Brave is the New Beautiful by Lee Wolfe Blum | Re:View

Powerful and inspiring, Brave Is the New Beautiful will draw you in with true-life stories that showcase real women with real struggles and a real God who is there to heal, comfort, and empower. 

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Lee Wolfe Blum proposes a new and powerful definition of beauty in Brave is the new beautiful. Her focus on "finding the courage to be the real you" is a message all women need to hear no matter their life situation, age, status, or past.

What first intrigued me about this book, aside from the eye-catching title, was the fact that Lee used stories from women that she had known to create the majority of her content. As someone who loves reading biographies and real-life stories, I was really intrigued to see how Lee would incorporate the stories into a book that was devotional in nature.

@createexploreread

Each chapter is titled with a single word like Hoping, Belonging, and Trusting etc., and mingles Lee's personal history in counseling, her mental health work, and personal struggles along with stories from women she's come in contact with. Then, at the end of each chapter, there are "For Reflection" questions which make this a great tool for Bible studies and group sessions.

This book is powerful. Not all of the stories told are wrapped up with a happy little bow on top or told in a way to make you feel good about yourself. Instead, they depict real life and encourage you to ask God the hard questions without fear knowing that He will answer you. I was brought to tears many times during the course of reading this and found myself craving the next chapter to see what else Lee had to say. I think this was (at least in part) due to the fact that Lee is very open in this book, detailing her own struggles with a frank honesty that is refreshing and encouraging.

I think this quote sums up the focus of the book perfectly:

"Be vulnerable. Be real. Be raw and let your naked bravery shine bright. In doing so, you help others see hope. You help others have faith. That is brave. That is beautiful."
(Brave is the new Beautiful, page 215)

I highly recommend this book to all women! It would be perfect in a small group setting (or even a slightly larger group). With a focus on being raw and honest with one another, I think women could truly see lies exposed, walls broken down, and true, beautiful bravery as the result of reading and discussing this book along with prayer and Bible reading.

My rating: 4.5*
Purchase: Brave is the New Beautiful

Book Description
(from Amazon)

In a culture that bombards women with "thinspiration" messages and pressure to "do it all" while wearing the mask of perfection, women are left feeling alone and overwhelmed. How can they stop comparing themselves to others? How can they live out who they really are?

Lee Wolfe Blum offers stories from everyday women who have answered these questions with their lives—and found true beauty in the process. In Brave Is the New Beautiful, Blum weaves reflections from her own journey with inspirational stories from everyday women who chose to take off their masks and live authentically. Through call-to-action questions and ideas, she encourages readers to be brave enough to be who they really are and the beloved that God knows they are.

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Delores Liesner {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Delores...

Writing, Speaking or as God’s delivery girl, Delores lives life passionately and humorously revealing dynamic hope and confidence found in the heritage of our personal God. She writes from Racine, WI. Is a CLASS graduate, and has published over a thousand stories, devotionals and articles as columnist, freelance writer, and teacher. Delores is represented by Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency. Part of Delores’ dream is that her writing could help support the Fullness of Life Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ – which provides treatment funding for children with life-threatening illness.

How to connect with Delores...

Blog/Website: http://deloresliesner.com
CWA: http://www.cwareviewcrew.com/the-crew
E-Mail: lovedliftedandled@wi.rr.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deloresliesner-author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dliesner
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dliesner
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/dliesner/
Her first book to be published early in 2015, is a devotional called Be The Miracle! 

Author Interview | Delores Liesner

You and Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I’ve always been a storyteller, and as a teen, often crawled out of my 2nd story bedroom window to sit on the roof under the stars and write stories and poetry. I was able to use my skill during various employments (including a nursery school, for elementary through high school education, church plays and curriculum, and as a forensic coach).

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...Be The Miracle is very dear to my heart because I lived all the experiences in the devotional and I truly believe we can live in expectation that God is up to something good because those who have a personal relationship with Jesus bring Him with us into every situation.

What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest? 
...The first hardest thing about publishing was waiting, then hearing genuine compliments from several well-known traditional publishers. Really? I am not kidding you, it was hard — because the compliments were followed by that little word: but. The second challenge was having several offers, and not having peace about them. I was praying about it when I got a call from Elk Lake Publishing (same owners I greatly respect at Book Club Network) and I had complete peace that this was the right decision.

