Sunday Words of Encouragement July 24, 2011

Our Pastor's message this morning was based upon 2 Chronicles 20.  My Bible showed notes I had made from another sermon (different church and pastor) in 2000. The messages were a different approach to the same conclusion. All you need for victory... is a WORD from God. These are four steps to find that victory when you are afraid:
1.  Turn your attention to seek help from the Lord. 2 Chron 20:3.
2.  Focus on God's powers and promises as reflected by His Word (the Bible) and His past actions. 2 Chron 20:6 - 12.
3.  Listen, obey and stand on God's Word. 2 Chron 20:15 - 17.
4.  Praise the Lord for who HE is. 2 Chron 20:19 - 22.
Then watch God work, confusing the enemy, providing victory and blessing to you.

Our Praise to God is a weapon against the enemy.

A verse for today:

2 Chronicles 20:15 (NIV)

He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
This morning we prayed and gave thanks for God's victories on our behalf and for his many blessings. 2 Chron 20:22 - 25.

Sharing Beyond Books #6 July 23, 2011

It's Saturday night again after another long week. I so enjoyed seeing your answers and I wanted to reply several times but I never got the time this past week. Maybe I need to read fewer books.

Eleven out of twenty of us are bloggers. Some have more than one blog. I don't know how they find that time.  LindaK - I don't think I am witty either but it is a nice place to share reviews and a little personal record.

Nine of us have dogs and a few have fish. Carol W has cockatiels - I used to have birds but never cockatiels. Jennifer and Linda have a menagerie it sounds like. The dog names are fun - Louisa's are book related. :-)

The most favorite spot to read is bed with 7 mentions. Some readers like a couch or armchair and three like reading outdoors. I have a mental picture of Mary reading in the backseat car parked in the garage. At least Louisa admitted reading in the bathroom so I wouldn't be alone. Thanks :-)

The Winner from last week's comments is: #19 TrueBookAddict.  (BTW - I enjoy the music when I visit Michelle's blog.) There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 7 Christmas choices and 6 Summer titles below. So Michelle - please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books or the summer books and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #6 Questions
 

Q1.  Do you take notes while you are reading?

Because I am reviewing almost all the books I read I do try to take some notes. I have tried sticky notes and small note paper.  When I am listening in the car I have a note pad and jot quick notes at stop lights. Lately I have started jotting notes on the computer every evening about the review books. If I don't have notes then it is hard to go back several weeks to rethink the book when I have read six or more books since that one.

Q2. What products or industry is your state/country known for?

Florida's primary industry is tourism and the elderly. Secondary is agriculture, primarily citrus.

Q3. Here is another question from the suggestion list. Winnie asks: Do you give books a second chance? If so, how long would you wait before picking it up again? If you want to share, what would make you pick it up again??

