Category Archives: Reviews

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

Reviews, Writing

Book Review: How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month

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How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month takes the writer through the initial nugget of an idea to the launching of that idea in a book. It includes audience, platform, search engines, visibility, marketing, and other revenue streams. But author Susan Neal says book sales happen before going to print. They happen before marketing. And before editing. She says book sales begin with finding a target audience to be your focus group.

Susan Neal RN, MBA, MHS is a certified author coach with the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). She is President of Christian Authors Network (CAN) & Director of Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA). Susan has also published seven books that continue to sell thousands of copies.

Susan says Christian writers especially must have a marketing plan to equip them for their ministry and audience. A whole chapter is devoted to fleshing out that plan and defining the approach. She outlines and provides ideas for monthly implementation of the marketing plan and provides a printable template on her website.

I am amazed at how much information and action steps are packed into this book. It is a treasure trove of ideas that can be immediately implemented by authors, whether in the beginning stages of a new book or at the finish line. It provides a comprehensive handbook for the publishing world and is a great tool for my upcoming book!

Sally

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

I’m especially excited to share this book with authors, as we approach our Book Fair in 30 days!

Saturday, October 3 from 9 am to 1 pm

Busti Church of God

996 Forest Ave, Ext.

Jamestown NY 14701

Reviews

Book Review & a Giveaway: Faith Simplified

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Faith Simplified takes the reader into discussions about the Bible and what it teaches. The title is a sneak peek at the method of that discussion—not technical but understandable. Stated simply, yet profoundly. Indeed, the author says, “theology is what you understand and believe about God.”

Aaron Armstrong wrote Faith Simplified to “aid in discovering, delighting, and ultimately devoting yourself to the truths you find in its pages.” Aaron “writes to engage those curious about Christianity, encourage new believers, and equip those who come alongside them.

Aaron says God wants you to know who He is and then unpacks the Bible in such a way that his passion for understanding God’s nature is contagious. Aaron says God is “hands-on” in the formation of every person because we are all made in the image of God. I want to know that God, don’t you? The loving faithful God who calls all people to come to Him!

Aaron asks:

  • Is God real?
  • Why is the virgin birth so important to Jesus’ nature?
  • How important is the resurrection?
  • How do God’s nature and attributes encourage or challenge you?
  • How does sin affect the world?

Aaron does a thorough job of digging into the Bible without making it overwhelming. I am very impressed that he was able to do so in such a rich and winsome way. I’m happy to give away not one, but two copies of Faith Simplified to two readers in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title). You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Wednesday morning, August 12. Tell me about when you first met Jesus! Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Sally

Disclaimer: I received two copies of this book from the Blythe Daniel Agency in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Reviews

Book Review & A Giveaway: What is the Bible?

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What is the Bible? Jack Wolf presents a picture for those who are new to God’s Word and writes in terms that are easy to follow and understand.

Jack Wolf is “a former pastor with a background in guiding people through everything from breakdowns to breakthroughs, Jack brings that same grit, clarity, and compassion to the page. His no-nonsense approach challenges readers to stop chasing quick fixes and start doing the deep identity work that leads to lasting change.”

Jack says the entire point of the Bible is “to describe and reveal Jesus to humanity so that we can find Him and be closer to Him.”

And that is the most beautiful reason of all to read and understand God’s Word. Just like the subtitle says, Jack’s purpose in writing is to, “Understand its history, find personal meaning and connect with its author.”

Typeset in large print, this book provides an overview for someone who doesn’t have any background in Bible knowledge. It is a great introduction to go farther into discussions of faith and finding hope in God’s love for His creation.

I am giving away a copy of What is the Bible?  to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title) and enter the drawing to be held on Friday morning, July 31. Tell me about your first experiences of getting acquainted with the Bible. Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Sally

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

Reviews

Book Review: Windblown

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Windblown will grab you from the very beginning!

In a spine-chilling, adventure throbbing chase, Cassie seeks answers to the untimely demise of her father at the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania.

