Book Review ~ Living A Life You Love: Embracing The Adventure Of Being Led By The Holy Spirit by Joyce Meyer

Living A Life You Love: Embracing The Adventure Of Being Led By The Holy Spirit by Joyce Meyer is full of short anecdotes and tips to help you change your perspective - and your life - in order to love the life you lead and embrace God's purpose for your life.

While there aren't really any profound new ideas contained in its pages, Living A Life You Love is a great nudge for anyone looking for a springboard to change their life. It's also a wonderful tome of encouragement and reminders for those who feel caught up in the daily grind and seek a way out of the rut and further into God's loving embrace.

If you are familiar with Joyce's other books and teachings, this book will not disappoint. If you are new to her works, then this book is an excellent starting place to help you take the first steps toward a new adventure in this season of your life. 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 Author ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(copied from book jacket)

Joyce Meyer has written more than 100 inspirational books. Her bestsellers include Power Thoughts; The Confident Woman; Look Great, Feel Great; Starting Your Day Right; Ending Your Day Right; Approval Addiction; How to Hear from God; Beauty for Ashes; and Battlefield of the Mind.

Joyce travels extensively, holding conferences throughout the year and speaking to thousands around the world. 

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Spread Too Thin: Opting Out Of Frantic Living, Opting In To Lasting Peace by Ellen Miller

Spread Too Thin: Opting Out Of Frantic Living, Opting In To Lasting Peace by Ellen Miller is a 90-day devotional that showcases Ellen's own battles with being Spread Too Thin while trying to juggle her career, family, leisure, and time with God.

If you find yourself facing overwhelm and exhaustion on a regular (daily) basis, then Ellen's story of transforming her own life into an abundant and peaceful journey with God might just be the inspiration that you need. These daily devotions are laced with just enough scripture, prayer, and questions to help you relate her story back toward your own personal struggles to find contentment.

If you're looking for a hardcore bible study or workbook, this is not it. However, if you find yourself looking for a friend who has "been there" and is willing to look you straight in the eyes and tell you that there's still hope - then give this book a shot. If nothing else, you'll come out feeling not quite so alone, and you might just pick up a little peace along the way. 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 Author ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(copied from back cover)

Ellen Miller is the author of The One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends and Lord, Have Mercy. She is a former corporate officer for a fortune 500 company and served as the founder and visionary for the technology marketing firm Insider Marketing for more than 20 years. She and her husband, Steve, live in Dallas and have two grown children.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Book Review ~ Believe Boldly: The Power Of Simple, Confident Prayer To Unleash The Supernatural by Erica Willis

Believe Boldly: The Power Of Simple, Confident Prayer To Unleash The Supernatural is a collection of experiences, compiled to share the remarkable journey that Erica Willis took from being a "normal" to being a "super" when it comes to confidently praying for God to move in her life.

Laced with scripture, casual conversation, and practical suggestions for inviting God to speak to you in a more personal way, Believe Boldly is a definite boost for Christian women who find themselves bogged down in the daily grind and feeling distant from God. If you find that your quality time with God is more like a quick prayer checklist with seemingly little payoff, then let Erica's story help you to change your game plan and bring your prayer life to new depths as you learn to surrender and trust God to lead you. 4/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Erica Willis is the founder and director of The Fives, an international prayer ministry. A leader in the local church for more than 20 years, she teaches weekly in the women's ministry at her church, New River Fellowship in Hudson Oaks, Texas, and is a popular blogger and speaker. Find out more at believeboldly.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Courageous Women Of The Bible: Leaving Behind Fear And Insecurity For A Life Of Confidence And Freedom by LaTan Roland Murphy

Courageous Women Of The Bible: Leaving Behind Fear And Insecurity For A Life Of Confidence And Freedom by LaTan Roland Murphy showcases eleven Biblical women and shares their stories of courage during various life trials.

