Blessed ~ Review

About the book:
Sometimes we just need to stop for a moment and absorb the quiet moments in the world around us--to take a deep breath and appreciate the things in life that make us thankful and bring us joy. Blessed is a call to do just that. In this heartfelt collection of her online columns from Diane, the flagship magazine of the Curves women's fitness center organization, author Ellen Michaud reminds us of the everyday blessings that surround us, but we all tend to overlook.
Entries include:

Summer in a Jar: On a 200-acre farm known for its Jersey cows and prizewinning cheese, two women harvest a cornucopia of produce that looks like it came from the Garden of Eden. Although the visit was intended to pick up ingredients for "one of the finest salsas in the near world," the end result is a view of a fertile valley, the rich smell of vegetables freshly tugged from the earth that speaks to the soul, and the natural rhythm of friendly conversation.

The Teapot: During a snowy winter storm, the author pulls her great- grandmother's worn silver teapot down from a shelf. As she polishes the teapot's tarnished surface, she contemplates its long journey over an ocean and through the generations. As she discovers engraved hallmarks that lead to a deeper understanding of its 200-year history, her appreciation for the women who traveled with it grows.

Welcome Home: As an Airbus 321 begins its descent toward the coastal lights of Los Angeles International Airport, the pilot makes an overhead announcement that stills the restless and rustling passengers. What follows are moments of contemplation about the sacrifices of soldiers and, how regardless of one's politics, there is still a shared sense of love and respect for those who fight for our freedom.

The Courage to Change: After a lifetime of self-built barriers, the author's 88-year-old aunt overcomes discouraging memories and years of grief to prove that it's never too late to open yourself to new experiences, take risks, and start over.

Author Bio
Ellen Michaud, author of Blessed: Living a Grateful Life, is an award-winning author who has written for The New York Times, Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens, Lady's Home Journal, Parents, Reader's Digest, and Prevention, where she was the editor-at-large for six years.

For more information please visit http://www.ellenmichaud.com/

Reviews
"This book is awesome, buy it."
-- Diane Heavin, co-founder of Curves

My review:

Blessed ~ living a grateful life by Ellen Michaud is filled with short stories that remind us to stop and be grateful. To literally listen and pay attention to the things around us. In essence, stop and smell the roses per se'. To really slow down and appreciate the blessings that God has given us. It may be in the birds that are singing outside your window, or in the smile of a friend, or maybe it is having a change of perspective. Ellen shares stories that are broken down into chapters:

A Quiet Space
Finding Meaning
Making a Difference
Reinventing Who You Are
A Celebration of Friends & Family

The Book itself is so pretty, with very calming colors of blues and greens with the pages having a border of green that sets them off perfectly. Blessed ~ living a grateful life is a sweet book and would make a nice gift for any woman.

Thank you FSB Associates for providing me with this complimentary copy of Blessed, in exchange for my honest review

Yanni's Touch of Truth Cd - Review by Brian

Do you Like Yanni? If so, you might have noticed he has been a little quiet for a few years.... a little over 8 years to be exact. He has returned and has a new album to share. "Touch of Truth." My husband, Brian is a Yanni fan, so who better to share this review than him! Below are his thoughts on this new CD....

This album is not the classic Yanni , although the precision and perfection of Yanni that we have all come to love is there. For me, this is more of a Sunday afternoon album as opposed to some of his other work that I love to listen to while driving. There were just not any break out points in the songs that I guess I was expecting. The song "Yanni & Arturo" has a bit of that. The vocals on "Cant Wait" are superb! Josh Grobin on "O Luce Che Brilla Nell Obscurita" is great but that goes without saying. My preference is no vocals when listening to Yanni. I think there is three or four songs that include vocals which was a little much for my liking. But it's not a deal breaker.
The bottom line is this is an excellent album, but don't go into it thinking you will jam out which is what I was hoping for. After I realized what type of album it was and what he was trying to say, I listened a second time and loved it . Buy it!

To visit Yanni's website: go here and to see if Yanni is coming to your town go here

I received a complimentary copy of Yanni's new CD A Touch of Truth from the One2One Network in exchange for our honest review.

Coach Wooden ~ Book Review

My Review:
Our Family LOVES Basketball or rather I should say...." We Love to WATCH Basketball." So, When I learned of the opportunity to read & review a book about the life of One of the Greatest Basketball Coaches EVER, John Wooden, I was beyond excited!

