Clout by Jenni Catron Book Review (Book Sneeze)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I read Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence, in exchange for honest review from Book Look Bloggers, formerly BookSneeze. . The book was written by Jenni Catron and published by Thomas Nelson.



When I first saw the title, I thought of the website, Klout, which measures your social influence. The book, Clout, measures your God-given influence.  In the introduction, Cantron said:

"Clout is the influence that God has given you and to no one else. You are specifically designed to impact the world in a way that no one else can. Discovering your clout is an essential part of unleashing your purpose."

Catron also said everyone has their own range of influence. Some people are here to influence the world, while others may just influence a small group of friends. She also said our clout has to be developed. Undeveloped clout or misdirected clout can cause mayhem.

The first part of the book focuses on the Clout Killers, while the second half focuses on the Clout Cultivators. One of the clout killers included:

• Fear: (one of my biggest ones). Catron discussed 3 levels of fear, which I deal with daily. You can fear the regular, legitimate fears, such as fear of aging.  You can have internal fears such as fear of rejection or public speaking. Finally, you 8can fear not being enough and you simply can't handle it (whatever it is) anymore. 

On a smaller note, I feared running out of diapers, wipes, and pull-ups because this meant I had to borrow money from people, which I hate doing. So, I started buying more each month so I won't run out and I don't have to ask people for money.  I fear not being able to handle my kids, especially my oldest. He is getting bigger and stronger and I fear I may not can control him, once he gets older. I fear failing. I hate to fail, especially at something I feel passionate about. Fear can have us turning back, like Lot's wife, turning into a pillar of salt, frozen into place. 

Other Clout Killers include:

• Insecurity (fear of not measuring up to other people). Comparison can make you feel inferior or superior to others (p. 21). Comparison can also lead to other sins, such as pride, greed, selfishness, envy, jealousy, and insecurity (p. 21).
• Relinquishing Control (another big one of mine)
• Pride

For me, I struggle with finding what my purpose is. The book does have discovery steps or questions/ideas  for reflection at the end of each chapter. For example, one of the questions in Chapter 2 is "for one day, write down every time you are tempted to compare yourself to others. Keep a detailed journal of the people who you compare yourself too and why?

On the other hand, some of the Clout Cultivators are:

• Discovering your identity
• Determining your passion
• Defining your mission
• Developing your confidence

Some of the tips to cultivate your clout include:

• Don't compare yourself to others. Don't be impressed with yourself (p. 116).
• Use your mistakes to help others not make the same ones. Use the mistakes to improve your future (p. 116)
• Re-arrange lives to hear from God (136)
• Be willing to confront issues, which hold you back (125)

The book is available on Amazon in hardback and kindle editions. The book is prime-eligible. 

A Bride for All Seasons Book Review, Tour, and Giveaway

I read A Bride for All Seasons, in exchange for review from Litfuse. The book was written by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher. The book was published by Thomas Nelson.

About the Book: Paraphrased from the media kit. 
The book started with an ad in a mail order bride catalogue. Melvin Hitchcock, owns the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog. Hitchins sometimes is a little dishonest when editing ads. The book takes place in 1870. The book presents four novellas from Brownley, Clopton, Connealy, and Hatcher. 

And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley (copied from media kit)

Mary-Jo travels across the country to find love, but he ends up dead. 

An ever-after summer by Debra Clopton

Ellie wasn't what her husband expected. She was a Christian. She is willing to prove to her husband she is the right one for him.

Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher

Clay wasn't expecting Luvena to come with kids, but he lacks funding to send Luvena and her kids back.

Winter Wedding Bells by Mary Connealy

David wants someone to take care of his boys, once he dies. Can Megan help him live, instead of dying.

About the Authors:(copied from media kit)

Margaret Brownley is aNEW YORK TIMES best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. @margaretbrownley 

Robin Lee Hatcher is aChristy and RITA award-winning author. Her books often appear on bestseller lists. @robinleehatcher 

Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner, an a RITA, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. @MaryConnealy 

Debra Clopton is an award winning author of sweet, heartfelt, western romance that face life with a smile. With over 2 million books in print, Debra has her first book coming as a movie starring LeAnn Rimes. @debraclopton

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/mL2Ln

My Review:
I liked the book, especially Autumn's Angel by Robin Hatcher. Clay Birch requested a mail order bride, who can help him in business. He did not want widows or children. Luvena never been married, but she came with three kids--her sister's kids. The kids were never mentioned in the letters sent to him and Luvena assumed he knew from the letters he sent to her, but as I said before--Hitchens did some editing work in the letters. 

All the stories in the book flowed well. It was easy to get lost in the book. I started the book with Autumn's Summer and was halfway through before I knew it. I definitely sympathized with both Clay and Luvena. On one hand, I used to be a Clay. I did not want to date men with kids. I did not like children. I was the one, who never wanted kids, but got two beautiful children now. On the other hand, I understand Luvena. She is unmarried, but has three kids to raise. The kids parents died, while at sea, and Luvena was the only relative left to support them. She has limited income and was hoping marriage would provide a place to stay and a good life for the kids. It was a beautiful story.  Giveaway:

Four novellas, four brides, and four stories to fall in love with. 


Enter the world of mail-order brides with four of your favorite authors: Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher, Debra Clopton, and Margaret Brownley. In A Bride for All Seasons (Thomas Nelson) each of the prospective brides is hopeful for a second chance at love—and that second chance always seems to come in an unexpected package.

 The authors are celebrating with a fun 12 Days of Unexpected Packages Giveaway! Between July 12-23 visit the authors’ Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on July 23rd! Such fun!

