Tuesday, May 31, 2016

THE CHRIST-CENTERED HOME by Emily Belle Freeman—#books #reviews #amreading

THE CHRIST-CENTERED HOME by Emily Belle Freeman. I loved how this book was sectioned in a way that it wasn't overwhelming to read. Sometimes when I dive into books like this I feel like I'll never be able to do anything they're talking about because it's so huge. In contrast, this book has something to focus on each month, something small. For example, one of the months was focusing on prayer or the act of inviting the Savior into your home. That's something small I can handle at this time in my life. I loved the comforting feeling the came as I was reading the book. It definitely calmed my crazy life. This is a book for anyone who is looking for a way to focus more on the Savior. Really it is for anyone who loved the Savior and wants Him to be more a part of their daily lives. I would highly recommend it.

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In the hectic scramble of a world that asks us to do everything, be everyone, and make it all look easy, we often lose track of the experiences that really matter most—quiet moments in our homes with our families when we feel the peace of Jesus Christ.
The lessons Jesus taught in the homes of His followers were simple. They were basic. And they were—and are—essential. In The Christ-Centered Home, you will discover how to fill your family's hearts with the principles Jesus taught in the most sacred of classrooms: the home.
There is a humility that comes when we invite the Lord into our most private spaces. Within the hush we hear the gentle whisper of His voice, we experience the touch of His hand, and we feel the prompting to rise. Invite Him in, and experience the added measure of peace, strength, courage, and hope that comes when Jesus Christ becomes the central focus of your home.
*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

THE EARL'S BETROTHAL by Karen Tuft — #amreading #bookreviews #giveaway

THE EARL'S BETROTHAL by Karen Tuft. This was a delightful love story. It pulled me in right away, and I fell in love with the characters. There were a couple of twists that Karen did a great job weaving into the story. Amelia was very confident and sure of herself in most areas of her life, so when she was unsure of herself, at times, it seemed out of place for her character. Of course that could have been inflicted on her because of society, but to me it felt out of character. Anthony was true to his character through the whole book. It is a very sweet love story that anyone would enjoy.

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Out of the war and into another, Captain Lord Anthony Hargreaves finds the politics of romance to be as uninviting a battle as the one that nearly cost him his life in Badajoz, Spain.
Wounded both mentally and physically from the Peninsular War in 1812, Anthony returns home to find that his older brother has died, placing Anthony next in line to inherit the estate. But he’s not ready for such responsibilities. And when Anthony’s dying father pleads with him to marry and produce an heir to preserve the family title, it nearly sends Anthony over the edge; nevertheless he dutifully faces a long line of hopeful young ladies who await him. No one grabs his attention, though, like Amelia Clarke, his mother’s stunning companion, who is off-limits for the earl. But when Anthony unwittingly puts Amelia in a compromising situation, he dedicates himself to protecting her reputation.
But the horrors Anthony faced while away from home have left him feeling broken and tormented. And Anthony finds himself drawn to Miss Clarke, the only one who can chase away his demons, but he must overcome the hostility of a society driven by class, a jealous duke bent on revenge, and himself—for could Amelia ever really love a haunted man?

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.


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Monday, May 9, 2016

I'MPossible by Jeff Griffin— #bookreview #amreading interview

I'MPossible by Jeff Griffin. This was a great motivational read. He would relate a life story and attach a life lesson at the end of the chapter. It's always interesting to see how different people handle and deal with things that life throws at them. I appreciated him stating that he had a choice and explained why he chose the way he did. This book will show and teach you that you do have a choice in how you accept and react to things in life. I would recommend it to anyone going through a tough time and those who just need a pick me up read. Read the first chapter for Free on Jeff's website.

