Monday, February 26, 2018

10-Day Belly Slimdown By KellyAnn Petrucci GIVEAWAY!



The best gift you can give yourself is a slim, beautiful, healthy belly--and in this book, Dr. Kellyann, an expert I trust, tells you exactly how to get it." - Mehmet Oz, M.D.The New York Times bestselling author of Dr. Kellyann's Bone Broth Diet reveals her powerful belly-slimming plan that will help you lose up to 10 pounds in 10 days!

Are you sick and tired of your belly fat? Frustrated with diets that don't take it off? Angry that you don't look the way you want to look, and can't wear the clothes you want to wear? Naturopathic physician and weight loss specialist Dr. Kellyann Petrucci has spent over 20 years showing people how to do the impossible: take off stubborn belly fat.

After guiding thousands of amazing transformations over her career, Dr. Petrucci has targeted the most powerful ways to flatten your belly--deprivation not included! In The 10-Day Belly Slimdown, you will learn the #1 biggest secret to rapid belly-blasting: "mini-fasting." This simple but revolutionary shift in the timing of your meals means you'll eat within a seven-hour window each day. While you're mini-fasting, you'll never feel hungry--luscious, satisfying bone broth will quench cravings and melt off pounds, collagen-packed shakes will kick your metabolism into overdrive, and "slim-gestion" foods, herbs, and spices will fight bloat, lower inflammation, and cleanse your gut. In combination, these strategies deliver incredible results quickly and safely.

The 10-Day Belly Slimdown includes daily meal plans, batch cooking tips to make meal prep a snap, 80 delicious new recipes, and a sensible maintenance plan. As you heal your belly from the inside out, you'll feel younger, happier, and lighter than you thought possible.

Pick  Up Your Copy Here ...
https://www.amazon.com/10-Day-Belly-Slimdown-Lighter-Younger/dp/1524762997/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519595175&sr=8-1&keywords=10+day+belly+slimdown



Kellyann Petrucci, M.S., N.D., is the author of Dr. Kellyann’s Bone Broth Diet (Rodale, 2015). A weight-loss and natural anti-aging transformation expert, Dr. Petrucci has a private practice in the Birmingham, Michigan area and is a concierge doctor for celebrities in New York City and Los Angeles. She is a board-certified naturopathic physician and a certified nutrition consultant.

Dr. Petrucci is a regular guest on television shows including The Doctors, Dr. Oz, and national news programs. She is the driving force behind the website DrKellyann.com, and has authored six books for John Wiley & Sons. These include Living Paleo for Dummies—one of the highest-selling Dummies books of all time. In addition, she is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and MindBodyGreen. She is the creator of the 30 Day Reset Program, which helps people lose weight, regain their energy, and reverse the effects of aging.

Dr. Petrucci did postgraduate work in Europe, studying naturopathic medicine in England and Switzerland. She is one of the few practitioners in the United States certified in biological medicine by the esteemed Dr. Thomas Rau of the Paracelsus Klinik Lustmuhle in Switzerland.

My Thoughts...

This is the book I have looking for my whole adult life since having children. I have been skinny ,fat, skinny, fat, my while life.
This is NOT a diet book. This is a life saver, Life changing book,
It is full of insight on so much to do with your over all health. Wrinkles, thinning hair, chipping nails, poor skin. Oh did I mention it will help you loss up to 10 pounds in 10 days and tell you how to keep it off.
It is full of great recipes to continue after the first 10 days.
I would say this is a life style change that is so worth it on many levels.
Hard to believe that so much is packed into this one book.
Please don't think this is a hard book to read and understand. Dr. KellyAnn tells it like it is and the wording is very easy to understand.
She has great tips for food prep and making batches for the week.
A very well thought out book, written by a fantastic  well known Doctor.
I gladly HIGHLY recommend this book. I gave this book 5 stars!
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.


