It’s easy to feel overburdened by life’s demands. Looking out into the world as well as under the roof of our home may cause us to question, “How did we get here? And how will we get through?”
Jillana Goble has been there. With honesty, faith, and a dose of humor, her debut memoir, A Love-Stretched Life, chronicles what she’s continually learning on the suspension bridge between reality and hope. A mom via foster care, birth, and adoption—in that order—for nearly two decades, Jillana has experienced life’s curveballs. Her come-as-you-are posture amidst a daily reality far different than she ever imagined reassures you that you’re not alone if your life isn’t tidily wrapped in a bow.
This compilation of stories will stay with you as you strive to love and to love well, even when—and especially when—it’s hard. Whether you are widening your family circle or just trying to get through the day, Jillana welcomes you to her table, offering you an anchor of hope to hang on to as you navigate your own love-stretched life.
The terrifying choice, someone once warned me, is a comfortable life or an abundant one. Time and again, Jillana Goble voted with her heart. She tells the truth about the consequences, writing with unnerving grace.”
Steve Duin, columnist, The Oregonian
If parenting is in your heart, this memoir will captivate you. Jillana’s journey of childhood to adulthood, becoming a teacher, parent, neighbor and friend gave me a broader, more beautiful definition of family. She reminded me of the wild capacity I have been given to love. You will be inspired.”
Joy Eggerichs Reed, author of Get to the Publishing Punchline: A Fun (and slightly aggressive) 30 Day Guide to get Your Book Ready for the World
(Best Option for Bulk)
No Sugar-Coating is a warm, straight-up guide that reads like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. It is filled with practical suggestions interwoven with compelling narrative rooted in foster parenting experience. It offers valuable insight for those eager to learn more about foster parenting as well as an anchoring for those who have already welcomed vulnerable children through their front door.
No Sugar-Coating: The Coffee Shop Talk You Need about Fostering is a candid, accurate, and poignant capture of fostering children and all of the complexities involved. Jillana’s book is wonderful preparation for anyone considering becoming a foster parent and important validation for those already doing this critical work.”
M. Green, MA, LPC, Senior Operations Manager, Department of Human Services Child Welfare (retired)
Jillana’s book is a must read for anyone entertaining foster care–young, old, married, single, with kids or without! She gives a no holds barred account of hers and many others’ experiences when it comes to parenting vulnerable children and engaging all that comes with them.”
Emily, Foster Parent
Jillana’s No Sugar-Coating is something I wish I could have every prospective foster parent read! Even experienced foster parents can find in this letter the comfort of not being alone on a journey with both difficult and wonderful experiences. There are many experiences people may wonder about but are afraid to ask, and this letter gently covers all of these topics with grace and a sense of humor.”
Anani Kuffner, MSW, CSWA
Caseworker and Trainer, Department of Human Service Child Welfare
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