Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 6, 2021

Happy Friday! A week of August moving on!

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 July 30, 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 July 30, 2021 Pick:
CHRISTY gets Jezebel

AND
ASHFA 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.}

I used to love reading on a boat. Good Memories.
Image found at Image.

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 1,369 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: The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

This is nice but not as good as I had expected/hoped.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Warwick Davis, Noma Dumezweni, Jason Isaacs, Jude Law, Evanna Lynch, Sally Mortemore, Bonnie Wright

Series: Wizarding World, Wizarding World Length: 1 hr and 35 mins
Release date: 03-31-20
Publisher: Pottermore Publishing
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Content 3.5; Narration 4.0.

About This Audible Audiobook
Performed by talented actors from across the Wizarding World, this is the first ever audiobook edition of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which was originally written in 2007 by J.K. Rowling and has raised money for her children's charity Lumos ever since.
As familiar to Hogwarts students as "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty" are to Muggle children, Beedle's stories are a collection of popular fairy tales written for young witches and wizards. So, if you're wondering what's in store in this brand-new audio edition…well, your ears are in for a treat.
Once you've checked this fabulous Hogwarts Library book out, you'll start by hearing the author's introduction, read by Sally Mortemore (librarian Madam Pince from the Harry Potter films). Then it's time for the tales to begin…
• You'll laugh along to "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot" as you listen to the havoc wreaked by a father's impish gift to his son, read by Warwick Davis (Professor Flitwick—Harry Potter films).
• "The Fountain of Fair Fortune" will take you on a quest through an enchanted garden, alongside three witches and a luckless knight, read by Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood—Harry Potter films).
• In "The Warlock's Hairy Heart", you'll be warned about a young warlock who is fearful of love, and turns to dark magic to avoid it at all costs, read by Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy—Harry Potter films).
• The calamitous meeting of a foolish king, a cunning charlatan and a mischievous washerwoman unravels in "Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump", read by Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley—Harry Potter films).
• And finally, the most iconic of Beedle's stories. "The Tale of the Three Brothers"—with its message of humility and wisdom—will introduce you, dear listener, to the Deathly Hallows, read by Noma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger—Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, London's West End and New York's Broadway).
Each of the tales is accompanied by wise and whimsical notes from a certain Albus Dumbledore, surely everyone's favorite headmaster, read by Jude Law (Albus Dumbledore—Fantastic Beasts films).
We're told these five fables have been firm favorites in wizarding households for centuries, and now it's your turn to experience these tales from the Wizarding World, as you've never heard them before.
©2008 J.K. Rowling (P)2020 J.K. Rowling/Pottermore Publishing

Review:
I was looking forward to this as a revisit to creatures and possibly characters from the Harry Potter series. There are five new (though the themes aren’t new) fairytale stories which I did enjoy. I think my favorite was the first, "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot", both for its whimsy, irony and wisdom. The other stories themselves are okay.

Following each tale is a commentary by Albus Dumbledore – narrated by Jude Law. Although the commentary is a bit interesting, adding historical context, I found it dry and boring. I can’t imagine a child finding this engaging. Maybe I am not enough of an avid Potter fan, as I felt these parts of the short audio made it less interesting. It is a plus that sale proceeds go to what appears to be a worthy charity. But, frankly, I am glad I got the book for free. I am sure diehard fans will want to read this.

Audio Notes: I liked the various narrators and the sound effects. Those added to the audio for me and made it an easier listen.

Source: 2/29/2020 Free Audible. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post August 1, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday August 2, 2021

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 will see the doctor on Tuesday and, HOPEFULLY!, she will be able to return to work. She has done minimal working one handed on the computer and it will be good to have her back.

I completed two of the three multi million dollar commercial transactions with one funded and one funding on Monday. The third is set to close Friday. Then I need to catch up on my litigation files again.

I find bromeliads such interesting plants. They have wonderfully colorful blooms.

The rain stopped mid week so we haven't been able to test the roof repair yet.
I went to go out to office Saturday and outside was 95 degrees. The car was hotter.
This coming week we are supposed to rain showers every week.

I am enjoying my audio listening and I finished two shorter titles and am far into a long one.
I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I visited 18 blogs again last week.
Shout Out this week to JHOHADLI. I love the bright colors of Joanne's books as shown in her header.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post July 25, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday July 26, 2021.

