Category Archives: Reviews

A fair and honest opinion about someone else’s work.

Reviews

Book Review: Isobel’s Mission of Courage

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http://www.celebratelitpublishing.com/posts/book/isobels-mission-of-courage/

Isobel’s Mission of Courage provides a snapshot in the life of someone with breast cancer. But it is so much more. It is the tale of a family adjusting to a new town and the people they meet there.

Author, “Susan K. Beatty is passionate about finding courage through faith and grit, particularly through the trials of breast cancer. Her daughter is a metastatic breast cancer ‘thriver’ and has been an inspiration for her writing.”

I love the framework of the book, as I have walked through chemo with three friends. I found the progression of symptoms to be spot on, in describing the horror and acceptance to be dual companions in the process of losing hair, taste buds and energy.

An interesting twist is added with the appearance of a homeless woman, Noolie. Isobel can’t keep herself from taking on a project, and zones in on finding a way to help Noolie. She enlists the aid of her family and opens a new window into her own motives as she takes a look at why it is so important for her to serve.  

Isobel’s Mission of Courage presents an honest intersect of faith and the pain of unanswered questions. When Noolie’s story unveils, she asks, “If God saved me, then why didn’t He protect me?”

Isobel’s Mission of Courage is a Faces of Courage Novelette, and an encouraging glimpse at what it means to live out faith in difficult circumstances. Isobel’s husband reminds us, “It’s easy to remember to ask for help when we feel weak. But when we feel strong, we tend to forget we need as much help if not more.”

You’ll be encouraged to lean on God more and to walk side by side with others in the throes of life!

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Reviews

Book Review: Different Like Me

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Different Like Me by Xochitl Dixon

Different Like Me is a timely reminder of God’s beauty in each of us, as He links us together in the journey of life. On the outside, we may look different, but on the inside, we experience the same feelings of worry, hurry and fear. It’s reassuring to know we’re not so different, after all, because differences separate us, but likenesses unify us.

Xochitl Dixon created a helpful conversation tool with Different Like Me. From the back cover, “You’re different from everyone else. And sometimes that leaves you feeling like a fish out of water. You might feel like you don’t belong. But you’re wonderfully created by God – and so is everyone else! Join a diverse group of children working together to get their giant balloon to a surprise destination. Enjoy their journey, watch their progress, and celebrate their arrival as even a ‘fish out of water’ finds belonging.”

Xochitl (soh-cheel) Dixon writes through daily struggles with chronic pain, showing compassion for those who suffer. She is a regular contributor to the Our Daily Bread devotional and the author of Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace. Through blogging, Xochitl shares her journey and yearning to nurture spiritual growth through prayer and the study and application of Scripture.

The author also provides a page for parents, adding discussion questions to think about in standing down bullying and embracing diversity. She offers gracious perspective and speaks in winsome ways to cultivate conversation.

Different Like Me is a celebration of life in fun-to-read rhyme. Get a copy to share with your family, and enjoy the beautiful pages created by artist Bonnie Lui. Xochitl’s service dog, Callie, even makes a debut!

Sally

Callie
Reviews

Book Review & a Giveaway: Classic Marriage

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#classicmarriage

Classic Marriage: Staying in Love as your Odometer Climbs is not just another book about marriage. Classic Marriage takes a look at words like romance, soul mates, forgiveness, covenant, and your spouse’s eulogy. What? A eulogy? Yes, and so much more. Are you one who dislikes reading? Hang on for the ride, ‘cause Phil and Michelle Rayburn invite you to look at the Jeep engine with the tranny pulled out (that’s the transmission). Phil’s dry sense of humor adds commentary and Michelle provides illustrations of car upkeep, home remodel, boat anchors and piano tuning.

Michelle and Phil Rayburn have been married 30 years and wrote the book to cheerlead others on the journey. Michelle says, “I want our story to help someone else hang on for dear life when they consider letting go. You can do it with God’s help.”

Classic Marriage takes a look at the cost of improvements needed for maintenance. Not in terms of dollar signs but heart changes of humility and selflessness. When pride is set aside, the result is priceless. Instead of surviving marriage, the Rayburns want you to thrive, and provide realistic conversations about the daily choices to love your spouse instead of focusing on piles of dishes, laundry, and junk in the back yard.

Michelle describes the marriage-covenant relationship as a bond, much like super glue. When broken, both surfaces are torn apart in the process. Instead, she offers the alternative to see marriage as ministry to each other, to offer forgiveness in the trenches of life, and grace to walk together.

