Beyond Bath Time by Erin Davis

In Beyond Bath Time, Erin Davis reveals the lies regarding motherhood that are perpetuated by both American culture and many churches. She then guides the reader on a journey of introspection that asks hard questions about surrendering our plans to God and examining if our actions are truly selfless. By clearing out previous perceptions and motives, Davis then builds on a clean foundation as she uses Scriptural examples to create a Biblical view of motherhood as a sacred role.  Beyond Bath Time concludes with an invitation for a mother to take thirty days to seek God's will about motherhood and to “mother with God-given confidence, joy, and eternal perspective (Davis 134).”

Reading Beyond Bath Time was enjoyable, challenging, practical, spiritual, and even convicting.  The author immediately grabbed my attention by telling the story of her first pregnancy in which the doctor told her the child probably would not survive.  The rest of the book was equally engrossing.  I'm happy to say the book didn't leave me wondering if there was anyway I could ever live up to unattainable standards. Rather, it is about “Spirit-led parenting, not some oversimplified, assembly line definition of a Biblical woman (130).”

Motherhood is a topic near and dear to me and this book reinforced what I already knew to be true in my heart – being a mommy is the most important thing I've ever done.   As far as I know, everything discussed in the book was in line with Scripture.  I give this book five stars for its engaging style and timely message. I wholeheartedly recommend it to Christian women, specifically mothers. (It's not written for men or to convert a mother to Christianity, though it does encourage mothers to teach their children about the Lord and indirectly another mother could be influenced.)


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

2013 & This Blog

I don't plan to make any New Year's resolutions for myself this year. However, as I begin this year and think of the direction I would like to pursue regarding this blog, a few things occur to me:

1. I need a new layout.  This one is functional and modern, but not truly reflective of this blog.

2. Since becoming pregnant and the subsequent birth of my child, my time allowance for blogging was significantly reduced. In 2010, I had 95 posts. In 2011, I had 143 posts. In 2012, I had only 35 posts.

3. According to the Goodreads widget, I read 27 books which was only about half of my 52 book goal. This year I'll be lowering my goal to 26 books per year - that's one every two weeks.  I have a daughter who's about to go mobile. Enough said.  :)

4. I want to create more lively reviews.  To do this, I must insist to myself that I write the review immediately after finishing the book. Waiting 4-5 days, diminishes the book's effect and my reviews become more plain.

5.  It is time to pick up the pen myself. It is easy to edit and point out things that could make someone else's book better, but the truth is, I have never completed a book and I think I would have a deeper understanding of authors and books if I did. Not to mention, it would be great if I could actually publish something!

2013 Reading Challenge

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Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

For the first time in a long time, Lydia Pallas likes where she is. Her job as a translator for the U.S. Navy is secure and her cozy apartment is her haven. She enjoys the companionship of her coworkers and treats the occasional headache with a dose of Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup. When Alexander Banebridge enters the picture, Lydia's orderly life is suddenly a lot messier. From his annoying habit of rearranging items on her desk to his revelation that Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup contains opium, Bane brings disorder, intrigue and danger to Lydia's ways. Lydia and Bane find themselves falling for each other, but their relationship is doomed by Bane's goal of ending the opium trade and his commitment to bachelorhood. When an innocent boy is kidnapped, helping Bane will test Lydia's courage and strength, but if she survives, their love just might have a chance to flourish.

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden was an intriguing read. I enjoyed the bantering between Bane and Lydia and appreciated Camden's creativity in her characters. Bane had a few quirky habits that made him refreshingly unique. I wouldn't consider this a suspense novel, but it did have some suspense that kept drawing me back to the story. I found the historical aspects of the story interesting. How sad that Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup not only existed and contained opium, but was marketed for teething babies. On a side note, I absolutely love the cover of this book It definitely captures the essence of the story. I recommend this book to fans of Christian historical romances.

I did not initially realize that Against the Tide revisits the Alexander Banebridge of Camden's previous novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill. I can't say if Banebridge appears in Camden's other novel, The Rose of Winslow Street, because I haven't read it. However, Against the Tide stands firmly as a single novel, complete with the necessary background information.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."