Tough as they Come ~ SGG Travis Mills

SSG Travis Mills tells the story of how one day his life changes forever.  He shares his struggles and what it takes to overcome the hand he was dealt.  He is the only  one of the five servicemen from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ever to survive his injuries as a quadruple amputee.  This book starts his journey from high school to the present.  His faith and family keeps him going on a daily basis.  He shares his heartache, frustration and all the pain he has each day.  He has come through this with the help from his wife and her faith.  Today he shares his story with others and is a great inspirational speaker that will not give up hope. 

I recommend this book to anyone that wants to have a great read and be inspired.  This book is about one man surviving and living his life in a way that he never dreamed he would be living.  His story is uplifting and inspirational to all that read it.  As a book of faith, I was not impressed by some of the language, that is the one thing I wish would have been left out, however, the story is worth the read.  GREAT BOOK!!  **if giving as a gift, please note that this book has some bad language in it**

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Blogging for books.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Under our skin ~ Benjamin Watson

Benjamin Watson is a tight end for the New Orleans Saints and writes this book about today's media and how society handles certain situations in the headlines. All stories and information in this book is based on real happenings in today's world.  From Ferguson to Charlotte, SC, Benjamin covers it all in this book.  I was surprised that this book is not one sided, he tells of history and how each side has their own story and beliefs of what is really happening.

I would recommend this to those that want a good explanation and a well written background of history and how today's media plays a role of discrimination.  This is not a book that you can just sit down and read from cover to cover, you need to read it slowly to take it all in.  You will need to read a chapter put it down, digest what he is saying and then go back for more.  Benjamin has done a great job putting his thoughts in the pages of this book, it is well thought out and done in a format that is easy to understand.  He has done his homework and it is a book well worth the time to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Tyndale.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Called to Pray ~ Linda Evans Shepherd

Ever wonder why all of a sudden you are thinking of someone?  Why can't you get this person off your mind?  Then you feel the urge to pray for them?  If so, this is the book you need to read.  This book is filled with true stories of people who have had the overwhelming feeling to stop what they are doing an start praying.  Answering GOD's call to pray changed the outcome of the situation.  Each story is only 1 or 2 pages and can be read within 5 minutes with many different topics and situations covered.

I would recommend this as a very inspirational and uplifting read.  It is a great book that can be enjoyed by any age.  You can read it as a devotional, a quick short story read, read from cover to cover or just read at your leisure.  An excellent book that will make you smile while reading and when you put it down.  Loved it!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Revell/Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

The Christmas Joy Ride ~ Melody Carlson

This is a Christmas story about giving to those that need a miracle during the holiday season.  It is about Joy and Miranda taking a road trip from Chicago to Phoenix while driving along route 66.  From a contest, a few people have asked to have a little Christmas cheer into their lives of family and friends.  Along the way Joy has decide to spread the love of Christmas in different ways to those that they have chosen from the contest. 

This is a very short read, that will charm your heart and make you realize the blessings that you have in your own life.  It will make you think and feel good about giving and not receiving.

I would recommend this book to any age and especially for those that want a good afternoon read that will make you feel good.  I enjoyed this book and found the ending not one that you would expect when you start reading.  I always like this author and again she did not disappoint and gives a great read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Proverbs Prayers ~ John Mason

This book is a small book that covers the book of Proverbs in a way to pray these scriptures everyday.  Each day is set up as a reading of the Proverb and then a prayer will follow for you to read.  It is set up to be read daily for 31 days and the goal of you having a life changing experience to last your lifetime.  The daily read takes about 5-10 minutes depending on how fast you read and how much time you want to spend on it daily.  It is a very short book that can be used as a devotional, a small group that wants to study the meaning of Proverbs or anyone that wants/needs to have prayers written out to pray on daily.

I would recommend this to anyone that wants to know more about Proverbs or would like a small daily prayer/devotional read.  My only concern is the Proverbs part is in the King James Version and would have preferred to have it in optional versions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Revell/Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Reframe ~ Brian Harding

We need to rethink what we know about GOD and how we relate to Him, then you can reframe the relationship and restart your story... this is what this book is all about... restart your story to reframe your life to be shared with you and GOD together everyday.

Accepting to read this book will begin with you starting to rethink about life and how you want to share with GOD. This book is easy to read and gives you steps for thinking about past experiences to incorporate into your way of thinking today and changing your attitude to be more like GOD.  Next step is to start with prayer and gives great detailed ways to accomplish praying that will provide nourishment to reframe your mind. Third step to reframe is change, no one likes change, however to get your mind set on GOD you will need to change the way you do things and restart new ways.  In order to reframe you will need to restart and invite GOD to be with you in everything you do and say from this minute to the very end...... this book will teach you how to do this.

I would recommend this book to any age, it is for those that want to experience GOD in their daily life.  It is an easy and very entertaining read.  Anyone will be able to pick it up, start reading and start immediately reframe to have GOD be with you everyday.  Brian does a great job of telling his experience as an easy to relate to everyday situations.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Tyndale.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising 

Whispers in the Reading Room ~ Shelley Gray

This is book #3 in the Chicago's World Fair Mystery Series.  It is set after the World's fair ends and  Chicago's bad area during the 1800's.  This is a romance/mystery story of Lydia and Sebastian and how two people come together because of their passion for books.  The mystery part of the book is predictable and non-suspenseful.  The romance part of the book is one of drama, relationships and the characters similar likes of the library.  This is the first in the series that I read and was able to understand this story as a stand alone. 

I have mixed feelings of recommending this to friends as I prefer Christian fiction and this book does not cover faith, God or religion as much as I am used to reading.  I was not that impressed with the storyline and how the characters react to situations.  Not my favorite read, but I was able to get through it and finish the book.  I do not plan to read book 1 or 2 as this book was really not my type of story I like reading. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Litfuse. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising