Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 20, 2017

Happy Friday!
Our temperature warmed up to 82 on Thursday.
My week has been a big push. Lots of last minute interruptions as I tried to get law work done. I finally got a good handful of files done late Thursday but I still have more.
I am also facing hours of reporting for a local organization -- its my primary job as VP. I am getting it lined up for easier reporting next year but 2016 is going to be a major job.
My Hubby is back in the hospital for his breathing struggles. He is AFib again and will probably get shocked Friday.

Aargh - My mind never went to pulling books until preparing this post. That will have to wait until after my reporting work on Saturday.

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 13 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.
AUTO: Rita gets Her Montana Christmas
and
bn100 gets the Stella Cameron Pair

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 13 Pick:
MICHELLE gets Crimson Shore.
and
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.}

This is an exciting opportunity -- will you try a new genre?
Image found at Pinterest.

New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Mistletoe Marriage by Jessica Hart
Twelfth Night Proposal by Karen Rose Smith
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
Christmas With the Prince by Michelle Celmer
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
Christmas Bonus: Strings Attached by Susan Crosby
Wanted: Christmas Mommy by Judy Christenberry
One Cowboy One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
Mistletoe and Miracles by Marie Ferrarella
Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly
Miracle on Christmas Eve by Shirley Jump
Snowbound Reunion by Barbara McMahon
Holiday Homecoming by Mae Ann Wilson


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
PAIR:
Lisa Gardner: The Perfect Husband and The Other Daughter
Stella Cameron: True Bliss and Sheer Pleasures
SINGLE:
Stray by A. N. Wilson (hardcover)
Soul of the Wildcat by Devyn Quinn
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
The Copper Beach by Maeve Binchy
Beyond Reach: A Novel (Grant County Book 6) by Karin Slaughter
Crimson Shore by Preston & Childs
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry
Critical by Robin Cook
Mania by Craig Larsen

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)

SINGLES:

*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)



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.)
SINGLES:
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

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:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

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

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)

New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone


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 -- All Gone

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
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)
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
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)

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,036+ 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: Forbidden by F. Stone

This is a gripping, page turner!

Forbidden
by F. Stone

File Size: 904 KB
Print Length: 385 pages
Publisher: Romance Under Fire (December 12, 2016)
ASIN: B01N2TNTS5
Genre: Suspense, Romance
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Year 2047, City of Samarra, capital of the Republic of Islamic Provinces & Territories
Fifteen American travelers have vanished. Surrendering to Mayor Aamir's demands, a devout Muslim and police captain becomes the reluctant keeper of his city’s bloody secret – and the witness, Eliza MacKay. Captain Sharif is horrified to discover that if he exposes the cover-up, his family will suffer dire consequences.
The CIA has the lying Sharif in their cross hairs. Sharif’s only hope is to prove his country's government is free of guilt. Secretly, he hunts forensic evidence. Cryptic messages, backstabbing informants, and corruption threaten Sharif’s resolve to see justice served. When he discovers the shocking truth, he and MacKay become the targets of a ruthless killer.
Sharif is tortured by his attraction to the impetuous Eliza MacKay. In spite of her struggle with PTSD, he’s drawn to her vivacious personality. Islam forbids the intimacy he craves. In desperation to save Eliza, Sharif plots an act most forbidden and fatal.

Review:
Eliza, a Canadian paramedic, traveled to the City of Samara to work with an American Habitat team. Eliza struggles with crippling PTSD episodes as she tries to recover from a traumatic loss a few years past. The Habitat convoy is diverted to a police compound where they are massacred. The real police engage the terrorists at the last minute, rescuing a terrified Eliza. Captain Sharif, a devout Muslin, takes Eliza into custody, first to confirm she wasn’t part of the attack and then to keep her safe.

Sharif’s superiors threaten his family if he doesn’t cover-up the killings and silence the sole surviving witness. Sharif struggles to find a way to save Eliza, even acting behind her back. Eliza respects Sharif’s dedication to his faith and to his duties as an officer of the law. She knows that he is trying to protect her but she doesn’t appreciate not being privy to the plans to hide her away.

