Sunday Words of Encouragement November 15, 2015

Last Sunday we continued to study Romans in our Sunday School Class. Our leader focused on Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose..” (NASB)

Our leader broke this down for us encouraging us to read it in context with the surrounding verses, v 26 and v29-39. He noted that it is not each thing that works for good, but ALL things… for His purposes. V29 states that God foreknew those who love Him (us), He has called us and He is conforming us to be like Christ, His first born. God created men to serve and worship Him. Man was created in the image of God but fell from because of free will and Adam’s sin.

The “good” in v 28 is the act of conforming us to His purpose. The package of good and bad that make up our life journey ends in the “all things”. It is the same as the ingredients of a cake which are not good to eat by themselves, but, when mixed together, result in a good cake. Sometimes God adds, or removes, an ingredient in our lives that is His, not ours, to claim. Joseph went through troubles and struggled for thirteen years for a special propose – to be the forgiving person God could use in the right time. See Genesis chapters 39 through 47.

We must remember that God’s values are not our values. He sees a bigger picture. When we look through His view, then, when it is all said and done, we can “Count it all joy” James 1:2.

I have always loved this song and it repeats the above message.

Verses for Today:
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

As always I am so Thankful that I can trust God to work all things in my live to good for His glory.

Sharing Beyond Books #227 November 14, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
We are in Georgia tonight after having a fun day on the SAM Shortline Train out of Georgia Veterans National Park. We met a lovely couple from Florida, and other nice people, on the train and enjoyed peanut butter ice cream in Plains, Georgia. The campground is beautiful and the weather is cool (not yet cold) with sunshine.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Most everyone will read some reviews, good and bad, although Natalija and Elizabeth won't read the reviews if they are already set to read the book. A few start with bad reviews, a few with good. It seems most are looking for content in reviews although a couple just want a feel for the rating. That raised a question in my mind - what is sufficient rating since that can be subjective too?

~~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #226 comments is: #5 CarolL 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 #227 (One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: Do you have favorite recipes for autumn??

I believe I have mentioned that I do not cook. However, I do have favorite dishes in autumn that I will ask my DH to make or that we get for our office. At the office I like to get Tomato Basil soup - (from Schwan's) - yum! DH (Dear Hubby) makes a wonderful stuffin' muffin with stuffing mix and cranberries. He hardly ever cooks the same so there may be surprises like walnuts or pecans. Always yummy. (He may have gotten the idea from internet or Rachel Ray as I see it is not his own creation.)  

Image found at ComfyCook

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:
Elizabeth asks: Do you have favorite recipes for autumn??

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 21, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Audible Review: Just One Da**ed Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1 by Jodi Taylor

This is a zany fun story and a good audio listen.
Just One Da**ed Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1
Written by: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Zara Ramm

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Series: The Chronicles of St Mary's, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:04-01-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
"History is just one damned thing after another."
Behind the seemingly innocuous façade of St Mary's, a different kind of historical research is taking place. They don't do 'time-travel' - they 'investigate major historical events in contemporary time'. Maintaining the appearance of harmless eccentrics is not always within their power - especially given their propensity for causing loud explosions when things get too quiet.
Meet the disaster-magnets of St Mary's Institute of Historical Research as they ricochet around History. Their aim is to observe and document - to try and find the answers to many of History's unanswered questions...and not to die in the process. But one wrong move and History will fight back - to the death. And, as they soon discover - it's not just History they're fighting.
Follow the catastrophe curve from 11th-century London to World War I, and from the Cretaceous Period to the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria. For wherever Historians go, chaos is sure to follow in their wake....
©2013 Jodi Taylor (P)2014 Audible Studios

Review:
St. Mary’s is an institute for historical research, pursuing their goal in an unusual fashion. They investigate historical events by observing and documenting through ‘contemporary’ time travel. They must be scrupulously careful not to interfere and not to leave anything behind or try to bring anything back. Really, that doesn’t even sound easy --- and it isn’t for this mad cap group of historians and scientists.

The St. Mary’s team consists of several divisions working closely together (it is hoped) to manage safe expeditions. There are the security team, the IT team, technical, medical, R&D, costuming, and of course administration and house staff. But the lynch pins are the historians who travel in the pods to far away, long gone destinations and face the inherent dangers in places like the Cretaceous Period or the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria.

Madeleine Maxwell, better known as Max, is a young woman who earned her doctorate at St. Mary’s ‘sister’ school, Thirsk. A wonderful teacher, Ms. DeWinter, who changed Max’ school life years before, changes it again when she recruits Max to interview for a historian position at St. Mary’s. The candidates go through rigorous training to prove themselves. They work in teams, but some are more compatible than others. Max would just as soon work alone but instead she is paired with an arrogant fellow no one else wants to work with.

Max is a great heroine in this story. She is hard working as well as naturally bright and determined. Many find her impressive and likable, but others are jealous and contemptuous, especially since trouble and death seem to follow her even in (mostly) successful adventures. Max finds a romance interest for the first time in her life but may lose that due to separation and secrets.

