Book Review: Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller

About the Book:

How can a good parent like you become an even greater parent? By shifting the focus to what’s right with your kids instead of what is wrong with them. Discover how you can replace your frustration with joy by taking the pressure of performance and comparison off your children’s shoulders.

Based in the belief that every child has God-given greatness within them, Play to Their Strengths shows you how to move with the natural momentum of your kids’ talents and make the shift to a collaborative, strengths-based, and motivational approach to parenting. You’ll see the powerful results of this shift in your children’s shining eyes—and your own.
The unique Playbook in the back of the book equips you to put into practice the ideas in each chapter. Answer questions and engage in activities with your spouse and kids to uncover talent and discover greatness. The Playbook makes great advice personal as you apply it to the specific family dynamics in your home. Now is the perfect time to experience a fresh fascination with your children and uncover the hidden gem inside each of them.

My Thoughts:

In Play to Their Strengths, Analyn and Brandon Miller challenge and encourage parents to use a strengths-based parenting style. Core to this philosophy is the belief that God gives each child certain gifts (pg.19). It is an intentional strategy to focus on what's right rather than what's wrong with a child (pg.20), but is not intended to lead to overly permissive parenting (pg. 33).

Reading Play to Their Strengths was enjoyable. Unlike some non-fiction books, I didn't find myself bogged down or bored in the middle. The writing style was relatable with occasional humor. At times I did wish for more specifics from their process instead of a bland statement of going from one thing to another. Overall though, it was easy to read and I expect to pick it up annually.

Since reading Play to Their Strengths, I have found myself being more mindful to notice what my children are doing right and giving positive, verbal affirmations. I absolutely love the idea about staying fascinated with my kids as they grow. There were a few statements that really made me think – like how fear is often the source of our anger. The more I thought about the idea and examined subsequent moments of anger, I found it true for me that there is often (but not always) a certain fear lurking underneath. I liked the chapter about finding your own strengths and using them as you parent.

Each chapter of Play to Their Strengths offers discussion questions at the end and there is a “Playbook” with ideas for further consideration or activities to do with the children to help uncover their gifts. I recommend Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller to any parent, but it is targeted toward Christian parents.

Visit the publisher's website to read an excerpt from Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher. All opinions in the review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CF, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

July Recap & Expected August Reading

My July 2019 Reads:

Today I'm sharing a bit about what I've been reading and what I hope to read. In July, I finished:

1. The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. A Book of Blessings by Helen Steiner Rice. - ⭐⭐⭐


4. Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. Becoming by Michelle Obama. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐


6. A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. Fair Play by Deeanne Gist. - ⭐⭐

My favorite book this month was...... Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette! The author combined a captivating plot, steady romantic tension, and deep character development to create a tale that made my laugh, cry, and stay up way too late. Read more of my review here.  

Expected August 2019 Reads:

In August, I expect to read:

1. Shame Off You by Denise Pass. - Currently reading!

2. With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander. - I read this one when it first came out and was delighted when the local book club I attend picked it as our August selection. We'll also be chatting with the author which is always exciting!

3. Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller. - Currently reading (and loving) this book based on strengths-based parenting!

4. Woe Is I by Patricia T O'Connor - Yeah, still working on this one....

5. Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson. - I have both of Abigail Wilson's books sitting on my TBR stack, but I think I'll start with her newest release.

6. Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire by Lauralee Bliss. - I picked this one up from my library's used book store and the author is new to me, but I'm looking forward to giving it a try!

7. Confident Moms, Confident Daughters by Maria Furlough. - This is an area I struggle with so when the opportunity to review it arose, I thought I'd give it a try!

8. Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson. - Reading this as part of an online book club and looking forward to it!

Wow! That's eight books I'm anticipating in August, definitely more than my normal. But I'll give it a try and be back in early September to let you know how it went.

 What will you read this month?

