Hello Konnect Africans! In August, we interviewed Author and Blogger , Bola Salt Essien-Nelson; fast forward to September, and her latest book, True Confessions is out!!! Hurray, right? Below is a review of her book, by author Unyime-Ivy King, read and be inspired to get yours!!!

“Bola ‘Salt’ Essien-Nelson’s latest book, ‘True Confessions’ is jam-packed with 88 pages of gripping life truths which are easily applicable in our day-to-day life, because of the  simple and easy-to-grasp style she has applied to her writing. Bola has a way with words, which resonates with her readers; it is so easy to relate to her postulations as she writes with such an authentic voice.

‘True Confessions’ is segmented into different sections: Salt Fables, Salt Essays, Salt Conversations with God, and Salt Confessions, each section addressing different thematic concerns and affirming old truths in new ways which challenges one to think deeply about one’s relationship with God, and fellow humans.

Each section ‘spoke’ to me. I jumped in glee when I read bits that correlated with principles and values I held, and I paused and pondered when I read some parts which made me question what I had always believed. For instance, when I read the piece on ‘Humility’ and Bola wrote that, ‘Getting offended is born out of pride…,’ I struggled with this for a while, but in the end, I was persuaded about the truth of what she had written, and I am trusting the Holy Spirit to help me in this area.

In the Salt Fables section, Bola uses a story-like style to communicate salient truths and life principles. These are the ones that I gleaned:

• The human mind can be a limiting factor to attaining one’s goals in life. Condition your mind to see possibilities and success.
• Your worth in life does not stem from your accomplishments or material possessions; the God factor makes all the difference.
• God is interested in the minutest details of our lives-even in the sexual relationship between married couples. We should not be reluctant to commit even the seemingly unimportant areas of our life to His watch.
• We need to examine how we treat our relationship with God and fellow human beings. Are we merely using people or God to serve our own ends, or relating in authentic ways that also show we truly love and care for them as well?
• The grace of God is greater than any wrong we have ever committed, once we renounce those wrongs.
• God’s truth should be our relationship standard, not man’s. Also, a life which is rooted in the truth of God’s word makes challenges easy to handle.
• Holding back in our special relationships, brings us under a burden of guilt. Transparency and openness frees us to relate positively.
• Do not be held down by disadvantages. Turn them to advantages and move on. Do not allow the actions or inactions of others to keep you down.

The Salt Essays opens with the author’s statement of Faith, and her reasons for believing in God. In this section, Bola’s passion and desperate need to be all that God has called her to be, is clearly seen. I identified with her thoughts and grasped these lessons:

• Sin is not measurable; God holds us accountable for everything we do, no matter how little.
• Humility is controlled strength.
• Joy comes from the Lord; it is this Joy which enables us to keep happiness, even when things do not go as expected.
• You can make constructive or destructive criticism work for you. While you may not have control over what the things people say, you do have control over how you chose to respond to them. Weaknesses are in actuality, areas for development.
• We should develop a healthy fear for God; one which drives us to not only honor and respect Him, but also to make Him number one in our lives.
• When we keep still, and discipline ourselves to stay quiet in God’s presence, He will communicate salient truths to you.

Bola demonstrates, in the Salt conversations, that one’s relationship with God could be a living, vibrant one in which one talks to God, and He actually talks back. She shares about her relationship with God in a way that it attracts one to her faith. In reading the conversations, it drove me to thanksgiving at the wonderful privilege of being called into a living, vibrant relationship with my maker- a privilege which, without discrimination, is available to all.

Finally, ‘True Confessions’ end with the Salt Confessions chapter in which she re-affirms her faith and belief in God. She ends by not only stating her reasons for writing the book, but also invites her readers to come into a relationship with the Creator as well.

‘True Confessions’ is indeed enriching and enlightening, and without hesitation, I recommend it to anyone who longs to have a vibrant, more meaningful relationship with God. The values and principles which Bola shares in this book are worth imbibing and living by.  I found it a most wonderful read.

You can buy copies of ‘True Confessions’ and my other books in ‘The Diary of a Desperate Naija Woman’ series:

1. From Terra Kulture, Plot 1376 Tiamiyu Savage Street, VI,beside DSTV Office), Lagos, Nigeria

2. From Laterna Bookshops, 13A Oko Awo Close, Victoria Island, Lagos

3. From Patabah Bookshop, B18 Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall, Surulere

4. Elizabeth Alfred, 16 Igbodo Road, Old GRA, Port Harcourt

4. From Konga.com @ http://www.konga.com/products/the-diary-of-a-desperate-naija-woman-in-the-year-2011

5. From Jumia.com @ http://www.jumia.com.ng/The-Diary-of-a-Desperate-Naija-Woman–In-The-Year-2011—Paperback-71352.html

6. From @ Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=diary+of+desperate+naija+woman