Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 3, 2017

Happy Friday!
I had another fairly quiet week which was good as I had to pick up the slack with staff member was out sick and my daughter was in half-days still coping with problems from her pulled wisdom teeth. 
Hubby is doing better :-). Thank you all for good wishes.
Our weather is fairly nice.
I got a new list of books up for February.

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 27 Pick. There were no 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 again.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 27 Pick:
CAROL L gets No Place for a Lady.
and
ELIZABETH gets a Snowbound Reunion

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 love reading for February, don't you?
Image found at Pinterest.

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
PAIRS:
Betty Neels: The Girl With Green Eyes and the Damsel in Green
Linda Howard: The Touch of Fire and Loving Forever
SINGLES:
The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke by Jillian Hunter
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn
Love Letters From a Duke (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 3) by Elizabeth Boyle
Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich
Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
Only With Your Love (Vallerands Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Scandalous Love by Brenda Joyce
Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
Valentine by Jane Feather
A Visit From Sir Nicholas (Effington Family Book 9) by Victoria Alexander
Winter Fire by Jo Beverly


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 1,033+ 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!

Guest Post by Author William Michael Davidson

The Most Difficult Thing On My Road to Publication

There are many difficult things that come with the long wait until publication, but I suppose the uncertainty comes when you start to face rejections. You always expect some rejections (because it’s just part of the process). But when the start to come in droves, it makes you step back and wonder if what you’ve created is worthy of being in print.

Yet I have to be honest: The road to publishing The Remnant was very easy compared to other works I’ve done. I really only sent this novel out to a few publishers, and my contract with Dancing Lemur Press came very quickly. I was stunned, but when I looked closer at the publisher, what their mission was, what kind of books they published, I realized why it happened quickly. I think we were a good fit. It was like being on a blind date and walking into a room to meet that person and realizing, from the get-go, that there was chemistry. That was what it felt like.

Ironically, I wrote The Remnant while trying to publish another work of mine entitled Storm Taken. Publishing that novel has been a long, arduous journey, and if there’s anything I’ve learned it’s this: Every writer should be writing something new while trying to publish something old. If I would have focused all of my energy on publishing Storm Taken, The Remnant wouldn’t exist. At the time it was a side-project—just something to fill the time—but it has evolved into much, much more. I’ve already finished writing the first draft of the sequel and am excited about writing the third book in the trilogy.

But back to the question at hand: The hardest part of the publishing process, for me, is the angst that comes with handing over your manuscript to a publisher and wondering if it’s good enough. And then dealing with the rejections and wondering if you’ve completely deluded yourself into believing that what you have is publishable.

But maybe, in the end, it wouldn’t matter. I’ll be the first to admit that even if The Remnant never would have seen the light of day, I would have still written it. And even if nobody wants to publish the second or third book, I’ll still write and edit them.

Because the joy is in the process, right? The best part about writing—in my opinion—is sitting in front of the computer, typing away, and losing yourself in your idea. If that’s all that ever happened with The Remnant or any other novel I’ve written, at least I have that.

And that’s a lot.

Thank you to Mr. Davidson for sharing his book and sharing his thoughts on the publishing process. 
Please check out my review with giveaway post.

Book Review and Rafflecopter Giveaway: The Remnant by William Michael Davidson

The author has created an interesting futuristic world where faith is equated with terrorism.

The Remnant
by William Michael Davidson

◊Release date: February 7, 2017
◊$15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 242 pages
◊Science Fiction (FIC028000) / Christian Futuristic Fiction (FIC0402020)
◊Print ISBN 978-1-939844-29-3
◊eBook ISBN 978-1-939844-30-9
◊Order through Ingram, Follett, or from the publisher
◊$4.99 eBook available in all formats

My Rating 4.25 of 5.0

One nation, without God…
Colton Pierce apprehends Abberants—those who display symptoms of faith—and quarantines them on a remote island to ensure public safety. Years prior, the government released a genetically-engineered super flu that destroyed the genes believed to be the biological source of spiritual experience in an effort to rid the world of terrorism. As an extractor with the Center for Theological Control, Colton is dedicated to the cause.
But Colton’s steadfast commitment is challenged when he learns his own son has been targeted for extraction. An underground militia, the Remnant, agrees to help Colton save his son in exchange for his assistance with their plan to free the Aberrants on the island.
Colton is faced with the most important decision of his life. Remain faithful to the CTC? Or give up everything to save his son?

