WAHM Books

Review of Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston

2010-05-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

So, you just moved east for a girl and your job... but the girlfriend dumped you almost as soon as you landed and now you're all alone in a new city.What's a guy to do?

Well, if you're name's Jay Jarvis and you're in South Carolina, you do what all single guys (and real estate agents) do: head to the local church. It's the best place to scout out the female populations (and new clients, apparently).

Flabbergasted is a light-hearted story about guys and girls, dating, the beach, and the Christian life. Ray Blackston's character's are so real, you just want to jump into that lime green convertible with them and go along for the ride. But then, the story is so entertaining, you feel like you already are!

What I REALLY enjoyed about this book is that Blackston touches on some serious issues for Christians, but in hilarious style. Thought provoking, but so much fun you don't really notice.

If you're looking for a good book to add to your summer reading list, you should definitely check out Flabbergasted. It's got everything you need this summer - the beach, a little bit of drama, good friends, and lots of laughs.

Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. (Plus, it's available for your Kindle. How cool!)

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Review of What Happened to My Life?

2010-05-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

As I'm nearing another birthday (yep, it's one of those big "0" ones) I'm feeling a little reflective on my life. And one question that keeps popping up is...

"What happened to my life?"

Thankfully, that's exactly the question that Danna Demetre answers in her book What Happened to My life? Finding New Passion, Purpose, and Joy.This is a 40-day devotional book that helps you draw closer to God and re-examines God's promises for us.

Nowhere did He promise this was going to be all thrills and spills! In fact, He guaranteed we were going to have problems. But He did say He would be always be with us. And that is where many of us go wrong, it seems...

We think that being a "good" Christian will guarantee us happiness and fulfillment and lots of good times. Then we're disappointed when life doesn't work out that way. Demetre reminds us that that's not what God promised, and she helps us adjust to biblical thinking and finding contentment in all circumstances.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the personal stories shared by Demetre and other women she interviewed for this book. They have experienced great trials in their lives, and are living testaments to God's promise that He would always be there. They have found true contentment in their lives, many despite terrible and heartbreaking circumstances.

If you're wondering what has happened to YOUR life, the answer might be lying within these pages.

Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Review of the Spoils of Eden

2010-05-25T15:48:00.000-07:00

In 1891, the islands of Hawaii were not yet part of the United States. Whispers of revolution were growing louder. The dreaded disease of leprosy was destroying bodies, lives, and entire families. It is against this historical backdrop, filled with secrets and intrigue, that The Spoils of Eden, Book One in the new series The Dawn of Hawaii is set.

Eden Derrington is a nurse who desires to spend her career seeking a cure for leprosy, even though it means endangering her own life. But her choice may cost her marriage to Rafe Easton, the man she loves.

Rafe is busy chasing a dream of his own – to adopt the baby boy he rescued from certain death. But in his pursuit, hidden secrets begin to unfold into ever deepening mysteries, for both Rafe and Eden.

Linda Lee Chaikin has written a colorful tale that is interwoven with rich historical detail. I especially enjoyed her vivid descriptions of the vibrant Hawaiian scenery. I felt I could almost pick the beautiful flowers she described and smell them for myself.

This is an exciting story that will transport the reader back in time and onto the tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands.

Review of No More Christian Nice Girl

2010-05-19T05:58:00.000-07:00

In many of the Christian circles I've traveled, there has been this idea that Christian girls have to be "nice." You know – smile when you feel sad, fix everyone's problems for them, put yourself last no matter how pressing your own needs.

In their book, No More Christian Nice Girl, Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler set out to tell you that just isn't true. Instead, they say, Christian women are called to be like Jesus. And (a shock to some people!) he wasn't always very nice.

No More Christian Nice Girl examines every area of a Christian woman's life, from dating to marriage, career to church activities, and reveals how our "niceness" causes so many problems for us. Ultimately, the authors believe, our own attempts to please others keep us from becoming the confident, caring women God created us to be! Instead, they offer practical tips on how to handle issues common to all women by being godly, not nice.

This book is written in a friendly tone with examples every Christian woman can relate to. I really appreciated the authors' perspectives on women's roles in the Bible. They noted some instances where our misbeliefs about women's roles are based on Scripture taken out of context. It was encouraging to see that women who are praised in the Bible as honoring God weren't always considered "nice."

When I saw my teenage daughter pick up the book, I encouraged her to read it for herself. She's not a "nice" girl, but she's coming to an age where she's going to face pressures from society and church about how Christian girls should behave. I know that reading this book will strengthen her resolve to be the woman she knows she is, and who God created her to be.

No More Christian Nice Girl is a book I believe every Christian woman should read, and then give to her daughter.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available now at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Review of Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr

2010-03-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hearts Awakening is the first book I've read by Delia Parr, but I will definitely be looking for more by her. This was a sweet story and a very enjoyable read. I don't always enjoy reading historical romances, but Parr's characters are irresistable, and the setting is exquisite. It will be a satisfying read for fans of Christian historical romance.