LaTan adds personal commentary and friendly conversation to each of these women's stories in order to show you how to apply each form of courage to your personal journey. She's also included insightful application questions following each chapter, as well as journaling pages at the end of the book.

If you are facing challenges dealing with leadership, rejection, finances, faithfulness, sexual sin, redemption, uncertainty, parenting, or hospitality - then Courageous Women Of The Bible will help you to refocus and center yourself, trusting God to give you the strength and confidence you need to overcome your fears. I found LaTan's personal and friendly nature to help me take an honest look at my own life, while adjusting my perspective of some familiar (and some not-so-familiar) women. I think this book would be beneficial for any woman who desires to open up to God and trust Him to handle whatever life throws your way. 4/5 stars.

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ About The Author ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
(copied from back cover)

LaTan Roland Murphy is an award-winning author and speaker with writing featured in WHOAwomen magazine. She is the author of Becoming a Woman of Interior Elegance and coauthor of God's Provision in Tough Times. She is also the founder of The Colors of His Love Women's Conference. She and her husband, Joe, have three adult children and two delightful grandchildren. They live in Raleigh, North Carolina. Please visit her website at www.latanmurphy.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ The Healthy Living Handbook: Simple, Everyday Habits For Your Body, Mind And Spirit by Laura Harris Smith

The Healthy Living Handbook: Simple, Everyday Habits For Your Body, Mind And Spirit by Laura Harris Smith is a compilation of tips, suggestions, and personal experiences to help you form more positive and life-encouraging habits on a daily basis.

Using a trinitarian approach, The Healthy Living Handbook features ten healthy living habits for each aspect of your being: your spirit, your mind, and your body (in that order). The section on your spirit focuses on things such as prayer, honor, everyday idols, and leaps of faith. Healthy living habits for your mind include ideas like minding your manners, laughter, and forgiveness. Tips for the body address topics including healthy eating, fasting, and more. Each chapter includes interactive questions or suggestions and a prayer to help get you started.

Including scripture, scientific studies, and personal experiences to back up these healthy living habits, Laura leaves the reader with enough practical and friendly advice to help you feel motivated to start on (or continue) the path toward a healthier life for yourself and those around you. While I did find certain sections of the book to be hard to relate to personally (such as speaking in tongues), I found the overall message and suggestions to be informative and encouraging. Yes, a lot of the suggestions in this book are "common knowledge", such as eating your veggies, but Laura presents new ways to view and address them in order to help you overcome any hurdles you might encounter while trying to incorporate these changes into your daily life. I'd recommend this book to any Christian that seeks to become healthier while strengthening their walk with God. 4/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Laura Harris Smith is a certified nutritional counselor, playwright, poet, actress and media dynamo. She and her husband, Chris, who have six children, founded and pastor Eastgate Creative Christian Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee.

Purchase Links:

     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Reading The Bible With Rabbi Jesus: How A Jewish Perspective Can Transform Your Understanding by Lois Tverberg

Reading The Bible With Rabbi Jesus: How A Jewish Perspective Can Transform Your Understanding by Lois Tverberg is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to gain insight into the teachings of Jesus and the culture of the early Christian church based on the Jewish background and heritage of the new testament.

Using Jewish history, teachings, and perspectives, Lois shows us how to reset our mental imagery of Biblical times to relate better to both the old and new testament through revelations about their culture, logic and thinking patterns, and prophecies and views pertaining to the Messiah.

During the course of each chapter, Lois carefully examines both our modern western viewpoint and the traditional Jewish views pertaining to a given biblical topic. This allows a sort of compare-and-contrast of differing cultures to help aid us in bridging the gap between the world of Christianity today and how early Christians would have interpreted the same stories and lessons in their time. Each chapter concludes with a "tools and reflections" section which includes suggested scriptures, questions, and activities designed to pull you closer to a period (and culturally) appropriate mindset.

