More Beauty, Less Beast

Thanks to Litfuse Publicity for providing this in exchange for my honest review. 

This book really appealed to me as, the closer we get to the end of this pregnancy, the more "Mean Mommy" wants to come out. I find that those things that we put into our minds really does effect what comes out. I wanted to help redirect my thought processes a bit. I must admit, while this book holds a lot of truth, I found it rather basic information couched in cutesy stories. That in and of itself is not bad, but for the most part I usually prefer less cutesy and more depth. I did find somethings that I felt were helpful and helped me focus my thoughts but it's not high on my list of books to recommend. I think that it may have to do with the fact that this type of book is really not my cup of tea than anything wrong with the book itself. If you really connect with this style of book, then I suggest you check it out and ignore me. If like me, you prefer less cutesy, I'd leave it on the shelf. 

About the book:

With her own offbeat brand of wit and near-wisdom, inspirational humorist Debora Coty addresses heart needs of women struggling to tame that out-of-control inner beast that unexpectedly pounces, roaring and shredding, as it threatens to destroy the divinely beautiful princess hidden within. In More Beauty, Less Beast, women will find simple, practical techniques for embracing the true beauty rightfully theirs as cherished daughters of the King. Whether jaded by emotional wounds, unrealistic standards, or lack of confidence, this laugh-out-loud, girlfriend-to-girlfriend encouragement will help women transform their destructive inner beast into the exquisite beauty they were always meant to be. 

About Debora Coty: 

Debora Coty is an occupational therapist, a piano teacher, and a freelance writer. She's also involved in the children's ministry at her church and is an avid tennis player. Debora began writing to fill the void when her last child left for college, and it has since become a passion. Debora has a real knack for getting across sound biblical concepts with a refreshing lightheartedness as attested in her monthly newspaper column entitled "Grace Notes: God's Grace for Everyday Living." 

Visit www.deboracoty.com for more about Debora and her books. 

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1616263474/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=sprightly-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1616263474&adid=1AE0QCKRNXKRH61AMMQH  


About the giveaway and party: 

Transform Your Inner Ogre with a $150 Visa Cash Card from @DeboraCoty!

Using Biblical advice and her trademark humor, Debora Coty urges women to conquer guilt and re-institute hope in More Beauty, Less Beast. Celebrate with Debora by entering to win a $150 Visa Cash Card!



One "beautiful" winner will receive:

• A $150 Visa Cash Card (Treat yourself to a spa day or weekend get-away!)
• A Debora Coty Library (More Beauty, Less Beast, Too Blessed Too Be Stressed and Everyday Hope)
• Chocolate (Every good things begins with chocolate!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/22/12. Winner will be announced at Debora's "Divine Beauty" Facebook Party on  3/22. Debora will be hosting an evening of chat, fun beauty trivia, laughter, and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Debora via Skype.)




So grab your copy of More Beauty, Less Beast and join Debora and friends on the evening of March 22nd for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

Blog tour schedule

Bug-A-Boo's Face

This is the first time we've had an ultrasound late into the pregnancy. My midwife wanted to make sure a slight previa that was present on the first had moved up as it was supposed to. I'll probably have to wait until my appointment on Thursday to find out but it was pretty fun to get to see our little Bug-A-Boo and to see their features starting to emerge. Bug-A-Boo is head down and in the right position, now we just hurry up and wait these last few remaining weeks. Oh, and accomplish my enormous to-do list.

Dance Parties with Our Girls

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love books set in the 18th and 19th century--especially in England. I find that whole era extremely fascinating. Don't you? I was so excited to get and read this book as a result. I was not disappointed. Since picking up this book, I was not able to set it down. It was so fun to read a new and different story line set in this era. This is not the same old story line. I especially enjoyed the glimpse into the lives of servants during this era. It was quite enthralling. I would love to see this book turned into a series. I felt the ending left more stories waiting to be told. I love it when I am left missing a book and wanting more rather than wishing it had ended sooner. 

About the book:

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

About Julie:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

Link to buy the book:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764207091/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=sprightly-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0764207091&adid=1TCYV1DRSTV23NKEQ170 

About the contest:

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14/12. Winner will be announced at Julie's Fairbourne Hall Book Chat Party on 3/15. Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek of her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack (Seasons 1 and 2)!



So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for a book chat party.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 15th!

Blog Tour Schedule

Dancing to Go Fish Guys

This is the outfit she decided to wear to dance to Go Fish Guys.

Feeling Prayed For Today

I have a ton to do today for pie Oscar Party tomorrow and Ralph is out of town. However, I feel relaxed and not stressed. It may have to do with the fact Ralph made sure I was able to get a housekeeper for today and we have friends coming early to help me set up tomorrow. I think it's more than that, though. The girls have colds and are grumpy and we have errands to run. Running errands is Ralph's job. Yet I have a peace that passes all understanding. Praying it lasts all weekend.

But God . . .

Ever read something and you think it is a message for someone else? I am always on the lookout for encouraging words to pass on to our LifeGroup, friends I know are going through a hard time, etc.  Then you realize, "Wow! I needed to hear that." Today I had one of those moments. I was reading Lysa TerKeurst's lasted blog entry, But God Verses. As I was reading, I was thinking who would feel encouraged by this? When it hit me, I would be encouraged by these verses!


The two that really spoke to me today are:


Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.


Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


I wake up quite a few mornings and wonder how it will all get done? I have so much on my plate some days, some of it is just physically daunting and others mentally. Some is self-imposed and some is just life responsibilities. It is a relief to hear that those things that are God ordained life responsibilities, He will make possible. 


For those things that are mentally taxing, those areas I feel I consistently fail in lately, it is such a sweet blessing to be reminded He died for me when I was still a sinner. He knew exactly what I was and chose to die for me anyway. Anything that I am now that is better than that is because He died for me. He can help me through these current failings. 


Check out the article. Let me know which verses speak to your heart. I'd love to rejoice with how the Lord speaks to you.