Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 9, 2018

Happy Friday and Happy February - already!

I have been working hard at office and feel like progress is being made. I finally got a bug this week with sore throat and swollen glands staring on Monday. Stayed home and slept through Tuesday. I've been going to bed early each night. I have my energy back but my nose is all stuffy.

I FINALLY Got that last box listed and I have the older lists consolidated to the bookshelf.
I will have a new box to post for next week.

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 February 2 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 2 Pick:
SUE gets Wizard's Daughter; and
Bube gets a CG.

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.}

Love and a good book - Yes! :-)
Image found at St. Thomas Public Library.

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017

21 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


 THESE BOOKS CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Atlantis Found
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber 
Shadow Music 
Corbin's Fancy 
Hawk's Lady

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 of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I *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 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,139+books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month 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: Ubik by Philip K. Dick

I enjoyed this suitably ironic Vintage Sci Fi.

Ubik
By: Philip K. Dick
Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-28-16
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Classic, Sci Fi, Vintage
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A mind-bending, classic Philip K. Dick novel about the perception of reality.
Named as one of Time's 100 best books.
Glen Runciter runs a lucrative business - deploying his teams of anti-psychics to corporate clients who want privacy and security from psychic spies. But when he and his top team are ambushed by a rival, he is gravely injured and placed in "half-life," a dreamlike state of suspended animation. Soon, though, the surviving members of the team begin experiencing some strange phenomena, such as Runciter's face appearing on coins and the world seeming to move backward in time. As consumables deteriorate and technology gets ever more primitive, the group needs to find out what is causing the shifts and what a mysterious product called Ubik has to do with it all.
©1969 Philip K. Dick (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Review:
Joe Chip is sort of an everyday guy who works a special job for Glen Runciter’s security business. Joe operates the test systems to determine the level of skills of anti-psychics who are hired by Runciter’s firm. Joe has brought a new employee to be hired who has a unique but dangerous skill.

In the world where Runciter and Chip live, people can be put into a suspended “half-life” right before they die. Runciter’s wife and partner, Ella, is in such a state. Runciter meets with Ella to get her advice when troubles arise, like facing the challenge of a rival company.

The rival manages an ambush against the team that puts Runciter into “half-life” and leaves the team in shock. Soon members of the team begin to die and the world around them twists with Joe seeing strange messages that seem to be coming from Runciter and in a product called Ubik. It isn’t clear what the product is as it changes from one chapter to the next, but it is always described as “safe when used as directed”.

Joe realizes that the team members are dying when they become separated. He does his best to pull them together but the world around them is deteriorating and the means of travel are retrograding from teleporting to planes to trains to automobiles. This makes it more difficult to keep the group together while they try to decipher the clues.

I enjoyed the rather crazy events, the clues and twists. It can be confusing but if you stick with it the twists become understandable and the ending pulled together. This is the type of futuristic, sci fi irony I have learned to enjoy in the vintage stories. I recommend this to sci fi fans.

Audio Notes: Luke Daniels does a fine job with the voices managing the various nuances of the characters. He captures the sardonic irony of the story. I am glad I listened to this in audio.

Source: Audible Daily Deal 2017. I listened to this for Vintage Sci Fi. This qualifies for 2018 TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet challenges.

#NetGalley Book Review: Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2 by Chuck Black

This is a fascinating tale from the perspective of a warrior angel.
Rise of the Fallen: Wars of the Realm, Book 2
by Chuck Black

File Size: 4213 KB
Print Length: 319 pages
Publisher: Multnomah (February 17, 2015)
ASIN: B00N6PFBKA
Genre: Action & Adventure, Christian, Fantasy,
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

A six thousand year war rages and now the demonic Fallen are coming for him—the one man shrouded in mystery. Only Validus stands in their way.
Validus is the last and least of God’s angels, but he’s seen much across the millennia since his creation. Empires have risen and fallen as angelic and demonic forces battle in a raging war that will determine humanity's fate – and the fate of his defeated brothers.
Eventually called to be an earth-bound warrior, Validus rises to a position of power and respect, commanding legions of angels through impossible battles and overwhelming odds. But when orders arrive from the Creator's most elite Messenger, he finds himself suddenly demoted to a task of apparent insignificance considering the fierce war they are waging against the demonic Fallen – the covert protection of one unbelieving man.
Validus soon finds himself on a mission that will push him beyond his abilities as he battles to protect Drew Carter, for the Fallen are coming for him. Legions of them.
As Validus races against time to discover why Drew is so important to humanity's survival, can he stand between Drew and all who would destroy him?