I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about the Jewish roots of Jesus' teachings and the culture of the early church. 5/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from inside dust jacket)

Lois Tverberg has been speaking and writing about the Jewish background of Christianity for the past twenty years. Her passion is to translate the Bible's ancient setting into fresh insights that deepen and strengthen Christian faith. She is co-founder of the En-Gedi Resource Center, an educational ministry with a goal of deepening Christian understanding of the Bible in its original context. A former professor, Tverberg currently lives in Holland, Michigan, and speaks at churches, conferences, and retreats. She is the bestselling author of Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus and Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus. Learn more at www.ourrabbijesus.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ The Golden Vial (Legends Of The Realm - Book 3) by Thomas Locke

The Golden Vial is the third book in the Legends Of The Realm series by Thomas Locke. In this fantasy realm of mages, elves, and dragons, we find a young girl who must learn to trust herself and those around her in order to fight back a vast and unseen evil that is attempting to overtake the realm.

While the story itself is deeply intriguing, I found it hard to keep up with - the story jumps rapidly from one scene to another, without much of an intermission between important events and occurrences. This made it difficult both to see the natural progression during parts of the story and to keep track of a sense of elapsed time during the course of events.

Vivid imagery, solid characters, and a passionate storyline make up for most of the time spent trying to sort out the above referenced story jumps.

Having not read the previous books in this series, I cannot provide an assessment on the overall flow of the series in relation to this book. However, I can offer solace that this book was a good standalone novel and I did not feel as though I was missing any important details by having skipped the first two books.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean fantasy novels, including those in the young adult audience. The Golden Vial is suitable for Christians but lacking in Christian-based references, which could be seen as a positive or a negative feature, depending on the audience.

3/5 stars.

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

Book Review ~ Searching For Spring: How God Makes All Things Beautiful In Time by Christine Hoover

Searching For Spring: How God Makes All Things Beautiful In Time by Christine Hoover is not a book for self-improvement, and it contains no discussion question or suggested activities for personal reflection. What it is, however, has the potential to touch you on a deeper level than the simple cover dares to suggest.

Searching For Spring is full of little snippets of Christine's personal journey to finding God's beauty in life's everyday happenings. From the beauty of watching the wildlife in her own backyard to discovering the hidden depths of God's beauty in witnessing close friends struggle with adulterous behaviors, Christine invites us to join her and see God's glories through the lens of her personal experiences. With plenty of Biblical excerpts and references, this book still manages to read with the simplistic casual tone of sitting down with a beloved friend for a chat over a cup of Joe or your favorite flavor of tea.

Whether you're familiar with Christine's other books or this is the first book of hers that has made its way into your paws, her candid voice and friendly demeanor are sure to find their way into your heart. Searching For Spring is one I'd suggest for any women who desire to feel closer to finding the answers to God's plans and motives within their own experiences - especially if you could use a friend to help you along the way. This book is good for new Christians just starting their walk with God, seasoned believers who seek a refresher on God's beauty and grace, and all those in between. 5/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Christine Hoover is a pastor's wife, mom, speaker, and the author of From Good to Grace, Messy Beautiful Friendship, and The Church Planting Wife. She has written for The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, and Christianity Today. Blogging at www.GraceCoversMe.com, she enjoys helping women apply the gift of God's grace to their daily lives. She lives in Virginia.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Loose Ends (Unit 28 - Book Two) by Jennifer Haynie

Loose Ends is the second book in the Unit 28 series by Jennifer Haynie. Mixing international terrorism and espionage with family secrets and classic romance, this suspense novel has a little bit of something for everyone.

First off, if you haven't read the first book in the Unit 28 series, prepare to spend the first several chapters trying to make sense of the characters, a there isn't a lot of background information given. This isn't really a bad thing, but it did mean that I found myself double-checking a chapter or two back sporadically just to make sure I had all the details running right in my head.

