Sunday Words of Encouragement November 8, 2015

This morning we continued our study in Romans and I plan to use those notes for a Sunday when we are away again. We celebrated communion and Pastor’s sermon was titled: Jesus Paid It All. Pastor noted that without the resurrection Christ's suffering was in vain. Isaiah 53:5 describes (prophetically) how “he [Christ] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”  Pastor argued that healing is for us today. Christ redeemed and redeems those who believe. If God’s Spirit is living in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies. Romans 8:11. God gives life abundantly (John 10:10) and He wants us to succeed and prosper in health as well as spiritually. 3 John 2.

God wants us to praise, remembering His ‘benefits’, remembering who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases. Psalms 103:2. There have been several suicides locally and our community is suffering from an epidemic of depression and discontent. Pastor reminded us that we need to rebuke Satan’s lies, not claim illness or sickness, but instead claim the promises and healings of God. Jesus carried our sins on the cross. He did it, it's done. We need to return, come home, to our Shepherd. 1 Peter 2:24-25. (Read Psalm 23.)

If He is our shepherd, are our actions showing God’s will, grace, power and healing in our lives?
We need to act by faith even in a world of darkness. God’s grace covers our daily living. Partaking of communion, in an attitude of reverence and heartfelt gratitude, brings restoration and healing. 1 Corinthians 11:23-30.

Once again, I started looking for one song and ended up with another.

This one fits renewal and allowing the Spirit to live within.

Verse for Today:
Romans 8:11 NIV
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Lord, I praise you and thank you for the words you have given for your children in the Bible and through spiritual leaders who confirm your messages. The more I read and listen the more I see your redeeming love from 'before the world began' to the expanse of eternity.

Sharing Beyond Books #226 November 7, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Is everyone preparing for the holidays? My DH said today he wants to get our artificial tree out soon. Aack!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
This was a fun question but I wasn't too surprised that the majority of us do not pick our reads by mood. Fredamans acknowledged that she does read by mood. Three others are influenced by mood but usually read something opposite, like reading light and happy to counter a sad mood.

~~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #225 comments is: #9 Alyn who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #226 (One Question.)

bn100 asks: If you look at reviews, do you look at bad or good reviews first??

I look at good reviews first but I also check the less positive reviews. I want to make sure the reviews (good or bad) have some 'substance' and not just 'fluff'. And I look particularly for comments on items that might influence me like the sex level, language, or issues I don't want to read. 

Image found at Slideshare

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! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:
bn100 asks: If you look at reviews, do you look at bad or good reviews first??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question 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 November 14, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Audible Review: Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia

This is a wonderfully fun and entertaining series.
Monster Hunter Alpha
Written by: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 18 hrs and 52 mins

Series: Monster Hunter, Book 3

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07-26-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Dirty Harry meets Twilight. Number 3 in the break-out series and a follow-up to Monster Hunter International and Monster Hunter Vendetta.
Earl Harbinger may be the leader of Monster Hunter International, but he's also got a secret. Nearly a century ago, Earl was cursed to be a werewolf. When Earl receives word that one of his oldest foes, a legendarily vicious werewolf that worked for the KGB, has mysteriously appeared in the remote woods of Michigan, he decides to take care of some unfinished business. But another force is working to bring about the creation of a whole new species of werewolf. When darkness falls, the final hunt begins, and the only thing standing in their way is a handful of locals, a lot of firepower, and Earl Harbinger's stubborn refusal to roll over and play dead.
Track down another Monster Hunter title.
©2011 Larry Correia (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Earl Harbinger has been the director of Monster Hunter International (MHI) for many (many) years. Some, but not all, of the employees know that he is a werewolf who has been around for a century. Even fewer of the employees know his former identity and his histroy.

Earl has headed to a remote community in the cold, remote woods of Michigan due to an anonymous tip that an old foe, Nikolai, another legendary werewolf who was his KGB enemy during WWII, is going to be in town. This is a personal issue so Earl hasn’t advised any one at MHI. He arrives in town during a bad snow storm only to discover that Nikolai is there but there are other werewolves and something else dangerous is going on.

