The Fight to Flourish by Jennie Lusko

THE FIGHT TO FLOURISH

About The Fight to Flourish: Engaging in the Struggle to Cultivate the Life You Were Born to Live

Hardcover: 288 Pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 5, 2020)

Explore how to live a life of joy and fullness, especially in the midst of disappointment and broken dreams.

How do you live a full life? Perhaps the better question is, how do you really live when life throws you sucker punches, when you face obstacles that seem to snuff out your faith, when you lose something or someone precious to you? In The Fight to Flourish, Jennie Lusko encourages women to suit up and thrive, not just in the dailies of monotony and routine but even in the most desolate of places. Using the backdrop of her second-born daughter Lenya’s passing into heaven five days before Christmas in 2012, Jennie invites readers to embrace whatever destination they’ve landed. She teaches how, through the good and the bad, they can learn to grow, be strong, draw near to God, and be a blessing to others. It is in this sacred space of pain and promise that women can begin to flourish.

My Thoughts:

The Fight to Flourish is raw, inspiring and encouraging as the reader embarks on a journey of grief with author, Jennie Lusko.

Jennie opens the book by telling the reader of how they lost their five year old daughter, Lenya a few days before Christmas. Reading through this difficult chapter, continues to remind me that life is a gift and nothing is promised to us. As I read through this chapter and several others, I was reminded that in this season of life, there have been a lot of deaths for me. Deaths of dreams, the lifestyle I had previously lived, my personal expectations and the way life was. However, while in losing precious things, this book challenged me that I am not at the end of my road, but just in the middle of a journey. 

Jennie shares with the reader how she struggles with grief and the death of relationships changing. She does a tremendous job with not only laying out her own personal story, but encouraging the reader that the struggle is not the final word. In fact, this book was incredibly moving and motivating to me. Sometimes the things we go through don't make sense at the time and may not for several years later, but eventually we can see how God will use them. 

The Fight to Flourish was a tremendous reminder not to give up. Rather, instead show up. Show up being vulnerable. Show up in the mess, but don't give up. Don't hide and let people in to your story.

Overall, I found this book to be incredibly encouraging, and inspiring to continue to move forward in an unprecedented time. Pick up a copy today, you will be thankful you did. 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Jennie Lusko

Jennie Lusko serves alongside her husband, Levi, leading Fresh Life Church in Montana, Utah, Oregon, and Wyoming. They have five incredible children: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, Lennox, and Lenya, who is in heaven. The Luskos live in Montana, which boasts the largest snowflake ever recorded in history, one and a half times larger than a competition frisbee. One of Jennie’s greatest joys and calling is sharing the hope and freedom found in Jesus to those stranded in sin. She feels most alive when she’s helping people and giving gifts.

Connect with Jennie

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

FIERCE, FREE, AND FULL OF FIRE by Jen Hatmaker

FIERCE, FREE, AND FULL OF FIRE

About Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire

Hardcover: 224 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 21, 2020)

New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker, with cheeky candor and fearlessness, guides readers to a deep dive into how they are wired and provides them with the tools to walk in that identity with freedom and guts.

Stuck in people-pleasing or fear, many women hide and pretend, then end up sidelined in their own lives. But what they want is to be brave, to claim every gift, dream, quirk, and emotion inside, to stop performing and start living.

Beloved New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker understands the struggle to find firm footing in a culture that operates from stereotypes and often unreachable expectations. In this new book, she offers women encouragement, challenge, and humor as she helps them identify everything that makes them tick and gain the confidence to live it all out. She leads them through five self-reflective categories—who I am, what I need, what I want, what I believe, and how I connect—and helps them:

• identify the exact ways they pretend, and learn instead how to be genuine at all times, in all ways, in all contexts;
• be empowered to say yes and no without guilt;
• learn to voice both their spiritual questions and convictions; and
• opt out of drama and into healthy adult relationships.

With wry humor, earnest passion, and been-there insight, Jen calls women to the life-giving freedom of leaning into the identity, convictions, and community they’ve been given.