When Ellie needs a job, her family sends her to Jackson Smith, a father of two who, it turns out needs much than a housekeeper. He needs a mother for his two boys. Ellie is humiliated when asked to enter a marriage of convenience, but what option does she have? Then, the rumors begin circulating about Jackson's first wife...

One thing I really enjoyed about the story was watching Ellie's relationship with Jackson's two boys develop. Those moments were so touching and honest, and my heart just went out to those two little boys. The unique setting, a beautiful apple orchard on an island also really made this story stand out from other historical fiction novels I've read.

Would you like to win your own copy of Hearts Awakening? I'm giving away my review copy – my bookshelf is getting too full!

To Enter: Please leave a comment below and tell me: Who is your favorite historical romance author? (I'm looking for some new books to read!) If you don't know of any, that's OK. You can still leave a comment and I'll put your name in the draw.

I'll pick the winner next Thursday, April 1. Oh yeah, you must live in Canada or the U.S. to win. :-)

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Review of Anything by Normal by Melody Carlson

2010-02-20T19:12:00.000-08:00

I don't think teenage pregnancy is ever a comfortable subject. But when you talk about Christian teens becoming pregnant, it suddenly becomes even more uncomfortable.

And that's the topic of Melody Carlson's new book for teen girls, Anything but Normal. In this novel, Carlson tells an enjoyable story that will make every reader - young or old - stop and think about their own attitudes toward a very real problem - one that we would often prefer to ignore.

Sophie Ramsay is a Christian teenager who made a wrong decision. The outcome of her action forces her family, her friends, and even the members of her church, question their beliefs about teen pregnancy.

How does someone really show the love of Jesus to somebody who has sinned?

As Sophie comes to terms with her pregnancy and the choices she must make, the reader gets a close up look at the real issues facing pregnant teens - perhaps issues that are too uncomfortable for us to look at in any other way except a fiction novel - and our own response to them.

This is a captivating story with believable characters. Carlson takes you through every step of Sophie's journey, from discovering that she's pregnant, to examining her choices, to finally making the right decision for her.

I shared this book with my 13 year old daughter. She enjoyed the story, too, and it helped start a dialogue between us about teen pregnancy. It gave her an honest look at the pressures she could face as she matures, and helped her plan what her response would be when that day came.

If you have a teenage daughter, or know a teenage girl, I highly recommend giving her a copy of Anything but Normal. It's an enjoyable story that will stay with her long after she's turned the last page.

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Living on the Edge of a Volcano

2009-12-16T17:49:00.001-08:00

Apparently, I am living on the edge of a volcano.

At least that's what the authors of The 8 Seasons of Parenthood: How the Stages of Parenting Constantly Reshape Our Adult Identities believe. It all started when my son turned 10 five years ago, and I won't find my way back to stable ground until my youngest child leaves home - which should be in about eight years.

I picked this book off our piano teacher's bookshelf during my kids' piano lessons yesterday and gave it a quick browse.

The book gives a summary of all the seasons of parenthood, from expecting your first child, the preschool years, the schoolage years, the teenage (aka edge of the volano) era, then the empty nest and the grandparent years.

It gives lots of examples and personalized stories of what other parents have experienced. And it talks about how parents view themselves differently as their children move through these stages. For instance, as a parent of teenagers, I'm being forced to question my own identity. If I had relied on my children to provide any of my sense of self-worth, forget it. They're trampling all over it right now. And, as far as that goes, the authors are pretty much bang on.

I didn't read the whole thing, but it seems to provide a comprehensive overview of how your view of yourself changes over time. It doesn't provide a lot of help in how to deal with these changes, from what I read, but it does tell you what you can expect. And the other parents' stories will remind you that you're not alone - even if you'll be on the edge of that volcano for the next eight years.

The Raft - An Inspiring Picture Book for Early Elementary

2009-11-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

The Raft, written and illustrated by Jim LaMarche, is a beautiful book that I captures children's imaginations and inspires them to create their own works of art.

It's the story of a young boy who's spending the summer with his grandma, an eccentric artist who doesn't even own a T.V.!

At first Nicky is bitterly dismayed by his ill fortune - there's nothing to do and he can't even catch a fish. But when he discovers his father's old raft, he gets caught up in his new surroundings and spends long hours on the river, watching the animals and trying to capture their beauty on paper. When he rescues a fawn trapped in the mud, Nicky discovers that he will always be part of the river, and the river will always be part of him.

It's a delightful story, but it's the the detailed illustrations that will inspire every reader to pick up a brush or a crayon and put their dreams on paper too.

This is a good book to incorporate into a homeschool art class, or read before going on a nature walk. You could even use it as a springboard into a lesson on raft making. There is so much fun to be had in these pages!

The Raft by Jim LaMarche is available for order on Amazon.com.

Review of The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

2009-11-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

With Remembrance Day in Canada and Veteran's Day in the U.S. both approaching, The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey is a timely read. Not only is this exciting story a poignant reminder of the immense sacrifices others made so that we could live in freedom, it is just a fun book! When I reached the last page of the story, I literally had to wait for my heart rate to settle down just so I could continue with my day.

