Sunday Words of Encouragement Septmeber 11, 2016

Our substitute Sunday School teacher spoke about how we are at war spiritually but many current day prophets are saying there is an awakening coming to America. I will share more of this on another day.

Pastor shared a remembrance video on 9/11 (this is not the video but similar) that talks about firemen who saw one cross and others saw four crosses in the rubble – signs of hope and healing. This is appropriate for today as the “BE” series continues with: BE Healed.

We were changed by the 9/11 attacks and losses but even 15 years later the story continues. Some loved ones are gone. We can react with anger and bitterness or acknowledge our sadness but trust in hope for the future. Our lives are marked by pain and injury. We need to be healed individually and as country. We rejoice when prayers for healing are answered but some become angry when they are not.

What can we expect from God about healing? Healing is restoration. Jesus ministry on earth was healing. He healed but did not remove or eradicate disease.

We can expect from Him full, complete healing but it may not be complete until ‘the other side’ of this mortal life. We all have a time limit on earth; our bodies will wear out. But we are promised new bodies and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:19-23.) Our bodies will be buried in brokenness but raised to glory. (1 Corinthians 15:42-46; 51-58.)

What is expected from me to be healed?
1. Seek the Healer -- this happens in pain or crisis when many cry out to God. But we need to seek Him and praise Him in all times, good and painful.
2. Trust Him. Healing is a gift; Faith is not a prerequisite to healing as some might claim! You do not have to have ‘enough faith’. You do need to recognize that healing is God’s gift. Sometimes it is immediate and other times it is delayed. He knows a bigger plan.
3. Begin with spiritual correction and restoration. Forgiveness may be part of the release that leads to healing. Controlling out own bad, sometimes sinful actions, may be required to gain healing.
4. Rejoice and praise God no matter the immediate outcome (see #2 above).

God alone can bring emotional healing but that starts with surrender to Christ; acceptance of the sacrifice He made upon the cross.

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

I think it fits well with the message as it speaks of being restored.
(Also I love the phrases: It's Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise!"

Verses for Today:
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 NIV
51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Lord, I give thanks each day for my healing and for healing for my husband. I know that the healings may not be complete in our 'golden' years but I trust you and praise you that they will be complete when we meet you face to face. 

Sharing Beyond Books #269 Comment Giveaway September 10, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Interesting again: only four out of 17 have participated in some form of Secret Santa or RAK (Random Act of Kindness) book gifting. Five never heard of it and eight others never participated. At least six (plus those of us who have participated) think it would/could be fun. (It is and I'll try to remind you all when I see a link this year.)

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #268 comments is:#12 Llhen 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 - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #269

(One Question.)

MaryP asks: Are you disappointed when the cover models don’t match the author’s description or doesn’t it matter???

I find it more annoying then disappointing - especially if the hair color is wrong or obvious things like that. And then there is some annoyance when I see the same image on two different books. (ie example image below.)
Also, I have recently read a very good book but had to wonder about the title. It was catching, and that is probably why it was used, but it was a little misleading.

Image Found at Indie Book Launcher.

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.

Your turn to share: MaryP asks: Are you disappointed when the cover models don’t match the author’s description or doesn’t it matter??

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 September 17, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Apocalypse Machine by Jeremy Robinson

I thoroughly enjoyed this action packed, engaging EOTW Thriller.

