What are you Reading on Monday January 18, 2010

Join this meme at:
J. Kaye's Book Blog
I did do some reviews this past week but still need to get caught up.

[Note re codes:  YGR is You Gotta Read Reviews; CR is CataRomance Reviews, BTL is Between the Line/WRDF - these are the three sites where I read and review.  There are links under Some Friends on the sidebar for each of these. MBS is this blog - Martha's BookShelf!]

Finished:

PB:  Seduced by a Rougue by Amanda Scott. The handsome hero abducts the lovely heiress of an enemy clan.  Can love win out over clan war?  Reviewing on MBS for Hachette giveaway.  This was character driven and a good read. Review to be posted soon (I hope!).

Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer.  Daily Devotions - the mini review and Giveaway are posted.  Courtesy of Hachette.

Kindle2: Hearts of Compassion by Eryn Grace.  Rylee, A lonely daughter of a millionaire, is forced to work at a homeless shelter in up-state New York as a team building exercise for her job.  She is guided by the shelter's lawyer who was fired from Riley's father's firm.  This was an engaging story and I liked the characters a lot!  Review to be posted soon.

Audible: ---------

Audio CD:  -------

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Currently reading:

PB: Breakfast in Bed by Robin Kaye. She is willing to teach "Mr. Perfect" how to clean up after himself and how to cook. But she is not sure she wants to send him back to his ex girlfriend after he is nicely trained! Doesn't this sound fun!! Reviewing for CR.

Kindle2:  Relative Danger by Terry Spear.  "Sexy murder mystery full of twists and turns." Reviewing for YGR. ( I didn't get this onto the Kindle last week so that is why I read Hearts of Compassion instead.)

Next: An American Rose Christmas Looks like an historical anthology I will like! Reviewing for YGR.

Audible: on hold.

Audio CD:  Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb.  I'm down to the last disc on this one.  VERY GOOD! This is the first in this series that I have read and I will read more!  Lt. Eve Dallas struggles to solve the murder of a seemingly ordinary family, and protect one small, terrified survivor.  My own TBR pile.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 17, 2010

This morning there was a Word that said that you may feel you are in your darkest hour ... but God will turn the darkness to light!

Our Pastor's message was titled "Reigniting Your Passion." He said something quite interesting. If you are passionate and enthusiastic about football you are considered a fan. But if you are passionate and enthusiastic about Church you are considered a fanatic. What do you think?

Here is a song about Jesus' Light!

A Verse for Today:

Matthew 37-40 from The Message Bible:

Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

My prayer today is that the Lord restore and strengthen our passion each day!

WINNER of the 211 Follower Contest!!

True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 37 Result: 18 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

I don't know why I can't get a picture of the Random.org so I had to copy and paste!  The winning number was 18.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LUCKY FOLLOWER WINNER:

[Note the snow in honor of the cold snap we just came through! LOL]
I have e-mailed to Donnas to please reply within 72 hours with her gift card choice!

Giveaway - 3 Copies - HEARING FROM GOD EACH MORNING by Joyce Meyer

Title: HEARING FROM GOD EACH MORNING

Author: Joyce Meyer

Category: RELIGION

Format: HARDCOVER BOOK

Edition: Adapted

Publish Date: 1/8/2010

Price: $15.99/$19.99

ISBN: 9780446557856

Pages: 384

Size: 5" x 7"

Product Description

In the hustle and bustle of today's busy world, sometimes it's hard enough to hear yourself think, much less take a minute to stop and listen for the voice of God. But learning to recognize God's voice and the many ways in which He speaks is vital for following His plan. This devotional; drawing from How to Hear From God, Knowing God Intimately, and The Power Of  Simple Prayer shows the reader through a daily reminder, how God speaks through their own thoughts and feelings, their dreams, and the words of other people. Joyce Meyer reveals the ways in which God delivers His word and the benefits of asking God for the sensitivity to hear His voice. Joyce asks the question, "Are you listening?" and shares how to do just that...on a daily basis.

Mini- Review:
I'm not doing a full review of the book because it is a daily devotional and I didn't want to read it all in one sitting.  This is a very lovely hardback little book that goes perfectly on a nightstand. I love the one page per day presentation!  Here is a way to get a bit of Bible reading each day - at least a verse a day!  If you visit the Open Book browser you can see the format and get a feel for the book. Each page is titled for the subject followed by a Bible verse.  Then there are a couple of paragraphs by Ms. Meyer relating that verse to our daily lifes. At the bottom of the page is a summary recap as God's word for you today. And although it is dated for each day it can be read in any order if you wanted and can be re-read from year to year!  Or it would make a great gift to pass on after you have read it for a  year then you could share the wisdom with another friend!

For example: January 10 is titled:  Friendship Makes us Bold.  The verse is: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.  Hebrews 4:16 KKJV.
Ms. Meyer discusses how our prayers will be more spirit-led when we recognize our friendship and see ourselves as friends with God.  We will be more bold and persistent in approaching Him as we "grow and progress in our friendship with God."  The word for the day is: "Remember to pray with the same passion and intimacy that you reserve for your closest friends"

Now isn't that a great thought to start a day?!  It only takes a brief time to read, reflect and get a start with God!  Maybe I can extend the time to more reading after the devotional as per my resolutions!

Many thanks to Hachette and to Valerie for this giveaway! 

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Okay guess I'll make you work a little by taking a look at the Open Book browser and telling me a date and the verse reference that you find there!
Please include your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Three total entries possible -once I post the review.)

THERE WILL BE THREE WINNERS!
* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close Midnight (Central) on January 30, 2010. I normally like to run the giveaways for three weeks but since this is one that needs to get out to the winners sooner than later, the ending is only two weeks away! The winners will be randomly selected from all entries.

Martha's Bookshelf *** Friday Pick 1-15-2010

This is post #8 with a new set of books!! You can also choose from the books left from pick#1, pick#2, pick#3, pick #4, pick #5  - all of which I restated with pick #6; and from pick #7. Use the links to see the pictures and the lists of the books still available.


Remember for the overseas participants I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. Overseas visitors your comment may indicate your choice of gift card.

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Stormy Weather by Carl Haasen - Audio Tapes
The Vision by Heather Graham (sc))
The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown
Fool Me Once by Fern Michaels
Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)
Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan (sc)
Into the Forest by Jean Hegland - Audio Tapes (box creased but tapes good)
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (sc)
Silent Thunder by Iris Johansen (sc)
The Nosy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
Born of Fire by Sherrilyn Kenyon
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes
Vertical Run by Joseph R. Garber (sc)