Sunday Words of Encouragement September 3, 2017

We attended a church with our son’s neighbor this morning. The kids came too but just a little later. The church had done a survey in the spring asking congregants what questions that had that they wanted addressed. This mornings sermon was the first of their series, titled “You Asked for It”.
One of the most asked questions was “How do I determine God’s Will for me?” As the church’s pastor was away the sermon was shared by a visiting pastor. It is two parts so today we got the first part which was saying that when we seek to determine what God’s will is, we can first look to see what it is not.

The pastor noted that we communicate with God in a one to one relationship, so we need to determine what Prayer is not. He listed five items:
1. Prayer is not the lottery – expecting to win favor. (Matthew 6:7.) Rather, prayer is talking, and listening, to God, our heavenly Father.
2. Prayer is not a suggestion box. We should not be trying to tell God what to do or how He should handle things, through our prayers. The purpose of prayer is to bring me into alignment with plan of God by focusing on our relationship with Him.
3. Prayer is not a marriage certificate. Prayer time is important but it is not a substitute for relationship with spouse and family. It is not designed to meet personal needs. Family life must be attended to lest prayers be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7.
4. Prayer is not a Bible. God's Will is revealed in the Bible so prayer is not a substitute for reading the Word of God and the Rhema word (A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.) Any utterance not consistent with the Biblical word is not of God. Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 4:4.
Prophecy may be given to help ‘fight the good fight’ (1 Timothy 1:18) but we are to live by full and truthful word in the Bible.
5. Prayer is not a church. The church is a gathering place for prayer; a “house of prayer”. Isaiah 56:7. But if we do not gather in fellowship with others, at a church or fellowship gathering, then we are missing out on that part of the relationship God has directed us to have with other believers. Prayer is the door that brings us into the presence of God but it is important to have prayers of agreement. Matthew 18:17-19. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth so shouldn’t we seek opportunity to share this power and draw on it by praying with others.

I appreciated these words and look forward to hearing Part Two of the message.

I found this song video a few weeks back and it fits for this message.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 18:17-19 (NIV)
17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

We are praying today for a friend facing surgery this week. Lord please provide wisdom and skill for the doctors and nurses, relief of pain, comfort, strength and healing!

Sharing Beyond Books #318 Comment Giveaway September 2, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Six commenters do not preorder (Fredamans had a bad experience with double charging); four rarely preorder but might for series they are reading. Eleven of us might order without a blurb ONLY if the books is in a series they are reading by favorite author or an "auto buy" author.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #317 comments is: #6 FREDAMANS who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #318

(One Question.)

Fredamans asks: What is a book that you read in the last year that still resonates in you today??

This is hard to pick. I chose to interpret last year as the past twelve months rather than 2016. Using this time frame I choose the book From Afar by Roger Thomas. This is a beautiful imaging of the Wise Men seeking the baby Jesus. I still want to share this with my book club ladies.

Image found at Rise Women.

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 a book that you read in the last year that still resonates in you today??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 September 9, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Resurrection America by Jeff Gunhus

This is a tense, engaging post-apocalyptic thriller.

Resurrection America

by Jeff Gunhus

File Size: 4240 KB

Print Length: 374 pages

Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0998217719

Publisher: Seven Guns Press (June 5, 2017)

ASIN: B06ZYTZYSC

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

USA TODAY bestselling author Jeff Gunhus. 

In the near-future, the world order has deteriorated after America's exhaustion from endless foreign wars causes her to pull back within her borders. Her enemies and allies alike pursue their own interests, grabbing resources, erecting trade barriers, and launching opportunistic wars. The American Century is a distant memory.

Sheriff Rick Johnson thinks he's left behind the problems of the greater world, retiring from the Marines to become the sheriff of the little town of Resurrection, Colorado. His relationship with Dahlia, his childhood friend's widow, has given him new purpose, along with the responsibility of being a father-figure to her young son. Life isn't perfect, but it's better than he ever expected it would be after seeing the horrors of war. But when helicopters and armored vehicles filled with soldiers in hazmat suits unexpectedly quarantine the town, Sheriff Rick Johnson feels like the nightmares of the outside world have followed him home.

While the town follows martial law, Rick isn't buying the official version of events from the military that a virus has been released into the air. As he investigates, the cover story unravels and he discovers the military's presence and the salvation they offer isn't what it seems. Soon he and his ex-flame, scientist Cassie Baker, are entangled in a plot so evil that it could only be bourn from the absolute extremes of nationalism and madness.

There are men in Resurrection who are willing to do anything to see America restored to her former greatness, even if the rest of the world must be destroyed to make it happen. But Rick Johnson is a man willing to do anything to protect the people he loves. And he's a force to be reckoned with.

Review:
Rick is a former marine who has settled as Sheriff in the small town of Resurrection, Colorado. He suffered enough in war and his is glad to have an easy-going job and hopeful of building a relationship with an old friend’s widow, Dahlia, and her young son, Charlie. When Rick gets a strange radio call from his deputy which is cut off, he heads up the old mine road to check on him. Instead of finding his deputy, Rick finds a large fence closing off the mine and a man, Keffer, who offers him $10,000.00 to keep quiet for three days. Rick isn’t interested in the bribe but is willing to stay quiet for the extra millions the man assures will be forthcoming to the town from the secret entity that is reopening the mine with robotic assistance.

