Monday, December 22, 2014

Favorite Quotes of 2014

By Andrea Renee Cox

It’s been a wild and crazy year that swept by without giving me a chance to catch my breath. Even though 2014 is winding to a close, my proofreading job is picking up speed. I started last January, by proofreading Dianne Price’s Broken Wings.

The publishing company that released it—Ashberry Lane—had put a rush on the job to try and beat death. Dianne succumbed to cancer one week before the release of the first book in her Thistle Series. Because Dianne’s journey had touched my heart, I felt moved to help promote her books. So I bought a copy of the first one as soon as it released and let the publisher know I would help spread the word about it. When Christina Tarabochia emailed me back, she asked me to keep my eye out for typos along the way. I took her seriously … and earned a spot on her staff.

Throughout this year, I’ve worked with her and a few other clients, and word is still spreading about what I do. Currently, I’m working on back-to-back-to-back jobs, with two overlapping a smidge. I’m thrilled to be so busy and to have the privilege of juggling my schedule to have Christmas off. Not only that, but the last one I’ll receive this calendar year will be my twelfth official proofreading job, which means that I had one for every month of the year. They may have been spaced out at first and bunched together at the end, but I think it’s really neat that, in my first year of this work, God chose to bless me with exactly twelve jobs, which matches the number of months within the year. This new career is such a blessing to me, and I thank God every day that He gave me a job I love and can do from home.

Now that I’ve summed up my whirlwind 2014, let’s take a look back at some of my favorite quotes in books I read in my free time. All of these books I enjoyed very much. If you’re looking for last-minute gifts for those book-lover friends or relatives of yours, I’m certain this list should get you started.

“In a period of only a few minutes, my life had been turned upside down.”

“Jesse was making a studied effort to let patience have its perfect work in him.”

“My head is full of ideas and thoughts, and my mouth is never reluctant to share them.”

“But what was a girl to do when the memory of a kiss stalked her?”

“Who knew a dream potentially coming true could feel so … scary? And yet, how long had she prayed for an open door?”

“Restaurants may have been my first love, but that didn’t mean we were meant to be.”

“Getting lost hadn’t been part of the plan.”
Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt

“Lord, how much more does my heart have to bleed?”

“… it seems that as we plan to teach others, God often makes us the pupil first, just so we get the lesson real deep within before we try to share it.”

“Sometimes you had to know when to leave so you could fight another day.”

“I’ve got a scream could peel the paint off the Titanic, you know.”

“She’d managed to wring an address out of the postmaster, now all she needed to do was convince a madman to hire a female secretary before he blew her to bits.”

Marc: “I started to [pray], but it’s not like I can expect God to perform a miracle.”
Abe: “Why not?”

“Faith isn’t just a matter of what you believe; it should be seen in the way you live and the way you treat others.”

“A man’s horse dropping dead in the middle of nowhere left a man with few options.”

Phillip: “There’s a baby in here, buddy—not a bomb.”
Erik: “I’d rather handle a load of dynamite.”
A November Bride by Beth K. Vogt

“God made you with unique skills and talents. Ask Him how to use those for Him and His glory.”
White Christmas by Cara C. Putman
Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara C. Putman, and Sarah Sundin
 
“I guarantee no woman has ever fallen in love with me after one kiss. It takes at least twenty. I happen to be quite resistible.”
I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Sarah Sundin
Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara C. Putman, and Sarah Sundin

“Could her choice to be joyful make that big a difference to all the men around her?”
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Tricia Goyer
Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara C. Putman, and Sarah Sundin



MERRY CHRISTMAS!


What were some of your favorite books of 2014? Care to share any quotes that stuck with you? What books are you looking forward to reading next year?


Thanks for stopping by today! I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section below. And don’t forget to drop by next Monday for my latest article.

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14 comments:

Joanne Bischof said...

What fun these quotes are, Andrea! And such a great idea to end the year with them. I think it' so neat that you took the time to jot down those that touched you in some way, or even that made you laugh. Thank you for sharing!

Andrea Cox said...

Thanks so much, Joanne! When I'm reading a book for pleasure or review, I keep notes of my favorite quotes. They're generally, like you said, ones that touch me in some way or ones that make me laugh out loud. I did a post like this last year and enjoyed it so much that I kept it in mind to do again. Your novella totally would have made the list, but I don't keep track of quotes when I'm proofreading. Maybe it will be featured next year ... This Quiet Sky is definitely one I want to reread when I find a spare minute. I'm so glad you dropped by today! Merry Christmas!

Carrie Turansky said...

I loved reading these quotes! Thanks for featuring The Daughter of Highland Hall! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Sarah Sundin said...

What fun to read! And I'm glad you liked Pete's line in Where Treetops Glisten :)

Beth K. Vogt said...

Andrea: I love your take on listing favorite books of the year -- and instead, you listed favorite quotes! I just may follow your lead into 2015 and keep track of favorite quotes in books too.
Thanks for including quotes from several of my books.

Christina Tarabochia said...

First of all, thank the Lord you took me seriously on the typo thing! ;)

Secondly, these are great. I love the idea of tracking them. There's a certain line in Sam's book that I almost guarantee will take your breath away ...

Cynthia Ruchti said...

This was such fun to read! Thanks for mentioning Aurelia's line about the Titanic. She was a character who remains rooted in my heart.

JoAnn Durgin said...

Thanks for including a quote from one of my books, Andrea! I'm honored to be counted among such esteemed company. Blessings to you and your family for a joyous Christmas!

Andrea Cox said...

Glad you enjoyed my favorites, Carrie. And you're welcome. Merry Christmas to you and yours too!

Andrea Cox said...

Sarah, that line made me crack up so much, I had to share it with my mom ... and dad ... and sister (every member of my family). We were all laughing hysterically. I'm not sure how you came up with that line, but it sure is a winner! Merry Christmas.

Andrea Cox said...

Am I setting the trend for once? That's a new one for me. :) The pleasure's all mine, Beth. I just adore your stories and look forward to many more over the upcoming years. Merry Christmas!

Andrea Cox said...

Girl, I'm thanking God right along with you! Definitely a blessing for everyone involved.

Sounds like this post is going over well. I'm guessing I'll see a few more around the web next year. How neat!

Oh, and I'm really enjoying Sam's book. He's such a talent!

Andrea Cox said...

Cynthia, I can see why Aurelia has remained rooted in your heart. She was a hoot and a holler, I'd say. I'll remember her for a long time to come. Merry Christmas!

Andrea Cox said...

Always a pleasure, JoAnn. Your sense of humor always comes through so well in your stories. I look forward to reading more of them soon. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!