As I read the story of John Wooden and learned more about this amazing Man and unbelievable Coach, I realized what a humble and gentle person he truly was. He lived his life every single day the same way whether he was on the court teaching those men the game or at home beside his beloved wife and children. There are many books and tributes to Coach Wooden but this particular book shares more on Coach Wooden's foundation. A foundation built on a farm with a loving and gentle father-Joshua Hugh Wooden- who taught John and his brothers some very important values and principles on life.

Coach Wooden says of his father "Joshua Hugh Wooden was a farmer ~ honest, hard-working, and fair. I never heard him speak an unkind word about another person, even though on those occasions when he had every reason to. Dad came as close to living the golden rule as anyone I've ever known. He was strong enough to bend a thick iron bar with his bare hands, but he was also a very gentle man who read poetry to his four sons at night. He loved his family deeply." (pg.31)

John Wooden was given a piece of paper from his Father that shared 7 basic principles in which he could live by:
1. Be True to yourself.
2. Help Others.
3. Make Each Day your Masterpiece.
4. Drink Deeply from Good Books, especially the Bible
5. Make Friendship a Fine Art
6. Build a Shelter against a Rainy Day, by the Life you Live
7. Pray for Guidance and Counsel, and Give Thanks for Your Blessings Each Day

Coach Wooden lived by these principles and he began to share these very lessons with those He coached, mentored, or taught during his life on and off the court.

This is a book I will treasure and read often (kleenex's in hand). Coach Wooden died in 2010, at the age of 99. In his final days as just one of his many friends came in to see him, he asked to shave explaining that he would soon be able to see his Beloved Nell who had passed before him. Coach Wooden's 7 principles are simple, yet very Powerful Words of Wisdom. They continue to help and encourage any who choose to live by them even today.

The author, Pat Williams has penned a Beautiful Tribute to His Friend and Mentor, Coach John Wooden. The more I read, the more I felt as if I had known this wonderful Man and Coach. Pat shares so perfectly how the life lessons learned as a child carried over and produced much fruit in the lives of all who were blessed to know and learn from this precious Man ~ Coach John Wooden.

Whether you are a sports fan or not this is a book anyone can learn from. Just a thought ~ It would make a great gift for those who are graduating this Spring!

Thank you Revell, a Division of Baker Publishing and Donna Hausler for allowing me this complimentary book!



About the Book:
“There have been many books written about the life and philosophy of Coach John Wooden, but this is a book about the foundation of Coach’s life – a simple seven-point creed. For well over a decade, I have been intensely studying his life. My goal in this book is to show you how to apply these seven principles and build them into your daily life. If you memorize this seven-point creed and apply the principles for a lifetime, as John Wooden has done, you can’t help but succeed in life.” ~Author Pat Williams.

Pat Williams is senior vice president of NBA’s Orlando Magic. He has more than forty years of professional sports experience, has written dozens of books, and is one of America’s most sought-after motivational speakers. He lives in Winter Park, Florida.
*On February 16th Pat Williams announced that he has been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow). Pat has been relying on Coach’s principles for years, and now will implement them in his fight against cancer.
Jim Denney is a full-time freelance writer with more than 80 published books to his credit. His collaborative titles include In the Trenches: the Autobiography with Super bowl champion Reggie White; Undefeated with father-son Super Bowl/Rose Bowl Champs Bob and Brian Griese; A Model for a Better Future with Alexis; and numerous books with Pat Williams, including Go For the Magic.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life.  They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

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ISBN: 978-0-8007-1997-5, February 2011, $17.99



Happy Reading!

Not by Chance ~ Review

My Review:
Sometimes I am privileged to be asked by an author to review their book instead of having to choose which books I would like to read by various publishing companies. This book happens to be one in which the author asked me to review. Lynn Cochrane Leonard blessed me a complimentary copy of her book and I can't tell you how fortunate I feel to have read her story.

From the time Lynn was a little girl, until this very day, she has not only seen Gods Faithfulness, but she learned the valuable lesson of Perseverance. Lynn shares stories that will inspire you, and encourage you, as you read how God was with her during serious health issues, financial hardships, depression, and much more.