Review:
The first book, The Cloak of Light, follows the growth of Drew Carter, a good young man who lost his father as a youth and later is injured during a lab accident. Initially it was thought that he was blind, but he recovered his sight and can see between realms. He thinks he is seeing aliens, not realizing that he is seeing demons and angels.

Validus is a warrior angel who has now been reassigned to guard the human, Drew Carter. Initially Validus thinks this is a demotion as he doesn’t know why Drew is important. The man isn’t even a believer in Christ, although he has a close female friend who is.As Validus and his charge become pursued by the 'fallen' he begins to recognize the urgency of this assignment.

The wonderful thing about this, book two, is it tells the perspective of history, from the beginning of creation, including the fall of Lucifer, many battles over the years and even the birth of Jesus, all through the eyes of Validus. Chuck Black does a remarkable, imaginative job developing very believable scenes consistent with Biblical and historical stories. I enjoyed the character of Validus and his friends as they interact with the humans of each event. There is exciting, detail in the scenes, including blow by blow descriptions in the human and spiritual battles.

The book also has a strong, thought provoking discussion guide. I enjoyed this book two even more than book one and look forward book three. I recommend this to readers who enjoy action and enjoy stories of the angelic realm.

Source: NetGalley 2017. This qualifies for 2018 NetGalley, TBR and Alphabet Challenges.

Sunday Post February 4, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 5, 2018

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I completed my reporting project with a few late nights. I keep plugging away one file at a time at work.
We had a couple days of rain this week, including today, but the weather was warmer.

I really liked my reading and listening this past week. I finished two ebooks and one Audible. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 27 blogs during the week :-)
Shout Out this week to Kristin @ Lukten av Trykksverte a bookblogger who shares with us from Norway.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 28, 2018/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 29, 2018.

• A2018- Audible Book Review: Island by Aldous Huxley; Classic, Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 2.0.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning; Fantasy, Middle Grade (ages 8-10), Siblings; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 2, 2018. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/8/2018.

• PTBR- Book Review: Seek and Destroy (America Rising) by William C. Dietz; Alternate History, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.5.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 4, 2018.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

A Gem of a Problem (Emma Berry Murray River Mystery Book 1)
by Irene Sauman
Light and charming historical mystery with determined female amateur detective.
Source: NetGalley 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

Battle Hymn (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz
I really enjoyed this alternate history, military series.
Source: Publisher through NetGalley
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Brothers in Valor Man of War, Book 3
By: H. Paul Honsinger
Narrated by: Ray Chase
Series: Man of War, Book 3
Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
This Space Marine Sci Fi provided great entertainment.
Source: Audible TBR 2016 Sale.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

All Our Wrong Todays: A Novel
by Elan Mastai
I am only 10% in with a little slow beginning
but an interesting premise.
Source: NetGalley 
(This is the oldest in my NetGalley queue.)
Elan Mastai's acclaimed debut novel is a story of friendship and family, of unexpected journeys and alternate paths, and of love in its multitude of forms.
It's 2016, and in Tom Barren's world, technology has solved all of humanity's problems—there's no war, no poverty, no under-ripe avocadoes. Unfortunately, Tom isn't happy. He's lost the girl of his dreams. And what do you do when you're heartbroken and have a time machine? Something stupid.
Finding himself stranded in a terrible alternate reality—which we immediately recognize as our 2016—Tom is desperate to fix his mistake and go home. Right up until the moment he discovers wonderfully unexpected versions of his family, his career, and the woman who may just be the love of his life.
Now Tom faces an impossible choice. Go back to his perfect but loveless life. Or stay in our messy reality with a soulmate by his side. His search for the answer takes him across continents and timelines in a quest to figure out, finally, who he really is and what his future—our future—is supposed to be.
Filled with humor and heart and packed with insight, intelligence, and mind-bending invention, All Our Wrong Todays is a powerful and moving story of life, loss, and love.

