Byron Katie is an authentic, genuinely loving soul whose ...
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Byron Katie is an authentic, genuinely loving soul whose insights into truth are both highly practical and astounding in their impact.  Just by learning the few questions her "Work" focuses on will move you on your spiritual path.  Can you "love what is"?  If you cannot quite do that, buy this book, and my own experience is that it will help you to move further along the path to understanding life and spirit.
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The author captures the essence of mystery, emotion and real life drama that touches all people. His story of love, loss, mental illness and compassion set in the beautiful and familiar Key West is a wonderful journey for newcomers, frequent fliers, and established residents. The story is weaved among familiar and locatable places and reflects the depths of humanity at its worst and most importantly at its best. A must read for anyone whose heart has been touched by the magic of Key West.
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Catherine Scott has written a semi -autobiographical novel about a therapist and spiritual seeker named Jillian and the challenges she encounters as a partner, horse lover, daughter, sister and therapist. The engaging story is one that many of us can relate to  how to find ones true voice during a particularly difficult period in life, how to live bravely, how to remain loving no matter what life throws in the way.  Scott explores the inner world of her characters to reveal their humor, authenticity, and resilience.  Her characters have a kind of spunk that is both endearing and inspiring. This novel speaks to the soul of all of us who are seeking true connection with one another, grounding in ourselves, and who are learning to trust the Universe.  You will feel better having read it!
4239110
Jay's writing is raw, vulnerable, and beautifully captured. He artfully weaves images of pain, beauty, loss, and love into a tapestry that anyone can witness and immediately relate to, like he's putting to words the emotions you could never explain. It is evident that his heart speaks a deeper language than most, and sees life in a truly refreshing way.

Highly recommend to anyone who longs to tap into beauty, and wishes to see the divine breathings of a human heart willing to be vulnerable and honest with his life's journey. It is refreshing to see someone willing to break the sleeves open in the hope that others will feel welcome to do the same.
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genuine, relatable, and emotionally stirring-this is a wonderful read!
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Rowena Kinnaird has nearly lost all hope for a happy future because of seemingly insurmountable circumstances involving her heavy-handed father, cold stepmother, and dangerous, abusive suitor. Our friend Brice Myerston may be able to remove her from immediate danger but there are dangers waiting for him in England because of the mysterious treasure within his care.

Brice is charming and flirtatious yet completely committed to his faith, family, and friends. Brices personality and discernment make him one of my favorite characters.

Within the safety of Brices protection, Rowena finds healing and the courage to move forward. She blossoms into a confident, compassionate, and intelligent young woman. Rowena is an inspiring character.

I won this title in a giveaway on Kavs Best Reads. My thanks to Kav, the publisher, and author! The opinions expressed are my own.
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This was my first Alessandra Torre book, and it won't be the last. She's got soul, she's got balls, and she has a raw integrity which takes a plotline that could have made me roll my eyes in exasperation with a lesser writer, and makes it touching and meaningful.

Madison meets Stewart first, and their attraction to each other is instant and inevitable. She is unashamedly sexual, and if he can not spare more than a few hours a week on her, she refuses to be exclusive. So, he proposes a deal. Instead of multiple partners she finds herself a boyfriend to take care of her needs when he can not.

Not planning on it, Madison meets Paul. A carefree, passionate, talented golden boy surfer, in many things Stewart's opposite, and falls madly in love.

Their lives are kept separate, and both men are jealous of their anonymous rival, feeling that they are in constant competition but afraid to pressure the girl to choose lest she chooses another.

At the same time, Madison knows that the situation is a ticking time bomb, that at some point she will have to choose but in the meantime, she desperately loves them both, and her care for them is seen in every little detail of her life.

I really liked that girl. She was honest, she was kind, and she put others needs first instead of trying to change the men the way it suited her. For God's sake, she worked in a small bookstore, and what could be more perfect than that?! *grins*

Paul was an absolute sweetheart, and there was also nothing dark in Stewart despite his single-minded intensity. He was just an obsessive workaholic, unable to separate himself from his company.

The narration jumped between past and present creating a sense of urgency but it also made the book seem more vivid and real. It didn't hurt that it was also sexy and smart.

I loved the whole experience, and I especially enjoyed the ending, the only logical and sensible way to end this story. Recommended.
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`Daring to Hope` is a woman's inspirational book by author Katie Davis Majors, best-selling author of Kisses from Katie (Katie Davis).

  Daring to Hope has me excited even from the first few pages as Katie speaks of her everyday life ministering to the people of Uganda. Katie was single when she went to Uganda, a decade ago. She did not intend on staying but God had other plans. And today, even with all the emotional high's and low's she still witnesses to the people of Uganda. This is an emotion-packed book so I suggest the reader keep kleenex close by.

  I reviewed Katie's first book, `Kisses from Katie` and it was a pleasure to catch up with her, again. As a missionary, her family is like any other family. They are filled with love even though the high's and low's of giving birth to the deaths of close friends are a part of their life. Sometimes Katie becomes mad at God because she doesn't receive the answer she wants even though she prayed diligently.

