Thursday, December 31, 2015

Meet the New You by Elisa Pulliam

 Meet The New You by Elisa Pulliam is a twenty-one day study to help you overcome obstacles in your life and be the person God intended you to be. Not everything can be fixed that quickly, but this book provides a good jump start and gives the reader insight to the things that need changed. Each day's reading is just a couple pages long and is full of things that will make you think and take stock of where your life is heading. She even covers one of my favorite topics (personality types) and relates everything with stories from her own life. Very attention grabbing, this is the perfect book to start the new year with. Highly recommended.

Book provided for review by Blogging for Books

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings


Regina Jennings is back with another adorable historical novel. At Love's Bidding serves up a look at auctions in the late 1800s and has a dose of mystery mixed with a little love. Very clean read. I enjoyed this book and read it in just a couple days, the end was a little slow and I hurried through the last chapter or two just to finish before bed. I enjoyed a look at the history of auctions and the humor of the Boston auctions versus the Missouri auctions. Published by Bethany House, this is one author I always trust for a safe read.


This book was provided for review by Litfuse

Monday, December 21, 2015

Walk to Beautiful by Jimmy Wayne with Ken Abraham

 I've always enjoyed a good biography or autobiography. There is a lot to learn about living by reading about the lives of others. Country singer Jimmy Wayne shares the horrifying story of his growing up years. This is heartbreaking stuff and I had to put the book down several times and walk away while I thought about what I'd read. This is just one boy's story. How many other children are out there in similar or worse situations? Jimmy landed in the home of an older couple who changed his life and the path he was walking in. One of the best true stories I've ever read. He overcame a lot of obstacles to get where he is today and he doesn't take any of it for granted. He has always taken the time to give back and attempt to make a difference in the lives of kids who are in the foster system.
The title of the book refers to a six-month trek he made from Nashville to Phoenix, to raise awareness of kids in the foster system. While this is a very small part of the book, it shows his true heart.
If you are feeling stuck in a rut and are looking for more out of live then I recommend reading this book. If this man can escape his circumstances and make a difference in this world, then so can you.

This book provided for review by BookLook

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray

 I've read Shelley Gray for years, since she was using a middle name in between the Shelley and the Gray. She's been one of my favorite authors because she is able to craft a story so compelling it's hard to put the book down. This is what I've come to expect from her and Whispers in the Reading Room is perfect. I read it in less than a day with eight hours of sleep in between. The characters come alive when she writes and in this book we visit Chicago, right after the World Fair. The decline of parts of the city and the dangers within kept me on edge. The understated hero melted my heart. This is one to read. It's the third in the series but is a stand-alone. I hadn't read the first two (but I will!) and had no problem with this one. Published by Zondervan.
Provided for review by Litfuse

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck


Rachel Hauck has become synonymous with romance and her latest book, The Wedding Chapel, is just what her readers have come to love about her books. This book takes us into the lives of Taylor, a photographer, and Jack in the town Taylor grew up in. Laced with a rocky relationship and secrets dying to come to the surface, it is one I found hard to put down. 
What I appreciate most about Rachel's books is that they are always trustworthy. She includes the Gospel message somewhere in the book and always has a guaranteed clean read. No offensive content, ever.

This book was provided for review by LitFuse and is published by Zondervan

The Gentle Art of Discipling Women by Dana Yeakley

 If you are searching for a way to minister to the needs of women and have no idea of how or where to start then I recommend this book to you. The first three chapters focus on taking care of your own walk with the Lord and making sure you are grounded in Him before sharing ways in which you can reach out to those around you. 
The Gentle Art of Discipling Women is gentle, indeed. Dana Yeakley is careful to  navigate the lines gently as she shares from her heart and gives ideas and ways to be a disciple to the women in your life.
There are mini Bible studies included and scripture references to back up everything. She has also included questions for each chapter. 

This book was provided for review by Tyndale

Friday, December 11, 2015

life-changing magic by marie kondo

 life-changing magic by Marie Kondo is a one-year diary, a journal. It is cute and compact but there is really nothing extraordinary about it. It's rather dull compared to some of the other journals I've used and reviewed  lately. There is a page for every day of the year (including February 29th) and once in a while the question, "Does it spark joy" is written across the top of the page. A journal is always a good idea though and if this helps prompt you to write then it's done its job.
Book provided for review by Blogging for Books

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Food52 VEGAN

 Food52 is back with another cookbook. This time it's VEGAN. Vegan food has an unfair reputation for being bland and boring, not so in this book. This is loaded with tasty recipes from start to finish. Breakfast, appetizers, lunch, soup, salads, main dishes, desserts, you'll find it all. Using some of the healthiest ingredients available you will learn to create flavorful dishes with eye-catching appeal.  These are appropriate for any level of cooking skill, don't be intimidated! The ice cream recipe is one I've been looking for (using canned coconut milk!) While I can't wait to try them all, I am drawn to the kale salad with pesto dressing which I will be making later today. 






This book provided for review by Blogging for Books