Honest & Complete Story
595923
Cissy Houston opened her soul and tells you the truth no matter how painful. I found the transparency in her words about her life and her daughter Whitney to be genius.
2753627
I must start this review with a confession....autobiographies are my favorite literary genre. So, I was eager to read this one by Joseph Chan. And although one could say that makes me jaded, I believe that my assessment of this book is fair and balanced.

This was a very quick and easy autobiography to read. It was also fascinating because it weaved so many journeys into one story...cultural, geographical, educational, professional, familial, etc.

This is a story of struggles and challenges, but it ultimately a story of hope and accomplishment and triumph. It is a story of one who understands grace, gratitude, perseverance, hard work, and dealing with the life one has, not the life one covets.

I highly recommend this book for each and every one of us who sometimes forget to see the positive side of life. This is a book for those who see the glass half full or who need a reminder that it is not half empty.

Bess
3242472
Honesty and vulnerability are rare qualities these days.  In this personal account you get both!  Having interacted with Marquita recently at a writing conference (Release the Writer by Wendy K. Walters) her story of heartache and surrender are as real as the person with whom I spoke.  Her story is not an easy one to tell, but the courage in which she tells it makes you feel like the story which is yours matters as well.  In the writing of it, I am sure she heard the words from her heavenly Father - "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"  IF you want validated and encouraged, buy the book!
1500697
I really enjoyed reading this very personal and real account of coming to terms with a childhood of abuse. The story is very uplifting as the author maintains a positive outlook throughout- taking us on her journey to full awareness.
2213414
I was amazed with what this woman has been through...this is so honest, I don't know that I'd have the courage to be as honest as she was.  But it's so refreshing to see....all of the many things she's been through in her life yet she never once comes across as a victim of anything.  She lives life to the fullest and gets through the hard times looking forward to what's next.  Amazing.
1413789
Traci Lords has finally come out with the definitive story of her life, at least I think she does.  Traci has always been the center of controversy.  She has allegedly told differing stories on the story of her life.

This book seems honest, sometimes brutally honest and Traci pulls no punches (even throwing some at herself), which is why I do believe this book to be an accurate tale of her life.

The book is pretty thorough and Traci does not rely on just her X-rated past to sell her story.  It is very much the tale of a survivor and a winner.
394498
With the signature of a judge in Ethiopia, the Gwyns went from parents of two to parents of six. Their lives were changed forever.

I really like this very personal and honest account of the adoption and the life after. Natalie had her life well planned out. But God had other plans. She faced the choice of following her own plan or God's. I appreciate the lessons she has learned through the adoption experience. For example, we do not have to be perfect, just willing. Waiting is not passive but active. God will provide when the step of trust is taken.

Natalie is honest about the struggles she and her husband faced as they ventured into the unknown. I like how she includes the feelings of the adopted children in her narrative. Parenting my children is a privilege I have been granted only because of the magnitude of the tragedy they have experienced. (Loc 1152/2320) Natalie shares the pain the children experienced because of adoption, including the situation from which they came.

I highly recommend this book to any couple considering adoption. You'll experience the waiting, the intervention of God in making it happen, the stress and struggles and spiritual warfare, the effects on marriage, friends and extended family. Reading this book will really help you count the cost of adoption.

I highly recommend this book to readers in general. This book will help you understand what couples experience when they adopt, especially children from another country. Natalie's writing style is delightful. She has a great way with words. She tells great stories and includes humor too.

I highly recommend this book to those who see the mountain of need in the world and wonder what good their teaspoon is in reducing that need (Natalie's analogy). It may seem overwhelming. Natalie's story is a good example of how one teaspoon can change the lives of many. She has included a list of ministries that welcome teaspoons of help.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
3807501
I have completed this book and feel that the author totally delved into the horror that dad's go through when they lose a child.  My sister and brother in law lost their beautiful daughter michelle.  Her story is one of the stories in the book.  Their living hell is still going on 4 yeats later and will continue.  I was there with them through it all, and I can tell you that everything the author wrote about is true.  It is also true that the man is supposed to be strong for the woman, but the man is suffering just as deeply.  This book tells all of what these devastated dad's have to deal with.  My applause for an honest, open and thoroughly true depicttion of the father's ordeal.  Everyone that has been unfortunate enough to experience this terrible loss should read this book.
1645736
This book was an honest, raw look at the life of Joe Kissack, a former television executive who facilitated the syndication of such shows as Mad About You, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Seinfeld (my personal all-time favorite show!).

