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GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW LOCATED ON THEIR OWN PAGE - CLICK ON TAB ABOVE; Giveaways also linked on right sidebar.

Friday, August 4, 2017

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

Happy Friday!
Another busy week and we are away Thursday and Friday for a title conference. The drive wasn't fun but we had a nice time tonight meeting old and new friends on the title "team!"
I'm thinking maybe this next week I can get new pictures and a new box up. :-)

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 July 28 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 were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 28 Pick:
MARJORIE gets a GC.
CHRISTINA gets A Rogue's Heart.

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.}
Image result for August and Books
Not sure which books but I'm always happy to be pointed to new books!
Image found at Silver Dolphin Books..

New Book Group #73 June 16, 2017
I was looking for Summer titles but that didn’t really work.
PAIRS [or Singles] – Since I have four sets of pairs I will work this by first two pairs that go the others go as singles OR you may choose a title as a single and if won that pair falls into single.
Joan Johnston: The Loner and the Cowboy -- Moved to singles
Nora Roberts: Sea Swept (some spine creases) and Genuine Lies
Kat Martin: Midnight Sun and Perfect Sin
Linda Howard (aka Krista Janssen): Cry No More and Indigo Fire (spine wear) -- Moved to singles
SINGLES:
The Loner by Joan Johnston
The Cowboy by Joan Johnston
Cry No More by Linda Howard
Indigo Fire by Linda Howard (spine wear)
Garden of Scandal by Jennifer Blake
A Rogue’s Heart by Debra Lee Brown
The Night Remembers by Kathleen Eagle (spine wear)
A Dragon Prince by Mary Gillgannon
Hurricane by Karen Harper
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
Sail by James Patterson
Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley


New Book Group #72 May 12, 2017
PAIRS:
Brenda Joyce: The Third Heiress and The Rival
Jayne Ann Krentz: Dangerous Affair and True Colors
SINGLES:
Identity: Unknown by Suzanne Brockmann
The Third Victim by Lisa Gardner
Anna’s Book by Barbara Vine (Audio Cassette)
Passions Treasure by Betina Krahn
My Reckless Surrender by Anna Campbell
Led Astray By A Rake by Sara Bennett
Deep Freeze by Lisa Jackson
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Valley of Bones by Eric Wilson
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn (Hardcover)
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover
)


New Book Group #71 March 10, 2017
Mysteries and Thrillers
SINGLES:
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
SINGLES:
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
Some books for Christmas: 
SINGLES:
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
SINGLES:
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown


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 -- All Gone

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 1,087+ 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!

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Audible Book Review: The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

This is a wonderful classic to help direct my life focus toward God.
The Pursuit of God
Written by: A. W. Tozer
Narrated by: Mark Moseley
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-07-12
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Christian, Classic, Religion & Spirituality, Theology
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0


Publisher's Summary
During a train trip from Chicago to Texas in the late 1940s, A.W. Tozer began to write The Pursuit of God. He wrote all night, and when the train arrived at his destination, the rough draft was done. The depth of this book has made it an enduring favorite.
(P)2012 Audible, Inc.


Review:
This work confirms the other studies I have been enjoying. I have been participating in a small group study at church called Freedom Course. Its goal is to help the student to discern the difference between living in the tree of knowledge, which brings death, or living in the tree of life that brings freedom. I thought that this audio book would compliment the group study and my Bible reading and it certainly does.

The message is not new. It is Biblically based and although it was written by Tozer in the late 1940s, it is still sound teaching today. Tozer states there may be many who call themselves believers and Christians but there are really only a small group who pursue God. It is all around us… we are busy living our lives, raising our families, and doing our jobs. There is nothing wrong with that, but too often we forget the first priority which is to live our lifes, in all activities, as God directs. We need to learn to remove the excesses and minimize distractions of this world. This book goes through short chapters covering distinct areas in our lives that need to change direction to come into line with God’s will.

This classic message exhorts a deeper and closer walk with God. It is a work that I suspect I could listen to several times a year and benefit each time. I recommend this to seekers and to Christians serious enough to truly pursue God and a life directed in His will.

Audio Notes: Mark Moseley narrates the teaching and I enjoyed his direct reading which matched the appropriate emphasis intended by the author. An excellent job of delivery that enhanced the book experience for me.

 This is available for free in ebook HERE.

