The Silent Governess - A Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.
 

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home. 

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something. 

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

You can read an excerpt of The Silent Governess here.

About The Author: 


Julie Klassen is a fiction editor with a background in advertising. She has worked in Christian publishing for more than twelve years, in both marketing and editorial capacities. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She enjoys travel, research, books, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

Q & A With Julie Klassen:


1.Why did you write The Silent Governess?


I have been intrigued by English governesses ever since my sixth-grade teacher read Jane Eyre
to us aloud over several weeks with real emotion and even mascara-tears. She (and the book)
certainly made an impression on me, and I have been fond of British literature (and
governesses) ever since.


2. Is Brightwell Court, the setting of The Silent Governess, a real place?


The Silent Governess is set primarily in 1815 in a small village in Gloucestershire, England. The
grand estate of Brightwell Court is fictional, but it was inspired by the very real, very
picturesque Bibury Court in the Cotswold village of Bibury, which the artist William Morris
called “the most beautiful village in England.” I chose Bibury because author Davis Bunn
recommended that my husband and I take tea there during our first England trip, which we
happily did. Not only did we enjoy the ivy-covered manor, the lovely grounds bordered by the
River Coln, and the greedy ducks that nipped at our scones, but I also realized it would make
an ideal setting for The Silent Governess.


3.Was research for The Silent Governess different compared to your other novels?


I found several new sources for this novel (beyond the pile of books I already own about life in
Regency England), including guidebooks written for servants in the early 1800s, journals of
former governesses, and texts used for classroom instruction at that time. As with my other
novels, Lady of Milkweed Manor and The Apothecary’s Daughter, I have drawn from these
sources and included brief, interesting excerpts from them at the beginning of each chapter.


4.Your past heroines have had unusual professions or abilities.How does your current
heroine, Olivia Keene, compare?


As opposed to the less familiar professions of my first two heroines (a wet nurse and an
apothecary), Olivia Keene finds herself working in the more common position of governess—
though very little about her, her situation, or her employers is common at all. And, similar to
Lilly Haswell’s (of The Apothecary’s Daughter) seemingly flawless memory, Olivia is a genius
with numbers. Given complex arithmetic problems, she instantly “sees” the numbers and
solutions in her mind.Wouldn’t that have been nice back in school!


5.What message would you like readers to take away from The Silent Governess?


That each of us should ground our identity in our relationship with God, and not base it on
someone/something else (family, profession, status, church). I also hope that readers who grew
up with less-than-ideal fathers will realize anew that, unlike imperfect earthly fathers, our
Heavenly Father is just yet merciful, and will make good of the bad things in our lives if we love
and serve Him.


6.What types of readers will enjoy this book?


The Silent Governess will appeal to fans of Jane Austen, inspirational fiction, Regency romance,
and historical fiction in general.

 My Review:

This book is the first by Julie Klassen that I have had the privilege of reading and I was very impressed. Though I honestly am not a huge fan of historical fiction, Christian or otherwise, I have to admit that The Silent Governess exceeded my expectations.

I am of the opinion that The Silent Governess was very well researched, therefore resulting in a very historically accurate fictional account of what life would have been like for a Christian living in the time of "Lords, and Ladies". This book was very easy to read and a very quick read. It held my attention throughout and had very well developed characters and plotlines, including a very tasteful romance. Again, though not a huge historical fiction fan, based on my experience reading The Silent Governess, I would definitely be willing to read more of Julie Klassen's previous work.

I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up. 


BUY IT: You can purchase The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen directly through Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, as of January 2010. It is also available through your local Christian bookseller.


WIN IT: 1 lucky reader will win a copy of The Silent Governess


TO WIN: Easy Peasy - comment on this post or any other post from the last week


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GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 20, 2010


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****Thank you to Bethany House and Graf-Martin for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review*****

The Hidden Flame - Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

In first-century Judea, the followers of the Way have burgeoned into a vibrant, growing community that cannot be ignored. Jerusalem is in turmoil as its religious leaders on one side, and their Roman rulers on the other, conspire to stamp out the fledgling Church. And Abigail, who thought she had finally found home and safety, is caught between the opposing forces.

Two suitors desire the lovely Abigail's hand in marriage. Ezra, a successful Hebrew merchant and widower with important connections among the Sanhedrin, is looking for a mother for his children. The Roman soldier Linux is fascinated by her winsome charm and possibly could offer the sanctuary--maybe even the love--for which she yearns. But her heart has been captured by neither of these. Will her faith and courage survive a heartbreak beyond comprehension as the followers face a gathering storm of persecution they never could have foreseen?

A glimmer of hope beckons Abigail forward.  

You can read an excerpt of The Hidden Flame here.

About The Authors:

Davis Bunn is an award-winning novelist whose audience spans reading genres from high drama and action thrillers to heartwarming relationship stories, in both contemporary and historical settings. He and his wife, Isabella, make their home in Florida for some of each year, and spend the rest near Oxford, England, where they each teach and write. Visit Davis' Web site at www.davisbunn.com

Janette Oke (pronounced "oak") pioneered inspirational fiction and is the leading author in the category today. Love Comes Softly, her first novel, has sold over one million copies. Janette is now the bestselling author of over 70 books, 32 of which have been translated into fourteen languages. Her books have sold over 22 million copies. 

Janette receives fan mail from all over the world and answers each letter personally. She received the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association for her significant contribution to Christian fiction, the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award and has been awarded the Gold Medallion Award for fiction. Janette and her husband, Edward, have four grown children and enjoy their many grandchildren. They make their home in Canada.

Q & A with The Authors:

1. Janette, 2009 marks 30 years since the publication of your signature novel, Love Comes
Softly.Having written over 75 books with total sales nearing 30 million copies, you are
a household name among Christian fiction readers.What drew you to collaborate
with Davis Bunn?

Oke: I had known Davis Bunn for some years before our first collaboration, our paths
having crossed at industry events and at Bethany House. I had read and admired his work,
deeply respecting his writing gifts and creative talents. I came to recognize that, though he
and I were worlds apart—in heritage, education, experience, and writing styles, we (besides
our faith) share other significant values: we both love to write, and we are motivated by the
possibilities for opening minds and hearts through creating characters and developing their
stories.We found even more common ground in our initial brainstorming sessions; it was
amazing to both of us how easily our ideas fed off one another.We saw the characters and
plot grow by the hour as we hurried to jot notes in an effort to keep up with our thoughts.
As our sample scenes and chapters went back and forth between us, we realized we indeed
shared the same vision for the story and the same understanding of the characters we had
created.

