Tag: book review

anxiety, Book Reviews, change, writing

Overcoming Writer’s Block–Book Review

Bethany LaShell

Overcoming Writer’s Block: The Writer’s Guide to Beating the Blank Page by Marcy Pusey is anything but the usual just-push-through-it dribble that most books with similar titles spout. It’s practical in so many ways—and not just for writing! Marcy tackles the psychology of creative blocks, which is applicable in so many areas of life. 

I appreciate that Marcy’s approach is not a one-size-fits-all approach because writers are unique, and so are their creative blocks. She gives many concrete ways to reframe your thoughts (which takes practice). Overcoming Writer’s Block has inspired me to open up my neglected manuscripts again. You’ll be inspired too!

anxiety, Book Reviews, encouragement

Holding On When You Want to Let Go–Book Review

Bethany LaShell

I’ve been wanting to read Holding On When You Want to Let Go by Sheila Walsh ever since it hit the shelves. She writes from the place of having wanted to give up and being in difficult circumstances where she didn’t feel like God was anywhere in sight–let alone holding her. Sheila shares her hard-earned wisdom and compassion with us in this hopeful, heartfelt book.

I love Sheila’s familiar, comforting style. She knows there’s no quick fix for the trials we’re going through, so she offers a “God fix” instead. She’s relatable because she’s so open about her struggles, yet she offers the hope found in Jesus. Occasionally, we do have to let go of things: “We let go of what we cannot keep to hold on to our Father, who will never let us go” (pg. 202).

If you’re ready to give up hope, go read this book first!

Book Reviews, midlife faith

Love, Pray, Listen

Bethany LaShell

You know 1 Corinthians 13, right? Sure, so do I. And you love your kids, right? Me, too! At least I thought I did until I read Mary DeMuth’s latest book Love, Pray, Listen. Mary uses this familiar passage on love to show us how to love, I mean really love our adult(ish) children. Parenting changes drastically when our kids reach that magic age of 18, and most of us parents flounder when it comes to navigating those changes gracefully. I sure did—and still do!

So, what do you do when your kids drop the faith you raised them with like a hot potato? Love, pray, and listen. What do you do when they marry someone you don’t like or someone of the same gender? Love, pray, listen. Mary offers sound theology, practical advice, and gut-wrenching honest examples to help us navigate the murky waters of adult(ish) kids. I was convicted of doing more like judge, advise, and talk. You’ll appreciate Mary’s compassion and hard-won wisdom as much as I did!

Book Reviews

The Most Misunderstood Women in the Bible

Bethany LaShell

Mary DeMuth did it again! Her superb storytelling skills brought real women from the Bible to life in a fresh way. Women are vital to God’s story of redemption woven through the entire Bible, yet many of them were mistreated and misunderstood. I mean, I’m not sure I’d want to be known as Rahab the harlot forever! After all, “No matter what your past, your present and future have a purpose, thanks to Jesus.” Thank you, Jesus!

I love the way Mary was able to connect the issues these women faced to issues that I face today. I gained a new appreciation for Eve and Bathsheba especially as I have tended to see them in a negative light. And I’m not so intimidated by the Proverbs 31 woman anymore. You’ll love seeing how your life intersects with these 10 biblical women too.

Book Reviews, divorce, encouragement, moving on

When Happily Ever After Shatters (book review)

Bethany LaShell

The big white dress. The flowers. The church. The kids. The years. The breakup. Wait–what? What do you do when your (or your friend’s) marriage disintegrates before your eyes? When you can stop crying long enough to read a chapter at a time, dig into Sue Birdsey’s When Happily Ever After Shatters, published by Focus on the Family in conjunction with Tyndale Publishers. Sue has first-hand experience in not only dealing with abandonment, divorce, and single parenting, but thriving through it.

Sue offers practical advice for those going through every step of this life-altering tragedy. She also offers advice for friends and families of those suffering. This book was so good that I read it straight through in two sittings. I highly recommend it for everyone because we all know someone going through divorce right now.

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me free of charge from Tyndale Publishing in hopes that I would provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Book Reviews, change, encouragement

Unglued (book review)

Bethany LaShell

Lysa TerKeurst’s new book, Unglued, was written specifically for me. Okay, maybe not, but it sure felt like it as I worked through it! Why is it that when I’m at church or out with casual friends, I can be Mrs. Calm, Cool, and Collected, but just let one of my kids leave dirty socks in the back of my car (oh yes!), and I become completely unglued in the mouth? I’d love to say I’m not a freak-out kind of person, but I’d be totally lying. I usually try to stuff it all in, but when that fails, watch out!

Lysa honestly, lovingly, and clearly unpacks the glue to help us put ourselves back together. She gives us permission to make imperfect progress, thank goodness. She backs up and applies her practical wisdom with God’s ultimate wisdom.

I give Unglued two enthusiastic thumbs up. Gather a group of girlfriends and start letting God glue yourself back together. Go buy it & the participant’s guide over on Amazon (not an affiliate link).

