Sunday Words of Encouragement March 19, 2017

We had an open discussion today during Sunday School which involved good sharing. Worship was lovely with songs focused on the sacrifice and power of Jesus. Pastor continued the series on DNA - Who We Are.

Who we are will show in how we live and how we carry the gospel to others. Many factory or assembly jobs teach you to “fit in”; mind your place, learn only your task, not another, and don’t try to move up. But that is not how a Christian life should be. Christian life should not be staying in one place as we are supposed to grow as believers and disciples.

When Jesus called His apostles and disciples, He called them to move. Matthew 4:19 “come, follow”. Following requires movement, not waiting. We can become stagnant, becoming smelly and scummy, if we don’t keep moving.

Discipleship with movement is another core part of our DNA. For a Christ follower there is no arrival point – not on this earthly realm. We always need to go forward. Movement is necessary for physical and spiritual well-being.

Point: Next step leads to greater commitment and Life Change.

Picture three chairs (levels), all of which are needed for a healthy church: 1) pre Christians; 2) new believers who have accepted Christ; and 3) mature believers who should be training and teaching others. If we have become settled into a hammock or lazy-boy, then we have become stagnant in our Christian life!

If we are stagnant, then we need to shake things up. Which seat are you in? How long have you been there? What's your next move? We should feel a sense of urgency - Jesus could return any day. Pastor wants us to honestly assess where we are and find a way to keep moving to ADVANCE the Kingdon of God.

I had a particular song in mind but I love how the Spirit leads me to other song videos! I found about five songs to consider. This is group I am unfamiliar with and a song that is new to me but I like its fit for today’s message. Build Your Kingdom Here.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 4:18-20 (NLT)
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Lord, shake me up and help me to get moving so I can do what You call me to do and do my part to advance Your Kingdom!

Sharing Beyond Books #295 Comment Giveaway March 18, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Twelve of us do keep our favorite books or collections but share or donate the other books. (Some of us ran out of shelf space.) A few are still collecting.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #294 comments is: #14 Natalija who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated **Old (and soon to be updated) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I hadn't realized I had not updated the book choices in quite a while. Also - I found a box of books under our clerk's desk that haven't been mailed out so I apologize that there are many late. I will get those out this week. I think there may have been one or two overlaps because I hadn't crossed off the list. I may just purchase the books to mail or I'll email the winners to see if they want a new choice. AND since I see that the list choices are dwindling I will add some new choices this coming week. Sorry - I had to do a project for my son this week and didn't get books pulled -again. Thanks for being patient with me!
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #295

(One Question.)

Becky asks: while reading a story Do the main characters change by the end of the book? Do they grow or mature? Do they learn something about themselves and how the world works??

In some stories the characters thankfully do grow and learn things about themselves. I like that in a character better than those who don't grow and remain not so bright.. I think that is a reason I don't always enjoy YA drama so much.

Image found at Like Success..

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: Becky asks: while reading a story Do the main characters change by the end of the book? Do they grow or mature? Do they learn something about themselves and how the world works??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. 2-4-17: I FINALLY have some new "Love" and Christmas titles! I hope to get the picture posted later this week.

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 March 25, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Girl of Fire: The Expulsion Project Book One by Norma Hinkens

This is an engaging space adventure with a teen and friends seeking their true identities.

Girl of Fire: The Expulsion Project Book One
(A Science Fiction Dystopian Thriller)
by Norma Hinkens

File Size: 2861 KB
Print Length: 343 pages
Publisher: Dunecadia Publishing; 1 edition (January 10, 2017)
ASIN: B01MRUL6U5
Genre: Dystopian, Sci Fi, Thriller
My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

ORIGIN. DESTINY. FATE. 
How far would you go to unravel the truth?
Trattora is the adopted daughter of the Chieftain on a primitive frontier planet. Velkan is an indentured serf who has never known a day of freedom. Forced to flee a terrifying invasion by Galactic Pirates, they find themselves thrown together on a ramshackle mining vessel that harbors more than one dark secret. Fate and chemistry combine when the pair’s matching birth bracelets lead them to a shocking discovery about their true lineage. Stakes rise when they uncover the classified Expulsion Project, and the devastating sacrifice their birth families made to spare their lives. Determined to save them from liquidation, Trattora and Velkan plunge headlong into a frantic race against time and space to take down the genocidal self-actualizing software that now controls large swathes of their home planet.
But will they navigate the treacherous dealings of the seedy Galactic underworld in time to rescue the families who loved them enough to let them go?
Girl of Fire is the first novel in The Expulsion Project, a sci-fi, dystopian thriller trilogy with a whisper of romance, a heavy dose of adventure, and action galore. If you are a Firefly or Dark Matter fan, or still in Hunger Games or Cinder withdrawal, this is the book mashup for you!

Review:
Trattora is a teen with red hair which sets her apart from the white-haired people of her clan. She was fortunate to be adopted by the Chieftain but she has always yearned to know her true history. Few vessels visit their ‘rural’ planet so Trattora is thrilled when a damaged mining vessel lands. The community can’t offer much help, but Trattora tries to find something to trade. She shows the miners unique rocks that are part of the clan’s sacred grounds. The captain believes the rocks are valuable and they are discussing a deal until a clan elder uncovers a terrible secret aboard the miner’s ship.

Trattora has become interested in Velkan, a crew member who is an indentured serf who had no choice in the captain’s illegal cargo. Trattora is set on helping the crew to escape when news of a marauder’s attack reaches the village. Trattora, her best friend and a young guard are unable to make it to the cavern shelters so they escape on the mining ship. Trattora thinks she has made a deal with the captain but she will learn that you can’t trust a corrupt trader.

