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.*

All The Pretty Things by Edie Wadsworth- Beauty from Ashes

My Thoughts:

When you first see Edie Wadsworth, words like polished, educated, fashionable and beautiful come to mind. Her smile radiates joy, her blog reads part best friend/part mother/part I want to be her, and her home (featured in Better Homes and Gardens) is all sorts of extra special spectacular. I had no idea her story wasn't always so picture perfect. But truthfully, is anyone's? Life is filled with ups, downs and roller coaster rides through hard times. All the Pretty Things is Edie's emotionally powerful story and she's brave and generous enough to share it with the world. In the pages of this book you'll encounter addiction, hunger, loss and heartache as well as forgiveness, grace and love. Difficult times that may have hardened her heart actually served to strengthen Edie and created a drive to improve her life while also fully loving those around her. I was touched by the stories she shared about her alcoholic father and as well as the lean years of her childhood. My heart ached for the love of a 6 year old little girl who couldn't fully understand what was going on around her. Rescuing her father from a bar side stool, wanting to save her little sister from being punished, and the empathetic feelings for the desperate adults who shared the stage with her. There was never enough hope, or food, to go around. And yet, God always provided a light to encourage Edie, even if it was only found inside herself. I highly recommend this book! The chapters are short and an easy read and the story itself is a beautifully broken testimony that encourages and doesn't blame. It's filled with hope and truth and beauty. Thank you for sharing, Edie. You're lovelier than ever- one of the pretty things both inside and out.

*Read an excerpt here.*

*I was given this precious book by Tyndale in exchange for my honest opinion. It's wonderful!*

When There is No Miracle by Robert L. Wise- Finding Hope in Pain and Suffering

My Thoughts:

Christmas time is often a time of joy and family, gifts and memory making, but it can also be a time of sadness and loneliness. So many are dealing with grief, illness and (seemingly) unanswered prayers. I found great comfort in this thoughtful and godly book by Robert L. Wise. It does indeed help one "find hope in pain and suffering". First and foremost, rest in the fact that God is ALWAYS in control. 

"Sooner or later every one of us will find the fabric of our lives torn and violently ripped. As the frayed edges stand exposed, our whole being may feel naked and annihilated. Nevertheless we can rest with a newfound confidence. The Master Weaver will not only mend the tear but reweave the fabric into an even more meaningful design. What He does not will, He still uses." (When There is No Miracle p. 78)

"While our hardest moments are not necessarily sent by God, He still picks them up and uses them in new and constructive patterns." Cancer, birth defects, human suffering and even death  are not wasted. The evil one does exist and is "constantly attempting to win the spiritual warfare raging in the world." But we never need to fear. The final battle at Calvary was fought and won by God!

The author uses examples from his life- dark times where he had to lean heavily on the Lord. Robert L. Wise understands suffering. Cancer, depression, divorce, brokenness, loss of faith, tragedy and more are all spoken here. Stories of people he has counseled and prayed for. And there are also accounts of healing, miracles and divine intervention. This is a beautiful book of hope and comfort, one that would provide peace to those in times of darkness.

When There Is No Miracle (Revised and Expanded) 

Finding Hope in Pain and Suffering 

Robert L. Wise 

Times of profound darkness don't always require miracles to find the light.

Sooner or later, dark days obscure everyone's lives. Heartbreak is impartial. Tragedies, global or personal, strike every day, and people discover they have been swept out to sea by waves of destruction, anxiety, and catastrophe. How can Christians who believe in divine intervention understand the times when the lights go out and no miracle of deliverance appears? 

Robert Wise has more than a passing relationship with tragedy. He has not only lost loved ones; he has been on the front lines of the mayhem that seems to increase every year. Wise was the first clergyman on the scene following the Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City. He ministered to frightened people after 9/11. He has encountered countless people experiencing tragedy, all of them asking the same question: Why do the innocent suffer? 

When There Is No Miracle imparts the lessons Wise has learned in the midst of his own questioning. Each chapter encourages those who struggle, and demonstrates unexpected positive benefits of pain and suffering. Wise shares the experiences of those he has met in his ministry who faced times that seemed to be devoid of God's involvement. Yet, as Wise shows here, God is always behind the scenes, working for the ultimate good, even when we can't understand how. In this succinct volume, Christians can find new hope, learn to reconcile their faith with times of emptiness, and discover a new depth of meaning in the crucifixion of Christ. 

*I was given a copy of this encouraging and enlightening book by Kregel. This is my honest opinion.*

Amy Grant "Tennessee Christmas" CD review and Giveaway!