Apocalypse Machine
Written by: Jeremy Robinson
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-12-16
Publisher: Breakneck Media
Genre: Sci Fi, EOTW Thriller
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The human race started the sixth mass extinction on Earth.
A chain of subglacial volcanoes erupt in Iceland. The melting ice floods the countryside. Poisonous gas descends on Scotland. A tsunami devastates the Norwegian coastline. An ash cloud rises into the atmosphere, blotting out the sun across Europe, ushering in a new Ice Age. Dozens of nuclear power plants, flooded by ocean water, experience meltdowns. Millions perish. Many more are displaced. All on the first day.
On the second day, a series of earthquakes moving in a straight line, reveal the presence of something massive walking across the landscape. Concealed by a thick, radioactive ash cloud, the 'aberration' heads west, toward Russia.
Abraham Wright, a science writer for Modern Scientist, who wants nothing more than to be reunited with his family, finds himself at the center of the United States' response to the crisis. Under his new title as Assistant Science Advisor to the President, Wright is sent to Europe with a team of Army Rangers, where he uncovers the truth about the ancient behemoth laying waste to the world: there have been five mass extinctions on planet Earth, and the aberration has been present at each.
On the third day, the world fights back.
And loses.
Separated from his family by continents and oceans ravaged by countless disasters and populated by strange new life, Wright struggles to survive in an evolving world. Hoping to uncover the key to mankind's redemption, he fights for answers, and to reach his loved ones - before the human race's extinction.
The Apocalypse Machine will finish it.
Jeremy Robinson returns to the Kaiju thriller genre he popularized with the largest Kaiju to ever appear in fiction: the Apocalypse Machine. Bursting with all the epic action, desperate struggle and complex characters that listeners have come to expect, Robinson takes the world to the brink.
©2016 Jeremy Robinson (P)2016 Jeremy Robinson

Review:
Abraham Wright is a science journalist. He knows ‘a lot about a lot’. He is with a team examining an Iceland volcano when they stumble (literally) across an unexpected object. One team member steps on a sharp point. Abraham gets down on the ice to inspect the out of place item. When he touches the point he is sent into a strange dream state and begins to see visions. As he is pulled out of the vision, he discovers his hand is burned and the ice around them is melting at such a speed that they may not be able to get back down the mountain safely.

Abraham has unintentionally triggered a monster machine. First it leads to volcanic eruptions which is followed by melting floods and poisonous gases. Next come the tsunamis. But that is not the worst of the destruction that has been unleashed. The Apocalypse Machine monster, which appears to be alive, strides out across Europe crushing the nuclear power plants that haven’t already suffered melt down.

Abraham and a few of the other scientists escape the machine and make it home to the United States. Abraham’s primary goal is to keep his family safe. The government has other plans. He is whisked off to a secret government facility to meet with the President and other high authorities who are trying to figure out how to survive the devastation that the human race is facing.

Although his family, consisting of his wife and son and his mistress and another son, are flown in to be with him, he is soon sent out on another dangerous mission. Abraham and a highly skilled team of military men are sent to examine the machine and learn more about it.

Abraham and the team leader barely survive the encounter with the machine. Once again Abraham is struck with visions but he doesn’t know what it means. They survive attack by parasites and face one battle after another trying to get back to the states. Early in their flight they are joined by a trained Mossad agent so at least Abraham has skilled military friends to help him survive. But they wouldn’t make it without his ability to think on his feet and improvise. The Machine is busy re-seeding (terra-forming) the world and there are many new, hostile creatures. Many years later will they be able to stop the machine before it wipes out all of humanity?

This book is packed full of action as well as intriguing near death dangers. I really liked Abraham and his companions. The author does a remarkable job creating a Biblical analogy which isn’t obvious until near the end of the book. That doesn’t make it preachy in any way, although the book does speak to mankind’s own tendencies to destroy its planet home.

Some of the events are a stretch. Still the full package is very engaging and I will want to read more by Mr. Robinson. I recommend this to sci fi fans.

Audio Notes: Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job with the narration. He captures the character of Abraham and does a fine job with the other voices and characters also. He keeps a good pace and gives the story action depth. I do recommend this in audio format.

I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom. It adds to my Audio Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 9, 2016

Happy Friday!
AARGH! It is Friday again and I have been pushing all week. Heather has been away for vacation, Monday was a holiday and my other staff member was out with a sick child Tuesday. So again I am scrambling to keep up.
Hubby's recovery is sore and slow so he isn't very happy.
I am looking forward to family visiting this weekend although that may get crimped with some work I must do.
I did get to line up another group of books but I don't have the picture yet.

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 September 2 Pick. This week there were no automatic wins. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one book blocked.
AUTO: none

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 2 Pick:
Rubynreba gets The Ideal Bride

Linda 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.}

Oh dear - Summer is almost gone. Good thing we can read all year long. :-)

Image found at Kensington Public Library.

