Sunday Words of Encouragement March 24, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher continued his lessons on the gifts of ministry, positional gifts and other spiritual gifts focusing on 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. This is continuing to be a good study.

Pastor continued the 5th message on The Bridge. He noted how bridges are amazing and collapses are frightening. Our greatest need is a bridge to our heavenly Father.
We often find it is frustrating to talk to middle man. Sometimes the middleman misinterprets or mixes the message but other times the middleman serves as a buffer.

Hebrews 5:1-10 tells us that Jesus was appointed by God as our High Priest... v9.

Point: Jesus is our perfect way and only way to right standing with God.

To understand the importance of Jesus as our High Priest, we have to understand the Old Testament role of High Priest. He was from the Levitical line and appointed by God. He was to live by a high standard with very strict requirements, including clothing. If the was disobedient, he would lose his life. The High Priest was the representative and intermediary for the people. He is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people. Verse 2. He offers sacrifice for his own sins as well as the people. Verse 3.

Jesus lived as man and suffered. Verse 8. He suffered through sorrow, betrayal, fatigue, frustration...He understands you. Jesus is qualified and absolutely can relate to us.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6. But salvation is not the end of our need.
1 John 5:20 tells us that “He is only true God, and He is eternal life.”
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5.
Jesus, who was Himself God, humbled himself to become human, and as a man he became obedient to death, even death on the cross. Philippians 2:5-11.

We need that continuing relationship of submitting to Christ. We need to stop trying to get into God graces by our own means and measures, but rather, surrender.
It is all about Him, not us. His love. His sacrifice, His Grace.
Give all your sense of accomplishment to Christ.
Because of who HE IS, not who I am.

I looked at several song videos but was led to use this one.

It gives me chills!

Verses for Today:
Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.


Lord, I stand amazed and in awe at the sacrifice and gift your love has given to me. I praise and thank you!

Sharing Beyond Books #365 Comment Giveaway March 23, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
None of us (18) are signed up for the Audible romance package. Then again, only three of us indicated we listen to audiobooks. Seven are not interested in audios; the others didn't indicate.

The Winner from SBB #364 comments is: #15 EMILY who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #365

(One Question.)

Becky asks: If you had traveled to different places, would you choose to moved to one of those places to live instead of where you live now or just stay where you reside right now??

I have lived in two states: Pennsylvania from birth to 12 and Florida since then (five different cities). I've been fortunate to travel quite a bit. I can't think of another place I would like to live other than where we live now. We have thought that living near our son, in Indiana, would be nice --- but not in winter. :-)

Image found at Bull Island Realty.

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.
March comments were shared by Faith Hope Cherry Tea and Becky. FHCT gets $2.50 credit and Becky gets first 1/2 credit towards a book pick.

Your turn to share. Becky asks: If you had traveled to different places, would you choose to moved to one of those places to live instead of where you live now or just stay where you reside right now??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 April 6, 2019 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The Double-A Western Detective Agency by Steve Hockensmith

This is fun listening and ‘deducifying’.

The Double-A Western Detective Agency
A Holmes on the Range Mystery
By: Steve Hockensmith
Narrated by: John McLain
Series: Holmes on the Range, Book 6

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-18-19
Language: English
Publisher: Steve Hockensmith
Genre: Mystery, Westerns
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4,25 and Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer’s dream has come true: The Sherlock Holmes-worshiping cowboy brothers are finally in business as professional detectives. But their fledgling A.A. Western Detective Agency faces a few challenges. Their partner, Col. Crowe, is almost as cantankerous and secretive as Old Red himself. The colonel’s daughter, Diana, insists on tagging along for the Amlingmeyers’ first assignment. And that assignment lands them smack dab in the middle of a range war - with Big Red and Old Red expected to shoot it out with rustlers rather than rustle up clues and solve a mystery.
When the violence claims an unexpected victim, however, the Amlingmeyers are called upon to holster their guns (for a moment) and use their “Holmesifying” skills to track down the killer. But someone else is tracking them...someone who seems to set one ambush after another for the brothers. Will the Double-A Western Detective Agency’s first case also be its last?
©2018 Steve Hockensmith (P)2019 Steve Hockensmith

Review:
Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer have finally managed to establish their own detective agency with the help of a partner, Col. Crowe. The Double-As are big fans of Sherlock Holmes but on their own have only had limited chance to use their skills. Cantankerous Old Red provides the detecting expertise while Big Red provides the muscle, reading and support skills. Although they resisted teaming with Crowe’s daughter, Diana, she provides the charm, sophistication and calm.

