Sunday Words of Encouragement June 23, 2013

Our associate Pastor gave the message this morning entitled “Poison.” He pointed out that poisons can be physical and/or spiritual. Some churches have toned down the messages of morality and holiness in order to reach today’s contemporary person. It is true that we support the doctrine that we should “hate the sin, but love the sinner”. But is it right to downplay sin? Is it enough to get the drug addicted or criminal on a journey with Jesus without also encouraging a transformation?  Pastor says “No, that is not enough.”

2 Timothy 2:19 says “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”  Proverbs 14:12 says: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

Even Jesus was not a popular teacher when He focused on sin.  If we do not stand on the truth of the Word, the message gets distorted. It is not easy to follow all that is proper and holy. Holy lives are hard; the narrow way is hard.  The world says sins are generic. It is easy to find those who support the view we might want to justify even if it is wrong. Society continues to allow what is “right” to slide. The poison of moral decay continues to seep in. We have a shifting moral base.  There is no anchor if we do not stand on true principles.  God wants us to stay on the right road.

What is the antidote to the seeping poison?  Our faith comes from hearing the word and our source, foundation and support is scripture. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

We must stay in the word and meditate on it.  It is not enough to be ‘good’ people. We can never be good enough to earn our way into heaven. Are we willing to make a stand? We may have to accept that we may be accused of being old fashion kooks. But Truth doesn't change when the culture does.

I wasn't quite sure what song I wanted to go with this message.

I found and chose this song: Wholly Yours.

Verses for today:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Lord, help me to stand firm on the Truths that you have given us through your Word. You are so faithful to me; Help me to be faithful to you.

June 2013 - Updated ARC and Review Book List for Giveaways

Updated 2-22-14. 5-24-14.
THIS IS NOT A GIVEAWAY POST but a list of titles available to select from for winners from Sharing Beyond Books weekly comment giveaway and occasionally other comment giveaways.
I have taken pictures of the ARC and review boxes which are now in two groups. Christian titles and Mixed Genre titles.
(If you want to see the older pictures, in case they seem clearer to you, they are at the old Updated ARC post linked HERE.

Christian Titles

An ** means I reviewed it and you can do a Search on my blog from the left hand side bar. I will link all titles as I get the chance. 
1. **A Match Made in Heaven
2. **Goodbye to Yesterday by Wilma Brunstetter
3. **His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman
4. New Mexico Weddings - Anthology
5. **Nipped in the Bud by Sleeman
6. **Rest in Peace by Francis Devine
7. Rhode Island Weddings - Anthology
8. Shadow of Doubt by Terri Blackstock
9. Sword of Silence by Carol D. Slama
10. **The Perfect Match by Hanna

Added but not in picture:
11. **The Last Christian by David Gregory
12. **These Boots Weren't Made for Walking by Melody Carlson (found another copy)
13. **Flight of the Raven by Ellen Harris
14. **Lonestar Secrets by Colleen Coble (found another copy)
15. **Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus

 Romance and Other Titles

All of these have been reviewed and can be found through search on my blog or through the title link.
A = ARC; otherwise it was a Review Book:

1. A - A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (one ARC, one review)
2. Angels Landing by Rochelle Alers
3. A - Confessions of an Improper Bride (A Donovan Novel) by Jennifer Haymore - March 2014 SBB 
4. Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis - March 2014 SBB
5. Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee - August 2014 SBB
6. A - Embracing the Highlander by Anita Cleanney
Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine - May 2014 SBB
7. A - Lady of Seduction (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee - Nov SBB
8. Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes Series) by Eileen Dryer (2 copies - one ARC, one review)
9. Relentless Pursuit by Sara Orwig 
10. A - Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder -- June SBB
11. A - Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel (Highland Warriors 2) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder  ---June SBB
Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry -- April SBB
12. A- Thief of Shadow by Elizabeth Hoyt -- SBB pick September
13. A - Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon (2 ARCs)
Along the side of the box:
14. Miss Hildebrand Wore Brown 
15. Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories by Jeffery W Turner
16. A -  Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger
17. A - What in God's Name

Available but not in the picture:
16. The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress by Kelly Hunter

Added 2/22/14
17. A- What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling SBB Jan 2015
 It Had to be You by Jill Shalvis
18. A- The Duchess Hunt by Jennifer Haymore
19. A- Accidentally in Love with...A God? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
20. A- Accidentally Married to...A Vampire? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
21. A - I Own the Dawn by M.L. Buchman
22. A- My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster -- August SBB

Sharing Beyond Books #105 Comment Giveaway June 22, 2013

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to SBB, Sharing Beyond Books.

Can you believe it is Saturday night again and Summer has started?!  <>

Thank you to all who shared last week.

What a fun variety of 'odd' titles we have read. I think many weren't so much odd as different. Some were informative, like antiques, gardening, training puppies.  On the truly odd side I think Llehn's book on astral projection fits.
 
