Debt-Proof Living

Debt-Proof Living
By Mary Hunt
About the book:
Mortgages, credit card balances, student loans, car loans, and home improvement loans have become a way of life for the majority of us. And debt is putting not only our present at risk as we live paycheck to paycheck, but our futures in jeopardy as shockingly few of us have enough put away for retirement. Personal financial expert Mary Hunt wants readers to embrace the radical but simple truth that they don't need more credit or more stuff--that they can live their lives debt-free.

In her classic book Debt-Proof Living, Mary reveals the secrets to getting out of debt and staying out of debt for the rest of your life. At no time in history has this liberating approach to a no-debt lifestyle been more desperately needed. Those who have been struggling to pay the bills or feel like they just can't make their finances work without taking on debt need this book. It can change their lives.

My thoughts:
Debt-Proof Living by Mary Hunt is filled with the basic consistent principles commonly used by most financial advisers counseling people on ways to get out of debt and better manage money. This is because those core principles of money management are the foundation for debt free living. People have to spend less money then they make, always save something and have a solid plan for paying off existing debt and preventing future debt.

Where I find Mary Hunt's approach different is in her first principle for debt proof living "Principle 1: Never keep it all. The first things you must do when money flows into your life is give some of it away." The voice of greed whispers entitlement into our lives. How can we combat the greed enemy? With giving, giving brings balance to our lives connecting us to something greater than ourselves.

Debt-Proof Living is a simple to understand, easy to apply, road map anyone can use to live a life free if debt if they choose.


*I received this book free for review from Baker Publishing Group*

Rating: 5 carats

I've Never Been to Vegas but My Luggage Has

I've Never Been to Vegas But My Luggae Has
By Mandy Hale

About the book:
Wrong turns, humiliating flops, painful heartbreaks—and happiness? Yes, believe it or not, they can go hand in hand.
Blogger and author Mandy Hale, affectionately known as “The Single Woman” to her half-million social-media followers, is living an adventurous life that proves even our lowest lows and messiest mess-ups can point us toward our joy-filled destiny as single women.
In I’ve Never Been To Vegas, But My Luggage Has, Mandy delivers heart-to-heart, often hilarious stories from a life filled with love and loss, glamour and goose bumps, faith and friendship, big dreams and battle scars. She shares the bittersweet euphoria of her high-school romance, the panic-stricken cluelessness of her first day on a stressful job, and the foot-in-mouth horror of her red-carpet interview with a music legend.
Along the way, Mandy dollops personal anecdotes with encouraging insights. From thrilling first kisses to crushing break-ups, from soaring career milestones to promising flights that never quite got off the ground, she unfolds in often uproarious detail the zigzags along the path toward a pinnacle moment: sharing a table and a pinch-me-I’m-dreaming conversation with her lifelong hero.
In the end, Mandy turns Sin City’s infamous marketing slogan on its head: What happens in her life doesn’t stay in her life. She shares even her darkest moments in witty, winsome ways that make us not only feel her pain, but also laugh with her and apply her hard-won nuggets of inspiration to our own lives.

My thoughts:

"I've never been to Vegas, but my Luggage has" took me a while to get into but when I did it was good. This is Mandy Hale's biography and how she came to creat her brand "The Single Woman".

At first, I didn't really relate to her, it seemed like she was taking us through her job day to day telling is how great it us or when she did silly things. After a while, I started to see a bigger story and deeper struggles than just making a fool of yourself at work unfold. Through it all we see where she got the advice she now gives on her blog and how she learn to live the strong and independent of what other people think.

Mandy is really candid and open about her experiences, sometime surprisingly so. It's refreshing to see be honest about times the struggled with their faith or made a bad decision.

"I've never been to Vegas...." Is ultimately of story of hope and faith that people truly can change and when you allow God to guide you, He will take you places you never imagined.

*i received this book free for review from BookLook Bloggers*

Rating: 4 carats

Growing Up Duggar

Growing Up Duggar
By Jana, Jessa, Jill, and Jinger Duggar

About the book:

With a backdrop of the key relationships in their lives—relationship with self, parents, siblings, friends, boys, and God—the four Duggar girls open up about their own personal faith and convictions, boys, dating, manners, living in a large family, politics, and much more. You’ll learn how the family navigates the difficult years between twelve and sixteen and what the girls look for in a man, all in a frank and fun book that will inspire teens and adults alike. Including lighthearted stories about the younger kids’ antics, Growing Up Duggar is a wise and entertaining trip into a family like no other.

