There are a multitude of new books coming out now that encourage women to rise up, own their voice, and follow their dreams. While the others can read somewhat similar to one another, Jo brings a different voice to this topic. She approaches the subject of women empowerment more from a Biblical perspective than other books with a similar message. She also brings in her multicultural background, talking about her experiences growing up in a minority culture and what she learned about what was possible for her as a young woman. I found reading this helpful to understand the experiences of other women who grew up in environments different from my own. I could imagine it would also be helpful for young women looking for a voice that they can better relate to.

WOW! It's amazing how timely this book is in the world right now. During a time where we need to be socially distant this book is all about finding your voice, being with your community, and stepping into your influence. It's a timely book because of the time we have to read and focus on what Biblical truths and that is what Jo has in this book. She not only weaves in her story but Biblical leaders lives as well as practical ways for us to step into our influence and thus helping others to do the same. Thank you Jo for such a timely book!

What a privilege and an inspiration to read an advance review copy of Ready to Rise. Like Jo’s other two books, this one is raw, honest, encouraging and empowering and would have had me in tears (of delight and anguish) had I slowed down long enough to let myself (I’ll save that for my second read when the paperback arrives!).

Deeply grounded in biblical truth and practical wisdom, Ready to Rise is not only an imperative to ‘find our voice’ and use it for the kingdom of God, it also provides tools to empower women in particular to step into their calling (although I hope it’s readership will not be limited by gender or any stereotypical views of leadership).

It is an accessible, readable book, and it often feels like listening to a mentor-friend over a cup of something comforting. As always, the reflection questions at the end of each chapter are where the real work begins and I look forward to taking the time to process these more deeply over the coming weeks.

I highly recommend this to anyone who is needing courage to press into all that God is calling them to be, or those who are curious enough to wonder what on earth God could have to say about who we are as leaders, as women, as image bearers of the Creator. Enjoy! (less)

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Thank you, Jo, for writing exactly what I needed to read during this time. I sometimes think that my voice is too much for those around me, and now I am learning that my voice is exactly what those around me need. Thank you for showing me the importance of self-care and community while I step into my influence.

Amazing book. I enjoyed all the insight the inspiration the personal stories references grit grime all of it. Life is so beautiful all of it and this is amazing for all women and leadership and unwrapping those gifts we have. Highly suggest. Highly suggest! I was honored to have an advanced digital read and thank the author very much! Thank you Jo Saxton !

As a long time reader, listener, and sister in Christ with Jo this book is pure inspiration from the start. Jo's inspirational from page one and her Bible knowledge as well as fire for women knowing His truth is evident as the reader makes their way through this book. Food for my hungry soul, I found myself highlighting and making notes more often than not and finally realized I needed to pull my Bible out to really delve deeper into this while following Jo's words. She has a 'build you up' vocabulary that draws you near to God and also pushes you to feel like you have your own cheerleader in her. Maybe Jo and God is where it starts and from their the reader realizes the hidden gifts that have been there all along. This book will lift all readers and to help them to rise up to the challenge, mission, purpose that He has set inside our hearts and mind. The lay out makes you think; with each chapter digging into scripture and ending with thoughtful questions. I enjoyed having a notebook near me to jot down notes throughout reading but then also allowing myself time at the ends to pause and reflect. I received an advanced copy from Waterbrook and Multnomah, & Netgalley. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

Fantastic book on leadership, especially focused on women and how they lead, learn and grow with Biblical principals supporting all that Saxon writes.

❤️❤️❤️ For such a time as thiS....Jo Saxton you have done an amazing job of not only reminding us of what the father speaks over us, Talitha Koum; but you also give us the tools to do so. Thank you for Ready to Rise, it is right on time!

This is a fantastic book, gathering a whole lot of learnings for women in leadership into one place. It's written in an accessible way, demonstrating thoughtful and solid theological reflection alongside obvious years of personal experience. It's full of practical tools, laughs, tears and challenges for how we grow as women in our leadership, and how we grow others around us!

