Author Sabrina Blount Watson explores in great detail the challenges that single mothers face and how they can truly be effective in leading their son or daughters life by a powerful example if they will in fact trust God to first lead them in the direction they should go. There are discussions dealing with; "How Did I Get Here?" and "Are You The Problem?" which are great foundations for this book and gives the reader many places to search from those basic yet profound questions. "When You Have to Be the Man" is a great book dealing with how a single mother can fill the vast role that is left vacant by a male figure not in the household. While there are various reasons that a child may be raised without a male role-model, it still impacts their life. The responsibility of the single mother is to do what is best for their child and instill God's value and purpose within their lives.

This book is filled with great discussion questions as well as a place for the reader to write responses and make this a very personal and rewarding book. There is a section dealing with the "ABC's of Single Parenting" which I found to be very helpful. Author Watson also has a resource section as well as a website section that will enable the reader to explore this subject in greater detail in ways that will best benefit them in their situation. This is a very well written book and one that I feel could be a great tool to be used within the local church for single mothers. This tool could be a great discussion guide for a small group and help encourage single mothers to not get discouraged or overwhelmed with their present situation.

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers Favorite

Now or Never; A Step-By-Step System For Reaching Your Most Important Goals in 21 Days - Ryan Jeffery

Ryan Jeffery in his book entitled: "Now or Never; A Step-By-Step System For Reaching Your Most Important Goals in 21 Days" helps the reader learn new creative steps in becoming a more goal oriented individual. He deals with such issues as: Time, Health, Relationships, Finance and other topics to move the reader toward a more determined lifestyle of choice and happiness. Author Jeffery shares a wonderful story of how he was involved in an accident which could have easily taken his life. He chose the following day to attend church and share his gratitude toward God of saving his life. While he realized that he could have been killed, he also realized that the book that was within him had to be written as he couldn't be promised other opportunities. There is a strong indication that we must seize the day and opportunity that lies before us, never taking life for granted.

This book helps the reader dig down deep, making some life choices to better themselves to become the person that God desires for them to become. Author Jeffery explains how 21 day cycles seemingly repeat themselves over and over within a person’s life and how we must take advantage of them to become a better individual. There are daily assignments and exercises that enable the individual to grow and stretch to become that awesome individual they desire to become. Finally at the end of the book is a 21 day goal form that will help the reader to focus on the changes they desire to see within their life in the next 21 days. The writer declares...it's "Now or Never."

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers Favorite

ENCOURAGE-MINTS: Give a Mint, Refresh a Life - Carol Freed

When you’re wondering how to find strength for the journey called life, remember God's Word and be encouraged. When you are encouraged, then take that encouraging word and share with someone else who needs a pick me up and breathe encouragement into their soul. Remember the time when you needed help and someone poured into you? Take the time to share that same love, insight and encouragement into the heart and life of one who needs a pick me up.

Author Carol Freed in her book: "ENCOURAGE-MINTS: Give a Mint, Refresh a Life" helps the reader to find ways to encourage others. Maybe we think what we have to offer is small, but encouragement seems to multiply when we offer to give it away. The book encourages the reader to believe that what they have to offer is great and supportative for someone in need. Sometimes we must even give from our need, not when everything is perfect and going well. Author Freed gives encouragement to give away refreshing hope and praise to others around you and in doing so things within your life will be lifted as well.

While this is a very short book, it is one that gives great ideals of how to be a difference maker. It would be a great tool to be used for hospitals, churches, counseling, etc... Everyone needs encouragement, why not start with someone today and determine to make a difference right where you are planted. "ENCOURAGE-MINTS" bringing together the positive for a lasting difference.

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers Favorite

SHAKEN: A Story of Emotional Abuse and Depression"

Author Kerry Connelly in her book entitled; "SHAKEN: A Story of Emotional Abuse and Depression" certainly reaches to the core of the overabundant issues of abuse. While the author shares her story allowing the reader to walk down the trail of pain, disappointment, hurt anger and so many other emotions, she also offers hope, wisdom, insight and direction for the opportunity of how one can move beyond living in that environment and lifestyle. This book isn't for the weak hearted as it describes the real facts of what occurs in everyday life of one who is abused.

Author Connelly does a wonderful job of explaining definitions of words as well as the effects of being abused. Moods, traits and methods that one uses to create this emotional bondage are listed providing keen insight into what to look for in order to seek help and a way out. Control, anger, self piety are just a few signs of those who are the abusers. They want to have this individual put under their thumb controlling what they are doing; while the book gives the personal examples of Author Connelly I'm sure many readers will see themselves in the pages as they read. 

Before the end of the book, the author lists several resources as well as a step by step guild on how to leave. This information at the end of the book is very valuable for that one who is contemplating having to escape their current abusive situation. If you find yourself being abused, this book will offer insight and hope that tomorrow can certainly be brighter.

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers Favorite

Finally Free; Fighting For Purity with the Power of Grace - Heath Lambert

"Finally Free; Fighting For Purity with the Power of Grace" is a much needed book for our time. Author Heath Lambert declares that the main reason men turn to pornography is because of arrogance. While many men may have past issues they need to deal with Author Lambert states that arrogance is the one facet that always appears when dealing with this subject matter.

This book is filled with examples of real stories of how men struggle with this horrible addiction. Many see nothing wrong with pornography; while others know the devastation first hand of how it has destroyed their marriages and certainly devalue women in the eyes of men. Feasting on porn not only affects the individual doing it, but their spouse (or future spouse), family, friends, etc... It is a very selfish act that is based upon feeding one's own fleshing desires. The way to overcome this addictive, controlling vice is to truly trust in Jesus and live your life completely devoted to Him. This book is a valuable tool for anyone caught in this awful web of deceit.

This book was provided by Cross Focused Reviews for my personal review.

5 of 5 stars

Give Yourself A Raise - Gordon Bennett Bleil

Author Gordon Bennett Bleil gives the reader much wisdom and insight in his book; "Give Yourself A raise." This book allows the reader to break down their current financial situation where it isn't overwhelming. The author allows the reader to look at their particular circumstances in bite size pieces so they can make informed decisions to move forward correctly.

There is a financial quiz at the beginning of the book to help the reader know where they presently are financially and how to better move forward to financial freedom. "Give Yourself A Raise" enables the reader to visually see what Author Bleil is referring to though various charts and graphs enabling them to see formulas as well as to just read about it. This workable material gives the reader the opportunity to produce their own charts to lay out their financial situation so they can visually see their own goals as well as the real life picture of where they currently are. The reader is able to make a better informed decision to move forward financially after they are empowered with the visual information of their current situation. 

Author Bleil gives great wisdom and insight into how one can become stronger financially and move forward, not allowing their present situation to hold them back from growth.

This book was provided by The Cadence Group for my personal book review.

5 of 5 stars

The Self-Publishing Checklist - Andy Baldwin

Andy Baldwin in his book, "The Self-Publishing Checklist" does a brilliant job of explaining self-publishing and Print-On-Demand. While this book represents Bookstand Publishing and what they offer an author who publishes with them this book is also filled with valuable information that any writer could learn from.

There are examples of famous authors who at time were self-published. There is also a template in the back of the book of how to set up a book for publication. This is a very informative and well written book. I certainly appreciated the opportunity of reading it and learning nuggets of wealthy information for a writing career.

5 of 5 stars