Book Review: Cradle My Heart

About the Book:

Abortion continues to be a hot topic in politics, women’s rights, and medical practice. But for the eight to ten million American Christian women who have had one, abortion is a spiritual issue as well, raising questions of life and death, heaven and hell, grief and loss.

Writing from her own experience, Kim Ketola sheds light on one of the darkest and most neglected personal issues of our time: the widespread need for healing and spiritual recovery after abortion. “After abortion brought the worst trouble into my life I had ever known,” writes Ketola, “I just couldn’t see my way free to believe in God’s love.”

With a compassionate heart, Ketola offers ten true stories of healing promise from the Bible to help women answer the most common spiritual torments they face: Is abortion a sin? Does God hate me? Where can I turn in my shame and distress? How could I ever tell anyone the truth? And more.

Inspired by Romans 6:4--“just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"--this is a definitive resource to help women see themselves and God anew and--finally--to find spiritual healing.

Wondering how to get yourself a copy??  You can buy a copy of the book here: http://ow.ly/cTF02

About the Author:

Kim Ketola is a sought-after writer and motivational speaker with the Ruth Graham and Friends conference. After thirty years in the broadcasting industry, she founded a nonprofit organization through which she presents professionally accredited conferences to equip counselors and help individuals recover from the emotional and spiritual wounds of abortion. Kim lives in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Visit her website: www.cradlemyheart.org

My Review of the Book:
 Looking for more views? Check out the tour!
http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13531421/kimketola

Hope...this is something that we all need and at many different times in our lives it may feel as you have lost all of your own.  Kim, takes the reader on a journey that is a very touchy subject no matter if you are relgious or not.  When it comes to abortion everyone has an opinion and if you are a spiritual women who has had one sometimes you need someone to listen and give you hope and not preach at you.  Cradle My Heart, does just that it is a place that a spiritual woman can turn to when for whatever reason you are brought into a situation where abortion is involved.

I personally have never been in this situation, but I do have friends that have an I am glad to know that in the future there is a book like this one I am able to get.  I may not know what to do or say, but at least this book can make me feel as though I am helping my friend in their time of need.  No matter the situation we all need some place to turn to and I am soo thankful that Kim has written this book for the "8-10 million Christian" woman and for all of those who may not be but this Hope.

Be sure to check out the live webcast!!



In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20 at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.

Cat Hoort of Kregel says, ""We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences. Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope."

To register for the event, just click here. {https://www.facebook.com/KregelBooks/app_241719209283045}

I received a book for review purposes.  The views expressed are 100% my own and not influenced in any way!

Book Reviw: Aftermath

About the Book:

Growing in Grace Through Grief

Loss is a four-letter word that grips our hearts and gridlocks our lives. Grief can hold us captive until we surrender it to God. How do we find the necessary grace to journey through the mourning process?

Juxtaposed to the outpouring of her mother’s words about grief, the author shares her parallel journey from the emotional abyss of grief after becoming an adult orphan. With candor, the author shares her own emotions experienced along the spectrum of loss after her parents’ deaths: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—adding interactive options for readers.

Five sections cover these common emotions and provide:

• comfort Scripture lists

• counsel sections from grief experts

• chronicling sections with detailed helps

• tangible handles on dealing with grief during holidays, capturing loved ones’ legacy, and more.


Buy a copy of the book here:  http://ow.ly/cOiNu

About the Author:

Margaret McSweeney is a well-published author often writing online articles for Make It Better (the former North Shore Magazine) and freelance articles for the Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. In addition, she has authored and compiled several books including A Mother’s Heart Knows; Go Back and Be Happy; Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace and most recently, Mother of Pearl.

Margaret has a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina in international business. As is the founder of Pearl Girls, Margaret collaborates with other writers on projects to help fund a safe house for WINGS, an organization that helps women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, and to build wells for schoolchildren in Uganda through Hands of Hope. For the past 10 years she has served on the board of directors and leadership advisory board for WINGS. Margaret lives with her husband and 2 daughters in the Chicago suburbs. Learn more about Margaret and the work of Pearl Girls at www.margaretmcsweeney.com.

My Review of the Book:

Like it or not one thing we know for sure that all of us have in common is that we are going to suffer loss at some point in our life of someone near and dear to us.  For some of us it may come far to soon, but reality is no matter when it happens or how it still hurts just as bad.  It does not get any easier and it is something we all wish we did not have to go through.

