Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos Review and Giveaway!

Happily Ever After. Does such a thing exist? I suppose it depends on your point of view. If living happily Ever After to you means a fairy tale with a knight on a white horse, then the answer is probably “no”. But if your idea of happily Ever After means being content in the blessings your Creator has given to you, then, yes, I would say happily Ever After is within reach.

Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos is an honest, insightful book by Vicki Courtney addressing common issues all women face such as “castle envy” and being “yes-aholics”. Vicki’s stories and helpful marriage and parenting tips are just what every girl who ever wanted to be a princess needs.

What I liked…

I enjoyed Vicki’s unique voice and personal life lesson examples. She is down to earth and completely organic with her readers. As I read Ever After, I felt like I was sitting and having coffee with a girlfriend rather than simply reading a book. Ever After is relatable and really hit home with me, the princess of all princesses. I wanted it all from the fairy tale wedding to the final scene in The Princess Bride where Westley and Buttercup ride off into the sunset together. Vicki really approached what she refers to as “fairy tale letdown” in a very practical way. She reminded me that it’s OK to want the fairy tale, but that in reality we have to change our definition of what that is. We all have our own stories to tell and not one is like the other. Being happy all depends on us, the way we see things. For Vicki, it is the little things like sock baskets and Tyson chicken nuggets that made her days better. For me, its homeschooling, in all its craziness, and having a husband who is home by lunch time.

Something that particularly met me where I’m at in my life is when Vicki spoke of what she calls being a “yes-aholic” or a person (woman) who says yes to everything. I am a total “yes-aholic” and have always had difficulties saying no to people. When I first started blogging, this really became an issue. The opportunities to review books came pouring in and I found myself saying “yes” to every one of them. I love to read and every book looked like one I would truly enjoy. And then the realization hit that I actually had to read the books I was supposed to review. Where was the time? After a few months I began to resent those very books I had agreed to review. At that point I had to teach myself how to say “no” and set a limit to how many books I would review each month. What a huge relief! Sometimes I felt a little guilty, but Vicki helped me see that boundaries are important and that “rest is a necessary part of the equation when it comes to sitting in His presence”. (Ever After, pg. 98) A relationship with my Savior comes first. If that’s where it should be then everything else will fall into place.

Recommendation…

I recommend Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos to women in all stages of life. Whether you’re an empty-nester or a bride to be, this book has something for you. It’s funny, heartfelt, and just plain true!

About the Author…

Vicki Courtney is a speaker and bestselling author of many books and Bible studies, including  5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter and 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Son. Vicki and her husband have three grown children, a son-in-love, and a grandchild. They live in Austin, Texas where they are blessed to have all of their children living nearby.

*Author bio taken from back cover of Ever After

You can learn more about Vicki by visiting her website at VickiCourtney.com or by connecting with her on Facebook and Twitter.

The Giveaway…

Thanks to Shelton Interactive, I am blessed to be able to offer one copy of Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos to one of you, my amazing readers. Enter via the Rafflecopter below now through Tuesday, September 24^th. One random winner will be chosen and notified within a few days of the giveaway’s end.

Until then, happy reading!

Yours in Messiah Yeshua,

S

 

Disclosure:

I received a copy of Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos from Shelton Interactive. I was not asked to write a positive review. All views and opinions expressed are solely and completely my own. I received no compensation other than a copy of the book featured in this post, which is mine to keep. This post also contains affiliate links. To learn more, please see my full policy.

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