Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 20, 2019

Happy Friday! My wealthy businessman, paternal grandfather used to say "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." I would be weighed down by that phrase if it hadn't been offset by my maternal, preacher grandfather who was part of my path to faith where I know that my intentions don't control whether I will go to heaven or hell.
I had two staff members out sick half the week so we did not get to mailing books -- in spite of good intentions. My assistant does have the books by her desk and she is good at getting to the tasks.

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 13, 2019 Pick. There were TWO 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.
CarolL gets the Nora Roberts Pair
Di gets Flame Lily

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 13, 2019 Pick:
ELIZABETH gets Shetland Summer
and
MIKI 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 weekend ushers in Fall officially. I don't expect to see much change in color or temperatures yet. Still in the high 90s here. Are things cooling down for you?
Image found at New York Post.

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

PAIRS:
Joan Johnston The Bodyguard and The Bridegroom
Nora Roberts: The MacGregor Grooms (1998) and The MacGregor Brides (1997)
SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Dawn Encounter by Jennifer Blake
Flame Lily by Candace Camp (spine creasing)
The Wedding Promise by Carolyn Davidson
The Devil's Daughter by Lara Drewry
Touch of Texas by Tracy Garrett (now Texas Gold)
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
Innocent as Sin by Elizabeth Lowell (hardback)
Tempt Me by Lucy Monroe
Abandon by Carla Neggers
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forged in Steel by Maya Banks
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Eco-Sisters: The Car by P. Ryan Hembree and Mary Ann Gustin
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Murder at Granite Falls by Roxanne Rustand
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes
SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Homecoming
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
James Patterson NYPD Red 2 and NYPD Red 3
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring by Jillian Hart
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 EIGHT years I have posted 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,275+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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!

Audio Book Review: Cyclone, Linear Tactical Series, by Janie Crouch

I enjoyed this second chance romance with its conflicts and suspense.

Cyclone
Linear Tactical Series
By: Janie Crouch
Narrated by: Tom Campbell

Release Date: December 3, 2018
Publisher: Calamity Jane Publishing
Run time: 6 hours and 51 minutes
Unabridged Audiobook
Genre: Military, Romance, Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION
He’d protect her from any threat… But what if the biggest threat is him?
Doctor Anne Nichols is back in Oak Creek, Wyoming, only because she has no other options. Here, she was always the shy, stuttering girl, invisible to everyone.
Except Zac Mackay. The very reason she left in the first place.
Zac’s years in Special Forces taught him survival skills, and he’s created a company—Linear Tactical—to teach those skills to others, so they never have to live in fear.
Then why is Annie, the last person he’d ever want to hurt, afraid of him?
Zac’s determined to wipe the fear from the eyes of the woman who has never been far from his mind. And fix the mistakes—his mistakes—that put that look there in the first place.
But a predator has set his sights on Annie. And now survival skills will become much more than lessons…

Review:
Anne is a talented and confident doctor, but her confidence fails in social relationships. She was teased in school because of a stuttering problem. Anne’s only true friend, Becky, married high school crush, Zac. When Becky and their young child died in an accident, Zac and Anne had a consoling encounter that was a dream and a nightmare for Anne. For Zac it is a blacked-out night of drunkenness.

Anne left town after the incident and has only returned after abandonment and divorce by her faithless husband. Anne managed to stay ‘invisible’ to the locals until Zac and his friends show up in the hospital and recognize her. Zac’s initial reaction adds to his prior rejection of Anne. When he begins to realize that he did something horribly wrong Zac sets out to find the truth and heal the relationship.

While Anne and Zac are trying to decide to avoid or embrace each other, they become involved in investigating a serial rapist. Anne is on scene to help victims and Zac and his friends are on scene to seek forensic evidence. As they review several crime scenes, Anne comes under the eye of the villain. Zac is quick to step up to provide protection.

Anne is not a typical beautiful, brilliant, and confident heroine. She is shy and flawed in spite of her intelligence and attractiveness. Zac is a former special forces hero with keen skills and a caring heart. Their relationship is complex and past misunderstandings have to be overcome. The sexual scenes are on the sexy side but not over powering.

