EmpowerMoms

“A Heart’s Home” is book 6 and the final book in the Journey of the Heart series. These books were the first series author Colleen Coble ever wrote, and writing was how she dealt with her brothers sudden death. These books haven’t been in print form in over 10 years. They were originally titled “Where Leads the Heart” and “Plains of Promise”.

I have become a huge fan of Colleen Coble when I discovered her books last year. I love that her books are clean and most of them are very suspenseful and mysterious.

I don’t think they would make much sense if they aren’t read together AND in order. I wouldn’t consider this Colleen Coble’s typical writing since it’s not suspenseful, but it’s still been a good series to read. Don’t read the book description though, because it pretty much gives a recap of the entire book.

Books 1-3 follow the story of Sarah and Rand, and books 4-6 follow Emmie Croftner’s story. Sarah, Rand and other main characters are still mentioned though because they live in the same area.

These books are set in the time period in the 1800s out west when there was uncertainly with English/Indian relationships, death, harsh elements, and disease. The hardships and heart breaks the characters face in this series are realistic and made me sympathize and relate to them.

I have enjoyed reading these short stories but I would have liked to have read them in 1 or 2 books-not 6 short ones. I feel like that will be a big turn off to alot of readers.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Emmie’s hope for a life with Isaac is overshadowed by a tragic loss at Fort Phil Kearny.

Isaac Liddle is keen to marry Emmie, and she knows she shouldn’t hide her pregnancy from him any longer. But before she can tell him her secret, a widower friend asks the impossible of Emmie: Will she honor her promise to his dead wife by marrying him to care for the orphaned baby?

With the Sioux Wars threatening outside the fort, Emmie’s solemn vow threatens her happiness from within. Will she honor a promise sure to break her heart—and Isaac’s? Or is there another way to find a home for her heart?

You can purchase book 6 here:

You can pre-order the entire bundle of books here:

Mind of Her Own by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

I was very intrigued when I read the book description, how this story line would flow and if it would end well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and was captivated by Louisa’s life as she struggled to find answers about who she really was.

The reader gets a glimpse into Louisa’s life in chapter 1 before she has a head injury and forgets who she is and everything about her life and family. I could feel the emotional turmoil through the pages that both Louisa and her “husband” were feeling about the situation as they rediscover each other.

Not only was the story captivating; but I believe it also portrayed the importance of a husband and wife staying connected, and a mothers importance of keeping her identity and interests while raising a family.

The story had twists and turns, as well as funny and emotional heart wrenching parts. Loved it!

I received a copy of this book complimentary from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

About the Book
Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t. But when the George Foreman grill falls out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa’s life takes a turn for the unexpected. Who is this Collin fellow, claiming she is his wife? And whose kids are those? Her name can’t be Louisa. Why, she is the renowned romance writer Jazz Sweet, not a Midwestern mom of three. Struggling to put the pieces together of the life she’s told she had, Louisa/Jazz may realize that some memories are better left alone.

You can purchase a copy here:

Biography
Women are strong!

Sometimes we don’t know how strong we can be until we are forced to react to something harmful or unpleasant. I write fiction about women choosing to challenge their fears even though they want to run from them. By the end of their journey they have become the strong women God intends. Perhaps you’ll see a bit of yourself between the covers.

fun facts about me
In no order of importance:
I’m married to an amazing man who treats me like a princess.I have 3 sons, 2 daughter-in-laws
Currently two cats decided to call our house their home.
I love dogs but don’t have one right now.
I like to ride my bike on trails with my husband.
I hate to clean house.
I could live on Diet Dr Pepper and cotton candy.
Friends are like gold to me.
I am gluten-free and not by choice.
I spend time preserving my family history through digi scrapping using photoshop elements.
I love to sew and quilt.

Christian author, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, writes historical and contemporary romances. She’s also written We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Once widowed and now remarried she writes with humor and experience on the difficulty of joining two families be it fictional or real life.

For the past 2 weeks I have been posting pictures on Instagram and my review in FIVE parts (since there are 5 dvds in this set) here on my blog instead of posting one really long post!

This is my last post since I have now completed all 5 dvds.

I hope you have enjoyed all my pictures, time segments, and thoughts on each DVD and that it was helpful to you in some way!

Here is my part 1/5 for DVD workout # 1 review:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/08/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone-part-1-of-5.html

Here is my part 2/5 for DVD workout #2 review:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/09/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone-part-2-of-5.html

Here is my part 3/5 for DVD workout #3 review:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/09/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone-part-3-of-5.html

Here is my part 4/5 for DVD workout #4 review PLUS a sneak peek VIDEO:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/09/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone-part-4-of-5.html

This is what the main menu looks like. I choose the “play” options on all the workouts because I wanted to hear Leslie’s instructions.

