Powerful, Moving Story of Redemption and Forgiveness The Fight By Luke Wordley My Review

The Fight by Luke Wordley is one of the most powerful, moving excellent books I have read in awhile.


Sam is a boy that is full of hate and anger. His father is dead and his mother is an alcoholic. Sam is always getting in fights and his anger is out of control. Jerry is a boxing trainer and he has demons of his own to overcome. When Sam gets into a fight with some skinheads and Robbie rescues him he takes Sam to his gym where he is a boxer and Jerry his trainer. Jerry, is a believer but when he starts training Sam some of his old emotions, anger, and demons come out and his faith his shaken. Sam and Jerry both think they will find what they really wan t through boxing but the peace, contentment and happiness they seek is not in boxing but in God. Will they come to realize this before it is to late for either one of them?

When I first started to read this book I didn't think I would like it because I know nothing whatsoever about boxing. I just knew it would be a book I would struggle to get through so I could review but boy was I wrong. This book is about so much more than boxing. It is about redemption, forgiveness, finding true peace and love. Sam struggles with his anger and hatred that is turning him into a mean, destructive killer if he doesn't get it under control. His hatred is what drives him and he is never happy. Even though you don't want to, you find your heart going out to him and hoping that he will find a way to control himself and to be happy. Whether you think you would or not you find yourself in Sam's  corner willing him to win over his anger and hatred and to find the peace and love he needs and deserves.

Jerry finds himself questioning his faith after he loses control of his temper like old times at one of the boxing matches. He questions whether God really changed him or not and struggles again with his anger and depression. He wants to be the top in the boxing world and wants to achieve this through Sam because he thinks he will be happy and his family will be happier and financially secure. He wants to achieve what he couldn't when he was boxing. He thinks fame and fortune will bring peace and happiness. He puts God on a a back burner. You find yourself, or at least I did, identifying with Jerry in letting his past come back to haunt him and slipping by putting other things before God. This book shows the downfall of doing this but also how God waits on us to find our way back to him and how the Holy Spirit speaks to us and helps guide Jerry, and us, back onto the right path.

I was amazed at all the side stories that added depth to this book like Sam's mothers and her struggle. Her's is a story of desperation and then forgiveness. Also Gloria, Jerry's wife, and her past come into the story to help show God can forgive anything which is what Sam's mother needed to know.

I will now admit that I am so glad I didn't pass this book up thinking it was a guy's book because of the boxing theme. Yes it is about boxing, yes it is a great book to give to the men in your life and yes every woman should not pass it up because it is a beautiful story of redemption, forgiveness, love and finding yourself, along with true peace, happiness and God's unconditional love.

I loved the book and hope that you will give it a shot, you will be glad you did. Make sure you have time to read it because you might not want to put it down and also have Kleenex close by. Another plus to the book is the discussion questions at the end that would be great for book clubs, small groups or families.

If you would like to learn more about the book and author check out

http://www.lukewordley.com

http://www.tyndale.com/The-Fight/9781414389493#.U5s_4PldV8E

I was given this book for free from Tyndale Publishing for my true and honest review

My Review Good, Clean, Murder by Traci Tyne Hilton A Christian Cozy Mystery

Good Clean Murder The Plain Jane Mysteries bk 1 by Traci Tyne Hilton is a fun read. Jane is in school to be a missionary and working at cleaning houses to stay in school and to live. She didn't want to take anything from her parents and wanted to make it on her own but trouble with a roommate, finding two of her clients dead, and being evicted and lets not forget the good looking teacher that she likes adds up to real trouble for Jane.  She needs to solve all this and fast.


When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I would like it but as I went I found that I enjoyed reading it. I think that if you are expecting an Agatha Christie or a Kathy Reichs then you will be disappointed but if you want a good mystery with a few twists, enough suspects to make you guess, a surprise ending, and some romance then you will enjoy this book. I think if I would add anything to it maybe I would have Jane  doing more investigating the murders than she does but all in all it is a good book. This is a Christian Cozy but I think anyone would enjoy reading it. Jane has some of the same problems that we all at times have faced with, finances, uncertainty of our future and questions of how to solve them all. This makes you connect a little more with her.


All in all I think this was a good, fun fast read and I will read the next one in the series.


