Book Review: Beautiful Battlefields

About Beautiful Battlefields:

Where is God in the midst of this?

You've probably heard that question or perhaps asked it yourself. In the battle for your joy, your marriage, your finances, your health, an emptiness creeps in. Where is the peace You promised, God?

Bo Stern has been there-and is still there. Yet in studying the battles in Scripture, she came to a startling conclusion: God is using these fierce fights in our lives for an astonishing purpose.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hGUuS ;

Meet Bo:

Bo Stern knows the most beautiful things can come out of the hardest times. Her Goliath came in the form of her husband's terminal illness, a battle they are still fighting with the help of their four children, a veritable army of friends, and our extraordinary God. Bo is a teaching pastor at Westside Church in Bend, Oregon.

Find out more about Bo at http://www.bostern.com/.

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:

Don't you just love this cover?!?!  It totally draws me in and the book does not disappoint!  Bo Stern is a pretty awesome woman of faith.  Her husband was diagnosed with ALS so her life is filled with a constant battle.  We all have our battles... with infertility, in our marriage, raising children, with the world.  We just have to seek God and His beauty in those moments.  Bo definitely believes that our battles help make us stronger, or can make us stronger if we allow ourselves to see the positive that comes from the battle.  There is not beauty in the battle, but there is beauty in who we become because of the battle. 

I recommend this book to every woman, especially those who are going through their own battle... but aren't we all at some point?

 

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Book Review: The Iron Duke

About The Iron Duke (from the back cover):

 

He could hear the continuous murmur of voices inside and thought to himslef that the pair down there certainly had found enough to talk about.  And he was envious too.  Blacky Lee had all the luck.  Blacky looked at exactly the right time.  And of course women fell for it.  The countess down there, however, didn't impress Stub as the kind of woman who would fall for anything-but the fact failed to hearten him.  He always distrusted such women instinctively.  They were too clever and too beautiful, and too intense.

The Countess Zita's appearance had been very unnerving to Stub.  In the first place, her beauty had quite stunned him.  In the second place, the vitality which flashed out of her tired him the instant he felt it.  And in the third place, he had a premonition that the Countess Zita, young though she appeared to be, could think rings around any man alive, including the redoubtable Blacky Lee.

-L. Ron Hubbard

 

 

 

 

My Review:

This book was definitely not what I was expecting and that was probably a good thing.  I had no idea that L. Ron Hubbard was a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author.  This story was originally published in the July 1940 issue of Five-Novels Monthly. 

While it was still not a genre I would read again, I was entertained with this quick easy read.  I was surprised that it did captivate my attention.  Because it is such a short novel, it is completely packed with adventure, comedy and entertainment from start to finish. 

I really think that this book would be great for teenage boys and men who enjoy an action-packed short novel.  It would definitely entertain them in the few short hours it takes to read the book!

 

 

I also have 2 copies for you to win!!!  Just leave a comment and I will draw the comment numbers from random on April 1st.  Then I will contact you and have your book sent right out!!

 

 

Book Review: Lord, I Give You This Day

 

 

My Review:

This devotional is nice if you are simply looking for an extra quick devotional.  There are typically little to no questions each day and there is no real "reflection space", but if that is what you are looking for then this is a great book.  I really appreciate the short and sweet devotions, but this was a little too short and too sweet for me.  There is a nice couple sentences long prayer at the end of each one, but that's about it.  If you like it like that or know someone who does, then this is a great book!

 

 

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinions. 

Book Review: Firefly Island

About Firefly Island:

Sometimes love takes you on an adventure completely off the map.

Mallory Hale's life quickly veers off course when she falls hopelessly in love. After a whirlwind romance, Mallory finds herself leaving the bustle and action of Capitol Hill for the remote town of Moses Lake, Texas-with husband, stepson, and a U-Haul in tow.