Trattora discovers Velkan has a birth bracelet like her own. This, and their chemistry, draws them closer as Trattora insists they discover the secret of their birth families. They face betrayal and danger, steal a ship – or two -- and find another bracelet owner as they pursue their past. Their new friend helps them to decipher the code of the bracelets which tells them that a powerful AI project was taking over their home planet fifteen years ago. Now they are all determined to try to rescue their families.

The world building in this story is creative and engaging. The characters are developed – some likable and some not. Although I enjoyed the story for the most part, the situations and solutions stretch the realm of believability. Trattora is a naïve girl who has little experience with evil or mechanics. Still, she has read all the books she could find about space flight so when it comes time to snag a ride on her first space ship she not only feels at home, she can take the controls. She manages to negotiate with illegal traders and escapes their betrayals only with the help of her friends. This sort of ‘good fortune’ happens repeatedly as Trattora rushes headlong into dangerous societies. It is fortunate that she gathers other skilled companions around her in addition to Velkan.

The crew does have a diversity that reminded me a little of Firefly (not Hunger Games or Divergent). Although I struggled with the apparent foolish actions, those actions kept the group moving forward and provided surprising twists along the journey. I suppose it is a gift of fantasy and sci fi to be unrealistic and still be fun. There is a conclusion even as the ending leaves an appropriate opening for the next book. Readers who enjoy fast paced, teen adventuring sci fi should give this series a try.

I received this from the author for an honest review.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 17, 2017

Happy Friday!
This week sort of disappeared quickly at home.
My office work was more according to schedule this week and it seemed productive. I still have oodles to do and keep plugging away.
I sure hope all our northern friends made it safely through this last snow blast.

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 March 10 Pick. There were no automatic wins 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 titles blocked this week.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 10 Pick:
NIKKI gets a GC
and
JANHVI gets 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.}

I'll bet we would rather be 'blown away' by a book than by snow and wind!
Image was found at BBC Culture.

New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
PAIR:
Matthew Reilly: Temple and Area 7
SINGLES:
Deception on His Mind by Elizabeth George
‘E’ is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
In Plain Sight by C.J. Box
Keepers by Gary A. Braunbeck
Lullaby and Goodnight by Wendy Corsi Staub
One Dark Night by Kevin F. McMurray
Rattlesnake Crossing by J.A. Jance
The Cat Who Sang for the Birds by Lillian Jackson Braun
The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina
The Silenced by Heather Graham
The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood by Susan Wittig Albert
Total Exposure by Tori Carrington
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
The Old Silent by Martha Grimes (Audio Cassettes)


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 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
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016

SINGLE:
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Critical by Robin Cook


New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

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

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 1,046+ 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!

Audio Book Review and Tour Giveaway: A Fine Year by for Murder: A Thorny Rose Mystery, Book 2 by Lauren Carr

This is another engaging and fast moving mystery with strong characters and good twists.
A Fine Year for Murder: A Thorny Rose Mystery, Book 2
Written by: Lauren Carr
Narrated by: C.J. McAllister

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Series: Thorny Rose Mysteries, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-06-17
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Genre: Cozy Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Buy the Book:  Amazon  ~ Add on Goodreads

Publisher's Summary
After 10 months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in their new home, everything appears to be perfect...except in the middle of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep secret from Jessica's past creeps to the surface to make her strike out at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims, Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker, a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an end to the Thorny Rose couple?
©2017 Terri Lynn Zaleski (P)2017 Terri Lynn Zaleski

Review:
Jessica Faraday, daughter of a retired homicide detective, is recently married to Murphy Thornton, son of a former JAG lawyer, and a naval officer himself with some series skills and hidden assignments. Jessica is having nightmares that have been persistent since a childhood trauma and are causing her to strike Murphy while they are sleeping.

Jessica and Murphy attend a family bar-b-que where investigative journalist Dallas Walker is describing a cold case she is investigating that is known as the Pine Bridge Massacre – a brutal killing of a family. Suddenly Jessica realizes that she witnessed the death of the young girl but has been suppressing the details.

Murphy and Jessica decide to take a second honeymoon at Pine Bridge to investigate the old murder. Dallas, a lanky, gorgeous red-headed Texan, will come in as a rich journalist to the fancy plantation resort on the other end to town.

Murphy gets to meet Jessica’s cousins, the nice ones and the decidedly not nice ones. The newlywed’s appearance in town immediately stirs up trouble especially when their dog digs out a half-buried skull near the old crime scene. Secrets begin to unravel and there are some very unhappy, and dangerous murderers who want the Thornton’s out of town – one way or another.

This story moves along well as Ms. Carr weaves through the details of another mystery full of corruption and murder. It is fun to follow Jessica and Murphy as they uncover clues and speculate on the facts and motives. Murphy’s training gets him into a bit of trouble. I enjoyed the inclusion of the pets and a new ‘family’ character, a computer assistant named Nigel. The author includes some surprises and neatly wraps up the loose ends.

This is the second mystery in the series and I enjoyed both. (See review of Kill and Run.) They are easy to follow with likeable characters whose interaction adds to the engaging storylines. I recommend this to readers who like a fast paced, light in tone (but not light in danger) mystery.

Audio Notes: C.J. McAllister does a nice job with the narration. The voices are given appropriate accents and tones and the pacing is handled to keep the characters distinct and the story moving. I enjoyed the listening experience which made this move more quickly for me.

I received this title through iReads Book Tours. It qualifies for my 2017 Audio Challenge.

BOOK REVIEW TOUR SCHEDULE AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK.

Book Trailer for A FINE YEAR FOR MURDER:

Author's Bio:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, son, and four dogs (including the real Gnarly) on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with Lauren: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Giveaway:

One winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card (Open internationally)
Ends April 22

a Rafflecopter giveaway