Sharing Beyond Books #24 Comment Giveaway November 26, 2011

Here we are again! It's Saturday night (late) -  Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books! 
Thanks for your comments this past week.

There were some beautiful book covers selected. I added Louisa's first mentioned cover, Wither. Helen chose covers with hot guys so I picked The Goblin King for her choice and here are all the mentioned covers.The slideshow may take a moment to load. I do love the wolf cover that miki  shared!

The favorite scents are all wonderful. I had to chuckle at Louisa's fav being new books. Heavensent pointed out that Bayberry is so hard to find - it is my DH's fav and we can no longer find it either. But what is with the skunk scent - Are you a bit crazy?? LOL

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #23 comments is: #6 LuAnn. There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 5 Christmas choices and 2 Summer titles below so LuAnn please choose a book from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway or remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, the one summer book below OR pick from the ARC box and let me know your choice, your address and a choice of bookmarks by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #24 Questions

Q1. Abby asks: Which is your favourite mythological period? ie Greek, Roman, etc.??

A:  I first tried to remember the mythologies I read as a young person. Then my mind went to Sparta because I like the Gods of Midnight series by Deirdre Knight. But I also thought of Celtic mythology, King Arthur and Atlantis - if those are considered Mythology. Then I resorted to Google search and was surprised to recall there are Native American Mythologies too.  I don't know that I have a favorite as I often don't like the manipulative Gods of Greek and Roman mythologies. But of the many groups I think I am most familiar with Greek mythology.

The imposing columns of the Temple of Zeus, Athens, Greece.

Q2. I'll return to some holiday questions next week. This week I have a question about giveaway hops. Do you like them and if you enter how many of 300+ do you enter?? 

