Review: Imperfect Bliss by Susan Fales-Hill

Imperfect Bliss

Susan Fales-Hill

Genre: Chick Lit/Comedy

Publication Date: July 3, 2012

Publisher: Atria Books

ISBN:1451623828

Buy It!

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Description:

Jane Austen meets the Bachelorette in this twenty-first-century comedy of manners about a suburban family, their four eligible daughters, and what happens when reality TV comes to town.With her acclaimed first novel, One Flight Up, author Susan Fales-Hill is on a roll, already leaving her chick-lit predecessors “in the dust,” as the New York Post put it. Now, in Imperfect Bliss, she offers up a hilarious take on genteel family life with a cast of irresistibly eccentric characters. Meet the Harcourts of Chevy Chase, Maryland. A respectable middle class, middle-aged, mixed-race couple, Harold and Forsythia have four eminently marriageable daughters—or so their mother believes. Forsythia named her girls after Windsor royals in the hopes that one day each would find her true prince. But princes are far from the mind of their second-born daughter, Elizabeth (AKA Bliss), who, in the aftermath of a messy divorce, has moved back home and thrown herself into earning her Ph.D. All that changes when aBachelorette-style reality television show called The Virgin takes Bliss’s younger sister, Diana, as its star. Though she fights it at first, Bliss can’t help but be drawn into the romantic drama that ensues, forcing her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about love, her family, and herself.

Review

Rating:

This was a really great, light, funny and refreshing read. Yes, the plot was very predictable, but nevertheless I enjoyed the story immensely. As I said, it was kind of a light read, but I also found myself taking some of the issues talked about in the book, and things that the characters were involved in, and thinking about them more. So even though this was a pretty light, I think there is definitely some deeper meaning behind it, and will leave you with something to think about. Especially in today's society with our fixation on reality t.v., sex etc. 

The heroine (or fairy tale princess) was African American, which I really liked because it doesn't seem to be all that common in books, especially chick lit. I also like some of the issues that the character Bliss brought up, being African American. It added that deeper element to the story definitely.

I also loved the sense of humor of the writer! Like, no, really.

I thought that this book was pretty darn hilarious. The crazy mom, the easy sister, everyone. They were all perfect for the story and I immediately fell in love with them.

Overall this was a great book and I would totally recommend it to fans of funny, chick lit, and definitely satires. 

No kidding folks, this book was pretty funny.

It's sure to make you smile like a fool.

:)

*The BBB's received a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: Faith and Other Flat Tires: Searching for God on the Rough Road of Doubt by Andrea Palpant Dilley

Faith and Other Flat Tires: Searching for God on the Rough Road of Doubt

Andrea Palpant Dilley

Genre: Religious/Memoir

Publication Date: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN:031032551X

Buy It!

Amazon
 Barnes & Noble

Description:

At age twenty-one, Andrea Palpant Dilley stripped the Christian fish decal off her car bumper in a symbolic act of departure from her religious childhood. At twenty-three, she left the church and went searching for refugein the company of men who left her lonely and friends who pushed the boundaries of what she once held sacred. In this deeply personal memoir, Andrea navigates the doubts that plague believers and skeptics alike: Why does a good God allow suffering? Why is God so silent, distant, and uninvolved? And why does the church seem so dysfunctional? Yet amid her skepticism, she begins to ask new questions: Could doubting be a form of faith? Might our doubts be a longing for God that leads to a faith we can ultimately live with?

Review

Rating:

I actually really liked this book, which, surprised me because I usually am not that much of a fan of memoirs, but I wanted to give this one a go. 

I thought that a lot of the authors stories, points of view, etc were great. As a sort of agnostic myself I can relate to her stories because quite honestly, I've pretty much been there 1000 and one times. I grew up in church my whole life, much like she did so I know exactly what she's talking about.

Overall this is a great book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has doubts about their faith, believing in God, or have just ever felt like things didn't make sense with religion, God, and the human condition.

*The BBB's received a copy of this book for review purposes only. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Wicked: The Life and Time of the Wicked Witch of the West

Gregory Maguire

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy

Publication Date: December 5, 2000

Publisher: HarperCollins

ISBN: 0060987103

Buy It!

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Description:

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Review

Rating:

Honestly, I really didn't like this book. ha. It took me FOREVER to get through, because it was just so boring to me. It seemed like the book was filled with parts that were just really unnecessary, and they frankly bored me. The only time I really got all into the story was toward the end when everything was happening with Elphaba's sister.

I'm going to say that this book just wasn't for me. At all.

I think that maybe if I would have had some prior experience with the original Wizard of Oz books then I would have a greater appreciation for Wicked. Sadly, I don't.

I do however enjoy Maguires writing style, and I would definitely read another book by him, like Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, etc.

