Young Living Frankincense Essential Oil

 

I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything!

Young Living Valor Essential Oil

 

I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything!

Young Living PanAway Essential Oil

 I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything!

A Possibility of Violence by D.A. Mishani

A Possibility of Violence by D.A. Mishani is the sequel to The Missing File. This crime writer takes the interesting facts of criminal cases and combines it with psychological intrigue to create memorable novels that you’ll want to keep reading long after you had intended to.

Book Description

“Haunted by the past and his own limitations, Israeli Detective Avraham Avraham must stop a criminal ruthless enough to target children in this evocative and gripping tale of mystery and psychological suspense that is the follow-up to The Missing File, the acclaimed first novel in D. A. Mishani’s literary crime series that was shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger Award.

An explosive device is found in a suitcase near a daycare center in a quiet suburb of Tel Aviv. A few hours later, a threat is received: the suitcase was only the beginning.

Inspector Avraham Avraham, back in Israel after a much-needed vacation, is assigned to the investigation. Tormented by the trauma and failure of his past case, Avraham is determined not to make the same mistakes—especially with innocent lives at stake. He may have a break when one of the suspects, a father of two, appears to have gone on the run. Is he the terrorist behind the threat? Is he trying to escape Avraham’s intense investigation? Or perhaps he’s fleeing a far more terrible crime that no one knows has been committed?

No matter how much Avraham wants to atone for the past, redemption may not be possible—not when he’s entangled in a case more deceptive and abominable than any he’s ever faced.” – A Possibility of Violence

My Thoughts

A Possibility of Violence is a captivating read in this genre. I’m fascinated by criminal case or investigative stories, and this one does not disappoint! This story is a race for one man trying to save the lives of countless lives. Full of plot twists, this novel keeps the reader entertained.

I found the characters to be interesting and the location of the story to be prime for such a crime novel. I also appreciate the author’s writing style of being straightforward and not filling it with useless fluff. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and would definitely read more in this series. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good crime novel.

* Thank you to the publisher of A Possibility of Violence, Harper, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood is a book about two of my favorite subjects – essential oils and aromatherapy. I’m an Independent Distributor for Young Living Essential Oils and wanted to check out another reference book besides the ones written specifically for Young Living oils, so I thought this would be an excellent resource, was it? Read on to find out!

Book Description

“This encyclopedic book contains, in practical and easy-to-understand form, every conceivable use for essential oils and aromatherapy in everyday life. The author, a practicing aromatherapist for more than twenty years, unlocks the power of essential oils in more than 600 original recipes, most needing only a few essential oils. Unlike over-the-counter products, the recipes you make yourself contain no harmful preservatives. Most basic needs can be covered with just ten essential oils.” – The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy

My Thoughts

The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy is a very complete book about essential oils and aromathereapy. It offers a simple introduction and base information about essential oils, aromatherapy, and how they have been used for so long.

Quality is of the highest concern for me as someone who uses essential oils daily. I only use the 100% pure therapeutic grade oils, which Worwood also suggests doing. The prices are more for some than others, and a lot more for some than others. If you find a “set” of oils claiming to be of this high quality for a cheap price, it is highly unlikely these are what they claim to be. With the author’s clear knowledge of this, I wonder why she didn’t include Young Living Essential Oils in the list of reputable suppliers. She seemed to favor Essentially Yours, which is based in the UK and I couldn’t even find any good information about their essential oils. The book was written in 1991, so maybe that is why – also no websites were listed.

This reference guide is over 400 pages and offers the reader quite a lot of information. You can learn about specific oils, which oils are best to help which condition and areas of the body. She also gives recipes for many different issues, which I like quite a lot.

The only section that I really did like was the section on animals. Especially the portion on cats. I have three cats, and shortly after I bought a lot of the Young Living Essential Oils, I had a flea issue with them. Luckily, they are outside cats, but still, I wanted to get rid of the fleas while also making sure none got on me. Cats are different than dogs in this because cats can not eliminate the oils as well, and you want to make sure not to use the essential oils on cats without much research and concern for which ones you are specifically using. I don’t feel like the author addressed this at all. I can’t really give my opinion on the other animals discussed because I have not done research on those types yet.

