Sunday Words of Encouragement - Happy Mother's Day! May 12, 2013

This morning our Pastor's wife shared a message that was on her heart.
She pointed out that mothers are about "family." She opined that God created man because He wanted family and the Gospel is a message of adoption into God's family.
Mrs. P told us about the TV reality show: Duck Dynasty. A&E promoted the program as a family living the American dream of "Money, Family and Ducks" but the family changed the motto to "Faith, Family and Ducks."  The family promotes these values:
Respect - love and forgiveness.
Loyalty - join in family activities; value family time.
Discipline - show the right thing to do and discipline with love.
Happy Home - the home should be the happiest place, a refuge from the world, a peaceful place.
Parents need to slow down from our rushed lives and recognize marriage and family as priority.

To get our attention Mrs. P played a version of this song.
It is surprising and funny!

A Verse for Today

Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV 
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, (9) for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

Thank you Lord for mothers, families and unconditional love.

Sharing Beyond Books #99 Comment Giveaway May 11, 2013

Hi Friends. Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

Happy Saturday night. (I almost put up a post that this would be late as I wasn't feeling well earlier this eve. But now I feel better.)  I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying your Spring (or Fall) weather.
Thank you to all who shared last week.

Only one or two of you indicated little music listening like me. The rest have a wide variety of listening pleasures including classical, oldie goldies, country, rock, metal and more!

I was a little surprised that 10 out of 27 of us have not read The Twilight series. I was more surprised that seven of you  have not read JK Rowling - no Harry Potter. Then there were other famous names there that were interesting. I love Mary P's statement, that was echoed by Holly and Emily - "I'd rather read great books rather than books by writers who are 'famous'."

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #98 comments is: #18 Ingeborg who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #99 Questions

Q1. Elizabeth asks:  What is your favorite vacation location?? (I thought this was good since many of us may be planning our summer vacations now.)

A: My favorite vacation has to be a cruise and I'm not real picky where as long as it is at least 5 days - but I prefer longer and not just an East Caribbean itinerary. I still think our Viking River Cruise was the Best! I loved the daily tours that were included. But I have really enjoyed our transatlantic cruises and the one in Alaska too. 

Image found at Viking River Cruises.

Q2. My bookish Question this week: I started with the Q What is a book written the year of your birth. Then I realized that would be giving away our ages. So the modified Q is: A] Have you read any book written the year of your birth - share if you like. or B] Name an author you HAVE read that wrote in the decade surrounding your birth. 

A: I choose to answer B]. Three authors wrote trilogies during the decade of my birth that I have read: Issac Asimov - The Foundation Series; C.S. Lewis - The Chronicles of Narnia; and J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings.

Image found at Open Culture.

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 draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We can always use fresh questions. I do have a group of questions from the same submitters so if you have a question don't be afraid to ask!

Your turn to share:

Q1. Elizabeth asks: What is your favorite vacation location??

Q2. My bookish Question this week: A] Have you read any book written the year of your birth - share if you like. or B] Name an author you HAVE read that wrote in the decade surrounding your birth.

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the new Valentine and "Love" books or the new Christmas Giveaway Books. 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, May 17, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Book Review: Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina

This is the introduction to a charming series of steampunk stories with a brave Victorian heroine and her 'flock' of orphan children.

Lady of Devices, a steampunk adventure novel (Magnificent Devices)
by Shelley Adina

• File Size: 309 KB
• Print Length: 210 pages
• Publisher: Shelley Adina (May 29, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0053CYXS0

Genre: Steampunk
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 29, 2011
Book One of the Magnificent Devices series, a novel of 54,000 words.

London, 1889. Victoria is Queen. Charles Darwin’s son is Prime Minister. And steam is the power that runs the world.

At 17, Claire Trevelyan, daughter of Viscount St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, Claire’s talents lie not in the ballroom, but in the chemistry lab, where things have a regrettable habit of blowing up. When her father gambles the estate on the combustion engine and loses, Claire finds herself down and out on the mean streets of London. But being a young woman of resources and intellect, she turns fortune on its head. It’s not long before a new leader rises in the underworld, known only as the Lady of Devices.

When she meets Andrew Malvern, a member of the Royal Society of Engineers, she realizes her talents may encompass more than the invention of explosive devices. They may help her realize her dreams and his . . . if they can both stay alive long enough to see that sometimes the closest friendships can trigger the greatest betrayals . . .

Review
Claire Trevelyan would much rather experiment in a laboratory than chat over tea or dance at a ball. When her father dies and the family fortune is lost her mother retires to the country with Claire’s infant brother. Claire remains behind to sell off the property in London and, although her mother will object, to find employment.

Claire makes a wrong turn in her steampowered landau and is attacked and robbed. She is helped by a group of orphaned, street children, complete with a half starved chicken, Rosie.  The group has been guided and lead by Snouts who has taught them the fine arts of pickpocketing and living off the streets. The group includes 5-6 year old Willie who does not speak but adorably dragged the Lady from danger. The “Mopsies”, Maggie and Lizzie, are twin girls of 10 who are designated scouts. Tigg is a rapscallion who has a keen interest in learning mechanics and is quick to become Lady Claire’s ‘chauffeur.’ Then there is Jake, a sullen boy who doesn’t trust strangers but who has an almost photographic mind.  Claire determines to take the children under her wing and teach them skills that will allow them to earn their way.