I did mile 5 dvd this morning. Leslie Sansone leads this entire DVD with a large cast.

0:30-5:05 WARM UP
5:05-13:00 FAST WALK
13:00-15:10 BOOSTED WALK with HIIT intervals
15:10-20:20 Transition walk? shows 1 mile marker complete!
20:20-23:49 FAST WALK
23:49-28:50 MIRACLE MILES BAND
28:50-37:22 Transition walk? shows 2 mile marker complete! and FAST WALK
37:22-42:45 MIRACLE MILES BAND
42:45-48:09 FAST WALK and shows 3 mile marker complete!
48:09-50:45 BOOSTED WALK with HIIT intervals
50:45-54:45 MIRACLE MILES BAND
54:45-58:00 Transition walk? shows 4 mile marker complete!
58:00-1:03:53 FAST WALK
1:03:53-1:06:23 MIRACLE MILES BAND
1:06:23-1:08:47 COOL DOWN
1:08:47-1:10:15 STRETCH

The Boosted Walk has HIIT (High intensity interval training) training meaning you do 15-20 seconds of jogging to get your heart rate up, and then heel digs during the recovery phase-then repeated a couple of times. Leslie shows you that if you don’t want to jog during the HIIT, you can do fast walking with raising your arms up and down to keep your heart rate up.

The Walk Clock countdown starts at 10:00 and is displayed the rest of the workout on the bottom right.

The music on this entire dvd is to a great exercise beat-no words EXCEPT for during the Fast Walk which does have words during the music. (5:05-13:00)

I love Leslie’s bright shoes and color combos she uses for the different dvds!

I was very disappointed that my calorie burn was LESS with doing this 5 mile walk, than it was doing the 4 mile walk. 🙁 I only burned 377 calories for this walk versus 386 for the 4 mile walk. It was still a very fun walk, but I enjoyed the 4 mile DVD the best (not just because of my calorie burn though)!

As a side note, the person in charge of putting up the signs on the screen to indicate the switch of segments (ie: Fast Walk, Boosted Walk, Miracle Miles Band) did a really crappy job during DVD #3, #4 and especially in #5. Its definitely NOT a big deal when doing these workouts and has no barring on doing the exercises; but in trying to do reviews and post the time segment breakdowns here on my blog, it made it very difficult!

The NEW band is really cool!

It’s about 1/4 inch thick and stretchy with loop holes. There isn’t any difference using this new band versus a regular resistance band honestly.

HOWEVER, I like it better than a traditional band because this new band doesn’t make my hands smell or itch; you can use the loop holes to tighten the resistance; and I don’t have to worry about the band snapping back and hitting my son in the face (yes that has happened before with a traditional resistance band-OUCH!).

You can read my earlier blog post to get more specifics and ordering info PLUS A COUPON CODE here:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/08/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-5-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone.html

The Moses Chronicles Volume 1: Bondage by H.B. Moore

This story was absolutely exciting and thrilling from the beginning to the very end!

“Bondage” Book #1 in the Moses Chronicles alternates chapters with the telling of Miriam and Moses’s story in their point of view. All the while weaving in real biblical characters like Aaron, Caleb, and Ramses II; and fictional characters like Katu and Deborah.

This book ends with Moses leaving his mother and the Nile Valley to head towards the Hebrew Villages; obviously leaving it open ended to continue with volume #2.

I love reading Bible-based fictional stories and have read many-including all those written by HB Moore (Heather Moore). Although there are fictional characters and events that happen; HB Moore does include real biblical facts and events, making this story rich with history and a thrilling story line.

I read this story in one night because I didn’t want to put it down and was disappointed to see it end. I can’t wait to read The Moses Chronicles Volume 2 when it’s released and this series of books will definitely be a set to keep on my bookshelf to read again and again!

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the Book
Moses has always felt like an outsider in his powerful Egyptian family, even though his close relationship with Ramses, the prince of Egypt, and their cousin Pentu keeps him entwined in the dealings of royalty. But when their youthful antics get them in trouble, the Pharaoh decides it’s time for all three of them to grow up and own their respective responsibilities. Now betrothed to a woman he cares nothing for, Moses wonders where his life is headed.

