The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer, ©2012

In The Memory Jar, part of the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, we visit a small Amish community in West Kootenai, Montana, where for the past ten years, Sarah Shelter has been passed over by the young Amish men that arrive there each year. A tragedy has closed her heart … until she meets Jathan Schrock.

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How our dreams collide together, softly... each day Sarah Shelter's dream seems loftier as it floats above her every day pattern. Jathan Schrock thinks his dream is different from his days too. But... they are the same dream moving together, but visioned apart.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. --Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

Their story begins two years after the death of her childhood friend, Patty Litwiller. Sarah has mourned and closed her heart to ward off future hurts. Jathan would like to travel a different path than the one set before him at home, continuing family expectations.


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?

Opportunities open up for each of them as they begin to trust and relax their hidden hearts to the possibilities in store for them. Unexpected treasures. Have you gathered treasures and kept them close?

I liked how her memories pop up and are shared. Our yesterdays floating into tomorrow with the Lord preparing us for what He has for us ahead. The wee tiniest thing becomes the foundation today. What we would least expect, we recognize as being there before. A talent, a hidden spark. A gleaning of the glimmer of hope.

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Tricia Goyer has written 17 novels and 8 nonfiction books, and has published more than 400 articles for national publications such as Today's Christian Woman, Focus on the Family, and HomeLife. She also is the coauthor of Mealtime Moments (Focus on the Family). She is a former teen mom and the founder and former director of Hope pregnancy Center in Kalispell, Montana. Tricia and her husband, John, live in Little Rock, Arkansas where John works for FamilyLife. They have four children, including a newly adopted daughter.



Thank you to Zondervan's Linked to Lit for this Advance Reading Copy of The Memory Jar in exchange for my review in my own words.

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 on "Enter" 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!

Enter Today - 10/16-11/7!