I am going to give one lucky person a copy of this book. All you have to do is leave a comment, follow this blog, and share this post on your social media.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Greatest Worship Songs 2018 Lifeway Worship



Pick up your copy here...
https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/greatest-worship-songs-of-2018-cd-P005805565




My Thoughts...
This is a wonderful collection of worship songs, It would be a great CD to listen to when reading, praying or while you are going about your daily chores. Each song touches your heart and soul and centers your thoughts on God. I do have a couple that where my favorite on the CD. I loved the songs "Chainbreaker" and Death Was Arrested". I recommend this to everyone.
 The Mary Reader received this CD from Lifeway for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

God's NOT Dead: A Light In Darkness Movie



When his church burns down, a pastor (David A.R. White) and his estranged atheist brother (John Corbett) fight to get it rebuilt in the trailer for 'God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness,' the third in the popular faith-based film series. Pure Flix

Filmed on location in Little Rock, Arkansas, the film stars actors David A.R. White as Pastor Dave; John Corbett ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") who plays Pastor Dave's estranged brother, Pierce; and Jennifer Taylor, Pastor Dave's new love interest, Meg. Additionally, Ted McGinley (Thomas Ellsworth), Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O'Neal (Barbara Solomon) and Benjamin Onyango (Reverend Jude) are part of the cast.
Part one and two took place in a classroom and courtroom but the narrative will now turn inward, as the main character, Pastor Dave, takes viewers on a ride through his own personal conflict.
"God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness" follows "Reverend Dave as he is released from prison to a flurry of controversy. The growing social unrest leads to Dave's church being burned down, a fire with tragic results."
"Devastated, Dave is launched on a painful spiritual journey as he fights against the university trying to keep him from rebuilding his church, and as his belief that 'God is good all the time' is put to the test. Along the way, Dave enlists the help of his estranged atheist brother who will support Dave in his legal fight, but also challenges him to recognize that sometimes fighting doesn't require defeating those we disagree with, but rather finding a way to heal, and to rebuild," says the film's synopsis.
Additional cast members include Emmy Award-winner Gregory Alan Williams, Mike C. Manning, Samantha Boscarino, rap artist Shwayze, Jennifer Cipolla, and music legend Dr. Cissy Houston. Reprising his role from the first "God's Not Dead" movie is Shane Harper ("Josh").

"Audiences have continued to show support and interest in the 'God's Not Dead' films and their relatable characters who endure similar challenges in their personal faith and lives," Michael Scott, Pure Flix founding partner said in the statement. "Our hope is that these films offer entertainment and encouragement, with a starting point for sharing faith in a respectable and compassionate manner."
The original "God's Not Dead" is the highest-grossing independent faith film of 2014, taking in more than $60 million at the box office and the creators are hoping to continue their success.
The film is being produced by Michael Scott, David A.R. White, Brittany Yost, Alysoun Wolfe and Liz Travis.


Watch  a snippet here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl0Duw2B8zk


Do you plan to go see this?

Friday, February 23, 2018

Nothing to Fear CD by Jennifer Shaw GIVEAWAY!



After a six year absence on the national radio charts, top 40 Billboard singer and Telly Award winning artist, Jennifer Shaw, has released a new full-length recording project entitled “Nothing to Fear”, produced by Lifeway’s Producer of the Year, Paul Marino. Though Shaw’s last album spawned a Telly Award-winning music video and songs used by organizations such as disability ministry Joni and Friends, as well as Remember Nhu, a worldwide organization that fights child sex slavery, Shaw waited until now to record songs that reflect the multiple changes in her life and family.
Beyond her musical success, Shaw is a sought-after speaker and author, and a long-time advocate for children. Shaw’s parenting skills were put to the test early on when her youngest child, son Toby, was diagnosed with a severe case of Sensory Processing Disorder. Shaw chronicled her family’s journey in the critically-acclaimed book “Life Not Typical: How Special Needs Parenting Changed my Faith and my Song”, which is now used in the Resource Library of Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Shaw’s involvement with children’s organizations and her multi-year partnership with Compassion International took her to orphanages around the world where she learned that children over the age of 3 are rarely adopted, and their chances were even lower if they had medical issues. Armed with that knowledge, the Shaws realized they couldn’t help every child, but they could help somebody. So in the past 18 months, Shaw along with her husband and their three biological children have adopted three Chinese children with medical issues, ages 7 to 11.
The majority of the songs on the “Nothing to Fear” CD are about Shaw’s journey over the past two years. “My personality is a weird mix,” says Shaw. “I’ll jump right in and go to the other side of the world, but then I’ll be very fearful. I am writing a devotional right now on the topic of fear, and it is something we all struggle with at times. The chorus of the title song says ‘for You (God) are for me and there is nothing to fear.’ God never called us to play it safe. He wants us to do His will, and trust that He’s in control. This has been a pivotal lesson for me in the past few years.”
The song on “Nothing to Fear” that probably encapsulates the family’s passion for adoption is a tune Jennifer penned called “Forever Family.”
“The phrase ‘forever family’ is used in the adoption community. I could have easily written a song that made everyone cry, but instead, I decided to make this an uplifting tune that is a good reminder of what family is all about, and that every child deserves to have one.”
Looking back over the course of her life, Shaw now understands that the earlier struggles she endured — her near-death from a pregnancy, her father dying of ALS, and parenting a special needs biological child — all prepared her for this season of her family’s journey.
“All of those difficulties we went through taught me to totally rely on God, and that He really does use all things for our good,” says Shaw. “A lot of things I used to think were very important are no longer priorities. We are put on this planet for one purpose — to know Jesus and to make Him known. God’s faithfulness in the past is what gave me the courage to do something that initially made me very fearful — adopting older children from another culture who have medical issues. But taking God at his word and believing that there was nothing to fear have brought me the greatest joys of my life. I can’t imagine my life now without all six of my kids.”





