Monthly Archives: March 2016

Suddenly Single Mom

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Hanscome, Jeanette. Suddenly Single Mom: 52 Messages Of Hope, Grace, and Promise. Franklin, TN: Worthy Inspired Publishing. 2016.

suddenlysinglemom

SUMMARY:
Finding herself alone to raise her children, author Jeanette Hanscome shares 52 timely devotions aimed at providing hope, grace and promise during a difficult time. Through scriptures, prayer, encouragement, considerations, personal stories, and survival tips, Suddenly Single Mom helps at a lonely, painful and challenging point in life. Packaged in a beautiful book with an appealing cover, the messages are uplifting, relevant, meaningful and faith-based.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Hard enough to raise children with two parents, doing it alone must be even harder. Therefore, this book would be perfect for those trying, demanding, complicated, and hopeless times when a hug, kind word, grace and friend would make all the difference in the world. Pair those with the love and promises of God and life seems a bit more manageable. Being careful not to speak harshly of her ex-husband, the author has written numerous articles, devotions and books while enjoying her time raising her sons. Perfect as a Mom’s Ministry or Bible study, Suddenly Single Mom is thoughtfully and earnestly written.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Suddenly Single Mom from Worthy Publishing for my honest review*

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Breaking Busy

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Worthington, Alli. Breaking Busy: How To Find Peace And Purpose In A World Of Crazy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing. 2016.

breakingbusy

SUMMARY:
Almost a badge of honor for women to wear, being crazy busy is the norm for many. Between scheduled activities, careers, children, home-life, volunteering and responsibilities, life just seems to become unmanageable and out of control. With humor, compassion, strength, humbleness and faith, author (and speaker, mom, wife, business woman and blogger) Alli Worthington shares her personal stories, weaknesses, triumphs, thoughts and ideas on breaking busy from life. Complete with self-reflection questions for adapting change as necessary, Breaking Busy addresses choices, worry, value, options, expectations and purpose in an empathetic and encouraging way…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Seriously, who is not crazy busy these days at any age, any stage of life and in any situation…often without the word “no” even in our vocabulary!  Loving the wit, honesty and style in which the book was written, I just knew I was going to be able to relate, enjoy and appreciate Breaking Busy. With sound Biblical advice, compassionate coaching and knee-slapping humor, several times (unfortunately) I found myself nodding in agreement. Honestly one of the best books I have read on the subject of busyness, this is one book I read entirely through and plan to reread as needed. Take the “me” moment and learn how to have more with less. Excellent!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Breaking Busy from BookLook Bloggers for my honest review*

60 Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure

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Lesslie MD, Robert D. 60 Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know to Save Your Life. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2015.

60waystoloweryourbloodpressure

SUMMARY:
Known as the “silent killer”, many Americans are experiencing health problems as they live longer, one of those being High Blood Pressure (HPB). With explanations of the condition, ideal numbers, ways to tackle the problem and lots of healthy lifestyle advice coupled with bouts of faith, author Dr. Robert Lesslie shares his knowledge and experiences with HPB. Medications, diet, exercise and genetics combine with personal stories, examples, facts and medical knowledge to fight this growing health issue. Affecting not only blood pressure but other areas of health as well, there is hope and actions to combat this concern, and the time to begin is now…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having experience with high blood pressure in my own family, this book was a no-brainer of a read for me. Packed with lots of good information, attainable steps, necessary actions and healthy lifestyle tidbits, 60 Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure is a step towards assurance of living longer and better. Either reading the book straight through or in smaller sections, it serves as a wonderful reference guide to HBP. Keeping it on my bookshelf but also sharing it with my affected family members, this is one book I definitely recommend.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of 60 Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

Bandelier National Monument

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Secord, Paul R. Bandelier National Monument: Images of America. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. 2016.

