Contact email: mesreads AT gmail.com
###Winner Announcement Posts are linked here.###

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

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 8, 2020

Our Sunday School teacher continued his message series regarding God’s restoration as described in Revelation 11:15. We enjoyed praise and worship before our pastor started a new sermon series titled “Resolute Road”.

Do you have any roads that you think of with nostalgia? Sometimes there are good or bad memories with certain roads. The Roman’s system of roads allowed them to move troops among other things. Saul/Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus – it was a life-changing encounter.

We are dreadfully sinful, but God resolutely loves us. Rome was a place of sin, and the citizens were not seeking God, but still, God moves to save the people.
God says to people who will listen: ‘Do you trust me?’
Paul sends this letter to introduce himself but more importantly to introduce Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel. Paul is writing to those who are called to be God’s own holy people – both Jewish and Gentiles. Romans 1:1-7.

The Gospel is Paul's top priority. He is eager to come to teach the good news. Romans 1:13-15.

The Point: We have a critical responsibility to the Gospel, and that is to produce fruit.

Fruit of evangelism means multiplication of the church; the advancement of the Gospel.
The Good News is here to reach all people. We are still impacted by the Gospel today!
We need to be changed by the Gospel. Some of us need a new, fresh revelation of who Jesus is, what He has done for us, and what He offers each person.
Paul shares the message that we are loved by God who gives us salvation through Christ Jesus and ultimately restoration to eternity.

I think this song fits today’s message. So Loved!
Verses for Today:
Romans 1:1-7 (NIV)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.


I thank You, heavenly Father, that you loved us enough to send your Son to call us into Your family and to give us hope for restoration and eternity!



Saturday, March 7, 2020

Sharing Beyond Books #390 Comment Giveaway March 7, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

At least 10 of us like historical romances although the time periods range from Medieval, Scottish Highlander, Regency, Victorian, Western, 1900 and WWII. Four of us like sci-fi and fantasy including space, post-apocalyptic and parallel universe.

The Winner from SBB #389 comments is #2 LINDA 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. -- [11/16/19 I plan to add some review books this week and maybe some new Christmas and Love titles as soon as I locate the box I put them in.  10/5/19 I have pulled some new books and will be adding them to the list in the next week or so.

**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 #390
(One Question.)

Fredamans asks: What is your favorite book to movie adaption??
We had a similar question in 2011 but I don't even recall my own answer then. :-)
The movie that comes to mind first is Lord of the Rings. Another one that comes to mind is Ender's Game which I had read years back. The movie helped me recall the book and make better sense of it.
Another favorite book to movie adaptation is To Kill a Mockingbird.
More recently I like the Harry Potter series and the Hunger Games adaptations.
I can think of more but I'll let you name some!
To Kill A Mockingbird Gregory Peck Harper Lee
Image found at Classic FM.

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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 them.


Your turn to share. Fredamans asks: What is your favorite book to movie adaption??

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, March 21, 2020, at 5 PM central.

MBS February 2020 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2020 Reading List - FEBRUARY
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 2020
Favorites for the month:
5 Stars = The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers
4.75 Stars = The Paradigm,
4.5 Stars = Winter Takes All, Hometown Cowboy, and Accidental Acivist
  1. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Final Day by William R. Forstchen; Genre: Political Thriller, Post-Apocalyptic, Thriller, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.
  2. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: A Tangle of Brungles by Shobha Viswanath; Genre: Educational, Illustrated, Middle Grade, Picture Book; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
  3. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Black Crow, White Snow by Michael Livingston; Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.25.
  4. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Winter Takes All by ML Erdahl; Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Humorous, Mystery; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
  5. A2020, LBC- Audible Book Review: The Paradigm by Jonathan Cahn; Genre: Christian Prophesy; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 4.75.
  6. ATBR- Audio Book Review: Hometown Cowboy, Rocky Mountain Riders, Book 1 by Sara Richardson; Genre: Romance, Small Town Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  7. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: The Gift of Gerbert's Feathers by Meaghann Weaver, Lori Wiener; Genre: Children, Death and Dying, Illness; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.
  8. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Reimagining Mr. Right by Wynter Daniels; Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Comedy; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
  9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Unleashed, Andy Carpenter, Book 11, by David Rosenfelt; Genre: Legal Procedures, Mystery, Traditional Detective; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  10. AuthorTBR- Book Review: Accidental Activist: Justice for the Groveland Four by Josh Venkataraman and Barbara Venkataraman; Genre: Civics, Non-Fiction, Social Activist Biographies; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
  11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse; Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Native American; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Jukebox Joyride by Jacob Stein, Jason Rabinowitz, The Pop Ups; Genre: Children, Kids, Ages 8-10; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Evil Eye by Madhuri Shekar; Genre: Drama & Poetry, Modern Drama; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
  14. NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: The Woman in the Veil by Laura Joh Rowland; Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Historical Mystery, Mystery; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Total read = 14; TBR = 11; New to Me Authors = 11
Audio/Audible = 8 (7 TBRs)
eBook = 1 (1 TBRs)
NetGalley = 5 (3 TBRs)
Review books (other than NG) = 1
Print = 0

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 27
TBR to Date: 23 of 100 total
TBR ebooks: 2 of 24
Audio to Date: 16 of 75
NetGalley to Date: 9 of 40
Author Reviews: 2 of 12
Nonfiction: 2 of 12

• New to me Series: 10 (5 to continue, 5 maybe)
• Continuing for me Series: 2
• Finished for me Series: 1
• Seasonal title: Winter 1
• Alphabet letters covered: 10 Jan; 7 Feb;

Friday, March 6, 2020

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 6, 2020

Happy Friday! 

