At Essence we like to encourage you to increase your habit of reading. 

Below are books we are sure you will find very useful to help with your spiritual growth and great information resources that will impact and change your thinking.

If you have any books that have positively impacted your life spiritually, please let us know. We will check it out and wherever possible, add it to the ESSENCE book club! 

If you are an Author and would like your book included for reveiw here, then please contact

TM Mainka:  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Its a good idea to develop the habit of reading books that edify you and add to your learning.

FREE YOUR MIND; READ FREELY!

Happy reading!!  

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*****Coming soon in 2012 *****

TM Mainka's Inspirational Romance Novel titled: God, Love & Lots of Letters - A STAR BUY!

Book of the Month: Aug-Nov 2011 -

 

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Book of the Month: April 2011 -

 Synopsis: God's Generals  By Roberts Liardon  ISBN:1-88008-947-5 

****A TM Mainka Favourite!****

In God's Generals, Roberts Liardon will help you recapture God's glory with twelve compelling biographies of some of the most powerful ministries to ever ignite the fires of revival. Liardon faithfully chronicles their lives in this work, along with their teachings, their spiritual discoveries, and many revealing photos.

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Book of the Month: Sept/October 2010 -

Synopsis: A Woman Called Sage by Diann Mills *

(Published February 1st 2010 by Zondervan)

Faith is frustrated and hardly waits for Jordan’s dinner to digest before she starts While women tended their babies, Sage Morrow tracked down outlaws. She was not always like that, but revenge was the fuel for her determination. She is now on the trail of the notorious McCaw brothers. She succeeded in bringing the ring leader to US Marshall Parker Timmons. She just needed to wait for her pay packet to be delivered, but has she walked into a trap? Further complication arise when two boys are kidnapped which forced her to work with Parker. On a dangerous mission, the two gallop off to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Will Sage's Indian Ute ways in the wild and Parker’s war experience keep them alive? Mills skilfully shows the culture and prejudice surrounding Native Americans in that era. What I liked most about the book was the flawless characterisation of Sage. Strong and courageous yet in her private moments she had her wounds and insecurities. In some areas I thought the plot was a little slow. I also admired the non physical emotion displayed in the book which was appropriate for the period it was written. The take away value was forgiveness.

My verdict: An edgy western style book with murder, suspense and romance. You will love it.  

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com.

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Book of the Month: Jun/July 2010 -

Synopsis: Hot Couple for Couples by Steve and Annie Chapman *

The title is Hot Topics for couples, so was the book HOT? Yes it was. What I liked most was the book listed the views of several wives and husbands on key topics in most chapters. For instance in the chapter ‘Lead or Get out of the way’ Thirty bullet points were listed from different wives about how they felt about their husband as a spiritual leader in the home. Likewise the hubbies stated how they felt about the role as a leader. Interesting insight!

The book had a wholesome feel to it because it wasn’t just Steve and Anne telling you about their marriage but you can see the bigger picture of what other couples are facing. Other chapters included: Are you connected or co-naked, it shows that ladies and gents think differently about sex.

The book covers the topic of friendship, parenting, money and old age. The second part of the book is a study guide based on the first part. I like the style of the book and the fact that it was jointly written. It was a bit simplistic in the sense that it does not have anything that people may not have heard before. However, the key is applying the nuggets in the book, because it is tempting to toss aside what sounds familiar.

My Verdict: Good book for couples to have in their library.  

 *Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com.

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Book of the Month: April/May 2010 -

Synopsis: Secrets and Lies by Rhonda Mcknight*

He’s cheating. The conflict hits you between the eyes and the journey begins. What is eating hotshot Dr. Jonah Morgan? Apart from the fact that he never has time for his family, it is obvious that something is bothering him because he is drinking more than he should. The anonymous calls to the house phone do not ease his wife’s concerns. Faith is frustrated and hardly waits for Jordan’s dinner to digest before she starts nagging. Jordan is just as aggravated. Office politics, unmet conjugal needs and unresolved issues are mounting tensions in his busy life. Faith is struggling with her faith and begins to doubt whether God will ever fix her marriage.