My Thoughts:

My younger sister was the first to discover the sweetly mellow voice of Amy Grant and I'm extremely glad that she did. Many years later I have a wonderful collection of Amy's music- Christian, secular and, of course, Christmas. She always makes me feel joyful, cozy and contented- like coming home. If you're already an Amy Grant fan or have yet to experience her music, you're in luck! "Tennessee Christmas" has just been released and it offers a delightful montage of Christmas tunes, both old and new. It's perfect for playing while you host family and friends, snuggle by the fire or even while you're busily baking cookies. Her voice just makes you feel... good. I've been listening to "Tennessee Christmas" as I do my Christmas shopping and I do believe it's keeping me in good spirits! Favorites on the CD are "To Be Together" (the audio is above), "Tennessee Christmas" and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful". It's Amy Grant's first holiday album released in 20 years so be sure and grab a copy. You'll be glad you did.

*FlyBy is generously offering a copy of "Tennessee Christmas" to one of my readers! Comment on this post to be entered! Winner selected on Sunday, the 4th, so hurry and enter!*

*I was given a copy of "Tennessee Christmas" from FlyBy promotions in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*

Bible Journaling Kit by Ellie Claire (Worthy Publishing)- Review and Giveaway!

My Thoughts:

Years ago I never would have dreamed of writing or (gasp!) drawing in my Bible. Goodness, no. But, thankfully, times have changed and I now know that time spent reading and delighting in the Lord's word is precious and can be done in many ways. My daughter has been dreaming of receiving a journaling Bible, so I was thrilled to receive the opportunity to review this Bible Journaling kit by Ellie Claire! It has everything needed to begin Bible journaling (minus a Bible)- a pen, colored pencils, alphabet and word stickers, a page protector mat with tracing lines, tab stickers and a pouch with adjustable straps to fit your Bible. The box could be improved upon as far as aesthetics go, but it's what on the inside that counts, right? This would definitely be a great gift to put under the tree, for both adults and teens.

**Interested in winning your own BIBLE JOURNALING KIT? Leave a comment on this post and I'll randomly choose a winner next Friday, December 2nd!** 

*And the randomly selected winner is #3..... Christy White! Congratulations, Christy! Message me your new address and I'll get your Bible Journaling Kit in the mail to you!*

About the Product

Create a work of art on the pages of your favorite Bible. Draw, color, or journal your thoughts, dreams, and prayers. Highlight your favorite verses or the encouragements that speak to your heart with pencils, stickers, and tabs. Kit includes:

·         4 sheets of word stickers

·         4 sheets of alphabet stickers

·         24 tab stickers

·         8 colored pencil twists

·         1 journaling pen

·         1 pouch with adjustable strap to fit Bibles of all sizes

·         1 ruled page protector mat with tracing lines

*Worth Publishing is also hosting their own giveaway! Enter here: http://bit.ly/BibleJournalingKitGiveaway *

            Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/BNBibleJournaling

Amazon: http://bit.ly/BibleJournaling

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/BAMBibleJournaling

Christian Book Distributors: http://bit.ly/CBDBibleJournaling

*I received this Bible Journaling Kit from FlyBy Publishing.*

The Cautious Maiden- Christian period romance filled with intrigue & passion!

My Thoughts:

"Jesus paid it all, all to whom I owe..." is still on my mind and in my heart after swooning through this wonderful period romance. The Cautious Maiden, by Dawn Crandall, is the 4th book in the Everstone Chronicles series. It's involves dashingly handsome and wealthy Vance Everstone (I guarantee he'll make your heart pound!) and beautifully innocent Violet Hawthorne. The book begins with an attack on Violet where Vance comes to her aid. With his questionable past and rumors that seem to endlessly follow in his wake, Violet questions Vance's motivations and finds herself feeling quite alone. Her parents have passed away and her brother has turned their home into a brothel! Going from bad to worse, Violet awakens one morning to find that she and Vance are in bed together! Through no fault of her own, she is compelled to remedy her reputation through an arranged marriage soon after. What is to become of our heroine?

I absolutely loved this book. The relationship between Violet and Vance is sizzling and mysterious (clean romance with plenty of passion) as there are many unanswered questions that come to light throughout the story. The setting is enchantingly romantic, the dialogue is perfection (I had to force myself to slow down and savor), the storyline is delightfully composed of bible verses, hymns and themes of redemption, true love and forgiveness. But don't be lulled into thinking this is all sweetness and light- there is also intrigue and danger! Violet's brother, Ezra, is a gambler, among other unsavory things, and shares his company with scoundrels. In fact, he "gambled" his own sister- and lost her to the retched Rowen Steele! Now Violet is at the mercy of Vance- but can she trust him? It's the first book I've read by Dawn Crandall and I truly look forward to reading more.

