CATCH OF A LIFETIME by CANDEE FICK

Title: Catch of a Lifetime

Author: Candee Fick

Publisher: Bling! Romance (November 2, 2015

Pages: 230

I am smack dab in the middle of giving CATCH OF A LIFETIME by CANDEE FICK four or five stars. Let me begin by saying I am not a football fan – thus the only reason I may not give it five stars. Therefore CATCH OF A LIFETIME had one huge strike against it when it came to me reading this book. However, let me also add that MS FICK in a phenomenal writer, for one would have to be to keep a non-fan of a plot, reading.

Cassie Parker is starting a new job, a new school, and a new life. What she didn’t figure on was that starting new meant being placed right in the middle of her worse nightmare.

Falling for Cassie Parker could quite possibly mean putting Reed Worthington’s job on the line. His team is not only hit with a game changing situation, so is Reeds personal life.

Not being a football fan, I have little – and I do mean little – knowledge about the game. MS FICK managed to make me feel as though I was in the misty of the playing field. She was able to spin together authenticity in a way that many authors cannot pull off. Never have I felt as though a story was so true to real life in such an authentic and effortless way. A true sign of a great write.

CATCH OF A LIFETIME is a complete story from start to finish. The writing is brilliant. I especially loved the ending. I hadn’t seen it coming, yet it was believable and done masterfully. MS FICK incorporated all the elements needed to produce a great story. I would not hesitate to read another of her book.

*Please see my profile for more information on this review. *Please see my profile for more information on this review. 

SPEAKING WELL: ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SPEAKERS, LEADERS, AND PREACHERS by ADAM HAMILTON

Title: Speaking Well: Essential Skills for Speakers, Leaders, and Preaches

Author: Adam Hamilton

Publisher: Abingdon Press; Gld edition (October 20, 2015)

Pages: 96

SPEAKING WELL: ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SPEAKERS, LEADERS, AND PREACHERS is not the first book I have read by ADAM HAMILTON, and certainly won’t be the last. In fact I just completed The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul, before this one and it won’t stop here. MR HAMILTON has a whole list of great titles, diving into important topics.

What I love about MR HAMILTON’S books is the simplistic, yet powerful and impactful way he delivers a message, and SPEAKING WELL: ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SPEAKERS, LEADERS, AND PREACHERS is no exception.

As my role as a leader continues to grow, I am finding myself to do more and  more of what I never imagined I would do…speaking in public. If there is one thing I learned early on, it is that I am one that needs to be prepared, no matter how quick/short my talk is to be. In fact, perhaps the shorter the talk, the more important the words you chose become.

Upon receiving SPEAKING WELL: ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SPEAKERS, LEADERS, AND PREACHERS, I was surprised at how thin and tiny it is, despite a reviewers comment on that fact. Having read MR HAMILTON’S writing before, it didn't deter me. Once I dove in, my thinking was affirmed.

SPEAKING WELL: ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SPEAKERS, LEADERS, AND PREACHERS is packed full of great information. Precise and right to the point. The perfect combination of information, instructions, and a plan for execution. I love the ending of each chapter, with a shot and simple bullet point.

Each chapter provides key information to giving a great speech. The first chapter to really hit home was chapter Three, FIND THE RIGHT STARTING POINT. As a writer it has been drilled into me the importance of grabbing your readers from the first word to get their attention enough that they want to continue reading, resulting in purchasing your book. For whatever reason I never made the connection to the concept in relations to giving a speech. MR HAMILTON’S one of two approaches is good, but for me the second had the reaction of a light bulb turning. In less than a month I am to give a quick rundown of one of the ministries I am a leader in. This is not the first time I have done this, so I realize the importance of the power needed to implement in a few words. I now have a guideline of how to execute my words thanks to MR HAMILTON’S wonderful little book on SPEAKING WELL.

OUT OF THE ASHES by SANDI ROG

Title: Out of the Ashes

Author: Sandi Rog

Publisher: Tulpen Publishing (June 5, 2015)

Pages: 302

There are a handful of things that one needs to incorporate to make a great book, and OUT OF THE ASHES by SANDI ROG certainly has a few of them. The cover is the first thing that typically catches reader’s eyes. The second the title. Both I give MS ROG five stars. Another important aspect of a great book is the ability to capture the reader immediately. Another five stars for MS ROG. OUT OF THE ASHES has one of the best beginnings I have ever read. I couldn’t stop reading, wanting to know what would happen next.

Amelia Taylor never plans to marry. Not because she doen’t have the opportunity, but because she can’t see beyond her past family history.

Nathaniel Ward needs a wife, but not just any wife would do. Wealth has afforded him a ray of woman to choose from, but only will do, and he means to set out to find her.

*Please see my profile for more information on this review. 

JESUS LIVES: SEEING HIS LOVE IN YOUR LIFE by SARAH YOUNG

Title: Jesus Lives

Author: Sarah Young

Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Reprint edition (June 4, 2012)

Pages: 368

I had heard about JESUS CALLING and not just once, but by several, many times. I later happened across a used copy of what I thought was JESUS CALLING, but in fact, it was JESUS LIVES.

What a blessing it has been to come across JESUS LIVES: SEEING HIS LOVE IN YOUR LIFE by SARAH YOUNG. I am blown away with the inspiration, wisdom, insight and dept of each devotion. How so much can be packed into so few words is in itself amazing. I cannot pick out a favorite days devotion, for there are so many. My copy contains more underlined and highlighted sentences then not. There were several days I made a copy of that day’s devotion and posted it on social media to share with others, they are that good.

I look forward to reading more by SARAH YOUNG. Wow, what gifted writer. JESUS LIVES: SEEING HIS LOVE IN YOUR LIFE by SARAH YOUNG will remain one of my all time favorite devotionals.

HUNGRY FOR HOME by BRENDA S ANDERSON

Title: Hungry for Home

Author: Brenda S Anderson

Publisher: Vivant Press (September 22, 2015)

Pages: 300

The first book I ever read by BRENDA S ANDERSON was CHAIN OF MERCY, about Richard Brooks. So when I spotted

HUNGRY FOR HOME  and discovered it was a continuance of Richards story, I had to have it. CHAIR OF MERCY remains my favorite BRENDA S ANDERSON books, it's that good. .

I could not get over the wonderful cover, and the great titles. MS ANDERSON has a way of writing as if you were involved in characters everyday life.

Richard Brooks wife is run down in an ally and robed. Though Richard wants to press charges against the young man who did this to his wife, Sheila has other ideas.

HUNGRY FOR HOME  is a heartfelt story. A lesson in life of what’s really important.

*Please see my profile for more information on this review.