Faith is not letting up until they have a proper talk. Faith accidentally finds out about Jordan’s childhood and starts doubting the foundation of their marriage. In the midst of all the marital turmoil an accusation at Jordan’s work is the turning point in their relationship. The plot of Secret and Lies is compelling. McKnight’s strongest point was the conflict and characterisation. The emotion was real in most cases. However she could have shown the emotion of the mother of one of Jordan’s patient better, her son was at the brink of death. I have no complaints with the dialogue. Good job, for a debut novel. It definitely has a strong takeaway value- communication and forgiveness.

My verdict: My verdict: It kept me up till 2am right to the end. Need I say more?

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Book of the Month: Oct/November 2009 -

Synopsis: Confronting without offending By Deborah Smith Pegues*

  The title of the book grabbed me. It starts of by distinguishing between confronting and retaliating. Deborah also clarifies that the bible commands us to confront in certain situations. When we face an interpersonal conflict we have three basic decisions to make. Whether to confront, when to confront and how to confront. I was more interested in how to confront.

People have different conflict management styles. There is the dictator, the accommodator, the abdicator, and the collaborator. It helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses in confronting difficult situations. Most interesting for me was the section on strategies for an effective confrontation.  It shows how bible characters such as David, Jethro and Peter confronted. Speaking the right words, listening and controlling your emotions are all effective tools in communicating your grievance.

The final section of the book is on confrontation and personality temperaments. Understanding the personality of the person who you are confronting is crucial. Say you are confronting a choleric personality type (usually leaders) you need to keep it short and to the point as they are not patient for drawn out explanations. The book was easy and simple and I love the fact that it devotes a chapter on family interactions.

My verdict: Conflict is an inevitable part of our life, so you need this book in your library

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com.

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Book of the Month: Aug/September 2009 -

Synopsis: The List By Sherri Lewis*

Michelle wakes up on her 35^th birthday distraught. She is facing yet another birthday with no husband and no child in sight. She spends the day with her single girlfriends, also over thirty. Whilst trying to cheer Michelle up, they decided to draw up a strategy to get a man. First of all they must get a list. Michelle, Lisa, and Angela draw up a list for their ideal man. Cynical Nicole and widowed Vanessa stood on the sidelines.  The book scores top points on personal identification with the reader. Most single ladies over thirty could see themselves in the pages. The book starts off well with good content but could have been tighter. There were some areas Lewis could have shown rather than tell what was going on and that slowed down the pace. However once you leaped over that hurdle in the first few pages, you will really enjoy the book.  Lewis used good characterisation and realistic dialogue. It has a strong takeaway value. It shows the importance of maintaining boundaries and gaining financial independence. You will see that it is vital to have friends that are willing to help pick up the pieces when things go pear shaped. The List reveals the frustrations, triumphs, unrealistic expectations and pitfall that single people experience.

My verdict:  Funny and insightful.

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Book of the Month: June/July 2009 -

Synopsis: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers*

This book is absolutely captivating! It is a fictional book based on the book of Hosea in the bible. Michael Hosea, a man who had faithfully served the Lord was told by God to marry Angel, a prostitute. Michael wrestled with what the Lord had laid on his heart, however, he proceeded to pursue and love Angel. Angel in turn struggled with accepting such unconditional love, and just when you think she’s finally letting him in, she turns around again and destroys the bond. I found myself screaming one too many times, “come on Angel, and don’t be silly, he loves you’. Then I will remember time and time again, my selfish and ungrateful nature towards Christ’s love, and be ever so thankful that He still continues to love me and wants nothing more than to be in relationship with me. This book is honestly amazing, I picked up this book to read a quick chapter before going to bed at 10pm; well 6 hrs later I was still at it, and did not put it down till I finished reading it. If you are looking for a solid Christian fictional book to read, this is a sure thing, probably one of the best I have read. It will leave you with a heart of gratitude towards God.