More about the Book:

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parents' New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks—but when Violet's own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintanceAnd—Vance Everstone. As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU. With danger stalking her and a new fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trustAnd—and who to leave behind.

Dawn Crandall is an ACFW Carol Award-nominated author of the award winning series The Everstone Chronicles, which consists of four books: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, The Captive Imposter and The Cautious Maiden which released October 4th, 2016.
Apart from writing, Dawn is also a mom of two little ones and serves with her husband in a premarital mentorship program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A graduate o…f Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until 2010 when her husband found out about her long-buried dream. It didn’t take her long to realize that writing books was what she was made to do.
Dawn is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the secretary for the Indiana ACFW Chapter (Hoosier Ink), and an associate member of the Great Lakes ACFW Chapter. She is represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher, and this is my honest review.

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood by Sarah Humphrey- Devotional Coloring Book

My Thoughts:
40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood is a lovely combination of a devotional and coloring book. Each of the 40 days includes a bible verse, short devotion, a prayer as well as a coloring page. I brought mine on a plane trip to Maine along with a pack of crayons! It's light enough to pack in your purse for times you're waiting in the doctors office, for your kids to get out of class, etc. I really enjoyed Sarah Humphrey's encouraging words to moms. They are real and refreshing and get right to the point- can be read in about 10 minutes. Mothers don't have a lot of free time! Topics covered include self-acceptance, self-care, reconciling with grief, hope, and expectations, generosity, presence and forgiveness. I also loved the fact that I could break out the crayons! The time I spent enjoying this book was all mine.😀 The words and bible verse blessed my heart and the coloring page was a sweet stress reliever. It would make a great gift for the mom who has everything!

{MORE ABOUT 40 DAYS TO A JOYFUL MOTHERHOOD}

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood: Devotions and Coloring Book to Nourish Mom (Abingdon Press, August 2016)

Nourishment for a mother’s soul through 40 days of devotion and . . . doodling! 

Wouldn’t it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions—an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

—Self-acceptance
—Self-care
—Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations
—Generosity
—Presence
—Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT SARAH HUMPHREY}

Often considered a dreamer and silly heart, Sarah Humphrey uses inspiration from her most beloved career, motherhood, to fuel her passion for writing, creative movement and teaching. She has and is authoring several books and children’s books. Sarah currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three beautiful, bouncy kids.

Find out more about Sarah at http://sarahhumphrey.com.

*I received this wonderful book from Litfuse.

Unstuffed by Ruth Soukup- The Perfect Read for Lightening your Home, Mind & Soul!

My Thoughts:

Unstuffed, written by Ruth Soukup, made an appearance into my life at just the right time. We're in the middle of moving and, not only that, there are many transitions occurring in my family- only one of which involves material items. I warmed to the author immediately as she speaks to her readers like a good friend- encouraging and very real. She provides helpful advice on how to declutter your home but that's just the beginning! (Her weekend intense purging schedule is awesome!) "Unstuffing" entails getting rid of excess that causes stress- too many "things", too busy of a schedule, toxic people, etc. and not enough quality friends, family, and alone time. Ruth Soukup bares her soul and shares her life's trials with us. She's been through very difficult times involving depression and several attempts at suicide and the bottom line is that we all need Christ and to rid ourselves of things that separate us from Him. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to others. It absolutely put me on the right track to unstuff my life.

Book Description

STUFF. It's everywhere. Lurking in corners and closets, spilling onto counters and coffee tables, creating havoc everywhere we look. And it's not just the physical clutter that weighs us down. Oh no, it is the stress of overbooked schedules, and the weight of life that sometimes feels oppressive and totally out of whack.

New York Times bestselling author Ruth Soukup feels your pain--she has been there too. Through personal stories, Biblical truth, and practical action plans, she will inspire and empower each of us to finally declutter not just our home, but our mind and soul as well. Unstuffed is real, honest, and gets right down to the question we are all facing--how can we take back our lives from the stuff that is weighing us down?

In this book, together we will:

• Create a comprehensive vision for our homes, and make instant changes to improve its overall function.

• Discover that more closet space is not the solution, and instead learn how to set strict limits for the stuff we bring in

• Overcome the frustration of dealing with our kids' influx of stuff and implement practical solutions for keeping the chaos at bay.

• Recognize the pitfalls of an overstuffed schedule BEFORE it gets out of hand, and instead learn to combat the culture of busy that keeps us running from one thing to the next.

• Finally conquer that mountain of paperwork that threatens to tumble down around us at any moment.

• Let go of the guilt that gets attached to gifts and instead learn to separate our loved ones from their stuff.

• Begin to cultivate our real friendships while eliminating the toxic relationships that weigh us down.

