Sunday Words of Encouragement January 25, 2015

Our Sunday School teacher did the final wrap-up on our two year study of Revelations. We still had questions about the timing of the rapture and tribulation but we all agreed that it wasn’t important as long as we live prepared. Then we had another awesome worship time!
Somewhat ironically – okay, not really, cause it is clearly a God thing– Pastor’s Sermon was “Rapture and Those Left Behind!”  According to certain scholars there are over 1800 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament with 17 books giving it prominence. There are 318 references, or 1 out of every 30 verses, in the New Testament. Twenty three of twenty seven New Testament books refer to the second advent.

Pastor described the rapture where believers will disappear from earth “in the blink of an eye”. He read a quote that noted that ‘Every country will be effected.’ People from communications, transportation and law enforcement are gone. Social systems and structures will be in chaos and mayhem as people experience panic and evil doers seize the opportunity to run amok
.
There are two separate events that occur at end times. First Jesus returns as the bridegroom, to receive His bride (the church or true believers), in the air, in an instant of time. Second Jesus comes as King of Kings to make war against the antichrist and Satan. He comes to earth, where everyone will see Him and with a multitude in His armies.

There are varying theories on the timing of the Rapture: preTribulation, mid Trib or post Trib. Many believe that the true Christian believers will leave earth before the seven seals mentioned in Revelation 6 and 7 are opened. Others believe that the believers may be on earth for the first three and one half years of the seven year tribulation period but will be taken away from earth before the wrath of the Lord is poured out in the seven bowls. Revelation 8. Pastor noted that the rapture is Imminent, Sudden and Transforming for every Redeemed child of God! 1 Corinthians 15 and Ephesians 1:13-14.

The important thing is that it comes as a thief in the night and we need to ready! Satan’s job is to deceive any he can by pulling us away from God through working on Sunday, missing church for family day, living in sin, failing to obey, etc. So we must “Choose who you will serve! Wake up to sin in your life and repent.” Will you be left behind? Or are you ready for eternity?

Here is a song to remind us we were created for a purpose
but we will be close to Him in the Blink of an Eye!

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Lord I pray that you reveal any wicked thing in me so that I may repent and put sin behind me. Help me to stay ready and be watching for your coming!

Sharing Beyond Books #187 Comment Giveaway January 24, 2015

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Another week has flown by. It was busy for me - how about you? We had a few warmer days but now rain has brought in the cold again.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

There were some wonderful ideas for gifts. Many agree regarding special bookmarks, gift cards and more. Di suggested a lightwedge which I never heard of. Also Sarah suggested a great gift that has no monetary cost but a lot of heart cost: a thought out list of book suggestions! The link that I left gave some other suggestions like ear plugs or library/name stamp. Another one that I thought of is ear buds - I need to replace those for my MP player several times a year.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #186 comments is: #11 Infuse who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #187 (One Question.)

Q1. MaryP asks:  What makes you decide to take a chance on a "new to you" author??

A: I like to try "new to me" authors. What I look for is a genre and blurb that interest me. I will also check into recommendations from other bloggers. :-)

Image found at Paradise Mysteries.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. MaryP asks: What makes you decide to take a chance on a "new to you" author??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. I have to go back and update that list with what is left and a few new titles to add.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday January 31, 2015 at 5 PM  central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 23, 2015

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

I ended the work day and thought: "It's Thursday already! Really?" Busy week being short handed at work. But it's been good and reading has been enjoyable. Weather is a little warmer 40s at night up to 80 in the day! Life is cycling here:- some 90+ birthdays, some sad deaths and three new babies to church friends!  Life is a joy all in all. :-)
(Hopefully I'll get a chance to pull new books for next week. Meanwhile I have to get caught up pulling and mailing books for the last several weeks as that staff member has been in the hospital.) 