*Reviewed by Onyx Sofola

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Book of the Month: March/April 2009 -

Synopsis: How NOT To Date A Loser, By Georgia Shaffer*

Yes I like it! It has a different slant to other Singles books in the market. Okay, the title is not exactly PC (politically correct) but if that’s what it takes to get some people to wake up; so be it. The book kicks off with a mini quiz that would help you identify the profile of what Shaffer defines as a loser. The first section of the book examines key areas that create obstacles in relationships.  Some include recognizing blind spots, defeating the fear factor and overcoming less than a stellar family. I appreciate her dealing with the family issues. She pointed out that our family background could greatly colour the way we interact in relationships.

The second part of the book is on how to choose well. My favourite chapter in this section is on handling the challenges. She discussed the challenges of Christmas and Valentines Day. She also covers the challenge of risking again and the challenge of sexual desire. It parallels with some other Singles books you may have read like - The importance of friends and community.

There are tools at the end of each chapter so that by the end of the book you will have a full relationship profile. The profile will show you:

• Your dating record
• Your non-negotiable in dating
• Your top fears
• Your intimacy blockers and much more.

My Verdict: Refreshing, very handy if you keep making the same mistakes in relationships!

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Book of the Month: Jan/Feb 2009 -

Synopsis: The Shack by William P Young*

The Shack, a best selling Christian fiction book that has created quite a bit of controversy. The Shack revolves around Mack Philips, whose young daughter, Missy, was murdered in an abandoned shack during a family vacation.

Mack is troubled for years about this and is called back to the shack, prompted by a note from God. William Young introduces the Trinity in this shack, in a very unusual way. God is depicted as an African-American woman; Jesus is a young to middle-aged Middle-Eastern (i.e. Jewish) man while the Holy Spirit is played by Sarayu, a woman of Asian descent.  At this point, it is quite easy to get confused and raise an eye about the way he portrays the Trinity.  It would seem that William Young depicts God as a human being (woman) to put an end to our “ideology” and to promote a God of relationship. Theologically speaking (and I am not a theologian myself), it seems like it does not quite add up and one has to tread quite carefully as you read.

However, I appreciate his writing style, which is very inviting. Also, he does a good job in explaining God’s phenomenal love for mankind. When Mack questioned God’s love, due to the loss he had experienced. “God” responded with an analogy that really moved me. “God” said to Mack, choose from your remaining children, who you would want to go to heaven, and who you would want to go to hell. Mack cried out to “God” that he couldn’t choose, he loved them all differently but equally.

God created all of us, He does not choose that we suffer/perish; He loves us with an everlasting love. When things are not as we hope/want, we should never question God’s love.

So, is this book worth reading? I will let you be the judge of that. It will definitely spark up discussions about the Trinity, which I believe is a complex concept to grasp… However, what is expressed simply in the book, is a God that loves you so much that He will go to great lengths to have a relationship with you. 

*Reviewed by Onyx Sofola, London.

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Book of the Month: Nov/Dec 2008 -

Synopsis: : Romance God's Way By Eric and Leslie Ludy

Eric and Leslie tell their story as very humble people, giving God the credit for every good thing that has happened in their lives. This book is isn't a bunch of guidelines, rules, regulations, dating 101 type stuff; it is just a beautiful story. Rather than the authors telling the reader he/she needs to put God in the centre, it shows the reader how. You will grow closer to God and not even know it! It’s a great read and a wonderful addition to your collection of books.

Highly recommended read!

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Book of the Month: Sept/Oct 2008 -

Synopsis: The Rich Single Life by Andrew Farmer:

 This is a Concise and thoughtful book that looks at abundantly living a rich life whilst single and into marriage. Farmer makes a compelling case for living life to the full as a single person. Using scripture as his basis he shares in a clear and humorous style ideas that sharply contrast with much of what the world provides as a guide to living a full life as a single person. He also takes his practiced eye and looks at the end of singleness and the beginning of marriage. How can a man and woman get to know one another in a healthy and Godly manner as they look toward the possibility of marriage one day? He weaves common sense with uncommon wisdom to produce a most practical and serious contribution to living fulfilling lives as single men and women. A must read with many piercing insights that transcend analysis and leave the reader with fresh vision for single living in any season of life.

This book is highly recommended.

