Think and Make It Happen

The full title of this book is Think and Make It Happen: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Overcoming Negative Thoughts, and Discovering Your True Potential. Boy that is a mouthful. But I do have to say that if you picked up this book at a book store, there would be no question as to what is is about.

That said, it took me a little longer than usual to read this one. There are 12 different principles to live by, and each one has it's own full chapter. The Author suggests three different ways to read the book.
...listed below in increasing order of effectiveness:
1. Read it as you would any other book, with a view to increasing your intelligence and wisdom.
2. Read one chapter per week, with a view toward incorporating and living each principle, and then review the principles continually as a lifelong program for change.
3. Work through the twelve principles (one per week) as part of a small group, benefiting from the experiences and interactions of others and the synergy that results...

I personally chose to read it like I would any other book. The Author talks a lot about his studies of the psychology of some of history's greatest men. The one he focuses on in this book is Jesus Christ. However, this is not at all a Religious book, nor does it preach that you must believe in Jesus in order to achieve the results promised. Instead, he looks at Jesus as what he was, a man, and focuses on his actions in that sense. On the negative side, I did feel like The Author was a bit redundant at times. However, in a self-help book such as this one, sometimes it takes reading the same thing several times before your mind actually processes it.

All in all, I think this is a great book. The main message that I seem to get from it is "mind over matter." While, it's never an instant fix, I think this book is a great stepping block for anyone who is in need of a more positive outlook on life. And honestly, the greatest thing about this book is that is can really help anyone, regardless of what your personal problems may be.

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

The American Patriot's Almanac

I am really enjoying this next book. The American Patriot's Alamanac - Daily Readings on America. As soon as I got this book I couldn't wait to open it up. First of all, I really love that it's made to look like an old weathered book. I think that it gives it quite a bit of character.

This is a great book for someone who loves History. Especially American History. The book begins on January first with a paragraph about something that happened on that day in history. On January 1st, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Did you know that? After the paragraph, it tells you a few more highlights that happened on that date as well. I really think that this would be a great book to read each day with your children. If you are homeschooling, it would be great for History lessons. This is definitely a must-have in my family. My son is not old enough to understand it yet, but when he is, you can be sure we'll be reading this book every single day!

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.

I am very pleased to kick off this book review blog today with my first book from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

In the Shadow of the Sun King

A Darkness to Light novel (Book 1)

Trade Paper

By Golden Keyes Parsons

Madeleine's shared history with the king holds the key to her family's life...or death.

Seventeenth century France is an unsafe time to be a Huguenot. By order of King Louis XIV, all French Protestants must immediately convert or face imprisonment--or death. The king's dragoons ferret out the nonconformists, pillaging villages and destroying homesteads.

When the king's soldiers descend on the Clavell estate, the family's fate hangs in the balance. Quickly, quietly, they send their two sons into hiding, trusting that the young age of their daughter will guarantee her protection. But the dragoons will not be dissuaded; they hold the manor hostage looking for clues of their guilt or innocence. However, Madeleine Clavell, the lady of the manor, holds a secret--one possible chance to save the family. She and the king share a past.

Once a beautiful young lady in the French court whom Louis loved, Madeleine travels to Versailles to plead for mercy from the fickle king, hoping to regain his favor and save her family. It's a gamble, but she is left with no other choice. Madeleine soon faces an agonizing decision--one that changes her family forever.

I'm very open to all kinds of books, so when I choose a book, I sometimes just look at the cover and just grab it, without knowing much else about it. And that's what I did here. It worked out great, though.

This book takes you on a spiritual journey with a family whom you would like to be your own. The main character, Madeline, is a strong and brave woman who is willing to risk so much to save her family from persecution. But she turns down becoming the King's mistress because of her strong family convictions. When the King orders her estate to be burnt down and her husband and daughter taken away, will she ever see them again?

What I like most about this book is that the author tried to be as historically accurate as possible. The story is based on the author's actual family genealogy, plus historical facts. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about history, and also for anyone who likes a good love story, there's something for everyone. And at the end, there are even discussion questions to use in your book club.

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a free copy of this book to review. All opinions are solely mine and are not influenced in any way.