Blogging for Books- Life In Spite of Me

Life, In Spite of Me

Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice

Written by Kristen Jane Anderson
As told to Tricia Goyer

CLICK TO WATCH a video from the author
To purchase the book, please visit- http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422521
After seeing this author on Oprah several months ago, I knew I would want to read this book when it came out. It is a memoir of a woman who tells the story of how she should have died. After a seemingly normal childhood she loses three friends and a family member in a short time. She is then raped. After dealing with depression, drinking, heartache, and pain she tries to end her life. She purposefully was run over by a train and lost most of the blood in her body. She by all accounts should have died- however the Lord was watching over her. She lost both of her legs in the terrible ordeal, but in turn, found her self.
Kristen goes on to tell the story of how she healed physically and emotionally. The book is both tragic and joyful. Kristen’s life turned around in such an amazing way. She founded Reaching You Ministries to help others who are going through terrible times. She also graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies. She has overcome so much physically and emotionally and come out beautifully.
The book is very easy to read and quite captivating. I would recommend it to anyone. Those who are dealing with tough times, depression, pain, etc. would benefit from this book because it shows how so much good can come out of so much pain. 

Disclaimer- This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Book GIVEAWAY!

As many of you know, I have been participating in a fun program called Blogging for Books. (You can get more information on the program HERE ). Unfortunately, I dropped the ball on this book. I completely set it to the side and missed the week that I was supposed to post my review and giveaway for the book- WHOOPS! I have GOT to get myself more organized!
I still want to give away a copy of this great book though. Owen has enjoyed us reading the book to him and I know many of my mommy friends would love it too. Once a winner is picked, I will mail a copy of the book to you for free to enjoy. – If you have an APO address overseas I would be more than happy to mail it to you as well!
Title- This Little Prayer of Mine.
Author- Anthony DeStefano

“This is a beautiful and alluring book designed to guide children into a very simple, real and expressive relationship with God.
Through engaging  rhymes and alluring illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine shows children—and their parents and grandparents—that complete dependence on God is what brings peace and fulfillment. It invites children to know and believe that God is always  just a simple prayer away and that He longs to respond to them with a resounding, “Yes!”
This Little Prayer of Mine appeals to readers from all different faiths. Easy-reader format allows children to read alone, or with someone older, and encourages them to openly express their fears, thanks, and needs directly to God.”

We really enjoy reading this book to Owen at night. He loves looking at the pictures and turning the pages while we read to him. The author does a great job explaining why prayer is so important and how we can all depend on God. This book is good for children of all ages.
To enter this giveaway simply comment on this post.
For an additional chance to enter please become a public follower of The Family Blog. Please leave a separate comment telling me you became a follower (or that you already are a public follower).
* I was not paid for this review and all of these opinions are strictly mine.
* This giveaway is for followers only. By following the directions above they may be entitled to win a free copy of This Little Prayer of Mine. This giveaway will end on Thursday, April 29th at 11:59pm Eastern Time. The winner will be chosen using Random.org.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Blogging for Books- Start Here!

Book- Start Here- Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are

By : Alex & Brett Harris

Can be purchased at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601422705

Start Here is the follow up to the book Do Hard Things written by these twin brothers. It is an inspiring book focused on the youth group age; but also good for adults to read. I think this would be a great study done by a church group. The writers tell stories of how teens are doing important things, both big and small, in their world. It shows how teens can make a difference.

The book also has the great message of where our hearts are when we do these great things. It is all for the glory of the Lord, not for our own selfish glory. This is such an important things for us all to remember.

The First Step to this way of thinking is outlined in chapter 2. It says that nothing we do for the Lord is insignificant. When we come to realize this, we will not be upset by doing the small things. “ Remember, neither fame nor obscurity is the goal. The goal is obedience to God, effectiveness in whatever he gives us to do, and a heart that glorifies Him.”

I definitely recommend this book for all Christian audiences, especially teens. It would be a great study for youth groups.

This book was provided to me by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers to review.

Blogging for Books- God Gave Us Love

 

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

God Gave Us Love: As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.
In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…
“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”
This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”

My review: Another great God Gave Us book! I love the grandma/grandpa element of the story being told. I can see my sons grandparents sitting down and sharing similar things with him. This is a great book for preschool aged children to help them understand love and relationships. I recommend it for all of my mommy friends.

To purchase: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074471

Blogging for Books- God Gave Us Christmas

 

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Summary: As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that… Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

My review: I just love this series of books. They are written with easy to understand concepts that will open up great conversations between parents and their children. As a Christian parent I think this book could be useful in helping to explain how God is the reason for Christmas.  The illustrations are vivid and appeal even to my 9 month old. I can not wait to read this to him for years to come.

To purchase this book please visit: www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400071753

Blogging for Books- White Picket Fences

 

White Picket Fences

Author: Susan Meissner

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Summary:

Amanda Janvier’s idyllic home seems the perfect place for her niece Tally to stay while her vagabond brother is in Europe, but the white picket fence life Amanda wants to provide is a mere illusion. Amanda’s husband Neil refuses to admit their teenage son Chase, is haunted by the horrific fire he survived when he was four, and their marriage is crumbling while each looks the other way.

Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project, and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won’t make them go away.

Readers of emotional dramas that are willing to explore the lies that families tell each other for protection and comfort will love White Picket Fences. The novel is ideal for those who appreciate exploring questions like: what type of honesty do children need from their parents, or how can one move beyond a past that isn’t acknowledged or understood? Is there hope and forgiveness for the tragedies of our past and a way to abundant grace?

My review: 

This is a great book about a family who seems to be perfect on the outside, but has secrets on the inside. It took me a little while to get into, but once getting through the first few chapters it became such a wonderful story.