2. Audible/MP3 (ABB 2018)

River Rising
Carson Chronicles, Book 1
By: John A. Heldt
Narrated by: Chaz Allen
Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
I'm enjoying the beginning in this.
Source: From the author through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (NGTBR)

The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine (Holiday Contest)
by Laura L. Walker
I'm ready for a lighter, Valentine read. :-)
Source: Author.
When a Valentine's Day contest for Arizona's Cutest Couple throws two romance-challenged friends together, can they survive a fake engagement and win the prize?
All Penny Merrill wants to do is run her own sweet shop in ritzy Scottsdale, Arizona, but her money-hungry mother and conniving stepfather are making it nearly impossible to keep her dream alive. When Penny finds an advertisement for a Valentine’s Day contest for Arizona’s Cutest Couple, with the winnings being enough to enable her to hold on to her floundering business, she comes up with an idea that might just work—if she can find the right man for the job.
Commercial contractor Preston Ames is starting to develop feelings for Penny, and even though he’s been through enough heartache to know that he should avoid her at all costs, he can’t keep himself from visiting her sweet shop every day. When Penny asks him to participate in a crazy scheme so that she can overturn her stepfather’s underhanded business ploy, Preston hesitates, wanting to keep the fact that he’s a billionaire a secret. However, one look into her soulful blue eyes and he’s a goner.
Everything seems to be going well for Penny and Preston until they compete with another couple whose heartache transcends all of their misconceptions about love. When all is said and done, will they do the right thing and, in the process, discover a bond that is greater than they thought was even possible? Can just one picture turn Penny into Preston’s sweet Valentine? Find out in this clean and wholesome romance featuring a fun holiday contest!

February 4, 2018 - I am up to date and enjoying reading and listening to the One Year Bible plan on my new smartphone. However we realized that it does not match the book plan so we aren't not reading the same scriptures. You can check out the audio on the companion commentary online.

I completed 3 books and posted 3 reviews - yay, a good dent. That keeps me at 5 current reviews.
I have started linking again at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 20. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie.
I have more new author requests but haven't had time to reply.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I selected/received two ebooks for review this week.
I picked up one Audible daily deals and one Kindle title this week.
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I accepted these ebook titles from the authors:

The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine (Holiday Contest)
by Laura L. Walker
The timing is right for a Valentine story and I like the sounds of this.

Blackstone

by Richard Falkirk

So I am going from Vintage Sci Fi to almost Vintage Mystery. I've always liked Bow Street Runners.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up this Audible Daily Deal to share with the grandkids:
2/3/2018 DD for $.99
Frozen Storybook Collection
By: Disney Book Group
Narrated by: Andrew Eiden
Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 04-18-17


One Kindle Title $.99
The Duke's Bridle Path
Grace Burrowes, Theresa Romain

I also picked up a box (31 paperbacks and 1 audiobook CD) at our Woman's Yard Sale; $15.00. I took a picture but I'm not getting my home computer to read the SD card so I will have to try at work.

Free

I added 55 free titles to my Kindle library this week! Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement February 4, 2018

Sunday School this morning was in the nature of a small group as we celebrated our teacher’s birthday, shared prayer concerns and a few comments from our weekly Bible readings and devotions.

Service began with worship, a message from the Lord and then communion. Pastor began a new series titled “Inhabited” teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit.

[Recommended reading: Forgotten God by Frances Chan  (cool – I found that in my Kindle library!!) and Want More? By Tim Enloe.]

We need to recognize that expectation is a secret ingredient to receiving the Spirit. We must learn to discern whether a thought we have is a God thought or enemy thought. We must press on to get beyond the enemy thought. Pray for others on your pew – for those around you. (MSE note: literally and figuratively as in blog friends as well as local friends.)

God wants to give us a new sense of pursuit. A hunger for more of Him. A hunger that can give us power to overcome our circumstances.
Pray: Dear Lord, today be greater in our lives.
Don't let church or human expectation and tradition inhibit our responses. We tend to seek a certain comfort level. We may (at first especially) be uncomfortable with speaking in tongues as we may be afraid to become one of “them”. But we must choose to remove the limits.

Jesus promises to send a new advocate, the Holy Spirit, to live with and in those who believe. John 14:15-17.
We must recognize who the Holy Spirit is:
The Holy Spirit is not a thing we can control but is a person. John 14:26.
(The Holy Spirit has a perfect relationship within the triune Godhead.)
The Holy Spirit lives IN us. John 16:5-11.

You might ask this interesting question: Would you prefer to live with Jesus next to you or the Spirit within you?