Disclaimer: The publisher provided me with an ARC copy of Unglued in order to preview and review it, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Reviews

Pursuit of Proverbs 31 (book review)

Bethany LaShell

 I don’t know about you, but most of the time I feel like I could never possibly live up to the ideal wife/mother/business owner portrayed in Proverbs 31. Fortunately, we don’t have to. Amy Bayliss, author of the brand new Pursuit of Proverbs 31 e-book, shares from her heart how to let go of unrealistic expectations.

First, Amy shatter the myth of the unattainable superwoman. Proverbs 31:10-31 is an acrostic poem filled with principles, not an impossible list of achievements. Phew! Then, she focuses on several principles found here that should be the desires of our hearts: a relationship with God, being a godly wife, being a godly mother, being a good manager of our households, being resourceful, and being transformed by God.

The only fault I could find within the pages of Pursuit of Proverbs 31 is that the leap from the poem in Proverbs 31 to the list of principles it holds was not clear. Of course, Amy does reinforce throughout the book that we are to study the Scriptures for ourselves (and the first chapter includes specific how-tos and resources); if we do that, then it’s not much of a leap from the impossible to a poem to the principles.

Each chapter gives very practical suggestions for how to apply the poem’s principles to our daily lives. The chapter titles are as follows:

  • Shattering the Myths
  • The Real Woman of Proverbs
  • Living In Relationship with God
  • Be His Wife, His Helpmate
  • Create a Biblical Marriage
  • Being a Mother
  • Home and Family Management
  • Pocket Full of Resources
  • A Woman of Ministry
  • Matters of the Soul

Lest we get hung up on the idea that Amy writes from a lofty position of having arrived already, she shares honestly and openly about her own struggles. She makes me feel life if she can pursue the ideals in Proverbs 31 without losing her sanctification, then I surely can, too.

Ready to be released from the seemingly impossible to-do list in Proverbs 31? Visit the Pursuit of Proverbs 31 website to purchase it for Kindle or as a PDF for only $4.99.

I highly recommend Pursuit of Proverbs 31 for any Christian woman/teen who wants to be a godly woman, but who feels too intimidated to open that chapter in her Bible.

Disclaimer: The author provided me with a fee PDF of this book in exchange for a review; however, the opinions expressed are my own.

Uncategorized

My Foolish Heart (book review)

Bethany LaShell

my foolish heart cover

 

    What could be more foolish than a house-bound single woman giving advice on love? How ‘bout giving it on a syndicated, nightly radio show. In spite of her unusual circumstances, Isadora usually manages to dole out pretty decent advice. Then a hunky new guy moves in next door. As his first few attempts at getting to know Isadora flop, he decides to tune into My Foolish Heart. He starts falling in love, but is he falling in love with a radio show host or his next door neighbor?

Susan May Warren brings light-hearted humor, romance, and a wonderful representation of God’s grace to her latest installment in the Deep Haven series. No matter what our circumstances, Susan shows us that no one and nothing is beyond God’s healing grace. I give My Foolish Heart two enthusiastic thumbs up for easy, bedtime reading.

The Tyndale Blog Network graciously provided a copy of this book for me to review, but the opinions expressed are my own. If you’re ready to purchase it, head on over to the Tyndale website.

Bethany

Uncategorized

Bound by Guilt (book review)

Bethany LaShell

bound by guilt cover

 

  C. J. Darlington’s second novel, Bound by Guilt, follows in the same vein with the same characters as her debut novel, Thicker Than Blood. Roxi, a throwaway teenager on the run from the law and aching to please her cousin, and Abby, a burned out police officer who’s lost what matters most to her, seem to have nothing in common. Nothing, that is, except for a murder and an expensive first edition of The Great Gatsby that seems to show up in all the wrong places. Will guilt consume them both, or can forgiveness set them both free?

Bound by Guilt kept me flipping pages long past my usual bedtime. It’s a story about family, unconditional love, and forgiveness. My only beef with C. J. is that she killed off one of my favorite characters! Overall, I give Bound by Guilt two enthusiastic thumbs up!

The author graciously sent me a copy of Bound by Guilt to review, but the opinions expressed are my own. If you’re ready to purchase it, head on over to Tyndale House Publishing’s website.

Bethany

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The Corruptible (book review)

Bethany LaShell

the corruptibleThe Corruptible by Mark Mynheir is book 2 in the Ray Quinn mystery series. PI Ray Quinn, incidentally an ex-cop from Orlando, again is in a race against time to find some missing documents. At stake is a huge amount of money that could solve his financial woes. The problem is that the person last seen with those documents is dead. And, the person who confessed to stabbing him didn’t actually kill him. So, that leaves Ray, his bum leg, and his over-eager if not over-bright employee in a bind.

Aside from pretentious adjectives and TMI at the medical examiner’s place, The Corruptible is a fast-paced mystery with a healthy dose of real life and the gospel. It’s an easy read with multiple plot twists and an unpredictable ending. If you like cynical, real-life mysteries, you’ll like Mynheir’s work.

Ready to purchase? Click here. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but the opinions expressed are my own.

Bethany