2. The Hidden Flame is the second novel you have collaborated on following a seven-year
break.What is it about the ACTS OF FAITH series that brought you together again?

Oke: In my Bible reading over the years, I often pondered what biblical characters might
have been thinking and feeling, beyond what their stories contain on the written page. But
I was hesitant about writing a biblical novel because I felt neither comfortable nor qualified
to mix “fact” and “fiction” in approaching these heroes and heroines of the faith. But I
knew Davis had strong research and writing skills and that I could rely on him for
historical authenticity and engaging plot ideas to make this work well.

Bunn:When we started working on The Centurion’s Wife, Janette and I were both quite
taken by the scope and depth of the biblical story unfolding in the book of Acts. Adding a
further two novels to continue the series seemed not only fitting, but compelling. I recently
came across this observation from Dr. J. I. Packer, the distinguished professor: “Adventure,
drama, violence, injustice, miracles, human interest: Acts has all the ingredients of a fastmoving
novel, except that this is fact, not fiction.” So we do have an amazing platform
upon which to build our own tales.

Collaboration with Janette remains a genuine honor. Her knowledge of—and love for—the
Word of God has encouraged my own study and application of Scripture. As a writer, she
displays extraordinary empathy with the characters, along with sensitivity about how and
why relationships change. This power moves from the page into the hearts of the readers. I
am continually impressed—and humbled—by Janette’s connection with her audience!

3.Your research for the setting of the ACTS OF FAITH trilogy began well before book one,
The Centurion’s Wife,was a manuscript. Certainly much of that information applies
in this book also, but were there specific issues and scenes in this second novel that
required further investigation?

Bunn: I was fortunate to be able to undertake extensive on-site research for this series. Not only did I travel through the Holy Land, but my guide was a Jewish scholar who converted to Christianity. His profound knowledge of the area coupled with his comparative theological insights proved invaluable. Of course, research trips are always important for gathering information, setting scenes, and sketching plot details. But in Jerusalem, I was keenly aware of our spiritual responsibility to our readers. Through fiction, Janette and I would be interpreting one of the most formative periods of Christianity. The coming of the Spirit changed everything. Could I, through this project, deepen my own sense of the presence of God? Could I convey this lesson in a way that would both challenge and uplift our audience?

Our on-going research spanned quite a few sources: everything from accounts of historical events, to nuances of Jewish religious doctrine, to everyday life in New Testament times.We also delved into various translations of the book of Acts, along with commentaries, to be sure we understood the biblical message. Additionally, we had to take great care in crafting fictional episodes around well-known biblical figures and circumstances.

4.Abigail was briefly introduced to readers in The Centurion’s Wife. In The Hidden Flame she takes center stage. Did the two of you know where this story would take her when you began the plotting and writing?

Oke:We knew she was to become a main character in book two, but until we began the plotting we didn’t know how the story would unfold.

Bunn: Abigail played just a minor role in the first book, but we soon grew to care for her so much we wanted to tell her story. Like many authors, we have to pay attention to where the characters lead us.We had an early impression that themes of beauty and disfigurement, of injury and healing, of yearning and patience, of passion and duty, would be featured.What difference does a newly-kindled faith in the crucified Jesus make in a young woman’s life? And did I mention romance? Janette and I knew that Abigail was perfectly poised to attract a love-interest. Or two or three. And perhaps with The Hidden Flame, readers will similarly speculate about which characters will move to center stage in book three.

5.As you developed the characters and the plot for this novel,what insight into the biblical story has been the most compelling to you personally?

Oke: The “realness” of the characters in the biblical stories that we have read and reread. One is called to ask oneself, “What would I have done in similar situations?” They had reason to doubt, reason to fear, reason to be tempted to “hide the Light.” It took courage to take a stand as a follower of The Way. It took faith to believe that they could make a difference in the world in which they lived by living and sharing the Message of the Cross. It took even more than that. It took the Holy Spirit's indwelling, to give them the strength and power to face Rome’s power and an angry Jewish religious leadership that saw them as a threat to everything they held tightly. As I read their story again and again in the future I will now share the emotions they must have felt as they tried to protect beloved family members yet be true to the commission they had been given by their Lord.

Bunn: Three thoughts come to mind. The first is “signs and wonders.”What a privilege it is to write about miracles in a way that captures a sense of awe and affirms a belief in the unseen. The second is “community.” I was moved by how the early “Followers of the Way” used their spiritual gifts, shared their belongings, encouraged one another—even in times of uncertainty and anxiety. The final thought is “courage.” So many of the characters have their personal ties, spiritual beliefs—and even physical safety—tested to the limit. Some transcend their fears; others are crushed by them. Beyond the drafting of the book, I reflect on how these early lessons shape today’s church and its mission. In truth, I am also reminded to examine my own strengths and weaknesses as a Christian.

My Review:

I have long been a fan of both of these authors and have read a number of their previous collaborations and was very excited when the opportunity came up to review this newest release from this dynamic duo! I was not disappointed.

This book was a very easy and quick read, and I love that the authors stuck true to historical authenticity. I thought that the way the book was written bought Bible Characters such as Peter, Martha, Stephen and many more to life in a way I would have never expected.

This book was a wonderful way for the reader to have a glimpse of what those from the Early Church would have experienced. From beautifully described wedding celebrations to persecution of faith, this book covers a wide range of plots and emotions, but in a very easy to understand way. This is particularly beneficial to readers with little to no understanding of the history of the Early Church.

Though I have not read the first book in the Acts of the Faith series, The Centurion, I am very willing to, because of my experience of reading The Hidden Flame.

If you have loved previous writings of Davis Bunn and Janette Oke, you will love this book! I highly recommend it and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: Head over to Bethany House to purchase The Hidden Flame by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke. This book is also available through your local Christian bookseller in January 2010


WIN IT: 1 reader will win a copy of The Hidden Flame


TO WIN: Head over to Bethany House and tell me one other book that you would love to read


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GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 19, 2010


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

***Thank you to Bethany House and Graf-Martin for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review***

A Black Tie Affair Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

SUITED FOR SEDUCTION

Fashion curator Athena Smith will do anything to get her perfectly manicured hands on the Clayworth family's celebrated couture collection for her exhibit. So when she's called in to make sure the gowns are the real deal, she's ecstatic...until a dress she's examining turns out to be loaded with toxins (talk about killer threads!) and Athena faints, only to wake up face-to-face with the One That Got Away, notorious Chicago bachelor Drew Clayworth.