*Hannah bought this book and decided to post a review of it. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: The Lean by Kelly Freston

The Lean

A Revolutionary (and Simple) 30 Day Plan for Healthy, Lasting Weight Loss

Kathy Freston
Genre: Non Fiction/Health & Fitness

Published: March 27, 2012

Publisher: Weinstein Books

ISBN: 1602861730 

Buy It!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Description:

If you’ve ever dieted, you’ve undoubtedly worked very hard to achieve results--only to experience the disappointment of having the pounds creep back on. But now wellness expert Kathy Freston lets readers in on her secret: losing weight doesn’t have to be difficult, and it can last. With this book she shares the powerful concept of The Lean--a radically effective approach to positive change--with a practical 30-day plan to transform your health and jump-start weight loss in the most gentle, easy, and automatic way possible.“Leaning in” is about setting an intention for what you want, weight- and health-wise, and then nudging yourself ever so gently in that direction, even if getting there seems impossible. It’s about choosing to eat foods that are delicious, filling, and supportive of your goals.
Each day of the scientifically based, vegan-friendly Lean plan, Kathy shows how to make and commit to small diet and lifestyle changes that, over time, yield unexpectedly significant results--something as simple as swapping in nondairy milk for cow’s milk, eating an apple a day, or having an afternoon power shake. These changes propel you almost effortlessly into a forward momentum of ever more healthy choices, and work together to bolster your progress. There are only two rules:
1. All you need is the willingness to take just one step.
2. As you add the healthier foods to your diet, eat the new foods first.
By gradually adding in these nutrient-dense and fiber-rich foods, you’ll crowd out the problem foods, feel fuller for longer, and simply stop feeling cravings. On Kathy’s Lean plan, readers can experience sustained, healthy, and permanent weight loss of 1-3 pounds per week--plus increased energy, improved digestion, clearer skin, and renewed purpose. Complete with exercises, recipes, and powerful testimonials,The Lean offers not only a truly leaner frame, but also the little push we all need to get on the path to lasting change.

Review:

Rating:

The Lean by Kelly Freston is a book that follows a simple 30 day plan to change your eating habits so that you can live healthier.

The book was really easy to follow, and the steps truly were simple.

I thought that a lot of the steps that were included were very true, and things that people should be doing all of the time.

I especially liked how this books was more of a baby steps kind of book. You can take the diet plan one step at a time thanks to the day by day schedule. I think that that's one of the reasons that this is so appealing. You can ease yourself into the vegan lifestyle without taking the giant leap.

Even if you aren't wanting to become a vegan, then you can still benefit from this book.

It is full of great steps to help change your body for the better, even if it's as simple as eating an apple.

I think this is a great book for anyone who is looking to eat healthier, or is just looking for some great reading material on nutrition and foods. I definitely enjoyed it, even though I have no intention of giving up my carnivorous ways.

:)

If you're curious about the 30 steps and what they mean, I would highly advise you to check out Kelly's page of badges.

These are great to share on FB, Twitter, etc. to drum up support from your family and friends, especially while going through the 30 day plan.

:D

*The Book Blogging Beauties  received a copy of this book from Weinstein Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: My Big Bottom Blessing by Teasi Cannon

My Big Bottom Blessing

How Hating My Body Led to Loving My Life

Teasi Cannon
Genre: Non Fiction/Religious

Published: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Worthy Publishing

ISBN: 1617950769

Description:

The media feeds us distorted images of beauty and what an "ideal woman" should look like. Weight loss is nearly a $55 billion a year business. Ninety percent of high school girls diet regularly, even though only 10 to 15 percent would be considered truly overweight. In My Big Bottom Blessing, author Teasi Cannon speaks from personal experience, offering a way out of distorted body images and the pain of self-rejection. She says, "My obsession with fat and failure robbed me of a lot of the good in my life. God's definition of beauty has far more to do with what's going on inside of us than what's skin deep. I have been miraculously set free from the lie that being thin equals being beautiful."

My Big Bottom Blessing offers us Teasi's story—and real-life solutions for the millions of young women who struggle with poor self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy and rejection. She shows that God loves the whole person unconditionally and that whatever it is that you despise most about yourself (it doesn’t have to be weight) can become the catalyst for serious life change. From a search for self-acceptance to finding true love and contentment just as we are, Teasi proves that emotional pain can be healed and confidence found in knowing that authentic beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

My Big Bottom Blessing is a joyful, compassionate, and wise guide from someone who knows the power of exchanging the way we look with a new way of seeing.

Review:

Rating:

This book by Teasi Cannon is more than a book about overcoming self image issues, its about truly becoming a daughter of The King.

