Sunday Words of Encouragement May 4, 2014

We enjoyed another wonderful communion service this morning. A member of the congregation shared her testimony about God's touch during a recent surgery that had unexpected complications. Pastor shared a short message reminding us we are Children of the Resurrection.

I was most excited by our Sunday School lesson. A substitute leader shared another video message from Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger. It mentioned some additional things since the book was published. See The Harbinger Decoded. One of the many things that showed God's hand and control in getting the message to America was a prophetic message given to Mr. Cahn by a stranger while waiting for airplane. The stranger was Hubie Synn an accountant and a believer with a prophetic gifting. Synn’s had also given a prophetic word to David Tyree regarding God highlighting his skills shortly before his awesome catch during Superbowl 2008. See More Than Just the Catch. Mr. Synn, though reluctant to speak to Mr. Cahn, confirmed that Mr. Cahn was working on a message from God to America.  Mr. Synn provided the connection to the publisher who ultimately released The Harbinger.

I love to see God's hand working through, even reluctant, messengers. There is more which I will share in other messages.

This is one of the powerful songs we sang this morning.

Your Great Name.

Verse for Today:
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I give thanks to God for His sovereignty and His warnings. I also give thanks for day to day answers to prayer. I was blessed this morning when I realized that my new employee (hired Thursday) was attending the service today! I had said hello last Sunday but not recognized her when I interviewed her during the week. God is so good and faithful!

Sharing Beyond Books #149 Comment Giveaway May 3, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Six out of 17 people indicate that they never 'do not finish' a book; six would not DNF for historical errors. The other six will not finish if the book doesn't engage them within a certain number of chapters.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #148 comments is: #14 bn100 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 #149 (One Question.)

Q1. Mary P asks: How many books in a series is too many??

A:  Never too many if the series is good enough then bring 'em on even though it may be hard to get them all read!   I am sometimes surprised by long series, for example, the In Death series which is in the 30s. On the other hand there are times when a series loses its attraction.

Image found at Piermont Library.

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 still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use. 

Your turn to share:

Q1. Mary P asks: How many books in a series is too many??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 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 through Saturday May 10, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Book Review: Fair Play: A Novel by Deeanne Gist

This is absolutely DELIGHTFUL!
Fair Play: A Novel
by Deeanne Gist

File Size: 45611 KB
Print Length: 464 pages
Publisher: Howard Books (May 6, 2014)
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
ASIN: B00DPM7YPO

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair comes a historical love story about a lady doctor and a Texas Ranger who meet at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Saddled with a man’s name, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for taking on a man’s profession. As a doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice—until Hunter Scott asks her to give it all up to become his wife.

Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who think they belong anywhere but home…

Despite their difference of opinion on the role of women, Hunter and Billy find a growing attraction between them—until Hunter discovers an abandoned baby in the corner of a White City exhibit. He and Billy team up to make sure this foundling isn’t left in the slums of Chicago with only the flea-riddled, garbage-infested streets for a playground. As they fight for the underprivileged children in the Nineteenth Ward, an entire Playground Movement is birthed. But when the Fair comes to an end, one of them will have to give up their dream.

Will Billy exchange her doctor’s shingle for the domesticated role of a southern wife, or will Hunter abandon the wide open spaces of home for a life in the “gray city,” a woman who insists on being the wage earner, and a group of ragamuffins who need more than a playground for breathing space?

Review:
Doctor Billy Tate is struggling for respect at a time when female doctors are not easily accepted. When patients realize that “Billy” is a female they turn away. Billy is to speak at the Women’s Symposium at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago but she experiences difficulties trying to get past the crowds. The security men don’t believe that she is a Doctor or one of the speakers and try to keep her from accessing the full hall. When she sneaks in, her unceremonious entry (legs exposed by upturned skirts) is caught by security guard, Hunter Scott, a Texas Ranger.

Hunter later needs medical attention at the fair and isn’t happy to be treated by a female doctor. Billy and Hunter are pulled together to take care of an abandoned infant. They cannot find the mother so they travel on street cars and walk through less desirable parts of town to take the baby to Hull House. Along the way they are distressed by the conditions of the poor, young children who have to work to help feed and clothe their families.
One of the young boys is arrested after being taunted by older boys into stealing a handful of coals. Billy goes to the jail to try to help the boy and is appalled by the conditions after she sneaks downstairs. She enlists Hunter’s help to get the boy released. Later they champion an innocent nine-year-old boy who is accused of murder.

Billy and Hunter work together with children from the area to build a playground for the poor. A friendship blooms between Billy and Hunter. Hunter plans to return to Texas to continue his wide ranging job as a Ranger. Billy has her heart set on building a successful medical practice and being a wage earner in the family. Although their first kisses are tantalizing they are both concerned that their goals don’t mesh.

This story is delightful in its characters and wonderful in the wealth of history. I thoroughly enjoyed the social issues that are discussed: a woman’s place in society, rights of children, medical conditions and supplies of the time, poverty and the underprivileged, prejudices, juvenile delinquency, intolerable prison conditions and more. The story line includes moments of tenderness, joy, heartbreak and sorrow. Hunter’s Texan phrases are particularly fun like:“Die and be blamed”, “That dog don’t hunt...” and “Stepping out with her would be like tying a bobcat with a piece of string”.

The love story is old fashioned and sweet. The characters have integrity and references to religion and faith are simple and easy. I highly recommend this story to those who like clean, authentic historical romance that offers as much in history as in romance. I will be looking for more books by this author to share with my ladies’ book club.