We all grieve differently and what works for some, may in fact not work for others.  Aftermath I found was a book that can help one either in preparation for the loss of a dear one or after the loss has already happened.  Margaret takes us on her personal grief journey and helps the reader find a way through the fog of the loss.  While reading the book you feel as a close family member or friend has written it and truly cares about helping the reader   "get through it"  No matter if you are buying this book for someone that you just did not know how to help or you needed some help for yourself this book is perfect!

I received a book for review purposes.  My views are 100% my own and not influenced in anyway!

Book Review: Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow

About the Book:

No mother ever expects to grieve the death of her child before or immediately after the child is born. But the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports that as many as 31 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. When the unthinkable happens, where do women turn for help?

Written from the perspective of one grieving mommy to another, Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow is a ten-week study that will encourage and challenge women to delve into a deeper understanding of God's Word. As women engage in biblical teaching, they will learn to embrace God's promises of love, goodness, purpose, comfort, peace, refinement, restoration, hope, and eternity.

"Hope for Today" verses peppered throughout each chapter, journaling cues, prayers, and the stories of other women who have experienced loss will help readers move from grieving in silent solitude to living life in the richness of God's love.

While other books suggest a one-size-fits-all method for grief management or focus on understanding specific causes of child loss, Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow offers comfort for the reader, whatever her situation, by helping her focus on the light of the ultimate Promise, the hope of a Savior, Jesus Christ.

Get your copy of the book: http://ow.ly/d336C 

About the Author:

Teske Drake (PhD, Iowa State University), is mommy to three babies in heaven, mom to two on earth, and wife to her one and only. She is cofounder of Mommies with Hope, a biblically based support group for women who have experienced infant loss.

Find out more at mommieswithhope.blogspot.com.


My Review of the Book:

I personally have never gone through the loss of a child, but I have has friends that have gone through this pain and could see this book a great source for them.  Although no matter if you have lost a child or not a lot can be learned from this book.  We all go through many situations in our life when we feel loss and this book is a great tool to help one make it through the fog.

What I have learned from my friends is that you never really "get over" the loss of your child, but find the tools to continue on.  I have also learned from them that they wished more people could understand.  I found this book did that for me.  I can not understand what they have gone through, but I can empathize and with the help of this book, hopefully help them with their journey.  If you or someone you know has been through either now or in the future this is a great resource for those parents. Although this is one club you do not wish anyone to be a part of, this book allows one to feel that they truly are NOT alone in a situation when you feel that you are.

If you are looking for more reviews of the book please check out the following link of all the great bloggers in this tour!

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13532793/teskedrake

Be sure to check out the live webcast!

In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20 at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment.

Cat Hoort of Kregel says, ""We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences. Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope."

To register for the event, just click here. {https://www.facebook.com/KregelBooks/app_241719209283045}


I received a book for review purposes.  The book was in no way influenced by any means and all views are 100% my own!

Our time to S.A.S.S. back, with the Stop and Share Saturday

Welcome to Stop and Share Saturday, or S.A.S.S., a weekend BLOG HOP, brought to you by your hosts: The Spring Mount 6 Pack and Two Children and a Migraine, Multi-Testing Mommy and The Knit Wit.

 Our goal is to get some comment love, increase traffic and hopefully get some new followers.


It's a hop, in that you move from blog to blog, But it's not a hop in that we want you to do more then just quickly jump from one spot to another. We want you to Stop & Share.






It is always a good idea to have the ALEXA TOOLBAR INSTALLED on your browser. (You want this on your computer, it constantly helps you as well as every blog you visit. Directions here.)





The more places you visit, the more likely you make it that they will S.A.S.S. you back.

---

RULES

1. Please LINK TO AN ACTUAL POST, NOT YOUR MAIN SITE.




2. PLEASE DON’T LIST ANY GIVEAWAYS.



3. PLEASE ONLY ONE LINK PER BLOG.



4. Take time to read the post and leave a genuine comment.




5. End your comment with "- SASS" so folks will know you are stopping by from the Stop and Share Saturday Hop, and will hopefully return the favour.

---

 That's it. Have fun, find some great posts to enjoy and comment on, and enjoy your weekend!

