Review: Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals

Your Best Year Ever: A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals by Michael Hyatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am delighted that Michael Hyatt's "Best Year Ever" program is now in book form!

I have used his program for five years in a row to set goals for each year and then accomplish so many of them, year after year! This has been a game-changer for me. Actually, a LIFE-CHANGER! Since I began using these proven methods I have become a published author and started a new career!

Imagine setting goals and then actually following through and doing the work required to reach them! How would that change your life?

Michael Hyatt will lead you though his "5-step plan for achieving your most important goals".

In doing so you will discover:
* What's holding you back right now
* How to overcome your past setbacks
* The seven attributes of effective goals
* How to quit-proof your goals
* The role of habits in personal achievement
* What to do when you feel stuck

I recommend that you not rush through the reading of the book. Instead, read it thoughtfully, and invest the time to complete each Action Plan as you go through the book. I also highly recommend doing this with a friend. Having someone to celebrate your achievements with makes the rewards of accomplishing your goals that much richer!

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Review: Freedom Coach Model

Freedom Coach Model by Jill Monaco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Freedom Coach Model is like a roadmap or a personal guide to inner-healing. It will be most useful for those who have already experienced inner-healing ministry in person, though anyone who is willing to engage with the "powerful questions and listening prayers" as prompted in the book will be transformed in the process. My suggestion is to take it slowly, question by question, and prayer by prayer, utilizing the space provided for reflective journaling. You will get the most out of it that way. If you want to go further in your freedom journey, Jill Monaco will light the path for you.

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Review: Jesus Every Day: Prayers to Awaken Your Soul

Jesus Every Day: Prayers to Awaken Your Soul by Mary E. DeMuth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jesus Every Day is a new daily devotional from Mary DeMuth. I'm reading the 30 Day Sampler provided by Harvest House Publishers and have already wept some "me too" tears.
There are no holier-than-thou prayers, but plenty of true-to-life prayers that will mend your heart, awaken your soul, and allow your spirit to soar.
Most importantly these prayers will connect you with the heart of God.
My favorite part is there is no "getting behind" because these one-page devotional prayers are not dated. Such a grace in these busy times.
You can start the day you receive it and continue praying the simple prayers wherever you find yourself and whenever you pick it back up.
When you pray the final prayer, you will also have "prayed through the Bible" as the daily Bible verse begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. Mary wanted the reader to have an overarching understanding of the heart of God and his redemptive story.
I love that it is releasing December 1st--during the Advent season when our focus turns to The One who made all of this possible.
This book would be a thoughtful gift to arrive on the doorstep (Dec 1st) of a loved one who may struggle through the holiday season, as so many do.

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Review: The Healthy Living Handbook: Simple, Everyday Habits for Your Body, Mind and Spirit

The Healthy Living Handbook: Simple, Everyday Habits for Your Body, Mind and Spirit by Laura Harris Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book by Laura Harris Smith will be perfect for the following groups of readers:
1. Fans of Laura Harris Smith
2. Those just beginning a journey to better overall health
3. People who have completed "The 30 Day Faith Detox", which is Laura's previous book by that name.

The Healthy Living Handbook provides exactly what the subtitle says: simple, everyday habits for your body, mind and spirit. The book is divided into three sections, with ten chapters per section focusing on areas of the body, mind and spirit.

From the back over of the Advance Reading Copy:
This book "...is not a major lifestyle overhaul; it's just full of simple course corrections that will bring you the peace, rest, energy, connection and clarity you've longed for."

I read through the book quickly so that I could provide this review. That was a bit overwhelming, so my intention is to go back and begin applying the suggestions the areas in my life that need focus. My recommendation to anyone that reads this book is to go through it slowly, applying the instruction and suggestions as you go, little by little.

There were some suggestions that did not apply to me or to the season of life that I am currently in, so I will just skip over those on my next go-round with this book, along with the chapters where I had some theological differences with the author.

I took notes in the margins, underlined and highlighted so much in the book.

The following are a few of the phrases that I loved and that stuck out to me:
"the law-breaking blessing of the supernatural"
"employing the supernatural to transcend the laws of nature as a means of fostering faith"
"when you use your words and actions to promote someone, you also get promoted!"
"the discipline of divine health is within your grasp".

That last phrase seems like a great place to end my review. :)

I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher, Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


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Review: Jesus Every Day

Jesus Every Day by Mary E DeMuth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jesus Every Day is a new daily devotional from Mary E. DeMuth that will be released Dec 1st and you are invited to preorder.
http://www.jesuseveryday.life.

I'm reading the Sampler provided by Harvest House Publishers and have already wept some "me too" tears.

There are no holier-than-thou prayers, but plenty of true-to-life prayers that will mend your heart, awaken your soul, and allow your spirit to soar.

Most importantly these prayers will connect you with the heart of God.

My favorite part is there is no "getting behind" because these one-page devotional prayers are not dated. Such a grace in these busy times.

You can start the day you receive it and continue praying the simple prayers wherever you find yourself and whenever you pick it back up.