About Jennifer...

Jennifer Shaw is a Telly Award-winning singer and a 5-time top 40 Billboard artist. She was the first artist to take the song "Your Great Name" to the top of the National Inspirational charts in 2009. Her song "God Loved the World" was featured in a Lifeway Christmas musical and later used as an Easter choral anthem which became a #1 best-seller for Lifeway. Jennifer's song "Your Child," was made into a music video which garnered a prestigious Telly Award. The song has also been used by Joni Eareckson Tada’s organization, Joni and Friends, a worldwide organization which serves people with disabilities. In addition to recording and touring, Jennifer is a conference speaker who authored the book, “Life Not Typical: How Special Needs Parenting Changed my Faith and my Song.” The book was added to the Resource Library of Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization. Jennifer has shared the stage with many artists including Natalie Grant, Audio Adrenaline, and Big Daddy Weave, among others. The Shaw family lives in Columbus, Ohio. Visit http://www.JenniferShaw.com.


Listen to one of the songs here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHiQzHfvZOE#action=share

My Thoughts...

Not just because Jennifer lives were I was born, Columbus Ohio. I have to say this is a great CD every single song is heartfelt and moving. I loved the whole CD. Like most CD's some songs more then others were my favorites. You can hear her story through the songs. I was moved by the song that she penned called Forever Family. I to would love to adopt a whole house full of kids in need of a Forever Family.
I HIGHLY recommend this moving CD.
 The Mary Reader received this CD from the Adams PR Group for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

GIVEAWAY! Follow this blog, leave a comment and share this post on your social media sites to be entered in the giveaway!

Monday, February 19, 2018

The Man He Never Was By James Rubart




What if You Woke up One Morning and the Darkest Parts of Yourself Were Gone?
Toren Daniels vanished eight months back, and his wife and kids have moved on—with more than a little relief. Toren was a good man but carried a raging temper that often exploded without warning. So when he shows up on their doorstep out of the blue, they’re shocked to see him alive. But more shocked to see he’s changed. Radically.
His anger is gone. He’s oddly patient. Kind. Fun. The man he always wanted to be. Toren has no clue where he’s been but knows he’s been utterly transformed. He focuses on three things: Finding out where he’s been. Finding out how it happened. And winning back his family.
But then shards of his old self start to rise from deep inside—like the man kicked out of the NFL for his fury—and Toren must face the supreme battle of his life.
In this fresh take on the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, James L. Rubart explores the war between the good and evil within each of us—and one man’s only chance to overcome the greatest divide of the soul.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Man-He-Never-Was-Reimagining/dp/0718099397/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517963142&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Man+he+never+was


James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man's body. He thinks he's still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish one of his stories.