Jake, a Special Ops Marine, works with the CIA to uncover a plot to blow up a stadium on the anniversary of the Embassy bombing.

As their lives intertwine, will Cassie and Jake find more in common than a dark day in their past?

A.K. Coulter has lived her entire life among military veterans and brings authenticity to the story of international intrigue in the first of the Elements of Grace Series, Windblown. Her writing invites the reader to imagine sharp decisions made by military in crises while bringing humor to everyday life interactions. Just when you think you’ve figured out the plot, hold on. As Tanya the spy says, “Sometimes the best hiding place of all is in plain sight.”

Sally

Reviews

Book Review & A Giveaway: Journey with Bunyan’s Pilgrim

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Journey with Bunyan’s Pilgrim says, “God uses our memory to remind us of the past so we do not repeat our sins. At the same time, He wants us to see clearly His love, mercy, and grace in the examples of what Jesus has done. These bring perspective to our relationship and give hope to our future.”

Journey with Bunyan’s Pilgrim was written by Ann L. Coker, wife to former pastor Bill Coker. In the book, Words of Endearment, Ann also partnered to bring Bill’s sermons to life in written form. Ann asks, “What is the goal of your Christian walk?”

Ann furnishes this companion guide for The Pilgrim’s Progress as a study tool to apply the lessons and ferret out the nuggets from John Bunyan’s famous book. She presents insights into the allegories and journaling prompts for processing the truths there. Indeed, Ann acts like a helper throughout the route. She reminds us, “we do not travel alone, for God has sent companions to enable us along life’s journey.”

Ann recognizes the need for self-care for a successful trek, and our need for a shepherd. She says, “Sheep need tending; they are often careless about their needs and unable to stay on the way. With his staff, a shepherd will rescue a wandering lamb and get him back on the right path.”

Journey with Bunyan’s Pilgrim provides an overview of John Bunyan’s work and through that summary gives a takeaway for the reader to process their own way through the valley and peaks of life in our times.

I am giving away a copy of Journey with Bunyan’s Pilgrim to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title). You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Saturday morning, November 1. Tell me about when you first became acquainted with John Bunyan’s book, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Sally

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

Reviews

Book Review & A Giveaway: The Expectation Gap

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The Expectation Gap says, “The key to managing expectations is to identify them and adjust them based on reality, not try to make reality conform to the expectations.”

The Expectation Gap was written by Jamie Hallman, CEO of a real estate business and world traveler. Jamie found herself enjoying others more for who they were when she took the burden of expectation out of the equation.

Jamie lays out a comprehensive guide to identifying and applying the tools to transform relationships. She says every relationship can benefit from identifying, setting, and communicating proper expectations.

I could relate to the need to identify, because expectations often lie below the surface until they are exposed by disappointment. How many times have we been hurt by something we didn’t know we wanted? Setting expectations is another way to establish boundaries in a relationship and helps us to know guidelines for relating to each other. Communicating expectations is the hardest part for me, knowing when it is appropriate to take that step in a relationship. Jamie helps the process by modeling the approach and follow up.

The Expectation Gap helps me see how interaction with my grands impacts their self-esteem. When I say, “You are smart, kind, sweet and I love spending time with you,” I am speaking into their character, and they will rise to fulfill that role. When I have unmet expectations in my marriage, I can be more mindful of interactions and notice my role in the interpretation of that expectation.

The Expectation Gap will encourage you in your quest toward your most authentic self and help you to dig deeper for transformation in yourself and with others.

I am giving away a copy of The Expectation Gap to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title). You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Thursday night, April 25. Tell me an example of a way to speak life into a relationship. Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Sally

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

Reviews

Book Review & A Giveaway: Purposeful Work, Blessed Rest

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Purposeful Work, Blessed Rest says, “The world will often tell you that to find rest, you need to focus on yourself. Or that to find purposeful work, you need to look within. Don’t believe it! You will find true rest and purposeful work when you turn to God and focus on the beauty of His splendour.”

