Book Review ~ Restore: Break Out Of Your Past And Into God's Future by Vince Antonucci

Restore: Break Out Of Your Past And Into God's Future by Vince Antonucci is easiest summed up by the title of the introduction: "Rehab... for the rest of us." This book is a 30-day journey through Vince's six step rehab program for "people with issues that are costing us but that aren't severe enough or socially unacceptable enough to send us to a facility." What exactly does this mean? If you have problems with cheating on a diet, this book is for you. Lie to your partner, family, friends, or even yourself? Read this book. Do you keep trying to change and stop repeating the same old bad habits, white lies, and small sins - only to find yourself falling back into the old patterns over and over again? You guessed it - this book should be next on your "must read" shelf.

Whether you struggle with lying, unforgiveness, or just simply focusing on your own faults and feeding a negative self-image - Vince's candid honesty, quirky sense of humor, practical suggestions, and personal storytelling will help you to face whatever barriers are between your present identity and the you that God knows is hiding inside.

This book is a great stepping stone to help you start on the path to remembering, embracing, and living out your true identity as a child of God - one who relies on God to carry the burden of your struggles and to rescue you from whatever faults, failures, and flaws are keeping you from living the way He intends. Use the messages found in this book to help you step out of your old patterns and habits and break free of the ties that bind you to the past. Recommended for everyone, because we all could use a little rehab from time to time. 5/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ About The Author ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(copied from back cover)

Vince Antonucci pastors Verve, an innovative church that seeks to reach people who work on and live around the Las Vegas Strip. The television series God for the Rest of Us chronicles Vince's work there. In addition to being an author, Vince leads mission trips around the world, speaks nationwide, and performs stand-up comedy in Las Vegas. Most of all, he loves spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their two kids.

Visit Vince's website at: http://vinceantonucci.com/ 

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ You Are Beautiful: A Model Makeover From Insecure To Confident In Christ by Ashley Reitz with Lorilee Craker

You Are Beautiful: A Model Makeover From Insecure To Confident In Christ by Ashley Reitz with Lorilee Craker is the truth of a young woman's personal journey to find her own beauty and to discover what it really means to be beautiful.

Sharing stories from her own life, Ashley takes us through the slides, curves, and reality checks of going from feeling unseen and overlooked to embracing the beauty that God has placed within each one of us. For every "good Christian girl" who feels like she's not "pretty" enough or "skinny" enough to be special, Ashley's honesty and refreshing humor is like sitting down with a trusted friend and a warm cup of hot cocoa or tea. Not only will her story make you feel like you're in good company; but each chapter concludes with "Beauty Box" tips and questions designed to help you learn from her struggles and experiences in order to bring you closer to God and His plans for your beautiful life.

I would highly recommend this book to any young women who want a practical, down-to-earth look at life, love, and the beauty that so often seems to escape us. This book is made for all the girls out there that have ever felt as though they just didn't quite fit in being themselves. Even you! 4/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ About The Authors ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(copied from inside back cover)

Ashley Reitz works with top agencies as a "curve model," offering her a platform to promote a healthy body image to young women. She has been an ambassador for a popular movement called Healthy Is the New Skinny and has been on the board for Miss SW Florida USA. Ashley has appeared in major magazines such as Seventeen and in national ad campaigns for Avon, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Along with her "match" B.T., she was a fan favorite on FOX TV's reality show Coupled. Follow her at ashleyreitz.com.

Lorilee Craker is the author of thirteen books, including Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter, and Me; the CBA and ECPA bestseller My Journey to Heaven with Marvin J. Besteman; Money Secrets of the Amish; A Is for Atticus: Baby Names from Great Books, featured in People magazine; and the New York Times bestseller Through the Storm with Lynne Spears. In 2012 she was nominated for an Audie Award for best audio book in the personal development category. Follow her at lorileecraker.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ God's Wisdom For Women: Topical Scripture And Encouragement by Patricia Miller & Rachel Gorman

God's Wisdom For Women: Topical Scripture And Encouragement by Patricia Miller & Rachel Gorman is more than your standard book of suggested verses relating to a myriad of topics. In this unique and insightful book, you'll find that Patricia and Rachel have compiled inspirational quotes, key concepts, relevant scriptures, practical living tips, and recommended reading suggestions for 52 major issues pertinent to women's lives today.

Divided into 7 main categories, including Knowing God, Lifestyle, Daily Struggles, and more, you'll find helpful reading relating to topics ranging from "Who Is God?" to "Clothing" and "Marriage". While God's Wisdom For Women is designed to pick-and-choose topics that apply to your life's present circumstances, I would highly suggest that all young women or those new to the Christian faith give it a thorough reading from cover to cover, while embracing the multitude of wisdom contained within it's pages.

Whether you find yourself struggling with grief, social media addictions, questions about your core identity, or simply want to feel more at peace with your place in your local community, this book will be a true asset. With a heavy duty spiral binding designed to last through countless readings, God's Wisdom For Women deserves a place on every Christian woman's bookshelf. 5/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher, Baker Books, for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ About The Authors ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(copied from back cover)

Patricia Miller is a professor and program director for biblical counseling at Calvary University. She is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Western Illinois University, and Calvary Theological Seminary and is the author or coauthor of several volumes in the Quick Scripture Reference series, including Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling Women.

Rachel Gorman, Patricia's daughter, writes about children's literature, faith, style, culture, and the joys and trials of parenting. She is a graduate of Calvary University, where she studied Bible, English literature, and children's literature. Rachel is a pastor's wife, a mother of two, and the creator of Lucy's Bows & Arrows, an online handmade accessory shop.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook