Sunday Words of Encouragement September 1, 2013

We enjoyed our quick week of cruise but we are happy to be home. We met several lovely couples this week. As often happens we found ourselves seated next to other Christians with whom we shared encouraging words.  There were also those at surrounding tables who looked unhappy and we tried to share some of our joy with them by praying and by being cheerful and having a good time encouraging the crew staff.

I get so busy at work that it is nice to slow down. It is even better to know that anytime, anywhere we can find restoration if we look in the right direction--giving thanks and praise to God who will restore us.

This song is perfect for today:

Times of Refreshing

A Verse for Today:
Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

I give thanks, Lord, for your grace and peace. I am glad to be refreshed as I head back to work this week!

Sharing Beyond Books #115 Comment Giveaway 8/31/13.

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

We just arrived home from cruise and I only have my travel computer. My daughter has my everyday work/play computer but I managed to pull together this post. I did relax on the cruise but now we are a little tired tonight because of the drive back.

More of you save your ebooks than delete, ten saving to five deleting. The others do not have ereaders.

Eleven  of us have fairs somewhere near enough to visit. Eight do not have or do not attend.

Thank you to all who shared last week.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #114 comments is: #7 nrlymrtl 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 (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #115

Q1. Emily asks: What is the one book you have read over and over again and it only gets better the more you read it??

A: I really do not read any book over and over EXCEPT the Bible.  YES, it gets better and better the more I read it! :-)

Image found at The Heart of Pastor Matt.

Q2. My non-bookish Question: Have you ever attended a rodeo??

A: We have a local ranch and regular rodeo events. The year we moved to this community we attended the rodeo and it was great, family fun. We need to go again soon with the grandkids. :-)

Image found at JCFloridian.

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 are getting low on questions so hopefully you will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

*****Contributors for August have been: miki, mamabunny, Becky, Mary P and Emily. The random pick winner is: #5 Emily - gets a book choice or GC.****

Your turn to share:

Q1. Emily asks: What is the one book you have read over and over again and it only gets better the more you read it??

Q2. My nonbookish Question this time: Have you ever attended a rodeo??

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

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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, September 6, 2013 at 10 PM central.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Guilty as Sin by Jami Alden

This is solid romantic suspense.

Guilty as Sin

by Jami Alden

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 30, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455520527
• ISBN-13: 978-1455520527

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2013

For over a decade, a killer has been waiting, silent as death and . . .

GUILTY AS SIN

Fourteen years ago, Kate Beckett was a teenager more interested in summer romance than babysitting. Then the unthinkable happened: her younger brother was kidnapped and murdered on her watch. Now she is an advocate for missing children, and her newest case brings her back to the small town where she lost her brother-and where she left behind the first boy she ever loved.

Tommy Ibarra's world fell apart after Kate broke his heart, and he's spent his adult life making sure that he'll never be vulnerable again. When a teenage girl vanishes, he offers his expertise as a high tech security expert to help find her. Although he's determined to keep his distance from Kate, it isn't long before he's falling under her spell all over again.

As they race against the clock, their investigation leads to a brutal killer with a shocking connection to Kate's tragic past. And this time, the killer has Kate firmly in his sites.

Review:

Kate was a young 16 year old experiencing the excitement of first love when tragedy hit her family. Her 13 year old brother, whom she was supposed to be watching, went missing from the house while she was on the beach out back with her summer romance, Tommy Ibarra. Kate was blamed by her parents and twin sister when her brother was found dead a few days later.

Tommy was a local boy and although he had worked hard for scholarships to go to college he would never be suitable for a senator's daughter. He was forbidden contact with Kate and his presence that dreadful night was covered-up. The family moved on with their facade in public and separation in private. Kate ultimately became an advocate working for a firm that helps organize local efforts to find missing children. Over the years she has shared the pain of other families and their joy when children have been returned safely. Unfortunately her reputation has been recently harmed when a missing girl was found dead after Kate's involvement with a handsome newsman resulted in leaked information.

Now a missing girl has brought Kate back to the summer resort town where her own brother was killed. She is prepared to face the town and the memories but not the angry and stoic man that Tommy has become. Tommy has become a successful security specialist in spite of the obstacles put in his way by Kate's father. He is on the security detail for the father of the missing girl. Kate and Tommy try to maintain their distance and remain focused on the task of finding the missing girl. But they are two ends of lonely and unmistakable chemistry, and unresolved issues, still rage between them.

Meanwhile the psycho kidnapper toys with his captive and daydreams about Kate. The story moves along well and even though there is a suspect early on, there are a few red herrings to have the reader guessing and looking at other possibilities. I liked the characters of Kate and Tommy and there is good conflict between them that finally moves into intense passion. I enjoyed the suspense and intensity of the story and was glad that the intimate scenes were an add-on that could be skimmed while the mystery held main focus. I recommend this to those who like solid romantic suspense and don't mind passionate interaction.. 

I received this book for an honest review on behalf of Forever/Hachette.

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 Canadian address.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on September 6, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on September 7, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 30, 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 Friends!! My DH and I have been really relaxing this week on cruise. I have limited internet access so am not be able to input the new picture I wanted.

