The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Anxiety By William J. Knaus

I had never in my life experienced full blown panic attacks until the loss of two loved ones a year apart. Yes I had had anxiety, but not the heart pounding, dizzy, out of control, feeling like I am going to die kind. It was terrifying! As much as would have liked a quick fix, there was no such thing. This book is a real blessing. I didn’t need a book to tell me what was wrong with me, but one that would show me what to do.
The book is great! As I read it, time and time again, I had these thoughts,
“Yes someone understands!”
“No I’m not crazy!”
“I am not the only one feeling this way!”
First of all there was not a bunch of medical mumbo jumbo. It was easy for someone without a PhD to understand. It reminded me that all feelings and actions begin with a thought. The extreme physical and emotional symptoms I was experiencing hindered me from remembering that. It also taught me what was actually happening to me physically during anxiety. By understanding this, it took the “claws” out of the bear I was dealing with. The workbook didn’t give me the idea of unrealistic, instant results, but that overcoming was a process and would take work on my part. Then in great detail it guided me step by step. There are many written exercises that help you take a good hard look at exactly where your anxiety is coming from, and concrete applications to implement each day. If you have a setback you can always return to the previous lesson and do it again.
By having the written workbook that keeps record of your thoughts and progress, you can go back and see how far you have come. Or, you can go back and review what you have learned when you repeat challenges you have previously had.
A great book! I highly recommend it for anyone grappling with anxiety!
I received this book free from New Harbinger Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

50 Things You Need to Know About Satan and Demons By Mark H. Muska

I read the author’s book, 50 Things You Need to Know about Heaven, and was impressed. Therefore, I was intrigued to read this book. I began it with a cautious note, as there is so much false information out there about this subject. With the spiritual state our world is in today, Satan and his demons have been glamorized, their evil, and power minimized, or underestimated by being made light of.
I have no desire to deeply study satanic information. In the Bible God tells us He wants us to be “simple” concerning evil. (Romans16:19) That does not mean I stick my head in the sand and pretend the world of darkness does not exist. It does! I only need to know what God’s Word says about it.
The author covers 50 common questions most people have about Satan and his realm. What I appreciated most was that his answers were not just his view point but backed up solidly by scripture, and lots of it! He also did not go to the extreme in looking at the subject, but stuck to what that was needed to know most. It was an easy read, well written, and very educational on this subject. A great book to study with adults and teens! Especially with young people, I want to answer their questions but not wet their appetite to know too much, as the occult holds a fascination for young people today.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

Anna’s Crossing By Suzanne Woods Fisher

So many Amish fiction books are set in the present time. This one is unique in that it is historical Amish fiction. The Charming Nancy was a real ship that actually crossed the Atlantic in 1737 with a group of Amish and Mennonite believers coming to America. They sailed from Rotterdam in April and arrived in Philadelphia in October of the same year. A 7 month voyage! Traveling by ship during that time was no walk in the park! It was fraught with danger and suffering. Many ships and their occupants perished. A frightening fact that those who sailed knew was real possibility. There was lack of provisions, illness; great discomfort, and death, many of them children. The passengers rode beneath the ship with little fresh air or daylight. A walk on the deck was a rare treat, due to the hazards involved. With them in their tight quarters were all their belongings and animals. Vomiting from sea sickness and the stench of urine and feces was unbearable. Sickness and disease spread quickly in the unsanitary conditions. The Amish/ Mennonites faced even more hardships. They were ridiculed, discriminated against, and taken advantage of financially. Greedy captains charged outrageous prices for food, and passage. In addition they grossly overcrowded the ship with no thought of the safety or comfort of the passengers. Few were able to speak English. This is just a small part of what Anna, her family and fellow believers faced. Add to this these innocent, God fearing people had been in little contact with the world. Now they were thrown head first into it with unscrupulous people and bawdy sailors. A culture shock to say the least! Ms. Fisher does an incredible job of allowing the reader to join these pilgrims on their journey. Her descriptiveness is vivid. My chest tightened and I held my breath at times reading about their experiences. This was definitely and eye-opener! With all the history and detail the author weaves an exciting and personal story of the characters she has created. There are many surprises along the way. A must read! After reading an excerpt included at the end, of Ms. Fisher’s upcoming book, The Impostor, I anxiously await its publication. It will be a first in her new series, The Bishop’s Family. I received this book free from Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own. I

Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member By H. Norman Wright

Having lost my mother and my husband within a year of each other, I found myself reading as many books as I could on grief. It is an uncharted territory each of us must face at different times in our lives. We have no clue what is ahead, how we will respond, nor what is expected of us. As a Christian I wanted insights and guidance from the scriptures, and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. Yes, our experiences and how we deal with our grief differ, but there are similarities that tie us all together.
Dr. H. Norman Wright is a not only a writer but a Christian therapist. In this book he shares his expertise and biblical knowledge to being to begin your journey through the sorrow. This book is for everyone. He includes valuable help in the loss of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend, pet and more.
I was so overwhelmed and consumed that it was hard for me to step outside the box of my pain and see anything else. This book helped me do that. It was a beginning, a first step. I was amazed at how the author described in detail many of the feelings and experiences I was encountering. Most of all the many scriptures and Bible truths strengthen my anchor to the only One that could help me heal. My journey is far from over, but I am thankful for the support and counsel I received from this book.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own.