Sunday Words of Encouragement March 6, 2022

We prayed for needs in Sunday School and continued the study in Revelation. Service started with eager worship, and we had special prayer for Bay County fires and the people and situation in Ukraine.

Our interim pastor delivered a sermon on “Do You Love People?” He confessed that sometimes he questions himself: “ Do I really love people?” That made him challenge all of us.

All Christians are familiar with John 3:16 that tells us that ‘God so loved the world, He gave His only son…’. Just think of such wondrous love!! It is indescribable. “What manner of love…” 1 John 3:1 (KJV).
Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5: 6-8. We all have lived in malice, but God’s love and grace gives us hope. Titus 3:3-7.
Again, it is by His great love and mercy that we are saved. Ephesians 2:4-5.
That love is not just to Jews, not just to Christians, not just to those who follow Christ. That love is to all mankind.
When Christ died for all sinners, He knew how evil and sinful men could be.

The world is more connected by technology today, but it is really no different than generations of the past. (There is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastics 1:9.)
We are to share the love we have experienced from God with the world.
Ephesians 5:1-2. We are to ‘follow in God’s example and walk in love’.

Follower = imitator of God. Imitating His acts, words, and spirit.
Walk in love = To live in; conduct oneself.

Luke 10:25 – 37 tells us Who is our neighbor? Love God, love your neighbor. That means all mankind.
Loving your neighbor brings it down to where you live. Love everyone. Every individual is essential, our neighbor.
The Levi might try to justify himself that he couldn’t touch (be defiled by touching) an injured man. But Jesus takes away any justification.

Do we really love people or do we try to justify ourselves for excluding certain people or groups from our love?
Matthew 5:44-47 tells us to love our enemies too.
We are told to love one another. John 13:34-35
The world needs to see us loving even our enemies.
God forgives much and will forgive us if we seek Him. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
It's got to start right here!

Pastor shared the song video Start Right Here this morning which is very good!

But I came upon this video to share: Anything But Easy.

Verses for Today
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Lord, help me do better to not just love others but to show your Amazing Love to others. It isn't enough to love if I don't speak out to share You.

Sharing Beyond Books #441 Comment Giveaway March 5, 2022

Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books.

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#440 Scattered Leaves asked: Have you ever bought a “bookish” item on Etsy? For example, a book necklace, bookmarks, etc.??
Eight of us have not bought bookish items on Etsy, although two of us have looked at items and Mary's daughter has bought bookmark on Etsy. Two commenters have bought some bookish item- candles for Ashfa and bookish decorated letter paper for Miki. Life's Simple Pleasures has bought other times but not bookish items. Thanks for sharing!

For US participants: I need to update and refill the books available to US winners. I have used "Love" and "Christmas" titles as well as ARC titles. Since the supply is lower, I have author collections I could choose from, mostly romance - historical, suspense and some contemporary. What genres/books/authors would you like me to include?

The Winner from SBB#440 comments is #6 MIKI 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. -- [9-18-2021 I have added a new box and crossed off books no longer available through August 2021.]

Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #441

(One Question.)

Alina asks: What are some of your all time favorite recipes??

As I have said any times, I don't cook as my hubby has always been our cook. But If I had to pick favorite recipes (all being ones I could make) I would say: meatloaf (1st choice my mother's, 2nd choice hubby's); artichokes (steamed so leaves can be dipped in melted butter); pecan pie; pigs (smokies) in a blanket (crescent rolls); and easy breakfast cheese danish (cream cheese and crescent rolls).

Image found at Recipes & Me.

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.

Your turn to share. Alina asks: What are some of your all time favorite recipes??

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, March 19, 2022, at 5 PM central.

