Welcome!
About Me
A Hoosier by birth, I left home at the tender age of 17 to serve my country and see the world. After 4 years on active duty at the majestic Air Force Academy, wanderlust drove me to Alaska where I joined the Alaska Air National Guard and became a full-time student at UAA. Alaska is also where I met and married my husband Jay (Leap Year Day 2004). After 3 assignments and 8 deployments, Jay accepted a full-time (non-deployable) position with the Arkansas Air National Guard. For the past 6 years, we’ve lived on a 10-acre hobby farm with our two children (ages 10 and 13) and a hodgepodge of critters. I currently work from home as an author’s assistant while overseeing our son’s rookie year of homeschool.
Falling Water — Searcy County, AR
Fall 2018
Statement of Faith
I believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. I affirm the Doctrines of Grace, the Westminster Standards, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Nicene Creed.
My theology has shifted significantly since Christian Shelf-Esteem launched in 2014. Instead of deleting older reviews, I’ve opted to leave them as a testimony of God’s transformative work in my life.
We need to be alert and equipped, because Christian bookstores don’t have genre labels like “fluff” and “I may look like I have my life together more than you, but I’m about to wreck your theology.” —Aimee Byrd, No Little Women
Favorite Authors
Non-Fiction:
RC Sproul, John Calvin, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Michael Horton, J.I. Packer, Donald S. Whitney, Jen Wilkin, and Rebecca VanDoodewaard.
Fiction:
Biblical Fiction – Tessa Afshar, Lynn Austin, and Mesu Andrews
Historical Fiction – Lori Benton, Jocelyn Green, Nancy Kimball, Tamera Alexander, Lisa Wingate +++
Mystery & Suspense – Dani Pettrey, Lisa Harris, Ronie Kendig, Jaime Jo Wright, and Kristy Cambron
Contemporary – Amy Sorrells, Kara Isaac, Katherine Reay, and Hillary Manton Lodge
Young Adult – Mary Weber, Lindsay A. Franklin (this list will grow as I read more from this genre)
Podcasts I Recommend
I love the name of your blog. Is “shelf-esteem” when you’re not embarrassed for people to see your book shelf? Also, thank you to you and your husband for your service, and very cute picture!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great to connect! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amanda, Your review stack is incredibly impressive! Thank you so much for this time you have chosen to spending sharing the magic of reading with the world.
I represent a start-up publishing house owned and operated by Miralee Ferrell. We currently specialize in Christian fiction. Please contact me if you would be interested in reviewing any of our titles.
Thanks!
Nikki
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would like your giveaway book you have available, thank yiu
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello, Amanda! I just tagged you in my latest post: it’s the Blogger Books tag! You don’t have to do it, but I thought it might be fun! Here it is:
https://writerramblingsandthings.wordpress.com/2016/11/16/blogger-book-tag-i-need-some-fun-in-my-life/
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a beautiful blog. Happy to connect with you, Amanda. My first writing job was for an Air Force newspaper. My husband was in the Army for sixteen years and our son is in the National Guard. And we farm. Sounds like we have a lot in common. Looking forward to getting to know you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amanda,
I am so impressed with your blog would love to here from you. I am sending some pictures to you hope you enjoy
LikeLike
You have such an awesome story! I very much enjoyed reading this “about you” info. Love that you think your hens are spoiled. 🤣😊
LikeLike
What a beautiful, classy site! I love how you showcase new releases and top-notch Christian fiction. As a professional proofreader, I have a passion for reading (and perfecting) Christian fiction, so I always appreciate a quality novel. 🙂
LikeLike