From the riveting opening scene, through plot twists and turns, all the way to the edge-of-your-seat ending, The Swiss Courier pulls you back in time to the tragedy and terror of World War II and reminds you that nothing is so terrible - not even Hitler and the Nazis _ that God can't overcome it.

Gabi Mueller is the "Swiss Courier," a translator working at the American Office of Strategic Services (forerunner to the CIA) in Switzerland. Her ear for languages isn't her only talent, though, and as she's asked to volunteer for dangerous assignments, she soon finds herself wondering who she can trust .

But it is more than her own life that is at risk when she is asked to "courier" a German scientist who is working on the atomic bomb out of enemy territory. The fate of the war, and the entire world, is at stake.

As exciting as this story is, what I found even more compelling were the reminders of the sacrifice everyone made during that era. It was not only the trained soldiers who fought for us, but people from all walks of life, making the choice to do the right thing and doing whatever they could for a cause they believed in.

The Swiss Courier is also a wonderful book to share with older teens. As the horrors of WW2 fade farther into history, and so many of us live in relative safety, I find it difficult to impress upon my teenaged children how much we owe to the people who fought for that safety.

Sometimes I take it for granted too.

The Swiss Courier is a powerful reminder.

Available October 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Balancing Faith with Working at Home

2009-10-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

As a work at home mom who is also a Christian, the most difficult part of starting my Virtual Assistant business wasn’t writing a marketing plan, setting up my first website, or even finding my first client. It was figuring out what role my faith in God should play in my new business. The answer seems obvious - of course it comes first! The tricky part was learning exactly what that should look like…

That’s why I was so thrilled to discover the new book by Jill Hart and Diana Ennen, So You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom: A Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business. Diana’s Virtual Assistance books and Jill’s online community of Christian WAHMs had been very influential for me when I began working from home years ago. Together, Jill and Diana know everything there is to know about working from home, and they know how it all fits together with faith in God.

Every inch of starting a home business is covered in this wonderful book. Jill and Diana walk readers through choosing a business, setting it up, marketing a business, and even how to balance your family with your home business. And through it all runs the idea that for a Christian mom like me, faith in God needs to come first, in everything I do.

The information in these pages is priceless for any mom considering a work at home lifestyle. But what was most inspiring for me were the personal stories Jill and Diana share about their own work at home journeys, along with interviews with other successful business owners that are sprinkled throughout. It was encouraging to realize that these women I had admired for so long had once faced the same problems I had, and had asked the same questions.

And the most important question this book finally resolved for me, was the role my faith should play in my business. My faith in God is at the beginning, and in everything I do. Just what does that look like? Some days it’s frustrating. Some days it’s amazing. And there are days when I wonder if my hopes will ever be realized. Then I remember that God’s plans are much bigger than mine, and what He has in mind for me is greater than I could possibly imagine.

If you need encouragement in your own work at home journey, or want to know what it really takes to become a work at home mom, you will love the book, So You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom. Visit http://SoYouWantToBeAWAHM.com to learn more about the book and order your copy!

An Eye for an Eye - Or a Chance to Forgive?

2009-09-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

An Eye for an Eye is the most recent book by Irene Hannon. This is the first time I've read anything by her, and I was delighted to discover an author who successfully interweaves an exciting suspense story with romance.

Mark Sanders is on the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, but he's working as a field agent in St. Louis, getting himself back together after accidentally killing an innocent teenager. He finds a much needed distraction in a chance encounter with Emily Lawson, his first love from 20 years ago, now a psychologist who is more that what she appears. But as they toy with the possibility of rediscovering their relationship, Emily is injured by a sniper. As the hunt for the shooter ensues, no one knows for sure who his intended victim was, or if their rekindled relationship will survive the threat of danger and memory of past hurt.

An Eye for an Eye is a fast-paced romantic suspence novel that keeps the action moving while still taking time to explore the romantic relationship between Mark and Emily. All the way through the book, I was kept wondering... if they survive the shooter, will their rekindled relationship last?

It is always refreshing to find a suspense/romance novel written from a Christian perspective. An Eye for an Eye also explores the healing power of forgiveness and the burden we carry when we refuse to forgive. The title, of course, refers to the Old Testament verse, "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." But the story celebrates the redeeming power of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

This is the second book in the Heroes of Quantico series, but is an enjoyable read on its own. I hadn't read the first book and I had no problem getting into the setting, the story and the characters.

If you're looking for an evening of suspense and romance, I highly recommend reading An Eye for an Eye!

Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Do You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom?

2009-09-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Home-based businesses are estimated to be a $427 billion-a-year industry. In recent studies it was found that as many as 105 million people in North America alone were working at home. Considering this information, it is obvious that home-based businesses can be successful and authors Jill Hart and Diana Ennen will help you succeed with your own.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom details all the basics of starting a business in a spiritual, motivational, and comprehensive manner. From deciding what type of business to start to keeping your family and faith first, this helpful tool details every aspect of establishing a business. With proven success tips utilized by the authors and others who own work-at-home businesses, this inspiration approach will provide you with the resources you need to start your own home-based business.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom includes:
* Detailed information on types of businesses to start
* Ideas and assistance for setting up, operating, and marketing your business
* Definitions and descriptions of work-at-home terminology and processes
* Help for developing your Website
* Explanations of the business nuts and bolts, including bookkeeping, taxes, and more

About the Authors
JILL HART is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom. Jill has published many articles and is a contributing author in Laundry Tales, The Business Mom Guide Book, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and Faith Deployed. She holds a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies. Learn more about working from home at http://www.cwahm.com/work-at-home/ .