Have we set limits on the Spirit in us? The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. Romans 8:9-11. Why would we want to trade that?

A. W. Tozer preached (about 1952):

“We may as well face it: the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone… (We) have imitated the world, sought popular favor, manufactured delights to substitute for the joy of the Lord and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Are we desperate? What stops us from experiencing more of God.
You do not get to do what you want, you are not your own, but rather you belong to Him. 1 Corinthians 6: 19.

Point: We are not all we are meant to be when everything in our lives can be explained apart from the work and presence of the Spirit of God.

Are we-- can we be -- satisfied with love that can be explained without the Spirit?
Do our daily lives encourage, give comfort, share joy? These are attributes of the Spirit living in a Christ follower.

The work and presence of the Holy Spirit is available now through the Spirit of the living God.
Every day you can experience His presence.
Start the week in His presence. Get desperate for Him.

This song was shared this morning and it certainly fits the message!

Verses for Today:
John 14:15-17 (NIV)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

My Prayer (as noted by Pastor): Dear Lord, today be greater in our lives.

Book Review: Seek and Destroy (America Rising) by William C. Dietz

The second half of this alternate history thriller is non stop action.

Seek and Destroy (America Rising)
by William C. Dietz

Series: America Rising (Book 2)
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Ace (June 20, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425278727
Genre: Alternate History, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 0f 5.0

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Legion of the Damned® novels and the Mutant Files series comes the second novel in a postapocalyptic military science fiction series about America struggling to overcome a natural disaster but starting a second civil war…
As people fight to survive the aftereffects of more than a dozen meteor strikes, a group of wealthy individuals conspires to rebuild the United States as a corporate entity called the New Confederacy, where the bottom line is law. As a second civil war rages, with families fighting against families on opposite sides, Union president Samuel T. Sloan battles to keep the country whole.
To help in the fight for unity, Union Army captain Robin “Mac” Macintyre and her crew of Stryker vehicles are sent after the ruthless “warlord of warlords,” an ex–Green Beret who rules a large swath of the West. But defeating him will be even more difficult than she thought. The warlord is receiving military assistance from Mac’s sister—and rival—Confederate major Victoria Macintyre. And when the siblings come together in the war-torn streets of New Orleans, only one of them will walk away.

Review:
This second book continues to follow the three primary characters, Mac with her Marauder Stryker crew, Union president Sloan, and Mac’s Confederate enemy, her sister Victoria. Mac and her crew are sent on one special assignment after another. First they have to take out a ruthless warlord an ex-military man holding sway in Wyoming. Next they rescue a downed pilot behind enemy lines. A twist occurs but it isn’t long before Mac is back in action helping to snatch a Confederate official out of Texas. And finally the team must lead a flotilla, fighting off Confederate forces, to clear obstructions and open a supply way down the Mississippi.

Meanwhile Sloan is busy trying to rebuild the country, making steps to gain support for reelection and managing the overall war picture. He participates in a few military manuevers himself maintaining his tag as "the fighting President). He’d like to see a little of Robin (Mac) in between stops but rumors could be harmful.

Victoria is busy giving aid to the warlord that Mac faces, planning ways to assassinate Mac, and finally sneaking in to sabotage New Orleans after the Union has captured it. Mac and Victoria have several nearby passes until they finally meet face to face.

I was already engaged by the characters and setting from book one. Mr. Dietz continues to show great skill in building a plausible post catastrophic America that is the turmoil of civil war. There is no way to go through battle after battle without experiencing losses but these characters must push through to pursue their respective agendas, or in Mac’s case, to fulfill her duty as a leader protecting her team as they follow orders of their superiors. This story gave me an appreciation for battle tactics and how a skilled leader can win against forces that are sometimes better equipped. The story, especially the second half, is full of trouble, threats, treachery, twists, terror and trauma. I also recognize how each battle or encounter can turn on any momentary event – stroke of luck some might say.

I really enjoyed this second book, even more than book one. I was very glad to have book three to jump into. I highly recommend this series to readers who like military action with a touch of political intrigue and a dash of romance.

Source: Publisher in preparation of reading Book 3 through NetGalley. This qualifies for 2018 TBR and Alphabet Challenges.

My Review of Book One: Into the Guns (America Rising) by William C. Dietz

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 2, 2018

Happy Friday and Happy February - already!

I'v had a fairly exhausting week but got my month end reports completed as well as a couple of closings. My desk has a stack of phone messages that I will be working on Friday morning.

