Book Review: Not The Boss Of Us

From The Back:

Overwhelmed is the new normal
Too much to manage and not enough time or energy to do it? What if instead of being overwhelmed with life you could be overwhelmed by Truth with all its grace, hope, peace, and love?

In this perspective-altering book, Kay Wills Wyma shares how to confront the pressures we face--at home, online, at work, in relationships, on our calendars--and replace all those heavy expectations with the liberating truth that we were made for something better. Through relatable stories sprinkled with a dash of humor, Kay gives us permission to step back, put Life's Overwhelmed in its place, and find fulfillment and freedom anchored in Truth.

If you feel tired, like you just can't take it anymore--don't. Because Life's Overwhelmed is not the boss of us!

My Reflections:
Feeling like life is just too busy? You are not alone. We are all subject to demands, stress and overwhelming pressure from time to time. Kay Wills Wyma teaches us that though we can't always dictate our lives, we can choose to lean into the one who created life itself. 

"Not the Boss of us" is not just another how-to manual it is a life preserver, an encouraging uplifting read that just may help you manage those feelings of overload. 

Written with the reader in mind, this book is filled with relevant stories, witty humour and invitation to live life to its fullest. Kay Wills Wyma is a true storyteller and through her many illustrations we see that life is not solitary, we are not in this alone. God is right there in the laundry, in the chaos, in the hospital room, he is with us, we are not alone in this. I loved how truth is weaved into these many stories, how honest and raw vulnerability is shared. I don't know about you but I love to listen to people, I love hearing peoples stories, see how God has worked and shone through tough times. I am a people person who thrives on connections. This book helped me see a different bigger picture, that I knew was there but just seemed out of reach. 

Peace, love and calm can be had in the middle of our busy days, those days where we can't see the counter for all the dishes, those days where the kids' meltdowns are just one too many. The days where sleep is not found, God is with us, he can work through us and it is enough. Breath friends, deep cleansing breaths, we are not alone, God has a purpose. 

I love that the authour doesn't sugar coat the trials along the way, I loved that this book is not a huge long read, because really that would add to my overwhelmedness! If you are looking to be encouraged, perhaps like me you will find a few nuggets of rest in this read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Kay Wills Wyma

Kay Wills Wyma, former White House staffer, international banker, and entrepreneur, is a mom of five who writes about seeing beyond life's pressures in order to navigate life and thrive together. She is the author of two books and blogs at the popular...

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Book Review: River to Redemption

From the Back:

One young woman must stand up for freedom--and perhaps find her own in the process.
Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave named Louis, a man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions.

Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She's determined to find a way to buy Louis's freedom. But in 1840s Kentucky, she'll need all of the courage and strength she possesses--and more.

My Reflections:

Ann Gabhart is my go-to authours for heartfelt, inspirational stories. This one does not disappoint with its well-developed characters, heart-tugging plot and strong faith base.
Adria Starr orphaned at the tender age of seven after her parents and little brother died from the Cholera epidemic in the 1833's. God had his hand on her life however and brought people into her life to nurture her and help her grow up to be a strong, wise young adult. Those people who poured love into her were slaves, and being such has shown Adria that no one has the right to own another person, no matter their skin colour. 

Louis, a slave who stayed in Springfield Kentucky, when everyone else was fleeing rescues little Adria. This gentle giant was one of my favourite characters, his tender spirit and deep faith for God were truly inspiring!
I also loved the cook, Aunt Tilda. In the effort to give Adria the very best he has to offer, Louis secures a home for her with a widow who has just lost her husband to the flue. Ruth Harmon is grieving deeply but does her utmost to provide Adria with all she needs to become independent and self-aware. 

Adria holds her heart close, she knows what she must do but also is wise in her planning. I really enjoyed how she executes her plans, this story really caught my heart!

You will want to read the Author's notes, as this story is based loosely on real events. That was the icing on the top for me. This book will likely stay on my shelves to be read again.
In closing, if you are looking for a book with heart, faith and lovable characters, look no further this book has all that and more!


Ann H. Gabhart

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling and award-winning author of several Shaker novels--The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, The Gifted, and The Innocent--as well as historical novels--River to...

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Book Review: Best of Intentions

From The Back:

She Swore to Protect Her Nephew at Any Cost. But What if That Price is a Chance at Love? 
In the aftermath of WWI, Grace Abernathy is determined to reunite her family, crossing an ocean to convince her widowed sister to return home to England. Yet, in Toronto she discovers more tragedy--her nephew Christian in the custody of his paternal relatives, the formidable Easton family, who rejected Grace's sister because of her low social status.

Unconvinced the Eastons can be fitting caretakers, Grace uses an assumed name to secure the position of Christian's nanny and moves into the Easton estate. There she can observe the family up close, while ensuring Christian's well-being. In the course of her new role, she is shocked to find herself falling in love with Andrew Easton, the boy's guardian. Unfortunately, Andrew is promised to a spoiled socialite who is sure to make a terrible stepmother for Christian. Will Grace be able to protect her nephew . . . and her heart?

