Monday, February 4, 2013

The Review is In & Giveaway :: Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle





Recently, I had the pleasure of reviewing Melanie Shankle's newest book Sparkly Green Earrings, a memoir of motherhood. Through her charming chapter titles (like Shamu & the Chicken Spaghetti, We Don't Throw Sand, and Like a Band of Idiots We Go Down the Highway), Melanie joyfully shares her transition into Texas homemaking and becoming a Big Mama, as proclaimed by her darling daughter Caroline.

Along for the ride is her husband, Perry, whom supports her in the decision to leave the non-gratifying job in Pharmaceutical Sales to stay at home during Caroline's early years. While Melanie advocates this is not the book for those looking to find expertise on motherhood, she does contend it is a way to share the ups and downs we all face as parents. Melanie hopes her book, "...will keep you warm at night knowing someone else shares your brand of crazy." I can definitely relate!

Here's an excerpt from Sparkly Green Earrings:

"But as it turned out, my heart was the one that began to change. And I didn't go down easily. I cried over the surrender of the family I had always envisioned in my head and had to come to a place where I realized God had other plans for us. Truthfully, part of me felt like a failure and wondered why I wasn't one of those women who could raise six kids and homeschool all of them and serve milk and cookies every afternoon in some clever way like all the moms on Pinterest do."
 
 All I know is that this homeschool Mom doesn't serve milk and cookies to six kids either! I delighted in the silliness and the reality that Melanie shared in response to her new experiences at being a Mom. She tells all sorts of wonderful stories about catching vomit, discovering lice, overstrict preschools, birthday envy, travel adventures and more in this absolute page turner of non-stop laughs and "Oh, we've done that before" moments.

One of my favorite ladies in homemaking, Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman), agrees Sparkly Green Earrings is "Side-splitting, utterly relatable...nothing short of a delight." Beth Moore finds it to be "Profoundly insightful, witty and relatable...Relish this ride - you won't be sorry you took it."

If this sounds like the book for you, enter to win your very own copy from Texas Homemaking! After 48 hours, I'll announce a winner. Make sure to leave a comment on this post and I'll randomly select a winner.

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Melanie Shankle is the author of TheBigMamaBlog.com. She is also a regular contributor to ThePioneerWoman.com, and she serves as the emcee for LifeWay's annual DotMom conference. She resides in San Antonio with her famly.

{Please see my disclaimer policy in regards to this post.}

3 comments:

  1. Yes I would like to win the book. Your review has me wanting to read more of this book ! THANKS



    bootunk(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  2. Thanks Julie! Be sure to share this on Facebook for more chances and also like TexasHomemaking's Facebook Page for regular blog updates!

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  3. love the review.. would LOVE to get my hands on this book!!

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