If you want more info on the author or her books you can check out
http://tracihilton.com/




Next up

The Silent Ghost (Novella) (Ghost of Granny Apples) by Sue Ann Jaffarian

UNTIL NEXT TIME


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5 Stars for Engaged in Murder A Perfect Proposals Mystery by Nancy J Parra

Engaged in Murder A Perfect Proposals Mystery Book 1 by Nancy J Parra is a great fun read. What does a recently unemployed event planner do, she plans the perfect setting for her sisters fiancé Warren to propose. She wants everything perfect for her sister Felicity and Warren makes arrangements to use a plane for the proposal, Pepper is excited to decorate the plane and make it just the way her sister Felicity always dreamed her proposal would be. Everything is going great until Pepper stumbles upon a man, who she thinks is passed out, in the women's bathroom. Things are not always what they seem. Pepper needs to solve the mystery, save her sisters day, and get her business started. I really enjoyed this book and think it will be another great series from author  Nancy J Parra.

Pepper is a resourceful, creative woman who has a knack for finding trouble. She is strong, inquisitive, and independent which makes her just right for being an event planner and for doing her own detective work into this mystery. I like the dynamic between Pepper and her sister as well as her and her parents. I love how they could all be one of us. You really can relate to Pepper and her family. I enjoyed her creations for the different engagement parties and Nancy J Parra describes these parties in a way that makes you be able to imagine stepping into the party yourselves.  There is more to the story than just a mystery I believe. There is the hope of love, romance, but also it is Pepper learning to grow into her own person and becoming a force in her love life, her family, and her business. This is an unique book just by Pepper being an event planner but add to that murder, mystery and love and it mixes into a unique great read. I propose you engage in reading this book and be prepared to be swept away in the mystery and the creativity of Pepper. I loved this book and will look forward to the next one in the series.

Remember the book release day is tomorrow June 3, 2014 so be sure to pick up your copy and enjoy.

If you want more information on this book and the author go to her website at
nancyjparra.com


I was given this ARC by the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion of this book.


Next I will be reviewing

Good, Clean, Murder (The Plain Jane Mysteries #1)  by Traci Tyne Hilton

UNTIL NEXT TIME:

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Kitchen Confidence by Kelsey Nixon A Yummy Addition To Your Cookbook Collection

I loved this cookbook. I would give it 5 Stars for the recipes as well as the pictures and hints it includes.


The recipes included in this book are both elegant enough for a party and yet easy enough that you can do them for just the family dinner. I am impressed with the variety of recipes that are included in this book. Kelsey takes you on a mouth watering ride through her different recipes with beautifully done pictures of the dishes. She has included helpful  hints like pantry essentials and technique essentials that is very helpful to the seasoned cook as well as the beginner. Throughout the book is explains how to do different techniques in cooking such as stir fry and roasting that for those learning to cook will find really helpful. They are included by a recipe that is for using those techniques on a page by themselves so that if you know how to do these you can skip over that page and if you don't know how to say stir fry you have the instructions handy right with the recipe you might be wanting to try. This cookbook would be a great addition to any one's kitchen and cookbook collection but would be especially nice and helpful to the new cook or someone that is not as comfortable in a kitchen as others.


I have several recipes already picked out to try like her fried homemade pickles and charred corn salad. These both sound like a great addition to my memorial day picnic. The recipes range from breakfast to desserts and everything in between you might be wanting. If I could find anything that I would change it would be maybe add pictures of all the completed recipes but other than that I wouldn't change a thing. I have gotten so hungry just looking at the recipes and marking the ones I want to try, funny thing is I think I have marked almost everyone of her recipes.


This is a great cookbook and I loved reading in the beginning about Kelsey Nixon's passion for sharing her love of cooking to others. She is on a mission to help us all feel more comfortable in the kitchen through her cookbook and I think she has hit the mark with this one. I think I could pick anyone of the recipes, try it and be successful following her directions and guidance with little or no stress. I highly recommend you get a copy of Kitchen Confidence by Kelsey Nixon and start enjoying some good recipes.


If you want more information about Kelsey Nixon and her cookbook you should check out these:


 More Info

Author Bio

 "I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

Children's Book Week May 12-18 Book Suggestions

This is Children's book week and I thought today I would suggest some books that your kids might like. To begin with I would suggest for younger children some books my grandson loves like Veggie Tales Books. He is two and loves those books but also right now some of his favorites are Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dowdney, ( he called and tried to read this one to me yesterday well at least he got the title right and then just jabbered away but I understood)  as well as Curious George by H A Rey, Star Wars and Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell.  So any of these would be great for reading to your toddlers and then as they start learning to read to read themselves.


