Amy Tedrow

Book Review: Who Speaks to Your Heart by Stacy Hawkins Adams

2010-05-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

I was given the privilege to participate in a social media tour for Stacy Hawkins Adams’ book titled Who Speaks to your Heart? Tuning in to Hear God’s Whispers. Over the past couple of months, I had been finding myself struggling to feel God’s presence in my life. There is no doubt He is amidst in my life, I just had become too busy to notice.

When I received this book in the mail, I was excited to read it and find out how to tune in to God’s whispers. I must say I have been amazingly blessed. Stacy has a wonderful talent for penning words on paper in ways that are easily read. However, the thing I enjoyed most about this book was the “Learning to Listen” sections at the end of the chapters. These little but hugely impactful exercises were just what I needed to rekindle hearing some of those whispers from God in my life.

Offering insight, inspiration, and practical ideas on how to connect more often and more deeply with God, Adams helps give you and women the world over the courage to go deeper and grow deeper in God’s word to hear Him more clearly. Women young and old will be empowered and renewed by Adams’ reminder that—regardless of the labels placed on you by society, your family, your friends, and even yourself—your best and most important title is the one given by God . . . chosen vessel.

Meet the author of Who Speaks to Your Heart, Stacy Hawkins Adams.

Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning Christian fiction author and freelance journalist who writes often about women’s relationships with God, themselves and others. She often speaks on the topics of faith, forgiveness and women’s friendships, and devotes considerable time to promoting child advocacy issues. Stacy and her family live in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia. Learn more about Stacy at http://www.stacyhawkinsadams.com/.

Who Speaks to Your HeartRelease: May 2010
Soft cover, 192 pp.
ISBN: 0310292719

To order a copy of this book CLICK HERE.
To read an excerpt from Who Speaks to Your Heart, CLICK HERE.
To visit other bloggers participating in this tour CLICK HERE.

This book was provided free for review by Zondervan.

Book Review: A Slow Burn, by Mary Demuth

2009-09-29T12:02:00.001-07:00

I am honored to participate in the media tour promoting Mary Demuth's, A Slow Burn, the second novel in the Defiance, Texas trilogy.

A Slow Burn by Mary Demuth

She touched Daisy's shoulder. So cold. So hard. So unlike Daisy.

Yet so much like herself it made Emory shudder.

Burying her grief, Emory Chance is determined to find her daughter Daisy's murderer - a man she saw in a flicker of a vision. But when the investigation hits every dead end, her despair escalates. As questions surrounding Daisy's death continue to mount, Emory's safety is shattered by the pursuit of a stranger, and she can't shake the sickening fear that her own choices contributed to Daisy's disappearance. Will she ever experience the peace her heart longs for?

The second book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, this suspenseful novel is about courageous love, the burden of regret, and bonds that never break. It is about the beauty and the pain of telling the truth. Most of all, it is about the power of forgiveness and what remains when shame no longer holds us captive.

About the Author

Mary Demuth is an expert in the field of Pioneer Parenting. She helps Christian parents plow fresh spiritual ground, especially those seeking to break destructive family patterns. Her message guides parents who don't want to duplicate the home where they were raised or didn't have positive parenting role models growing up.

An accomplished writer, Mary's parenting books include Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, Building the Christian Family You Never Had, and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. Her real-to-life novels inspire people to turn trials into triumphs: Watching the Tree Limbs (2007 Christy Award finalist, ACFW Book of the Year 2nd Place) and Wishing on Dandelions (2007 Retailer's Choice Award finalist).

Mary is a frequent speaker at women's retreats and parenting seminars, addressing audiences in both Europe and the United States. National media regularly seek Mary's candid ability to connect with their listeners. Her radio appearances include FamilyLife Today, Moody Midday Connection, and U.S.A. Radio Network. She also has articles published in Marriage Partnership, In Touch, and HomeLife.

As pioneer parents, Mary and her husband Patrick live in Texas with their three children. They recently returned from breaking new spiritual group in Southern France where they planted a church.

Learn more about Mary at http://marydemuth.com/.

My Review of A Slow Burn

Mary has an incredible gift for drawing the reader in to the lives of each character. A Slow Burn is a book about hope, forgiveness and seeing things through God's perspective. I couldn't help but to read the book from start to finish feeling as though I resonated with each character, whether as Emory, Hixon or Jed. We all have a past and through this novel, I have learned that no matter what the past is, God's glory will shine through. I simply cannot wait until the release of the third novel.

Order your copy now!

You can order A Slow Burn through Amazon or via Mary's Website.

