Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall in Love With the Process of Becoming Great by Joshua Medcalf

Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great by Joshua Medcalf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great book to read as a group or as an individual! My boss chose this book for us to read as an office to see how we could improve ourselves individually and as a staff.

In this story, John has a strong desire to become a samurai warrior. He goes away to samurai school and quickly learns from his sensei, Akira, that the key to becoming the best samurai warrior is to chop wood and carry water. John learns a series of lessons over his five years with Akira. Some of the lessons he learned were easier than others but none taught him as much as chopping wood and carrying water. You must start at the bottom in order to be successful and to learn from mistakes made along the way. The second biggest take away for me personally from reading this book is to remember you are building your own house.

This is a super quick read chocked full of practical advice for those looking to make a difference!

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The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

The Passenger by Lisa Lutz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Put your seatbelt on for this one! I read this book on the recommendation of my boss after she couldn't stop talking about it!

Tanya is in the shower and when she gets out, she finds her husband dead at the foot of the stairs. Did he fall? Was someone else in her house? Fearful of what the police may try to pin on her, Tanya finds herself on the run. She isn't going to take the fall for someone else's crime!

Tanya makes a phone call to a "mystery man" who gets her a new identity to go along with her new look. Tanya soon becomes Amelia. She then meets Blue and her life will never be the same again.

In this fast paced novel, you aren't entirely sure of who is doing what and how they are all connected until the very end. The adventures of Blue and Amelia really set the stage for what is to come.

I enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it to others who enjoy a good horror story!

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More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Karen Witemeyer has been a favorite of mine for quite some time how. She hasn't disappointed in this novel either!

Abby owns a bakery and has run it since her father fell ill and subsequently passed away. With the help of her sister, Rosalind, Abby and Taste of Heaven are a hit in town. Well, that is until the day that an outdated city ordinance is resurrected that states that businesses are not to be run by female business owners. Not one to back to down to anyone, Abby develops a plan.

Zach Hamilton has had his share of woes. He's grown up on the streets and even took in two kids and raised them after a tragic situation. Zach works for Reuben at the local lumbar mill and has no plans of ever settling down. He's running from his past and not wanting to have anymore responsibilities than he currently has.

Every morning at breakfast, Abby has the pleasure of serving the town her famous hot breads, other sweets, and coffee. Zach comes in every day. Could he help her save her bakery? If not him, maybe the church deacon or the mama's boy would be willing to sign her business agreement?

Never underestimate the power of a woman on a mission as she will succeed. Abby succeeds in her quest for a partner but he can win his mission as well?

I loved this book and found it hard to put down! There is a lot of sensuality with Abby and her chosen as they go from business arrangement to falling in love. It's all very sweet and satisfying to see how together, they win may battles that they are faced with. I do hope that this story will continue as I feel that it easily might. I'd love to know more about Nate and Ida Mae!!

Thank you for another great read, Karen!

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In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been awhile since I read a mainstream mystery book! My boss recommended this one to me and I read this entire book in one setting! I did have to look up some of the terminology as this is written in England and I wasn't familiar with some of the words used.

Nora loves her secluded life. As an author, she values her alone time to focus on her writing. Her specialty is crime novels. Nora's life runs like clockwork until she receives a mysterious email one day about her former friend Clare's upcoming hen.

Clare is getting married but she hasn't seen Nora in over 10 years. They were best friends growing up but quickly grew apart.

Flo is Clare's new best friend who is setting up this entire weekend hen. Everything is planned out to the second and no one better mess with her plan! Flo is so intertwined in Clare's life that some might confuse one for the other.

Nina is a doctor and is one of Nora's friends from childhood. She also receives the email from Flo about the upcoming hen. Neither Nora or Nina are super excited about going but they decide to go together.

This book is full of suspenseful plot twists! Just as I thought I knew who was responsible for the major incident that occurs (I'll not give out spoilers!), my mind is shifted to another possible suspect. In the end, the real culprit was my #2 suspicion.

Fair warning: there is pretty heavy language in this book as well as some adult themes. There is also a lot of drinking and drugs used. I would caution younger readers and wouldn't recommend to anyone who may be sensitive to the topics listed.

This is not my typical read but, putting the language aside, I did enjoy the story.


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Deployed by Mel Odom

Deployed by Mel Odom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mel Odom is a new to me author. This book captured my attention one day while I was perusing new books on Amazon to read. I immediately purchased this book and the sequel.

Deployed focuses on Lance Corporal Bekah Shaw who is a member of the Marine Reserves. She's doing all she can to support her precious son, with the help of her grandmother, while serving her country. Bekah hasn't had the easiest of lives but is blessed to have her grandmother by her side since her good-for-nothing husband decided they were no longer a priority to him. Bekah is involved in a bit of a scrap with her ex-husband shortly before finding out she has orders to go to Somalia. While the legal system is a bit slow and may cause her problems with her job, Bekah is up for the challenge.

Once in Somalia, Bekah comes face to face with a bandit named Rageh Daud who hasn't done the Marines any favors whatsoever. As a matter of fact, the Marines are searching for Daud along with several other bad guys. It's interesting to see how Bekah and her team deal with Daud in the given situation they find themselves in.

My thoughts on this book...
I enjoyed it and I would recommend it to those who have a love for military and all that they do. There are some gruesome scenes, as would be expected in a book such as this, and I feel that the author depicted them very well. I do wish the characters, especially Daud, would have been a little more developed. I felt like he was meant to be a central character but I didn't "know" him as well as Bekah.
I am looking forward to reading the sequel of this book and I'm curious as to where we will find Bekah and Daud. I'm curious as to the love aspect of this book too, wondering if it will be explored further in the next book Renegade.

As a side note, I've really slowed down on my reading lately. I wish I could crochet and read at the same time. I've been busy working on some new creations! Feel free to check out my newest items on https://www.etsy.com/shop/FaithfulGir...!



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The Fred Factor: How passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by Mark Sanborn

The Fred Factor: How passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by Mark Sanborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's a rare occasion that I read a non-fiction book. Not saying that there is anything wrong with the genre, it's just not my preferred genre of choice. For quite some time now, my boss has been wanting us to do a book study at the office. This book was her first choice and I'm very glad we read this one together!

Fred is a postman, but he's not your typical postman. Fred goes way out of his way, totally above and beyond his call of duty, to care for his postal patrons. He hides packages out of the way of thieves, he talks to the people on his route and genuinely gets to know them, and he's the epitome of what a great employee should look and act like. Fred loves his job and it's obvious, so much that to Fred, being the postman isn't really a job, but more like a calling.

This books gives great tips and practical advice that can be used in the workplace, as well as interpersonal relationships. I have found myself being more conscientious of the Freds around me and making a point to share Fred with those who go above and beyond their job description. Not only that, I do my best to be a Fred to others too.

I would recommend this one to anyone and everyone who is looking for ways to improve their work culture and environment. It's also great for families too!

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Forgiven, Forgiving, and Free by Dan Winkler

Forgiven, Forgiving, & Free by Dan Winkler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a quick little read but is chocked full of Bible verses and Biblical examples of forgiveness. Dan Winkler is definitely qualified to write a book on this topic and I appreciate his knowledge of the Word and sharing how forgiveness is possible. I've learned that the hardest person to forgive is yourself! Since reading this book and doing a more in-depth study of the Word, I've come to a better understanding of what forgiveness is, how to give it, and how to receive it.

I purchased this book to read in anticipation of a ladies Bible class that this will be used for.


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