Drew still believes Athena betrayed him all those years ago, and he's sure he can't trust her. But when the priceless gowns go missing, she offers to help track them down. Reluctantly allied in the quest, Drew and Athena are soon stunned by the barely restrained passion still sizzling between them...and memories both bitter and sweet. Is their new partnership just a business arrangement? Or is this something more than...

A BLACK TIE AFFAIR

About The Author:

Sherrill Bodine has been writing stories since junior high, when she won a pair of silver skates in a state-wide essay contest. While moving twenty-two times back and forth across America and rearing her four children, she published fifteen award-winning novels under two pseudoynyms (Lynn Leslie/Leslie Lynn). Now she's decided to be herself and write about the people, parties, and high-life in the city she knows best: Chicago. When she's not in the Windy City with her husband, family, and Newfoundland and pug dogs, she's fulfilling her passion to travel to exotic locales around the world.

Five Fun Facts About The Book!

1. I had the great honor of being allowed down into the Costume Collection Vault of The Chicago History Museum to examine the Bertha Palmer dresses I write about in A BLACK TIE AFFAIR—but, of course, I couldn't touch them—which was truly difficult for someone who "talks with her hands" like me!

2. My friend, the Curator of the Costume Collection, was poisoned by a black Dior evening gown, and the story was born.

3. There truly is an old underground Fallout Shelter—a real time capsule of the 1950's—and it was too fascinating not to write about it.

4. Pandora's Box is really Lulu's at the Belle Kay, Chicago's finest vintage store, owned by my dear friend, Laurie. I added the "hat room" because it has always been Laurie's dream to do it so I hope I inspire her to go for it.  

5. I met the designer Carolina Herrera at a party and she was so lovely and charming I decided to name the cats in her honor—plus I love her clothes.

My Review:

A Black Tie Affair is your typical romance, but also has a plotline of a mystery to solve, something that is right up my alley. I love mysteries, so that was a definite plus for me! Throw in the amazing world of high fashion, and you have a great book!

This was a very lighthearted read, and only took me a couple hours to read. The story is believable and the characters very real-life. My only hope would have been that the mystery of the toxins in the dress be developed a bit more. It seemed to me that this part of the storyline was rushed, but was still a great part of the book.

If you like romance, with a little bit of mystery thrown in you will definitely enjoy this book! I highly recommend it and give A Black Tie Affair a big thumbs up!

BUY IT: A Black Tie Affair by Sherrill Bodine can be purchased through Amazon.com and Amazon.ca


WIN IT: 5 Readers will one a copy of A Black Tie Affair


TO ENTER: Head over to Hachette Book Group and let me know one other book you would love to read.


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GIVEAWAY OPEN TO U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY (NO P.O. BOXES PLEASE)


GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 18, 2010


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

***Thank you to Anna at Hachette Book Group for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review****

Tea With Hezbollah - Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

Is it really possible to love one’s enemies?


That’s the question that sparked a fascinating and, at times, terrifying journey into the heart of the Middle East during the summer of 2008. It was a trip that began in Egypt, passed beneath the steel and glass high rises of Saudi Arabia, then wound through the bullet- pocked alleyways of Beirut and dusty streets of Damascus, before ending at the cradle of the world’s three major religions: Jerusalem.

Tea with Hezbollah combines nail-biting narrative with the texture of rich historical background, as readers join novelist Ted Dekker and his co-author and Middle East expert, Carl Medearis, on a hair-raising journey. They are with them in every rocky cab ride, late-night border crossing, and back-room conversation as they sit down one-on-one with some of the most notorious leaders of the Arab world. These candid discussions with leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, with muftis, sheikhs, and ayatollahs, with Osama bin Laden’s brothers, reveal these men to be real people with emotions, fears, and hopes of their own. Along the way, Dekker and Medearis discover surprising answers and even more surprising questions that they could not have anticipated—questions that lead straight to the heart of Middle Eastern conflict.


Through powerful narrative Tea With Hezbollah will draw the West into a completely fresh understanding of those we call our enemies and the teaching that dares us to love them. A must read for all who see the looming threat rising in the Middle East.

You can read an excerpt of Tea With Hezbollah here

About The Author:


Ted Dekker is the author of many nationally best-selling novels, including Bone Man’s Daughters, The Circle Series, Thr3e, and House. His unique style of storytelling has captured the attention of millions worldwide. Visit him at TedDekker.com and Facebook.com/TedDekker.


Carl Medearis is an international expert in the field of Arab-American and Muslim-Christian relations. He acts as a catalyst for a number of current movements in the Middle East to promote peace-making and to promote cultural, political and religious dialog leading toward reconciliation. He is the author of the acclaimed book on these issues Muslims, Christians and Jesus. Visit him at www.carlmedearis.com.

My Review:

As I love Christian Fiction, I have heard of Ted Dekker for a long time, but this is the first of his books I have read. I will be reading a few of his upcoming novels in February, but I am glad that I was able to read this one first, as it seems to be a departure from his previous work.

I am the first to admit I do not know alot about the crisis in the Middle East, and honestly, I have really not wanted to know about it. Its just not an interest of mine.  As harsh as this sounds, I am not a big fan of politics, etc and yet during the last couple years, particularly since 9/11, I have felt compelled to learn more about the culture of Middle Eastern People, including more about the religion of Islam.

 This book was incredible. It takes you to a place that you never thought about going. I don't know about you, but even as a Christian, I think I would have a very difficult time sitting down with someone I deem "my enemy" Yet that is exactly what the authors did. As Christians, we are to, "love our enemies" and this was seen by the actions of these two wonderful authors.

The book was very easy to read, with me completing it in about a day. A quick read but full of emotion as seen in the many interviews relayed throughout the book. The interviews showed raw humanness and as a result of the style of writing and the very detailed descriptions, I was able to understand more about Middle Eastern culture. It also includes a glossary at the back with many descriptions of places and people who are mentioned in the book. Almost a mini-history lesson, if you will.

 Even though I hated what happended to America on 9/11 because of the terrorist attacks, I was very hardpressed to "hate" all Muslims or people with a Middle Eastern background. That would be judging and putting all "my eggs in one basket" so to speak. Not all people with a Middle Eastern background are terrorists.  It is not in my nature to act this way. I love and like people until I have a good reason not too, and yes the actions on that fateful day gives me many reasons to "hate" but I cannot because Jesus does not. Just as He loves His enemies, I must love mine. I realized in reading this book, that we are all human, make mistakes and need Jesus....no matter where we live, or what we have done.  And I needed to understand more about why they did what they did. This book was one way of helping me understand this. Though it has not answered all my questions, it is certainly a start.