In Loose Ends, we find Alex Thornton and Jabir al-Omri called in to help bring down a couple terrorists that they happen to have a not-so-pretty history with. Meanwhile, one of the bad guys has made it his personal mission to take down Alex out of vengeance for said history. So the hunter becomes the hunted - on both sides of the world. Throw in a double-crossing spy and long-buried secrets, and Alex and Jabir find themselves up against a lot more problems than they originally bargained for.

Heavy in dialogue and multiple sub-plots, I wouldn't really consider it a fast-paced thriller (although the last third of the book moves much faster than the rest) - but it does have a very rich and complex storyline that makes it worth the wait. With Christian undertones and values, this book should sit well with mature audiences from both a religious and secular standpoint. However, I would steer clear of passing this one on to the young adults in your life, due to (mostly vague and relevant) descriptions of sexual interest and possibly incestuous desires. 4/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

After being an avid reader of suspense fiction for most of her life, Jennifer Haynie began writing and publishing suspense novels in 2012. She has now written over five indie suspense novels. In her spare time, she works for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, enjoys working out, and loves traveling. She currently lives outside o Raleigh with her husband and their Basenji dog.

www.jenniferhaynie.com

Purchase Link:
     Amazon

Book Review ~ Keturah (The Sugar Baron's Daughters - One) by Lisa T. Bergren

Keturah is the first book in The Sugar Baron's Daughters series by Lisa T. Bergren. In 1772, the three Banning sisters inherit what's left of their father's estate. Due to dwindling finances and few options, the girls decide to venture to the sugar plantation in the West Indies themselves, in order to attempt to salvage it from a grim fate. Having been raised as proper ladies in England, the sisters find themselves having to adjust to a simpler and less elegant lifestyle while trying to assert their authority in a world ruled by men.

This volume focuses primarily on the story of Keturah, the oldest of the sisters, and her journey to make amends with the past, overcome her personal demons, and learn how to trust God - and people - again.

In an elegantly flowing novel with a deeply rich storyline, Lisa blends the darker and less pleasant sides of life for women (and slaves) in the English colonies of the 1770's with the picturesque landscape and beauty of the West Indies and all the possibilities of venturing into a new world.

This book does paint a somewhat graphic (though accurate) picture of the abuses endured by women and the mistreatment of slaves during this time period. Thus, I would not recommend it to sensitive or younger readers (16-18). That being said, I find her vivid portrayals of the period to be a vacuum that whisks you into a time of simplistic elegance and grand dreams. I would encourage mature readers with an interest in the period or a desire to adventure into a tale of true love to give Keturah a read. Personally, I eagerly await the next book in the series. 5/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Lisa T. Bergren has published more than fifty books with combined sales exceeding three million copies. A bestselling and award-winning author, she's also a recipient of the RT Lifetime Achievement Award. Lisa lives in Colorado with her husband and three teen-and-older children. To learn more, visit www.lisatawnbergren.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Beneath The Surface (Dive Team Investigations Book One) by Lynn H. Blackburn

Beneath The Surface is the first book in the Dive Team Investigations series by Lynn H. Blackburn. When diver and homicide investigator Ryan Parker stumbles across a body at the bottom of the lake, the trail leads him to the door of Leigh Weston, a local nurse practitioner, who ends up having more to do with the investigation - and his future - than he ever thought possible.

Littered with more questions than answers, endless dead-ends, and stakes that keep rising - Beneath The Surface is a romantic suspense novel that is sure to keep you guessing until the very last page. Lynn's writing style reveals a natural talent for creating tantalizing scenery and realistic dialogues that leave you feeling as though you're right there in the room watching the story unfold.

