Soulprint by Mark Batterson

Having just completed this book, I must say this: READ THIS BOOK. The challenges, insights, and honest approach of this book really get to the heart of its message: what has God created you to do?

Throughout the book Mr. Batterson weaves a masterful work using King David as his prime example. Batterson shows that David was created for a certain purpose and this was brought out throughout this life. It was his destiny; his soulprint.

To live your soulprint brings purpose to your life. This is why I was created; why you were created. Batterson makes this point and makes it well. Thus this book is a must read by those searching, those needing refreshing, and those who may have lost their way.

**I received this complimentary copy for my review**

Dot.com Dating by Les & Leslie Parrot

"Online dating is for those who can't get a date the old-fashioned way." Phrases likes these, and other myths about online dating, are what Drs. Parrot & Parrot try to dispel in this book.

The Parrots show that, when used properly, online dating can be a very useful and effective tool for finding that "special someone." It is not to be looked upon as solely for the social misfits. Gone are the stereotypes of online daters being the Quasimodos of the world. Online dating sites are being used by managers, students, blue collars, white collars, university-educated, and high school dropouts.

It is for this reason that this book was written. It gives helpful tips on how to use online dating sites, some pitfalls to avoid, and if online dating is even right for the reader.

However, what I enjoyed from the book was its simplicity. Drs. Parrot and Parrot do not give all the answers but merely good, sound advice on how what online dating can do and what it cannot.

**I received this courtesy copy from Tyndale in exchange for this review.**

Time With God for Fathers by Jack Countryman

**I received this complimentary copy from Booksneeze.com. The opinions and views are my own.**

This little book is a great book for those that would like some thoughts to meditate upon throughout the day. There is no poignant sayings or witty anecdotes. Rather the book is just some simple, but powerfully introspective-causing, thoughts about being a father. I would recommend that a father read this every morning with their personal devotions.

Scars of a Chef by Rick Tramonto

**Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC**

I found this book to be a great read. It was very engaging and the reader was easily drawn into the life of Mr. Tramonto. What is also apparent is the passion that being a chef produces in Rick Tramonto. The reader can imagine himself/herself in the kitchen seeing the food being prepared, hearing the sous chef barking out commands, knives cutting, blades chopping, fires simmering soups. Mr. Tramonto does a magnificent job of giving a firsthand account of how hard being a chef really is.

Yet through all this, Mr. Tramonto makes it evident that passion and drive never truly satisfy; Christ does. Through the pages of this book, Tramonto details his rise to fame, his realization that it did not bring what he thought it would, his finding Christ, and now how satisfaction comes from being a child of God.

The raw nature of this book, the passion Tramonto evidences, and the conclusion that God gives true satisfaction, make this book a great read. Cooks, and consumers alike, should have no difficulty devouring this book.

The Walk by Shaun Alexander

This is an amazing book. The power that it is packed in the simplicity of this book is immense. I found myself reading a few sections and then putting the book down to meditate on what I read. I also found that as I did so each section was exactly what I needed to read at that exact time.

As to the book itself, the chapters flow beautifully and the subject matter is very well written. Each section builds on the other and Mr. Alexander has a very teachable style of writing that draws the read and maintains attention very well.

I really enjoyed how Mr. Alexander used personal testimony from his life to show how his walk has brought about a God-blessed life.

I highly recommend this book.

*I received this book as a complimentary copy via Waterbrook Multnomah. The opinions expressed are my own.*

First Things First by Kurt & Brenda Warner

I found this book to be a great read. There was good humor, great advice, but is also had a personal touch which was quite evident. I really appreciate the openness of the Warners as they shared some suggestions, struggles, and even some personal moments.

While Mr. Warner is a football player, football wasn't the main focus; family was. It was a great comfort to know that there are some athletes who realize that there are more important things to life than sports.

I highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

*Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC.*

Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan

This book is about very popular hymns and a brief history on how the hymn came to be. Each hymn is displayed in the book and the following page gives a brief history of the song. By understanding how the hymn came to be, the reader can appreciate and have a better appreciation of the hymns sung in many churches each Sunday.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the history to be short but informative. I also appreciated having the song right next to the story of the song's origin. I found myself singing several of the hymns and having a deeper love for each song. This book would be a great gift to the music-lover in your family.

-I received this book via Booksneeze.com as a complimentary copy for my review. The views expressed are my own.-

Rediscovering Your Happily Ever After by PeggieSue Wells

There are many books out there regarding how to move on with life after divorce. There are many books are dating after divorce, raising children after divorce, and financial advise after a divorce. What is rare is someone being open and raw about divorce.

What about being single again when it was the norm to associate as a couple? What about your friends viewing differently because you are not "Mrs. X"? What about your church judging you because of divorce?

That is where this book goes. Through the book, Ms. Wells gives her struggle, emotions, and heart after her divorce. She also details how she began the process of healing in various areas: emotions, friends, finances, family, and God. A very organic book on a very difficult subject.

Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist

This is a very raw and honest book about life as seen through the eyes of the author. The roller-coaster ride of living is masterfully woven as Mrs. Niequist tells small stories about her life. Using a journal-style of writing the reader is drawn into struggle, laughter, heartache, joy, and thought as each story bares a small piece of the author's soul. I found myself stopping several times to think about what I just read. This book does just that: makes the read stop and think. A well written book and a must read. It was so good that I went out to a retail store to purchase another work by the author: Cold Tangerines. If you know me, I almost never shop retail. This book caused a very rare exception.

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

**I received this complimentary copy through Booksneeze.com. All the opinions expressed are my own.**

This was an amazing read and well worth the time spent reading it. Andy Stanley did a masterful job on communicating the grace of God. By showing how man does not deserve God's grace, how God has extended his grace a plethora of times, and why grace is a great gift of God.

Mr. Stanley does not try to persuade the reader to his understanding of grace but tries to inform the reader of what the grace of God is. By doing this, he allows the reader to come to their own conclusions. After all, grace is something not easily understood by mankind, something Mr. Stanley readily admits in this book.

Another plus for this read is the way in which Mr. Stanley weaves the story of grace exhibited. By using Biblical history, Mr. Stanley shows that some of the greatest Biblical character had much grace extended to them and how such grace is still available today. God has not changed; neither is the grace He gives.

I would highly recommend that this book be put on your "must read" list. Mr. Stanley is an amazing communicator and his style, with this subject, work wonderful in tandem. The beauty of grace was revealed with such passion and candor that I found myself stopping several to review what I had just read. A six star book when only five stars are given.