Category: Book Reviews

I signed up to be on the waitlist for the release of Face Off with Your Feelings. I came across Jessica on Instagram and followed her account because she shared Truth. Her posts were not full of feel-good information, but practical ways to address deep hurt from trauma and abuse. She taught from scripture and her own experiences. I knew I would benefit from her Book Face Off with Your Feelings. 

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate and other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

My Review

Throughout the book she keeps it real telling of her own false beliefs, how she has grown and how partnering with the Lord allows her to heal from a place of deep wounding.

In Face Off with Your Feelings Jessica shares step by step how to take painful trauma to the Lord and allow Him to impart His Truth over the lies which come out of difficulties circumstances and experiences.

The process Jessica teaches promotes growth in a relationship with Jesus. She shares the importance of taking our wounded experiences to Jesus first.  She teaches about the connection between body, soul and spirit. 

Jessica also Created a Workbook

The entire book is a guide to the healing process. Her workbook provides space to answer questions promoting the healing process. Jessica encourages her readers to be aware of a need to constantly be busy. I was reminded of my past practice of intentionally turning off the radio when traveling which I started over 8 years ago. As I realized, I have become ‘busy’ again and the practice of sitting in the moment and recognizing where my thoughts go has taken a back seat.  I appreciate the reminder to be aware.

She starts the book encouraging the reader to make space to heal. An important element as the healing process does not occur over night. Rather, the healing journey is a daily or weekly practice of getting real and a willingness for deep examination of one’s self, of being honest with Christ and searching His Word for His truth to replace lies.

The Launch Team

Being a part of Jessica’s launch team was a privilege.  I have been on between 10 and 20 book launches over the last 10 years.  Being a part of Jessica’s was like no other I have participated in. She actually conducted live coaching videos speaking to questions or comments we had in our own healing journey.  I am forever grateful for her insights into my own journey of healing as being a part of her launch team. Jessica ask good questions to get me looking deeper at my heart, beliefs and actions. 

Face Off with Your Feelings also asks good questions to get a person started and going next level down in examining our hearts and beliefs driving our reactions. She shares ways to take a closer look at our reactions to events or comments which trigger our pain. Again, questions to ask ourselves to get us to look closer and dig deeper into why respond the way we do. What lie are we believing and what is God’s answer or truth to the lie.

The Journey Continues

Finally completing the book does not mean we are done with our journey. Rather, it is a springboard to launch off of. If, like me, your journey started before reading Face Off with Your Feelings, you are bound to discover insight, God’s truth and a new question to help you along on your healing journey and relationship with Christ.

“We cannot let what we feel become an “I am” statement in our life. God is the only one who gets to say who we are and what we are made of.”

~Jessica Hottle in Face Off with Your Feelings

My copy of Face Off with Your Feelings is strewn with underlined print and notes in the margins. Some are practical ideas I desire to apply, and others are examples in my own life I documented in response to a truth she imparted. The content is full of advice I want to continue to put into practice for it does not teach 1 or 2 action steps rather a shift in the way one processes emotion.

In Conclusion

I intend to go through the book and spend time answering the questions in the workbook Jessica created. My healing and the skill of taking control of my thoughts and emotions is a lifelong process. I will continue to press on.

Other Book Reviews

Before I share my Love Centered Parenting book review, let me give you my behind the scenes look of its creation. I was a member of Crystal’s blogging mastermind and she shared a part of what life was like writing a book.  

She told us how she set aside X amount of time 5 days a week to write. As our group leader she gave me a tool to grow in my life by her example of how she made time to follow through with her commitment.

Her daily discipline and commitment to her writing life encourages me still. I am pleased to be a part of her launch team for Love Centered Parenting.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate and other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Written by Crystal Paine, I felt almost as if it was a letter from a friend.  I feel privileged to have been on the outskirts of her journey when she wrote this book.

I was given an advanced digital copy to read and soaked up nudges from the Holy Spirit as I read. Today I am excited to have a purchased physical copy in my hands as I finish this post.

A book in hand and a pen to make notes fills me with a warm and excited feeling. Even if I have already read the book.