My thoughts:
I don't know exactly what to say about "Growing Up Duggar" except that it's very Duggar. If you watch the show you know exactly what you are getting in reading this book.

The Duggar's show great strength in their ability to hold to their convictions and not let others opinions take them. The four oldest Duggar girls Jana, Jessa, Jill, and Jinger explain in depth how they view and navigate relationships in their daily lives and give advice and answers to questions they are asked frequently in emails or speaking at events.

*I received this book free for review from Howard Books through netgalley.com*

Rating: 4 carats

Katie Up and Down the Hall

Katie Up and Down the Hall
BY Glen Paskin
About the book:
 For families and animal lovers everywhere, Katie: Up & Down The Hall is the heartwarming story of how five neighbors living in a New York City apartment building are brought together by the purchase of a remarkable cocker spaniel.




Based upon a widely-read article published in Family Circle (“Granny Down The Hall”) here is the transcendent tale of how three generations of strangers and a dog create their own little family amidst the pressures, haste, and intensity of big-city life.



At the center of it all is Katie, an astutely intelligent spaniel with an unforgettable face who becomes a celebrity in her New York City neighborhood. There she is, alternately racing up and down an eighty-foot hallway between apartments, pushing open doors with her paws, or trotting outside along the Hudson River, surrounded by her “pack” of human friends. Through her soulful eyes, we witness nearly fifteen years of antics and family adventures spanning everything from Hollywood high times to the terrors of 9/11.


My Review:
There was so much hype surrounding this book from having the stories already published and loved in a magazine that I thought it would be better than it was.  It sounds like a great story, who wouldn't think a dog uniting an  apartment complex was a sweet story?  But i really found the book dull and somewhat lifeless.

*I received this audiobook free for review from Hachette Book Group*
Rating:3 carats

Learn about Katie and Glenn Buy the book

Simple Times

Simple Times
By Amy Sedaris
 About the book:
America’s most delightfully unconventional hostess and the bestselling author of I Like You delivers a new book that will forever change the world of crafting. According to Amy Sedaris, it’s often been said that ugly people craft and attractive people have sex. In her new book, SIMPLE TIMES, she sets the record straight. Demonstrating that crafting is one of life’s more pleasurable and constructive leisure activities, Sedaris shows that anyone with a couple of hours to kill and access to pipe cleaners can join the elite society of crafters.




You will discover how to make popular crafts, such as: crab-claw roach clips, tinfoil balls, and crepe-paper moccasins, and learn how to: get inspired (Spend time at a Renaissance Fair; Buy fruit, let it get old, and see what shapes it turns into); remember which kind of glue to use with which material (Tacky with Furry, Gummy with Gritty, Paste with Prickly, and always Gloppy with Sandy); create your own craft room and avoid the most common crafting accidents (sawdust fires, feather asphyxia, pine cone lodged in throat); and cook your own edible crafts, from a Crafty Candle Salad to Sugar Skulls, and many more recipes.


My Review:
I was disappointed with this book. I thought the combination of comedy and crafts would be really fun but it was actually very saracstic, had no  crafts, and really  no plot whatsoever.
*I received this audio book free for review from Hachette Book Group*
Rating: 2 carats

Visit Amy's website
Buy the audiobook

The Grace of God

The Grace of God
By Andy Stanley
About the book:
Learn how God's grace can and will transform you.

None of us deserves what God offers, a life free from sin and hope for a glorious future, but unbelievably it's ours for the taking. Why? Because of God's grace. The unmerited favor, the lavish love and kindness he pours out on us, and has, since Creation.

But if it's so available then why do we live a graceless life? Why are our churches filled with disillusioned Christians, weary of religion's demands, struggling with personal defeat because of issues or behaviors?

Join pastor Andy Stanley as he traces grace through the Old and New Testaments, observing God's grace at work in the lives of some of the best—and worst—characters. He also uses personal stories from his own life to reveal how grace is not a natural response but is the most essential one. Together these stories unravel the mystery of grace and tell of its transforming power to set us free.

