Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 29, 2016

Happy Friday.
This week has been less crazy at the office but I've had a lot of interruptions which slows my normal work.
Weather was a bit warmer but when it is damp it is an ugly chill cold. We've been using our log supply regularly. I continue saying prayers for so many facing strange and hazardous weather.
[Thanks for continued prayers (for my nephew). Still no word yet so we stay in pray as they seek a second opinion.]

I have posted a new set of books. :-)

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 January 22 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 were two blocked title(s).
AUTO: 
Di gets You Don't Know Jack

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 22 Pick:
Janhvi gets a GC

bn100 gets Touch Me

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 like this ladder bookshelf. How about you?

Image found at Just Decorate.

New Book Goup #63 January 22, 2016
(I have the picture and will try to get the list up before I crash. Sorry no links right now.)

PAIRS:
Victoria Alexander: The Pursuit of Marriage (slight creasing) and When We Meet Again
Shannon Drake: Reckless and When we Touch
James Patterson: Black Friday and Hide and Seek (both have spine creasing)
SINGLES:
Presidential Antidotes by Paul F. Boller, Jr.
Undercurrents by Stella Cameron
Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl
Warrior Ascended by Addison Fox
Parallel Attraction by Deidre Knight
Moving Target by Cheyenne McCray
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes
Walking After Moonlight by Karen Robards
Forgotten Promises by Denise Skelton
A Walk to Remember by Nicolas Sparks - hardback

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015

Touch Me by Beverly Rae (personally autographed)


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
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!

Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
SINGLES:
Bloody Good by Georgia Evans
Cat of Nine Tales by Deborah Macgillivray
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
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:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels
Little Girl Lost by Shirlee McCoy
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:
Servant, 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 -- All Gone

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 920+ 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: Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1) by Marcus Sakey

This is a well written sci fi thriller with social parallels and lots of suspense.

Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1)
by Marcus Sakey

File Size: 4301 KB
Print Length: 453 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (July 16, 2013)
ASIN: B00AESRRQS
Genre: Suspense Thriller, Sci Fi
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

In Wyoming, a little girl reads people’s darkest secrets by the way they fold their arms. In New York, a man sensing patterns in the stock market racks up $300 billion. In Chicago, a woman can go invisible by being where no one is looking. They’re called “brilliants,” and since 1980, one percent of people have been born this way. Nick Cooper is among them; a federal agent, Cooper has gifts rendering him exceptional at hunting terrorists. His latest target may be the most dangerous man alive, a brilliant drenched in blood and intent on provoking civil war. But to catch him, Cooper will have to violate everything he believes in—and betray his own kind.
From Marcus Sakey, “a modern master of suspense” (Chicago Sun-Times) and “one of our best storytellers” (Michael Connelly), comes an adventure that’s at once breakneck thriller and shrewd social commentary; a gripping tale of a world fundamentally different and yet horrifyingly similar to our own, where being born gifted can be a terrible curse.
A 2013 Edgar Award Nominee
“The kind of story you’ve never read before.” —Lee Child, New York Times bestselling author of the Jack Reacher Series
“Ridiculously good. I love this story so much.” —Gillian Flynn, New York Times bestselling author of Gone Girl
Nominated for the Edgar, Lovey, Sideways, and Prometheus awards.

Review:
Nick Cooper is a federal agent in a special division (Department of Analysis and Response, Equitable Services) whose job is to hunt down “Brilliants” deemed to be terrorists. “Brilliants” are humans gifted with extraordinary skills. The skills may be reading the emotions of others, being able to move with great speed or stealth, being able to instantly see patterns in movement or numbers, and other “extra” skills that help the Brilliants excel beyond the normal humans. Although the Brilliants, aka “abnorms”, make up only a small portion of the population their high level of achievement frighten the normal people causing authorities to seek ways to control the Brilliants.

