The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans Review

There's not many books that interest me enough to stay awake late at night trying to finish them, or have a hard time putting them down.  But this one did.  I truly enjoyed reading it, and hope to read the other three of her books in this series. 
The book itself is about a girl "Jade" and growing up in a family feeling unloved.  Her Dad left when she was eight years old and her Mom was always off traveling with the latest fling.  Maybe her Mom was trying to find her own love also.  Jade was the oldest of three children and had to help her Granny raise her younger brother and sister.  But her Granny built the foundation that would later come back to Jade when tormented about her past mistakes.  Granny was a true christian lady that showed them love and compassion.
I myself can't relate to growing up the way Jade did but I'm sure there is plenty out there these days that can.  Families just seem to be torn apart more lately.
In later years Jade finally comes to grips with what has truly been eating away at her for so many years.  It's not so much the way her Mom treated her, but more her forgiving herself.   Several people comes into her life and show her what it's truly like to be loved and not condemned.   Just like Christ himself he came to love and forgive, not condemn us for the mistakes we make. 
Overall the book was contradictory to any other romance novel, or chick flick.  The girl meets the guy they fall in love and get married.  But it has it's twists and turns a long the way.  Jade coundn't move forward until she forgot the past and was forgiven for the mistakes she had made.  When she finally asked for forgiveness, Christ was there with open arms.  Just as He is with us, he's there waiting for us to come to Him.  He's there for us but he's not going to force himself on anyone.
Would I recommend this book?  Yes I would.  It's a christian romance story of true forgiveness.  I think it would be encouraging to anyone that is finding it hard to forgive themselves for past mistakes.  Also for those that may been looking for love by making bad choices.  We've all made mistakes but it shares the truth that Christ is there to love and forgive us.


You can purchase the book online at Thomas Nelson or through  Amazon .

Disclosure:  I received this book through Thomas Nelson to read and review it.  There was no other compensation.

The Power of Respect by Deborah Norville Review/Giveaway

I was given the chance by Thomas Nelson Books to review The Power of Respect by Deborah Norville.  Now that I've read it I've decided to pass it on in a giveaway to one lucky winner.   Because it is an awesome book. 
I remember admiring Deborah Norville years ago when she was on NBC News at Sunrise, and then on The Today Show.  She comes across as what you see is what you get.  She speaks from the heart and a true love for what she speaks and writes about. 
This book is respect in the home, with your children and spouse.  Respect in the job world,  respect in our schools, and respect on a personal level with ourselves and our friendships.  I would definetly recommend this book.  She gives great advice for parents to help their children with respect.  How to earn and give respect in our relationships.  She writes about well-known business owners and executives that have gone the extra mile to show respect to their employees.  Last but not least is respect in our schools.  Our children should be able to go to school and learn.  Not have to go in fear of what might happen to them while they are there.  If they respected one another they wouldn't have to worry about being hurt, bullied, or having their personal items stolen or distroyed.
As I read it I began to wonder when did people lose respect for each other.  There was a time when men respected women and children and wouldn't cuss in front of them.  A time when children respected their parents and wouldn't dare talk back or raise their voice to their parents.
Respect in the workplace when an employer wouldn't ask an employee to do anything he wouldn't do himself.  We see the lost of respect in marriages by seeing more and more abuse.  Whether it's verbal, emotional, or physical.  Where have we went wrong as a society?  Was it when we started living above our means and both parents have to work, and leave children to raise themselves?  Was it when women decided they wanted to be treated equally as men and started cussing like men.  Does employers expect less from their employees, so there's less respect?
Deborah writes at the end of each chapter Respect reminders.  I love the ones she gives for parents to teach and role-model to their children.
1.  Practice the Golden Rule.  (I wonder how many people even knows what that means anymore).
2.  Be polite----shake hands correctly, stand for adults, let ladies go first.
3.  Be prompt.  My husband would say I have a problem with that one.  But I do try my best at it.
4.  Keep unkind comments to yourself.  (My Mom always told us if we can't say something nice to somebody, don't say anything at all).
5.  Let others go first in lines and in conversation.  (Makayla has a bad habit of interrupting when adults are talking and we are working hard on that one).
6.  Be true to your word--show up when you said you would and keep your promises.  ( I can remember older adults saying that their word and a handshake was all it took for a business transaction).

Model the behavior you want to see.  Children learn from what we do that's why were considered their role models.  I hate do as I say, don't do as I do.  If we don't teach them to be respectful, who will?

Now my goal is to read her other books, she even has one about knitting. 

Now about the giveaway, I enjoyed the book so much I'm passing it on to one lucky winner.    You will have from now until next Tuesday, November 17th to enter.  Leave me a comment telling me one way you think we can show respect to others.