EmpowerMoms

“Love Arrives in Pieces” by Betsy St. Amant

The main character Stella is hired for a local job to decorate a renovated theater and finds out she has to work with an old friend who didn’t leave on good terms. They must figure out how to work together for the sake of the community and try to heal past wounds and misunderstandings.

I couldn’t really relate to the main character and how “broken” Stella felt after her divorce. I liked that she used painting as her way to express herself and her emotions, but I didn’t understand why it was such a big deal to keep it secret. I felt like Stella was very dramatic and immature at times with how she dealt with Chase and some situations around her.

During the book it kept eluding to Stella, Stella’s sister, and Chase being involved in a personal scandal that left them all brokenhearted, but it kept leaving me confused because it never shared what happened so it was hard to understand the emotions involved.

Overall, it was a nice story, but not one that I would remember in the future or read again. I read another book by this author which I liked better than this one.

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.

About the Book:
For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn’t trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn’t get another job soon, she’ll be stuck living with her parents.

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancée. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he’ll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town’s old theater and is shocked to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness—and their unresolved feelings for each other—until Chase discovers the hidden parts of Stella, while losing her trust in the process.

A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice—to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from their brokenness.

About the Author:
Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana with her young daughter and has a heart for sharing the amazing news of God’s grace through her novels. A freelance journalist, Betsy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not reading, writing, or singing along to a Disney soundtrack with her daughter, Betsy enjoys inspirational speaking and teaching on the craft of writing. Visit her website at www.betsystamant.com Facebook: BetsySt.Amant Twitter: @betsystamant

You can buy it from Amazon here:

Get ready.. the Jessica Smith Summer of Strength plan begins on Monday July 6th 2015!

This plan includes 28 workouts to be completed in 28 days (including active rest day workouts) with an emphasis on building strength in four specific ways — muscular strength, endurance, power and function.

She’s put together a periodized rotation (to help you train just like athletes do) using her FREE Youtube workout videos to help you maximize your results, energy and motivation during the month of July.

To sign up for this free July Challenge, go to the link below and sign up for her email list! She will be sending out all the details on Saturday, July 4th so don’t delay.

http://www.jessicasmithtv.com/join-our-summer-of-strength-challenge/

Also, if you are a new email subscriber, you will get her free 15 day workout program, in addition to this challenge and all future challenge details.

The #1millionminutes with #sweatpink challenge began on June 21 (in honor of their 4th birthday!) and will end two months later, on August 21.

You can go here for all the details and to record your exercising minute:
http://fitapproach.com/1millionminutes/

My goal was to do 300-360 minutes last week.
My blog post from last week is here:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/06/1millionminutes-challenge-with-sweatpink.html

I logged 379 minutes from Sunday June 21-Saturday June 27-working out 6/7 days of the week. WHOOHOO!!

Sunday: (46) mins Leslie Sansone DVD at home, (24) mins Evolution20 pilates DVD at home.

Monday: (62) min Jessica Smith DVD at home, (45) mins at the gym with personal trainer.

Tuesday: (15) mins AM Yoga DVD at home.

Wednesday: REST DAY

Thursday: (67) mins at the gym.

Friday: (90) mins at the gym doing Body Pump, then cardio machines.

Saturday: (30) mins NoExcuseMom park workout with my kids.

I post my daily pictures and polar HRM watch pictures on Instagram (@EmpowerMoms) if you’re interested.

How many minutes of exercise did you get this week?

Charlotte is a headmistress of a school for exceptional youth. After being told they are shutting down midterm, she must do everything she can to protect 3 specific children left in her care. Dodging trackers, bullets, and seedy men-Charlotte bravely fights to keep her “kids” in her care until she meets tracker Stone Hammond who is determined to take Lily away from her. Will faith, love and the truth get her through?

This story was set in Texas in the early 1890’s. I loved Charlotte’s personality-brave, loving, determined, loyal. I loved reading her determination from day 1 of protecting her school kids regardless the costs.

The descriptions of Texas and events going on were very vivid that I felt I was there along side Charlotte and Stone.

I loved the character Stone and how he fought to see justice through, all the while protecting Charlotte and the kids, whom he barely knew.

I really enjoyed all the action, drama, and romance in this clean, christian book! I would highly recommend it!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the Book
A teacher on the run. A bounty hunter in pursuit. Can two enemies learn to trust each other before they both lose what they hold most dear?

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is she villain or victim?

Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.

About the Author
Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award, and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance because she believes in giving the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

You can buy it from Amazon here

Mother, Should I Trust the Government?: The Making and Keeping of Our American Republic by Jake Jacobs Ph.D.

“Is the government to be trusted with the power we’ve given them to protect our life and liberties and to not harm us in our “thatched roof castles? History teach us: NO!”

This book is divided up into two parts with chapters through out. The first part is basically our past history from the 1700s, acts of the government, slavery, progressivism versus our federal republic, etc. The second part talks about more modern politics like conservatives and corruption, our republic versus the elite media’s worldview, etc.

“…the government lives beyond its means, but so do the people. Millions of Americans have become indolent, indifferent, and insecure as they turn to the government for comfort and security. Virtue is dying in America as we have forgotten the wisdom of our Founders… Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

I like that at the end of each chapter, the author has suggested reading material to further research specifics about that chapter.

I love to read history books but I’m not as knowledgeable as I should be with politics, so I really liked reading this book! My 13 year old also loves to read so he was excited I gave him a copy of this book to read too.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Aneko Press in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own. I was also given a second copy to give away on my blog.

WIN a copy of this book!
USA mailing address only-winner will be picked on Monday July 6th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Book
“This small book is simply reminding us of where we’ve been in the eternal war for life and liberty and why we must always be vigilant and suspect of the powers that be.”

About the Author

Dr. Jake Jacobs is president and founder of the Politically Incorrect Institute and has degrees in American History and Biblical and Judeo-Christian Studies from Arizona State University, Arizona College of the Bible, Ashland Theological Seminary, and North-West University. Dr. Jacobs has spent more than twenty-seven years at the public and private high school system and at the college level, teaching his passion for our Constitutional Republic under God, all the while stressing historical correctness in the face of politically correct intimidation by the academic establishment.
Dr. Jacobs has publicly defended Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on Fox & Friends and is a regular guest at Young American Foundation’s Reagan Ranch Center, Conservative Conferences, CPACs, College Campuses, Republican and Tea Party events, and at various civic and church events. He is a dynamic and energized speaker, writer, and historian who will not only get your audience’s attention, but also move them to action!

You can buy it here:

https://anekopress.com/mother-should-i-trust-the-government-blog-tour/