A lost ring brings together two wounded souls—a youth minister haunted by the past and a spunky church custodian—in this heartwarming romance from the bestselling author of The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow. “Kim Vogel Sawyer is an amazing storyteller who crafts each of her stories with page-turning excitement and rich character development.”—Tracie Peterson, bestselling author of the Golden Gate … author of the Golden Gate Secrets series
Growing up in the foster care system, Jase Edgar always dreamed of one day starting his own family. But his fiancée’s untimely death shattered his plans. Moving to Kansas and serving as a youth minister should be a fresh start, but he can’t seem to set aside his doubts about God’s goodness long enough to embrace his new life.
Newly-appointed church custodian, Lori Fowler is battling her own challenges. Her strained relationship with her father and her struggles with overeating convince her she’s not worthy enough for love. When an Amish weaver enlists their help locating the owner of a ring found among the donated clothing she uses as fabric, Jase and Lori find themselves drawn to each other. But will they be able to release the past and move forward from this moment into a joyful future?
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From this moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a contemporary Christian romance story with such good messages. Kenzie has left the Amish community and is working in a fabric store. In her spare time she weaves items to donate to missions. He boss’s sister has sent her a large box of clothing to use for her weaving and in one of the item’s pocket is a ring. Despite putting a notice on social media, no one has been able to fully describe the ring.
Lori works with Kenzie in the fabric shop and often gives her rides to church and social gatherings. When the shop suffers financially, Lori volunteers to go part time and take a cleaning position at their church.
Jase has recently moved to town to be the church’s youth pastor and to help out the elderly pastor. Jase is recovering from losing his fiance and is struggling to move on. When searching his memento box, he realizes her ring is missing, thinking one of his youth may have taken it, he reports it to law enforcement.
This is a touching story of three young adults who are all struggling with loss in one way or another. It is an enjoyable story to read and see how the three help each other . This story touches on topics of mourning loss, eating disorders and wanting to lead others to the Lord. Basically this is a very good clean story with just touches of deep friendship and young romance. I liked the discussion questions in the back of the book, especially where do you see these people a year from now. Does this hint at a follow up for Kenzie? I hope so.
I voluntarily received a complementary ebook of this story from WaterBrook Multnomah from NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Author Kim Vogel Sawyer once again writes a story that will keep you turning the pages. The characters in From This Moment are well written with emotions and trials we all face. Jase is doubting God, which is something most of us have done when life hurts, but as we read about his journey back we see God’s goodness everywhere. Faith deepens in both of the main characters. But will it be enough?
Written from the perspective of several people, you will read about journeys of faith. Healing from the past. Forgiveness of loved ones. And always with hope. If you enjoy contemporary Christian fiction that won’t leave you feeling dejected, then I recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
From This Moment, by Kim Vogel Sawyer, is one of my favorite books written by her. I love how Vogel can write so many different types of stories.
There are three main characters in this contemporary novel. Jase Edgar is the new Youth Minister at a small-town Kansas church, Beech Street Bible Fellowship. Lori Fowler is a spunky young woman drawn quite strongly to Jase, who volunteers to help with the youth and works as the church custodian. In addition, there is Kenzie Stetler, a young woman who left the Amish faith for life in Wichita, Kansas.
It was interesting to read a story about an Amish woman who has left the faith. Usually, you read about someone becoming Amish, or they remain in the faith.
Vogel has a fantastic way of drawing you into a story, making you want to meet the characters, and never leave!
Vogel gives each person real-to-life problems to overcome or deal with, making the story so much more relatable. Jase is struggling with his faith, wondering if God is really there. Lori struggles with emotional eating, speaking without thinking and problems with her father. Kenzie realizes how some of her choices might affect her family and grapples with how to reconcile her feelings.
Rich in optimism, hopefulness and faith, From This Moment, will resonate in your heart, leaving you thinking about it for a long time.
I received From This Moment from Waterbrook through NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.
Jase struggled with grief over the death of his fiancée and had not yet been able to pull himself completely out of it. Combined with the pain over his broken childhood, he questioned the goodness of God, though not His existence. Ironically, at least in my opinion, he was just starting his new position as a youth minister at the start of this story. His journey back to a faith that had once been strong was lovely.
Lori’s struggles made my heart ache for her. Her father had been anything but loving since her mom died. The pain she experienced from that and the insecurities caused by his cruel words had her feeling stupid, ugly, rejected, and unloved. Her pain exhibited itself through overeating. I loved seeing the difference in the way she perceived herself and the way Jase saw her. And the way that he and Kenzie were able to pray for her and lead her to better choices. Learning that the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome temptation was life-changing for her, not in an unrealistic she-never-struggled-again kind of way but showing how when we are tempted, we can call out to Him for help.
