Book Review of 'Verse by Verse (Volume 1)' by Benjamin McGreevy

Happy Monday Bookworms!

How is everyone doing today? Did you have a good weekend? My weekends for the foreseeable future are going to be full of packing and working on getting our house ready to list for sale. We are hoping to have it on the market by the end of the month, so time is of the essence, and life is about to get really interesting. I hope everyone is enjoying this active start to the spring season and staying safe.

Today I am featuring a book that is going to be an invaluable resource for many so I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Christian Nonfiction Devotional and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Verse by Verse (Volume 1) by Benjamin McGreevy, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Verse by Verse: A Daily Devotional Through the Whole Bible — Volume 1: Genesis 1–11 — Where the Story Begins 

Series: Verse by Verse: A Daily Devotional Through the Whole Bible #1 
Author: Benjamin McGreevy Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: January 13, 2026 
Genre: Christian Nonfiction Devotional

Could one devotional lead you through the entire Bible? 

If you’ve ever longed to journey through the entire Bible with fresh eyes and a deeper heart, A Daily Devotional Through the Whole Bible will be your guide. 

Written with reverence, clarity, and insight, Benjamin McGreevy takes readers verse by verse through Scripture, beginning in Genesis, to uncover the richness, order, and divine purpose woven into every line of God’s Word. 

Far more than a commentary, this devotional invites personal reflection and meditation, helping believers not only read the Bible but truly live it. 

Each passage comes with thoughtful reflections that reveal God’s wisdom, creative design, and constant presence, from the first verse of Genesis to the final revelation of His glory. 

Designed for both study and spiritual growth, this book is a companion for anyone desiring to deepen their relationship with God through daily engagement with Scripture. 

Whether you’re a pastor, student, or lifelong believer seeking renewal, this devotional will guide you to see that every word and verse holds eternal meaning. 

A Daily Devotional Through the Whole Bible is not just a book to read; it is a journey to experience the living Word of God in all its truth and power. 

 
Begin your journey through the Bible verse by verse!  

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Book Review of 'Uncluttered' by Liana George and Angie Hyche

Happy Friday Bookworms!

Today I am featuring a book that I read at the beginning of 2025. When my calendar starts to get crazy I tend to read books and either I forget to review them altogether or I procrastinate and continue to push it off. My goal from now until the end of the year is to catch up on these books so that I can start 2026 fresh while I also sharing my thoughts with you! 

I hope you enjoy my review of this Motivational Self-Help that is currently available on Kindle Unlimited and start 2026 as great as I started 2025.

About the Book

Title: Uncluttered

Author: Liana George and Angie Hyche

Publisher: ScrivInspire

Release Date: June 11, 2024

Genre: Motivational Self-Help

In a world where chaos reigns and clutter overwhelms, discover the profound connection between orderliness, faith, and inner peace.

When organizing gurus like Marie Kondo and The Home Edit talk about orderly living, people listen! From Container Store junkies who love labels and color-coded files to homeowners who struggle with too much stuff, fans of these experts often consider their teaching sacred knowledge.

But is that the only help available?

Thankfully, for Christians, the Bible is a wealth of organizing principles waiting to be mined.

In Uncluttered: Shaping Your Heart & Home for What Matters Most, professional organizers and authors Liana George and Angie Hyche delve into the timeless wisdom of God's orderliness, revealing how it extends far beyond mere tidiness. Through poignant personal anecdotes, Scripture, and practical advice, this four-week devotional invites readers to embrace the beauty of simplicity.

From decluttering your physical space to clearing your mind, each day offers a transformative insight and actionable step towards a more serene existence. Whether you're a seasoned organizer or a clutter connoisseur seeking solace, Uncluttered provides a roadmap to a life of harmony, purpose, and joy. And ultimately, making room for what matters most.

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Spotlight on 'Singing Through Fire' by Lara Silverman, J.D.

Happy Friday Bookworms!