First Line Fridays: Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today I'm sharing the first lines from Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson:

"'Who's there?' My mother's haunted whisper drew me to her bedside."

Have you read this book? I haven't. It's still sitting on my TBR stack, but it is near the top!  😁

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

She knew the house was keeping secrets. If only the darkness would speak . . .

After her elder brother’s mysterious death, Rebecca Hunter vows to expose the man she believes responsible: Mr. Lewis Browning—known by the locals as the Midnight Devil and by Rebecca as her new guardian.

Summoned to his reclusive country estate to await her London season, Rebecca plans her own secret investigation among the darkened corridors of the mysterious Greybourne Hall. Yet Lewis Browning is not as she once imagined, and his motivation is horribly unclear. Recurrent nightmares and Rebecca’s restless feelings are further complicated by the shadow of her mother’s prior descent into madness and wondering if she, too, will follow the same heartbreaking path.

Even as midnight rides, strange injuries, and further murders lead back to Mr. Browning, Rebecca can’t ignore the subtle turn of her heart. Has she developed feelings for the man she swore to see hanged? And moreover, can she trust him with her uncertain future?

Book Review: Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate

About the Book:

Natalie Groves once had big dreams. But soon after her fiancé, Jeremy Walters, inexplicably broke off their engagement and left town, her father was diagnosed with cancer. Now tasked with keeping her family afloat, Natalie’s grand plans have evaporated . . . and God feels very far away.

Fast-forward seven years, and Jeremy is back in Charlottesville with an infant son and years of regrets. When his niece, Lili, lands on his doorstep in need of a place to stay, Jeremy needs help—and fast.

An internship opening finally presents Natalie a chance at her dream job, but she needs a second income to work around it—and the only offer available is Jeremy’s. They could be the solutions to one another’s problems, provided they don’t kill each other in the process. When they join forces, sparks fly. But they both know there’s a thin line between love and hate . . . and that love will turn out to be the best decision—or the biggest mistake—of all. 

My Thoughts: 

Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate is a delightful contemporary romance. Brimming with romantic tension, the story captivated and entertained me as Jem and Natalie find themselves drawn to each other despite their past. I adore second chance love stories and this one did not disappoint.

I liked that Love and Other Mistakes didn't shy away from life difficulties. There's family dysfunction, a sick loved one, and the struggles of a single parent. Good themes, including a prominent one about forgiveness, are present and contribute a pleasant level of depth to the story. I felt the ending was slightly rushed. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate and look forward to reading her next novel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review 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."

Book Spotlight: Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Love and Other Mistakes

By Jessica Kate

Christian Contemporary Romance

Paperback, Audiobook, and ebook, 352 Pages

July 30th 2019 by Thomas Nelson

Jessica Kate’s hilarious, romantic debut novel proves that some mistakes—including love—are begging to be made again and again.

Natalie Groves once had big dreams. But soon after her fiancé, Jeremy Walters, inexplicably broke off their engagement and left town, her father was diagnosed with cancer. Now tasked with keeping her family afloat, Natalie’s grand plans have evaporated . . . and God feels very far away.

Fast-forward seven years, and Jeremy is back in Charlottesville with an infant son and years of regrets. When his niece, Lili, lands on his doorstep in need of a place to stay, Jeremy needs help—and fast.

An internship opening finally presents Natalie a chance at her dream job, but she needs a second income to work around it—and the only offer available is Jeremy’s. They could be the solutions to one another’s problems, provided they don’t kill each other in the process. When they join forces, sparks fly. But they both know there’s a thin line between love and hate . . . and that love will turn out to be the best decision—or the biggest mistake—of all.

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Question for Jessica:

Did you have a favorite character in this novel and who is it?

Jessica: This is a weird answer, but NICK! I know, he’s not a main character, but this teen math nerd has a Nirvana T-shirt, knows how to hot wire a car, and raises baby chickens as a surprise to cheer up his mother. He’s such a sweetie pie!

