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Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than eighty inspirational books, including The Secret to True Happiness, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life, the entire Battlefield of the Mind family of books, her first venture into fiction with The Penny, and many others. She has also released thousands of audio teachings, as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday LifeÒ radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.
Deborah Bedford is a career fiction writer who began her professional life as a journalist in a Colorado mountain town. Deborah and her husband, Jack, have two children and live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2012
I'm only on chapter 3, but I love it already. I actually didn't want to put it down last night but had to. Although I've slowed down some in my life, I can definitely relate to Sarah's busyness. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds...
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Posted January 27, 2011
Loved this book. Really opens your eyes and keeps you guessing. Lets you realize how powerful God is.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 19, 2009
I am a workaholic like the character in this book. This book was an absolute eye opener.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.What I liked most about this book was the idea that life goes on after death. The main character experiences flasbacks of her life and those of others and begins to realize the impact that behavior has had on her life and the lives of others from her past and present. The interactions between her husband and child and her were very meaningful. She was able to achieve a second chance to become a more loving wife and mother and see that success in business wasn't as important as family. Initially she came across somewhat like Sandra Bullock in the movie, The Proposal, and was able to change just as Sandra was as the result of love and caring in relationships.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a character-driven story. The story takes a while to build up, but it's worth it. Many of us live life as if we're constantly driving on the highway. We forget to calm down, to cherish the people around us and to spread happiness. Saying sincere thank yous, paying for someone else's coffee, thinking of the less fortunate ... Our time with others isn't infinite, and we take many things for granted.
At first, I was annoyed with Sarah because I couldn't believe she's letting so many things pass her by, but she grows as a character. I don't want to spoil anything, but maybe this story is a contemporary look at Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I also didn't like how her husband Joe approached the matter about Sarah's behaviour. He could have chosen his words more carefully, but everything seems to happen for a reason.
I like her son Mitchell. He's an innocent boy who doesn't want to see his parents fight. He also believes in angels. He happens to see one helping out with the scoreboards at the Cubs baseball game, but his parents attribute this to his wild imagination. Even though this book is considered christian fiction, I enjoyed it. There aren't any biblical references or anything of that sort, but simply that there is someone watching over you and that everyone is loved.
This is an easy read. If you're living on the fast lane and barely taking care of yourself, let alone those who are around you, you might want to consider slowing down and taking in the sights, literally. If you like contemporary christian fiction, give this one a shot. (bambireads.blogspot,com)
This book is a page turner.....the story and characters were very good. I enjoyed it very much.
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Posted August 31, 2009
You have to really get into the story before anything happens to change this person but it is worth the read. A book you can't put down once you start reading it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Joyce Meyer may be known for her non-fiction books filled with inspiration and spiritual insight, but she might just have something to offer the fictional world as well. Together with Deborah Bedford they have presented us with the book "Any Minute". What happens when a wife and mother obsessed with her career has a brush with death (maybe more than a brush, more like a punch)? Can she get her priorities straight? Can she salvage her relationship with her children? Her husband? Is it too late or not?
I really enjoyed seeing how this story unfolded and I think my favorite part is that while Sarah may have changed, it didn't magically make everything perfect. Very real life, but still with a happy ending. Very good book!
pattyp
Posted August 22, 2009
There is definately a lesson to be learned about being too much into your own self.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I am reading this book at the present time. I am only on the 10th chapter, but so far, this book is GREAT! I read it on my lunch hour and almost forgot to go back to work when the hour was up.I have never read anything by Deborah Bedford before; but I have the podcasts (and a few other books) by Joyce Meyer.
This book shows how easy it is to get "caught" up with everyday life and if we're not careful, it will destory us.
I would DEFINITELY recommend this book to everyone!
BookReviewsByDebra
Posted August 1, 2009
Sarah Harper has forsaken her family for the success she wants in her career. Her husband Joe, her son Mitchell, and her baby Kate are left without her more times than she cares to admit. She wants to be everything to everyone around her, but she's finding the pressure to please all is just too much.
Her view of life changes one rainy morning as she hurries to meet her boss and some new clients for an all-important meeting. Instead of reaching her destination, she drives off a bridge. What Sarah experiences as rescuers try to find her body will change her life, and the lives of the people around her, forever. The people she encounters during this time will show her what will truly make her happy. She will learn that the love and approval she has always sought from others was with her all along from our Heavenly father.
I absolutely loved this story. Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford have woven together a tale that speaks volumes in today's hectic-scheduled life. We all find ourselves at some point seeking the love and approval of people who make us feel less than we are. God is who we should seek. The conflicts between Sarah and Joe and the guilt she feels over her children happen in so many households today. Watching her spiritual growth was truly heartwarming. Ellen Archer was the best narrator I have ever heard. This is one inspirational story I know you will love just as I did.
This book reminded me very much of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." Instead the message is that we don't know how much time we have left, and that any minute we could be taken away. Cherish the time you have with your family and don't take them for granted. Throughout the first half of the book, I just wanted to keep screaming at Sarah for the flippant way she was treating her family. I understand that her job was important, but the fact that she couldn't see how it was affecting her relationships really bugged me. I appreciated that the book did not try to make it seem that it was condemning women who work outside of the home and being away from their children. I have read some Christian fiction books that seem to make that point and it always annoyed me at how chauvinist it seemed that the women was supposed to stay at home while the man is the one that does all the work.. In this book however, the story is not blaming Sarah for wanting to work, just how she happened to handle everything.
I think the harshest moment in the book was the fact that Sarah has sacrificed everything for her boss and the company, and has pretty much died trying to do things for them. Yet it doesn't seem to matter at all. Her boss, after finding out about her death, pretty much dismisses it and is already looking to replace her with no sympathy at all. Another heart wrenching aspect of the story is when Sarah realizes why her mother treated and acted the way she did towards Sarah her entire life. While it still doesn't give her the right to act that way towards her daughter, Sarah's mother becomes a more sympathetic character when we find out about her past.
If there's anything I didn't like about the book, it would have to be the ending. I just thought it was too "let's tidy up everything" and seemed rather predictable. I thought it would have had a better effect if the unexpected had happened. Other than this, I enjoyed the book and thought it was a good read with a strong message. It makes you see life in a whole new way.
This book was great. It was a page turner and yet left a message at the end for the busy career woman. I really liked it! Where most of us career woman try to bring our family into the picture - it is normally the career that owns us! It gave me a re-evaluation of what is really important in the end. Makes you think! Bottom line - a very good book!
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Overview
Sarah Harper is driven to achieve success no matter what the cost. She wants to do good and not hurt the people she loves--especially children and her husband, Joe--but her desire to succeed in her career too often leaves little time for family.One cold, autumn afternoon, all of that changes when Sarah's car plunges off a bridge and into a river. She is presumed dead by those on the "outside," but Sarah's spirit is still very much alive. What she discovers on the other side transforms everything about Sarah's view of life--past, present, and future.
When Sarah is revived, she is a changed woman. And the unsuspecting world around her will never be the ...