So far I am absolutely loving this book, I have read the first half. Jo writes in a way that makes me feel like she it talking directly to me. I can relate to so much about what she has said and what she has worked through. It is such great help and inspiration on how to embrace your gifts and be confident in yourself.
I highly recommend this book for every woman to read.

I received an advance reader copy of the book, which did not influence my review.

I feel like Jo Saxon is living in my head. She hooked me from, "I knew the brokenness of my past lingered in my life like a stale hangover. It left me with deep, quiet feelings of inadequacy that I worked hard to cover up - until I couldn't." I am only 20% of the way through the book, but I am inspired to stop hiding and rise up into my potential. Now I have to get off this site and read more of this book!

I read another book by this author last fall (The Dream of You) and fell in love with her ability to tell a story and encourage the reader to take action. Therefore, when I discovered she had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Ready to Rise is a book for women. It's meant specifically to encourage, instruct, and inspire leaders. I am not in a leadership role in any capacity currently, so there is much that I didn't feel was meant for me. However, as I read, I found myself connecting with a lot the author said, such as, "Disempowerment is not every woman's experience, nor is leadership and influence every woman's desire. Yet when any human being, male or female, is denied the opportunity to realize his or her God-given potential and make the contribution to society he or she was designed to make, we all miss out on the impact that person could make on the world." I realized there are times when I have something to say and I hold back, for reasons she mentions in this book.

The author has some great re-tellings of Biblical women and how they contributed to their worlds. I especially loved the way she expanded on the verses tucked into Numbers 21:1-7 about Zeplophehad's daughters. In previous readings of the book of Numbers, I have never thought about them before; they were just names in a list. Now I will consider their story and how important community was to them.

Each chapter has a title, a fun subtitle, and an inspirational quote related to the topic. The chapters include such titles as "The Surprising Answer to 'What Would Jesus Do?' (And Why Pedicures Are Not Required)" and "Say Yes to Who You Are (And Why We Don't Leave Good Gifts Unwrapped)." I was especially encouraged by the gifts chapter in which she writes, "God is the gift giver. God is our gift giver. And all too often we are like hesitant, nervous children, questioning the gifts under the tree. We leave them lying idle, gathering dust."

Throughout the book, the author refers back to a group of women in leadership with whom she met to discuss challenges and inspiration, to bring some of the lessons in the book to life. I was encouraged to read about these ladies and found it helpful to understanding what the author wanted me to learn.

Ready to Rise is a book that you can read quickly, but it's designed to be picked apart, truths reflected upon and question prompts responded to. There is a call to action, a sense of urgency: Reader, don't miss what God has planned for you. I know I don't want to miss it either.

NOTE: I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions and words are mine. (less)

This book is so good! I love the powerful message for women that is so often lacking in the church! I have passed on to several women who will get so much out of this book.

This was an amazing uplifting book for the downtime of quarantine. It gives people the permission to rest and be bold. Saxton breaks down biblical stories about women in an easy form. That is an area that is often forgotten. Jo reminds us that everyone no matter their race or gender has a voice to represent God.

𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.⁣
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In Ready To Rise, Jo Saxton brings light to the issues (eg. sexism, insecurities, finances and such) that discourage women in leadership. She encourages us to own our voices, to build our communities and to step into our influence.⁣
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Written from a faith-based perspective, Jo shares stories of female leaders from the Bible such as Deborah and Priscilla. Jo uses Scripture to affirm that God created women for leadership.⁣
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𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳, 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳, 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘥'𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘏𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦.⁣
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Jo Saxton is one of my favorite women to learn from. I've had the privilege of hearing her speak twice and have now read three of her books. I always appreciate her voice and thoughts.

This book tackles women's empowerment. The author relates our issues to the women in the Bible. I can relate to some of the book. I feel the author kept repeating things throughout the book but just paraphrasing. The book touches on sexism, low self-esteem, financial issues, and workplace harassment. I recommend this book to all women. I give this book 5 stars.

I did so much highlighting for this book. So much is great about it. I own another one of Jo's books but have yet to read it but after this, will be moving it up on my TBR. I like the way she phrases our relationship with God in a way that makes the relationship feel more attainable and familial.