If you, like me, want to understand more behind the conflicts in the Middle East, then you must read this book! You will be challenged in a way you never thought possible! I give this book a HUGE thumbs up!

BUY IT:  You can purchase Tea With Hezbollah online directly at Random House



WIN IT: One Reader will win their own copy of Tea With Hezbollah


TO ENTER: Head over to Random House and let me know one other book you would love to read.


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GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 17, 2010


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

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

 

Feel Good Friday Meme

So a found a great new blog meme to join in on Fridays, and its hosted by The Girl Next Door Grows Up.
See the details here and join in!

She gives a couple of ideas of what to write about and I decided to pick 5 things that have made me feel happy this week, so here we go:

1. Even though I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at the beginning of this week, I am so happy that it is only diet controlled at this point...no insultin or needles for now!!

2. I realized this week that I have worked out everday, except for 3 during this entire month! That makes me happy because I know I am on the right track to lose the weight I want and get healthy!

3. I have two wonderful little girls, who are my miracles and they make me smile every time they talk to me! My three year once again made my heart smile when she said to me "I have the bestest mommy and daddy in the whole house!"

4. I love my Lord and the Hand of protection He has on me and my family. My husband had to be out of town for three days and He protected him while he drove and brought him home safely to us.

5. I am thrilled to say that I found out this week that I am going to help alter some notebook covers (50 so far) for my church's ladies retreat in April! Big challenge but I love that I am a creative person and that God has given me this talent.

What about you, what has made you happy this week?

The Most Effective Ways To Live Longer Virtual Book Tour

About The Book:

In this entertaining and life-changing book, best-selling nutritionist Jonny Bowden, PhD explains how all diseases of aging really come down to four basic processes which he calls “The Four Horsemen of Aging”—Inflammation, Glycation, Oxidation and Stress. You’ll learn exactly how they age you and just what to do to prevent them.

You’ll learn how aging affects five major components of the body- the brain, the heart, the hormone system, the immune system and the bones and muscles; and how to prevent or slow aging in all these areas.
Finally, you’ll learn the secrets of the “Blue Zones”- those areas around the globe where people routinely live healthy and productive lives into their late 90’s and beyond. You’ll learn the surprising truth about what to eat, what exercises to do, and what simple lifestyle changes you can make to support a ten-decade life of autonomy, health, joy and productivity.

About The Author:

 Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS, a board-certified nutrition specialist with a master’s degree in psychology, is a nationally known expert on weight loss, nutrition, and health. A popular speaker and a former personal trainer with six national certifications in exercise, he was the acclaimed “Weight Loss Coach” on iVillage for twelve years, and is now a regular contributor to AOL, a columnist for Better Nutrition and Clean Eatingwww.eatdrinkordie.com, where his entertaining videos on food and nutrition can be seen daily. magazines and a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Men’s Health. He’s also the nutritionist for the popular website,

His books have been acclaimed by a virtual who’s who in the field of nutritional medicine, garnering endorsements by Christiane Northrup, MD, Mehmet Oz, MD, Barry Sears, PhD. (who calls him “one of the best”), Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD (who calls him “the personal health coach I would want in my corner no matter what”), and many others. His book, Living Low Carb: Controlled Carbohydrate Eating for Long-Term Weight Loss has more than 100,000 copies in print. He is also the author of the Amazon best-seller, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising Truth About What to Eat as well as The Healthiest Meals on Earth and The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth and The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy.

He has been featured in The New York Times, The New York Post, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune, Time, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Oxygen, Remedy, Family Circle, Self, Fitness, Allure, Essence, Men’s Health, Pilates Style, Prevention, Woman’s World, In Style, Fitness, Natural Health and Shape and has appeared on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC and CBS as an expert on nutrition, weight loss, and health..

Dr. Bowden is a member of the American Society for Nutrition and the American College of Nutrition and is adjunct faculty for Clayton College of Natural Health. He lives in the Topanga Canyon area of Southern California with his three dogs, Woodstock, Emily and Lucy.

His DVD “The Truth About Weight Loss” as well as his popular motivational CDs, programs and free newsletter can be found at www.jonnybowden.com.

My Review:

This book is fantastic. I have never read any of Dr. Bowden's work, but believe me after reading this book, I will definitely be looking into his previous writings for sure. This book is visually amazing, full of bright, bold illustrations. The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer is easy to read, and actually a fairly quick read, but full of so much information. In fact I am going to go through it again and make myself notes that will help me as I have been recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Based on this diagnosis, as I read Dr. Bowden's book, I learned a few things that will help me get healthy and control my diabetes:

***for every 1 pound of weight lost, there is a 4 pound reduction

in the load exerted on the knee for each step taken during daily activities.

***Sardines, broccoli, almonds, prunes, oranges, & onions are

great foods for building strong bones - eat them every week

***Dr. Bowden's four food groups are: foods you can hunt, fish, pluck or gather

Of course, I will not say much more than that, as you have to read this book. It will change your life. I also love the fact that it has a section with Dr. Bowden's exercise program for maintaining muscle strength and bone mass. I went through it and love it, especially the fact that the only piece of equipment needed is hand weights.

I also really loved Dr. Bowden's anti-aging action plan to improve your immune system:

Learn to relax
Learn to laugh at yourself
Learn to listen
Practice forgiveness
Put yourself in other people's shoes

If you are serious about changing your life this year and becoming the healthiest you have ever been, then you HAVE to read this book! It will change your life.

BUY IT: You can purchase Dr. Johnny Bowden's book, The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer from Amazon.com, and Amazon.ca

***Thank you to Dr. Johnny Bowden, Cheryl, and Dorothy at  Pump Up Your Book Promotions for sending me a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review.***

Time Out Thursday

Well I am so glad that Theta Mom is having Time Out Thursday again. I actually don't mind the monthly post versus weekly, as it really makes me think about whether I have taken time out for me! Thanks Theta Mom!

Well during the last month, life has been nutty. Of course, the Christmas holidays have come and gone and we are in a new year. And so far, alot has gone on. I have joined several reading challenges, the Eat From Your Pantry Challenge, and done a ton of book reviews!!! But the biggest change for me was finding out I have Type 2 Diabetes, diet controlled. So needless to say in the last few days since being diagnosed I have been a bit stressed about making sure I eat the right things, get my sugars low and keep them low, and all the fun stuff that comes from a medical diagnosis.