There were enjoyable secondary characters as well. Former-Amish Kenzie and the senior pastor, Merlin, also had their own stories to tell, each filled with hope and faith. I especially liked the way Kenzie saw that the Amish way of life focused on works instead of faith for salvation – and thus was wrong.
Having enjoyed the historical stories by Kim Vogel Sawyer even more than From this Moment, I still recommend it to readers who love Christian romance.
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
From This Moment introduces three young people each struggling with their own unique problems and each coming from a less than perfect home life as children. Jase Edgar, the new youth minister in Bradleyville, Kansas, comes from the foster system where he spent much of his younger life. He is trying to come to terms with the death of his fiancé. Lori Fowler is a custodian at Jase’s church and an employee at a local quilt shop where her best friend, Kenzie Stetler works. Kenzie, a young woman from an Amish background, chooses not to join the Amish church and remains separated from her family as a result of her personal choices and beliefs. These three young people become good friends as a result of their beliefs and backgrounds. The appearance of a mysterious ring binds the young people together even tighter and ultimately allows them all to follow their hearts.
This book offers a good depiction of the journeys one’s life can take when dealing with hope and loss and the process one goes through in life of waiting and trusting. As these young people progress along their path, their new beginnings will bring romance to some and a deepening of faith and sharing the message to others. This book is an easy read that blends a contemporary romance with faith and hope. Readers of Christian romance will enjoy this book.
This ARC copy was received from Waterbrook Multnomah and Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#FromThisMoment #NetGalley
Jase is a new youth minister at a small church in an even smaller town in Kansas. Recently moved from San Antonio after his fiancee died, he’s struggling with anger and doubt in his Christian walk. Kenzie is ten years removed from her Amish heritage, leaving the community when she learned how the grace of Christ could free her from the rules and regulations of her family’s religion. She’s been thinking more and more about her family, though, and the darkness they’re still lost in. Lori is a young woman who was emotionally and verbally abused by her father as a teenager. She uses food as a coping mechanism when she feels lonely or inadequate, despite knowing that it’s pointless and wishing she could stop. Jase, Kenzie, and Lori are each searching for answers from God, and when Jase moves to Kansas, he’s welcomed into the friendship that Kenzi and Lori already have. With each other’s help, the three just might find their answers.
Through the first half of this book, I didn’t really understand what it was meant to be about. Part of that is because the official synopsis is atrociously inaccurate and misleading. But it’s also because it really took a while for things to get going. And actually, in the end, it turns out the book really was about what I saw in that first half–these characters each struggling with their doubts, uncertainties, and questions about God and their faith. There were parts of the story that I liked, that I thought came together well in the end, and parts that fell flat for me, or that I questioned why they were included. Overall, it was a decent read, but not a stand-out for me.
The storyline I related to the most was Lori’s over-indulging in times of extreme emotion–good or bad. I haven’t had an abusive past like hers, but over-indulgence is an issue I have struggled with in the past, though not to the degree that she does it. I really liked the way Kenzie’s story shaped up too, after wondering what it had to do with anything for a while near the beginning. Jase’s storyline is the one that I was least connected to, partly because I’ve not experienced loss like that, but also partly because the decisions he made really bugged me. There is a 4th perspective in this story too, which I felt was wholly unnecessary. I couldn’t help but compare it to the previous book I read by this author, which also included 4 perspectives. But where it worked in that one, it just seemed pointless in this one. I’m not sure what the pastor’s perspective added, nor did I feel like it was particularly resolved.
If there was one cohesive lesson this story seemed to bring out, it was the benefit of allowing others to share your burdens. Each of these four people was originally struggling alone and seemed to only see a turning point when they opened up to a fellow Christian about their trouble. Actually, that’s not really true for one of them (I won’t say who), but perhaps it’s just that I wished he/she had let others help him/her along the way. And on a related note, Kenzie really drove me crazy at some points. How can you say “God will provide” and then refuse all of God’s ways of providing? If a really specific incident hadn’t happened, she absolutely would have stayed in the same place, spinning her wheels, still waiting and hoping for God’s providence. (You ever heard the one about the guy sitting on the roof of his flooded house, refusing to get in the boat or helicopter because he knew God would save him? Yeah, she’s kind of like that.)
So in the end, this is not a book I would choose to read again. However, I think that my issues with it will likely not be shared by most others. If you are looking for a Christian book where romance isn’t the main plot and where the author ties multiple storylines together into one story where God’s hand can be seen, this might be a good book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for providing me a copy of this book to review.