He's the best-selling, Christy, Carol, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of eight novels as well as a professional speaker. During the day he runs his marketing company which helps businesses, authors, and publishers make more coin of the realm. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com More at http://jameslrubart.com/ and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLRubart

My Thoughts...

This book pulled me in and I was hooked from the very beginning.
We all remember the old story of good vs. evil in the old Jekyll and Hyde classic. Well this modern day remake of the good vs. evil is sure to please you.
Rubart has woven so much in to this one story that you are not sure what's going to happen next.
The characters and there were a lot of them were a great cast.
The plot was great. If you have not read a book by James Rubart let this be your first it will not be your last.
I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait for his next book.
  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.    

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Across the Blue By Carrie Turansky



Set in Edwardian England and ideal for readers who enjoy Julie Klassen novels, this romance about an English aviation pioneer and the girl who falls in love with him is filled with adventure and faith.Isabella Grayson, the eldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper magnate, longs to become a journalist, but her parents don't approve. They want her to marry well and help them gain a higher standing in society. After she writes an anonymous letter to the editor that impresses her father, her parents reluctantly agree she can write a series of articles about aviation and the race to fly across the English Channel, but only if she promises to accept a marriage proposal within the year. When James Drake, an aspiring aviator, crashes his flying machine at the Grayson's new estate, Bella is intrigued. James is determined to be the first to fly across the Channel and win the prize Mr. Grayson's newspaper is offering. He hopes it will help him secure a government contract to build airplanes and redeem a terrible family secret. James wants to win Bella's heart, but his background and lack of social standing make it unlikely her parents would approve. If he fails to achieve his dream, how will he win the love and respect he is seeking? Will Bella's faith and support help him find the strength and courage he needs when unexpected events turn their world upside down?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Across-Blue-Novel-Carrie-Turansky/dp/1601429428/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517857128&sr=1-1&keywords=across+the+blue+carrie+turansky


Bestselling Inspirational Romance Author Carrie Turansky writes historical and contemporary novels and novellas set in England and the US. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award. Readers say her stories are: "Heartwarming and inspiring! I couldn't put it down! . . . Touching love story. It captured me from the first page! Rich characters, beautifully written . . . My new favorite author!" Visit her website and sign up for her email newsletter at Carrie Turansky.com. Follow Carrie on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram

My Thoughts...

Historical book lovers, I have a book to add to your to be read pile.
Turansky has done it again and you are not going to want to miss this one.
Full of challenges and, love and faith. You can really tell that Turansky researched this book well.
I enjoyed it from the very first chapter until the end.
I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait to read the next book b this gifted author.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Brave Moms, Brave Kids By Lee Nienhuis



Hey, Mama
This world feels like it's spinning faster every day. As the darkness has crept in, your brave prayers may have given way to fearful pleas that your kids would experience God's kingdom—in a safe and comfortable way.

This generation needs heroes of the faith and your child can be one of them, but that will require you to be strong and BRAVE. You and I must call out the bold Christ followers within our children and help them face the unknown future with divine confidence.

Brave Moms, Brave Kids is an equipping tool that will help you...
  • identify the qualities present in true greatness
  • reject "mommy fears" and replace them with immovable truth
  • learn strategies for praying for and training your children more effectively
  • develop seven key lessons we must teach our children to live for Jesus
Courage starts with you, Mama. If you're going to raise a hero, you must become a hero—because brave kids need brave moms. Let's do this, together.
Love,
Lee

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Moms-Kids-Battle-Raising/dp/0736970037/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518734620&sr=8-1&keywords=brave+moms+brave+kids+book


My Thoughts...

What a great perspective Nienhuis has given us. I read this book even though my kids are grown and out on their own. I really wish I had read it 30 years ago.
I want to tell all the parents out there reading this, that you will benefit from reading this book. You will look at things with new eyes and feel things with a new heart.
I recommend this book to all new parents as well as all parents. You can really learn as well as help other parents with the tools that are shared in this little gem of a book.
I gave this book 4 stars. and I am glad that I read it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Live Hopefully By Lenya Heitzig



This all-new 20-minutes-a-day study of Nehemiah reminds readers that with God’s help, one person who is ready to do the impossible can change the world.