Overall, I think this is a good reference with lots of good base information for someone starting out with essential oils.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Qualities of Wood by Mary Vensel White

The Qualities of Wood by Mary Vensel White is a beautifully written debut novel about secrets, both past secrets and present secrets, and how things that stay hidden contribute to the lives of the people who keep them hidden.

Book Description

“The house brought them together, but secrets will tear them apart.

When Betty Gardiner dies, leaving behind an unkempt country home, her grandson and his young wife take a break from city life to prepare the house for sale. Nowell Gardiner leaves first to begin work on his second mystery novel. By the time his wife Vivian joins him, a real mystery has begun: a local girl has been found dead in the woods behind the house. Even after the death is ruled an accident, Vivian can’t forget the girl, can’t ignore the strange behaviour of her neighbours, or her husband. As Vivian attempts to put the house in order, all around her things begin to fall apart.

The Qualities of Wood is a novel about secrets. Family secrets. Community secrets. And secrets between lovers, past and present. And all of these secrets have their price.” – The Qualities of Wood

My Thoughts

The Qualities of Wood is a very well written book by a new author that I will keep on my list of authors to watch for future books. This novel is not a fast-paced mystery or thriller, but it unravels at a slow and steady pace with characters reeling you in along the way. I like this about the story, although I can see how it might be a little too slow for some people.

The characters are all well-formed and memorable. The main characters of Vivian and Nowell are interesting, and their secrets make the book a very interesting read right up to the end. The extra characters, like the townspeople add to the intrigue of the story and makes you wonder more about the history of the town they moved to. The scenery descriptions are vivid and make you feel like you are seeing it the way the author envisioned it.

Overall, I really liked this novel. It is a great read that kept me interested in the story and the characters up to the end. I definitely recommend it!

* Thank you to the publisher of The Qualities of Wood, Harper Collins 360, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Young Living Lavender Essential Oil

 I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything!

Meister Eckhart by Matthew Fox

Meister Eckhart by Matthew Fox is a book written based on the teachings from Meister Eckhart in the 13^th century. Fox is able to write in a way about the teachings that transcends religions, and gets to the heart of all of it no matter what religion you may be, because beneath all of it – it is spirituality.

Book Description

“Though he lived in the thirteenth century, Meister Eckhart’s deeply ecumenical teachings were in many ways modern. He taught about what we call ecology, championed artistic creativity, and advocated for social, economic, and gender justice. All these elements have inspired spiritual maverick Matthew Fox and influenced his Creation Spirituality. Here, Fox creates metaphorical meetings between Eckhart and Teilhard de Chardin, Thich Nhat Hanh, Carl Jung, Black Elk, Rumi, Adrienne Rich, and other radical thinkers. The result is profoundly insightful, substantive, and inspiring.” – Meister Eckhart

My Thoughts

Meister Eckhart is a must read book that really shows us all that what we do in our life matters, even if it is doing something not as “big” as you may think it really is. Fox is able to show in this book that the teachings of Meister Eckhart from the 13^th century are actually very influential even in this modern world we live in now.

I really enjoyed learning about Eckhart through this book. It is actually the first time I had read about him, but a lot of what he taught is what I have believed in. Not 100% of all of it, but such is spirituality, right? The overall message is there for all of us to take in and become a better spiritual being.

Overall, I really like this book and will re-read it again. It is definitely an excellent resource for teachings of Eckhart and just being true to one’s own spirituality. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Meister Eckhart, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Young Living Peace and Calming Essential Oil

I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything!

Here’s Looking At You by Mhairi McFarlane

Here’s Looking At You by Mhairi McFarlane is a fun Brit Chick-Lit read. It is a perfect summer read, so if you are still in need of some books to read before the summer is over – this is definitely a good one to add to your list!

Book Description

“Anna Alessi – history expert, possessor of a lot of hair and an occasionally filthy mouth – seeks nice man for intelligent conversation and Harlequin romance moments.

