Category Archives: Book Review

The Christmas Blessing – Book Review

Posted on by

Is there something special you do that until you’ve done it the Christmas Season isn’t quite what you need it to be?  Perhaps a movie that you watch? A kind of cookie you bake? A special ornament on the tree? I just finished reading a book that is going to be on my Christmas list for years to come.

The Christmas Blessing wraps its arms around you and draws you into a world that has snowy sprinkles all over it. It grabs your attention and gives all the awesome emotions that are present at Christmas.  The setting is World War 2.  The mores and morals of that era are really evident in this story.  It’s a story of life decisions, sometimes good, sometimes not so good.  It’s a story of relationships, friendships, and family.  To tell you more would be to give away the story.  BTW – it would make a great movie.

 

I highly recommend this book.  It’s a great read!!!

(See FTC disclosure at the bottom right.)

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

The Wellness Revelation – Book Review

Posted on by

I am a diet book junkie.  I’ve read, what seems to be, almost every new book on the subject.  When the opportunity came to read The Wellness Revelation I jumped at it.  Alisa Keeton has hit the nail on the head in this book.  The nail? Dieting is more than food.  I’ve read a lot of books about diet and exercise but, this is the first time I’ve read from cover to cover without trying to find the food plan chapter first.  Interestingly, she doesn’t really give a food plan.  A list of foods that are healthy for us, yes.  But not a specific plan.  The same goes for exercise…just do it!

Here are 8 concepts from the book.  (There are many more, but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out.)

  1. A healthy body is not all about the food you put in it.
  2. Wellness encompasses every aspect of our lives.
  3. Health focused goals such as, lower blood pressure, less processed food, controlling sugar intake, are as important (or maybe more so) as pounds lost or miles run.
  4. God created every part of the world we live in, including us.  The way we take care of ourselves, or not, shows how we feel about Him.
  5. We have to be aware that diet, exercise, and a variety of things that seem to be good for our body can also become bondage.  It can kill us if we aren’t careful.
  6. We are accountable and have the total responsibility of keeping these bodies we’ve been given in a healthy state.
  7. There is no good reason to be more or less than who we are.
  8. Prayer and meditation are part of a healthy life-style.

This book is a powerful tool in coming to grips with weight-loss and personal health.  I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to become what God wants us to be in all aspects of our lives.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Thomas Nelson and BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

 

Gone A Girl, A Violin, A Life Unstrung Book Review

Posted on by

I have been a musician all of my life.  My mother would stand me on the table in the local restaurant and I would sing my little heart out.  What did I sing, you ask?  A perfect, 3-year old rendition of “You Are My Sunshine”.  To this day I know every word and love to sing it.  I moved on to vocal lessons, playing flute in the school band, the piano was self-learned until college then I discovered it’s beauty and to this day practice often and play whenever the opportunity arises. I was not a child prodigy.  I was very talented, I still am, but living, breathing, and dying music is not what my life is all about.

Let’s talk about Min Kim.  A child prodigy, who, from the age of six, shared her violin ‘voice’ with the world.  Well, at least until it got stolen.  That’s a huge part of this story and understanding the child prodigy.  Many musicians will tell you, myself included, that your instrument is a real extension of who you are.  If something happens to it, it is quite possibly the most destructive thing that can happen in life.  Min’s story is of a life that is very, nearly destroyed by the loss of her Stradivarius. Living, breathing, and dying music, as a violin soloist, is what her life is about.

This incredible autobiography is both motivating and frightening.  It tells of a life controlled by outside influences and influencers.  Of a child who has no voice until she discovers the voice of the violin.  Of victimization, of an eating disorder, of a dysfunctional family, of…  Through it all, a musical treasure hones her craft and becomes world renowned.

My favorite quote is in the section that speaks of her anorexia.  All those with talent will recognize the truth in these words.

Talent is a burden you can’t throw off.  It can drink or drug you to death.  It can depress you into suicide.  But you can’t have the talent surgically removed, the weight of it.  Only with death do you part.  (pg. 207)

I highly recommend this book.  I’ve been motivated by it, frustrated with some of the characters in her life, really angry at those who wanted to use her talent for their own gain, and above all delighted that she was able to move on to a great future becoming stronger and stronger each day.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Crown and Blogging For Books.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Bread of Angels Book Review

Posted on by

This is the best fiction book I’ve read in a long time.  In Bread of Angels, Tessa Afshar put her finger on the pulse of the First Century and I felt like I was actually there.  In this delightful story you will find first love… secrets… plotting… jail time… betrayal… successes… failures… trauma… death… life changes…

The book is beautifully written.  The characters enter the story at just the right point.  The story encapsulates the life of Lydia, the seller of purple, from the New Testament.  Each chapter has its own verse of the Bible to help the reader frame that portion of the narrative.

It’s rare to find a quote from a fiction book that is worth keeping in my heart.  But find one I did.  “I follow a scarred Redeemer.  Somehow I think our scars become holy in the shadow of His.  And His plans are made perfect in the demolition of our own devices.”  (page 290)

I highly recommend this book.  Put it on your summer reading list. I’m definitely going to check out some of Tessa Afshar’s other books.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I receive no residual remuneration from the connecting links.    I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Book Review – What Hope Remembers

Posted on by

Are you looking for a great rainy day or warm summer afternoon read?  Johnny Alexander has written the book for you.  Check out What Hope Remembers.  There’s just enough drama and intrigue to hold your attention for that lazy, hazy day.

Well developed characters and the plot kept me wanting to know what were the secrets they were keeping.  Even the ‘bad guys’ were believable.

Real life issues and challenges kept me turning the pages to discover what was going to add a new twist to the story.

I’m giving this book 5 stars and recommending it highly!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revel, a division of Baker Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”