Hope is not wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation for the future. Nehemiah knew how to live with true hope. After boldly requesting permission from the king to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, he restored the city and called his people back to God. Despite opposition on all sides, Nehemiah saw God transform a cup-bearer into a contractor, ruins into a city, and a wayward people into followers of God.

As Bible teacher Lenya Heitzig reminds readers in this new Fresh Life study, God calls them to live boldly with a hope that only He can give.
 
Pick up your copy here...
 
Lenya Heitzig is the executive director of she ministries at Calvary Albuquerque, an award-winning coauthor of numerous Bible studies, and the author of the semiautobiographical book Holy Moments. She is the founder of Mercy B.A.N.D.S. and Reload Love, encouraging and empowering people around the world to stand up to terrorism. Lenya’s husband, Skip, is senior pastor of the 14,000-person congregation at Calvary Albuquerque. Their son and his wife have two children.
 
My Thoughts...


A Bible study in the book of Nehemiah.
 It has a lot of scripture using inductive questions. The questions help you discover the facts. You will learn the who what and when and where of each passage.
It has questions and places for you to answer them in the book.
It  also has personal checklists as well as Small- group checklist.
Each days broke down in sections for you.
This was a wonderfully Bible study book.
I gave 4 stars to this Bible study from the book of Nehemiah and I recommend it for small groups or personal study.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Why I hate Green Beans By Lincee Ray


If there is one thing Lincee Ray has learned over the years, it's that the majority of women on the planet struggle with insecurities. Our skinny jeans mock us. Our just-trying-to-help mothers are just driving us crazy. Our social media feeds taunt us with everyone else's picture-perfect lives. It's enough to send you on a gummy-bear bender while binge-watching Friends reruns and not showering for a week. Lincee knows. She's been there. Right there, in fact. Gummy bears and all.

For every woman who's ever wondered if she's unlovable, uninteresting, or unattractive, Lincee offers her particular brand of hilarious (and hard-hitting) self-reflection. Like a true friend, she shows us that the fastest way to happiness is to embrace ourselves in all our imperfection, trust that God knew what he was doing when he made us, and maybe go buy a new tube of mascara. Walk alongside Lincee as she discovers that her identity is not found in her job, her relationship status, her bank account, or her social circle. It's found in Christ.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Hate-Green-Beans-Relationships/dp/0800728459/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1518116748&sr=1-1

Lincee Ray began blogging accidentally when she wrote a recap for the beloved show everyone loves to hate -- The Bachelor. Once her audience reached triple digits, she launched her website, www.iHateGreenBeans.com. What began as a place for closeted Bachelor watchers to commune and discuss the wonder that is Our Host Chris Harrison slowly morphed into a place where Lincee shares stories of her everyday life.

Lincee's Bachelor recaps later miraculously landed on the desk of an editor at Entertainment Weekly. The woman qecurityuickly deduced that Lincee was a pop culture weirdo who probably watched all the teenybopper shows on The CW. She was right.

Lincee taught herself to say the ABCs backward as a child. It kills at parties. She really does hate green beans and is a little too enthusiastic about Dr Pepper and seasonal-themed Oreos. She also believes it's important to tell your stories -- even the ones that make you seem a little crazy.

My Thoughts...

I wish that someone would tell Lincee that I would LOVE to be her best friend.
I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more. This book is such a refreshing read.
It's what I call an honest, refreshing, must read.
For those of you who say I don't like non-fiction books, you have not read this book yet, I think you will change your mind after reading this one.
Insecurity, as a women we all struggle with it. Lincee with her humor and wit write about that in such away you will NOT put this book down once you open it and start reading.  I will be rereading this book many times, when I need a pick me up.
I gladly give this book 5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend it.
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Friday, February 9, 2018