Review:

Colton Pierce is a self-centered, arrogant extractor in the Center for Theological Control (CTC). He prides himself on being one of the best at capturing Abberants - those who display symptoms of faith, most often revealed by praying or even postures that look like prayer. Colton is pressing to become the next Director of his station. He feels he is the best extractor but his people skills are poor and he is competing against a handsome, slick, well connected co-worker, Ashton.

Recently a new woman at the station, Selma, has caught Colton’s eye but Colton is discouraged after he sees her in the company of Ashton. Colton doesn’t have much time to date or deal with that stress. Since his wife left him and then died, he has tried to be there for his son, Marty, now twelve. Colton and Marty don’t have much in common as Colton tried everything to get Marty into some type of sports. Instead, Marty’s interests are in the arts and Colton doesn’t understand his son’s sensitivities.

One afternoon the Extractors are called to round up a group of Abberants. Colton arrives on scene to realize that the home belongs to his son’s friend. He knows his son will be extracted, taken to jail, then sent to the island where the Abberants are quarantined. Suddenly Colton must choose between his career and his son. But even if he helps his son escape, how will they get away when they all have trackable chips?

Colton himself is ‘shanghaied’ by an underground group known as The Remnant. They have found a way to disable the government tracking and they are offering to help Colton save his son. The thing is – they have been waiting for Colton because they believe he will be able to help their plan to free all the Abberants on the island. The situation is almost too impossible to believe but they keep telling Colton that he may have to believe the impossible. Colton knows he shouldn’t trust the CTC who might make a deal for his son’s life. But can he trust these strangers who should hate him? Especially can he trust the mysterious ‘Gus’ who gives him directions through his chip implant?

Colton starts out as a rather obnoxious character but his strong love for his son shows there is more to him. He goes through a positive change before the story ends. Mr. Davidson has created an engaging story and I enjoyed how he weaves in several Biblical parallels. Clearly Colton can be compared to Saul, the chief Christian persecutor, who becomes Paul and one of Jesus’ disciples. There is a plan for “exodus” from the island and there is the promise of impossible things being possible. These and other parallels will be spotted by a believer and perhaps could be a draw for non-believers.

The writing is straightforward and the tension and suspense build nicely to some harrowing moments. The premise of eliminating and silencing faith is not so far fetched. This is clearly labeled as a religious/Christian sci fi and that is an appropriate audience. However, I encourage nonbelievers to take a chance and enjoy the story too.

I received this title from MC Book Tours for an honest review. Please enjoy the author guest post too. This qualifies for my 2017 TBR Challenge.

THE REMNANT is available to order in eBook form at the following sites:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

iTunes

The print format of the book is available at these sites:

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble

Chapters-Indigo

Book Depository

Foyles

Mediander

Fiction DB

Be sure to add THE REMNANT to your bookshelf on Goodreads.

About the Author:

William Michael Davidson lives in Long Beach, California with his wife and two daughters. A believer that "good living produces good writing," Davidson writes early in the morning so he can get outside, exercise, spend time with people, and experience as much as possible.

A writer of speculative fiction, he enjoys stories that deal with humanity's inherent need for redemption.

For more on Davidson and his writing, connect with him on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon Author’s Page.

Thanks for stopping by today. Be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour for more chances to win. The schedule is located HERE.

GIVEAWAY

This is a tour-wide giveaway for two (2) print copies that are available to those living in the U.S. only and one (1) eBook copy available international.
The giveaway will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Sunday, Feb. 26. You can enter to win at each stop of the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday Post January 29, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 30, 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 am thankful for a fairly quiet week. My daughter was out of office because she had her wisdom teeth pulled on Tuesday. I didn't have a lot of appointments so I was able to concentrate on a reporting project and office work.
Hubby came home on Tuesday and he is doing better with his energy.
Our weather has cooled off again but I won't complain about lows in the 40s.

Reading moved along better than I expected. I finished four books: one print, two ebooks and one audible. I posted four reviews on the blog and posted all of my usual memes.

I got to visit 25+ blogs again this past week.
My shout out this week goes to Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book. Lori is a busy blogger and hosts wonderful cozies and other mysteries.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post January 22, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 23, 2017.