Purposeful Work, Blessed Rest was written by Anna Hawkes Cabral, a wife, mother of three, author, blogger, and podcaster. Anna writes about The Gospel, Identity, Motherhood, Rest, Purposeful Work, Slow Living, and Social Media, as well as articles about homemaking and motherhood, Christian poetry, and short stories for children. Anna lives with her family in Portugal.

Anna tackles the difficulty of finding rest while being busy, and asks, “Are there certain situations that you are trying to control…instead of asking God for His will?” She asserts, “Rest in God is not an absence of activity. It’s an absence of anxiety.”

Yes, anxiety can present itself as busyness instead of productivity, but as a steward of our time, Anna proposes we lay aside our self-sufficiency and anchor our hope to God. She reminds us it takes self-control to be silent—the real work of surrender.

Purposeful Work, Blessed Rest is an insightful collection of thought starters in the quest for rest and productivity. It’s packed full of brief reflections to lengthen time with God and equip us to stop striving. As we rest in God, we know He will fight our battles and those of our children. Anna says surrender is the work that pleases the Father!

I am giving away a copy of Purposeful Work, Blessed Rest to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title). You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Friday morning, March 22. Tell me a tip about how you’ve found balance in your quest for purposeful work and blessed rest. Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Sally

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

Reviews

Book Review & A Giveaway: Until Then—Stories of Loss and Hope

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Until Then—Stories of Loss and Hope brings a sense of camaraderie in the trenches of grief. Thirteen stories of the loss of a child tie together the purpose of showing God’s faithfulness in tragedy and unfailing love in the aftermath. For those who haven’t experienced the loss of a child, Until Then provides perspective in the need for a listening ear and a comforting shoulder to lean on.

The various authors are joined together by editors Dr. Gary and Laura House, founders of Our Hearts Are Home. After their son left earthly life, Laura and her husband, Gary, founded the Our Hearts Are Home ministry as a way to reach out to other bereaved parents.

The beauty of a variety of authors is found in the central message—each found hope and the renewed confidence that they would survive the unthinkable. John and Sharon said, “God supplied His peace, and we have hope, not a hopeless end, but an endless hope.” Molly found the Ultimate Treasure, Christ, and Melanie realized she could open her hands to bruising as well as blessing. Carol said, “Joy wins the day. It’s taken a long time for this to become a reality, for the joy and the sorrow to shift and change places. They coexist nicely now, both making room for the other when necessary.”

One especially helpful thought for me, Janet talked about the phrase “fear not.” “No one lays their fears to rest by simply telling themselves not to be afraid.” She talks about steps to take, then relying on the Holy Spirit to do the work necessary for the fear to dissipate.

All of the authors agreed that a community is essential for support in the grieving stages. Our Hearts Are Home is providing a conference for bereaved parents this weekend, October 13-14. The conference is available online with speakers and sessions to surround families with those who understand what they are processing. Take a look at this link.

I am giving away a copy of Until Then—Stories of Loss and Hope to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment on my blog (at the top of this post, under the title). You will be entered into the drawing to be held on Friday morning, October 13. Tell me about your loved one who has gone ahead to heaven, or a verse that encourages your heart. Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Sending hugs to you if you are currently on the path of grief. God knows and He cares.

Sally

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

Family, Reviews

Meet Mandy Farmer!

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Guest Post. Meet Author Mandy Farmer! I’m happy to have her join us today.

Mandy Farmer

Mrs. Mandy (as the children call her) is passionate about children, animals, and music. She grew up on the family farm in Louisville, Ohio and Cambria, Wisconsin. After 25 years of pastoral ministry, she and her husband have retired to Savannah GA near their adult children. Mandy blogs about chronic pain and she is working on a children’s book about fibromyalgia- Soft Hugs for Mommy is close to being released. Also, in the works is a devotional book for the chronically ill.

Holly, the Holstein Talks About Milk Cows

The Birth of Holly the Holstein

Who knew that a simple favor to a friend could grow into a children’s book that the children love? Only God.