My thoughts:

The foundation of the Christian church is built on the grace offered by God to all, received only through a personal faith by man. Churches, preachers, teachers, and every-day people share the grace of God with those who are willing to listen. Yet I have never had the principles of God’s grace shared in a manner in which Andy Stanley does in ‘The Grace of God.’




Andy gave me a new perspective of God’s grace; not changed, more renewed. Andy chose a unique approach, a better approach in sharing how God has revealed His grace through scripture. God’s grace does not begin at the cross of calvary but began ‘in the beginning’. Andy uses the Bible stories we have grown to love to expose how the grace of God has been woven into history since the beginning of man.



This book is a wonderful read for a seasoned Christian, stands to be a powerful teaching tool for a new believer, and a great witness to those who have yet to gain a personal understanding of God’s grace.



Favorite Quote:

“Grace is not reserved for good people; grace underscores the goodness of God.”


*I received this book free for review from Thomas Nelson publishers*
Rating: 5 carats

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Enemies of the Heart

Enemies of the Heart

By Andy Stanley

About the book:
In this compelling and helpful book, previously published as It Came From Within!, pastor and author Andy Stanley wrestles with what he calls "four invaders of the heart"--guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy. One or another of these caustic emotions sabotages lives on a daily basis and destroys relationships. But Stanley assures readers that there is hope. In his trademark style--smart, engaging, and popular--he examines where these powerful forces come from and reveals effective strategies for overcoming them and moving toward healing and maturity.


My Thoughts:
  “Enemies of the Heart” is a convicting read about the health of one’s heart, not the literal heart but the state of one’s heart before the Lord. Andy Stanley presents four destructive emotions that can take hold in our heart: guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy. The first section of the book is about diagnosing these emotions and the second part of the book addresses how to fix them.




This is a good book. The author is very straight forward and has easy-to-grasp concepts which when applied can be very useful in our lives. Andy Stanley quotes a lot of scripture to explain his points, all of which are very applicable to life.



Being “Enemies of the Heart” is so straight forward in concepts and application; I think it would make for a great Bible Study.



I listened to the audio version of this book and at first I thought the narrator was very dull. As the book went on he became easier to listen to and his voice seemed to match the subject matters he was speaking about.



Favorite Quote;

“When our embarrassment level has exceeded our desperation level, we are a candidate for God’s grace.”

 
 
*I received this audiobook free for review from Christianaudio.com*
 
Rating: 4 carats
 

Buy the audiobook

Story Engineering

Story Engineering

By Larry Brooks

About the book:

From story concept to character development to scene construction and beyond, this blueprint for dynamic storytelling makes putting together a strong novel, memoir, or screenplay easier than ever. Beginning writers in all genres?from fiction writers to nonfiction writers to screenplay writers will learn how to wrap their heads around the big picture of storytelling at a professional level through a new approach that shows how to combine six core competencies: the four elemental competencies of concept, character, theme, and story structure (plot); and the two executional competencies of scene construction and writing voice. You'll discover how to achieve the greatest potential in your story through mastering the way these six factors combine and empower each other on the page.

My Thoughts:
Story Engineering sets out to show that there is a basic model that any story can be built upon. This is not a how to book but a book on writing that shows six core concepts to writing a great story.




This book was hard to read, most of it was analogy after analogy. It tooks three chapters of basically repeating himself before you ever find out what his supposed “six core competencies” are and nearly 150 page before he gets to explaining how to execute them.



If the author cut down on all his babble this book would probably be half the size it is and much more effective. That being said, once he finally got to the point he had a lot of valuable advice for anyone interested in writing a great story.

*I received this book free for review from Tyndale House Publishers*

Favorite Quote:

“We can work hard or we can work smart. Hopefully both. A killer story development model doesn’t take the hard work out of writing, but in any case it infuses the process with a heavy dose of smart.”

Rating: 4 carats

Visit Larry Brook's website Buy the book

Area 51

Area 51

By Annie Jacobsen

About the book:

It is the most famous military installation in the world. And it doesn't exist. Located a mere seventy-five miles outside of Las Vegas in Nevada's desert, the base has never been acknowledged by the U.S. government-but Area 51 has captivated imaginations for decades.