*I was given an electronic copy of this book from Booklook Bloggers and happily provided an honest review.*

The Alliance by Jolina Petersheim

My Thoughts:

The Alliance, written by Jolina Petersheim, is a thought provoking story of what could happen in an earth shattering, unseen future. The beginning of the book immediately grabs hold of readers when Moses Hughes' plane dramatically crashes into an Old Order Mennonite community after the instruments are destroyed, His accident was mysteriously caused by an electromagnetic pulse which wiped out technology- cars stop running, electricity fails, and telephones ceasing to work are only the beginning. Leora Ebersole, a young independent Mennonite, volunteers to care for Moses' wounds, although she's already responsible for her younger siblings and grandmother. When Moses reveals his concerns to the Mennonite community members it includes plans of guns and protection from the outside world. Chaos will be coming soon, he tells them, and they need to be prepared. What follows is something no one could have ever foreseen.

I enjoyed this unique glimpse into the future with Mennonite and "Englisch" people working together for survival. There is tension, drama and emotion and the feeling of peril is pervasive. The story does tend to drag a bit in portions of the book but overall a good read. The sequel, The Divide, will be released in spring 2017.

About the Book:

When Leora Ebersole sees the small plane crash in her Old Order Mennonite community, she has no idea it’s a foreshadowing of things to come. When the young pilot, Moses Hughes, regains consciousness, they realize his instruments were destroyed by the same power outage that killed the electricity at the community store, where Englischers are stranded with dead cell phones and cars that won’t start.

Moses offers a sobering theory, but no one can know how drastically life is about to change. With the only self-sustaining food supply in the region, the Pacifist community is forced to forge an alliance with the handful of stranded Englischers in an effort to protect not only the food but their very lives.

In the weeks that follow, Leora, Moses, and the community will be tested as never before, requiring them to make decisions they never thought possible. Whom will they help and whom will they turn away? When the community receives news of a new threat, everyone must decide how far they’re willing to go to protect their beliefs and way of life.

***Read a sample of The Alliance here!***

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

God Bless Us Everyone by Eva Marie Everson

My Thoughts:

God Bless Us Everyone is a contemporary story with parallels to the classic book, A Christmas Carol. Charlene Dixon was raised by her grandmother, "Sis", while keeping the whereabouts of her parents a secret. Life is good until she loses her position at an exclusive all-girls school. Charlene returns to her home town as the holidays approach and discovers that her old crush, Dusty Kennedy, is now the school drama teacher. Memories from the past assault her as she also runs into her father- whom she hasn't seen in many years. Has he changed? Can she forgive him? Charlene's grandmother and Dustin guide Charlene toward an introspective look into A Christmas Carol. Faith, grace and forgiveness play a large part in yesterday as well as today.

God Bless Us Everyone is an interesting contemporary twist on an old story. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with many of the characters, as they all seemed a bit shallow to me. I wanted to like Charlene and Sis but their relationship appeared awkward, at best. I'd categorize this book as more of a novella and that's perhaps why the characters lacked the depth that I typically prefer in a story. I wanted to hear more about Dusty's wife and son, Charlene's mom and dad, as well as Charlene's grandmother. I was left with more questions than answers after finishing this book.

God Bless Us Every One(Abingdon Press, September 2016)

Charlene Dixon—called Charlie by family and friends—is devastated at the recent loss of her job. 

For the last five years, the twenty-seven-year-old has blossomed as the activities director of an exclusive all-girls school. But when a misunderstanding with the headmistress leads to a pink slip right before the holidays, Charlie packs up her dreams and returns to her grandmother, Sis, who raised Charlie as her own in the mountains of North Carolina.

When Charlie arrives—broken and confused—Sis immediately puts her granddaughter to work behind the scenes of the local school’s Christmas play, A Christmas Carol. Charlie prickles at working with Dustin Kennedy, the drama teacher and her old crush from schooldays, but is even more put out at that the choice of the Dickens’ classic for the holiday performance. When she discovers her estranged father’s involvement her world turns on its head once more. But when Sis and Dustin encourage her to take a deeper look at the story behind A Christmas Carol, Charlie learns about trust, faith, and forgiveness and the needs of people in their own community.

{MORE ABOUT EVA MARIE EVERSON}

Eva Marie Everson is an award-winning speaker and author of “The Road to Testament,” “Things Left Unspoken,” “This Fine Life,” “Chasing Sunsets,” “Waiting for Sunrise,” “Slow Moon Rising,” and The Potluck Club series (with Linda Evans Shepherd). She is the president of Word Weavers International, Inc., a member of AWSA, ACFW, RWA, the director of Florida Christian Writer’s Conference, and the contest director for Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. She and her husband make their home in Casselberry, Florida.

Find out more about Eva Marie at http://www.evamarieeversonauthor.com.

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