• A2021- Audible Book Review: A Long Time Until Now by Michael Z. Williamson; Genre: Adventure, Alternate History, Military, Time Travel; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 30, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 8/5/2021.

• Author2021- Book Review: The Alchemy Thief by R.A. Denny; Genre: 17th Century History, Morocco History, Suspense, Time Travel; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement August 1, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Tales of Beedle the Bard
By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Warwick Davis, Noma Dumezweni, Jason Isaacs, Jude Law, Evanna Lynch, Sally Mortemore, Bonnie Wright
Length: 1 hr and 35 mins
Release date: 03-31-20
This is nice but not as good as I had expected.
Source: 2/29/2020 Free Audible.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Cloak Games: Thief Trap
Written by Jonathan Moeller
Narrated by Meghan Kelly
This is a good mix of mystery and magic.
Source: 4/18/2020 Free at Chirp.
Publisher Description
In 2013, a gate to another world opened, and Elves used their magic to conquer Earth, crushing all resistance before them.
Three hundred years after the Conquest, the exiled Elven High Queen rules an orderly but stagnant Earth, with humanity forced to fight in the High Queen’s war against the traitors on the Elven homeworld.
Nadia Moran doesn’t care about that. She doesn’t care about the High Queen, or the Rebels seeking to overthrow her. All she cares about is getting her baby brother the treatments he needs to recover from his potentially fatal disease…and those treatments have a steep price.
Fortunately, Nadia has magic of her own, and she’s a very, very good thief.
Unfortunately, the powerful Elven lord Morvilind has a hold on Nadia. If she doesn’t follow his commands, her brother is going to die.
Of course, given how dangerous Morvilind’s missions are, Nadia might not live long enough to see her brother’s death…

Currently Reading:
1. Print (2021)

The Iron Triangle: Inside the Liberal Democrat Plan to Use Race to Divide Christians and America in their Quest for Power and How We Can Defeat Them
by Vince Everett Ellison
I get dismayed by the betrayal of the African American community as I read this. I have stickies every few pages. I am at 80% so I do expect to finish this week.
Source: Purchased in March 2021.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Winds of Wrath
Destroyermen Series, Book 15
By: Taylor Anderson
Narrated by: P.J. Ochlan
Length: 24 hrs and 48 mins
Release date: 06-09-20
This is a longer audiobook which I have held off listening to because it is the final book in a series I have totally enjoyed.
I'm at 75% already.
Source: May 2020 Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
Matt Reddy and the crew of the USS Walker are positioned to push the line of battle to the breaking point on an alternate Earth, in the thrilling return to the New York Times best-selling Destroyermen series.
Matt Reddy and his sailors have fought, bled, and died for their Lemurian friends and other allies from across time, but their enemies are still operational. In Africa, the Grik General Esshk has escaped defeat to build a new army and new weapons, and is desperate enough to use them to destroy the world if he can't have it.
In South America, the NUS, General Shinya, and the Army of the Sisters have the evil Dominion on the ropes and are closing in on the seat of its blood-drenched power, but the twisted Don Hernan has struck a deal with the fascist League, and Victor Gravois is finally assembling the awesome fleet of modern ships he's always craved. If he's successful, the war will be lost.
Undermined by treachery on a stunning scale, Matt Reddy must still steam his battered old ship halfway around the world, scraping up what forces he can along the way, and confront the mightiest armada the world has ever seen in a fiery duel to the death.
©2020 Taylor Anderson (P)2020 Tantor

3. ebook/NetGalley App on Phone (NG2021)

The Keepers
by Jeffrey B. Burton
I'm not too far in but I am enjoying this already.
(Seen at Inside of a Dog.)
Source: NetGalley 7/11/2021.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/Smartphone (ATBR)