I was drawn into the story quickly and the well-balanced blend of romance and mystery kept me interested until the end. I also liked the Linear Tactical team whom, I suspect, will star in their own books as the series continues. I would be willing to read more in the series which I recommend to readers who enjoy stories with romantic conflict and strong action.

Audio Notes: Tom Campbell does a very nice job narrating. He gives voices to the characters that worked and he presented the story with solid pacing and emotion. This is the first book I listened to from Chirp and the quality of the audio production is good. Apparently Chirp is a distribution venue of regular audiobooks so it is a chance to listen to some good books for a discounted price – win -win.

Source: July Chirp Purchase $1.99. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

Sunday Post September 15, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 16, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress).

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.

My work has been busy with some court hearings last week (and coming up too) so I have to fit the work in between. We keep plugging away.

Our (son's) kitty has had another episode this past week: first dragging her hind legs for two days; then tilting her head again. And not eating her food. She did start to eat again yesterday. Meanwhile, someone was caught eating her food and here is the guilty one:

I hope the video works but I want to reassure you that we do not bully Princess. She is a super bright and responsive rat terrier. For some reason she has been timid/scardey since we got her as a pup 11 years ago. She shakes when hubby tells her to shake. But this is definitely a guilty look.

Our weather remains in the 90s with little rain. I'm looking forward to fall!

I had a good week of reading/listening. Reading on my battery deficient Kindle slows me down. I finished four audiobooks. I posted four reviews and my usual memes.

I only visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Reviews from the Stacks. Jana works in a library and these are her own descriptors: "Writer. Coffee lover. Vintage typewriter enthusiast. Bibliophile".
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 8, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 9, 2019.

• MBS August 2019 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: An Accidental Death: A DC Smith Investigation Series, Book 1 by Peter Grainger; Genre: British Detective, Crime Fiction, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Lone Wolf, F.B.I. K-9, Book 1, by Sara Driscoll; Genre: K-9, Suspense, Terrorism Thriller; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September13, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 9//2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg; Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Romance, Teen, YA; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• eB2019 (Ladies Book Club)- Book Review: It Started with Goodbye by Christina June; Genre: Family Life, Teen & YA; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 15, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (A2019)

Cyclone
Linear Tactical Series
By: Janie Crouch
Narrated by: Tom Campbell
Series: Linear Tactical Series, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
I enjoyed this romance with a touch of suspense.
The audio quality is good.
Source: July Chirp Purchase $1.99.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Lost World
By: Arthur Conan Doyle
Narrated by: Glen McCready
Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
Release date: 02-25-08
This was interesting but not as high octane as Jurassic Park.
Source: October 2017 Audible Daily Deal $2.95
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

I Am Legend
By: Richard Matheson
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
I had forgotten enough of the movie to make this worth listening to as part of my TBR.
Source: 11/18/17 Celebrating 20 years of Listeners Membership Perk Free #audible20.
Publisher's Summary
In I Am Legend, a plague has decimated the world, and those unfortunate enough to survive are transformed into blood-thirsty creatures of the night. Robert Neville is the last living man on earth. Every other man, woman, and child has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville's blood. By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn. How long can one man survive in a world of vampires?
©1954, 1982 by Richard Matheson (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Skunk Hour
By: Robert Lowell
Narrated by: Robert Lowell
Length: 2 mins
I like that this was read by the author.
It has been a while since I read poetry and just this short one encourages me to get more.
It is short but it was on my TBR shelf.
Source: 8/22/2008 Free read Audible.
You might check this out on You Tube.
An Apocalyptic Poem.
Lowell won a Pulitzer Prize for his second book of poems, Lord Weary's Castle (1946), but it was his fourth volume, published in 1959, Life Studies, that transformed the poetry world with what came to be known as "Confessional" or autobiographical poetry. Lowell later won a second Pulitzer for 1973's The Dolphin.
© & (P)2006 Shout! Factory LLC

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (eB2019)

