What are you reading this week?

A New Year! A new list of books to read....Just makes me giddy thinking about it ~ doesn't it you?



Shelia with bookjourney hosts Mondays what are you reading? Join in and share what's on your list this week :)


This week are all Review books for later this month!

The Pirate Queen ~ started this one yesterday


Cannot wait to get into this one!


This one sounds like it will be awesome too!



There ya go! So what's on your list this week??



Happy Reading everyone!

What are your Favorites this year?

Jamie from the PerpetualPageTurner has this awesome End of the Year Book Survey going on @ Her Blog

1. Best book of 2010? WOW!! This is almost too difficult to answer having read some really AWESOME books this year!
I would have to say.......Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes



2. Worst book of 2010?
Indivisible By Kristen Heitzmann


3. Most Disappointing Book of 2010?
Nothing really disappointed me this year :)

4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010?
Lynette Eason's Women of Justice Series books. When I got this book for review I honestly put off reading it based on the cover. It did not look like one that would be good AT ALL! Finally, the time came and I picked it up. Suffice it to say....It was one I could NOT put down


5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010?

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes
Choosing To See by Mary Beth Chapman
Patrick Bowers Files by Steven James
Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Alonzo
Nudge by Leonard Sweet
Outlive your Life by Max Lucado
Predator by Terri Blackstock
Texas Roads and A Path Less Traveled by Cathy Bryant


6. Best series you discovered in 2010?
Patrick Bower Files by Steven James
Women of Justice Series by Lynette Eason
Prescription for Trouble by Dr. Richard Mabry


7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010?
Honestly I was RIDICULOUSLY sheltered in my reading! I practically ONLY read Karen Kingsbury before I started reviewing books. NOW.... I am sooooo thankful to have found soooo many NEW phenomenal authors! To name just a few.....

Cathy Bryant
Steven James
Lynette Eason
Terri Blackstock
Richard Mabry
Lisa Tawn Bergren
Billy Coffey



8. Most hilarious read of 2010?
Don't know that I could say "Hilarious" so how about cute/sweet? That would be either:
Christmas @ Harringtons by Melody Carlson
~OR~
Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

Both Christmas stories :) Hmmm, that's is funny huh!



9. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010?
The Bishop by Steven James


10. Book you most anticipated in 2010?
Unlocked and Take Four by Karen Kingsbury



11. Most memorable character in 2010?
Patrick Bowers



12. Most beautifully written book in 2010?
Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes


13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010?
Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski


Thanks Jamie :) This was fun to reflect on all I had read this past year. I am sooo very thankful to be able to read and review sooo many amazing books and meet others who share the love of reading and blogging as well! My family has been reading more as well and that always makes a momma happy :)

What about you? What were your Favorites this year???

Facelift ~ Review

About the book:

Kaye Redmond, a "can do" kind of woman, has the magical touch when it comes to staging houses to attract buyers. Her ability to make things "perfect" has served her well in her career. If only it could transform her personal life as well. With a failed marriage, an angry teenage daughter, and an ex-mother-in-law who is no fairy godmother, Kaye's life is about as imperfect as it gets.

But sometimes.....


Blessings come in the strangest packages. Like her ex-mother-in-law landing on Kaye's doorstep after a botched facelift. Could caring for the impossible woman help Kaye get what she wants most: her husband back? Isn't that what God would want and what her daughter needs? But no fairy princess ever faced such obstacles: and ex-husband's surgically enhanced mistress, hormonal teenagers, and -- worst of all-- an extra handsome prince! How's a woman supposed to find happily-ever-after with all that going on?

My Review:

I have to say I had a love/hate relationship with this story line. The story of Kaye Redmond caring for her ex-mother-in-law was more than frustrating for me to read. Marla (the ex-mother-in-law) is verbally abusive & very condescending to say the least. Cliff, Kaye's ex-husband and Marla's son, manipulates Kaye into caring for HIS mother after she has a botched facelift. Kaye wants nothing more than to have Cliff come home and have her family back together so she is willing to do anything to make that happen. (And I mean ANYTHING!) At times, I thought the book should have been titled "The things we do for love!"

Izzie, Kaye's daughter is going through her typical teenage years but even Izzie sees clearly that her mother needs to stand up for herself when it comes to her grandmother as well as her Father. Izzie has a great heart and as the storyline unfolds, she matures into a precious young woman and her relationship with her mother becomes quite special.

Jack, a man who needs Kaye's assistance to "stage" his home so he can get it ready to sell. Jack is very handsome and quite charming! He knows all the right things to do and to say, but she wants her ex back afterall ....right??


Facelift, I would have to say is a story of finding yourself. Each character, from Kaye all the way to Marla are in a place that they don't quite know what or who they are, or that life's hurts have taken over and their behavior clearly shows that! They think they know who they are and for some, they think they are doing what God would want. This Journey takes this family on a path to finding out some things about themselves, some things about life as well as reminding themselves who they are in Christ instead of who the world thinks they are.

Facelift is a good read and one that reminds us that no matter what changes and challenges life brings us the only constant is the Lord. HIS Love is Unconditional! HE is with us ALWAYS and will NEVER leave us.

Heart of a Bookworm rates this ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Thanks to Julie @ B&H books for this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review!
For more information, visit pureenjoyment.com OR leannaellis.com

A Bit of Me ~ Christmas Movies

Danielle @ The 1stDaughter hosts this meme so if you would like to join in go here Here is a little bit about it.....