bandeliernationalmonument

SUMMARY:
Through many black and white images, photographs and sketches, author Paul Secord presents the history, archeology and anthropology of Bandelier National Monument.  Found just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, the history of the area and people are explained and linked to the present day ruins. With precious ancestral preservation, named for anthropologist Adolph Bandelier, Bandelier National Monument received national recognition in 1916. Depicting the social environments of Native Americans, the book also shares pictures of the cave dwellings, area topography, tourist experiences and visitors. Part of the Images of America series which celebrates history across the country, this latest addition truly educates and inspires…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having visited, experienced and researched Bandelier National Monument, I was thrilled to see this newest book in the series. Loaded with interesting, relevant and unique history, tidbits, pictures and people, I devoured this book cover to cover. Perfect for anyone visiting the area, a school library or a history buff, Bandelier National Monument was outstanding. Planning on keeping this book for my own collection yet also sharing with family, I also hope to discover other books by this author.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Bandelier National Monument from The History Press for my honest review*

Expectant Blessings

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Aughtmon, Susanna Foth. Expectant Blessings: Prayers, Poems and Devotions for You and Your Baby. Franklin, TN: Worthy Publishing. 2016.

expectantblessings

SUMMARY:
Packaged in just an adorable little book, Expectant Blessings carries scriptures, prayers, thoughts, plans and ideas for during pregnancy. With varying personal stories combined with uniquely sweet prayers, charming poems, and associated scripture verses, the speaker and author, Susanna Foth Aughtmon, shares her writing knowledge, humor and faith within a perfect book for expectant parents.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Eye-catching from cover to cover, Expectant Blessings is just the right length and size for an afternoon rest. Relating to the stories and ideas found within, this cute book would make a splendid baby shower gift along with the other many necessities. I thoroughly enjoyed the devotions, remembered many of the feelings, and once again captured the essence of pregnancy while paging through this delightful little book. With several years experience of leading worship, working with children’s ministry, raising her own children and earning a degree in Social Science, Susanna Aughtmon does an excellent job of encouraging and reminding of God’s love for both mom and baby. What a wonderful way to introduce the littlest one to faith!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Expectant Blessings from Worthy Publishing for my honest review*

The I Quit Sugar Cookbook

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Wilson, Sarah. The I Quit Sugar Cookbook: 306 Recipes For A Clean, Healthy Life. USA: Clarkson Potter/ Publishers. 2015.

iquitsugarcookbook

SUMMARY:
As an accompaniment to the New York Times bestseller, I Quit Sugar, author Sarah Wilson shares her deliciously healthy recipes for clean, healthy, whole eating. Including simple ideas (Kale Flakes), appetizers (Orange and Thyme Rainbow Chips), super lunches (Clean Bitters Bowls), hearty dinners (Sweet Potato Nachos) and satisfying desserts (Mug Cakes), The I Quit Sugar Cookbook ensures robust but healthful meals. With lots of personal commentary, ideas and suggestions along with easy to follow, complete directions, this new cookbook is thorough. The photography of many of the recipes only enhances the book even more…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
As a thicker, oversized, glossy-paged, beautifully photographed, choke-full cookbook of healthy recipes, this has to be one of my favorite cookbooks in the kitchen. Admittedly, I may not use every ingredient found within the recipes; however, they are easy enough to swap due to personal preferences of taste. (Sorry, no to sardines!) I have found many easy, truly healthy ways to improve my meals and snacks (Broccoli Bites and Skillet Fish With Superslaw are two of the best). Absolutely a book to gift as well as keep!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The I Quit Sugar Cookbook from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Faith

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Cote, Lyn. Faith: Quaker Brides- Book 3. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. 2016.

faith

SUMMARY:
Set during the Civil War, injury, slavery, battle and beliefs come into conflict. Caught in the turbulence of war, nurse and Quakeress Faith Cathwell realizes she must tend to the injured yet fight for her personal beliefs as well. Enlisting the help of Colonel Devlin Knight, a career war soldier, enemy lines are crossed, lives are lost, positions are tested and hearts are torn. With trepidation, skill and faith, each must make his/her own decisions regarding professional and personal choices…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Drawn to this book by the cover as well as the tag-line…Strong Women, Brave Stories…I found this novel to be quite interesting. Dealing with the many aspects of war, author Lyn Cote successfully concluded the Quaker Brides series. As a stand alone yet intertwined with the previous books in the series, Faith was definitely worth the time. Well-written and quite engrossing, I enjoyed this novel enough to eagerly await her next series. (The Quaker Bride covers are some of my favorites!)