I almost always push through a review book so it is rare that I put a book aside. Chances are - if I set a book aside because I wasn't enjoying it, or something offended me, I would not pick it up again. The last book I remember setting aside I did so because of raw language. It was not a review book but an author I wanted to try. I have not had any inclination to try it again.

~~~~

I am getting some question suggestions now. Thanks! DON'T FORGET any of you might have good questions you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this  Suggested Question Form.  At the beginning of each month I will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. 

Your turn to share: 

1.  Do you take notes while reading?

2.  What industry is your state/country known for?

3.  Do you give books a second chance/what would make you give a book a second chance?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 16 books available to choose from plus 6 more summer title below.
Here are some Summer titles to choose from:

Secrets of a Summer Night (The Wallflowers, Book 1)
The one I have is hardcover.

 

One Reckless Summer: A Destiny Novel

This book is brand new, but will be gently

read if I get to read it!

Under the Boardwalk: A Dazzling Collection of All-New Summertime Love Stories (Sonnet Books)

My paperback is from 1999 and
has a beach image.

The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006

with a different cover.

 The Summerhouse

 Hmmm - this has a bit of magic in the plot.

 

 A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles) 

I love Susan Wiggs historicals!

Six choices additional choices.

Rules: a) Must be a follower; b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the three questions 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 by Friday, July 29 at 10PM central. 

Blogoversary Winners for Giveaways #12-#18 ended through July 22

CONGRATULATIONS to Blogoversary Winners! 

Thank you again to all the sponsors and to everyone for your support and entries! Thanks for visiting the authors and commenting.
Here are winners from Giveaways #12 through #18.  I will email the giveaway sponsors with winner emails.
Seven more giveaways open to next weekend. :-)


12. Giveaway #12. Spotlight Publisher eTreasures Publishing Three sets books and goodies!
Mary, Christine and Winnie.

13. Giveaway #13. Spotlight Author Patricia Bates eBook and spotlight in Publisher's Corner ezine.  Onge.

14. Giveaway #14. Spotlight Author Suzanne Barrett Print Copy of Late Harvest. OPEN US and CANADA. Scottsgal.

15. Giveaway #15. Spotlight Author Jean Hart Stewart eBook choice from backlist. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Maria (pronounced Mariah).

16. Giveaway #16. Spotlight Author Anne Patrick Print Copy of Lethal Dreams. OPEN US. Library Lady.

17. Giveaway #17. Spotlight Author Danielle Thorne. eBook of Josette. OPEN WORLDWIDE. Beverly.

18. Giveaway #18. Spotlight Author Joyce DiPastena Print (US) or ebook (International) of Illuminations of the Heart; Plus Martha's Print Copy (US) of Loyalty's Web. Choice: Gayle;  Print of Loyalty's Web: Cheryl C.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information. You may ignore the bookmarks section if your prize will be sent directly by the authors/publisher. I will share winners' email with the author so watch for an email from the author.

Book Review: Lady of Seduction by Laurel McKee

This is a warm romance with historical intrigue.
 Lady of Seduction (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446544779
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544771

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
It's a mad, ill-advised journey that leads the usually sensible Lady Caroline Blacknall to the legendary isle of Muirin Inish, off the windswept coast of Ireland. Even so, she doesn't expect to find herself shipwrecked and then rescued by a man she believed she would never see again. A man who, long ago, held her life in his hands . . . and with it, her heart.

Reformed rake Sir Grant Dunmore knew he could never forget the beautiful woman he once endangered nor will he ever forgive himself. But history seems doomed to repeat itself, for as long as Caroline stays on the island, she is trapped in a secret plot that could forever free Ireland-or turn deadly for all. And yet, now that she is in his arms again, how can he dream of ever letting her go?

Review: This is an engaging read with steady intrigue and growing romance.
Lady Caroline is the quiet bluestocking of the Blacknall daughters. She met Sir Grant four years earlier (Duchess of Sin) when he showed her the wonderful antique manuscript The Chronicle of Kildare. She was fascinated by the book and the man but suffered disillusionment when Grant kidnaped her older sister and her. Grant was injured in a fire as he escaped and Caroline didn’t really expect to see him again.

Now Caroline’s older, scholarly husband has died and she is restless.  She sets out to the isle of Muirin Inish with the purpose of seeing The Chronicle of Kildare.  Of course to see the book she will have to see Grant.  Before Caroline reaches the isle she is shipwrecked. She is pulled from the water and awakens to look into the eyes of the man she seeks. Caroline still finds him devastatingly attractive even with the burn scars along the left side of his face.

Grant has secluded himself in a derelict castle on a reclusive isle. He knows that his past was misdirected and he hopes to find a way to redeem himself.  He has dreamed of his short exposure to Caroline but he never expected to see her again. 

Caroline is stranded by storms in a castle that is shrouded in mystery and darkness. Although Grant is willing to give her access to his library he isn’t willing to let her see The Chronicle and he wants her to remain out of sight while he receives some expected guests. Caroline doesn’t obey orders well and manages to stumble into troubles.  First she finds secret doors in the library and later she runs into the French Captain whom Grant was trying to hide her from.

The story is driven by the growing relationship between Caroline and Grant. The romance is lovely and sensual. Running behind the romance is the underlying intrigue involving the United Irish rebellion. There are spies, betrayals, murder attempts, a race against time and pretty much constant danger. 

The writing is easy, the descriptions rich, and the story moves along well. The combination of action and romance makes for an engaging story presented with the backdrop of an interesting historical event. I love this summary that underlies their love: “I save you, you save me,”... “I think it’s our fate.”

xxx

Thank you to Hachette for this book to read and review. Check the triple book Giveaway in Forever's Hot Historical Romance blog tour.

Forever Historical Romance Blog Tour Giveaway

Once again Hachette is offering a package Giveaway! THREE Books for THREE Winners!!

Three authors with historical romances with handsome Highlander or Irish heroes and spirited heroines. Great romances to heat up your summer nights. :-)

Lady of Seduction

By Laurel McKee

ISBN: 9780446544771

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION , ROMANCE

Published on: 6/01/2011

Format: MASS MARKET

 

 Laurel McKee - Five fun facts.

 Tamed by a Highlander

By Paula Quinn

ISBN: 9780446552363

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION , ROMANCE

Published on: 7/01/2011

Format: MASS MARKET

Paula Quinn - Five fun facts.

Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel

By Sue-Ellen Welfonder

ISBN: 9780446561778

Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING

Genre: FICTION , ROMANCE

Published on: 8/01/2011

Format: MASS MARKET

Sue-Ellen Welfonder - Five fun facts

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. Comment on at least one of the three reviews. This is required for entry.

Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel
Tamed by a Highlander
Lady of Seduction

2. Follow me and let me know how you follow: by GFC, Subscribe or Twitter.

3.  For THREE extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

4. For TWO more entries - tell me a fun fact for any of the authors - fun fact links are under each book information above.
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

(Seven total entries possible.) THREE winners!

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Only one winner per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on August 12, 2011.
The winners will be randomly selected from all entries. 
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on AUGUST 13 and will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.