Sharif is forced to lie to the CIA agent who arrives to find the bodies of the Americans and bring in the killers. Sharif must intensify his efforts to obtain proof of the corruption in his own government as the CIA agent holds him under suspicion.

Sharif and Eliza grow in friendship as they share close spaces and learn of each other’s vulnerabilities. Eliza knows that she does not fit in Sharif’s world and any relationship between them is forbidden. Sharif, who has convinced himself that he is not worthy of love, struggles to maintain his strict code of honor even as he is drawn to the brave, impetuous Eliza. Can they find the strength to acknowledge their love, assuming they can survive the multiplying threats to their freedoms and their very lives?

The plot is wonderfully crafted with well-developed characters, nonstop suspense and a good twist to the ending. The setting and political environment make an effective backdrop and I found the Muslim elements very interesting. Ms. Stone adds to this an improbable but beautiful romance.

The primary characters are real, flawed and courageous. It was natural to root for them to beat the enemy and accept their love for one another. I also liked the secondary characters and would like to read more about all of them. There were some typographical errors but the story is well worth reading. I hope to try more of Ms. Stone’s work very soon. I highly recommend this story to readers who like action packed suspense with romance.

I picked this up in December from a source new to me: Reading Deals. This qualifies for 2017 TBR and “F” in 2017 Alphabet Challenge.

Book Review: Dead and Breakfast: A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery by Kate Kingsbury

As I hoped, this is a light, enjoyable cozy mystery.
Dead and Breakfast: A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery
by Kate Kingsbury

File Size: 2222 KB
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (January 10, 2017)
ASIN: B01NAH09KG
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Melanie West is getting her life back on track after a messy divorce when her grandmother, Liza Harris, asks her to open a B&B with her. Together, Liza and Melanie purchase a purportedly haunted mansion on the Oregon coast and jump right into clearing out the cobwebs. But while attempting to remove wallpaper in an upstairs bedroom, the new B&B owners stumble upon a very real skeleton in their closet.
The police suspect the skeleton is that of the wife of the previous owner of the B&B, but no one in town seems to want to say much about her. As the inn owners try to juggle renovations with their own amateur investigations, their grand opening looms closer and closer--and a friendly ghost in their walls starts playing tricks. But it all comes crashing to a halt when a new body is found stabbed to death on the beach below the inn--the victim chillingly close in resemblance to Melanie herself.
It seems someone doesn't appreciate newcomers prying into the small town's past, and now it's up to Melanie and Liza to get to the bottom of these murders to save their business...and their lives

Review:
Melanie has moved away from the city and a stressful divorce. She has joined her grandmother, Liza, to open a B&B in a purportedly haunted mansion in a small town on the Oregon coast. Rumor is the ghost is a laughing ghost, causing Liza to pick the name: The Merry Ghost Inn. There is plenty of remodeling to complete but as they begin to remove wallpaper they discover a hidden closet with a skeleton.

The police think the victim might be the wife of the previous owner, a woman who has been missing for many years. Before the lead detective can get very far into the investigation he is called away to a current day murder. Melanie and Liza are juggling the renovations hoping they can complete them within their tight budget and in time to open for the upcoming season. The closed off room is off limits and might impede their efforts to have the Inn ready on time.

Liza and Melanie decide to do some sleuthing on their own. They discover that the town folk are rather tight lipped about the missing woman. Still, when they discover one lead, it leads into more and before long they have several suspects. The situation becomes more difficult as Melanie spies her ex-husband driving in town and runs into him at a party where he makes it clear he wants her back. Melanie begins to have some near miss accidents from a car that is suspiciously like her ex’s. Then a woman who looks a lot like Melanie from the back is killed on the beach near the Inn.

Melanie adopts the murdered woman’s dog, Max, who was with his mistress on the beach and now has his own traumas to recover from. It appears that someone may be trying to scare the ladies off the investigation, and if that doesn’t work maybe fire will. Meanwhile someone -- or maybe the merry ghost -- is laughing and playing tricks by moving objects in the house.

