Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 8, 2017

Happy Friday!
We enjoyed the long labor day weekend with our son, d-i-l and the three grandchildren. I did more work during this week. Friday we are heading home so we can secure our property in light of the incoming hurricane.

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 September 1 Pick. There was 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 popular title still blocked - with 4 requests.
CarolNW gets Cry No More

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 1 Pick:
SUE gets Reader's Digest - At First Sight and Consigned to Death.
FREDAMANS gets 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.}

This looks like a great event! :-)
Image found at Bookmarks.

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: At 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 1,096+ 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!

Audible Book Review: Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming

Strong character connections help make this an entertaining zombie tale.
Until the End of the World
Written by: Sarah Lyons Fleming
Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
Series: Until the End of the World, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-24-14
Publisher: Podium Publishing
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi, Zombie
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she’s stopped painting, broken off her engagement to Adrian and dated a real jerk. Rectifying her mistakes has to wait, however, because Cassie and her friends have just enough time to escape Brooklyn for her parents’ cabin before Bornavirus LX turns them into zombies, too. This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s tag along ex-boyfriend and her friend’s bratty sister have a knack for making everything, even the apocalypse, more unpleasant. When the two attract a threat as deadly as the undead to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. And it’s a lot farther than she’d anticipated. This, coupled with Adrian’s distant voice on Safe Zone Radio and, of course, the living dead, threaten to put Cassie right back into the funk she just dragged herself out of. Survival’s great and all, especially when you have leather armor, good friends and home-brewed beer, but there’s something Cassie must do besides survive: tell Adrian she still loves him. And to do that, Cassie has to find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot and true love never dies.
2014 Voice Arts Award Winner
2015 Audie Finalist - Solo Narration, Female
©2013 Saray Lyons Fleming (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Review:
Cassie insolated herself after the sudden, accidental deaths of her parents, including pushing away her fiancé, Adrian. Her parents were survivalists and got along great with Adrian who was set to open a farm focused on experimental growing techniques. Two years after shutting down, and with the strong, continued encouragement of her best friends, Penny and Nelly, Cassie has finally decided to ditch the new, but wrong for her, boyfriend, and get her live back on track. Unfortunately, there is an obstacle to her plan… a virus is spreading in the cities that turns the infected into aggressors who then become the violent undead.

Cassie and her friends first gather at her apartment where she has some supplies, thanks to her parents insisting on being prepared. The group includes Penny and her younger, sister, Ana, Nelly, James, a computer geek co-worker, and just declared ex-boyfriend, Peter. A hostile Peter and crush bitten, bratty Ana, are sure that the virus is under control and will pass quickly. The others insist that things will get worse before they get better. When they hear that the city might be closed off, they decide to head out to Cassie’s family place in the hills of Pennsylvania.

The teens face ‘zombie’ attacks before they can get out of the city and reach Cassie’s home-place. Once they reach the hometown they must pass through a blockade to get to the secluded cabin. They are helped by an older neighbor who continues to work with them. Although they hoped the town and cabin would be safe, they soon discover that not only are there undead to kill but there are evil men taking advantage of the lawlessness. James manages to get a radio going and they can hear the reports of distant safe communities, including one in Vermont that is run by Adrian.

I really enjoyed the warm friendships and natural personalities of the characters. Cassie is much stronger than she realizes and her strong friends have to keep reminding her of this. Nelly is a college friend of both Adrian and Cassie and he is a wonderfully strong character adding to the story. Although this has clear YA elements, like the spoiled brat, jealousies and immaturity, it also has a strong enough storyline and character growth to make it good entertainment. There are losses and some of the ending is predictable but there are some surprises too. I recommend this to readers who like YA stories and like zombie danger and action.

Audio Notes: Julia Whelan delivers a strong performance with the narration. She helps the character personalities to come alive, adding to the entertainment value of the story.

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

MBS August 2017 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2017 Reading List - AUGUST

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

No 5 starred this month but Red Rising came close.

1. eAuthor- Book Review: Jeopardy in July: A Jamie Quinn Mystery by Barbara Venkataraman;Cozy Mystery, Female Attorney; my rating 4.25.
2. A-ABJ- Audio Book Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon: A Minnesota Mystery by Larry Millett; Mystery, Historical; my rating 4.5.
3. eNG- Book Review: Love Takes Two by Patrice Moore; Small Town, Contemporary Romance; My rating 4.25.
4. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Borrowed World: A Novel of Post-Apocalyptic Collapse by Franklin Horton; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Red Rising by Pierce Brown; Dystopian, Fantasy, Sci Fi; My rating 4.75.
6. eNG- Book Review: How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart by Candice Patterson; Christian, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance; my rating 4.5.
7. eNG- Book Review: Wolf Hunt (SWAT Book 6) by Paige Tyler; Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Shifter; my rating 4.25.
8. ATBR- Audible Book Review: H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald; Personal Memoir; My rating 4.0.
9. eNG- Book Review: Weaver's Needle by Robin Caroll; Christian, Mystery, Romance; my rating 4.0.
10. A-ABJ- Audio Book Review: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson; Christian, Historical, Teen/Young Adult; my rating 4.0.
11. eNG- Book Review: Resurrection America by Jeff Gunhus; Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller; My rating 4.0.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1 by James N. Cook; Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Zombie; my rating 4.25.
13. AKids- Goodreads Audible Book Review: Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies; Children's, Poetry; my rating 4.25.
Children’s Books:
14. Froggy’s Little Sister by Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz
15. Chick-fil-A Corduroy Helps Out
16. Repeat: Stories from Frozen