Book Review: Mindful of Him

About the Book:

Mindful of Him is a tale of heartbreak and triumph set in the 1950s. Separated from his young wife, and with both of his parents recently deceased, Rob McLain sets off on an adventure for which he has longed since childhood. Travel with Rob as his journey not only takes him to beautiful places, but also crosses his path with influential men who help him through his loneliness. Five months into the trip, Rob has a moonlight encounter that changes his life forever and overwhelmingly convinces this young skeptic that God is indeed mindful of him!

Through it all, he receives answers to life's deepest questions. What does he learn? What happens to his wife? Do they get back together? Does he make it back safely?

Find the answers to these questions and others dealing with faith, creation, nature, and more in Mindful of Him, which will keep you reading long after you had planned to turn out the lights. Mindful of Him was inspired by the writings of Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer, the giant of 20th Century Christian philosophers.

About the Author:

On a cold February day in 1928, Hollis Hughes was born in a ramshackle house  with no insulation, plumbing, or electricity. Growing up on a farm during the Great Depression, Hollis spent his youth chopping wood, tending the family farm, milking cows, and tending to livestock. Following college graduation, Hollis worked as a high school teacher and counselor for 38 years, and operated a successful rhododendron nursery.

When Hollis’ wife developed Alzheimer’s disease in 1988, he spent the next twelve years taking care of her. Today, Hollis is retired from education. He is a fly fisherman, hiker, and gardener. He is a member of the American Camellia Society,  and a lifetime member of the Birmingham Botanical Society. Hollis and his wife, Lera, make their home in Alabama.

Learn more about Hollis by visiting http://www.winepresspublishing.com/authors/hollis-hughes


My review of the Book:

We are constantly on a journey in our lives.  Sometimes it may be the case where you are not aware until you reach the end.  Joining Rob on his journey through the spiritual, emotional and physical you live through his ups and down and in many ways it allows you to focus on your own life and your own journeys.

Although many of us may not have lived through the pain Rob has endured and not in a position to just pack up and leave.  We can live through Rob and see that you will not be put through anything that you can not endure and always remember there is a light on the other side.  We need to keep fighting and looking for that light and this will help us get through the batches of darkness that we come across in our lives.

Looking for more reviews on the book check out the link below! 

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13525526/mindfulofhim 


I received a book for review purposes, but the views are  100% my own and not influenced in any way!

Book Review: Giants in the Land

About the Book:

There are giants in the land.

And it has always been so as far as anyone can remember. They work side-by-side with the people, and whenever there is a job too difficult or a threat too great they are there to step in. The giants’ presence gives the townspeople a special confidence about life. But they have become much more dependent on the giants than they realize. One morning the people discover the giants have mysteriously disappeared. Fear and panic grip the town. Someone must find them and bring them back!

Thomas, a young farmer, volunteers and sets out alone on a great journey of danger and discovery. Thomas learns the true nature of giants and what it means for him and his people. Join Thomas in his timeless rite of passage and learn what it means to become something more than you have been, why it is necessary in life, and how to do it. Learn more about Giants in the Land: http://www.giantsinthelandbook.com 

About the Author:

 Clark Burbidge's path to becoming an award winning author had distant beginnings. He received an MBA degree from the University of Southern California and a BS Degree in finance from the University of Utah. His career spans 31 years in banking, project finance, investment banking and more recently as Chief Financial Officer of three separate companies. He has been actively involved in community and church service, including lay youth and adult ministry, for over 35 years.

 It has been his long-term dream to write and publish several works that have been kicking around in his mind for many years. His first book, "Life on the Narrow Path: A Mountain Biker's Guide to Spiritual Growth in Troubled Times" was released nationally in March 2011. His second book "A Piece of Silver" was published in July 2011 and is currently entering its 2nd edition. Clark enjoys life in the foothills of the Rockies with his wife, children and three grandchildren. He looks forward to this next phase of life's wonderful adventures.

 Learn more about Clark by visiting www.clarkrburbidge.com.

My Review of the Book:

Giants in the Land was a great book!   It is a quick and easy read and enjoyable to a great age range!  I adored Thomas and the journey that he went on and found some life lessons that make this book one that will stand the test of time! I really did not have a hard time getting into it and found it was also a great book to read when busy with the kids and needed some well deserved me time.  Which honestly with us halfway into the summer holidays is often. :-)  If your looking for a book to read this summer I really do recommend it!  We are never to old to learn life lessons and Thomas teaches us a very important one!

