"The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World" by Alli Worthington

About the book...

How would your life be different if you were just a bit happier every day for a year? What would you do to enjoy life just a little more day by day? Take your first step toward increased happiness with The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World by Alli Worthington.

You do your best to live life well—you work hard to be present in the moment, take care of the people in your life, knock it out of the park at work and home. And yet somehow, you still have days (perhaps more than you'd like to admit) where you're simultaneously stressed and bored, and you wonder if you even know how to be happy. Is happiness a worthy goal? Does happiness matter to God, or does He only care about holier things?

Alli Worthington gets it. As a wife, mother of five boys, author, speaker, and entrepreneur, she knows a thing or two about being busy, stressed, and happy in the midst of a crazy world! Over the years, she's seen how happiness gets a bad rap in Christian circles, and now she is standing up to shout the good news from the roof (or the internet, as the case may be): You are allowed to be happy! Yes, you! You can be happy right now!

Get rid of the common Christian misconception that happiness is somehow not holy, and grasp God’s intention for His children—that happiness and holiness can coexist for a beautiful life.

Join Alli for The Year of Living Happy: Finding Contentment and Connection in a Crazy World and find the roots of your happiest life yet! With 100 inspirational devotions, beautiful art, and journaling pages throughout, this gorgeous devotional offers practical ways to make your life happier day by day.

Don’t miss the great big beautiful adventure God has for you right in your own life. Let this be The Year of Living Happy!

My review...

I love reading devotional books, and I’m happy (no pun intended) to add this one to my collection. The book is a collection of Worthington’s “favorite and most helpful insights, research, and truths.” It’s designed to help the reader find happiness, because God wants us to be happy.

The book is a nice size, and the cover is inviting. The devotions are short, making them easy to fit into your busy schedule. Scripture verse are mentioned in each one, as well. The author’s personal stories blend with the verse to give the reader something to ponder. Each devotion contains a box at the end for journaling/reflection.

Worthington’s latest is divided into twelve parts, and some of the sections are: Choosing Happiness, Finding Your Happy Thought, Happy In A Crazy World, A happy Heart Is Good Medicine, and Building a Happy Life. There are one hundred devotions in all. An attached bookmark is also included, which is always a helpful addition to a book. This would make a wonderful gift, as well.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from BookLook Bloggers, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

About the author...

Alli Worthington is the author of Fierce Faith and Breaking Busy, she's a speaker, and a business coach. Her goal is to help women live the life they were created to live.

Alli is a sought after coach and consultant who has helped individuals, small business owners, and Fortune 500 companies be more successful.

Alli's no-nonsense, guilt-free take on motherhood, parenting, and balance has lead to appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America.

She lives outside Nashville with her husband, Mark, their five sons, and the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve.

All spends way too much time on Instagram at @AlliWorthington, and you can find out all about her at AlliWorthington.com

"Fierce Faith" by Alli Worthington

My review...

This is the first book I’ve read by Worthington, but if this book is any indication, it won’t be my last! I’ve struggled with fear, worry, and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Logically, I know I can take it all to God in prayer and then let it go. However, the application is not always easy for me. And this is exactly what Worthington tackles in Fierce Faith.

Each chapter addresses a different fear, so there is likely something relatable for everyone:

• Fear of Rejection
• Fear for Our Children
• Fear of Failure
• Fear of Betrayal
• Fear of Missing Out
• Fear of the Future
• Fear of Not Being Enough
• Fear that We Are on Our Own

Worthington uses lists all over the place, which made list maker very happy! The lists are designed to help the reader create their own battle plan for when they’re under attack and headed toward the “Bad Bs”: busy, blame, bury, binge, and brood.

While this book is geared toward women, there are lessons and wisdom in this book which are relevant to anyone. The tips are practical, and the author encourages the reader all through the book with personal stories and tips for when the enemy attacks. She strives to empower the reader to replace the enemy’s lies with God’s truths. I have highlights and notes all over the place, and I know I’ll go back and reference them on more than one occasion.

