To Be Perfectly Honest ~ Review

About the Book:


Would I Lie to You? Not This Year.

Veteran author and speaker Phil Callaway is no stranger to daunting challenges. He has been laughed at—repeatedly—by large crowds of people from Halifax to Hong Kong. He fathered three children in three years, spent much of last year on airplanes built by the lowest bidder, and flipped an out-of-control ATV, which doesn’t mean he sold it for a profit. So who better than Phil Callaway to boldly accept a challenge that would make the average person run and hide?

Phil promised to tell the truth for an entire year, and he wasn’t joking. Twelve months later, his journal was crammed with successes, near-successes, and outright failures. During his year-long experiment with veracity, he made a disastrous financial investment, fielded hundreds of intrusive questions from friends and strangers, attended a thirty-year class reunion, and waded into possibly the most revealing—and hilarious—situations he has ever documented.

Find out what happens when a follower of Jesus does his level best to always tell the truth. There is no doubt you’ll be entertained. But don’t be surprised if you are left with a question: how might your life be changed if you sold out to the truth—with no exceptions?


About the Author:

Phil Callaway is an award-winning author known worldwide for his humorous yet perceptive look at life. He is president of Laugh and Learn, Inc., and the author of twenty books, including Laughing Matters and Family Squeeze. Callaway is a wildly popular speaker who keeps being asked to appear at churches, couples’ nights out, healthcare conventions, and corporate events. He also is a repeat guest on national radio and television shows. Phil and his wife, Ramona, have three grown children.



My Review:


Phil asks: How might your life be changed if you sold out to the truth --- with no exceptions?

To Be Perfectly Honest by Phil Callaway, will have you laughing as he takes you on his journey of ^almost^ living truthfully for one year. Surprisingly, you may find yourself crying as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself challenged by it.
The discussion questions make this a wonderful book to use in a small group or even with your family.

Thankyou WaterBrook Mulnomah and the bloggingforbooks program for allowing me this complimentary copy of "To be perfectly honest" in exchange for my honest review.

Gods Love Letter

Experience a unique conversation with God through a daily devotional reading based on twenty Old Testament and twenty New Testament books of the Bible. Written to help the reader listen to what God is saying in His Word, God’s Love Letters to You offers a life-changing encounter with God through the story He is telling. Author Larry Crabb brings the big picture of God’s story into clearer focus, helping readers catch an enticing glimpse of how each of these forty books of the Bible advances the story. The goal? To lose our story in His.

Each day’s devotional includes:

-a selected Scripture reading

-a short devotional message

-reflection questions

-a closing prayer

Wow! This is an Amazing Devotional! Convicting and Comforting at the same time. Author Larry Crabb shares 40 Devotions with us, straight from Gods Word and reveals such authentic Love from the Heart of God. Larry Crabb shares this, "A Thoughtful word carries equally powerful potential. An encouraging sentence, a sensitive remark from one who sees you and cares, can flood your heart with joy and energize your soul to move ahead toward your God-appointed destiny."

God's Love Letters will definitely flood your heart with joy and energize your soul! This book is one that I would highly recommend to all! Great family devotional, perfect for the graduate going off on their own, or just one to read for yourself!
This is definitely one to share!

Thanks Thomas Nelson BookSneeze program for allowing me this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest reveiw!

A Bridge to a Distant Star ~ Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Bridge to a Distant Star David C. Cook; New edition (June 1, 2011) by Carolyn Williford



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carolyn Williford has authored seven books, including Jordan's Bend, Devotions for Families That Can't Sit Still, and Faith Tango, as well as numerous articles. She and her husband, Craig, live in Deerfield, Illinois, where he serves as president of Trinity International University. They have two children and four grandchildren.



ABOUT THE BOOK

It All Comes Tumbling Down



As a storm rages in the night, unwary drivers venture onto Tampa Bay’s most renowned bridge. No one sees the danger ahead. No one notices the jagged gap hidden by the darkness and rain. Yet when the bridge collapses vehicles careen into the churning waters of the bay below.



In that one catastrophic moment, three powerful stories converge: a family ravaged by their child’s heartbreaking news, a marriage threatened by its own facade, and a college student burdened by self doubt. As each story unfolds, the characters move steadily closer to that fateful moment on the bridge. And while each character searches for grace, the storms in their lives loom as large as the storm that awaits them above the bay.



When these characters intersect in Carolyn Williford’s gripping and moving volume of three novellas, they also collide with the transforming truth of Christ: Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Bridge to a Distant Star, go HERE.



My Review:


In May of 1980, one of the worst bridge disasters known in History, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Florida collapsed. Author Carolyn Williford has written a fictional novel of 3 families and the tragic events that led to this day.

Carolyn introduces us to each family and shares their struggles, 1 Novella at a time. As they face the challenges presented, their faith is tested as well as their relationships. As each page is turned, I found myself so emotionally connected with each one of them. This is a book that definitely reminds us to take each and every day as the gift that it is. Never taking things for granted.

I HIGHLY recommend A Bridge to a Distant Star! An Absolute 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s

Thank you CFBA for yet another amazing book! I received this book complimentary in exchange for my honest review.

2011 Faith Hope Love Inspirational Readers Choice Award Winners Announced

Carla Stewart is a Fellow Okie, and an AWESOME Author. Her latest book "Broken Wings" was just released in early June. Her Debut novel Chasing Lilacs is one of the Winners choice awards! Congrats Carla and to all the others! I have read and reviewed quite a few of these titles here @ HeartofaBookWorm and am so happy to see them win !!

