“Marriage by Design” Eric A. Disney review **Countdown to Valentines Day book suggestions**

>>>Over the next two weeks I will be sharing various marriage and relationship books here on my blog in honor of Valentine’s Day coming up. I am grateful for all these christian marriage books and I hope to really learn and grow as an individual and as a couple.<<<

I received this book complimentary from the author for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

I truly can not say enough good things about this book! Several times while reading, I wondered why I paid for marriage counseling sessions last year when I should have just bought this book! I have learned so many good things that I intend to apply to my life and marriage. I would highly recommend reading this if you want to be a happier person and a better and more understanding spouse.

This book is divided up into 3 main parts: Laying the Foundation, Building the Relationship, and Conquering the Issues that Divide. In each part there are 5 specific chapters. I would recommend taking weeks, even months, to go through this book. It is not something you want to sit down and read in a day or two. I would recommend reading it, taking notes, underlining, pondering-really focus on the things that YOU can do to change and be better. As Mr. Disney said in his book, “You are responsible for your behavior and your spouse is responsible for theirs, so let them address themselves in their book and you address your behavior here.”

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After each chapter there are a couple exercise assignments to think about or to answer; as well as a journal page to write down your notes. This made each chapter alot more personal to me, almost like writing in a diary, which I loved! I also love that he used scripture references through out the book.

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I really liked the authors writing style. It felt like we were sitting in a room together and that he was specifically counseling me (in a loving but direct way). I underlined and took alot of notes while reading this book. There were even a couple of times that I cringed knowing that I was at fault in my marriage for some bad behavior. Chapter 4-Feelings and Behavior was one of my favorite chapters to read.

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I am so glad I got the opportunity to review this book and I hope it will help and encourage you, like it did for me!

Book Description:
Marriage by Design serves as a healing salve to wounded marriages–as well as a warning to those beginning their matrimonial journey, and couples anywhere in the spectrum–offering hope and encouragement to those who want to revitalize, refine, or completely restore their relationships. Marriage by Design is loaded with practical tools and exercises designed to shed light on unhealthy modes of behavior and their motivations; it also challenges some of the beliefs we carry from childhood that can impact our current relationships.

Marriage by Design begins by establishing God’s foundation in marriage and moving through a systematic building process, enabling couples to apply scriptural-based techniques and concepts to their own marriages. If you’re looking to change a relationship based on inconsistent emotions and experience the freedom produced by intentional living–to move your marriage from stuck to stupendous–Marriage by Design is the tool you’ve been missing!

You can buy it here:

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Fitness Recap with pictures from last week

Here’s my fitness recap from last week. I only took 1 rest day and stayed active all week, but I was surprised and disappointed that I didn’t do very well on my two FITBIT weekly challenges because my daily steps were too low. Maybe I should quit my day office job and exercise all day! LOL

Monday January 19
(15) mins Jessica Smith Kickboxing, (15) mins 2 circuits moveBall Core workout, (21) mins Leslie Sansone
This Core workout was tough! My core needs some work! I like to do 1-2 miles of Leslie before my other workouts to “warm up” in the mornings since I exercise right after I wake up.
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Tuesday January 20
(31) mins Jessica Smith Tred and Shred, (31) mins Jessica Smith Stride and Strength
This is her newest dvd-I will be posting a separate blog post reviewing this entire workout dvd.
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Wednesday January 21
(44) mins/3 miles Leslie Sansone
My poor baby woke up early and wasn’t feeling well, so he laid on the floor to watch me workout. He likes to be close to me. Isn’t he sweet? I am loving my older Leslie Dvds-they are really inspiring!
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Thursday January 22
rest day

Friday January 23
(60) mins/4 miles Leslie Sansone
As you can see by the 2 pictures (I’m the white bar)-I didnt’ do very good with my steps compared to my other fitbit friends. I’ll do better next week!
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Saturday January 24
(45) mins/3 miles Leslie Sansone, (15) mins 2 circuits moveBall Muscle workout
I really like the muscle moveBall workout-it makes me feel strong! My workout almost didn’t happen because I was so busy all day, but we ended up having a late dinner so I got an evening workout in. I always feel so much better after a workout.
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How did your week go?

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“I Choose You Today” review & party! **Countdown to Valentines Day book suggestions**

>>>Over the next two weeks I will be sharing various marriage and relationship books here on my blog in honor of Valentine’s Day coming up. Now I’m going to be honest with you-I don’t really like Valentines Day-but I’m trying to have a better attitude about it this year and I’ve made a personal goal to work really hard to strengthen my marriage. I’ve been married for 5 years and this past year has been very hard. So I am grateful for all the great christian marriage books and I hope to really learn and grow as an individual and as a couple.<<<

I don’t typically read the beginning/intro of the book but I’m so glad that I did with this one! The author shared a story about how her husband proposed again after 38 years of marriage and that yes, she would choose to marry him again. awww! She also shares ways how married or engaged couples can use this book together, and suggests taking each chapter slowly and not rushing through the book. There are 31 chapters in this book and at the end of each chapter are some questions to discuss with your partner and a prayer. This book can also be used as part of a book club or study group.

There were two really good sentences that I wanted to share from the introduction chapter. “Love is not a feeling, and neither is marriage. Each is a choice-one that must be made every single day, even if it’s spoken through gritted teeth.” Isn’t that the truth??!

It’s an act of our will to choose our marriage, day in and day out.”

I have signed up for the free Valentine Challenge starting February 1st (see below) and I hope you will join us too!

