Pray Before You Vote

Pray Before You Vote

Jesus Is Not a Democrat or a Republican

Jesus is Lord!

Author: Freya S. Williams
Publisher: Advantage Inspirational, 2007, 220 pages
ISBN-10: 1597551171
Price: $14.99 Visit http://www.praybeforeyouvote.org/for more information about Pray Before You Vote!

REVIEW: God Has a Purpose for Me by LaRonda Koffi, Illustrated by Victor Guiza

Jesus Loves Me Children's Books LLC, 2008, 32 Pages
List Price: $15.95 (Hardcover)
Children’s Book: Ages 4 - 7

What is your purpose? In last month’s issue of WOW!, we featured the topic of finding your purpose. I can recall being in my early 20’s and not understanding God’s purpose for my life. It seemed like a mystery that I could not solve. If adults struggle to understand meaning and purpose in life, I can only imagine how children must feel. God Has a Purpose for Me helps children discover their God-given purpose.

Aya has trouble understanding the Sunday sermon at her family's church. She wonders, “What does the pastor mean when he tells us to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives?” After a brief talk with her Nana, she thinks she knows how to please God. She begins right away doing things that she believes will make God happy. Tired and confused by her efforts, she turns to family for deeper understanding.

I read this book to my five-year-old daughter. The graphics caught her attention right away. She identified with the main character Aya – sitting in church and not understanding the sermon. I believe children, parents, and youth workers will love this book. I enjoyed it! I wanted to know how the author would explain something so complex to children. She did a wonderful job communicating a sometimes-difficult topic in the simplest way possible. I acknowledge that this book is more than fun and colorful; it is a teaching tool. While reading to my daughter, I felt as if I was planting a seed that will grow for years to come.


LaRonda Koffi is the owner of Jesus Loves Me Children's Books LLC. She is committed to writing and publishing books that will help children grow spiritually. Her ministry donates $1 for each book sold to Compassion International’s Unsponsored Children’s Fund - a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty (http://www.compassion.com/).

LaRonda recognizes the limited supply of Bible-based children’s books. She says the Lord placed it on her heart to begin fulfilling the need. To learn more about this author and her ministry, visit http://www.jesuslovesmebooks.com/.


Published in WOW!, October 2008 Issue
Copyright 2008 Tameka Delaney Edwards

REVIEW: The Apple You Were Fed by Kimberly Lisowski and Andrea Pouliot

Mill City Press, 2007, 265 pages

ISBN - 10: 1934248746

List Price: $14.99

When a conservative Christian woman prays for real friendship, she does not expect God to send her an agnostic liberal. Andrea Pouliot and Kimberly Lisowski are two family-oriented women that formed a bond shortly after moving into the same neighborhood. Although they were miles away in their beliefs, they shared countless discussions over coffee and buttered-biscuits. They embarked on an emotional and spiritual journey, looking for truth through prayer, psychology, and the Bible. This book is a memoir of their unlikely friendship and the unveiling of lies they were fed.

These two authors don’t skirt around anything! They get to the heart of issues - revealing their deepest secrets and fears to one another and their readers. Abortion, miscarriage, unfulfilled dreams, and strained relationships are only a few of the sensitive subjects they discuss. They talk about how certain lies have shaped their thoughts, behaviors, and worldview. They also address their feelings on unanswered prayers, impure motives, Christian programmed responses, and protecting one’s image for the sake of appearing normal. They remind us, “Your worth is not wrapped up into your images.”

Are you tired of trying to live up to someone else’s expectations? Do you suffer from perfectionism or feelings of inadequacy? Do you want to unearth the lies you have been fed? If so, then you will want to read this book. Their story is an awesome testimony of friendship. It also demonstrates how God will give us wisdom and revelation when we earnestly seek Him.

Kimberly and Andrea are both founders of The Apple You Were Fed Ministries. They understand that our loving God has been misrepresented to many, which causes seekers frustration and pain. They trust that their experiences and story will offer these seekers hope. To learn more about these authors and their ministry, visit http://www.theappleyouwerefed.com/

Published in WOW!, September 2008 Issue

Copyright 2008 Tameka Delaney Edwards

REVIEW: My Soul on Paper II: Even Deeper by Laquania S. Graham

Asta Publications, 2007, 139 pages
ISBN: 0977706087
List Price: $14.95


My Soul on Paper II: Even Deeper, by Laquania S. Graham, is a collection of poems and narratives that delve into a wide range of topics, such as the trials of “living saved”, self-esteem, pre-marital sex, racial harmony, and domestic violence. The young and introspective author writes about her pain from relationships and her healing through Christ. In her conversational tone, Laquania challenges us to forgive others as well as ourselves.

This book is chock-full of positive messages and profound poetic prose. This is not just another poetry book - the narratives included are deeply personal, heartfelt, and uplifting. As a Christian and a woman, I identified with many issues addressed by the author. Her poems entitled Bleeding, Pray for the Prey, and Wait Your Turn touched me the most. Poetry lovers as well as those who need encouragement, inspiration, and empowerment will want to add this book to their collection.

Laquania is a motivational speaker and youth outreach leader in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University, and is currently working towards completing her Master’s degree in Public Administration. She co-authored her first book of poetry, My Soul on Paper, in 2006 with her younger brother, Jermaine Jackson.

For more information about Laquania and her books, please visit http://www.mysoulonpaper.com/

Published in WOW!, August 2008 Issue
Copyright 2008 Tameka Delaney Edwards

REVIEW: Braided in My Hair by Tiffany Alexander

Braided In My Hair
Author: Tiffany Alexander · Alexander Vision (2007)
ISBN-10: 1-4196-5068-8
ISBN-13: 978-1419650680
Price: $18 Paperback / Fiction


Daisy Wray is smart, intuitive, and a handful for her grandmother to raise. Daisy was born in a tiny two-room Chicago apartment to teenage mother Laurel. Florence “Mama” Wray, a strict and religious widow, was angry and devastated by her daughter’s pregnancy. However, the thirty-five-year-old grandmother agreed to take the baby home to live with her in Ohio.

Although she excels academically early in school, Daisy has trouble fitting in and making friends. The separation from her mother also causes feelings of loneliness and abandonment. “Why doesn’t she ever come to see me?” she asks herself. As she grows older, Daisy struggles to understand life, her existence, and God, which eventually causes friction between her and her grandmother. After a few major events and the mending of some key relationships, Daisy experiences hopefulness and healing.

Braided In My Hair is a touching story about pain, love, rejection, forgiveness and redemption.

Tiffany Alexander is a former journalist who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about this author, please visit http://www.tiffanyalexander.com/

Published in WOW!, July 2008 Issue
Copyright 2008 Tameka Delaney Edwards

Welcome!

Have you ever read a book and couldn't forget the characters, plot, or the take-away message? Whenever I read a book that changes my perspective or touch me in some way (negative or positive), I have an intense desire to share it with almost everyone I come in contact with - co-workers, family members, friends, and neighbors.

A couple of years ago, I felt the need to increase my audience. I wanted to share great books with book lovers as well as those who found reading boring. Therefore, as a book lover and freelance writer for the Christian market, I decided to review books for several sites and publications, such as SpiritRestoration.org, FrontStreetReviews.com, CurledUp.com and WOW! (Women of the Word) Magazine.

I am receiving great books on a regular basis, and hope to share brief reviews on this site. For more in-depth reviews, please visit WOW! Magazine (www.wowmagazine.org) and download your free copy today!