Sunday Words of Encouragement May 22, 2016

We enjoyed the service this morning and the youth pastor provided the sermon as the pastor had surgery this week. The message was titled “A Rock and a Hard Place”. The initial observation was that sin always has consequences. Every decision has consequences, some good some bad.

Current day Christians fight our inner man, just as Paul the apostle describes (the good I would do I do not and that which I shouldn’t do I do Romans 7:19). We are faced with evil in our world, in our politics and society. How do we make our choices?

The main points were based on the scripture from Numbers 20:1-12. The Israelites in the wilderness were once again grumbling about their lack of water and comfort. God told Moses to “speak” to the rock so God could show His provision. Moses, in apparent frustration with the demands and pressures of the people, took his staff and struck the rock two times. Yes, the water flowed, but Moses was still disobedient.

1. Moses allowed the people to influence him. 1 Cor 15:33-34 notes how the wicked will try to corrupt you.
2. Moses allowed the people to drive him to anger. We have to be careful how we express frustration and anger.
3. Moses disobeyed.

The punishment was that all the grown men, including Moses, were precluded from entering into the land that God promised. This may seem harsh but it was a consequence of the disobedience of the people... and their leader. Each man/woman must be careful not to minimize or justify sin. We must stand firm and not compromise. We keep our focus on God and not allow the circumstances we find ourselves in to influence our position with God. We must remember to have a Fear of the Lord. Not the fear we might have for evil or material loss, but the righteous reverence, respires and honor for our God. We must keep God present in all of our thoughts and decisions no matter what is going on around us. We must seek His Will.

W sang this song this morning. It was new to me but the words fit how we need to face any trouble!

Bring the Rain by Mercy Me

Verses for Today:
Psalm 33:8-9 New American Standard
8Let all the earth fear the LORD;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.

Lord, I pray for me and anyone who faces hardship or trouble: help us to remember this song; draw closer and seek God’s rain/reign.

Sharing Beyond Books #253 Comment Giveaway May 21, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
This was another busy week when I had to pick up the slack as my staff were out with sick children and end of school year events.
We have family in to visit this weekend and into the week so I hope I can keep up with everything.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week and "Welcome" to another new visitor.

Twelve of us identified crushes we had in our youth or might still have. Viggo Mortensen from LOTR was mentioned by three of us and Gerard Butler by two. Several of us like men of a distinct look, and some like the character that is portrayed, instead of the actor. I appreciated Alyssa's comment that she has 'no need for a crush' while in a committed relationship. Four stated they do not have crushes.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #252 comments is: #11 Elizabeth 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 #253

(One Question.)

MaryP asks: Do you prefer classic and traditional names for characters or more off-beat and unusual??

I'm not sure if Mary meant this question as to book names or real-life names. My first thought was of book character names. I do like off-beat and unusual names for characters. And I guess I like unusual names for real life too although some of the tradition names are quite lovely. Hopefully everyone learns to like the name they were given. If not, then when they are old enough they could pick a nickname.
Our son and daughter-in-law are just starting to ponder names for the twins due in late August. :-)

Image from Freeman Advertising (naming a business - not a baby)

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 to use.

Your turn to share:
MaryP asks: Do you prefer classic and traditional names for characters or more off-beat and unusual??

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 May 28, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Violets in February by Clare Revell

I really enjoyed the characters and action, as well as the faith message shared in this book.
Violets in February
by Clare Revell

File Size: 855 KB
Print Length: 122 pages
Publisher: Pelican Book Group (January 8, 2016)
ASIN: B01AR4ZMN8
Genre: Christian Romance, Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

When uptight missionary, Lucy Boyd is injured her only ride to the hospital 200 miles away is the scary looking guy who delivers their supplies every two weeks. Not only is he scary, he's obviously quite heathen based on the earring in his ear, the heavy metal music blasting from his truck when he pulls into the compound, and his salty language. Jed Gorman doesn't like people, especially Christians. Shuttled from foster home to foster home after the death of his parents, he's had enough "Christian Charity" to last a lifetime. The last thing he needs is that uptight missionary woman as a passenger. But when he sees that her knee is the size of a football he can't say no. It's going to be a rough ride, his truck is old, the monsoon season has hit, and there are guerrillas in the jungle...

Review:
Lucy Boyd is a straitlaced missionary doctor serving the people in Africa. She is respected by the staff and the natives. She looks down on and askance at the brash, swearing bloke who delivers the supplies, Jed Gorman. Jed is quick to taunt Lucy, needling her with his loud music and loud, salty language. Jed had a troubled past, being passed from one foster home to another, that left him with a disdain for Christians since his experience taught him they don’t life what they supposedly preach.

Lucy is the only doctor in the area for miles around. She is horrified when an injured father and young girl arrive for treatment after barely escaping from an attack by rebels in the jungle. Lucy hurts when she isn’t able to save her patients. Then an apparent rebel gang arrives with an injured leader. Lucy is reluctant to treat him but her boss reminds her that the mission is there to show mercy and grace to all in need. She treats the injury and the man is sheltered until he is able to travel again.

