Lisa Leonard - 29 Jan

CONTENTS

ZONDERVAN

Brave Love

Copyright 2018 by Lisa Leonard

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Epub Edition November 2018 9780310352310

ISBN 978-0-310-35230-3 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-63175-0 (special edition)

ISBN 978-0-310-35239-6 (international trade paper edition)

ISBN 978-0-310-35241-9 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-35231-0 (ebook)

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The author is represented by Alive Literary Agency, 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920, www.aliveliterary.com.

Cover design: Connie Gabbert Design + Illustration

Cover photo: Heather Gray

Photo insert background: PhotoDisc

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

First printing October 2018 / Printed in the United States of America

Im so thankful for the path that Lisa Leonard has walked, from perfection and performance toward connection and grace, and Im thankful as well for her vulnerability and creative storytelling. Her journey is one that will resound with so many women.

SHAUNA NIEQUIST,New York Times

bestselling author of Present Over Perfect

Ive been inspired by Lisa Leonard both online and off for years, and reading her story only deepened my respect for the way she does marriage, parenthood, and business. I cried three times while reading Brave Love.

LAURA TREMAINE, blogger and podcaster

The powerfully vulnerable voice in which Lisa Leonard pours her story onto each page is disarming and poetic. This book will dig out all your insecurities and doubts, and through each poem and life lesson, it will remind you of your wholeness, your value, your beauty. An inspiration to any mom, business owner, partner, sister, or friend, Brave Love will take you on a beautifully introspective journey and leave a mark of gratitude and abundance in your heart.

JESSICA HONEGGER, founder and co-CEO of

Noonday Collection and author of Imperfect Courage

With soulful vulnerability, Lisa Leonard shares her story in Brave Love. Through Lisas prose and storytelling, I was immediately captivated by her journey and saw pieces of my own story. You will find yourself coming face-to-face with the doubts and questions you hold, as well as with the bright freedom we all seek. Lisas words will make you feel understood and will bring hope that you will come to know more deeply the freedom and love that God has for each of us.

BRI MCKOY, author of Come and Eat

Brave Love is inspiring and vulnerable, and it will resonate with every mom, in whatever season of life. I devoured it. Lisa Leonard pulls back the curtain on her life, writing about the hard work of growing a multimillion-dollar business, the not-so-pretty parts of her marriage, and the challenges of raising a child with special needs. In addition to sharing the hardships shes walked through, her story offers readers the wisdom, grace, and joy shes found on the journey.

JESSICA TURNER, bestselling author of

Stretched Too Thin and The Fringe Hours

A must-read! Brave Love is gripping, honest, and uplifting. Lisa Leonards journey is unlike most, yet incredibly relatable as she weaves a story that may initially appear to be a tragedy into an undeniable triumph that will touch and inspire the hearts of many.

MEG APPERSON, blogger at Four Fine Lives

Ive long been a fan of Lisa Leonard Designs and her gorgeous jewelry. Along comes this shimmering jewel to add to her collection: Brave Love. Lisa does with words what she does with her jewelry. She makes you feel beautiful when all you had felt before was not enough. Each page stirred something deep in mea woman who suffers from the chronic condition of not-enoughness. Brave Love is at once gentle and powerful, and I know it will awaken something within you too.

JENNIFER DUKES LEE, author of Its All

Under Control and The Happiness Dare

You were written with love, composing body and soul. Each verse fits together. You are complete; you are whole. Brave Love is the perfect read to spur you on toward being your bravest, truest self. Lisa Leonards story about embracing her inmost desires and dreams and letting go of the idea of perfection will encourage you that being fully you not only matters but will lead you toward something more whole and beautiful than you could ever imagine for yourself.

STACIE BLOOMFIELD, founder of Gingiber

The lessons Lisa Leonard shares from her own life journey are important, meaningful, and inspiringgiving ourselves permission to be who we really are, embracing our individual needs in the midst of family and work demands and the mess of everyday life, and speaking our own truth even when its hard. The ways she is owning her story resonated with me on so many levels as a business owner, parent, wife, and friend. Definitely recommended as inspiration to reconnect with ourselves.

ALI EDWARDS, storytelling advocate and

business owner at aliedwards.com

Lisa Leonards honest words about loving her family and herself are inspiring. Her vulnerability is a breath of fresh air. She courageously shares her struggles in motherhood, marriage, and career in a way that will encourage others to be brave in their lives too. Her story is one of finding her voice to speak up for what she needed and to believe she is worthy of love.

MEG DUERKSEN, blogger at Whatever

Lisa Leonard teaches us that brave love shows up. And she certainly showed up for us in this page-turning memoir. Because of her vulnerability, her graceful truth-telling, and her imperfect courage, I was able to find my own story and truth in her words. Thank you for reminding me that I am not alone on this journey to become brave love.

ASHLEY STOCK, blogger at Little Miss Momma

This book will change the way you give yourself grace as youand as a mother, a wife, a sister, and a friend. It will remind you that you can show up for you while bravely loving the people who mean the most to you.

DANIELLE SMITH, founder of PrettyExtraordinary.com

Love others, love yourselfthrough Lisa Leonards brave truth-telling of her own imperfect journey, she will empower you to see that you too are loved, valued, and worthy.

KRISTI QUILL,