Sunday Words of Encouragement August 5, 2012

Sometimes I have to change my plans because of God's direction. :-) I had started a post (in my head) for today. But our guest pastor today gave such an awesome message that I am sharing from that instead. He is a missionary from South Africa and very enthusiastic. The message was called The Power of Prayer.  It is certainly not a new topic but he presented a great view.

We pray as the Lord taught in Matthew 6:9, but we should focus on two phrases before we go into a "gimme" list.

1.  "Our Father"...  You are a child and He is your father. It's all about relationship!
When you start to pray do you ever think "I am not important; others have know and served God longer, I am not worthy?" But which child in a healthy household gets the most attention? The eldest or the baby? If a child calls "Daddy" does the dad stop and say, "Wait. You are child number three. I have to see if number one or two child needs anything before you." No... as a member of the household each child has all the rights, benefits and privileges of that household. If you are a child of God, you are a member of His family; He knows you personally, by name.  You are entitled to all the rights, benefits and blessings of His Kingdom and He wants to pour them out on you.

2.  "Hallowed by thy name" ... Stop here and think about who He is!  Think 'my Dad's bigger and better than yours' attitude! He is the creator, master, healer, provider, comforter and so much more. Acknowledge who He is. Focus on His greatness; give Him praise and thanks. All your problems will seem insignificant as you acknowledge who He is and realize that nothing is impossible for Him.  He will work all things together for good for His children.

If you spend time on these two aspects of prayer you will see that you really don't have to give God a list of your needs and desires.  He already knows them!

Thank you, Pastor Stephan for a great message!

 This wasn't the first song I had in mind

but I was led to this one which fits so well!

I Stand in Awe by Hillsong

Verse for Today:

Matthew 6:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

Thank you, my Father, that I am redeemed through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus, and adopted into your family by my acceptance of Christ as my savior. 

Sharing Beyond Books #60 Comment Giveaway August 4, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

I had a busy week as I mentioned in Friday Pick post. I was hoping to work in the office today but I had to pull my share of cleaning the RV which had been disabled for two years. We just got the transmission fixed as we are going to be traveling soon. So I spent 9am to 5pm scrubbing floors and drawers and carrying boxes of dishes and pots and pans into the house to wash.  I am tired and my body aches!

Thank you to all who shared last week.

Interesting that most of you do not watch movies or read books that win awards.  Seven of  twenty-one have seen award winning movies; but only three of us have read a book because of an award. Cheryl checks out the RITAs for good romances. :-)  Several others do follow movie and book review recommendations... me too. 

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #59 comments is: #1 Birgit  There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Birgit please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, OR pick from the Updated ARC/Review List and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #60 Questions

Q1. Margaret asks: If there is a movie being made based on a book do you read the book first or see the movie first??

A: I would like to say I read the book but I have seen many movies before I realized there was a popular book, like Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, The Princess Bride and most of the James Bonds films. I did read Lord of The Rings, Left Behind and others before seeing those movies. I've read Hunger Games and The Road but haven't seen either movie yet. 

 Image found at IMDB

 

Q2. My question: What is your favorite romance movie??

A:  I recently saw a list of fav romance movies. I can't find it right now. But there were some classics and some modern movies.  

I do like You've Got Mail, Ever After, Robin Hood (with Kevin Costner), Sommersby and The Last of the Mohicans. But my fav, is portrayed by this pic:

  Image found at Newspaper.li
(While You Were Sleeping)

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 will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)  The question list is being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions!  



Your turn to share:

1. Margaret asks: If there is a movie being made based on a book do you read the book first or see the movie first??

2. My question: What is your favorite romance movie??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 8 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Updated ARC/Review List now.

SBB Rules: 
a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/three questions 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 by Friday, August 10, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Download of Eathed, A Dragon's Tale

CONGRATULATIONS

to the Winner(s)

of

Giveaway Ending August 3, 2012

Download Giveaway: Eathed, A Dragon's Tale by Troy Lee Henderson

Nrlymrtl,

bn100

and

Tore 

Nrlymrtl, bn100 and Tore please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I'll send a gift for the download.  Please reply within 72 hours!  

Book Review: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

I enjoy this author's strong plots, unique paranormal elements and warm romance.

Moonglow (Darkest London)

by Kristen Callihan

• File Size: 600 KB
• Print Length: 417 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455508586
• Publisher: Forever (July 31, 2012)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006FLRDPS

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2012 | Series: Darkest London (Book 2)

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

Review:

Daisy seems a bit skitter-brained but she is really a delightful and frank character.  She is a widow emerging from the ‘proper’ mourning period into freedom from a man who abused her verbally and mentally as well as physically.   She is exited to be free of repression and in a position to enjoy her exuberance and passion for life. Unfortunately her first attempt to step on the wild side results in her turning away from the man pressing kisses on her and seeing her good friend staring glassy eyed from a pool of blood with some creature sniffing about her face!

