Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 3, 2016

I enjoyed Sunday School and church services this morning. My new tablet wasn’t set up yet to take notes so I had to use old fashion paper and pencil again. Our SS teacher shared various quotes on freedom as well as a short video which I hope to share tomorrow for Independence day.

Our Pastor’s message was titled “Living in Freedom; Which Way Will You Live?” The message showed how, throughout the old and new testaments, God used ordinary people who were willing to be used and who were obedient (even when reluctant like Jonah and Moses). We are sheep in God’s pasture (Psalm 100:3). What do sheep do besides eating and sleeping? They make and raise more sheep. We should do likewise. As we walk in liberty, we should be leading other sheep. There are three ingredients to help with this: 1) we should be excited about the Lord and His daily hand in our lives; 2) we should be available; and 3) we should be prepared and willing to do as God directs. We should always be prayed up, read up (in the scriptures) and ready to allow God to equip us for the purposes He has planned. This is the best way to live in freedom.

I was very sad to hear the negative responses to the actions of Tim Tebow who prayed for a wife whose husband had a heart attack during a plane journey recently. The lashback is a sad statement of the state of the minds and hearts of many in America. I am pleased he took a stand and has the freedom to do so.

I chose this song to go along with a message of Freedom.
“I Am Free (to Dance)”.
A Verse for Today:
Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

I give thanks today that God has brought my husband safely through heart surgery. I am thankful for caring nursing staff, many of whom have affirmed our assurances in God’s grace and healing powers.

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Sharing Beyond Books #259 Comment Giveaway July 2, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Five commenters do not like to skim/skip except for graphic sexual content, excessive description, or horrendous writing. Ten of us will skip but mostly for graphic sexual content, mundane description, or boring, tedious or not interesting sections. Janhvi takes an all or nothing approach: skim it all or read it all.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #258 comments is:#10 Linda who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. [I'm hoping to update the book choices - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #259
(One Question.)
Jenna asks: As a reviewer [or reader], what are some pet peeves you encounter in romances? What are things that you adore in them if they occur??
I can think of two pet peeves. The primary one is related to sexual content. It is annoying to me if a) it drags on and/or takes up more of the story than the plot and action; and b) if it is unnecessarily (which admittedly, is subjective) graphic. The second peeve is teen angst... not so much a peeve as I just don't relate to anguish well and I guess I am not a huge fan of teen romance. I'll add a third which would be a borish or brutish male character who does not appreciate the qualities of a strong woman.

I love sweet, sensual or suspenseful romance where there is chemistry (or attraction), tension or conflict, good plot or action, and romance and caring that is more important than sex. Dogs and children can be nice elements too, or historical settings.
This image is found at Double Quotes

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! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share:
Jenna asks: As a reviewer [or reader], what are some pet peeves you encounter in romances? What are things that you adore in them if they occur??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 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. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question 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 July 9, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 1, 2016 (Posted July 2)

Happy Friday Saturday!
Sorry for the delay of this post. I have been with my DH most of the week except for a few hours at the office to catch up on signing items and meeting a postponed client. I am home tonight so I can attend church Sunday morning before returning to the hospital.
DH is getting better each day although his recovery is slower than hoped. I plan to post a fuller update on Sunday Post ... assuming I can get that posted on Sunday or Monday.
I did get the new list of books posted last week but have not had the opportunity to get a picture. I will do so when I can.


TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK
US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)


CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the June 24 Pick. There was one automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title with a multiple block.
AUTO: Rubynreba gets The Bodyguard and the Snitch

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from June 24 Pick:
Becky gets the Linda Howard Pair
Mariska 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.}
Happy Fourth of July for USA and I hope Canadian friends had a happy July 1st. 
Image found at Juniper Books.