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Book of the Month: July/ Aug 2008 -

Synopsis: No Nonsense Dating by Ronn Elmore (Harvest House Publishers)

This is one of the most practical books on relationships that I have ever read and trust me I have read many! No Nonsense Dating kicks off with dating myths, most of which you would regard as common sense until Dr Ronn hit on Myth no 10. It will wobble your comfort zone. The book is action orientated and it challenges the reader to define what you want. However before you pull out your designer list of what your man should be like he coaxes you to first of all define your strengths and weaknesses so that you can market yourself well. Yes, he uses the analogy of marketing. Whether you realise it or not we all market ourselves, from the way we dress to what activities we choose to engage in. The book abounds in personal examples as Dr Ronn has more 20 years experience in relationship counselling. Two enlightening chapters for me personally was Show up and ‘Get in the Game’ and ‘Approach and Be Approachable’. These show how you could get a rounded life and position yourself for the possibility of a date. The book is straight forward and scores top marks for practical application. Are you a pleaser, controller, avoider or dreamer?  How is this different from the other relationship books that I have read? It tells you how to take responsibility for your love life (or lack of it) in a godly way.

My verdict: Easy read but powerful impact.

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Book of the Month: May/June 2008 -

Great book for married couples and an excellent resource for those preparing for marriage. 

Synopsis: What Makes a Woman Feel Loved? By Emilie Barnes *

Great title isn’t it? At an early stage in the book the author dedicates a chapter to show what a great marriage is. Emilie Barnes has been married over 51 years so she is in the position to give a seasoned response on the subject. Emilie gives sound nuggets on the foundation of marriage as bite size information. She then progresses on issues beyond the wedding day.

Some of the contents of the book may seem like common sense stuff. However it is worthwhile because those are the stuff that people allow to slide. There were some eye-opening moments that gave me insight into how men are. There were clear explanations on the differences between men’s needs and women’s needs. For instance men are driven by their Eros drive and can move into sexual desire even before love appears. Women on the other hand generally are more emotionally oriented. 

What makes a woman feel loved includes a personality test so that you can understand the temperament of your spouse.  The book is well written and easy to read. At the end of each chapter, it has a ‘pillow talk’ section. They are discussion points you and your spouse can indulge in. You’ll love it! 

My Verdict: Handy tool to refuel the intimacy in your marriage.

 *Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Book of the Month: April 2008 

Synopsis: The Truth: Challenging the Misconceptions of Singleness With God's Consuming Truth, By Lori Smith*

Approximately 50 percent of American adults are single. Many of them don’t feel as though they fit in at church. Some wonder what they did wrong to miss the person they were supposed to marry. If they’re divorced, they may carry a burden of guilt and lies. They’re lonely, and many believe they’ve missed God’s greatest blessing for their lives. They want to be content but don’t think it’s possible. For some, singleness means fear, grief, and jealousy.
If you are single and struggling with its attendant "stigma," The Single Truth offers you God’s liberating truths about singleness. Lori Smith clears away the fog and lies surrounding singleness and challenges you to live a full life and to see your singleness as a part of God’s good plan.

* Synopsis courtesy of Bookstore: Purposeful Singleness. Books for Christian singles living purposefully for Christ!

To view more books in this genre please visit:www.singleness.org/bookstr/

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Book of the Month: March 2008

Synopsis: Are You Really Ready for Love?* 10 Secrets to finding the One You want byDr David Hawkins

I have two words for this book; Absolutely Fabulous! The book is a reality check for you to take stock of yourself. It equips you to prepare for love.  The first advice that hit home was rather than looking for the perfect person, how about becoming the perfect person? Dr Hawkins mentioned that you have to be intentional about love and at the same time leave room for God.

"Are you really Ready for Love?" is easy to read. It has plenty of practical scenarios to illustrate the points. It is unique from other books for Singles because it puts the onus on the reader to develop spiritually and personally. The book covers how to take a love inventory of yourself and how to eliminate sabotaging character traits. I especially like the fact that the author had done thorough research on the subject because he made some excellent references to other books on the topic of relationship.

 My verdict- It’s one of those books you would read again and again!