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Faith-Quaker Brides from Tyndale House Publishing for my honest review*

Your Story Matters

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Smith, Emra.  Your Story Matters: Tea Time Stories- The Essence of Why Your Story Matters.  Our Written Lives Of Hope, LLC- Publisher.  2015.

yourstorymatters

SUMMARY:
Your story matters- no matter how big, small, wide, terrible, wonderful, loud or quiet- your story matters.  Sharing her own story, author Emra Smith encourages women of all backgrounds to do the same.  Little stories combined make up a larger story, which dictates the full picture of who we are, have been, and may be.  Through empathy, honesty, encouragement, inspiration and direction, Your Story Matters helps those ready to write their story and leave their legacy, do it in a brilliant, heartfelt, non-judgmental, faith-filled manner.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
So much inspiration packed into a smaller, more compact, totally cute little book.  Easy-to-read snippets, filled with emotions,  tons of support, and further resources, I enjoyed this heartening book as much as I had hoped I would.  Sure to change your view on sharing your own story and perhaps on how truly involved God is in your life stories, the Tea Time theme throughout only makes it even more effective.  Well done!

RATING:

4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Your Story Matters from the author and BookCrash for my honest review*

Good God

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Miles, Lucas. Good God: The One We Want to Believe In but Are Afraid to Embrace. Franklin, TN: Worthy Publishing. 2016.

goodGod

SUMMARY:
Writer, speaker, life coach, film producer and senior pastor, author Lucas Miles shares in his newest book the evidence he found that God is truly good. Good in a manner that doesn’t allow, prescribe, nor enjoy pain of believers, God exemplifies goodness in all aspects. Refuting popular beliefs, clichés concerning God, and social media buzz surrounding Him, Good God explores the positive, uplifting, encouraging messages of a great God…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Interesting, thought provoking, easy to read and well written, Lucas Miles definitely penned a book worth investigating further. Showing God in such an enlightening way, full of grace and mercy, wanting nothing but the best for His people, this book would be a good start for non-believers, those discouraged with God, people struggling with pain, and anyone turning from Him. Though convincing and backed by his interpretation of scriptures, it may be a bit difficult for anyone firm in their current beliefs, those not willing to change their direction, or people not open to other religious thoughts and ideas. The topic might be good for a further Bible study, a ministry group or perhaps even a sermon series.  God is good!

RATING:
4 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Good God from Worthy Publishing for my honest review*

My Mother’s Quilts

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Richards, Ramona. My Mother’s Quilts; Devotions of Love, Legacy, Family and Faith. Franklin, TN: Worthy Inspired Published. 2016.

mother'squilts

SUMMARY:
“A quilt is love that serves a purpose”…written with this as the main theme of her newest devotional book, author Ramona Richards shares her personal stories, scripture verses, artful prayers, and beautiful renditions of her mother’s quilts. Full of heartfelt sentiments, precious memories, thoughtful legacies and aptly named quilts, each three to four page devotion is complete with a Bible verse, personal memory, starter prayer and lovely photography. With glossy pages, a satin bookmark, and a charming book cover, My Mother’s Quilts is perfect for quilters, mothers and special friends.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Beautiful!  Not a quilter myself but certainly able to appreciate wonderfully created artwork, the quilts and surrounding stories are exquisite. Though I enjoyed reading each devotional, of course I had a few favorites- the Dutch Doll quilt contains quilted dolls dressed in the author’s clothes from high school, the Storm at Sea quilt is designed of patterns of blue and purple, and the Turtle quilt is a tic-tac-toe pattern of turtles in various color schemes. Packaged in a quality book, I would be proud to share this book as a gift, although, I plan on keeping this copy for myself.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of My Mother’s Quilts from Worthy Publishing for my honest review*