A Creative Prayer Journal

"The Prayer Map for Women: A Creative Journal" is wonderful and encouraging for women wanting to begin or even deepen their prayer life. The journal is spiral bound making it easy to lay flat and journal on it's delightful pages, each having a scripture and topics to help a person along on what to write. Sometimes that is the stumbling block - what to write or how to write it. Now its really easy as you follow the format provided. And if another stumbling block is time. This book is small enough to fit in a purse or tote bag so you can jot down your thoughts/prayers where ever you are. I have been meaning to start a prayer journal but never did it. Now with this little gem I have no excuse. There is even room for my doodling! Happy journaling! I received a complementary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

A Lifestyle that Promotes Well-being and Health

The lifestyle a person lives affects not only health in general but more specifically it affects the cellular health. Chronic stress and inflammation damages cellular health which in turn affects ones immune system according Deepak Chopara, M.D. and Rudolph Tanzi, PhD in "The Healing Self." Dr. Chopara explains how important it is to protect our immunity to realize a healthy life. Our environment is full of deadly pathogens and toxins to name a few. Each person must take responsibility for his/her own health and not rely others. They write, "On its own the body knows how to survive, it's up to us to teach it how to thrive (p. 16)". The mind-body connection has never been shown to be more prevalent then between these pages. The book is divided into two parts: the investigation/research and a seven day action plan. The latter gives recommendations for each day of the week for a person to follow as he/she make lifestyle changes to better his/her overall health. If you want to take control of your health and well-being, I highly recommend reading this book and start working on the action plan provided. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books and was under no obligation to post a review.

Seeking Asylum

Jocelyn Green delivers a beautifully written historical novel, "A Refuge Assured," set during the eighteenth century in France, and then, in America. Vivenne Rivard is a lacemaker for the Queen of France until the revolution when, after her mother's death, she escapes to America to avoid being sentenced to death. But before leaving France a chance encounter brings her face to face with the father she never knew. Once in America, Vivenne tries to make a living working at a tavern where she meets William Delaney, a militiaman. She also befriends a French noblewoman who was part of the Queens court and her young son, Henri. As Vivenne tries to assimilate into living in Philadelphia, she finds herself the guardian of Henri after the death of this mother, and apart of something more sinister than she realizes while the tensions for the Whiskey law mount. Does going to the French settlement of Asylum as suggested by her father offer her the safety and peace she is seeking in her life? Read this exciting novel to find the answer and more. Greens historical details and characters make the reader feel like part of this adventurous story. I received a complementary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Upcycled

Seven people. Seven lives. All broken. All on a downward spiral. Remarkably something occurred that changed each of these seven lives; these seven people met Jesus. Author Jim Cymbala relates the stories of seven peoples whose lives were transformed by the love of Jesus in "The Rescue." These lives are filled with brokenness beyond what one can imagine in this depraved world. But each life was upcycled by Jesus and turned into something beautiful. A quick read that will transform your life. You may even know someone who would benefit from reading the book. Pass it on. Your life will be better for doing it. I received a complementary copy of this book from Handlebar Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Pirate and the Orphan

Wow, romance mateys, you are going to enjoy "The Pirate Bride." Maribel Cordoba is a precocious twelve year old when she is taken by her father aboard a ship sailing for Havana. He has told Maribel her mother and her grandfather have died. On the journey, their ship is ambushed by a privateering vessel sailed by Captain Beaumont that ends with Antonio Cordoba going overboard. Maribel pleads her case to stay on board as a privateer but Captain Beaumont believes she is better off someplace safer. Fate plays against Captain Beaumont when his ship is attacked. Most of his men are killed. And Maribel goes missing until providence brings them together eleven years later along with the discovery she has a family. The plot is filled with twists and turns keeping the reader engaged and crying "shiver me timbers!" Kathleen Y'Barbo does not disappoint with this second novel in "The Daughters of the Mayflower" series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.