My Review

I found Love Centered Parenting to go beyond sharing parenting ideas. Crystal shares her spiritual journey as it relates to her journey raising children. The lessons she teaches apply to areas of life outside of parenting a child.

In this book Crystal presents the ways she has grown as a parent and where she still struggles. It could not help but get me thinking a little deeper about relationships close to me.  

• How can I improve as a listener?
• How do I show up to show love to others I interact with?
• Do I truly trust God for the outcome and not try to manipulate a result?
• Am I ok with going into a mess of someone’s life because he called me? 
• Do I play it safe when it comes to relationships?

Some of the answers stung a little cause I see room for improvement in my life.

My walk with Christ has grown as a result of reading and applying parts of this book.  Her honesty is refreshing.

She gets real about challenges her family has faced and presets vulnerable struggles her family has faced.

Love Centered Parenting is packed full of ways to grow closer in a relationship with Jesus.  It appears to be written for people who have already come to the conclusion they are sinful and need a relationship with Him for eternal salvation.

Her ability to encourage others by sharing her own life lessons leaves me with a desire to continue learning from her experiences.  

In Conclusion of Love Centered Parenting Book Review

Crystal doesn’t tell her only tell her story. Each chapter ends with 2 transforming truths. The last portion of the book leaves you with Practical Tools for Love Centered Parenting.

• A live loved manifesto
• Flare prayers
• A feelings chart
• Conversations starters (I love this one!)
• Pledge to my maturing child
• The one minute pause

I am a step closer in becoming better at relating to those around me I love. As a child of Christ, I am a bit more grounded for the way she continues to go back to the Bible as she shares her story.

Grab your copy today at your favorite book store or click the link below.

https://amzn.to/2OZwjCm

The 11 books I read in 2020 were a mix of historical fiction, leadership material and memoirs. For todays post I will group the books I read into 2 categories, fiction and non fiction.

I share my honest thoughts about each of the books I read. Hope you enjoy my short reviews.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate and other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Non Fiction Books I Read in 2020

Don’t Give Up by Kyle Idleman

I listened to Don’t Give Up as an audio book on Christian Audio.  The author, a pastor, goes to the scripture to examine what the Bible has to say about not giving up.

Click Don’t Give Up for more information

I found myself encouraged. For me, it is a book I believe will bring me needed encouragement each time I listen. So, it is going on my calendar to listen again in 2021.

Thinking Like a Boss by Kate Crocco

I choose Thinking Like a Boss to listen to as a download from Christian Audio because I desire to grow my leadership skills.  This also, is a book I want to listen to again this year.

Click to order Thinking Like a Boss

Kate walks her reader through lies holding them back from their potential as a leader. There is unpacked information waiting for me. I will glean a better understanding of my strengths and limitations as a leader. A process which needs to repeat itself on a yearly basis.

Acres of Diamonds by Jentezen Franklin

I was gifted a copy of Acres of Diamonds to read as a part of the launch team.  My biggest take away reminded me to stay put. The best of life is not out there, but rather here.

I found Acres of Diamonds a fresh reminder and affirmation to stay where I am.  The phrase “trust the progress” speaks of not becoming distracted, shiny object syndrome, and giving up. Acres of Diamonds encouraged me to continue the drudgery and continue doing the hard work.

Clicking the book’s picture will take you to ordering information.

On page 49 the author speaks to being planted like a tree. The concept spoke loudly to me on the importance of staying. As a teen and into adulthood, I displayed a desire to run from the uncomfortable things of life. I had no idea how to stay put and deal.

If I did not know how to deal, I moved on. Literally, I moved 8 times in 5 years. I am learning here on the farm about facing my struggle. How am I learning? Practice. Staying put and learning how to turn to Jesus for answers to hard stuff.

Similar to the concept of bloom where I am planted. Treasure is here to find; I need to keep looking and refuse to give up.

I don’t want to give the story away behind the title, so I will say no more on the topic. There is hard work to be done, but running away to find a treasure, may in fact be leaving your treasure or mine for someone else to find and develop.

