My Thoughts

Since I have not been keeping up on blogs this past week, I just found out about the big Story Siren fiasco. Honestly, I thought there was some mistake. However when I Googled it, and read the posts of the other blogs, I saw that the proof was irrefutable. It's really disappointing to me, because she was my favorite book blogger, hands down. I know a lot of people are questioning whether or not to continue following her, because her content may no longer be reliable. Personally, I have made the decision to continue to follow her. Yes, she has lost a lot of trust with me. I can't stand by and simply say she made a mistake, because the evidence is there. But she is human, and we all fail at times. It saddens me that this has become such a big deal, and I hope that the book blogosphere can move past this together.

24 Hour Readathon

I am the worst book blogger ever.

I TOTALLY forgot the 24 hour readathon was yesterday! I was so looking forward to it, because I've been so behind. Sigh. Contemplating just setting aside a day this week, probably Thursday, where I do nothing but read. Of course, that means my to-do list needs to be done first... haha.

Hope everyone who participated was successful!

Mini Review and Blog Tour: I Blame Eve

I Blame Eve by Susanna Foth Aughtmon

Release Date: April 1, 2012

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Non-fiction

Pages: 187

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

When our great-to-the-nth-degree grandmother Eve ate the fruit, we lost out on the perfect life. But that doesn't stop us from trying, does it? In fact, we make trying to be perfect the focus of our entire lives! But what would happen if we stopped trying to be perfect and started trying to be his?

In this fantastically witty book, Susanna Foth Aughtmon helps women find out what it means to be honest about what we crave in life and let go of our deep need to be in control. Using Scripture and amusing personal stories, she shows women the freedom of embracing the unique path God lays out for each of us. Includes study questions to facilitate group or individual use.

This book was a much more entertaining read than I was expecting. Susanna weaves in light-hearted quips with honest heart-hitting connections to Eve in scripture. Never before have a connected with Eve as much as I do now! This book opened my eyes and has helped to balance some of the issues in my life. I loved it!

I received this book free for review from Revell Blog Tours. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

Review: You're Already Amazing

You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Devotional

Pages: 224

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Psst . . . pull up a chair and I'll tell you a secret. You'd better lean in close for this one.
Ready?
You don't have to do more, be more, have more.
I'm sure there are security alarms going off somewhere. You should probably hide this book when your in-laws come over.
But it's true.
It's the kind of true that will change your life, set you free, and make you wake up smiling for the first time in a long time. I know because that's what it did for me. . . .
So watch out, sister. If you keep reading you just might be next. 

With this heart-to-heart message, Holley Gerth invites you to embrace one very important truth--that you truly are already amazing. Like a trusted friend, Holley gently shows you how to forget the lies and expectations the world feeds you and instead believe that God loves you and has bigger plans for your life than you've even imagined. 

I was very grateful to get the chance to review this book. As I've mentioned in past reviews, I have the tendency to look down on myself and no see my full potential. This book helps by first targeting what you see as your flaws, then showing the ways you can turn them into strengths. It also helps you find your life purpose as God as given it to you, and the people in your life that can help support that life purpose. I definitely recommend it!

I received this book free for review from Revell Blog Tours. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

IMM: 4/15/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

Gifted:

Better Together by Rick Warren (Thanks Jenna!)

Kindle eBooks (links to the Kindle pages):
Duct Tape Bags by Instructables Authors
Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker
Branded by Keary Taylor
The Secret of the Scarlet Stone by T.L. Clarke

Review: Loving God With All Your Mind

Loving God With All Your Mind by Elizabeth George

Release Date: January 1, 2005

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Genre: Christian Devotional

Pages: 304

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Elizabeth George’s Loving God with All Your Mind (more than 200,000 copies sold) has been revised and expanded. Elizabeth lets women know that loving the Lord involves action! Focusing on six main scripture passages, she helps readers understand what it means to truly—

• let your mind think on what is true about God and about life
• grasp and move toward God’s purpose for life
• trust the Lord in all things

Drawing on biblical wisdom as well as personal experience, Elizabeth helps women handle their emotions and discover inner peace that comes from focusing on what is true. She shares six powerful Bible truths that will help readers draw closer to God and know His joy and love.

