Spiritual Warfare (Review)

This review is for the book "Spiritual Warfare for the End Times" by Derek Prince. I have read several books by Derek Prince and I do appreciate his perspective on challenging topics. Prince starts off by talking about what exactly evil is and how Satan works. He basically says if we don't learn how to overcome evil, evil will overcome us. He explains how Satan attempts to destroy us, but because we have victory in Jesus, we can overcome this. He goes over the church's responsibility and how we need to not only learn how to do this in our personal lives, but as a church body. It was a very interesting book and I enjoyed reading his perspective on this topic.

Thank you to Chosen Books for a copy of the book.

Pray About Everything (Review)

This review is for the book "Pray About Everything" by Paul Tautges. I really enjoyed this book, and especially the perspective of the author that prayer is proof of God-dependency. Each chapter speaks about a different aspect of prayer, such as "constant" prayer, community prayer, and who to pray for. Also discussed are things such as how to pray with thanksgiving, and remembering to include praise in your prayer - don't just make it a bucket list of things we want. He even touches on praying for our government, our elders, and how to pray when we don't even know what to pray about.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it as a good read.

Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews for a copy of the book.

My Daughter's Legacy (Review)

This review is for the book "My Daughter's Legacy" by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. This is part of the Cousins of the Dove series. In this book, we meet Therese Jennings from Virigina, 1864, but we also meet Nicole Talbot, of present day Virginia. As we read the story we are finding that their lives are intertwined.

I really liked this book because it tied together historical fiction (with romance and suspense) in with a present-day mystery (and romance). We know Nicole's story and what she's dealing with, but as we read the book, we realize how much Therese's story ties in with Nicole's - and we find out a lot of answers.

The characters are great and the story is interesting, so you won't get bored!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

The Kindness Challenge (Review)

This review is for the book "The Kindness Challenge" by Shaunti Feldhahn. I absolutely loved this book. I cannot WAIT to put it into practice. In this book, the reader is challenged to think of a relationship that is tough, or strained, or could just be better in general. Feldhahn asserts that we can make small steps to improve these relationships.

What is really amazing is how much this book made me self-reflect. I consider myself a very kind person, but I realized that I can definitely improve in a lot of areas, especially towards my husband and children. For example, one of the chapters talks about thanking my husband for the little things - washing my car, mowing the lawn, etc. These are the things I take for granted that he does. But when I thank him, it's an affirmation of love for him. I also realized that there are times I will thank someone in my family for something and then show exasperation right after. For example, "Thanks for changing the baby's diaper, but I really like for the tabs to be fastened this way", or "Bonnie! You know we don't do it that way!" These things make us lose perspective.

I could go on and on about the tips found in this book and the realizations I've had from reading it, but it would make this review really long. Please grab this book and try it for yourself.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multonah for a copy of the book.

His Guilt (Review)

This review is for the book "His Guilt" by Shelley Shepard Gray. Gray is one of my very favorite fiction authors, so I was excited to read this new book of hers. This is part of her Amish of Hart County series. In this novel, we meet Mark Fisher, who was wrongly accused of assault and left Hart County. We also meet Waneta Cain, who is unsure of Mark's innocence, but is willing to give him a chance to prove himself. They work together, so they start to form a relationship. Unfortunately, it isn't long before an Amish girl is attacked. Everyone in the community believes it's Mark because of the accusations from years ago. The community is afraid and Waneta wonders if she's right to trust Mark.

This is a great book about second chances, trust, building relationships, learning how to love, and getting over your past. I really like the characters and I'd love to read the rest of this series.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

The Good Book (Review)

This review is for the book "The Good Book" by Deron Spoo. In this book, the author goes over forty chapters in the Bible that reveal the biggest ideas from the Bible. I absolutely loved this idea and was really excited to read it. I really was not disappointed and found this book very interesting.

For example, the author discusses Genesis chapter 3, where "everything broke". Judges 16 which proves that God can use your failures. Matthew 6 which tells us not to worry. Acts 10 which proves that God loves the people you can't stand.

Every chapter actually has the chapter from the Bible, then the author's commentary on why this is such an important chapter, and then questions for reflection. I definitely found this book interesting and don't know that there is another book of its kind out there. I would highly recommend it.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Counterfeit Comforts (Review)

This review is for the book "Counterfeit Comforts" by Robia Scott. This book was so, so good, and talked to me about something I didn't even realize I needed help with. Scott points out that we all have a familiar go-to stress reliever - a glass of wine, ice cream, a television show, online shopping, etc. These are fine for temporary relief, but none of them can leave us with a lasting satisfaction. And some of them lead to harmful and addictive behaviors.

In this book, she talks about overcoming her own counterfeit comforts and encourages readers to make it past these temporary "feel-good" situations and find more permanent peace. Sometimes that means letting go of people, changing your thought process, and self-evaluate. She gives really great steps on how to do all of these things and find a more permanent comfort in your relationship with God.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

The Captain's Daughter (Review)

This review is for the book "The Captain's Daughter" by Jennifer Delamere. This is book one in her series called London Beginnings. The book is set in London in 1879. Rosalyn Bernay is alone and penniless in London, with no references for work or any help. Fortunately she is offered a job at a theater backstage. She falls in love with the theater and would love to pursue it, but she does have some issues from her past that need to be dealt with. While at the theater, she meets Nate Moran, a soldier who was sent home due to a hand injury. Nate was quite sure he couldn't wait to get back to his regiment until he meets Rosalyn, and then he's not so sure what he wants to do...

This story is well written and has plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested. It is one of the best historical romances I have read in a while because there is so much going on in the story, and I really enjoyed the characters as well.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Welcome to College (Review)

This review is for the book "Welcome to College" by Jonathan Morrow. This book was absolutely one of the most well-written, most useful books I have ever read. I only wish I had read this book ten years ago when I was entering college!

This book is long, but it is so worth the read. As you enter college, you are introduced to a swarm of other people, other religions, other cultures, other ideas... and many of them will involve people who you respect, people who are smarter than you, and people who are older than you, as well as people who are more confident in their beliefs than you! This book is awesome for affirming your faith and why you believe what you believe, so that YOU can have that confidence. It covers everything from mourning to studying, to staying healthy, to the "big" questions about God (Do all roads lead to God? Did Jesus really rise from the dead?)

I sincerely wish that all teens would get a copy of this book upon high school graduation. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Hiding From the Kids in My Prayer Closet (Review)

This review is for the book "Hiding From the Kids in My Prayer Closet" by Jessica Kastner. Kastner begins the book by assuring readers that she is an "Un-Mom" so if any readers also feel like that, they are not alone! She begins the book by describing how she felt like an outsider when around many other moms, because of her personality. Each chapter is a hilarious outtake on our lives as moms. Has your wardrobe gone from slinky dress to comfy bathrobe? Does the term "family vacation" make you cringe? And how much do you LOVE going clothes shopping for yourself with your children in tow? Kastner will have you laughing and nodding in agreement throughout this entire book. Even if you are past some of these phases, I guarantee you will remember what it was like to be in the trenches, as she so adequately puts it!

This book is easy to read because it's totally relevant, and it feels like your best friend just wrote down all her feelings for you to read. Read the book and then pass it on!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.