Top 5 Tuesday - Top 5… Books Where Something Went Right

This a new meme for me, but it's not a new meme at all. Originally created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, it is now hosted by Meeghan at Meeghan Reads. Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme that explores different topics. For a list of August topics you can click here. To participate, link your post back to Meeghan's blog or leave her a comment on her weekly post.

Top 5… Books Where Something Went Right

This might seem like an odd choice, but hear me out. In the St. Nick of Time is a romantic suspense novel. The final book in The Sullivan Boys series by K.M. Daughters, the main character in this one is the Sullivan's only sister, Kay. A widow with four older kids, she has opted to return to the Chicago Police Department despite the reservations of her entire family. Kay is a woman who knows she wants more out of life than what she's been dealt and, by going after it, she finds herself in love again. The reader gets to see Kay succeed despite several obstacles and her own uncertainty.

On Strike for Christmas is such a fun story. A bunch of local wives feel their husbands don't appreciate the amount of effort they put into making sure their families have a special Christmas. So, these women go on strike. Then the media gets a hold of the story and they find support from all over the place. In the end, families are changed; the efforts of these and other wives is acknowledged; and everyone has a wonderful holiday.

In the first book of this series, The Madhatter's Guide to Chocolate, Jake Witherspoon is the victim of a vicious hate crime that cripples him. It was so nice to see him again in Up the Devil's Belly, where the Witherspoon Mansion is turned into an upscale day spa and Jake finds success. 

Melanie and Jack have been through a lot. Let's just say that Return to Tradd Street made it all worth it. 

This book starts out so sad, but The Santa Letters is such a heartwarming tale of the season that you will want to read it over and again.

After the sudden death of her husband William, Emma Jensen struggles to find hope in her life. Even knowing she must go on for her children is not enough to bring her out of the depths of despair. Then the first Santa letter arrives. The lives of the Jensens are forever changed by these messages from the man in the red suit who helps them find that missing hope they so desperately crave. 

So, what did you think of my list? What are some books you've read where something went right?

Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive by Stacy Gooch-Anderson--Book Review

Life lessons learned through one mother's journey is what readers will discover when they open the pages of Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive by Stacy Gooch- Anderson.

Already a fan of Stacy Gooch-Anderson and her book The Santa Letters--which we reviewed here--I was thrilled to be asked to review Life is Tough. Gooch-Anderson has a way of touching the heart like few authors can; and here, her skills shine through in a funny and often tender way, as she shares with readers twenty-eight lessons she has learned from her own parents and her journey through motherhood.

From embarrassing home movies, to the challenges of learning to ski; from Daddy's little girl, to married woman; from a first-time mother, to the ruler over four unique and challenging boys, and from her role as daughter to her role as family matriarch, Stacy Gooch-Anderson's lessons will leave you laughing so hard that you cry, and crying along with her as she deals with the loss of a child and the loss of both parents to cancer.

Perhaps, having lost my mother to cancer when I was just a girl helped me relate to the emotions the author shares as she watches her father struggle with the disease, but still maintain his positive outlook on life. And perhaps I cried a few extra tears as Gooch-Anderson tells of her mother asking her to become the "mother bird" who would watch over her siblings "like a hawk".

Overall, though there sad moments like these in every mother's life, the majority of the book shares the joys of motherhood: watching your children grow, looking back to laugh upon the challenges they have brought to your life, the pride you feel in them, and the days you threatened to sell them to the Indians (at least that's what my parents always said they would do).

Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive is the perfect gift for mothers, grandmothers, step-mothers, sisters, and aunts who have traveled and who are traveling along the wonderful, and sometimes difficult, journey of motherhood.

It is my hope, that Stacy Gooch-Anderson comes out with another title soon. I'll be the first in line to buy a copy.


Title: Life is Tough - I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive
Author: Stacy Gooch-Anderson
Publisher: CFI, an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-59955-176-0
SRP: $14.99 (U.S.)

Check out a Life Saver from Stacy Gooch-Anderson here.

Life Savers from Stacy Gooch-Anderson

The first book I read by Stacy Gooch-Anderson was The Santa Letters--which I reviewed here. Since The Santa Letters touched me so deeply, when Stacy contacted me for a review of Life is Tough: I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive, I eagerly accepted.

While I am getting closer to it in the TBR pile, I've glanced through a few of the entries and was floored to realize what a great sense of humor Stacy has. In Life is Tough, Stacy shares 28 life lessons that changed her perspective and helped her grow in character. This is truly a book of "A Mother's Life Lessons Learned Through Laughter".

And to that end, Stacy is providing us with one of her Life Savers. I had to choose this one, because anyone who knows me, knows that I am the most impatient person on the face of the planet.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you are on

If patience is a virtue, then I am most definitely NOT a virtuous woman!

Patience is a very hard thing for me. I tend to want things and answers now and not a minute later than instantly. But this is not always the way it works. Matter of fact, as I’m coming to find out, it rarely works this way. I guess God keeps giving me those lessons on patience hoping that one day I will learn its virtues.

