Thursday, May 16, 2019

About the Book

Book: Moments We Forget

Author: Beth Vogt

Genre: Contemporary fiction, woman’s fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2019 Moments We Forget cover

Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters. Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her chance to shine. Now, Jillian’s on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she’d hoped. And just when her dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling again. Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be “just Jillian,” the less-than Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they stuck in their childhood roles forever?

About the Author

Beth K. Vogt is a nonfiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A women’s fiction novelist, Beth’s first novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018.

Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, a 2016 ACFW Carol Award winner, and a 2015 RITA® finalist. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publishers Weekly‘s Best Books of 2014. A November Bride was part of the Year of Wedding series by Zondervan. Having authored nine contemporary romance novels or novellas, Beth believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us.

An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Novel Rocket and also enjoys speaking to writers’ groups and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people, and their youngest daughter, Christa, who loves to play volleyball and enjoys writing her own stories. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.

More from Beth

“A sister is like yourself in a different movie, a movie that stars you in a different life.”

Deborah Tannen (1945-), sociologist

I’m launching Moments We Forget, book two in the Thatcher Sisters series, and I’ve just turned in the final book in the series. I’d love to share book three’s title with you, but I don’t know what it is. (Of course, book three might have a final title by the time you read this—that’s part of the fun of prerelease deadlines.)

One thing I do know: the theme of “Little Women gone wrong” is woven through all of the books . . . thanks to the Thatcher sisters: Payton, Pepper, Jillian, and Johanna.

Sisters, be they real or imaginary, can be complicated.

Of course, there are sisters who have close relationships. They “get” each other and love doing life together.

But then there are the sister relationships that are like mismatched socks. Or those expensive jeans you loved in the store, but when you bring them home, they never quite live up to those moments in the dressing room.

Such are the Thatcher sisters. Johanna, Jillian, Payton, and Pepper grew up in the same family. They’re all tall. They love Broncos football and board games. But in so many ways their lives are like different movies because they each made different choices. Choices that changed and separated them. Moments We Forget continues to explore whether the Thatcher sisters can find a way to understand each other enough to bridge the distance between them.

This book should come with several warnings. You should make sure you have set aside a proper amount of time to read this book. Be warned that once you start, the book will continue to absorb you until the last page. Don't forget to have tissues handy as they will come in handy while reading the story. The three sisters in the book will have you examining your own life and relationships with others. If you follow these warnings, you may begin the book.

I can't quite put into words how deeply this book touched me. Each sister has their own insecurities and struggle with finding happiness. I really understood how Jillian felt about being unimportant. She was always in the shadow of her older sister who was beautiful and smart and her younger twin sisters who were gifted in many things. Finding out she has cancer puts Jillian's life into perspective and I could see the wheels turning in her mind. She has strength that is undeniable but still feels inadequate around her sisters.

I really loved reading how the three sisters tried so hard to bond but something prevented them to really open up to each other. It was interesting to read about how they each questioned their faith. You can''t believe in something unless your whole heart is in it. The story is powerful and blends faith and family in a compelling way. I liked that the author didn't just focus on one sister, but gave us a story with three powerful yet vulnerable sisters trying to find their purpose in life.

Payton and Johanna are so different yet they share a sense of belonging and a bond that sisters can't deny. It was funny to see them try to all get together for a book club. They can't be in the same room without arguing and Jillian playing referee. There are a few surprises in the book that defines the sisters to look at themselves. Why are they unhappy? Is there something from their past that has caused them to be cynical at times?

The dynamics between the three sisters makes the story come alive with realism. I can even go as far as to say it would make a great movie. There are moments of pain, confessions and anger that make this story so touching. It has all the elements of a wonderful drama with a message of faith, family and hope.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.