Sunday Words of Encouragement July 24, 2022 Facing God's Wrath

I attended Sunday School this morning but left church early to meet with my daughter and office staff to check the status of our supplies in the mobile pod. We are getting close to going back to our rebuilt office and we wanted to see whether the items in the pod were secure and could be used. I am thankful that all was in reasonable shape – no further deterioration for being in a pod for two years.

Our Sunday School teacher is continuing his in depth study of Revelation. Based on the details he is discussing he is presenting a case for pre-wrath rapture rather than pre-tribulation rapture. I have agreed with this position for many years since I studied this in the early 2000s. I also have determined over the years to be a believer of the Pan Rapture theory – it will all pan out in the end.

Today our teacher referred to Romans 1:18-32 and 2:1-10. The self-serving and lawless behaviors described in Romans 1:24-32 are evident in society today. Each person needs to choose a master – God or self. We may not want to go through trials and tribulations, but we aren’t promised not to have struggles. What is important is whether we have accepted Christ as our savior and try to glorify Him in our living.

I saw a Facebook post today that said roughly: ‘We need to worry less about current crisis (economic, inflation, borders, climate) and worry more about the state of the hearts of our family, friends, and neighbors.’ I say “Amen” to that.

I just found this song and it fits this message and my struggles of late.
(Not that I am terrified but there is a sense of being overwhelmed being alone
when I am used to being part of a pair.)
I Will Carry You.

Verses for Today:
Romans 1:18-20 NIV
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.


Lord, I give thanks that You are always with me. Help me to give You praise and to give You glory through my life.

Sharing Beyond Books #448 Comment Giveaway July 23, 2022

Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books. (Note - I'll be traveling and visiting the northern family over the early weeks of August so the next SBB post will be August 20, 2022. Enjoy another mid year month - summer or winter!)

Thanks to everyone who commented on the last question.
Last post SBB#447 Ashfa asks: What are your favourite books that deals with pandemics and post-apocalyptic worlds??
We only had five commenters in additon to me. Perhaps the usual participants don't like the genre or they forgot to come back and answer.
Three of the commenters didin't have titles to offer; MaryP mentioned The Hunger Games Series, which was a good series. Fredamans shared: 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard was a pandemic book that I read in the last year and loved it!" I'll have to check into that one.

The Winner from SBB#447 comments is #2 FREDAMANS 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 #448

(One Question.)

BN100 asks: Favorite ways to cool down in the heat??

I am indoors most of the time and a little surprised when I walk out into oppressive heat. I'll be visiting my son and family and expect we will spend time in their lovely pool. And I will be drinking plenty of water.

Image found at NPR

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.
July question was provided by BN100 who gets half a book.

Your turn to share. BN100 asks: Favorite ways to cool down in the heat??

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.
BECAUSE I AM TAKING VACATION TIME WITH FAMILY THE deadline is a month, until August 20.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: The Plus One Pact by Portia MacIntosh

This is a sweet story with conflict from miscommunications.

The Plus One Pact
By: Portia MacIntosh
Narrated by: Karen Cass

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
Release date: 05-21-20
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Comedy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
What if your plus one could be the one?
Cara has officially run out of men. Her most recent dates have gone from bad to worse, and when her dating app informs her there is no one left in her area to choose from, she is at a dead end.
But with a summer of events ahead of her, she needs to find a solution, fast; someone to keep her company at the never-ending weddings, family gatherings and gender-reveal parties that she can’t face going to alone. So when she meets handsome, confident, Millsy on a night out, she may be in luck. They could not be more different in personality, but he, too, has a summer of events ahead and is desperate to get his family off his back about finding a ‘nice girl’. What if they made a pact to help each other out and be a plus one for the summer? Just as friends of course?
A brand-new romantic comedy from best seller Portia MacIntosh, perfect for fans of Zara Stoneley, Sophie Ranald and Mhairi McFarlane.
©2020 Portia MacIntosh (P)2020 Boldwood Books

Review:
Cara is getting low on the available men on her dating app. After she escapes from a ‘babysitting” date, Cara is at the bar waiting to meet the latest man…who doesn’t show up. Instead, a handsome man steps over to offer to sit with her so she doesn’t have to continue to sit alone. Although a little wary, Cara and Millsy seem to be immediately comfortable with each other. She has given up on men and Millsy is reportedly a ‘player’ who is willing to just be there as a friend for Cara.

Millsy takes Cara out for a makeover and slowly her confidence begins to grow. They agree to be each other’s ‘plus one’ for the summer events especially his best (girl) friend’s wedding and her cousin’s wedding where she refused to be a bridesmaid in a dress that they wouldn’t allow her to alter to fit and where her former boyfriend is expected as a special guest.

Their friendship is moving along really well and Millsy even provides a spare room to live in when Cara’s replacement apartment falls through. Then they get to the awkward moments, without an agreed plan, of “how did you meet?”, “how long have you been dating?”. There are more concerns when meeting each other’s family and Cara is pursued by Millsy nemesis, his handsome brother.

This is a fun romantic comedy. There is easy camaraderie and fun, light conflict. Although there is a bit of sexual references on the side, there is no actual engagement until late in the story. I appreciated the style and lightness of the story. I recommend this to fans of light romantic comedy.

Audio Notes: Karen Cass does a good job with the narration. I am she manages different voices to distinguish the characters, most of which are British. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2/19/2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 22, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
I sent a batch of GC emails to winners last night. I have four more emails to do tonight. Please watch for the emails. I will start to pull books together for mailing next week.

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 15, 2022 Pick. There was no automatic win this past 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 two winners:
Random.org picked Winner from July 15, 2022 Pick:
ASHFA gets a GC
and
MARJORIE 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.}

More Summer reading!
Image found at Ebook Friendly.

New Book Box #96 June 10, 2022

PAIR:
Liz Carlyle: Three Little Secrets and My False Heart
Johanna Lindsey: Brave the Wild Wind and Fires of Winter
SINGLE TITLES
Against the Sky by Kat Martin
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

The Eagle and the Dove by Jane Feather
Heir to a Dark Inheritance by Maisey Yates
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour
A Legacy of Secrets by Carol Marinelli
Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie
No Greater Treasure by Ellen Kelley
One Minute Out by Mark Greaney
Texas Born by Diana Palmer
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (Illustrated Classic Edition)
While Others Sleep by Helen R. Myers


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
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


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

Three One Audio CD Books:
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale

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

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
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


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

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence


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:
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
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
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
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
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:
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.

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
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
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
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 1,402 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: Man of War by T. J. London

This is strong, engaging historical fiction.
Man of War
The Rebels and Redcoats Saga Prequel
By: T.J. London
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton, Kathryn Vinclaire, Patrick Zeller, John Hartley, Tara Langella, Jason Clarke, Dryw McArthur, Marnye Young, James Cheatham

Length: 22 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 07-05-22
Publisher: T.J. London
Genre: Action and Adventure, Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
The man who wants everything gets nothing….
July 1755
War is brewing between England and France. Impressed into the Royal Navy, Lieutenant Merrick, against all odds, advanced through the ranks to become an officer—but he is not a gentleman. A man with a tainted past from a traitorous family, cast down by King George—a stain no man can remove. Merrick’s thrust into the role of captain, when the HMS Boudica is attacked by pirates off the coast of Nova Scotia. On a captured enemy vessel, he discovers a king’s ransom in treasure and a woman chained in the hold from passenger ship that mysteriously disappeared at sea.
Beautiful, defiant, and hell-bent on revenge, India makes a deal with Merrick to uncover the pirates’ scheme, promising him everything he desires: fortune, glory, and the chance to bring honor back to the McKesson name. Now, they race against time to uncover a plot that links those in the highest ranks of the British aristocracy, to a failed rebellion that is once again trying to topple the monarchy and place an old pretender on the throne. But all that glitters is not gold as passions stir and an impossible love blooms, threatening to undermine all Merrick and India have done to protect their King and a country on the brink of war.
This book contains violence and graphic depictions of war.
Trigger Warning: sexual assault, violence
©2020 Tracey Lasak-Myall (P)2020 Tracey Lasak-Myall

Review:
Dane Merrick McKesson is the youngest of three brothers who was emotionally and sometimes physically abused by his eldest brother, James. When their father died, James threw 14-year-old Dane off the family property. The whole family was disgraced when Merrick revealed to the English that his eldest brother, James, was plotting with the Scots to overthrow King George.

Dane, the young teen, was conscripted into the Royal Navy and managed to work his way up through the ranks to become a Lieutenant. When the ship, the HMS Boudica, is attacked by a pirate ship, Merrick becomes the new captain. He manages to repel the attack and salvages the stores and survivors from the capsizing pirate ship. One of the last second survivors is a fiery, red-haired young woman who was clearly abused and shackled in the hold. 

Although the young woman is relieved to be alive, she wants no man to touch her and isn’t ready to thank Merrick or his men. It is clear she is a woman of the aristocracy, but she refuses to reveal her identity. Merrick names her “India” and she convinces him that she can reward him if he helps her uncover and get revenge on her torturer. India struggles to overcome her self-doubt as she was once under the thumb of her mother who promised her as a bride to a supposedly wealthy older nobleman living in New York. That resulted in her traveling with a rich dowry and being brutally abused by the French pirate.

Merrick loves his ‘queen’, the HMS Boudica, and is intent on becoming her permanent captain. But he slowly begins to love the fierce India, not knowing how far out of his reach she really is. Will they be able to help each other or find insurmountable obstacles?

I mistakenly thought this was an American Revolution story but it is actually set right before war broke out between England and France in 1756. I am thankful I got the chance to listen and share my thoughts. 

I enjoyed the richly described historical setting and the battles on the high seas. I was totally drawn in by the two primary characters. They are both strong, hard-headed, and determined. The plot is fueled with political conspiracy and intense intrigue. I recommend this to those who love swashbuckling action and historical fiction.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the multiple voices and sound enhancement of this audio production. It is well done and contributed to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: June 2022 audio received from the Author for Caffeinated PR Tour Blitz and Review. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Author goals.