Nourish and Strengthen

Nourish and Strengthen, by Maria Hoagland

Chloe Taylor has the perfect life: a model’s figure, a husband who adores her, three healthy children. So why does she feel so much less than perfect?


After losing forty pounds, Chloe Taylor is finally happy with her body. What she doesn’t realize is that she’s not the one in control. When Chloe is called as the Primary president, she discovers that managing the highs and lows of a chronic illness may be easier than the ups and downs associated with family, friends, and church callings. Consumed by her own challenges, Chloe fails to recognize the issues her friends are facing and is in danger of losing their friendship. As Chloe strives to develop Christ-like love for herself and those around her, she learns that outer appearances are far less important than inner peace and spiritual strength. But is she strong enough to face her most difficult trial yet?


I have wanted to read this book since I first heard about it over a year ago, so when I was offered a free kindle edition a while ago, I jumped on it. Though I do not have diabetes myself, I am the mother of a child who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 5 over 20 years ago.  My mother was diagnosed with Type II diabetes nearly 40 years ago, and my DH was also diagnosed more recently.  I could really relate to this story, and could possibly have written part of it myself. There have been advances in the way Diabetes is treated over the past decades, but it is still a constant challenge to keep diet, exercise, and blood sugar levels in balance.

The book is well written, enjoyable to read, and gives a 1st hand view of many of the challenges that diabetics and their families constantly face.  You can find out more about Nourish and Strengthen at Goodreads.com , Amazon.com, and Maria Hoagland's blog.