Head on over here to buy your own copy and one for a friend.   This is definitely a book you will want to share!



Happy Reading!


Check out the tour below!

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13518945/clarkburbidge



I received a book for review purposes.  The view expressed are 100% my own and not influenced in anyway!

Our time to S.A.S.S. back, with the Stop and Share Saturday

Welcome to Stop and Share Saturday, or S.A.S.S., a weekend BLOG HOP, brought to you by your hosts: The Spring Mount 6 Pack and Two Children and a Migraine, Multi-Testing Mommy and The Knit Wit.

 Our goal is to get some comment love, increase traffic and hopefully get some new followers.


It's a hop, in that you move from blog to blog, But it's not a hop in that we want you to do more then just quickly jump from one spot to another. We want you to Stop & Share.






It is always a good idea to have the ALEXA TOOLBAR INSTALLED on your browser. (You want this on your computer, it constantly helps you as well as every blog you visit. Directions here.)





The more places you visit, the more likely you make it that they will S.A.S.S. you back.

---

RULES

1. Please LINK TO AN ACTUAL POST, NOT YOUR MAIN SITE.








2. PLEASE DON’T LIST ANY GIVEAWAYS.








3. PLEASE ONLY ONE LINK PER BLOG.








4. Take time to read the post and leave a genuine comment.








5. End your comment with "- SASS" so folks will know you are stopping by from the Stop and Share Saturday Hop, and will hopefully return the favour.

---

 That's it. Have fun, find some great posts to enjoy and comment on, and enjoy your weekend!

Book Review: Tales of the Not Forgotten #50bookpledge

About the Book:

Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to faraway lands and unknown faces. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver writing endings you’d never imagine!

Joel dares to ask for what he can’t have. Seraphina sacrifices what she can’t afford to give. Ibrahim looks for an answer buried out of reach. Christiana, saved by a mission, searches for her own. These are the tales of the ones the world doesn’t see . . . the tales of the not forgotten.

 In this collection of four real-life stories written for preteens, a compelling storyteller paints a picture of God’s dynamic movement in four foreign cultures, inspiring children to trust that God is weaving a story in their lives as well. This resource will shrink the macro picture down to approachable, individual stories of real children and teach about fundamental survival issues. The stories address some of the challenging questions that kids have and weave God's promises to orphans into each one.

 The Tales of the Not Forgotten Leader’s Guide is a 6-session kids' missions resource (sold separately) that walks adults through an easy-to-follow guide for making the abstract real and for designing an action plan to help others. Preteens will be challenged to answer the questions: How do I pray? What can I give? Where can I go? Who will I serve?  


About the Author:

Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries (based in Cincinnati, OH) which communicates a lifestyle of service by sharing the love of Christ and serving God through service to others.

Back2Back Ministries connects willing workers to open hearts through international and local ministry opportunities. Their ministry is currently caring and providing for orphan children and needy people in Mexico, Nigeria, India and most recently, Haiti. Beth travels and speaks regularly at women's and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. Her topics include orphan care, missions, parenting, marriage/intimacy, and faith. Her story-telling style captures audiences, and she draws from her field experience as a missionary and parent for illustrations to biblical concepts. In addition to her latest release, Tales of the Not Forgotten (Standard Publishing 2012), Beth has written Relentless Hope (Standard, 2011) and Reckless Faith (Zondervan, 2008).

The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico where they have hosted thousands of guests on their ministry campus. Between biological, foster, and adopted additions to their family, Beth and Todd are raising nine children. Learn how you can join Beth in ministry at www.bethguckenberger.com or www.back2backministries.org.  

My review of the Book:

As much as I love and adore my fictional stories, I do love to read non fiction and the trials and tribulations of others. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives we forgot there are really hero's among us. I loved how the book was set up so that you could read each persons story no matter how little time you had to read. Each chapter told a new story and within that chapter you received the point of view of the characters and missionaries. The common theme through the book is to remember that you are not forgotten. No matter how it gets it is important to keep your head up, eyes open and remember you are not alone!


 *I was provided a book for review purposes, but thoughts are 100% mine and not influenced in any way!