• Book Review: The Heatstroke Line: A Cli-Fi Novel by Edward L Rubin; Climate Sci Fi; my rating: 4.0.

• Audible Book Review: Patriots of Treason by David Thomas Roberts; Political Thriller; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 27, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/2/2017.

• Audible Book Review: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin; Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• Book Review: Terminal Regression by Mallory Hill; Dystopia; my rating 3.75.

• Sharing Beyond Books #288 Comment Giveaway January 28, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 2/4/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 29, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Pump Up My Book Tour)

The Heatstroke Line: A Cli-Fi Novel
by Edward L Rubin
This was an interesting climate sci fi. 
My review is linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio (ABJ)

Goliath
By: Steve Alten
Read by: Christopher Kipiniak
This has terrorism madness 
and strong military detailing.
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle (MC Book Tours)

The Remnant
by William Michael Davidson
I enjoyed this Christian suspense.
I will be posting a review and
author Guest Post on February 1, 2017.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Print (LBC / First Book of 2017)

All In: You Are One Decision Away From a Totally Different Life
by Mark Batterson
This is quite remarkable. 
Our Ladies Book Club will discuss this on 2/11/17.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. Audible (TBR)

It Takes a Thief to Catch a Sunrise
Written by: Rob J. Hayes
Narrated by: Schatzie Schaefers
I am 35% along and enjoying the performance.
I received this "fantasy/steampunk heist caper with duels, romance, and airships," from the author.
Publisher's Summary
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.
After completing the biggest heist of their career, Jacques and Isabel are ready to retire, until the king's shadow councilor freezes their assets and forces them to work for him. Jacques and Isabel find themselves thrust into the social elite, playing the parts of Baron and Baroness Bonvillain, as they attempt to uncover a plot that threatens the entire kingdom.
©2014 Rob J. Hayes (P)2016 Rob J. Hayes

2. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Dawn Study (Study Series)
by Maria V. Snyder
I am 15% in this and loving 
the adventures and dangers facing Yelena and Valek.
I received this through NetGalley; Releases 1/31.
New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder brings her Poison Study series to its exhilarating conclusion.
Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond—and a family—that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.
Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall—and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.
With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician…and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

From London with Love: Rebellious Brides
by Diana Quincy
This releases 2/7/17.
Received through NetGalley.
With wedding bells ringing and a killer stalking from the shadows, a former British spy makes up for lost time with the one that got away in this thrilling Regency romance from the author of Spy Fall and License to Wed.
Emilia St. George is moments away from marrying the admired grandson of a duke when the man who once jilted her decides to kidnap her at the altar. It’s the second time in five years Hamilton Sparrow has ruined her wedding day, and Emilia isn’t about to forgive him. The mere sight of her ex-fiancé revives painful memories—and, most regrettably, aching desires that refuse to be ignored.
Scanning the guests at Emilia’s wedding, Sparrow spots a familiar face: an assassin he recognizes from his days as a spy in France. Whisking Emilia away, he’s pleasantly surprised by her newly formed curves. Could this be the same flame-haired slip of a girl once promised to Sparrow? And does the fop she still insists on marrying realize what a prize she is? True, Sparrow left Emilia at the altar. But he’s afraid that the only way to right that particular wrong is to risk the one thing he’s always guarded: his heart.

January 29, 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 four new books and posted four reviews. That leaves me four for this week and one planned for 2/11.
I suspect I will be requesting some more audios.
I now have 19 NetGalley Titles and 12+ author titles in my queue.

Another delightful children's book is available on the eTreasure's NetGalley page this week:
Pixie's Adventure by Jenna Grodzicki -- see below under Mailbox Monday .

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 three more NetGalley titles plus an audiobook for review.
I did get one Audible Daily Deals  and picked up one $.99 Kindle title.
I picked up a good number of free kindle titles again. (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 picked up three NetGalley titles:
I will be reviewing this title on March 14 with Great Escapes Book Tours:

Elementary, She Read: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery
by Vicki Delany
"Fans of Sherlock Holmes will delight in the sleuthing duo of Gemma and Jayne in Elementary, She Read, the clever and captivating series debut by nationally bestselling author Vicki Delany."
One look at the cover and I couldn't resist!