The book I am spotlighting today hits deep and is one that I feel we all could benefit from reading. While today I am just sharing an excerpt from this powerful story, it is definitely on my TBR list, and after reading this post, I'm sure you'll be adding it to your list as well.

I hope you enjoy, have a happy and safe weekend, and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Singing Through Fire by Lara Silverman, J.D., hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Singing Through Fire 
Author: Lara Silverman, J.D. 
Publisher: Isaiah 4320 Press 
Release Date: August 26, 2025 
Genre: Christian Romance/Memoir

What if you fall madly in love on the brink of eternity?   

Singing Through Fire invites readers into the Job-like true story of a young woman who loses everything—and dares to ask why a good God allows it. 

When Stanford Law graduate Lara Palanjian collapses on her dream job, she never imagines it will lead to four years bedridden—or to the love of her life. 

Enter Matthew Silverman: a witty, wise, and impossibly joyful youth pastor and professor facing terminal cancer. What begins with a few random encounters soon ignites an extraordinary, God-written love story that neither of them saw coming. 

As their unlikely romance unfolds between medical crises, late-night laughter, and unexpected musical performances, Matthew’s unshakable faith challenges everything Lara thinks she knows about God’s goodness—and what it means to walk with Christlike faith, resilience, and joy in the face of overwhelming grief and suffering. 

But with time against them, one question looms louder than the rest: What if this gift is only for a moment? 

Shockingly funny and spiritually rich, Singing Through Fire is a modern-day Job meets Lucille Ball. It explores what it means to suffer, love, and even laugh and make music while your life is burning down around you. It eloquently gives voice to the aching questions many sufferers quietly carry—then takes readers inside the breathtaking story of two people who found miraculous love and defiant joy amid heartbreaking loss. 

It reveals how God can use even our deepest pain to write the most beautiful love stories—even on the cusp of eternity.  

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Book Review of 'Names of God: Knowing Peace' by Grace Fox

Happy Monday Bookworms!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. We kept things pretty low-key due to the family feeling a little under the weather (gotta love allergies!), but we were able to go to a small family barbecue on Saturday, and I enjoyed getting to see people I don’t get to see that often. I cherish these moments so much, as it seems as time passes, it becomes harder and harder to get everyone together. 

During our time together, one of the topics that was brought up was faith, and one thing that’s always fascinated me is the different names for God in the Bible, which is exactly what the book I am featuring today delves deeper into. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Devotional Study and don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Names of God: Knowing Peace by Grace Fox, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Names of God: Knowing Peace 
Series: Names of God Devotional Studies #2 
Author: Grace Fox 
Publisher: Aspire Press 
Release Date: July 8, 2025 
Genre: Christian Living; Devotional study

Peace. 

The very word evokes images of serene landscapes and quiet stillness. In today’s chaotic world, peace is a valuable commodity. The Bible has a lot to say about peace, claiming that God himself is the ultimate source. In this follow-up to Names of God: Living Unafraid, Grace Fox reflects on how the following names of God point to the peace our souls so desperately crave:  

Yahweh Shalom—The Lord Is Peace 

Abba—Father 

El Shaddai—God Almighty 

El Roi—The God Who Sees Me 

Yahweh Ori—The Lord Is My Light 

Yahweh Nissi—The Lord Is My Banner 

Immanuel—God with Us 

Knowing Peace uses examples from Scripture and compelling real-life stories to illustrate how these names can bring inner peace amid life’s storms. Each session includes a guided prayer, reflection questions, and a video link providing additional insights from Grace. Perfect for individual or group study, this new addition to the Names of God series will encourage and inspire readers to draw near to God and receive his peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).  

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Book Review of 'If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe' by Rhonda Stoppe

Hello My Audiobook Bookworms!

