Book Review: The Faith of Dolly Parton: Lessons from Her Life to Lift Your Heart by Dudley Delffs

Dolly Parton has been well known for a number of years, even decades. But I am still learning new things about this singer, such as the fact that she provides books to a large number of children through her Imagination Library. This book also taught me some new insights into her person and character.

This entertainer write4s her own songs, still performs live after more than 50 years in the business and has built up a great amusement park in Dollywood. While she never hid her Christian faith, she is also accepting of other believes. This book is using Dolly's faith to generate life lessons that we all can adhere to - such as stay humble no matter how much success you may have now. Also have a belief that things will get better, no matter how hopeless a situation you may find yourself in now. This book is a great book to guide people through life because, even though Parton is a Christian, the guidance included in the book can help and be used by people of all faiths.

What really impressed me and still impresses me the most about Parton is the fact that she remained a human being throughout her life. Success did not change her into a celebrity persona, but Dolly remained Dolly. So take this book and enjoy it, it may teach you something new about Dolly and may give you some advice for life, but it will certainly entertain - it is like reading a story about a friend and neighbor.

available on amazon.com

Disclaimer: In exchange for an honest review I received a free copy of the book. The opinion in this review is my own and has not been influenced by any third parties.

Book Review: Only One Life: How a Woman's Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy by Jackie Green and Lauren Green McAfee

I found it interesting that the book was written by a mother and daughter team because this writing approach fits very well the message that this book has. The main message of the book is the fact that what we as women teach our kids and the beliefs we instill in them will outlive us and form a strong basis for future generations. This underscores that crucial role that we as women play in shaping the future.
While this book has a very Christian slant, the overall message is still valid and very empowering for all women of any faith. The authors do pick some examples of women from the Bible, such as Mary Magdalene. But there are also examples of women such as Catherine Booth and Harriet Tubman, given the reader a variety of role models to strive after.
The authors use these examples to give us women an understanding about how these role models shaped future generations and therefore to some degree the world we live in today. I found this book and all its examples of great women to be very empowering because it gives us reason to understand that our influence, if not adequately reflected in the work environment, can still transcend our own life by focusing on the future. We can lead, by raising our children to be good citizens and live out our ideals, furthering the goal that we hoped to achieve with these ideals.
 This is good book to read for every woman, but especially for women who may be stay at home moms and maybe question what they are contributing to the world outside their home. You are contributing, raise your kids and send them out into the world - thereby you are changing the world too!

available on amazon.com

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.

Book Review: The Weaver's Daughter: A Regency Romance Novel by Sarah E. Ladd

 The author managed to write a traditional historical novel set in the Regency age that has all the components of a love story interwoven with enough drama to keep the reader engaged throughout the book.

Two families at odds in the village of Amberdale. The mill owners are the Stocktons and the Dearbornes, a family of weavers, find themselves often on opposing sides.  Two members of these families may be able to break the war between the families. There is Kate Dearborne, the beautiful and strong willed descendant of the weaver family. On the other side, Henry Stockton, around the same age at Kate, was believed dead, but managed to survive the war he served in and has now returned to Amberdale to modernize the family mill business and increase profits even more.

Of course no romance can spark between Stockton and Dearborne families or can there? Kate and Henry keep seeing each other often enough and despite Henry being pursued by a more fitting woman, the daughter of a business partner, Henry and Kate cannot deny the attraction that exists between them. Soon Kate and Henry realize that for the sake of the village and to ensure the livelihood of all, working together is needed rather than working against each other. The rest, as they say, is history.

While the story is not surprising with many twists, the book is a nice, relaxing read that is perfect for a holiday or a lazy afternoon. The author has a relaxing way of telling her stories and the story itself, while having some drama, is rather tame as a modern love story. Overall, a well done novel that is entertaining and perfect for a beach read this summer.

available on amazon.com

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.