Lucy is exhausted from her tireless work and accidentally falls. Now that she has suffered a serious injury she is reluctant to follow the standard advice. Her boss and aides know that she must seek help at the city hospital. The only person available to get her there is Jed. He isn’t thrilled with the idea but a threatening storm leaves his battered, but trusty utility (Ute) truck as the only option.

The two slowly share about their childhood and their issues as they cope with the long and dangerous road. A washed out bridge send them off in another direction where they must try to escape the rebels.

I liked both characters in this story. They were a bit extreme but well developed with background that help shaped their personalities. I liked how Jed learns trust and faith through the ordeal while sharing a reminder to Lucy that she needs to give and seek forgiveness to settle demons from her past. The sniping opposites slowly develop a sweet romance while the action keeps the story moving at a good pace.

I am so glad that I received both book 1 and 2 in this series to read together. I enjoy the author’s clean writing style and her ability to share faith issues in real life settings. Maybe I rated the first book too harshly but I really had a hard time with the female lead, even though I recognize that the author appears to shape her characters on the extreme edge of their issues. I really enjoyed reading book 2 and think that the whole series would probably provide engaging entertainment together with good faith messages. I recommend these to readers who enjoy character driven Christian novels with a touch of suspense.

I received this title, and the first book in the series, from PBG (Pelican Book Group) Booklovers for an honest review. This qualifies for "V" in Alphabet Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 20, 2016

Happy Friday!
Not sure where another week went by. I have had a busy week with travel three days. Also staff out for sick children, school events and other appointments. *SIGH.* It leaves me with a full desk of work that I keep trying to complete. I am not getting ahead this way. :-(
Now I am sitting here falling asleep at my computer.
I hope everyone is enjoy their May weather and activities.

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 May 13 Pick. There was only 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 blocked title but it was won.
Elizabeth gets The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 13 Pick:
Mary P gets a GC

Alyn gets When Dashing Met Danger (through the block)

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.}

A bookstore named May books - located in New Orleans

Image found at Phaidon.

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

PAIRS:
Elizabeth Boyle: His Mistress by Morning and This Rake of Mine (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 2)
Kay Hooper: If There Be Dragons and The Matchmaker
Lisa Jackson: Left to Die and Twice Kissed
SINGLES:
The Theft by Andra Kane
Bed of Roses by Katherine Stone
Hope by Len Deighton (1995 paperback)
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
The Fallen by Thomas Sniegoski
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016

SINGLES:
Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes
Forgotten Promises by Denise Skelton

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
SINGLES:
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey

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 961+ 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!

Book Review: Carnations in January by Clare Revell

I like the Christian foundation of this story although I had trouble with the heroine. Fortunately she has a strong Christian suitor who shows her the worth she has in Christ.

Carnations in January
by Clare Revell

File Size: 971 KB
Print Length: 117 pages
Publisher: Pelican Book Group (December 11, 2015)
ASIN: B018DWGGVI
Genre: Christian Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

After Grace Chadwick receives a surprise inheritance from her aunt—a house and a florist shop—she moves in after the funeral. While she doesn't know the first thing about flowers, she sees this an answer to her prayers—the new start she desperately needs. When Elliot Wallac drops by his new neighbor's house with casserole, he finds the house next door has problems. Damp walls and a sagging floor set his builders senses on alert. But this house needs more than a cosmetic fix, inspection reveals more extensive issues. Like Grace's spiritual life, the house is suffering from neglect at the very foundation. With God's guidance can Elliot help Grace repair her home and her faith before both are condemned?

Review:
Grace has always found it hard to live up to her name. She has stumbled a time or two and hasn’t been able to get on steady feet. Now Grace has inherited her beloved Aunt’s house and florist shop. Grace has decided to make an attempt to renew the house and revive the florist shop but she will need help. She knows nothing about flowers so she rehires the prior employees who are more than happy to show her the ropes.

She also knows little about decorating a house that has apparently suffered years of neglect … and maybe worse. Her neighbor, Elliot, steps in to help. Elliot is a handsome, Christian man who was friends with Grace’s Aunt. He is also a contractor and is beginning to suspect there are problem with Grace’s house when he visits and finds damp walls and slanted floors. Grace is struggling with restarting the florist shop and doesn't have the fortitude or self-confidence to face a set back at home. 

Elliot is committed to his faith and belief in Christ. He is attracted to Grace and continually invites her to join him at church but Grace repeatedly refuses. Grace had a bad experience in college with a professed Christian which has turned her away from church and faith. Elliot wants to show Grace that faith is not religion but relationship. He will also have to convince her that she has more strength and worth than she realizes if he wants to pursue more than a friendship with her.

I very much enjoyed the premise of this story and the faith messages conveyed in a life style and not in a preachy manner. I also liked the imagery and the easy writing/reading style. The addition of Elliott's brother and nephew add a fun element and I really like the flower theme of the series. Sadly, I did not like the doubt and pity that control Grace’s character. She dwells in negativity and self-pity to the point that I found it hard to stomach the character. Thank goodness for Elliot’s strength of faith, steadfastness and perseverance. His character and the fundamental message of returning a lost soul to the flock saved this story for me. I received book two in the series, Violets in February, and am glad to say I found that one more enjoyable.

I received this title and the second title in the series from PBG (Pelican Book Group) Booklovers for an honest review. Stay tuned (tomorrow) for the review of book two which is more favorable.