Book Review and GIVEAWAY - Let's All Be Brave; Living Life With All You Have

ABOUT THE BOOK:

For all the talk about chasing dreams and reaching full potential, it turns out few are doing so. In fact, a recent survey from Salary.com shows that only 16 percent of people say are living out their dreams.

But author, blogger and speaker Annie  Downs says we should change this. And while a few factors can play into it, there is one universal challenge that prevents many going after what they really want: fear.

A rising star in the faith-based publishing and speaker arena, Downs knows what it is like to stare fear right in the eye, then push right past it. In her mid-twenties, she was working a comfortable job in her small Georgia hometown, surrounded by family and friends. It would have been easy for her to stay there forever, but deep down she knew if she was going to reach her life-long dream of being a writer, something would have to change. So, she packed up her car, hugged her family goodbye and drove to Nashville to pursue her passion – she cried the whole way there.

But in a few short years, despite her fears and amidst the discomfort, Downs has become a popular blogger, author and speaker, growing a huge audience for her message of hope and courage and earning support from popular voices like Ann Voskamp, Jennie Allen and others. Her newest book, Let’s All Be Brave: Living Life With Everything You Have” (Zondervan, July 15, 2014), takes readers through her journey of choosing to be brave in all aspects of her life. Downs has done it all. From moving overseas to making a major career change and even saying yes to every date she is asked on, Downs shows readers the power of choosing courage over fear and encourages them to do the same.

“How often does fear hold us back from the very things we most want to taste, touch and experience?” Downs says. “The call to be brave isn’t just for one person – it is for everyone, and Let’s All Be Brave is the battle cry.”

Opening the door to many different views of courage, Downs nudges, empowers and inspires readers to be brave whenever given the chance. Through the sharing of her own journey, Downs shows ways to overcome fear and uncertainty and embrace courage and boldness in all areas of life. A strong believer that bravery resides in every one of us, Let’s All be Brave challenges readers to live boldly, calling them to step into those places that require courage and helps them to take the next step forward, even when it is scary.

Downs has launched a movement to encourage people around the country to recognize bravery right where they are. The campaign is titled #thatisbrave and calls for people to share examples of bravery among those in their lives and, in doing so, she hopes to inspire others to step outside their comfort zone and live life more fully.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Annie Downs is an author, speaker and blogger based in Nashville, Tenn. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God. While she loves writing – books, blogs, articles, thank-you notes – Downs also enjoys traveling around the world speaking to young women, college students and adults. She is also the author of Perfectly Unique: Praising God from Head to Toe, Speak Love: Realizing Your Words Matter and Speak Love Revolution: 30 Devotions that Will Change Your World. For more information, visit www.anniefdowns.com. 


MY REVIEW:

I'm not necessarily brave - especially when it comes to things I want to do but am afraid I'll fail at. This book truly gave me the courage to go for my dreams - to be brave - and not worry about failing.

Annie Downs is a wonderful writer who shares her own experiences of being brave, or not being brave, and how this affected her life. I really loved the stories where she took a chance and how being brave made such a difference in her life. She shares openly that she is not really a brave person but with God's assurance and strength, she has been able to do things in her life she would have never imagined.

I really liked her writing style, with lots of humor sprinkled throughout. She makes this book a joy to read with her easy to enjoy writing and openness. You cheer for her when she makes those brave decisions that opened new doors of opportunity to do things for God and you feel bad when she has disappointments in her life. She's like the friend you have that you like because she's so real.

I was truly inspired by this book! I really liked how she based her book on so many Biblical truths that we can apply to our own decisions to be brave. She really helped me to realize that being brave is worth it because it allows God to open door after door where you are able to use the talents He gives you to affect others in a positive way. This book will be remaining on my table so I can refer to it again when I'm not feeling very brave. It will give me that shot in the arm I need to put the fears aside and be brave!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Shelton Interactive


I am so thrilled to be able to offer a copy of Let's All Be Brave to one of my readers! This is a wonderful book that really impacted my thinking and I know it will be a positive read for you, too.

ENTER TO WIN A COPY BY ENTERING THROUGH THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW. I WILL PICK A WINNER ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2014. THIS GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO USA AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY.


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Blessings - Julie