Monday, October 28, 2013

Review of "Take Charge of Your Emotions" by Dr. Linda J. Solie


So, I am not the biggest fan of non-fiction.  However, every once in a while, the title of a non-fiction book will catch my attention.  This book is one of those books.  The title of this book promises a lot, and I can tell you that it does deliver.  It's not a "read this and your life will be instantly changed" book.  Dr. Solie provides solid steps for changing the way you think.  She doesn't provide simple steps that are going to just gloss over problems and thoughts.  She walks the reader through steps that can be applied to many areas in life.  She also provides realistic examples to which the reader can relate.  Dr. Solie makes the reader focus on self-talk, which is the basis for anger, depression, and anxiety when it is all negative.  She tries to get the reader to focus on helpful self-talk, which helps people overcome the negative feelings.  Dr. Solie really emphasizes the connection between negative self-talk and negative feelings.

I took her seven steps and applied them to a situation.  Instead of focusing on the my initial feelings and gut reactions about the situation, these seven steps allowed me to look at the situation from a different view point.  It allowed me to change my self-talk, and help me to be more positive about the situation and not so negative, which helped to eliminate the anger, depression, and anxiety that I had originally felt about the situation.

I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with any feelings of anger, depression, and anxiety.  This book would be especially helpful for people who struggle with negative self-talk.  I know that negative self-talk is usually a precursor to any negative feelings that I have.  I plan to continually apply these steps to my life to help me overcome these negative feelings.

*Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.*

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

"Fired Up" needed a little more heat...

Product Details

Fired Up by Mary Connealy is the story of Dare Ryker and Glynna Greer.  Dare is a self-made doctor and Glynna is a widow with two children trying her best to make a life for her family.  This is the second book in the Trouble in Texas series.  I did not read the first book, and I'll admit that it probably would have helped me enjoy this book a little more.  This book would work as a stand alone book, as Mrs. Connealy does reintroduce all the characters from the first book.  I could tell there was a lot more to the relationships between the characters that would have been better understood with the help of the first book.

The action in the book starts at the first and does not let up until the end.  Dare is busy treating the people in the town and trying to figure out who is trying to harm him.  Glynna is trying not to kill all the people in the town with her cooking, while also trying to be a mother to her two children.  Dare and Glynna are drawn to each other, but have a lot of hurdles to overcome in the form of Glynna's son, the person trying to harm Dare, and things in their past that they need to work through.  

This is a good book with lots of action and romance.  Some of the scenes are a little slow, but that doesn't take away from the book as a whole.  I enjoyed and look forward to reading the first, and the next book in the series.

*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*

"Rebellious Heart" in all of us


Rebellious Heart is the first book by Jody Hedlund that I have read.  I have had another one of her books on my ereader for a while and had never actually read it until I read this book.  After reading this book, I am a fan.  This is the story of Susanna Smith, a young woman who longs to learn more and also wants to help the less fortunate more than she is able.  She has the means but hindered because she is a woman.  Benjamin Ross is a young lawyer who wants to change the world but is hindered by his lack of funds.  Susanna and Benjamin each have what the other needs to accomplish their dreams.  Benjamin is attracted to Susanna's intelligence from the start.  She doesn't want to fall in love with him but her rebellious heart takes the decision out of her hands...

Their tale is a glimpse into life in colonial America.  This book was a real page turner.  Ms. Hedlund provided the perfect blend of drama and romance to keep me turning the page.  There were a few instances when the drama was so intense I was almost afraid to turn the page because of the fear of what was going to happen.  There is a lot of action in the story.  Susanna is very determined in what she is doing, and will let nothing stop her. Benjamin gets drawn in, to help her and also protect her.  I don't want to say to much more - you really need to read the book for yourself to find out.

There were a couple of scenes that I didn't find very believable for the time period, but this did not detract from the story as a whole.  I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book.  It was extremely well written and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance with drama and suspense thrown in.  Maybe your heart will be like mine and fall in love with this book.

*I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*