Miriam, a Hebrew slave, lives with a secret she cannot share with anyone. And though it has been eighteen years since she saved her baby brother, she is constantly getting in trouble for spying on him. In a desperate attempt to control Miriam, her older brother, Aaron, and her father look to find her a husband, something Miriam has never been interested in—until Caleb, a young, handsome man, confesses his feelings for her and asks her father for her hand in marriage.

When Libya advances on Egypt, Moses and Miriam are suddenly thrown together as the Egyptian royals and soldiers flee. Hebrew slaves are forced to defend the kingdom, and Miriam and Caleb are enlisted under Moses’s direction. Moses quickly sees there is more to this downtrodden people than what he’s been taught. When he witnesses the atrocities enacted against the slaves, he realizes he must leave—he must find out who he really is.

A gripping account of the events that lead to Moses’s flight into the wilderness, The Moses Chronicles: Bondage will take you back to a rich period of history replete with scandal, strife, love, and hope as God prepares a prophet to lead His chosen people.

You can purchase a copy here:

Biography
Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen historical novels and thrillers, written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women’s fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah.

Please join Heather’s email list at: http://hbmoore.com/contact/
Blog: http://mywriterslair.blogspot.com
Website: www.hbmoore.com
Twitter: @heatherbmoore
Facebook: Fans of H.B. Moore

Literary awards: 4-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 3-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner

Over the next week or so I will be posting pictures on Instagram and my review in FIVE parts (since there are 5 dvds in this set) here on my blog instead of posting one really long post!

Here is my part 1/5 for DVD workout # 1 review:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/08/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone-part-1-of-5.html

Here is my part 2/5 for DVD workout #2 review:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/09/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone-part-2-of-5.html

Here is my part 3/5 for DVD workout #3 review:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/09/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone-part-3-of-5.html

This is what the main menu looks like. I choose the “play” options on all the workouts because I wanted to hear Leslie’s instructions.

I also played around with the menu options this time, in case others want to do one mile or switch around miles. I prefer to just do the entire dvd though, so I always press play.

You can also do the option for “music only” which just mutes the people so you only hear the music beat.

I did the mile 2 option only and the clock starts at 00 and ends at 13:30 and then stops to return to the main menu.

Mile 4 option has 15:35 mins in that segment because it includes the cool down and stretch.

If you are wanting to pick and choose miles instead of doing the entire DVD; that will work, but just be mindful that the miles will be 13-15 mins long and mile 1 will include the warm up and the last mile on the dvd will include the cool down.

I did mile 4 dvd yesterday. Leslie Sansone leads this entire DVD with a large cast.

0:30-5:18 WARM UP
5:18-10:28 FAST WALK
10:28-12:48 BOOSTED WALK with HIIT intervals
12:48-16:23 MIRACLE MILES BAND
16:23-24:23 FAST WALK
24:23-29:50 MIRACLE MILES BAND
29:50-34:06 FAST WALK
34:06-36:58 BOOSTED WALK with HIIT intervals
36:58-39:28 MIRACLE MILES BAND
39:28-48:10 FAST WALK (they forget to show this across the screen)
48:10-54:00 MIRACLE MILES BAND (they forgot to show this across the screen)
54:00-55:45 COOL DOWN
55:45-58:20 STRETCH with band

The Boosted Walk has HIIT (High intensity interval training) training meaning you do 15-20 seconds of jogging to get your heart rate up, and then heel digs during the recovery phase-then repeated a couple of times.

The Walk Clock countdown starts at 10:00 and is displayed the rest of the workout on the bottom right.

The music on this entire dvd is to a great exercise beat-no words.

I like that Leslie uses the Band for the stretch section after the cool down-it was something different.

I love Leslie’s bright shoes and color combos she uses for the different dvds!

I think this is my favorite DVD so far because Leslie does some different moves through out this workout that shes hasn’t done before-like a different leg pattern, different stretches with the band, and using the band for the cool down stretch.

Here’s a Video that I made yesterday showing a Boosted Walk with intervals and using the Miracle Mile Band.

The NEW band is really cool!

It’s about 1/4 inch thick and stretchy with loop holes. There isn’t any difference using this new band versus a regular resistance band honestly.

HOWEVER, I like it better than a traditional band because this new band doesn’t make my hands smell or itch; you can use the loop holes to tighten the resistance; and I don’t have to worry about the band snapping back and hitting my son in the face (yes that has happened before with a traditional resistance band-OUCH!).

You can read my earlier blog post to get more specifics and ordering info PLUS A COUPON CODE here:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/08/walk-at-home-miracle-miles-brand-new-5-dvd-set-by-leslie-sansone.html