Amish Fiction from Tricia Goyer: The Memory Jar (Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors, Book 1)

October 19, 2012

The Memory Jar
by Tricia Goyer
Copyright 2012
Zondervan

About the Book:
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?

Meet the Author:
Tricia Goyer is the award winning author of over thirty books including Beside Still Waters, Remembering You, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like 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 of FamilyLife.

Find out more about Tricia at http://triciagoyer.com.

My Thoughts:
~ 3.5 stars ~
When it comes to heartrending and emotional fiction nobody does it better than Tricia Goyer. With her latest book The Memory Jar we're once again treated to a story of loss and hope set in Montana and Ohio Amish country. Fans of her previous Amish novels will be delighted to know that Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors starts off wonderfully and will surely continue to improve as the series progresses. To be honest this story took a long time to get into but the last third of the book involving an incident with Jathan Schrock as a boy and his father and Sarah and the discovery about her deceased friend Patty nearly had me in tears. Throughout most of the story both seemed rather impetuous and juvenile but they both grew up amidst a family tragedy that I really think made them more easy to relate to and like. The flashbacks to Sarah's youth and her time with her best friend, Patty really gave this story a unique twist. If you're looking for a romance I didn't think this reads like a love story but more of a coming of age story or even a women's fiction book. In spite of the series' name this isn't a fluffy read by any stretch but it's worth a look if you're looking for a solid Amish tale.

To read what others are saying about the book CLICK HERE.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

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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!)