Cooper is extremely successful as a DAR agent since he himself is a one of those Brilliants. The team has a particular target terrorist, John Smith, who has evaded them for years. Smith is accused of a massacre of a Senator and 70+ other innocent civilians. He is also suspected of planning an upcoming bombing. As Cooper gets closer to the target, he begins to learn facts about the treatment of gifted children who are tested at age 8 and removed from their homes to be raised in academies. Cooper has cause for concern when the testing issue impacts his own family.

When Cooper runs into blocks trying to get Smith, he decides to go undercover to try to infiltrate Smith’s organization. Cooper collides with Shannon who is suspected to be one of Smith’s top operatives. Their joint escape from attacking DAR agents leads to a prime opportunity to get close to Smith. The people Cooper meets and the facts he uncovers will change his world.

The writing is crisp which fits the intensity of the talents of the Brilliants. I really enjoyed the creative observational details shared as part of Cooper’s skills. Cooper’s character is well developed, including building the relationship with his ex-wife and children. There are interesting pieces of news articles or songs that begin or end chapters and help to create an atmosphere of racial tension in this alternate society. The author uses this as one parallel with our real-life conflicts and conspiracies.

This is a good page-turner with twists and (suspected but still) surprises. There is just a touch of sexual grittiness but not enough to mar the overall engaging and remarkable effect of the work. The sci-fi element is an alternate society world and should not deter the interest of those who love a well crafted, fast paced thriller. I highly recommend this and I look forward to continuing in the series!

I received this through NetGalley. This is a contemporary Sci Fi for Sci Fi Experience. It qualifies for my NetGalley challenge, “B” for Alphabet Soup Challenge and TBR Triple Dog Dare.

Book Review: Extreme Honor (True Heroes) by Piper J. Drake

This has strong characters and a great blend of suspense, story and romance.
Extreme Honor (True Heroes)
by Piper J. Drake

• File Size: 848 KB
• Print Length: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forever (January 26, 2016)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• ASIN: B00X47ZLZU

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

HONOR, LOYALTY, LOVE
David Cruz is good at two things: war and training dogs. The ex-soldier's toughest case is Atlas, a Belgian Malinois whose handler died in combat. Nobody at Hope's Crossing kennel can break through the animal's grief. That is, until dog whisperer Evelyn Jones walks into the facility . . . and into Atlas's heart. David hates to admit that the curvy blonde's mesmerizing effect isn't limited to canines. But when Lyn's work with Atlas puts her in danger, David will do anything to protect her.
Lyn realizes that David's own battle scars make him uniquely qualified for his job as a trainer. Tough as nails yet gentle when it counts, he's gotten closer to Atlas than anyone else-and he's willing to put his hard-wired suspicion aside to let her do the same. But someone desperate enough to kill doesn't want Lyn working with Atlas. Now only teamwork, trust, and courage can save two troubled hearts and the dog who loves them both . . .

Review:
Lyn is a civilian dog trainer. She loves dogs and relates to them – usually better than to their human handlers or owners. She has developed her own business even through the discouragement from her military stepfather who has never really given her approval or loving support. They are always at odds yet he helped her get her latest contract to work with Atlas, a a Belgian Malinois military dog who lost his handler and is struggling to show interest in life. Lyn is determined to help Atlas but first she has to get past his current trainer, former military soldier, David Cruz.

Although Lyn’s initial approach to Cruz doesn’t work, the fact that Atlas responds to her does. Cruz slowly begins to gain respect for the pretty trainer as he sees progress in Atlas’ attitude. Cruz isn't sure of Lynn's motives and plans to challenge her. When he shows up at her hotel to find her under attack his attitude quickly shifts to protective mode.

Another attack at the kennel grounds makes it clear that someone is interested in keeping Lyn from working with Atlas. It appears that Atlas may be carrying secrets that someone is willing to kill to keep hidden. Now Cruz is even more determined to discover the secrets that surround Atlas.