Despite the oddballs that keep turning up on her dates, Anna couldn’t be happier. As a 30-something with a job she loves, life has turned out better than she dared dream. However, things weren’t always this way, and her years spent as the butt of schoolyard jokes are ones she’d rather forget.

So when James Fraser – the architect of Anna’s final humiliation at school – walks back into her life, her world is turned upside down. But James seems a changed man. Polite. Mature. Funny, even. People can change, right? So why does Anna feel like she’s a fool to trust him?

Hilarious and poignant, ‘Here’s Looking At You’ will have you laughing one minute and crying the next.” – Here’s Looking At You

My Thoughts

Here’s Looking At You is an easy and fun read, but it also a novel about how facing your insecurities and your past. If you can let go of some of it, you can be happy, but those pesky little thoughts may still come creeping back in and the trick is to learn how to trust yourself and be happy with who you really are. This message is what made me really like the book.

The characters in this book are great. “Anna” had me laughing and in tears for her. She is a memorable character that I really wanted to end up with a happy ending. Did she? Well, read the book to find out! I also love that the author threw her in to a high school reunion and people didn’t know who she was and her tormentor then wanted her now because of who she became.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and think that if you like any kind of chick-lit, you will, too. I definitely recommend it!

* Thank you to the publisher of Here’s Looking At You, Harper Collins, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Landing Gear by Kate Pullinger

Landing Gear by Kate Pullinger is a novel about an interesting concept that did take place in real life, well sort of. This story revolves around the airplane stowaway, Yacub, who falls on Harriet’s car.

Book Description

“Spring 2010. A volcano unexpectedly erupts in Iceland and airspace is shut down over Europe. Harriet works in local radio in London, and with most of her colleagues abroad, she seizes a unique career opportunity. Her husband, Michael, stuck in New York on business, travels to visit an old flame, and their teenage son, Jack, feeling liberated from normal life, takes an unexpected risk only to find himself in trouble. Meanwhile Emily, a young TV researcher, loses her adoptive father to a heart attack, and half a world away, a Pakistani migrant worker named Yacub is stranded in a Dubai labor camp. 

Two years later, Yacub, attempting to stow away, falls out of the landing gear of an airplane onto Harriet’s car in a London supermarket parking lot—and survives—while Emily accidentally captures it all on film. Yacub’s sudden arrival in the lives of Harriet, Jack, Michael, and Emily catapults these characters into a series of life-changing events, ultimately revealing the tenuous, often unexpected ties that bind us together.

Inspired by real-life accounts of airplane stowaways, Landing Gear is about the complex texture of modern life, and how we fight the loneliness of the nuclear family to hold on to one another.” – Landing Gear

My Thoughts

Landing Gear is a book I really thought would be interesting. The concept was really cool and something I had never thought about before. I’m a bit mixed on the actual end product of it though. I like it, but I think it could have been much better if laid out a bit differently.

There is a lot of “flashback” portions of the book to show how the characters became who they are after their chance meetings. Sometimes flashback sequences work out very well, other times, they fall flat, like this one. The characters didn’t really captivate me, except Yacub, so learning about their backstories didn’t interest me that much.

The overall plot itself is good and actually tells a very unique story, which I definitely give the author my applause for. Overall, I think it is okay and would be a good summer read. It sadly wouldn’t be at the top of my list though.

* Thank you to the publisher of Landing Gear, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Young Living Thieves Essential Oil

I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything! I’m excited!

Young Living Lemon Essential Oil

I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything! I’m excited, I hope you are too!

Young Living Joy Essential Oil

I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything! I’m excited!

The Given by Vicki Pettersson

The Given by Vicki Pettersson is the final book in the “Celestial Blues” series. If you have been a fan of the series, this is definitely one you need to read! If you haven’t heard of it – this is your invitation to get engrossed in this fantastic series!

Book Description

“The dramatic conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Vicki Pettersson’s critically acclaimed Celestial Blues series—an inventive blend of paranormal romance, noir mystery, and urban fantasy—involving a fallen angel and a flesh-and-blood rockabilly reporter.