Hour of Need
Scarlet Falls, Book 1
By: Melinda Leigh
Narrated by: Cris Dukehart
Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 12-09-14
I decided to pick a mystery from my TBR shelf.
Source: 12/13/2019 Audible Member Sale $5.24
Publisher's Summary
A 2015 Daphne du Maurier Award finalist from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.
While fighting in Afghanistan, Major Grant Barrett receives devastating news: his brother and sister-in-law have been murdered in Scarlet Falls, the sleepy suburb of Grant’s youth. Emotionally scarred from war, the career soldier returns home on emergency leave to temporarily care for his orphaned nephew and niece. But when someone tries to kidnap the kids and their teenage babysitter, Grant knows it’s not a random act…and neither were the murders.
Already devastated by her neighbors’ violent deaths, Ellie Ross is shattered by the attempted abduction of her teenage daughter so she desperately turns to Grant for help. As they navigate a deadly search for the truth, they struggle with growing feelings for each other and Grant’s impending return to Afghanistan.
But time is running out. The killer is growing bolder by the hour, and Ellie and Grant must find him before the children become his next victims.
Bestselling author Melinda Leigh delivers another gritty mystery simmering with spine-tingling passion in this first Scarlet Falls novel.
©2014 Melinda Leigh (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

August 1, 2021 - I remain on track. I love seeing new things each time I read the Bible. I am glad to still be current with morning reading. I am reading/listening to the NLT Tyndale version of the Bible on You Version App so Hubby and I are reading the same passages each day.
I have a couple more days in the nine day study: What If Christianity Isn't What You Think?

I completed two books to review this week.
NetGalley shelf is at four - 3 old and one new.  And I forgot to post a couple of weeks ago that I had reached 95% feedback on the NetGalley shelf!
Now five author titles are in queue. I'll be working on these next soon.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
More Audios for me this week.
No new review book again this week.
Four purchased books: 2 on sale at Audible and 2 for 1 credit at Audiobooks.com.
One Free VIP audio pick at Audiobooks.com.
Prime free ebook and three 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

7/29/2021 Audiobooks.com 2 for 1 Credit Deal

The Royal Wulff Murders
By Keith McCafferty
Narrated By: Rick Holmes
Duration: 10 h 28 min

The Gray Ghost Murders
By Keith McCafferty
Narrated By: Rick Holmes
Duration: 9 h 35 min



7/30/2021 Sale $5.00 each at Audible:

Live Free or Die
America (and the World) on the Brink
By: Sean Hannity
Narrated by: Sean Hannity
Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
I have this in print but know I can listen faster than read.

The Nothing Girl
The Frogmorton Farm Series, Book 1
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis
Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
I like this author and bought this on sale instead of a credit for a book under $16.
I keep thinking I have read this but I didn't find it on my Goodreads. I must have read an exerpt because it seems familiar.

Free

7/29/2021 Audiobooks.com VIP:

Moonshine & Magic
Written By: Bella Falls
Narrated By: Johanna Parker
Duration: 7 h 59 min
I actually picked this due to the narrator. :-)


I selected my July Amazon Prime free First Reads book:
Mrs. Rochester's Ghost: A Thriller
Lindsay Marcott

I got three free Kindle titles again this week:
Freehold (Freehold Series Book 1)
Michael Z. Williamson  (Just recently finished a book by this author.)

Charlock's Secret: A time travel romance (Charlock Series Book 1)
Leah Moyes  (Directed from Facebook link.)

A Novel Death: a Danger Cove Bookshop Mystery (Danger Cove Mysteries Book 10)
Ellie Ashe, Elizabeth Ashby (This link came through a newsletter.)

Other Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement August 1, 2021

We had thought about attending church this morning to share in the five-year celebration of our current Pastor and his family. Unfortunately, Hubby was exposed to Covid on Tuesday and has felt like he has been fighting a low grade fever so we thought it best to stay home.

Five years ago our Pastor expressed his goals as building relationships with God, one another and the community. That matched what our congregation was looking for.

Pastor continued his sermon series: Undisputed.
Pastor asked the congregation to pick what they consider an extraordinary “Beautiful Thing”. My response was “God’s Creation”. Many others mentioned nature, sunrise, sunset, rainbows, trees, ocean waves. Also, babies, families, and more. An old car may be a beautiful thing to an almost 16-year-old.

Pastor expressed that “the church” is a beautiful thing. Especially the church when it is functioning as it is meant to be. Like a beautiful, comforting handmade quilt. But when things aren’t functioning as they should (like an old car that isn’t running), isn’t as beautiful.

The early New Testament church was a beautiful thing – sold out for the cause of Christ. They were ready to sacrifice for their testimony. They had enthusiasm to share – food, comfort, caring, and the Word of God. Colossians 1:1-6.

