Welcome, Jessica. What would you like for
our readers to know about you personally?
I’m very laid back, because I’ve learned to not take life, or myself, too seriously. I can usually see the humor in most situations, even the stressful ones!
I’m very laid back, because I’ve learned to not take life, or myself, too seriously. I can usually see the humor in most situations, even the stressful ones!
Tell us about your family.
I have three of the best boys in the world—Jack, Eli, and Kenai, and have been blessed with greatest, most supportive family, especially my mom, two sisters, and many cousins and friends all living in the same small town we all grew up in. I feel God has blessed me “extra” in this department, because he knew it’d take a village to help my nutty self get through life gracefully.
I have three of the best boys in the world—Jack, Eli, and Kenai, and have been blessed with greatest, most supportive family, especially my mom, two sisters, and many cousins and friends all living in the same small town we all grew up in. I feel God has blessed me “extra” in this department, because he knew it’d take a village to help my nutty self get through life gracefully.
Have you written other nonfiction books?
Nope, this is the first one!
Nope, this is the first one!
Do you have any other books in the works
right now?
Yes, I have two more books in the works. The first is called Pretty Holy, which encourages women to find joy, even from the trenches, and the next is a funny book about what dating is like, from a Christian woman’s perspective. So fun to write!
Yes, I have two more books in the works. The first is called Pretty Holy, which encourages women to find joy, even from the trenches, and the next is a funny book about what dating is like, from a Christian woman’s perspective. So fun to write!
What kinds of hobbies and leisure
activities do you enjoy?
Writing is my number source of fun, but when my fingers cramp up, I love trail running, hiking, and doing anything outdoors with my boys. I also run my state chapter of Straight Ahead Ministries, leading weekly Bible studies within juvenile detention centers. Biggest adventure of my life!
Writing is my number source of fun, but when my fingers cramp up, I love trail running, hiking, and doing anything outdoors with my boys. I also run my state chapter of Straight Ahead Ministries, leading weekly Bible studies within juvenile detention centers. Biggest adventure of my life!
Why did you write the featured book?
I wrote this as a source of therapy after having two babies within two years, haha! Seriously though, when I had my first, I remember feeling a bit alone, not quite fitting in with the moms around me, or even at church. I’ve more “un natural” for me—like I didn’t necessarily enjoy or succeed at the typical mom activities like arts and crafts time, or joining the local moms club. I remember wondering, is it just me, or is this a bit more lonely, rough, unrewarding than I thought it’d be, or that everyone around me makes it seem? Later in life I fortunately made great mom friends to share my trials and victories with, but not everyone finds that, so I wanted to write a true, no-holds barred, manifesto about what motherhood is really like for us “unmoms,” to encourage readers they’re not alone, and to chose laughter over defeat when motherhood “gets real.”
I wrote this as a source of therapy after having two babies within two years, haha! Seriously though, when I had my first, I remember feeling a bit alone, not quite fitting in with the moms around me, or even at church. I’ve more “un natural” for me—like I didn’t necessarily enjoy or succeed at the typical mom activities like arts and crafts time, or joining the local moms club. I remember wondering, is it just me, or is this a bit more lonely, rough, unrewarding than I thought it’d be, or that everyone around me makes it seem? Later in life I fortunately made great mom friends to share my trials and victories with, but not everyone finds that, so I wanted to write a true, no-holds barred, manifesto about what motherhood is really like for us “unmoms,” to encourage readers they’re not alone, and to chose laughter over defeat when motherhood “gets real.”
What do you want the reader to take away
from the book?
Honestly I’d love for moms to feel a sense of relief, feeling like they’re reading things they’ve always felt, but never said aloud because they thought they were the only ones interpreting motherhood through such a crazy lens. I hope moms laugh their hearts out and also feel comfort and liberation because I believe there’s such freedom in sharing our struggles.
Honestly I’d love for moms to feel a sense of relief, feeling like they’re reading things they’ve always felt, but never said aloud because they thought they were the only ones interpreting motherhood through such a crazy lens. I hope moms laugh their hearts out and also feel comfort and liberation because I believe there’s such freedom in sharing our struggles.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell
my readers about you or your book?
I always want to emphasize that although my brand is an #unmom (mothers who love their kids more than the daily acts of mothering) this isn’t a book casting a negative light on motherhood or any certain type of mother. Having kids has been, and always will be the single greatest blessing of my life, and has transformed my heart in ways nothing else could have. Motherhood takes sacrifice and hard work, but so do most experiences that are really worth it.
I always want to emphasize that although my brand is an #unmom (mothers who love their kids more than the daily acts of mothering) this isn’t a book casting a negative light on motherhood or any certain type of mother. Having kids has been, and always will be the single greatest blessing of my life, and has transformed my heart in ways nothing else could have. Motherhood takes sacrifice and hard work, but so do most experiences that are really worth it.
Please give us the first page or two from
the book.
You can both
read the first pages of the book and order a copy at this link:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rPn1HV
How can my readers find you on the
Internet?
Website: www.jessicakastner.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorJessicakastner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessKastner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicakastner1/
Thank you, Jessica, for sharing this book
with us. It sounds like a book I wish I’d read after my first child was born.
Readers,
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Being a mom is tough! I can totally understand where she's coming from.
ReplyDeleteDianna in TN
Motherhood is a gift from God but any mother who says that they have nevefelt frustration or being inferior...they aren't being honest with themselves or they have suffered a memory loss :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win this book!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC.
Being a mom is a high calling and requires strength and lots of grace. Blessings on all young moms!
ReplyDeleteYou are a new author to me, and I would love to win your book. Thanks!
Evangeline from North Carolina