Sunday Words of Encouragement April 2, 2017

Our elder brother continued his message this morning on pressing on for the prize. Philippians 3:7-16. He noted how much Paul suffered and, even knowing he was deemed an enemy and would face death, he continued to share the good news wherever he went.

Pastor continued the sermon series "DNA – Who We Are".
He reminded us of last week’s lesson that stated: “Fellowship builds belonging.” Then proceeded to remind us that there are times in every life when we have butterflies in our gut: a 20 year old making a lifelong commitment to marriage; becoming a parent for the first time; or stepping into a career job the first time. On those occasions we may feel insufficiently prepared. They are times of feeling inadequate. Any time we take on responsibility or lead, we step out into deep water that comes with risk. This is part of living.

Pastor asked “When was the last time you had nerves for responsibility in church?” We must always be about LIFE-CHANGE. The only real way to measure church effectiveness or success is not the number of people attending but the number of people experiencing LIFE-CHANGE. LIFE CHANGE is the proof that we are doing the other things well.

Point: The advancing church is a LIFE-CHANGING church.

Reading in Acts 2:37-47 we learn that Peter led the believers and admonished them to change their lives “save yourself from this crooked generation”. The same could be said in today’s world.
Many were saved and they “devoted themselves” to going out and gathering others. Believers were scattered because of persecution. Acts 8:1-4. They did not just meet in church on Sunday but they changed their pattern of life every day.

Persecution of Christians is happening around the world, although not yet in America. Some say that religion is a personal matter. For Christ followers that is a lie from the enemy because we know that faith goes beyond personal. The church must be alive, loving God and loving people. Changing lives.


What do we have to do to show our Church as alive and a place of victory?
1. Allow God to change your life.
2. Understand the need. Take down barriers to life changes. Know that all lives matter.
3. Join a team. The believers went out, not just the apostles.
Start by praying: "God, change me."

I had a couple of good video choices this morning. This is one that fits well.

A Verse for Today:
Acts 2:40 NLT
Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Lord I do pray – change me. Change my daily life that I may focus more on You and loving others in Your name each day.

Sharing Beyond Books #297 Comment Giveaway April 1, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Six commenters do not have instant buy authors. Three others have favorite authors but do not necessarily buy the books right off - they try the library first. The remainder of us have a variety of authors with two picking Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs and two picking author Chevy Stevens. I did not know all the authors so I will go looking for them.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #296 comments is: #13 Marjorie 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 did set aside new books to add to the SBB choices and took pictures today. I will get those loaded later this week since tonight's winner is another international participant.
Thanks again for being patient with me!
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #297

(One Question.)

bn100 asks: How do you feel about books with a lot of reviews and all of them are 5 star reviews??

I admit that I notice the ratings but I still look at the reviews to determine good points and negatives. I try to look at the low ratings too especially when there are some of both.

 
Image found at Clipart Kid.

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: bn100 asks: How do you feel about books with a lot of reviews and all of them are 5 star reviews??

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 April 8, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Excerpts from The Encyclopaedia Britannica

I smiled as I listened to this wonderful reading!
Since it was Audible's 2016 April Fool's joke, it is fitting to post my review April Fool's 2017.
But my review is not a joke --- I did enjoy this.

Excerpts from The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information, Eleventh Edition
Written by: Various
Narrated by: full cast

Length: 13 mins
HIGHLIGHTS Audiobook
Release Date:03-31-16
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Nonfiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Prepare yourself for the ultimate multicast performance. We've gathered many of Audible's most popular narrators to bring to life some of the most extraordinary words ever written. 19 words, in fact, carefully selected and arranged alphabetically as in their original source: the 11th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. We created this enlightening journey from AUDIENCE to LITERATURE because you asked for it. You said you could listen to your favorite narrators read the phone book, bookcase assembly instructions, or a restaurant menu. With this production we've proven that a truly talented narrator can, in fact, take any work and make it extraordinary. Enjoy!

The full list of narrators includes:
Nick Podehl - AUDIENCE
CJ Critt - BLACKBALL
Kaleo Griffith - BLACKMAIL
Katherine Kellgren - BLUNDERBUSS
Kevin Pariseau - CHAOS
Tom Stechschulte - CHAPERON
Sebastian York - CHEESE
Cassandra Campbell - CHIC
Victor Bevine - COB
Eric Michael Summerer - DECOY
John Lee - ELIXIR
Sophie Eastlake - ENTHUSIASM
Therese Plummer - EPHEBEUM
Zachary Webber - EPISTAXIS
Peter Ganim - GERBIL
Luke Daniels - IMAGINATION
Eric Dove - IMITATION
Scott Brick - JEALOUSY
Gregory Salinas - LITERATURE
Please Note: This recording of the Encyclopaedia Britannica was Audible's 2016 April Fool's Joke.
Public Domain (P)2016 Audible Studios

Review:
If you want to get a sample of some wonderful narrators, I encourage listening to this. I know it seems strange to some that anyone might listen to excerpts from an Encyclopedia. But it is not so strange to me. When I was a tween we had some rough times. One summer our TV broke and I guess we couldn’t replace it. Part of my entertainment, by my own choice, was to read from our encyclopedia. Maybe that is why I have been a “word” geek all my life.

