Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy

I love love loved this book. I could seriously write several pages on this! But I won't. haha.

It's a Christian book for girls. The full title is actually "Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set-Apart Young Woman." Since I doubt I can describe this book with the eloquence that is on the back cover... I'll paraphrase it:



We live in a culture that mocks our longing for tender romance. Many girls have stopped hoping for a fairy-tale romance. But this book is for girls who still want that fairy-tale romance. That passion and intimacy. Ludy paints Jesus Christ as our true and perfect Prince. And we can have a beautiful love story with our Prince! And we learn how to live as a set-apart woman in our discouraging, cynical culture. We learn how to have Authentic Beauty. "Experience a romance that will transform every part of your existence and fulfill the deepest longings of your feminine heart."



Ladies.. that last sentence sounds awesome, doesn't it? haha. It is! I also got the study guide that goes with the book. I've been using it as a sort of morning-time devotional, recording my answers down in my prayer journal. I plead with every girl reading this.... find this book somehow: borrow it from the library or a friend, buy it from the bookstore... read it! If you can put in the time for the study guide... that's even better!!!



Also, I have the "Updated and Expanded" version, which includes three little extra snippets, written by Leslie's husband, Eric Ludy. They're called "Studying Manhood." It helps you understand what makes guys tick, and how we can encourage them to become the type of man they should be. Its great.



Please, please, please get your hands on a copy of this if you can!

Tina

Steeple Hill

So... I thought I'd be reading The Great Gatsby. But I ended up reading the first chapter and setting it down in favor of some of my guilty pleasure novels. I will definitely read it... but not just yet. ;) Steeple Hill is a branch of Harlequin that publishes only Christian romances. So... basically, I'll read any Steeple Hill novel because they all read about the same. haha.



The two novels I read instead were "Their Small-Town Love" by Arlene James and "Her Wedding Wish" by Jillian Hart. Mom bought them for 50 cents each at the library. haha.
"Their Small-Town Love" was just as any of my Christian romances should be. Easy to read, gave my brain a rest, and I can actually remember what it was about after I set it down.



I was excited about "Her Wedding Wish." It's a McKaslin Clan book! I looooove the McKaslin clan. =] I own almost all of the Clan books, which is over 10, easy. =] I also love Jillian Hart. She's a great author. So, I got my guilty pleasure, plus a continuation of my favorite guilty pleasure family. Double bonus. =]



If you like romances, if you like Christian books... read these two. =]

Tina