DIANA ENNEN has been a leader and mentor in the work-at-home industry since starting her business, Virtual Word Publishing, in 1985. She is the author of many books, including Virtual Assistant the Series; Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and Words from Home: Start, Run, and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business. She resides in Margate, Florida, with her husband and their three children.

Below is an interview with the authors of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom – Jill & Diana.

If have questions they are happy to answer your questions anytime. Leave a comment below or email Jill@cwahm.com or Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

How long have you been working at home?

Jill Hart - I've been working at home since 2000. I had to go back to work full-time for a brief period in 2003 when my husband got out of the Air Force. At that point I got even more serious about making my business work and I've been home full-time since then.

Diana Ennen – I’ve been working at home since 1985, when my son was born. He’s now graduated college and already working towards his own career. I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What types of businesses do you operate?

Jill Hart – I run Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, a website full of free resources, job listings and information about home businesses. I also write articles and books (yes, more books to come!) and am a blogger for sites like Time/Warner's Christian Momlogic.com and a member of the Guideposts blogger team

Diana Ennen– I’m the President of Virtual Word Publishing. I’m a virtual assistant and specialize in marketing & publicity. I’ve also written numerous books on how to start a VA business and offer PR and VA Coaching.

Tell us about your book? How do you think it can benefit those who want to start a business?

Jill Hart - The book has been such a "God thing." He orchestrated the entire sequence of events - from putting Diana and I together as co-authors to bringing us to the right publisher. The book is a hands-on practical guide for anyone who wants to build a business from home. We cover topics ranging from how to select the right type of business for you, to how to get started, to how to market and grow your business.

Diana Ennen - I think one of the best features of our book is that it’s not only informative, but motivational as well. You’ll feel like friends are helping you on your journey to success. Also, we discuss numerous types of businesses to start and provide proven methods to achieve success. We also often hear how starting a business can be so overwhelming. That’s why we pay special attention to all the how tos. We feel very confident our book will help, not only those starting a business, but those already in business wanting to expand it.

What types of businesses are featured in your book?

Jill Hart - We have such a great range of contributors - everything from direct sales companies like Southern Living at Home and Avon to unique product-driven businesses like BSM Media and GrillCharms. These woman are amazing and give readers a great insight into how they've grown their businesses in very different ways.

Diana Ennen - We cover everything from direct sales companies to specialized areas such as medical transcription and virtual assisting. Also, Jill shares detailed information on starting a community based membership site. We think you’ll get a lot of helpful tips too from such work-at-home powerhouses as Maria Bailey and Lesley Spencer Pyle.

Do you have any tips for success for Christian entrepreneurs that you’d like to share?

Jill Hart - I think my favorite tip - shared with me by one of our contributors, Tammy Degenhart, almost ten years ago is that working together benefits everyone. She told me, "Jill, what you give to others God brings back tenfold" and I've seen that hold true time and time again. It may not be in financial gains and it may not look like what we expected but God is so faithful in that when we work together there is no competition - it's a win-win situation.

Diana Ennen - Do what you believe in and use your own skills and prior experience to find the business that’s just right for you. Research/Research/Research. The more you research, the better your business. Continue to market and be out there. So many once they find a few clients stop marketing. You need to get out there continually. You then become the go to person when someone needs services or products that you offer.

What are some of the challenges that you see with those starting or operating a business?

Jill Hart – In my experience, I've talked with many women who get frustrated because success doesn't come easily or quickly. Working from home may sound easy, but in reality it can actually be just as hard as working outside the home. There are many unique challenges, especially when working at home while raising children. If women don't prepare themselves, they can become discouraged and disheartened.

Diana Ennen– One of the major challenges I see is losing belief in yourself that you can do it. That’s why I think a faith-based book will be so beneficial. Even when times get tough, you can rely on your faith to forge ahead.

With the economy, do you believe it’s still a good time to start a business? Why?

Jill Hart – I think it's a better time than ever. The internet is so much more widely used than it was even nine years ago when I began my website. If people do their research and find a company that fits them as well as their budget this can be a great time to break into the work-at-home field.

Diana Ennen – Absolutely. In fact, I think there’s never been a better time. You might have to work a little harder, but it absolutely can be done. Plus, there are so many businesses who need us more than ever because of the economy. For example, with virtual assistants because businesses are downsizing they are seeking the help of a VA to help on an as needed basis.

Your book is written from a Christian perspective? Tell us a little about that and how you feel that makes it so unique?