We all experience days in which we struggle and for some you might even wonder if God is with you or if HE is hearing your prayers. In reading "Not By Chance" you will see situation after situation in which God is absolutely ALWAYS there and ALWAYS Listening to us. Lynn's Story shares countless examples and will encourage you to look at your own situations ~ and see the hand of God at work

Thank you so very much Lynn for allowing me the gift of reading and reviewing your book! I will wholeheartedly recommend this book to any and all! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s for sure!


About the Book:

Recognizing God's Guidance
Christian author believes devastating times are a test of true faith

Phoenix, AZ - Feb 15, 2011 - In dark times, one may choose to cling to their faith or abandon it.
In her new book, Not by Chance: God's "Coincidental" Guidance of My Life, author Lynn
Cochrane Leonard shows readers how God revealed himself in her darkest times and brought her
through her most trying circumstances and severest illnesses.

New York Times bestselling author, Doug Wead, calls Not By Chance "A wonderful, inspiring,
unforgettable roller coaster ride that will leave you breathless and amazed at God's goodness."
Not By Chance tells the inspiring story of God's hand in one woman's life journey. A series of
remarkably improbable events signal the paths she should follow as she confronts myriad
challenges including polio, devastating accidents, major depression, divorce, unemployment and
multiple sclerosis.

Discover how, during this arduous journey, God faithfully provides for Lynn's employment,
education and a sense of purpose. Rejoice when God also blesses her with improved health and
leads her on a path of service to others who also confront physical, financial, emotional and
spiritual challenges. Leonard states:

"Given the many challenges people are facing today, Not By Chance offers hope to those who
are feeling overwhelmed-- whether from job loss, lack of health insurance, health challenges,
divorce, custody issues and of course from depression that today is almost pandemic. Each
chapter of Not By Chance is brief, engages the reader, and shows God at work. The book
demonstrates how the combination of prayer, faith and perseverance truly do produce results,
albeit on God's timetable which may not coincide with our own."

Leonard believes this book will help readers become more aware of God's "coincidental"
guidance in their own lives. As a Christian and psychotherapist, she understands the power of
belief and recognizes faith is tested during these discouraging times. She hopes Not By Chance
will lead Christians to a stronger faith and agnostics to embrace the gift of faith.



About the author:
Lynn Cochrane Leonard is a native of South Carolina. Upon her physicians' urging, she relocated
to the metropolitan Phoenix area of Arizona where she has resided for 46 years. Lynn recently
retired from practice as a psychotherapist. Today, through Not By Chance, Lynn seeks to help
others deepen their spiritual confidence by becoming aware of the improbable events in their
own lives. Lynn is a voracious reader and has written both poetry and prose since early
childhood. Lynn is also passionately interested in the area of Health and Wellness and the
empowerment of individuals through spiritual development, financial self-determination and
independence.

Happy Reading

False Pretenses ~ Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing False Pretenses David C. Cook (March 1, 2011) by Kathy Herman



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suspense novelist Kathy Herman is very much at home in the Christian book industry, having worked five years on staff at the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eleven years at Better Books Christian Center in Tyler, Texas, as product buyer/manager for the children’s department, and eventually as director of human resources.



She has conducted numerous educational seminars on children’s books at CBA Conventions in the U.S. and Canada, served a preliminary judge for the Gold Medallion Book Awards of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association , and worked as an independent product/marketing consultant to the CBA market.



Since her first novel, Tested by Fire, debuted in 2001 as a CBA national bestseller, she's added sixteen more titles to her credit, including four bestsellers: All Things Hidden, The Real Enemy, The Last Word, and The Right Call.



Kathy's husband Paul is her manager and most ardent supporter, and the former manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas. They have three grown children, five almost-perfect grandchildren, a cat named Samantha. They enjoy cruising, deep sea fishing, and birdwatching—sometimes incorporating these hobbies into one big adventure.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Zoe Broussard loves the life she and her husband Pierce have built in her beloved Louisiana hometown. She owns a thriving Cajun eatery in South Louisiana and is married to the love of her life.



But it’s about to become hell. One day, out of the blue, she receives a series of anonymous notes that sends her life into a tail spin. Five simple words, “I know what you did.” Zoe has a secret so terrible it could leave the business in shambles and tear her marriage apart. Unbeknownst to anyone, even Zoe’s husband, Pierce, she has a past—a past she had covered so well she never thought she would have to confront. How could anyone know what she did? Can she find the courage to face her past?



If you would like to read the first chapter of False Pretenses, go HERE.