Earl meets a local, young, tough officer who is prepared to protect her town. Heather is stressed because her boss, the Sheriff, has ended up in the hospital after dealing with an animal attack at a resident’s farm. Heather isn’t used to strangers in town and she has already been visited by another man - a European stranger who asked questions about her grandfather. Soon she finds herself pulled into a very bazaar … and bloody… situation and the only man who seems to know what is going on is this Harbinger fellow.

Earl thinks he is there to face off with Nikolai, and vice versa. But there is a third man playing the two enemies as he seeks to take his position as the Alpha werewolf. He has brought Earl and Nikolai together so he can take the soul, of the strongest warrior. Earl doesn’t mind facing monsters but it really angers him to have to face dark magic too.

This is the third book in this fast paced, fun series. The story focuses on the leader of MHI, Earl Harbinger, showing his history through brief entries from his journal at the beginning of each chapter. The chapters then proceed with current events and all the action and danger, plus an added bonus of a developing romance! We learn of Earl's past and also learn more about the state agency, Monster Control Bureau. I may have missed the MHI team but I was completely engaged and loved learning the history of Earl as well as meeting new characters.

Correia did a wonderful job of creating an action story around the primary characters. I enjoyed the plot, character development and action supplied by this author – with a touch of humor too! I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Audio Notes: Oliver Wyman does a great job narrating this series. I had to double check that there was only one narrator because he did such a good job with the voices, including the Russian and the females. The narration carries the excitement of the story and adds to my enjoyment of the series.

This is from my Audible library as a selection in August 2014 so it counts for my TBR shelf. It also qualifies as part of my Audio Challenge.

Book Review: Priceless (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 1) by Shannon Mayer

This is an engaging, paranormal adventure. 

Priceless (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 1)

by Shannon Mayer

File Size: 713 KB
Print Length: 234 pages
Publisher: HiJinks Ink Publishing (November 19, 2013)
ASIN: B00A6CNV08
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

"My name is Rylee and I am a Tracker."
When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I'm the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot.
I'm on the FBI's wanted list.
I have a werewolf for a pet, a Witch of a best friend, and have no need for anyone else in my life.
But when a salvage starts to spin out of control, help comes from a most unexpected direction.
One that is dangerously dark, brooding, and doesn't know a thing about the supernatural.
One whose kisses set me on fire.

Review:
Rylee had some harsh times growing up in foster homes. She was a young teen when her little sister was kidnapped while she was with her at the park. There have always been suspicions that Rylee was responsible although there was never proof. Rejected by the parents she’d tried so hard to please, Rylee finds herself ousted but this brings her to meet the strange people who can help her begin to understand the odd gifts she has. Now Rylee knows that she is a tracker, with some other supernatural gifts, and she knows that the world is more than most people see.

Rylee’s mentor, Giselle, is an old seer who is losing touch with reality and needs Rylee’s help and protection. Her best friend, Milly, another foster child helped by Giselle, is a young witch who longs to become part of a coven. Rylee’s pet, Alex, is a werewolf who has been rejected by the local pack due to his lack of aggression. These three have helped Rylee on many searches to bring back children stolen by supernatural forces. Sometimes they are lucky to bring them back alive. Other times all they can bring is closure.

Rylee has a new kidnapping to investigate and it is eerily, and frighteningly, similar to her sister’s kidnapping. Only Alex is around to help as Giselle is too sick and Milly has reasons to stay away from Rylee.

Rylee never expected to get help from the FBI investigator, O’Shea, who has watched her for ten years hoping he will finally find the evidence to bring her in. He is tailing her on his own time when he stumbles into a situation that is hard to believe…but explains some of the unexplained mysteries. What he learns sends him on the run from authorities and causes him to step to Rylee’s side to help her.

There is a lot of action and a variety of supernatural beings, some good, many bad. At times it seems that Rylee makes rookie mistakes and that she unexpectedly, almost too easily, gets past the dangers. I really enjoyed Rylee and O’Shea as the strong, primary characters and I liked their slowly developing connection. Rylee’s friends are good secondary characters and I especially enjoyed the humor added through Alex, the lap werewolf. The story is told primarily in third person with a few shifts to first person. The story is entertaining and reads quickly.

