BOOK REVIEWS

Jim Woodford

A Journey from Time to Eternity and Back

Jim Woodford takes us along on the unexpected journey that transformed his life and continues to transform lives around the world. He left his pain-racked body and entered a pain-free realm. But much to his dismay, he had to leave that place and return to tell his story. Jesus still had work for him to do this side of heaven. The author was forever changed by his experience as will you be after reading his story. 

Jim Woodford Died and Spent 11 Hours in Heaven! Find Out What He Saw! - YouTube 

Phillip Telfer

Mind Movie

Why Save Alexander is Young Adult Christian Fiction that's suitable for readers of any age. It's one of those books that plays out in your head like a movie. But the young adult audience doesn't read a lot of books these days and could be better reached with the novel's powerful message in the film version. It's a great coming of age story with an unabashed Christian message that also has universal appeal. Hopefully, we'll be able to see it on the big screen one day. I certainly want to see it. And I've already seen the movie version play out in my head! 

 Why Save Alexander - Book Trailer and First Chapter - YouTube 

Bruce Outridge

Inspirational!

 Bruce Outridge walked the walk before he talked the talk in writing You're Not Done Yet. He learned through the course of his life not to totally suppress the kid in him as most of us do. We think we must leave our childish dreams behind to live a responsible life. But Bruce reached down deep inside and woke up that inner child and lived out those dreams. For example, like so many boys - including me! - he loved big trucks. So, what did he do? He drove a tractor-trailer for years. He also loved to draw as a kid - like me - so he became an artist. But not a starving artist. He incorporated his art into his business. What is his business? He's an entrepreneur, speaker, marketer, and broadcaster among other things - oh! - and he still serves the trucking industry with The Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers! 

 Author Bruce Outridge is Interviewed About You’re Not Done Yet Book - YouTube 

 Alex Stan Campbell

Reads Like a Novel

 The author spent much of his life seeking love in the wrong places, feeling rejected, alone and abandoned by his birth mother. His life spirals out of control in spite of outward success. No spoilers here about the outcome of his search for his birth mother. The book also provides an eye-opening peek into the radio business through the author's decades long experience in that medium in the U.S. and Canada. His own show is now broadcast throughout the world. I hope he follows up with a novel because this book reads like one. His experience in the radio business, coupled with the fact he is such a good writer will make for an awesome read. 

 The Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers: LP620 The Story Behind The Ugly One in the Middle with Stan Campbell 

 Trucker Radio 

Mike Acker

 Can We Increase our Emotional Intelligence?

The importance of emotional intelligence has been known and studied for some time. But can it be developed and strengthened like a muscle? Or is it like I.Q. was once thought to be, that is, is it more or less set at birth? Mike Acker not only answers that question, but he shows us practical ways to help us increase our own emotional intelligence.

Think of this book as a toolbox that will not only help you fix your own car but also help with everyone else’s cars. -  From the Introduction to Connect Trough Emotional Intelligence

 Connect through Emotional Intelligence | Author Mike Acker 

Tony Robbins

Delivered Much More than Expected

Wow! Didn't know what to expect with this one. I pre-ordered Life Force when I saw the book advertised because of Tony Robbin's name on the cover. I thought I could use an extra boost of energy for my projects. And boy, did I get it! But not anything like I expected. The book is really not about Tony Robbins. It's about some amazing cutting-edge treatments and therapies for what ails us. I've already benefitted from one, which alone makes the book many times more valuable than the purchase price. I've also given a copy to a friend whose wife has a debilitating condition that threatens to ruin their plans for retirement. Do yourself a favor. Pick up a copy for yourself as well as more for friends and family members who will benefit from some of the treatments and therapies.

Tony Robbins | Life Transforming Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine - YouTube  

Johnathan Cahn

Prophesy, Fiction, or Parable?

A great book to read regardless of whether you have studied the Bible or prophesy. Those who point to the fact that it's fiction and thus dismiss it miss the point. Is it prophesy? Is it fiction? Is it a parable? Whatever it is to you, The Harbinger is a book that should should cause every American to turn back to God in repentance. 

