Book Review: Hope Against Hope

 

Hope against Hope

by Sheena Wilkinson

Pub Date 09 May 2023 

 Publisher Spotlight,  Little Island Books

 Children's Fiction  |  Historical Fiction 

The following is my review of Hope Against Hope, which was provided to me by Publisher Spotlight, Little Island Books, and Netgalley:

It was 1921, and Ireland had been at war with Britain for two years. The moment Polly's brother Leo returns from war, he appears to have changed into a completely different individual.

After her brother Leo turns violent, Polly runs away to Helen's Hope hostel in Belfast, where Catholics and Protestants live and work together despite the fact that Ireland is at war with itself. Helen's Hope, however, is hated by some because of what it represents. The question arises as to how a few girls can stand up to hatred, especially when some of it originates within their own walls. How can Polly maintain hope when the hostel is violently attached?

I give Hope Against Hope five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Washed New

 

Washed New!

A True Story

by Sandra Boyd

Pub Date 06 Apr 2021 

 Carpenter's Son Publishing/Clovercroft Publishing,  Carpenter's Son Publishing

 Biographies & Memoirs  |  Health, Mind & Body 

Washed New was provided to me by Carpenter's Son Publishing and Netgalley for the purpose of this review:

Sandra Byrd's short memoir reveals the family secrets that led to her parental abandonment. 

As a result of her experience overcoming the emotional turmoil of rape, abuse and divorce, Sandra Boyd has compiled an insightful book. She was able to fight demons who came to chain her feet twice in the middle of the night as a result of the revelation of the power of prayer. 

Through faith and prayer, this book walks you through the first steps towards overcoming your past. Her story reveals how her prayers were answered and how yours can be answered as well.

I give Washed New five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Inner Path of Writing

 

The Inner Path of Writing, Make Love not War to the Writer Within

by Caryl Westmore

Pub Date 08 Feb 2023 | Archive Date 02 Mar 2023

 BooksGoSocial 

 Health, Mind & Body  |  Nonfiction (Adult)  |  Self-Help

I am reviewing a copy of the Inner Path of Writing through Books Go Social and Netgalley:

Suppose you were told there is a softer, yet equally effective, approach to freeing your Inner Writer which does not involve "diligently fighting creative battles with a tricky foe"?

You will find a better way in this book through the contributions of world-class authors.

There is a wealth of wisdom shared by publishers, authors, and transformational experts on how to overcome your resistance and shine your brilliance for a successful writing career that you enjoy.

A number of prominent influencers such as Dr Joe Vitale, Marc Allen, Brandon Bays, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, Michael La Ronn, and Julie Broad (among others) have provided valuable tools and tactics regarding:

Having a productive and prosperous environment

Achieving results

The process of overcoming depression

How to overcome writer's block

Burnout prevention

Maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health

Maintaining a persistent attitude

Creating books that are not "boring"

Taking advantage of your energy and genius

This book was developed by Caryl Westmore, author and host of Write the Book Inside You podcast, and first-ever Emotional Freedom Tapping Book Coach, who interviewed the contributors for several months in order to distill their valuable insights on how to change your life to write more productively and profitably as well as remain healthy and happy at the same time.

Make sure that you do not waste another precious moment of your life fighting the dreaded Ogre Resistance or the monsters of fear, doubt, and insecurity.

I give The Inner Path of Writing four out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Be an Angel

 

Be an Angel

Devotions to Inspire and Encourage Love and Light Along the Way

by Roma Downey

Pub Date 21 Feb 2023 

 Convergent Books 

 Christian 

I am reviewing a copy of Be an Angel through Convergent Books and Netgalley:

Roma Downey is not only a beloved actress, she's also a New York Times Bestseller and women of strong faith as is evident in Be an Angel:

Be an Angel features moving quotes from a variety of writers and thinkers, including heartwarming scriptures and reflections on gratitude, friendship, faith, courage, and more, Be an Angel not only offers personal inspiration but also gently nudges you to look for ways to “be an angel” to those you encounter every day.

This stirring devotional is the perfect offering for anyone looking to be uplifted. You’ll be delighted to discover inspiration for yourself—plus a little extra to make someone’s day.

Roma Downey writes " I want you to join me in speaking words of hope to a hurting world, bringing light into darkness.”  And in Be an Angel, Downey does just that.

