Chasing Famous by Lisa Lloyd

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Chasing Famous (New Hope, April 2017)

Have you ever considered your life as an audition?

Regardless of who or where we are, we are constantly, often unconsciously, auditioning for a part. Loving wife. Amazing employee. Crafting queen. Socialite. All we really want is to be loved, affirmed, and accepted. What if we could learn to live the life we have always been auditioning for without all the stress?

Chasing Famous is a redemptive book that teaches us how to take the focus off ourselves and shift it back on to the glory of God. Written by a professional actress who readily admits that she is the most self-centered person she knows, Chasing Famous provides practical and sometimes humorous examples of scriptural truth that will help you master the natural self-centered tendencies of life. Once you’ve mastered these issues, and you can, your story will turn the spotlight on God where, you’ll soon discover, what it means to truly live.

My opinion: This was another good book that addressed something most women struggle with, not ever feeling like enough and how that is such an elusive mirage. This book is a good reminder to take the focus off of ourselves and put it back on the Lord, that is the only way we are going to find contentment and peace. This book was well written and engaging to read and it was an excellent reminder of where my focus needs to be.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

We stood upon stars by Roger Thompson

This book appeals to those of us who have a bit of wanderlust in our lives, feeling like we are unfulfilled and not living life to its fullest. Filled with short essays this book is a great reminder about how God is in and through everything, if we truly look for him.
After reading this book be prepared to be itching for a road trip though!
This book is a fun, easy read that utterly delights the soul.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unsinkable faith by Tracie Miles

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Unsinkable Faith: God-Filled Strategies to Transform the Way You Think, Feel, and Live (David C. Cook, April 2017)

For many people, remaining optimistic and feeling positive about themselves and their lives is a constant battle — especially when circumstances are difficult and life is hard.

For others, negativity is something that only sneaks up from time to time, yet still wreaks havoc in their hearts. Regardless of the root causes, once pessimistic thoughts permeate our minds, our feelings and emotions begin to control us instead of us controlling them. Eventually it doesn’t seem possible to stay positive, happy, and full of joy, and negative thought patterns shake our faith, causing us to sink emotionally, mentally, and spiritually over time. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Despite what storms roll in, hearts anchored in God don’t sink. When we change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and live, even if our circumstances remain the same. Intentionally embracing the opportunity to experience a transformed heart and a renewed mind opens the door for a changed life, because a positive mind will always lead to a more positive life.

In Unsinkable Faith, author and Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker Tracie Miles offers hope for women who struggle with negativity. Each chapter explores Tracie’s and other women’s personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds. Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life. This book will equip you to:

—Replace pessimism with positive thinking by becoming the captain of your thoughts;
—Learn how true joy and happiness are based on choice, not circumstances;
—Overcome unhealthy habits of negative thinking by intentionally implementing three easy mind-renewing steps;
—Stop feeling hopeless and pitiful, and start feeling hope-filled and powerful instead; and
—Discover that when you change the way you think, you change the way feel, and in turn you can change your life completely.

My opinion: This book was just the things I needed to read, too often we allow feelings of acquaintances hold us back from the life that God intended us to lead and this book addresses how we can rise above self doubt and negativity and lead fulfilling, bold lives. Speaking from personal experience and stories of other women this book is such an encouraging and insightful read that really resonated with me. I highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The frightening Philippi Jail by Gary Bower

Filled with the same whimsical delight as the other books in the series this book is my second foray into the delightful world of Gary Bower's "A Faith that God built" book and it did not disappoint. I love how the book flows and builds on itself by repetition which really helps the little ones remember it! This book not only has a great message while being entertaining but the art work is delightful as well which made it all the more delightful to read.
Even though my daughter isn't even two yet she thoroughly enjoyed this book despite not really understanding the meaning of it, but it will certainly be one she will continue to delight in for years to come.