2024 was a year of personal reading growth for me.  I branched out to new genres and also started listening to more audiobooks, something I had previously been opposed to.  I will always prefer print but there's something so convenient listening to audiobooks, especially when they're read by the authors themselves, and on a subject that is timely and needed.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Christian Self-Help audiobook and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for the If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe audiobook by Rhonda Stoppe, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe
Author: Rhonda Stoppe
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Release Date: August 1, 2015
Audiobook Publisher: ChristianAudio
Audiobook Release Date: January 7, 2025
Genre: NonFiction, Self-Help, Christian Marriage, Christian Women

What's really keeping you from enjoying a better marriage? 

"If my husband would change, I'd be happy" and "I'm falling out of love with him" are among several common myths that lead women to search for marital happiness in all the wrong places. In this book, author Rhonda Stoppe shares, with candor and humor, how to enrich your relationship with your husband (even if he doesn't change). Along the way you'll read many helpful stories and real-life examples from other couples and discover: 

        - how to deal with unfulfilled longings
        - the secret to keeping your husband's attention
        - 10 keys to a happy marriage. 

Let this book help you realize God's highest good for your marriage! 

Contains discussion questions and personal reflections at the end of each chapter.

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Spotlight on 'What's the Story, Morning Glory?' by Julie Lessman

Happy Friday Bookworms!

I first want to send out all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes to everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Helene.  My mother and stepfather, as well as several other family friends live on the west coast and in northern Florida and did not evacuate. Yesterday was terrifying for me as I watched the hurricane approach and was getting updates from my parents as well as the news.  Water rising, clouds swirling, tide quickly rising, and waters rushing toward their home.  I know this is just the beginning as the damage is assessed and so many further inland are now dealing with Helene's wrath and my prayers are with you all.

Today I am casting the spotlight on another devotional that has a unique twist that I think you will enjoy so enjoy the excerpt below and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for What's the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: What's the Story, Morning Glory?
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Julie Lessman LLC
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Genre: Memoir Devotional (half fiction/half nonfiction)

“DEAR LORD, JULIE ... OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!" 

My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.” 
Ahem. Until now ... 

Trust me, "What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a 'Novel' Approach to Practical Christianity" is not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends. 

Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer. 

Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as

1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)

I pray this bottom-line, albeit somewhat quirky, 1-2-3 devotional blesses you as much as God's spiritual life lessons have blessed me! 

Hugs,
Julie Lessman  

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Book Review of 'Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness' by Christopher Martin

TGIF Bookworms!

I am one emotional bookworm today for several reasons.  The first reason is my oldest son is turning 18 tomorrow!  I still cannot believe that I am going to be a mom of an adult!  He still has a year left here with us as he finishes high school, but it doesn't change the flood of emotions that are hitting me right now.

The second thing that is making me emotional has to do with the book that I am featuring today.  Many people don't know that I have dealt with a chronic illness my entire life.  I have since been diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses that have affected my life dramatically, to the point that I cannot work a normal job, I miss out on many life events, and it has affected many of my personal relationships.  Reading Finding Joy has meant so much to me, and you will see why when you read my review below.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness by Christopher Martin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness 

Author: Christopher Martin 

Publisher: Martin Family Bookstore 

Release Date: November 15, 2021 

Genre: Christian Nonfiction; self-help; chronic illness

A 2022 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner

"Finding Joy is a vital guide on how to best manage and navigate life with a chronic illness." —James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art 

Finding Joy presents a comprehensive, practical guide for living your best life with chronic illness. This psychology self-help book integrates personal and professional insights to give you tools for handling various aspects of living with a chronic illness. There is also a chapter specifically for the loved ones and caregivers of the chronically ill. While this book is designed for anyone with a chronic illness, the spiritual content early in the book suggests the value of sticking to your faith and offers several Bible references. 

