Sunday Words of Encouragement December 19, 2021

Hubby and I were both feeling “puny” this morning and slept in. I woke up at 10am to follow our service online. He didn’t wake until 11:30.

Pastor continued his series: “Heaven is Here”.
One theme that permeates Christmas stories and movies, classic and contemporary, is Christmas power. The belief that Christmas magic and Christmas miracles can happen!
For the Christ follower, the origination of that power and belief is the power of Christ, the power of the Spirit.

The Angels, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men saw the power in the baby Jesus.
Zechariah was an old man when the angel of the Lord told him that he and Elizabeth would have a child with a special role. Luke 1:5-17. Zechariah was filled with the spirit and when John was born, Zechariah prophesied of redemption and John as a great prophet. Luke 1:62-80.

We have the same power today if we are filled with the Spirit. Acts 1:8. Do we stop and take time to pray for our family, our children, our friends? We can do that. We should be doing that. Even as simple as a quick prayer for blessing or, if they aren’t saved, pray that they would accept Christ before the year’s end.

Use our mouths and guard our mouths. Keep us from speaking negative statements. Urge us to speak words of healing, forgiveness, life, blessings, and salvation over those we come in contact with.

It is not about Christmas magic. It is about God’s power.

The Point: Heaven is here; God’s Power is Here!

I went through a few songs this morning and I like this one to fit this season.
I Still Believe in Christmas.

Verses for Today:
Luke 1:67-70 NIV
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a horn[c] of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),


Lord, please keep me mindful that Your Spirit dwells in me. Help me to always speak Your message. Help me share with others that Heaven is Here.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 17, 2021

Happy Friday! 8 days until Christmas!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.

UGH - another week went by. Maybe tomorrow I can send out GCs and pull the book mailings. :-/

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 December 10, 2021 Pick. There was no automatic win last 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 last week.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from December 10, 2021 Pick:
BN100 gets The Hollows
AND
LINDA 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.}

Books are part of Christmas and part of Life!
Image found at Pinterest Bookbub.com.

New Book Box #95 November 7, 2021

I'll add the titles through the week (16 including 2 doubles, 1 pair).
(on top) (Two) Rancher's Wild Secret and Hold Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates
(on top) Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
(Two) The Taming & The Conquest by Jude Deveraux
(Pair) Dreaming of You and Promises of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
What We Find by Robyn Carr
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
The Hollows by Ben Larken
Robbie Taggart: Highland Sailor by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella
Storm Sisters: Friends Through All Seasons by Afton Rovrik (Hardback)
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


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.)
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 TWELVE years I have posted 91 groups of mostly 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling approximately 1,535 books available to find new homes! (As of November 26, 2021).

I am happy to say that so far at least 1,385 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: Deathbeast by David Gerrold

This is tough reading with a little bit of philosophizing.
Deathbeast
By: David Gerrold
Narrated by: Andy Caploe

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Release date: 05-14-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi, Time Travel, Vintage
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Timebeam to danger
Six hunters and two official guides are going on the trip of their lifetime. Their destination? Earth as it was 100 million years ago, long before human dominion, when the great hot-blooded dinosaurs ruled supreme.
Each of the time travelers has a different motive. Some are on the strange safari for pay. Others are taking a psychological and sexual holiday from civilization. There are women who wanted to show themselves the equal of men - and men out to test and prove their manhood.
But whatever their drives and desires, their strengths and weaknesses, the ultimate horror awaits them...deathbeast.
©1978, 1999, 2014 David Gerrold (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Review:
Of course, it must be exciting to travel to prehistoric times and the ultimate challenge to hunt dinosaurs. Not just any dinosaur, but, if the group is lucky, the king of dinosaurs, the T Rex. The official guides are supposed to be in charge and try to discourage the hunters from specifically hunting the T Rex. The chartered event is of to a rough start when they land on an large predator who wasn't spotted on the scanners. After trampling a lot of the specialized equipment, the safari sets out in search of more predators. Fortunately for the macho, enhanced warrior leader of the hunters, Ethab, the group stumbles upon a T Rex the first night. When one of his friends falls prey and a female hunter goes catatonic, Ethab becomes obsessed (think Moby Dick) to take down the ‘Deathbeast’.

There is plenty of hunting action, if rather ineffective. Humans hunt, become prey and get eaten. The head guide is professional but soon loses control. The second guide has a snarky wit trying to cover his insecurities. The hunting team members have different motives and less sense than you would think experienced hunters should have. Each member of the hunting crew has their own character foibles and flaws. There is a side thread of sexual undertone that, in my opinion, diminishes the story. As the number of the group dwindle, the survivors have the opportunity to ponder who is the greatest beast as they philosophize on life.

The story is dark and moves from alarming to grim with some roll-your-eyes scenes sprinkled in. Although it was different from what I expected, I did find the prehistoric world and detailed creature descriptions quite interesting. I didn’t realize that this was originally released in 1978 so the descriptions were based on information available then. Since this is a vintage sci fi, I am glad I got to listen to it for free. Fans of classic sci fi might want to give this a try.

Audio Notes: Andy Caploe does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices and portrays the gruesomeness of the deaths. I am glad I was able to do a quick listen.