Total read = 15; TBR = 6; New Authors = 12
Audio/Audible = 7 (6 TBRs)
eBook =  1 Author
NetGalley = 5
Print = 2

Sunday Post September 3, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 4, 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.

I am away from office visiting family but have still been working 3-4 hours a day. I have only covered three files in my briefcase so still more to do. In between I am trying to enjoy time with the grandkids and sharing some reading with the 4 year old.

Reading was okay. I finished three books: two audio books and one ebook. I got three reviews posted to the blog and one to Goodreads. I also posted my usual memes.

I visited 26 blogs again last week.
Shout out this week is to The Bookworm. This is another new to me blog and had a lovely library featured last week.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post August 27, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 28, 2017.

• ReWired by S.R. Johannes - Launch Week Spotlight

• A-ABJ- Audio Book Review: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson; Christian, Historical, Teen/Young Adult; my rating 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 1, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/7/2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1 by James N. Cook; Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Zombie; my rating 4.25.

• AKids- Goodreads Audible Book Review: Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies; Children's, Poetry; my rating 4.25.

• eNG- Book Review: Resurrection America by Jeff Gunhus; Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller; My rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #318 Comment Giveaway September 2, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 9/9/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 3, 2017.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Until the End of the World
Written by: Sarah Lyons Fleming
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
I picked this from my TBR shelves for "U" in Alphabet Challenge.
This is an entertaining zombie tale with romance.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 - Kid's Sale

Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
Written by: Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Andrews
Narrated by: Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton
Length: 1 hr and 56 mins
I was going to listen to this with the grandchildren but it was only background for them. I enjoyed it though.
My short review on Goodreads is linked above.
Publisher's Summary
A deluxe treasury of family favorites selected by the best-selling mother-daughter team.
Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton share a diverse mix of their most beloved poems, songs and lullabies in this timeless audio treasury. Brought to life with James McMullan's stunning watercolor paintings included in a bonus pdf, this anthology features nine themed sections, and nearly 100 poetry selections from a wide range of talent, including William Wordsworth, E. C. Wells, Emily Dickinson, and more, as well as some special poems written by Andrews and Hamilton themselves - read by the authors for all to enjoy. With personal stories and anecdotes from Andrews woven throughout, this rich collection is one that families will grow with and cherish throughout the years.
Julie and Emma's love for each other and the poetry is evident in their warm, heartfelt readings. It is easy to be swept up in the fun and beautiful scenes they create with their lovely voices.
One of the most iconic, renowned figures in entertainment, Julie Andrews is a high-profile author who has written more than a dozen books for young readers, including the best-selling Mandy, which has sold more than 150,000 copies since its first printing in 1971.
This audio anthology will be a timeless collector's item and the perfect gift for children of any age.
Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2009 Julie Andrews; (P)2009 Hachette

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Who'll Stop The Rain: (Book One Of The Miami Crime Trilogy)
by Don Donovan
This is gritty but entertaining. There are no 'good guys'; only degrees of corrupt characters.
I received this from the Author.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Pax
Written by: Sara Pennypacker
Narrated by: Michael Curran-Dorsano
Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
I am really enjoying this story - not sure it is so good for children.
Publisher's Summary
Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.
At his grandfather's house 300 miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be - with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox.
Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own....
From best-selling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the essential truths that define us and the devastating costs of war. Pax is destined to become a beloved classic.
©2016 Sara Pennypacker (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

2. eBook/Kindle (Author)