Ultimately, Finding Joy is an A-to-Z guide that critiques the literature and empowers the reader with:

1. Positive psychology techniques. These range from self-compassion, positive reappraisal, positive self-talk, and pacing to positive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors such as optimism, humor, and volunteer work.
2. Stress-reduction methods. These include tools such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, simplification, and (therapeutic) journaling.
3. Proven therapies. Examples include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
4. Effective communication strategies and their impact on relationships and even the ability to access quality healthcare.
5. Numerous tips to both access and optimize your experience with high-quality healthcare.
6. Important considerations for loved ones of the chronically ill, so they too can know how to best support their loved one and take care of themselves in the process.

“This book offers great value for anyone with chronic illness as it contains clear, practical, and actionable insights and steps that can be naturally implemented into daily life. An engaging, easy, and helpful read. Highly recommended.”—Alla Bogdanova, MSc, MIM, co-founder and past president of the International Empty Nose Syndrome Association

"The thing that sets it apart from others is that it’s written by afellow sufferer who can also give valuable insight as a psychologist.This topic could easily be heavy-going, but it is mainly an upbeat, positive read. Saying that, the author has taken care to balance positivity with reality."—Elsa Bridger on Amazon.co.uk

"What I loved the most about this book is theauthor has his own chronic illnessesso all methods are tried and tested. I really like the way this book was written as it didn't feel like any other self-help book I have ever read; it felt more relaxed.You knew that the author understood you and his manner made me take more in."—Ladyreading365 on Goodreads.com

“I have had various invisible chronic illnesses for nearly forty years, but I was still able to find suggestions that will help me. So many of the things I have gone through are reflected in this book. I highly recommend this comprehensive book.”—Sue on Amazon.ca

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Review of 'Moms Raising Sons to Be Men' by Rhonda Stoppe

Hello Mama Bookworms!

Hi.  I am Christi and I am a mom of only boys.  I always wanted a little girl when I was in my baby making years, but God blessed me with two boys that are my light and my life instead.  Seeing all my friends go through what they're going through with their teenage daughters right now makes me thank God that He knew what he was doing and didn't listen to me.  I don't think I could handle a girl!  Not to say that raising boys is any easier, but it suits me just fine.

One thing I have always been thankful for are the invaluable resources out there that help us moms that are raising boys, a job that is very important, and one I do not take lightly.  Which is why I'm excited to be featuring a wonderful resource that guides moms to raising their sons to be men.

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Moms Raising Sons to Be Men by Rhonda Stoppe, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Moms Raising Sons to Be Men 

Author: Rhonda Stoppe 

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers 

Release Date: March 7, 2023 

Genre: Religion / Christian Living / Women's Interests/ Parenting 

Bringing up boys isn’t for the faint of heart, but bestselling author Rhonda Stoppe has been there before—and she’s here to help! Drawing on insights from fellow boy-moms and from Scripture, Rhonda reveals why walking with Christ is every mom’s key to parenting well. 

You’ll discover how motherhood gives you unique opportunities to grow in faith as you draw nearer to God through prayer, Bible study, and mentorship from godly women. You’ll also find practical advice for shaping your son in character and faith as you encourage his passions, teach him biblical masculinity, and protect his spirit without smothering his individuality. 

Your success as a mother doesn’t depend on what your son does with his life, but on how you obey God’s guidance on this mission of motherhood. Moms Raising Sons to Be Men provides the biblical hope, wisdom, and encouragement you need to help your son live a life without regrets!

“You will be encouraged, enlightened, and empowered to become the mom you’ve always wanted to be—and to guide your son into becoming the man God intended.”

—Cindi McMenamin, national speaker and author of When Women Walk Alone

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Book Review of Captive Set Free by Valerie Limmer

Happy Wednesday Bookworms!

It is an unseasonably warm day here in Texas and while I am enjoying the sunshine and blue skies I am secretly hoping the cooler weather will be back soon.  My prayers are with all of those in California that are currently dealing with deadly flooding and I hope all of you are having a fantastic Wednesday.