My Thoughts:

Previously, I have read all of Jen Hatmaker's book, so I was thrilled about getting my hands on this book. However, my expectations quickly diminished and this book was not what I had come to expect from books of Jen's .

First, Jen is very honest through this book and empowers the reader to be able to say "yes" and "no." She doesn't give a toot what you think and is very secure in her personal boundaries. She encourages the reader to establish the same by finding their own voice and convictions. 

However, I found through reading this book, I have a different opinion than the author. I felt that this book was not based on what I read in the scriptures, but more of a personal opinion. I had a difficult time relating to stories because of own personal view point. However, this book did challenge me to look at things from a different lens and understand a point of view that is in our culture. So, while I personally did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped, I did learn a lot from it.

If you're a fan of Jen Hatmaker, this book might really be something you're interested in, but for me this wasn't a keeper. You might love the book, so pick up a copy today and see if this is something you would like to read.

Purchase Links

Amazon |Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble | Thomas Nelson

About Jen Hatmaker

Jen Hatmaker is the author of the New York Times bestseller Of Mess and Moxie (plus twelve other books) and the host of the For the Love! with Jen Hatmaker podcast. She and her husband, Brandon, founded the Legacy Collective and also starred in the popular series My Big Family Renovation on HGTV. Jen is a mom to five, a sought-after speaker, and a delighted resident of Austin, Texas, where she and her family are helping keep Austin weird.

Connect with Jen

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

On a Coastal Breeze (Three Sisters Island #2) by Suzanne Woods Fisher

On a Coastal Breeze

(Three Sisters Island #2)

by 

Suzanne Woods Fisher

About:

For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can't wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island--they're all too young, too old, or too weird--Maddie feels like she's finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.

My Thoughts:

On a Coastal Breeze is the perfect summer read. If you have not read the first book in this series, "On a Summer Tide," I highly recommend it. While these books can be read as a stand alone, there are many crossover of characters from the first book. However, in saying that, you do not need to read them in order, but I would recommend it. They are so, so good! 

I love how Fisher can write giving the perspective of all three sisters in this book and each story from the sisters helps the reader to find a voice in one of the sisters, or at least for me it did. And, it helps you understand as a reader we are all blind to our opinion, just like each of the sisters. The book is engaging and entertaining with humor, romance and family dynamics. 

Fisher also does a great job in setting up book three when the reader discovers a secret about Blaine, which makes me incredibly excited for the next book. Why do authors do this to us? I am also excited to see the growing relationship between Rick and Maddie as their romance takes off.  In my opinion, this is the perfect beach read with a mix of everything for the reader. 

About the Author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.

Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Peace Pirates: Conquering the Beliefs and Behaviors that Steal Your Treasure in Motherhood by Ashley Willis

Peace Pirates: Conquering the Beliefs and Behaviors that Steal Your Treasure in Motherhood

by 

Ashley Willis

About:

PEACE PIRATES encourages and equips moms to stay ahead of what steals their peace and joy, so they can fully experience the blessings of motherhood, that parenting isn't just a title; it is a treasure.
Why do moms find themselves settling for a depleted and frustrated existence when motherhood is truly one of the greatest gifts from God? Being a mom is one of the most important-yet-difficult roles a woman will ever fill. Deep in their hearts, many women believe they are failing their families, are emotionally anemic, and are utterly helpless to maintain their peace while raising kids. As a result, hearts and homes are constantly defeated by the "peace pirates" that are allowed to take away the security God paid for His children to have.
As a wife, mother of four boys, and blogger to hundreds of thousands of mothers, Ashley Willis experienced the stress of trying to be the best mom God wants her to be, while constantly fearing that she's missing out on the real treasure.


With God's help, mothers can find the treasure in the midst of the struggle and remain faithful through all seasons of motherhood--especially the difficult ones--and claim their peace. PEACE PIRATES will teach readers how to stay "treasured up" by first helping them identify the four stressors, or, peace pirates, that challenge their zest and contentment. With powerful personal and biblical insights, PEACE PIRATES will encourage and equip moms to stay ahead of what steals their joy so they can fully experience the blessings of motherhood.