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”. Check back each Saturday to get the info for next week’s post and link up with your current post right here.
I know, some of you are skeptical about putting yourself out there on the internet and I completely respect that. That’s the entire reason I have no desire to ever reveal the “real” names of The Turkeybird and Littlebug. In time, once they’re old enough, if they chose to do that on their own I will respect their decision. So, if ever during the time I’m doing this meme do you feel the question is just too personal for your liking, feel free to post something else, I never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with what they share and I promise it will always be “kid-friendly”. I mean, this is a primarily children’s and young adult site, you know?

So, let’s get started!

This Weeks Question: What’s your favorite holiday movie? The one you could watch every year and it would always remind you of that time of year.


I just shared on my Family blog this past week, that one of the many things I LOVE about Christmas Break is that we take a day, stay in our pajamas and have a Christmas movie marathon. I put on some home made soup, we have a fire in the fireplace and we completely chill and watch our favorite Christmas Movies!

This day would not be complete without "It's a Wonderful Life"



Of Course we have to watch all of the "Home Alone" Movies



This one has to be one of MY personal favorites! ELF



I could go on and on :) What about you? Do you have a Favorite Christmas Movie?

How Much More Longer ~ Review

About the Book & Author:

Steve Elder, a sough-after speaker, wealth advisor, professional coach, husband, and father, often counsels people about their life goals. His painful experiences ~ a near death car crash and later a bankruptcy ~ led him to ask hard questions about his life's purpose: What is it that you want? And how much longer will you wait to honestly answer that question? With a passion born of deep trauma and tough choices. How Much More Longer will convince you that the time to decide how to live is now.


My Review:
How Much More Longer is the story of author Steve Elder. The trials and tribulations that Steve faced physically, emotionally and financially are unbelievable. I think his story is one that many could relate too. You know, we all have our life planned out in our minds ~ we live our life doing the normal day in day out activities but in Steve's case ....one day his normal changed forever.
He faced his challenges, determined to conquer them, surrounded by his loving family who walked by his side daily.

Life continued for Steve and once again he found himself facing Pain in a new form. Steve's story will encourage you to see Pain in a whole new way. To embrace it, allow it to help you look within and find it's Purpose! Steve's story will challenge you, inspire you to ask yourself some deep questions and he provides some of those questions to ponder at the end of each chapter.

I read this book straight through and was so inspired and honestly saw Pain in a whole new way. To me, Pain can be paralyzing in so many instances but Steve will show you why it should be embraced. I will definitely spend some time going back and sitting down with these questions and pondering them as well as seeking the Lord to bring about revelation on the "feelings" (fears) that I have most likely swept under the rug (per se') or just flat out ignored because I didn't want to face them!

How Much More Longer is a wonderful book and one that I feel so many could relate to and learn from! Steve is as real as one can be and his story is one that provides many lessons for others to learn from. I am thankful to have read this book for sure!

Thank you Maryglenn McCombs for providing me with this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review! How Much More Longer is a ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ FOR SURE! I would clearly recommend this to everyone!

To purchase Steve's book go here
For more information, please visit www.elderspeaks.com

Happy Reading!

Billy Graham ~Unto the Hills Review

About the Book:

The classic 365-day devotional from Billy Graham, now back in print.

No matter your place in life, this classic collection of devotional readings is designed to bring you daily to that special place of renewal— to help you pause and gaze "unto the hills" for help and inspiration.

Each of the 365 daily readings in this inspiring collection offers a carefully chosen passage of scripture, a brief, thoughtful message from Dr. Graham, and a heartfelt prayer composed especially for this book. Distilled from a lifetime of study and ministry, these devotionals supply daily food for thought about living fruitfully and joyfully in an often fretful world.

Simple, direct, encouraging yet challenging, this book offers itself as a heartening companion for your daily walk in the valley. This collection is a gentle but constant reminder that we can find help for all our needs as long as we remember to look up . . . unto the hills but especially unto the Lord.

MY Review:
I love devotionals. I may have different devotionals in different areas of my home so that I can pick them up, read that day's devo and be encouraged or maybe just to bring a smile. This Devotional however, is one that, goes deep. Billy Graham is an amazing man of God. It is no surprise to me that his devotional is an amazing and powerful book. The lessons teach on every single page. The Prayers are powerful as well. I was challenged as I read these devotionals and I know this is one that I will love going through yet again ~ One day at a time.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and the BookSneeze Program for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review.

A Definite ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ from Heart of a Bookworm

Happy Reading

Recipes for a Beautiful Life~ Review

About the Book:

Each Good day is a Gift from God! A life open to God and filled with the beauty around you, sharing it with those you love, and finding time to relax so you can be the best you can be: these are the Recipes for a Beautiful Life!"

"Madaline and Julie have created a "time-out" for women in Recipes for A Beautiful Life. Enjoyable pictures and Scriptures, refreshing herbal bath treatments and rejuvenating homemade facial products to encourage us to take a few minutes to renew our bodies and souls.
Beth Lester, Owner Home Staging Designs of California

My Review:

I am always looking for great books and even better ~ books that make great gifts! This is just that book! It is filled with precious Pictures and Scriptures that will speak to your heart. You will find some great recipes that will help you spend some quiet time with the Lord or just relaxing yourself. We all love a little pampering every now and then don't we??

Recipes for a Beautiful Life is a wonderful book and one that I would recommend to all! It is one that would be perfect lying on your coffee table or one that would make a great dinner conversation piece with your children. Take a page a night and share your thoughts on the pictures, Scriptures or just how that particular page spoke to each person!

Thank you so much for the complimentary issue in exchange for my honest review!


Happy Reading!