After learning his wife survived the attack that killed him fifty years earlier, angel/PI Griffin Shaw is determined to find Evelyn Shaw, no matter the cost. Yet his obsession comes at a price. Grif has had to give up his burgeoning love for reporter Katherine “Kit” Craig, the woman who made life worth living again, and dedicate himself to finding one he no longer knows.

Yet when Grif is attacked again, it becomes clear that there are forces in both the mortal and heavenly realm who’d rather see him dead than unearth the well-buried secrets of his past. If he’s to survive his second go-round on the Surface, Grif will have to convince Kit to reunite with him professionally, and help uncover decades of police corruption, risking both their lives . . . and testing the limits to what one angel is really willing to give for love.” – The Given

My Thoughts

The Given is the first book in the “Celestial Blues” series that I have read. However, I still enjoyed reading it and will definitely be reading the prior two. The conclusion of this book series was written very well and makes me want more, even if I know what happens!

I love the mix of mystery, crime, investigating, romance and the paranormal all thrown in together. This series is unique and the characters that live in it are memorable. It is something I could see being made into a TV series quite easily, especially with the whole retro goth vibe to it.

Overall, I completely enjoyed reading this book and found the author to be a delight. I will be checking out more of what she has to offer, because I can’t wait to read what else she has to offer! I highly recommend this book and the series!

* Thank you to the publisher of The Given, Harper Voyager, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Be an Angel - Clear that Clutter! by Jacky Newcomb

Be an Angel - Clear that Clutter! by Jacky Newcomb is a fun book that motivates us all to clear out some of the clutter in our life. If you have a lot of clutter or have a little here and there (and maybe behind the door over there), this is the book for you to get started!

Book Description

“Be An Angel — Clear That Clutter! is a best-selling author’s fascinating true story of how she went from chaos to clarity. Using lessons from her own clutter-clearing journey she uses humor to show you how to clear and sort your own home.

Follow the heavenly tips on:

- How to deal with emotional and inherited clutter
- Successfully merging two families belongings into one
- The secrets to getting family and friends involved
- Discovering ‘hidden’ storage
- Living like a VIP by using the ‘good stuff’ every day

If you’re a secret hoarder or just a little bit messy, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this motivational, fun guide.” – Be an Angel - Clear that Clutter!

My Thoughts

Be an Angel - Clear that Clutter! is an excellent tool to help kick someone into gear for making their life more organized and less cluttered. I try to stay clutter free and organized, and if I had a bigger space, I’d be great. However, I don’t. So, sometimes I just need to go through my stuff and weed it out. I’m sure the local thrift store charity loves me. However, I know a lot of people that this clearing of clutter and “stuff” just doesn’t come naturally for them. It is hard to part with some stuff – even for me!

What I love about this book, is that she isn’t telling us to get rid of it all. You get to decide what is a keeper and what is not. I also adore that she wants us to use our good stuff, I mean really, what are waiting for to use that fine china or beautiful new dress we bought for an event that may never happen? Use it now!

Overall, I found this to be a great book about cleaning up some clutter, re-taking your house, and living with the stuff you actually want. I highly recommend it!

* Thank you to the publisher of Be an Angel - Clear that Clutter!, Findhorn Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Letters to My Son by Kent Nerburn

Letters to My Son by Kent Nerburn is a beautifully written book about raising a son and life’s most important issues. This special 20^th Anniversary edition includes 3 new chapters not previously available.

Book Description

“At once spiritual and practical, Letters to My Son has been beloved by readers from all walks of life, including single mothers seeking guidance in raising a son, fathers looking to share a voice of clarity about life’s most important issues, and young men wanting an intelligent, sensitive, and streetwise companion on the journey toward a worthy manhood. In this twentieth anniversary edition, Kent Nerburn adds to his classic reflections on love, marriage, travel, money and wealth, tragedy and suffering, spirituality, sex, and the true meaning of strength, with new chapters on sexual identity and the difficulty of moving on (from relationships, homes, and stages of life). Unique in its profound simplicity and timeless insight, Letters to My Son is a book to savor and a gift to give to anyone looking for clear and gentle guidance on the big issues in life.” – Letters to My Son

My Thoughts

Letters to My Son is a book written with great intent and has true meaning. It isn’t superficial at all, which makes it a pure read that gets right to the reader’s heart. Sometimes the topics discussed in the book are not something that parents want to discuss with others, and this book helps guide them through those areas.