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the August 23 Pick. There was only one Automatic win again 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 FOUR blocked titles with one won.
Carol M gets Crucifixion River.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 23 Pick:

Louisa gets Rising Moon (through block.)

Linda K gets A Murderous Yarn (which was blocked for several 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. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

This image seemed to fit for the conclusion of my week on cruise! :-)

Image found at t2.gstatic.com

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Pairs:
Jude Deveraux
    Return to Summerhouse and Twin of Fire
Mariah Stewart
    Priceless and Brown-Eyed Girl
Singles:
The Shadowed Heart by Nina Beaumont
Hannah by Lori Copeland
My Lady Midnight by Laurie Grant
Wicked and Wonderful by Valerie King
The Door to December by Dean Koontz
Heart of the Storm by Lindsay McKenna
Crucfixtion River by Marcia Muller & Bill Pronzini
Tabitha in Moonlight by Betty Neels
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Caught in a Bind by Gayle Roper
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
     (Highlands) Highland Treasure by Amanda Scott and Highlander Unbound by Julia London
     (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
What Sarah Saw by Margaret Daley (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
Her Last Chance by Terri Reed  (Cover has black line across where bookstore crossed it for clearance)
The Clairvoyant Countess by Dorothy Gilman
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes
Mission: Irresistible by Lori Wilde
Sin and Scandal in England by Melody Thomas
Dance With Me by Luanne Rice
A Mother's Day Anthology - three stories
Rising Moon by Lori Handeland
Star Light, Star Bright by Katherine Stone
Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher
Promise Forever by Marta Perry


New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Oops - I never added all the links last month so no promises on these either.

Pairs:
Hannah Howell
     Highland Hearts and Highland Destiny
Catherine Anderson
     My Sunshine and Blue Skies
Elizabeth Lowell
     Remember Summer and Too Hot to Handle
Singles:
Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
That Summer by Joan Wolf
Shadow of the Sun by Tammy Hilz
Dark Summer by Iris Johansen
Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs
Shadow Beach by Barbara Freethy
It All Began at Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler


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:
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.
To Tame a Rebel by Georgina Gentry
While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
The Admiral's Bride by Suzanne Brockmann
Lady Ice by Joan Hohl



New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

Pairs:
Tara Taylor Quinn
     Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
Singles:
Timeline by Michael Crichton

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe



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

*Merger of Fortunes by Peggy Moreland



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


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! (as of 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 548+ books (I forgot to update this number for a month) 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 $7.00 and $6.00 $10.00 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)

Book Review: The Companions, The Sundering, Book I by R. A. Salvatore

This is an epic tale that gets you involved.
The Companions, The Sundering, Book I
by R. A. Salvatore

• File Size: 1462 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast (August 6, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B00BE24W0W

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
“The Companions is the best novel [R.A.] Salvatore has ever written. It’s insanely courageous, profoundly powerful, masterfully constructed, and easily Salvatore’s most ambitious work to date.”—Paul Goat Allen, BarnesandNoble.com
“After a quarter of a century, R.A. Salvatore just keeps getting better and better, and The Companions is another masterful leap forward for one of the greatest fantasy epics of all time.”
—Philip Athans, best-selling author of Annihilation and The Haunting of Dragon’s Cliff
This latest installment in New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore's beloved fantasy saga, The Companions moves Salvatore's signature hero Drizzt into a new era of the Forgotten Realms. As Drizzt's fate hangs in the balance, he reflects on the lives of the trusted allies who stood by his side throughout his early life--the friends now known as the Companions of the Hall. Meanwhile, the first stirrings of the Sundering begin.

Review:
I am not familiar with Salvatore's previous works so I do not know the hero, Drizzt. I gather he is an elf or drow. Over the years before a plague hit their land he had developed an unlikely band of allies. Catti-brie is his beloved, a good type of witch, learning healing and other spells. Bruenor is a Dwarf warrior and twice king of Mithral Hall. He also adopted Catti-brie as a daughter. Regis is a halfling who was never the brave one or warrior of the group but was always present to help after the battle was over.

These three, and Bruenor's son, Wulfgar, find themselves dead and ready to step into the waters of peaceful rest until Catti-brie offers an alternative. She has developed a relationship with a Goddess who tells of a time of danger in the future that could use the skills of this brave band. The trick is that they will have to be born again. They must thrive and find their ways separately until 21 years later when they will meet at an appointed spot where they will try to find Drizzt so they can all battle evil together once again.

This book 1 follows the lives of the three that choose to return, Catti-brie, Bruenor and Regis. Each has a childhood and teen years of growth, learning and danger that threaten to keep them from making the appointed reunion. Catti-brie seeks to strengthen her magical skills. Bruenor thinks to recreate his greatness as a former king and struggles each day with his anger and frustrations. Regis is determined to train in skills so that he can be prepared to jump into the fray and overcome his previous reputation.

The story is full of adventure and action that keeps it moving forward. I enjoyed reading the adventures of each character and getting to know each of their personalities through their emotions, memories and determined training for the future. I was rooting for their reunion and worried each time it looked like one or the other might be thwarted. Danger and powerful spies continue to follow them and I am anxious to read on to the next book to find out what happens!

I received this title through NetGalley for review.