Being a Captain is Hard Work Review (Tomoson)

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I read Being a Captain is Hard Work by Carole P. Roman, in exchange for honest review. I received a paperback book. The book is about Captain No Beard, who was going on a trip with his crew. This is a children's crew and a children's book. The graphics are colorful and well done. The crew was heading to Dew Rite Volcano.

The books also discusses different types of clouds. The book also discusses how you should allow people to help you, especially during stormy times. You also should listen.

You can buy the book using the link above. the book comes in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Paperback format. The book is prime-eligible.

God, me, and Sweet Iced Tea Review (Litfuse)

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I received God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments, in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. The book was written by Rose Chandler Johnson. The book is a Christian-based devotional/study guide.

In each chapter, you have a devotional, followed by questions for reflection. The author does provide a few lines to write down your answers in.

In the first chapter, the author discusses how we need to taste God to see how good he is. Then, you have suggested readings, such as Psalm 145:7 and Nahum 1:7. You also will answer the questions, followed by prayer, a sweet moment, and a prayer focus.

One of the first questions is Why do you think chefs always taste the food they prepared?

Each chapter is a 1-2 pages long.

The book is a good devotional. I love the short format, great for when you have a few minutes of downtime. I did a devotional the other day, while sitting in the WIC office, waiting for recertification.

Other chapters, which I need to focus on is the one about stopping complaining; actions speak louder than words; obedience is better than sacrifice, and a perfect peace.

You can purchase the book, using the link above. The book is prime eligible. The book comes in Paperback and Kindle format.

All the places to go, How will you know review (Tyndale Blog Network)

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I read All the Places to Go . . . How Will You Know?: God Has Placed before You an Open Door. What Will You Do?, in exchange for honest review from Tyndale Blog Network. The book was written by John Ortberg and published by Tyndale House. I received a paperback book. The book's genre is Christian non-fiction.

God never wanted people to be stagnant and be content where they are.  God wanted people to go and grow. He opens doors and windows and wants us to open them. Move forward. Progress. The book starts out with a question: If you had to summarize your life in six words ,what would they be?  On page 3, Ortberg presents six word stories about famous people in the bible. For example, Abraham: Left Ur. Had baby. Still Laughing. 

Our lives never go as we plan. I never wanted any kids, but I got two. I never thought I would finish two degrees. I never thought I be living in Texas again. I never thought about blogging until I was at home alone with a newborn baby. Our lives can change at any time, at any age. The book says we do need the ability to recognize when a door is open or we can miss out on God's opportunities. Open doors also require an act of faith and obedience. You do have to move instead of being content, where you are.

I wonder how many doors, I have missed. How many doors have you missed.

You can purchase the book on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback Format.

Finding Hope after Divorce by Kay Arthur Book Review (Blogging for Books)

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I read Finding Hope After Divorce (40-Minute Bible Studies), in exchange for honest review from Blogging for Books. The book was written by Kay Arthur and published by WaterBrook Press. I received a paperback book.

I chose this book because I am happily divorced. I got married at 19, ignoring some major red flags. The year was 2000. I got pregnant with Brad the same year. We separated 5 years later and finally, got divorced a few months ago.

We both have dated other people, while separated. He has since remarried. Hope it works out.

I, on the other hand, am afraid to date for many reasons, but I will like to get re-married someday. I don't want to be single or celibate for the rest of my life.

The book presents 6 week lessons on how to heal and draw closer to God after a divorce. The lessons are short with bible verses on the side. The book also can be used as a small group bible study. Each section helps the reader observe and discuss. I also loved the insights at the end of each lesson. I loved lesson 6: How does God feel about me? The chapter discusses God's perspective on marriage.

You can purchase the book on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format. The book is prime-eligible.

365 Pocket Prayers for Mothers (Tyndale Network)

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I read 365 Pocket Prayers for Mothers: Guidance and Wisdom for Each New Day, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. I wanted to read the book for those moments, when I need a quick pick me up.