However throughout all the craziness of life, I still managed to take time for me. One "resolution" that I had made for myself was to exercise more regularly. Well just after Christmas, we picked up the Wii Fit Plus and I LOVE IT!!!!! I have taken one hour EVERYDAY to do the body test and workout!!! Ladies, you have no idea what that means!!! I have never been one to workout, much less do it for an hour everyday. I usually do it in the morning while everyone is sleeping and it just helps to get my day jumpstarted. A second thing I have been doing to give myself some "me time" is to attend my church's Ladies Bible Study on Wednesday evenings. It just started last week but I know this is going to be a great DVD Series. We are studying Phyllis Shierer's ONE in a Million, a  study of the wilderness journey in Exodus.

How have you been taking time for you? Join in Time Out for Theta Mom Thursdays and see how other women are giving themselves a "time out!"

The Survivor's Club Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

Which is the safest seat on an airplane? Where is the best place to have a heart attack? Why does religious observance add years to your life? How can birthdays be hazardous to your health?

THE SURVIVORS CLUB

Each second of the day, someone in America faces a crisis, whether it's a car accident, violent crime, serious illness, or financial trouble. Given the inevitability of adversity, we all wonder: Who beats the odds and who surrenders? Why do some people bound back and others give up? How can I become the kind of person who survives and thrives?

The fascinating, hopeful answers to these questions are found in THE SURVIVORS CLUB. In the tradition of Freakonomics and The Tipping Point, this book reveals the hidden side of survival by combining astonishing true stories, gripping scientific research, and the author's adventures inside the U.S. military's elite survival schools and the government's airplane crash evacuation course.

With THE SURVIVORS CLUB, you can also discover your own Survivor IQ through a powerful Internet-based test called the Survivor Profiler. Developed exclusively for this book, the test analyzes your personality and generates a customized report on your top survivor strengths.

There is no escaping life's inevitable struggles. But THE SURVIVORS CLUB can give you an edge when adversity strikes.

About The Author:

Award-winning journalist Ben Sherwood is a former broadcast producer for NBC Nightly News and executive producer of Good Morning, America. In addition, he is a bestselling author whose novel The Man Who Ate the 747 was published in 13 languages. He lives with his wife and son in Los Angeles.

 My Review:

The Survivors Club is a compilation of a number of different life threatening situations one can find themselves in and gives ways and tips for the reader, so that you can indeed have a higher rate of survival. Life threatening situations discussed include plane crashes, encountering bears and other wildlife, watercraft sinkings, car accidents, being lost in the woods, having heart attacks, and many more.

The book also allows the reader to do a Survival Profile, a quiz with a number of questions and based on your answers you will  receive what the author calls your "Survivor IQ".

Head over to the Survivor Profile and follow the instructions (register for free with name and email) to complete the quiz yourself and find out your Survivor IQ today.

According to Ben Sherwood there are five different IQ's that a person can have when it comes to survival:

1. The Fighter
2. The  Believer
3. The Connector
4. The Thinker
5. The Realist

When I completed the test, I received the profile called The Fighter. I don't want to give away all the details of what a Fighter entails, but in summary, fighters face adversity head on, they are driven to succeed and won't stop until they have reached their goal. Fighter's are motivated by a sense of purpose or a calling greater than yourself. All of these pretty well describe me almost to a tee, especially when I am facing difficult times. But I also think the test missed the mark, because I also see myself as The Believer, who, as the book describes, is a person who, in crisis, will put their belief in God to protect and sustain through trial. I totally do this!

The second part of the Survival Profile is to discover what your top three tools of survival are. These tools include the following:

1. Adaptability
2. Resilience
3. Faith
4. Hope
5. Purpose
6. Tenacity
7. Love
8. Empathy
9. Intelligence
10. Ingenuity
11. Flow
12. Instinct

My top three tools were Faith, Hope and Tenacity! Yup, fits me pretty well I would say:)

I believe this book is a great resource to those who are wanting to find out if they could stand up against life threatening crisis and survive! Which I hope is all of us! I highly recommend this book!

BUY IT: This book can be purchased at your local bookseller, as well as on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca


WIN IT: 5 Readers will win a copy The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood


TO ENTER: Tell me one thing that would make you a survivor!


EXTRA ENTRIES:


1. Follow This Blog


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3. Subscribe via email


4. Follow me on Twitter


5. Become a fan of A Mom After God's Own Heart on Facebook


GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 14, 2010


GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY!


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

A Diagnosis and Life Changing Week

So this week, I received news that I have Type 2 Diabetes. Although a serious diagnosis, I know that I will be okay. Right now, I am only monitoring my blood sugars twice a day, and controlling my diet. I will see the doctor in about a month to follow up and see if it is necessary to be put on medications.

I am not entirely surprised by this diagnosis as I had gestational diabetes with both my pregnancies, and during my last one, I was insulin dependent. Also, I have family history of diabetes.

I am asking you, my readers to pray for me as I make changes to my diet, which was not all that bad to begin with, but I am a carb lover, so I need to make some tweets in my diet for sure:)

Also, pray that my sugars will lower....I am seeing slightly lower numbers, but still above normal, and its only been two days since I have been checking my sugars but its still frustrating when I have been careful with what I am eating. I have been exercising daily on my Wii Fit Plus, and once it warms up outside, I will be planning to go running more too!

Also, if you have any ideas for meals, etc please feel free to let me know, I will take any advice I can get.

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

Real Men: What's Happening With Our Males - Book Review

About The Book:

Real Men is a book about the plight of males over the last century, how they have become displaced by the changes in our society and lost of a distinct role.

Over the past few decades something is seriously shifting in the way men are operating within our society. Men are no longer the undisputed heads of the household or the family. Women have equal rights under the law and can compete against men for some of the better and higher paying jobs. Without a decided edge men are loosing their “king of the hill” status. Something must be done to at least redefine the role men should play. Whatever that role eventually becomes men will most certainly need to make adjustments from the way things were done in the past.

Greg Middleton’s REAL MEN VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR ‘10 will officially begin on January 4th and end on January 29th. You can visit Greg’s blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com during the month of January to find out more about this great book and talented author.

About The Author:

Writing came to this author totally by surprise. God planted an urge in Greg to search for Him during the fall of 1999. That search led to a constant reading appetite of various spiritual, religious, inspirational, and even metaphysical subjects. After reading so much material he began taking notes of his many late night sessions in order to remember what he was learning. He later began expressing his personal views of what he was digesting and recorded it in his journal. This collection of notes became the pages of his first book, In Search of the Soul. It was published in 2002 by Dorrance Publishing Company.