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 2, 2014

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

I had another busy week seven hearings on Wednesday. Plus I had to interview and hire a new assistant who started training Thursday and Friday. 
Sorry I forgot to add the list of new books last week - it is added now.


More details at My Cancer Journey. 

[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 April 25 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 three titles blocked with multiple picks; one was won.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from April 25 Pick:
Annie gets Crimson Rain through a block

Rima 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, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Is anyone reading books about spring?

Image found at Fox Toy Box.

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

PAIRS:
Catherine Palmer: Prairie Rose and A Whisper of Danger
Stephanie Laurens: A Lady of His Own (spine creases) and Impetuous Innocent
SINGLES:
Hawken's Heart by Suzanne Brockman
The Mystery Man of Whitehorse by B.J. Daniels
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper
When the Duke Returns by Eloisa James
Once Upon a Moon by Julie Kistler
The MacGregor Grooms by Nora Roberts
Sirius About Murder by Sue Owens Wright
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
The Stepmother by Carrie Adams (hardback) 


New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

PAIRS:
   Virginia Henley - Notorious and Insatiable
   Debbie Macomber - Navy Woman and This Matter of Marriage
SINGLES:
The Diamonds of Wellbourne Manor Anthology by Diane Gaston plus
Heart of Darkness Anthology by Gena Showalter plus
Unbound Anthology by Kim Harrison plus
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Penhollow by Georgette Heyer
Dangerous Passions by Kat Martin
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)
If She Only Knew by Lisa Jackson (spine creases)
Liar's Market by Taylor Smith
The Horseman's Secret by Jeannie Watt
Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs
Strong Arms of the Law by Vicki Kennedy


New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

PAIRS:
   Deborah Cooke: Winter Kiss and Kiss of Fate
   Fern Michaels:  Hey Good Looking and Charming Lily
SINGLES:
Swimming Without a Net by Mary Jane Davidson
Exit Strategies by Catherine Todd
Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter
The Reckoning by Beverly Lewis
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Sandhill Dreams by Cara Putman
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright
Dare Me Anthology, Cherry Adair, Jill Shalvis and Julie Elizabeth Leto
All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins
A Writer's Dream & A Cowboy's Heart by Vickie Kennedy


New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013

PAIRS: gone
SINGLES:
Renegade Heart by Madeline Baker
Every Whispered Word by Karyn Monk
Tides of Passion by Tracy Sumner

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

Pairs gone
SINGLES:
Father for Keeps by Ana Seymour 
Crimson Rain by Meg O’Brien

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

Singles:
Silver Feather by Cassie Edwards (pictured and in box but missed the listing.)
Something Extra by Janet Dailey

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
The Nightingale's Song by Jo-Ann Power
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
White Heather by Jaclyn Reding

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Pairs:
      (Angels) Not Quite An Angel by Bobby Hutchinson and An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
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.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

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

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
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

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
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---(All gone)

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

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 on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

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 654+ 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 $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
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

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

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
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---(All gone)

Pick #5---(All gone)
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

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Audio Book Review: One Fine Day You're Gonna Die Charlie D. Mysteries, Book 2 by Gail Bowen

This is an engaging, psychological mystery that is a good, quick listen.

One Fine Day You're Gonna Die

Charlie D. Mysteries, Book 2

by Gail Bowen

Narrator: Daniel Maté

# of Audio CD's: 2

# of MP3 CD's: 1

Audio CD ISBN: 978-1-927401-92-7

Genre: Mystery

My Rating: 4.25 of 5..0

Charlie D is back doing his late-night radio call-in show. It's Halloween--The Day of the Dead. Not a day filled with good memories for Charlie, but the show must go on. His studio guest this evening is Dr. Robin Harris, an arrogant and ambitious "expert in the arts of dying and grieving," who also seems to be auditioning for her own radio talk show. Charlie and Dr. Harris do not hit it off. Things go from bad to worse when the doctor's ex-lover, Gabe, goes on air to announce that he's about to end his life. Dr. Harris is entirely unsympathetic until she learns that Gabe also has her daughter Kali and plans to poison her too. It will take all of Charlie D's on-air skills to save both Gabe and Kali.

Review:
This is the second in the Charlie D mystery series. In this episode it is Halloween and Charlie D has a guest hostess to deal with The Day of the Dead. Dr. Robin Harris is extremely arrogant and thinks that only her opinions on grieving are the right and worthy ones. She hopes to use this night with Charlie as an opportunity to gain her own talk show. There is a big difference between Charlie and Robin. Charlie has learned to listen to his audience and they appreciate him for that. Robin is too busy trying to tell the callers what she thinks instead of waiting to hear their experience and needs.

Robin is angry that Charlie’s producer, Nova, refuses to bar Robin’s ex-boyfriend, Gabe, from calling in. She doesn’t want to talk to him but she finally begins to listen when she learns that Gabe has her young daughter, Kali, and he is planning to poison her before killing himself. Can Charlie manage to talk Gabe out of harming Kali, or at least keep him on the line until they can locate him and the police can arrive. As Robin panics and continues to make a fool of herself some of Charlie’s other callers are able to call in and give some wise advise for the situation.

Once again this is a psychological mystery that is engaging and enjoyable for a quick listen. The introduction fills the listener in on  Charlie’s particular uniqueness and his occupation so a reader could select this title to enjoy as a stand alone.

Audio Notes: Daniel Maté presents the characters with panache and makes this ‘rapid read’ a smooth,
easy listen.

I received this audio book from Post Hypnotic Press for an honest review.