I give Be an Angel five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!!

Book Review: The Reckoning of Jeanne d'Antietam

 

The Reckoning of Jeanne d'Antietam

Poems

by Matthew Moore

 University of Nevada Press 

Pub Date 07 Feb 2023 

 History  |  Poetry 

University of Nevada Press and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of The Reckoning of Jeanne d'Antitetam for review:

Poetry is one of the most difficult genres for me to review, and The Reckoning of Jeanne d'Antitetam is no exception.

This collection of poems circles the U.S. Civil War and the failed revolution of Reconstruction, and Matthew Moore penetrates the histories and beliefs of the era through architectures of sound, as well as ancillary histories and histories stacked upon histories—densely and visibly scrawled—as in Anselm Kiefer's sculptures of lead books, dripping with illegible songs and melting and melting in their forms. His poems include the figure of Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) and her voices; the explosion of the U.S. prison system and racial legal fictions amid a groundswell of mass terror during the aftermath of the American Civil War; the politically poisoned poetic lineage moving from Modernism to New Criticism and dead ends in Southern Agrarianism; and the destructive colonial histories of sugar and cotton.

In The Reckoning of Jeanne d'Antietam, language, as hard rhyme and difficult music, evanescence and violence are embedded in the spell of language, the testament. Names and events are invoked at the place where they meet in history. In Moore's poems, he stands against sentiment and pity as well as against consolation for the unconsolable. 

I give The Reckoning of Jeanne d'Antietam five out of five stars! 

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Authentic Influencer

 

Authentic Influencer

 The Barnabas Way of Shaping Lives for Jesus

by Jonathan Murphy

Pub Date 28 Mar 2023 

 Thomas Nelson--W Publishing,  Thomas Nelson

 Christian 

 

A review copy of Authentic Influencer has been provided by Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the purpose of this review:

In order to influence the world, God uses his people.  There is no doubt that people shape people, yet many of God's people stand on the sidelines, unsure of what to do. The principles underlying Authentic Influencer are drawn from the life of God's choice example in the Scriptures, Barnabas, rather than recycled quotations from corporate leadership books.

The purpose of this book is to remind followers of Jesus that they can be inspired, instructed, and mobilized to impact the world right where they are. In fact, it is everyday Christians who are specifically tasked by Jesus Himself to bring godly influence to the world, not just "professional" Christians such as pastors, church leaders, and authors. No matter whether we are shaping one person or a thousand, we are all part of His mission to bring about change.

Christian leadership book Authentic Influencer focuses on:

A summary of 15 key principles derived from Barnabas that are relevant, practical, and adaptable to every believer

Inspires you to influence those around you for Christ

Encourages you to invest in others through discipleship

You will be challenged by inspiring stories and practical wisdom based on biblical truths.

Taking a closer look at Barnabas' life, we find out how he influenced the world for Jesus Christ in a practical and achievable manner. Encourage one another to shape our world for Jesus, beginning with those who are closest to us.

I give Authentic Influencer five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Written on the Wind

Written on the Wind

by Elizabeth Camden

Pub Date 03 May 2022 

 Bethany House,  Bethany House Publishers

 Christian  |  Historical Fiction 

I am reviewing a copy of Written on

the Wind through Bethany House and Netgalley:

The man carried a dangerous secret, but will he live long enough to reveal it?

Dimitri Sokolov has been tasked with overseeing construction of the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway, but while doing so he witnesses an appalling crime, the truth of which threatens the Russian monarchy. Czar Dimitri has been stripped of his title, his property, and his freedom as part of an effort to silence him. However, Dimitri has one asset which the czar is unaware of: his deep and abiding friendship with Natalia Blackstone.

Natalia is the lead analyst for her father's New York-based banking empire and manages their investment in the Trans-Siberian Railway. Despite the distance between them, her relationship with Dimitri has flourished, but when Dimitri goes missing unexpectedly, he sets the wheels in motion for her to locate him. Upon joining forces, they embark on a dangerous journey where one wrong move could lead to their demise.  

Dimitri and Natalia will have to battle against all odds both on the steppes of Russia and in the corridors of power in Washington if they wish to preserve the railroad and expose the truth at the same time. Is their newfound love capable of surviving the ordeal? 

I give Written in the Wind five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!