Lord Ian Ranulf, Marquis of Northrup, is the rightful Apha leader of the Ranulf pack. But he exiled himself from the pack decades before when he refused to challenge his younger brother who killed their father for the royal position of power.  Ian agonized through the lose of those he loved and decided he would shut himself off so he couldn’t be devastated by such lose again. Yet Ian has a great capacity for caring and he quickly comes to the rescue of a panicked Daisy when a sick werewolf turns to attack her.

It appears that the crazed werewolf is attacking women with a sent that matches Daisy’s rather unique fragrance, one she blends herself.  Daisy insists on being part of the investigation and Ian determines the best way to protect her is to keep her by his side. As Daisy faces danger she discovers a few secrets of her own background.

Ian's brother should control the problem of a sick werewolf in the territory, but he is failing to do so. Does the threat go deeper than Ian suspects?  Can he maintain his exile and still save the woman he is falling in love with?

This story includes strong action and a plot full of misunderstandings, intrigue, secrets, manipulation and deliberate deceit.  Ms. Callihan does an exceptional job of twining details of cultural and political circumstances into the paranormal world she has created in this series. 

Daisy and Ian are strong, passionate characters and I enjoyed the fun bantering between them. Although the intimate relationship turns pretty steamy, the emotional aspects of the romance are warm and tender.  Ms. Callihan’s portrayal of the love that blooms in Ian is enough to have any romance fan sighing in pleasure. The warm romance combined with a solid suspenseful plot made this a winner for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daisy hears Lord Ian’s voice:

His voice was at once lilting and light, yet rough. Silk over gravel. Location 287.

Daisy’s mouth runs on in a humorous fashion:

“Pay no mind to me, sir. There are times my mouth and brain forget to hold a conversation.”  Location 300.

A great description during the police investigation:

Step, turn, guide, release, one danced through an interrogation. Location 946.

Ian’s reaction to his growing feelings for Daisy:

Ah, but she killed him. She had cut out his heart and taken it for her own.  Location 3359.

I received this book from Hachette through NetGalley.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 3, 2012

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

Whew-What a week! My assistant was out this week due to back problems. Then I spent today (12 noon  to 9:30pm) taking my daughter to the emergency room where they did all sorts of testing. She has been battling fever and pain for two weeks. She apparently has had an infection that spread through a perforation in her uterus.  Hopefully the antibiotics and pain meds will help her get the infection down so her GYN can check that all is on the mend.

When I got home tonight I had to prepare a rush closing package for a closing tomorrow that was cancelled until 11am this morning when the Buyer advised it was back on. *Sigh.* Now it is 12:30 and I am hoping not to fall asleep as I prepare this post. :-)
I have to get up extra early tomorrow to drive my DH in for a medical procedure at 6:45am.  Like I said - what a week!

Thank you to all who entered July 27 Pick.  There was only ONE 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 two blocked titles (Dead Ringer is a popular pick); The Promise was won this week.
Carol L picked Exit to Eden

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from July 27 Pick:

Mariska gets a GC
and

Louisa chose The Promise

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 looks like a good way to spend a summer afternoon.
Mmmm -- nice to see a guy reading isn't it? ;-)

Image found at Eurobishop

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Dead Ringer by Lisa Scottline

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)

Threads of Destiny by Arnette Lamb

A Dangerous Devotion by Barbara Kyle

Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts (some spine wear)

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Wolf Mountain Moon by Terry C. Johnston

Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham

Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

Virtue by Jane Feather

Don't Bargain with The Devil by Sabrina Jeffries

Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes

*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

*The Contrary Corinthian by Emily Hendrickson (spine wear)

*There Was a Little Boy by Claire Rainwater Jacobs

*On Thin Ice by Linda Hall

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

 

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

The Promise by Kasey Michaels

Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell

Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown

Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard

Death's Door by Meryl Sawyer

Life Support by Tess Gerristen Audio Cassettes

Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich

Exit to Eden by Anne Rice

While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark

Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart

*Simon Said by Sarah R. Shaber

*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

*Edwin of the Iron Shoes by Marcia Mueller

*Covert Pursuit by Terri Reed

*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Game Over by Fern Michaels

Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)

In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott

Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

Cross Country by James Patterson

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
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.


New Group #25 January 12, 2012

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

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

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


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

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011


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.

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

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

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone)

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

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 394 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

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

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---(All gone)

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7

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

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

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)