Perennials By Julie Cantrell


Eva Sutherland—known to all as Lovey—grew up safe and secure in Oxford, Mississippi, surrounded by a rich literary history and her mother’s stunning flower gardens. But a shed fire, and the injuries it caused, changed everything. Her older sister, Bitsy, blamed Lovey for the irreparable damage. Bitsy became the homecoming queen and the perfect Southern belle who could do no wrong. All the while, Lovey served as the family scapegoat, always bearing the brunt when Bitsy threw blame her way.
At eighteen, suffocating in her sister’s shadow, Lovey turned down a marriage proposal and fled to Arizona. Free from Bitsy’s vicious lies, she became a successful advertising executive and a weekend yoga instructor, carving a satisfying life for herself. But at forty-five, Lovey is feeling more alone than ever and questioning the choices that led her here.
When her father calls insisting she come home three weeks early for her parents’ 50th anniversary, Lovey is at her wits’ end. She’s about to close the biggest contract of her career, and there’s a lot on the line. But despite the risks, her father’s words, “Family First,” draw her back to the red-dirt roads of Mississippi.
Lovey is drawn in to a secret project—a memory garden her father has planned as an anniversary surprise. As she helps create this sacred space, Lovey begins to rediscover her roots, learning how to live perennially in spite of life’s many trials and tragedies.
Years ago, Lovey chose to leave her family and the South far behind. But now that she’s returned, she’s realizing things at home were not always what they seemed.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Perennials-Julie-Cantrell/dp/0718037642/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1518112976&sr=1-1



New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author, Julie Cantrell is known for writing inspirational novels that explore the hard truths women typically keep secret. While she delves into emotional issues, she does so with a compassionate and open heart, always bringing readers through to a hopeful path for peace, empathy, and healing.

Julie's debut novel, Into the Free (2012, David C Cook), earned a rare starred review by Publishers Weekly, became an international bestseller, and received two Christy Awards and the Mississippi Library Association Fiction Award. It spent three weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists (both print and e-book), made the USA TODAY Top 150, and was listed as a top read of the year by LifeWay and USA TODAY.

The sequel, When Mountains Move (2014, David C Cook), received the ACFW Carol Award for Historical Fiction, made many best read lists, and was again named a top read of the year by both USA TODAY and LifeWay Christian Stores.

Her third novel, The Feathered Bone (January, 2016, HarperCollins/TNZ), was chosen Book of the Year by the largest bookclub in the world (Pulpwood Queens) and was selected as a Top Read by Library Journal. It is currently a finalist for both a Carol and an INSPY award, and is set in Louisiana where Julie spent her childhood.

Perennials (November, 2017, HarperCollins/TNZ) is Julie's fourth novel. Another work of Southern fiction, this story is set in her current community of Oxford, Mississippi, a literary mecca for many writers and readers. The story explores themes of family relationships, the seasons of life, and the search for a place called home.

A speech-language pathologist and literacy advocate, Julie was honored to receive the 2012 Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Fellowship. She also received the 2016 Mary Elizabeth Nelson Fellowship at Rivendell Writer's Colony, which is awarded to a writer who encourages spiritual growth, healing, and care through his or her work.

Julie and her two children now live in Oxford, Mississippi where they spent six years operating Valley House Farm, a sustainable organic farmstead, before moving into a new adventure.

Learn more:
Website: www.juliecantrell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliecantrellauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieCantrell

My Thoughts...

A Perennial kind of love...
Southern style, Life lesson with the greatest being love, all in one book. Why yes, I think I will devour this book in one sitting thank you.
I was hooked from the very first chapter.
I think all of you readers that are fans of southern fiction are going to agree with me on this one.
I will warn you there is mention of Buddhist in this book and those of us that are secure in our Christian walk with be fine with this.
If you are a new Christian and have a lot of questions and your just not sure yet, this may not be a book for you!
I gave this book 4 stars.
  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Shake the Heavens By Devon Blanton




Shake the Heavens, Move the Earth is a great companion and follow-up to The ASSIGNMENT? This book helps us understand how to accomplish our assignments with power and authority. If we know why we are here from God’s point of view, then we must know how to go about accomplishing His will on the earth. It draws us into God’s purposes and mechanisms that Jesus left us to usher in the spiritual Kingdom of God. These are exciting times but we must be prepared for the amazing things we are about to discover. Are you ready? Discover your full potential within the pages of this candid and yet revealing book!

