An Imperfect Woman by Kim Hyland

"For every woman who gives it everything she's got...and still feels shame when one little thing goes wrong."

An Imperfect Woman is Kim Hyland's first book, but you would never guess that while reading it. The beautiful cover art sets the tone for this special book that every woman should read. Kim focuses on 10 topics that she calls "An Imperfect Woman's Manifesto." Each chapter goes into detail about one of these perfection struggles we all deal with and gives practical advice for how to embrace our God and quit trying to do everything by ourselves.

One of the chapters that really stood out to me was one about rejecting safety and embracing the battle. Kim explains how safety is a good thing, but oftentimes there are certain risks in life we have to take and rely on God to fulfill His plan for us.

I have to say that my favorite chapter in the book was the chapter on comparison. This chapter is so relatable because it is so easy to compare ourselves to others and start to feel like we aren't good enough. Kim uses scripture to explain how the body of Christ is diverse, just like our physical bodies. We are all different and God has a special plan and a job for us. The scripture references in the book were very helpful and tied into Kim's writing in an interesting and informative way. There are also questions at the end of each chapter that will help with further studies and reflection.

For every woman that strives to be perfect: You are enough and you don't have to do it alone! Kim Hyland's book is like a conversation with a friend and it is sure to bless you and inspire you. Thank you to BakerBooks for the chance to review this book!

Bountiful Blessings by Susie Larson

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." In this crazy, busy world we live in, we forget to do that. We forget to just be still and reflect on the blessings God has given us.

Bountiful Blessings forces you to be still, relax, and meditate on God's Word. This sweet devotional has a scripture and short reading for each day along with a coloring page. Who doesn't love to color??? It is so relaxing and great for all ages. My 7-year-old has even been known to pick up this book and read a devotional or two on his own. This book would be a great asset to family Bible time. Each page in Bountiful Blessings is uplifting and beautiful. You cannot read this book without feeling rested and inspired. I cannot say enough good things about this devotional and I am thankful to Bethany House for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for my honest review. Now head on over to Amazon or your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of this book. You will not be disappointed!

Life-changing Miracles - Compiled by James Stuart Bell

Two words: sweet inspiration. This is the perfect description for this Chicken Soup for the Soul-ish book. I absolutely love a good compilation book! This particular one holds the stories of 37 different contributors. Each story is different, but has the same central theme. God is still in the miracle business! Each short story in this book tells of some way God is working in individual lives. Sometimes miracles are clear to us, and sometimes we have to look beyond the surface to find our Heavenly Father's grace. I enjoyed all of the writing in this book and I also love the cover art. Looking at the cover makes me think of happiness and hope and it would definitely catch my eye on a store bookshelf. One of my favorite stories in the book is the very last one by Rose Maureen. Her story is one of healing and she was reminded by so many people of the verse in the Bible found in Matthew 19:26. It says, "...with God everything is possible." Amen and amen! We can't do anything without God and his mercies are new every morning! Praise God for the miracles that are being performed in our lives everyday. Thank you so much to Bethany House for the chance to review this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

WINNER!!!

Thanks for checking out my Q&A with Jennifer H. Westall! I hope you all have had a chance to check out the Healing Ruby series! As promised, it is time to give away a $10 Amazon gift card! And the winner is...

KARMEN!!!

Congratulations, Karmen! Have a great weekend and HAPPY READING!

Q&A with the amazing Jennifer H. Westall!

So if you've been keeping up with my blog lately, you will see that I've been posting a lot of reviews about the Healing Ruby series by Jennifer H. Westall. If you haven't read this series, you must! I seriously haven't been this into a series since The Hunger Games! I am super excited that Jennifer has so graciously answered a few questions for all you blog readers out there. Prepare to be inspired!

Be honest. Who's your favorite? Ruby or Matthew? ;)

I'm not sure either is really my favorite, because I love them both so much for different reasons. However, I relate most to Matthew. He is most like me in many ways, especially when he is plunging ahead to try to control a situation, rather than waiting on God’s timing.

Which book in the Healing Ruby series is your favorite and why?