  I especially recommend this book to those readers who have read Katie's first book. `Kisses from Katie`

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."
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Having read this book as part of the Launch Team I was impressed with the raw honesty and vulnerablitity of this beautiful soul.  Her candor allows us all to be more authentic and in doing so, allow the world to look deeply into what is possible in Christ--becoming a new creation.  Brokenness brings abundance only when we surrender to the process of dying.  "All new life comes out of the deep dark," and the new life births compassion for all our fellow travelers.  One Thousand Gifts began a process and The Broken Way is the path traveled.  Do yourself a favor and read this poetic prose authobiography.
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This a heartfelt book filled with sweet poetry and writing about love and commitment, and it does this without feeling sappy or unrealistic.  The authors/editors have interesting insights of their own, and the book maintained a real sense of joy throughout.  I used this to select readings for my upcoming wedding, and I think it contains numerous selections for anyone looking for thoughts about marriage that resonate with real people; it successfully represents modern love for me, straddling the line between practicality and magic.
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Molly is a friend and a very sincere, concerned, and caring person.  This book captures all of that in addition to her authenticity.
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This book is an accurate expression of the author. Having known Cynthia for 15 years, I can say that she really has lived every word of this book, and that every story, every experience, every insight comes straight from her heart! Cynthia is blessed with a childhood rich in love and human values, and she has spent her life sharing that bounty with her family, friends, and everyone else whose life she has touched. Reading this book is like talking with Cynthia about her deepest feelings. Spend time with a truly loving person -- on every page!
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A Broken Kind of Beautiful
By Katie Ganshert

I have never read Katie Ganshert's books before A Broken Kind of Beautiful.  I needed to pick a new book for review through the Blogging for Books program and so I figured I give this book a try.  I am so glad I did.  A Broken Kind of Beautiful is a book that really touches one's heart.  I spent Saturday afternoon reading this book and didn't want to put it down.

Ivy Clark has spent her life wanting her father's love, but now it is too late.  She has no more chances to earn the love she seeks.  She's tried to fill this emptiness with meaningless flings and attractions since she was 14 years old.  Add to this that her mother hasn't been there for her for more than 10 years and Ivy is a broken person.

Ivy's life is dependent upon her looks and her fading youth (which at 24 years of age is pretty sad).  With her modeling career seemingly on the downturn - she has one last chance - modeling wedding dresses for her step-mother.

But why Marilyn Olsen would want the living breathing proof of her husband's unfaithfulness modeling her wedding line is unfathomable to Ivy.  With her career on the line she reluctantly agrees to leave New York for Greenbrier, South Carolina.  But when she learns that the photographer for the shoot is her step-cousin Davis Knight she's convinced this is the end.  After all Davis is a nobody maintenance man at the local church!

But Davis had his own successes and career in fashion.  But something happened, causing him to turn his back on a lucrative career and vowing to never to again pick-up his camera.  But Aunt Marilyn convinces him do this one favor for her and for his sister Sara.  And for Sara, Davis will do anything.

Can these hurting people find the blessings that being broken has brought them?  Or will they only see what their brokenness has cost them?

A Broken Kind of Beautiful looks at the heart and the inner beauty of a life reborn and renewed in Christ. The statement about outer beauty being fleeting is explored.  The emptiness of world acclaim can be overcome by coming into fellowship with the One who sees our true inner self.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.
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I have known Katie since she was born having been her neighbor and childhood friend to her and her siblings ...
I have always admired Katie and her beautiful children.
Her writing talent and journey have been an inspiration ..looking forward to Hope and Ocygen part 2... As her journey in life continues
Love you Kstie
Your friend Faith
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I have loved the song Beautiful pain from the first time I heard it a few years ago.  Keaton's music is intoxicating and has a healing affect for me. He is a amazing musician and he clearly LOVES his fans. His openness and unpretentious nature lends itself to the wonderful journey he takes us on with his lyrics.

Keaton has a pretty interesting history. He is as genuine as it comes, working his ass off over the long haul to perfect his craft and independent musical career. He has built a sustainable fan base of dedicated fans. He loves to deliver a phenomenal show to his live audiences performing for the fans with heart.  I love the fact that in the past he has given back to community performing on behalf of hunger relief.

I first started following Keaton Simons music with his first album Exes and Whys. I rediscovered him after a friend gave me a mixed cd with one of Keatons songs on it. The addiction with this amazing talented artist was launched. I have been a bit obsessed with his music, story, tattoos, passion, charitable giving and independent musical career choices ever since, like crowd funding for his live album just before putting Beautiful pain out.

You will not be disappointed when you buy this album. TRUST ME!
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How can a book about being run over by a truck, and the unimaginable physical and emotional obstacles to follow, be uplifting? McKenna manages to do it with her humor and humanity. Even though it was, at times, difficult to read her brutally honest descriptions of her pain, Katie's voice and her honesty, made this a page-turner. She is unapologetic about who she is and the emotions she felt as she worked to beat the odds. One reader review commented on Katie's upper middle class privilege showing in her descriptions of certain challenges she faced and I can understand that person's point of view; however, this is just part of her honesty. This is who she is and the situation she was in. She's not here to meet your expectations of who she should be or how she should've reacted to certain situations. She's here to openly share her story which is fascinating and moving. She is honest about who she is, and no matter who you are or where you're from, you can relate to her because she's just so human. This is an incredible story about resilience of the human body and mind but this book is different from others in that genre. Katie's writing seems to be so authentic to her personality and her tone is almost conversational at time, and that makes this story so personal and special.
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This book validated the way I feel about some of my closest friends: how deeply I love them, how much I enjoy spending time with them, how they support and encourage me and allow me to be my authentic self. I especially loved the author's willingness to deconstruct the myth that one's spouse needs to be her "best friend" and "soul mate"; much as I love my husband, and am exceedingly grateful for our marriage, I have women who fill the roles of best friend and soul mate, giving me things that my husband cannot give me. Well written and accessible--the kind of book I wish I'd written!