Liza, in her mid-fifties, and Melanie, in her early thirties, make a good pair and likeable characters. Max is a nice addition and there may be some romance in the future as Liza is playing at a little match making.

The story moves along at a quick pace, with light humor and hints of the ghost mystery. The killer was not my first (or second) guess, which I thought was well done by the author. This is a fine example of “cozy mystery” and I recommend it to those who enjoy the genre. I would like to read more in the series and learn more about the Merry Ghost.

I received this title in December from the publisher through NetGalley. It qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley Challenge, 2017 TBR and “D” in my 2017 Alphabet Challenge.

Sunday Post January 15, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 16, 2017

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.

I think I am glad to end one week and start another. I had to cover for staff who were out at conference so I juggled my files to the side again. I will probably work Monday (holiday) to work on law files.
The week started out cold for us but got warm by Wednesday. I am keeping the those in the north in prayer due to ice storms.

Reading was very good. My new car lets me plug in the Kindle or mp3 to read to me through the speakers - I love that! I finished four books total: one print, two ebooks and one audible. I posted a celebration post, two reviews (one with giveaway) on the blog and one review at Goodreads. I also posted all of my usual memes plus 2017 Challenge posts.

I think I visited over 30 blogs this past week which was very fun!
My shout out this week is to Laurel-Rain Snow at Rainy Days and Mondays. Laurel-Rain has several blogs and posts numerous reviews (see also An Interior Journey) and interesting content. She is always faithful to reply to comments (which I admire but have not found time to do) and visit back to visiting bloggers.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 8, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 9, 2017.

• Anniversary Celebration for iRead #booktours With Giveaway!

• Book Review: The Skeleton Code: A Satirical Guide to Secret Keeping by Alla Campanella and Ken Massey; Satire, Self help; my rating 3.75.

• MBS 2017 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge.

• MBS 2017 Audiobook Challenge.

• MBS 2017 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge.

• Goodreads Book Review: Christmas in Time by Peggy Webb; Romance; my rating 3.75.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 13, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/19/2017.

• Book Review and Giveaway: The Sound of Sleigh Bells: A Romance from the Heart of Amish Country by Cindy Woodsmall; Amish, Inspirational; my rating 5.0. Print Copy: US and Canada. Ending 1/21/2017.

• Sharing Beyond Books #286 Comment Giveaway January 14, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 1/21/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 15, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Print (i-Read Book Tour)

The Skeleton Code: A Satirical Guide to Secret Keeping
by Alla Campanella (Author), Ken Massey (Author)
Tour review for this title is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible (ABB-Narrator)

We
Written by: Yevgeny Zamyatin
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
This Vintage Sci Fi was especially interesting for the time and author.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Dead and Breakfast: A Merry Ghost Inn Mystery
by Kate Kingsbury (Author)
This was a fast, fun read. I'll post a review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (TBR- Reading Deals)

Forbidden
by F. Stone
I picked this up in December from a source new to me: Reading Deals.
I am very glad I did: good thriller (romantic suspense).
I will post a review this week.
Year 2047, City of Samarra, capital of the Republic of Islamic Provinces & Territories
Fifteen American travelers have vanished. Surrendering to Mayor Aamir's demands, a devout Muslim and police captain becomes the reluctant keeper of his city’s bloody secret – and the witness, Eliza MacKay. Captain Sharif is horrified to discover that if he exposes the cover-up, his family will suffer dire consequences.
The CIA has the lying Sharif in their cross hairs. Sharif’s only hope is to prove his country's government is free of guilt. Secretly, he hunts forensic evidence. Cryptic messages, backstabbing informants, and corruption threaten Sharif’s resolve to see justice served. When he discovers the shocking truth, he and MacKay become the targets of a ruthless killer.
Sharif is tortured by his attraction to the impetuous Eliza MacKay. In spite of her struggle with PTSD, he’s drawn to her vivacious personality. Islam forbids the intimacy he craves. In desperation to save Eliza, Sharif plots an act most forbidden and fatal.

