Sunday Words of Encouragement April 9, 2017

This was a beautiful Palm Sunday Morning. Our Sunday School teacher returned from Haiti and gave us an update, with pictures and video, of the Band of Brothers’ visit there over the past week. God is doing an awesome work, touching the lives of many children and adults.

The worship team led in beautiful music and Pastor gave a great sermon before we shared in communion. The message was from the “triumphal entry’ passages of Luke 19:28-44. Pastor asked us to imagine ourselves as one of the followers of Jesus as he enter Jerusalem that day. Imagine the smells, sounds, touch and visual setting: the dust, the heat, the breezes, the smells of the animals and the burning sacrifices, the sounds of the lambs bleating, the sight of the palms waving, the clothes along the pathway, the people and the sound of their cheering as they marched in front and behind. Imagine one step beyond the senses, to the emotions. What were the people and the apostles feeling? What was Jesus feeling?

Two disciples were sent ahead to request the colt of a donkey saying, “The Lord needs this.” The owner gave the animal just as he would be expected to if he was told “The king needs this.”
The people with Him were mindful of His miracles, including giving sight to the blind and raising of Lazarus from the dead. They laid their garments before Him and shouted with song and praise. The religious leaders complained about the noisy crowd but Jesus replied saying, ‘even If the people were quiet, the stones would sing out.’

As He looked upon the city of Jerusalem, Jesus wept over the people and their future, because they did not recognize when God visited them. The crowd was shouting “Hosanna” on Sunday but crying “Crucify Him” by the end of the week.

The week, which we know as The Holy Week, was full of meaningful and historic events. Jesus was totally committed to those events and God’s will. The redemption had been foretold in many prophesies. Note Zechariah 3:2-9 which ends: “I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.”

Does your life mirror those cheering? Do you recognize the importance of this week to you and all men? Ask yourself, “How does His resurrection change my life? How does it reorder my life?”

The Point: When we understand God's full commitment to us it leads us to a life committed to Jesus.

Fully commit yourself. Will you be ready when He returns? During communion, examine your commitment. Choose to commit to obey the call to follow Christ and spread the Good News.

I set this song aside to share for Palm Sunday to remind us:

The King is Coming!

Verses for today:
Zechariah 3:1-4 NLT
3 Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”
3 Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. 4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”

Lord, thank you for being committed to bringing salvation to frail men like me. Please guide me each day to be committed to You and to be ready when You return.

Sharing Beyond Books #298 Comment Giveaway April 8, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

About seven commenters view lots of 5 star ratings for a book with suspicion. Another seven do not pick a book by ratings or hype. Several will check reviews for the pros and cons. A couple rely more on the blurb or pick by favorite author. MaryP hopes that a book with lots of 5 stars is deserving. :-) Nikki doesn't trust a reviewer who gives all reviews 5 star. (Sometimes I feel awkward giving so many 4 star ratings but I think that is consistent with getting to (mostly) pick the books I want to review.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #297 comments is: #14 Janhvi 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 last week. -- Another international winner tonight. I still hope to get the pictures and then list up soon!
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #298

(One Question.)

Fredamans asks: What is another way you unwind that is not book related??

What? There's some other way to unwind?
Let's see-- I do change into "comfy"clothes as soon as I get home... but I am listening to a book while I change. Sometimes I walk... but that is with an audiobook. Sometimes we watch TV but the news doesn't help me unwind and I am on the computer during anything else. I occasionally have a glass of wine or cocktail with dinner. (Then I go to the computer.) I listen to books until I go to sleep; maybe sleeping counts as unwinding?

This cat needs to unwind!
Image found at Morris The Cat on Twitter.

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: Fredamans asks: What is another way you unwind that is not book related??

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 15, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart

I was a little surprised that I finished this 16 hour audiobook in one week, but it was gripping/engaging.

The Hollow Hills: The Arthurian Saga, Book 2
Written by: Mary Stewart
Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins
Series: The Arthurian Saga, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:11-22-16
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Fantasy, Classic
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The spellbinding, suspenseful story of how Merlin, the Enchanter, helped Arthur become the king of all Britain - a magnificent novel set in a time when no life is safe, no law stable.
Keeping watch over the young Arthur Pendragon, the prince and prophet Merlin Ambrosius is haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, which has been hidden for centuries. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand, and Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain.
The prophetic voice of Merlin communicates not only the bristling atmosphere of the story's ancient setting, but also its profound relevance to our own time. Once again, as she did in her best-selling The Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart provides a glowing recreation of pre-Camelot England.
©2016 Mary Stewart (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
I read this story back in the ‘70s. I didn’t really remember the story but I remembered that I loved it and I loved the author, reading all her works available in those years. (I even have one that I have saved and I think I will pull it out to read soon.) When I saw this available for review I immediately sent a request. I am so glad that I did.