Now they have secured a legitimate, paying case to help uncover cattle rustlers. They arrive in town to find a highly divided and tense situation. They walk in on a band of bullying gunmen threatening the local sheriff and innocents. Big Red and Old Red stand to help the sheriff and step right into the middle of a range war. It turns out the bullies they anger are the newly hired gunman for the man who hired the agency.

When a man is unexpectedly murdered, the fingers are pointing at the accused elder son of their employer’s opposition. But the clues and evidence are pointing to the employer’s bully. Big Red and Old Red are off the case of the alleged rustlers but hired by opposition to investigate the murder to protect of the accused.

As the two begin their investigation they get attacked, first by two mysterious strangers and then by a gentleman dandy who appears as a friend of Diana. Old Red suspects that Diana is reporting behind their back while she is frustrated that they are keeping details from her. It might sound a bit convoluted, but it makes for fun detecting and “deducifying” as Big Red states. I enjoyed the friction and banter among the brothers and Diana. I also liked the mystery and the trail of clues. This is apparently book six in a series but read fine as a standalone. I would be interested in reading/listening to more in the series. There are quotes and references to Holmes’ cases which make it more fun for mystery and Holmes’ fans.

Audio Notes: John McLain does a nice job with the narration. His voice and tone fit the rough western setting. He provides distinct voices and successfully delivers the humor in the brotherly ribbing. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: Received March 2019 from the author for review. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook Goal.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 22, 2019

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is planning to enjoy the first true week of Spring!
I did pull together a new box of books.

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 March 15, 2019 Pick. There were two automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. No title was blocked.
RITA gets Wicked Promise
and ELIZABETH gets Brothers of Gwynedd

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 15, 2019 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC.
and
NIKKI 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.}

I love book gardens!
Image found at blackcountrylibrarian.

New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves

PAIRS:
Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes and The Knight of Rosecliffe
Stella Cameron: Target and Now You See Him

SINGLES:
Golden Goddess by Stephanie James
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
The Gamble by LaVerle Spencer
Two Brothers by Linda Lael Miller
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
Bold Conquest by Virginia Henley
Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
Forbidden Pleasures (hardback) by Bertrice Small
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

 
New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Brides Anthology
Holiday in Death
Christmas Homecoming
Together by Christmas Anthology
The Christmas Date
The Christmas Promise (hardback)
A Blue and Grey Christmas (hardback)
The Snow Angel (CD Audiobook)
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
PAIRS:
Kat Martin: Bold Angel and Devil's Prize
Elizabeth Lowell: Death Is Forever and Running Scared
SINGLE
It Takes a Hero by Elizabeth Boyle
Two Alone by Sandra Brown
'Tween a Devil and his hard Place by Sam Cheever
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue
Hot Pursuit by Christinea Skye
Sisters & Secrets Anthology
Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback
Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Pairs:
Stella Cameron: French Quarter and Key West
Jude Deveraux: Mulberry Tree and Wild Orchids
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Unmasked Anthology - Jennifer Blake, Janet Dailey and Elizabeth Gage
Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Finer Things by Brenda Joyce
Wicked Promise by Kat Martin
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Leopard's Woman by Linda Lael Miller and White Wolf by Lindsay McKenna
Eagle and the Dove by Victoria Morrow
To Love Again by Bertrice Small
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith
Primal Obsession by Susan Vaughn

