The Restaurant Critic's Wife Book Review

     The Restaurant Critic's Wife by Elizabeth LaBan is about Sam and Lila Soto who have just moved to Philadelphia for Sam to begin his dream job of working as a restaurant critic for a newspaper. Sam is very insistent on keeping his identity a secret so that no one in the restaurant industry will know it is him when he dines at their restaurants. As the story begins, Lila, a former crisis manager for Addison Hotels, is pregnant with their second child and knows almost no one in their new town.

     For the most part, I liked the book. I, however, didn't really care for either of the main characters. Sam is obsessive, self centered and selfish. Lila is insecure, selfish and self centered. They don't communicate with each other at all and act very immature and childish too. It was hard for me as a mother of five to read about a woman that is so insecure in her parenting but doesn't actually parent. I felt like she spent the entire book just distracting her kids so that she could do what she wanted. 

     I don't want to come down too hard on the book because there were several things I enjoyed. The different restaurants and menus was very interesting and fun. I liked how real the author was with a lot of parenting issues, with children throwing fits and fighting and dealing with other moms. But, unfortunately, the main character of Lila was very hard for me to read. She was very insecure and immature and selfish in my opinion. Overall, I liked the authors writing style and the way she described the scenes. I felt as if I was actually there. I just didn't care for Sam and Lila Soto.

I was given a free advanced copy of The Restaurant Critic's Wife from Netgalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

Surprised by the Healer Book Review + GIVEAWAY!!

From surprisedbythehealer.com :

"The Healer is inviting you…

God’s word declares that there is healing for your deepest pains, hope for your biggest disappointments, and victory over your addictions, past hurts, and past failures. His name is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals, and He can redeem your broken story.

In these pages, you will meet nine courageous women who have agreed to tell their stories, to share with you how they moved from hopelessness and brokenness to hope and healing. Whether from sexual abuse, betrayal in marriage, or other harrowing experiences, the Healer invited them on a unique journey of redemption in the midst of deep pain. He is inviting you, too.

Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery, cofounders of Authentic Intimacy, have been writing and ministering to women in the church and clinical context for several decades. Their wisdom and experience overflow in this work to give you a trusted resource in journeying toward healing.

Includes a study guide for each chapter in the back of the book."

The stories featured in this book are incredible, heart breaking and awe-inspiring. Our God is amazing. These women have bravely shared their stories and how God has healed them. I think its time for a giveaway so a few of you can read this book for yourself!

I'm giving away TWO COPIES OF SURPRISED BY THE HEALER!!

for US residents only

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FREE Surprised by the Healer Webinar TONIGHT!!! 9PM ET/6PM PT

Please don't forget to check out the FREE Surprised by the Healer Webinar tonight at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

The authors Dr Juli Slattery and Linda Dillow will be discussing their book, Surprised by the Healer. 

Do you have brokenness in your past? Do you feel like God can't forgive you for the things you've done? We all have things in our past we wish weren't there. But the good news of the gospel is there isn't anything too broken for God to heal. God’s word declares that there is healing for your deepest pains, hope for your biggest disappointments, and victory over your addictions, past hurts, and past failures. His name is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals, and He can redeem. Learn more about how Jesus wants to heal your broken story during this webinar. 

Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery, cofounders of Authentic Intimacy, have been writing and ministering to women in the church and clinical context for several decades. Their wisdom and experience overflow in their new book, Surprised By the Healer, to give you a trusted resource in journeying toward healing.

Monday January 25th- 9pm EST / 8pm CT / 7pm MT / 6pm PT

25 Questions Book Giveaway!!

It is time for the GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am giving away TWO, count 'em TWO copies of 25 Questions you're Afraid to Ask about LOVE, SEX and INTIMACY!!

I am beyond thrilled to be on the launch team for this book and I can't wait for all of you to get a chance to read it! Enter below for your chance to win!!

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For more information on this book go to:  http://tinyurl.com/buy25bk 

I am on the 25 Questions book launch team! + GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!

I am so very excited to announce that I was one of the lucky ladies chosen to the on the #25QuestionsBook Launch Team.

Authentic Intimacy is a ministry that I have been following since it was founded by Dr. Juli Slattery and Linda Dillow. Their aim is to help women learn how to have a fulfilling, Christ-Centered, Biblical Sex Life.

The new book is a selection of 25 of the most frequently asked questions they receive. No longer will women be afraid to ask their questions about sex. I will be giving away two of the books on my blog. The giveaway will start tomorrow. Please keep an eye out for the giveaway post. I hope you win!

More questions about Authentic Intimacy's new book? Check out their website:  tinyurl.com/buy25bk

Uncommon Marriage Bible Study Book Review

The Dungys have written a Bible study to be a companion to their book, Uncommon Marriage. I'm neutral about the study, but I do have pros and cons. I didn't like that they asked you to read and discuss the chapters in their book first. It felt to me that a Bible study should start in the Bible and then branch out. That is my major criticism.

I do like the way they clearly line out the format they wish you to use in the study and how to use it in different types of studies. I also enjoyed the extra activities and ideas to promote discussion and bonding. Like, I said above, I'm neutral on this study. I am sure someone could benefit and really enjoy this study. I also have no doubt as to the sincerity and hope of the Dungys to be encouraging, uplifting and inspiring. It's definitely worth a look through to see if it can benefit you in your current phase of life.

Uncommon Marriage Book Review

From the publisher's website: "What does it take to build a marriage that will last? Tony and Lauren Dungy have together known the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They fell in love, built a family, and made sports history when Tony became the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl. Yet they’ve also gone through difficult, relationship-testing setbacks, including job loss and devastating personal tragedy. In a culture where it seems harder and harder to make marriage last, what has kept the Dungys strong through it all? In Uncommon Marriage, Tony and Lauren share the secrets that hold them together, revealing what they’ve learned so far about being a good husband or wife; getting through times of loss, grief, or change; staying connected despite busy schedules; supporting each other’s dreams and goals; and helping each other grow spiritually. They offer encouragement and practical advice to equip your marriage to survive tough issues and flourish with joy, purpose, and partnership—in other words, to be a marriage that is truly uncommon."