I recommend this to readers who like Mercy Thompson and Charlie Davidson. When I want another adventure fix, and those favorites aren't available, I may well pick up more of Rylee's series to enjoy.

This was a title I purchased for $.99 in January 2014 so it is from my TBR shelf.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 6, 2015

Happy Friday.
We have had a very warm first week of November. My DH had to fix the AC in my car, along with some other maintenance. I am so Thankful for him. :-)
I posted a new set of books last week then forgot to add the picture which is added now.
I have also posted another set of books because November is the month that I first started Friday Pick in 2009 (six years)! I like to award extra wins in November so the next four weeks will have some extra winners. I thought it would be good to add a few more choices. I have now posted 62 groups of 16 books so the total books up for grabs has come to 992! Happy Picking!
I have to take the new picture sometime Friday or Saturday and I'll try to link them too.

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 too 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 October 30 Pick. There was only one automatic win this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There is one title in a three way block now.
AUTO: Carol NW gets Sleeping with Ward Clever

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 30 Pick:
Becky gets The Demon in Me

MaryP 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.}

I am not sure if I used this image a few years back

but I saw it in my searching and just love the impact!

I am so thankful that no one has tried to destroy all of our books.

Image found at Micahel T. Dolan site Conversari

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
PAIRS
Joan Johnston – Colter’s Wife and The Rivals
Nora Roberts – Born in Ice and Carnal Innocence
SINGLES
The Wedding Night by Jane Ann Krentz
The Marriage Prize by Virginia Henley
In Shelter Cove by Barbara Freethy
Into the Valley by Rosanne Bittner
Never Look Back by Linda Lael Miller
The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver – CD Audiobook
Touch Me by Beverly Rae (personally autographed)
Driven by Desire by LuAnn McLane (personally autographed)
To Marry a British Lord by Judith Obrien
A Highlander For Christmas by Sandy Blair
A Midnight Clear by Katherine Stone (slight seam creasing)
Silver Bells by JoAnn Ross, Fern Michaels, Mary Burton, Judy Duarte


New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

PAIRS:
Leigh Greenwood –  The Reluctant Bride and The Independent Bride
Jane Feather(*) – The Hostage Bride and The Accidental Bride
SINGLES:
The de Burgh Bride by Deborah Simmons
The Forever Bride by Evelyn Rogers (Seam creasing)
Short Straw Bride by Dallas Schultz
The Bride Thief by Susan Spencer Paul
Bride by Stella Cameron (Seam creasing) (*)
An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley (*)
Bride Enchanted by Edith Layton
The Maiden Bride by Linda Needham (hardback)
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
Honor’s Bride by Galye Wilson
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale


New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

PAIRS:
Shannon Drake – When Darkness Falls (Alliance Vampires #2)  and Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
Charlaine Harris – Club Dead and Grave Sight
SINGLES:
A Darker Dream (Love Spell romance) by Amanda Ashley
Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
Cat of Nine Tales by Deborah Macgillivray
Fated (Dark Protectors Book 1) by Rebecca Zanetti
Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine
Primitive by Mark Nykanen (ARC copy)
The Accidental Human (Accidentally Paranormal Novel Book 3) by Dakota Cassidy
The Demon in Me by Michelle Rowen
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Silent Night, Haunted Night (A Nicki Styx Mystery) by Terri Garey
Tombs of Endearment (Pepper Martin Mysteries, No. 3) by Casey Daniels
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


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

ANTHOLOGIES:
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
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels
Little Girl Lost by Shirlee McCoy
Beloved Enemy by Terri Reed
You Don't Know Jack by Erin McCarthy

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

SINGLES:
Hot Pursuit - Karen Rose, Annie Solomon and Carla Cassidy
Love Me Tomorrow by Rosanne Bittner (spine creasing)
Sevant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015

SINGLES:
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
Rally Fever by Crea Jones

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

SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

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 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
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
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


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 almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 883+ 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!