You can’t solve a spiritual problem with a military or political solution. - From The Harbinger

 The Harbingers of Things To Come - Part 1 with Guest Rabbi Jonathan Cahn - YouTube 

Dr. Burl Randolph, Jr., DM

Blue-Collar Ph.D

Dr. Burl's blue-collar father modeled what a leader should be. The elder Randolph was able to teach leadership principles more effectively than a learned professor in the most prestigious ivy league college. All while earning a living by the sweat of his brow and raising seven children in a tough Kansas City neighborhood. Dr. Burl didn't grow up with riches as the world considers riches. But reading his book left me thinking he was blessed beyond measure to be able to learn these principles from such a great leader. And Dr. Burl knows he was. I think this is why he's giving back now and is inspired not retired. 

Inspired, Not Retired - The Power of Potential: Developing the Leader in You - YouTube 

Inspired, Not Retired Book Teaser - YouTube 

 Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D

Mindset Matters

Mindset drives home the importance of having a positive attitude and seeing the possibilities rather than the obstacles in front of us. Some reviewers were critical of the simplicity and repetitive nature of the book. The author tells numerous stories rather than delving deeper into the subject and citing peer studies, etc. But that was the appeal of the book for me.

Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better? - From: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success 

Dweck's Fixed and Growth Mindsets - Career Development From MindTools.com 

Darlene A. Williams 

Another Mind Movie!

I would have never guessed Guarding Angel was Darlene A Williams' debut novel. She weaves a tale about Angel that grabs your attention - and your heart - from the very beginning, which is the mark of a good writer. And she keeps your interest all the way to an ending that will stay with you for some time. My thought as I read her novel was what a great movie it would make. The story played out in my head all the way through. You can just feel Angel's physical and emotional pain blow by blow and hope for her deliverance from an awful situation. Does she receive it? Telling you would spoil your own experience as you live Angel's life with her in pain and...? 

Guarding Angel - by Darlene A. Williams - Book Trailer - YouTube 

Beryl Markham

Amazing Woman - Amazing Story

Ernest Hemingway said of Beryl Markham, who told her story in West with the Night, that she…”can write rings around all of us who consider ourselves writers." Her amazing story is not only inspirational, but a joy to read. 

 Beryl Markham - Wikipedia 

Wei Wei Chang

Experiencing the Depths of God's Love

Wei Wei Chang's story of God's call in her life from her humble beginnings in China to what she thought was the pinnacle of success in corporate America would be remarkable enough if the story ended there. But her story does not end there. She was demoted and lost the coveted corner office she had long strived to achieve. Getting knocked down a peg may not seem a devastating blow to some, but to her, because of her cultural background and upbringing, it was a shameful failure. At first sliding into despair, she ultimately was engulfed in the unfathomable depths of God's love. After leaving corporate America, she committed her life to sharing the depths of God's love with others.

 The Lens of Love, Made Amazon's #1 New Release (weiweichang.com) 

Allison Pittman

Mystery at the Menger
This is not the type of book I would usually read (the romance part of the genre, I mean). But since it included a murder mystery set in my hometown of San Antonio, Texas, I decided to expand my horizons a little (like I often do as you may guess from reading my other reviews). I'm so glad I did. Allison Pittman's Lady in Residence draws you into a story that will keep you up at night turning the pages until the mystery of The Lady becomes known to you. Why? Because that mysterious lady is none other than Allison Pittman herself. No, the author is not the reincarnation or ghost of Hedda Krause, or the ghost of the murdered maid who was haunting Hedda. This is all a way of saying the story has such a true to life feel because the author, as much as is possible, lived it herself. From viewing the site of a murder from the window of a room at the Menger Hotel in downtown San Antonio, Texas to sleeping in a room much like Hedda Krause would have lived in during her long stay there, Allison Pittman did her research by living the story to the point of experiencing a bit of Hedda's fear herself. The romance part? - The budding love story of the young couple who dedicate themselves to solving the mystery of The Lady in Residence. 

 Book Talk with Allison Pittman - YouTube 

Judy Sheer Watters

Mystery with a Message

Judy Sheer Watters weaves a tale filled with positive lessons that readers young and old will love. As she says at the beginning of the book, the story is very loosely based on real events which makes for the best fiction. As a retired teacher and secondary Principal, she has the background that allows her insight into the behavior of the mischievous boys at the center of the story. Highly recommended for young readers who will learn valuable life lessons. This promises to be a great series. 

