So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom - Jill Hart and Diana Ennen

I first met Jill Hart, co-author of So You Want to be a Work-at-Home Mom a couple of years ago. We were both attending a writers' conference and without ever having met me in person, Jill offered to pick me up at the airport. It is with that kind of generous spirit that Jill and Diana Ennen wrote their excellent guide to starting a home-based business.

Jill and Diana pull no punches. They tell you that you need to set your priorities in your home and your business. When they overlap, you will need to be prepared for the difficulties that arise. The authors encourage you to analyze your heart first. Have you prayed about becoming a CWAHM – Christian Work-at-Home Mom?

Then the practical questions. Are you self-reliant? Self-motivated? Self-disciplined? If so, this is the book for you.

Systematically, the authors guide you through the steps to being a successful CWAHM all the while keeping faith and family at the forefront. Charts, logs, and lists will help you stay on task, organized, and motivated. If you're a Christian mom thinking of setting up a home-based business, pick up this book and learn from two women who have successfully worked from their homes and generously help you learn to do it, too!

Product Details:
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (August 15, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0834124661
ISBN-13: 978-0834124660

Blog for CWAHM: http://cwahm.com/wordpress/

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

I am a novice when reading 'inspirational romance.' As I began reading The Country House Courtship, I was instantly drawn into the setting, learned new words and phrases, and enjoyed getting to know the characters. As I continued to read, I felt as if I had traveled through time. Linore's attention to detail is wonderful, and the glossary in the back helped me understand some of the terms used in the realistic dialogue. Reading an omniscient point-of-view was a refreshing change of pace.

The Country House Courtship is book 3 in Burkard's Inspirational Regency Romance series. I think I will go back now and read what I've missed in the first two books. It looks like I won't be a 'novice' much longer.

Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub

A cookbook with bacon and Spam? Not often these days! With everyone so health-conscious, Rick and Bubba are definitely out of the norm. I wouldn't categorize Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub as a cookbook anyway. It's more like a comedy book with a few recipes thrown in. They give their take on food, fairs, and festivals and live to eat, rather than eat to live. These guys love food. Most of the recipes are easily made with a few readily available ingredients. I didn't see one call for fancy mushrooms (canned will do) or fancy cheeses. A couple recipes even call for plain ol' American cheese.

If you're seriously looking for a cookbook, you'll be disappointed. If you like Rick and Bubba's brand of comedy, you'll be pleased with their book. It's a fun read with a few down-home recipes thrown in.

What Happened to My Life? by Danna Demetre

Have you ever asked yourself these questions: How did I get here? Where has the time gone? Has my life made an impact? If so, you should pick up a copy of Danna Demetre's book with another question in the title – What Happened to My Life?

In her fantastic book, Demetre's goal is to help the reader discover joy and passion for life and break the cycle of discontentment. In her own words, "Whether you are single or married, young or old, living a life of contentment is essential to fulfilling God's perfect plan for your life."

Danna starts by asking the hard questions worded in such a way that it makes you reflect deeply on where you are in your life in relation to your goals, ministry, and relationship to God and family and friends. Writing with almost painful transparency, Danna tells how she matured to a life of contentment in Christ and knows the steps you need to take in order to stop living in emotional or spiritual poverty.

After she takes her readers through the examination, Danna helps you embark on a 40-day journey to rediscover contentment and joy.

I highly recommend this book. It inspired me to examine my life and make some changes. As Danna says, "It's time to move from simply surviving to truly thriving once again!"

Danna Demetre is an author and popular conference and retreat speaker. She is the president and founder of Women of Purpose, an evangelistic outreach ministry. Danna lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, Lew, and adopted 13 year-old grandson, Jesse. They also have three grown children and are expecting a new grandchild.

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.