I was asked to set aside some of my other planned books to read this right away. I have been struggling a lot lately with trusting God throughout all the issues in my life, but this book was a refreshing reminder of how much He cares for me. Each chapter is targeted to a specific issue as to why a person has trouble fully trusting God. The first chapter was on over-thinking and reading into people's words, which I tend to do a lot. This immediately let me know that this book was perfect for me. I'm nowhere near perfect in my faith after reading it, but I am learning more each day and this book was a great help.

I received this book as a present from Lindsay West.

Quick update!

I know I had said I was going to start Top Ten Tuesday today, but I couldn't think of anything for today's list! Next week hopefully...

Voting for the Independent Book Blogger Awards starts today! Their are four categories, with one vote per category. I would very much appreciate it if you chose mine for the YA category! While you're there, make sure and vote for the other categories as well!

Vote for this blog for the Independent Book Blogger Awards!
Vote

Finally! I figured out how to add the button to add my blog to an RSS Feed, such as Google Reader. It's in the left side, right above the GFC Widget! Since GFC is leaving, you can now follow me vis RSS, Linky Followers, Networked Blogs, or e-mail. Thank you!

Team Amity!

If you haven't heard yet, Divergent is launching a huge promotion for the upcoming release of Insurgent. Bloggers are choosing factions, and showing their support for their specific faction. Each factions is hosting amazing giveaways, all in support of their team! As you may have guessed by the title of this post, and the button on my sidebar, I choose #TeamAmity. You can show your support for Amity by clicking the button as many times as you like! Be sure to check out our news page as well! Support #TeamAmity!

Mini Review and Blog Tour: By the Light of the Silvery Moon

By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer

Release Date: March 1, 2012

Publisher: Barbour Books

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Pages: 320

Format: Paperback

Buy It: Amazon

Remember the Titanic 100 years after its doomed voyage with Tricia Goyer’s fictional portrayal of one woman’s journey. To Amelia Gladstone, this ship means promise of seeing family again. To Quentin Walpole, the Titanic represents a new start in America…if he can get onboard. All seems lost until Amelia offers him a ticket, securing his passage—and bringing him face-to-face with his railroad tycoon father and older brother, Damian. As Amelia works to reconcile father and son, she finds herself the object of both brothers’ affection. Can she choose between two brothers? Or will she lose everything to the icy waters of the Atlantic?

While I did like this book, I felt that it was just a slight twisted version of the Titanic movie. Girl meets guy, they fall in love, tragedy causes problems. The end. Don't get me wrong, it was a great book! I just felt the plot-line was predictable and left me feeling a little bored. I do think you should try the book, because it is good. And the historical parts are great! Pick this up in time for the 100 year anniversary!

I received this book free for review from LitFuse Blog Tours. I was not required to post a positive review, simply an honest one.

Win an Flip HD Camcorder during @TriciaGoyer's Unsinkable Titanic Giveaway and RSVP for 4/10 Titanic Party! Celebrate the release of By the Light of the Silvery Moon with Tricia by entering her giveaway and RSVPing to her Titanic party.





One "unsinkable" winner will receive:

• Flip HD video Camera (Make your own dramatic saga!)
• Titanic movies from the ages {Titanic (1953) Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), Titanic (1997)}
• Secrets of the Titanic (Get the facts from National Geographic.)
• And the Band Played On (Music Played on the Titanic.)
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon by Tricia Goyer (Be swept away in this tale of love and courage.)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 9th. Winner will be announced at "Silvery Moon" Titanic Facebook Party on 4/10. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club). During the live chat Tricia will have a *special guest* join her. More details coming soon!

IMM: 4/8/12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful Kristi at The Story Siren! We share books we received this week, whether we bought them, got them in the mail or checked them out from the library.

For Review:

The Embittered Ruby by Nicole O'Dell (Thanks Nicole!)

Won:
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce (Thanks Cat!)