Book Review: When SHMACK Happens by Amber Neben

All of us face obstacles in life. Let When SHMACK Happens by Amber Neben equip and encourage you during life's toughest moments.

Neben is an international decorated cycling champion with victories in 11 countries and multiple UCI Category 1 stage race wins to her credit. When SHMACK Happens chronicles the role faith has played in her life as she has met challenges on and off the bike. From unexpected medical issues to equipment failure to major crashes, follow Neben's journey to succeed by placing her life in the hands of God.

I'll be the first to admit sports autobiographies don't usually capture my attention. But this isn't your typical sports autobiography. While you might find stories from athletes that thank God in the opening or closing pages of the book, Neben's entire focus is how her faith has provided hope and peace despite the numerous setbacks she has faced. She gives credit to placing her life in God's hands for the successes she has achieved. Neben is a 2x Olympian, 2x World Champion, 2x Pan American Champion and 2x National. A list of her Race Wins is included in the final pages of the book. Each chapter is headlined by applicable verses from Scripture and the reader is treated to numerous black and white photographs.

When SHMACK Happens is a powerful book that will inspire you to trust in the Lord for all things, no matter what comes your way.


Paperback: 172 pages
Publisher: Neben Px4 (March 18, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0991303008
ISBN-13: 978-0991303007

I received a copy of this book from the author. The author's publicist has paid me to promote this book through a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book. This fee did not include any type of review. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge:

W...W...W...Wednesdays - July 23

This meme was created by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

Nestled on the rocky coast of Massachusetts, Salem is a city steeped in history and legend. Famous for its witch trials, the storied North Shore seaport also has a dark history of smugglers and deadly fires. It is considered one of New England's most haunted destinations. Inside Howard Street Cemetery, the ghost of accused witch Giles Corey wanders among the gravestones. Outside the Ropes Mansion, the ghost of Abigail Ropes can be seen peeking out of the windows. The Gardner-Pingree House on Essex Street is host to the spirit of sea captain Joseph White, a man whose murder in 1830 inspired literary giants like Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Join author and paranormal journalist Sam Baltrusis on a chilling journey through the streets of Salem as he chronicles the historic haunts of the Witch City.

What did you recently finish reading?

Have you ever been through a hard time in life? Ever wondered why bad things happen? Amber Neben has you covered. The 2x Olympic cyclist for Team USA knows a thing or two about shmack- her word for describing adversity that comes our way in life. Follow Amber's journey as she overcomes major obstacles both on and off the bike-and encourages you to join her in developing the perseverance, patience, perspective, and power than only Christ can give us. Very few people may know or understand what road cycling is, but everyone knows what it means to be an Olympian. The champion road cyclist chronicles her disappointments and failures, as well as amazing comebacks and victories-while thrilling audiences along the way with gripping stories of faith and hope. After reading When Shmack Happens, you'll feel equipped and encouraged to face life's tough moments, and find yourself cheering for Amber to get back on the bike...one more time. Learn what it means to be a spiritual champion in God's eyes.

Lose weight, energize, and glow with over 50 recipes and complete 10 day detox plan. This whole foods cleanse includes detailed menu plan, shopping list, and bonus recipes to make after your cleanse. Renewal “Anytime” also includes pre-detox plan, daily instructions, FAQ’s, and post-detox next steps.

What do you think you’ll read next?

These are the next two books I'm scheduled to review, so I'm guessing it will be these.

When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that are otherwise off limits to tourists.

As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation. Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured heart—and bring healing to her entire family?

In a Drought, It's the Darkest Cloud
That Brings Hope

It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.

Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor. . .until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.

Please note, I'm on vacation this week, so I won't respond to comments right away. If you want to see where I am, check out http://lauralittlehouseontheprairie.blogspot.com/2014/07/40-anniversary-little-house-cast-reunion.html

W...W...W...Wednesdays - July 16

This meme was created by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

I'll easily finish this one tonight.

Have you ever been through a hard time in life? Ever wondered why bad things happen? Amber Neben has you covered. The 2x Olympic cyclist for Team USA knows a thing or two about shmack- her word for describing adversity that comes our way in life. Follow Amber's journey as she overcomes major obstacles both on and off the bike-and encourages you to join her in developing the perseverance, patience, perspective, and power than only Christ can give us. Very few people may know or understand what road cycling is, but everyone knows what it means to be an Olympian. The champion road cyclist chronicles her disappointments and failures, as well as amazing comebacks and victories-while thrilling audiences along the way with gripping stories of faith and hope. After reading When Shmack Happens, you'll feel equipped and encouraged to face life's tough moments, and find yourself cheering for Amber to get back on the bike...one more time. Learn what it means to be a spiritual champion in God's eyes.

What did you recently finish reading?

The worlds of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and other modern epics feature the Chosen One--an adolescent boy who defeats the Dark Lord and battles the sorrows of the world. Television's Buffy the Vampire Slayer represents a different kind of epic--the heroine's journey, not the hero's. This provocative study explores how Buffy blends 1990s girl power and the path of the warrior woman with the oldest of mythic traditions. It chronicles her descent into death and subsequent return like the great goddesses of antiquity. As she sacrifices her life for the helpless, Buffy experiences the classic heroine's quest, ascending to protector and queen in this timeless metaphor for growing into adulthood.

Loved this book. You can find my review at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13555516-buffy-and-the-heroine-s-journey

What do you think you’ll read next?

Lose weight, energize, and glow with over 50 recipes and complete 10 day detox plan. This whole foods cleanse includes detailed menu plan, shopping list, and bonus recipes to make after your cleanse. Renewal “Anytime” also includes pre-detox plan, daily instructions, FAQ’s, and post-detox next steps.

I'm scheduled to review this one at the end of the month.

What have you been reading?

Interview with Amber Neben, Author of When Shmack Happens

Amber Neben is a decorated international road cyclist with victories in 11 countries and multiple UCI Category 1 stage race wins. She is a 2x Olympian, 2x World Champion, 2x Pan American Champion and 2x National Champion. She holds a B.S. from The University of Nebraska and an M.S. from UC Irvine. Amber and her husband, Jason, reside in Lake Forest, CA. For information on speaking engagements or coaching visit amberneben.com.

Twitter: @amberneben

Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/amber.neben.9 

Here is the (in)famous crash from the Tour of California that was originally seen live on NBCUniversal last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z_6qDX_Yh8

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Santa Ana, Orange, and Anaheim, California.

When did you begin writing?

I began writing blogs about my cycling adventures back in 2006.  I wrote a few articles published on Velonews years ago, too.  However, I didn’t start WRITING until last summer, when I was inspired to write When SHMACK Happens.

What is this book about?

At first glance, When SHMACK Happens is my story about perseverance, overcoming adversity, and the journey of achieving (and not quite) achieving big goals.  However, the bigger theme of the book is to encourage and share the tools the reader can use in their own lives to overcome their own challenges.  Adversity, or SHMACK, is universal to all of us.  It is not if but when.  And although the type and the intensity is unique, the tools we can use to overcome are the same.  I’ve used my life as a context to relate these in a tangible way… while also taking the reader on a ride where they will laugh, cry, and cheer.  I know my challenges are really minimal compared to many, but this God I know wants to act in everyone’s lives as much as He has in mine.  I hope to point people back to Him – to His love, His peace, and His strength.  In addition, hopefully I can open eyes and hearts to the idea that success comes with lots of hard work and perseverance.  Achieving a goal is going to be hard.  Adversity, failure, and redirection are all part of the process.  We need to remember that we are refined in the fires of life and rarely does growth come without struggle or stress.  

What inspired you to write it?

I wrote When SHMACK Happens as I recovered from the Tour of California crash mentioned above.  In the immediate aftermath, I had an amazing peace and stillness about me.  Although my world had been rocked, and I was experiencing one of the most painful physical challenges ever, I had a very clear mind.  I could hear God pounding on my heart to “write the story that I (the Lord) have written into your life.”  After weeks of prayer, I realized that I needed to share how God had gotten me through everything, how timeless His word really was, and how incredible His peace and strength can be in the midst of our challenges. 

How is it similar to other books in its genre? How is it different?

It’s an autobiography that covers the highs and lows of life through the eyes of an athlete.  It’s a story about overcoming adversity that will encourage and inspire.

It’s different because I actually think it crosses genres and is something young and old, male and female, athletes or not would enjoy reading. 

My goal is for the reader to see what God can do more than to see what I’ve done.  I’ve tried to weave the scripture that has carried me through life into the story, so that it can be easily reapplied to their own lives.  I’ve also paralleled each part of my journey with a bible character to help show how timeless God’s word is while again demonstrating another way to apply it.  Finally, I wanted to juxtapose the pursuit of becoming a champion in sport (which could easily be a metaphor for whatever the reader’s individual pursuit in life is) with what God was doing in me as He worked (and is still working) through my SHMACKS to make me a spiritual champion.  Of course, it is a process that won’t be completed until I receive the crown of life, but it is still possible to share and encourage by talking about what has happened to date!  I think the combination of my experiences and the approach I took makes it very unique. 

What is the most important thing readers can learn from your book?

If we can stand on the ROCK (Jesus) in the midst of our storms, not only will we survive, but God will be able to do great things in us and through us. 

Where can readers purchase a copy?

It is available on Amazon’s USA site or the Europe site.

Here is the USA link: http://www.amazon.com/When-Shmack-Happens-Spiritual-Champion/dp/0991303008/

It can also be purchased at www.whenshmackhappens.com.

What is up next for you?

Right now, I am healing from a sacrum fracture while praying about the next steps in my cycling career. 

I’m enjoying the opportunities to speak and share my story as they come.

I’m coaching, and I’m working on a new hand cycle vision for my nonprofit, The Dare To Be Project.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Nobody is too small, too weak, too young…or too anything in God’s hands.  It’s not about us or our job titles, because He will use us where we are.  It’s about what can happen when we make ourselves available and trust Him in the midst of our SHMACKS.  Christ’s power is always perfected in our weakness, and He wants to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.  The challenge is to persevere and be patient while trying to take on the perspective that comes from God’s viewpoint.