The Wonder of You and Always on My Mind by Susan May Warren Book Reviews

ABOUT THE BOOK (413 pages):  Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness. Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance―even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her new place mean leaving home behind?

My Review:

I felt bad for Amelia. She realizes that what she dreamed of doing with her life, was not meant to be. She had to come home, and rebuild her future. She thought she left her past behind her, and that Seth was "safe" for her. What she did not count on was Roark coming to find her and professing his love for her. Especially in front of witnesses. What was she going to do? Date both men and see who is right for her! Again I loved catching up with this family! At times I laughed out loud, but mostly I was drawn into the drama! The ending was by far, my favorite part of the book. I am also glad that Amelia got over Roark's secret. I was given a copy. All opinions are my own. I am giving this book a 5/5!

ABOUT BOOK: After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.
Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.

Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?

My Review:

This story picks up after book 3 in the series, and I felt like no time passed and I could jump right back into the story. The Christiansen family is like "The Simpsons" for me. I feel as though I know them and have been with them throughout the years. Watching them grow and seeing their struggles. Casper is such a good guy. He was willing to come home and face his past. He didn't expect Raina to be pregnant. Instead of leaving again he stayed, and tried to fight his feelings. However Raina also tries to hide feelings. When they start to be thrown together by their work they decide to be friends and date other people. Raina ended up giving her baby up for adoption. I was not surprised who the father was... Can Casper ever marry Raina knowing that his brother and his wife have a child together? I liked the tension of Owen's Character even though he was not really in the book, his presence could be felt. I also really enjoyed the subplots of the diary entries and Ivy's story. The ending was a little confusing for me, but it also gave a sneak peek into Amelia's future. I am also sure that the author will show us more of this couple in future books! I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review. All opinions are my own.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I'm a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I'm an adventurer -- having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that's why my characters can't sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another -- they're too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories, that I hope inspire and entertain!

BUILDERS AND BLOCKERS OF LIFE: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES FOR A BETTER YOU BY RANDAL SMALLS Review

ABOUT THE BOOK (192 pages):

What Will It Look Like When Your Dreams Come True?

“You have the limitless expanse of your God-given imagination—a personal power tool to immediately start dismantling old barriers and begin framing new pictures of what you want so see in your future.”

—Randal Smalls

From “The Better Life Coach,” Randal Smalls, comes a collection of encouraging stories, useful ideas, and profound inspiration for making tomorrow better than today. Builders & Blockers of Life vividly illustrates how to loosen your grip from the weight of the world so you’re able to reach out and embrace the better life you were created to live.

Step-by-step, Randal takes you through the process of releasing those “blockers” of the past, allowing you to replace them with “builders”—habits and attitudes that will create a better future.

When you believe in yourself and ask God for help, anything can happen. It all begins with making peace with the past so we can enjoy the present and design a preferred future.

The better life you’ve dreamed of can become a reality.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Randall Smalls is founder of The Better Life Foundation, Inc., a privately funded nonprofit organization de­signed to empower and equip at-risk teens and adults to build better habits and bring dreams to life through education. He also co-pastors The Congregation in Orange County, California. For over 20 years, across the U. S. and in 30 countries, he has taught “The Better Life Course” in schools, conference centers, churches, and recovery centers. Randall is the author of, published by Whitaker House in 2016. He and his wife, Adeana, live in Orange County. For more information on Randall Smalls, go towww.RandalSmalls.com. For more on his bookBuilders and Blockers of Life: http://whpub.whitakerhouse.com/buildersblockers/index.html.

My Review:

This was an insightful book. The chapter that I learned the most from was Part 2: Background Check. How often do we try to change the future without changing our habits? It made sense to me to first see what lessons I learned and to change for the better. The four I's ( Indifference, Inheritance, Ignorance and Innocence) really made me think of my past in different ways. There are sections of questions to answer and there is also a lot of scripture in the book. I liked that the book tells you where in the Bible it was, so you can read the whole passage. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to change, but doesn't know where to start. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy from Bookfun.org. All opinions are my own 

GOD, PLEASE REWIRE MY MADFATS BY JAMES BARS Review

ABOUT THE BOOK (237 pages):  You, my friend, are a unique and wonder-filled creation.

You are valuable beyond your ability to comprehend treasure. In the entire universe, for all eternity, there is, and will always be, only one you. You were designed for, and placed on, planet earth to complete a mission that only you can complete.

Yes, it’s true—you are a unique and wonder-filled creation. Here’s the downside—you don’t believe it.

Do you know why? It has to do with your heritage as a human being—you’re broken.

You are not to blame. It is not your fault.

Ever wonder why you don’t understand your true worth?

Ever wonder where your beliefs about you came from? Ever wonder why you are the way you are? Ever wonder where the Motives that inspire you originated? Or, why certain Affections rule your heart—why your Desires are sometimes darker than you would care to admit—why you experience negative Feelings that regularly bring unwanted grief—why your Actions can, at times, be a source of confusion and loss—and, why you are haunted by negative and persistent Thoughts you wish would just go away?

These are the primary questions God’s system for success addresses in this book.

God will rewire and restore your Motives, Affections, Desires, Feelings, Actions and Thoughts (MADFATs).

You will be transformed by the renewing of your mind as you follow the Biblically based and simple system outlined within. You will possess a clearer vision of your purpose and realize your soul’s restoration.