Myths and hypotheses about Area 51 have long abounded, thanks to the intense secrecy enveloping it. Some claim it is home to aliens, underground tunnel systems, and nuclear facilities. Others believe that the lunar landing itself was filmed there. The prevalence of these rumors stems from the fact that no credible insider has ever divulged the truth about his time inside the base. Until now.



Annie Jacobsen had exclusive access to nineteen men who served the base proudly and secretly for decades and are now aged 75-92, and unprecedented access to fifty-five additional military and intelligence personnel, scientists, pilots, and engineers linked to the secret base, thirty-two of whom lived and worked there for extended periods. In Area 51, Jacobsen shows us what has really gone on in the Nevada desert, from testing nuclear weapons to building super-secret, supersonic jets to pursuing the War on Terror.



This is the first book based on interviews with eye witnesses to Area 51 history, which makes it the seminal work on the subject. Filled with formerly classified information that has never been accurately decoded for the public, Area 51 weaves the mysterious activities of the top-secret base into a gripping narrative, showing that facts are often more fantastic than fiction, especially when the distinction is almost impossible to make.

My Thoughts:

There is an old saying ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ and, if the information and statements in this book which are claimed to be true and factual actually are true and factual, well then truth really is stranger than fiction. At least it is for the ‘Normal Joe’ most of us Americans are.

I believe the majority of US citizens have an unspoken understanding that our government participates in many activities purposely kept secret from the general public in the name of national security. Is it necessary? Do the ends justify the means? The answers to such questions are as varied and opinionated as there are individuals.



The book is not a whimsical light read but requires a certain amount of focus and attention to detail in order to maintain a fluid understanding of the events and claims shared. Much of the information can be verified and is therefore factual. Others may be left to a more personal interpretation.



All in all this book could prove to have an almost cult following from those individuals who thrive on the knowledge of espionage and the secret activities taken by our government to ensure our beliefs in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is full of many interesting details that had never previously crossed my mind but intrigued me.



Favorite Quote:

Winston Churchill famously said of Russia, “It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” The same can be said about Area 51.

*I received this book free for review from Hachette Book Group*

Rating: 4 carats

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Working It out

Working It Out
By Abby Rike
About the book:
In 2006, Abby Rike lost the life she knew and loved when her husband and two young children were killed in a car accident. Devastated and numb, she shut down. For nearly three years she walked through life like a spectre, present in body only. As she descended, so did her health.


Fortunately, Abby was not alone. She had loving parents, supportive friends, and a faith that continued to sustain her. Little by little she found the courage to return to life. Joining The Biggest Loser proved a catalyst for the physical and emotional changes she needed to make. In fact, against all odds Abby gained strength, courage, wisdom, and continued her steadfast relationship with God. Instead of anger, she found herself slowly but steadily healing. She lost a hundred pounds but gained hope.

In this riveting book, Abby tells her story--from her joyous life before the accident to the unbearable pain that followed it and her eventual emergence as a woman reinvigorated by her faith in God. Today Abby's resilience and positivity are a testament to the power and importance of faith in the darkest hours

My Thoughts:

Few people allow others to see into their heart; Abby Rike opens hers to the world. This book is a true journey of love, loss and hope reaching deep into the heart of Abby Rike. Abby gives the world the opportunity to know her, her husband Rick, beautiful Macey, and dear baby Caleb.



For most it is hard to comprehend how anyone who has found meaningful love in one’s life to continue to find strength and praise in God once that love has been taken. Yet Abby uses her beliefs and trust in the Lord to share with others how to overcome such loss and make a difference in not only her life but in the life of anyone willing to take the time to learn from her life story. Life gives and takes away. The key to making it through is understanding where to turn for strength and who to guide you through.



Abby went through great suffering, pain, and loneliness with the loss of her family but the choice she made at the crash site is what has helped her be successful. Abby’s journey isn’t done because God isn’t finished with her yet.



Favorite Quote:

“Sometimes we can’t change the world in the snap of a finger, but just by changing one little thing in someone’s heart changes the world for that person. And when we change the world for one person, the domino effect begins.”



