Every Day A Friday (How To Be Happier 7 Days A Week)

Author: Joel Osteen
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: FaithWords (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0892969911

Book Description:

The title comes from research that shows people are happiest on Fridays. Pastor Joel Osteen writes how we can generate this level of contentment and joy every day of the week.

Known as a man who maintains a constant positive outlook in spite of circumstances, Osteen has described this message as a core theme of his ministry. Combining his personal experiences with scriptural insights and principles for true happiness, he shows readers how every day can hold the same promise and opportunities for pure joy that they experience at five o'clock on Friday.

My Thoughts:

When I started reviewing Every Day A Friday, it was my intention to read it all the way through like any other book, but once I read a page or two I decided to use it as a devotional. I would read a chapter or so each day. I got so excited about the universal truth of it that every morning after my reading I would post something about it on my FaceBook status! I couldn't help shouting about what a wonderful life this is. Joel Osteen just brings that out of the reader. I couldn't help it.

If you are looking for something uplifting, this is it! I could almost hear Joel's voice while I read his words. I could hear his laughter and imagine his bubbly personality. His message of positive thinking is infectious. The book is all about setting your mind on happiness and not letting negative people and feelings take over. It's about laughing at life, celebrating yourself, and living as Christ intended. I HIGHLY recommend it!!

(Thank you goes to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Right From The Heart: Turning Your Day Toward God Devotional

Author: Bryant Wright
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Gift edition (August 9, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1404190023

My thoughts:

Right From the Heart is a devotional book written for busy people who have limited time to devote to daily reading of the Scriptures, etc. It can be read in small inspirational doses and would be appreciated by both men and women alike. It helps the reader focus on the word of God and how it applies to life today. It is brief and each devotional can easily be read in a matter of 5 minutes or so. It is perfect for reading before going to sleep or in the morning hours before starting the day. Right From the Heart inspires us to live a life for Christ and to follow his example.

Right From the Heart is beautifully bound and would make a lovely gift for anyone, especially someone who is going through a rough time at the moment. After perusing my review copy, I gave it to my husband who is going through a difficult period. He tells me that he has enjoyed it very much and reads it daily.

I absolutely believe that Right From the Heart can possibly be a life changer for the person who is struggling with their health, faith, or any difficult life situation. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for my review copy.

Burnt Mountain

Author: Anne Rivers Siddons
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
(July 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446566950

Book Description:

From one of our most acclaimed writers comes this dramatic tale of a well-born Southern woman whose life is forever changed by the betrayal of her mother and by the man she loves

Growing up, the only place tomboy Thayer Wentworth felt at home was at her summer camp - Camp Sherwood Forest in the North Carolina Mountains. It was there that she came alive and where she met Nick Abrams, her first love...and first heartbreak.

Years later, Thayer marries Aengus, a Irish professor, and they move into her deceased grandmother's house in Atlanta, only miles from Camp Edgewood on Burnt Mountain where her father died years ago in a car accident. There, Aengus and Thayer lead quiet and happy lives until Aengus is invited up to the camp to tell old Irish tales to the campers. As Aengus spends less time at home and becomes more distant, Thayer must confront dark secrets-about her mother, her first love, and, most devastating of all, her husband.

My thoughts:

Thayer Wentworth, beautiful, independent, mischievous, and talented has always felt like the black sheep of the family. After her father's death, the only person she is truly close to is her grandmother, until she meets Nick Abrams, a love she will never truly forget. After Thayer and Nick's break-up, Thayer meets the eccentric Aengus, a professor of Irish lore, marries him and moves into her late grandmother's lavish home. Is Aengus the man Thayer is hoping for?

This is the story of an undying love and the tragic betrayal by one's own flesh and blood. It has elements of the supernatural and is a feast of lyrical pleasure. From beginning to end, the tale is told with elegance and power by an author who knows how to pull us in and make us feel as if we are a part of Thayer's story. I'm giving it 5 stars*****

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

Exposure / Review

Author: Donna Ball
Paperback: 408 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (June 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1463618166

Book Description:
Have you ever done anything you’re ashamed of? For popular talk show host Jessamine Cray, it started as just another piece of slightly weird fan mail: a single typed line on an unsigned sheet of paper that reads: Have you ever done anything you’re ashamed of? No one takes it as a threat until the second communication comes, and then the third… a blood-stained prom dress, a disfigured photograph from a high school year book, copies of private papers to which no one but Jess should have had access. Every celebrity’s worst nightmare has come true for Jessamine Cray: she is being stalked, and shame is her terrorist’s secret weapon. Old friends, former lovers, guests on her talk show, colleagues and family members… no one is safe from suspicion, and everyone has a motive—even Jess herself. As the police investigation turns its spotlight on Jess herself and uncovers her most deeply buried secrets, Jess can only watch in helpless horror as her tormentor’s diabolical plan unfolds. First he will shatter her trust, then he will shake her peace of mind … and then he will come for her. And by the time she sees him coming, it will be too late.