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 January 26 Pick. There was one automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.
Elizabeth gets Hawk's Lady

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 26 Pick:
Miki gets a CG; and
Nikki gets CG.

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.}

Every month is Love of Reading Month for me! :-)
Image found at Garstang Community Academy.

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017 (37 titles)
24 in the top picture and 13 in the lower picture. Not sure that you can read the titles so I will try to list these soon.

These books remain:

 THESE BOOKS ARE NOT LISTED YET SO THE ONES CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Atlantis Found
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber 
Shadow Music 
Corbin's Fancy 
Hawk's Lady


New Book Group #75 September 29, 2017

SINGLES:
THESE LISTED ARE THE ONLY TITLES STILL AVAILABLE IN THIS AND LOWER LISTED BOXES.
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
Morning Song
Daring
Named of the Dragon
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
The Painted House (audio)

New Book Group #74 August 25, 2017

SINGLES:
Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce (slight spine wear)
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey (slight spine wear)
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson – Audio Cassettes
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman

New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
SINGLES:
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan

New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
SINGLES:
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)

New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
SINGLES:
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
SINGLES:
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLES:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)

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.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016-- All Gone

New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015 -- All Gone

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

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

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

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
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 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
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)
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
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)

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 EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,139+books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month 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: The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning

This is a fun listen good for children and adults.
 The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning 
By: John Stephens
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Series: The Books of Beginning, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-05-11
Language: English
Publisher: Listening Library
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade (ages 8-10), Siblings
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last 10 years, passed along like lost baggage.
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
Until now.
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And - if an ancient prophesy is correct - what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.
The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.
©2011 John Stephens (P)2011 Listening Library

Review:
In the middle of the night a mother kisses her children goodbye and leaves them to be delivered to an orphanage. Kate is old enough to remember her mother’s message: ‘take care of her brother and sister’. Ten years later the three have gone through numerous orphanages and are shipped off to a last resort orphanage. The building is very strange as it has a dormitory for children but appears to have been closed for years. There is a strange cook/housekeeper, Miss Sallow, and a peculiar handyman, Abraham, but the head of Cambridge Falls, Dr. Pym, is nowhere to be found.

Abraham tells the children not to wonder the halls as they might get lost. He hands them an old photograph and tells them a few broken tales of years past when children lived in the village by the nearby lake. In spite of the warnings, Kate, Michael and Emma begin to explore the mansion, as children will. They discover a dark study and a strange book. Then their adventure begins as they are dropped into a time and place full of magic, greedy, evil witches, dwarves, rumors of treasures and more.

The story pulled me in quickly and moved at a good pace. I enjoyed the characters, the mystery and the danger. The reader knows from the beginning that the children are special and there is a need to protect them. Slowly the events, and characters, such as Dr. Pym and the witch/Countess, begin to reveal the secrets of the children’s abilities and their connection to the book.

Although there is danger and suspense, this is appropriate for middle school children. The fantasy is fun and the plot well developed with twists and turns. I recommend this to readers looking for a lighter, engaging fantasy.

Audio Notes: Jim Dale, of Harry Potter audio fame, is a delightful narrator. I really enjoyed this listening experience.

Source: Audible 2012. This qualifies for 2018 TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

MBS December 2017 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - DECEMBER

