Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway 3/9/2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 

How is everyone doing this week? Can you believe we are well into March already?  I had another strange and busy week. I either crash at night or stay up too late.:-(

Thank you to all who entered March 2 Pick.  There were TWO Automatic winner this week (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).  There were five books blocked but two were won by random pick. :-)
miki choose Moonfire for four weeks with no block.
lag123 choose Destiny Unleashed for four weeks with no block.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from March 2 Pick:

Cheryl C chose Sabrina Jeffries - The School of Heiresses Pair
and

Linda K chose The Wedding Wager (which has been blocked for weeks)

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 or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks. 

This week's March book image was found at

Eve's Fan Garden

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

Cathy Maxwell - Marriage Series

     Married in Haste (#1) and The Marriage Contract (#3)

Maggie Shayne - Wings of Night Series

     Demon's Kiss (#1)  and Lover's Bite (#2) or #13 and #14 in the larger series
Jude Deveraux - The Velvet Series
     Velvet Song and Velvet Angel
Sabrina Jeffries - The School For Heiresses Series
     Only a Duke Will Do (#2) and Beware a Scot's Revenge (#3)
Nora Roberts
     Inner Harbor (#3 Cheasapeake Bay Series) and Blue Dahlia (SC) (#1 In the Garden Trilogy -(nice trilogy!)
Mary Higgins Clark
     Let Me Call You Sweetheart and Moonlight Becomes You  (SC)
Dick Francis
     Smokescreen (SC) and Field of Thirteen
James Patterson
     Sam's Letters to Jennifer and The Beach House    

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Endless Chain by Emilie Richards

Baby and All (3 Novels in 1) by Candace Camp, Victoria Pade and Myrna Mackenzie

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Thinner by Stephen King

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Dangerous Lady by Amanda Scott

November of the Heart by Lavyrle Spencer

Long Way Home (Friends Romance Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov

The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown  

*Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark

*Out of the Blue (Allegheny Hopes) by Janice A. Thompson

*A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart 

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

After Dark by Beverly Barton(spine wear)

The Shattered Rose by Jo Beverley

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell

Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey

Praying for Sleep by Jeffery Deaver

Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery

The Wedding Wager by Cathy Maxwell

Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon

Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Witch by Barbara Michaels (spine wear)

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

Death Angel by Linda Howard

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holibrook

Blackwater Sound: A Novel (Thorn Mysteries) by James W. Hall

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Coffin Underground (Inspector John Coffin) by Gwendoline Butler

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

* I. O. U by Pickard, Nancy (spine creased)

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Disguised Blessing

Rhapsody: A Love Story

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell Pair:

Cruel and Unusual

At Risk (Win Garano)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

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 in November 27, 2009 and in two years I  posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

I have 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! I am happy to say that so far about 318 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.

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 $5.00 and $6.00 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)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

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!

1/14/11 New List
#17

Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

The Texas CEO's Secret (Silhouette Special Edition) by Nicole Foster

List #14

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) by Larson Reed

Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12

The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson

Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt

The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1 Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Swear by the Moon by Shirley Busbee

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

The Jester by James Patterson - Audio Tapes

The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

False Prophet by Faye Kellerman

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6

The Marshall Takes a Bride by Renee Ryan *PA*

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

Scarred by William Heffernan (spine creased)

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

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

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

Midnight Come Again by Dana Stabenow (sc)

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

Spyder Web by Tom Grace - Audio Tapes

Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes

Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10

The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)

Double Blind by Ken Goodard

Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)

Book Review: Girl Gone Nova by Pauline Baird Jones

This is a book with a great science/black ops heroine; a sexy alien leader; danger; time traveling bad guys and impossible situations.

Girl Gone Nova 

by Pauline Baird Jones

Paperback: 434 pages

Publisher: L & L Dreamspell (April 29, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1603182047

ISBN-13: 978-1603182041

Genre:  Science Fiction Romance
My Rating: 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2010

Doc-Delilah Oliver Clementyne's-orders are simple: do the impossible and do it yesterday. A genius/bad ass, she does the impossible on a regular basis. But this time the impossible is complicated by an imminent war between the Earth expedition to the Garradian Galaxy and the Gadi, an encounter with some wife-hunting aliens, and not one but two bands of time travelers. The only way it could get worse? If the heart she didn't know she had starts beating for the wrong guy...

Review:  This has great imagination and characterization. I love the characters and love the story even more. 

This is book Two of the Project Enterprise series and is set two years after The Key. Doc, Delilah Oliver Clementyne, has been transferred to the Earth expedition ship, the Doolittle.  Doc is sometimes called “Morticia” due to her dark hair, white face and cool demeanor. What no one realizes is that she is also“the Chameleon.” She is a super spy, portrayed as a Doctor, but so much more.  Doc has always had a brain that manages multiple tasks at super speed. She is accustomed to accomplishing the impossible although she knows the odds on continuing to do so are against her. She has never had time for romance or met anyone who sparked her libido...until now.