This is from my Audible TBR shelves (2012). It qualifies for Mount TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Monday, July 31, 2017

MBS July 2017 Reading List Wrap-Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - JULY

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 Star = Serenity Harbor; Poetry and Ponderings and Pursuit of God
  1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Avenging Home: The Survivalist Series, Book 7 by A. American; Post Apocalyptic, Survival; my rating 3.75.
  2. eNGT- Book Review: Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne; Small Town Romance; my rating 5.0.
  3. P(PUYB)- Book Review: FIFO 50 STATES by Hayley Rose; Children, Educational; my rating 4.0.
  4. eTBR- Book Review: The Detective: A Nathan McNamara Story (The Soul Summoner) by Elicia Hyder; Police Procedure; my rating 4.25.
  5. PLBC- Book Review and Giveaway: A Texan's Choice, Heart of a Hero Series #3 by Shelley Gray; Western Historical Romance, Inspirational; my rating 4.25
  6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Days of Noah: Book One: Conspiracy by Mark Goodwin; Sci Fi, Conspiracy, Chrisitian; my rating 4.25.
  7. eNG- Book Review: Wild Horse Springs (Ransom Canyon) by Jodi Thomas; Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Mystery; my rating 4.25.
  8. ATBR- Audible Review: The Curse of Tenth Grave: A Novel by Darynda Jones; Paranormal, Mystery; my rating 4.0.
  9. PrintT- Tour Book Review: Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar; Poetry, Inspirational; my rating 5.0.
  10. eNG- Book Review: Blink by K.L. Slater; Psychological Thriller; my rating 4.25.
  11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Into the Black: Odyssey One by Evan Currie; Sci Fi, Space Opera, Military, First Contact; my rating 4.25.
  12. e(PUYB)- Book Review: Book Review: The Duke needs a Wife: The Belles of Bath by Katy Walters; Historical Romance, Regency; My rating 3.75.
  13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer; Christian, Classic, Religion, Theology; my rating 5.0.
  14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Jackaby by William Ritter; Mystery, Paranormal,Teen; my rating 4.25.
  15. eNG- Book Review: Book Review: AFTERLIFE by Marcus Sakey; Ghost, Thriller; My rating 3.75.

Total read = 15; TBR = 7; New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 6 (all TBRs)
eBook =  2 PUYB; 1TBR
NetGalley = 3
Print = 3

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Sunday Post July 30, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 31, 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.

All my weeks seem busy anymore. July is ending and we move into a new month. I have several weekend conferences this month so I'll be scrambling in between. I hope some of you are enjoying some vacation time before school starts for the young ones.

Reading was nice. I finished three books: two audios books and one ebook. I posted four reviews along with all of my usual memes and an extra giveaway post.

I visited 30 blogs last week.
Shout out this week is to The Literary Phoenix, new to me, with a very pretty blog.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)


The Pursuit of God
Written by: A. W. Tozer
Narrated by: Mark Moseley
Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
This classic fit well with our pastor teachings and the Freedom Course I have been participating in.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audio/MP3 (TBR)


Jackaby
Written by: William Ritter
Narrated by: Nicola Barber
Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
This was a fun listen. It is another TBR audible to serve as "J" for Alphabet Challenge.
Click on book title for full description.



3. eBook/Kindle (NG)


AFTERLIFE
by Marcus Sakey
This is a distinctly different story.
Received through NetGalley from Little Bird Publicity.
Click on book title for full description.




Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle


Jeopardy in July: A Jamie Quinn Mystery (Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Book 5)
by Barbara Venkataraman
I am enjoying this fun mystery 
with female attorney protagonist.
Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible/MP3 (ABJ)


Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon:
A Minnesota Mystery: Sherlock Holmes & Shadwell, Book 1
Written by: Larry Millett
Narrated by: Steve Hendrickson
Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
I am engaged in the beginning of this, loving Holmes' observations. I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
In the summer of 1994, a workman at the historic mansion of railroad baron James J. Hill in St. Paul, Minnesota, stumbles on a long-hidden wall safe. When experts arrive to open the safe and examine its contents, they make an astonishing discovery. There, inside, is a handwritten manuscript bearing the signature of John H. Watson, MD. The manuscript contains the story of how Sherlock Holmes and Watson traveled to Minnesota to track a murderous arsonist - known only as the Red Demon - who is threatening both Hill and his Great Northern Railway.
Set against the backdrop of the real, devastating Hinckley forest fire of 1894, Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon is the tense and atmospheric first novel in Larry Millett's classic series of adventures that brought Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to Minnesota.
©1996 Lawrence Millett (P)2016 Audio-Visceral Productions



3. eBook/Kindle


Love Takes Two
by Patrice Moore
This is my next NetGalley title.
 I do like the cover. :-)
Single mom Molly Jenkins relocates to a small mountain town in hopes of removing her young son from bad influences. But Ken is caught in an act of vandalism on their neighbor’s ranch, and the no-nonsense owner informs Molly her son needs a man’s strong hand to keep him in line. Having been raised by a tough-to-the-point-of-cruel father, she doesn’t want her son to be guided by men like that. She believes he needs nothing more than security and lots of mother-love.

