Book Review: Exit the Cave

 

Exit the Cave

Embracing a Life of Courage, Creativity, and Radical Imagination

by Blaine Hogan

Pub Date 08 Nov 2022 

 Baker Books 

 Christian 

Baker Books and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of Exit the Cave for review:

Redefine your creativity, and create a life that matters:

Occasionally, the greatest gift you can receive is for your life to fall apart. Having spent years trapped in a painful cycle fueled by past abuse and ongoing addiction, actor, artist, and director Blaine Hogan finally reached his breaking point. When Blaine was unable to hide behind the veneer of success or find comfort in the shadows of compulsion, he was forced to examine the story his life was telling and realize he had lost his way.

Taking a major life detour in search of hope, he discovered that facing his past was the key to unlocking a new kind of creativity. In Exit the Cave, Blaine explores how our relationship with our past influences how we imagine the future and live in the present. The author invites you to take up the practices of radical imagination and real creativity so that you may be able to tell your life's story in a more meaningful way.

A richer, more imaginative, and meaningful life is waiting just outside the cave for anyone who has ever been stuck, addicted, ashamed, dissatisfied, or lost.

I give Exit the Cave five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: She Reigns

 

She Reigns

Conquering Your Triggers, Fears, and Worries with God's Truth

by Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien

Pub Date 04 Apr 2023 

 Revell 

 Christian  |  Religion & Spirituality  |  Self-Help 

Revell and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of She Reigns for review:

As a believer, God has given you a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. In spite of this, how often do you feel assaulted by fear, worry, anxiety, or negative thoughts? 

Using personal heartbreaks, struggles, and confessions never shared before, Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien provides an intimately empowering look at how to reign over your thoughts and feelings as God intended. The excerpts from her journal entries will reassure you that you are not alone and will encourage you to speak God's promises no matter what you see or feel. As a result of this course, you will learn how to identify your triggers, take control of negative thoughts and debilitating emotions, and posture your heart for joy. 

You are a queen who does not cower in the face of trials and dangers. It is possible to rule over your inner world through God's power.

I give She Reigns five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: How God Grows A Woman of Hope

 

How God Grows a Woman of Hope

by Anita Higman; Janice Thompson

Pub Date 01 Aug 2021 

 Barbour Publishing, Inc.,  Barbour Books

 Christian 

Barbour Publishing and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of How God Grows a Woman of Hope for review:

The purpose of How God Grows a Woman of Hope is to enhance your spiritual journey. 

This lovely collection provides a powerful blend of inspiration, encouragement, and refreshment for every aspect of your life with over two hundred devotional readings accompanied by scripture selections and prayers. 

As you meditate on each reading and open your mind and heart to God's Word, you will find yourself drawn ever closer to your heavenly Father as you reflect on friendship, family, faith, God's Word, prayer, and service.

I give How God Grows A Woman of Hope five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: First Girl to Die

 

First Girl to Die (Detective Morgan Brookes Book 4)

by Helen Phifer

Pub Date 11 Oct 2021

 Bookouture 

 Mystery & Thrillers 

First Girl to Die has been provided to me by Bookouture and NetGalley for review purposes: 

Taking in the familiar blonde curls and blue eyes of the fallen girl below, Morgan shudders as she leans out of the window. With sickening certainty, she realizes that her friend is now gone for good...

As detective Morgan Brookes arrives at the scene of a suicide, she is devastated to see the young teacher sprawled out on the grass like a broken doll. Brittany has not been seen by her for many years. Their friendship has not been the same since Morgan's high-school boyfriend tragically passed away. Morgan is convinced that Brittany did not jump on her own accord after witnesses describe her erratic behavior and jumbled speech that morning.

Despite the fact that Morgan's theory is correct, no one has been able to identify the source of Brittany's poison in her blood. Morgan discovers a jar filled with toxic herbs in Brittany's home, and the sight of it freezes her blood. She has a jar similar to it that her aunt made for her as a gift. Is this a coincidence, or is it a set-up, or could the only person she has ever trusted with her damaged past be capable of murdering her?

Then another woman from Morgan's past is discovered near the site of the fatal teenage party. Is Morgan looking at this in the wrong way? Do these deaths have any connection to that deadly night? Is it possible that someone from her own family may be involved?

As her aunt's freedom and more innocent lives are at stake, Morgan must dig deep into her painful memories to find answers. Is there anyone else who was present that night, and what exactly did they see? Her only hope is to stop this twisted killer before any more of her old friends become victims. But at what cost?

I give First Girl to Die five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Redemption

 Redemption

by Traci Hunter Abramson

Pub Date 20 Sep 2021 

 Covenant Communications 

 Christian  |  Mystery & Thrillers  |  Romance 

A copy of Redemption has been provided to me by Covenant Communications and Netgalley for review:

The past five years have been a challenging time for Gage Stewart. Once an abused and troubled teenager, he has worked tirelessly to overcome the fateful day when he was manipulated into holding a group of teenagers hostage. With a new identity and a college degree in criminal psychology, he accepts an unlikely job teaching others what to do during a mass shooting.

As soon as Gage enters the hotel where his class is held, he is immediately drawn to Skyler Prescott, the daughter of the wealthy hotel owner. Gage and Skyler quickly discover that they share a common desire for normalcy, and their easy friendship soon develops into something more. However, after a night out ends in horror when a gunman opens fire in the packed club, they discover an alarming discovery that threatens more than just their relationship. It appears that this attack was little more than a publicity stunt designed to draw attention to the real target: Senator James Whitmore, a presidential candidate. In order to avoid becoming someone's scapegoat, Gage must now work closely with the very men who ended his own life of crime before it began-the Saint Squad.

I give Redemption five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review ButGod

 

ButGod

The Power of Hope When Catastrophe Crashes In

by Jeremy Freeman

Pub Date 18 Oct 2022 

 Nelson Books,  Thomas Nelson

Biographies & Memoirs 

ButGod was provided to me by Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson, and Netgalley for the purpose of review:

'Sir, your sons have been involved in a car accident. Could you get here as quickly as possible?"

Pastor Jeremy Freeman shares how a harrowing phone call that no parent wants to receive led to a miraculous outcome that only God could accomplish.

When Jeremy and Emily Freeman's teenage son Caleb was in a devastating car accident, doctors gave him a 10 percent chance of survival. Fear of losing a child was all too fresh for the Freemans--their seven-year-old son, Trey, had died just four years earlier from a genetic immunodeficiency disease.ButGod tells the incredible story of Caleb's recovery, the darkness that almost overtook their family during the waiting, and the worldwide #butGod movement that captured Christians' prayers. This book includes heartfelt excerpts from Emily's prayer journal and encouragements from Jeremy that go beyond platitudes to demonstrate a faith in God that is hard earned.

A look at the incredible story of the Freeman family reveals:

Understanding the beauty that God can bring through suffering.  How one family overcame grief, tension, and doubt to grow closer together. The power of God's work through the prayers of His people. 

Only God can provide the hope we need regardless  of the sorrow you're experiencing no  matter what sorrows you face, trusting God with suffering leads you to a deeper faith that comes from seeing God's purpose in the suffering.

I give But God five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!