One Paris Summer
by Denise Grover Swank
I will be pulling this up to finish before Storm Rising.
This is the second summer book for Ladies Book Club. To be discussed 9/21/19.
Source: Print books discounted through Christianbook.com. I picked up the Kindle version this week.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Handmaid's Tale
By: Margaret Atwood
Narrated by: Claire Danes
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Since this is being released on screen I thought I should listen to it as part of TBR.
Source: 11/25/18 Audible Sale $5.95.
Publisher's Summary
Audie Award, Fiction, 2013
Margaret Atwood's popular dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale explores a broad range of issues relating to power, gender, and religious politics. Multiple Golden Globe award-winner Claire Danes (Romeo and Juliet, The Hours) gives a stirring performance of this classic in speculative fiction, one of the most powerful and widely read novels of our time.
After a staged terrorist attack kills the President and most of Congress, the government is deposed and taken over by the oppressive and all-controlling Republic of Gilead. Offred, now a Handmaid serving in the household of the enigmatic Commander and his bitter wife, can remember a time when she lived with her husband and daughter and had a job, before she lost even her own name. Despite the danger, Offred learns to navigate the intimate secrets of those who control her every move, risking her life in breaking the rules in hopes of ending this oppression.
Cover Art by Fred Marcellino. Used with permission of Pippin Properties, Inc.
Explore more titles performed by some of the most celebrated actors in the business in Audible’s Star-Powered Listens collection.
©1985 Margaret Atwood (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Storm Rising
by Ronie Kendig
(35%) This has strong operatives and enemies requiring direct attention to follow the action.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

I created a list of TBR audiobooks under 10 hours so I can pick from them.
I'll decide when I get to the next one.

September 14, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I am on day 3 of a 4 day study this week: Using Your Time for God. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed four books and posted four reviews so that keeps me current with reviews.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and Audible. (Eventually I will add older reviews.)
No change to NetGalley or author queue again this week. 
[My NetGalley shelf is still at 10 unread. I have pulled/read titles released and on my list before July. Next week I expect to start titles I received in July. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I have three author ebook titles left in queue. I plan to get caught up on these too- I better start soon.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.]

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.
No review titles.
Six audios: three at Chirp; one Audible daily deal and my two August Audible Credits.
I have two free September Audible Originals to pick and one Free VIP at Audiobooks.
I downloaded twnety free kindle titles this week. (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

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

9/10/19 Chirp Audio Deal Purchases:
Someone to Love
Written by Mary Balogh
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
I like this series so was glad to get the first book in audio for $2.99.



Identity Theft
Written by Alana Terry
Narrated by Becky Doughty
This sounds like a book I will like and it is a nice inexpensive price for audio at $1.99.



The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant --
Written by Drew Hayes
Narrated by Kirby Heyborne
I couldn't resist this one at $.99.


9/15/19 Two Audible Credits:
I may be pushing on TBRs through the end of the year but I am looking forward to many books in series I like.
I will probably start binging on them in January... if I last that long. :-)
Soldiers of Fortune
By: Joshua Dalzelle
Narrated by: Paul Heitsch
Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 10-13-15


Tower of Thorns
Blackthorn & Grim, Book 2
By: Juliet Marillier
Narrated by: Nick Sullivan, Natalie Gold, Susannah Jones
Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 11-03-15

9/15/19 Audible Daily Deals $3.95
The Obsidian Chamber
By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Narrated by: Rene Auberjonois
Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
Release date: 10-18-16

Free

I picked up 20 free titles at Kindle this week to add to my Kindle library. 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 15, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher shared more of the God of Wonders documentary sharing on the wonderful creation and complexity of plants, fish and birds.

We participated in touching praise and worship. Pastor shared It’s Big, part 5 of the Culture Shift series.

We are always working towards a healthy church culture. It should always be in line with the Church's desire to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him.
There is risk and reward. It requires shared time and space.
One of Pastor’s theology professors warned the students that “in ministry you can't really have friends within the church”. Pastor never liked that idea and for him it has not been true. But to have friends in the church required risk and provided reward.
Relationships are worth the risk.

Social skills can be learned and improved. 60 percent of people are introverts. It is likely that they have fewer and deeper relationships than extroverts. But it is not good to dwell in aloneness. Studies show that those who interact with friends are less at risk of suffering dementia.