Still Waiting by Ann Swindell

With a beautiful cover and intriguing synopsis  this book had great promise to engage and delight and it lived up to expectations. I think most of us have experienced a period of waiting where something we greatly desire has not been given and that is such a frustrating and trying time. Ann writes about this great struggle to wait and rest in the Lord which she learned through life's lessons.
Written in a deeply personal style, this book engages the soul and refreshes the spirit something that I greatly needed!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

When a nation forgets God by Erwin Lutzer

I was intrigued by this book as World War 2 is a tragic and fascinating time in history, how a whole nation was able to become so brainwashed to follow a maniac who was determined to exterminate the Jews was a very dark time in human history. I have read several secular books on how the average Germans were slowly turned  into Nazis and they are fascinating so I thought a Christian books on what went wrong with Germany would be excellent and it certainly did not disappoint!
Despite being a small book, Mr. Lutzer packed a lot of insight and thought provoking material. With 7 lessons that focus on ways the Nazis turned the people to their side this book gives one a ton to ponder.
My two favorite chapters were the one about how the Nazis wanted to control the children and not have the parents as involved and the one about ordinary people being heroes, both chapters left me with a lot to think about.
This book is a good reminder that if we don't learn about our history then we might be doomed to repeat it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another day another Dali by Sandra Orchard

This is the 2nd book in a fun series with a quirky heroine who is involved in the world of art theft all while trying to figure out the mystery behind her Grandfather's murder.
I truly love the concept of this series but get a little tired of the heroine and the guys that seem to fall at her feet, it is really hard to relate to her and she doesn't come across as super realistic. At least the writing style is engaging and witty at times so it makes the book bearable, I just wish there was more of a connection with the main characters.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Shattered Vigil by Patrick Carr

I was so excited to read the latest from one of my favorite fantasy writers and to continue the enthralling saga that started in 'The Shock of Night". This series is even better than Mr. Carr's previous series which I am surprised about as I thought that one was excellent.
Willet is a complex,strong and fascinating hero that made the book all the better. I love the strong cast of characters in this series, at times they are hard to keep straight so it is good reading the two books in the series close together.
I always love a good, complex story and this book certainly lives up. I highly recommend it!
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

King's blood by Jill Williamson

I was so eager to read this daring sequel to an exciting new fantasy series that is absolutely riveting. This series is so complex and fascinating, filled with so many characters that it is hard to keep them all straight! I would suggest reading the two books closer together than I did as it was hard to remember where I left off!
These books are not an easy read and there is a bit of darkness to them, plenty of villains and magic so I wouldn't recommend them to a younger reader but they are good for more mature readers.
Well written, so detailed and with some very enjoyable characters (as well as some absolutely terrible ones!) this book is a must read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Ebb Tide by Beverly Lewis

Yet another sweet store from the Queen of Amish fiction. This is such a sweet story about a young women trying to make her way in the world. Sallie is a adventuresome young woman who wants to see more of the world before she settles down and gets baptized.  Filled with sweet characters and a lovely story line this was a sweet and easy read, exactly the kind of book one expects from Mrs. Lewis.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

An uncommon courtship by Kristi Hunter

I am a huge fan of Regency novels so I was eager to read the next book in the Hawthorne house series. I really liked the previous books in the series so I was eager for this book and while it was pretty good, for me anyways, it did not live up to the previous books.
I did like the character of Adelaide as she wasn't a conventional beauty and was a bit quirky and I of course love the character of Trent having gotten to know him in the previous books. I am just not a huge fan of novels based on marriages of convenience which is why this book wasn't my favorite, However it was still a well written book with enjoyable characters.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sandpiper cove by Irene Hannon

This was another excellent read in such an amazing series, One cannot help but fall in love with the residents of Hope Harbor as you watch them in their joys and pain. This book is such a sweet read about a community coming together and about a second chance at love. This book is about two individuals with things in their past that have to overcome those things and grow into who they were meant to be. Filled with memorable characters, interesting dialogue and a lot going on this book was a great read in an outstanding series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Break open the sky by Stephan Bauman

This book was such a fascinating and timely book, perfect  to read in a time of great uncertainty and fear with so much change around us and not all of it good. Just watch the news and you will be afraid of going outside as all it reports is the terrible in the world. This book addresses those fears and anxieties and shows how we are to embrace our faith in these times when fear seems the most natural and to be a community that is not afraid to love and embrace life to its fullest.
Filled with insight and wisdom this book is an excellent read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Known by Dick and Ruth Foth

This book is such a gem of a book filled with such insight and wisdom. This book really brings to light how superficial and shallow so many of our relationships are and how social media has really replaced our deeper friendships, somehow we feel involved in others lives without truly being so.
Drawing from years of experience and from mentoring others this book offers keen observations and way to improve our relationships and to develop long lasting and meaningful relationships like we are intended to have.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Welcome to college by Jonathan Morrow

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Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey (Kregel, March 2017)

Is there a more frightening question for a graduating high school senior than “What will you do with your life?”