Next for the older children they might like books like Bryan Davis Dragons In Our Midst Series. There are four books to the series and it is excellent for older kids who like magic and fantasy as well as dragons. Bryan Davis has other good series of books too. Another series they might like is DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K Paul this is a five book fantasy series also. For older teens besides these two fantasy series  they might also like the Left Behind Series for Kids by Jerry B Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. This series of books is based on the adult books of the Left Behind Series but from the kids point of view. I have read these and they are excellent too. These are just a few of the books that you might want to check into for your kids. There are many more to choose from and the most important thing is to get the kids reading.
What books do your kids like? If you have suggestions to add to our Getting Kids to Read List let me know.

Beautiful Way To Look At Creation

Purposeful Design Understanding the Creation by Jay Schabacker is beautifully done. The pictures are amazing and the book looks at creation as not just something God did on a whim but that there was a purpose behind the Creation and how God created everything. It takes a look through pictures how God created the universe and man. It is written in such a way that it is easy to understand and yet unique enough to want to include in your library. This is a wonderful coffee table book that is amazing and unique and I think everyone will enjoy looking at.
Jay Schabacker with this book tells us that there is more to creation that God shows us a purpose to his creation, from the very start with light and stars and moon to man himself. The creation of everything has a purpose like his example of the apple. The apple gives us food and vitamins ect. He puts it in such a basic put beautiful way.  He starts with day one of creation and takes us through each day. This book would be worth putting on your coffee table for the pictures alone but the plus is his explanation of creation and its purpose. This is a wonderful book. This would be a great book also for  teaching kids about creation.
If you would like to learn more about the book and the author check out his site at
http://jayschabacker.com/
I was given this book by the publisher through bookcrash.com for my honest review and opinion.




until next time:


GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING!

5 + Stars to Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick

Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick is a must read for anyone, but especially for everyone that has ever doubted themselves, questioned if they are worthy, wondered if God really had a purpose for them, or had problems with low self esteem. Steven Furtick takes us through steps to overcome these feelings and how to quiet the voice or as he calls it the chatterbox in our head that tells us we can't or we aren't good enough and not worthy. This book looks at scriptures and leads us in ways to crash the chatterbox in our minds.


I loved this book. It is a book that really can change your life. I would recommend this book to everyone. I think it is a must read for everyone that has had these doubts but also for those who know someone who deals with low self esteem and doubts. I think everyone at one time or another had thought these things about I can't, I am not good enough, I am not worthy, ect. its normal at one time or another to feel this way but Steven Furtick in this book helps us look at how we don't have to believe or even listen to these thoughts and feelings. He doesn't just tell us to stop listening but shows us how to. He uses some of his own experiences to demonstrate how he too has dealt with these thoughts and feelings and shares what God has shown him to help him to realize these thoughts are not true. He gives us Bible verses to use to help us too but more than that he assures us that these thoughts of unworthiness are untrue. I can not say enough good things about this book and can not stress enough how it can help you in your daily life as well as your walk with God. I plan on reading this one over and over again and share it with others.


One of the quotes from the book that really spoke to me was, " But insecurity is much more than an extreme lack of confidence. In some ways insecurity is the ultimate insult to God. Because when we allow insecurity to override God's purpose in our lives, we're implying that He didn't quit get the job done when He put us together."pg 23 Ouch that really hit home for me to think every time I think I can't or I am not good enough I am insulting God.


"Condemnation reminds us of our wrongs by showing us our shame, but the Spirit convicts us of our sin by reminding us of our righteousness in Christ". pg 153 Wow
 
Last one that really struck home though the whole book did, "If you are a believer who hopes to accomplish the will of God for your live- and go to the next level spiritually- you have to defy the inertia of internal discouragement to get there.
you cant let the chatter stop you. You have to keep rolling . And God says you can." pg 168-169
Awesome Keep rolling God says you can says it all if God believes in me then I should too.


This book is great for a Bible Study or Small Group and Steven Furtick has included questions in the back to help in your study.


I hope you will go and read this book and us it to learn to listen to God's voice over all others, it will help you in your Christian walk and life.


If you would like to learn more about the book and author here are some sites to check out:
Website

Twitter

Elevation Church Website

More Info

Read Chapter One

Author Bio

 "I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."