Amazon.com: Judy Sheer Watters: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle 

Aradhana Thakor

Inspirational and Unforgettable

Aradhana Thakor allows us to look inside the heart of the man everyone knew as Pastor Deepak, but who she was blessed to know as her father. What a beautiful tribute to a great man of God! Thanks for sharing his story, Aradhana. I was inspired to renew my own passion for lost souls after reading of Pastor Deepak's love and compassion for what the world calls the dregs of society. Because of his ministry, we now know these often brutal thieves and murderers, who were just lost souls to Pastor Deepak, as brothers in Christ. His wife, Aradhana's mother, worked alongside him, entering the dark prisons and winning precious souls for Christ as well. 

Amazon.com: Aradhana Thakor: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle 

Mimi Kroger

Powerful Story of Healing by the Holy Spirit

Death tried to pull Mimi Kroger away from this world, but the Holy Spirit raised her back up before Death could take her because God knew Mimi had a life-changing message to share with the rest of us. And that message is that the triune God is the healer of all of the three parts of our being: body, soul, and spirit. The Holy Spirit brings complete healing. The author learned more through her experience with God than could ever be gained through a theological study of the nature of the Holy Spirit. 

Amazon.com: Mimi Kroger: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle 

 Holy Spirit Help Me Heal - YouTube 

Dr. Richard Hindmarsh

The Promise of Restoration

This is my second book by Dr. Hindmarsh. I wasn't sure what to expect after seeing the title and cover of Our Fractured Image but decided to read the book since I enjoyed his last book so much. The author is a man with much spiritual depth. He first dives deep into the nature of the fracture and then shows us how God is in the restoration business and is healing our fractured image as we walk with Him.

Amazon.com 

Frank Viola

Vintage Viola

 Another word for insurgent is rebel. We can blend in with the world system and accept the status quo or we can rebel. Frank Viola didn’t make that rule, Jesus did. In Insurgence, Frank reminds us of that fact in a way that relates to us as twenty-first century believers. 

 Amazon.com: Frank Viola: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle 

 The Insurgence Has Begun ... Don't Miss It! - YouTube 

Chili Mac Books

Amazing and Fun Stories

 Like many trucking stories we've heard - but true! The amazing true stories told in this book are made to seem even more amazing by the author's story telling ability. An informative - and fun read!  

Colton Ryder

Great Resource!

 Great resource for someone considering buying a truck and starting a hotshot business. It has everything you need to know from buying the truck to getting your business going with all the proper paperwork to various types of trailers to consider purchasing. 

Brennan Manning

A Life-Changing Book

The Ragamuffin Gospel is the Gospel Christians everywhere should be able to hear. It's the one I heard before I became a Christian but forgot when I failed so miserably as a believer in Christ. What did I forget and why did I fail so miserably? I forgot the simple message that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). I could not earn my salvation before or after I became a Christian. I knew that in theory but in practice I always had it in the back of my mind that I must work harder and do better in order to gain the approval of God. Are you a ragamuffin like me? Please do yourself a favor and read this book.

 The Ragamuffin Gospel / Brennan Manning Movie (full movie) - YouTube - Search (bing.com) 

Carlise Cobbs

Powerful Book of Prayer

Carlise Cobbs shares her powerful testimony about how her life and the lives of her family members were radically changed by God when she and her husband came together in prayer to break the bonds of their common enemy who is the devil. In Praying to Succeed she gives us the battle plan that has been successful in providing protection and blessings for her own family. In other words, she has walked the walk and is thus a battle hardened veteran of spiritual warfare. Do yourself and those around you a favor. Buy this book and apply these prayers to your own life.

Dr. Burl W. Randolph, Jr.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Drawing out the Leader in You

 Dr. Burl learned leadership from the best. In the forward to The Inspired not Retired Workbook he recounts how he picked up insights from great thought leaders such as Peter Drucker, Dr. John Maxwell, and Dr. John Kotter. And these men no doubt played a large part in Dr. Burl's own development as a leadership expert. But none had a more profound affect than a man I like to call a blue-collar PhD., Burl Randolph, Sr., Dr. Burl's father. As the senior Randolph said when asked how he came up with the idea for his cracklin cornbread, "Sometimes you create what you want." Do you want to create in you the best leader you can be? Read Inspired, not Retired and then follow the step-by-step guide in this companion workbook. 

 MyWingman, LLC: Designing Legacies That Last (c) - YouTube