Some of my favorite quotes (reminders) are:

• “Fear is a liar.”
• “Our thoughts give life or steal joy.”
• “Don’t let the fear of tomorrow steal your life today.”
• “If God, maker of all heaven and earth, has complete confidence in us, who are we to doubt ourselves?”
• “Your worries won’t change your what-ifs, but prayer will.”
• “God’s presence doesn’t mean you are fearless; it means you can fear less.”
• “Failure is the rich soil in which our faith grows.”

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the HC BookLook Bloggers program, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

About the author...

Alli Worthington is the author of Fierce Faith and Breaking Busy, she's a speaker, and a business coach. Her goal is to help women live the life they were created to live.

Alli is a sought after coach and consultant who has helped individuals, small business owners, and Fortune 500 companies be more successful.

Alli's no-nonsense, guilt-free take on motherhood, parenting, and balance has lead to appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America.

She lives outside Nashville with her husband, Mark, their five sons, and the only golden retriever who refuses to retrieve.

All spends way too much time on Instagram at @AlliWorthington, and you can find out all about her at AlliWorthington.com

"In Bloom" by Kayla Aimee

My review...

Have you ever struggled with insecurity, fear, felt you were less than enough, or wasted too much time comparing yourself to other? If you can say “yes” to any of these, then this is a book to add to your TBR (to-be-read) pile.

Aimee’s latest contains numerous personal stories in an honest, transparent way. She discusses her struggles with insecurity and finding her identity in Christ, and she wants to help the reader do the same. Various areas are addressed, including our bodies, our gifts, our relationships, and our pasts. The reader will likely find at least one area relatable. Aimee’s writing style is very conversational, and it often feels like she’s speaking right to you (and that she has been spying on you, as well!). Appropriate scripture verses are referenced throughout. Despite the seriousness of the topic, there are a number of humorous scenes. There is a study guide included for individual or small group study, along with links to download journaling pages, scripture affirmations, and more. This book would be appropriate for women of all ages, including teens, as self-doubt and insecurity can occur at any age.

Some of my favorite quotes are:

• “Because regardless of our age, we all just want to fit in.”
• “We all just want someone to tell us we matter.”

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy as part of the B&H Blogger Program/Launch Team, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Amazon purchase link

"Sacred Rest" by Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D. (LitFuse Blog Tour)

My review...

“Staying busy is easy. Staying well rested—now there’s a challenge.” This quote sums up nicely what the author hopes to address in her latest release.

Dalton-Smith is a woman who understands what it’s like to need rest, and she wants to show the reader how it can be achieved. While it is written from a Christian perspective, it is not overbearing in any way. The author is a physician, and she incorporates scientific and medical evidence to support her observations throughout the book. That said, it is not too technical for the average reader to understand and utilize. The chapters are short, so they can easily be fit into a busy schedule.

This book is structured in three parts. In Part I, "Why Rest?," the author breaks down the various types of rest (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, sensory, and creative). She helps the reader determine which type (or types) of rest is needed. Part II, "The Gifts of Rest," discusses the spiritual aspects of rest in twelve areas (boundaries, reflection, freedom, acceptance, exchange, permission, cessation, art, communication, productivity, choice, and faith). Part III, "The Promises of Rest," provides a Personal Rest Deficit Assessment Tool and an online option to sign up for the Thirty-Day Sacred Rest Challenge.

Some of my favorite quotes include:

• “Many of us run from rest because it seems like giving up.”
• “Rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.”
• “The desire to overwork is an attempt to justify ourselves.”
• “You don’t find purpose. You live and let purpose reveal itself to you.”
• “You are made to live within the wide-open space of God’s validation and affirmation.”
• “God did not make rest a mere suggestion. He commanded it.”
• “You can be busy and still lack productivity.”

If you are weary and want to change that, consider adding this book to your To-Be-Read pile for 2018.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the LitFuse Blogging Program. I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

Link to blog tour landing page

About the author...

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is an author, speaker, and board-certified physician. She has an active medical practice in Alabama (near the Birmingham area). She received her B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Georgia and graduated with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Baker College and Davenport University in Michigan teaching courses on health, nutrition, and disease progression. Dr. Dalton-Smith is a national and international media resource on the mind, body, spirit connection and has been featured in Women's Day, Redbook, and First for Women magazine. She is the author of Set Free to Live and  Come Empty (winner 2016 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year and 2016 Illumination Award Gold medalist). She is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and a repeat keynote speaker at their annual gathering. She has shared her tips on merging faith and medicine with over 16,000 healthcare professionals to encourage the current and next generation of doctors to treat the whole person.