2011 Faith-Hope-Love Inspirational Reader's Choice Award Winners
Today at their annual meeting, the Faith-Hope-Love Chapter of RWA announced the 2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Winners.

Women’s Fiction
1) Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

2) Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (FaithWords)

3) The House on Sugar Plum Lane by Judy Duarte (Kensington)

Long Contemporary
1) Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale)

2) Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Serena Miller (Summerside)

3) The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus (Howard)

Short Contemporary

1) White Roses by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Barbour – Heartsong Presents)

2) Rodeo Redemption by Teri Wilson (White Rose)

3) Tender Mercies by Mary Manners (White Rose)

Long Historical
1) The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)

2) A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell)

3) Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)

Short Historical

1) A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)

2) Walker’s Wedding by Lori Copeland (Harvest)

3) The Substitute Bride by Janet Dean (Steeple Hill)

Romantic Suspense

1) Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Revell)

2) Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Waterbrook)

3) Nightshade by Ronie Kendig (Barbour)


Novella

1) Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Anita Higman (Summerside)

2) A Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry (Steeple Hill)

3) The Snowflake by Jamie Carie (Broadman and Holman)



Congrats to each one of you! Thank you for sharing your gift of writing with all of us!

What I'm Reading this week

Sheila from BookJourney hosts Monday's "What are you reading?" each week. It is a great way to see soo many great books! So if you would like to join in please do, or just go visit Sheila and you can check out all the books being read this week.

Here is what is on my list:

This is one I am soo looking forward to! Here is the book info:

Carrie's seaside cafe is populated with a motley crew of locals---but she only has eyes for widower Greg Barnes. Unfortunately, he keeps himself at a distance---until one of Carrie's employees is murdered and another disappears. Now Carrie and Greg are united in a race against time. Can they avert another tragedy?


This is my first time to read Michelle Stimpson but the storyline sounds excellent! Review will be July 13th



This is book 1 in the "Seasons of the Heart" series! I am excited to begin this one as well!



This book has been excellent so far! I will share my review on Tuesday. Based on the true events of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapsing in Florida in May of 1990. Carolyn Williford shares how 3 families deal with this tragic event. This book has proved hard to put down!



What about you? What are you reading this week?

Double Take ~ Review

Young Socialite Switches Places with Amish Girl to Escape Manhattan Scene!
“Why does everything have to be so complicated?” Madison shook her Blackberry at her mom…
“I’m sick of it…I can’t take it anymore…”
Anna Fisher was bored. But she knew better than to say that out loud – especially when everyone was busy with farming and fixing and all the additional chores that came with springtime.

Bestselling author Melody Carlson takes readers into the worlds of a socialite and an Amish girl struggling with who they are in Double Take (ISBN: 978-0-8007-1964-7, June 2011, $9.99). Have you ever wondered what would happen if you could switch your life with someone else for just one day? Readers will live the one-week experiences of a bored Amish girl and stressed out socialite when they decide to switch places in Double Take.
Spring break has arrived. It’s her senior year, and Madison VanBuren is fed up with her surroundings and the pressures of life. Stressed out over choosing an Ivy League school that will please her parents, their marital problems, and her boyfriend's pressure, Madison gets in her car and drives west.
Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Anna Fisher wants to escape the so-called simple life--which for her consists of caring for younger siblings, sewing, cooking, and gardening--and she's well aware that her future will simply be more of the same with a man she doesn't love.
Madison and Anna stumble into each other in a small town. Realizing their looks are uncannily similar, they both think their lives are boring. Thinking the grass is greener on the other side, they make a decision that will transform them forever and switch lives for one week.
Readers will love this funny and provocative tale of switching places from bestselling author Melody Carlson. As they get a glimpse and understanding of these two very different worlds. They may find themselves happy to be just who they are, and where they are.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling books, Christmas at Harrington’s and The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and several books which are being considered for TV movies. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

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.

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My Review:

What a cute book "Double Take" is!!! It's for the Young Adult group and would be great for those around 12-16 yrs. of age. The message is awesome especially in todays age. How many times have we looked at someone's life and think they have it all together? Madison and Anna meet and make a decision to "switch" their lives. As the girls spend time living the life of one another, they both realize it isn't all they thought it would be.

Melody Carlson does an excellent job with this story. Great lessons scattered in along the way and most definitely will have you thinking! This is a quick and fun read and one I would recommend for sure!

Thank you Revell, a Division of Baker Publishing for allowing me this opportunity in exchange for my honest review!

Happy Reading!

She Makes it Look Easy ~

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing She Makes It Look Easy David C. Cook (June 1, 2011) by Marybeth Whalen



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The family lives outside Charlotte, NC. Marybeth is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing team and a regular contributor to their daily devotions. Her first novel,The Mailbox was released in June 2010. Her next novel, She Makes It Look Easy, will be released in June 2011. Additionally, she serves as director of She Reads, Proverbs 31 Ministries' fiction division.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood play dates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable.



Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.



If you would like to read an excerpt of She Makes It Look Easy, go HERE.

My Review:

How many times have we found ourselves admiring the life of those that we "THINK" has it all! Only to find out, it is not at all what it seems! In "She makes it look easy" author MaryBeth Whalen, does a phenomenal job of sharing the story of Ariel and Justine and the mistake it is to allow envy into your heart and mind.

I give "She Makes it Look Easy" 4 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s

Thankyou CFBA for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review.


Happy Reading!