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The sun’s rays filtered in from the partially opened shades of the plane. They lit up the world in front of me and warmed my soul, knowing I was almost to my destination. The beautiful golden light replaced the grey and hazy cobwebs from my eyes, revealing the most spectacular scene I had ever seen in my entire life. I looked out the small seven-inch window and witnessed something that I’ll never forget! I beheld something in this magnificent world that the majority of people never get to see. I was looking out at Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak!
I was at the tail end of a three-flight journey with two layovers in between, nearly logging twenty-four hours of flight time. I hadn’t gotten any real sleep in the last thirty-six hours. My bloodshot eyes were heavy, my mind was slow and sluggish, and my body was even slower in response. How did I get here? I thought to myself. Am I d-r-e-a-m-i-n-g?
As Lao and Confucius once said, “A journey of one-thousand miles begins with one step.” My story is about inspiring you to take your own journey one step at a time. It’s about dreaming and accomplishing the impossible. It’s not only about aiming for the sky and reaching for the stars but enjoying the journey along the way.
*A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Author Bio-
Jeff Griffin is a wheelchair athlete who earned his Master’s degree in Education and knows how to win.  He played in the 2004 Athens Olympics, holds a Guinness Book of World Records, and is a four time NWBA All-Star MVP.  He enjoys mentoring youth, distributing wheelchairs, and providing Peer Training Materials through his humanitarian efforts with LDS Charities.  He is passionate about progress.

Interview:

1.) What inspired you to write I'Mpossible? –  My book is all about accomplishing the impossible and the journey we must take to fulfill our dreams.  When I got to college the professor had all 150 of his students write a paragraph on a certain topic and hand it in.  The next day he called six students names in the classroom and had them go to back of the room.  They were told in semi-private terms that they needed to take a remedial class so they could get caught up.  I was one of those six! I didn’t know it at the time but It was the best thing that could have happened to me.  I learned the basics of writing. I had a personal experience with a professor that cared about what I had inside my mind and heart.  He was someone who wanted me to learn how to express and share my own ideas and stories.  He taught me that the impossible was possible.  He helped planted a seed of hope in the field of stories.  I now love to lounge around in the world of words!  This class and professor helped liberate me from the chains of doubt and discouragement.   In return I hope to inspire millions to take their own first step towards their own dreams and desires with my personal story from trying to tragedy to triumph.  My joy and happiness comes from helping others break free and see there is more to life than what we see!   

2.) What is the main message of your book?  The main message of I’mPossible Is that we are all faced with a mountain of trials and more often than not, we listen to those around us and think that our personal trials are too big or too tough to overcome.  That is just not true.  In the introduction of the book I write,  “I understand that more than likely you don't have the same problem as me but I believe we all have a handicap or a Mt. Everest to climb in some area of our lives.  Nobody is perfect, no matter how much you want to believe it!  Your handicap could be a mental disability that pains you beyond comprehension.  It could be something that we have been suffering for days, months, and or even years.  It could be a social handicap that paralyzes us when we're out in public or inside our private walls.  It could be a physical handicap like my own where others can instantly see what our problem is without being able to hide it.  Unlike other disabilities that are more personal which can be kept from others and hidden for a very long time.  Your Mt. Everest could even be a spiritual handicap that we refuse to acknowledge.  Or perhaps it could be something we have been struggling with for a very long time and we are having a very hard time overcoming it.  Whatever your individual handicap is it can be conquered!  These disabilities can be either debilitating or liberating.  They can hold us back or lift us up.  They can remain our weakness or they can become our strengths.  I hope by sharing my story of big dreams, grave disappointments, and euphoric triumphs it can help in some small way to lift you closer to the light that lifts.  With each passing mile marker along the journey we can learn from our experiences or be lost for them.  I have found peace in the pain and joy in the journey.  I hope you can find some too, as you embark on your own journey within the pages of this book.  Remember; there are no excuses when it comes to success!  You'repossible!”  

3.) How can your message help other people?   I understand that my message will not resonate with everyone but I do know from experience that when I see or read about someone else who overcomes great odds or challenges It gives me hope.  I’m motivated to be better, to do more, and to give more.  It shows me that if someone else can do hard things then I too can overcome hard and impossible things.  Not only that but that life can be cherished and enjoyed even with hardships and heartache.  My message is a raw exposure to my heart and soul.

4.) What makes your book different than other motivational books? – I tried to make my book a little different by not only telling a heroic story but also giving some obvious and not so obvious clues on how to climb and overcome your own challenge of life.  Whether it is physical, mental, social, or intellectual I believe there is a way to accomplish the impossible.  There are guide posts instead of chapters and there is an invitation for every reader to think about certain areas of their lives and other places to take action with those thoughts.  The invitations are not overwhelming and may seem too simple but if followed, they will change your life.  I tried to make it clear and simple but powerful!