ReWired
by S.R. Johannes
I was invited to read this by the author and
shared a spotlight for the launch.
16-year-old Ada Lovelace is never more alive and sure of herself than when she’s hacking into a “secure” network as her alter ego, the Dark Angel. In the real world, Ada is broken, reeling from her best friend Simone’s recent suicide. But online, the reclusive daughter of Senator Lovelace (champion of the new Technology Privacy Bill) is a daring white hat hacker and the only female member of the Orwellians, an elite group responsible for a string of high-profile hacks against major corporations, with a mission to protect the little guy.
Ada is swiftly proving she’s a force to be reckoned with, when a fellow Orwellian betrays her to the FBI. To protect her father’s career, Ada is sent to ReBoot, a technology rehab facility for teens…the same rehab Simone attended right before killing herself.
It’s bad enough that the ReBoot facility is creepy in an Overlook-Hotel-meets-Winchester-Mansion way, but when Ada realizes Simone’s suicide is just one in an increasingly suspicious string of “accidental” deaths and “suicides” occurring just after kids leave ReBoot, Ada knows she can’t leave without figuring out what really happened to her best friend. The massive cyber conspiracy she uncovers will threaten everything she cares about–her dad’s career, her new relationship with a wry, handsome, reformed hacker, Fisher, who gets under her skin, and most of all–the Dark Angel.
With a deliciously twisty plot, the topical bite of Cory Doctorow's LITTLE BROTHER, ReWIRED delves into technology addiction, internet privacy, and corporate/government collection of data.
ReWIRED is about the daily choices we all make about who we want to be, how much of ourselves we choose to share with others, and the terrifying risks and exhilarating rewards of being ourselves, online and off.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Koban, Volume 1
Written by: Stephen W. Bennett
Narrated by: Patrick Freeman
I have just started this and the narration is not wonderful.
But it is my "K" TBR audible for Alphabet Challenge.
Publisher's Summary
All new narration adds sound effects and eliminates issues noted in reviews. To obtain new version, remove old one from device, download new copy at no charge.
We colonized seven hundred planets. Humankind enjoyed the benefits of expansion and the end of wars. We disbanded our military.
Then the Krall found us.
The Krall have used thousands of years of combat to select the genes of the strongest and fastest warriors. They are a species determined to dominate the galaxy, through annihilation or enslavement of every opponent.
Koban is an uninhabited high gravity planet with impossibly fast savage animals, which employ organic superconducting nerves. This deadly world is where the Krall are testing humans for fighting capability. We are useful only if we can fight well. If not, they will destroy us swiftly, as they have other species. They have slaves, and we’re poor tasting meat animals, so we fight or die. The Krall will use us, if worthy, seeking physical perfection through attrition of war, one planet at a time.
Growing weary of our failures in testing, the ruthless Krall are on the verge of a decision to eliminate our species. A ship carrying bio-scientists is captured for combat testing. The choice for Captain Mirikami and the scientists is simple: Prove we can produce better, smarter fighters quickly, or humanity is doomed to rapid extermination.
But the Krall are only half the problem. We must survive Koban's gravity and superfast animals. The tiger-like rippers with skin contact telepathy are predators too fast and powerful for the Krall to face. Our solution is genetic: If you can't beat them as you are, become human rippers.
The Krall will learn another species can bypass natural selection.
©2012 Stephen W Bennett (P)2013 Stephen W Bennett

4. Print (LBC)

A Matter of Character,
Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series #3
by Robin Lee Hatcher
I haven't gotten to this at all. I may have to download the Kindle version.
Print reading is slower for me these days.

August 27, 2017 - I am behind in the One Year Bible and will have to read double this week. I have been 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.

I completed three books and posted four reviews. That puts me to two current reviews with another to post soon for September release.
I am now only three titles behind linking my reviews to Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
I am back to 5 NetGalley titles (with a list of possible requests) and still 2 author titles in my queue, the others are instafreebies that I do want to get to but not the same commitment.

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 picked up two NetGalley review titles this week and one from an author.
I won one audio book!
I picked up four Audibles on sale.
As usual, I picked up 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 two titles from NetGalley:

Twelve Slays of Christmas
by Jacqueline Frost
This cozy mystery cover drew me in - then the blurb.
Releasing 10/10/17.

Star Hero
by Susan Grant
I like "space marine" genre so was drawn to try this Star Series Novella.
Releasing 9/7/17.

I received this title from the author:

ReWired
by S.R. Johannes
See the description above under Currently Reading.

WON

I was very glad to with The Garden of Small Beginnings from Penguin Random House through a Blogversary event at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. 
THANK YOU Kimberly and PRH!
UNABRIDGED
By Abbi Waxman
Narrated By Emily Rankin

Purchased

I bought several titles from my wish list that were part of the last of summer sale at Audible ($4.95 each):

The Android's Dream         Sci Fi
By: John Scalzi
Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Duration: 10 hrs and 34 mins

You're Next         Suspense
By: Gregg Hurwitz
Narrator: Scott Brick
Duration: 14 hrs and 1 min

Gracie’s Touch         Sci Fi Romance
By: S.E. Smith
Narrator: David Brenin
Duration: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Trackers          Suspense/EOTW
By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Duration: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Free

I wasn't going to add the Free Kindle titles (being tired) but ended up linking six plus two without images. (All of these may still be free):
Lost and Found Series Box Set
by J.M. Madden

Kathleen Kirkwood Collection #1: Romancing The Unexplained
by Kathleen Kirkwood

As Deep as the Ocean (Blue Penguin Bay Book 1)
by Serenity Woods

Hearts Under Fire
Antonio Scotto di Carlo (Author request to review)

A Rancher's Surrender (A Frontier Montana series Book 1)
by Michelle Beattie

Light Up the Night: A Cottonbloom Novel
by Laura Trentham

Two more that were still free Sunday night:
Winter Trees (Seasons of Marigold Manor Book 1) by Kim Stokely
Sunflower Street (Rose Hill Mystery Series Book 8) by Pamela Grandstaff

I added 67 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 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!