 
*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Book of the Month: February 2008

Synopsis: He-Motions*, Even Strong Men Struggle by Bishop T.D. Jakes ISBN: 9780399151965

*A TM Mainka Favourite!

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Book of the Month: January 2008

 *Reviewed by Oyinkansola Sofola.

“A Beautiful Ache is a wonderfully written book about finding the God who satisfies when Life doesn’t. I have always found it hard to understand the “Now but not yet” teaching I once read in C.S. Lewis' book, Mere Christianity. Leigh McLeroy does a fantastic job in breaking down this message. The book discusses, quite possibly, almost every ache you can imagine – from the loss of a loved one to the ache associated with being a partner and having a family. She encourages you as you read through her book; showing that there is so much more in store for you. She nudges you to find a good balance between experiencing God’s goodness in the land of the living and knowing that the Best is yet to come.

She is so personal in her writing; she shares her struggles, and sheds light on our eternal victory. If you want to understand how to cope with the “whys” of life; especially why a desire is taking so long to be satisfied even though you have delighted yourself in the Lord, then, this is a good book for you that will shed some hope!

As Leigh McLeroy quotes EmilyDickinson in her book, “Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches on the soul that sings the tune without the words- and never stops at all.”

This book truly is beautifully written and wonderfully impactful! I highly recommend it!”

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Book of the Month: December 2007

Synopsis: The Fourth Dimension volume one - Discovering a New World of Answered Prayer By Dr David Yonggi Cho

This book is about unlocking an amazing prayer life. It is about getting your prayers answered through faith. Mr Cho has written this book based on his life experiences as he developed in his christian life. I got a lot out of this book, as I realised that my way of thinking and the way that I prayed was not really helping me. I learnt that prayers need to be specific, backed up with positive thought, words and faith. This book has been written with a lot of passion which draws you in to his place and gives you a step by step guide on the law of faith and what happens to your prayers in the fourth dimension. The book talks a lot about the holy spirit and the role He plays. I could read this book over and over again and still learn something new that can actually be put into practice. To conclude, I found it quick and easy to read and very useful. 

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Book of the Month: November 2007

Synopsis: Don’t date devil’s – 15 toxic relationships. By Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo 

 This is not an instructional manual, but a quick guide to the kind of relationships we can find ourselves in.  When in the middle of a relationship, people tend to ignore the signs of toxicity because as they say, 'love is blind'. It is not until we move out of the situation, that we suddenly regain focus and see the kind of person we spent time with.
In reading this book you will discover that toxic relationships are not only relegated to partners, but also with some friends. The titles are clear and like: 'The Controller' and 'Father Figure'. My favourite chapter was 'The Volcano'. It briefly looks at those guys who use anger as a way to intimidate you into giving them what they want. Why would you want to date or even marry a man that you were scared or intimidated of? Another good chapter is 'The Lazybones', these guys are ready to depend on a woman, and always have reasons why they can not contribute. Yet again, I ask why you would continue to do this to yourself?
To conclude, I believe 'Don't Date Devils' is a worth while read, as it will open your eyes to the different kinds of people that walk in and out of your life.   

Books of the Month: September/October 2007

Synopsis: How To Avoid The 10 Mistakes Single Women Make, by Michelle McKinney Hammond

This lady has the amazing ability of opening your eyes to the bible in ways never thought possible. Being a baby christian like myself, I still find it difficult to apply the different stories in the bible to my life, however, this book lead me to look deeper. I found I was able to say "Yeah I get it now!".
 
In this book Michelle uses her usual humorous ways to explain what we tend to do to hold back our lives, she gives it to you straight like an old friend would.
 
How many of us have got that Aunty whose first question when she sees you is not "how are you doing?", but "When are you going to get married?"  of which you reply, "when I meet the right guy". This answer is never good enough for her as she always says "you’re too picky!". These words then start to ring in your head like a mantra and you start to believe that there might actually be something wrong with you! Then your standards start to drop and you find yourself looking at 'Mr. oh so wrong' in a different light, saying things like: “oh he's not so bad!” 
 