My Review:


What an awesome story this is! I feel like I am starting to be a broken record by saying "I have found yet another amazing author!!" But it is soo true! This is the first book by Kathy Herman for me and WOW! I truly can't believe I haven't read anything of hers prior to this one! That is going to change FOR SURE!!

They mystery and suspense in False Pretenses will keep you turning pages well into the night! Will Zoe be honest about her past and will her husband find it in his heart to forgive her for deceiving him all these years? Who is watching her and sending her notes telling her specifically "I know what you did!" She is desperate to find who is doing this and why!!

Vanessa and Ethan hope to open a B&B in Langley Manor. The have plans to renovate and it's going to take some time but they are so excited. Their son, Carter begins to tell them about the Candy Man that he has seen in the house. How on earth could he see someone living in the house? As they seek for answers to this mystery, more and more questions arise. A murder takes place and sets the whole community into panic! IS it the CandyMan??

To find out you need to pick this one up for yourself!!

I loved False Pretenses! Definitely a 5♥'s book and I look forward to the next one in the series :)

Free Francine Rivers download for your Kindle

Just wanted to let you know you can get Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers downloaded for FREE if you have a KINDLE!!! I have read this book a few years back and LOVED IT! Go here to receive your download.
Here is the link for other free E-books. They change often so this is a great resource for free E-books :)

Love, Blessings and Happy Reading!!

Deadly Ties ~ Review

About the Book:

HER ENEMY WILL STOP AT NOTHING FOR CONTROL…
SHE WILL RISK EVERYTHING FOR FREEDOM.

A horrific crime shatters Lisa Harper’s idyllic childhood. Her father is dead and her desperate mother, Annie, quickly marries Dutch Hauk, an abusive monster who soon reveals his hatred for Lisa. To protect her, Annie defies her ruthless husband and forfeits custody to a trusted friend. Enraged, Dutch vows to keep Annie and Lisa apart—and he does. Years later, though keenly aware of Dutch’s evil intent, Lisa and her mother seize a chance to be a family, safe in a home where love dwells. But they fail to fathom how far Dutch will go to keep his vow.

Determined to control his women, Dutch proves resourceful. His associates in crime are feared at the highest levels across the globe—and for Lisa they plan a fate worse than death. Yet she too has formidable connections, including former Special Operations Officer Mark Taylor. Burdened by his own traumatic past, Mark has loved Lisa from afar. Now, for Lisa and her mother to survive, Mark must risk his life—and even more difficult for him, he must trust God. All as one question haunts them: Can Mark and Lisa untangle these deadly ties before it’s too late?


My Review:

I was BEYOND excited to learn that Vicki Hinze had released the 2nd book in the Crossroads Crisis Center Series. Having read the first book, "Forget Me Not" and LOVING it, I had HIGH Hopes for this book as well!

Deadly Ties is a good book ~ full of Mystery, Suspense and a bit of Romance. Lisa Harper was abducted as a 7year old little girl and escaped her abductor. Now all these years later, Lisa has made sure she is trained and ready should that abductor ever return. Return he did and with a vengeance!

Mark Taylor is a Special Operations Officer and has been assigned to protect Lisa and her mother. Yet, Mark has issues of his own and doesn't feel worthy of anyones love. He does all he can to make sure these women are safe and goes above and beyond his call of duty but learns as we all do, that we are only capable of so much. Turning to God and trusting in HIM is not something Mark is sure he can do.

Annie is Lisa's mother and marries a horrible man, Dutch Hauk, out of desperation. Dutch is beyond abusive and is a control freak to say the least. Annie gives up having a day to day relationship with Lisa in order to protect her or so Dutch believes.

For me, Deadly Ties brought about one BIG frustration:

I know as a Mother we all do things to protect our children but in this story Annie appears to be a incredibly intelligent woman who has ALOT of money and clearly all the right people around her who can protect her. She was being protected by Mark from the beginning. So it frustrated me that she lived with the abuse and control of her husband Dutch. In the book it was explained that she held on to the marriage because of her Faith and did not want to "divorce" because it wasn't right. I don't think in any way God or Christianity would suggest staying in such an incredibly abusive situation just for the sake of "not divorcing or being Correct according to the Christian Faith."

Having said this, I still think the book is a good read and would rate it a 3.5 out of 5 ♥'s


Thankyou WaterBrook Multnomah and the Blogging For Books program. I received this book complimentary in exchange for you honest opinion.