But in life -- and with relationships -- two halves offered up from broken souls seemed a poor way to begin something wonderful." (p. 127)

    I believe God can take two halves of broken souls and weave them together beautifully & I love that we get a chance to win a copy to see how this plays out in the book. I'm already anticipating the depth this sounds like it offers :-)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Amen. I love receiving gems of wisdom like this in my fiction. Makes you stop and think and read it again and think some more. Good luck, Trixi.

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  7. The title of this book sounds very familiar, but I'm sure I haven't read it. Would love too, though. Thanks for the review.

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. There's another book -- The Memory Box -- I think by Lisa Wingate? Might be what you're thinking of. Good luck, Pam.

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  8. I remember seeing this book on blogs ~ would like to win a copy to read! Thanks for the offering. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  9. I would love to win this book as I have not read any of Tricia Groyer's books. This one sounds really good. spotts06ATcomcastDOTnet

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  10. Wow! Sounds like a great story
    God bless you
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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  11. Would enjoy reading this! I've been seeing that people are starting a memory jar now to read through next Jan 1, 2017.. interesting idea! dkstevensneAToutlook(d0T)com

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  12. I'm very interested in reading this book. I noticed it when it was first released. It's been on my wishlist.
    susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Susan in NC

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  13. I have read so many great reviews about this book. I would love to read it. Thank you, Kav, for the opportunity.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  14. Yes, the concept of a memory jar touches my emotions, also - Kav. Thanks for the opportunity to read this one!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. Good luck, everyone. I'm about to do the draw!

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