The Polygamist's Daughter by Anna LeBaron

About the book:

My father had thirteen wives and more than fifty children . . .
This is the haunting memoir of Anna LeBaron, daughter of the notorious polygamist and murderer Ervil LeBaron. Ervil’s criminal activity kept Anna and her siblings constantly on the run from the FBI. Often starving, the children lived in a perpetual state of fear—and despite their numbers, Anna always felt alone. Would she ever find a place she truly belonged? Would she ever be anything other than the polygamist’s daughter?

Filled with murder, fear, and betrayal, The Polygamist’s Daughter is the harrowing, heart-wrenching story of a fatherless girl and her unwavering search for love, faith, and a place to call home.

My Thoughts:

The Poygamist's Daughter is the incredible true story of one little girl thrown into a terrifying and extremely confusing life. Hunger, fear, and change were her constant companions and she often questioned if anyone really loved her. Beauty from ashes comes to mind when I think of Anna LeBaron. Her journey from being part of a polygamist family controlled by fear to eventually discovering God as her personal savior is one that needs to be read. Anna and her siblings were taught at a young age that everything was down to further their faith and sacrifice was never to be questioned. They were also drilled in how to behave when questioned by authorities- even the FBI. Say nothing at all or "I don't know." and that's exactly what they did. Passed from "family" member to "family" member in order to keep her father's identity safe had to have been horrible. Can you imagine? Ervil LeBaron was a narcissistic individual with a very persuasive personality. He was arrested for allegedly having polygamist members killed who left the faith. Yes, Anna had this affect her directly when she lost loved ones who were murdered. Such an amazing story, that it's difficult to understand how this precious lady is able to live a happy and full life. Anything and everything is possible with God! Such a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing, Anna LeBaron. You're an inspiration and a joy!

Author Bio:

Anna LeBaron One of more than fifty children of infamous, polygamist cult leader, Ervil LeBaron, Anna LeBaron endured abandonment, horrific living conditions, child labor, and sexual grooming. At age thirteen, she escaped the violent cult, gave her life to Christ, and sought healing. A gifted communicator and personal growth activist, she's passionate about helping others walk in freedom. Anna lives in the DFW Metroplex and loves being Mom to five grown children. *I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest opinion*

Control Girl- An Enlightening Wake Up Call for Ladies Desperate to Let Go (even when they don't realize it)

My Thoughts:

Wow. This book has been a life changer, a wake up call, and at the same time a calming reassurance to me. If you're like most women, it will be for you, too. Do you crave control for yourself, your husband, your children, or your future? Do you search for ways of "helping" God? I had no idea but my whole life has been revolved around CONTROL. In fact, I could be the poster child for CONTROL GIRL. I'm not saying this with pride, I'm saying it with a heavy heart. It turns out that many women in the Bible were Control Girls, too. Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge and then "guided" Adam to do the same (control), Rachel had her servant sleep with Abraham to "help God" with His promise of children (control), and on and on. This book isn't guilt inducing, though, it's more like a friend advising you to release your burden of control and trust that God is the one in control- always. He doesn't need our assistance or input, ladies. He just needs our obedience and trust. My goodness, I struggle with this! But so has Shannon Popkin and she knows exactly what Control Girls struggle with every day. 

I absolutely devoured this book! Each lesson left an impression on my heart. I relaxed and leaned into the Lord instead of frantically thinking of ways to "help" Him. The burden of control is immense and stressful and I was beyond ready to let it go. I just didn't know it. Reading Control Girl was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Take time and read it yourself and you'll see what I mean. :)

Are you trying to stay in control of your quest for peace, joy, and security . . . and you're exhausted? Shannon Popkin's debut book, Control Girl, is a must-read for anyone with a heart that craves control. Join Shannon as she shares what she has discovered about her own control struggles and about God from studying seven Control Girls in the Bible. Whether it was Eve’s desire to know instead of trust, Sarah’s inability to wait for God to move, or Rebekah’s controlling hand on her family’s future, each of these women’s stories contain warnings and lessons for us today.


Learn how to give up control to God and become a Jesus girl! Enter to win a prize pack that will help you give up your Control Girl tendencies.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

A copy of Control Girl

A Vera Bradley tote

A rose gold arrow bracelet

A set of Moleskine journals

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on February 21. The winner will be announced February 22 on Shannon's blog.

{MORE ABOUT CONTROL GIRL}

Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible (January 2017, Kregel)

Tension, anger, fear, anxiety—it all begins with a heart that craves control.

Little fights with your husband and kids. Unhappiness when things don’t match your version of perfect. When your perspective of how life should go replaces God’s, you doom your quest for security, peace, and joy before it even starts.

Thankfully, there is a better way.

Join Shannon as she shares what she has discovered about her own control struggles and
about God from studying seven Control Girls in the Bible. Whether it was Eve’s desire to know instead of trust, Sarah’s inability to wait for God to move, or Rebekah’s controlling hand on her family’s future, each of these women’s stories contain warnings and lessons for us today.

Learn how you too can lay down this burden of trying to control everything and find rest in surrendering to the One who truly is in control.

{MORE ABOUT SHANNON POPKIN}

Shannon Popkin is a wife and mom, a speaker and teacher, and a leader of small group studies. She’s been published by “Family Fun,” “MOMsense,” “Focus on the Family Magazine,” and other outlets. She is a contributing blogger for True Woman.com and has blogged for several years at shannonpopkin.com. “Control Girl” is her first book.

Find out more about Shannon at http://www.shannonpopkin.com.