Helfron Giddioni is the leader of the Gadi people.  The Gadi and Dusan leaders had tried to capture “the Key” two years before until the Gadi and Earth forces joined to defeat the brutal Dusan. The Gadi still want control of the Kikk outpost which has some remarkable technology including travel portals. General Halliwell is the Earth commander who is negotiating with the Gadi leader, a man he doesn’t like or trust from prior experience, in a delicate dance of diplomacy.

Shortly into this story an assassination attempt is made against the two leaders, General Halliwell and Helfron.  Doc’s hidden talents help her to survive the bomb attack, eliminate the “clean-up” crew and thwart a second bombing. Hel had already noticed Doc and now suspects there is more to her than meets the eye.  A fragile agreement has to be made to work with Hel to uncover the espionage and protect their position and future negotiations.

Doc heads off to the outpost to study the technology and try to retrieve a team that went through the portals two years before. On her way she is captured by “Conan”, Vidor Shan, the leader of a barbarian looking group of men out to capture women to replenish their race. Now both Hel and General Halliwell are desperate to locate her.

As if dealing with hostile races isn’t enough, Doc has to try to figure out why Dr. Tobias Smith is messing with time. Yet her efforts to go back in time may cause a paradox and a change to current time.

There is plenty of intrigue and action as well as puzzling time travel issues. The friendly, sentient nanites are added fun companions to Doc, as they were with Sara in The Key.  There is immediate attraction and interest that draws Hel and Doc, even though they are an unlikely pair. But their new found emotion and love is torn by a time shift leaving Doc alone once more unless she can reach Hel and convince him to help them again.