Your heaven-guided, spiritual vision will clear and you will fully discern, grasp and assume the fullness of your unquestioned and royal place in the kingdom of light. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." -- Nikki Giovanni That certainly describes James Bars as he came to the end of self-sufficiency. When life became meaningless and desperation consumed him, James began a search for hope, purpose, meaning and wholeness. It is not by any virtue that James Bars has discovered how to help others. Rather his failures are the bedrock upon which God began to reach him and move him to share the hard lessons learned. You are on planet earth. You know many of the same struggles. But do you know the Way up? Do you have a system for success?

My Review:

I was not really sure what my MADFAT'S were, however now that I do, I am glad that I read this book. I am able to understand how my  non-action emotions effect me. I also really like that the book is based on a song approach that is easy to read and follow. The practice sheets were very helpful as well. This is a great tool before interviews and bedtime to have a clear head. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy, all opinions are my own. 

JOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER by KATHERYN Maddox HADDAD Review

ABOUT BOOK: Imagine being told by God to guard His Son in a violent world until he is grown.

How does Joseph choose a city in strange Egypt to hide 2-year-old Jesus from Herod’s spies? Does he dare take 4-year-old Jesus to the temple where now-dead Herod’s son slaughters thousands?

How can Joseph protect Jesus with all the skirmishes and killing on roads everywhere with dozens vying to take over as king?

How does Joseph handle the persecution in Nazareth by people who could count and knew Mary was pregnant before marrying Joseph?

What does Joseph do with Jesus in Nazareth, just three miles from Sepphoris, hotbed of zealot protesters, when a Roman legate burns the city and crucifies 2000 more zealots in Jerusalem?

In what way, does Joseph teach Jesus how to be a skilled carpenter in sometimes dangerous situations, and avoid being mauled in the mountains when they cut trees for lumber?

How many times, when Jesus was in danger did Joseph cry out, “God, help me protect our Son!”?

(NOTE: A year before Jesus’ death, he was rejected in Nazareth where they said, “Isn’t this the son of the carpenter?” In present tense. He was alive way past the time Jesus was twelve years old.)

ABOUT AUTHOR: Katheryn researches an average of 500 hours to prepare for writing her biblical historical novels.  She is author  of thirty books, both non-fiction and fiction, for both adults and children.  She is a member of the Christian Writers of the West and American Christian Fiction Writers.

My Review:

This is an amazing story. How the author researched and wrote it is beyond me. Such an important time in Catholic history. The author did a fantastic job of treating Jesus and Joseph like father and son, even though we know that they are so much more than that. To think about the private moments between these two blessed people is really unimaginable. However the author wrote a story that could have happened and I hope that some of it did. What a beautiful relationship. I also liked that the author included a lot of what we know from the Bible to make the story more realistic. Mary also plays an important role and was not forgotten by the author. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy through The Book Club Network Inc. All opinions are my own. 

Fast Freddy by Lee Ann Mancini Review

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Multiple award-winning book series helps to build a strong, foundational relationship with Jesus, while teaching love, and compassion for others!Fast Freddy is one of the sea kids that live in the “coralhood.” Fast Freddy overcomes the ridicule of being different (half shark, half octopus) from the other kids in his new school. Once they find out he can swim fast like a shark, they ask him to join the swim team. They realize he is a great kid and are happy that he helps them win the championship for the first time. He comes from behind overcoming Marcus who is a formidable threat on team Barracudas. His octopus arms wave in victory as he crosses the finish line! Freddy receives the MVP award, but says a prayer of thanks to Jesus for being different and having new friends.   Lee Ann Mancini and Dan Sharp have created an underwater world that explodes with color, drawing the children into the captivating story.   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-Winning Children's Author, Speaker, Adjunct Professor

Lee Ann was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Aurora, Ohio. She graduated from Aurora High in 1976 and moved to Florida in 1978. 
Lee Ann Mancini graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Regent University (1990), a Masters in Biblical and Theology Studies from Knox Seminary, Magna Cum Laude (2014), and a Masters in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Cum Laude (2014). Lee Ann also received her certificate of completion from the Ravi School of Apologetics (2011).

Lee Ann is currently an adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary. She is also an award-winning, Christian children's author. She is has taught Bible Study for over 10 years and has been an active community volunteer/​leader for over 20 years: Representing children as a Palm Beach County Guardian Ad Litem, International Affairs commission Chair for St. Joan of Arc Council of Catholic Women, Community Support Chair for the Junior League of Boca Raton. Initiated and chaired the Auction for Boca Raton High School for six years, and initiated and chaired the PTSA for Boca Raton High School for two years. In addition, Lee Ann is involved in the Women's Ministry at Spanish River Christian Church and is on board Alexandrian Forum under the tutelage of Dr. Warren Gage Th.M., J.D., Ph.D., seeking to bring a greater understanding of the Bible by hosting annual Typology Conferences in South Florida dedicated to the theme of Christ as the center of Scripture. In addition, Lee Ann speaks to women groups regarding the redemptive power of the gospel represented though the types of brides of the church.

Lee Ann is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and Society for Pentecostal Studies. Her series "Adventure of the Sea Kids" is an award winning series. Promoting Christian values for children.

Lee Ann is married and has two children. She loves to read, jog, and teach the Word of God.

My Review:

This is a very cute book that reminds kids to be nice to each other. It also tells kids not to pick on each other. I liked it because it promoted working together and using the talents that God gave you. We each have our own. I thought that the idea of a school of fish at school was fun, as was the addition of mermaids and races. The last page tells the reader to go back and find a hidden symbol in each picture. This is great because it will grow with the child and be looked at over and over. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.