From his first book Greg continued to read and record his thoughts and opinions as they were developing. Since that first book he has been writing feverishly ever since. His second book Pearls of Wisdom, was published in 2003 by GEM Publications. Cold Tree Press published his third book, Food for the Soul in early 2005. His goal is to get as many of his completed works as possible into the hands of the readers whom they were intended to inspire.

In addition to being a writer, Greg is also a professional musician, Realtor, and a Professional Seminar Speaker. He and his wife Cynthia make their “Empty Nest” home in Altadena, California, and are ready to start on Phase Two, enjoying the grandchildren. Be on the lookout for more works from this prolific writer in the years to come.

You can find Greg online at www.gregemiddleton.com. For more information about Real Men and Real Men Seminars, please visit http://realmenseminars.com/.

My Review:

This was the first book by Greg Middleton I have read, in fact, it is the first time I have ever heard of this author. That said, I really did enjoy reading this book. It was a very easy to read and quick read, and flowed very nicely. Yes, the book was written for men, but honestly women will learn a lot from this book.

One thing that I really appreciated from Middleton's book is that he readily acknowledges the lack of male influence on today's young boys and men. Many boys do not in fact grow up to be men. In a world where women tend to be the primary caregiver, there is now a whole new generation that has no idea how to be a "real man" because they just have not been taught from a male perspective. I am certainly not knocking the influence of a mom, but boys can only be taught somethings from their dad or other significant males. Thats just the way it works.

Also, I learned that in this age where women are shooting up the corporate ladder, many me are becoming "lost" and are becoming "stagnent". I am so glad that Middleton shows men how to grow and thrive despite the changes in social roles over the years!

If you want to better understand why men are the way they are and do what they do, this is a great book to give you insight on the men in your life. I highly recommend it and give  it a thumbs up!!!


BUY IT: Real Men: What's Happening with Our Males? can be purchased through Amazon.com

***Thank you to Cheryl at Pump Up Your Book Promotions and Greg Middleton for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog***

50 Ways To Feel Great Today - Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

We all feel stressed, worried, or anxious at one time or another. Sometimes our circumstances, and even things that are out of our control, can wreak havoc on our spirits. Changing how we feel often begins with a small thing. Listening to a beautiful song. Enjoying a sunset. Making a happy memory. This unique book helps you discover how to beat stress, ward off worry, and banish the blues.

50 Ways to Feel Great Today offers medically and scientifically sound advice for giving a blah mood the boot. These time-tested ideas are simple and often low or no cost. While no "happy" pill exists, the activities in this book let you become your own helping hand. 


Why not give one a try today? 

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

About The Authors:

David B. Biebel, DMin, is a minister, an award-winning author, a health educator, and medical editor of Today's Christian Doctor. He is the coauthor of 70 Ways to Beat 70. He speaks often on health-related subjects and has been a guest on many radio and TV programs. He lives in Florida.

James E. Dill, MD, and Bobbie Dill, RN, were among the first husband-wife Christian medical teams to help establish truly holistic medical practice, which they have been involved in since 1978. Jim is a board-certified gastroenterologist and Bobbie is a nurse, certified in women's health. They reside temporarily in various places around the United States, as Jim provides "locum tenens" medical care. James and Bobbie are coauthors with David B. Biebel  of 70 Ways to Beat 70.

You can read an excerpt of this book here in PDF format.

My Review:

I really enjoyed the simplicity in reading 50 Ways to Feel Great Today. It was a very quick read and very easy to understand. I love that most of the suggested activities are very easy to execute and mostly inexpensive.

Some of the ways suggested to beat stress, worry and the blues (as suggested by the title) include the following:

1. Go Fly A Kite
2. Scrapbook
3. Journal
4.Lift Weights
5.Set Up A Treasure Hunt for a Child
6. Work in your Garden
7. Visit a Muesum

I loved most of the activities, and actually do a number of them on a regular basis. I also love that throughout the book, it is emphasized that only through God can we get through life, even the tough times. He will hold us up when we don't think we can make it. When life is stressful and we become worried, it is then that all the activities suggested in this book will help, but ultimately we have to give it all to Him!

I highly recommend this book to those who need ideas to simplify their life or the lives of those around them. I give this book a big thumbs up!

BUY IT:  50 Ways To Feel Great Today is available online, direct from Revell Books, as well as from your local Christian Bookseller. It was released in December 2009.


WIN IT: One reader will win my copy of 50 Ways To Feel Great Today


TO ENTER: Tell me one thing you do to help yourself feel great!


EXTRA ENTRIES:


1. Head over to Revell and tell me one other book you would love to read


2. Follow this blog


3. Subscribe via email


4. Grab my button


5. Follow me on Twitter


GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY


GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 16, 2010


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

***Thank you to Revell Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review, all opinions are my own and have not been influenced by the publisher in any way.***

Putumayo World Music Helps Haiti

Putumayo World Music re-releases 

French Caribbean 

and 

Caribbean Playground CDs

featuring 

seven Haitian artists

100% of Putumayo’s proceeds to be donated to Haitian relief!

In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Putumayo is re-releasing French Caribbean and its children’s CD Caribbean Playground and will donate all of its proceeds from each CD sold ($4 per CD) to The Red Cross for Haitian relief throughout 2010. Seven Haitian artists, including Michel Martelly, Haiti Twoubadou, Emeline Michel, Zin and Carimi on French Caribbean and Erna Letemps and Lole-Lolay on Caribbean Playground, contribute songs to these collections.

“Music has helped Haitians survive their difficulties over the years,” said Dan Storper, Putumayo CEO and Founder. “In 1976, I had the extraordinary experience of visiting this unique country and became a fan of its music, art and people. As a resident of New Orleans, I’ve witnessed how a city can come back from virtual ruin. Haiti will rise again!”

Putumayo’s commitment to helping communities in the countries where the music originates has led to the label contributing more than $1 million dollars to worthwhile non-profit organizations around the world. With proceeds from Putumayo’s New Orleans CD, the company raised more than $200,000 for New Orleans artists and non-profit recovery efforts.

Putumayo World Music was established to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. In the past 17 years, the label has become known primarily for its compilations of great international music.

For more information about Putumayo World Music, visit www.putumayo.com.