The town is hosting thousands of visitors to a festival that weekend when an alarm sounds, a helicopter hoovers overhead, tanks appear in the streets and snipers appear with guns aimed at the crowd. A warning issues from the loud speakers that the town has been exposed to radiation but that the men are there to issue a live-saving inoculation. No one understands what is happening and Rick really doesn’t believe the story, especially when he sees and hears actions inconsistent with Keefer’s explanation.

Rick tries to challenge Keefer, but even his friends think he has had a PTSD episode and is delusional. Getting locked in his own jail cells with his ex-wife, a biochemist from the company that previously worked the mine, is the only thing that might give them a chance to save Dahlia, Charlie, the community and visitors. Keefer’s proclaimed goals are to save America and restore her position as a superpower. Sadly, the extent of his plan moves into madness and extremism.

This is a rather scary scenario and gets more alarming as the secret lab and the expected use of the captured citizens is revealed. One can hope that the science is only fiction although somehow I think the possibility might exist in the future. A few scenes do stretch believability but that’s why they call it “fiction”. That didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the fast moving, suspenseful plot. The primary characters are well developed and I liked the relationship between Rick and those he loves. There is good action and an ironic twist at the end. I recommend this to readers who like apocalyptic tales that have a different storyline.

I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Audible Book Review: No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1 by James N. Cook

This is a solid EOTW, biochemical (zombie) story with a strong lead character and good action.

No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1
Written by: James N. Cook
Narrated by: Guy Williams

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
Series: Surviving the Dead, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-07-13
Publisher: James N. Cook
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Zombie
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Eric Riordan was once a wealthy man leading a comfortable, easy life. Until one day Gabriel, his oldest friend, Marine Corps veteran, and a former mercenary, told him how the world was going to end.
He did his best to prepare. He thought he was ready for anything.
He was wrong.
As the dead rise up to devour the living, one man finds himself struggling to survive in the ruins of a shattered world. Alone, isolated, and facing starvation, his only chance is to flee to the Appalachians and join forces with Gabriel. But the journey will not be easy, and along the way his humanity, his will to live, and his very soul will be tested.
This is the beginning. This is his story.
©2011 James N Cook (P)2013 James N Cook

Review:
Eric is a wealthy man, not a military man. He and Gabriel, Gabe, became friends during the sale of land between them. Sometime later, Gabe warns Eric to prepare for a chaotic collapse of the world. Gabe is a former Marine and former mercenary who has reason to know of biological secrets that could endanger society.

Eric had the money to prepare a bunker and stock it with food and weapons. He thought he was ready – but who can really prepare for the bloody rising of the dead? After staying alone in his own bunker for a time, Eric sets to meet up with Gabe who is hunkered down in a cabin in the mountains.

Along the way Eric faces danger and rescues a young man from an attack of the undead and returns with him to a compound of survivors. Some of the survivors are thankful but some are resentful and untrusting. Eric remains and proves his good intent as he helps the group clearing local communities of infected so they can gather more supplies. Sadly, the undead are not the only enemy that the survivors must face. There are rival survivor groups who are lawless and brutal.

I really liked Eric’s strong, well developed character. The survivor group he works with is well developed also. Mr. Cook does a good job of creating an engaging story with a good balance of human elements and action. There is gore and bad language but it is not the focus of the story but rather part of the situation.

There are also grammatical errors which might be attributable to the nature of the characters… otherwise it is just inadequate editing. I let them slide. There are a few slower segments but for the most part the story pacing moves along well. I did not realize that this series is already up to 8 books. I will likely continue to read at some point, although not immediately. I recommend this to readers who like well written, catastrophic, end of the world (EOTW), scenarios.

Audio Notes: Guy Williams does a good job with the narration. I found it is easy to listen and follow the characters. There did not seem excessive emotion but adequate to convey the scenes of the story. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

I picked this from my Audible TBR shelves. It qualifies for Audio Challenge, Mount TBR and "N" in Alphabet Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 1, 2017

Happy Friday!
I've been away on what I dub a "working" vacation. I had too much work not to work part of the time so I have worked on computer 3-4 hours each day. In between I have played with our grandchildren: 4 year old granddaughter and the 1 year old twins.

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 August 25 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 still blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 25 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC.
ELIZABETH gets Sweet Talking Man.

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.}

September Already. Ready or not, Autumn will soon be here! :-)
Image found at Picture Cafe (??).

New Book Group #74 August 25, 2017

PAIRS:
Suzanne Brockman: Flashpoint and Over the Edge
Lisa Gardner: Hide and The Survivor’s Club (spine wear)
SINGLES:
Treasure Me by Robyn DeHart
Cold Blooded by Lisa Jackson
House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce (slight spine wear)
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey (slight spine wear)
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson – Audio Cassettes
The Duchess Diaries by Barbara Dawson Smith
To Conquer a Highlander by Mary Wine
Cain by James Byron Huggins (Hardback)
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
Reader’s Digest Large Type: A t First Sight by Nicholas Sparks and Consigned to Death by Jane K. Cleland


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:
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
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 -- All Gone


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 1,094+ 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!