At the beginning of the year, I was determined to get busy writing and compiling my devotions for a book. For several reasons, I decided I would self-publish. I attended a writer’s workshop where I met a young mom. She created a course for homeschoolers to help moms encourage their children to write and publish their stories. She asked me to be a BETA tester. Thinking it would be a good introduction into the self-publishing world, I said yes. It was a wonderfully fun experience and I ended up with Holly the Holstein Talks About Milk Cows. The course is now available at Mommyscribbles.com

I grew up on a family dairy farm and always had a passion for animals. So, when we came together to decide what to write about, this was only natural. I figured I would sell a dozen books to family and friends but before I knew it Holly was quite popular. In the first week, the book ranked number 10 in one category on Amazon. So, I created a Facebook page and a website offering free coloring pages. Then the reviews started coming in…

“I have to read this book ten times a day to my kids!”

“My grandkids take this book on their car trips.”

“Every night without fail, this is the book the kids want to read.”

When you read this book, you will meet Holly the Holstein and learn about the life of a milk cow on a family farm. This book is interactive, in that, Holly questions the reader throughout while she explains how much milk she produces, how much food she needs, and where the milk ends up.

Ideas for more Holly books are flooding my brain and I hope to offer more in a series very soon. There will be titles like, “A Day in the Life of a Milk Cow” and “Holly and her Farm Friends.”

Thank you for dropping by, Mandy!

Sally

Facebook Pages

Mandy Dawson Farmer Mandy Dawson Farmer | Facebook

Fibromyalgia Is it for Real? Fibromyalgia Is it For Real? | Facebook

Websites

www.mandyandmichele.com

www.thefarmersplace.com – Holly’s Book Club

Follow Mandy’s Writing journey and know what’s coming next at www.mandyfarmer.com

Reviews

Meet Beth Jones!

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Guest Post. Meet Author Beth Jones! I’m happy to have her join us today.

Beth is an International Speaker and Author of 25 books, wife to fire chief-paramedic Ray, and mom of 3 beautiful daughters, Heather, Eden, and Leah. Beth’s mission is encouraging women to use their gifts for God’s glory, fulfilling their purpose, and living a life they love. You can find out more about Beth’s speaking at women’s conferences, retreats, and online events at www.BethJones.net. Her Amazon Author Page is at www.amazon.com/author/bethmjones.

Walking With God

About the Book:

Have you ever prayed for something, and the answer(s) didn’t come? You wondered if God has taken the day off, is on vacation to a tropical island somewhere, or worse, He doesn’t notice you or just doesn’t care about you. Does prayer even work? Indeed, it does. Prayer is like dynamite power!

In Beth M. Jones’ book, Walking With God, she shares God has given to you and me an invitation, to just be with Him every day in the quiet, secret place of prayer. (Psalm 91) Through hers and her family’s difficulties in life, Beth has been in the trenches of spiritual warfare for years.

Her hard, painful marriage, severe financial issues, a house foreclosure and bankruptcy, medical problems with her children, heartaches, false accusations and attacks against her, and more, Beth has persevered with faith in Jesus.

Beth has learned the secret power of prayer and simple, childlike trust in God and His word, the Bible. She has a lifestyle of prayer, based on Philippians 4:6-7, New Living Translation:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Beth has been writing since childhood, but she wrote this book out of her personal experience in the “war zones” of life, praying for herself, her family, and others, and seeing God’s mighty power at work in response to her cries for His help.

You too can discover this amazing force of prayer and trusting Jesus, and know the joy of answered prayers, even God’s miracles. God wants to answer your prayers.

You will discover what to do when your prayers seem delayed. You will learn the key to fulfilling your destiny and your great purpose in Christ. Jesus is holding the door of intimacy with Him wide open. Will you enter in?

Book Drawing!

Beth is giving away a copy of Walking With God to one reader in the continental United States. Leave a comment here (at the top of this post, under the title). You will be entered into the drawing to be held Monday evening, October 3. Tell me a Psalm that draws you into prayer. Get an extra chance to win, when you share this post on social media (let me know where).

Thank you for dropping by, Beth!

Sally