Barefoot Summer Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway

I read Barefoot Summer, in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. The book was written by Denise Hunter and published by Thomas Nelson. I received a paperback copy of the book.

My Review:

I loved the book. I read over five chapters during the first read. Madison is a veterinarian. She is active in her community.  Madison is still grieving over the loss of her brother, who drowned. She wants to win a boat race, in memory of her brother, but she is afraid of water and do not know how to sail. Madison wins a raffle for sailing lessons, but due to a last minute instructor change, stuck with a person, she does not like (Beckett). Her family is divided on her racing. Beckett is battling his own demons, but still works to teach Madison, even though he will be her competition in the race.

The book is Christian-based. The scenes were descriptive. Had to read some scenes over because they was hard to handle. This was a good read and I enjoyed the book. This book was definitely not what I was expecting.

About the Book:
Madison's heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.

In the years since her twin brother's tragic drowning, Madison has struggled with her ability to trust God--or anyone else, for that matter. It was her brother's dream to win the annual River Sail Regatta in their small harbor town of Chapel Springs, Indiana. And Madison's determined to honor his legacy by making his dream her own. Maybe then she can finally find closure.

But learning to sail means learning to swim. And her instructor is Beckett O'Reilly, a man who already has two strikes against him in Madison's eyes. Being on the water terrifies Madison. But Beckett's calming presence and unwavering confidence eases her fear. And as much as she'd like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying.

As her feelings for him grow, a fledging faith begins to take root in her soul, as well. With Beckett, Madison feels alive for the first time in years--carefree and confident she can win the regatta, maybe even find love.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their love and the depth of Madison's faith. Will their love survive summer's challenge? And will achieving her brother's dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?


About the Author:
Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Learn more about Denise athttp://www.denisehunterbooks.com

Giveaway:

Denise Hunter is celebrating her new Chapel Springs Romance series with a Summer Fun Giveaway. The first book, Barefoot Summer, is already a favorite with readers. “Hold-your-breath romance, heartache, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s more than a good read. It’s a delight.” -- Lisa

 

Summer: it’s all about sunny skies, star-gazing, swimming, spending time with loved ones, and living as if a small part of the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders.



Get ready for some serious summer fun with Denise’s 12-Day Summer Sun giveaway. From June 10-21, keep your computer near as you head to the lake or your friend’s barbecue because Denise will be giving away a summer essential each day!

More than a Bucket List

I read More than a Bucket List, in exchange for an honest review from BookSneeze. The book was written by Toni Birdsong. The book was published by Thomas Nelson.

I chose this book because I have so many dreams, but I am not working hard on making them a reality. The book started off good. The first section discusses laughter. God gave us the power of laughter. Laughter can heal souls. Birdsong encourages us to find friends, clean comedies, and other things, which makes us laugh. Then, the next section focuses on living your dreams. Write a book. Go skydiving, whatever it is, Live your dreams.


The book also discusses honoring people for their strengths, instead of their appearances, stereotypes, or personal prejudices. Get to know people for who they are, instead of who you think they are or who you want them to be.

Other suggestions in the book include:

• Fighting for love
• Being a good samaritan. Be merciful. Help others, who are going through something. 
• Practice being positive, instead of negative. Practice forgiveness. Laugh. Surround self with positive people. 
• Trust God in all things. 
• Practice Compassion. Help others. Volunteer. 
• Learn to quit. Quit cursing. Quit enabling others. Quit lying. Quit selfish behaviors. Quit living for others. Quit being late. 
• Stop comparing yourself to others. 

The book provided good suggestions for creating a new bucket list for living. The suggestions are based on love, faith, and forgiveness. Not to mention, developing a relationship with God. At the end of the book (for those, who purchase the print edition), there is a fill-in-the-blanks bucket list. I will definitely continue to peruse this book this year, especially when I lack motivation. 

One Big Thing

I read One Big Thing, in exchange for review from BookSneeze.com. The book was written by Phil Cooke. The book was published by Thomas Nelson. The book discusses finding your purpose in life. The book was also written from a Christian perspective.

One thing, which stood out was this passage:

"How about you? Do you know yourself and your purpose well enough to be ready when your moment of destiny arrives".... "When a great challenge arrives, that’s no time to figure out your strengths, weaknesses, and purpose. By then it’s too late to find out what you’re made of. That’s why discovering your One Big Thing right now is the key to preparing you for whatever awaits in your future"


I struggle with knowing what my purpose is. I do not know what my purpose is for the kingdom, which is one of the reasons I chose this book. I love to write. I love to listen to people. I love to find free things online, especially Special Needs resources. But is this what God wants me to do? I am also in graduate school for psychology, but is that my purpose. Is that why I am so unmotivated right now? I have questions, but only God has the answers. The book discussed how plenty of people graduate from college, yet they are still unfulfilled in life. People still struggle for their purpose, while taking on degrees and jobs to pay bills and to live life. All this does is lead to frustration.

The book also gave tips on living a fulfilled life. Some tips included how finding fulfillment will not be easy. Next, we need to be open and honest with ourselves. We also need to dedicate time and commitment to our purpose. Commitment: my church discussed commitment on Sunday. Joel Osteen and Steve Harvey discussed commitment last nite on TBN. We also need focus and passion to fulfill our purpose. Following arbitrary passions only leads to more frustration. For example, I can't sing. I love music though. But loving music is not going to make me sing any better. Giving up writing (which I am good at) for singing is following a dumb, random passion.

I definitely recommend this book. I planned on reading 20 pages the first day, I got this book, but ended up reading more.


Last passage: Plenty of people want to change the world, but not enough want to change themselves
The Book is available on Thomas Nelson and Amazon