Monday, June 23, 2014

Never Go Back - 10 Things You'll Never Do Again


From Goodreads:

Everyone makes mistakes, big and small. Sometimes our mistakes take us down the wrong path and send us spiraling into destructive life patterns, and sometimes we learn a lesson and never make the same mistake again. But how? How do we recognize our destructive patterns, make new choices, and then follow through?

In "Never Go Back," bestselling author Dr. Henry Cloud shares ten doorways to success--and once we walk through these new pathways, we never go back again. His proven method--based on grace, not guilt--outlines ten common life patterns that sabotage success and lays out clear, concrete steps you can take to overcome them.

You'll see your relationships flourish, your personal life enhanced, and your faith strengthened. Dr. Cloud's powerful message reveals doorways to understanding--once you enter them, you will get from where you were to where you want to be. With a winning combination of eternal principles, spiritual wisdom, and modern scientific data, "Never Go Back" will put your heart in the right place with yourself and with God.

 Cafe Lily's Review:

Never Go Back is an excellent read.  If you are stuck in a rut, and seem to keep making poor choices - this book is for you!  This book helps readers recognize repetitive destructive patterns and also helps guide
them to making changes and better choices.

The author uses examples from his own personal experience to make his points and overall, I enjoyed this book very much.

For those who may be unfamiliar with Dr. Cloud's books, he is a highly respected Christian psychologist.   If you are stuck in a rut, making bad choices or having issues with relationships, Dr Cloud's books are
a great resource.

 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

I Need Some Help Here!: Hope for When Your Kids Don't Go According to Plan

Is the front cover of this book NOT hilarious?

I think all moms can appreciate the action going on there!

This is a great book to help encourage moms, and offers something for everyone. Whether you're a brand new mom or a veteran, Kathi Lipp touches on subjects that all moms can relate to.

She includes "stories from the trenches" which are real life excerpts from moms who are facing difficult, stressful situations. These stories help readers to realize they are not alone. She also includes prayers for readers to pray for themselves, and for their children.

Overall, this book was easy to read and conversational in tone. It felt like meeting up with an old friend. Moms from all walks of life - single, married, widowed, step-parent, etc will benefit from reading this book.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

A Woman Of Fortune

From Goodreads: 

Texas socialite Claire Massey is living the dream. Her world is filled with designer clothes, luxury cars, and stunning homes. But her Neiman-Marcus lifestyle comes crashing down when her charming cattle broker husband is arrested for fraud. Suddenly, she finds herself facing attorneys, a media frenzy, and a trail of broken hearts. Betrayed and humiliated, Claire must start over against incredible odds to save her family–and discover a life worth living.

Poignant and emotionally gripping, A Woman of Fortune reveals the many ways we deceive ourselves and how resilience of the heart is essential to authentic living. Drawing on her experiences as a legal investigator, author Kellie Coates Gilbert delivers emotionally gripping plots and authentic characters. Readers will love Claire’s unbending determination as she strives to keep her family from falling apart and learns to embrace the kind of fortune that lasts.




 
Cafe Lily's review:

 I am so excited that Kellie has a new Texas Gold collection and cannot wait to read the second book. 

The first book, A Woman of Fortune, was fantastic and I enjoyed every minute of it. 

This story revolves around a very wealthy Texas ranching family who lose everything and the trials they face both personally and as a family. 

Claire Massey has to figure out how to start all over again when life as she knows it is suddenly over.  With her husband facing prison, Claire has to try and hold her family together and maintain her sanity.

Kellie's books offer heartwarming stories, yet also show the strength and resolve of her characters -usually women in crisis, who need to pull together.  Her characters are not sticky sweet, but believable "real" women in tough situations that readers can relate to.
I also enjoyed Kellie's debut novel, Mother of Pearl.  You can read that review here:
http://redlilycafe.blogspot.com/2012/09/mother-of-pearl.html
I highly recommend getting this author's books if you have yet to read them.


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Finding Spiritual Whitespace

About the Book: 
Finding Spiritual Whitespace is memoir-driven guidebook for anyone longing to create space in life to draw closer to God, to rest and discover who they can become when rest becomes their heart’s everyday home.

This book chronicles Bonnie’s heartbreaking journey through painful memories, how a childhood dream unexpectedly launched her into a debilitating journey through panic attacks, insomnia and anxiety — and how creating space to feed her soul led her to create a better story for her life, one filled with beauty and meaning. The book explores how our lives are like God’s artwork, exploring ways to create space for beauty, rest and soul care. Just as beautiful art needs whitespace, we need whitespace. We need rest.

Whitespace is not blank space. It breathes beauty. Who This Book Is For: Take the journey to find rest. Uncover your stories. Make room for you. For God. For Rest. Using soulful journaling prompts for individual reflection or intimate group discussion at the end of each chapter, anyone longing for rest in today’s fast paced and stress-frayed schedules can take the journey to find rest, feed their souls, rejuvenate and make room for beauty, for God and rest.

Visit TheBonnieGray.com to learn more.

  

Cafe Lily's Review:  I devoured this book in one sitting.

I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did, but I could not put this book down. I became so engrossed in Bonnie's story - probably because I could relate to so much of what she was sharing. Being a driven, Type A person - I understood her struggle to slow down and take care of herself.

 I loved the "balance" in this book - Bonnie shares spiritual insight along with personal memories and examples of how the Lord taught her about whitespace. I was greatly ministered to by reading this book and strongly recommend it, especially if you are finding yourself burned out and weary. Bonnie shares some great ideas on how to rest and intentionally seek out "whitespace" in your life.