New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016
(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
Sandra Brown: Above and Beyond and Honor Bound (my copy is 1986 edition with a different cover
Joan Johnston: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy and the Princess / The Wrangler and the Rich Girl and Sweetwater Seduction
SINGLES:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (new- hardcover)
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
*Witch’s Hammer by Caroline Farr (a 1967 yellowed pages - different cover)
*Mistress of Mount Fair by Jane Gordon
Once an Angel by Tammy Hilz
Bound By Temptation by Lavinia Kent
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
On Fire by Carla Neggers (1999 version with different cover)
Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate by Nora Roberts
*She Came Back by Patricia Wentworth (1981 yellowed pages)
Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016
PAIRS:
Jayne Ann Krentz: Gift of Gold and Man with a Past (spine creased) 
Linda Howard: Cover of Night and Strangers Night
SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Bodyguard and the Snitch by Christy Tillery French (autographed)
When Dashing Met Danger by Shana Galen
The Champion by Heather Grothaus
Never Marry a Cowboy by Lorraine Heath
Just The Way You Are by Donna Jordan
The Second Chair by John Lescroart (hardcover)
What a Rogue Desires by Caroline Linden (spine creased)
Violets are Blue by James Patterson
The Bequest by Candice Proctor
A Perilous Attraction by Patricia Francis Rowell (spine creased)
So Wild A Kiss by Nancy Richards-Akers


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

SINGLES:
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016


SINGLES:
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone
SINGLES:
Servant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)


The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser


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 almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 972+ 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. 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!

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 $7.00 and $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)

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!

Friday, July 1, 2016

Delay in Friday Pick and other Posts

Hello blog friends. My husband had double bypass and valve replacement on Monday 6/27. I have spent three and a half days at the hospital with minimal time and internet service.
I do not expect to get posts done timely before Monday -- maybe. I will announce winners and get up new posts as soon as I can get the time and service.
He is recovering slowly with some breathing issues that need close monitoring.
Thanks for understanding and continued prayers.

Monday, June 27, 2016

2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge Update Midyear

I am working this 2016 Alphabet Soup Challenge in expanded mode. I am trying to fill the Alphabet with TBR books, ebook and audio if possible, as well as new books. 
(A for audio; E for ebook; P for print; TE for Tour; AE for author ebook).
Books 1 and 2 are will be TBRs: 1 = print or ebook and 2 = audio/Audible. 
Books 3 and 4 will be  new books: 1 = NG (NetGalley), TE (tour ebook) or AE (author ebook); 
4 = new audio/Audible titles.
(A ABB = Audiobook Boom; A ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox)
[Brackets indicate a planned book.]