This is the story of Merlin, The Enchanter and the man. It is told as narrative from Merlin, beginning as he helps arrange the conception of Arthur. The tale follows Merlin, as the boy’s guardian, as he first protects and later mentors Arthur, covering the years from birth to coronation.

Stewart writes with beautiful imagery and powerful characterization. She begins with Merlin as a 22-year-old who has sacrificed certain aspects of ‘normal’ life to embrace (more accurate than control) his magical craft. There are certain aspects of magic that he has learned to use, particularly herbs and potions, disguise and some natural manipulations. The prophesy elements of his powers he cannot control. He is not even certain which god or gods gives him foresight. But he is certain when it is real and he follows the instructions as best he can interpret them.

The other characters are not developed as deeply as Merlin but those closest to him are portrayed with suitable depth to be able to imagine each person. Stewart lays the seedlings for the twisted character of Morgause, Arthur’s half-sister, and sets up some potential enemies. She also develops a few key friends who will be there to support Arthur as he learns who he is and steps confidently forward to receive the crown.

Stewart manages to weave in the history and legends of Ambrosius, Uther and Arthur. She paints the settings so they are visual to the reader, even the brief pictures of the Greek and Roman cities where Merlin travels as he stays away to avoid inadvertently leading anyone to the boy as he grows up.

The story itself is rich and enchanting. I found it, as the blurb says, “spellbinding”. With the addition of masterful, rich narration, I was transported to another time and place. I highly recommend this as a great listen and, for those who love all things Arthurian, this is a “do not miss” selection.

Audio Notes: If I was the sort of reviewer who effuses, I would just say “wow!” Derek Perkins was a perfect narrator for this work. The accent and narration pacing is wonderful. I encourage listening to the sample and you will get just a tempting taste of how lovely this experience is.

I received this audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my 2017 Audio Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 7, 2017

Happy Friday!
This week progressed fairly well. Hubby and I had a one night out Wednesday. He decided to take the motorcoach out to get washed by rain and then called me to meet him at a local campground. I picked him up to zip down the road for take out dinner and stop by the house to pick up basics like towels, glasses, dog food and a change of clothes. It was fun until I suffered a terrible allergic reaction, sneezing and itchy eyes, when I tried to go to sleep. Instead of getting extra sleep, since we didn't have the computers, I was up sneezing for three hours.

I did get the books out this week but not the Gift Card wins as I forgot to bring the papers home last weekend. I plan to do those this weekend now. Thanks again for being patient!
Our weather has been warm with some rain and wind. Tonight it dipped to the 50s.

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 31 Pick. There is one automatic win 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 and it was won.
bn100 gets The Tale of Cuckoo Brow Wood

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 31 Pick:
NATASHA gets Lullaby and Goodnight (through the block)
and
FREDAMANS 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.}

**"Readin' in the Rain!!"**
Image was found at LibraryThing.

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 1,049+ 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!

MBS March 2017 Reading Wrap-Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - March

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABJ = Audiobook Jukebox; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2017

5 Stars = How Good is Good Enough?

1. ATour- Audio Book Review and Tour #Giveaway: Kill and Run: A Thorny Rose Mystery, Book 1, by Lauren Carr ; Mystery, Police Procedure; my rating 4.5.
2. eA- Book Review: Girl of Fire: The Expulsion Project Book One by Norma Hinkens; Dystopian, Sci Fi, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
3. eTNG- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Elementary, She Read: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by Vicki Delany; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.5.
4. P- Book Review: How Good is Good Enough? by Andy Stanley; Christian, Salvation Theory; my rating 5.0.
5. eT- Book Review: Eric Olafson: Space Pirate by Vanessa Ravencroft; Military Sci Fi, Space Exploration; my rating 4.75.
6. ATour- Audio Book Review and Tour Giveaway: A Fine Year by for Murder: A Thorny Rose Mystery, Book 2 by Lauren Carr; Cozy Mystery; my rating 4.25.
7. eT- Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Cat in the Flock (Dreamslippers Book 1) by Lisa Brunette; Mystery, Paranormal; my rating 4.25.
8. eTNG TBR- Book Review: Ashes by Steven Manchester; Fiction, Family Drama; my rating 4.25.
9. ABJ- Audio Book Review: The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk; Sci Fi, Dystopian, Environmentalism; my rating 4.5.
10. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Excerpts from The Encyclopaedia Britannica; Fiction; my rating 4.5.
11. ATBR- We Like You so Much and Want to Know You Better by Dave Eggers; Technothriller, Preview; my rating 4.0.
12.  eT- Book Review: Xenogeneic: First Contact by Lance Erlick; Sci Fi, Alien First Contact; my rating 3.75.

Total read = 12; TBR = 3; New Authors = 6
Audio/Audible = 5 (two tour reviews; 1 ABJ)
eBook = 6 (five tour reviews; 1 author request)
NetGalley = 2
Print = 1