That’s like asking me to pick my favorite kid! I can say that each book was an exploration of some of my own struggles in my walk with the Lord. By the time I got to the fourth book, I was battling emotionally, physically, and spiritually in ways I didn’t understand at the time. It sounds strange to say in some regards, but I was under constant attack from the "enemy" while writing the last book. I can remember writing one scene in particular, when a major character is struggling with the concept of trusting in God, and another character tells him, "God didn’t save you from one fire just to lose you in another." That line came to me straight from God, and I had to stop writing, kneel at my chair, and cry for a while. That last book of the series had many, many moments like that for me. Even now, when I reread it, I sometimes have no idea where some of it came from, other than knowing it came from God. So, I’m not sure I’d say the last one is my favorite, but it was definitely the one that had the most impact on me.

Do you have any special places you go to do your best writing?

I don’t have any special places. I just need to be somewhere alone and quiet. That’s hard to come by in my house, which means I usually end up writing late at night after everyone else has gone to bed.

What inspired you to become a writer?

I didn’t start out with the intention of becoming a writer. I just had an interesting story idea in my head and had fun trying to write it out. I spent nine years writing my first novel, with so many edits and rewrites I couldn’t count them all. I had no intention of publishing it, but I loved the idea of the story. Every time I picked up the story to write more, it was like playing with dolls in my own created world. I enjoyed the possibilities and all the "what-if" questions. I didn’t get serious about publishing until I heard stories about my grandmother that I knew would make a great book. Then things just started from there. I kept at it, kept learning, kept writing, and eventually I ended up with a series.

What scripture(s) is/are your favorite to apply to your daily life?

This is also like picking my favorite child! There are so many I love. One of my favorites is Galatians 2:20. It reminds me that I have to die to myself every day, that Christ is living in me, and my life no longer belongs to me. For some, that’s a scary thought: for your life to not be your own. But it’s reassuring for me. I could never make my life into anything good on my own power. Knowing I belong to Jesus gives me hope and purpose.

What books are in your to be read pile at the moment?

Most of them are research books for my next novel (see below for more on that). So they may seem like strange titles. But here are just a few I’m reading/studying. War on the Saints by Jessie Penn-Lewis, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, and The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers (that’s the only one I’m reading for my own pleasure right now)

What are your hobbies when you aren't writing amazing books?

I coach volleyball and travel with my team about twice a month. I also enjoy puzzles and brain games. With homeschooling, coaching, mothering, wifing (haha), and writing on my plate every week, I don’t get much time for hobbies. But I prefer staying busy. I never get bored.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read as much as you can about the craft of storytelling. Give yourself time to learn and grow. Don’t rush to put something out there just because anyone can. Like any skill, it takes time and practice, and you can always get better. Do the work it takes to make your writing shine. And enjoy the process. It’s amazing!

What can we expect from you next?

I’m working on several ideas for the next few years. I’d like to write stand-alone stories for several secondary characters from the Healing Ruby series. First up will be Hope, who will be solving a mystery and battling dark forces as she discovers her spiritual gift set in the mid to late 1960s.


I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into Jennifer's life and writing and I hope you will check out her Healing Ruby series! Since I love it so much, I am going to giveaway a $10 Amazon card to one of you lucky readers so you can head on over and start downloading the series! Book 1(Healing Ruby) is actually FREE for Kindle right now!

To enter to win, just leave a comment on this blog post and I will draw a random winner. Good luck and happy reading!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O3GRNF2/ref=series_dp_rw_ca_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523159278&sr=8-6

Abiding Hope by Jennifer H. Westall

Abiding Hope is the perfect ending to the Healing Ruby series. Jennifer Westall wraps up the story and ties it with a nice shiny bow. This series is an absolute gift to its readers. Not since The Hunger Games have I been so invested in a series. The ending of Abiding Hope could not have been more perfect as it hints to future storylines that I am super excited about. This installment of the series was so heartbreaking at times and I could feel myself getting so drawn into the characters' stories and their struggles. I am better because of these books and I am so glad I stumbled upon this series.