MBS February 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - FEBRUARY

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 2022
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars = none
4.75 Stars = none
4.5 Stars =  Up to No Gouda

1. NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Up To No Gouda by Linda Reilly; Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mysteries, Women Sleuth; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
2. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Eight Winter Nights by Liz Maverick; Genre: A Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
3. eBTBR: eBook Book Review: Bad Wolf (Bad Wolf Chronicles Book 1) by Tim McGregor; Genre: Crime Thriller, Paranormal, Werewolf; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
4. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Defiant, Lee Hardin, Book 4 by D. J. Molles; Genre: Action & Adventure, Military Sci Fi, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
5. ATBR: Audible Book Report: Just Before Sunrise by Carla Neggers; Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
6. NG2022: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Mickey7 by Edward Ashton; Genre: AAdventure, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Space; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
7. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Dismantling America by Thomas Sowell; Genre: Conservatism and Liberalism, Political Commentary, Social Studies; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
8. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Eternal Frontier by Anthony J. Melchiorri; Genre: Adventure, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Total read = 8
TBR = 6
New Authors = 6
Audio/Audible = 7 (5 TBRs)
NetGalley = 2 (2 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 0
Nonfiction = 1
eBook = 1 (1 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 16 of 125
TBR to Date: 13 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 14 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 4 of 10
Author Reviews: 0 of 12
Nonfiction: 2 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 2 of 12

• Series: 11 of 75 (4 continuing, 7 new)
• New to me Series: 7 (2 Yes to continue; 4 likely to continue, 1 maybe, 0 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 0

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 1 of 4: Winter,
• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 3 Feb,  (A, B, C, D, E, F, U) (7 of 26)
• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand alones but can be series): 2 Jan, 5 Feb,  (A, B, C, D, E, J, M)  (7 of 26)

Audible Book Review: Eternal Frontier by Anthony J. Melchiorri

This is full of action with one fight and miraculous escape after another.

Eternal Frontier
By: Anthony J. Melchiorri
Narrated by: Bradford Hastings

Series: Eternal Frontier, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
Release date: 04-18-17
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Adventure, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Humanity has avoided interstellar war for centuries.
It was a time of peace, prosperity, and exploration. But when an unexpected attack cripples a scientific vessel, the SRES Argo, it appears that time has come to an end.
Chief Medical Officer Tag Brewer is the ship's only survivor. He is alone in the far reaches of space. To survive, he must restore and protect the downed vessel from its unknown attackers on a planet as deadly as it is mysterious. He vows to do everything in his power to seek justice for his fallen crew.
When Tag uncovers a sinister secret about those who attacked the Argo, he realizes far more is at stake than just his survival. Something more powerful, more technologically advanced, and more ruthless has emerged from the darkest voids of the galaxy. It's up to Tag to survive long enough to warn humanity and stop the dawn of a new war.
©2017 Anthony J. Melchiorri (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Tag Brewer once trained to be a captain, but one failed exercise resulted in a change in his career. He still wanted to go to space, so he became a Chief Medical Officer on a scientific ship, the Argo. The ship is headed to a particular inhospitable planet to pick up a biologist who was left there to explore the local life. When the ship enters the planet atmosphere, they begin to lose communication abilities. Then they are attacked by ‘pirates’ who swiftly take control of the ship poisoning all humans on board…except Tag who watches in horror from his secured medical bay.

Tag manages to stay alive and take out the three aliens who remained on the bridge in spite of their superior weapons and armor. Tag finds himself without any AI which has been compromised. He cannot make repairs or man the ship without aid, so he implements an experiment he has been working on. He implants brain tissue from one of his dead friends into the medical robot. The robots reaction when activated is to attack its creator!

Tag has to dodge the pirates, land a badly damaged ship and hope he can find the biologist if he wants a chance of finding another human and getting the Argo back running. He survives one death situation after another to finally gather a handful of companions to help make a risky, miraculous escape and then an equally risky and unexpected rescue.

It doesn’t take long into the book to wonder at Tag’s remarkable escapes and versatile skills. He is the sole character for the beginning of the book. The story was full of action which was good although it required a suspension of belief. I downloaded this book and its sequels for free through the Audible Plus Catalog, so I have the next two books in the series and will read them at some point. I don't count this as stellar space opera but it should be entertaining for action junkies.

Audio Notes: Bradford Hastings does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices (when there is more than one character) and he brings good energy to the presentation. I enjoyed the audio.

Source: January 2021 Free Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway March 4, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
This was another busy week for me but I do get this Saturday without a meeting... just work catch-up.

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 February 25, 2022 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 February 25, 2022 Pick:
MYSTICA gets a GC
AND
LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES 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.}

  Celebrate National Reading Month!
Image found at America's Charities.

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
All Gone

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
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

(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 1,392 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!