Source: November 2021 Audible Plus Catalog - in library only until 12/30. This qualifies for 2021Audiobook goal.

Sunday Post December 12, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 13, 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.

I am starting to stress (just a little) about trying to get much done before the end of year.
I have three new appointments for four days this coming week although the work will likely have to wait until 2022. I have a hotly contested trial coming up in mid January and have to plan on probably two to three days in preparation time.
At least I did most of my Christmas shopping this weekend - GCs with a few specific items too.

♪'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas'♫.
I missed getting my nails done for October so mid November I went straight to holiday nails. I really love this simple holiday design!

It looks like we will have nice weather this week with temperatures from low of 45 to high of 80. I am enjoying wearing my seasonal tops. I may not get cold weather to wear my holiday sweaters.

I enjoyed my listening last week but only finished one audiobook. I posted two reviews and my usual memes.

I only visited 12 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to ONE READER'S THOUGHTS. Emma says: "When I’m done with a book, I’ll share my thoughts, good, bad or indifferent. The books might be new, old, fiction or non-fiction."

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 December 5, 2021/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 6, 2021.

• MBS November 2021 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Ranch: Jack Sterlings Legacy by Sean Liscom; Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 10, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/16/2021.

• ATBR- Audio Book Review: Mistletoe Miracles by Jodi Thomas; Genre: Christmas, Contemporary Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

• Sharing Beyond Books #436 Comment Giveaway December 11, 2021. Open Worldwide. Ending JANUARY 8, 2022.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 12, 2021.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

Deathbeast
By: David Gerrold
Narrated by: Andy Caploe
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
This is tough reading with a little bit of philosophizing.
Source: November 2021 Audible Plus Catolog - in library only until 12/30.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

The Brass Queen
By: Elizabeth Chatsworth
Narrated by: Michelle Babb
Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
This has been a fun listen.
I have 2.5 hours remaining.
Source: 11/28/21 Audible Code from narrator.
Click on book title for full description.

2. ebook/Kindle App on Phone (ebTBR)

A Place Called Armageddon: Constantinople 1453
by C.C. Humphreys
Not much progress this week, but I still like this. I do wish that my kindle reading time was more stable -sometimes it opens and sometimes it doesn't.
Source: 2012 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/Smartphone (A2021)

Every Day in December
By: Kitty Wilson
Narrated by: Katy Sobey, Joe Jameson
Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
I'm ready for another holiday romance.
Source: 11/30/2021 Audible Book Sale $5.00
Publisher's Summary
Two people. One month to fall in love.
Belle Wilde loves December. Yes, she’s just lost her job, and Christmas is not a good time to find yourself ‘financially challenged’. And yes, her parents are still going on about the fact that she really should have it all together by now. But Belle believes that in December, magic can happen.
Rory Walters hates December. Whilst it looks like his life is together, he’s still reeling from a winter’s night five years ago when his life changed forever. Now back at home, he’s certain that this will be yet another Christmas to endure rather than enjoy.
But as midnight on December 31st draws closer, Belle and Rory’s time together is coming to an end. With a little help from a Christmas miracle, could Belle find the one thing she really wants underneath the mistletoe?
©2021 Kitty Wilson (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

With only a few weeks left in the year, I hope to get in a few more Christmas books and not sure what else.

December 12, 2021 - I continue on track, enjoying Amos, Revelation, Psalms and Proverbs. 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 finished Anticipating Christmas: A 5-Day Advent Plan this week.

I completed only one book for review to post this week.
My NetGalley shelf now has two old ebooks titles and one new audio.
I still have two author titles remaining in queue. Looks like they will go into 2022.
(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.

Totally empty mailbox for me this past week! No time this past week to be searching to use my credits.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE-

Free

NONE

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

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 12, 2021

Hubby and I were feeling a little under the weather this morning (him more than me really), so we did church online. Pastor started the Christmas series: “Heaven is Here.”

He reminded us that the holiday season is not just for decorations, music, joy, and gifts. The real “reason” for the season is the gift of a child, Jesus, our savior. Many may be waiting for the season, the festivities, and the presents. God’s people had been told of a promise and they were waiting too.

God watches over the earth. He saw that times were dark with the brutal Roman empire tyrannic rule. He had a plan all along, but darkness was the time He chose to reveal His plan and deliver His promise. Matthew 4:16-17.

Sometimes light is brightest in a dark time. So, Jesus was sent to become a child in a dark time.
Even King Herod knew there was something special about the baby. Times were so dark that he sought to kill the baby. But God made sure that the light would come into the world for those who would see it.

The POINT: Don’t miss the Savior that has come for you. Receive Him.

Sadly, many people of Israel did not realize that Heaven had come to earth. There are many people today who don’t realize that Heaven has come in the form of a child who grew to a man who gave his life on a cross to save all men. His light still shines today. There is much darkness in the world today. Don’t miss the light - don’t miss the Savior for all of the flash during this season.

I chose this song for today: Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)

Verses for Today:
Matthew 4:16-17
16 the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.”
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Lord, please help me focus on Your Light during this season AND all year long. Thank you for being alive in me.
Click HERE for an online Prayer for Walking in the Light.