Order the first novel in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, Daisy Chain here. You will certainly be entertained and blessed at the same time!

Feel free to visit the blog sites of other bloggers participating in this media tour. Click here for the full list.

Fall Beauty

2009-09-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Fall is around the corner,
the leaves are starting to turn.

I love this time of year
in it, so much to learn.

A rainbow of color;
hovering the top of the trees.

Reminds me of my Father in Heaven,
and humbles me to my knees.

Lord Jesus, I ask you
"Why do you love me so?"

A whisper to my heart tells me,
"In me, you will forever know!"

For He made me into His likeness;
from the dust I came to be.

Just like the fall colored beauty
His beauty is reflected in me.

© 2009 Amy Tedrow

Snappy the Turtle...

2009-06-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

We went bike riding yesterday in the afternoon/early evening. This has been our latest outdoor adventure. We love to ride our bikes, enjoying the beautiful scenery. We see many things on the way. Yesterday, we saw a rabbit, a deer, and most importantly a snapping turtle that my three year old son promptly named Snappy [pictured left]. Ryan was so excited as every time we set out on one of these adventures, he finds something else to amaze him. It is pretty cool to see his reactions.

Snappy was a very slow moving reptile. I was able to get down pretty close to him to take a picture (although I didn't want to get too close) as he was moseying along on the bike trail. We hurriedly moved out of the way as other bikers came by so that they could take a look.

This morning as I was starting my typical Monday morning, I realized I am so much like Snappy. I poked along sticking my head out of my shell (underneath my blankets) to look around only to get overwhelmed (thinking of my to-do list) and tuck my head back in to my shell (rolled back over to pretend like I was still sleeping). It is amazing how much one can relate to one small turtle.

The important lesson that I have learned through a turtle is that no matter how slow I am in my human nature, God will always take me to his preplanned destination. I just need to allow him to motivate me and move along with me to my goal.

Overcoming the Overwhelming

2009-06-03T07:45:00.000-07:00

Today, I am sitting at work and can't focus because I have so many things that I need to do at home. I need to balance the checkbook, work on our budget, and write out the bills. Our cupboards are lacking. I have food in them, but am missing key ingredients to finish the meal. Therefore, a trip must be made to the grocery store. And how can I forget about the laundry, picking up and cleaning of the house. Too many things for one person to think about doing on their own.

Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who helps out around the house. But he is busy with his own work stuff as well so as a mom and wife, I feel bad asking for help.

As I am sitting here feeling my chest tighten while thinking about all of these things going on, I can't help but imagine a peace beyond all understanding that God talks about in the bible. Oh how I long to feel that peace as I think about all of these things. I would love to be Mary and just sit at his feet, listening to all he is saying.

God reminds me in his word, in Isaiah 26:12, that the Lord will establish a peace for us. All that we have accomplished he has done for us. This passage of scripture is refreshing. God knows all that I have to do. And he will give me the strength to do it. All I need to do is focus on the next task to complete and he will guide me to the finish line.

I am forever in his grip!

On The Shack

2009-06-02T10:19:00.000-07:00

Last evening, I had an opportunity to have some down time as my hubby took the kids to see Disney Pixar's UP. What did I do with my free time? I am so glad that you asked.

I traveled on over to Barnes and Noble, purchased myself a large Vivanno (yummy protein drink) and sat in a comfy chair for 1 1/2 hours losing myself in the latest New York Times #1 Best Seller, The Shack by William P. Young.

This book handles the questions that in reality we all want to ask. God, why were you not there to protect me or someone that I know? How can you let bad things happen to good people? And why can't I see what you are doing with the pain from these bad things? While this book is a Fiction novel, it resounds so true in my heart because often times, I have asked and still do ask those same questions.

Mr. Young writes in such a style that it feels like you are sitting in the kitchen having a conversation with God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus himself. This book has caused me to think about things from God's perspective (which we will truly never grasp the enormity of his perspective). He will be glorified in all the things that I have gone through in my life. He has already been glorified in that my entire family has placed him as the rock to our family. On Him we stand in all things. The other thing that this book reminded me is that although I fail on a daily basis, God still forgives me and longs to build a relationship with me every day. He does not offer conditional love.

Some will read this book and question the theology based on the descriptions of God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. However, I think that this book has a much deeper purpose than the physical. This is spiritual and I don't doubt that God is using it to relay his message to those who are lost and to those who know him but have forgotton his goodness.

I highly recommend you read this book. If you are like me and can't put a good book down, you can read it within a couple of hours. Enjoy!