Tag Archives: books

SOMETIMES I THINK LIFE IS WONDERFUL—BUT NOT ALWAYS

Sometimes I think life is wonderful, filled with happiness, love, and blessings too numerous to count. Yet, I continuously hear of tragic events here at home and abroad that mess with my emotions and unfortunately, with my faith. But we must not let that shape our view of life. However, to empathize with the suffering, it often requires that we have experience ourselves. If you haven’t experienced a tragic loss, count yourself fortunate. Two years ago, I published a book about the tragedies in my life. How about you? Have you experienced a tragic event that messed with your emotions and your faith, as well? 

A few weeks ago, I received another book review on my book, THERE IS LIFE AFTER TRAGEDY. It was a review by Premium US Review, and they have now recommended my book. I am sharing a paragraph from that review below. It starts with these words: “This is a book about the power of God to lift one out of the depths of despair.” If that describes you or someone you know, I encourage you to check out my book. The review also states that “Kellogg’s memoir is a fine addition to Christian literature.” Perhaps it could be a fit for your own library.     

PREMIUM US REVIEW: “This is a book about the power of God to lift one out of the depths of despair. Decidedly Christian, the author includes biblical scriptures and motivational quotes from Christian writers that have affected her and helped her overcome the personal trials of her life. Its tone is heartfelt and conversational, pulling the reader into Kellogg’s discovery of the long-held secret of the family’s tragedy. Kellogg offers advice on how to overcome one’s own tragedies through relying on God. Though she writes from a Christian perspective, those of all beliefs will encounter an intriguing and emotional read that will long be in their memories. The author is steadfast in her Christian belief and her faith in a God who desires to heal those who are suffering and can indeed do so. Kellogg’s memoir is a fine addition to Christian literature as well as a wonderful gift to future generations of her own family.”

THERE IS LIFE AFTER TRAGEDY is available at Amazon and all major book retailers. It can also be purchased on my website at http://www.sarahjanekellogg.com. If you are interested, the book also has a Bible Study Guide found on my Website that can be printed and used along with the book. To view the Study Guide, look in the Category section on the lefthand side of the home screen, and then for Bible Studies – There is Life After Tragedy. There you will find 14 posts. The first study guide was the first one posted, so you will need to go down to the beginning post, and then move up from there.

“There Is Life after Tragedy” Places as a Finalist in 2023 AWA Competition

I am happy to announce that my book, There Is Life after Tragedy, has been named a FINALIST in the 2023 American Writing Awards (AWA) in the spirituality category.

I was entirely more surprised than not, even though my faith in what God has called and enabled me to do is still very much intact. The research was painstaking; the actual writing a total joy; and the publishing process, well, we might say, “I was like a dog staring at a new bowl,” to quote my former pastor—Pastor Norman Shuman.

Writing has been a big part of my life, having dreamed of writing a book as a child. It took half-a-lifetime for me to get serious about writing, and another twenty years to attempt to publish anything. I continue to desire to hold the pen of God, and even when I don’t have much to say, He always has plenty.

My book is a true story about my family’s tragedy that took place before I was born. My family was probably a lot like yours—good, hard-working, God-loving people, yet they faced a gut-wrenching event that turned their world upside down. The setting of the story was in the Texas Hill Country in 1946, following WWII. There are many similarities of my family’s tragedy to the current-day tragedies we see unfolding right before our eyes—mental illness, gun violence, and the lack of good solutions.

If you choose to take this journey with me through the pages of my book, you will hear what God has to say in “the times that try men’s souls;”1 when bad things happen to good people; and when believing in the goodness of God seems impossible. You will also learn how to find the courage to love again; how to deal with taunting words of defeat from the enemy of your soul; and how to reshape your legacy.

In case you are in need of a few stocking stuffers for Christmas, my book may be the perfect gift. It sells for $13.95 in paperback, $30 in hardback at Amazon, all major book retailers, and my publisher, WestBow Press. Search by book title or by Sarah Jane Kellogg and you will find it. You can also learn more about me and my book at www.sarahjanekellogg.com (which includes an excerpt from the book) or at my blog website at www.treasureinearthenvessels.net.

~ Sarah Jane

1Thomas Paine