My review of Photographs from the Edge by Art Wolfe

Photographs from the Edge: A Master Photographer's Insights on Capturing an Extraordinary World

by Art Wolfe

How excited I was to get this book to read and review! I absolutely love photography and nature so this book was perfect for me! I don't think I had heard of Art Wolfe before but I was delighted to look through this book and follow his photographic career through the past years. This book is arranged chronologically which is very interesting. I love how each picture includes a description and a story behind the capturing of it. The photographs are beautiful tributes to the amazing world around us. Art Wolfe has taken such fascinating pictures of animals, people and nature which will surely amaze and delight you. This book will not disappoint! Excellent coffee table book and gift! 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. 

With more than 500,000 books sold, celebrated nature photographer Art Wolfe recounts the stories and techniques behind the images of his forty-year career around the world.

Legendary photographer Art Wolfe presents an intimate behind-the-scenes guide to the experiences, decisions, and methods that have influenced forty years of stunning images captured around the world. Wolfe and co-author Rob Sheppard transport readers on a global journey, while carrying on a dialog about photography, tools and process, world travel, close calls, and photographic opportunities both taken and missed. From the rich sights and smells of the Pushkar Camel Fair to the exact moment when a polar bear and her cubs leave their arctic den,Photographs from the Edge represents the instances when circumstance, light, and subject miraculously collide to form an iconic image.  Many of these photographs can never be duplicated as cultures and landscapes are transformed and wildlife diminishes or disappears all together. No matter his subject, Wolfe regales us with the stories behind the photographs and helps us experience life on the world's most unique photo safari. Photographs from the Edge is a lifetime of experience distilled into a rich photographic education.

Book review of Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late by James MacDonald

Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late 
by James MacDonald

Change your attitude, change your life.

I am excited about this book! I hope many people will read it and really take the time to examine their hearts and attitudes about life! I know my life has been getting better since I really deeply examined my attitudes about everything and repented of my bad and selfish outlook on life! This book is an in-depth examination of the motives of our hearts. Although deep, this book is also easy to read because the author, James MacDonald has such a special and humble way of explaining things to people with clarity and compassion. Because of the author's openness and friendliness, this book has some humorous and very relatable points as well. I do recommend this book for men and women, young and old! The length of the book might intimidate younger readers but I encourage them to take it a chapter at a time and really think on the Biblical wisdom and go through the discussion questions. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

We're very good at explaining why we're unhappy: bad job, bad relationships, bad luck. But there's probably a better reason: bad attitudes.
In Lord, Change My Attitude, James MacDonald shows us just how much our attitudes affect our lives. One of his bestsellers, this book is classic James: It's clear, it's inspiring, and it packs a punch.
Drawing from the experience of the Israelites who grumbled through the wilderness, MacDonald shows how bad attitudes rob us of joy. Coveting, complaining, and being critical are not what our hearts were made for. They were made for thankfulness, contentment, and love. Is your heart straining under the weight of a bad attitude? 
Don't read this book if you're looking for a quick fix. Don't read this book if you're unwilling to change. Read it if you're ready for a serious, inside-out attitude adjustment.

Return to Joy: Finding Healing in the Arms of Your Savior by Bev DeSalvo, Linda Dillow

Return to Joy: Finding Healing in the Arms of Your Savior

by Bev DeSalvo, Linda Dillow

Bev DeSalvo draws from her personal experience with abuse and difficult relationships during childhood to bring hope to those who are hurting. She clearly defines the freedom and hopeful future which can be found in the love of Jesus. I loved the optimism and ,well...joy! which radiated throughout this book. It was easy to read; I began and finished it one Sunday afternoon. However, I recommend reading this book more slowly with time to ponder the stories and truths within. Also, I think it would be good to give some thought towards the discussion questions. 

Although my review is positive, I can't give this book 5 stars because it wasn't as life-changing as other similar books I have read within the past few years. It was good though and I have no negative comments. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. 