I'm unsure exactly how to review this book. When I first saw this book on the list for the summer reading program, I assumed it would give advice on a God-centered marriage with selected stories and such from their marriage. What is, in fact, is a memoir of their marriage. I liked their story but the way that they chose to "tell" it was very hard to read at times. It moved very slowly and was at times dull. That being said, they did have some good advice. But again, it was just their story told and then at the very end of this book there was a few pages stating tips on how to have an uncommon marriage with pages referencing examples from their marriage. I was disappointed. They do seem like a wonderful, committed couple, to each other and to the Lord.

Making Your Home a Haven Challenge Week 1

I'm joining another challenge this fall!!  The challenge is from Courtney over at Women Living Well: Making Your Home a Have Challenge. Each week during the month of October, Courtney will give us a practical tip and spiritual tip plus a giveaway related to those challenges. I'm excited for this challenge because I really need the accountability. I've been so stressed and frantic regarding the running of my home that I think this will help.

Are you interested in joining the challenge? Click the picture above to find out more! Please let me know in the comments if you are joining this challenge.

Women Living Well Review

I wanted to repost my review in a post without a giveaway.

I've had the immense pleasure and privilege of being on the launch team for Courtney Joseph's new book, Women Living Well. It is a wonderful book, filled with encouragement and practical tips and ideas on how to live a God centered life. She talks about how to take pleasure in the roles that God has give you to fill.One part that really spoke to me, in particular, was how she talked about praying while she did regular, ordinary tasks. 

She talked about using those moments to pray for her family and/or to thank God for those things. For instance, when she was making her husband's side of the bed, she would pray for him and thank God for giving her a husband. When she washed the laundry, she would thank God for having clothes to wash. This really struck me. I recently had my fifth child only a little over a year after having my fourth so we were still technically adjusting to four children when the fifth came along. I had been struggling with so much to pick up and do with a year and half old son and an infant son. After reading this in her book, it opened my eyes. I was walking from our dining room into our family room and noticed a toy train on the floor. At first, I immediately had a bad attitude and thought about the five other people that had stepped over this train without picking it up. Then I thought about how my son loved playing with that train, and how if he wasn't around I wouldn't have a train to pick up. I picked up the train and thanked God for giving me that son who left trains and other toys all over my house. I thanked God for giving me him to love and to teach me how to love. I noticed that my attitude towards my household tasks changed after that. I still had times where I was tired and frustrated but they were less and less. I enjoyed taking care of my family in this way because I enjoy my family and I'm so thankful God gave them to me.Courtney's book comes out on Tuesday, October 1st.

Giveaway!! Signed copy of Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph

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I've had the immense pleasure and privilege of being on the launch team for Courtney Joseph's new book, Women Living Well. It is a wonderful book, filled with encouragement and practical tips and ideas on how to live a God centered life. She talks about how to take pleasure in the roles that God has give you to fill.One part that really spoke to me, in particular, was how she talked about praying while she did regular, ordinary tasks. 

She talked about using those moments to pray for her family and/or to thank God for those things. For instance, when she was making her husband's side of the bed, she would pray for him and thank God for giving her a husband. When she washed the laundry, she would thank God for having clothes to wash. This really struck me. I recently had my fifth child only a little over a year after having my fourth so we were still technically adjusting to four children when the fifth came along. I had been struggling with so much to pick up and do with a year and half old son and an infant son. After reading this in her book, it opened my eyes. I was walking from our dining room into our family room and noticed a toy train on the floor. At first, I immediately had a bad attitude and thought about the five other people that had stepped over this train without picking it up. Then I thought about how my son loved playing with that train, and how if he wasn't around I wouldn't have a train to pick up. I picked up the train and thanked God for giving me that son who left trains and other toys all over my house. I thanked God for giving me him to love and to teach me how to love. I noticed that my attitude towards my household tasks changed after that. I still had times where I was tired and frustrated but they were less and less. I enjoyed taking care of my family in this way because I enjoy my family and I'm so thankful God gave them to me.

I've been provided the opportunity to give away a signed copy of this book. I had planned on starting this giveaway yesterday, but I spent the entire day canning applesauce and unfortunately I couldn't get to writing a blog post. Please forgive me for being a day late. This giveaway will run until Sunday night, Pacific Time. I will announce the winner on Monday. 

Courtney's book comes out on Tuesday, October 1st. Also, don't forget about the pre-launch giveaways that she is doing on her blog. Click the picture below for more information.

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Women Living Well

I have had the great pleasure of being chosen to be on the launch team for Courtney Joseph's new book, Women Living Well. Many of you will recognize her name from her blog, Women Living Well, as well as the Good Morning Girls website.

She has recently written a book entitled Women Living Well: Finding Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home.

 

She talks about obstacles we face as wives, mothers, homemakers, etc. I have really enjoyed this book. I was given an advanced copy to help put the word out as well as review. Below is a trailer announcing the book:

I will be posting a full review when I finish reading the book. So far, it has been very helpful and somewhat convicting. And I'm only halfway through!! I will also be hosting my first ever giveaway for a signed copy!!

If you can't wait for the giveaway and want to pre-order your copy now, Courtney is offering a 10 ebook bundle as a free gift. There are also several other gifts if you order more. Click here to pre-order and for more information on the free gifts click here.

My giveaway will start on September 23rd, so check back then to enter to win a signed copy of this wonderful book!