My Thoughts:

In Peace Pirates by Ashley Willis, she explores four pirates that steal our joy as a woman in motherhood. As someone who desperately wants to be a mother, this book is a treasure. Ashley writes each chapter with an authenticity and vulnerability as she shares from her own personal experiences. She also has a prayer included at the end of every chapter and it just gives you peace. I love how she is so real about being a mom of four boys and the challenges she faces.  She is transparent about her own mis-steps in being a mother and how no one is perfect.

This book is a source of encouragement and easy to read. Any mother will love this book and find it powerful as you explore your own "peace pirates" in your journey through motherhood. I highly recommend picking up a copy today. 

The Edge of Everywhen by A.S. Mackey

The Edge of Everywhen

by 

A.S. Mackey

A unique middle-grade novel, The Edge of Everywhen tells the story of Piper, a 13-year-old self-proclaimed book nerd whose world has been upended after the death of her mother. She and her autistic little brother (and best friend) Phoenix cling to one another as they are forced to move a thousand miles away from everything familiar and live with their rich, estranged aunt.

Piper reaches to the books on her shelf for comfort, but it is one unique book, Novus Fabula, who offers true guidance as the omniscient narrator in the story. It watches them arrive at their aunt’s home, with tired hearts and stones in their stomachs, and now its whispered voice must point the children to depend upon the sovereignty of God during the most dire times as they await word of their missing father.

“What’s that you say? Books cannot speak? On the contrary, dear Reader. Quite the contrary. Books are one of the few things on this earth that truly speak, from the moment the first word is penned until the book’s last Reader has drawn their final breath.
Let me show you.”—Novus Fabula

Full of mystery and intrigue, The Edge of Everywhen story bridges the chasm between faith-based and fantasy kid-lit genres. It is a book-lover’s book, carrying the reader right into the adventure as Piper and Phoenix embark upon a life-changing journey, in search of their father and of a faith to call their own.

My Thoughts:

The Edge of EveryWhen is a captivating book that will capture the heart of children and tweens alike. This book is perfect for fun adult read as well. I love going on an adventure with Piper and Phoenix. This book is unique in the sense that Phoenix has autism and the reader hear his voice throughout the book ,which I believe is so important. I love the message of faith through this book and find that this book has multiple faith message to convey to the reader at their level. This book reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia, which I love. I cannot wait to read the sequel! Grab a copy today, you will not be disappointed in this book. 

About the Author:

A.S. Mackey's debut middle grade fiction novel is being released May 12, 2020, published by Lifeway/B&H Publishing.

Her childhood love for creative writing was solidified with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Georgia in 1991. During her senior year at UGA, she was a reporter and copy editor for the Oglethorpe Echo newspaper in Lexington, GA. From 1992-1993 she was a regular humor column contributor in the quarterly independent musicians' magazine Visions of Gray, writing under the pen name of Uncle Earl. Allison is also a musician, and she wrote and recorded an original eleven-song CD in 2003 titled You’ve Waited Long Enough.

Mrs. Mackey has written multiple children’s stories on a contract basis with Tiny Readers Publishing in Houston (the NoMeLoMe series). She has also authored several non-fiction ESL books for young children with Norwegian ESL app designer Sigbjørn Dugal (Pickatale). She loves to cook, and a recipe she helped develop with her identical twin sister Nanci is included in the 2017 edition of "The Old Farmer’s Almanac Readers’ Best Recipes and the Stories Behind Them." She has also created web content for dozens of international websites through Upwork/Odesk.

A.S. Mackey is honored to be represented by agent Elizabeth Bennett at the Transatlantic Literary Agency. She is a member of the Shoals Writers Guild in Florence, Alabama where she currently lives. She is happily married to Chad, and she is the mother of three adult children and a son-in-law. 

