Sunday Words of Encouragement August 16, 2015

We are away from home and may not get to church this morning. That doesn't stop us from taking time to read our Bibles and worship.

This song reminds me that wecan seek His Presence anywhere we are.

A Verse for Today
Psalms 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

May I welcome You Lord in my life -- always!

Book Review: Footsteps in the Sky by Greg Keyes

This is an unusual story - entertaining and thought provoking.
Footsteps in the Sky
by Greg Keyes

• File Size: 1069 KB
• Print Length: 298 pages
• Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (May 26, 2015)
• Publication Date: May 26, 2015
• ASIN: B00Q5UWNI6

Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

The pueblo people who landed on the Fifth World found it Earthlike, empty, and ready for colonization . . . but a century later, they are about to meet the planet’s owners

One hundred years ago, Sand’s ancestors made the long, one-way trip to the Fifth World, ready to work ceaselessly to terraform the planet. Descendants of native peoples like the Hopi and Zuni, they wanted to return to the way of life of their forebears, who honored the Kachina spirits.

Now, though, many of the planet’s inhabitants have begun to resent their grandparents’ decision to strand them in this harsh and forbidding place, and some have turned away from the customs of the Well-Behaved People. Sand has her doubts, but she longs to believe that the Kachina live on beyond the stars and have been readying a new domain for her people.

She may be right. Humans have discovered nine habitable worlds, all with life that shares a genetic code entirely alien to any on Earth. Someone has been seeding planets, bringing life to them. But no other sign of the ancient farmers has ever been discovered—until one day they return to the Fifth World. They do not like what they find.

Originally written in 1994, Footsteps in the Sky is finally being released in digital form by Open Road Media.

Review:
Sand is a young woman of the pueblo clan in the rough interior country of the Fifth World. One hundred years earlier,Sand’s ancestors made the move to this new planet. Those who settled in the interior work the land and follow the legends and traditions, including religious beliefs honoring the Kachina spirits. These people honor the memories and stories of their ancestors, native tribes like the Hopi and Zuni, who came from earth.

There are more ambitious men and women who control the coast and the technology they have available. This clan has put the simple, native beliefs, fears and traditions aside. They plan manipulations to increase their power. They know there are alien forces from earth that will someday return to claim the planet. But there is a different alien force that is orbiting the planet in three ships. The ambitious coastal people hope they can make contact with these hovering aliens to help them keep the planet by fighting the earth-handlers. However, the inhabitants do not realize the danger they face from the unknown aliens.

This story started a little slowly but once I realized the dynamics of the tribes and alien elements I found it fascinating. In essence this tells the story of two societies vying for the planet - not just two on the planet but two alien species in orbit as well. There is thought provoking supposition on how long term artificial intelligence might act when trying to follow its directives or meet new changes.

There is history to give fullness to the Kachina traditions but then one descendant line changes the god to fit their views and needs. There are two spies among the natives and it is interesting the different way they react and interact after many years of insertion. I didn’t care for the casual sex and bad language although I suppose it fit the particular characters. On the other hand, I was struck by some very profound observations of human nature - motives, desires and ability to love and sacrifice.

This is an unusual tale that is full of conflict, action, betrayal and glimpses of love and sacrifice. I recommend this to readers who would enjoy a space adventure that includes a psychological study.

I am glad I selected this at NetGalley. It is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 14, 2015

Happy Friday - 
I have still had this cough hanging on. Saw the Doctor Tuesday and I go back next week.
At least I feel mostly better but still keeping DH (and me) awake when I cough at night. 
I hope everyone is staying cool during these hot days!

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK:

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up to late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the August 7 Pick. There was one automatic win again this week.  Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title blocked this week, but it was won.
AUTO: Linda K gets Trouble Becomes Her

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 7 Pick:
Holdenj gets Murder on the Atlantic

Mariska 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.}

Relax and enjoy reading!

Image found at News.ULC.edu.

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

PAIR:
Jillian Hunter: Daring and The Husband Hunt
Sandra Brown: The Devil's Own and Long Time Coming
ANTHOLOGIES:
That Summer Place (1998 version)by Debbie Macomber, Jill Barnett and Susan Wiggs  (sp creasing)
How to Lasso a Cowboy by Jodi Thomas, Patricia Potter and 2 more
Broken Vows, Mended Hearts by Lynn Stone, Gail Ranstrom and Anne O'Brien
3,2,1 Married! by Sharon Sala, Marie Ferrarella and Beverly Barton
SINGLES:
Only by Your Touch by Catherine Anderson
The Notorious Gentleman by Galen Foley (Spine creasing)
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels
Little Girl Lost by Shirlee McCoy
Beloved Enemy by Terri Reed
Caught Redhanded by Gayle Roper
You Don't Know Jack by Erin McCarthy
Rogue by Cheryl Brooks

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015
-- A few summer titles, a few mysteries, a few historicals...