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the January 16 Pick. There was one automatic win this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There was one title blocked with multiple picks but it was finally won. 
CarolM  gets Fifteen Minutes

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 16 Pick:
Rubynreba gets To Collar a Killer

Michelle gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

One more for the new year theme. :-)

Image found at KeepCalm-O-matic

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

PAIRS:
Lisa Gardner: Alone and Gone
Janet Evanovich: Eleven on Top and Twelve Sharp
Stuart Wood: L.A. Dead and Fresh Disasters
SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes
New Blood by Gail Dayton
Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings
To Collar a Killer by Lee Charles Kelley
Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
‘Til There Was You by Elizabeth Ann Michaels
The Ladies’ Lunch by Patricia O’Brien
Wild Winds by Janelle Taylor
Shrink Rap by Robert B. Parker - Tape Cassettes
Rescue Me Anthology by Cherry Adair, Lora Leigh and Cindy Gerard


New Book Group #53 November 28, 2014

PAIRS - five sets!
Catherine Anderson: Seventh Heaven and Always in My Heart
SINGLES:
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner



New Book Group #52 October 10, 2014
(Links to be added if and when time permits.)

PAIRS:
Richard Paul Evans, The Looking Glass and The Carousel
SINGLES
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
At The Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


New Book Group #51 September 12, 2014

PAIRS:
Elysa Hendricks, Star Crash (personally autographed copy) and The Sword and the Pen
SINGLES:
Intrepid Encounter by Rebecca Ashley
A Stranger's Wife by Maggie Osborne

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014

SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin

New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014---(All gone)

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014
SINGLES:
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy

New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014
SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain

New Book Group #41-45 ---(All gone)

Singles:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #33-35 --- (All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #24-28 ---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #18-22 ---(All gone)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in five years I have posted 42 groups of 16 (832) books to find new homes! (as of November 2014).

I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 758+ books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.
WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List #17--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #12-15---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2-6(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8---(All gone)

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Book Review: 'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance by Robyn Carr

These are three quick, delightful and adorable romances!
'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance
by Robyn Carr

• File Size: 444 KB
• Print Length: 328 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0778316645
• Publisher: MIRA (October 28, 2014)
• ASIN: B00OP85WQU

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

'Tis The Season: Under the Christmas Tree\Midnight Confessions\Backward Glance
by Robyn Carr
Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2014
Revisit Virgin River with two beloved holiday stories from #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr. Included is the bonus novella Backward Glance—available digitally for the first time.
'Tis the season for family, friendship and the thrill of a holiday romance…
Under the Christmas Tree
With snow falling over the redwood forests, secluded Virgin River is the ideal place to spend the holidays. Each year, the close-knit community gathers in the town square to decorate and light a massive tree. Carols are sung, hot chocolate is shared—and a surprise left under the Christmas tree is about to bring two special people together!

Midnight Confessions
Holiday kisses don't end with Christmas—there's still the New Year's Eve party at Jack's Bar to attend. Locals and newcomers alike find themselves eager for that special countdown…and that midnight kiss.
So join us in Virgin River this year, where Robyn Carr's trademark humor, warmth and sincerity will have you celebrating the festive season in your favorite mountain town.

Review:
This is a collection of three delightful romances. They may be set at holiday time but they'd make a nice read anytime.

Under the Christmas Tree puts two locals together caring for abandoned puppies. Annie begins to take care of the nearly frozen puppies until Doc Jensen can arrive. She is expecting the old doc but instead his son, Nate, appears. Annie knew Nate from high school years when he was a friend of her older brothers. She is wary of any romantic involvements after discovering that her fiance of several years had two other girlfriends. Nate has been accustomed to a foot loose life style especially after the fiance he brought home left because the small town life wasn’t good enough for her. He is interested in Annie but realizes that she isn’t the right type to be “loose” with. I enjoyed how this couple make a nice arrangement caring for the pups and soon became friends. Things might lead into a serious relationship if they are willing to take a chance.

Midnight Confessions is set on New Year’s Eve and finds Sunny not so sunny. She is struggling with the memories of being jilted at her wedding the year before. Drew is a young doctor who is visiting his nearby family while taking a break from work before starting his residency. Drew is immediately entranced by Sunny but she quickly shoots down his attempts at flirtation. An accident ends up putting them together long enough to share their heartbreaks. Can they learn to move beyond past hurts to the possibility of true love?

Backward Glance gives a former romance a second chance. John is a man who has taken a handy-man approach and grown it into a successful maintenance and landscape business. John and Leigh had a summer affair five years before. Leigh is a brilliant scientist, with stunted social experience, who was going through a divorce when they met. John is surprised to hear that Leigh has returned to town with twin four year old boys.  John didn’t think he could ever live up to Leigh's standards and he let her go in the heat of an argument. But he has never forgotten her and she, apparently, had reason to always remember him. Could two opposites balance their strengths and weaknesses to make a stable future together?