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Praise for the Book

“A stunning debut . . . This tale of love and redemption will stay with you long after you've closed the book. A must-read.” —Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress

“Witty. Charming. Heartfelt. I could go on and on about Jessica Kate’s debut novel. From its highly relatable characters to its pitch-perfect dialogue, Love and Other Mistakes is a delightful, romantic read filled with just the right amount of sass. I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud as I watched Natalie and Jem navigate their relationships, careers, and faith. Definitely one of the most enjoyable books I've read lately, and I can't wait to see what’s next from Jessica Kate!” —Melissa Tagg, Carol Award–winning author of Now and Then and Always and the Walker Family series

“Love and Other Mistakes wraps a poignant and warm look at relationships within a smart, sly, and knowing comedic voice. Readers of Sally Thorne and Bethany Turner will be immediately at home with Natalie: an all-too-real heroine who balances whip-smart agency with an endearing vulnerability and whose intersection with long-lost Jeremy helps her forge a path to confidence and discover the woman she was always meant to be. Kate’s unputdownable debut recognizes that all human relationships—familial, friendship, romantic—are worth the keen eye and clever insight of her talented pen.” —Rachel McMillan, author of the Van Buren and DeLuca Mysteries

“If you’re looking for a story with sass on top of style, or a fresh voice pumped full of fun, you need to read Love and Other Mistakes. Then after you’ve enjoyed this—and I’m confident you will—make a date with whatever this exciting new author writes next!” —David Rawlings, author of The Baggage Handler

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iBooks│Kobo│GooglePlay

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About the Author

Australian author Jessica Kate is obsessed with sassy romances. 

She packs her novels with love, hate, and everything in between—and then nerds out over her favorite books, movies and TV in the StoryNerds podcast. When she’s not writing or discussing fiction, she’s hunting the world for the greatest pasta in existence.

Her debut novel Love and Other Mistakes releases July 2019, while A Girl’s Guide to the Outback hits shelves in January 2020.

Receive her sassy short The Kiss Dare FREE when you sign up for her newsletter at jessicakatewriting.com. StoryNerds podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and at www.storynerds.podbean.com.

Website│Goodreads│BookBub│Facebook│Twitter│Instagram│Newsletter

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Tour Schedule

Author Interview & Giveaway: A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan

Welcome to the Blink Summer Reading Tour for A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan, hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: A Touch of Gold

Author: Annie Sullivan 

Publisher: BLINK

Release Date: August 14, 2018  

Genre: YA Fiction - Mythology/Retelling

King Midas once had the ability to turn all he touched into gold. But after his gift—or curse—almost killed his daughter, Midas relinquished The Touch forever. Ten years later, Princess Kora still bears the consequences of her father’s wish: her skin shines golden, rumors follow her everywhere she goes, and she harbors secret powers that are getting harder to hide.

Kora spends her days locked in the palace, concealed behind gloves and veils, trying to ignore the stares and gossip of courtiers. It isn’t until a charming young duke arrives that Kora realizes there may be someone out there who doesn’t fear her or her curse. But their courtship is disrupted when a thief steals precious items from the kingdom, leaving the treasury depleted and King Midas vulnerable. Thanks to her unique ability to sense gold, Kora is the only one who can track the thief down. As she sails off on her quest, Kora learns that not everything is what it seems—not thieves, not pirates, and not even curses. She quickly discovers that gold—and the power it brings—is more dangerous than she’d ever believed.
Midas learned his lesson at a price. What will Kora’s journey cost?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annie Sullivan is a Young Adult author from Indianapolis, Indiana. Her work has been featured in Curly Red Stories and Punchnels. She loves fairytales, everything Jane Austen, and traveling and exploring new cultures. When she’s not off on her own adventures, she’s teaching classes at the Indiana Writers Center and working as the Copy Specialist at John Wiley and Sons, Inc. publishing company, having also worked there in Editorial and Publicity roles. You can follow her adventures on Twitter and Instagram (@annsulliva).