My favourite chapter in this book is: Using Singleness As An Excuse To Not Getting On With The Incredible Business Of Living.
Hmm I see this happening around me all the time, "when I get married I will travel here", "When I get married, I'll buy a house". Blah Blah Blah, Don't people know that when you’re busy living, that is when you are most interesting? Not when you’re suffering from an extreme condition called one-treeitis, symptoms of which include obsessing about marriage. Men can smell marriage fever from miles away. 

This book shows you that your time of singlehood is when you should start getting close to God; doing his good work and learning who you are in Christ.

Do you know where you fit into God’s plan, or are you too busy dreaming about your wedding dress? If you can't serve God now, why will you do it when you’re married?
 
Another good chapter is: Subjecting Your Heart To Foolish Choices..

ok I put my hand up to that one. There is no need to explain this further as its already in the title.
 
My suggestion: Get this book, read it and allow it to inform and change the way you think while single.

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Synopsis: The Unspoken Rules Of Love - What Women Don't Know & Men Won't Tell You. By Michelle McKinney Hammond and Joel A. Brooks Jr.  

"When I first picked up this book I thought it was going to be a list of dos and don’ts that I could joke about with my friends. How ever I was surprised to find that it was in depths look at where we are going wrong when it comes to looking for love. It focuses on how we need to first deal with our perceptions of what it is we believe we want.

It’s a very good book to read if you are coming out of a bad relationship or want to know why you keep ending up with the same guy in a different body. Each chapter ends with a list of questions that you need to ask yourself and answer honestly. My favourite chapter was 'How much do you cost?' How many of us do not know or believe how much we are worth. Another good chapter was called 'Be patient'. Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit that God expects us to exercise, but how many of us actually do? Patience is essential for discerning if the guy you are interested in is really right for you.
Overall I found this book to be an interesting and informative read."

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Book of the Month: August 2007

Synopsis & Published Editorials for: In search of Proverb 31 Man: The One God Approves & A Woman Wants! By Michelle McKinney Hammond

This is a wonderful book by Candid and straight talking Author, Michelle McKinney Hammond. Its delightfully frank and deliciously written. A must read for all singles.

-TM Mainka, founder www.ess2ence.com 

 
Editorial reviews include:

“Michelle McKinney Hammond tells it like it is, without pretence or sugar coating. In her own unique style, she relays simple truths concerning the essence of masculinity from God’s perspective. Every man wants to be ideal, but not many know what it takes to be God’s ideal man. In Search of the Proverbs 31 Man identifies God’s heartbeat concerning men. It points out the fact that a false understanding of manhood can be damaging not only to the individual, but to those for whom he cares a great deal. This book shows you that the Proverbs 31 man is not damaged goods; instead, he’s a ‘polished diamond’ in the eyes of the Great Diamond Maker.”
–Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, CEO of World Changers Ministries and author of The Successful Family

“Who isn’t in search of the Proverbs 31 man? This book is for singles who want to know what character qualities are a must in a mate; for men who are confused by our culture and want to know what kind of man God esteems; and for women, tired of pressuring their men, who want to find the freedom of being a helper and soul mate. Michelle McKinney Hammond helps us discover the power of a Proverbs 31 couple who is willing to do it God’s way.”
–Jan Frank, speaker and coauthor of Unclaimed Baggage

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Book of the Month: July 2007

Synopsis: The 5 love languages by, Dr. Gary Chapman*

The book, 5 love languages, is a delightful book by leading author in biblical marriage counseling with over thirty years of experience in marriage counseling, Dr. Gary Chapman. He says:" Your emotional love language and the language of your spouse may be as different as Chinese from English. No matter how hard you try to express love in "English", if your spouse understands only "Chinese", you will never understand how to love each other."

It gives very practical information on how to understand and appreciate your spouse or potential spouse's love language. There is a great quiz included in the book that really revolutionised my view of how to love my husband better!

This book is a particular favourite of mine and continues to help me tremendously!

My opinion? Buy this book and read it regularly, before and after marriage!