These three stories have lovely, vulnerable characters. I enjoyed each of the stories which had nice positive messages on life and love. Two were fairly mild in the romance with one being a bit more sensual. The writing has an easy, direct flow that reads nicely and quickly. This reminds me why I always enjoyed Ms. Carr even though I haven't read her books for a few years. It is time to start enjoying this series. The overall read was sweet and “adorable”!

I am pleased to have received this title through NetGalley for an honest review. This will go for NetGalley Challenge and TBR Dare.

Audiobook Review: Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series by Deborah Heal

There are wonderful history and faith lessons woven into this interesting story.

Time and Again: Book 1 in the History Mystery Series
Written by: Deborah Heal
Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
Series: History Mystery, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-17-14
Publisher: Write Brain Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
An old house + A new computer program = The travel opportunity of a lifetime...to another century.
Abby Thomas is spending the summer in a run-down old house with a bratty pre-teen named Merrideth she is supposed to tutor. Not a dream job. But it does come with perks.
There's John Roberts, a devastatingly attractive neighbor who is almost too wonderful to be real.
And there's the new computer program Beautiful Houses--also too amazing to be real. No one knows how it works, but with it she can rewind and fast-forward the lives of all the people who ever lived in the house, including Charlotte Miles.
In 1858, the house is a train stop on the Alton & Chicago Line. And Charlotte is stuck there serving meals to the passengers, wondering if she'll ever get to have any fun. And then she meets two travelers who change her life forever.
There's James McGuire with whom she falls in love. And there's his boss, a young Springfield lawyer named Abraham Lincoln. His debate with political opponent Stephen Douglas catapults him onto the national stage. And it inspires Charlotte to take up the cause of abolition.
The House
A stop on the Alton & Chicago Line. A stop on the Underground Railroad.
Watching the house's history unfold, Abby and Merrideth gain a new perspective on their own lives as time and again they see God's loving hand in the lives of its inhabitants.
©2013 Deborah Heal (P)2014 Deborah Heal

Review:
Abby Thomas is a college student using her summer to earn funds and credits towards her degree. She is tutoring an 11 year-old resentful girl, Merrideth. Merrideth is upset by her parents’ divorce especially since her mother has moved them away from her home, friends and father in Chicago. Now they live six hours away in a small town in an old house which seems dull and isolated -- at first..

Merrideth’s expensive computer keeps turning on a program called Beautiful Houses, which Merrrideth is surprised to discover includes their house when it was in new condition. As Merrideth and Abby explore the remarkable program they are immersed in the life of Charlotte Miles, whose father was the original founder of the whole community. They are fascinated by Charlotte’s life in the years leading up to the civil war. Charlotte is also resentful of her father for not allowing her to go on the train to the Alton Fair with a local boy. Instead she must stay home and serve the meal as her home is the Station Way-Stop. But one of the guests is a nice young man, James McGuire, who works for a Springfield attorney, Abraham Lincoln. There are other interesting guests too that add to the charm and history of the house.

Abby and Merrideth are able to develop a friendship while learning that God has His hand on those who seek and trust Him. There is a charming young boy as an added character as well as a local fellow, John Roberts, who is smitten by Abby. The author does a smooth transition of scenes from present to past with the interesting twist of technology. She skillfully uses difficulties and problems from Charlotte's life, with wonderful depth of historical elements, to show Abby and Merrideth lessons that apply to their emotional struggles in the current day.

I really enjoyed the history and the way the author weaves in God’s care and love in both time lines. I was sorry the story ended rather abruptly, but I recognize it leaves room for more historical adventures. This is a good book for teens, adults and history lovers. I do recommend it in text however, as I was disappointed by the narration.

Audio Notes: Sad to say, I was not impressed by Michelle Babb’s narration. There was little variation of character voice and only a few attempts to add emotional impact. I felt this was more a reading than a narration and it detracted from my enjoyment. This is an occasion when I recommend the text rather than the audiobook. However, other listener's enjoyed the narration so test a sample and decide what you think.

I received this audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for Audio challenge and T in Alphabet Soup.