Thursday, January 23, 2014

Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin Book Review

 
Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin is newest book that Brooke upgraded from her Warrior Prayers ebook on what and how to pray for boys.  Brooke shares her journey of how God led her to write this book and why God brings her to her knees before him in behalf of her sons.  Brooke's powerful stories and bold statements give the reader a glimpse at the heart of God.  She knows that we are not capable of being parents to our sons without the hand of the Father who loves and cares for each of his children.  Brooke chose 20 things boys need most and created 10 scriptural prayers from them for readers to insert the names of their own sons as they pray these prayers.  Each chapter also includes a few discussion questions as this book is also written as a challenge for mothers of boys to pray together for their sons.  A leader's guide is also included in the appendix. 
 
I have been fascinated with Brooke's Warrior Prayers ebook when it first came out and my son was almost 18 months old.  If there is anything I want to give to my children, it's a praying mama!  Brooke's resource has grown into this new book, Praying for Boys.  Her stories are heart warming and heart wrenching.  She doesn't mince words.  She tells it straight.  We must be on our knees for these boys.  There is no better way than to pray God's Word for them.  And Brooke's book is the best resource I know that will be my guide. 
 
 
*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.  All opinions are my own.*
 
For more information, visit Praying for Boys.
 
Don't forget to sign for the monthly newsletter from The MOB Society for an exclusive prayer calendar.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife by Arlene Pellicane Book Review

31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife



31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife by Arlene Pellicane is a practical and insightful book for wives to embrace. Every chapter begins with a Bible verse and a true (and sometimes funny story) that Arlene shares to illustrate her point. She takes the acronym HAPPY and writes 31 short chapters filled with wisdom, guidance and balance for a wife to ultimately make the choice in how she will choose happiness. These are the keys to happiness. HAPPY stands for Hopeful, Adaptable, Positive, Purposeful and Yielded. Take the marriage quiz at the beginning and determine if you are a happy wife. Each chapter ends with a picture for you to create in your mind and a prayer. There is also a discussion guide included that would be a great study for many happy wives!




Arlene's candid and personal approach to expressing her views are very engaging. I agree with her approach to marriage and I highly value what she shares in light of God's Word. She makes me think differently about marriage, myself and my husband. Arlene is honest and practical in this new book that will help wives to truly strive to be a happy wife. What a refreshing and delightful book to read!

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author.  All opinions are my own.* 


See my other reviews of Arlene's books:
*31 Days to a Younger You

*31 Days to a Happy Husband

Friday, January 17, 2014

Julie Klassen's "The Dancing Master" giveaway and "All Things Jane" webcast 1/23!!

Best-selling author Julie Klassen will be hosting a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a live webcast event (1/23) to celebrate the release of her latest novel, The Dancing Master. Enter and RSVP today!

dancingmaster-400
 
  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 23rd. Winner will be announced at the "All Things Jane (from Austen to Eyre)" Live Webcast Event on January 23rd. Connect with Julie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Julie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, Jane Austen DVDs, fun "Jane" merchandise, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Dancing Master and join Julie and friends on the evening of January 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

My review:

Alec Valcourt, an accomplished dancing and fencing master relocated from London to Beaworthy with his mother and sister to live with his uncle due to an undisclosed situation with his father.  Alec had no idea that Beaworthy was devoid of all dancing as the village matriarch Lady Amelia of Buckleigh Manor had it banned 20 years prior on the day her brother was killed.  He was also quite attracted to her daughter, Julia, but knew that any contact with her was forbidden.  What was a man to do without income and hiding his feelings for a young woman with whom he wanted to be more acquainted?  As Alec desperately tried to capture the loyal villagers to accept him as dancing master he could not fathom the dark secrets surrounding this small village with the beautiful Julia at the center.  Can Alec seek to change the hearts of Beaworthy and win the heart of Julia with his integrity and confidence?

I was very intrigued by this story first by how Alec Valcourt was going to try to be a dancing master and also how he would win the heart of the mother of Julia in order to court her.  This book had many secrets with twists and turns.  I wasn't quite sure what would happen next.  Julia was my favorite character that even though she was supposed to be a proper young lady you saw her balancing on the church parapet, sneaking off to dances, meeting openly with unchaperoned with single men and having an attitude of self pity thinking that her own father who had passed away never loved her and treating her mother with constant disrespect.  But above that all was a heart yearning to be known and cherished.  When all the secrets were discovered I was relieved that Alec was able to finally make a decision about his future that made him and Julia happy.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Hens for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.*