Apparently I’m a slow learner because they keep coming at regular intervals and with increasing frequency. Like the other day, the sun had finally made an appearance after hiding for the better part of the fall and winter. The temperatures were up and so I thought a nice walk would be in order. I grabbed my walking shoes and a water bottle and headed off.

I forgot one small detail though; one shouldn’t take a blood pressure pill with a diuretic right before heading out where bathrooms are few and far between. I hadn’t been gone long when my fast pace and pumping heart kicked that medication into overdrive and sent me frantically looking for a public restroom along the route.

I whizzed (no pun intended) down the hill to a local gas station where I knew there were clean restrooms. Just as I reached for the door, a sweet older lady smiled at me and then slipped in and locked the door after sweetly telling me, “I’ll only be a minute”.

I stood there with my mouth gaping and my legs crossed. I didn’t dare move for fear that any mild movement would certainly turn me into a leaky faucet. I stood immobilized praying that she would finish up her business and get the heck outta Dodge so the new sheriff could claim her potty in peace and overwhelming relief.

I think she must’ve taken a bath in the bowl.

I must admit however, that old people have a way of really putting things into perspective. When she finally did emerge, she smiled again – a bit broader as she watched me inch into the restroom with crossed legs – and gave me a bit of old- timer’s wisdom. This nugget has become today’s “Life Saver”;

“How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you are on. Praise be to the Good Lord who allowed me enough agility to beat you to the bathroom door. The old plumbing ain’t what it used to be and they would’ve needed a mop and a ten gallon bucket if I’d been the one waiting out here."

Easy for her to say. Her minute was filled with the relief of dry Depends and a happy bladder. I looked back over my shoulder at her as she headed out to her car with a slightly more jovial step in her jaunt. I smiled.

It was nice to know that even when age does get the best of you, patience still isn’t a virtue but you can somehow manage to deal with the infirmity with a quick wit and a smile that makes others glad they had the ability to wait.

You can visit Stacy online at www.stacyganderson.com

Life Is Tough: I Doubt I'll Make It Out Alive is available at Amazon.com

December Special Feature: The Santa Letters

If you're looking for an inspiring and heartwarming tale of the season, then look no further than The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson. You'll find my review of this book here. This book touched my heart so much, that I knew it must be included in this month's special features.

The Santa Letters finds Emma Jensen struggling to find hope after the unexpected death of her husband William. She is truly in the depths of despair and can't even pull it together for her children.

But the lives of the Jensen family are forever changed once the Santa letters arrive. And maybe, just maybe, this will help put the entire family on the path to healing.

I have never before been so moved as I was when reading The Santa Letters. And while this book is about finding the true meaning of Christmas, it didn't preach to the reader. It shared lessons that are important, but it did so in a way that allowed the reader to accept those words of wisdom without resentment.

A truly remarkable Christmas story, it could also be read by church groups and would make an excellent book club selection. Tales of the season don't get any better than The Santa Letters!

Stacy Gooch-Anderson and The Santa Letters

Joining us today is Stacy Gooch-Anderson. Stacy is a wife and mother and the author of The Santa Letters, a book I am sure will quickly become a Christmas classic. We’re going to talk to Stacy about the inspiration behind this heartwarming story, the choices she made, and what the future holds in store for her fans.

Welcome to The Book Connection, Stacy. I am thrilled to have you with us.

Thank you, Cheryl. It is truly my pleasure!

Why don’t we get started by having you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself.

I’m pretty simple really. I’m a wife (we just celebrated our 22nd anniversary on August 26) and a mother who also happens to serve as a taxi and cleaning service for four rambunctious boys. In my spare time (what little there is), I find sanity by writing inspirational and humor based stories. I would say I’ve become pretty balanced since I learned that imperfection truly is my new best friend…;-)

What are some of your favorite ways to spend time with your family?

I love watching my son’s hockey games (I do have something in common with Sarah Palin although I couldn’t run or kill caribou if my life depended on it) and soccer games and curling in on cold yucky days to watch funny movies. We also love trying new things and traveling when our schedules mesh.

Do any of these pastimes or family traditions pop up in your work?

The sports and humor pop up quite a bit. A lot of what is in The Santa Letters came from actual family experiences and traditions and my next book, “Life is Tough – I Doubt I’ll Make it Out Alive” is based all on family experiences.



Let’s talk about The Santa Letters. First of all, I can’t tell you how much I loved the book. My family will be reading it together as we get closer to Christmas. Was The Santa Letters inspired by real life events? Were you active in the LDS church at that time?

I found out that two of my sons had been placed in sexually abusive situations which made me question everything I'd ever been taught and I wondered if there truly was justice in the world. I was active in the church and it was the lessons I’d learned at church throughout my life that thankfully had sunk in which helped me to get past it and aid my sons in getting past it too. I think a stable basis grounded in faith – no matter what religion one is – can help anyone get through the toughest of times.

Has your faith in God grown as a result of everything that happened? Did your family grow closer together too?