I immediately liked the tone of this story. Lyn is a great character as a independent, smart professional who is vulnerable yet pushes back when under attack or trauma. David is a very honorable man who is willing to listen, provide truths and is reluctant to take advantage of a traumatized woman. There is lovely conflict and tension that builds to danger and suspense, and gentle, but clear attraction that builds to strong romantic love making that is sexy but not overdone. Atlas is a dog with personality that has to be drawn out and I enjoyed the addition of the dog training details, including the introduction of other handlers and dogs.

The story is told in third person with the point of view shifting between Lyn and Cruz. This gives good balance and good character depth. There is some background done through a form of “telling”, talking to the dog, but it worked for me and I had no problem with the presentation. The writing flows easily and I finished this in two days. I carried it around with me and read every chance I got as it was a book I didn’t want to put down.

This is the first time I have read this author but I am sure it will not be the last. I recommend this to readers who enjoy good romantic suspense – heavy on the story and suspense with a strong romance that doesn’t overtake the storyline.

I received this through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge, E on Alphabet Soup and TBR Triple Dog Dare.

Piper J. Drake (or "PJ") spent her childhood pretending to study for the SATs by reading every interesting novel she could borrow from the local and school libraries. She was introduced to the wonderful world of romance by her best friend and dove into the genre.

PJ began her writing career as "PJ Schnyder" writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk. She has recently received the FF&P PRISM award for her work as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.

Now, PJ is exploring the complexity of romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing.

 Connect with Piper at: Website | Facebook | Twitter |GoodReads | Amazon

Sunday Post January 24, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 25, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This has been a busy week with some travel and more to come this coming week.  We've been busy using wood in the fireplace. :-)
Reading was good although I only finished two books, 1 ebook and 1 audio. I posted four reviews, one with Giveaway (and another with a giveaway link). I also posted the usual memes.

I enjoyed visiting early in the week - it is interesting to share in the blog world.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 17, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 18, 2016.

• Winners November and December 2015.

• Audible Book Review and #Giveaway: Time Heist: Firstborn Saga Volume 1 by #Anthony Vicino. Sci Fi, Mystery; my rating 4.5.

• Audio Book Review: Buster: The Military Dog Who Saved a Thousand Lives by Will Barrow, Isabel George. Personal Memoir; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 22, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ends 1/28/2016.

• Audible Book Review: The Very First D**ned Thing: An Author-Read Audio Exclusive by Jodi Taylor; Fantasy; my rating 4.5.

• Book Review: Night Study (Study Series) by Maria V. Snyder ; Paranormal, Fantasy; my rating 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #237 Comment January 23, 2015; Open Worldwide. Ends 1/30/16.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 24, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Brilliance (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 1)
by Marcus Sakey
Lots of suspense -- Very well done!
I'll post a review this week.

Click on book title for full description.




2. Audible/MP3

To Live Forever
Written by: Jack Vance
Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
Interesting story with a monstrous, human villain and the irony I keep finding in vintage sci fi!
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Extreme Honor (True Heroes)
by Piper J. Drake
I am 50% into this and loving it! 
I received this through NetGalley.
I hope to post my review on release day, 1/26/16.
HONOR, LOYALTY, LOVE
David Cruz is good at two things: war and training dogs. The ex-soldier's toughest case is Atlas, a Belgian Malinois whose handler died in combat. Nobody at Hope's Crossing kennel can break through the animal's grief. That is, until dog whisperer Evelyn Jones walks into the facility . . . and into Atlas's heart. David hates to admit that the curvy blonde's mesmerizing effect isn't limited to canines. But when Lyn's work with Atlas puts her in danger, David will do anything to protect her.
Lyn realizes that David's own battle scars make him uniquely qualified for his job as a trainer. Tough as nails yet gentle when it counts, he's gotten closer to Atlas than anyone else-and he's willing to put his hard-wired suspicion aside to let her do the same. But someone desperate enough to kill doesn't want Lyn working with Atlas. Now only teamwork, trust, and courage can save two troubled hearts and the dog who loves them both . . .