Currently reading:
1. Print (LBC / First Book of 2017)

All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life
by Mark Batterson
I am not finished with this yet as I am spending time and marking passages.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible (TBR)

X Minus One: Old Time Radio, Sci-Fi Series
Written by: Ray Bradbury , Philip K. Dick , Robert A. Heinlein , Frederik Pohl , Theodore Sturgeon , Isaac Asimov , Ernest Kinoy , George Lefferts
Narrated by: Old Time Radio
I am enjoying these vintage sci fi stories. :-)
X Minus One was a half-hour science fiction radio series broadcast from April 24, 1955 to January 9, 1958, in various timeslots on NBC. Initially a revival of NBC's Dimension X (1950-51), X Minus One is widely considered among the finest science fiction dramas ever produced for radio. The first 15 episodes were new versions of Dimension X episodes, but the remainder were adaptations by NBC staff writers, including Ernest Kinoy and George Lefferts, of newly published science fiction stories by leading writers in the field, including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Robert A. Heinlein, Frederik Pohl, and Theodore Sturgeon, along with some original scripts by Kinoy and Lefferts.
Episodes of the show include adaptations of Robert Sheckley's "Skulking Permit", Bradbury's "Mars Is Heaven", Heinlein's "Universe" and "The Green Hills of Earth", Pohl's "The Tunnel Under the World", J. T. McIntosh's "Hallucination Orbit", Fritz Leiber's "A Pail of Air", and George Lefferts' "The Parade".
The program opened with announcer Fred Collins delivering the countdown, leading into this introduction (although later shows were partnered with Galaxy Science Fiction rather than Astounding Science Fiction):
"Countdown for blastoff.... X minus five, four, three, two, X minus one.... Fire!" [Rocket launch SFX] "From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future; adventures in which you'll live in a million could-be years on a thousand may-be worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers of Astounding Science Fiction presents...X Minus One.
©2012 BN Publishing (P)2012 BN Publishing

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Terminal Regression
by Mallory Hill
I received this through NetGalley. It releases 1/17/17.
WINNER OF THE SECOND ANNUAL AUTHORSFIRST NOVEL CONTEST
Laura Baily's life is meaningless. In a world where purpose and passion are everything, Laura feels as though she has no place and no business even existing. Her life is forfeit, and it would be better for everyone if she simply ended it, if she simply got a ticket for a train to oblivion and faded from memory.
But what awaits her at the end of the line isn't death but Terminal B – a community of people more like her than she considered possible, including the beautiful, tormented Will Noble. Though Laura still thinks little of her own life, the lives of others begin to fascinate her as never before. And when those lives become imperiled, Laura discovers the last thing she ever expected to find on her way out of the world: a mission and a reason to live.
Compelling on both a human and global scale, TERMINAL REGRESSION is a novel of rare power and humanity. It is the story of a tomorrow that teeters on the edge of utopia and dystopia and a resigned outsider who might just change it forever.

4. Audio (ABJ)

Goliath
By: Steve Alten
Read by: Christopher Kipiniak
I like the sound of this.
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Terrorism. Acts of oppression. The threat of nuclear war. What if one madman aboard a vessel could end these fears forever?
Commander Rochelle “Rocky” Jackson is aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan when the “unsinkable” naval vessel and its entire fleet are attacked from the depths and sunk. As Rocky struggles to stay alive, a monstrous mechanical steel stingray surfaces, plowing through the seas it now commands.
The US Navy–designed Goliath is a futuristic nuclear stealth submarine in the shape of a stingray. Simon Covah, a brilliant scientist whose entire family were the victims of terrorism, has hijacked the sub. Believing violence is a disease, Covah aims to use the Goliath and its cache of nuclear weapons to dictate policy to the world regarding the removal of oppressive regimes and nuclear weapons.
Could the threat of violence forge a lasting peace?
But there is another player in this life-and-death chess match: unbeknownst to Covah and the Goliath crew, the Goliath’s biochemical computer brain has become self-aware—and it’s developing its own agenda.
© 2002 by Steve Alten

January 15, 2017 - I am up to date with the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed three new books and posted three reviews which leaves me two due for 2016 reads and four for 2017.
I am still expecting some new audio titles.
I now have 18 (-2 read/reading) NetGalley Titles and 13+ author titles in my queue.

