Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 20, 2020

Happy Friday!
I'm sure we can all agree this has been a very strange few weeks. My office is still open and operating with strict appointments. I hope everyone is staying safe.

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 March 13, 2020 Pick. There were no automatic wins 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.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from March 13, 2020 Pick:
MARYP gets a GC
and
MARJORIE 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.}

Who's ready to welcome spring this week? I am!
Image shared on Pinterest by Martin J. Gottlieb Day School Library.

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 1,303+ 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!

#NetGalley Book Review: I've Never Been This Old Before by Stan Toler

This is fun entertainment and encouragement to help age more gracefully.
I've Never Been This Old Before
by Stan Toler

File Size: 2426 KB
Print Length: 144 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (February 4, 2020)
ASIN: B07Y63W5GW
Genre: Humor, Inspirational, Self Help
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.

Older, Wiser, Funnier!
Adjusting to middle age is a lot like getting into a hot bath. At first, it’s painful. Then, you get acclimated and it feels comfortable, but after a while you’re just lying there wondering how your skin got so pruned and why you’re too tired to get up.
Celebrate midlife and beyond with this joyful collection of wit and wisdom dedicated to both the serious and silly sides of aging. Bestselling author Stan Toler will help you face the inevitable march of time with a healthy sense of humor and a warm heart.
Packed with entertaining anecdotes, good advice from God’s Word, and smart suggestions for self-improvement, I’ve Never Been This Old Before will give you a fresh outlook on the second half of life and remind you that no matter your age, God isn’t through growing you.

Review:
I am beyond middle age and much of the humor in this book is relatable! I started smiling on the first page. I was absolutely delighted when reading revealed that the anecdotes are mixed with advice from God’s Word.

There are several suggestion lists. I had the honor to share devotion in early March at my local woman’s club. As part of my short program I shared from this book: 10 Ways You Can Turn Someone’s Life Around (location 210). We all agreed this was a great list that helps to improve our own lives by helping others. Another good list shared is “seven reasons why we should take up the torch of service and put a fire under our feet”.

The author shares wonderful attitude and action advice all woven with sound Biblical foundation. The only drawback I had with the NetGalley version was formatting issues that resulted in excessive hyphenation breaking up words and the easy flow. Hopefully, that is resolved for the released Kindle version. I highly recommend this entertaining and encouraging work to all readers although it's particularly fun and helpful for middle and senior ages.

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

Sunday Post March 15, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 16, 2020

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.

Heather was out all week with first one antibiotic and then a second. I am hoping she is well enough to return this week. A second staff member missed two days first to receive furniture and then to stay with a sick child. Our county schools are now closed for two weeks (they extended the spring break an additional week). I'm not sure how that will impact staff in office. We may be juggling files and computers to work from home like many other businesses.
Hubby had a bad cold last week and I ended up with a slight cold this weekend. I'll be watching my own health too. I can easily work from home if need be, other than attending court hearings. I won't be impacted by the Florida Supreme Court ruling to cancel jury trials for the rest of the month. In small claims pre-trial hearings we meet with a room full of people. There is discussion to have these mediations by video but I am not sure how they will set that up for the participants. We will see if they do that or just postpone them for the next few weeks.

These lovely daffodils are another sign that spring is coming!

We are experiencing warmer temperatures getting up in the 80s.
May everyone stay calm and healthy in these uncertain times.

I enjoyed another good week of mostly listening. I finished two audiobooks and am into three other books. I posted three reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to Rhapsody in Books Weblog. There is a current review of an interesting children's book on winning the vote for women. This is a review site with husband and wife which is unusual.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post March 8, 2020/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday March 9, 2020? Plus Mailbox Monday March 2, 2020.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Koban: Rise of the Kobani by Stephen W. Bennett; Genre: Aliens, Colonization, Military Space Sci-Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• A2020- Audible Book Review: Archangel One by Evan Currie; Genre: Military Space Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi, Space Marine; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 13, 2020. Open Worldwide. Ending 3/19/2020.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: Identity Theft by Alana Terry; Genre: Christian, Romance, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement March 15, 2020.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Rise of the Locusts: A Post-Apocalyptic Techno-Thriller (Cyber Armageddon, Book 1)
By: Mark Goodwin
Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
Series: Cyber Armageddon, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins
This is a fast-paced post-apocalyptic story.
Source: October 2019 2 for 1 Credit Audible Sale.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Light of the Last
by Chuck Black
Narrated By: Katie Leigh, Michael Orenstein, Leanne Bell
Unabridged Audiobook
Duration: 12 hours 5 minutes
I really enjoyed this conclusion to a Christian story with a threat of biochemical contamination.
Source: 5/4/2019 Audiobooks.com two credits.
Summary:
To Fight What Others Can’t You Must See What Others Don’t
After an accident left him temporarily blind, Drew Carter didn’t just regain his sight. He now sees what others can’t imagine–an entire spiritual realm of mighty beings at war.
Forget the gift, Drew just wants his life back. Part of that involves Sydney Carlyle, a woman he is inexplicably drawn to. When he’s offered the chance to become a CIA agent, it seems the way to redeem his past. The only problem–his visions of the supernatural realm are increasing in frequency.
It’s up to the warrior angel Validus and his hand-picked team of heavenly agents to protect the unbelieving Drew. Validus now knows that the young man is at the epicenter of a global spiritual war, and the angels must use a millennia of battle experience keep Drew alive, for the Fallen want him dead.
Surrounded by spiritual warriors and targeted by demons, Drew’s faced with an impossible decision that will forever alter the destiny of America...and his own soul.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/MP3 (ATBR)