This author never disappoints me with her stories. I loved the characters. Each of the main characters has a tiny secret that we get to learn during the story. I loved that this has so much inspiration running through it. This made me laugh and cry and it was hard to put down. I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook and Multnomah for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
In this clean, emotional at times, read, we’re introduced to some incredible characters. Jase Edgar arrives in Bradleyville, Kansas to take the youth pastor position at Beech Street Bible Fellowship. He can’t believe he left San Antonio for this. Will he end up loving the town and it’s residents or will he leave? Lori Fowler is a friendly, overweight lady that uses food to deal with her father’s criticism. She works at Prairie Meadowlark Fabrics and Quilting along with her best friend, Kenzie Stetler, Van, and Barbara. Ruby Key is their boss. Ruby is the sister of Leah, the wife of Reverend Merlin Kraft. This book features several storylines and each one is beautifully written. I won’t leave any spoilers, so grab your copy and see what happens with these wonderful characters.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Three young adults each face their own challenges in this contemporary Christian novel. Jase is a beginning youth pastor but is fighting his doubts about God due to an accident that killed his fiancee. Kenzie Stetler has left her Amish life and found fulfillment in a true relationship with her Savior, but she is separated from her parents and feels the need to tell them about her faith. Lori Fowler is a popular young woman who bubbles with life but feels inadequate because of her curly hair and pudgy body.
This book was so realistic and dealt with issues so many young adults face today. The relationships between the three young people were so special, and they were so supportive of one another. Their encouragement helped each of them find a way to overcome their fears and doubts. They also were encouaging to the youth they dealt with as they faced the problems that teens counter. A strong spiritual thread ran throughout the storyline as well. I appreciated that the romance thread played in the background until the very end.
Enjoyable contemporary Christian fiction.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Family is the root from which From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer grows. Jase Edgar thought he finally had the family for which he had longed, until his fiancée died. Running from the memories and the loss, he uproots from San Antonio to take a youth minister position in Kansas. Maybe ministering to the youth in the small church will also minister to his hurting heart and shaky faith. But how can he minister to them when he’s not so confident in God anymore?
New church custodian Lori Fowler has her eye on the new youth minister, but how could he ever notice her? Her strained relationship with her father and tendency to emote through a rollercoaster relationship with food have destroyed her confidence. But Lori’s friend Kenzie needs both Lori and Jase to help her find the owner of a ring that she has found, and the Lord’s hand is undeniable in the way relationships are restored and repaired along the way.
Kim Vogel Sawyer explores a scope of love, longing, and belonging in From This Moment that speaks to everyone on some level. Jase’s longing for a partner in life and a family, Lori’s longing for restoration of her relationship with her father and for the strength to overcome destructive food relationships, and Kenzie’s urge to return to her Amish family and share God’s grace through Christ with them. This is a story that will resonate with the reader long after the story ends.
Thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions are my own and are completely genuine.
I felt like this book really surrounded three people not just Lori, and Jase. I felt like Kenzie’s story was just as equally important to the whole story. I typically feel like to many people in a story makes it hard to keep up with what is happening I do not feel that way this book I felt the author did a great job and telling each story equally. I loved Kenzie she has a heart of gold but also has a way of just being who God designed her to me. I really was not a huge fan of Lori I just found her off putting she just came off as a desperate person. I feel like in the end the author did an amazing job that showed God’s powerful love even in the brokenness. This book is a clean read and suitable for all readers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I instantly liked this youth pastor and how transparent he was, “Jase checked the GPS. Again. The thing showed he’d reached Bradleyville, but it had to be wrong….He’d left San Antonio for this? He must have lost his ever-lovin’ mind.”
Jasc faces new challenges without the love of his life by his side. How could things have gone so wrong with Rachel. Could he trust God after all that has happened and now with the loss of his precious ring, he is not sure.
Lori a member of Jase’s church, struggles doing life without her parents. She works with and encourages her friend Kenzie who was raised Amish but did not confirm her faith in the Church. Lori was sometimes jealous at Kenzie’s strength, faith, and courage.
I appreciated getting a peek at Kenzie’s faith and her courage to do what she felt in her heart to do. I liked hearing about how she weaves rugs and the ministry she has. I adored watching Lori and Kenzie work in the sweet quilt store (I’d like to visit). This story has a sweet small town feel with a Pastor and wife I wanted to hang out with. They were wonderful, fun, and “real” role models as their faith is tested with new challenges they’ve never faced before.
This is a delightful lighthearted and powerful story of faith, friendship, loss, new beginnings, facing your past, overcoming struggles and fears. This is a fun, rainy day, uplifting read that will have you wanting to make brownies the author has mentioned all through the novel. Good thing she includes the recipe at the end of the book along with nine questions, to help liven up your book club discussion time. Do not forget to make the brownies for your meeting. It is a win, win situation!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog http://www.bookfun.org
Loved, loved, loved this book! Read it quickly and wanted more….hope there’s a follow up novel in the works.