2. Audible/ MP3

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Written by: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Lloyd James
This is another Vintage Sci Fi from 1966. I will start this when I finish To Live Forever. This has been in my Audible Library since 2011 so it is a good TBR listen too.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Steamborn (Steamborn Series) (Volume 1)
by Eric R Asher
I'll try to squeeze in one last Sci Fi before the end of the month.
I received this through NetGalley. 
Jacob, a tinker's apprentice and sometime thief, has lived his entire life in the mountain city of Ancora, protected by the city walls. These towering barriers keep the Deadlands creatures at bay, but the monsters move higher into the peaks every year. More and more, they breach the defenses of the Lowlands while the Highlands rest easy. A swarm overruns the walls and wreaks utter devastation on the Lowlands. Charles, the old tinker, suspects the attack may not be natural. With help from Jacob's closest friend, Alice, and Samuel, one of the city's elite spider knights, Jacob and Charles will uncover a terrible darkness at the heart of their city.

January 3, 2016
We start again "In the Beginning" reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.
I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted my four reviews last week.  I hope to post at least four reviews this week - trying to get the sci fi titles up. :-)
I have eight titles on my NetGalley shelves and this week will reduce that to five. 

There will be some new eTreasure's books listed at NetGalley this week.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I won a GC (I forgot to list earlier) and I received a free eBook, plus 6 more, from Red Coat PR.
TBR Triple Dog Dare update: I have resisted purchases now for 24 days with even more temptation this week!
I have two Audible credits I will be using soon but not rushing.
I added more free kindle titles to my library.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

No new review titles this week. I still have plenty to read. :-)

Won

I won a $15.00 Amazon GC for quarter four giveaway for the 2015 Netgalley Reading Challenge. Thank you to Ariel at Fictively.com.

Purchased

NONE

Free

I received:

In This Life (Kindle Edition)
by Christine Brae as a gift from the author and Red Coat PR. Thank you.


Plus an extra 6 free titles through their facebook page.

Over the past week I added 50 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragment January 24, 2016

We had good Sunday School and church service this morning. Brother Hall continued his testimony sharing how God provided for medical and housing needs for his young family back in the 1960s.
Next we had an awesome, spirit-filled time of sharing in communion.

Pastor’s Sermon was titled: Will He Find Faith on Earth? It was based on the parable in Luke 18:3-8. Some of us know this as the parable of The Persistent Widow and others know it as the parable of The Unjust Judge. The message is “Perseverance pays off”. Do we have persistent faith? Are we standing on the promises of God by faith?

Our faith needs to be supported by action. In the time of Jesus, widows had no support; orphans had nothing. A man’s inheritance would go to a brother if there was no son. Woman and children had no voice. The children could be sold into slavery or left to starve. This widow woman had promises of support from her deceased husband and she was persistent seeking justice. She had faith that she could get what was due her. The Unjust Judge relented so he wouldn't get ‘a black eye’. But it was God who rewarded her perseverance. Jesus wants us to look after widows and orphans. James 1:27.

Pastor shared the story of Emmett Smith as an example of persistent. Smith became the NFL's all-time rushing leader over 13 years by running 9.5 miles. His average carry was 4.3 yards a run. This meant he was knocked down over 4,000 times but kept getting up.

George Mueller was an evangelist who said that we should never give up. He prayed 63 years for the salvation of a certain man, who in fact accepted Christ at Mueller’s death.  Our calendar may be different than God’s eternal calendar but He will bring justice quickly when it is His time.

Like the widow, we can stand on God’s promises. We can claim: “God said it, I believe it.”  We need to set “feet to our faith”. Do not allow yourself to be double minded. James 1:6-7. Our confidence is in His Will; we can trust Him. 1 John 5:14-15.

Never Give Up. Hold on. Keep the faith. Daily live and occupy this foreign world. Don't just wait until He comes.

I found this song which fits beautifully with this message!

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

Verses for Today: 1 John 5:14-15
14This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

It is my goal to be found faithful when He returns. I will not give up my faith and hope!