Claire introduces the children to explosive weapons for protection and to assist in retrieving her stolen vehicle from another gang. Claire comes into possession of a “lightening” rifle during the battle and she also takes control of a house and a treasure as she becomes the Lady of Devices protecting her adopted “flock.”

Claire meets Andrew when she applies to be his office assistant. She is excited for the chance to work for a true scientist and hopes that she may earn a recommendation to enter University to study engineering. Unfortunately, Andrew’s partner turns out to be Lord James who has taken an interest in courting Claire and objects to her working for Andrew or going on to study.  Claire is not one to take orders well so Lord James has moved from a person of possible romantic interest to one in opposition.

This is a delightful story with enjoyable characters in the intrepid Lady Claire and her flock of children. The steampunk elements are wonderful, including, in addition to the vehicle and rifle, messages sent through vacuum tubes and mother’s helper robots that clean floors like a modern day “roomba”! The writing is easy and light so the reading moves quickly. Ms. Adina has set the stage for adventures to ensue in the next books and I am very glad I had book 2 so I didn’t have to wait to move along!

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

Claire teaches important but subtle lessons. She makes Lizzie return a stolen purse and the clerk is so grateful that Claire explains:

You have received thanks you did not deserve, and forgiveness that you did. Location 3226.

I am very glad to discover this author by winning books 1- 3 of this series.

Saturday Snapshot (May 11, 2013) Happy Mother's Day with Flowers

My DH was on the computer about a week ago and I told him NOT to get me flowers...but...
Here is what I have received for Mother's Day.

First, this is our healthy rose bush showing buds on April 27 and then blooms on May 5. 

My DH picked some of the roses for me and I took this picture May 8.

 In spite of my instructions to not buy me anything,

these roses and chocolates arrived Wednesday.

My DH really is a sweet guy!

 

Then yesterday when I got home from work there was a box

that I knew was from my son in Hawaii. :-)

Layer one:

Layer two:

 Layer three:

 Beautiful tropical flowers!

 So these are all available to grace my table on Sunday.

 

Just their thoughts would suit me but it is nice to receive these physical gifts.

I hope all you mothers have wonderful blessings too!

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 10, 2013

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

Happy Friday!!  I hope everyone is well. Weeks -months- are moving too quickly for me.

[***I'm sorry I have bad news for the international entrants -- I have to ask you to stick with GCs as the new postage rates have almost doubled. What might have been a $6.25 mail out is now close to $12.00.]

Thank you to all who entered the May 3 Pick. There were no Automatic wins this week. (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks). There were SIX titles blocked this week! One of those was won. 

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 3 Pick:

Jane gets Burning Alive

Elizabeth gets a GC

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.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there!

Maybe you'll get blessed with flowers, candy AND BOOKS!

Image found at Elizabeth Anne Designs

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Here is a group with many mysteries.  Links to be added as I get time.

Pairs:
Amanda Scott
      Abducted Heiress and Highland Bride
Sandra Brown
     Texas! Chase and Exclusive (spine wear) (not the covers as on the links)
A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris
Deadly Advise by Roberta Isleib
Dial Emmy for Murder by Eileen Davidson 
On Deadly Ground (Love Inspired Suspense) by Lauren Nichols
Happy Never After by Kathy Hogan Trocheck
Female Intellignece by Jane Heller
Improper English by Katie MacAllister
Sheer Dynamite by Jennifer Skully
Golden Chances by Rebbecca Hagen Lee
Caitlin's Guardian Angel by Marie Ferrarella
Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh


New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013

As I am linking these titles it is clear to me why they were in my TBR boxes and it is really hard to let them go but I have soooo many. Better that they find good reader homes than sit on my shelves, or in a box, and collect dust. 
Pairs:
Carly Phillips
     The Heartbreaker and Simply Sinful
Singles:
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.
Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones
To Tame a Rebel by Georgina Gentry
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
Lord Liar by Laurie Grant
Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins
The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann
Marry Me, Maddie by Rita Herron
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl
Dark Roots & Cowboy Boots by LuAnn McLane
Only My Dreams by Anna Blundy



New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Tom Clancy
     Power Play: Cold War (paperback) and Power Play: Ruthless.com (audio cassette tapes)
Singles:
Timeline by Michael Crichton
Bride of Shadow Canyon by Stacey Kayne
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
Always a Lady by Sharon Sala
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart


New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing 

Pairs
Mary Baxter
    His Touch and One Summer Evening
Singles-- I found a couple of boxes of romances (a lot of Harlequins) that I haven't gotten to read over the past 8 years so... I will send them off to others to read!
Never Say Never Again by Tori Carrington
*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland
*The Banker's Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham
* The Millionaire's Daughter by Sophie Weston


New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

SINGLES - CHRISTMAS TITLES (Better sizes for international) 
*Deck the Halls by Arlene James (slight spine creasing)
*A Holiday Prayer by Deb Kastner  (slight spine creasing)


New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012

- Oops upside down book! 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 - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley
Please Remember This by Katleen Giles Seidel
The Boy's Tale (Sister Frevisse Medieval Mysteries) by Margaret Frazer


New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
I pulled some more books from several of my boxes.

An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)


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

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander (postage too much - replaced with GC)

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

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012 (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012 (All gone)

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

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

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


New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011
Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20
Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books: Group #19
Primary Colors - audio tapes
*Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

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

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 three years I have posted 33 groups of 16 (528) books to find new homes! (November 2012)

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! I am happy to say that so far about 506 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--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  (postage too much - replaced with GC)

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4
Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Pick #5
See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel
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---(All Gone)