She Who Knows No Fear review and giveaway!

About the Book:
Cassie's dream is about to come true. She's marrying her best friend, the love of her life. She will never be alone again. But when Zack fails to return from surfing, Cassie's safe world comes crashing down around her and she begins her struggle anew. Haunted by her conviction that her late grandmother left her something that will help her, Cassie discovers hidden "treasures" in the house she inherited. With the help of her stepmother, Cassie unlocks the secrets of her grandmother's journey and along the way finds the ultimate answer for her own life.

My thoughts:
This is an excellent story that is so relatable! Even though it is set in the 1960's and is the second book in the series, I found that it was easy to relate to Cassie and her struggles with fear over being abandoned as her wedding day approaches. Even though her fears stemmed from her childhood, I felt like the story could be related to anyone who has struggled with fears over what will happen in the future. I also liked how she comes across mysteries from her family history. This is a great series to pick up! (I do recommend reading the first book before picking this one up)
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

Purchase a copy here:

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About the Author:
In 2015, Barbara Bras left her career to pursue her dream of serving God. She believed that her first step was to share the amazing story of God’s blessings in her life. Wrapped in God’s Grace, A Life Rediscovered does so through a trio of narratives. It begins with the story of her son’s miraculous adoption and the challenging years that followed, her grandparents’ remarkable survival in Armenia, and her own quest for purpose and love. Once written, Barbara realized her life’s new purpose. Captured by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, she views her writing as a tribute to the God who comforts and strengthens us in hardships and trials, and as her mission to encourage others. Her first novel, She Who Knows, A Tale of the Heart, seeks to inspire and encourage. The sequel, She Who Knows No Fear: Another Tale of the Heart, released in December 2017. Solo Deo Gloria, To God Alone Be the Glory

Blog Stop list

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Barbara is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card plus a signed copy of She Who Knows and She Who Knows No Fear!!

Where the Fire Falls

Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as "pervaded with divine light."

Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.

After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?

As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas--a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.

My thoughts: I love the journey this book takes readers on into Yosemite in the roaring 20's! I fell in love with the characters, their personal battles, and the setting of the story. It was interesting to read about an artist on the brink of fame and a early park ranger. The story made me want to go on a road trip to Yosemite! I highly recommend this one for a Spring/Summer read!
I received this book from Waterbrook in exchange for my honest review.

Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue review and giveaway

About the Book:
Every single one of us with a beating heart has spoken words “under the influence” of warped feelings and slurred thinking. And we soon wish we had the magical power to take those words back. We especially regret the hurtful words we have spoken to those we love the most and know the best. This book may just be the solution.
Carol McLeod reveals that before the words are spoken, they brew in our hearts and are formed in our minds. It’s our thoughts and emotions that determine what words come out of our mouths. Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue is an innovative blueprint that will enable you to take control of your thoughts and feelings in order to grace your tongue. You won’t find pat answers here, but rather powerful strategies based on the Word of God to reroute disordered thinking and cure rotten emotions so your words can be humbly grateful instead of grumbly hateful.


My thoughts:
This book is an excellent that came at the perfect time for me. I have been thinking more on how to encourage kindness in my children and I have come to the realization that it is something that I need to do a better job of modeling for them. So, I found the thoughts on "A Heart Transplant" especially insightful! The whole book is wonderful, with its grounding in scripture verses. I highly recommend it!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.


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About the Author:
Carol Burton McLeod is a popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats through her ministry, Just Joy!, and is the author of a number of books. Carol hosts a daily radio show, “Defiant Joy! Radio,” which is broadcast in major markets across America. Her blog, “Joy for the Journey” (formerly “A Cup of Tea with Carol”), has been named in the Top 50 Faith Blogs for Women, and her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart won a Telly Award for excellence in religious programming.

For the complete list of Blogstops, go here

Giveaway!
Grand Prize: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, “Grace” teapot from Christian Arts Gifts, Whitaker House/Anchor adult coloring book.

1st Place: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, Abba Jerusalem 6” Scented Pillar Candle

2nd Place: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, and Whitaker House/Anchor adult coloring book.

Begin Again

What happens when life begins to trip us up and failure starts creeping in? Many of us just keep on doing the same thing, hoping for different results. Some of us look for escape, to find a way out of the mess we feel that we've created. But neither enduring nor escaping is ultimately what we need.

The answer is to allow ourselves to begin again, every day, in every part of our lives. Through engaging, lyrical prose, Leeana Tankersley shows women how to forgive themselves, develop new and healthier patterns of living, and do away with resentment and regret. Her life-giving words will free women who are feeling stuck and allow them to clear out the debris to make room for what God wants to do in their lives. To begin again is to open the window, even a crack, to let the breeze of grace come in. It is a call to stop running from our fears. To take one small step toward becoming the brave women we were made to be.