My Reflections:
This story is a fresh start on a whole new series, Calle Canadian Crossings. I was so excited about this series because it is Canadian! Yippee, I love reading about places I have been, streets I may have travelled. It brings a whole new meaning and dimension to the story. 

This is a complex plot and full cast of characters, the reader will be emersed into a story where faith is a central theme, although the characters are tested they do hold strong in the end. 
My heart broke for the loss Grace endured and the position she found herself in. I'm not so sure about all of her choices, but I'm not in her position either. Her heart is good, her intentions fall short in the honesty department. Half-truths and well kept secrets ensnare Grace into a web of which she must extract herself from, but will she be able to make sure her little nephew Christian is happy and well taken care of?

Andrew also has some challenges to come against. His life is quite dictated and he never has felt like he can measure up to his father's expectations. Will he be able to find happiness under all the pressures of commitments or will he forge his own path to happiness, even if that means not getting the respect form family?

This book is rich in detail and history, I'm glad we have writers like Susan Ann Mason who is not afraid to dig up the past and craft an engaging, story with characters you can't wait to meet again! 

Susan Anne Mason

Susan Anne Mason's debut historical novel, Irish Meadows,won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. Also a member of ACFW, Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two...

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Book Review: Called To Protect

From the Back:

She'll have to draw on all of her resources to crack the case--and guard her heart.
After being dumped by her fiancé, Chloe St. John has decided that the only male she likes is her K-9 German shepherd partner, Hank. But being over the whole romance thing has perks--like giving full attention to her job. Attention she's definitely going to need because a case of human trafficking with connections to her missing cousin just landed in her lap.

Deputy US Marshall Blake MacCallum is in a race against the clock to rescue his kidnapped daughter when Chloe and Hank are asked to be a part of the task force assembled to bring down the traffickers. Chloe finds herself attracted to the silent, suffering man. But can she trust him? And can Blake trust himself around this firecracker of a woman?

Buckle in. This fast and furious ride will have your heart pumping from the very start.

My Reflections:
Called to Protect is book two in the Blue Justice Series, and although it a series this book does a fine job as a standalone. However, may want to read book one, "Oath of Honour" as you certainly won't want to miss any details in the saga. 

In true Lynette Eason fashion, you will be immersed in an edgy, action-packed story, filled with likable characters and a non-stop action, this book will have readers gripping their seats until the conclusion is reached.

I won't lie this book deals with some heavy subject matter but Eason does a wonderful job of highlighting the issues of trafficking without traumatizing the reader with too much detail.
Having teenagers made me particularly sensitive to just how easy it is to take a child. It was a great reminder to have good conversations about difficult issues in our world.

Another aspect about this book I enjoyed was the K-9 Hank. We have two service dogs and I so enjoy reading about dogs with jobs! The training involved and the dedication is really phenomenal!

Since the St. John's are a large family I am eagerly anticipating a very long series involving all the family members who are mostly involved in the law enforcement profession.

If you are looking for a novel with non-stop action, well-developed characters and a fast-paced plot look no further, this book is for you!

Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Oath of Honor, Called to Protect, and Code of Valor, as well as the Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol...

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Natural Remedies: Blushing Bluebird Essentials- Reusable Feminine Products

Have you been looking for a more natural way to manage your time of the month or that annoying thing that happened after you had all your babies? You know when you laugh really hard or a cough unexpected...er, ya..I'm here to enlighten you, friends.

There is a better way to live, a cleaner, cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative.

I know you think this city girl has gone completely crunchy. Yep, when you live in the middle of nowhere something fundamentally weird happens, you start to feel just a little differently.

But seriously, I seem to be allergic to just about everything, and I have passed that down, kind of me eh?

So when the need to figure out something a little different came along so did many, many hours of research. It seems like this issue is not all that uncommon!

I was scouring the internet for a natural product, something that was breathable, not synthetic and ultimately comfortable without being overly obvious.

We came across a local company, Blushing Bluebird Essentials and we also trialled some we found on Amazon.

The ones from Amazon were well made and had a minky top, these were not the natural product we had been looking for but were a fraction of the price and came in fun teenager approved fabrics. However, they did not make the final thumbs-up approval for two reasons. One they were not the natural product I was seeking, and two they were reportedly too big and bulky.

The Bluebird Essentials Product we bought was handmade with love, local and the customer service was beyond anything I would expect!

Not to mention that we got to visit the workshop and see first hand how everything was assembled. I love the idea of women coming together to sew and chat, all the while changing lives and passionately creating a well-made product! That's community friends...Now I do sound crunchy!

Back to the topic at hand, the ick factor, how was that going to be received? Having never tried anything like this, and being on the squeamish side I was a tad worried about how well it would go.

However, we were pleasantly surprised. It has been easy to manage, these are machine washable, and you can even pop them into the dryer (although it is recommended to hang to dry, we haven't) I was given a thumbs-up, and just made the big switch over and have fully committed.

Are you curious yet? These are awesome for everyday use, monthly needs, postpartum, or incontinence. Seriously friends give it a whirl, you might just be surprised!

Here is a little about the company: Click on the links below.

The story behind the product

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