A Billion Reasons Why

A Billion Reasons Why
By Kristin Billerbeck

About the book:
Katie McKenna leads a perfect life. Or so she thinks. She has a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiance, Dexter.




She can think of a billion reasons why she should marry Dexter…but nowhere on that list is love.



And then in walks Luc DeForges, her bold, breathtaking ex-boyfriend. Only now he's a millionaire. And he wants her to go home to New Orleans to sing for her childhood friend's wedding. As his date.



But Katie made up her mind about Luc eight years ago, when she fled their hometown after a very public breakup. Yet there's a magnetism between them she can't deny.

Katie thought her predictable relationship with Dexter would be the bedrock of a lasting, Christian marriage. But what if there's more? What if God's desire for her is a heart full of life? And what if that's what Luc has offered all along?


My Review:
I was captivated by this book and every time I closed it I had a smile on my face. The characters are well developed and multi-faceted, just when you think you have one of them pegged they surprise you! Luc seems a little arrogant but really I think he just goes after what he wants and Katie struggles to stifle her passion to be proper but blossoms as she went along.




The entire book asks ‘do you follow your heart or follow your mind’. Only you can decide if Katie made the right decision but I loved reading the book with all the way it drew in every sense as Kristin Billerbeck described New Orleans, Katie’s inner thoughts, and the throw back to the forties.



Favorite Line:

“God didn’t paint you with a brushstroke of safety, Katie. He brought out the fiery colors for you.”


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

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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

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Stars Collide

Stars Collide
By Janice Thompson

About the book:
In Stars Collide, Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom—they are also head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps.


But when Kat's grandmother, an aging Hollywood starlet with a penchant for wearing elaborate evening gowns from Golden Age movies, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of their control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids tomorrow? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed in-laws?

From the sound stage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes readers on a roller-coaster tour of Tinseltown, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.




My Review:
This fun little book is presented on the set of a TV show and revolves around the real lives of the characters in the show.




I enjoyed the chapters being named after TV shows and the many references made to TV and movies. Throughout the book Kat's grandma would play a different character each day and Kat would ask "Who are we today Grandma?"



Stars Collide is filled with witty and quirky characters as well as a solid message. I’ll definitely tune in for the next book in the series



Favorite Line:

“It’s crazy how nearly every area of my life has changed in such a short amount of time,” I said. “When God moves…he moves fast.” “Tell me about it. Sometimes he blows in like a storm. Other times he waits offshore and you wonder if he’s ever going to show up.”


*Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group*

Rating: 5 carats

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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

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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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Coming Back Stronger

Coming Back Stronger
By Drew Brees with Chris Fabry

About the book:

When a potentially career-ending shoulder injury left quarterback Drew Brees without a team—and facing the daunting task of having to learn to throw a football all over again—coaches around the NFL wondered, Will he ever come back? After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, leaving more than 80 p

ercent of the city underwater, many wondered, Will the city ever come back? And with their stadium transformed into a makeshift refugee camp, forcing the Saints to play their entire 2005 season on the road, people questioned, Will the Saints ever come back? It takes a special person to turn adversity into success and despair into hope—yet that is exactly what Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees has done—and with the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. Coming Back Stronger is the ultimate comeback story, not only of one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, but also of a city and a team that many had all but given up on. Brees’s inspiring message of hope and encouragement proves that with enough faith, determination, and heart, you can overcome any obstacle life throws your way and not only come back, but come back stronger.

My Review:
This book was really inspiring and uplifting. It begins with his career with the San Diego Chargers and really takes off when Drew injures his shoulder and begins to put his faith into practice as Dr’s tell him he may never play again. He is very open about his prayer life and how He turned to his faith in the Lord to overcome his injury and how he set goals to as the title says, come back stronger.




As Drew recounts his journey you can’t help but be encouraged. Anyone who is interested in sports or a good comeback story won’t be able to put this book down!

I received this book free for review from Tyndale House publihsers

Rating: 5 carats