The lessons learned here are worthy for everyone to read, and many quotable passages throughout the book are filled with true spirit that can be savored for centuries to come. If you or someone you know is looking for a book to help them guide their son (or even a daughter), this is definitely a book that they (or you) need to read! I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Letters to My Son, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Polyvore - Beara Beara

Beara Beara by starry943 featuring platform high heel boots

Young Living Peppermint Essential Oil

I am part of an AMAZING team with Young Living. Seriously, they offer so much help and fun things to share, like the Lemon Droppers share-o-matic where I can generate graphics with my information on it for free. I’m so glad I am with the team I am in! If you want to be a part of it and join me, definitely let me know and I can help get you signed up with me!  If just using the link, please make sure you sign up as a wholesale member (that way you save 24%) and that my number ( 1860270 ) is listed for Enroller and Sponsor and e-mail me so I can start helping you with everything! I’m excited!

Writing Wild by Tina Welling

Writing Wild by Tina Welling is the type of book that is about writing, but it also helps to make the writer aware that nature influences how and sometimes why we write. Even if you aren’t writing about nature exactly, it can definitely set the spirit of what your topic is about. Find out how you can use this to your benefit with this book!

Book Description

“Even if we don’t write about nature, Tina Welling demonstrates, nature triggers our stories. This is because “everything we know about creating, we know intuitively from the natural world.” One can set the stage for creation by following these three steps: consciously naming the information gathered by the senses, describing the sensory details of one particular object, and interacting with the energy system of the universe. Welling discovered the last step while hiking and observing an intricate spiderweb shimmering in sunlight. Spiderwebs, she notes, are both “wondrous and ordinary” — ordinary in that they are made of chewed-up insects, yet wondrous in their intricacy. Welling shows writers how to make this kind of connection between the everyday and the hidden, worthy-of-attention beauty all around us. She makes the process of developing a fruitful relationship with wildness inside and out accessible to all writers and insight seekers.” – Writing Wild

My Thoughts

Writing Wild made me see how nature definitely influences my writing style. I often write in my room, where I can’t see any bit of nature at all – except on the background image of my desktop computer that sits above my laptop. However, with a fresh perspective and location change of where I write, what I’m writing changes, too. Even though I don’t write about topics that are specifically about nature, it has helped shine on some of what I write.

This book can help you to see how forming a relationship and being a part of nature can help you creatively, how it can help your skills, and much more! Tina Welling fills this book with helpful tips and truly does an excellent job of making this book a valuable resource to that all writers can benefit from. I highly recommend it!

* Thank you to the publisher of Writing Wild, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Art of Neil Gaiman by Hayley Campbell

The Art of Neil Gaiman by Hayley Campbell is a beautifully written and crafted tribute to the talented man, Neil Gaiman. Written by a friend who had access to his personal archives and stories, this is definitely a book that any fan of Neil Gaiman will appreciate for years to come!

Book Description

“With unprecedented access to Neil Gaiman’s personal archives, author Hayley Campbell gives an insider’s glimpse into the artistic inspirations and musings of one of the world’s most visionary writers.

Over the last twenty-five years, Neil Gaiman has mapped out a territory in the popular imagination that is uniquely his own. A master of several genres, including, but not limited to, bestselling novels, children’s books, groundbreaking comics, and graphic novels, it’s no wonder Gaiman has been called a rock star of the literary world. Now, for the first time, Gaiman reveals the inspiration behind his signature artistic motifs, giving author Hayley Campbell a rare, in-depth look at the contents of his personal notebooks and early work, even some of his abandoned projects. The result is a startling, intimate glimpse into the life and mind of one of the world’s most creative visionaries. The book is the first comprehensive, full-color examination of Gaiman’s work to date, tracing the genesis of his creative life as a starving journalist in the UK to his life as a successful comic book writer and, ultimately, a bestselling novelist.