Today I am featuring a nonfiction read that has really spoke to me the past few weeks.  All of us have been wronged at one time or another and when that happens forgiveness comes into play, which makes this an invaluable resource for one and all.

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Captive Set Free by Valerie Limmer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Captive Set Free 

Author: Valerie Limmer 

Publisher: Green Sap Publications 

Release Date: October 18, 2022 

Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Living

Have you been hurt? Are you hounded by turbulent feelings and looping thoughts? Do you know you need to forgive but aren't sure where to begin?

Captive Set Free is a lamppost along the path of healing, offering engaging stories and examples, explaining how forgiveness fits into our spiritual DNA, and examining mindsets that make forgiving easier or harder. In this book, you'll learn how to

 - take concrete steps to forgive; 

- be sure forgiveness has taken hold in your heart; and 

 - guard your spirit from bitterness, both now and in the future. 

If you're tired of being imprisoned by pain and toxicity and want to step into the free and abundant life Jesus has planned for His children, this book is for you. 

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Excerpt From 'The Secret Garden Devotional' by Rachel Dodge

Happy December Bookworms!

Can anyone else believe that we are entering into the final month of 2022?!  This has been a year of utter illness for myself, so 2022 has felt like a waste to me, going by in a painful blur.  I wish I could say things are better but, if anything, they seem to be getting worse.  When I am in the throws of despair is when I reach for devotionals, small thoughts to ponder, keeping my mind off my pain, and onto something bigger.

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Secret Garden Devotional by Rachel Dodge, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Secret Garden Devotional 

Author: Rachel Dodge 

Publisher: Barbour 

Release Date: December 6, 2022 

Genre: Devotional

Devotional Inspiration from Mary Lennox's Beautifully Mysterious Secret Garden

The Secret Garden Devotional offers lovely inspiration that explores the themes of faith, family, contentment, wisdom, and joy in the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, cherished by generations of readers. 

Each reading corresponds with a chapter from the book and invites you to embrace God’s guiding hand in your life as you are becoming His new creation. With themes of growth, spiritual nourishment, God's love and care, and His transforming power, this beautiful chapter-by-chapter devotional includes original artwork throughout. Each reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, and prayers perfect for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.

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Review of 'Where is God in This?' by Landra Young Hughes

HELLO BOOKWORMS!

It's been awhile since I've read a Christian Nonfiction that made me stop and really think about where God fits into my current issues.  I've struggled with a chronic illness my entire life and lately things have been worse than they have ever been.  It's so easy to feel like I am going at this all alone and, though I know this is a lie, I also wonder where God is when I am in such severe pain.  Read on to read my full review of Where is God in This? by Landra Young Hughes to see how this resource touched my spirit.

 

Welcome to the Reviewer Tour for Where is God in This? by Landra Young Hughes, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Where is God in This? 

Author: Landra Young Hughes    

Publisher: Baker Books 

Release Date: October 18, 2022 

Genre: Christian Living

Life is unfair. Bad things happen to good people. Not all dreams come true. We lose people. We fail people. And when we encounter the inevitable struggles of life, we may be tempted to ask God Why me? as we try to reconcile our pain with God’s promises. But a far more helpful and life-enriching question for us to ask God is What are you trying to teach me in this?

Tackling ten common struggles, such as isolation, fear, rejection, failure, insecurity, temptation, and more, Landra Young Hughes shows you how to have peace even when life doesn’t make sense. Speaking with great empathy born from her own losses and years in ministry, Hughes doesn’t suggest you “get over” your hard times. Instead, she helps you recognize that, while you will always live in a broken world this side of heaven, your pain has much to teach you about God and yourself. With her empathetic help, you’ll discover how to grow through grief and thrive despite adversity.

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Book Review of "Between Two Kingdoms" by Suleika Jaouad

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Between Two Kingdoms

Author: Suleika Jaouad

Publisher: Random House Publishing

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Genre: Sociology of Death

A searing, deeply moving memoir of illness and recovery that traces one young woman's journey from diagnosis to remission and, ultimately, a road trip of healing and self-discovery.