A:  I love the giveaway hop, especially from the hosting side because I love giving - as many of you have figured out. :-)  Some of the hops I have not entered at all. The current Gratitude hop I entered about 60 which is not quite 20%.  I just couldn't find time for more than that.  

~~~~

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 will draw from the suggestions I used the month before and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions but some of you others might want to get in a question or two as we have a few people submitting most of the questions so far.  Either way - it works for me. :-)

Thank you for adding questions. November Q submissions were from: mamabunny13, winnie, Mary P and Abby.

The monthly pick this time goes to #3 Mary P.

Your turn to share:

1. Which is your favourite mythological period? ie Greek, Roman, etc.??

2.  Do you like giveaway hops and if you enter how many of 300+ do you enter??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 14 books available plus 2 left in the Summer titles to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

The Days of Summer: A Novel

My copy is a paperback from 2006

with a different cover.

A Summer Affair (Calhoun Chronicles)
I love Susan Wigg's historicals!

SBB Rules: a) Must be a follower; 
b) Share a comment on any (or all) of the two/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, December 2 at 10PM central.

Happy Winners of Forever Romance Books, RaeAnne Thayne Books and Renegade Hearts

Thank you to all who entered these giveaways.

CONGRATULATIONS 

TO THE WINNERS OF

Turning Up the Heat from Forever Romance - Two books and Three Winners 

Laura H, elaing7 and Maria D

Print copy of Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne 
and Kindle or Nook copy of Christmas in Cold Creek

          Print of Black Berry Summer:                                         eBook copy of Christmas at Cold Creek:

bison61

reinaknits

eBook of Renegade Hearts by Anne Patrick 

I can't believe more of you didn't enter for this lovely story!

I am sure that Cindy Weber will enjoy this book!

ALL WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the books out and let the publisher/author know to send books/ebook.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Check these Giveaways of Three Adorable Teddy Bears!

I stumbled onto these giveaways as I was researching something else.
Wouldn't you love to take one of these Bears home?!

This is a creation of Esther Lee presented as a Giveaway at Esther Bears.
The giveaway for this wonderful bear ends November 27th so hurry over to enter!

Here is another sweet Teddy Giveaway:

Svetlana Sheykina - Teddy Mishki - is having a Give-A-Way of this beautiful Teddy Bear "Bonnie" on 30th November 2011.

 And here is one more that runs through December 31st:

This lovely bear, Paula, is offered by Janice Woodard at Booh Bears. 

 

Give Thanks for Love!

Today I continue to give thanks - for Love. The love of family and friends and most importantly I give thanks for the author of Love who gave His only son to redeem us from the death of sin.

 

Happy moments: PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments: SEEK GOD. Quiet moments: WORSHIP GOD. Painful moments: TRUST GOD. Every moment: THANK GOD.

It may seem a strange sentiment but often when I am reading romance I feel it helps to increase my capacity to understand the depth of the emotion that God intends for us to feel towards Him.

Book Review: I Never Thought I'd See the Day! by Dr. David Jeremiah

Have you sometimes been shocked at what you see and hear around us in the world today? Here is a book that addresses some of the shocking changes that have occurred in our culture in our lifetimes.

I NeverThought I'd See the Day!: Culture at The Crossroads.

by David Jeremiah

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 4, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446565954
• ISBN-13: 978-0446565950

      Genre: Nonfiction
      My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 4, 2011
Is Western civilization in an accelerating decline? And if it continues will it eventually weaken and cause us to come to the end of cultured civilization as we now know it? "Yes," says David Jeremiah, and in his book, I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THE DAY! he details numerous signs of this cultural decay including:

    America held hostage by Iran
    Marriage becoming obsolete
    Creeping socialism
    The invisibility of culture's enemies
    Increase in "spiritual warfare"
    America turning its back on Israel
    Atheist attack on religion

Can this downward spiral be reversed? Yes, but only if one person at a time returns to God with our heart, our manner of life, our dedication to genuine worship of God, in serving God by helping others, in our giving, and in prayer.

Review: This may not be an easy or simple read - there are hard thoughts and issues to ponder - but it is quite interesting and worthwhile.

Dr. David Jeremiah presents details on historical, political and social changes that have occurred primarily during his own lifetime.  He raises the question whether the Church has lost its right to be heard.  I appreciate how he compares the Christian momentum to Admiral Perry traveling against the ice flow - while he thought he was gaining ground forward, he was really moving backward because the ice flow was moving him faster in the opposite direction.

I made notes on the chapter topics as I read but there is just too much to put it all in my review. I liked how there are historical facts and statistics supporting many of the discussions.  I particularly liked Chapter 2, When Christians Wouldn’t Know They Were In a War.  The author describes the true enemy, Satan, and the many techniques used to keep Christians ineffective.  If Christians do not recognize these basics it is easy for them not to see the war going on in the spiritual realm and they will be unprepared in the battle.

There are three chapters discussing how Jesus, The Bible and the Church have been profaned, ridiculed and diminished to a point where they are deemed irrelevant by many.  I was fascinated by Dr. Jeremiah’s insightful comments on two master pieces painted by Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night and The Church at Auvers.  Apparently Van Gogh had been rejected by the church with a startling negative impact. In the paintings the church is portrayed with closed windows, no lights, no doors, and the pathway in front splits to by-pass the church altogether. If that is how the church is seen then no wonder people do not seek refuge there.

The Church shouldn’t be closed to those in need but it also must be careful that it doesn’t become so “politically correct” and intent on entertaining people that it loses it’s message and effectiveness.  These chapters, as well as others on marriage and morality, reveal that Christians are too often blending with society rather than standing out and standing up for what is right in God’s word.

In the final chapter, When Changing Your Mind Could Save Your Life, the author exhorts the reader to recognize the importance of salvation, turning one’s life over to God and obeying and relying on His assurances of salvation and a better life in the future. Dr. Jeremiah is an optimist and still sees hope for all people although he does not see hope for the return of America to the high days of prosperity. He notes that this is supported by Biblical teachings that things will get worse before they get better which will only happen upon Christ’s return.

As a strong fundamentalist Christian I really appreciated the history, details and scripture references presented. I did have to wonder how a non believer might respond as parts of the book are loaded with Biblical quotes.  I think anyone could benefit from the wisdom and material, although I think Christians, and particularly pastors, would appreciate it more. I will be passing my copy on to my Pastor to enjoy.

Thank you to Faith Words division of Hachette for this book to review.