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
PAIRS:
Into the Night (book 5) and Gone too Far (book 6) by Suzanne Brockmann
The Wedding Night of an English Rogue: A Novel (A Boscastle Affairs Novel Book 3) and The Wicked Games of a Gentleman: A Novel (A Boscastle Affairs Novel Book 4) by Jillian Hunter
SINGLES:
*Bloodstone by Lynn Benedict (1973 - yellowed)
*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
Her Scoundrel by Geralyn Dawson
In Search of Lucy: A Novel by Lia Fairchild
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
Wicked by Beth Henderson
To Die For: A Novel (Blair Mallory Book 1) by Linda Howard
The Inheritance by Joan Johnston
A Dark Champion by Kinley MacGregor
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Mysterious: The Right Path / This Magic Moment / The Search for Love by Nora Roberts (2008)
The Spitfire by Bertrice Small


New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
Sandra Brown: Above and Beyond and Honor Bound (my copy is 1986 edition with a different cover
Joan Johnston: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy and the Princess / The Wrangler and the Rich Girl and Sweetwater Seduction
SINGLES:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (new- hardcover)
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
*Witch’s Hammer by Caroline Farr (a 1967 yellowed pages - different cover)
*Mistress of Mount Fair by Jane Gordon
Once an Angel by Tammy Hilz
Bound By Temptation by Lavinia Kent
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
On Fire by Carla Neggers (1999 version with different cover)
Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate by Nora Roberts
*She Came Back by Patricia Wentworth (1981 yellowed pages)
Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus
So Wild A Kiss by Nancy Richards-Akers


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

SINGLES:
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016

SINGLES:
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

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.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
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:
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!

SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
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 Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


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)
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)
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


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 996+ 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: Second Chances - A "Chosen" Short Story by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef

I felt this story raised more questions than it answered.
Second Chances - A "Chosen" Short Story
by Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef

File Size: 2734 KB
Print Length: 73 pages
Publisher: Evolved Publishing LLC; 1st edition (September 7, 2015)
ASIN: B0153VNHSM
Genre: Coming of Age, Supernatural
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Precious and rare, second chances must be earned, but has Ayden done enough to win his?
[Short Story, Teen & Young Adult, Mystery and Thriller, Fantasy and Supernatural, American Indian Culture]
One night changes everything.
One chance meeting forces a young man to make a choice.
Will he do what’s right?
Or what’s easy?
Ayden is forced to remember old secrets he’d rather not reveal when his daughter returns home with questions about his shadowy past and dangerous legacy. Will she understand when he tells her about the night mysterious strangers came to his sleepy Arizona town looking for a local medicine man?
As his tale unfolds, Ayden pieces together the mystery that connected a recent murder, the strangers, and the medicine man’s bizarre behavior.
Will he allow old demons to rule him, or will he get a second chance?

Review:
Juliet is a teen who has always wondered about her father. Her mother refused to give any information but she has finally met him and demands that he explain his absence from her life.

Ayden had a rough childhood and ended up as a part of a gang. He had every intention of giving up his past and going straight so he could marry the girl he loved, the daughter of a rich man in town. Ayden hears strangers in town asking about a local medicine man and about his girl’s father. When he races off to warn them he stumbles onto a dark man with evil powers. Unexpected events that no one will believe, especially with his history, put Ayden in jail and out of his daughter's life for many years.

Her father’s tale of events helps Juliet to understand more about herself. Now she has to face a future knowing she has special abilities and enemies to find.

I am not sure if this is a ‘prequel’ or a short story between full books in the series. It is short at 74 pages and barely introduces the primary characters and mysterious legend, supernatural powers and evils that are involved. I felt sorry for Ayden who made some bad choices and got trapped by outside powers. I didn’t care for Juliet’s attitude of rebellion and disobedience. I liked the suspense and Native American mystery elements.

Although this serves as an introduction, I felt it was incomplete on its own. I didn’t feel I understood what was to happen when I finished the short story. I suspect it would make sense once the reader moves on to the first full book in the series but I really was left puzzling whether this had pulled me in enough to want to continue. I might be willing to read the next book if it was offered for review but I can’t say I was engaged enough to want to run out and buy it.

I received this book from the author in exchange for signing up for the newsletter. No review was required although encouraged.