Telling Yourself the Truth book review

The Bible says in the book of John that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The goal of Telling Yourself the Truth by Marie Chapian and William Backus was to help people identify misbeliefs that they tell themselves and use truth to combat depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Chapian and Backus surmise that most of our anxiety and depression and other mental issues evolve from the negative self-talk and misbeliefs that we tell ourselves in areas such as fear of change, not taking chances, depression, anger, and self-control. They give real life examples, and counter those examples with ways to change the misbeliefs into truth. 

 

The authors cover many areas in the book where negative self-talk and misbeliefs might come into play. The real life examples really help in understanding oneself and identifying misbeliefs in the different areas.  They also bring the Christian life and Scripture into the picture, how our real meaning in life is found in Christ. Other areas covered in the book are self-hate, anxiety, being indispensable, and relationships with others. There are questions and examples in the back to further help the reader identify and tackle misbeliefs and get them on the path to happiness.

 

I would suggest this book for anyone who works in the field of mental health, and anyone wanting to start themselves down the path to happiness, away from depression, and anxiety, and misbeliefs. It's not a book that I think would be effective for myself, but I believe that it could be a great help for others.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. My opinions are my own. 

Truly Beautiful Book: A Beauty So Rare

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander is the second book in the Belmont Mansion Series.  It is a stand-alone novel and can be read without reading the first book (once you read this one, you'll want to read the first one).  It is set in post-Civil War Nashville.  Eleanor Braddock has come to Nashville to seek care for her father and pursue her passion for cooking.  Marcus Geoffrey arrived in Nashville from Austria, pursuing his passion for horticulture while trying to escape his obligations in his homeland (if only for a short time).

 

It didn’t take me long to really connect with Eleanor’s character, especially being an older, single female considered by most to be plain-looking in an era (or area) where marital status was considered very important by most.  Eleanor has been thrust into the role of caretaker and provider when she should have had someone to provide and care for her.  Eleanor is reliant upon the generosity of her aunt, who is trying to pressure her into joining a society in which she doesn’t feel she belongs. 

 

Upon her arrival in Nashville, Eleanor meets Marcus.  Marcus works on her aunt’s estate with the plants.  He is also an architect. Marcus strives for advancements is several areas of horticulture, something which he could not have accomplished in his homeland.  As Marcus and Eleanor’s lives become entwined, it doesn’t take long for the reader to feel as if she (or he) is one with the story, a silent character witnessing the scenes of the book firsthand. 

 

Mrs. Alexander is a master at weaving the story line, main characters, and sub-characters into altogether to create a novel a person will not soon forget.  Her acute attention to the historical details only increases the charm of the story.  I fell in love with the characters, and found it extremely hard to put the book down even for a second.  If you love romance, and enjoy history, then this book is a must read for you!

 

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.  My words and opinions are my own.

 

            

I got "Caught in the Middle" real quick!

Nicholas Lovelace and Anne Tillerton. I don't think I could have been more excited knowing that this book was about these two characters. Granted, I did wonder how their story would turn out given the difference in their backgrounds. Well, I wonder no more! Caught in the Middle was my favorite of the three Ladies of Caldwell County books. Anne was introduced in the first book, but I never guessed what depth there would be to her character!  Nicholas was introduced as well, but Anne was the more intriguing character I have to admit. 

Regina Jennings far surpassed my expectations with this book, and my expectations were pretty high given the quality of her first two books (as well as her novella in A Match Made in Texas - check out this book as well)!  The story is like a roller coaster, opening with excitement and the reader is taken up and down and around with exciting, romantic, funny, and sentimental moments all along the track. I had a very hard time putting this book down.  Nicholas' and Anne's lives blend together in a perfect tale that will leave your heart warmed by a blanket of smiles. With a baby thrown in, you don't know what to expect past each page in this book!

If you like historical fiction at all, then you will want to read this book and the other books in the series: Sixty Acres and a Bride and Love in the Balance.  Each book shows that everyone has a chance at love, no matter what is in the past. "Love keeps no record of wrongs..."

Give this book a chance. You'll be glad you did!

            

My Thoughts on Sex and the Single Christian Girl

Purity seems to have become almost a dinosaur in our world today.  It may not be extinct, but it's certainly not as prevalent as it used to be. I'm sure we all heard the "True Love Waits" story and how we should "save ourselves" for our future spouses.  Movies and other media give us a different view of true love, however.  Purity is so much more than just waiting for "the one," and many things in the world tempt people into abandoning their purity. 

Using experiences from her own life and from real people, Mrs. Ellis discusses how to fight these things that tempt people away from purity, namely Satan. As an older, never-married, not-much-dated, single woman, I was almost afraid that I wouldn't be able to relate much to this book. I was very pleased to find that this book is not targeted for a specific demographic, and that any single women (and even those who are married) will draw a lot from this book.

Mrs. Ellis provides very relevant, Scripture-based strategies to help any woman with maintaining purity in our dark world. She stresses that sexual purity is not just for dating relationships, but that it is very vital in our Christian walk.  She provides hope for those who may fear that it is too late for them to have purity.  Mrs. Ellis tells us how to fight the lies the enemy uses to draw us away, and also how to stay strong in Christ. I cried through many chapters because the message of the book really touched me in many ways.  I would recommend this book for all single women of any age, and also married women, because purity is important to everyone.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. My opinions are my own.