Jill Hart – My faith is central to who I am and therefore central to my business. I began Christian Work at Home Moms because I wanted women to have a safe place where they could discuss not only business things, but also talk about an area that doesn't get talked about a lot in business circles - how our faith affects our businesses. The book is written in a way that doesn't hit anyone over the head with our faith, but it's true to who we are and talks about things from the vantage point that we see life - through the lens of our faith.

Diana Ennen – There are so many books out there today on starting a business. However, few have the Christian mom in mind. We provide a lot of scriptures and examples of how you can use your faith to help you. Our hope is that not only will your business thrive, but it might just give a little boost to your faith as well.

Learn more about the book at Beacon Hill Press or SoYouWantToBeAWAHM.com.

Review of The Homeschool Income Makeover by Tisha Silvers

2009-07-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to discover The Homeschool Income Makeover by homeschooling mom and business owner Tisha Silvers. As a homeschool mom who also works at home, I understand the financial challenges faced by new homeschooling families. Tisha's book offers practical advice you can use to simultaneously build your homeschooling, start your home business and pay down your current debt.

Besides giving advice on how to start a home business and providing many creative business ideas, Tisha offers sound advice on reducing your current debt and creating support systems for your homeschool and home business. To start earning money as soon as possible, she advocates finding an existing market for your product or service first, and explains how to find one. She also provides suggestions on how to find affordable mentors for your business.

Tisha recommends making money management a family affair and explains how to help your kids make their own money. Even if you're not interested in starting your own biz right now, tips on how to think wisely about money and teach your kids sound money management principles.

One of the things I most appreciate about this book was Tisha's emphasis on the importance of support groups. She gives practical advice on how to create your own so you never feel alone while you're homeschooling and/or running a business.

The Homeschool Income Makeover is written in a step-by-step format and important principles are repeated throughout the book. It is generously sprinkled with personal anecdotes from Tisha's own experiences as a business owner and homeschooling mom. Reading the book is like sitting down with a good friend over a morning coffee.

Many of the recommended resources are only available to those living in the United States. However, you can look for similar resources in your own country.

The updated version has a bonus section that includes: social media explained in everyday language, affiliate marketing and resale rights information, Internet marketing basics, information on how to get started with homeschooling and other schooling options you can consider for your children. What I most appreciated here was her ready-to-use business plan templates.

If you would like to homeschool your children, but aren't sure you can afford to, you'll find some valuable ideas in The Homeschool Income Makeover.

The Homeschool Income Makeover is available in paperback on Lulu.

Or you can order the e-book for $10 less at Tisha's blog .

Free WAHM Books

2009-07-25T08:14:00.001-07:00

There is so much great free information available on the internet. And a lot of it comes in the form of BOOKS. Here are some of my favorite free WAHM e-books.

Do you have a free WAHM book you want everyone else to know about? Please add your comment with a link and description of your book and I'll check it out. Thanks!

Here are some I've enjoyed.

The Complete Step By Step Guide to Finding Your Perfect & Profitable Business.

If you’re looking for the right business to start, you probably have a lot of questions. For example, is direct sales the way you want to go? Can you really make money with affiliate marketing? Or do you have what it takes to be a freelancer?

In this book, you’ll find the answers to those questions (and more) and you’ll discover how to choose the perfect business for you. You can get your copy here.

How to Be a Six Figure WAHM

I’ve read a lot of things about how to make 6 figures a year from home. Some of what I’ve read doesn’t seem ethical, and sometimes borders on illegal. Other stuff I’ve found has been all hype - believe you can do it and you will! But it doesn’t tell you exactly how.

What I appreciated most about Debbie’s book is that it explains the steps to follow to 6 figures (they’re legal, ethical AND doable) and she also covers:

* how to find out if your current business can get you to 6 figures
* what changes you can make to reach 6 figures
* what to do if your current business can’t get you to 6 figures

There’s also a free audio class to listen to after you read the book.

Here’s the link to your own copy of How to Reach 6 Figure Success in Your Home-Based Business

Encouraging Words

Use Encouraging Words to Motivate Positive Action is based on the Law of Attraction, it talks about how to communicate effectively and encourage others, through what we do, what we say, and how we say it.

This 25 page ebook is filled with practical tips and real-life examples, but my personal favorite is on page 24 - "At least 101 other words and phrases to encourage positive action." That one is going on my fridge as a reminder to everyone in my family - but especially ME - of words we can use to encourage each other.

Here's the link to your copy.

Now it's your turn! Tell me about your free WAHM book and how it can bless moms and their families.

Terms & Conditions

2009-07-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

I only publish favorable reviews of books that I deem to be of value to WAHMs and their families. Time permitting, I will also submit the review of your book to Amazon.com if you sell it there.

By requesting a review of your book you agree to these terms:

1. You agree that you do not get to approve the review before publication or request changes to it once published. With that out of the way, you should know I LOVE books of all kinds, and I sincerely want to help the people who write them. Without you, my world would be a very lonely place. I'll write an honest review, and if I don't like your book I simply won't write about it.