In college, whether they realize it or not, students will answer that question every day with each decision. All of the new friends and new experiences of higher education will shape their future. It’s critical that students know how to handle college before they’re in the thick of it.

Jonathan Morrow tackles the tough questions that arise during these formative years, including:

—How do you grow spiritually?
—How do you manage your time to both study well and have fun?
—Is all truth relative?
—Are there good reasons to be a Christian?
—As a Christian, how should you view issues like dating and sex?

Each chapter of this new edition has been updated, and the author has included a new chapter on Christianity, homosexuality, and the Bible. Grounded in both his own extensive experience and biblical truth, Morrow’s book is full of quick, easy-to-read chapters and excellent advice.

My opinion: This book is such an amazing resource and is just the sort of book every young person should have while in college as it helps prepare them for what will await them. I loved how it is broken down into chapters and really tackles so many of the tough things that kids a sure to encounter and doesn't shy away but addresses them in such a straight forward manner. This book was easy to read and well written with a lot of information but written in a very engaging manner.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Chazown by Craig Groeschel

This book was such a wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Filled with keen insight this book this book was such a source of encouragement and insight for those who are trying to truly discover their passions and purpose in the Lord.Showing how unique and wonderful each of us are this book goes over how God has a specific plan in mind for each and everyone of us and ways to discover and embrace those passions and purposes.
This was a very good and well written read and I walked away from it feeling very excited and encouraged.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lost and found by Kendra Fletcher

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Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace (New Growth Press, February 2017)

The “right” homeschooling philosophy. The “right” brand of theology. The “right” meal-planning, home-managing, keep-it-all-together parenting.

Kendra Fletcher, homeschooling mom of eight, had it all “right,” until it all fell apart. In the course of eighteen months, Kendra found her baby in a coma, ran over her five-year-old, and nearly lost her eight-year-old to a septic ruptured appendix. Lost and Found is the story of how God used those events to transform her family’s self-righteous religion into freedom in Christ.

Fletcher’s debut book is the gripping true story of how God used suffering to save her family from empty religion. As wave after wave of crisis hit, the Fletchers discovered that getting religion “right” wasn’t a good substitute for a living relationship with a loving God. Through their suffering, they learned about misplaced identities and false hope, and they threw themselves wholly into the arms of Jesus—where they found the grace they needed.

Fletcher, a well-known writer and conference speaker in Christian homeschooling circles, addresses the quiet legalism that so easily infiltrates Christian communities and exposes the dangers of focusing our hopes on the “right” ways of worship, work, and family life. More than a memoir, Lost and Found invites all of us to give up the things that hold us in bondage and find our value, worth, significance, hope, and identity in Christ alone.

My opinion: This book was a fascinating, heartbreaking read that was written in such a raw honest way that made one feel instantly connected to the author. After trying to do everything "right" and feeling like everything was going her way the author experienced a tragic span in her life that included tragedy after tragedy in her family that resulted in a much deeper relationship with the Lord. This book is the journey of a women who went from a very impersonal relationship to a much deeper and richer relationship from the things she went through.
Written in such an engaging manner this book truly draws one in and is very insightful.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Adorned by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Yet another outstanding book by gifted author Nancy DeMoss focusing on the relationship between the older and younger women as described in Titus 2  and how rich and powerful yet sadly understated that relationship really is. Filled with the warmth and charm that is trademark of Nancy this book is like an excellent chat with a warm friend and it is a gorgeous book, both on the outside and inside.
This book is a great reminder about how undervalued godly relationships with other women are and how we need that in our lives and not just relationships with our peers but those women who are further along in their walk and have so much wisdom to impart.
Such a valuable book that I highly recommend!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.