Sunday Words of Encouragement July 4, 2021

We attended service online again this morning. Pastor continued his message in Romans titled “Undisputed”.

God is the Undisputed Authority of it ALL. The further you zoom out looking at the universe the more undisputed is God’s power and creation. His wisdom is undisputed. Time exists in Him, not in our time or understanding.

We all face obstacles: time, resources, energy, motivation, people, pride, fear, access, authority, … The enemy puts obstacles in the way or we have our own obstacles. Other obstacles we don’t always think about. God may put some in place. God confounded languages to stop the building of the Tower of Babel.

When we experience a major obstacle how do we react? Turn back, go around, go over, seek help? Seek God? Do we deal with it in our own logic or do we seek God’s guidance? Why is the obstacle there? Has God allowed the obstacle for a purpose? Is the obstacle an opportunity?

People who try to get right by keeping the law always fail. They can only get right by faith! Enthusiasm is misguided zeal. Romans 9:25-33.

Paul makes a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Jews seeking to live by the law rejected Christ as savior. Gentiles found it easier to believe by faith. Romans 10:1-13. Paul tells us “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Romans 10:4.

Paul shares what he learned on the road to Damascus. Acts 26:15-18. Jesus said to Paul (then Saul) ‘It is useless for you to fight against my will.’(“Kicking against the goads.”) Acts 26:14.

The obstacle for the Jews was trying to live by the Law. Romans 9:32. They were stuck there and wouldn’t accept Christ. The obstacle for Gentiles was being second class citizens, but the message removed that obstacle and allowed them to accept Christ by faith.

We have to learn to deal with the obstacle. When someone chooses to reject Jesus, they are choosing to pay their own penalty instead of accepting the payment Jesus paid on the cross.

THE POINT: Our natural response to an obstacle is to find a way around, but we need to deal with it. When we do, God is able to direct us into His will.

What is the rock in your way? Sin, your own independence, leading on our own wisdom instead of God’s, fear? Identify the obstacle and ask God to deal with it. It is useless to fight against God’s Will. Surrender to God.

This is the song I found for this morning: Let Go, Let God!

Verses for Today:
Romans:10:4 and 10 NIV.
4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

God, I give thanks that you paid the price for my sin through the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice. Help me to walk in Your Will each day!

MBS June 2021 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2021 Reading List - JUNE

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; 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 =  Out, Mouse!
4.75 Stars =  Day Zero
4.5 Stars = Old Abe, THe Library of the Dead, After it Happened Pack 2, Full Share

1. NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Out, Mouse! by Valerie L. Egar; Genre: Children's, Folk Tales, Mice, Multicultural; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 5.0; Narration 5.0.
2. NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Old Abe by John Cribb Genre: Biographical, Historical Fiction; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.
3. NG2020- #NetGalley Book Review: Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill; Genre: Dystopian, Robots, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0.
4. NG2021- #NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu; Genre: Ghosts, Urban Fantasy; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Sovereign by Jeff Hirsch; Genre: Adventure, Children's Audiobooks, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Space; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3.75; Narration 4.0.
6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: After It Happened, Publisher's Pack 2, by Devon C. Ford; Genre: Adventure, Post Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.
7. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Quest for the Diamond Sword by Winter Morgan; Genre: Adventure, Children, Computer Game; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3.75; Narration 4.25.
8. A2021- Audio Book Review: Apocalypse by Kyle West; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, YA/Teen; My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3. 5; Narration 3.75.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Full Share by Nathan Lowell; Genre: Space Opera, Trading; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.5; Narration 4.5.
10. A2021- Audio Book Review: Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel; Genre: Cyperpunk, Fantasy Gaming, Post-apocalyptic, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.25.
11. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Dragon Planet by Dan Wells; Genre: Children's Audiobooks, Science Fiction & Fantasy; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 11
TBR = 6
New Authors = 8
Audio/Audible = 10 (5 TBRs)
NetGalley = 4 (includes 3 audios) (1 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 0
Nonfiction = 0
eBook = 0 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)


Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 76 of 124
TBR to Date: 59 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 54 of 64
NetGalley to Date: 20 of 24
Author Reviews: 7 of 12
Nonfiction: 7 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 7 of 24
• Series: 45 (14 continuing, 31 new)
• New to me Series: 31 (11 Yes to continue; 8 likely to continue, 8 maybe, unlikely 4)
• Finished for me Series: 0

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 2 of 4: Winter, Spring
• Color in title: 6 of 8: Red, Black, Gold, Blue, Blonde, Diamond (if diamond is considered a color?)
• Alphabet letters covered: 26 Mixed media: 10 Jan + 6 Feb + 2 March + 1 April + 2 May + 2 June (23 of 26) Remaining: K, V, and Z
• Alphabet letters covered: 26 Audio only (not the same): 1 Jan + 4 Feb + 7 March + 5 April + 4 May + 1 June (22 of 26) Remaining: I, N, V and X

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 2, 2021

Happy Friday! I am looking forward to celebrating our Independence Day and my hubby's BD. I hope everyone has a safe and fine weekend.

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 June 25, 2021 Pick. There were no automatic wins last week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from June 25, 2021 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC

AND
NATALIA 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 is a list of children's books appropriate to celebrating America's Independence Day.
Image found at Redeemed Reader.

New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three Audio CD Books:
Web of Evil by J.A. Jance
One Good Deed by David Baldacci
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale
A Summer of Firsts by Susan Wiggs and Sarah Morgan
Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane
Christmas on 4th Street: An Anthology by Susan Mallery
The Stranger by Harlan Coben
Vortex by Robert Charles Wilson


New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
When We Met by Susan Mallery
Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
All of Me by Lori Wilde

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder
The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman Audiobook

PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence
Inner Harbor and
Chesapeake Blue


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES

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

SINGLES:
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

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
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
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One 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 TEN years I have posted 91 groups of 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling 1,477 books available to find new homes! (As of November 6, 2020).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,365 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, TWRP, 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: Dragon Planet by Dan Wells

This is fun, easy listening, good for middle graders.

