Tuesday, September 30, 2014

The Stress Cure by Linda Evans Shepherd





The Stress Cure by Linda Evans Shepherd is a personal prayer journal and also a guide to help you calm down. If you need peace in your life then this is the book for you.
From dealing with feelings of being overwhelmed, to frustration, to hopelessness, and even what to do when you've been offended, this book covers it all and gives practical scriptural advice to back it up.
Each chapter ends with several prayers to pray and some questions to answer, even has places for you to write out what you're dealing with and learning.

From the back cover:
The true remedy to stress, Linda Evans Shepherd says, is prayer. In this inspiring book, she shows you how to recognize God's continual presence in your life and yield your troubles to the Prince of Peace. Through captivating stories, explorations of fascinating biblical characters, and examples of deeper-than-ever prayers, she brings within your grasp the peace that passes understanding. If you are overwhelmed by all of the urgent demands on your time, this book offers you a lifeline to true peace.

This  book was provided for review by Revell.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Let us all Eat Cake

 There's just something about cake. We know it's not good for us, but we eat it anyway. It's irresistible. Now, with Let Us All Eat Cake, it can be a little healthier. This is a gorgeous book. Filled with bunches of gluten-free cake recipes. Don't miss out on your favorite dessert because of a gluten intolerance. 
There are recipes in here for everyone, whether you're a baking novice or you're one (like me) who isn't intimidated by any recipe. 
From coffee cakes to cupcakes, Texas sheet cake in rich, dark chocolate, to s'mores cakes. And a section of just frosting recipes too! Strawberry buttercream (yes, please), ancho cinnamon ganache, caramel filling...
This is not plain old tasteless dessert. 
Nor is it just for people avoiding gluten. No one will know the difference. The book even tells you how to make your own gluten-free flour blends. And where to find the special flours.
Don't hide this book away! Your friends will enjoy leafing through it so let it sit out on your coffee table. It is not only a cookbook, but a work of art.


This book was provided for review by Blogging for Books
Published by 10Speed Press

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Stolen by Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD with Cecil Murphey

Stolen, by Katariina Rosenblatt with Cecil Murphey, is the heartbreaking account of one woman's triumph over being trafficked for sex. As an abuse victim and throughout much of her life, Katariina fell in with the wrong people time and again. Her story is one that needs to be heard. Heard by other victims, heard by those who want to help, and heard by those who fund this terrible industry.
Lives are being ruined and Katariina has vowed to help those that feel worthless because of what has been done to them.
Her ministry is to reach them in whatever way she needs to. Whether it's by visiting them in strip clubs, or by intercepting them after they've been arrested. She is helping others and is successful at it because she was there herself.
This is an amazing book. Very eye-opening to what is happening all around us. In our own country.

This book was provided for review by Revell.

If you need help you can get out. Visit www.thereishopeforme.org

A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick

 A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a black woman in the early 1800s. Letiyia (Tish) is a former slave who is awarded her "free papers" but she never stops looking over her shoulder for someone who will attempt to take her freedom from her. She fights hard for everything she has. She makes a cross-country trip with other pioneer families and observes friends and women who think they are better than she is.
Though the back cover reads that this is the story of three women, it is mostly Tish's story. Then as I read the author notes in the back of the book I was surprised to see that Tish was a real woman and that this is some of her story.
This was engaging and interesting. Some of it made my heart ache and some of it made me angry.I suppose that it's just part of humanity to be treated poorly based on something that you have no control of. 
It really makes you think.
This book was provided for review by Revell.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Happy Handmade Home

Happy Handmade Home by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman is a delight for the eyes. Colorful pages full of fun and inexpensive decorating ideas to make your home your own. Packed full with how-to's and even some recipes (yay!) you'll find yourself reaching for this book time and again.
Want to make mugs that match your decor? How about personalized mugs for your family? It's in there.
Have a woven basket that you want to perk up? There are instructions on how to add some color and even wording.
This is stuff that I never would have thought of on my own (and probably never would have checked out on Pinterest either).
Whether you are just looking for some delightful daydream reading material or you are a serious do-it-yourselfer, you're going to adore this book!

This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Nowhere to Turn by Lynette Eason

 Wow. If you want a page-turner that you won't be able to put down then grab this one. I read it in one day, could not pull myself away from this book. Lynette Eason had me looking over my shoulder with Nowhere To Turn. The suspense was intense and there were some twists and turns that I never saw coming. This one kept me guessing until the end. It was one of those books that made me feel bad closing it because I didn't want to keep the characters in danger any longer than necessary. 
This was provided for review by Revell. Here's the back cover so you can see what it's about.

Bend Your Brain


I love game and puzzle books. Bend Your Brain will help you use your actual mind. So many of our activities anymore are mindless. Get back into thinking things through with this fun-filled and challenging book. From simple word puzzles to harder puzzles, even some that include brand logo's (you need to figure out if it is a mirror image or the real thing--it's harder than it sounds!) there is a puzzle here for every age. We sat around the table last night and did several as a family and we all enjoyed it.
This would be a great gift, good bathroom material, nice to take on road trips, even good for the beach.
167 pages of challenging puzzles, and if you're really stumped, the answers are in the back of the book.

This was provided for review by Blogging For Books 

Here are a couple of the puzzles. Isn't that dot-to-dot crazy? My husband is looking forward to completing that one!


Monday, September 8, 2014

The Remaining by Travis Thrasher

 The Remaining is a novelization by Travis Thrasher, based on a movie of the same title that is being released on Sept 5th
This is a movie about what happens after the rapture. Far different storyline than Left Behind. This is more horrific. 
The book was fast paced and very well-written. I've been a Travis Thrasher fan since sometime in 2007 (or earlier, can't remember for sure). I've enjoyed watching his career change and his writing grow. 
I'm excited to see the movie and hope that it's a topic of conversation and an opening to furthering the gospel.
This book is not for young readers, it might be too scary for them. It is, however, a real glimpse into what might happen after the rapture. Very eye-opening and intense.

This was provided for review by Tyndale.



The Desire by Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley

 Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley are back with the third book in their Restoration Series. This is my favorite of the three. It had me in tears several times and I didn't want to put it down.  I've known women who have struggled with infertility and the authors approached the subject delicately and also didn't shy back from mentioning the ignorant comments that people make.
I also appreciated the missions emphasis that this book had in it. My husband has visited several foreign countries on missions trips and has seen true hopelessness on people's faces, as described in this book. I hope that this brings awareness to organizations like Compassion International and Convoy of Hope.


This book was provided for review by Revell.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days by Holley Gerth

 What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days by Holley Gerth is a little, padded, hardcover devotional book that has all of the encouragement that a girl could need. Easy to read (and easy to read quickly!), each devotion is about 2-3 pages long, remember, this is a small book! And each one is packed full of funny anecdotes that will warm your heart while feeding your spirit. 
God Won't Let You Fall
God Notices When You Cry
God Wants to Update Your Wardrobe
Those are just a few of the topics that you can glean from. Each devotion also has a question or two at the end for you to answer, this makes this book personal, no two people will experience the same things or have the same answers. This is between you and God.
This would make a lovely little gift for a friend who is struggling, a mom who doesn't have time for herself, or someone who feels alone in the world.


This was provided for review by Revell.