Want a copy of this book? then please visit:  www.5lovelanguages.com 

 *Reviewed by TM Mainka. Information courtesy of www.5lovelanguages.com 

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Book of the Month: June 2007

This book is unique in the sense that it took me a long time to decide whether I should review it. Yes, it is well written- in fact Jason is an excellent writer and a humorous one too, so reading the book was easy. Some of the content was hard for me to swallow but hey, I made a decision I would review the book on its merits and keep my personal opinion out of it so; read on.

Illian starts off the book by stating that a successful relationship is not about you, and we should not be dating for self- gratification. For those of you who do not believe in dating, bear with me or should I say him. He states that dating is the training ground for loving, and if we don’t learn to overcome life’s small complications and obstacles within a dating relationship, we will be completely unprepared for a lifelong commitment.

One of the chapters where I see eye to eye with him is on “meating” people – a lot of singles want to know where they can meet people without feeling like they are in a meat market. The book states that the church was never designed to be a matchmaking service.

His chapter on staying vertical is where I raised a few eyebrows – this chapter includes the sexual ladder ( from holding hands to sexual intercourse) and discusses what is permissible and beneficial and what isn’t..........

Jason is honest about his own personal experiences and the book is guaranteed to make you smile and laugh out loud. Undressed draws to a close with countless questions and answers to emails that is quite entertaining.

 My Verdict: Hmm….get it and draw your own conclusion. 

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Book of the Month: May 2007 

Synopsis: Emotional Purity By Heather Arnel Paulsen*

Just the title of the book was enough to grab my attention. Initially I thought it was about keeping your thoughts pure but that was not the angle Heather was coming from even though she did cover that. The main essence of the book is about avoiding emotional counterfeit oneness as Dr Ron Rauniker of Choosing God's Best will put it. Emotional Purity starts off with a real life scenario where her characters Tracy and Mike were spending alot of time together acting like boyfriend and girlfreind but without defining the relationship. Essentialy they were conciously or subconciously using each other and one of them was bound to get hurt sooner or later. You guessed right, it was the girl! Women are more emotionally wired than men and are more likely to read more into a situation than is actually necessary.

The chapters include, Creating Safe Ideals, Preparing for Marriage and Dating Done Differently. The book is written from Heather's personal experiences on her quest for romance. Ladies listen up- this book will teach you how to guard your heart, define the relationship, and arm you on how not to get emotionally intimate without a commitment. I like this book because a lot of emphasis is usually placed on sexual purity but not much talk out there on how to guard your heart. You may roll your eyes and say " Not another singles book." Let me ask you this- " Have you ever spent endless hours on the phone or over the internet with a guy friend sharing your goals and dreams for the future- sharing a part of your heart that should be reserved for your spouse? If you even hesitated to answer I suggest you get this book!

My Verdict: It's a quick and easy read and well worth it. I enjoyed it!

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Book of the Month: April 2007
 

“Carolyn McCulley pierces right to the heart of single women in this excellent study on God’s plans and purposes for singlehood. Drawing from her own longing as a forty-year-old single woman, she describes singleness as a gift most people would rather do without, but which holds unexpected blessing. Don’t look here for advice on finding a husband. McCulley teaches women to treat all guys as brothers in Christ, not dividing them into possibilities, just friends, and “I’d rather not even talk to him!” While sympathizing with the pain single women feel, she pulls readers beyond their pity parties to see the real potential of singlehood. Following instruction found in the life of the Proverbs 31 woman, McCulley shows readers the importance of guarding their hearts, being hospitable, and finding ways to interact with children. Other topics include finances, service, and growing older. Chapters contain many examples from the author’s own life and others’, increasing the book’s readability amid otherwise serious prose. Joshua Harris, the author’s pastor, wrote the foreword and came up with the unique parody title. Recommended for single women who are looking for more than just the right guy to come along.”—Christian Book Previews.com*

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 New Addition: Feb-March 2007 

Synopsis: Not Easily Broken, By TD Jakes (fiction novel)*

Do you think a marriage could survive adultery, No? Yes? Well before you get all hot under the collar - what is your definition of adultery? A lot of people think its when you have sex with someone you are not married to - not neccessarily.