In the summer after graduating from college, Suleika Jaouad was preparing, as they say in commencement speeches, to enter “the real world”. She had fallen in love and moved to Paris to pursue her dream of becoming a war correspondent. The real world she found, however, would take her into a very different kind of conflict zone.

It started with an itch—first on her feet, then up her legs, like a thousand invisible mosquito bites. Next came the exhaustion, and the six-hour naps that only deepened her fatigue. Then a trip to the doctor and, a few weeks shy of her twenty-third birthday, a diagnosis: leukemia, with a 35 percent chance of survival. Just like that, the life she had imagined for herself had gone up in flames. By the time Jaouad flew home to New York, she had lost her job, her apartment, and her independence. She would spend much of the next four years in a hospital bed, fighting for her life and chronicling the saga in a column for The New York Times.

When Jaouad finally walked out of the cancer ward—after three and a half years of chemo, a clinical trial, and a bone marrow transplant—she was, according to the doctors, cured. But as she would soon learn, a cure is not where the work of healing ends; it’s where it begins. She had spent the past 1,500 days in desperate pursuit of one goal—to survive. And now that she’d done so, she realized that she had no idea how to live.

How would she reenter the world and live again? How could she reclaim what had been lost? Jaouad embarked—with her new best friend, Oscar, a scruffy terrier mutt—on a 100-day, 15,000-mile road trip across the country. She set out to meet some of the strangers who had written to her during her years in the hospital: a teenage girl in Florida also recovering from cancer; a teacher in California grieving the death of her son; a death-row inmate in Texas who’d spent his own years confined to a room. What she learned on this trip is that the divide between sick and well is porous, that the vast majority of us will travel back and forth between these realms throughout our lives. Between Two Kingdoms is a profound chronicle of survivorship and a fierce, tender, and inspiring exploration of what it means to begin again.

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Book Review of 'Such a Mind as This' by Richard L. Smith

HAPPY SATURDAY!

I hope that everyone is having a wonderfully blessed weekend!  My son is marching in his first Veteran's Day parade today, and thank goodness the weather is gorgeous!!  My prayers are for those affected by the north Texas tornados that occurred last night.  The devastation is utterly heartbreaking.

Today I am featuring the book, as well as my review, of Such a Mind as This by Richard L. Smith, an immersive deep dive into the Old Testament.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Such a Mind as This

Author: Richard L. Smith

Publisher: Wipf & Stock

Release Date: January 6, 2022

Genre: Religion & Spirituality

Our intellectual context is very complicated.  There are competing pedagogues, divergent epistemological agendas, and flawed participants.  The mind is a war zone.

The Old Testament depicts a battlefield between the sinful mind and God’s revelation.

Today, many Christians minimize the intellect and do not recognize how sin impacts thinking. Many do not know how to love God with the mind. Many suffer from anti-intellectual inertia. They think like consumers shopping for knowledge, learning formats, and instructors that conform to their buying preferences. They prefer junk food for their minds. They often fulfill the role assigned to them by the world—intellectual simplicity, private religiosity, and subjective spirituality.

By comprehensively examining Old Testament teaching concerning the mind, this book promotes a spirituality that puts thinking in its proper place. It explains what God requires intellectually of his vice-regents. It shows that our world is a labyrinth, but that God’s revelation is our reliable guide. This book motivates readers to strive for mental piety, wisdom, and intellectual development, for the glory of God and the fulfillment of our mandate on earth. Readers will learn from their ancient brethren how to better steward their minds.

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Book Review of "Declutter" by Barbara Canon

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Declutter: Cleaning Out Your Spiritual Basement

Author: Barbara Sanon

Publisher: LakeView Publication

Release Date: March 28, 2022

Genre: Spiritual Growth

Is your life overwhelming you?