In this book, Kissack cracks open his life and shares his addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs and how it took a toll on his family.  But, by the grace of God, Kissack was saved from himself and found faith.

Once Kissack became a Christian, he learned of the story of five Mexican fisherman who were lost at sea for 10 months and drifted near 6,000 miles to Australia.  Kissack felt God called him to tell their story.  Their story is astonishing and harrowing where only three of the fisherman survived.  They lived on raw fish, turtle blood, rainwater, and most importantly their faith in God.  The fisherman believed it was only by the grace of God they were saved.

In the book, Kissack weaves his own personal story in with the story of the surviving fisherman because Kissack believes he is the "fourth fisherman"--because just as God rescued them, God rescued him too.

If you a want to read a story about perseverance and faith, this might just may be the perfect summer read for you.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
2171472
An honest and candid telling of a woman whose life was literally unimaginable for most of us. Child entertainers and children of entertainers often have a difficult life, especially when they eventually adopt the same destructive habits as their parents. I'm not sure whether Mackenzie wrote this herself or had help with a ghostwriter, but either way, it's a compelling story without a trace of self pity. She deeply regrets the things she had no control over, not for how they affected her but for how they affected people she cares about, and now wants only to protect the life she has worked so hard to have and keep the people she loves from ever having to experience what she went through. She tells her story with dignity and grace.
3531565
I have personally met Mr. Wiener.  I have heard him speak at my wife's middle school.  And I even drove Mr. Wiener to and from the school.  And I have read his memoir.

He is a kind and generous man who lived through a horrific experience that did not kill his spirit.  He is sharing his experiences with us in hopes that the world can learn and grow from it.  His writing is straight forward and honest.  It is not dramatic, it is not flowery..it doesn't need to be.  It is already difficult enough to understand how such a thing can happen.  It does not need to be glorified.  Thank you Mr. Wiener for sharing your story.  I hope that many people will read your words and hear you speak.
1990076
This book is such an honest account without being sensational. I believe every woman could gain from reading Amy's story.  While it's full of biblical wisdom it's easy to read.  You'll find yourself laughing one minute and crying the next.
1810539
True story of a wife and mother struggling with her faith during testing in her life.  Appreciated the honesty of the author.  She was not afraid to share with her reader that she is not perfect.  She tells us how she reacted - good or bad.  She also is very clear that God carried her through those trials and safely to the other side.
3438209
An honest story is hard to come by, I think Ms Kelly's book is such a story.  The author tells her difficult story in a way that brought out in me a deep compassion for her, myself, and others - for that I am grateful.  Her straight forward style is grounding; it gives the reader the opportunity to see into the way life sometimes is, and to see people as they sometimes are. It also speaks to hope and growth, and shows us that when we live in a trap that we built for ourselves we can do the work to free ourselves. This is a book worth reading.
1141107
I love stories of endurance but I often find the writings overly celebratory & self-congratulatory. Even though I was inspired by this story, I didn't have the highest expectations of the book. However this writing felt incredibly humble & honest, pure & without need to overly build, as the story is plenty as it stands. It's told with much heart & thought, asking of me to open my heart & mind ... dramatic, maybe, but true. Inspiring & courageous in dream & execution of this journey, in writing & sharing of this story.
4358687
Lacki writes an honest and compelling account of his growing up and young adult years as a Christian.  One of my favorite aspects of this book is that he reveals his struggles and fears as plain as day.  In doing this, even though this was a very personal testimony, it is far-reaching and through God's love which he describes, I found myself being comforted in my own struggles.  Even if you are not Christian, I think people would be able to relate to his difficulties in relationships and life's rough spots which are universal in themselves.

This book also has a great essense of "listening" - listening to God's voice as to what he wants for us.  And Lacki's style of writing is very personable and laid back, his voice lifting right off the pages.

This book is one that can referenced over and over to find inspiration during those tough times and not so tough times, to remind us what faith is, and that we're all not perfect, we weren't meant to be perfect, and God loves us anyway.
4931029
Ronda has an amazing story! It's written in a very truthful and honest way. It was extremely easy to read. I read it in one day. It gives the reader an inside look at who she really is and the struggles she's had and not just the person you see on UFC. It's really inspiring.