2. By requesting a review, you acknowledge that I may choose to not review your book. And you agree that I don't have to give you a good reason for declining. If you don't like being told "no," then please don't ask. I do try to say yes as often as I can because I am passionate about discovering new books and sharing them with others. But I also have a life. And a family. And a business. And still only 24 hours in the day.

3. While I will review e-books, a print copy of your book is preferred. It's much easier for me to pack and read while I wait for the kids at their lessons. Also, there's a much better chance it won't get lost among the hundreds of emails I receive daily.

4. You are responsible for all costs associated with mailing your book to me. I will not reimburse you for any reason.

4. Your book will not be returned to you. Whether I decide to review it or not, your book will not be returned under any conditions, so please don't ask. I understande that it costs a lot to send your book to me, which is why it would be helpful to give me as much information about it as possible before sending it, so I can be sure it's something I'd like to recommend to my readers.

5. Although not required, linking back to the review or putting our button on your own website is much appreciated. However, linking to me or putting my button on your site doesn't change any of the above terms.

6. You understand that any of the above terms and conditions could change at any time.

7. You understand that I am a Christian. While this is not a Christian blog, my opinions are going to reflect my personal beliefs.

If you can agree to all those conditions and you would still like me to review your book, I would be delighted to consider it.

Please contact me at contact at wahm-articles.com with details about your book and why it would be a blessing to moms and their families.

Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight by Karen Scalf Linamen

2009-04-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in a rut… a deep, wide, mucky rut that you will never be able to escape?

Maybe it's a habit that's been keeping you trapped here for so long. A wrong relationship that you can't seem to make right. Or maybe… life just isn't going the way you thought it should and you don't know why.

Change is possible, and I just discovered 52 ways you can make it happen in your life too.

I've just finished reading Only Nuns Change Habit Overnight by celebrated author Karen Scalf Linamen. She's the best-selling author of Chocolatherapy, so you know she's a woman who really gets it. Plus, she can't keep spaghetti sauce off her clothes either. I like her already.

The subtitle is 52 Amazing Ways to Master the Art of Personal Change. In this book, her premise is that women like us often miss out on the lives we want to lead… not because we don't know how to set goals or manage our time… but because we don't have the skills to move from having the desire to actually achieving that desire.

Linamen examines the reasons behind many common issues women struggle with, like weight loss, relationships, careers. She also looks closely at the reasons why we procrastinate.

According to Linamen, we don't procrastinate because we're lazy, or because we can't manage our time. No,the real reason why I haven't finished replacing my living room baseboards after taking them down to paint five years ago is because of the uncomfortable emotions that bubble up whenever I start the project. (Frustration because I don't know where I put my tools, worry that it won't look perfect when I'm done.) And she gives baby steps to help me get through those emotions and finally get that task finished.

What I appreciated the most is that throughout the book, you're reminded that real change - life-changing change - doesn't happen overnight. After all, this is a woman who wears black because she can't keep anything else clean, so she allows me to keep my unfinished living room walls for a little while longer.

Instead, the change she encourages is a process you can follow step by step. She gives you 52 of them, but following just one might be enough to start a snowball effect of change in your own life.

Here's a link to the book on Amazon so you can find out for yourself.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

2009-03-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

Every evening (almost) for the past few months, Darian, Cassidy and I have been traveling back through time and across an ocean to the magical land of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Family story time is still a staple in our home, even though both my kids are teenagers now. It's fun to look for books that capture all our imaginations. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas certainly does that. It's a tale of revenge, passion, fantasy, and just a lot of fun.

We're reading the unabridged version, which is full of detail, but we discovered we're hanging onto every word. It's that good.

There are a lot of characters, too, so it can get confusing. Halfway through the book, we created a character chart to help us keep track of all the characters and how they were connected.

The main character, Edmond Dantes, is thrown in prison for a crime he didn't commit. While in prison, he meets a man who changes him forever. When Dantes is finally able to escape the dungeon, he emerges with a new life, a fortune, and a new name, The Count of Monte Cristo.

Able to do anything, go anywhere, Monte Cristo instead chooses to plan his retribution against those who wronged him. His plans are elaborate, and full of twists and turns. And in the end...

Oops, I better not give that part away. But I will say this: the ending is good.

Here are two interesting facts about The Count of Monte Cristo: The story was inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment. Also, Dumas wrote The Count of Monte Cristo within one year - the same year he wrote The Three Musketeers.

Make Family Devotions Exciting with Devotions for Families That Can’t Sit Still by Carolyn Williford

2009-01-22T14:47:00.000-08:00

When you call your kids for family devotions, do they roll their eyes and say, "Boring...." ? Family devotions with your kids can easily become routine, repetitive, and unimaginative.

If you've been looking for a way to liven up family devotions with your kids, Devotions for Families That Can’t Sit Still by Carolyn Williford might help. This family devotional book will capture the imagination and creativity of your children, even if they have always been bored with that family time called "devotions." Even your children who enjoy the reading, praying, and sharing type of devotionals will find this change in approach refreshing.

The action-packed devotional guide would be too exhausting to use every night. Williford suggests having family devotions one night a week, making it a fun family time everyone can look forward to.