In any event, this book was right up my alley. The fact that the purpose was to share the voices of numerous narrators makes it all the more fun. It may have been intended as an April Fool’s joke but for me it is a delight. Some of the voices were natural in the presentation of the selections although even then they imbue emotion into the word description. Others, like Luke Daniels, give a wonderful, multi-voiced performance. My only disappointment is that it was too short.

This was a fun, quick listen from my Audible TBR shelves (2016). It qualifies for 2017 Audio Challenge, Mount TBR and “E” in 2017 Alphabet Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 31, 2017

Happy Friday!
I've had another long week and am surprised that this first quarter has flown by.
All book wins have been pulled and will go out in the next few days. I had planned on them being mailed last week but that didn't happen with staff out for spring break.
Also, I have tabulated the Gift Card wins and will be sending those this weekend. Thanks everyone for being patient!
Our weather is pretty nice while I worry about family in north Texas in that tornado alley. I hope all blog friends and family here in the states, and 'downunder' too, are staying save.

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 24 Pick. There were one automatic win this week (finally). 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 again this week but one was won (finally!).
The book chosen for four weeks is no longer on the list. I will email the winner and see about a substitute.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 24 Pick:
RUBYNREBA gets In Plain Sight
and
RITA gets Scandalous Love. through the block

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 really liked this image for (almost) April 1!
Image was found at Story Time with Ms. Becky.

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 1,047+ 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: Xenogeneic: First Contact by Lance Erlick

A bit repetitive in the middle but the ending on this pulls it together.
Xenogeneic: First Contact
by Lance Erlick

File Size: 3728 KB
Print Length: 300 pages
Publisher: Finlee Augare Books (March 8, 2017)
ASIN: B01N5Y82JY
Genre: Sci Fi, Alien First Contact
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Xenogeneic: First Contact is a science fiction thriller about first contact with an alien race that lost their civil war and wants to take over Earth.
Dr. Elena Pyetrov's father vanished in space 18 years ago while searching for extraterrestrial life. As an aerospace engineer, Elena travels into space to search for answers and continue his work. Her ship is pulled off course and crashes. She suspects extraterrestrial interference.
The alien Knoonk lost their civil war in a distant star system and fled to Earth's neighborhood to hide and regroup. They seek a new home--Earth. Unable to live in Earth's toxic environment, the aliens kidnap and use humans to genetically modify their species to adapt.
Surviving the crash, Elena and her shipmates are transported to a closed cave system where the Knoonk monitor and control everything. Elena tries to make a connection with her hosts and find ways to work together, but Knoonk leaders rebuff her and force the humans to submit as slaves. The aliens use illusions, distractions, and social experiments to learn from their hostages and keep them off balance. Resistance by captive humans brings swift punishment to break the human spirit.
While Elena continues to look for ways to cooperate with the Knoonk, it becomes apparent that there can be no compromise. The Knoonk want to capture Earth for their species. It is winner take all. With time running out, Elena must dig deep to uncover the alien plan and find a way to stop them before the human race faces enslavement and extinction.

Review:
Elena has spent her life preparing to follow her father into space. She’s broken off with her fiancé, Marc, a marine who seeks just a bit too much control over her decisions. Elena’s scheduled space trip is almost cancelled by political opposition. She gets surprising clearance at the last minute only to arrive on ship to find Marc and a few other rejected candidates have been swapped with the approved crew.

The shuttle never makes it to the moon landing but veers off course at a speed that has no explanation. The shuttle crashes on a planet that is supposed to be Europa – the original destination. Elena, Marc and another crew member find themselves healed of injuries and transported to a strange cave. As they explore the lush ‘paradise’ cave, Elena stumbles upon a home like her childhood home. There she is shocked to find her father and a thirteen-year-old, half sister, Thelma. Thelma appears to be autistic, speaking only in rhymes and suffering from seizures.

More of the shuttle crew and passengers begin to appear and some of them quickly exhibit disturbing behaviors. Elena learns that she and her shipmates have been imprisoned by an alien race, the Knooks. This race rewards the women, with supplies and survival, if they become pregnant. Numerous human groups have formed competitive clans. The men tend to attack other clans, killing the males and raiding for women. Elena fights against this primitive mentally, seeking a peaceable alliance and trying to negotiate with the Knooks.

Much of the middle of the book is spent on brutal clan battles and Elena’s attempts to learn the secrets, intentions and methods of the aliens. Elena does learn that the technology of the Knooks is superior to humans and that the female race plans to take over earth as soon as they can raise their mutated children.

The Knooks are basically all powerful and controlling. It is frustratingly unclear why they allow Elena to move about as freely as she does without punishment. The coyote images of Elena’s half Navaho heritage, are continually hinting that the situation is not all it appears to be. It is well into the book before it becomes clear that Elena is being used -- for some purpose or another.

The last 25% of the story finally moves forward with hopeful (rather than hopeless) action and some surprising twists. I am glad I chose to read to the end as it brings sense to the rest. The writing is a little choppy – as if written for a younger audience (as in the tech/text generation). The middle seems to bog in repetitive and almost hopeless scenes. The characters are not strongly endearing until the end. I do encourage pushing through to the action and suspense near the end, which I enjoyed. Fans of alien First Contact sci fi might want to give this a try.

I received this ebook, for an honest review, through iReads Book Tours. Enjoy the Author Guest Post/character interview and check out the Giveaway at this LINK.