"A Lifelong Love" Giveaway

I have a great marriage. In fact, I live in a bit of a fairytale. Sometimes, when I hear other women talk about their husbands I get survivor guilt. Why do I get to be so happy? We often joke that in order for your marriage to be great you have to have the three "L"s: Love, Like, and Lust and we have all three in abundance.

I don't usually like reading books on marriage because they get me all in upset and feeling like everything needs to change. I'm impetuous to say the least. My husband, Mr. Steady, plugs away while his wife is in the corner freaking out because we don't __fill_in_the_blank__ like the book says we ought to. You know, the important stuff like having hobbies together. Never! He isn't interested in what I am and I'm not interested in what he is. So why force it? We'll both be unhappy. Eventually it wears off and we go back to being happy.

When I was asked to review "A Lifelong Love" by Gary Thomas, I kind of sighed. "Another book on marriage." Groan.

NOT SO!!! This is definitely in the top 3 best books on marriage I have ever read. I wish I could give a copy to every single married person I know. I read "Sacred Love" by Gary Thomas and thought it was okay but perhaps a bit dry and not really practical. Don't judge this book on that one. This is a great book.

One of the very first things that made me stop and rethink how I treat my husband was when Mr. Thomas was recounting a counseling session and finally stopped the woman and said, "Would you be happy if your daughter-in-law treated your son the way you treat your husband?" Ouch. Good one. It stayed with me. Let me tell you, I immediately went into serving mode. (I told you I'm impetuous.) Hopefully this doesn't fade like other 'marriage fads' have.

Truthfully, if I'm devoting myself to pursuing God and serving my husband, our marriage can only improve. I need to be looking to Christ for my fulfillment which can then bubble over into my relationship; not the other way around. This book helped to remind me of that. This was timely and I think my husband is happy I read it.


Fortunately, you don't have to take my word for it about the stellar quality of this book. Leave a comment below and I'll enter your name in a draw for a free copy. Honestly, hardly anyone enters so your chances are good. Draw will be made November 5th, 2014.Good luck.

Legal stuff:
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"I'll Be Me" moview review and soundtrack giveaway

This is a first for me. I've done plenty of book reviews but I've never had the opportunity to preview a movie before it's release. It's fun being in the know.

The irony of my last statement can only be realized when you know that "I'll Be Me" chronicles legendary country singer, Glen Campbell's final tour in the midst of battling Alzheimer's. What a horrid disease. I watched this movie two days ago but couldn't quite bring myself to write a review because it was too painful. I lost my own paternal Grandmother to Alzheimer's and watching it play it's evil tune in the life of another was distressing.

I was expecting "I'll Be Me" to be a fictional telling of Glen Campbell's entire life; not a documentary about his final tour, so I was taken by surprise. At first I was disappointed by this but as the film went along, I was captivated by Mr. Campbell's way of handling his memory loss. For the most part, he dealt with it with a laugh and a smile. But of course, as with many Alzheimer victims, including my Grandmother, eventually the smiling gives way to fear and the laughing turns to paranoia. I still can't decide if I was uplifted and depressed by seeing this film but either way, it was very moving and spotlighted a much misunderstood disease.

Intermixed with videos of the tour were snippets of some major celebrities talking about how amazing Glen's career was and the impact he had on them. One of the most touching scenes in the film was when celebrity after celebrity told of a loved one that was a victim of Alzheimer.

To be honest, I didn't know who Glen Campbell was until I heard "Rhinestone Cowboy". Oooh, that Glen Campbell. (I'm not much of an old country music fan) I enjoyed the music of this flick though. Speaking of music, I'm giving away the soundtrack to this film (which will be released some time this fall). If you want your name in the draw, please leave a comment below. The draw will be made Oct 30th, 2014. Good luck.