CONNECT WITH ANNIE: Twitter | Instagram

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH ANNIE SULLIVAN:

Did a specific event, idea, or person inspire A Touch of Gold?

Annie: The book was actually inspired by the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. I kept seeing all that cursed gold, which led me to thinking about King Midas and all his gold…and whether or not it might be cursed. From there, I jumped into wondering about his daughter, who he turns to gold. I always wondered what happened to her after that, so I gave her her own story.

How long did it take you to write this novel?

Annie: It took me about 2 years to write because I was writing it on and off while I was in graduate school getting a master’s degree in creative writing. Now, I can write a book much faster than that—in a matter of months!

What was something surprising you learned while researching/writing this novel?

Annie: I was just surprised to see how many versions of the King Midas myth existed out in the universe. Some included his daughter. Some didn’t. Some had satyrs. Some didn’t. One might give one reason for asking for his golden touch while another would give a different reason. So it was really cool to take the elements I thought would fit a fantasy world best and turn them into the plot of A Touch of Gold.

Do you have a favorite character in Touch of Gold?

Annie: Oh, that’s such a hard one! I think I’d have to go with Princess Kora, King Midas’s daughter, because she’s such a dynamic character. She goes from having to live a sheltered life to having to race out to face pirates to save her kingdom and her father’s stolen gold. I love that she finds her own strength along the way. But I have to say that I do love her cousin Hettie who is just a firecracker of a character and two twins who make an appearance who always seem to have some sort of scheme up their sleeves.

What do you hope readers take away from this novel?

Annie: I want readers to take away that they do have the inner strength to succeed. I want them to realize that maybe something they saw as a flaw in themselves might actually turn out to be their greatest strength. When they come back to the world, I hope they are a little more hopeful, a little more sure in themselves, and a little more certain that good can defeat evil.

Can you share a book you are currently reading or have read recently?

Annie: I just finished the last book in the Caraval series and loved it!!! Stephanie Garber created such a rich world with swoon-worthy characters, and I wish I didn’t have to leave that world!

What hobbies do you enjoy when you aren't writing?

Annie: I’m not sure it counts as a hobby, but I love traveling! I’ve been to every continent and about 60 countries. I love seeing new landscapes and meeting new people. But I also have regular hobbies like binge watching TV, reading, baking desserts, and running.

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TOUR SCHEDULE:

July 22

That Artsy Reader Girl - Summer Reading Tour Kick-Off

July 23

Pages & Pugs - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney + Favorite Quotes

Mangeuse de Livres - Q and A with Annie Sullivan (French and English)

Moonlight Rendezvous - Book Review of Meet the Sky + Favorite Quotes
Musings of a (Book) Girl - Christina June Guest Post

Ohana Cascadia - Book Review of Meet the Sky + Favorite Quotes

A Bronx Latina Reads - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney

Nay's Pink Bookshelf - Book Review of Swing + Favorite Quotes

Taylor Fenner's Bookish World - Book Review of A Touch of Gold

Kayla Reads and Reviews - Book Review of Swing + Creative Post
Savings In Seconds - Book Review of Meet the Sky

July 24

J.R.'s Book Reviews - Book Review of A Touch of Gold

Book-Keeping - Book Review of Meet the Sky

Musings of a (Book) Girl - Interview with Laurie Boyle Crompton
Lifestyle of Me - Book Review of No Place Like Here
Shelf-Rated - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney + Favorite Quotes

Reading Authors Network - Book Review of Swing
Read At Night - Interview with Christina June

YA/NA Book Divas - Book Review of Swing

Cinnamon Summers - Book Review of No Place Like Here + Favorite Quotes
Inky Moments - Creative Post