****This is an official press release sent to me for the purpose of posting for my readers****

Jenna's Cowboy Book Review & Giveaway

About The Book:

Can you ever get a second chance at your first love?

Jenna Callahan Colby thought she was content. A partner on her father's successful ranch, she is surrounded by family and friends. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town--the first guy she ever noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago.

And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever. 

Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him--and become the man Jenna deserves.

You can read an excerpt of Jenna's Cowboy here (in PDF format)

About The Author:

Sharon Gillenwater was born and raised in west Texas, and loves to write about her native state. The author of ten novels, she is a member of ACFW and Romance Writers of America. When she's not writing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and adorable grandson.

You can learn more about Sharon Gillenwater at her website, here.

My Review:

This is the first time I have had the opportunity to read Sharon Gillenwater's work and I was not disappointed. This book is a very easy and quick read (I read it in two days). There were a couple of plots within the book, a military personnel coming home from the war, his trials and tribulation as a result of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the start of his recovery, his budding romance with a former high school crush, and all the various family dynamics within the two families involved in the book. Even with all this going on, the book flowed wonderfully.

It was released January 2010 by Revell Books, a divison of Baker Publishing and is the first book in Gillenwater's series entitled, The Callahans of Texas. Book Two, Emily's Chance is tentatively scheduled for release in September 2010. I look very forward to reading it!

If you like Christian fiction, particularly romance and real-life issues, you will enjoy this book. I give a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: This book can be purchased directly online through Revell Books, or through your local Christian Bookseller.


WIN IT: One reader will win my copy of Jenna's Cowboy


TO ENTER: Head over to Revell Books and Tell me one book you would love to read


EXTRA ENTRIES:


1. Follow this blog


2. Grab my button


3. Subscribe via email


4. Follow me on Twitter


GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS


GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 15/09


GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

****Thank you to Donna at Revell Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review****

Penquin Books Turns 75!

This year is the 75th Anniversary of Penquin Books and if you love to read, you will absolutely love the contest that is running all year as part of the company's celebrations!!

Penguin Books has developed a list of the 75 Bestselling Paperbacks and they are giving 12 lucky people a fantastic prize package: Each winner will get their own set of ALL 75 books! One winner will be picked each month of this year.

Head over to Penguin Group to enter today! There is a link there as well for the full list of the 75 books! I looked through it and not surprisingly I have read a couple of the books already!!!!

Good luck to you all who enter!!!

Winners!

Here a few new winners!

Alice I Have Been Book Giveaway - Verlina

The One Day Way Book Giveaway - Lynn

Congrats Ladies!!!

Points Of Power Book Review and Giveaway

About The Book:

Over five million listeners tune in to hear Yolanda Adams's Points of Power, a segment in her daily radio show that inspires people by applying biblical truths to present-day realities. In her first book, Yolanda Adams transfers that winning segment into a reader's delight. In this highly accessible manual for daily living, she shares stories from her and others's personal experiences, showing readers how to access God's love and grace in their modern world and troubles. By revealing how Yolanda and other human beings have transcended the world's difficulties, POINTS OF POWER empowers readers to face trouble with confidence in the God who never fails.

About The Author:

Yolanda Adams is listed among the artists who have achieved the greatest critical and commercial success in blending R&B styles with gospel music. She has released twelve albums, two of which were certified platinum, one gold, and has won over twenty awards for her music. She currently hosts The Yolanda Adams Morning Show and makes her home in Houston. You can find out more about Yolanda at TheYolandaAdamsMorningShow.com

My Review:

I love devotional style books and Points of Power by Yolanda Adams is no exception.  This book is set up into 10 chapters with 3 or 4 Points of Power in each, for a total of 37 points. In my opinion this is awesome, as you can choose to read the book right through or use it as a 10 week study or a devotional for 37 days. What a great way to set up a book!

Also each Point of Power is set up like this:

*Introductary writing by the author (like a devotional)
*Power Passage (scripture)
*Point of Practice (how Adams uses the particular Point of Power in her life)
*Point of Prayer (a prayer the reader can use)
*10 Pensive Points (10 ways for the reader to evaluate their own life)
*Power Passage (scripture)

I love the set up of each power point as well. Very easy to follow and it gave me a ton of food for thought about how my life and faith is and where I need to grow!  She uses examples from her life, others and from the Bible in a way that is so encouraging and real! These are just some of the Points of Power that Yolanda Adams teaches in her book:

*God, the Great Peacemaker, Can Still Any Storm
*Confession is acknowledging the Grace of God
*Keeping My Eyes on the Lord Keeps Me From Falling
*Nothing is Impossible For God, Therefore, Nothing is Impossible For Me

With titles like that, how could you not want to read this book! I highly recommend this book for all those who have obstacles in their lives that may be impacting their relationship with God. You will be encouraged and strengthened as you read this book.

BUY IT: You can purchase Points of Power by Yolanda Adams through your local Christian bookstore, as well as on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com

WIN IT: 5 readers will win a copy of Points to Ponder

TO ENTER:  Simply let me know why you would want to win this book


EXTRA ENTRIES:


1. Follow this blog


2. Follow me on Twitter


3. Grab my button


4. Subscribe via email


5. Become a fan of A Mom After God's Own Heart on Facebook


GIVEAWAY OPEN TO U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY


GIVEAWAY ENDS FEBRUARY 12, 2010


GOOD LUCK TO ALL

***Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review and for providing this book for giveaway****

2010 Buck A Book Challenge

So I found a reading challenge that I will actually get something extra out of!!! Its called the 2010 Buck a Book Challenge and between now and the end of the year, I must pay myself $1 for each book I read!!! Then when the challenge is done, I must spend that money on something for me (not bills, etc)!! You can check out the details here. I think this is awesome and if you are bookworm like me, then sign up today.

The Language of Love & Respect Book Review

About The Book:

An in-depth study of why your communication styles are not wrong, just different!

Finally an answer for the number one problem in marriages—communication! This analysis of the vital principles of cross-gender communication helps couples recognize they speak two different languages. They are sending each other messages in "code" but won't be able to crack that code until they realize that she listens to hear the language of love and he listens for respect. 

Most advice on this subject fails to understand that husbands and wives are wired very differently, and when those wires get crossed, the communication sparks can fly!

Dr. Eggerich's best-selling book, Love and Respect, launched a revolution in how couples relate to each other. In The Language of Love and Respect he shares how that message can be applied. 

Formerly titled Cracking the Communication Code.