Paul describes the beautiful church in Colossians 3:1-4, 12-18. A beautiful church is one that is laser focused on Jesus, not the things of this world.

Do we really understand that our ultimate life isn’t here in this world but is found in eternity – a life with God. It doesn’t matter who you are or your station in life. What matters is your relationship with God, your faith and commitment to that faith. Why are we here if the population between heaven and hell doesn’t change?

Outside [of the church], the population isn’t marked by people that are representatives of Jesus and have a love for people that says, “I have something to give you. It’s Good News!” Followers of Christ have a message to bring the world.

Bring your best to Christ. The Church is more than a social club. Share with others to change the population between heaven and hell. We get to decide who we will be. Will we be “the beautiful church”.

I looked through my long song list and added more while looking for a video for today.
This one is what I chose as fitting: Lose My Soul!

Verses for Today:
Colossians 3:14-17
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Lord, I pray, again, that You help me keep the right focus!

Book Review: The Alchemy Thief by R.A. Denny

This is an engaging time travel that leads to a second story.

The Alchemy Thief
by R.A. Denny

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B094BXYC7G
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 16, 2021
File size ‏ : ‎ 3662 KB
Genre: 17th Century History, Morocco History, Suspense, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

When the secrets of the past threaten to destroy the future.
A tale of hope, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a woman, this sweeping epic spans the Atlantic from New England to Morocco during the Age of Exploration.
2019: A young woman finds a relic engraved with a mysterious symbol off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. Terrorists in Morocco steal a 17th-century book engraved with the same symbol. As the woman struggles to unravel the secrets behind the symbol, her life changes in ways she could never have imagined.
1657: Transported back in time, she meets the alchemist, John Winthrop, Jr. who is plotting to lure the greatest scientific minds to the New World. But the more she learns, the more she fears for the lives of the loved ones she left behind.
In a stunning twist of fate, a modern terrorist has traveled into the past, where he has become a Barbary Corsair. He has plans of his own. And he will stop at nothing to succeed.

Review:
Experience “Peri” is a young college student from Massachusetts who snuck away with a friend to visit Morocco. She and her friend met a young boy who guided them into a museum where she saw an old 17th-century manuscript before a true guard threw them out. After returning home she is befriended by a handsome young man who seems interested in the bodkin she wears in her hair. She found the antique piece, with its unique symbol, off the beach one day.

In Morocco the book is stolen by a young Arab boy, Ayoub, and his mother, both of whom are willing to sacrifice in order to take out the infidels. Ayoub escapes and discovers a strange needle inside the cover of the book which he pockets before delivering the book as instructed. The men he delivers the book to toss him into the water and suddenly Ayoub is caught up in a ball of light. When he awakes he is a long way from home. He becomes a cabin boy on a pirate ship which isn’t much different from the streets where he grew up accustomed to being surrounded by brutality and killing. Ayoub has knowledge of technology in the future but that may not help him survive in 1647.

Meanwhile, Peri, has found a job as a Puritan guide for a facility at Plymouth Bay. One morning a strange storm blows up and Peri is caught into a ball of light. She drops into the water and is rescued by men in period clothing. As shocking as it is, she finds herself rescued by an American Indian and delivered to a Puritan community in 1657.

Peri enjoys her friendships with the young Puritan women, including one who is her great, great something grandmother. She also makes friends with two young men from the local Wampanoag tribe who have converted to Christians. Peri is able to discuss books and science with one of these men, her rescuer, Daniel. Peri learns that she might find a way home through the alchemist work of John Winthrop, Jr. and is thrilled to go with Daniel when he is offered the opportunity to study with Winthrop.

As the plot develops, the connections between the two time “travelers” becomes clearer. The past and current day connections begin to be clear also. But the question remains whether Peri can stop a terrorist attack either by returning to the future or changing events in the past.

Initially the story is a bit confusing, but it didn’t take too long before the threads began to weave together. The author has clearly done a wonderful job of researching the history of the time, the people and unique details. Denny does a great job of mixing facts with an interesting fiction that has elements of science, suspense, and a touch of romance. Although I found the story engaging and it has an ending, it is not concluded but moves into a sequel. I have mixed feelings about that. I do recommend this to readers who enjoy time travel elements, and 17th Century settings. Just be forewarned that the story continues.

Source: Author review request. This qualifies for 2021 Author Review goal.