Complete with running commentary, interview text, and annotated material that contextualizes the visual material, this deluxe compendium contains never-before-seen material and promises to be every bit as inspired as Gaiman is himself.” – The Art of Neil Gaiman

My Thoughts

The Art of Neil Gaiman is the type of book that once someone gets, they cherish it. If you want to give someone a book as a gift that is a fan of Mr. Gaiman, this will be a present that they will love! It is the high quality that can be shown off as a coffee table book, displayed in a bookcase, or sit on the nightstand for enjoyable reading after a day’s work.

I was a fan of his work before I read this book, but now I am even more of a fan and want to read and see more of his work! This book is in full color and has hundreds of illustrations, pictures, and scans of mementos that you’ll find while reading it. Ms. Campbell does an excellent job creating a world in a book for us to explore the artwork of this talented man, and I’m sure I’ll have fun going through it over and over again for many years. I highly recommend it! 

* Thank you to the publisher of The Art of Neil Gaiman, Harper Design, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Home Behind the Sun by Timothy Willard and Jason Locy

Home Behind the Sun by Timothy Willard and Jason Locy is a book that helps us to connect with God in the everyday surroundings of our life. This book is inspiring, insightful, and indeed a very good read.

Book Description

“Timothy Willard and Jason Locy show readers how to discover the brilliance of God in the shadows of everday life.

Life opens up before each of us, it beckons, it tempts, it thrills, it betrays. And what do we desire? All of it and none of it.

We’re not in this to survive, but to live. We want to experience joy in the everyday grind of work, relationships, and parenting. We want healing in our suffering. Forgiveness in the midst of our pains. Purpose through the journey. We want to break free from the temporal and live with an eternal perspective. We want to be brilliant.

In Home Behind The Sun coauthors Timothy Willard and Jason Locy invite you to step out of the shadows and into the brilliance. They want to introduce you to the God of the mysterious. A God who combats despair with joy, topples bitterness with forgiveness, and eliminates cynicism with belief and whimsy.

You’re invited home. Home, behind the sun.” – Home Behind the Sun

My Thoughts

Home Behind the Sun is a book about faith, but it isn’t in your face with bible scriptures or telling you that what you are doing with your life is going to send you on a one way trip to hell. The authors write in a very flowing, easy to read manner that made me also connect with what they were writing. The message is basically to be more truthful with yourself, your life, your thoughts, and your spirituality. This will ultimately lead you to a happier life where you are connected to God and leading the path that is truly set out for you.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and think that everyone would benefit from reading. It is filled with quotes, stories, and more for you to relate with and share with others. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Home Behind the Sun, Thomas Nelson, as part of their BookLook Bloggers program, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Love Skip Jump by Shelene Bryan

Love Skip Jump by Shelene Bryan is an inspiring book about how saying “Yes” to God and the opportunities placed in front of you. Sometimes it isn’t easy saying yes, and for that reason, I knew I had to read this book!

Book Description

“Every significant event in the Bible happened because someone said yes to God. Start living the adventure of yes today!

Shelene Bryan had it all-a wonderful husband, two great kids, a rewarding job, a dream home, and more. Then a friend saw the pictures on the refrigerator door of the two African kids Shelene's family sponsors and she asked, "How do you know those kids are real?" That question changed Shelene's life forever.

In Love, Skip, Jump, Shelene shares how she loved being safe and comfortable. She had no desire to leave the USA. But she couldn't shake the question and soon was on a plane to Africa. She said yes to God, and not only met the kids her family sponsors but opened herself up to the journey God had been preparing for her, including founding Skip1.org, a charity that provides food and clean water to children around the world.

Some of the most amazing things God wants to do in our lives involve allowing him to take us on uncomfortable journeys.

Don't miss out on the incredible adventure God has for you. Say yes to God-love, skip, and jump your way to his plans for you!” – Love Skip Jump

My Thoughts

Love Skip Jump feels like an open letter to you as you read it. Calling you to take action and be more positive and open to receiving God and faith into your life. I enjoyed how this book is spiritual while still keeping it fun and enjoyable to read. This is a truly uplifting read that leaves the reader feeling encouraged and motivated to make positive changes in their life.

