Saturday, July 30, 2016

If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy by Rhonda Stoppe

I've been married a long time and I've read a lot of marriage books. Rhonda Stoppe's If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy skyrocketed to the top of the list within the first few pages. This is the best marriage book for wives that I've ever read. She pulls no punches and lays it all out on the table. Marriage takes work. A lot of work. There is no simple way to have a happy marriage, it is a daily decision to cultivate it and work at it. Rhonda points the reader directly to God as the creator of marriage and as the only one through whom all relationships will grow. Fabulous book and highly recommended. The only thing I didn't like was all of the references to her other books that were scattered through the pages like commercials during your favorite TV show. Just stick to the story. The interruptions were boring and got to be pretty annoying.

About the book: 

If My Husband Would Change, I'd Be Happy: And Other Myths Wives Believe (Harvest House, August 2015)

Like most brides on their wedding day, you no doubt were filled with love for your husband and the hope of a happy life together.

But perhaps today, as the realities of life together have settled in, those happy expectations are going unfulfilled. And it's tempting to think, "If only my husband would change, I'd be happy."

That myth is but one of many that Rhonda Stoppe dispels in her easy-to-read exploration of what it takes to experience a truly happy marriage. In the process, she addresses such important topics as

-understanding your husband's need for your unconditional respect
-rekindling the love that drew you to your husband in the first place
-refusing to believe the lie that you'd be happier married to someone else
-learning to be content in the midst of financial struggles
-thinking about sex from a biblical worldview
If you desire to rekindle the love and hope you felt on your wedding day, this book will go a long way toward making that dream come true.
Contains discussion questions and personal reflections at the end of each chapter.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2a9Izc6
 
About the author:

Rhonda Stoppe is the No Regrets Woman. She is an author and speaker dedicated to helping women live life with no regrets. With more than 20 years' experience as a mom, mentor, and pastor's wife, Rhonda's wisdom and experience helps women discover significance in God and His specific purpose for their lives, connect biblical principles to everyday decisions, develop a loving marriage that others dream about, and influence the next generation by raising children with integrity.

This book provided for review by LitFuse. To see more reviews click here.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Mommy Needs a Raise by Sarah Parshall Perry

 Do you need to laugh? I mean really laugh? If you're a mom then you need laughter about as much as you need sleep because there are Just. Some. Days. when you can't even remember breathing because everything was so demanding. Sarah Parshall Perry's new book Mommy Needs a Raise is full of laughter along with lessons. One of the funniest and most touching books I've read in a long time. This book is full of wisdom and anecdotes from real life, including work force stories and mommy stories. This is the perfect book to have on your night stand when you can only concentrate on a few pages at a time. Loved it!
This book provided for review by Revell

Sunday, July 17, 2016

The Promise of Jesse Woods by Chris Fabry

 I've read every book by Chris Fabry and this is second in my mind only to June Bug. This book made me wrestle with feelings I thought I had abandoned a long time ago. From the deceitful people at church to the racism from the same people, reading The Promise of Jesse Woods was like reliving some of what we went through ten years ago at our last church. At times it was hard to read, especially knowing that the nasty characters never changed because they didn't in our real-life experience either. Though not the main story, it impacted me greatly.
Jesse's story also impacted me and I put the book down with tears and a feeling of satisfaction. Beautifully written. If you read one book this year make it this one. 
This book provided for review by Tyndale

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Every Frenchman Has One by Olivia deHavilland

 A re-release of a book written in the 1950s by one of classic Hollywood's favorite film stars? Yes please. 
I wasn't sure what to expect with the book, but it is mild compared to what is written today. Olivia writes in almost a prose style and her words are to be read slowly and to be savored. This book is a delight. I love looking at France through her eyes. Her honesty probably wouldn't hold up well to today's age of political correctness where we have to be nice to everyone or risk offending them. This book is her truthful observations and I love it. It's a small volume but holds up well. Fun getting to know her in these pages.
Olivia just celebrated her 100th birthday! Happy birthday Olivia....wherever you are!
This book provided for review by Blogging for Books

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Missing by Lisa Harris

 Missing, by Lisa Harris, is the second in the Nikki Boyd Files series. While reading it I couldn't remember if I'd read the first in the series or not but it didn't matter because this reads fine as a stand-alone. This book drew me in immediately and kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat throughout the story. It also reminded me that God uses even fiction to meet you where you are. I was able to send a picture of a page to a friend going through a hard time. The line, "Being scared is normal. Being brave isn't about not feeling scared at all. It's feeling scared inside, but not letting it stop you from doing what you need to do." is one that she needed to hear today. It was a blessing to her and this book provided it. Christian fiction, like this, is so very important and I'm thankful that Lisa Harris puts out books that reflect her Christ-like values. This is a fast-paced, action-packed clean read that I highly recommend.

This book provided for review by Revell

Monday, July 11, 2016

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

 I still remember the first time I came across Karen Witemeyer. Her first book had just been released and for me it was love at first read. I've been a fan ever since and have snatched up her books as soon as they come out. No Other Will Do is the story of Emma Chandler who runs a town built to empower and protect women abused or abandoned. Emma's town is left alone for the most part until an ominous threat begins to attack. She calls on her old friend Malachi for help and the war is on. War with the enemy and war with her feelings. 
This book moved a little slow for me but was still enjoyable. Clean and easy to read. Karen Witemeyer writes historical fiction like few others. Nice summer read.
This book provided for review by Bethany House

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Murder Mezzo Forte by Donn Taylor


 Murder Mezzo Forte by Donn Taylor is the second in the Preston Barclay Mystery series. The first page snagged my attention and drew me in immediately. The book kept up a quick pace and I enjoyed it until about 2/3 of the way through. Then I started getting bored. Preston's puns got old and some of the story and words used seemed dated. The characters of Cindy and Cynthia confused me a couple times and so did Mitra and Mara (until one of them was the victim of a crime). In all I enjoyed most of the book but towards the end was just glancing at the pages until it was over. At this moment I couldn't tell you who did the crime.





This book provided for review by Litfuse

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Pure Delicious by Heather Christo

 Every so often I receive a cookbook that changes my life. Pure Delicious by Heather Christo is one such book. I haven't been this excited about cooking again for a long time. I tend to get in a rut and make the same meals over and over. This book has many new twists on some of my old favorites that I can't wait to get into rotation. 
But first: The book opens with over fifty pages full of health and nutrition advice for those with food allergies. This is gold. Very informative reading. The author not only wants to share recipes, but wants to help the reader life a better life. Then we get into the food. Broken down into ten sections, I have to admit the soup and chili chapter drew me in. From Greek lemon, chicken, and rice soup to the spicy Thai curry noodle soup (pictured below), I want to make them all. The salads are healthy and look amazing (see the crunchy taco salad with spiced ground turkey and cilantro-lime vinaigrette pictured below!) There are also baked goods, pasta, desserts, and more. So much yum in this book. I can't wait to get started.







This book provided for review by Blogging for Books