Monday, July 21, 2014

Let's All Be Brave





Let's All Be Brave
By Annie F. Downs

About the book:
Annie Downs admits she’s not exactly the bravest girl in the world. She still cries sometimes when she leaves her parents’ home in Georgia, she’s never jumped out of a plane, and she only rides roller coasters to impress boys. But Annie knows that courage resides inside each and every one of us, and she’s on a mission to triumph over her own fears while encouraging the reader to do the same. As a single young woman, writer, speaker, and blogger, Annie Downs shares her journey toward bravery with honesty and humor. Using wonderful stories from her own life, contemporary real-life examples, and fascinating historical and biblical references, Annie encourages readers to grab hold of the brave life that they desperately desire. How often does fear hold us back from the very things we most want to taste, touch, and experience? The call to be brave isn’t just for one person---it’s for everyone. Let’s All Be Brave is more than a book, it’s a battle cry. Annie challenges us to live boldly, she calls us to step into those places that require courage, and she gives us the help to take the next step forward---even when it’s scary. This non-fiction, essay-driven book opens the door to many different views of courage---nudging, encouraging, and inspiring readers to be brave whenever given the chance. Let’s All Be Brave features: * Funny/interesting stories that draw readers into each chapter * God’s surprising answers to finding courage and boldness * Challenging questions and advice to help readers make real-life changes to live fully and glorify God more every day. The companion Web site (www.letsallbebrave.com) offers more resources and an opportunity for readers to share personal stories of courage with other

My thoughts:


I've followed Annie F. Downs blog for years, I love her, and have loved each of her books.

Let's All Be Brave is Annie's first adult book and a challenge for all of us to look to The Lord and be brave in out loves where He plants us and leads us.

What I like most about "Let's All Be Brave" is how relatable it is. So often we think in order to be brave we have to do something big. Annie says differently, being brave comes from following Jesus where He leads you and sometimes that's doing everyday things.

Others may not realize it but for some of being brave is calling up an old friend of verbalizing our dream to someone we're close to.

Annoe draws from stories in her own life big and little. For those of us who have followed her blog we see a deeper look into what she went through at different times as well as what she learned from them.

She so uses a lot of stories from her real life friends.

I loved "Let's All Be Brave" as much as I have loved everyone of Annie's books. I hope that you'll be brave and grab a copy for yourself, too.

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through netgalley.com*




Rating: 5 carats

Monday, July 14, 2014

It's Addicting







Its Addicting
By Laura L. Smith

About the book:
This third installment of the Status Updates series finds four college sophomore roommates finally getting comfy with the routines of dorm life. But Kat, Claire, Palmer, and Hannah soon begin to feel the nagging ache of innocent addictions pulling them away from their true selves. Still, obsessing over perfection, exercise, or a super-cute boyfriend could never be a bad thing—could it? Hang out with these four roomies to see if they can—or even want to—ditch these sneaky little hang-ups before they take over their lives.




* I received this book free for review from Playlist Fiction*

Monday, July 7, 2014

Vegan Ice Cream






Vegan Ice Cream
By Jeff Rogers

About the book:
Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or following a dairy-free diet, you don’t have to miss out on one of the world’s favorite desserts. Although ice cream substitutes are available, none of them achieves the richness of the real thing or offers the breadth of delicious flavors—until now. Vegan Ice Cream offers decadent frozen alternatives that don’t rely on milk, cream, or refined white sugar. Instead, these luscious recipes use nut milks, fresh fruit, and natural sweeteners to create simple and inventive ice cream flavors, from old favorites like Chocolate Chip and Strawberry to exotic creations such as Pecan Pie, Pomegranate, Kiwi Mandarin, Piña Colada, Chai, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Gingersnap, and many more.

This fully revised edition now features more than 90 recipes, including raw vegan ice creams and sauces, and full-color photography throughout. From the very first taste, you’ll be astonished at just how tasty and rich vegan ice cream can be. So make room in your freezer, and never miss out on the joys of ice cream again.

My thoughts:

I was really excited to read "Vegan Ice Cream". Since I am dairy free, I don't get to eat ice cream and I miss it. The book begins by listing and explaining the ingredients he uses. Most of the recipes contain nuts, usually cashews. In them he basically makes a "milk" from the nuts. I think you can use a non-dairy milk from your grocery store instead of making your own. Then he goes into the chapters of recipes complete with pictures that look just like ice cream.There's traditional ice cream flavors, non traditional ones, raw flavors, and sauces to top it all off.


I like this little book, it's exciting to think without dairy i can have ice cream. Good ice cream and also to see flavors I never even though of. Jalapeño Heaven, anyone?

*i received this book free for review from Blogging For Books*

Rating: 4 carats