Good Husbandry by Kristin Kimball

Kristen tells stories from Essex Farm located in upstate New York. Reading it one might believe the events happened 100 and 50 years ago.  But in all actuality, they took place in the last 10 years.  I felt transported back in time, imagining the lake nearby, the small town and the slopes the farm was nestled against.

Living life with old school farming practices and values and providing for a family grabs my attention. Many famers across America need a full time 40-hour week job, and government subsidies to produce food.

The realities are brutal but survival often is. There are tender moments too, in the realities of a farm.  Life is not about keeping up with Jones. Life is about keeping food on the table for their family and the folks who purchase from them.

Click picture for ordering information

I found myself encouraged reading their story, encouraged for the possibilities here on CG Heartbeats Farm. Several important segments spoke to my heart, reminding me of why I desire a homestead life. I am not as alone in my perspective and values as what it seems.

Praying Though by Jarrett Stevens

Click the above photo to learn more.

Praying Through encouraged me to look deeper into my prayer life and come to a better understanding of my belief about prayer. 

We are given the privilege to take our cares to a loving God and Father, the Creator of the universe. We can speak to Him about everything after all even our thoughts are not hidden from Him.

Praying Women by Sheila Walsh

Sheila opens up about her beliefs about prayer from childhood. She talks through out the book of her journey to understand what powerful gift we have been given to communicate with our Creator. 

The questions she struggles with prompted me to take a closer look at my deeper belief about prayer and areas I see a need for growth in my own prayer life.

Do you what a copy for yourself? Click on the picture above.

Historical Fiction Books I Read in 2020

The simpler way of life lived out by the characters in these stories take me back in time to a world focused on survival. I am transported to a time when many folks lived on homesteads. Their stories although fiction keep me remembering my goals.

Brides of Hope Mountain Series by Mary Connealy

A series about 3 independent sisters who lived on a mountain top away from civilization. Each book tells the story of one girl coming to know herself, her God and a man.

I found myself drawn to each of the 3 characters. Each girl possessed unique survival skills, an independence, and determination I could not help but admire.

Book 1 Aiming for Love

Book 2 Woman Of Sunlight

Book 3 Her Secret Song

Click on any picture to order a copy for yourself.

Beyond This Moment by Tamara Alexander

Historical fiction westerns are easy for me to consume in a physical or audio copy. Beyond this Moment brought historic facts of the way life used to be woven into a plot with a few twists and turns I did not see coming.

Click for information about Beyond This Moment

I recall listening one Saturday evening as I pulled weeds from the horse paddock. I enjoyed the story so much I wanted to keep pulling weeds and not go on to my next task. 

So, friend, I did exactly that. The captivating story kept my attention as I worked at the insanely boring job of pulling weeds.

From the stage coach accident to the secrets the main character carried, Beyond This Moment conveys important life lessons on honesty and facing the facts from a Biblical perspective.

Beyond This Moment is the second book in a series titled, Timber Ridge Reflections. I intend to add books 1 and 3 to my reading list for 2021.

Stem of the Wildflower by Lois Slater

First in a series of 4 books, Stem of the Wildflower, tells the story of a family who faces harsh realities of life on a Wyoming ranch. One of my favorite reasons to share this book with you has a story of its own. While attending the Buffalo Wyoming Christmas Market I met the author, Lois Slater. Her face lit up as she shared her inspiration for the books and a brief introduction to a few of the characters.

The first 4 chapters I read as I could but then the plot took off. I finished the book in a day or two. I found myself surprised at the twists and turns. Others were forewarned, but I desired to believe the best of a character.  I reminded myself of who I am as a person. I want happy endings and not every relationship will provide the warm, cozy feeling in real life or in books.

As a precaution, there is a bit of violence as one might find in a western novel. The characters have not yet encountered Christ (I am not sure they do) and the books do not appear to be based on biblical principles.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series, but I proceed with caution as I do carefully guard what I put into my mind these days. Meeting Lois, the author, as a part of attending the Buffalo Christmas Market is indeed a fond memory. I am happy I did.

In Conclusion

I enjoyed each of these books I read in 2020 and learned a new thing to apply or a better understanding of myself. Will you leave a comment below sharing your favorite books of 2020. I may want to add them to my 2021 list.