Yes, because I watched His hand in all aspects of my life at that time and came to really understand that He loves us and wants the best for us – no matter how insignificant we think we are. I know many of us feel that way at times but we are significant and vital, not only to this world, but to His plan.

As for my family, I will never forget the night my son - who’d been struggling through this terrible situation so much - cried and told us that for the first time he felt loved and protected and surrounded by a family who loved him unconditionally. He thanked God for having given him a good family to be a part of. No mother could have ever had a better Christmas present. We learned that there was nothing we couldn’t accomplish or survive if we stuck together.

As a wife and mother I was very touched by the sudden loss of William and how it impacted his wife and children. Was it difficult writing Emma (William’s wife) Jensen’s story prior to the arrival of the first Santa letter?

It was because much of it came from watching my mother as she grieved after the loss of my father to cancer. Although he was older (61), the joy in life for her left the night he died. Almost four years to the date (four years, 1 month and 1 day to be exact), she passed away from cancer at age 63. I know that they are now happy together watching over their family from beyond.

As each Santa letter and package arrives the excitement for the Jensen family grows and each letter and package also continues the family’s—especially Emma’s—road to healing. In these letters, you managed to share the true message of Christ’s birth without coming across as preaching. Was that a challenge?

The whole goal was to write it for a mainstream audience in a non-offensive, non- threatening way since people, including myself, are turned off by ‘preachy-ness’ and I certainly didn’t to do that! But I also believe that understanding comes through education and perspective. So that became my focus, to teach and help understand through simple lessons and a different perspective. What was hard was studying His life and putting it into simple terms that mainstream (including myself) America could easily understand and relate to.

McKenna is the youngest member of the Jensen family. She embraces the Santa letters and their origin from the first arrival. How important is this for the story? Does McKenna’s easy acceptance draw on any Biblical principles?

Actually it does. You always hear about the faith of children. In correlation to that we are told to become as little children and I think that if we could harbor the faith, innocence and purity of a little child, many things in life would just take care of themselves.

After reading The Santa Letters, I thought this would be a great book for church members to read together and discuss. Does your publisher offer discounts on group sales?

I’m sure they would. You could contact them directly through their website at http://www.cedarfort.com/ or email me directly at stacyanders@gmail.com and I will hook them up with the representative that can best help them down there. You can also call them at 801-489-4084.

Where can readers purchase a copy of The Santa Letters?

It’s available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and deseretbook.com. It’s currently on shelves at Desert Book and Seagull Book and will be on shelves at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Walden bookstores, Sam’s Club and Wal-Marts and I think in Star Books, Costco and in airports.

Do you have a website where readers can find out more about the book?

They can go to http://www.thesantaletters.org/main.html?src=%2F to find free-downloaable templates to the Santa Letters and also read the first chapter to its companion book The Inmate Letters which goes more in depth into Guillermo’s story and picks up with his association with the Jensens.

What’s up next for you? Any exciting news you would like to share with our readers?

Look for Life is Tough coming out Mother’s Day 2009 and The Legend of the Star, another Christmas book coming out Christmas 2009. I’m not sure when The Inmate Letters will be released yet. Probably when I get done writing it..;-)

Is there anything you would like to add?

Just remember that no wound is so deep that with a little TLC (a tender Lord’s care), it can’t be healed better and stronger than it was before.

Thank you for sharing so much of your time with us today, Stacy. I wish you all the success in the world. You’ve written a wonderful book!

Thank you for thinking so but in all honesty, I don’t look at it as my book. Just a story that I was blessed enough to be a part of. The success belongs to Him…

The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson--Book Review

Heartwarming and filled with the spirit of the season, The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson is sure to become a Christmas classic.

After the sudden death of her husband William, Emma Jensen struggles to find hope in her life. Even knowing she must go on for her children is not enough to bring Emma out of the depths of despair. Instead, she curls up in an old patchwork quilt and cries the nights away.

But after the first Santa letter arrives with promises of gifts and instructions for activities that will teach the family the true meaning and gifts of Christmas, the lives of the Jensens might be forever changed. Will these messages from the man in the red suit help them find that missing hope as they celebrate the Savior's birth?

I have never been so touched by a novel as I was while reading The Santa Letters. I could barely contain my emotions. And it came to me, while I read each Santa letter that this would be an excellent way for churches to share the message of Christmas with their congregations. The lessons the Jensens learn from this anonymous stranger are ones that people need to be reminded of every day of the year: the importance of traditions, laughter, friendship, family, mercy and forgiveness, along with many others are found within its pages.

Gooch-Anderson's mastery of storytelling is evident in the emotions The Santa Letters invokes and the ease with which this novel draws the reader completely into the lives of its characters. The author has also included instructions for how readers can create their own Santa Letters Christmas.

A book you'll never forget, The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson will become a Christmas tradition you'll want to share with your family time and again. An excellent book club or church group selection. I eagerly await Gooch-Anderson's next release.


Title: The Santa Letters
Author: Stacy Gooch-Anderson
Publisher: Sweetwater Books
ISBN: 978-1-59955-145-6
U.S. Price: $16.99