* I received this book free for review from Faithwords Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group*
Rating : 5 carats

Visit Abby Rike's website Buy the book

Battlefield of the Mind

Battlefield of the Mind
By Joyce Meyer
About the book:
Worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and feelings of condemnation: all these are attacks on the mind. If readers suffer from negative thoughts, they can take heart! Joyce Meyer has helped millions win these all-important battles. In her most popular bestseller ever, the beloved author and minister shows readers how to change their lives by changing their minds.




She teaches how to deal with thousands of thoughts that people think every day and how to focus the mind the way God thinks. And she shares the trials, tragedies, and ultimate victories from her own marriage, family, and ministry that led her to wondrous, life-transforming truth--and reveals her thoughts and feelings every step of the way.

My Thoughts:

I was impressed with this book from the first page. Battlefield of the Mind is based in the fact that our actions are controlled by our thoughts and without even realizing it we are in battle for our thoughts with Satan.



This book starts out by explaining the most common ways we are deceived into poor thinking patterns and then goes onto giving us the ammunition we need to change our thought patterns.



There is so much information packed into each page of this book. It is very clearly written and Biblically based. It has the ability to be a wonderful Bible study tool

Favorite Quote:

“If you use wisdom, you will find God meeting your needs. Anyone operating in the mind of Christ will walk in wisdom- not emotions”


* I received this book free for review from Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Group*
Rating:  5 carats

Visit Joyce Meyer's website Buy the book

Max On Life

Max on Life

By Max Lucado

About the book:

We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.

In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has been the receiving line for thousands of such questions. The questions come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life he offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter.

Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions—parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships—as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?

A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing.
Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight, Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers.

My Thoughts:



Max on Life - what a great idea for a book. This book is filled with questions Max has been consistently asked over the years and his associated answers. The questions cover many topics and Max has very definitive answers for each. Max Lucado is very intelligent, extremely knowledgeable about the Bible, and a master at applying biblical concepts to life. Max answers these questions with a concise, common sense filled approach.



My favorite thing about this book is its ability to serve multiple purposes. I can see the book used as Bible study or devotional companion, a reference book, a coffee table book as well as a tool of witness for Christ. Max addresses many theological questions answering in an easy to understand manner.



Favorite Quote:

“You are always on God’s itinerary. Come and go as you wish, but he’s always there.”

 
 
 
Rating: a whole gem parcel

Visit Max Lucado's website
Buy the book

Flying Solo

Flying Solo
By Denise Hildreth Jones

About the book:
For one year following her painful divorce, Denise Hildreth chronicled every emotion, every new discovery and every moment of God’s unyielding presence. Flying Solo, the diary of that roller-coaster year, begins on the day Denise sat in court to hear a judge end her 13-year marriage and follows her through 12 months of soul-searching, heartbreak and healing.


With vivid stories, raw emotion and unwavering honesty, Denise opens a window for divorced or divorcing readers to breathe in the fresh air of God’s Spirit. For, among many surprises in store for Denise during her first year of flying solo, one of the most startling was this: God desires to be with us through our pain. She writes, “Flying solo isn’t about being alone. It is about living a life that may hurt at times, wound at times, betray at times; but there is still an incredible unobstructed view of heaven, and an opportunity to discover God in the middle of it.” Readers struggling to stay afloat in the wake of a marriage’s end will hear from a fellow traveler that they don’t have to settle for treading water . . . they can learn to fly.

My Thoughts:

“Flying Solo” has so much to offer! It is Denise’s journal through the first year after her divorce as she rediscovers what makes her feel alive, learns about who God is, and seeks His will for her new life. There are moments of deep sorrow as well as moments of great joy and laughter. There is also a lot of talk from her counseling sessions and each chapter concludes with questions and exercises relating to the content of the chapter for readers to work through on their own journeys, whatever they may be.



Denise Hildreth-Jones is honest and transparent throughout the entire book making it easy to see God working in her life and healing her heart. All and all I thought this was a great book and one I didn’t want to put down yet at the same time one to really spend time with thinking through the questions and lessons.



Come back Friday for an interview with Denise Hildreth-Jones.



Favorite Line:

“But you can’t move on from your memories until you have new ones in place.”


 
 
Rating: a whole gem parcel!