"I Want it All" by Gwen Smith

My Review...

If you are looking for a book that is relatable and designed to help you see yourself as God designed you to be, then this book is for you. Smith is warm and encouraging as she shares her transparent stories in this book, which is broken down into three parts: All the Faith, All the Power, and All the Impact. Everyone wants a wonderful life, but it is sometimes difficult to see how that can occur with the messiness that happens daily. Many people struggle with over-commitment, making it difficult to leave room for God’s unique plan for each of us. Smith’s book reminds the reader that no one is too far gone for God’s grace, which changes everything.

Smith points out the trials happen to everyone. The difference is in how we choose to respond. Trials can actually help us prioritize and provide opportunities for God to show His strength. This book demonstrates that it is still possible to have a strong faith in the midst of conflict and fear. Acronyms such as KNEEL (Know Him; Notify my heart, my enemy, and my girlfriends; Express the mess; Exchange my will for God’s will; Expand my heart and worship; Learn the word) and REST (Reflect, Engage, Surrender, Trust) help solidify her message. She points out that “Worrying might be your natural response, but it doesn’t have to be your chosen response.”

Each chapter ends with a reflection and response section which includes opportunities for the reader to interact with Smith on social media. She states, “You and I were born for greatness…for eternal greatness: to know God and showcase God.” This would be a great book to use for personal or group study or for anyone wanting a deeper walk with Jesus.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher as part of the Litfuse Blogger program in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive any compensation for my review.

Link for purchase...

http://bit.ly/1oDu9W9

About Gwen...

My goal is to encourage you to think big thoughts about God by pointing you to His truth and grace through stories, songs, and Scripture. Without hesitation; I am an unashamed, imperfect worshiper of Jesus Christ. His goodness covers my mess and purposes my days to live out the hope of the Gospel. It is my joy and passion to inspire women to live fully in Christ. How? I speak. I sing. I write books, devotions, and songs. I worship. I post, pin, and Tweet. I am intensely in love with the Word of God and believe, wholeheartedly, that the Bible is divinely inspired truth.

Formal me…

I am the author of Broken into Beautiful (Harvest House Publishing), co-author of Trusting God and Knowing God by Name (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing), and just published I Want it All (David C. Cook Publishing). I am one of three co-founders of Girlfriends in God, a conference and devotional ministry with more than 800,000 subscribers from all across the world. I speak, lead worship, and perform concerts for thousands of people annually at Christian women's events and churches. Over the years, I've shared the ministry platform with tons of "big names," but none close to the name of JESUS :-)

I have new songs coming out soon that were written to coordinate with my new book, I Want it All, and I'm giddy excited about them. I was a staff songwriter and worship artist for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing from 2008 to 2011, have written freelance for LifeWay and Lillenas Publishing, and am now writing for Audio 31 Music, in collaboration with Sunday Best Music out of Nashville, Tennessee.

I have shared my testimony, stories, and songs on such TV shows as Life Today with James and Betty Robison, The 700 Club, The Harvest Show, The Good Life, The HomeKeepers Show, and Atlanta Live. Additionally, I've also been featured on many radio programs.

Not-so-formal Me…

I am a carpooling, coffee-craving, dark chocolate lover who struggles like many with dirty dishes, messy piles, mountains of laundry, complicated relationships, and cellulite. I play guitar and live to lose myself in worship at the piano. Volleyball is my sport of choice. Love. That. Game.

My family rocks my world. They are my first ministry priority. I've been married to Brad, my hunky college honey, for 22 years now. We have three cool kids, all teens, who keep us on our toes and on our knees. On most days, after homework has been done, we can be found on a court, at a field, or in a gym somewhere in the greater Charlotte area. We live in sunny North Carolina and are members of Life Fellowship Church where I serve as a worship leader, occasionally teach an adult Sunday School class, and where my husband serves as an elder.

Where to find Gwen online…

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/GwenSmithMusic
Twitter      @GwenSmithMusic