I truly appreciate the realism used in her character development and the credibility given to the natural building of emotions and relationships between those characters in their given situations and circumstances. My only complaint about this book is simply the semi-misleading nomenclature in that overall there are very few diving and underwater scenes - something I had anticipated would be a focal point in a series titled "Dive Team Investigations". That point aside, I found this book to be an exciting journey from start to finish, and would recommend it to those seeking a suspenseful crime investigation with a little romance and a lot of faith in God and trust in His plans. 4/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Hidden Legacy and Covert Justice and winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ The Empowered (A Trevor Black Novel) by Craig Parshall

The Empowered is the second Trevor Black Novel by Craig Parshall. Trevor Black is an ex-attorney hired to aid in the investigation of a missing girl in New Orleans. What starts as a seemingly simple missing person's case quickly reveals itself to be the stepping stone into a sinister world of demonic proportions involving voodoo rituals, human sacrifices, and child trafficking.

Gifted with the ability to sense demons, Trevor Black finds himself thrust headfirst into the battle between Heaven's armies and Satan's hellish plans quickly descending on life in the bayou. Aided by his recently discovered but long-lost daughter, Trevor must unravel the sinister plot being set forth, while fighting to clear his own name from evil implications. As the stakes rise, he finds his faith and sanity both questioned, and he must decide how far he is willing to sacrifice his own comforts in order to stand tall and honor the Lord.

This book is a fast paced suspense/thriller novel that touches on spiritual warfare, demonic influences, voodoo cults, and sexual exploitation while trying to solve a grizzly murder case and avoid legal entrapment. I'd recommend The Empowered to those who like thrillers that reinforce the omnipotent sovereignty of God and His will. It's also worth noting that, while being the second book in a series, this book is a suitable stand-alone read. 3/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Craig Parshall is a bestselling fiction author with twelve suspense novels to his credit. Craig is a Washington insider serving as special counsel to the American Center for Law and Justice on matters before the US Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill, and before state supreme courts. Visit Craig at CraigParshallAuthor.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Kingdom Disciples: Heaven's Representatives On Earth by Tony Evans

Kingdom Disciples: Heaven's Representatives On Earth by Tony Evans is more than just a book on discipleship. While Tony does explain what discipleship is and personal steps toward becoming a kingdom disciple, he also covers ways that your personal example can and should influence your family, church, and community at large - as well as the ideals, values, and actions that will show the rest of the world that you are a Christ follower.

Combining personal stories with Biblical truths, Tony candidly reminds us that being a kingdom disciple is not for the faint of heart; it requires a willing sacrifice of everything that you have and are without Christ - placing to rest every aspect of our lives that are within our personal control in order to turn the load over to Jesus and truly follow Him.

While I know without a doubt that I fall epically short of the expectations laid out for a kingdom disciple, I found this book to be an enlightening read that will hopefully help influence my journey more toward God and less toward my self and other worldly constructs and values. I believe that, when read with the spirit of an openness to change, Kingdom Disciples has the potential to greatly influence and encourage Christians seeking to bring forth God's kingdom here on earth. 4/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from inside back flap)

Tony Evans is the founder and president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry dedicated to restoring hope in personal lives, families, churches, and communities. Dr. Evans also serves as senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas. He is a bestselling author, and his radio program, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, is heard on over 1,200 stations around the globe every day. For more information visit tonyevans.org.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ An Imperfect Woman: Letting Go Of The Need To Have It All Together by Kim Hyland

So many women struggle with the strong desire to be the perfect something - the perfect woman, the perfect wife, the perfect mom - while losing sight of the fact that we are all perfectly as God would have us be at any given moment. The trials and hardships and seeming setbacks that we go through are all a means to an end, a way that God can work in our lives to teach us, show us, and mold us more into what He calls us to be.

In An Imperfect Woman: Letting Go Of The Need To Have It All Together, Kim Hyland shares her personal testimony of learning to move past her personal need for perfection and into God's loving arms of grace. Revealing deeply personal yet very relatable tales of shortcomings and pitfalls from her own life story, Kim walks us through a journey of learning to let go of perfectionism, pride, and anxiety in order to embrace grace, humility, and peace.