Visit Denise Hildreth Jones' website Buy the book

Life Promises For Success

Life Promises for Success
By Jim Tressel

About the book:
Everyone wants to succeed—at work, at home, in relationships, and in life. But sometimes the road to success can be difficult, and even the most seasoned leaders can find themselves in need of some motivation.


In Life Promises for Success, NYT bestselling author and Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel shares a collection of inspiring readings and Bible promises designed to encourage those seeking to succeed in every area of life.

Filled with easily applicable Bible verses, motivational quotes, and engaging and inspiring readings, Life Promises for Success is the perfect daily reader for anyone looking to reach their highest goals, achieve greatness, and inspire others to do the same.


My Thoughts:


Everyone wishes to be a success and each person has his/her own definition of what success is. With so many definitions who could ever really know what success is? We can know by understanding God’s view on what success is.



Jim Tressel does a good job in compiling an encouraging devotional filled with promises from God’s word, personal experience and inspiring quotes. This book would be a wonderful resource tool for anyone mentoring others.



Favorite Line:

“Success is a journey that we all take, and it affects every phase of our lives.”


*I received this book free for review from Tyndale House Publishers*

Rating: 4 carats

View Jim Tressel's website Buy the book

Made To Crave

Made To Crave

By Lysa TerKeurst

About the book:

Has food become more about frustration than fulfillment? The New York Times Best Selling book Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman’s desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. Author Lysa TerKeurst personally understands the battle that women face. In Made to Crave, she will help you:

Break the cycle of “I’ll start again on Monday,” and feel good about yourself today.

Stop agonizing over numbers on the scale and make peace with your body.

Replace rationalization that leads to diet failure with wisdom that leads to victory.

Reach your healthy goals and grow closer to God through the process.

This book is not a how-to manual or the latest, greatest dieting plan. Made to Crave is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose — a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in how to make healthy lifestyle changes.

My Thoughts:
Made to crave - oh yes, aren’t we all. The problem is allowing our cravings to rule our desires.




It was refreshing to read Lysa Terkeurst’s straight forward yet gentle guidance on how people allow the God given ability of craving to morph from God’s intention for humanity to crave after Him into cravings which please the physical body. Lysa mentors every reader through personal struggles on the road to personal successes.



The best thing about this book is the principles outlined can take any reader on a journey to turn any personal struggle, whatever that may be, into a God craving.



Favorite Line:

“Our flesh buys right into Satan’s lie that it’s not fair for things to be withheld from us.”

*I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers*

Rating: 5 carats

Visit Lysa TerKeurst's website
Buy the book

The Shelter of God's Promises

The Shelter of God's Promises
By Sheila Walsh

About the Book:
In a world of uncertainty, pain, and struggle, where do you find solid assurance and unshakeable truth? Gifted Bible teacher and inspiring Women of Faith speaker Sheila Walsh offers powerful, heart-filled teaching on ten bedrock promises of God, providing the foundation for daily confidence, joy, and hope. In The Shelter of God's Promises, Sheila searches Scripture for what God has promised us, what God's promises mean, and how encounters with Christ are the eternal fulfillment of His unrelenting commitment to us. In this riveting walk through some of the Bible's most compelling stories, Walsh unveils ten foundational promises of God that secure our lives during even the most difficult times. Sheila weaves her hallmark storytelling, inspiring personal experience, and Scripture to help readers gain a trust in God that will sustain them for a lifetime.


My Thoughts:



I was pleasntly surprised by this book. The back cover synopisis sounded good but before I even finished the first chapter I was excited to hear the stories that lay ahead.


Sheila Walsh takes us on a journey of exploring specifics promieses of God and illustrates ways He has used them with indepth despriptions of Bible stories.

She divides the book into nine promises. As she covers each promise you will not be disappointed. You have most likely heard these promises before but she helps you to see them promises in new light. This is a great Bible study.


I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator is a Scottish woman who talks in a soothing tone and takes great pauses at moments when we need to digest what she just said, which is really nice with all of the profound quotes and thought provoking things said.

*I received this audiobook free for review from Christianaudio.com
Favorite Line:
"when the pain of staying the same in greater than the pain of change, than you will change"

Rating: 5 carats

Visit Sheila Walsh's website
Buy the Audiobook

Found: God's Will

Found: God's Will
By John MacArthur
About the book:
GET READY FOR A SURPRISE!




