Called Out by Paula Faris

Called Out by Paula Faros offers a candid look at Paula's life and all that she did to improve her career on the View and as a reporter for ABC news.  Paula shares her upbringing, including her parents turn to faith found in a church community, her journey to Cedarville University, and her climb as a top news reporter. Paula wanted to have it all no matter what the cost. Until. Paula finally realized there was a cost and shares her journey of faith and realizing what her calling really is.

This book is insightful.  It offers much wisdom to the reader, especially with Paula's driven attitude and quest for achievement.  Perhaps it can be summed up on page 178. Paula writes, "I came to a simple conclusion: Something is fundamentally broken with our society when we care so much about success that we slam preschoolers with questions of vocation and fifth-graders are considering resume builders for college admissions."

While this book is about Paula's Christian faith, she does try to include all faiths, maybe to a fault. I did enjoy this book and was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.

My Heart Ever His {Prayers for Women} by Barbara Rainey

My Heart Ever His {Prayers for Women} by Barbara Rainey is a beautiful collection of prayers for women.  Barbara shares wonderfully written prayers that reflect all stages of a woman's life. As an older women, Barbara has lived through many stages and touches on many of them in her book.  These prayers offer hope and come from a strong Biblical basis. Some are simply scripture quoted.

My Heart Ever His is a great gift for Mother's Day.  It can be an encouragement for women.  Barbara shares not only the prayers, but on some pages the story behind the prayers.  I like that it offered wisdom and words that you may not have thought about praying.

This book is a great encouragement. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do!

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris is a face paced fiction novel that is an enjoyable read!  Aubrey Grey is on an estate with her father like figure, a former senator.  Just as Aubrey and the former Senator start to enjoy the morning, the Senator is shot and next thing you know Aubrey is kidnapped. FBI Agent Jack Shannon arrives to investigate the case.  This is no longer a shooting investigation, but has now turned into a case involving shared intel with foreign countries.  Whatever happened between childhood best friends, Aubrey and Jack? When Aubrey started dating Jack's brother their relationship changed. Can it be salvaged after all these year?

I did enjoy reading The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris.  This book was rich in characters, kept you on the edge of your seat, and was overall great fiction.  The main character of Aubrey explored past hurts caused by her father and needed to look at forgiveness.  I enjoyed the themes in the book.

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do.

Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson

The Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson is a super fabulous activity book for children ages 5-12.  It offers many pages filled with countless activities.  Not only are the activities rich with content, but there are also a variety of pages.

If you hold the book and open it one direction, you will see pages for younger children. Then if you flip the book over you will see pages for older children! How clever!  Pages range from word puzzles, mazes, trace and color, how to draw, word searches, coloring pages and so much more.

This is a great resource for families of children that span ages, or can be used with a younger child and then used again when they are older.

The listed scripture passage and short devotional can be used with both the younger and older children.  This book offers great fun for children to pass the time and still learn a valuable

lesson at the same time!

I was given a free copy of Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson from the publisher for my honest review!

Countercultural Parenting: Building Character in a World of Compromise by Lee Nienhuis

I had the privilege of reading Lee Nienhuis' second book, Countercultural Parenting: Building Character in a World of Compromise.  In a nutshell: run to get this valuable parenting book!

Lee's first book, Brave Mom Brave Kids, was an amazing parenting book, and Countercultural Parenting simply builds on the momentum of that book. However, you don't need to read the first book to appreciate the wisdom in Countercultural Parenting!

Lee offers amazing knowledge and insight into raising children that are NOT the status quo.  If you are looking for HOPE in an honest form, Lee offers that in Countercultural Parenting.  As Lee states, "Is it crazy to imagine that we could raise children who are godly, who will grow into righteous leaders? Could they become men and women who choose for the earliest age to be people of character, steadfast and immovable?"

Lee then follows through with the how to of parenting and raising children who go against the culture! In Countercultural Parenting, Lee shares the insight that not only helps you propel yourself toward raising godly children but also the insight to help you as a parent who does not follow the status quo.

Lee offers a fresh (and rich) look at Biblical characters who can serve as role models and examples for parents and for our children.  I highlighted so many passages in this book!  I can't wait to share this with friends as an encouragement in their parenting journey.

No longer can we raise children who are part of the status quo of society. It is clear it is no longer working.  We need to stand up and raise countercultural children. Lee's book is a great resource for just that.

I was given a free copy of Countercultural Parenting: Building Character in a World of Compromise by Lee Nienhuis for my honest review. I was thrilled to do this and would highly recommend this book!