I love the adventure, the alien setting, the action and the humor of these stories. Pauline sets up a believable time travel scenario with all the paradoxes that should be expected. The characters are rich and likeable; even the pirate, bad boy Vidor, has engaging qualities. The writing has a wonderful fast pace that fits the tale. This can be read alone but it works much better if you read The Key first.

~~~~~~

 A taste of action:

Doc studied the timer on the bomb as her brain kicked into a predictable kaleidoscope of higher gears. Despite the surge of data, there was a precision to it, as if her brain were a Swiss clock on steroids. EOD—Explosive Ordinance Detail—wouldn’t make it. She had maybe a minute to defuse it. The good news, a “Doc minute” was more than enough. P. 24-25

A touch of romance:

“Just don’t be surprised by what we find on the other side.” His smile was both wry and tender. “I have been surprised almost every minute since your people arrived in this galaxy, Delilah.” P. 348

Thank you to the author for providing the ebook to read and review.

Check out my review and giveaway for The Key.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Key by Pauline Baird Jones

This is one of my FAVORITE series!! I am highlighting the series this week with reviews, giveaways and an author interview. If you love action, snarky humor and clean romance, don't miss the Enterprise Project series! (My followers know that I don't gush...so this is me gushing in case you don't recognize it.)

THE KEY

by Pauline Baird Jones

• Perfect Paperback: 476 pages
• Publisher: L & L Dreamspell; 1st edition (August 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603180109
• ISBN-13: 978-1603180108

Genre: "A science fiction/action adventure romance novel"
My Rating: 5.0.

Book Description
Publication Date: July 15, 2009
When Sara Donovan joins Project Enterprise she finds out that what doesn't kill her makes her stronger. An Air Force pilot - the best of the best to be assigned to this mission - Sara isn't afraid to travel far beyond the Milky Way on an assignment that takes her into a galaxy torn apart by a long and bitter warfare between the Dusan and the Gadi. After she's shot down and manages to land safely on an inhospitable planet, Sara encounters Kiernan Fyn - a seriously hot alien with a few secrets of his own - he's a member of a resistance group called the Ojemba, lead by the mysterious and ruthless Kalian. Together they must avoid capture, but can they avoid their growing attraction to each other? A mysterious, hidden city on the planet brings Sara closer to the answers she seeks - about her baffling abilities and her mother's past. She has no idea she's being pulled into the same danger her mother fled - the key to a secret left behind by a lost civilization, the Garradians. The Dusan and the Gadi want the key. So do the Ojemba. They think Sara has it. They are willing to do anything to get it. Sara will have to do anything to stop them.

Review:

Captain Sara Donovan is a top military pilot with the secret Enterprise Project.  She is sent on special assignment to a warfare battle in another galaxy. The opposing armies are searching for a “key” to a lost civilization. Sara ends up in the middle of the action when it becomes apparent that she holds some secret to the key. 

Sara is shot down on an alien planet, Kikk, where she is rescued by Fyn, a big, muscled alien, wearing leather armament and with a full head of dreads. Fyn (dubbed "Chewie" for his size - he's not that hairy) is strong and fierce but kind and ultimately protective when it comes to Sara. Sara’s team picks them up and Fyn’s apparent warrior skills are soon put to use.  As they begin to get to know each other, though keeping secrets, the battles rage around them.

Sara’s craft is pulled by a strange force into a hidden city on the Kikk planet. As she explores the buildings she touches a panel and receives some “hitchhiker” nanites. They are little sentient, computer companions to their hosts and add other (fun) characters to the stories.

I was drawn into and invested emotionally in Sara’s character. As such I was impressed with Fyn as a hero, dreads and all.  Pauline does a great job with the action scenes so you feel you are right there facing the enemies or dodging the shots around you.  She also provides humorous, snarky dialogue. There are fun military euphemisms that take the place of most of the swearing.  Sara’s usual expletive is “Dang!”

I read this two years ago but never did my review. I have to say I enjoyed remembering the story as I skimmed through to prepare this review. I think reading the series closer together would help the reader keep track of the personalities, the time stream and the enemy force. This is a series that is a keeper for me and I will enjoy reading them all again.

I did get The Key on Audible.  I wasn't crazy about the narrator at first but she grew on me.  Or better... the story became so engrossing I didn't notice any more!  That is a sign of a really good story! This is a great series for anyone who likes sci fi action, like Star Trek or Galaxy Quest (funny movie!), with a clean, warm, intergalactic romance.

Examples of fun dialogue:
Colonel Carey:
“Looks like we have another furball, playmates,” Carey said.  “Fangs out and form up on me. Let’s teach these gomers their second lesson in intergalactic etiquette.” P 83.

Sara and Fyn:
“It didn’t seem right being there without you on my six.”
.....
“I do...like your...six,” he said, his voice husky. P 387.

 Thank you to the Author for the book to enjoy and share!  

I had to add these notes from the author's website as it will give you a taste of her humor!

Author's note: Following the release of The Key realized that some readers didn't know that my series is set in the present day, in a kind of alternate reality, I guess. Unless there IS a secret project taking our people to the stars on beyond. If that's the case, it is accidentally true.

Tags: space opera; science fiction romance; alternate universe; no sex; sexual tension; mild swearing

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the signed Review copy: 

1. Visit the author's website and tell me something that interests you there. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower (GFC, Twitter, FB, email) or tell me if you are already a follower.

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

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

THERE WILL BE ONE WINNER.

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 16, 2012.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries and announced on March 17 with 72 hours to complete the winners form.
 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 5, 2012

This meme starts at Book Journey!

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'm not quite sure why I was short on reading this week only completing two. I do have three in progress though. And I did get five reviews posted with two Giveaways.  I also posted my regular Friday Pick Giveaway, Saturday Sharing Beyond Books and the Sunday post. 

Thank you to the nice people who visited me last week. I got to visit back on Thursday night.
These were last week's posts plus a Winner post not listed.

• It's Monday What are You Reading? February 27, 2012.

• Book Review: The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen; Historical Romance;  my rating 4.5. 

• Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Bleed For Me by Michael Robotham; Crime Fiction; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Deliver Me From Darkness by Tess Hilaire; Paranormal Romance; my rating 4.5. 

• Book Review (with blog tour Giveaway): Keeper of My Heart  by Darcy Flynn; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.25. 

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 2, 2012.  Open Worldwide.  Ends 3/8.

• Book Review: The Night is Mine by M.L. Buchman; Military, Romantic Suspense;; my rating 4.75. 

• Sharing Beyond Books #38 Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 3/9.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement March 4, 2012.

Finished Reading

1. eBook/Kindle
 

Keeper of My Heart

by  Darcy Flynn

Review (with Giveaway) linked above.

2. eBook/Kindle 
 

 

Shadow Boxing [Family Heirlooms Series Book 2]

by Karen Wiesner

This is a nice Christian romance story. Read for the author; I will be posting a review soon.

Product Description - click on title for full description link.

WRDF Top Read of Excellence!

1st Place winner in the contemporary romance category of the 2010 Love Romances & More Golden Rose Award!

5 Hearts Award - The Romance Studio

Line Edits/Releases: I hope to get a print book out this week.

Currently reading:

1. Audio CD (in car)

 

Lothaire

by Kresley Cole

I am midway on this and sort of struggling.
I'll push on one disc at a time.

Reviewing for Simon & Schuster through AudioJukebox

Book Description - Click on title for full description.

2. Print

 

The Snow Child 

by Eowyn Ivey

I am a little more than half way. This is beautifully written and I am curious where the tale will end. 

Reading for Little Brown & Co.

Book Description -Click on title for full description.

3. ebook/Kindle
 

Kicking Ashe

by Pauline Baird Jones

I am excited to read another in this series.

This is already "snarky."

 I am highlighting the Project Enterprise series this week.

Product Description
With hearts and lives on the line, a kiss may be all they have time for...
Time has dumped Ashe on a dying planet and she needs to figure out why before she ceases to exist. Or gets vivisected by some Keltinarian scientists. Or worse.
Vidor Shan might help—since someone somewhere is trying to hose him, too—if she can convince him to trust her. Probably shouldn’t have told him that only someone he trusts can betray him. Also wouldn’t mind if he kissed her on the mouth.
Vid would love to kiss the girl, but his brother is lost, he’s got hostile aliens on his tail, and the stench of betrayal all around him. Can he trust the woman who told him to trust no one?
Then a time quake hurls them to a nasty somewhere and some when...

4. eBook/Kindle 
 

Home

by Karen Wiesner

New release I am reading for the author.

Description:

Small-town girl Ayodele "Della" Flynn lives in a city she abhors, where danger seems to be lurking around every corner. When her husband dies very unexpectedly, she's confronted with figuring out where her home is with her young son River and trying to come to terms with the loose ends her husband left their lives in.

5. Kindle/NetGalley 
 

True Highland Spirit 

by Amanda Forester

Review and Author Guest blog to post on 3/15.

I will be reviewing this for Sourcebooks.

Product Description

A HEATED RIVALRY...

Morrigan McNab is a Highland lady, robbed of her birthright and with no choice but to fight alongside her brothers to protect their impoverished clan. When she encounters Sir Jacques Dragonet, she discovers her fiercest opponent...

IS GETTING EVEN HOTTER...

Sir Jacques Dragonet will give his life to defend Scotland from the English. He can't stop himself from admiring the beautiful Highland lass who wields her weapons as skillfully as he does, and endangers his heart even more than his life...

I am again listening to The Listener's Bible NIV read by Max McLean. 

[Reading and listening on my new MP3.]

Instead of studying with the Tyndall One Year Bible this year I am studying with Through the Bible in One Year by Alan B. Stringfellow. It is a Study that I used for teaching back in around1989 so I will enjoy it again.  This week is 1st Samuel.

Line Edits: As soon as reports are finished I will be back to continuing to work on print releases and making special arrangements for a children's book.

I have finished three carry overs from February and caught up the week of reviews.
I still have 14 books to read and review for March so it is going to be another busy month.
March:
Scheduled:

3/5-9 I will be reviewing Kicking Ashe by Pauline Baird Jones; highlighting the Project Enterprise series including: The Key, Girl Gone Nova, Steamrolled, Tangled in Time with author interview and book giveaways.
3/15 True Highland Spirit by Amanda Forester with Guest Post (Sourcebooks)
3/19 The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Calvani and Edwards (Bewitching Blog Tour)
3/20 Assassins in Love by Kris DeLake with Guest Post (Sourcebooks)
3/22 The Day of First Sun by Sheryl Steines  (Novel Publicity)
3/24 Love to Water My Soul (Dreamcatcher Series #2) by Jane Kirkpatrick, review (my Ladies' Book Club)

Sourcebooks
Believe it or Not by Tawna Fenske
A Light on the Veranda by Ciji Ware

Author Reviews:
Promise Me by Dee Julian
Echo Falls by Jamie McDougall
An Irish Rogue by Suzanne Barrett




[To be posted - I am setting these up soon for interview/feature days.
These were read and ready for reviews for Authors.
Quest for Magic by Jean Hart Stewart - Read; review to be posted with interview.
Seeing for the First Time (What You See is What You Get) and To See (What You See is What You Get) by Nicole Zoltack - Both Read; setting up author interview with reviews.]

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 4, 2012

This was another morning - or really a weekend - where God's message was affirmed in several venues. At our Ladies' retreat our leader reinforced that our theme this year is to be an "intentional woman." We are to be intent on doing God's will in our lives, to serve His purposes.

This morning our substitute Sunday School teacher shared insights from the Conference Educational seminars last weekend. He shared a message that said our lives are not about us, but rather we were created for God's purposes - to serve His pleasure.

Our Pastor's message was "Lessons From the Ant."  Look at ants: they are social creatures, they communicate, they labor in divisions;  they each have a task but work together to accomplish their common goals. They care for their young and train them to grow, develop, learn their tasks to take the place of their elders. They know what they want - food and work - and that is what they do.

God has a design and a purpose for man. We were created for God's pleasure and purposes. We each have a task to do in service to God's plan. Ephesians 4:11-13 (see verses below video.)  We are to be motivated and do our part to help all mature and attain the full measure of Christ in our lives, fulfilling God's Will and Plan.

This is a beautiful song and seems right for the messages.

Are we willing to be molded and used for His purposes?

Verses for Today: 

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

I pray that I am willing to be used for God's purposes and that He will give me clear direction of those purposes.