Pixie's Adventure

by Jenna Grodzicki

"Pixie is a curious cat who longs to explore the world outside."

Admittedly I already worked on this sweet title since it is an eTP upcoming release.

I will review the NetGalley version.

Love Takes Two

by Patrice Moore
"It is a complicated tangle of emotions and past hurts that prevent Molly and Nathan from agreeing, but can they come together to keep Ken from going down the wrong path…and maybe find their own path to love on the way?"
This is another cover that drew me to the story.

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

I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.

Alliance
Author: S.K. Dunstall
Narrator: Brian Hutchinson
"As the Linesman series continues, linesman Ean Lambert finds himself facing an alien ship he doesn't understand-and a terrifying political threat he cannot fight The lines. "

I have book one on Audible so I will get to listening to that so I can get to this one. :-)

Won

NONE

Purchased

I picked up one Audible Daily Deal this week and one Kindle $.99 deal:

Hell Divers: The Hell Divers Trilogy, Book 1
Written by: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrated by: R. C. Bray
"An Audible Editor's Pick of 2016 and An Audible Best of 2016 Science Fiction."


Dark Humanity
Gwynn White, Erin St. Pierre, Norma Hinkens, Melanie Karsak, Jamie Thornton, Jeff Gunzel, E.E. Isherwood, Michael-Scott Earle, Christopher D. Morgan, Joanne Wadsworth, Constance Burris, Nirina Stone, Andrea Ring, M.D. Cooper, Aaron Hodges, Robyn Wideman, Felix R. Savage, K.R. Thompson, Patricia Loofbourrow, Jamie Campbell, Kristen Middleton, Nancy Segovia, K.N. Lee, Monica Corwin

"The Dark Humanity Boxed Set is a compilation of 10 Full-Length Science Fiction and Epic Fantasy reads with a bonus 11 full-length stories available via free download at the end of the collection!"

Free

I only added 66 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 29, 2017

We had a good morning at church. We discussed "Heaven is Real" in Sunday School. My husband and I want to see that movie.

Our Pastor continued his new sermon series: When Faith and Life Collide – a series based on the book of James. The first week (which I will cover another morning) discussed James 1-8 which encourages a single-minded focus on God. This week covered James 9-18. (References today are from the New Living Translation, NLT.)

The poor may boast that God has honored them and the rich can only boast if God humbles them. (James 9-11.) James notes that “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.” (James 12.) ‘Every good thing comes from God... and we are His most precious possession.’ (James 17-18.)

Without testing we are unproven. How can we know how fully committed we are if we do not have to deal with temptation? God never promised that life will be easy. In fact, His Word tells us that everyone must deal with temptation. James 14 and 15 state “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (Also see Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21 and Luke 6:45.)

But, there is a reward for doing God's will. Are you the type of person (as our Pastor and I are) who wants to be around those who exude sunshine and joy in their spirits? We are drawn to the light of good.

Sermon Point: We are God's prized possession. We've been given everything we need to pass the test, endure temptation, and win the battle.

Where a garden or park are carefully tended, the grass is cushy, the terrain clear and the flora attractive. When a garden or park is left to grow wild the grass is scraggly, the trail is rocky and the flora is likely to be unhealthy and chocked with weeds, maybe even poison ivy or other undesirable things.

God has assured us that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear and when we are tempted, He will provide a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13. There are weapons we can use to fight against temptations that we all face.

The best weapon we have is the same weapon that Jesus used when tempted: the Word of God. We need to learn that we cannot prevail by our own “will power”, which is an oxymoron since the evil comes from the will or within – how can it defeat itself?
A second weapon is our relationship with God- as we seek and rely on His strength.
A third weapon is our fellowship with other believers. We need to learn to trust and to seek support from each other.

The enemy, Satan, challenges us each with the greatest of temptations: to live our lives as if God doesn't exist. Do not fall to the lies of the evil one, but always allow God to help you defeat temptation by being on guard, being prepared with the Word, the Spirit and prayer, and knowing to call on God’s strength.

Your life can be an example to those watching. Remember: you are a prized possession!

I looked at several videos but came back to this old hymn.

Verses for Today:
James 17-18 (NLT)
17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Lord, I give thanks you provide me a way out of temptation if I stand on Your Word and seek Your strength.