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Shake-Heavens-Earth-Devon-Blanton/dp/1979954291/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518115805&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Shake+the+heavens++by+Devon+Blaton


Dr. Devon Blanton is a pastor conducting a full-time ministry along with a very busy Christian Counseling practice. He holds an earned Doctorate in Religious Education, specializing in Counseling. He is certified in Family and Marriage, Grief and Drug Abuse and Health and Nutrition. He is also a Certified Health Coach. His post-doctoral pursuits include an earned diploma in Psychiatric Studies. He also completed brief studies in Cardiology and Resuscitation from Perelman School of Medicine, Penn State University. He further expanded His studies in nutrition from Texas A&M, Vanderbilt University and Stanford University. This all coincides with his four-pillar philosophy on Counseling. These focus on the Physical, Spiritual, Emotional and Financial parts of who we are. He is also the Founder of Cross Anchors Solutions, a high-level training program out of Durham, N.C. providing training in Leadership Development, Biblical Counseling I, II, Advanced Biblical Counseling and Health & Nutrition. He has authored several books including, The ASSIGNMENT, Holes in the Soul, Shake the Heavens-Move the Earth and the two brand new projects now underway, Health is the Best Medicine and Raising God.

My Thoughts...

If you have read The Assignment and enjoyed it, then you are sure to like this companion to it.
Sunday school teachers looking for your next Sunday school lesson, small group teacher looking for your next Bible study. I have found it for you.
This is great for all ages as well. From teens to seniors this should be part of your curriculum.
  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Live Brilliantly By Lenya Heitzig




This all-new Fresh Life Bible study takes readers through the book of 1 John, inspiring them to respond to God’s call to be light bearers in a dark world.

Each 20-minute study of 1 John in Live Brilliantly reminds readers that when their lives reflect God’s light, no darkness can overtake them. When a Christian follows God’s Word, light shines on their decisions, relationships, and actions. Their words as they live out the gospel bring light to even the darkest places.

This rich yet accessible Bible study ignites readers with a new passion for God, shutting out the darkness that threatens their spirits and the world—because God’s Word is light everlasting.
 
Pick up your copy here...
 
Lenya Heitzig is the executive director of she ministries at Calvary Albuquerque, an award-winning coauthor of numerous Bible studies, and the author of the semiautobiographical book Holy Moments. She is the founder of Mercy B.A.N.D.S. and Reload Love, encouraging and empowering people around the world to stand up to terrorism. Lenya’s husband, Skip, is senior pastor of the 14,000-person congregation at Calvary Albuquerque. Their son and his wife have two children.
 
My Thoughts...
 
This is a Bible study in the book of 1 John. It has a lot of scripture using inductive questions. The questions help you discover the facts. You will learn the who what and when and where of each passage.
It has questions and places for you to answer them in the book.
It  also has personal checklists as well as Small- group checklist.
Each days broke down in sections for you.
This was a wonderfully done book.
I gave this Bible study of 1 John 4 stars and I recommend it for small groups or personal study.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

The Masterpiece By Francine Rivers


New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to her romance roots with this unexpected and redemptive love story, a probing tale that reminds us that mercy can shape even the most broken among us into an imperfect yet stunning masterpiece.

A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want―money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist―an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.

Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship―and both their lives―forever.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Masterpiece-Francine-Rivers/dp/1496407903/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517193919&sr=8-1&keywords=the+masterpiece+francine+rivers


New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers continues to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her numerous bestsellers include Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into more than thirty different languages. She is a member of Romance Writers of America's coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Visit Francine online at www.francinerivers.com and connect with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FrancineRivers) and Twitter (@FrancineRivers).

My Thoughts...

I am still in a book fog after reading The Masterpiece.
It was such a moving love story and Rivers has really done her research on art part of the book. She tells about that at the end of the book. The characters were strong and the storyline remarkable. I loved the way it all turns out, I was on the fence for a while.
I challenge you to put this down once you start reading it.  I think it will be one you read without realizing you have read the book in one evening.  
Rivers has done it again another New York Times list winner.
I gave this book 5 stars two times and I HIGHLY recommend it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Amish Sweethearts By Amy Clipston