The devotions were written for kids ages 5 to 12 but they can easily be adapted to use with younger or older children. Even though they're written as "family" these activities could also be used for kids’ clubs or other children programs.

Williford is very precise in giving basic, easy to follow instructions, even listing the materials needed for each devotional activity, so you can prepare ahead of time.

She suggests starting each devotional time with a short prayer, then a Bible reading, followed by the main activity and ending with closing prayer. But you adapt the session to any format you wish for your own family or group.

The exciting devotional activities include laser tag or darts, creative writing, nature hike, scavenger hunt, Bible charades, building with Lego or blocks, scientific experiments, art, clay or play doh, music praise night, magic tricks, servant jar, and games. This devotional book even offers an extensive section for holiday times including Children’s Day and preparing for vacation by burying the Grouch.

For parents and teachers who want to rekindle kids' excitement about spending time with God, Devotions for Families That Can't Sit Still could be a great resource to add to your home library.

Ruth Willms helps Christian parents teach Biblical principals to today's youth. She is the author of The Lion Tree, an exciting novel for ages 8 – 12, and A Christmas Present for Goliath, which retells the nativity story from a unique perspective. Visit http://www.RuthWillms.com to download her free gift to you, How to Introduce Your Kids to Jesus, Their Forever Friend.

Get Started Beading With Four Simple How-to Books

2008-03-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

By Paul Dunphy

If you have thought that you would like to start a new hobby, let me suggest beading as a fun one to start. Not only is it simple to start, but it is quite an affordable hobby. To help kick start your beading, here is a list of the books that have helped me to become familiar with beading, finding the right tools and workspace.

1. Jewelry Making & Beading by Heather Dismore and Tammy Powley

"Jewelry Making & Beading" is a book from an excellent series of books that provide definitions and processes in simplified terms so that anyone can pick up the concepts. This one in particular includes step by step instruction for beginner projects. It even includes some of the more complex ones that involve things such as wire wrapping and knotting.

2. The New! Beader's Companion by Judith Durant

Personally, I consider this my beading reference book! This was the second book that I purchased and after getting the basics down, "Beaders Companion" is just that, a companion to provide you with all of the terminology and reference for a huge list of beading techniques. Since some of the topics may be over the heads of the novice, it is suggested that a book similar to the first book listed earlier.

3. Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire & Beaded Jewelry by Sharilyn Miller.

This is definitely a book that is focused on the more experienced beader. Upon completion of about 3-5 projects of beading, this book can provide you with the information to create more complex jewelry. Sharilyn has a wonderful way of elaborately describing and detailing all of the advanced techniques. Once you've done a few of the ones illustrated in this book, you will be a pro!!!

4. Marketing & Selling your Handmade Jewelry: The Complete Guide to Turning your Passion into Profit by Viki Lareau

In recommending this book, it is assumed that you may want to make some extra cash on your extra jewelry pieces that you will not be wearing yourself. Viki takes a very good approach to describing all of the skills and factors that come into play in presenting, pricing, marketing and ultimately selling your handmade pieces of jewelry. Now this book may not be for everyone, especially those of you who enjoy beading as a simple hobby to relax after a long week! If you want to pad that emergency fund with some extra cash, this might be the way to go.

With these books under your belt, you will have become proficient in a fun and rewarding hobby that is called beading.

Troll beads are a one of a kind type of jewelry making accessory that has its own individual personality that will breathe new life into your beautiful jewelry. You can find excellent examples at Troll Beads Pieces and more information at thisTroll Beads Directory!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Dunphy

A Review of These High, Green Hills by Ruth Willms

2008-03-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

This is the third book in the Mitford series but it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the first two books. This volume is a good read on its own. Beware: you might become addicted to the Mitford small town warmth and have to read the next book in the series and the next and the next, as I did.

The High, Green Hills entails two gentle love stories; one between a near-to-retirement priest and his new artistic wife; the other between the same priest and his parish. If you enjoy the feeling of being connected to your family, friends and community you will love the streams of happenings in Mitford. There is always something of importance erupting in Father Tim’s parish, from lunch time at the popular uptown Grill to the antics of the quaint ladies up on the hill called Fernbank.

Then there are the people on the outskirts of Mitford in the place called The Creek. Poorer than church mice, but resilient, these colorful characters bring new challenges to Father Tim. He might be labeled a stick in the mud, not looking for adventure, but it finds him anyway in an unexplored, dark, damp cave.

Loving the people of his community and driven to be everything to everyone, Father Tim will win you heart and you will be asking: “Are there really priests or pastors like that anymore?”

Ruth Willms is a Christian Children's author who writes stories that bring the Bible to life for pre-teen readers. Her Christian fantasy novel,The Lion Tree, at www.RuthWillms.com shows pre-teen readers how God's love helps them deal with today's problems and teaches modern-day lessons from the Bible.
Ruth Willms also posts daily devotionals for kids and parents on her blog, www.ruthwillms.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Discovering Your Purpose – A Review of Knit Together by Debbie Macomber

2008-03-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Knit Together is written by New York Times bestselling author, Debbie Macomber. This is her first nonfiction book after publishing over 150 novels.

