Sunday Words of Encouragement August 19, 2012

We  had another good Sunday school and church service today. We blessed the teachers and children as they head back to school tomorrow.

Our Pastor's sermon was on The Power of God in Our Lives but more particularly on the Power of HIS Name.  As mentioned by the missionary a couple of weeks ago, God's name is to be Hallowed. It is Holy and Powerful.We should be careful how we use the name of God and Jesus. We must be careful not to allow the worldly, casual use to make us forget the holiness and power of the Name.

We cannot treat His Name casually and then expect any power. There is authority, healing, deliverance and so much more in the Name of God. Eternal life is sealed with His Name.

I had several choices of video for this message.
I found this song some time ago and decided to share this one today.

The Names of God

A Verse for Today

Exodus 20:7 (ESV)

⁷  “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

I give thanks that I never took to swearing when I was young. It is unnatural to me. I pray that I may ever give praise to and in His Name and never use it lightly.

Sharing Beyond Books #62 Comment Giveaway August 18, 2012

Welcome to another SBB!

Hello again on Saturday Night! It's been another busy week and I have heard lots of bloggers bemoaning the heat. I guess I don't notice so much since I tend to be indoors most of the time.  

Thank you to all who shared last week.

Only a few commenters have re-purposed books for more than giveaways, though many like the crafty ideas. Carol linked to an etsy site where they make purses out of books!  Ricki has made bookmarks out of a book torn in the mail.  Marianne has made plaques from old books - sounds interesting. And nrlymrtl has turned some damaged books into compost... not pretty but environmentally friendly. :-)

All but a few people do like to watch some of the Olympics. The favorite sports seemed to be gymnastics and swimming. I was sorry to read that several people thought the coverage this year has been lacking.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #61 comments is: #9 nrlymrtl  There are still 6 'love' books to pick from and 1 Christmas choice (I guess I'll have to add some titles to that list soon). nrlymrtl please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Book, 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 #62Questions

Q1. Marjorie asks: Do you ever listen to the radio??

A: I rarely listen to radio anymore. Most of the time I will have a book going in print, ebook or audio. I will occasionally listen to my choir CDs in the car to learn the songs. And my DH will put on 80s music, rock and roll or country gospel, depending on his mood, when we are sitting by the pool.

Our outside player looks like this.

Image found at The Design Town

Q2. My question: Is there a book that has gotten a lot of buzz and hype that you wouldn't or don't want to read??

A:  First I will say I haven't read the Twilight series and don't plan to although my son said I should try it. But this past year there was a lot of buzz about Fifty Shades of Grey.  I guess I could start by not being interested in something touted as 'virgin and erotic.'  However, several people have told me that it is the equivalent of 'housewife porn'. Looking at the mixed reviews and few excerpts (I do investigate before I just say "no") the writing does not sound particularly well done and the plot idea does not draw me in.  Sooo - this is one title I am passing on and have no plans to read (and I have no interest in the movie either).

Image found at Goodreads

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. Marjorie asks: Do you ever listen to the radio??

2. My question: Is there a book that has gotten a lot of buzz and hype that you wouldn't/ don't want to read??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 7 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 24, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Winners of Georgette Heyer Titles and Hell on Wheels!

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS!

Thank you to all who entered.

Giveaway Three Georgette Heyer Titles. 

Anne-- oops - I need new contacts! This is for Anme!

Giveaway Review Copy Hell on Wheels. 

Carol L

Anne and Carol please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads AT gmail.com to confirm the win and I'll send the download the information to the publisher and mail the book copy.  Please reply within 72 hours!

Audiobook Review: The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

This is a thought provoking dystopian tale with YA characters but good for adult listening too.

The Eleventh Plague

by Jeff Hirsch (Author), Dan Bittner (Narrator)

• Audible Audio Edition
• Listening Length: 7 hours and 3 minutes
• Program Type: Audiobook
• Version: Unabridged
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio
• Audible.com Release Date: September 1, 2011
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005KFQPQ8

Genre: Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the aftermath of a war, America's landscape has been ravaged and two-thirds of the population left dead from influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived. But when Stephen's grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma, Stephen finds his way to Settler's Landing, a community that seems too good to be true. There he meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny. When they play a prank on the town bully's family that goes horribly wrong, they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler's Landing forever.

Review:

This story tells of terrible danger, loneliness, prejudice, fear and ends with a message of hope.
Fifteen year old Stephen and his family survived the war that devastated America. Somehow they also survived ‘the eleventh plague’ that killed two-thirds of the population. The life that Stephen knows has been harsh. He has learned to follow his strict and demanding grandfather’s rules or suffer for disobedience. His sweet, kind mother died in childbirth, and Stephen, his father and grandfather have lived as scavengers. They are constantly traveling to find what they can to trade and along the way they have to avoid towns where their might be illness and avoid being picked up by slavers. Stephen’s father might occasionally long to settle down but it would mean a risk from the routine that has been drilled into them.

Stephen’s grandfather dies and Stephen and his father struggle on. In a break of discipline, his father intervenes to help others break away from slavers.  As Stephen and his father then try to escape his father is injured and falls into a coma. Although fearful of strangers, Stephen has little choice but to accept their help. He follows them to a small community which is unlike anything Stephen has known.  The people share their burdens, their bounty and their skills.  The families live in homes and the young people even attend school.

It is hard for Stephen to adjust and fit in especially since the primary community leader’s son has taken a dislike to him and claims he is a spy for another community up the road.  The bully and his friends taunt and harass Stephen every chance they get hoping Stephen will be thrown out of the community. Stephen slowly warms to the family that has taken him in. The son befriends him as a brother and Stephen is intrigued by their adopted Asian daughter, Jenny. She too is looked upon with suspicion by many in the community so she holds herself as an outcast.

As Jenny and Stephen are drawn to one another they tend to get into trouble. This puts the family at risk and eventually triggers a confrontation with the neighboring community.  When the slavers show up to enter the fray the people have to decide how they are going to defend themselves. Even more importantly, how are they going to treat each other as they move into the future?

I enjoyed the plausible struggles and traumas portrayed in this story. The pacing is good and the characters’ diversity gives room for thought. Although the narrator did a good job of presenting different voices I felt at times that he lacked some extra ‘umph’ or spark that could have given greater life to the story.  All in all though I recommend this as solidly engaging and a good listen.

I received this as a free download as part of Audiofile Sync YA 2012  Summer Program. That is a great program that pairs a new audiobook with a classic of similar tone to encourage young people to read/listen to the classics as well as new authors.

I'm not quite sure where the community is located... mid south I think. I will add it to my New Author, Audio and Post-Apocalyptic Challenge lists.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 17, 2012

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

Ahhh sigh. Another week flying by. I have been so busy it seems that Summer is slipping away quickly as the kids get ready to start school on Monday.

Thank you to all who entered the August 10 Pick.  There was only ONE Automatic winner again this week. (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).  Several books were blocked this week - but one was was won.
mamabunny 13 picked Moonfire four times for an automatic win.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from August 10 Pick:

Becky chose Don't Bargain With the Devil
and

PRS (Paranormal Romance and Suspense Reviews) chose Carolina Moon

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.

With school starting next week 
This looks like a perfect picture.
Except why is this child reading what almost looks like a law book?

Image found at Michelle Twitty Photography.

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} Shipping cost TBD

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 399 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)