Each chapter is composed of several short stories that beautifully flow together into a tapestry, slowly revealing that we are each a masterpiece in God's eyes. This makes it easy to take in just a few minutes at a time, easily fitting it into any schedule. Her light-hearted yet candid approach to dealing with serious topics is sure to strike a chord in even the most imperfect and self-declared "failures" among us - something I know all too well.

While this book is mostly a memoir, each chapter ends with questions for reflection in order to help the reader apply Kim's experiences to her own life and her own journey to indulge in and share God's grace. I would recommend it to any woman who finds herself questioning her own value, her purpose in God's great plan, or her ability to adequately care for and be an example to those she loves. 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 Author ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(copied from back cover)

Kim Hyland is a writer, a speaker, and the founder and host of Winsome, an annual retreat for women that celebrates authenticity, diversity, and truth. She also speaks at national retreats and conferences, where she encourages women by sharing her imperfect path and God's perfect plans. Originally from the DC metro area, she now lives with her family on a mountain overlooking the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Connect with Kim at WinsomeLiving.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Our Best Life Together: A Daily Devotional For Couples by Joel & Victoria Osteen

Our Best Life Together: A Daily Devotional For Couples by Joel & Victoria Osteen is full of scripture, lessons, and prayers designed to bring you closer together - both as a couple and in your relationship with God.

Covering topics ranging from child rearing to financial prosperity, this book utilizes personal examples and Biblical stories to provide five readings a week for a full year of physical, spiritual, and emotional growth and reflection. I really appreciate that each day ends in a personal prayer that compliments that day's lesson and helps you to keep Jesus in focus as you work on expanding and improving your relationship.

Declaration pages of relationship affirmations are scattered throughout the book and can provide a quick a potent reminder of the goals and assets along your journey as a couple. Overall, I'd recommend this book for couples seeking to promote their bond with each other while getting closer to God. It would also be okay to read it in solitude, with the intention of utilizing the insights gained in your personal relationship while growing in communion with God.

I would not recommend this book for anyone enduring a marriage of intense or profound hardship, or suffering from an unequally yoked marriage where their partner is an adversary in their walk with God. This is not a book for couples that find themselves at odds with each other frequently, or those looking for ways to salvage a seemingly broken relationship. For those relationships that are already struggling in these ways, I fear that this book may just lead to more strife and personal feelings of rejection or inadequacy.

Overall, I believe this could be a great asset when used a tool to improve and connect in an already blossoming relationship. 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 the back cover)

Joel Osteen is the author of ten New York Times bestsellers and the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston. He has been named by numerous publications as one of the most influential Christian leaders in the world. His televised messages are seen by more than 10 million viewers each week in the United States and millions more in 100 nations around the world. More than 23 million people read and share his daily inspirational messages on social media, and he is the host of Joel Osteen Radio, a 24-hour channel on SiriusXM Satellite Radio channel 128. You can visit his website at www.joelosteen.com and find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JoelOsteen.

Victoria Osteen is the co-pastor of Lakewood Church and author of the New York Times bestseller, Love Your Life. She is also the host of a national weekly radio program, Victoria Osteen Live, on SiriusXM's Joel Osteen Radio. She provides daily inspirational messages to more than eight million friends and followers on social media and through her weekly blog posts, and is an integral part of all of the "Night of Hope" events across the U.S. and abroad.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Kill Shot by Susan Sleeman

Kill Shot is the second book in the White Knights series by Susan Sleeman. The White Knights is the nickname of the FBI special task that is sent in to investigate when the unthinkable happens. In Kill Shot, the unthinkable is a stolen weapon that allows unskilled shooters to act as snipers with a self-steering .50 caliber bullet.

As the body count rises, Rick Cannon finds his focus on the investigation is propelled by the need to protect those he cares about. With the help of Olivia Dobbs, the key witness to the first murder and a possible suspect, he learns to slowly heal his own past scars and invite God and love back into his heart.