Do you struggle with believing for better in your future when all you see reminds you of your past? Do you find it difficult to find peace? Barbara has a word for you!

While seeking God about a circumstance in her life, with no warning, God addressed another issue in her life. Her past. God showed Barbara a visual picture analogy of her past being like a basement. A basement is where a homeowner places things they don’t need or have room for in their house, but over time, if not dealt with, a basement can become a place of cluttered defeat. If Barbara wanted a life of victory, God needed to help her clean out the clutter she had accumulated in her spiritual basement. Barbara documents this journey and shows you through the steps she learned from God how you too can live your life empowered and DECLUTTERED! 

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Book Review: Tap Talk, Tidbits, and Tips for Dilettante Tappers by Bernard M. Patten

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Tap Talk, Tidbits, and Tips for Dilettante Tappers

Author: Bernard M. Patten

Publisher: Identity Publications

Release Date: April 12, 2022

Genre: Neurological and Dance

If you're looking for an old-fashioned honest chapbook about the experience of being an amateur tap dancer, look no further!

Welcome to the world's first and only tap book written by a student of the art-not a teacher, a studio owner, or an expert. Delve into these real-life tap adventures and let them inspire you to bring the magic of the dance into your own life. This humble chapbook will open your mind to the world of this unique form of dance in ways that only a student of the art could.

Tap Talk, Tidbits, and Tips for Dilettante Tappers will help your brain direct your heart, nerves, muscles, sinew, and soul to serve your tap-dancing goals and increase your tapping fun. Here you will find ideas, suggestions, and discussions about tap, including the fundamental idea that dance is mainly a task of the mind and not just the body. Dr. Patten shows us how the brain and memory benefit hugely from learning dance, backed up by real psychological studies and personal experience with the Silver Star Tappers of Pasadena, Texas.

So, quit delaying, and read what amounts to a satisfying mix of deep scientific fact, real research results, tap tips, tap talk, chit-chat, chatter, and amusing anecdotes. Whet your appetite, and get a head's up on what to expect from tap dancing should you decide to give it a try.

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Book Review+Bookstagram Tour: The Prayer Jar Devotional: Hope by Wanda Brunstetter

 

Welcome to the Review + Bookstagram Tour forThe Prayer Jar Devotional: Hope by Wanda E. Brunstetter hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Prayer Jar: Hope

Series: The Prayer Jars

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter 

Publisher: Barbour

Release Date: September 1, 2022 

Genre: Devotionals

Inspired by New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter’s The Prayer Jars series. . .

The Prayer Jar Devotional: Hope delivers the same life-changing inspiration as Wanda E. Brunstetter’s unforgettable stories. Every reading will help you draw closer to your heavenly Father.

Your prayer life will be transformed as you read through these dozens of encouraging devotional readings centered around the theme of hope. With each turn of the page, you’ll discover unchanging truths of God’s Word alongside meaningful prompts that guide you to write out your personal prayers or favorite, hope-filled Bible verses and then add to your very own prayer jar. (Simple instructions are included in the introduction.)

Once you’ve finished reading the last page, you’ll have a full prayer jar of your very own. Use it to infuse your heart with inspiration and encouragement when you need it—or share it with a friend who could use some faith restoration of her very own!

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Blog Blitz: Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers by Hope Bolinger, Linda Fulkerson, Rowena Kuo, and Carrie Schmidt

 

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers by Hope Bolinger, Linda Fulkerson, Rowena Kuo, and Carrie Schmidt, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers 

Authors: Hope Bolinger, Linda Fulkerson, Rowena Kuo, and Carrie Schmidt 

Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC 

Release Date: October 11, 2022 

Genre: Nonfiction / Writing

Remember when Dorothy finally reached the Emerald City only to be halted by the Gatekeeper, blocking her hopes of seeing the Great and Powerful Wizard?

The path to publication is like that. Agents, and Editors, and Publishers, oh, my! 