Michelle says, “Over the course of thirty years, I have had plenty of moments where I wanted to do the nice thing. I wanted to apologize. I wanted to make the first move. But I didn’t want it bad enough to set aside my pride to follow through with action. Every time, it was an opportunity lost.

“Pride is a liar. It looks like a shell that would protect a vulnerable heart from getting hurt, but instead it extends the hurt and blocks healing.”

Don’t let pride keep you from cherishing your spouse today. If we wait to make a list of all the things we appreciate in a eulogy, it will be too late to affirm your spouse. Now is the time!

I am giving away a copy of Classic Marriage: Staying in Love as your Odometer Climbs to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title) and answer this question, “What trait of your spouse do you admire?” You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Thursday evening, August 13. I can’t wait to hear your answers!

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Classic Marriage from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My honey with his classic!

Reviews

Book Review & a Giveaway: I Am David

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#iamdavid

I Am David, too, because I fail at times, I fulfill my calling at times, and I find God ready to hear me, at all times. I Am David is an exploration of ten things that made King David a great man used by God, and known as a man after God’s heart.

Jimmy Evans is the author of I Am David, and more than 16 other books, the Senior Pastor at Gateway Church, in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and as an overseer of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He and his wife, Karen, co-host MarriageToday, a ministry he founded.

I Am David is packed with insights into the battle we are all fighting. Evans says it takes courage to win the battlefield of the mind, and to rise above past pain. But, “You won’t discover your true greatness until you find it on the battlefield.”

Are you in a battle? Evans replies, we all are, and given armor to stand firm. He says, “Courage is not defined by how few fears a person has… but a commitment to do the right thing in spite of fear.”

This look at David’s life is inspiring because it shows how the Lord can work with a life surrendered to Him. And, it affirms how much God values us and seeks to free us from our own stubbornness. It had never occurred to me that the same man who faced Goliath ran from his own son. But, Evans says David “was not a man who hid behind his accomplishments, nor did he hide behind his problems, failures, and fears.” David fully relied on God to be his fortress.

When your enemy says, “Just who do you think you are?”

Evans advises us to firmly reply, “It’s not about me; it’s about the God in me who has made me who I am and called me with His unique calling. Christ in me is my qualification. His righteousness is my authority, and His Word is my reality. In Him I am called to enforce the devil’s defeat and bring heaven on earth!”

Get your own copy and soak the words into your heart. David’s leadership inspired revolutionary thinking!

faith-focused thinking

I am giving away a copy of I Am David to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title) and answer this question, “What trait of David do you admire, and why?” You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Friday, June 12 at 4 pm. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Sally

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Blog About Network book review program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Leadership, Reviews

Book Review & a Giveaway: The Unbeatable Recipe for Networking Events

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The Unbeatable Recipe for Networking Events

Do you attend networking events for work? Should you? Robby Slaughter says, “Yes!” and provides the formula in his treatise, The Unbeatable Recipe for Networking Events. Whether you are self-employed or work for a big corporation, a people person or an introvert, you will find takeaways in his book to help you grow in connecting with other people.

“Robby Slaughter is a workflow and productivity expert, and a nationally known speaker on topics related to personal productivity, corporate efficiency and employee engagement.” He is the founder of AccelaWork and the author of The Efficient Professional Series.

The premise of The Unbeatable Recipe for Networking Events is to provide fail-proof methods of connecting with others in your business, in order to gain rapport. Robby says the principal challenges for professionals are not technological, but psychological. He then proceeds to break down those challenges into doable action steps.

The interesting part of Robby’s formula stems from his thesis statement. He says, “Networking events are the most effective way to populate my personal database with the people I am about to serve.”

It is refreshing to see a purpose statement not self-serving, but to begin with service. And he continues on that thread throughout the book, providing tips for things to do at networking events, talking about the power of your own story, and the emotional response of a business card.

Whether you are an author attending a writer’s conference, an enthusiast attending a garden show, or in sales at a trade show, this book will give you confidence to put your best handshake forward and glean from the people you meet. It is “a key part of your strategy to help others.”

I am giving away my signed copy of The Unbeatable Recipe for Networking Events to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title) about your favorite networking tip, and you will be entered into the drawing, to be held in three days, May 30.

Sally

Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Faith, Reviews

Book Review : #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time

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#beYOU

What does it mean to #beYOU: Change Your Identity One Letter at a Time? Kolleen Lucariello says, “There are some things we are never too old to learn.” She tells of looking for purpose when her children left for college and realizing God views us differently than we view ourselves.