I did get a new set of books pictured and titled.

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 February 28, 2020 Pick. There was ONE automatic win again 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.
BN100 gets White Night.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 28, 2020 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC
and
LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES 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.}
15 Awesome March Madness Decor Ideas For Your Classroom or School
My March Madness would be about books!
Image shared on Pinterest by Bored Teachers.

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020
Pairs:
Brenda Joyce: Firestorm and Innocent Fire
LaVyrle Spencer: Morning Glory and Bitter Sweet
Singles:
Open House by Elizabeth Berg (Hardback)
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
What the Heart Knows by Kathleen Eagle
Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Angel Creek by Linda Howard
Montana Mavericks - Big Sky Grooms Anthology
Shadow and Silk by Ann Maxwell
Tempting Fire by Carla Neggers
Suicide Club by Gayle Wilson
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere
Through the Years - Three Novels, Linda Howard, Fern Michaels and Debbie Macomber


New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019
PAIRS:
Connie Brockway: My Pleasure and My Seduction
Stella Cameron: Body of Evidence and Fascination
Singles:
A Notorious Proposition by Adele Ashworth
My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs
Long, Lean and Lethal by Heather Graham
False Colours by Georgette Heyer
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper
Treasures by Lisa Jackson (hardback)
No Limits by Alison Kent
The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans
The Wedding Affair by Leigh Michaels
A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder


New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.
SINGLES:
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
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.

SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
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.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
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
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

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
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)
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
Too 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 NINE years I have posted 88 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,429 books to find new homes! (as of November 8, 2019).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,302+ 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 faraway 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!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

#NetGalley Book Review: The Woman in the Veil by Laura Joh Rowland

I really liked this Victorian mystery which has strong descriptions.
The Woman in the Veil
by Laura Joh Rowland
45731464. sy475
File Size: 1591 KB
Print Length: 314 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (January 7, 2020)
Language: English
ASIN: B07QDJNBJC
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Historical Mystery, Mystery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.


Award-winning author Laura Joh Rowland is back with the fourth in her critically acclaimed Victorian mysteries where the case of a mutilated "Sleeping Beauty" washes ashore in London.
London, June 1890.
Sarah Bain and her friends Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O'Reilly are crime scene photographers for the Daily World newspaper. After solving a sensational murder, they're under pressure to deliver another big story. On a foggy summer night, they're called to the bank of the river Thames. The murder victim is an unidentified woman whose face has been slashed. But as Sarah takes photographs, she discovers that the woman is still alive.
The case of "Sleeping Beauty" becomes a public sensation, and three parties quickly come forward to identify her: a rich, sinister artist who claims she's his wife; a mother and her two daughters who co-own a nursing home and claim she's their stepdaughter/sister; and a precocious little girl who claims Sleeping Beauty is her mother. Which party is Sleeping Beauty's rightful kin? Is someone among them her would-be killer?
Then Sleeping Beauty awakens--with a severe case of amnesia. She's forgotten her name and everything else about herself. But she recognizes one of the people who've claimed her. Sarah is delighted to reunite a family and send Sleeping Beauty home--until one of the claimants is murdered. Suddenly, Sarah, her motley crew of friends, and her fiancé Detective Sergeant Barrett are on the wrong side of the law. Now they must identify the killer before they find themselves headed for the gallows.


Review:
Sarah is a brave female photographer working with a past of secrets and a misfit team. Lord Hugh has been cut from his former society crowd after being caught in a gay scandal. Mick is a teenaged street urchin who has joined with Sarah realizing that he can better himself through education. The team came together as a private detective agency after solving a high-profile case involving the Ripper. Now they serve as a crime scene photograph team hired by a wealthy banker who has taken over The Daily World.

The team is called out to photograph a murder scene of a naked woman lying on the banks of the Thames. The team begins to investigate, examining the site and interviewing witnesses but as Sarah is photographing the woman, she realizes the victim is alive. The woman’s face has been viciously slashed, and no one knows who she is. When she wakes from the coma she apparently has amnesia.

Sarah’s fiancé, Detective Sergeant Barrett often steps in to help the team or to keep them in line. He allows Sarah to sit in as he interviews people who have come forward claiming to know “Sleeping Beauty”. Three particular parties are the most likely relatives. But Sarah and her friends worry that Sleeping Beauty may be in danger if she returns to a home where she has already escaped violence.

Sarah and Barrett disagree on whom they think Sleeping Beauty is which creates tension. Meanwhile, Barrett’s recent promotion is resented by a rival who takes every chance to go after Barrett, Sarah, and their friends. When one of the possible relatives ends up dead at the house where the team is staying, Sarah becomes the prime suspect. The investigation intensifies as the team realizes they must solve the mysteries that remain if they want to save Sarah from prison or the gallows!

I quickly liked these distinct characters with their difficult pasts. Ms. Rowland doesn’t shy away from the dark and messy details of the era as her descriptions create scenes of smell and sound as well as sight. The story has good mystery and tension that kept me pushing to discover who committed the crimes and how things would work out for the beleaguered team. The author wove in an introduction to the characters, so this read fine as a standalone although it did raise my interest in book 1, The Ripper. I recommend this as an engaging read to fans of mystery and Victorian history.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020NetGalley goals.

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