Love is in the air in these four sweet romances!
Love and Buggy Rides (previously published in An Amish Harvest)
Janie Lantz is a cashier at Lancaster Souvenirs and Buggy Rides, where Jonathan Stoltfuz is a buggy driver. A frightening accident brings Janie and Jonathan together in a blossoming friendship, yet daunting obstacles stand between them and something deeper. Can love kindle into flames that burn away fear and regret—and lead them to a life together?
A Home for Lindsay
From Amy Clipston’s beloved Kauffman Amish Bakery series comes Lindsay Bedford’s story. Lindsay is happily looking forward to the day she becomes Matthew Glick’s wife and is excited for the plans he has for the house he will build her. So, when Matthew suddenly calls off the wedding, she is blindsided. She knows there is more to the story than what he is telling her, but will he open up and let her in on his own heartbreak?
Where the Heart Is
Tobias Smucker is back home, and it’s no secret he and his father are still not on the best of terms. But what is surprising is that his little sister’s best friend, Mariella, has been harboring her own secret feelings for Tobias. With her help, he begins to unravel a family mystery and learns that everyone has their own hidden depths, including his father.
Love Birds (previously published in An Amish Market)
While Ellie Lapp and her mother are still mourning the loss of her brother, Seth, Ellie starts working at one of the gift shops in town. Seth’s friend Lloyd is talented at carving wooden birds, but his father disapproves and expects him to take over the family farm someday. Ellie sees the beauty in Lloyd’s creations and insists Lloyd sell the birds in the gift shop where she works. As Ellie and Lloyd spend more time together, they begin to develop feelings for one another, but she accidentally betrays his trust. Will she lose any hope of a future with him?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Sweethearts-Four-Novellas/dp/0718091159/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1517523972&sr=8-1


Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. An advocate for organ and blood donation, Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation, her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy's memoir, A Gift of Love, will be available in early 2014. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. You can find her on the web at www.AmyClipston.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks.

My Thoughts...

I read all four novellas but I must say my favorite one was Love and Buggy Rides it was not rushed it did not end way to fast. I gave that novella 4 stars and I really enjoyed it.
This would be a good book to read when you are really busy because the novellas are really short and all four are fast, fun reads. I must tell you that two of the four novella's have already been published in other books by Clipston so only two of the four are new reads.
So for that reason I am giving it three stars.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

The Saturday Night Supper Club By Carla Laureano




Denver chef Rachel Bishop has accomplished everything she’s dreamed and some things she never dared hope, like winning a James Beard Award and heading up her own fine-dining restaurant. But when a targeted smear campaign causes her to be pushed out of the business by her partners, she vows to do whatever it takes to get her life back . . . even if that means joining forces with the man who inadvertently set the disaster in motion.

Essayist Alex Kanin never imagined his pointed editorial would go viral. Ironically, his attempt to highlight the pitfalls of online criticism has the opposite effect: it revives his own flagging career by destroying that of a perfect stranger. Plagued by guilt-fueled writer’s block, Alex vows to do whatever he can to repair the damage. He just doesn’t expect his interest in the beautiful chef to turn personal.

Alex agrees to help rebuild Rachel’s tarnished image by offering his connections and his home to host an exclusive pop-up dinner party targeted to Denver’s most influential citizens: the Saturday Night Supper Club. As they work together to make the project a success, Rachel begins to realize Alex is not the unfeeling opportunist she once thought he was, and that perhaps there’s life―and love―outside the pressure-cooker of her chosen career. But can she give up her lifelong goals without losing her identity as well?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Night-Supper-Club/dp/1496420241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516985594&sr=8-1&keywords=the+saturday+night+supper+club


Carla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

Connect with Carla online at her website (www.carlalaureano.com) or on any of these social media platforms:

Facebook.com/CarlaLaureanoAuthor
Twitter.com/carlalaureano
Instagram.com/carlalaureanoauthor                

My Thoughts...

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a foodie, I will try anything once, my first bite of solid food was at One Nation in Columbus Ohio and it was Lobster tail.
So when I saw this book I had to read it. Well when I got it I devoured it like a box of Godiva Chocolate in one sitting. I did not stop until I read the very last page.
Laureano, did such a great job with the research, I have to wonder if she just might be a chef herself. And she added a sweet romance to the mix as well.
I loved everything about this book. 5 stars two times. I can't wait for the next book in this series Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe' coming out in 2019.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.