All but two or three of us do like puzzles. It seems most like word puzzles and a few don't like jigsaw. Holly likes the Tetris and jeweled type games and nrlymrtl likes the really big - 10,000 - piece jigsaw puzzles!

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The Winner from SBB #104 comments is: #18 rubynreba 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 #105 Questions

Q1. Becky asks: How many books in a month do you tend to read??

A: I seem to comfortably read four a week so 16 to 18 a month. I have read over 20 but some had to be short and audios help to increase the number. I find it hard to review more than four a week anyway. :-).  

Image found at Hitchallenge.

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What game(s) do you remember from childhood??

A: The two games that pop into my mind are the board game The Mouse Trap which our family had great fun with and Twister which we enjoyed as teens!

 Oh my goodness - a life size mouse trap game!

Image found at The Smithsonian Mag.

Image found at Wikipedia

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.  Q1. Becky asks: How many books in a month do you tend to read??

Q2. My non-bookish Question this week: What game(s) do you remember from childhood??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books , the Christmas Giveaway Books, or the Newly June 2012 Updated ARC/Review List.

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, June 28, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Book #Review and ARC #Giveaway: The Magic of I Do by Tammy Falkner

A fun read especially for those who like a sensual focus.
The Magic of I Do
by Tammy Falkner

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 4, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402268157
• ISBN-13: 978-1402268151

Genre: Paranormal, Historical Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Release date: June 4, 2013

Desperately Seeking Excitement...

With the temporary prohibition on magic on the land of the Fae, Claire Thorne might as well go back to the Regency world. The haut ton has just as many annoying rules as her world, but at least they have parties and dances. Plus, the roguish Lord Phineas "Finn" Trimble is there...

When the feisty faerie tumbles into his room through a magical portal, Finn can't believe how completely unpredictable she is. Even before the two stumble into a dangerous intrigue that threatens both their worlds, Finn discovers that his hitherto carefree life is about to go up in smoke...

Review:
Claire Thorne is a rather spoiled fairy. She has had an easy life in her fairy world but now that she is struggling with anger at her sister for marrying a human and for learning that her parents abandoned her as an infant and have lived in the human world since then. It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t their fault that they broke the rules with their mixed human to fairy marriage and the fairy authorities took the fae children and wiped their memories. She still blames them for letting her be raised without the full benefit of family.

Her parents and sister’s family are visiting the fairy world and hoping to change the rules regarding the mixed marriage situation. During a temper fit Claire propels herself back to the human world into the bedroom of the handsome rouge, Lord Phineas. They had shared one night of passion when he was supposed to be keeping her safe for his brother, Robin, Claire’s brother-in-law. He should have protected her innocense but compromised her instead. She went along with it willingly enough but warned him that she wouldn’t fall in love with him and he mustn’t fall in love with her.

Well– that night has left its consequences and Claire is scared to tell anyone, fae or human, of her dilemma. But she needs to figure out a solution pretty quickly before her problem becomes obvious. She also needs to stay out of the reach of the smarmy, cruel Earl of Mayden who seeks revenge against Finn and Robin.

I wasn’t enthralled with either Claire or Finn in the early pages of the book as they seemed selfish and self-centered. Fortunately their characters became more complex, softer, more loyal and likeable as the story progressed. I did like Claire’s magical gift through her art and thought that was a good touch.

I have to say though that a big part of this story is the sexual pull and play between Claire and Finn. I waited about half the book hoping there would be a larger plot. There is the danger posed by Mayden and a bit of the history of Claire’s family, but it is the smaller part of the whole presentation. The writing is light and sassy and this is an easy read. There was just too much emphasis on sex for my tastes.

This was the second in a series but read fine without having read the first book. This would be good for readers who like their romance centered on the sensual story of the romance.

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

Here is where the danger begins:

   “What the devil do you think you’re doing?” Finn hissed as he circled around her.
   “Dancing, my lord.”...
   “Don’t play with that man, Claire,” he warned.
   Claire had no intention of playing with the earl. She intended to expose him. To ease some of Finn’s burden, if she could. He deserved a life free of men who wanted to do him harm. She could want to do him harm all day long, but no one else could hurt him, blast it all. Page 158.

I received this book from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:

ENTRY FORM HERE

Don't forget to fill in the form for entry! 

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form. 

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open to those with US or CANADA address.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 30, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on July 1, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

MBS - Spontaneous Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

Okay - I may be a day late but there is still plenty of time to enter!

Thanks to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not a Writer for sponsoring this. Kathy is taking a bit of a breather and if you have ever realized the number of hops and giveaways she hosts you can understand. It was barely leaving time for reviews...besides cutting into needed family time. I know I understand!

My Giveaway:  

Winner’s Choice: Paypal, Amazon.com OR The Book Depository.

Two requirements:
A. Follow Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf in some fashion.
B. Enter through the Rafflecopter.
Extra entry if you comment to share a Summer title. :-)

a Rafflecopter giveaway