PAIRS:
JoAnn Ross:Impulse and Far Harbor
Barbara Bretton: One and Only and Shore Lights
SINGLES:
Honeymoon by James Patterson
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson Audio Cassette Tapes
Marriage by the Book by Joan Johnston (slight binding damage)
Summer Lovin', American Romance - Marin Thomas, Laura Marie Altom and Ann Roth
Hot Pursuit - Karen Rose, Annie Solomon and Carla Cassidy
Murders in the Mist by Willard Scott
Murder on the Atlantic by Steve Allen
Love Me Tomorrow by Rosanne Bittner (spine creasing)
The Reiver's Woman by Catherine Creel
Never Romance a Rake by Liz Carlyle
Patriot Dreams by Barbara Michaels
Sevant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster


New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015
(I'll finish the list with authors on Saturday 5/2/15)

PAIRS:
Nora Roberts: The Heart of Devin MacKade and the Pride of Jared MacKade
SINGLES:
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
Veil of Night by Lydia Joyce
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
Special Agent by Candice DeLong
Dead in The Water by Stuart Woods - Cassette Tapes
Rally Fever by Crea Jones

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Catherine Lanigan: Tender Malice and Elusive Love (spine creases)
SINGLES:
Madison Avenue Marriage (Silhouette Desire #129) by Cassandra Bishop
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Where is He Now? by Jennifer Greene
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks


New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood

New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes


BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

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 five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 851+ 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. 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!

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 $7.00 and $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)

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!

Delay in Friday Book Pick Post

Hi all and Happy Friday.
We decided to make a last minute RV trip to visit our son and family. Yesterday (Thursday) morning as I was preparing for work my Dear Hubby said "By the way, I'd like to leave when you get home from work tonight." I had to rush to clear my work desk and had no time to get Friday Post ready.
I hope to get it up late on Friday or early Saturday. Have to work on it in between visits with the family. :-)
Enjoy your Friday everyone!

Book Review: Plantation Shudders: A Cajun Country Mystery (A Cajun Country Mystery) by Ellen Byron

This is a fun, cozy mystery, with Cajun eats and Southern charm. 

Plantation Shudders: A Cajun Country Mystery (A Cajun Country Mystery)

by Ellen Byron

• File Size: 766 KB
• Print Length: 288 pages
• Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (August 11, 2015)
• Publication Date: August 11, 2015
• ASIN: B011IZPRR6

Genre: Cozy Mystery

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Check in for some Southern hospitality in Plantation Shudders, the Cajun Country series debut from Ellen Byron.
It's the end of the summer and Prodigal Daughter Maggie Crozat has returned home to her family's plantation-turned-bed-and-breakfast in Louisiana. The Crozats have an inn full of guests for the local food festival—elderly honeymooners, the Cajun Cuties, a mysterious stranger from Texas, a couple of hipster lovebirds, and a trio of Georgia frat boys. But when the elderly couple keels over dead within minutes of each other - one from very unnatural causes - Maggie and her family suddenly become suspects in a murder.
With the help of Bo Durand, the town's handsome new detective, Maggie must investigate to clear her name while holding the family business together at the same time. And the deeper she digs, the more she wonders: are all of the guests really there for a vacation or do they have ulterior motives? Decades-old secrets and stunning revelations abound in Ellen Byron’s charming cozy debut, Plantation Shudders.

Review:
Maggie Crozat has returned home to help her family run their Louisiana Plantation now turned Bed and Breakfast. She spent a few years in the big city trying to make it on her own until she realized that she didn’t like the feeling of being alone and her family could use her help.

Maggie is with the family to welcome a full inn of guests for the end of summer fete. The guests include a couple of young lovebirds, a family with two young teens, three college boys, a mysterious, handsome, but sad man, and four “Cajun Cuties” who visit plantations to share with their organization. Then the surprisingly elderly, honeymoon latecomers show up. He is a grouch while she is consistently smiley.

Things go astray when the lights flash out. When the fuse is fixed everyone is shocked to find the elderly man dead. Maggie grabs the pills for the Mrs. only to have her collapse dead too. Having dead guests is trouble of its own but it's double trouble that the local Police Chief, Rufus Durand, is a sworn enemy of the family. He is apt to gloat about a murder at Crozat rather than try to solve it.

Maggie is dreading the investigation until she meets the new detective who is handsome and appears competent and thorough. That is good until she learns that he is Bo Durand, cousin to Rufus. Now she figures she will have to uncover the true murderer herself even if it means taking on cleaning duty to sneak into their rooms. Determining the murderer becomes more crucial as the week goes on and another guest is found dead.

The setting is beautiful, complete with bayou, Cajun food and good luck charms. The characters are quirky, with hidden motives. Maggie is a strong, likable heroine and Bo is a great hero with a special son, whose situation is handled nicely. The writing flows well and makes an easy, quick read. The story is told with gracious Southern charm and I enjoyed the mystery and the sweet, slow romance. The recipes shared at the end are a bonus. (I found it amusing that I didn’t get the title, “shudders” until I started reading the book.) I recommend this to readers who enjoy a fun, cozy mystery.

I selected this through NetGalley. It is part of my NetGalley Challenge.