Here's the official wrap about this film from the producers:

In 2011, when Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he joined forces with his family to fight the biggest battle of his life. Glen and his wife, Kim, made history by going public with the diagnosis – the first time a major American celebrity would share this experience with the world. The Campbell family then embarked on a short “Goodbye Tour,” but the three-week engagement turned into an emotional and triumphant 151-show nationwide tour de force.

This epic human drama about the undying bond between Glen and Kim, and their unwavering caring for each other, chronicles a story of love, resilience and the power of song.

GLEN CAMPBELL…I’LL BE ME is the true tale of how America’s greatest country star would not give up his music or his family, against all odds.

The film features those who know and love Glen, including Bruce Springsteen, Bill Clinton, The Edge, Paul McCartney, Jay Leno, Vince Gill, Jimmy Webb, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Steve Martin, Chad Smith and Taylor Swift among many others. Rare vintage footage and extraordinary new performances of Glen’s most beloved hits immerse this moving cinematic account in the overwhelming talent of this humble family man. With joy and a tireless sense of humor, Glen and his family live each moment in the present while preparing for the future, all while playing their music to sold out venues on a star spangled voyage spanning the country from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl.



Now for some legal stuff.
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Keepers of the Covenant"

It's so easy to read Scripture and not emotionally interact with it. I am guilty of it. How many times have I read the book of Ezra including the chapter on when they sent away their foreign wives without thinking about what that meant for the couples who were in love, for the children, for newlyweds as well as those married for decades?

I suppose this is why I love fiction based on Scripture (provided it stays true to the text); it makes me stop and think about how difficult life was. In "Keepers of the Covenant" author Lynn Austin does a great job of making you think about what life must have been like for the Jewish people before Purim as well as right afterwards. To my embarrassment, when I read in the book of Esther that the Jews gave gifts and celebrated, I assumed that meant life was peachy afterwards. Not likely. Some likely struggled with post traumatic stress, others with guilt and fear.

I do enjoy Lynn Austin's writing. It's easy to envision and flows. This is book number 2 in the Restoration Chronicles. "Return to Me" being the first. In my opinion, "Keepers of the Covenant" is better. "Return to Me" took awhile to get moving in the story line. The one part of Ms. Austin's writing that I wish she would back away from a little bit is the ever present preaching. Don't get me wrong; it's not horrible. I just think the book could be 2/3 in length. Sometimes I feel like I'm reading the same thing over and over. We get it - Ezra's upset by them not holding firm to the Torah.

Having said that, I hope there are more books to follow in this series. They are a great reminder of the awesome grace of our incredible God as well as the importance of remembering that this life isn't about us.

BTW, I got a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

"Their Name is Today" Book Review and Sweepstake

Hey guys, I've got another book to give away.

I'm the kind of gal who loves to do lists. Not so much the to do part as the list part. Lists make me happy; exact requirements are my friend. Unfortunately, parenting doesn't come with a series of checklists as much as with a series of moments of realizations that you missed the boat...again. Dang, forgot to get my child into violin at age 3. Nuts, didn't know playing Mozart in the womb raised I.Q. 20 points. Do you ever feel like you're three steps behind everyone else? Maybe you aren't as much as you think.

The book "Their Name is Today" by Mark K. Shriver, was 1 part inspiring, 1 part depressing and 2 parts only worth skimming (with the occasional golden sound bite) The first part of the book was all about getting back to playing. Children will learn so quit driving yourself and your child nuts by striving for perfection. Of course, by playing, he meant screen free playing. It's all true but you'll have to excuse me while I point out that life gets in the way of the best intended plans. Call me defensive but for the author to come off sounding like the world is doomed because our kids don't play is a bit dramatic and to think that pushing your child to strive equals bad parenting is ridiculous. The whole point of parenting is to raise well rounded adults, not soft whimps who don't know how to work.

One sound bite that I did love is found at the beginning of chapter 9 and is a quote from Henry Ward Beecher. "There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots; the other, wings." So true. I want my children's feet planted firmly on the ground while they reach of the highest mountain top.