A sweet, mishap-filled journey into marriage, motherhood, and ranch living ensues, and Mallory is filled with both the wonderment of love and the insecurities of change. But what she can't shake is the unease she feels around her husband's new boss, Jack West. Jack's presence-and his mysterious past-set her on edge, and when hints of a scandal emerge, Mallory finds herself seeking answers . . . and comes to realize that the middle-of-nowhere home she wasn't sure she wanted is the very place she'll risk everything to save.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hVNrv ;

Meet Lisa:

Lisa Wingate is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books, including Tending Roses, Talk of the Town, Blue Moon Bay, and Larkspur Cove, which won the 2011 Carol Award for Women's Fiction. Lisa and her family live in central Texas.

Visit www.lisawingate.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:

 This book was really enjoyable to read.  It starts out with a charming romance and leads to so much more!  Mallory, the main character, is wonderful and you can definitely find yourself in her and her thoughts.  This book has tons of romance, suspense and twists and turns.  I definitely recommend it to everyone who likes easy, fun, romantic books!!  I will definitely read more of Lisa's books, especially in this genre!

 

 

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest comments and opinions. 

Book Review: Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate

 



About Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate:

Are you ready to strip fear's power over you and become the confident woman you were meant to be? Have you found that tolerating your personal fear monsters only makes them growl louder?

Okay, sister - take my hand and let's boldly step up and yank the masks off those shadow-lurking, anxiety-churning, worry-generating beasts.

With her own brand of off-beat wit and wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of women worn down by everyday fears - financial, health, relationships, loss, pain, the unknown, the what ifs ...

With fresh spiritual insight, Debora shares hope, true life stories, scriptural lifelines, and a few LOL's along with simple, practical tips for sidestepping fear with faith. And a fistful of chocolate!

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/hyrj3 ;

Meet Debora:

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living."

 

 

 

 

My Review:

The title and cover of this book totally caught my eye and just drew me in to the book.  I think fear is the reason why so many of us do not do what we are called to do.  It is why we settle for less, why we don't follow our dreams and why we don't become more.  This book is not a serious self-help book, but it is definitely filled with inspiring, motivating, helpful and fun tidbits.  I would definitely recommend this book to any woman who would like a little help in the area of fear. 

 

 

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest comments and opinions.

Book Review: Dear Deb

 

"I want you to know that if my illness inspired you to write these stories, the cancer was worth it."—Deb

What stories could possibly make cancer worth it?

Stories that represent a miracle—a lifetime of miracles. Stories that changed the writer as she wrote them and stories that will touch the heart of the reader, one by one by one. Stories that are not just stories.

They started out as words of encouragement to a dying woman. They turned into a collection of sparkling and intimate moments, pulled from the past to finally be understood and shared with new meaning.

Story by story, letter by letter, Margaret Terry uncovered powerful pictures in her own life of the one truth that could help carry her friend Deb from this life to the next: God is at work.

Together, Deb and Margaret found renewed hope in all the ways God shows up right to the very end. Which is where they found the miracle they'd been praying for all along. In each other.

 

 

 

My Review:

I have never experienced anyone very close to me having cancer (knock on wood).  I hope that I never will.  If I did I would want this book so badly.  If I was close to dying or having anyone close to me close to dying, I would want this book.  But as neither of those, I still want this book.  If you are not experiencing a terrible trial with death you can still gain so much wisdom and inspiration on how to live right now.  This book made me cry, laugh and hope to live my life more fully and be more thankful for the good health we have.  This was a great book and I recommend it to everyone, especially those who are going through trials with death, but also for those who want to live a more full life.

 

 

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Book Review: Courting Cate

About Courting Cate:

When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!

In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!

But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor-until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?

Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eSNfb ;

Meet Leslie:

Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

My Review:

I love Amish romance novels and this one was great.  I really enjoy that the characters are so full and deal with the same issues and struggles that everyone does.  The way that they deal with those issues and struggles is what I really love.  This book had great characters and a great story line that I could definitely relate to in many ways. 

Cate's dilemna forces her to question many of the situations around her and although I wish she was a bit more trusting I understand why she seems to doubt.  Definitely a great Amish romance with a few little twists and an exciting romance line.

 

 

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.