Not easily broken is a fictional novel by Bishop TD Jakes.  Clarice and Dave Johnson are upwardly mobile African Americans living the American dream.  An unexpected accident where Clarice became injured revealed deeper wounds in their marriage.  Differences that have been brewing for years came to the surface and strife begins to mount.  Clarice's strong personality and independent front pushes Dave away into the arms of a vulnerable woman who needs him - Clarice's therapist.  

Not easily broken has a racy start and the pace was maintained through out the book, the characters were believable and the author made good eye contact with his readers. This book shows the power of God's word, humility and the willingness to see somethingelse from another person's perspective.

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Books of the month January 2007:

Synopsis: Today Matters by John Maxwell*

Synopsis: What Guys see that girls don't...or do they? By Sharon Daugherty*

The main ethos of the book is that you are being watched and what you wear sends signals to guys whether you are aware of it or not.  The book starts off with defining what modesty is and explores what has caused society to change.  Another Topic of hot discussion is who's seducing who?  This chapter distinguishes a flirt from a friend.  Do you walki with a certain move of the hips, slowly cross your legs when sitting down whiles purposely revealing enough leg to draw a man's eyes look?  This book covers all such issues!  An interesting read!

Synopsis: Overcoming Emotional Baggage - A woman's guide to living the abundant life! By Gladys Famoriyo*

Gladys does a great job of showing all the different baggage carried by the femal hybrid by using characters to illustrate her point.  This also covers the coping techniques of hybrids even though they ay look like they have it together externally.  Five powerful principles are shared on how to overcome your issues. It also has journaling moments, which allows you to pause and reflect.  The book does not provide easy answers, it compels you to confront issues you may have neatly tucked away. 

Synopsis: Farther than I meant to go Longer than I meant to stay. A Novel by Tiffany L. Warren*

How could an intelligent lady, Ms ‘Money Bags' to put it mildly end up loosing everything and almost her sanity over a smooth talking, fine looking brother? One word-Desperation, actually it goes much deeper than that.

This book covers self-esteem, weight issues, setting boundaries, and of course the pressure on single women in a church setting. This book evokes strong emotions it is serious as well as hilarious. 

*The preceeding reviews have been carried out by Genstacia Bull; member of Jerry Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

*Reviewed by Genstacia Bull. Genstacia is an accountant, writer and review editor. She writes for several magazines including one that spans the globe. Her passion for books has made her an upwardly mobile international book buff. For more information check out http://bookbuff1.blogspot.com

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Exceptional Reads!

Synopsis: Maximize The Moment By Bishop T.D. Jakes ISBN: 9780425181638

Synopsis: He-Motions, Even Strong Men Struggle by Bishop T.D. Jakes ISBN: 9780399151965

Synopsis: The Lady, Her Lover & Lord By Bishop T.D. Jakes ISBN: 0802727360

Synopsis: How to Choose a Life Partner By Pastor Bimbo Odukoya ISBN: 1597816892

How to choose a life partner is THE premarital must have!!! This book has the make or break information everyone considering marriage MUST have. Everything in this book is so real and so important, it tells certain legitimate truths about relationships in a way it hasn't been done before.

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Timeless Classics:

Absolute must haves in your library arsenal!

Synopsis: The Jesus I never Knew By Philip YanceyISBN: 0-310385709

*TM Mainka Favourite!

In The Jesus I never Knew Philip Yancey reveals the real Jesus beyond the stereotypes, revolutionizing the reader's passion for Christ.

Synopsis: God's Generals  By Roberts Liardon  ISBN:1-88008-947-5 

In God's Generals, Roberts Liardon will help you recapture God's glory with twelve compelling biographies of some of the most powerful ministries to ever ignite the fires of revival. Liardon faithfully chronicles their lives in this work, along with their teachings, their spiritual discoveries, and many revealing photos.

Synopsis: The Prayer That Brings Revival ISBN:  0-88419-580-5

In The prayer that brings revival, Yonggi Cho believes God has no favorite children. What brought power to the lives of men like Luther, Wesley, Finney, and Moody can also bring you power. Your level of education is of no consequence when it comes to prayer.