You may want to jump and shout when you read the sixth principle for knowing when you have found God's will.



The sixth principle is "Do whatever you want" as long as the first five principles are operating in your life.



Read about all six principles to better understand what the psalmist means when he urges, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" (Psalm 37:4).

My Review:
This is small but powerful little book. John MacArthur outlines six steps listed in scripture to help the reader find God’s will for his/her life. MacArthur does just that as every step is based in scripture, clear, and easily understood. I think any Christian would benefit from studying this book.




I listened to the audio version of the book which was not read by John Macarthur. The narrator for the book did well; he was pleasant to listen to and flowed right along with the narration.



Favorite Quote:

“The only way to saturate yourself with Christ is to saturate yourself with the book that is all about Him”


*I received this audio book free for review from christianaudio.com*
Rating: 5 carats

Visit John MacArthur's website
Buy the audiobook

Power Thoughts

Power Thoughts
By Joyce Meyer
About the book:
Are you bombarded with unhealthy, unfocused thoughts? Do you have trouble trying to get something out of your mind? You may be stuck in a mental rut. It’s time to get out!



My Review:
Power Thoughts is the follow up to Joyce Meyer's best seller Battlefield of the Mind. Joyce describes this book as the "next step" in winning the battlefield of the mind. She has divided the book into two parts. In the first part Joyce discusses why it is important to take our thoughts captive and learn, a basic overview of her first book. The second half is the 12 power thoughts we can use to build a strong foundation to think positively and to win the battlefield of the mind.




I really liked this book. It is something, when applied, could be very beneficial to most anyone. Joyce is straightforward and practical in the steps needed to take to become positive people. All of Joyce’s power thoughts are biblical and based in scripture. This book is a great resource and Bible study tool for any Christian.



I reviewed the audio version of this book and once again it was the same reader as all of Joyce's previous books. I wish she had a better narrator because she really sounds like she is over enunciating everything she says which makes it hard to listen too. The book would be more engaging with a better narrator but the message in the book is good enough to overlook its reader.



Favorite Quote:

"If you want to be encouraged than be encouraging."


*I recevied this book free for review from Hachette Audio Group*

Rating: 5 carats

Visit Joyce's website
 Buy the audiobook

Outlive Your Life

Outlive Your Life
By Max Lucado

About the book:

These are difficult days in our world’s history. Billions of people are poor, millions go hungry or thirsty every day. Disease claims thousands of lives daily. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God’s love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.

My Review:

Max Lucado’s latest book encourages us to send ripples not only through your life and those around you as well as to others far after you are gone. He draws from stories throughout scripture and poses questions of what we can do to influence others and be a missionary wherever we are.



Max Lucado is very down to earth in his writing approach and easy to understand. Every chapter ends with a prayer based on the focus of that chapter. I listened to the audio version of this book and found the narrator to had a strong, almost pastoral voice that really gets the point across. It wasn’t a relaxing or leisurely audio book to listen to. I have heard Max Lucado’s devotionals on the radio and I would have liked it better if he narrated the book himself.


*I received this book free for review from Christianaudio.com*

Rating: 5 carats

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From Head to Foot

From Head to Foot
By Annie Downs

About the book:
From Head to Foot is a candid, easy-to-read guide that uses real-life examples and faith-based instruction to equip Christian girls with the confidence, faith and moxie they’ll need to face their teen and college years.

My review:
From Head to Foot is a devotional style, introspective little book that’ll leave you pondering how you can serve God better.




Annie’s transparent honesty is refreshing, incredible, and takes so much courage you know she has learned the lessons she is teaching. In the beginning of the book Annie mentions that she wants to be your friend and it only takes a few pages before you feel like she is exactly that.



So many places you hear about the need to love yourself for who God has made you yet not many give tangible steps. Annie lists the steps she took to learn to love herself as God made her and serve Him to the best of her ability. From Head to Foot is a little guidebook to loving yourself and exploring ways to serve the Lord with what He has given you.




Favorite line:

“If you’ve protected your heart and allowed God to fill it with His plans and love, then you can trust your desires.”



Rating: a whole gem parcel!!

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