Nathan Jones knows what it’s like to be raised without a father, and he disagrees with the coddling Molly gives her son. His own upbringing led him to make some poor choices, and he wants to keep Ken from making similar mistakes. 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?



4. Audible/MP3 (TBR)


The Borrowed World: A Novel of Post-Apocalyptic Collapse, Volume 1
Written by: Franklin Horton
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
This is from my Audible TBR for Alphabet "B".
Publisher's Summary
In a night of devastating terror, ISIS operatives have unleashed a coordinated attack on America's infrastructure. Life as we know it in America grinds to a halt as the electrical grid collapses, communication networks are damaged, critical bridges and dams are destroyed, and major fuel refineries go up in massive fiery clouds. When the government responds by immediately halting fuel sales to the public, Jim Powell finds himself in a terrifying predicament - trapped five hundred miles from home with a group of coworkers.
With thousands of trapped travelers and scarce law enforcement, the miles between Jim and his family become a brutal gauntlet where the rules of civilized society no longer apply. As Jim puts his years of preparation and planning to the test, he is forced to ask himself if he has what it takes to make it home. Does he have the strength - the brutality - required to meet this new world toe-to-toe?
©2015 Franklin Horton (P)2015 Franklin Horton



July 30, 2017 - I am still half a day ahead in 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.

Some of my reading time is going to a Wednesday night study we are doing called Freedom Course.

I completed three books and posted four reviews. That brings me to three current reviews and one for September release. I am behind adding my latest reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. I just keep trying to add several each week to get caught up.
I am down to 5 NetGalley titles (but eyeing new ones) and still 8 author titles in my queue.


We're working on two fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.


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 one Audio review book.
I made it to 93% at NetGalley so I am looking at titles to request soon.
I purchased one $.99 Kindle title.
As usual, I picked up lots more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox
Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon: A Minnesota Mystery
By: Larry Millett
Narrator: Steve Hendrickson
Duration: 9 hrs and 35 mins
See full description above under Current Reading.


Won
NONE

Purchased
No new Audible books this week.
I spotted this 5 starred box set on Kindle for $.99:
 
The Traveler Series: A Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Adventure: Books 1-3
by Tom Abrahams




Free
I picked up Week Fourteen SYNC Audio titles:
AIRBORN by Kenneth Oppel, Narrated by David Kelly (Full Cast Audio)
SHADOWS ON THE MOON by Zoe Marriott, Narrated by Amy Rubinate (Brilliance Audio)

I wanted to share lots more but I settled on these five of my Free Kindle Picks: (the last three, with lovely covers, may still be free)

New World Rising: Book One in a Young Adult Dystopian Series
by Jennifer Wilson (discovered last week through Savvy Verse and Wit.)







Hollyhock Ridge (Rose Hill Mystery Series Book 7)
Pamela Grandstaff



Honor & Roses: A Medieval Romance
(Swordcross Knights Book 1)
by Elizabeth Cole


The Chocolate Garden (Dare River Book 2)
by Ava Miles



I added 80 (ouch again!) 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 July 30, 2017

We prayed for friends who had surgery and losses. We also gave thanks for doctors and freedoms. Our substitute Sunday School teacher continued the last two weeks of messages on self-control and love.

Pastor continued the series on Dangerous. Last week’s dangerous prayer was “search me”, this week’s dangerous prayer is “use me”. This is another prayer that can be risky. When we pray this prayer we shouldn’t be surprised if God will stretch us, as He often does. He often moves us outside of our comfort zone. Start each day with "use me". The book of Acts shares how the disciples allowed God to use them with action: first “Stay and wait for power”. Second, “Go with the message of good news”.

Acts 17:28 says “For in him we live and move and exist…”. That is the correct statement. It is not “for me, He lives and moves and exists”. Our lives are to be lived for God. Whatever skills He has given us, we are to use well for His glory. Romans 12:13-16; Philippians 2:12-17.

The Point: The reason for our daily existence is to be used by God. So pray...
Use Me.


God has trouble using us when our lives are crowded by appointments, activities or sins. We are told to keep ourselves pure as a special utensil, so we will be ready for God to use for His good work. 2 Timothy 2:19-26. We can be an instrument of honor or dishonor.

What is standing in the way of allowing God to use you? This is not a church thing but an individual thing. We should pray for God to “Use me” in my family, my work, with my friends. Is it true in your life? Can you say of yourself: “In Him I live and move and exist”?

Write USE ME on a blank piece of paper; then journal each day how He uses you. And if you are not used, ask “Why didn't use me?”

This is a good song. If you go to the link you can see the words.
Verses for Today:
2 Timothy 2:21 NIV
21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.


Lord thank you for the skills that you have blessed me with. Help me pray each morning: “use me” then use the skills You gave to further Your kingdom.

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