My thoughts: This book was an interesting look into surrendering. I thought that Leeana had some wonderful thoughts on taking time to take of yourself and upkeep once you get rid of hurts. I also found she had some excellent thoughts on the things we use when we are in survival mode (I know I am guilty of that by picking up my phone and playing on it!). This is an excellent read that is easy to get through.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.


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Breaking the Fear Cycle

It seems there is more to fear now than ever, but fear and anxiety are nothing new to human beings--or to God. The Bible calls us to not be afraid on many occasions, and of course we all want to live without fear. But just how is that accomplished when every news item seems designed to get us wringing our hands?

Using her own story as a catalyst, Maria Furlough shows readers how to overcome fear for good. She calls readers to make a list of their fears, to choose to bring those fears to God rather than acting on them, and to trust God with the future. She shows how when we give God full control over our lives, choosing his sovereignty over our own ability, we can break the cycle of fear, grow through suffering, and trust God to fulfill his promises of protection and peace.

Anyone who is filled with anxiety over their personal circumstances, the state of the world today, or even their fear-clogged social media feeds will welcome this hands-on journey from fear to freedom.

My thoughts: This book is excellent! My family has recently been through several tough experiences that have caused me to face some of my fears head on. So, this book was exactly what I needed! Grounded firmly in scripture and seen through the lens of a woman who has had to face her greatest fears, this book is just incredible. The reminders to surrender fear to the Lord and fully live, since tomorrow is in His hands, were the reminders I needed to hear. I also really appreciated her thoughts on praying faith filled prayers and accepting the answer, even if it isn't the one we would of hoped for. I highly recommend this book!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.


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101 questions you need to ask in your twenties

Adulting got you down?
Whether you just polished off your college graduation cake, are in your twenties or thirties struggling through a quarter-life crisis, you're simply trying to figure out how to become all grown up, or you're a parent looking for that perfect college graduation gift or Christmas gift for your twentysomething, 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties is the book for you.
To find important life answers in your 20s, you need to start with good questions. Author, speaker, and blogger Paul Angone has dedicated the last 12 years to helping twentysomethings and in this book he culminates his work to give readers wisdom through major life questions like:
What’s the best way to know if you’re actually ready to get married?
Where’s the future of work headed and what does having a successful career look like today?
How do I make a choice when I don’t know what to choose?
How do I stop networking and start “relationshipping”?
Why do some people have great marriages while others have complete wrecks before they even make it to the highway?
Am I seeing the other side of people’s Instagram photos (you know, the side they’re not exactly posting pictures of)?
What are the Pivotal Plot Points of my story?
Do I have anyone on my "Dream Team"?
After his success with 101 Secrets for your Twenties and connecting with millions of twentysomethings around the world through speaking engagements and his blog AllGroanUp.com, Paul Angone captures the hilarious, freakishly-accurate assessment of life as a modern-day twentysomething (and thirtysomething) facing real Millennial problems, but now he’s digging even deeper.
If you’re drowning your anxieties in Netflix and ice cream, are afraid you’re failing, going crazy, or both, or are just longing for a little guidance to get past “just getting by,” grab this book and start thriving in the most "defining decade" of your life.

My thoughts: This was a fun book to look through! Now that I am a couple of years into my thirties, I thought that this would be an interesting read, which it was. I love the reminders to make your day meaningful, staying committed to your marriage (the myths on marriage were eye opening!), and being a well behaved parent. No matter what your walk is in life, there is something for you in this book. The questions about dreams and work are excellent!
I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.


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Top ten words commonly found in classic literature

The first time I attempted to read a classic as a young teen, I kept a running list of words to look up and figure out the meaning of, since I was having a hard time following the story line.;) Here are a few words that are just fun to use that where more common in the classics.

1. Vex
-disturb, especially by minor irritations
"It would vex me, indeed, to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard."

2. Rapture
-a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion (we don't usually use it in this context)
"Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.

3. Surmise
-infer from incomplete evidence
They attacked him in various ways--with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all, and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas.

4. Supercilious
-having or showing arrogant superiority to
For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody.

5. Pedaantic
-marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.

6. Reverie
-an abstracted state of absorption
"I can guess the subject of your reverie."

7. Stricture
-severe criticism
What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

8. Trifling
-not worth considering
People do not die of little trifling colds.

9. Solicitude
-a feeling of excessive concern
When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they showed for Jane.

10. Impute
-attribute or credit to
"I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday.
Impute
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