Your Writing
 
What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with? 
...That God still does miracles today and that he wants his followers to put hands and feet to their faith and be the answer to prayer for others.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Attend writers conferences! My first conferences were CLASS Christian Writers Conference and Write-to-Publish in Wheaton, Illinois. Both were life-changing, spiritual experiences, and I received important training, professional critique, and had appointments with editors and publishers that resulted in writing opportunities.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration?
...Life inspires me! I’ve heard of writer’s block, but I’ve never experienced it. Honestly, I think I am the world’s most mature toddler! I am always asking why is that, what just happened, and what if…

How do you find inspiration?
...I journal a lot and try to re-write scripture in my own words, or sometimes in the words I feel God is telling me from my Scripture reading. I try to answer questions like is there something I need to do or stop doing, a teaching I can live out today or new-to-me details about God or the characters in the reading. Notebooks and pens everywhere and jot down bits of conversations, scenes I witness, descriptions of scenery, characters, and ideas for what if… I used to keep them on 3x5 cards in alphabetical file, but I now translate them to documents on my computer and keep them in folders titled Fiction, Greeting Cards, Devotional Ideas, Bible Study, Blog Ideas, Personalities, etc.

Why do you write?
...I am a Writing Junkie. I cannot NOT do it.

...Yes, I’m confessing. I admit it. I see it now for what it is. A habit. No, it’s stronger than that - an addiction.

...I found myself at it again, you see, just this morning. I was casually flipping through Webster’s Dictionary when suddenly my eyes bugged, because I saw myself. There I was - me and my life-blood all wrapped up in that one small word: ad.dict: to apply habitually, as one’s mind to speculation; to give (oneself) up to or over, as a constant practice. 

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Thank you so much for visit the blog today, Delores! For you readers who also love to write - I enjoyed Delores so much I've invited her back next Tuesday to share some thoughts on writing with you all! Make sure you stop by to say hello then (and while you're at it, say hello now!). 

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Last but NOT least... Last week's winner!

If you missed it, check out LoRee's post from last weeks {WW}. But, without further delay, here's the winner...

Constance

Congratulations! Contact me and we'll get you your PDF copy!

Ada Brownell {Wrtier Wednesday}

A little bit about Ada...

Born into a family of new Christians, hard workers and achievers, Ada Brownell was the eighth child and a reporter almost since she could talk. She was the family "tattletale." She and her husband, who worked for the railroad as an agent/telegrapher, had five children. One of them is in heaven, and all of them have spent time in ministry.


A devoted Bible student, Ada Brownell has written for Christian publications since age 15 and spent much of her life as a daily newspaper reporter at The Pueblo Chieftain in Colorado. After moving to Springfield, Missouri, in her retirement, she continues to free lance for Sunday school papers, Christian magazines and write books. She is author of three non-fiction works, one novel, and is critique group leader of Ozarks Chapter of American Christian Writers.

How to connect with Ada...
 
Website/Blog: http://inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com Stick to Your Soul Encouragement
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AdaBrownellWritingMinistries
Twitter: : @adellerella

Author Interview | Ada Brownell

-->You and Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
…I became a published writer before I took any writing or journalism courses. Although, after my success, I soon enrolled in a course. I've written nearly all my life like I play the piano—mostly by ear. I do know the basics of music and grammar, but why think about the mechanics when your fingers and your head know how to do it? It was a few years before I learned to edit, and when I finally did, I learned that's where the hard work comes.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
…That's like asking which of my children I love the most! When a person spends hours and hours writing and editing a book, there's emotional attachment. Furthermore, I wouldn't have written the books if I didn't think there was incredible value of my message to the reader—principally, increasing faith.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently. Why did you write it?
…I wrote Imagine the Future You because I was concerned about the way our society and educational institutions try to strip faith from our children and grandchildren. If they have a genuine experience with God where they know the joy unspeakable and are full of glory (1 Peter 1:8) and build their lives on the Rock Jesus Christ, we'll be together for eternity. The book endeavors to reveal truth that will lead them to abundant life here and eternal life in heaven.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
…I have several, but one is an illustration about how difficult it is to break habits. Someone in Vashon Island, Washington, leaned a bicycle against a tree when it was a sapling and left it there. The tree grew around the bike until it became part of the tree and now is several feet off the ground. Habits become a part of us just as the bike became part of that tree.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
…Joe the Dreamer is a unique person, but some in the book have a few characteristics of people I've met. For instance, the scenes in the mental hospital draw on what I witnessed in a psychiatric institution—in my job… not as a patient!

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
…Sit down and do it with a target market in mind. Edit, then get into a good critique group, and then edit some more, polish and then get your work to a publisher.

You

What will you do for Thanksgiving?
… Spend the day with family, eating, playing games, visiting.

What is your favorite food of the Thanksgiving dinner?
…Succulent Turkey and dressing.

What are three things you’re thankful for? …Salvation and God's mercy, our children and grandchildren and that they are serving the Lord; and for God's miracles and His faithfulness.

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Thank you so much for joining me on the blog today Ada! I really liked how you suggested writing with a target market in mind. I think that is so crucial - to really know you are writing for and why you are writing! I hope that your Thanksgiving is filled with a time of peace and relaxation with your family!