Momaholic: Confessions of a Helicopter Parent by Dena Higley

This is a story showing the speed with which a “normal” family can fall apart. No one dies. No one gets kidnapped. They just have to deal with each of their own issues….and then one unwanted and unplanned pregnancy. This was a church-going family whose kids were taught abstinence until marriage. With the family running around as the tornado sirens roared warnings to take cover, mother, Miss Drama, becomes the biggest mess of all and ends up finding a whole new freedom for her soul.

To be completely honest, every parent needs to read this book, not just Moms. But it truly is a look inside the life of the hustle and bustle of parenthood. How many times have we all got so lost in the craziness of day to day living that we forget what we even set out to do? This book takes us through the crazy times, the straw that broke the camels back and the recovery. What we don't realize is that it's ok to say no once in a while, it's ok not to do everything for everybody, it's ok not to be perfect and most of all it's ok to ask for help. Definitely a great read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Crazy Dangerous By Andrew Klavan

"You probably want to hear about Jennifer and the demons and how I played chicken with a freight train and—oh yeah—the weird murder . . . you're definitely going to want to hear about that."
Sam Hopkins is a good kid who has fallen in with a bad crowd. Hanging around with car thieves and thugs, Sam knows it’s only a matter of time before he makes one bad decision too many and gets into real trouble.
But one day, Sam sees them harassing an eccentric schoolmate of his named Jennifer. When Sam finds the courage to face the bullies down, he loses a bad set of friends and acquires a very strange new one.
Because Jennifer is not just eccentric. To Sam, she seems downright crazy. She has terrifying hallucinations involving demons and the devil and death. And here’s the really crazy part: Sam is beginning to suspect that these visions may actually be prophecies—prophecies of something terrible that’s going to happen very soon. Unless he can stop it.
With no one to believe him, with no one to help him, Sam is now all alone in a race against time. Finding the truth before disaster strikes is going to be both crazy and very, very dangerous.

This is a great young adult read, about a bored preachers kid (teen) and about how he stirs up trouble with a new notorious group of people and meets a girl who everyone thinks is schizophrenic. This is not just a book for teens but adults as well. It's full of action and adventure and keeps you wondering what Sam is gonna do next.
It really makes one think about the choices Sam made, whether is was wrong or right and you can definitely feel the peer pressure overtones that is so prominant in our society today.
Overall it was a great read, would definitely reccomend!

By Faith, Not By Sight By Scott MacIntyre

A moving story of hope, faith, persistence and the power of dreams.
A piano prodigy, a nineteen-year-old college grad, a Marshall scholar, and an American Idol finalist. This guy had it made. He could sing.
He could ski blind. What couldn’t he do?
Even if you saw him in concert, you might not believe that Scott MacIntyre is blind, and you’d never guess that at nineteen, he faced a diagnosis that rocked his family and nearly took his life.
So how did he do it? How did he overcome the odds?
This is Scott’s story, but he’d be the first to tell you that it’s not really about him. This is the story of how God used a dedicated family, a selfless acquaintance, hardship, and a host of characters to give him life, faith, determination, and experiences most can only imagine.

Well why I requested this book I don't know. I thought it would be a good read, and I wasn't disappointed. This is an autobiography from a past contestant from the famous TV show American Idol.
Scott has his sights set on being a musician, an artist, and in this tell all story he tells of his struggles, his roadblocks and the obstacles that got in his way- one of them, being blind.
While we may think our life is tough, we can never see past our own noses. We don't realize how hard others have it as well. I cannot imagine living with blindness and I commend this man for everything he's went through and still held on to his Faith in God.
This story tells of God's goodness and grace when we put our trust in him. I would definitely reccomend this book to anyone who's struggling and feeling like God has left them, because he is indeed there, always.

Three Hearts DVD By Samaritans Purse

"Graduating college senior, Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of evangelist Billy Graham, takes on an internship at Samaritan’s Purse working with the Children’s Heart Project. This project is dedicated to saving the lives of children by providing medical procedures that aren’t available in many countries. Cissie is charged with spervising the arrival and surgeries of three Mongolian children suffering from fatal congenital heart defects.

But the task is not easy and filled with unexpected challenges. Cissie balances responsibilities as a newly married wife to a professional football player and her tasks with the internship. Meanwhile the Children’s Heart team turns to a Texas family who travels to Mongolia for the adventure of a lifetime to help bring the children to San Antonio for their surgeries. In Texas, two host families make sacrifices to care for these children and their mothers, while a team of doctors and nurses volunteer their time only to stare directly into the face of life and death. How far would you go to save a life?

It’s a fight for survival, a fight of faith, and a fight for a new life for these three hearts."

What a great family friendly movie with such good values! It gives us insight into the Children's Heart project letting us see how the organization really works and helps out children who are suffering. We also get to see the struggles and challenges Cissie faces day to day, but still follows theplan God has set forth for her, trusting and leaning on him.

I would reccomend this DVD to everyone, especially youth groups and churches. It might make a difference to a life! Whether it be supporting the organization monetarily or accepting God's plan for your life to help others!

"This Thing of Ours How Faith Saved My Mafia Marriage" By Cammy Franzese

This is a true story about a girl Cammy, who falls in love with a man whom she doesn't know until after they are married, when he is arrested. The story is really facinating to see what one woman can endure and still remain committed to her husband. For a woman to marry a man involved with the mafia and not know it really astounds me.
This book is exactly what I thought it would be. It's about how God can intervene in any situation, especially when we remain faithful to him. His mercy and grace endure forever. One thing I think that would have been better would be a retelling of the story, but this seemed more of a diary format. I guess that's what makes it more personal.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers (booksneeze.com) as part of their book review bloggers program.

The Lucado Inspirational Reader Hope and Encouragement for Your Everyday Life

This isn’t a book you will sit down and read all at once. I find myself still coming back to this book for a pick me up now and then. I just open a section and begin reading. Max is a wonderful author and has so many anecdotes, quotes and short stories to get you through even the toughest times, along with God of course. The book is categorized by specific needs you have at the time so you turn right to that section. This is a lovely gift idea for Christmas, or anytime really! The book is made of a heavier paper and should stand the test of time with wear and tear. The book covers many topics such as forgivness, compassion, hope & faith for your everyday life. Although this book is very big, 450 pages, the stories are short enough that this could easily be a coffee table book. I would also recommend for a small group discussion!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado

     I recently had the opportunity to read "Just In Case You Ever Wonder" to my son. He loved it. The book tells children, and adults alike that while we are not yet perfect, and we have fears, God loves us just the way we are. In Heaven there is no tears, no monsters, just big God hugs. This also applies to parents as well, and while this book was written for children, it's enough for us adults to realize that we are all God's children, and God doesn't want us to change. He made us the way we are for a reason. No other person has the same eyes or nose as you. You were made the way God intended.

    I really enjoyed this book. It also came as a nice hardcover so it is a great collector item for my son. He should have it for many years to come. The pictures are very clear and conveys the message that is written in the book. It is a nice bedtime read to remind children that one day there will be no more pain and that us as parents will be with them always, in Heaven.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their blogging program, BookSneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”