We are meant for relationships. The greatest moments in life are shared moments. Relationships helps forward motion. While David was out shepherding who did he talk to? He spent time with God. Later he formed a bond with Jonathan who saved his life.

David’s son, King Solomon later writes in Proverbs:
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17.
In one of the oldest stories in the Bible, Job's three close friends came from a distance to help during his troubles.

The early church met together and helped each other. The early church was built on very strong culture of relationships. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

We strive to be an Acts 2:42 church today.
The Point: A church cannot be healthy without a culture of healthy relationships.

“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47. The Lord added broken people to be saved.
We are to love each other. Our caring for one another should be mutual.

Satan does all he can to destroy relationships. He comes as a thief to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10. Like a lion after prey, Satan finds the weak and those on the fringes. 1 Peter 5:8.
Better that we humble ourselves and rely on God. 1 Peter 5:6.

How can we be sure our church culture is healthy?

Treat others with a Ton of Grace.
Watch our words.
Care for each other.
Devote yourself to mutual relationships with others.
Join a small group.
Find somebody to send note this week.

I like this song for today’s message: Love is a Medicine.

A Verse for Today:
Acts 2:42 (NIV)
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

My prayer today: Lord, please make me a better friend!

 

Book Review: It Started with Goodbye by Christina June

This is a nice story; particularly good for YA and Teens.
It Started with Goodbye
by Christina June

File Size: 990 KB
Print Length: 272 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0310758661
Publisher: Blink (May 9, 2017)
Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B01HAKH5LY
Genre: Family Life, Teen & YA
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0.

Sixteen-year-old Tatum Elsea is bracing for the worst summer of her life. After being falsely accused of a crime, she's stuck under stepmother-imposed house arrest and her BFF's gone ghost. Tatum fills her newfound free time with community service by day and working at her covert graphic design business at night (which includes trading emails with a cute cello-playing client).
When Tatum discovers she's not the only one in the house keeping secrets, she finds she has the chance to make amends with her family and friends. Equipped with a new perspective, and assisted by her feisty step-abuela/fairy-godmother, Tatum is ready to start fresh and maybe even get her happy ending along the way.
A modern play on the Cinderella story arc, IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE shows us that sometimes going after what you want means breaking the rules.
IT STARTED WITH GOODBYE will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer E. Smith.

Review:
Tatum was only trying to protect her best friend (bff), Ashley, when she got caught up in a crime situation. The accusations put Tatum in a tough spot and it hurts that her father not only is severely disappointed in her but he won’t even believe her explanation. As her father heads out of town for his job, Tatum is grounded for the summer with her stepmother. Tatum is only allowed out of house to do her job and perform her community service.

Tatum has always worked the summer sitting for two girls but that has changed this year. She doesn’t tell her stepmother the full story so she can still get out of the house. Tatum also is keeping secret that she has started an online graphic design business to earn the extra money she will need to pay fines and still purchase the item she has on her wish list.

Tatum is frustrated that her former bff has gone silent and won’t return here emails or calls. But Tatum is making new friends, one engaging young cello player online and a couple during community service. Tatum is chafing against her ‘house arrest’ and her friendships are tempting her to violate her house rules.

Tatum has a friend at home with her step-abuela (step grandmother) who challenges Tatum to see a broader perspective. A surprising situation reveals other secrets in her household and Tatum begins to see a way to make amends with her family and find a way to come clean. Maybe the summer will turn out better than she could have expected.

Tatum is sixteen – which says a lot. She is questioning if her dad really loves her, if her stepmom cares at all and if her stepsister is human beyond her ice ballerina image. She only finds support from her step-abuela and her new friends. The story is sweet and has a bit of Cinderella uplifting ending. I like the overall conflicts which include (not unexpectedly) teen angst. I liked the light teen romance, but I didn’t care for the sneaking and less that honest activities that Tatum engages in. Fortunately, I enjoyed the final resolution.

I’ll be interested to hear the reaction of the other ladies in the ladies book club. I recommend this as a light, easy read with a nice final message.

Source: Print books discounted through Christianbook.com. I picked up the Kindle version 2019. This is a book for ladies book club.