Dancing Through Life

Dancing Through Life: Steps of Courage and Conviction by Candace Cameron Bure
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OK... everyone that knows me I love 2 things in this life. Jesus & Dancing with the Stars.
You think I'm joking.
It's true.

So you have to know that this book was just made for me to devour.

I so loved when Candace Cameron Bure was on DWTS in Season 18 & the faith she showed - getting Jesus name out for the whole word to hear. She carried herself so well during that season & loved she made it to the finals.

This book is just a glimpse of her experience with the show, what happens behind the scenes & little glimpses at what we didn't see. This even made me like Mark even more as we got to see deeper into how he was the partner leading Candace on this journey.

But what makes this book so cool, as every dance goes on, she finds a way to connect it with a growing spiritual thought for us all to learn from in areas of our own lives. I loved the blend of the worlds & the teachings from this.

I smiled throughout the book at the scripture used & how it all applied so perfectly to the experience she went through on the dance floor... & even had tears come to my eyes reading parts. The chapter where Candace messed up & Mark was talking her through the dance & encouraging all the way? ... my favorite chapter of the book....

If you love Candace - if you love DWTS - you can't pass up this book!

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The Wicked Will Rise

The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We're back in Oz...

the messed up, dark world of Oz!

& Amy Gunn is still after Dorothy, Glinda & her 3 friends, the Scarecrow, Tin man & Lion.
We also see Amy & the darkness that is taking her over as she knows she needs to kill the 3 friends & then go after Dorothy.

Mercy - this book just got really serious & DARK. I knew the first one was a little dark - this is just plain YIKES at points.

I still liked the story - the difference insights of Oz & how Ozma came to be & how she has turned into a little bit of a 'slug brain' ... but I was a little disturbed at scenes in the book. The childlike images you have the WOZ characters - it wont be the same after this book.

Going into the Fog of Doubt, or into a kingdom of monkeys, or into an Island of the Lost or a village literally "over the rainbow" - it still has great imagination. & it was good to see old characters back, like Nox, Pete & even the witch Mombi again.

I wish I had read the first book all over again before reading this one. & I'm sure I'll have to do it when the next installment comes out. I will say, this has all left me waiting anxiously for the next book in the series - that's for sure.

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Beautiful Day

Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had heard about this book & saw it was at the library...

let's just say, I wasn't that impressed. Maybe if I was by a pool & needed something to just pass time, it would have been better to me.

Its the story of a wedding taking place & what's leading the bride? A notebook her mother who had passed away left her to give instructions - wanting to help her daughter when the time came & knowing she wouldn't be around.

The drama comes when the wedding happens & all the family has their own issues, from the bride's sister & the messy relationships she gets into, to the bride's father & the realization that his new wife is nothing like he envisioned his life to be, & the many people in the wedding party, from brothers & in laws to step sisters.  The whole gang has drama.

This didn't knock my socks off, but it was alright... like I said - a good beach read.

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Anchored: Finding Hope in the Unexpected

Anchored: Finding Hope in the Unexpected by Kayla Aimee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So I'm not a big fan of reading about babies or births or anything that hurts my heart about not having a child of my own, but for some reason I was drawn to this book... & so glad I did.

This is the story of Kayla Aimee & the birth of her daughter Scarlette as she came into the world earlier then she should have. The things that precious baby went through & the story of her life & the way that Kayla survived it all, with her humor, with her heart, with her family, with her faith & hope in God, its such a good story.

Its written in such a grabbing way. I didn't want to stop reading. One second, you are aching for this little tiny baby that is so small she can fit in your hand & the next, you are laughing at the memories that Kayla shares with you reflecting on her life & memories. It's such a mix of emotions - all making up a fantastic read.

I have since found out Kayla Aimee is a blogger & I just love reading her writing even more when I can. She's got such a joy that shines through her words. I'm going to be adding her to my list of people that I know that we'd be best friends if we lived near one another. :)

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Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've seen this book going around for awhile & I keep hearing about this author.

It didn't disappoint.

I was so intrigued by this book & couldn't wait to get to the end.

This is sort of a mystery book so I tread lightly not wanting to give anything away. The idea is though its a story of a group of ladies who all tied together through families, friends & children in kindergarten together. All leading up a a death on the night of their charity event. Who is it that dies? You don't know till you get to the end. But the ride is so fun, with each chapter starting or ending with 'interview' questions from a reporter trying to get to the bottom of the death.

I had so many thoughts on how it was all going to go down... & I was wrong.. which I LOVE.

I so enjoyed this book & can't wait to pull Liane Moriarty's next book off of my shelf now.

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The Wizard Returns by Danielle Paige
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can NOT get enough of this series! Seriously.

These little novellas are fantastic too for quick reads & a little bit more background on the characters.

I loved this little snippet of the Wizard. Who he is. What happens to him after he takes off in the balloon.

I'm not just ready to jump into the next full novel... & already preordered the next novella on the Tin Man...

Give me more!!!!

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Miracles from Heaven

Miracles from Heaven: A Little Girl, Her Journey to Heaven, and Her Amazing Story of Healing by Christy Beam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story of a little girl that was born with health issues with her digestive system leaving her in the hospital, & on lots of medications & without a normal childhood life.

Annabel is one of 3 girls, with 2 loving parents & a host of family that loves her. They all have to work together to deal with Anna's health issues.

But she's still a little girl who wants to have fun with her sisters.

So when one day she finds herself climbing a tree with her sisters & ends up having an accident where she falls INSIDE of the tree, her worlds gets changed forever.

A rescue has to happen to get her out & miraculously Anna comes out with just a few scratches. And before long, Anna is telling everyone that she sat on Jesus's lap & the experience has when she went to Heaven when she first made that 35 foot drop to the bottom of the tree. With instructions that she had to go back & everything would be fine, Anna's life certainly would be fine.

Besides surviving the fall, her digestive issues all seemed to be healed as well.

This story really was an interesting read written by the mother, Christy Beam.

I know there's a lot of touchy subjects about "heaven" stories but I still enjoy reading experiences of it... believe it or not yourself. I especially love the story of the miraculous healing of this little girl - regardless if you believe the Heaven part.

I will say, not a lot is really mentioned about the Heaven experience. It's more a biography of Anna & her family... I always love a good biography.

While not the most exciting book I've read, it did hold my attention & I was excited to see a glimpse into this family's life.

TD Jakes is apparently making this book & this little girls story into a movie as well... & we all know a book is better then a movie :)

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