Olivia Twist
by Lorie Langdon
Read by Pearl Hewitt
Young Adult • 9.5 hrs. •
I am 2/3rds in and enjoying this romance with class difficulties.
I bought the print book for Ladies Book Club. We are reading for discussion this next month.
Source: June 23 SYNC Audio 2019.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Archangel Rising
(released January 14, 2020)
by Evan Currie
I am 25% in and enjoying Book 2.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Nice Dragons Finish Last
Heartstrikers, Book 1
By: Rachel Aaron
Narrated by: Vikas Adam
Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 11-18-14
I am trying to get into this as I am unaccustomed to an underachiever protagonist.
Source: 10/30 Audible Daily Deal $4.95.
Publisher's Summary
Audie Award, Fantasy, 2016
As the smallest dragon in the Heartstriker clan, Julius survives by a simple code: keep quiet, don't cause trouble, and stay out of the way of bigger dragons. But this meek behavior doesn't fly in a family of ambitious magical predators, and his mother, Bethesda the Heartstriker, has finally reached the end of her patience. Now, sealed in human form and banished to the DFZ - a vertical metropolis built on the ruins of Old Detroit - Julius has one month to prove he can be a ruthless dragon or kiss his true shape goodbye forever. But in a city of modern mages and vengeful spirits where dragons are considered monsters to be exterminated, he's going to need some serious help to survive this test. He only hopes humans are more trustworthy than dragons....
©2014 Rachel Aaron (P)2014 Audible Inc.

4. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Coding Capers
by Angela Cleveland and Tamara Zentic
Illustrated by Juan Manuel Moreno
(Released 21 Nov 2019)
I like puzzles and this sounds fun.
Source: NetGalley 2019.
Join Luci and her friends as they go on an adventure to find a missing robot! In the process they learn the foundational concepts of coding, the increasing capabilities of technology, and the power of persistence.
Was it just a dream?! Luci wakes up after dreaming about robots only to learn that her teacher has a robot emergency at school! The class robot has disappeared, and the students must decipher codes to locate it, reprogram it, and return it.
We huddled together. "Hurry! Read the card!"
Go to the gym where you'll find a maze,
Up and down and then sideways,
Over and over with your group,
Not a pattern, but a ______.
This STEM-friendly tale takes children on a fun game of hide and seek that teaches coding terminology and how technology and computer science work together to create and manage so many of the things we use in our daily lives.
With a little ingenuity and a lot of perseverance, Luci and her friends follow the clues and end up with a surprise that will allow each of them to help others and inspire the next generation of leaders.

I'm keeping track of my Alphabet here as I finish the books. The cross-outs aren't easy to see, so I made the completed letters blue.
NETGALLEY: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
AUDIO:            A  B  C  D  E  F G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W X  Y  Z

March 15, 2020 - I am again enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I considered changing but this is the reading group that is closest to my husband's reading so we can sometimes discuss the same passages.
I am two weeks into the 41 day Lent study: Lent: With One Voice.

I completed two books and posted three reviews with one due to get back up to date.
My NetGalley shelf will be at 15 now, plus the four titles from 2012-13 which I still hope to read this year.
I still have one carry over author ebook, one new audio author title, and two new author ebooks. I expect to pull one of these 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 new review titles this week.
I keep my eye on Chirp titles and am still eyeing Audiobooks.com 2 for 1 deals. 
I got one daily deal and two titles for one credit at Audible sale. I also picked one of the two free Audible Originals
I picked up two $.99 Kindle titles in a theme - post-apocalyptic.
I again added 11 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

3/14/2020 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Forward
Stories of Tomorrow
By: Veronica Roth, Blake Crouch, N. K. Jemisin, Amor Towles, Paul Tremblay, Andy Weir
Narrated by: Evan Rachel Wood, Rosa Salazar, Jason Isaacs, David Harbour, Steven Strait, Janina Gavankar
Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
Release date: 10-08-19

3/14/2020 Two For One Credit Sale at Audible
Fear the Sky
The Fear Saga, Book 1
By: Stephen Moss
Narrated by: R.C. Bray
Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-03-15

Zero Hour
Expeditionary Force, Book 5
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R. C. Bray
Length: 17 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 02-06-18


Two Kindle Purchases $.99

Contamination Box Set: The Complete Post-Apocalyptic Series (Books 0-7)
T.W. Piperbrook
"The infection has begun, ravaging the American Southwest and leaving chaos in its wake. In this new world, there will be no last meal, no dying wish. The only reward left is to survive another day..."