I can't say I loved this book. I found it to be discouraging, doomsday-esque, without at least a nice checklist to follow at the end to get yourself out of poor parenting. Okay, maybe that last part was a joke but only kind of. Please don't tell me I'm a dreadful parent if you aren't willing to give me practical advice to change the situation.

On the other hand, even though I found myself skimming large parts, the book did make me pause and re-evaluate how I do some things around here. Am I spending enough time with my kids? Am I instilling important values? Am I allowing them to grow through discovery? Of course there are always room for improvements and perhaps it is important to, every once in a while, read a book that makes you stop and think.

Sooo, did this review make you want to run out and buy a copy? Haha, not likely. Well then it's your lucky day. Leave a comment below letting me know you want your name in the draw for a copy of "Their Name is Today." and you might win a copy without having to buy it. I love free stuff! :) Draw will be made October 16th, 2014 Good luck.

And now for some legal stuff:
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

"Setting your Marriage Free"

I'd like to introduce you to possibly the most important marriage book ever written. (Not including the Bible obviously)

Perhaps I should start with a little background on myself. I have been married for almost 18 years. I was married at the age of 18 so, yep, in a little over a month, I will have been married for half my life. And I am happily married. I know I'm in a minority with that statement but it is 100% true so when I say a marriage book is worth reading (even when everything is great) I mean it.

What I'm so glad to read in "Setting your Marriage Free", by Neil T. Anderson and Charles Mylander, is the need to start at the source instead of the symptoms. There can't possibly be harmony between two people if there isn't harmony between them and their Savior first. They also talk about money, safe-guarding against adultery, and at length about what happens when only one person in the relationship is willing to work at making it better.

I like how each chapter is laid out. First the theory and then the practical. After all there's no point in reading about making your marriage better if you aren't willing to make changes in yourself. The last chapter of the book includes a step by step method to bettering your marriage no matter how great or how damaged it is.

If you are finding yourself in the midst of marital chaos and distress right now, I'm so sorry. Discord in the home is so painful. My prayer is that you will find peace - first with God and then with your spouse. Hang in there! I wouldn't say this lightly because I take marriage very seriously; this book will help if you are willing to learn from it and apply it.

I got a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

"A Bride in Store" book review

A word of advice: If ever you are asked to pose for the cover of a romance novel, make sure you aren't supposed the heroine your face is to portray isn't described over and over in the book as plain. Ha! I wonder if this model knew read the manuscript for she said yes.

Plus, (warning, plot spoiler) within the first few pages, the main character gets attacked and has to deal with a huge scar across her face for the rest of the book. (A detail that gets mentioned a lot) So why does the person on the front have no scar or wound? Hmm, maybe I'm just being picky.

Anyone who has read my blog knows I can be very hard on any book in the romance genre because I can't stand obvious plots. Nor can I stand it when two people seem to hate each other only to find out it's true love once they kiss. Having said that, I was pleasantly surprised to be surprised by a couple of plot twists. In a romance novel! That's a first. The couple also didn't hate each other. (Although it would seem no one on this blessed planet knows how to communicate according to this as well as every other romance novel) Mind you, the hero seemingly falls head over heels in lust with your main gal just by touching her face even though she's plain. Wait a minute - are you that hard up for feminine pickings that this one makes you swoon before you even know about her work ethic or charming say-whatever-comes-to-mind-ness even though you think she's less than average in the looks department?

"A Bride in Store" by Melissa Jagears was, happily, free of smut with just enough kisses to make it nice. Also, the parts about God weren't preachy. If I wanted to read something preachy, I'd grab a non-fiction thank you. In fact, the ending is an example of what true love really looks like - giving up everything for the sake of the one you love. I like seeing a lesson more than hearing one and we're given a lovely one in this novel. But, I won't tell you who does it; you'll have to read the book.

This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review.