There were two specific themes- 1. Family Secrets and; and 2. the holocaust. While I am not normally a fan of history- I enjoyed the stories told in this book. They were both interesting and captivating.

I found this book both easy and comfortable to read.  I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book!

To purchase this book :

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074570&ref=externallink_wbp_whitepicketfences_sec_0916_01

If you are interested in Blogging for Books please visit : http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/bloggingforbooks/

Blogging for Books- Limelight

Limelight

Author:  Melody Carlson

Summary: Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.
Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change

My review:

This easy to read book is about an old woman who is forced to move “home again” after her finances become a mess. Because she is a bit of a spoiled brat, she has to reevaluate her priorities which is not something she truly wants to do.

This book was so much fun! I really enjoyed reading about Claudette’s previous life and how it made her into the person she is today. The author makes you have a love/hate relationship with the main character.

The book read like a normal chick-lit novel, yet it was about a woman in her 80’s! It reminded me a bit of the shopaholic series in the way that she seems helpless at times and needs someone there to rescue her.

There were some Christian elements in this book that I did not necessarily agree with, but I appreciated the ties to faith that were included.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys chick-lit, easy reads, and straightforward humor.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

For information on purchasing this book please go to: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070824

Interested in blogging for books? Please visit :

http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/bloggingforbooks/.

Blogging for Books- What Matters Most

 

What Matters Most

Author:  Melody Carlson

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Maya Stark has a lot to sort through. She could graduate from high school early if she wants to. She’s considering it, especially when popular cheerleader Vanessa Hartman decides to make her life miserable–and Maya’s ex-boyfriend Dominic gets the wrong idea about everything.
To complicate matters even more, Maya’s mother will be released from prison soon, and she’ll want Maya to live with her again. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. And when Maya plays her dad’s old acoustic guitar in front of an audience, she discovers talents and opportunities she never expected. Faced with new options, Maya must choose between a “normal” life and a glamorous one. Ultimately, she has to figure out what matters most.

My Review:

I realize that I am in no way the intended audience for this book and I will try to keep that in mind while doing this review. The book is definitely targeted at 5th-8th grade girls. While it covers issues that may be faced by some high schoolers, it does so in a way that would really only appeal to those who have yet to experience it.

Despite this being my first Diary of a Teenage Girl book, I really do not feel like I missed out by not reading the earlier books. It was not necessary to have read the others to understand what was happening with the characters. While it may have helped with character development, the dynamics are simple enough that it does not feel like you are picking up in the middle of a story. 

This was an easy read and not very thought provoking for people outside of the intended demographic. The green tips of the day were kind of annoying, but may be a part of the series norm.

I would recommend this as a cute read for those within the intended demographic, but others should not bother. It could definitely provide an avenue to open dialogue between kids soon to enter high school and their parents.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

To purchase this book, please visit : http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421197

Interested in blogging for books? Please visit :

http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/bloggingforbooks/.

Blogging for Books- Leaving Carolina

 

Leaving Carolina

Author:  Tamara Leigh

Summary:  Piper Wick left her hometown of Pickwick, North Carolina, twelve years ago, shook the dust off her feet, ditched her drawl and her family name, and made a new life for herself as a high-powered public relations consultant in LA. She’s even “engaged to be engaged” to the picture-perfect U.S. Congressman Grant Spangler.Now all of Piper’s hard-won happiness is threatened by a reclusive uncle’s bout of conscience. In the wake of a health scare, Uncle Obadiah Pickwick has decided to change his will, leaving money to make amends for four generations’ worth of family misdeeds. But that will reveal all the Pickwicks’ secrets, including Piper’s. Though Piper arrives in Pickwick primed for battle, she is unprepared for Uncle Obe’s rugged, blue-eyed gardener. So just who is Axel Smith? Why does he think making amends is more than just making restitution? And why, oh why, can’t she stay on task? With the Lord’s help, Piper is about to discover that although good PR might smooth things over, only the truth will set her free.

My review

I was drawn to this book for several reasons. First the title of Leaving Carolina was of interest to me since we currently live in Carolina. Second, the main character of this book is named Piper- the same as our charming dog. Third- I really liked the cover art of the book (yes, I judge books by their covers!!!)

With those things being said, this book did not disappoint!

I really enjoyed this story. While it took me a while to get into, by the middle I could not put it down. The book took a good look at why it is important not to run away from your past- no matter what skeletons might be in the closet. The author did a great job of describing each element of the story to adequately paint a picture of what was happening.

I enjoyed the mix of humor, wit, romance, and sadness that all came together in this book. There were some very Christian elements that had me a bit surprised. However, upon looking further into the author I realized her books were now considered Christian Romance (chick-lit)- which is just so cool!

I found this book to be very relatable. I could picture myself in Piper at times. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. I also will be looking into other books that Tamara Leigh has written! I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fun chick-lit and is also comfortable with Christian elements.

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

This book can be purchased from the following link: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781601421661

Interested in blogging for books? Please visit : http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/bloggingforbooks/.

Blogging for Books

I am so excited to be participating in a fun program called Blogging For Books!

My friend Michelle is a Blogging for Booker and I looked into it. As an approved blog reviewer, I receive a free, advance copy of the featured book in each tour in which I choose to participate. Then I write a review for the book on my blog.

I also post a review of each book I read for WaterBrook Multnomah on a consumer website such as amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, cbd.com, lifeway.com, walmart.com.

In the next few weeks I will be posting my reviews of books. Please let me know if you are interested in borrowing any of the books that I review!

If you would like more information about blogging for books, or if you would like to join, please see : http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blogging-for-books/