The characters I loved and became attached to and identified with one or two. Human nature and heartache are portrayed quite well. We all are human in need of God’s Grace which took a while for some to realize. The wisdom of some of the older characters blended well with the young people. The scriptures were perfectly placed to add to the story’s meaning. From humble Kenzie, to flamboyant Lori and heartbroken Jas the characters came alive on the pages. These are people I would enjoy calling friends. Reading this novel gave me a warm, heartfelt and joyful feeling. Would love to read more like this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
I have read quite a few books by Kim Vogel Sawyer and I have loved every single one of them. One of the things I appreciate about her as an author, is that no two books are the same. She is a very creative and talented writer. I have read a lot of books and quite a few books from the Amish perspective. But, this is the first book that I can recall having ever read that has a character who was once Amish and now lives in the English world. It was really interesting to see how Kenzie was in the English world and how being raised in the Amish faith shaped her. It a lot of ways it also really flipped my perception of how the Amish are raised and their spiritual walk.
Jase was great. He was as real as we all should be. He knew he was doubting God, but he continued to show up and do what he was called to do. It was not easy and he truly struggled, but he set a great example of how questioning your faith can lead to the answers you seek. I also love that he was a success story of being raised in foster care.
Lori got on my nerves a little bit, especially when Jase first came to the church. She was crushing on him hard and making a small fool out of herself. On the other hand, you love her and relate to her in so many ways as well. She really does have a good heart and at times just let her insecurities get to her, and who hasn’t done that before? We can also relate to looking to food or people to fill the void that only God can fill.
All three of these main characters had struggles, as did several other supporting characters that showed up frequently. The overarching theme to all these characters is that despite all the difficulties they faced, there is still hope. They can still depend on that God that sometimes seems silent. They can depend on Him when they are struggling with their identity, and with all the chaos going on, isn’t that something that we can all relate to?? What a relevant book for such a time as this. (I can’t decide between 4 or 5 stars, so we will go with 4.5, although I will mark it a 5).
Thank you to Waterbrook Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this incredible book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own
“God raises us up for His purposes so we have the opportunity to experience and share His power in a human life.”
“Stay open to His leading, Jase. You might feel like your plans have been lost, but His plans are never forsaken. He will use you for His glory, and it’ll be for your good , too.”
Stories about pastors or ministers have always fascinated me. And this one was wonderful.
I loved the insight into Jase’s life, his struggles and how God helped him overcome them. I really admired the wonderfully illustrations the author put.
Kenzie was just a darling. Her naivety was touching and refreshing. My heart went out to her while reading the book. Her love and service to God were astounding and very inspiring.
Lori was easiest to love. Her struggles were real and her triumphs wonderful.
This story was wonderful, a beautiful illustration of God’s love and beautiful friendships.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion
This author never disappoints. Well told story of young adults who are starting their lives in a small town, each with their own set of problems to work through. They end up helping each other to do so, growing in the process. A lot of excellent advice for anyone planning on becoming a youth pastor. Excellent Christian faith scripture and lessons applied.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#FromThisMoment #NetGalley
From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer was a very inspirational read for me. She has a wonderful way of telling stories, and she did not disappoint in this book. She brought the characters to life for me, as if I know them, their struggles were so relatable for me, and the plot was right on. It does start a bit slow, but it does pick up. I have always loved Kim’s writing, and she has not disappointed this time either. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What a range of emotions here, but you feel God’s presence in these people’s lives. We are there when our young Pastor arrives in Kansas, having left his position in San Antonio, and his memories. Will this move be the answer to restoring his faith?
We watch as he is embraced by this congregation, and feel his pain, and wonder if he can move on from his devastating loss of his fiance?
We also meet some of the members of the congregation that welcome him, mainly Lori, who really likes him, and Kenzie who is struggling about returning to her Amish roots, and sharing the hope of salvation.
Jace is targeted to be the Youth Pastor, and we watch as he begins his duties, and thank goodness for the Head Pastor and his wife, I loved them!
Will an engagement ring be the catalyst to bring the forgiveness Jace is craving, or is it irrelevant?
I love how he is challenged throughout this book, and it quickly became a page turner for me, and once I finished I really wanted to stay here and go on with the lives of the people I now cared about!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Waterbrook and Multnomah, and was not required to give a positive review.
A lost ring may bring two people closer together. Along the way, each person learns more about themselves and their faith in God. Good story. I received a complimentary copy. No review was required.
“Reach for hope, always reach for hope”
Grace, forgiveness, and being used as a Child of God are the prominent themes throughout this precious novel. Three unique young people are sent to a small town in Kansas: Jase, a youth pastor grieving the loss of his fiancé, Lori, an endearing young woman dealing with emotional abuse from her father plus an eating disorder, and Kenzie, who, after growing up Amish, decided not to be baptized into the Amish faith and came to Bradleyville to start a new life.
The pastoral love from Merlin and Leah lends its healing touch on the residents of Bradleyville, and I love the characterization of Leah as a doting “grandmother”. I found this novel to be both entertaining and inspirational. And I’ll be trying my hand at Kenzie’s secret recipe brownies!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.