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES

Best Laid Plans
Darkness Tell Us
Cooking More Deadly


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
Fern Michaels and James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Green Trap
End Game
Night School
The Red Tent
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
Secrets of Paris
Linda Goodnight
Irish Charmers, the Mighty Quinns
Firebird
No Getting Over a Cowboy
The Book of Fate Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Doctor’s Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen
The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
Rhapsody in Time by Judith O’Brien
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

PAIRS
Johanna Lindsey Pair
Judith Krentz Pair
SINGLES
Midnight Rainbow
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Betrayed
My Dark Prince
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes
Brothers of Gwynedd
Fatal Defect
Bones of the Sea and Other Stories
By a Spider's Thread



New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 EIGHT years I have posted 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,231+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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!

Audible Book Review: Ghost Squadron Boxed Set by Sarah Noffke

This is fun space military entertainment.
Age of Expansion: A Kurtherian Gambit Series
Ghost Squadron Boxed Set, Books 1-4
By: Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle
Narrated by: Chris Abernathy

Series: The Kurtherian Gambit Universe, Book 104, 106, 108, 111, The Ghost Squadron, Book 1-4
Length: 26 hrs and 6 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-20-19
Language: English
Publisher: LMBPN
Genre: Genetic Engineering, Sci Fi, Space Military
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4,25 and Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
After 10 years of wandering the outer rim of the galaxy, Eddie Teach is a man without a purpose. He was one of the toughest pilots in the Federation, but now he's just a regular guy, getting into bar fights and making a difference wherever he can. It's not the same as flying a ship and saving colonies, but it'll have to do.
That is, until General Lance Reynolds tracks Eddie down and offers him a job. There are bad people out there, plotting terrible things, killing innocent people, and destroying entire colonies.
©2018 Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle (P)2019 LMBPN

Review:
Eddie Teach was a Federation Pilot who stepped away from the stress and has been traveling around as a - mostly – regular guy. What isn’t really regular is that he tends to pick fights with bad characters whenever he gets the chance. He is a bit surprised when General Lance Reynolds and a strong human female, Juliana, show up to offer him a spot as pilot on a special team that is secretly fighting evil.

Captain Teach and Commander Juliana Fregin begin with a refurbished craft and the aid of an E.I. (Extended Intelligence) named Pip who is connected to Juliana and ArchAngel, the ship A.I.. Their first few missions are to recruit more unique crew members. There is a many tentacled creature (a Londil) who is a genius mechanic; an unexpected addition of a Kezzin soldier; a whiz-kid hacker and a few others added to fill out what is dubbed the Ghost Squadron. Fortunately Juliana is an enhanced kick-butt leader as she and Eddie face multiple dangerous engagements before they add a true fighting force to their team.

The primary characters are well developed. The bantering dialogue and heckling relationships among the characters add a fun aspect. The story is full of dangerous action from the beginning to the end. The alien characters and world building are creative. The alien species include violent Trids – a form of hammerhead shark who carry their own mechanism to help breath out of water and the Kezzin, a species with red, scaly skin and yellow eyes. The Kezzin were once isolationists but have recently been pulled into territorial wars.

The writing is on an easily readable level and moves along well. The only drawback for me was some (though not necessarily excessive) cursing. (The blurb does include a warning which is nice.)

This collection includes Noffke’s first four books in this Kurtherian Gambit Age of Expansion side series: Formation, Exploration, Evolution and Degeneration. These four books create a consistent plot line that is mostly resolved in book four. Still, it is clear there are new adventures and missions and I may be willing to continue in Noffke’s world.

Audio Notes: Chris Abernathy does a very good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters. The delivery moves well with strong energy, including the humor and fighting. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.


An interesting note: The original Kurtherian Gambit Series consists of 21 books. The world created by author Michael Anderle who then worked with numerous other sci fi authors expanding the Kurtherian Universe to over 111 titles. I do plan to read book one, Death Becomes Her, later this year.

Source: 2019 Audible credit from Author. This qualifies for my Audiobook Goal.