Are you impressed yet? It gets better.

Macomber wrote those novels after being told she could never be a writer. In fact, she was advised to throw away the manuscript for her first novel because it would never be suitable for publication.

Thankfully, she followed her dream, not the advice.

Not surprisingly, Macomber is a woman who believes we were each created for a purpose, and we are meant to dream and take risks.

This book is inspirational, but it is also very practical. In it, you'll learn steps to take in order to discover your purpose, how to set goals that will help you achieve your dreams, and much more.

Most importantly, you'll learn that God has had a wonderful plan for your life since before you were born - before you were knit together in your mother's womb - and He knows exactly what it will take to accomplish that plan.

If you're in need of a purpose and a healthy dose of dreaming, this book is the perfect prescription.

Review of Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On: Trusting God in the Tough Times by Stormie Omartian

2008-03-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

One of the books on my bedside table right now is Stormie Omartian's Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On: Trusting God in the Tough Times.

You may be familiar with Stormie's books. She's the author of The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Parent.

Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On is a devotional guide written to help the reader trust God day by day at times when it looks like He's nowhere to be found.

Each day's reading is an encouraging message with poignant examples of God's grace in Stormie's own life and scripture to back up her claims of God's faithfulness.

This is a book I've read many times, yet each time I draw something new from it.

When I'm faced with tough life choices and worry about making a misstep, Stormie reminds me that I can count on God to fight my battles for me... if I step back long enough to let Him.

Three Book Choices for Middle School Boys

2008-03-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

By Rebekah Kogelschatz

As a middle school teacher of students in advanced academics programs, I had the opportunity to read a selection of books for middle grade readers that were published in 2007. The books were selected because of their potential to be Newberry contenders. Although none of them were awarded the highest honor, they are well worth the time for your middle school student to read. These three selections may be of particular interest to boys, but also would be great for any girls to read also.

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson (Random House): Leepike Ridge is an exciting adventure of Tom and his quest to survive. After hearing the potential wedding plans of his mother and her boyfriend, Tom leaves his home to escape the thought of the marriage. He chooses to float down the nearby stream to clear his head. After a brief sleep, he finds himself slipping into an underground cavern in complete darkness. The story continues with Tom's determination to get out of the cavern alive and the many obstacles he encounters along the way. This story is a page turner with one exciting event after another.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt (Clarion Books): The Wednesday Wars was a Newberry Honor book for 2007. Based in 60's, a 7th grade boy, Holling Hoodhood, is sentenced to Wednesday afternoons with his teacher while the other students attend religious training. At first, what seems like a curse of a unlikable teacher turns into a loving friendship and a great amount of learning about life and education. Holling's antics and situations will make any child laugh. With talk of baseball greats and rats running rampant through the school, any boy is certain to enjoy this story.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Carson Ellis (Little, Brown, and Company): The Mysterious Benedict Society is a longer book, but well worth reading all the way to the end. It follows a group of extremely gifted students that are hand selected to save the world from an evil man trying to control the minds of everyone in the world. The children have to go undercover in a boarding school to discover and foil the plans of Mr. Curtain with the assistance of Mr. Benedict. While trying to be selected to the coveted Messenger position, Kate, Constance, Stickie, and Reynie discover the world is not as easy to figure out even with the highest of intelligence. There are many plot changes and surprises throughout the book that makes the ending even better.

Encouraging boys to read is easy with a great book. Try one of these with your middle school boy or girl and be prepared for some excitement about reading.

Rebekah Kogelschatz is a gifted education teacher. She has taught all grades from pre-school to 8th grade in all subject areas. She is a co-founder of the site http://www.SmartMoms-SmartBusiness.com and the founder of a preschool resource site http://www.preschool-activities-everyday.com You can learn more about Rebekah by visiting her blog, http://the-day-of-a-mom.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebekah_Kogelschatz

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2008-02-26T16:19:00.001-08:00

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About WAHM-Books

2008-02-26T16:18:00.001-08:00

Think about a significant turning point in your life.

Maybe you were struggling to make a major decision. Then all of a suddenly it was like a lightbulb went on and you knew exactly what to do next.

Or maybe you were struggling to understand a new idea or a technique. And then... kaboom! Just like that, you got it.

For me, and maybe for you too, many of those life-changing moments have been created by books.

Books have a way of reaching your soul and your mind like nothing else can. When you're alone with a good book, it's just you and the author's thoughts. It can even seem like she's reaching right in to your mind, translating thoughts you didn't even know you had into words.

Books change lives.

As a mom, I know books change families too.

When my kids were small, it was all about the parenting books. (Will I EVER be able to take this screaming child out in public?) Then we graduated to board books. Eventually my kids could read by themselves, and they had their own stories to tell me.

Now they're both teenagers and still our home and waking hours are filled with books. Books that lead to discussions, questions, the sharing of new ideas.

This blog is filled with some of my favorite books. I hope you will enjoy them too.

And if you have a book you would like to see here, I would love to hear about it. You can find me at contact @ wahm-articles.com