We did get an ebook release out but waiting for covers for two prints releases.
New on the eTreasure's NetGalley page this week:
Fantasy/horror The Cagulant by Jared Gullage

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 (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received two more NetGalley titles plus a review audiobook.
I picked up another Audible Daily Deal.
Not sure how but I picked up a large number of free kindle titles. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received these two titles from NetGalley:

Someone to Hold (A Westcott Novel)
by Mary Balogh
"Humphrey Wescott, Earl of Riverdale, has died, leaving behind a fortune and a scandalous secret that will forever alter the lives of his family—sending one daughter on a journey of self-discovery..."
I always enjoy Ms. Balogh's books.

The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace)
by Carolyn Miller
"Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions."
I saw this last week on Monday Mailbox at Vera @ Luxury Reading.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I also received an audiobook from the author:

It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise
Written by: Rob J. Hayes
Narrated by: Schatzie Schaefers
"Set in a new world of corruption, deceit and thievery; mixing magical fantasy and alchemy punk with a healthy smattering of airshippery. It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise follows Jacques Revou and Isabel de Rosier, a couple of charlatans at the top of their game."

Won

NONE

Purchased

I am still tempted by the Audible Daily Deals.

This week I again picked up only one for $2.95:
The More of Less
Written by: Joshua Becker
Narrated by: Joshua Becker
"It's time to own your possessions instead of letting them own you. After all, the beauty of minimalism isn't in what it takes away. It's in what it gives."
I am sooo ready for this!

Free

I added a whopping 87 free Kindle titles to my library this week. 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 Encouragement January 15, 2017

This morning we had another good Sunday School lesson (Opportunities to Glorify God) which I will share another day. Our worship service started with lovely praise and worship.

We had a guest missionary, Jeff Knight, speak to us. Jeff and his wife, Angie, are a couple who were members of our church until about five years ago. At that time, they started moving toward the mission field with multiple mission trips to Bolivia. Now they are full time missionaries and will be returning to Bolivia once Angie completes chemo and radiation for breast cancer. They are showing great faith in God as they push through this physical setback. Although they might question “Why?”, instead they have seen God’s hand in this as they get to witness with Angie’s doctors and other patients during treatment!

Jeff shared how they set off to build a church in a small community in Bolivia. The town is 60 years behind what we are used to. They still use horse and buggy – no cars. Families live in small, one or two room, houses. They were worshiping outside in a lot. When the team began building the church, Jeff and Angie noticed a school next door, beyond the wall. Jeff and an interpreter went next door to ask the principal if they could speak with the children. The principal was a believer and agreed. Now the ministry has built four churches and held crusades to reach children in many local schools. As part of the ministry they deliver gospel bracelets and New Testament Bibles in Spanish to each student.

Jeff shared the experience of a 13-year-old girl who was raped at age 12 and now has a baby of her own. The girl lives with her mother and the baby, named Genesis, for ‘new beginning’. The young lady wanted to return to school but was unable to as long as she had the financial responsibilities of her home. The members of the ministry team made their own financial commitment to help cover financial needs for this family so the girl could return to school. They have set this up as The Genesis Project and now they support other students who make the choice and commit to meet the grade requirements.

A local ten-year-old is making the gospel bracelets; a local church sewing group is making dresses for the school girls. This is such a beautiful work and everyone can participate. Some are called and sent to the field, some are called to give financial support and some are called to pray. We all can share in the mission work, as God has directed His followers!

Jeff played a video of the Bolivia children which had "I Give Myself Away" as the background.

I decided that was a perfect song today.

A Verse for Today:
Mark 16:15
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Lord, help me do my part by prayer and financial support and showing your love in my daily life style.