I Choose You Today: 31 Choices to Make Love Last

Married for nearly 38 years, author Deborah DeArmond and her husband have made the spoken declaration, “I choose you today” a regular part of their communication. It’s when we least feel like saying it that we need to remind ourselves that love is a choice, not a feeling. I Choose You Today features 31 scriptural principles that support marriage and help couples develop healthy biblically based behavior.

Built on an introductory anecdotal story, each chapter has an inspirational takeaway of not only what to do, but how to begin applying the principles immediately. Thought provoking questions create talking points for couples to explore their own choices and experiences in each area serve to generate open dialogue of discovery. I Choose You Today is not a book of “shoulds,” but one of clearly identified choices that each individual can make to grow their marriage and align it with the word of God. Every saying ends with a conventional wisdom quote.

About the author:
Deb DeArmond is an author, a speaker, and relationship coach-helping her clients improve their interactions at work and at home. Her first book, Related by Chance, Family by Choice: Transforming Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Relationships, was released in November 2013 by Kregel Publications.

What’s the secret for hanging on to the happily-ever-after feelings from the day you said, “I do”? It could be as simple as four little words: I Choose You Today. Be sure to grab a copy of Deb DeArmond‘s latest release and find out how you can make the declaration “I Choose You Today” a regular part of your marriage communication.

Deb is celebrating the release of her book with a Facebook author chat party on February 3rd.

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Along with the February 3rd author chat party, you’re invited to participate in two marriage-strengthening challenges: one beginning February 1 and the other beginning in March. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to build your relationship with your spouse and enter to win some prizes along the way!

The Valentine’s Challenge: February 1 – 28

Tell your spouse “I Choose You” every day of the month. Sign up online at www.ichooseyouchallenge.com and receive a free downloadable February calendar to mark off the days of the challenge.

Deb will also be emailing participants 1–2 times throughout the month with giveaway opportunities and “keep going” encouragement.
The “I Choose You” Challenge: March 1 – December 31, 2015

Sign up online at www.ichooseyouchallenge.com to receive 10 weekly emails, each teaching one of the choices from Deb’s book along with practical applications. This challenge is broken up into three different sessions, covering all 31 choices from the book.

There will be giveaways and opportunities to win throughout the year. Participants can decide when to join—it’s not required to do all three sessions. do all three sessions.

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.

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Newest book from Quilts of Love series | A Stitch in Crime review and Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Another great book from the “Quilts of Love” series! Each book centers around a quilt theme, but they are all written by different authors and with different characters and stories. There are now 25 books in this series-ranging from romance to mystery to historical fiction.

“A Stitch in Crime” follows the story of Thea as she works at the first quilt show in her town, along with her job at the antique store. Things aren’t going well with her best friend, items are being stolen at the show, and people are getting hurt.

This is a fun mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Good reading!

About Quilts of Love Series:
Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women’s fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

About the book:
Thea’s first quilt show is coming apart at the seams!

Thea James has accepted an assignment as co-chairperson for Larkindale’s first quilt show extravaganza. Juggling the new assignment with running her antique business, she’s already feeling frayed when things start to unravel.

Mary-Alice Wentworth, a much-loved town matriarch, respected quilt judge, and Thea’s dear friend, is covertly conked on the head during the kick-off Quilt Show Soiree, throwing suspicion on her guests. It also appears that a valuable diamond brooch has been stolen during the attack. The family is furious. But is it because of their mugged mother or the missing diamonds?

When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale’s reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before Mary-Alice is attacked again . . . with far worse results.

About the Author:
Author and speaker Cathy Elliot nourishes her night-owl habit by creating cozy mysteries and more on her trusty laptop in Anderson, California. Like the protagonist in her new mystery, Cathy is an avid quilter. Besides collecting (too much) cool fabric, she also enjoys hunting for antique treasures.

Don’t miss the newest Quilts of Love book, A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott. Thea’s first quilt show begins to fall apart at the seams. Will she be able to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before another attack happens . . . with far worse results.

Enter to win a Kindle HDX!

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One winner will receive:

  • A Kindle HDX
  • A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott
  • Masterpiece Marriage by Gina Welborn
  • Swept Away by Laura V. Hilton and Cindy Loven

Enter today by clicking the button below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. Winner will be announced on the Quilts of Love blog February 9th.

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{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

Enter today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

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.

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Critical Condition by Richard L. Mabry M.D.

This was an awesome medical mystery!! I have never read anything by this author and I really enjoyed it.

Sisters, Shannon and Megan go through alot in this book not knowing who to trust and wondering what catastrophe is going to happen to them next. Shannon is a surgeon who keeps experiencing traumatic deaths and has a hard time trusting God and relationships. Megan is recovering from addictions and trying to get her life in order, but her past keeps coming back to haunt her.

I really enjoyed all the drama and mystery in this christian book. The ending was not predictable and the story line and characters kept my interest the entire story. I would highly recommend this book!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A QUIET DINNER PARTY WITH HER COLLEAGUES—

NOT THE SCENE OF A MURDER.
But the murder of a stranger on her front lawn is only the first in a string of events that have Dr. Shannon Frasier’s life teetering on the edge of chaos. She’s unable to make the deeper commitment her boyfriend deserves. Her sister shows up at her home needing a place to stay but with no promise she’ll remain sober. And her father is diagnosed with cancer.

Then Shannon’s life stops teetering and plunges into the abyss. Because the person behind the guttural voice on the phone wants to know what the stranger said before he died. And he won’t stop until Shannon gives him the information he wants—even if she doesn’t have it.

He’s coming for her. She’s not sure the police on the case can be trusted. And her only hope of escape—for herself and for those she loves—is to overcome her buried past.

I was given a complimentary copy of this e-book for social media and blog review. All opinions are my own.

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