This suspense/crime novel is full of reminders to trust God to help you get through even the hardest moments of your past so you can live in a happy and fulfilling future. Overall, I enjoyed the plot and the storyline (and crime investigation info) was well-written. However, I did find the budding romance to seem out of place in some ways - it just felt as though there was too much of a push for a connection without really laying in the foundation for a solid relationship. It's a good read if you're browsing for something new and don't have anything really pressing on the top of you TBR list. 3/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Susan Sleeman is a best-selling and award-wining author of inspirational and clean read romantic suspense books, and host of the popular website TheSuspenseZone.com. She lives in Oregon.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ The Book Of Mistakes: 9 Secrets To Creating A Successful Future by Skip Prichard

The Book Of Mistakes: 9 Secrets To Creating A Successful Future by Skip Prichard is a novel-style telling of the answers to solving life's 9 biggest mistakes.

Skip invites us to follow along as David, an unsatisfied and worried young man, embarks on an adventure to learn lessons from "The Book Of Mistakes", a relic passed down to wisdom-seekers throughout the centuries. What starts as a seemingly unimportant chance encounter turns into a journey to fulfilling David's destiny by revealing not only what those mistakes are but also how they can be avoided or discontinued for a fresh start at any circumstances life throws your way.

While this book utilizes fictional characters and a novel-style format, the core content is critical to anyone seeking to better their current situation or change their perspective on the important questions that life lays out before them. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking answers for self-improvement or searching for lasting happiness. 5/5 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 Author ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(copied from inside dust jacket)

Skip Prichard has featured, interviewed, and studied over one thousand of the most successful people, from sports legends and world leaders to rock stars and news anchors. Drawing from this work and his experience as a successful CEO running complex global organizations, Skip shares his insights in this book, in his many keynote speeches around the world, and on his award-winning website. Skip's views have been featured in print and broadcast media including the BBC, the New York Times, CNN, NPR, the Daily Beast, Harvard Business Review, Information Today, the Bookseller, Publishers Weekly, Christian Retailing, and Library Journal. Skip lives in Ohio and Tennessee with his wife, Anita, and daughter, Joy. He invites you to connect with him at www.skipprichard.com.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Book Review ~ Turn Your Setbacks Into Comebacks by Rick McDaniel

Turn Your Setbacks Into Comebacks by Rick McDaniel is a relatively short (151 pages) book about learning from bad times and events, in order to move into a more fulfilling or productive time.

Written in a format akin to a very long series of mini pep talks, Rick guides the reader through basic truths about setback, comebacks, and the lessons that can be learned in both seasons. He then steps into the boundaries of more specific categories of setbacks, such as relationships, finances, careers, health, and spirituality. For each of these categories, he lists common issues, stories of people who have made it through similar trials, and tips for those who are seeking like changes.

Overall, this is a very basic and simple book that would be a good starting place for someone trying to move past difficult times, who just needs a reminder that things can look up if you pursue change long enough. That being said, I would not recommend this book to anyone who has been struggling long-term with very harsh setbacks and common side effects such as severe depression or melancholy attitudes. In those case, these mini pep talks may leave you feeling even more down due to the nature of Rick's methods, where he give lots of examples but very little new practical advice. For instance, in a financial setback - telling someone to manage money better and learn to be satisfied and spend wisely is sound (albeit common) advice. However, this is not going to be comforting (or even very useful) to someone who has been laid off, is struggling to find another job, and finds themselves unable to pay rent, thus no longer having a roof for their family. In extreme cases, this common sense advice may just make the reader feel like even more of a failure rather than giving them hope for a better outcome. 3/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Rick McDaniel is the Founder/Sr. Pastor of Richmond Community Church in Richmond, VA and www.highimpactchurch.tv and the speaker on the High Impact Living Broadcast. He has an advanced degree from Duke University and is the author of five previous books. He is married and has two sons.