No Sanctuary Box Set: The Complete No Sanctuary Series - Books 1-6
Mike Kraus
"No Sanctuary is a post-apocalyptic thriller/survival series that asks the "what if" question that lurks in the back of everyone's mind. What if there was another attack? What if it was larger than any other? What would you do if it came without warning?"

Free

3/15/2020 March Free Audible Original.
Tell Me Lies
By: J. P. Pomare
Narrated by: Aimee Horne
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 03-05-20

I again added 11 free Kindle titles 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 March 15, 2020

My husband was recovering from a cold this week and taking antibiotics. Apparently, he shared his cold with me as I developed a sore throat yesterday and suffered with a low fever last night. I slept in this morning until after 10am! We missed Sunday School and Church but shared in prayer through Facebook and YouVersion.

In January our Pastor was sharing messages in his series “The Bod”, referring to the Body of Christ. Earlier in the series pastor noted that God has gifted the body of Christ with you, and the gifts and talents inside you have to be used for the body.

The enemy says we are not gifted or are not ready, but these are lies. Jesus called fishermen, a tax collector, and other ordinary men and women. The enemy works hard to declaw us and we must rebuke his lies in favor of the calling we have received.

As people, we need to refuel each day through diet and sleep. Sometimes we seek a quick boost of increased energy. This may be through caffeine, energy bars, and sometimes healthier choices like exercise and water.

Some people need a reason to live each day. Each of us individually and together become energized when doing what we are meant to be doing. Functioning in a healthy way can change during stages of each life. But God wants you to do what He has directed for you.

The Body of Christ is meant to be a producer... a multiplier. For the body to produce, each part of the body should be serving one another. Serving one another brings joy. Galatians 5:13-22.

Mark 2 and Luke 5 tell the story of a paralyzed man on mat who was dropped through the roof by his friends. He was healed and his sins forgiven. He could not get in the crowded house by himself and certainly, the Pharisees didn't serve or help him. The men carrying him were serving. Someone in your life needs to get to Jesus now. Are you willing to overcome the obstacles to get him to Jesus?

The Point: We need to be willing to dig through the roof to get another person into the presence of Jesus.

Our friendships and relationships help see us through life. Are we serving and sharing the Love of Christ in those relationships? Whatever our role is, it should match up with how God has gifted us.

Imagine an ad: “Roof diggers wanted.” God has a bigger plan for us at all times and especially in the last days. It may be someone's last day today.

This is a song for serving: The Servant’s Song.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 5:13-15 (NIV)
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.


Lord, I pray that you will use me to serve each day to those I come in contact with, in person or through extended contacts.

Some people may need extra reassurance in these days. I found this lovely song to remind us that our circumstances do not change what God has said:  What You Said

Audio Book Review: Identity Theft by Alana Terry

This is a quick listen with good suspense and nice faith elements.

Identity Theft:
An Alaskan Refuge Christian Suspense Novel
Written by Alana Terry
Narrated by Becky Doughty

Release Date: May 2, 2019
Publisher: Firstfruits Publishing
Run time: 4 hours and 6 minutes
Unabridged Audiobook
Genre: Christian, Romance, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

After losing her fiancé in a devastating accident, Lacy tries her best to move on in her small Alaska town. Rugged state trooper Kurtis and his four-year-old daughter help mend her heart — but can their new life together last when Lacy’s past comes back to haunt her? A riveting work of Christian suspense.

Review:
Lacy was a young college student when she witnessed the murder of her fiancé. She moved to a small town and has tried to move on. Lacy has formed a warm relationship with a local state trooper, Kurtis, and his young daughter. But Lacy just isn’t sure if she can take a step forward which would start with telling the secrets of her past to Kurtis. Lacy is thinking of making a move out of town, but Kurtis wants her to stay.

As she is trying to deal with her confusion, Lacy’s past makes a very unexpected appearance. This brings some joy but more confusion and new danger. How can she cope with her feelings and can she escape the dangers that are closing in?

I enjoyed the tone of this quick suspense. Although I like Lacy’s character, I was a little frustrated by her inability to resolve her uncertainties. Kurtis is a lovely resolute, male character. The story moves quickly and I enjoyed the suspense, the faith elements and the twist at the end. The romance is sweet and gentle. I recommend this as a quick read/listen to fans of Christian suspense and romance.

Audio Notes: Becky Doughty does an okay job with the narration. The voice adjustments are slight rather than clearly distinct character voices. The tone fits the story. I enjoyed the audio for the quick entertainment.

Source: 9/10/19 Chirp Audio Deal Purchase for $1.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook and 2020Alphabet goals.