Sunday Words of Encouragement May 31, 2020

Our church opened this morning with some members in person and some of us still online. I am still keeping my public associations limited to help protect myself and my husband.

Pastor continued his series “Better Together”. He noted that many people are introverts and mostly happy alone but others find energy when more people are around. Both of these types of people have been impacted by the Coronavirus stay at home orders.

We are all seeing the heart-wrenching events happening in Minnesota and other cities. Our people differences can be and should be beautiful. No one should be judged by the color of their skin. What can we do?

The Church has to lead where we live. Do our neighbors, everywhere, understand we are with them? There is injustice. That is a realty. The answer is found in Jesus. He cancels out the noise. Jesus says that we are to ‘love God and love our neighbor’. Mark 12:28-29, Matthew 22-37-40.

Loving God means loving people too. And even more, Jesus says love your enemies. Matthew 5:43-45.

What can you do to show loving better? Perception is reality.

1.  Listen better.
2.  Change the win. Loving people is the win.
3.  Don't just act differently. Be different.
4.  Pray for God to move in our nation.

Show love.

I found this video which I think fits the message and this week.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 5:43-45
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Lord, I pray that you bring peace among the rioters. Keep the innocent protestors and protectors safe. Help Your people to show Your love to all. 

Sharing Beyond Books #396 Comment Giveaway May 30, 2020

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.
Thanks to everyone who commented last week. I hope everyone is staying safe not only with COVID19 but also with the rioting in the US cities. The murder of George Floyd is horrible and very wrong. But the protests have gone well beyond seeking justice.

Eleven of us have different apps we like to use. Several mentioned social media apps particularly: Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Snapchat. Then there are several book apps: Audible, Goodreads, Libby/Overdrive, and Library apps. Also, a few practical use apps: Google Maps, Viber, fast food.

The Winner from SBB #395 comments is #2 Bookworm 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 #396

(One Question.)

Bookworm asks: What book has left a profound impact on you in some way??

I think the books that leave a profound impact on me tend to be Christian and/or prophetic like Jonathan Cahn's books, The End of America?. These books keep me mindful to pray and trust in my God who controls the universe.
Another book that I remember from years back is The Killer Angels about the Civil War. I find it so hard to think of that time of disunion. It makes me concerned about the extreme divisions we have in our country.

Image found at Iz Quotes.

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.
May comments were shared by Becky, Elizabeth and Bookworm who each get $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Bookworm asks: What book has left a profound impact on you in some way??

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, June 13, 2020, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Memory Man by David Baldacci

I like this detective with a mental edge.
Memory Man
By: David Baldacci
Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Orlagh Cassidy

Series: Amos Decker, Book 1
Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-21-15
Language: English
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Crime Action, Detective, Mystery
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
With over 110 million copies of his novels in print, David Baldacci is one of the most widely read storytellers in the world. Now he introduces a startling, original new character: a man with perfect memory who must solve his own family's murder.
MEMORY MAN
Amos Decker's life changed forever - twice.
The first time was on the gridiron. A big, towering athlete, he was the only person from his hometown of Burlington ever to go pro. But his career ended before it had a chance to begin. On his very first play, a violent helmet-to-helmet collision knocked him off the field for good and left him with an improbable side effect - he can never forget anything.
The second time was at home nearly two decades later. Now a police detective, Decker returned from a stakeout one evening and entered a nightmare - his wife, young daughter, and brother-in-law had been murdered.
His family destroyed, their killer's identity as mysterious as the motive behind the crime, and unable to forget a single detail from that horrible night, Decker finds his world collapsing around him. He leaves the police force, loses his home, and winds up on the street, taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator when he can.
But over a year later, a man turns himself in to the police and confesses to the murders. At the same time a horrific event nearly brings Burlington to its knees, and Decker is called back in to help with this investigation. Decker also seizes his chance to learn what really happened to his family that night. To uncover the stunning truth, he must use his remarkable gifts and confront the burdens that go along with them. He must endure the memories he would much rather forget. And he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Memory Man will stay with you long after the turn of the final tick.
©2015 David Baldacci (P)2015 Hachette Audio.

Review:
Amos Decker is a man who can’t forget – literally. A major hit in college ruined his football career and resulted in a photographic memory. Then he became a cop, working up to detective. Two decades later Amos returns home one night to find his brother, wife and ten-year-old daughter have been murdered. He won’t ever be able to forget the sight and he isn’t sure he wants to live with the memory. He falls into a bottle and ends up on the street as a sometimes private investigator.

A year later his life takes another twist. A man confesses to the murder of his family and Amos sneaks into the jail to interrogate him. He is able to slip in because a large portion of the police force has been pulled out to a horrific school shooting. Amos is pulled in to help with the investigation particularly because his partner and Captain also know that his keen eye and remarkable memory will pick up on details that others might miss. In addition to his partner, Amos gets help from the FBI and a civilian. An eager reporter, Alex Jamison, tries to get Amos to talk but when he refuses she writes a rather brutal report. After she realizes her error Alex becomes Amos’ biggest support.

As Amos uncovers clues, suddenly there is a clear indication that the events all tie into him and someone from his past. The killer seems to always be one step ahead. Will Amos be able to discover the identity and location of the killer before more of his friends are killed?

Amos is an interesting character and I liked the relationship that developed with Alex. The villain is diabolical and provides a trail of evil. I like Baldacci’s crisp writing that keeps the reader following the clues through Amos’ past. I liked the team that developed, and I liked Amos’ particular skills. I recommend this to readers who enjoy detective mysteries.

Audio Notes: Ron McLarty portrays the male characters while Orlagh Cassidy provides narration for the females. I wasn’t enthralled or distracted by the narration. It worked fine for me, especially since listening moves books faster for me than visual reading.

Source: December 2018 Audible Daily Deal $4.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 29, 2020

Happy Friday!
Our week was off-kilter after Monday off. :-)

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 May 22, 2020 Pick. There was no 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 were two titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from May 22, 2020 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC
and
BECKY gets Angel Creek through a block.

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.}

II thought this image is cute and fitting for spring puddles.
Image found at Plano 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 1,317+ 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!

Audible Book Review: After It Happened by Devon C. Ford

I enjoyed this post-apocalyptic (plague) story.

After It Happened
Publisher's Pack, Books 1 & 2
By: Devon C. Ford
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Series: After It Happened, Book 1-2
Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-05-17
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
This omnibus edition contains Survival (book 1) and Humanity (book 2) of the After It Happened series.
Survival, book 1:
Set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness which swept the country and left millions dead, the series follows the trials facing a reluctant hero, Dan, and the group he forms around him. They must battle the elements, find sufficient supplies and equipment to survive, and protect themselves against the most destructive force on the planet: other people.
Banding together those he found along the way, he has to fight to keep them safe.
To keep them alive. To survive.
Humanity, book 2:
The survivors have established a home, but they still have to face the brutality of human nature.
Not only do they have to survive, they must keep their humanity.
©2017 Devon C. Ford (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Review:
Dan is a man with a military and/or law enforcement background. He tends to be a loner but when society is decimated by a plague, Dan finds it hard not to try to help the rare people he finds wandering the streets or stores. The first person he meets is Neil who is unimpressive in size and fitness but has his own set of survivalist skills. One becomes two and they travel along until two become four and more.

As the small group builds they realize they need to find a place they can defend and rebuild. Each new member is assigned to a task group: gardening, cooking, cleaning, scavenging, military, etc. Not every person is prepared to contribute their share of work and some might become disgruntled. Can Dan and the other leaders keep the group safe and provide for all needs?

There are other groups forming who are more interested in taking then building. And somewhere underground is a bunker of politicians expecting to emerge to take control. It is a dangerous time for survival.

I liked how this opened, capturing my interest, and holding it all the way through. I like Dan as a taciturn loner who becomes the quiet fierce protector of the slowly growing community. Another primary and interesting character is a ten-year-old Leah who becomes Dan’s shadow protégé. This has a good combination of survival and society rebuilding issues, defensive actions (with weapons explained), and a touch of romance. I will definitely be getting the next bundle (books 3 and 4) in the series soon. I recommend this to readers who enjoy the post-apocalyptic genre.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is an excellent narrator in this and other sci-fi genres. He brings the various characters to life and helps the listener become immersed in the story. I love listening to Bray and he adds to this story.

Source: 2017 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.