About The Author:

Emerson Eggerichs and his wife Sarah travel the country conducting the Love and Respect marriage conferences. Before launching Love and Respect Ministries, Emerson was senior pastor of Trinity Church in East Lansing, Michigan for nearly 20 years. Emerson received his B.A. in Biblical Studies and M.A. in Communications from Wheaton College and Graduate School. He was later awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Dubuque Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Child and Family Ecology from Michigan State University. Married since 1973, he and Sarah have three adult children. He is the president of Love and Respect Ministries and author of the best-selling book Love and Respect.

My Review:

I have previously read Eggerich's top selling book, Love and Respect a few years ago and loved it! So when my husband and I had the opportunity to attend a Love & Respect workshop at our former church, we jumped at the chance. At that time we had been married for approximently nine years and we learned SO much from it. We have always had a healthy marriage, but yet through Eggerich's book and workshop we learned so many more effective ways to improve our marriage.

Eggerich states in his book that communication problems are the biggest cause for marriage problems and I have to agree. If you cannot communicate properly, you can grow and improve. If you or your spouse is not
willing to do this, you marriage is very well doomed. In order to fix things you have to communicate, plain and simple.

When I found out that I could review The Language of Love and Respect through Thomas Nelson's Blogger Review Program, I jumped at the opportunity. However, after reading it I have to be honest and say I was a bit underwhelmed by it.

In reality,  in the first part of The Language of Love and Respect has a lot of info that can be found in the first Love & Respect book. That said, the last part of the book had many new ideas that my husband and I could relate to and use in our marriage. 

The one piece of information that has impacted me and allowed me to look at my husband and our marriage differently is this: you must remember that your words need to honor God first, regardless of whether your spouse in fact deserves it (a paraphrase). My husband may have done or said something to offend me, but if I am not honorable in my response, I am directly disobeying Ephesians 5.

This book is full of real life experiences to draw from and I highly recommend this book to be read by any couple, whether you are seriously dating, engaged, newlywed or been married a long time. It is a great refresher on communication and I love that it is highly Biblically based.


BUY IT: You can purchase The Language of Love & Respect directly from Thomas Nelson, as well as from your local Christian Bookseller. It is also available on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com

***I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review on this blog. My review is an honest opinion and has not been influenced by the publisher in any manner***

New Goal for 2010!!!

                    

For the last couple of years, I have seen advertisements for the Weekend To End Breast Cancer 2 Day Walks and have been thinking that would be a great thing to do. However, I have not been in the best shape, and other commitments have come up that have forced me not to do it.

However, this year the event has changed a bit of direction. It is now called The Weekend to End Women's Cancer, and you can choose to walk one day (30km) or two days (60km). It is a huge fundraiser for my province's (Alberta, Canada) cancer foundation, and as a women's cancer survivor (will be 5 years at the time of the event) I would love to participate in this event!

If you can, please pray for me as I make the decision of whether to do this or not. Its a huge undertaking as far as training, and fundraising (I have to raise a minimum of $2000 for the 2 day walk or $1250 for the one day) and I have to make sure that I can physically do it! I have been working out more regularly since Christmas and feel that I should be able to do it, but its the fundraising that scares me more. I hate asking people for money, even when its a great cause like this!

If you want to check out more information, you can head over to Weekend To End Women's Cancer.

Dug Down Deep Blog Tour & Review

About The Book:


What will you build your life on?

With startling transparency, Joshua Harris shares how we can rediscover the relevance and power of Christian truth. This is book shows a young man who rose quickly to success in the Christian evangelical world before he realized his spirituality lacked a foundation—it rested more on tradition and morality than on an informed knowledge of God.

For the indifferent or spiritually numb, Harris's humorous and engaging reflections on Christian beliefs show that orthodoxy isn't just for scholars—it is for anyone who longs to know the living Jesus Christ. As Harris writes, "I've come to learn that theology matters. It matters not because we want to impress people, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live. Theology matters because if we get it wrong then our whole life will be wrong."

Whether you are just exploring Christianity or you are a veteran believer finding yourself overly familiar and cold-hearted, Dug Down Deep will help you rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture. As Harris challenges you to root your faith and feelings about God in the person, work, and words of Jesus, he answers questions such as:

What is God like and how does he speak to me?What difference does it make that Jesus was both human and divine?How does Jesus's death on the cross pay for my sins?Who is the Holy Spirit and how does he work in my life?
With grace and wisdom, Harris will inspire you to revel in the truth that has captured his own mind and heart. He will ask you to dig deep into a faith so solid you can build your life on it. He will point you to something to believe in again.

You can read an excerpt of Dug Down Deep here.




About The Author:

Joshua Harris is senior pastor of Covenant Life in Gaithersburg , Maryland , which belongs to the Sovereign Grace network of local churches. A passionate speaker with a gift for making theological truth easy to understand, Joshua is perhaps best known for his runaway bestseller, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, which he wrote at the age of twenty-one. His later books include Boy Meets Girl, Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is), and Stop Dating the Church. The founder of the NEXT conferences for young adults, Joshua is committed to seeing the gospel transferred to a new generation of Christians. He and his wife, Shannon, have three children. 

My Review:

I have heard of Joshura Harris for a long time, but have never had the opportunity to read his work. When his debut book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, was released I had already been married, so never read it. I have heard a lot of great things about it, but it did not fit with where I was in my life stage.

When the opportunity recently came up to read and review his brand new release, Dug Down Deep I jumped at the chance.



Though Dug Down Deep is a very easy read, I read it in three days, it is full of information that I am still processing. In fact I will be going back through it again! If you are looking for a book that dissects foundational Christian theology and doctrine, while teaching from his own personal life, then this is the book for you. Harris makes theses subjects so easy to understand. Basically he takes a lot of the subjects found in traditional theology textbooks (which, from my Bible College days, I remember them being HUGE) and lays them out in a wonderful manner so that new and old Christians alike, will understand the core of what they believe. 

If you have grown up believing the same thing as your parents, family members and friends, I strongly encourage you to read this book and learn how to discover your own faith. Once you discover your faith in God as it should be, you will wonder why it took you so long. I know I did. For so long I believed, and knew I was a Christian, but alot of what I believed is what I was told to....I did not decided on my own about doctrine, theology, etc. 

Just as Joshua Harris went on his journey to deepen his relationship with the Lord, I too am on that same type of journey. Not close to being done, but this book has definitely been an asset and great tool for the path I am on.



I highly recommend this book and give it a thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris online directly at Waterbrook Multnomah or at your local Christian bookseller. 


***Thank you to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review****