You can read the book by day or by topic. The topical guide is at the back of the book. The numbers respond to the day number versus the page number. I was confused a few times, when I looked for a particular topic by the page instead of the day.

The book is small enough to put into your purse. I also love the soft-leather-like cover.

The book came in handy a few weeks ago, after Kalen had his first seizure or when the kids overwhelm me.

You can purchase the book on Amazon in Kindle or imitation leather. The book is prime-eligible.

Small Talk Review and Giveaway (FlyBy Blog Promotions)

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. 

I received Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most, in exchange for honest review from FlyBy Blog Promotions. I received a paperback book. 

About the Book: From Media Kit

Every day, one of Amy Julie Becker’s children says something that prompts her to think about life in a new way. “Mom, does Santa love me?” William asks, after his mother explains the meaning of Christmas…In a chat with her dad about the children who died in the Sandy Hook shootings, Penny asks, “Did they go to heaven?” …”You was a jerk, Mommy?” asks Marilee one morning in the car.
These conversations deepen Amy Julia’s relationships with her children, but they also refine her understanding of what she believes and what God is doing in her own life.

In Small Talk, Amy Julia draws from the wisdom and curiosity of those young voices to reflect on beauty and kindness, tragedy and disability, prayer and miracles. As she moves through the basic questions her kids posed when they were very young to the more intellectual questions of later childhood, she invites us to learn from our own day-to-day conversations with the children in our lives.

This eloquent parenting memoir is about the big questions little hearts ask, the thoughts their words provoke, and the laughter and soul-searching their honesty brings—to adult and child alike.

About the author:

Amy Julia Becker writes about faith, family, and disability for Parents.com, the New York Times, Motherlode blog, TheAtlantic.com, The Huffington Post parents page, Christianity Today, The Christian century, and numerous other publications. Her first book, A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny, was named one of the Top Ten Religion Books of 2011 by Publishers Weekly. Amy Julia lives in western Connecticut with her husband and three children.

My Review

I was drawn to the book because of the title: Learning from my children about what matters most. As a parent of special needs kids, I have to learn what matters most from them. My kids are trying to tell me something, even if I do not understand at times.

For example, for the longest, Brad was trying to tell me he was hungry by signing the word hungry. He already knew the word eat, meat, ice, and cheese, which usually told me when he was hungry. One of his old teachers taught him signs, but did not tell me what he was learning. For the longest, I thought he was stimming until I went to a parent teacher conference and noticed another parent doing the same sign. He was trying to tell me something, but I lacked understanding to comprehend what he was saying.

Or when Kalen wanted something and he was pointing to the bathroom. Since I was clueless about what was in the bathroom, I opened the door. Midget climbed up the sink, turned on the water, turned his head, and drunk from the sink like a water fountain. Yeah, I got the message. He was thirsty. Since he does not use sippy cups anymore, this was his way of telling me he was thirsty.

Small Talk is a book about parents connecting with their children. It's not a parenting guide. It's not filled with advice. It's not a how-to guide. Small Talk presents stories about everyday parenting moments and what we can learn from them. One of the first passages, which stood out, was

"For a long time, I thought my children were a distraction from the work God was doing in my life and the world around me. I am starting to realize they are the work God is doing in my life. They are the invitation to give, to receive, to be humbled, to grow. They are the vehicles of grace. (p. 13".

Somedays, I feel my kids are a distraction--from me cleaning, from me writing, from me organizing, from me being able to breathe for a few minutes. Even though I get busy and lack support with them, I still have to stop what I am doing and focus on them. The house, my bedroom may not ever be clean, like I want it. I may have a pile full of clothes, which needs folding and putting up, but the kids are to come first (at least that's what I want to accomplish one day). Putting them first , even when I have 3 video reviews, 5 product reviews, and 1 book review due within 2 days of each other lol.

Giveaway 

Enter to win a copy of Small Talk By Amy Julia Becker. Entry-Form

Social Media

Zondervan Website
Amy's Website
Twitter
Facebook Fan Page

Overrated by Eugene Cho Book Review (FlyBy Blog Promotions)

This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I read Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World? in exchange for honest review from Fly By Blog Promotions. The book was written by Eugene Cho.