So, stop saying “no”, and start saying “yes” to the positive things God has planned for you. You don’t know where that one yes may lead you in your life, and that is the point – God has it planned for you, and it is something that is most likely not what you have originally thought or planned out for your life, but that is where the adventure is!

This is a great book that I highly recommend to readers of all ages and faiths.

* Thank you to the publisher of Love Skip Jump, Thomas Nelson, as part of their BookLook Bloggers program, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Paradise in Plain Sight by Karen Maezen Miller

Paradise in Plain Sight by Karen Maezen Miller is a book that offers life lessons from a zen garden. It isn’t necessarily a book about zen or gardening, but it offers a bit of both. It is a metaphor, and yet it isn’t. It is excellent, thought provoking, and perhaps teaches the things in life that we all want, yet take for granted each day.

Book Description

“When Zen teacher Karen Maezen Miller and her family land in a house with a hundred-year-old Japanese garden, she uses the paradise in her backyard to glean the living wisdom of our natural world. Through her eyes, rocks convey faith, ponds preach stillness, flowers give love, and leaves express the effortless ease of letting go. The book welcomes readers into the garden for Zen lessons in fearlessness, forgiveness, presence, acceptance, and contentment. Miller gathers inspiration from the ground beneath her feet to remind us that paradise is always here and now.” – Paradise in Plain Sight

My Thoughts

Paradise in Plain Sight is a beautifully written book. The author does an excellent job portraying her message of finding paradise in your own life, even though it may not seem like such a paradise right now. Through her story of bringing her 100 year old Japanese garden back to life, she is able to do this, and much more.

This book is full of helpful, eye-opening clarities of life, if you only take the time to read them. Moving ahead on the path that you want is simply a matter of doing it and going straight on the way you choose.

I completely enjoyed this book and learned a lot from it. I think that this book would benefit so many people, I highly recommend it!

* Thank you to the publisher of Paradise in Plain Sight, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Apocalypse by Dean Crawford

Apocalypse by Dean Crawford is a mystery thriller novel that features Ethan Warner, a bail bondsman and ex-war correspondent. In this novel, he is doing everything he can to stop the villain that wants to destroy the world.

Book Description

“In the notorious Bermuda Triangle, a private jet vanishes without a trace, taking with it scientists working for the world-famous philanthropist Joaquin Abell. Meanwhile, Captain Kyle Sears is called to a murder scene in Miami. A woman and her daughter have both been shot through the head. But within moments of arriving, Sears receives a phone call from the woman’s husband, physicist Charles Purcell.

“I did not kill my wife and child,” he says. “In less than twenty-four hours I will be murdered and I know the man who will kill me. My murderer does not yet know that he will commit the act.” With uncanny accuracy, Purcell goes on to predict the immediate future just as it unfolds around Sears, and leaves clues for a man he’s never met, former war correspondent Ethan Warner.

The hunt is on to find Purcell, and Warner is summoned by the Defense Intelligence Agency to lead the search. But this is no ordinary case, as Warner and his partner, Nicola Lopez, are about to discover. The future has changed its course, and timing is everything. The end is just beginning . . .

Relentlessly fast-paced and action-packed, Apocalypse combines realistic science, suspense, and intrigue to create an ingenious blockbuster thriller.” – Apocalypse

My Thoughts

Apocalypse is a well written book that doesn’t just encompass one genre. Crawford is able to capture the best parts of an action, adventure, mystery, thriller, and science fiction and neatly package it up into one enjoyable read.

This book, the Bermuda triangle is drawn to attention with the disappearance of a private jet that vanishes without a trace, full of important scientists and Joaquin Abell, a very famous philanthropist. I love this twist to the book because the Bermuda triangle disappearances have always fascinated me.

Ethan Warner and Nicola Lopez are called to Miami to investigate the murder of scientist Charles Purcell’s family. Purcell had been working on “time” with NASA and more recently, with Abell, the wealthy philanthropist who also was on that missing private jet. Can Warner and Lopez solve the case before time runs out? Read it to find out!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The characters, setting, and plot were all detailed perfectly for the story, and it kept me entertained nonstop. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Apocalypse, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.