Kolleen Lucariello is the mom of three, and wife to Pat. She is Executive Director of Communication and Content at Activ8Her, Inc, “a ministry that serves as a catalyst for women to activ8 growth in three areas: spiritually, leadership skills, and relationship skills.”

#beYOU is a call to transformation. Kolleen uses each letter of the alphabet to examine a life submitted to the Lord and the remodel of a person’s character. After unpacking the word representing that letter, the chapter exercises take the reader to the next level by adding the ABCs.

            Activate: start the work

            Become: come into existence and #beYou

            Confess: declare in faith

#beYOU is not just a nice devotional, it is an agent for life-change. I do not recommend speed-reading through to the end; take time to digest the meaty discussions and process what they look like in relation to your day-to-day interactions.

Kolleen’s unique insights bring refreshment to a thirsty soul. She reminds us “God desires that we walk in the fullness of who He created us to be.”

Topics include loneliness, acceptance, and compromise. Kolleen’s vulnerability makes me feel like she understands me and the battles I face. The illustrations she uses pull fresh meaning out of Bible passages, and encourage me to dig deeper into those passages for myself. One example is from Chapter E: Established. Kolleen says we can liken David’s miry pit to quicksand. Yet, God, our Rock, pulls us out of our muck to stand with firm footing in His Word.

In Chapter F: Forgiven. “Holding a grudge is like a high-paying job; I pay the high cost.”

And, the Samaritan Woman, “The woman who once avoided the crowd became the woman running to the crowd.”

#beYOU provides an in-depth look at our identity in Christ and in finding security “where I can see myself the way He sees me.” I wholeheartedly recommend this for your library and for those on your gift list. It will delight and inspire you!

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Faith, Reviews

Book Review: Old Paths and Ancient Markers

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Old Paths & Ancient Markershttps://mkgantt.com/books/

Old Paths and Ancient Markers is a call to action. It is a fitting of armor for the battle waged against the truth of God’s Word. M.K. Gantt says, “We are faced in our generation with a committed, concentrated, and full-frontal assault on the integrity and authority of the Word of God.”

“In his more than fifty years of public ministry Michael Gantt has served as a youth pastor, senior pastor, and gospel musician. He has written and directed numerous musical dramas for the stage. Michael is the author of six books including Cry Mercy, Cry Repent, and Sleeping Near the Ark. He is a frequent speaker for local congregations as well as men’s conferences, writers’ conferences, and mission events.”

Old Paths and Ancient Markers presents a clear case for Truth. Not individual truth, but Truth established for all to follow by the God who decreed it. As disciples who guard the treasure of the Gospel, we are a part of a long line of those who preserve the integrity of the message for the next generation.

Michael contends there is no place more important to the expansion of the kingdom of God, than the home. The home is God’s plan for sharing the message, teaching its values, and growing disciples. The home is where God intended His love to be modeled, lived out and passed on. It is the place where sacrificial love is best revealed.

Chapter 13 provides a vulnerable reveal of Michael’s life. It shows how his passion for the family was shaped in growing up without one. And then, in his years of having one, neglecting it. His own wakeup call became a clarion call for other fathers to also rise to the challenge to invest in their children. He says it is never too late to reclaim your family, and reminds of David’s army when Ziklag had been ransacked. God told David to “Pursue, overtake, and recover!”

Old Paths and Ancient Markers makes you squirm, yet eager to join the charge to reclaim the family as God’s center for instruction. It is a timely reminder to all disciples to stand up and be counted in the current events of our nation. We can no longer let someone else determine our value systems and morals. God’s Word is constant and true. It will never be out of date because God’s mercies are new every morning.

Get a copy of Old Paths and Ancient Markers for yourself. Use it as a study for your small group. But most of all let it point you back to the Bible as your measuring stick. It is the precious Word of God!

Sally

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Faith, Reviews

Book Review: Waiting for God

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Waiting for God by Xochitl Dixon

Are you waiting for God to act on your behalf? Does it feel like He isn’t involved in the day to day details of your life? Xochitl Dixon brings a refreshing look at God’s Word and His pacing. She says God’s plan and pace are perfect, and then illustrates with personal examples, as well as through the stories of others walking the long road of the wait.

Xochitl (soh-cheel) Dixon writes through daily struggles with chronic pain, showing compassion for those who suffer. She is a regular contributor to the Our Daily Bread devotional and other publications. Through blogging, Xochitl shares her journey and yearning to nurture spiritual growth through prayer and the study and application of Scripture.

Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace is a gift of companionship. Often, pain sufferers live in isolation. Pain keeps us from reaching out for the help we need and makes us feel alone. But Waiting for God breaks the solitude with stories of perseverance, hope and encouragement. It equips us to “Inhale God’s Word. Exhale in prayer. And rest in God’s love.”

What kind of pain do you carry? Is it grief, physical ailments or broken relationships? Xochitl will comfort your heart by pointing to the Savior. She leads with passages of Scripture, prayer, and provoking questions. She reminds to view the wait as a collection of countless opportunities to get to know God more, trust God more, honor God more, and worship God more.

Xochitl says, “When we limit our desires to the things of this world, we’re hindered by our own limitations as created beings. Every idol we try to set up in our hearts can only fail us. No matter what happens in the wait, no matter what we’re longing for, the Lord Almighty will give us more than enough to persevere. He will be more than enough, because He is the only one who is enough, the one and only true God. The time God provides for us is precious and purposed for His glory. As we fall deeper in love with Jesus, He can give us an eternal perspective. The Holy Spirit can empower us to obey because we want His plan to prevail. Our loving Father can help us trust His perfectly timed pace.”

I want that deeper love; don’t you? Join me in the quest to thrive in the waiting seasons, as we see “the pause” through Xochitl’s eyes.

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received this book as a giveaway from the Celebrate Lit blog tour.

Reviews

Book Review: Isaiah’s Legacy @WaterBrookMultnomah #Partner #sponsored

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Isaiah’s Legacy @WaterBrookMultnomah #Partner #sponsored

Isaiah’s Legacy takes a wild ride through history with Israel’s king, Manasseh, and those intertwined in his life. Throughout his lifetime, Manasseh earned the title of brutal, fierce and wicked. However, Mesu Andrews asserts, his is “the greatest prodigal journey in Scripture.”

“Mesu Andrews is the Christy Award–winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter and numerous other novels, including The Pharaoh’s Daughter, Miriam, Of Fire and Lions, and Love Amid the Ashes. Her deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the biblical world alive for readers. Mesu lives in North Carolina with her husband, Roy, and enjoys spending time with her growing tribe of grandchildren.”

I sat on the edge of my seat, waiting to see how the story would be redeemed. Yet, the plot darkened. I grieved with characters over the fight for power and prestige, yet, the wicked kept winning. Is this how God grieves over our decisions that separate us from Him?

Isaiah’s Legacy highlights the darkness of following one’s own counsel and rejecting wisdom from the Lord. Like those of long ago, we find cracks in our faulty theology and hope for a return to faith in the one, true God. When faced with unimaginable terror, God’s followers find unexplainable peace, and we remember He uses good and bad as instruments in His hands. If you’ve ever wondered how the Israelites could so easily be led astray, read this narrative of how events could have been arranged. It’s eye-opening and puts flesh and bones on vague names and missing faces. You, too, will agree with the Queen Mother, “I don’t understand why Yahweh allows evil to win,… but of this I’m absolutely certain. My God is good. He has a plan. And His victory will somehow be bigger than our sorrow.”

Isaiah’s Legacy is absolutely a must-read for your library!

Sally

Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the WaterBrook/Multnomah book review program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Family, Reviews

Book Review: The Great Lemonade Stand Standoff

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The Great Lemonade Stand Standoff

The Great Lemonade Stand Standoff highlights what happens when cool agents Jake, Sophia and Brody face off against Albatross agents in their quest to foil cool agent plans. The misadventures of the lemonade brigade turn sour and send the agents scampering for a back-up plan.

Author and dad, Art Rainer is the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Art is a self-proclaimed Albatross fighter who helps people make good money choices.

Right off the bat, we’re introduced to characters with secret intel given from the narrator to the reader. In that conspiratorial tone, we watch from a front row seat as Jake, Sophia, and Brody become cool agents with sunglasses and black suits. The trio take off to solve their first challenge and we hang on to the side of their rocket car for the adventure.

Art Rainer has managed to bring an entertaining element to learning about money management. A fun read for ages 8 – 12, this early-reader fiction provides math problems to solve and giving lessons to learn. It gives parents a solid foundation for talking about money principles and things kids like to be grossed out about, like used chewing gum and stinky body odor. Rainer even congratulates readers halfway through and rewards with unusual money facts.

An excellent book, The Great Lemonade Stand Standoff is one I can’t wait to share with my grands. I know it will bring laughter as the agents race to save their friend from the stinky Albies, agents of Albatross. You can get a copy, too. Hang on for the ride as you set out on your quest to learn how to Give, Save & Live God’s way!

Sally

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book from B & H Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.