The book starts out discussing people, who have big ideas, but they don't put ideas into action. Everyone wants to change the world, but not many do anything about it. We also have to change ourselves. What good is changing everything else, if we don't change on the inside too?

The book says we are distracted by noise and we waste plenty of time. The book is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle format. Check out my video review below.

Uncovered by Rod Tucker Book Review (Kregel Blog Tours)

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I read Uncovered: The Truth about Honesty and Community by Rod Tucker, in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours.


The book teaches about how Christians can fake a moral living and can be self-deceptive. The back of the book says "we don't want anyone to know we are spiritually named, but covering up around God denies us the life he has meant for us."


One of the first things, which stood out in the book was "honesty is an introduction to something much more powerful and intimate: relationships bred by transparency" (p. 19). The next paragraph discusses how we should live in the light versus the darkness. Darkness hides things, which we don't want others (or ourselves to see). On the other hand, living in the light allows healing, transparency, and honesty.

For me, I am a usually blunt-honest person, but I don't like revealing everything to everyone. It takes a while for me to open up to people and be vulnerable. My pastor, last week in church, was talking about how we can't be vulnerable to everyone. Just a few intimate people. The wrong person can/will/may take advantage of the situation. I also struggle with trusting people with intimate details. Will they judge me? Still be my friend/acquaintance? Rub the information in my face?

The book also teaches how we need to be honest with ourselves and others about our sins. Instead of working around the truth, when talking to others--we can be open and honest about our flaws and sins. If you are struggling, say you are struggling with an issue. If you used to do something, say so. Tucker had said sometimes people say they have overcome an issue, while still struggling with the issue. One major struggle is sexual struggle, which is one of my weaknesses. Even though I am not having sex right now, I still struggle in other areas.

I also like chapter 3, which discusses sewing, hiding, and blaming. In Genesis, Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree. When they realized they was naked, they sewed some leaves together to hide nakedness; hid from God; and blamed each other and the snake. They lost their freedom and innocence. They lied to God. The couple was also banned from the garden and had to work harder until death. Tucker says people do the same thing. We sew leaves on our bodies to hide our shame and nakedness. We hide ourselves from others. We pretend we are ok, but we are not. Finally, we blame others for our mistakes to make ourselves still feel good.


To have a better relationship with God, we need to be completely open and honest with ourselves, others, and especially God. We can't fake and pretend anymore :-).

The chapters in the book are short. The book has discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

The book is available in Kindle (2.99 right now) and Paperback format. The book is prime-eligible.

Appointments with Heaven by Dr. Reggie Anderson book review (Tyndale House)

I read Appointments with Heaven: The True Story of a Country Doctor, His Struggles with Faith and Doubt, and His Healing Encounters with the Hereafter by Dr. Reggie Anderson, in exchange for honest review from Tyndale Blog Network. I received a paperback book for participation.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. The book is available in kindle and paperback. The book is also prime eligible.

Appointments with Heaven was written by Dr. Reggie Anderson and Jennifer Schuchmann. The book was published by Tyndale Momentum.

About the Book:

The book is based on a true story, which occurred between a patient and Dr. Anderson. Based on the incident, Anderson decided to write a book based on stories from his childhood, doctor's practice; the afterlife; and dealing with death. 

My Review:

The book is different than what I normally read. The first chapter dealt with a 82 year-old man, in intensive care. He has a weak immune system. He wanted to make his appointment with Heaven, while his family hoped for recovery. The book focuses on Dr. Anderson's patients, who have made appointments with Heaven. With each death, Anderson caught a glimpse of heaven.

Chapter 2 focuses on Anderson's family background. Anderson provided a story about how he had a dream, he won a pony in a contest. He tried to tell his mother not to mail in his sibling's entry forms because he was going to win. Anderson had faith that God revealed the dream to him and the pony was his to share with everyone. Anderson did win the pony and he shared his pony with the town. 