I absolutely love the way that this book is written. Not preachy, not impersonal, like your typical self help book. It was like sitting down and talking with a friend most of the time ( you know, those friends who give it to ya straight). I think this was a great way to write it because a lot of people can relate and be engaged. If this book was more preachy, then I think that I would have skimmed right through this book without skipping a beat, but the writing style pulled me in instead. 

I also love how real this book is. In the book the author talks about hearing the voices of  "trainer" and other internal voices. I think that we've all had those thoughts or "voices" at some time or another. Its something that we all deal with, but we hardly ever talk about. 

I think that the authors transperancy with her life, and her willingness to talk about different womens issues, and issues with people in general, really made this book for me. There are a lot of truths to be found in this book, for sure.

I also loved how she didnt just talk about her life, etc. She backed everything she was saying with scripture, so you could actually see that the Bible lines up with what she's saying.

The only thing that slightly annoyed me with this book, was the little workbook like pages at the end of chapters. Honestly, I thought that you made the connections to your own life as she was telling the stories just fine without the workbook pages. It seemed like that was trying a bit too hard. But that is literally my only qualm with this book.

It was great! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about truly becoming a daughter of God, or someone who has self esteem or body image issues, but I would also recommend it to just about any christian woman out there. There are a lot of truths to be found in this book, whether you are having self esteem issues or not.

Stay Tuned for a chance to win your own copy of this book!

:D

In the meantime, enjoy this First Chapter Preview of My Big Bottom Blessing!!

*The Book Blogging Beauties received a copy of this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: MOMumental by Jennifer Grant

MOMumental

Jennifer Grant
Genre: Non Fiction/Parenting

Published: May 8, 2012

Publisher: Worthy Publishing

ISBN: 9781617950

Description:

One mom’s humorous and candid memoir shows would-be supermoms how to create a realistically balanced family life without losing their minds.

Review:

Rating:

 This is a wonderful memoir of family life in all of its (sometimes) messy glory. It's definitely not your normal book about raising a child! It's not about being the perfect parent, its about being a REAL mom. I think that's whats so appealing about this book. The author uses her real experiences(and that of friends etc.) of being a parent, the good, bad, and the ugly. The stories that she uses to illustrate are pretty dog gone funny, and I think most parents have a story or two that's pretty similar from their journey through parenthood.

;)

Even though I'm not a Mom myself, I really liked this book. The heartfelt stories, and the realness of the author, made this a fun, interesting, and educational read.

If you are a mom (or about to be), I would definitely recommend that you pick up this read. 

I'm sure you won't regret it!

And hey, you may even get the chance to win a copy soon....

:D

In the meantime, enjoy this First Chapter Preview of MOMumental!!

*The Book Blogging Beauties received a copy of this book from Worthy Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina

Rachel Hartman
Genre: YA/Fantasy

Expected Publication: July 10, 2012

Publisher: Random House

ISBN: 0375866566

Description:

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

Review:

Rating:

I LOVED this book. It was so so great, and refreshingly different than some of the other YA/Fantasy books about dragons and such. Hartman's dragons are like none other that I have read before, and it was great!
The story really drew me in with the telling of Seraphina's past, and I found myself struggling along with her in her journey of accepting who she is, no matter what she is.
I also liked the way that the author wrote this - I didn't see the surprise coming, and that's always a good thing.
I can't wait to see how things turn out with Seraphina in the (hopefully) next book!
:)

I was also really impressed by the level of vocabulary used in this book, mostly because of its medeval like setting. There were some pretty big/rarely used words, folks! I loved it! I learned SO many new words from this book, it's not even funny. haha. It's a good thing I had my trusty Kindle Fire with me to help with the defining.

This was a very well written, and different read. I would recommend this book to any fan of the Fantasy genre, young and old alike! I also think that people who love stories with dragons in them will get some great enjoyment out of this book, I know I did!

*The Book Blogging Beauties received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Book Review: SASS Yourself Slim by Cynthia Sass

SASS Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds, and Lose Inches

Cynthia Sass
Genre: Self Help/Fitness

Published: March 20, 2012

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN: 006197465X

Description:

S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim is a 30-day plan in two parts. Part one is a 5-Day Fast Forward option that jump starts your results. It calls for four simple meals a day, made from just five foods: spinach, almonds, raspberries, eggs, and yogurt (or vegan-friendly alternatives). Cynthia selected these foods because each is filling, rich in detoxifying and health-protecting nutrients, and has been scientifically shown to specifically support weight loss. Using these five superior foods in various combinations daily for five days gives your body, mind, and taste buds a fresh start and will help you shed up to eight pounds quickly. 