Title (author to be added if not in yet), date acquired; linked to review when read.
A1. (P/E TBR) Arena by Karen Hancock (fall 2015)
A2. (A TBR) Agenda 21: Into the Shadows by Glenn Beck (Audible credit 1/16)
A3. (NG) Admiral (An Evagardian Novel) by Sean Danker
A4.
B1. (NG TBR) Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1) by Marcus Sakey (Selected Dec 2015);
B2. (A ABJ) Buster the Military Dog by Will Barrow (Rec'd Dec 2015 through ABJ)
B3. (TE) Breaking the Story (Scottie's Adventures Book 2) by Ashley Farley
B4. (A-Narrator) Bad Deeds
C1. (E TBR) [Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer; Kindle pick up 2/14]
C2. (A TBR) Classic Love Poems (Free Audible 2/15)
C3. (TE) City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold (Rec'd Jan 2016 for Great Escapes Book Tour)
C3. (NG TBR) Chakana: Encounter In The Sacred Valley by W.E. Lawrence (Rec'd Dec 2015)
C4.
D1.
D2. (A TBR) Daemon by Daniel Suarez Audible 2012
D3. (NG) Dear Emma by Katie Heaney (Rec'd Jan 2016 through Hachette at NG)
D4. (A ABB) Defects: The Reverians by Sara Noffke (Rec'd Jan 2016 through ABB)
E1.
E2. (A TBR) [Eye of the Needle 2012]
E3. (NG) Extreme Honor by Piper J. Drake (Rec'd Dec 2015)
E3. (TE) Emmy Nation Undercover Suffragette (Rec'd Dec 2015 for iRead BookTour)
E4. (A new) Enforcing Home
F1.
F2. (A TBR) For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2 by H. Paul Honsinger (Audible 12/15)
F3. (E) First Fruits by Brad Duncan
F4.
G1.
G2. (A-TBR) Grave Surprise
G3. (E) Guardian of Paradise by W. E. Lawrence
G4. (A) Good Morning... Processes Must Be Improved by Ray Jay Perreault
H1. (E TBR) [His Lady Mistress 2009]
H2. (A TBR) Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Audible 8/14
H3. (NG) Hold Your Breath (Search and Rescue) by Katie Ruggle
H4.
I1.
I2. (A TBR) [Into the Black 2015 (NOV Sci Fi) Importance Earnest]
I3. (T) Immurement: The Undergrounders Series Book One by Norma Hinkens (Rec'd Feb 2016 for Expresso Book Tour)
I4. (A) In the Mist of Killarney: An Irish Faery Tale by Robert McCallum
J1.
J2. (A TBR) (The) Jewel of Dantenos: The FREE Lee Starfinder Adventure by Brian D. Anderson
J3. (NG) Jessica’s Christmas Kiss by Alison May (Rec'd in Dec 2015)
J3. (TE) Jamie Quinn Mystery Collection: Box Set Books 1-3 by Barbara Venkataraman
J4.
K1.
K2. (A TBR) Kiss an Angel
K3.
K4.
L1.
L2. (A TBR) Lost in a Good Book Audible 3/12
L3. (NG) Laos File (The Shake Davis Series) by Dale Dye
L4.
M1. (P TBR) Mistletoe Memories: Four Generations Transform a House Into a Home for Christmas (LBC purchased in Nov 2015)
M2. (A TBR) [Monster Hunter Audible 11/15]
M3. (NG) Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick
M4. (A ABB) Making Amends by Melinda Clayton
N1. (NG TBR) Night Study by Maria J. Snyder(Rec'd Nov 2015)
N2. (A TBR) [Nation 2012] [No Easy Hope 2015]
N3. (TE) Nobody But You (Cedar Ridge) by Jill Shalvis
N4. (A ABB) Northern Lights: A Scorched Earth Novel by Boyd Craven III
O1.
O2. (A TBR) Old Man's War by John Scalzi (Audible 2/13)
P1.
P2. (A TBR) Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) by Michael J. Sullivan (Audible free book 2015)
P3.(NG TBR) (The) Path of the Bullet by MC Jacques (Rec'd Dec 2015)
P4. (A ABJ) Pack: A Paranormal Romance Novelette by Jeaniene Frost
Q1. (E TBR) Quiet As They Come by Angie Chau (Free 2010)
Q3. (E) Quirky Essays
R1.
R2. (A-TBR) Reunion in Death by J.D. Robb (Audible credit 12/15)
R3. (TE) Rarity from the Hollow by Robert Eggleton
R4. (A ABB) Redfall: Fight for Survival: American Prepper Series, Book 1, by Jay J. Falconer
S1. (E TBR) [Snowbound 2009]
S2. (A TBR) Straits of Hell by Taylor Anderson (Audible credit 11/2015)
S3. (NG TBR) Steamborn by Eric R. Asher (Received in Dec 2015)
S4. (A ABJ) Singular by David F. Porteous (ABJ Jan 2016)
T1. (P TBR) Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul (LBC Print purchased Nov 2015)
T2. (A TBR) To Live Forever (Audible credit or purchase August 2015)
T3. (TE) Those Who Walk in Darkness by Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene
T4.(A TBR) Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by Anthony Vicino (Rec'd from author Dec 2015)
U1.
U2. (A TBR) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Audible 2/15)
U3. (NG T) Ultimate Courage by Piper J. Drake
U4. (A Narrator) Unseemly Pursuits
V1.
V2. (A TBR) Variant by Robison Wells (Audible 2012)
V3. (E PBL) Violets in February by Clare Revell
V4.
W1.
W2. (A TBR) What Happens in London Audible 2012
W3. (NG TBR) What We Find by Robyn Carr
W4.
X1.
X2. (A) X Minus One: Protective Mimicry (October 3, 1956) by Algis Budrys, Ernest Kinoy – adaptation (Audible purchase 12/31)
Y.
Z.

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