Chapter 3 was another favorite story of mine. Anderson discussed how one Christmas, he did not get anything from Santa. His brother and sisters got presents, but Anderson got a letter from Santa. Anderson was hurt because he did not understand why Santa brought his brother and sister a gift, but forgot him. 

Fast forward to Chapter 10, which discusses another dream, Anderson had, which changed his life. He dreamed of a beautiful countryside, with wildflowers. The water was clear blue. The dream removed a huge weight from his life and Anderson drew closer to God. 

The book has 32 chapters. Each chapter is 10 pages or less. The stories are inspirational. I loved reading the book. 

Return to Me Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway (Litfuse)

I read Return to Me (The Restoration Chronicles Book #1), in exchange for honest review from Litfuse. The book was written by Lynn Austin and published by Bethany House. I received a paperback copy of the book. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.

About the Book:(provided from Media Kit)

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true---King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God's renewed favor. For too long they've remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo's sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose toleave everything toreturn---return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo's beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God's leading. Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah---and history---forever.

Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Me tells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.

About the Author: (From Media Kit)

Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

My Review:

One of the reasons I chose the book was because of the description. The book is also based in biblical times. The book starts off with Daniel, 82 years old, been summoned to the palace by Nebuchadnezzar's grandson, Belshazzar to help determine the meaning of mysterious writing on the wall. The grandson summoned all of the mystical people, but had no success. This sounds similar in the bible, when Nebuchadnezzar summoned Daniel to translate a dream or was it Pharoah and Joseph. Babylon was falling quickly and people needed to change their ways. 

The book then moves into Iddo, a priest,  and his wife, Dinah. Something has happened in the city and a death has occurred. God's hand is in the midst of the crisis. Babylon is falling and no one is safe. The Jews have a desire to move back into the promised land. 70 years of exile is almost up. Some people's faith is shattered because of the long wait. Some have turned to false gods and astrology for answers, instead of God. 

The book was well-written and moved at a decent speed. It combines biblical history with fiction, similar to the Left Behind series  by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. or the Babylon Rising series by Tim LaHaye and his co-authors. 

Giveaway (from media kit):

Lynn Austin is celebrating the release of Return to Me, the first book in her new Biblical fiction series, The Restoration Chronicles, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat party.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Return to Me by Lynn Austin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Return To Me" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 22nd. Connect with Lynn and friends for an evening of book chat, biblical trivia, prizes, and get an exclusive look at the next book in Lynn's Restoration Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Return to Me and join Lynn on the evening of October 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

Wounded Women of The Bible Book Review (Kregel Blog Tours)

I read Wounded Women of the Bible: Finding Hope When Life Hurts, in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours. This post does contain Amazon affiliate links and images. I received a paperback book. The book was written by Dena Dyer and Tina Samples.

My Review:

I chose the book because it had a woman-focus. The book consisted of 13 chapter, discussing different women in the bible. Some of The women included: Abigail, Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Jochebed, Mary and Martha. Each of the women went through a particular problem, which damaged and wounded them. For example, the first chapter discussed the two women in Solomon's court. The women were prostitutes and they both had babies around the same time. One woman accidently killed her baby, while she was sleep. She rolled on top of her. She panicked and went and stole the other woman baby. She tried to pass the other woman's baby off as her own. The living child's mother took her to court. Solomon said cut the baby in half and give a half to each woman. The true mother said no, let my baby live and give it to the other woman. The true mother got her baby back. The story discusses pain, heartbreak, death, life, and friendship. The story also showed compassion and love. The true mother did not want her baby to die. She was willing to hand her baby over to the other woman, so her baby will life. The two woman was best or close friends before the ordeal, but grief, panic, and lying, changed their dynamics forever. 

Each chapter gives discusses a biblical woman, in addition to providing a relatable story by each of the authors. Each chapter also has discussion questions. The discussion questions are at the end of the book. Great for small group discussion. 

The book is 10.96 on Amazon via paperback.