Part two is a 25-day plan (30 days if you forego the Fast Forward option) which also calls for four meals a day, but now draws from a broad but specific array of food choices. And with this part of the plan, you can easily drop a size in just one month. The Core is based on cutting edge research and three key rules that work in synergy to provide real and lasting results:

• Rule #1: Eat Like Clockwork. Meal timing is important — you must eat breakfast within an hour of waking up and space the remaining meals evenly throughout the day, no sooner than three and no more than five hours apart, in order to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels and hunger hormones; reset and rev up metabolism; and keep feeling energized.  
  
  

• Rule #2: Think 5 Pieces 4 Times a Day. Each meal in theS.A.S.S. Yourself Slim plan is constructed as a unique “puzzle” made from five pieces: produce, a whole grain, lean protein, plant-based fat, and specific seasonings — or, as Cynthia refers to them, SASS (more about that below). Following the plan is as easy as knowing what the five pieces of the puzzle are and how much of each one to include at every meal. This becomes second nature within thefirst week. This simple approach allows you to consistently S.A.S.S. yourself whether you’re at home, at a restaurant, or on vacation. It’s as easy as choosing from Cynthia’s 100 delicious recipes or using the DIY chapter to build your own ‘5 piece puzzle’ meals. 
  
  

• Rule #3: Make Flavor Your Focus. S.A.S.S. — the fifth piece of the puzzle (above) — stands for Slimming and Satiating Seasonings: vinegar, citrus juice or zest, hot peppers, tea, and herbs and spices. These five additions not only add flavor to the meals without excess calories or sodium, they are scientifically proven to maximize your body’s fat-burning furnace and are rich in antioxidants, which have been linked to lower body-fat levels, even without dieting.
  
  

The book also includes chapters on emotional eating, falling in love with walking, and an entire chapter devoted to the health and weight loss benefits of the daily dark chocolate escape. On this plan you can shed pounds while enjoying satisfying recipes, such as Berry Almond French Toast, a Smoked Gouda and Grilled Onion Salad, Ginger Pear Smoothie, and Shrimp Creole. Vegetarians, vegans, and those following a gluten free diet can also follow this plan to achieve sustainable weight loss success. 

S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim teaches you how to get your body back, and refocus your attention and energy where they should be — on living and enjoying your life.

Review:

Rating:

 I really loved this book! Its not only filled with how to do Sass's 30 day plan, but also contains tons of tips on nutrition in general. I think that was my favorite part about this book. I also really loved how the book didn't just say "eat this" or "don't eat that" but it actually explained pretty in depth on why you shouldn't eat certain things, or why certain things are not included in the diet.
I also liked how you can vary the diet from person to person, that makes it much more open for anyone to try.


The only thing I didn't quite like are the testimonies from people through the book. It annoys me a lot when there are testimonies like "I went from a size 2 to a size 0!". I mean, I get that they're all excited, and they did loose weight, but personally, I'm more inspired and more likely to try a diet if the amount of weight lost is larger. I probably would have picked better testimonies in general, but I did like the fact that there were testimonies to begin with.


I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is trying to shed a few pounds, or is just more curious about nutrition, and eating healthier!

*The Book Blogging Beauties received a copy of this book from the One2One Network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Illusion by Frank Peretti

Illusion

Frank Peretti
Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction

Published: March 6, 2012

Publisher: Howard Books

ISBN: 1439192677

Description:

Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life—or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop.

Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn’t know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.

They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protégée, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy’s powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.

Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic.

Review:

Rating:

 Illusion by New York Times Bestselling author Frank Peretti was frankly, a bit of a letdown for me. Peretti has long been one of my favorite authors in the area of Christian fiction, always dazzling me with suspense, mystery, and a deeper meaning in his work. This time however, I was very disappointed.

I found this book to be quite boring actually. It seemed to never quite draw me in the way that some of his previous books have. I think that one of reasons I didn’t quite get into it was the characters. They were all very flat, and also very forgettable. I think that in order for this to be a stronger story, the characters need to be a bit more dynamic.

Another thing that I didn’t really care for in this book was how the dialogue and storyline seemed to jump around from person to person/perspective to perspective. I normally don't mind these kind of breaks, but in this book I found them to be a bit confusing at times.

I did like the authors added note in the back of the book, relaying the less obvious but deeper meanings that can be found in this book. I think that it was a great move to put that in there, and will give readers something to ponder on after they have read this book.

I also enjoyed the basic storyline in this book, the sort of science fiction with a twist. It was very refreshing compared to the normal science fiction story lines that have been storming the shelves lately.

Although this book didn’t meet my expectations, I would say that this book was an OK book overall. I would recommend this to someone who enjoys a mystery, with just a touch of science fiction!

;)

*The Book Blogging Beauties received a copy of this book from the publisher/Handlebar Marketing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.