This book contains great characters, wonderful action with danger, and creative interaction in historical settings. There is a bit of language, although it is limited. The overall impact of the story is fun entertainment. I recommend this to readers looking for a fun read/listen and especially those who like history provided with a flair.

Audio Notes: Zara Ramm does a fine job of narrating this. She captures the voices and nuances of personalities of the characters. The pacing is good and the narration added to my enjoyment. I will be getting more of this series in Audible to entertain me.

This is from my Audible Library, purchased in November 2014, so it is from my TBR shelves and adds to my Audio Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 13, 2015

Happy Friday.
Our weather turned cold this week -- "cold" is relative, I know, but it is cold for us.
As I noted last week I celebrate Friday Pick's anniversary (year 6) during the month of November. I like to award extra wins in November so this week and the next three weeks will have some extra winners. I have now posted 62 groups of 16 books so the total books up for grabs has come to 992! Happy Picking!

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 + TWO winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the November 6 Pick. There were two automatic wins 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 but (finally) won.
AUTO: Rita gets Beloved Enemy
and Rubynreba gets Remember Me

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from November 6 Pick:
Miki gets a GC

holdenj gets Tombs of Endearment (through the block)
Carol L gets Love Me Tomorrow
Natalija 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.}

Here is a bookish Thank You to authors and readers!

Image found at Lake Carolina Elementary - The Communigator.

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
(I was getting ready to leave the office and realized I hadn't taken the photo of the books yet.
I took this very quickly. I may try to get another next week but this will have to do for now.)

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 887+ 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!

Book Review: Nirvana (Nirvana Series Book 1) by J.R. Stewart

This story is entertaining and fast-paced but has a cliffhanger ending.

Nirvana (Nirvana Series Book 1)
by J.R. Stewart

• File Size: 4571 KB
• Print Length: 201 pages
• Publisher: Blue Moon Publishers (November 10, 2015)
• ASIN: B014LLM1XW

Genre: Sci Fi, Dystopian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?

Animal activist and punk rock star Larissa Kenders lives in a dystopian world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the disappearance of her soulmate, Andrew, Kenders finds solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world controlled by Hexagon. In Nirvana, anyone’s deepest desires may be realized - even visits with Andrew.

Although Kenders knows that this version of Andrew is virtual, when he asks for her assistance revealing Hexagon’s dark secret, she cannot help but comply. Soon after, Kenders and her closest allies find themselves in a battle with Hexagon, the very institution they have been taught to trust. After uncovering much more than she expected, Kenders’ biggest challenge is determining what is real – and what is virtual.

Nirvana is a fast-paced, page-turning young adult novel combining elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance. Part of a trilogy, this book introduces readers to a young woman who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.

Review:
Larissa was a talented musician when she met her husband, Andrew. She was reluctant to become involved but she finally succumbed to Andrew’s persistent charm, leaving her music behind to join him on the primary military base where he was recruited by the government.

Andrew was a brilliant scientist and the Hexagon organization snagged him to do research for them. He loved Larissa but he was also dedicated to the programming work he was doing, which included keeping secrets.

Larissa is devastated by Andrew’s disappearance during a research expedition. She refuses to believe he is dead because he seems so alive when he visits her in the virtual world of Nirvana. Several of Andrew’s friends try to get her to accept that Andrew is gone but they are giving her mixed messages that he may not be ‘dead’, but still he is unavailable.

Larissa struggles with her feelings until her therapist, Dr. Krag, sends her to the Bubble, a privileged, sheltered community designed by Larissa’s closest childhood friend, Serge. Larissa seeks help from Serge and follows up on another mysterious clue. Serge is thrilled to see Larissa and he is determined to convince her that she can find love again… with him.

Larissa doesn't realize that the primary military leader, Dr. Krag and Serge are connected by a history of deception and cover-ups. They will take whatever steps are necessary to protect the secrets of the true events that led to their profitable programs.

I was engaged by the story and by Larissa's determination to pursue the mystery of what happened to Andrew. I was fascinated by the description of the society changes resulting from the extinction of bees. On the other hand, I was horrified by the political and corporate manipulation and corruption.

The author did a good job building the various communities, but particularly Nirvana, the Bubble and the open source virtual world. I found the plot to be twisty and I easily understood how the real world and virtual world were becoming twisted for Larissa. (Think of "the Matrix".) I was eagerly waiting to get answers when there is a surprise revelation and a sudden end that had me saying "What??"  I really felt it was a terrible place to end the book because it forces a reader to make a choice – buy the next book to figure out what is happening or walk away possibly disgruntled.

The story is entertaining, fast-paced and reads quickly. I recommend it with the caveat that a cliffhanger ending leaves many questions to be answered in the next book.

This is a selection received through NetGalley for an honest review. It adds to my NetGalley challenge and is N for the Alphabet Soup Challenge.

About the Author:
J.R. Stewart has worked on many corporate projects throughout a prolific IT academic and consulting career, and is involved with many confidential virtual reality projects. After working on advanced “VR” technologies for over a decade, Stewart grew concerned about the implications of this work and the possible psychological effects that it may have on its users.