My thoughts:

Jessamine Cray, a popular talk show host, is receiving weird notes from an unknown stalker. His question: "Have you ever done anything you are ashamed of?" As she tries to dismiss the person as just another creep, Jess receives a prom dress stained with what appears to be blood. Then when she finds herself trapped in a dark stairwell with someone who obviously is out to get her, she realizes that some people are more than just talk. What connection does the dress have with her? Does this person know her personally? Who are they? How much do they know about her life history? Is she in serious danger? EXPOSURE hits the ground running, keeps moving, and ends strong. Donna Ball's novel is brilliant; it made my heart race; I could feel the fear. The entire book is very well written and kept me on the edge of my seat! I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author for my review copy. And congratulations Ms. Ball on a job well done!!

The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional

 Author: Stormie Omartian
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Deluxe edition (September 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736927573

Book Description:

New from bestselling author Stormie Omartian in a beautiful padded hardcover edition is a book close to her own heart—The Power of a Praying® Wife Devotional Deluxe Edition. Following up on the insights and prayers of The Power of a Praying® Wife (more than 3.5 million books sold) 100 brand-new devotions, prayers, and supporting Scriptures offer a praying wife fresh ways to pray for her husband, herself, and her marriage.

These easy-to-read devotions will increase any wife’s understanding, strength, and peace, as well as provide her with perspective on the situations and challenges she faces. And each prayer will help both husbands and wives be more attuned to the Holy Spirit so they can do what’s right without allowing negative emotions or unclear thinking to get in the way.

My thoughts:

How many problems in marriage could be diverted if wives (and husbands) prayed daily for their relationship? In The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional, the reader is led on a daily spiritual journey through insightful thoughts, scriptures, and prayers. Ms. Omartian shares what the Lord has shown her through her own asking for guidance in her marriage. As with her other writings, this one shows a deep understanding of Godly principles.

Chapters include: When I Have To Confess Something to My Husband; When He Needs to Understand the Power of His Own Words; When We Want Freedom From Depression; When I Find It Difficult to Trust Him; and dozens of other topics we ladies all face from time to time. This POWERFUL book is a must read for women!! It just may change a life/marriage. Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

I'm giving away one brand new copy of ONE SUMMER by David Baldacci. To enter the contest, go to my book community on Facebook. Search: Books, so many books. Join and leave a comment or if you are a current member leave a comment. Hope to see you there!

The New Comfort Food Cookbook

Edited by: James Oseland
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811878015

Book Description:

From the pages of Saveur magazine, one of the world's premier food publications, comes a celebration of the enormous range of regional American and international dishes that have shaped the classic comfort foods of today. A steaming bowl of udon noodles, a bubbling serving of macaroni and cheese, a hearty helping of huevos rancheros, a perfectly browned grilled cheese sandwichthese are just some of the 100 mouthwatering recipes in this extraordinary volume that highlights the pleasures of comfort food in all its diversity. Brimming with more than 200 stunning photographs and memorable sidebars that present the people, ingredients, and techniques involved in the recipes, Saveur The New Comfort Food is an unforgettable journey behind the scenes of our favorite heartwarming dishes


My thoughts:

As a reviewer, I try to look at the cookbook from a buyer's perspective. What would I find if I opened it physically in the bookstore or library. What type of recipes would I find; who is the cookbook directed toward; are there nice photos; are there charts, etc.; what are some unique aspects of the cookbook. As an experienced cook and having won numerous awards, I feel that I am able to judge whether the book is worth buying and I try to impart this to the reader.

The New Comfort Food is definitely a beautiful 5 star, gift quality creation. I am amazed at the many full-page color photos and the simple but impressive recipes. It is a cookbook that could easily go on your coffee table as well as in your kitchen. As I mentioned, the recipes are not too complicated and look delicious. Recipes include: Spring Rolls with Chile-Garlic Sauce; Golden Potato Latkes; Mushroom and Herb Crostini; Herbed Tomato Tart; Creamy Corn Chowder; German Split Pea Soup; Fettuccine Alfredo; Vegetarian Lasagne; Grilled Lobster with Cilantro-Chile Butter; Zucchini Fritters; Key Lime Pie; and much more. There is also a section on mixed drinks in the back of the book!

The New Comfort Food would make an excellent gift or a beautiful, informative addition to one's personal collection. Thank you to the author for my review copy.