The Everyday Life Psalms and Proverbs, Platinum: The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living by Joyce Meyer

The Everyday Life Psalms and Proverbs, Platinum: The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living

by 

Joyce Meyer

About:

This beautifully bound compilation of the Old Testament poetical books, Psalms and Proverbs, includes new insights from Joyce Meyer and powerful commentary drawn from The Everyday Life Bible.

A perfect gift for yourself or someone you love, this gorgeously packaged book includes the poetic wisdom of Proverbs and Psalms. It will offer comfort and peace through the power of Scripture, along with insights drawn from #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer. Readers will be inspired and empowered to change their thoughts and their lives.
In the decade since its original publication, The Everyday Life Bible has sold 1.1 million copies, taking its place as an invaluable resource on the Word of God. Simultaneously, Joyce Meyer's renown as one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers has grown, as she continues to study and teach daily. This new edition updates Joyce's notes and commentary to reflect the changes made in the revision of the Amplified Bible which refreshes the English and refines the amplification for relevance and clarity. The result is THE EVERYDAY LIFE PSALMS AND PROVERBS that is now easier to read and better than ever to study, understand, and apply to your everyday life.

My Thoughts:

The Everyday Life Psalms and Proverbs, Platinum edition is a true treasure. I love reading Proverbs and Psalms from this little book that I can stick in my purse. This little Bible contains some awesome pointers from Joyce Meyer. They are short, little snippets that help you think and even encourage you to a deeper understanding of God's word. I also love the questions that help me think about what the Bible is saying and then to act on his word. This is such a special little book in the AMP translation. 

I love the platinum cover edition of this Bible. It has a silver ribbon marker, which I am also super thankful for. It is smaller than a devotional, so it's perfect for my purse or back. I have been throwing it in my bag when I go to the store and need a boost of God's word after going through the emotional distress of shopping. I've been reading it outside too.. This is just a nice tool, and would be perfect for the graduate. 

About the Author: 

Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, Joyce’s books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, Joyce teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on how the Word of God applies to our everyday lives. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.

Joyce’s programs, Enjoying Everyday Life and Everyday Answers with Joyce Meyer, can be seen around the world through television, radio, and the Internet. Joyce has authored more than 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages and over 65 million of her books have been distributed worldwide. She teaches in cities across America as well as internationally. Joyce Meyer Ministries has offices in nine countries.

Fearless and Free: Inspirational Thoughts to Set Your Attitude and Actions for a Great Day! by Victoria Osteen

Fearless and Free: Inspirational Thoughts to Set Your Attitude and Actions for a Great Day!

by 

Victoria Osteen

About:

Live vibrantly, love openly, and embody kindness with daily devotions from New York Times bestselling author Victoria Osteen!
Victoria Osteen wants you to start your day boldly moving in the right direction. In this new and empowering devotional, Fearless and Free, you will find inspiration that will equip you to live boldly, courageously and fully confident in who God created you to be.
Victoria provides you with new insights that will inspire you to anticipate good things and know that God has given you the strength for every battle. Live every day knowing you are fearless, free, and fully prepared for the life God meant for you to live.

My Thoughts:

Fearless and Free is the perfect devotional for the season of Covid. Turn off the news and turn into God's word. We need to have our thoughts set free and this book will help you begin to tune into the truth. You will learn to live more free and bold each day, despite what is going on in the world. I found this devotional to be of great courage and comfort.  This collection of devotions will be uplifting and inspiring as you live each day. I really have enjoyed reading them, especially during a time where fear is rampant. This book will ground you and help you stay in the truth of God's word. Grab your copy today. 

My only complaint: It doesn't have a ribbon marker. That can be frustrating to me when I read devotionals. Other than that, this book is a treasure. 

About the Author:

Victoria Osteen is the co-pastor of Lakewood Church, the New York Times bestselling author of Love Your Life, and the host of a national weekly radio program, Victoria Osteen Live, on Sirius XM's Joel Osteen Radio. She is an integral part of each service at Lakewood as well as the "Night of Hope" events across the U.S. and abroad. She lives with her family in Houston, Texas.