*I was given this book by Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*

When We last Spoke by Marci Henna- Heartfelt, Funny & absolutely Delightful!

My Thoughts:

When we Last Spoke is a delightful visit to the days of Elvis, drive-in movies, 
Necco Wafers, and dressing up and dancing to the Supremes. This step back in time revolves around Juliet and Evangeline Cranbourne, aka Squirrel and Rabbit, whose mother drops them off at their grandparent's house when she decides to pursue a Hollywood career. Ruby and Walt (Popo) generously raise the girls as their own and hilarity, heartbreak and lots of memory making ensues. I truly loved this book for many reasons. The writing was beautiful,:

"Time seemed slower back then. One hour felt like five. A week equaled a year. Christmas was always an eternity away. We marked days by rainfall, by the mysterious births of white-faced calves, and by how many buckets of maize we'd hauled to the chicken yard where we gathered eggs. Mealtimes were spent around Ruby's oval table, picking the tender white meat off of friend chicken wings and eating spoonfuls of sweet butternut squash, sliced red tomatoes and green peas, all vegetables from her blue-ribbon garden." (The words just make you want to jump into the story.) 

the stories were heartfelt and the characters were incredibly memorable. Small town antics involving eccentric old ladies, jealous church busy bodies and a mysterious single "floozy" with teased hair, frosted lip stick and go go boots keep the story rolling at a cleverly quick pace. I was charmed by the way the author delighted her audience with the point of view of a 9 year old girl. The only negative point is the cover if the book. It's boring, in my opinion, and this story deserves so, so much better. It's a charmer that will make you laugh- a lot- and will also deeply touch your heart.

****Marci will be giving away a FREE Kindle version from Feb. 20-24 on Amazon.*****

About When We Last Spoke (back cover):

            "Humor, heartbreak, and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and forgiveness in Fireside, Texas.

Meet Juliet Cranbourne, local radio personality and owner of a whimsical kitchen gadget store, and her sister Evangeline, a fruit tree geneticist who works for Oregon State University.

When a rift due to their orphaned past affects their sisterhood, Juliet convinces Evangeline to come home for Christmas and choose headstones to honor grandparents Walt

(a tenderhearted, good looking rancher) and Ruby (a blue-ribbon fiddler, fabulous cook, and expert in the art of making family feel loved).  As they cruise through Fireside in Ruby's

Thunderbird, Juliet hopes that healing memories will somehow smooth rough roads ahead.

Does the tremendous love that marked Walt and Ruby's lives still have the power to renew their sisterhood and help them find their place in the world?"

About the author:

            Marci Henna was born in Austin, Texas and lived as a child in Kenya, East Africa with the Wakamba tribe where her parents managed a medical research station. She later moved to the Hill Country ranch which has been in the family since the 1800's and currently lives in Austin.

*I was given a copy of this wonderful book by FlyBy Promotions. The words and thoughts expressed on my blog are my own.*

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst- Beautiful comfort when life leaves you hurting

My Thoughts:

I discovered that a hug can honestly be conveyed through words as I felt comforted and understood while reading the pages of Uninvited. Lysa TerKeurst engages with personal stories of isolation, rejection, and doors being closed in her life. Ya'll, we've all been there. Feeling less than, left out and lonely? Ouch. It's a  feeling of isolation with a sting that lasts for a long time. Emotions such as anger and frustration come to mind along with the desire to withdraw and mourn the loss of something you desired- a friendship, love, opportunity, etc. This book came into my life at exactly the right time as doors are closing left and right in my life. I was desperate to gain some control until I began to see things in a new way while reading Uninvited. God is always, always in control and He knows exactly what doors need to be opened and shut in my life. His plan is perfect and God knows the end of the chapter you're experiencing, too, while we only see what is currently happening. God knows what is BEST for you right now. He knows what you truly need. Beautiful.

I wanted to highlight SO much in this book! "Yes, I've been there!" "Yes, it's going to be ok!"  The devil is vicious, but he's not victorious. Lies flee in the presence of truth. Today's disappointment is making room for tomorrow's appointment. Amen!

View your situation as being set apart, not set aside. "To be set aside is to be rejected. To be set apart is to be given an assignment that requires preparation." There is a reason for this season and it's not to harm you. And these words are precious, indeed. "No person's rejection can ever exempt me from God's for me. Period. No question mark. Thank you, Lord.

Every person should read this book. Uninvited is a healing balm for the brokenhearted. God's love for us is so real and rich but the world can pull us away from Him. Thank you, Lysa TerKeurst for sharing your stories and guiding us back to the One who loves us more than we can ever understand. Thank you, God, for always being there.

Book Description

The enemy wants us to feel rejected . . . left out, lonely, and less than. When we allow him to speak lies through our rejection, he pickpockets our purpose. Cripples our courage. Dismantles our dreams. And blinds us to the beauty of Christ’s powerful love.

In Uninvited, Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences with rejection—from the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father to the perceived judgment of the perfectly toned woman one elliptical over.

With biblical depth, gut-honest vulnerability, and refreshing wit, Lysa helps readers: • Release the desire to fall apart or control the actions of others by embracing God-honoring ways to process their hurt. • Know exactly what to pray for the next ten days to steady their soul and restore their confidence. • Overcome the two core fears that feed our insecurities by understanding the secret of belonging. • Stop feeling left out and start believing that "set apart" does not mean "set aside." • End the cycle of perceived rejection by refusing to turn a small incident into a full blown issue.

*I was given an ebook copy of this book by BookLook bloggers. All my posts are honest and my own.*