Psychic Intelligence

Author: Terry and Linda Jamison
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Life & Style
(June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446563420

Book Description:

The Psychic Twins have amazed audiences all over the world with their eerie predictions that have proven to be true, including the events of 9/11, the Times Square Terrorist incident, natural disasters and more. They've also worked with countless clients who report that their predictions later came to be true. Although the Twins have an undeniable gift in this area, we all have psychic capabilities-- and in this book they show you how to strengthen your own, look into your future, and change your destiny.

In PSYCHIC INTELLIGENCE, Terry and Linda Jamison explain, step-by-step, how to dissolve the blocks that can prevent you from using and trusting your own intuition. By exploring what they call the Four Clairs: clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, and claircognizance, you will be able to tap into these feelings and in turn:

--Create strong and worthwhile relationships, including finding true love
--Attract wealth and abundance
-Know when to make a career change, and what the new path should be
--Experience vibrant health
--Discover your authentic self and life's purpose

Now, at a time of real economic and social uncertainty, when hope is needed and so many are feeling confused and fearful, PSYCHIC INTELLIGENCE will show readers that we all have the power to tap into and control our own destiny.

My thoughts:

Psychic Intelligence is a 5 star book by most reader standards. It is filled with down-to-earth truth, helping the average person to understand that we can all have our own special intuition. It is a book that gives hope when fear is all around us. It is well-written, easy to read, and full of wisdom. I've always thought of the psychic gift as something rare, but here the authors encourage us to develop new ways of looking at our own abilities. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy!

Silver Girl / Review

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books
1 edition (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031609966X


Book Description:

Meredith Martin Delinn just lost everything: her friends, her homes, her social standing - because her husband Freddy cheated rich investors out of billions of dollars.

Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie's had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. But the island can't offer complete escape, and they're plagued by new and old troubles alike. When Connie's brother Toby - Meredith's high school boyfriend - arrives, Meredith must reconcile the differences between the life she is leading and the life she could have had.

Set against the backdrop of a Nantucket summer, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a suspenseful story of the power of friendship, the pull of love, and the beauty of forgiveness.

My thoughts:

Meredith seemingly had it all, but life has a way of running amuck when you least expect it. Now, because of her husband, she has lost it all and must find a way to rebuild her life. Enter Connie, an old friend who has a world of problems of her own. Meredith decides to spend the summer with Connie in Nantucket and together they begin to find answers to the tragedies they face.

This is the perfect summer beach read; it explores female friendship; misery; true happiness; love and forgiveness.  It was a pleasure to read Elin Hilderbrand's latest novel. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

One Summer by David Baldacci

Author: Davis Baldacci
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
(June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446583146

Book Description:

It's almost Christmas, but there is no joy in the house of terminally ill Jack and his family. With only a short time left to live, he spends his last days preparing to say goodbye to his devoted wife, Lizzie, and their three children. Then, unthinkably, tragedy strikes again: Lizzie is killed in a car accident. With no one able to care for them, the children are separated from each other and sent to live with family members around the country. Just when all seems lost, Jack begins to recover in a miraculous turn of events. He rises from what should have been his deathbed, determined to bring his fractured family back together. Struggling to rebuild their lives after Lizzie's death, he reunites everyone at Lizzie's childhood home on the oceanfront in South Carolina. And there, over one unforgettable summer, Jack will begin to learn to love again, and he and his children will learn how to become a family once more.

My thoughts:

When things can't get much worse, they do. Jack is terminally ill with cancer when his wife, Lizzy, is suddenly killed in a car accident. But miracles do happen and Jack takes a turn for the better. Can Jack rebuild his life without Lizzie? Can he find love again? Can he put his family back together?

Davis Baldacci tells Jack's story with beautiful sensitivity and the skill for which he is known, primarily as a writer of suspense. This is a story of hope and the determination of the human will to survive in the worst of circumstances. It also has its share of humor. I found it to be a pleasant summer beach read. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

A Woman's Walk in Truth

Author: Vonette Bright
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736939296

Book Description:

Award-winning radio host Vonette Bright is the founder of Women Today ministries and co-founder with husband, Dr. Bill Bright, of Campus Crusade for Christ International. She speaks regularly to thousands of women about the importance and joy of walking in the truth of God’s Word.
In this beautiful padded hardcover filled with refreshing devotions, select verses, “This I Believe” statements, and stories of women modeling remarkable faith, Vonette encourages all women to:

• choose God and His character as their foundation of truth
• move forward with renewed confidence in Christ
• demonstrate their faith convictions in their daily ways
• make God the center of their life
• experience God’s remarkable purpose for them

Through each meditation, Vonette leads women to give every area of their life to God’s control and experience the blessings of a daily journey lived in Christ’s love.

My thoughts:

This devotional for women is scripturally sound, easy to read, and uplifting. Each page includes a scripture, message, and affirmation. The devotions are short (will probably take no more than 5 minutes to read) and to the point--a quick way to start the day in a positive way. Topics address areas of interest to women: faith, self-confidence and insights for a Godly walk.