In Return to Joy, Bev DeSalvo shares her own story of healing from past pain to draw other women along a journey toward intimacy with their Savior. The road to healing is arduous and long. But when we bow our pain in worship, this broken road leads to the heart of God, where all masks are removed and divine comfort can be experienced.

On this journey, understanding the true nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit brings healing and restoration to all father, relational, and mother wounds. Learning to aggressively fight against Satan, who is devious but not creative, replaces his evil lies with the truth of God so that they no longer define the person. Recognizing that God is always “with me” leads to a place of rest where there is no fear of being rejected or abandoned. As a result of these new insights, the reader can finally return to joy and experience emotional and spiritual balance. Out of the overflow of intimate worship, God becomes their refuge, provider, and protector, enabling them to move toward others in forgiveness and true community.

Includes a ten-week Bible study.

My review of 365 Pocket Morning Prayers: Strength and Joy to Begin Each Day by David R. Veerman

365 Pocket Morning Prayers: Strength and Joy to Begin Each Day

by David R. Veerman, The Barton-Veerman Co.

This book caught my eye because of its excellent graphic design. I love the cheerful cover and the leather-like binding is pleasing. The small size is also nice and perfect for toting in ones purse. This book would make a special gift for any occasion. As I looked through this book of prayers though, I was struck by how unreasonable it is to have prayers pre-written for oneself and especially prayers organized by date! Some of these prayers are surprisingly specific (''today, Lord I have a bad attitude'', ''today I heard some bad news'', ''today I have a big decision to make'' etc.) which confuse me because they are irrelevant if that specific thing/attitude hasn't occured that day. In short, I am not a fan of prayers which are already written up for people. Christians should be able to think of what to pray to their Heavenly Father and Saviour. We don't have pre-scripted coversations for our family and best friends! And if we need words to praise and speak to him, there are the Psalms in God's Holy BIble! There, we can find enough praise and worship and repentance to pray every day! 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Each morning when you arise, take a moment to talk with God about the day ahead. Ask Him to prepare your heart so that you can be ready to face any challenge that comes your way. 365 Pocket Morning Prayers can guide this time of life-changing conversation and help you express your needs and concerns to God. Don’t worry about what the day will bring. Instead, release your troubles and concerns into God’s care by reading and meditating on the prayers featured in 365 Pocket Morning Prayers. Begin your day in joyful anticipation, trusting that God is in control of your life and wants only the best for you.

Review of the book The Things We Knew by Catherine West

The Things We Knew

by Catherine West 

To be honest, I requested this book to review because of the cover. Isn't it beautiful? The font, the nautical style, the lighthouse image...this is a very well designed book!  However, the content doesn't meet the quality of the cover. The story is supposed to be Christian but I feel it is just a murder mystery romance without anything offensive. Of course I appreciate this but was hoping the book had more eternal value in it. I love it when Christian novels pack in a spiritual message or a character growthi which sets the reader to thinking and examining their own life. I have read some Christian fiction which fits this category and this paperback wasn't one of those books. Besides, the story itself is morbid. The whole mystery thing involves discovering how the mother was killed and the revealed conclusion if not gory involves an adulterous relationship....I don't know why readers would want to read more about what is already too common around us. 

   As for the literary quality of this novel, it is not outstanding. Rather, it falls into the easy-read category of most fiction of our era. Nothing about this book expands the mind or challenges the brain and/or heart. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. 

After her mother's death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother's death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can't remember a bit of it.

But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him. Once her brother's best friend and Lynette's first crush, Nick seems to hiding things from her. Lynette wonders what he knows about the day her mother died and hopes he might help her remember the things she can't.

But Nick has no intention of telling Lynette the truth. Besides the damage it might cause his own family, he doesn't want to risk harming the fragile friendship between him and the woman he once thought of as a kid sister.

As their father's failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface—secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question all they ever believed in.