Dragon Planet
By: Dan Wells
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller, Steve Rimpici, full cast
Series: The Zero Chronicles, Book 2

Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Science Fiction & Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
The much-anticipated sequel to Zero G and the middle grade debut by Dan Wells.
The colonists from the Pathfinder have arrived on Kaguya, a planet with low gravity but a very dense atmosphere. It’s fun to jump around, but the air makes you loopy. Even worse than that, the heavy atmosphere means that wind storms, although rare, are absolutely devastating.
Zero and Nyx help to get everything locked down before the first big storm, but they stumble onto a group of thieves who have stolen some mining equipment. Before the kids have a chance to get away and tell anyone, the storm hits and the massive winds carry them far away. Zero and Nyx are stranded on an unknown planet with no way to communicate, being chased by thieves, and with another storm bearing down on them.
And, oh yeah, this planet has dragons.
It will take more than just good luck to get back to the colony. It’s going to take science.
©2019 Dan Wells (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
Zero and Nyx have arrived on the planet Kaguya where the gravity is low and a dense atmosphere. They are told the colonists will be living in shelters to protect them from the unknowns of the planet and the big wind storms that ravage the surface. The young people are skeptical about the planet until they get excited seeing a dragon outside the windows. The adults are alarmed by the damage the dragon does to a digger, an important piece of equipment. They are more disturbed when they realize that another digger is missing and was apparently not loaded on the ship.

The kids decide to investigate and soon stumble onto the thieves. Before they can escape, the kids and thieves are blown away from base by the heavy winds. Zero and Nyx find themselves in a strange, beautiful but frightening world. They have to be careful what they touch and what they eat while running from the twisted thieves and racing to get back to base before another storm hits.

Okay – so it is not so realistic that two children can manage on a strange planet, but it is fun. And the author makes it particularly interesting by having the kids use their knowledge of basic science principles to solve dilemmas. I really enjoyed this aspect. I enjoyed this second book a bit more than book one. The world building was well done and I look forward to reading the next book. I recommend this for middle grade students and adults who like light, sci fi listening.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller, Steve Rimpici, and a cast of other narrators make the listening fun. There is background sound that also enhances the story. This is a fun story in audio.

Source: August 2020 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Zero G By: Dan Wells, Book 1 My Rating 3.75.

Audio Book Review: Radioactive Evolution by Richard Hummel

I liked this action story with a dragon companion.
Radioactive Evolution
Written by Richard Hummel
Narrated by Armen Taylor & Anneliese Rennie

Release Date: November 15, 2018
Publisher: Hummel Books
Genre: Cyperpunk, Fantasy Gaming, Post-apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
How far would you go to change humanity's fate?
Jared Cartwright grew up in a loving, caring community, completely isolated from the horrors of the outside world. When tragedy leaves him alone and untethered, Jared sets out to explore the unknown: a world where twisted, scarred creatures roam an earth ravaged by nuclear war while the rich fled to the skies on floating utopias, escaping destruction and leaving the rest of humanity to die.
To face his new reality, Jared must learn to survive in a cold, harsh world. A twist of fate changes Jared's destiny when he discovers dragons are real. The dragon unlocks a hidden technology within his body, giving him powers he never imagined existed.
With deadly adversaries above and below, he must evolve beyond mere human limitations to defeat the powerful rulers of the cities and the rabid beasts lurking in the shadows.
Amazon number-one best seller in Post-Apocalyptic & Cyberpunk!
©2018 Richard Hummel (P)2019 Richard Hummel

Review:
Jared is a lone explorer in a post-apocalyptic world that is full of ravaged cities and twisted creatures. The elites who survived live in floating cities far above the radiated earth. Jared scavenges for supplies, including food, weapons and nanite injectors. The nanite injectors are necessary to preserve the nanotechnology within the humans which corrupts over time.

Jared descends into the tunnels of the city (once New York) following another explorer. After facing off with giant lizards, Jared finds the explorer buried in a pile of what appears to be a nest. Jared snags the pack of the other explorer and an unusual object with radiating heat. He fights his way out of the tunnels to his safe space. There he uncovers secrets about the nanotechnology and, more importantly, he inadvertently bonds with a newborn dragon! The dragon, nicknamed Scarlet, can share nanotechnology with Jared providing him the opportunity to increase his physical and mental skills so that each has super powers.

Having bonded, Jared and Scarlet have to agree to help each other’s species rather than be enemies. They set off to find other surviving humans who can be recruited to bond with dragons, or other creatures. Once they have a force the plan is to challenge one of the sky cities. The pair fight off and escape from enemies ultimately saving a strange community of water people.

This story has a definite LitRPG vibe with plenty of mutated creatures, such as killer bunnies, to battle, and nanites and powers to be absorbed and assigned to increase (‘level up’) skills. Jared is a surprising survivor considering his naivety. I enjoyed the relationship between Jared and Scarlet who communicate through telepathy and share their growth journeys. The writing kept me engaged even though it is not complex. The world building is good with lots of strange creatures. I do want to read/listen to the next book in the series. I recommend this to fans of action and fantasy gaming.

Audio Notes: Armen Taylor & Anneliese Rennie make a good narration team. I liked both voices and energy for the characters. I hope they will be the narrators for the next book which I plan to get on audio.

Source: October 2020 Chirp $2.99. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.