This is a beautiful little padded volume that would fit into a tote/purse and would also make a lovely gift. Many thanks to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.

Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down

Author: Jeremy Kingsley
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764209086

Book Description:

This uplifting book meets people when they are down, helping them to transform their lives. In each chapter the author explores a response to a crisis and shows how working through crises can lead to strength, peace, forgiveness, and hope. Kingsley offers snapshots of different people and their responses to difficult situations, including his own tough times and how he has overcome. This faith-based book will appeal to a wide range of readers, both Christians and non-Christians.

My thoughts:

Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down is a concise little handbook for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by life, which is most of us! It is an excellent tool for helping one work through the crises which hit unexpectedly. Written is simple layman terms and offering practical help, it offers a blueprint for maneuvering through the maze of emotional pain and uncertainty. I am going to pass my copy around. Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy.

The Civilized World

Author: Susi Wyss
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks;
First Edition, Second Printing edition (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805093621

Book Description:

A glorious literary debut set in Africa about five unforgettable women—two of them haunted by a shared tragedy—whose lives intersect in unexpected and sometimes explosive ways...

When Adjoa leaves Ghana to find work in the Ivory Coast, she hopes that one day she'll return home to open a beauty parlor. Her dream comes true, though not before she suffers a devastating loss—one that will haunt her for years, and one that also deeply affects Janice, an American aid worker who no longer feels she has a place to call home. But the bustling Precious Brother Salon is not just the "cleanest, friendliest, and most welcoming in the city." It's also where locals catch up on their gossip; where Comfort, an imperious busybody, can complain about her American daughter-in-law, Linda; and where Adjoa can get a fresh start on life—or so she thinks, until Janice moves to Ghana and unexpectedly stumbles upon the salon.

At once deeply moving and utterly charming, The Civilized World follows five women as they face meddling mothers-in-law, unfaithful partners, and the lingering aftereffects of racism, only to learn that their cultural differences are outweighed by their common bond as women. With vibrant prose, Susi Wyss explores what it means to need forgiveness—and what it means to forgive.

My thoughts:

Ms. Wyss weaves together the stories of five women in this very warm and relatable novel.  Janice; Adjoa; Ophelia; Comfort; and Linda, Comfort's American daughter-in-law all have stories to share. The Civilized World is a complex telling of the common bonds between women. Well-develped and absorbing, this was a good read.

The Amish Nanny

Author: Mindy Starns Clark and
Leslie Gould
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736938613

Book Description:

Bestselling author Mindy Starns Clark and coauthor Leslie Gould offer readers The Amish Nanny, Book 2 in the Women of Lancaster County series, which tells the stories of young Plain women as they explore their roots, connect with family, and discover true love.

Amish-raised Ada Rupp knows it’s time to make a commitment to the faith and join the church, especially if she wants a future with the handsome Amish widower Will Gundy.

But when she has the chance to travel to Switzerland as the caregiver of a young child, she leaps at the opportunity.

Anxious to learn more about her forebears, Ada enlists the help of a young Mennonite scholar named Daniel, but even as she develops feelings for him, she cannot get Will from her mind—or her heart. At a crossroads, Ada must decide what she is willing to give up from the past in order to embrace her future.

My thoughts:

Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould have done it again! They have created a beautifully believable story based on the Amish culture. Told with authenticity and sensitivity it is another success for the authors. I found it to be a fascinating story of faith and love. Thank you to Harvest House for my review copy.

A Baby For Hannah

Author: Jerry S. Eicher
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736943366

Book Description:

In Jerry Eicher’s final, never-before-published book in the Hannah’s Heart series, Jake and Hannah Byler are adjusting to life in their Amish community in rural Montana. While Jake works long days as a furniture maker and newly appointed minister, Hannah stays busy keeping their home in order. Both anticipate their baby’s birth with joy.

When word of the Mennonite tent revival spreads and worry about losing church members mounts, Hannah’s sister arrives and quickly catches the eye of the young bachelor whose brother left the church during the last revival. At the same time, Jake and Hannah’s neighbor—an Englisha—announces his interest in one of the Amish widows.

Drawing from his own Amish experiences, Eicher tells this rich story of colliding cultures and gives his growing readership one last glimpse at Jake and Hannah’s determination to stay faithful to God and the traditions of their church.

About This Series: The Hannah’s Heart series follows Hannah Byler’s quest for true love within the traditions of the Amish faith. Although life in rural Montana is unfamiliar and at times dangerous, Hannah learns to thrive as she shoulders new responsibilities, deals with sudden hardships, and embraces her place in this small community of believers. 

My thoughts:

Well-written and tender. Thank you to Harvest House for my review copy!