When you pray the final prayer, you will also have "prayed through the Bible" as the daily Bible verse begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. Mary wanted the reader to have an overarching understanding of the heart of God and his redemptive story.

I love that it is releasing December 1st--during the Advent season when our focus turns to The One who made all of this possible.

This book would be a thoughtful gift to arrive on the doorstep of a loved one who may struggle through the holiday season, as so many do.

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Review: Holy Bible: NIV Faithgirlz Backpack Bible-NIV

Holy Bible: NIV Faithgirlz Backpack Bible-NIV by Anonymous
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You will love this Zonderkidz Bible for any young girl in your life. I received mine from Zondervan / Zonderkidz. I have the one with the sweet "Follow Your Heart" design on the front.

It would make a great gift anytime, but especially for a milestone moment like a baptism, grade school graduation, or after they place their faith in Christ.

The size is perfect for carrying and the text isn't too small. The lay-flat design, ribbon markers are great features. The Leathersoft cover is soft and feels great in my hand. What I loved most were the age-appropriate messages sprinkled in. I already have a young girl in mind to give this one to.

I have one of these Bibles to give away to one of my book review blog subscribers! For a chance to win:
1. Comment on the post on my book review blog about this Bible
2. You must be a subscriber. To subscribe go to: http:// annalebaron.blogspot .com

The winner will be chosen October 15, 2017

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Review: Love Is Oxygen: How God Can Give You Life and Change Your World

Love Is Oxygen: How God Can Give You Life and Change Your World by Jarrid Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jarrid’s message of love is real and palpable. I was reminded of all the years I spent only able to take in shallow breaths of God’s love for me, and how wonderful it was when I was finally able to breathe Him in fully. If you have wondered about God’s love for you or about how to better love those around you, read this book.

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Review: Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You

Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You by Lynn Cowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

BRAVE BEAUTY came to me at just the right time! Both my girls are grown ups now, but I have a young girl in my life and I will absolutely love going through this book with her. She is in a vulnerable place in life, and working through the "100 moments" will strengthen her heart and be a delight to mine. What a great resource!

I received this book from the publisher. Opinions are my own.

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Review: Stolen Jesus: An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior

Stolen Jesus: An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior by Jami Amerine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jami Amerine's writing is smart, funny, and real. Stolen Jesus will steal your heart and compel you to keep turning the pages. If you feel as though you are on shaky ground in your walk with Jesus, this book will leave you standing on solid ground.

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Review: The Day the Angels Fell

The Day the Angels Fell by Shawn Smucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great read for anyone, boys especially. This book was so layered and well-written. It surprised me from the first two chapters and left me turning the pages until the very end. Then it left me hanging with a first look at the next book.

Well done, Shawn Smucker! This being your first novel speaks volumes about your skill with a pen.

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE SEQUEL!

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Review: Building Circles of Grace: A Joint Bible Study for Tween Girls & Their Moms

Building Circles of Grace: A Joint Bible Study for Tween Girls & Their Moms by Catherine Bird
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Navigating girls friendships in today's world is a minefield, and brave Catherine Bird will take you by the hand and lead the way.
I love, love, love this second book in the series (yes, there will be more!) because of the all the conversations that moms and tweens are now having. It's biblical, relatable and will meet the real, felt needs of tweens and the moms that love them.

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Review: Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life

Of Mess and Moxie: Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life by Jen Hatmaker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jen Hatmaker does it AGAIN! If you read and loved her previous book, For The Love, then this book is for you!

I laughed so hard at the hilarious parts...and then cried real tears as she reached down into the tender places that needed her words. Jen tells the truth and then wraps it up with a sassy bow. Of Mess And Moxie is another gift to the world.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.



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Review: Love You From Right Here

Love You From Right Here by Jamie Sandefer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have loved this book from the time I heard about it, before I ever saw a single illustration. Seeing the Advance Reader Copy provided by the publisher just now, I'm over the moon about it.

My eyes welled up with tears at the illustrations and the tender words. My heart grew larger and more willing to do what I can.

The need for this book as a resource for foster parents and the children in their care is so great. Even if you are not a foster parent, please buy this book for those who are. Buy 1o or 50 or 100, as many as you can, and get them into the hands of the ones who are standing in the gap for the children.

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Review: Love Lives Here: Finding What You Need in a World Telling You What You Want

Love Lives Here: Finding What You Need in a World Telling You What You Want by Maria Goff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the first chapter when "Sweet Maria" Goff shares her heart about a significant loss in their lives, to the very last sentence when my eyes were flooded with tears, I felt like I was getting a peek into the heart of Maria Goff, wife of international bestselling author, Bob Goff.

Her tender heart and beautiful spirit displayed the glorious splendor of one who has been well-loved. I'm so glad that she opened up her life and inspiring stories with the world. It will be a better place because of her wisdom and authenticity. Bob showed us what Love Does. You showed us where Love Lives and my heart beats more soundly and steadily as a result.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This is my honest review.

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