"If I have a pulse, I have a purpose."

I remember Kathie Lee Gifford when she was on Good Morning America, and I've followed her career through the years. I've heard her mention her faith on TV but this book reveals just how important it has been in her life. Gifford shares her ups and downs, her triumphs and her failures, and she's credits God with the fantastic opportunities she's been given. She talks honestly about her marriages, her life with Frank Gifford, and the joy of being a mother to Cody and Cassidy. She also praises two former co-workers who became her best friends, Hoda Kotb and the late Regis Philbin.

It's Never Too Late is a memoir, but I also consider it a motivational journal. Gifford writes as though she's giving a pep talk, as she urges readers to follow their hearts and their dreams. If a different path needs to be taken, don't be afraid, and never give up on those dreams! I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming book that is filled with memories, faith, inspiration, and encouragement, and I have a whole new respect for Kathie Lee Gifford!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via FrontGate Media. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts. ( )

Kathie Lee Gifford has been a part of popular culture for many decades. Most of us know her from her fifteen years cohosting with Regis Philbin on Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee, a daily talk show that revolutionalized daytime television, and then her eleven years cohosting the fourth hour of the Today Show with Hoda Kotb.

But she has done so much more in her life. In her new book, It's Never Too Late- Make the Next Act of Your Life The Best Act of Your Life, Kathie Lee Gifford takes us through each stage of her life and the lessons she learned that brought her to a happy place, and can do the same for you.

After a Foreword written by Dolly Parton, who wrote of the importance of having dreams for your life and working hard to achieve your dreams and goals, Kathie Lee writes 35 short chapters each titled with It's Never Too Late to... and then things like Never Give Up, where she decribed leaving college before graduation and moving to Los Angeles to become an actress. She struggled, going on many auditions (and usually losing out to Nancy Morgan, John Ritter's future wife), but finally she got her first big break on Name That Tune, where she got to use her beautiful singing voice.

She recounted a tough year in 1995, which began with her thrilling appearance singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, moved on to her being accused of using sweatshop labor for her women's fashion line at WalMart, and then her husband was caught cheating on her in a highly publicized tabloid scandal.

In Change the Ending, Then Change It Again, she shares her tale of landing in Scotland ready to film the movie she wrote for Craig Ferguson and herself, Then Came You. Ferguson tells Kathie Lee that she has to change the ending of the movie- just as they were to begin filming. When director Adriana Trigiani shares Ferguson's opinion, Kathie Lee reluctantly agrees to change it. Then in the middle of the shoot, Gifford writes a song with her writing partner that convinces her to change the ending yet again. (Oh, poor Adriana Trigiani!) If you have seen the wonderful movie, you know the ending works perfectly.

Kathie Lee shares funny stories- like the time Al Pacino came to her home for lunch and they tried to top each other with crazy celebrity true encounters (Kathie Lee won), frightening stories (her sister Michie nearly dying), and disappointments (the Broadway show she wrote closing after three weeks), and through it all her faith in God sustains her.

Kathie Lee Gifford reminds of Joan Rivers- they both worked hard, followed their dreams through good times and bad, picked themselves up, and never let anyone stop them from achieving their goals. People have strong opinions about both of these women, and I respect each of them for being true to themselves and never giving up.

It's Never Too Late is a must-read for Kathie Lee Gifford fans, and people who have strong faith in God will get an extra level of appreciation from this book. It's inspirational and enjoyable, and it's good to be reminded especially during these troubled times that you can change your life for the better, no matter where you are in life. ( )

Kathy Lee Gifford counsels women on how to navigate through life changing milestones- speaking our and staying thru to oneself

I felt as if this author and I were sitting down in comfy chairs, drinking coffee, and sharing from the heart, life experiences and how they affected us. What has kept this author sane is the fact that she has stayed true to herself and her faith. I loved the honest approach in which she shares the happy, sad, glad, bad and everything in between. She talks about how the Lord called her and she followed. She could not have orchestrated important meetings and opportunities that came her way. Even when everyone thought she might be foolish to do what she felt lead to do. Kathie had a peace about listening to that still small voice. She took courage and answered the call. She was never sorry! She said, “…little is much when God is in it.”

I loved how she shared Devine moments that changed the course of her life and encouraged her when she needed it most. I was surprised to hear about the people she was able to meet and work with. She is an inspiration to all in following your heart, and your dreams. She reveals things about her childhood, her parents, her first marriage, about knowing she was supposed to be in show biz and how hard it was. Living in the limelight, getting falsely accused in the tabloids and how it felt being in the public eye through it all. Kathie says this about tabloids,” It doesn’t really matter if any of it is true or not; all that matters is that it sells. And it will sell until the next person arrives on the scene and it starts all over again under a new name.”

“If I hadn’t been able to hold on to my own truth through all the viciousness of those years, I’d be in the Betty Ford Center, or in prison, or dead. But I didn’t let the headlines define me. I battled every day to keep reminding myself that only god could do that. And every day I clung for dear life to what His word said about me.”

This book has it all, it is encouraging, funny, heart-felt and a must read when you think it’s too late to start something new, follow a dream, and learn a new skill. It is not over till it’s over! The author has that right. Thanks to this author for her encouragement during these hard times. I’m thankful for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org ( )

Kathie’s effervescent voice is just the right tone for this upbeat look at what her life has taught her. Through her stories offers motherly advice. She speaks a little about her first marriage along with how faith has shaped her response to what life has thrown at her. I listened to it on a rainy, cold day while socially distancing. Kathy’s story was a good decision. I felt better after listening to it. ( )