Purchase Link:
     Amazon

Book Review ~ Phoebe's Light (Nantucket Legacy 1) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Phoebe's Light is the first book of the Nantucket Legacy by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Following the life of Phoebe Starbuck as she reads from her great-grandmother's diary, Phoebe's Light blends 18th century life on Nantucket island with 17th century beliefs and ideals.

Phoebe's Light is a moving story about lasting friendships, family legacies, and learning to find the light of God, even when others seek to betray and deceive you. Suzanne's vivid imagery brings the Nantucket world to life, while revealing the gritty side of the early whaling industry and commerce during colonial times.

While this is the first fiction book I have read pertaining to the Quakers, and also the first book I've picked up written by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I honestly had no clue what to expect. I chose it in order to be able to pass it on to my daughter - she loves Amish fiction, so I thought that this might suit her well. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this taste of a simpler time and look forward to reading the next book in the series, as well as other works by the author. I would recommend Phoebe's Light to anyone who enjoys historical fiction pertaining to colonial times or the Quakers. This also seems like a natural stepping stone for those who like Amish fiction, due to the simpler lifestyle and beliefs held within its beautifully moving story. 5/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from back cover)

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna's Crossing, The Newcomer, and The Return in the Amish Beginnings series; The Bishop's Family series; and The Inn at Eagle Hill series; as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook

Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions About Life And Sexuality by Nancy R. Pearcey

Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions About Life And Sexuality by Nancy R. Pearcey is an in-depth and well-researched apologetics resource pertaining to our culture's postmodern views of humanity, sexuality, and the familial unit. Nancy not only dissects the origins of current cultural phenomena, but she always enlightens us as to why and how others' actions affect us, while eliciting our help in making a positive change and lasting impact on the influences of today's youth.

Nancy starts by explaining the concept of two-story thinking, where the human body or physical realm is separated from our emotional, spiritual, or psychological existence. This premise is at the core of the justification for many of the debates that follow. Following a logical progression, she then walks us through the high-profile issues of abortion, euthanasia, basic sexuality (pre-marital sex, pornography, etc.), homosexuality, transgenderism, marriage and the family unit, and natural vs. legal rights of the individual.

This book is not a light read, nor is it for those who approach it with a closed mind - on either side of the fence. It is a very deep and thought-provoking look at both sides of each issue, including the secular and Christian worldviews that make up the basis for the battlefield on which so many find themselves standing - whether intentional or not.

Part of the point that Nancy so astutely makes is that those of us who choose to follow the "live and let live" philosophy on such issues don't tend to look ahead at the floodgates that are opened and how those choices will affect our lives down the road. This is something that she takes the time to break down and lay out in a very realistic (although not-so-pleasant) manner. Having been an advocate for gay adoption and marriage (prior to the recent influx of trans rights issues), I found her chapter on these issues to be especially interesting.

For those Christians who find themselves somehow involved in these postmodern affairs (and who in our current society isn't?), this book is an immeasurable tool in helping you to understand, relate to, and lovingly influence those around you. While so many churches close their doors to those seeking refuge or seemingly approve of postmodern views in place of Christian values, Nancy proposes that both extremes have flaws and that there is a better way to demonstrate Christ's love without sacrificing those very ideas that separated the Christian church from the rest of the world for so long. 5/5 stars.

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

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

(copied from book jacket)

A two-time winner of the ECPA Gold Medallion Award, Nancy R. Pearcey has been hailed in The Economist as "America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual." A bestselling author and speaker who serves as professor of apologetics and scholar in residence at Houston Baptist University, Pearcey is also editor at large of The Pearcey Report and a fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. Previous positions include visiting scholar at Biola University's Torrey Honors Institute, professor of worldview studies at Cairn University, and the Francis A. Schaeffer scholar at the World Journalism Institute. She is coauthor with Chuck Colson of How Now Shall We Live? and author of the 2005 ECPA Gold Medallion Award-winner Total Truth, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, and most recently Finding Truth.

Purchase Links:
     Amazon
     ChristianBook