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2017

1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Defining Diana by Hayden Trenholm; Cyberpunk, Mystery, Police Procedure, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Letters form Atlantis by Robert Silverberg; Fantasy, Sci Fi, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
3. eNG- Book Review: Gift From The Stars by James Gunn; Hard Science Fiction; my rating 4.0.
4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: A State of Treason by David Thomas Roberts; Action, Alternate History, Political Thriller; my rating 4.25.
5. PTBR-LBC- Book Review and Giveaway: The Vision and Beyond by David Wilkerson; Prophesy, Religion & Spirituality; my rating 4.25.
6. A2017- Audible Book Review: Western Christmas Weddings by Jenna Kernan; Historical Romance, Western Romance; my rating 4.5.
7. eNG- Book Review: Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point) by RaeAnne Thayne; Clean, Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.25.
8. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper; Fantasy, Romance; my rating 4.25.
9. eNG- Book Review: The Rancher's Christmas Song by RaeAnne Thayne; Clean, Holidays, Sweet Romance, Small Town; my rating 4.5.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Saving Grace by Lee Smith; Family Drama, Fiction; my rating 2.5.
11. A-ABJ2017- Audio Book Review: About a Dog by Jenn McKinlay; Contemporary Romance, Small Town; my rating 3.5.
12. PLBC- Book Review: The Christmas Code by O. S. Hawkin; Devotional, Inspirational, Religious my rating 4.5.
13. Print- Goodreads Book Review: Elemenopee: The Day L, M, N, O, P Left the ABC's by Pamela Hall; Children, Learning; my rating 5.0.
14. Print- Goodreads Book Review: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins; Animals, Children, Learning; my rating 5.0.
15. eNG- Book Review: Coiled by H. L. Burke; Adaptations, Fairy Tale, Retellings; my rating 4.75.
16. PPublisher- Book Review: Into the Guns (America Rising) by William C. Dietz; Military, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
17. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara; Fantasy, Supernatural; my rating 3.75.
18. eTBR- Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer; Adaptations, Alien, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
19. ATBR- Audible Book Review: When a Child Is Born A Chronicles of St. Mary's Short Story by Jodi Taylor; Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel; my rating 4.25.
20. Tyndale One Year Bible

Total read = 18; TBR = 9; New Authors = 11
Audio/Audible = 9 (7 TBRs)
eBook = 1 (1 TBR)
NetGalley = 4
Print = 6 (1 TBR)

Audible Book Review: Island by Aldous Huxley

UGH - This one was not for me.
Island
By: Aldous Huxley
Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 09-13-16
Language: English
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Classic, Vintage Sci Fi
My Rating: 2.0 of 5.0
Narrator Rating: 4.0

Publisher's Summary
In his final novel - which he considered his most important - Aldous Huxley transports us to the remote Pacific island of Pala, where an ideal society has flourished for 120 years.
Inevitably, this island of bliss attracts the envy and enmity of the surrounding world. A conspiracy is underway to take over Pala, and events are set in motion when an agent of the conspirators, a newspaperman named Faranby, is shipwrecked there. What Faranby doesn't expect is how his time with the people of Pala will revolutionize all his values and - to his amazement - give him hope.
©1962 Aldous Huxley (P)2016 Tantor

Review:
Will Faranby is a journalist who awakens on the shores of Pala, a remote Pacific island. He is found and cared for by native people. As he recovers he learns of the peaceful nature of the people from a young widow and the doctor who treats him.

Faranby also meets the 17-year-old prince and his worldly, controlling mother. The prince will be crowned ruler when he reaches 18. Faranby recognizes the boy who he met recently with a military official on a nearby island. It seems the boy and his mother are making plans with the dictatorial Colonel to bring social and economic modernism to Pala. Faranby spends a short time with the prince who explains his goals and reasonings.

Faranby then gets an explanation regarding the benefits of “yoga love” and Moksha meditation from the widow and the doctor takes Faranby on a tour of Pala. He is shown the schools, which include dance that helps stamp out anger, and art that helps to open creativity. He is also shown the research facilities which involve artificial insemination for genealogical selection.

These elements could have been interesting except they are presented by monologue lectures which advance a platform of Buddhist training, practices, beliefs and precepts often compared to Faranby’s wicked nature and inadequate Calvin principles. Huxley also presents a few brief ‘discussions’ of politics (communism versus capitalism) and there was a morality lecture including adaptations of Aesop’s Fables and principles of ecology and conservation. 80% of the book is lecture although some brief periods of dialogue included Faranby’s irreverent, ironic, quotes of scripture and even some recited poetry.

I found three items I liked: the beginning “attention” and “here and now boys” screeches of the mynah; the description of a landscape painting in the meditation room; and the description of “chewing grace” where, with first bite, they focus attention to the food, tastes and textures. The last hour consisted of a description of a drug induced experience – first with joy and beauty then with fear and ugliness.

I struggled through the first half hoping to get to some plot. Then, having committed six hours already, I forced myself to finish. If I wanted a lecture on Buddhism I could take a class. That is not what I want in a fiction book. The overall experience: UGH!

Audio Notes: Thank goodness for Simon Vance! I always like his voice so it was really the saving grace of pushing through this listen. He gives the characters suitable accents and manages not to drift off during the lectures.

Source: Audible Daily Deal 2018 Purchase for Vintage Sci Fi. This qualifies for 2018 Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.