July 25

Marshmallow Pudding - Christina June Guest Post

Never Too Many to Read - Creative Post for No Place Like Here
Ohana Cascadia - Book Review of Swing + Favorite Quotes
Nay's Pink Bookshelf - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney + Favorite Quotes
FictitiousWonderland - Book Review + Creative Post for A Touch of Gold (Instagram)

Story-eyed Reviews - Interview with McCall Hoyle
Will Read Anything - Book Review of Meet the Sky
Kait Plus Books - Book Review of No Place Like Here + Favorite Quotes
The Reading Corner for All - Book Review of A Touch of Gold + Instagram Post

July 26

Adventures Thru Wonderland - McCall Hoyle Guest Post
Here's to Happy Endings - Book Review of A Touch of Gold
What She Will Read - Book Review of No Place Like Here + Favorite Quotes
Starlight Reads - Book Playlist for Swing

Story-eyed Reviews - Book Review of Meet the Sky + Favorite Quotes
Library of a Book Witch - Book Review of A Touch of Gold
Will Read Anything - Book Review of Swing
Inky Moments - Book Review of No Place Like Here + Favorite Quotes

July 29

Beauty In the Binding - Author Q&A with Annie Sullivan

Onemused - Book Review of Meet the Sky (Instagram Photo)

A Bronx Latina Reads - Book Review of No Place Like Here

Cinnamon Summers - Book Review of Meet the Sky + Favorite Quotes

A Dream Within a Dream - Book Review of A Touch of Gold
A Bookish Dream - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney
Savings In Seconds - Book Review of Swing + Favorite Quotes

FictitiousWonderland - Book Review + Creative Post for Pretty In Punxsutawney (Instagram)

July 30

What She Will Read - Laurie Boyle Crompton Guest Post

Never Too Many to Read - Book Review of No Place Like Here
Starlight Reads - Book Review of Swing
YA/NA Book Divas - Book Review of A Touch of Gold

YA Media Consumer - Book Review of Meet the Sky

Some Books and Ramblings - Interview with McCall Hoyle

Moonlight Rendezvous - Book Review of A Touch of Gold + Favorite Quotes
The Reading Corner for All - Book Review of Meet the Sky + Instagram Post

July 31

Feed Your Fiction Addiction - McCall Hoyle Guest Post

Taylor Fenner's Bookish World - Book Review of No Place Like Here

Book-Keeping - Book Review of Touch of Gold

Utopia State of Mind - Book Review of No Place Like Here
Kait Plus Books - Annie Sullivan Guest Post
Musings of a (Book) Girl - Book Review of Swing
Kait Plus Books - Laurie Boyle Crompton Guest Post
Read At Night - No Place Like Here Creative Post
Ohana Cascadia - Book Review of A Touch of Gold + Favorite Quotes
Lifestyle of Me - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney

August 1

Reading Authors Network - Creative Post for Swing

Story-eyed Reviews - Interview with Christina June
Two Points of Interest - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney
The Secret Reader - Book Review of A Touch of Gold + Creative Post

Belle's Archive - Book Review of Swing

A Dream Within A Dream - Annie Sullivan Guest Post

Smada's Book Smack - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney

A Bookish Dream - Book Review of No Place Like Here

Adventures Thru Wonderland - Book Review of Meet the Sky

August 2

Here's to Happy Endings - Book Review of Meet the Sky

Belle's Archive - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney
The Secret Reader - Book Review of Pretty In Punxsutawney + Interview with Laurie Boyle Crompton + Creative Post
Smada's Book Smack - Book Review of No Place Like Here

Faery Tales Are Real - Book Review of A Touch of Gold

Read At Night - Book Review of Swing + Creative Post
Two Points of Interest - Book Review of Swing

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TOUR-WIDE GIVEAWAY:

Prize: 5 BLINK Summer Reading Tour Book Bundles (A Touch of Gold, Meet the Sky, No Place Like Here, Pretty In Punxsutawney, and Swing by Kwame Alexander) (USA). Ends 8/09/19.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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