Each one is a barrier between you and a publishing contract. 

 But what if you understood what agents, editors, publishers, and readers really want? 

 If you’re struggling to get past the publishing gatekeepers, this book will give you a behind-the-scenes peek at how to win the heart of each type of publishing professional. In fact, Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers won’t just give you a peek—it will give you a guided tour. In this book, four publishing professionals—an agent, a publisher, an editor, and an influencer—share what it takes to unlock each “gate” within the publishing industry. 

 Getting Past the Publishing Gatekeepers is a must-have resource for all aspiring authors, and it offers insights to help multi-published authors as well. 

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Book Review: Act Before You Overthink by Lison Mage

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Act Before You Overthink

Author: Lison Mage

Publisher: The Mindful Experience Pty Ltd

Release Date: April 20, 2022

Genre: Psychological Nonfiction

Are you an Overthinker?

Too clever for your own good? Unable to make a decision even after overanalysing data in enormous spreadsheets? Feeling stuck and anxious imagining countless what-if scenarios?

Act Before You overThink, to free your mind, skyrocket your productivity and improve your well-being.

Based on more than 365 interviews with overthinkers, Lison Mage uncovers and debunks the three myths of overthinking that hold you back from reaching your full potential, in your career and relationships.

Backing up her findings with psychological studies and behavioural sciences, Act Before You overThink offers practical strategies and tools addressing the different types of overthinking, to break free from stress, self-doubt and perfectionism.

You will learn how to:

• Gain control over your deepest fears and show up as your most empowered self,
• Balance thinking and doing, setting you on a path to greater joy and purpose,
• Build confidence and decisiveness when facing complex choices

Don’t wait any longer to get out of your own way! It’s time toliberate your mind, improve your decisions, and gift the world your best self.

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Book Review: A Book Called You by Matthew Stephen Brown

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Book Called You

Author: Matthew Stephen Brown

Publisher: Orchard View Publishing

Release Date: October 5, 2021

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Consider the possibility Enneagram types of well-known figures in the Bible to discover more about yourself and gain specific wisdom about how and why you are uniquely made.

Who am I? Everyone asks that question, no matter their age or status in life. If we’re truly supposed to be real with others, shouldn’t that start by learning how to be real with ourselves?

The Enneagram describes nine basic personality styles which can help us better understand who we are and what drives us.  When God designed you, He did not create you as a number but as a uniquely created individual. Your Enneagram type can give you great insight into the complexities of yourself and others. A Book Called YOU will show you how a biblical view of self-discovery can improve every part of your life, and includes:

• The potential Enneagram type of well-known biblical figures like Peter, David, Abraham, King Saul, and more 
• The character, core motivation, and core weaknesses of each Enneagram type
• Advice on how to best love each personality type 
• How to pray specifically for each Enneagram type

Based on his widely successful teaching series "A Series Called You," pastor Matt Brown offers a groundbreaking, entertaining, and heartfelt guide that highlights biblical truths alongside the Enneagram to help us fully embrace who we are and help us love and relate to the people around us. 

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Book Review: The Villains Who Snapped My Spine by A.H. Nazzareno

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Villains Who Snapped My Spine

Author: A.H. Nazzareno

Release Date: July 1, 2022

Genre: Memoirs

"Filled with determination, an honest sense of mortality and enviable vitality, A.H. Nazarene and his memoir The Villains Who Snapped My Spine set the benchmark for how to cope with a life-changing diagnosis." - Indies Today

In June 2021, a typical 30-year-old self-proclaimed car and coffee enthusiast's life was suddenly derailed.

The humor-laced and nostalgia-infused debut memoir follows A. H. Nazzareno in his attempt to make sense of a rare diagnosis. Written in a hospital bed and in the immediate weeks following major surgery, courtesy of Dr. Summeroff, an uncertain yet hopeful future emerges from a villain-riddled past.* 

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