Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 29, 2012

Our associate Pastor gave another good message this morning entitled Saboteurs. He directed us to 1 Timothy 4:1-10 where Paul is giving instructions. Think of parents who teach and warn children of dangers: 'look both ways, don't get in a car with strangers, don't tell someone at the door or on the phone that your parents aren't home.' Even with these warnings a child might be in danger from loved ones.

Paul was warning Timothy and followers of Christ to beware of deceivers and liars even within the body (the church.) Some believers fall away and their views become twisted. They may come as sheep in wolves' clothing. They would lead others astray if the people are not discerning.

Paul was preparing the people, preparing the troops (as mentioned in the first message this year).
You have to know the words of faith (Biblical foundations) to know the truth and to be able to recognize a deceiver.
(This is only part of the message but I will save more for another brief message.)

This song seems to be a good choice as it reminds
us to be careful which voices we listen to.

Verses for Today:

2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Yesterday I had a lunch meeting with some ladies from our women's ministry group. Our leader encouraged us to be intentional about our faith and to pick 12 women to be praying for this year. As I began to prepare my list last night I of course thought of my family "sisters" first. Then I started thinking about online "friends." So I decided that each week I would pick an online follower to pray for. So, those of you who read these messages, be encouraged as I may be praying for YOU! If anyone wants extra prayer feel free to email me. I may not be able to help in any other way but I can pray.

Sharing Beyond Books #33 Comment Giveaway January 28, 2012

Welcome to a late evening SBB. I've had a crazy week and busy day even today. I have to travel five hours tomorrow to attend closings on Monday.

Thank you to all those who commented last week.
The majority wear some mix of pjs and tshirts. I had to laugh at Carol L's comment - 'maybe she should have switched to PJs before getting 7 kids!' LOL Abby mentioned she likes her socks which I have to agree with especially during the cold weather.

There was a tie for chapter preference: eight had no preference and eight favored short chapters. Three like mixed length, depending on the genre; one liked long, and one liked mid-length.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #32 comments is: #15 Carol L. There are still 9 'love' books to pick from, 3 Christmas choices and 1 Summer titles below. Carol L 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 #33 Questions

Q1. This week winnie asks: What do you think about love triangles in romances??

A: I'm not big on infidelity so to that extent I don't like love triangles. Sorry - even the Guenevere and Lancelot affair is wrong in my mind, not romantic. But a triangle can create good conflict if set up as a difficult decision between two possible partners, a misunderstanding or where one doesn't realize how another feels and there is confusion, but not actual betrayal.

Guess who.

I didn't think of this love triangle right away but found it in images.

Q2. Here is my question: Name any two picky habits. Limit it to two but if you want to repeat this question say so in the comment so I'll know to add it again. *BG*

A: These are two that I am very aware of: a) I really want the toilet paper to pull in front and I will change it at places like church. b) I like to fill the dishwasher MY way... so it's just as easy to let me do it. :-)

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. :-) The question list is getting low so feel free to send in a Q or 2 or 4! Remember they don't all have to be book related. I'm going to be asking some other questions soon!
Questions in January have been provided by: mamabunny13; Abby, Mad Moose Mama and winnie. The winner of a book pick is #3 Mad Moose Mama. Congratulations! Please fill in the Winner form with your book pick.

Your turn to share:

1. This week winnie asks: What do you think about love triangles in romances??

2. Name any two picky habits. Limit it to two but if you want to repeat this question say so in the comment so I'll know to add it again.

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 12 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, February 3, 2012 at 10PM central.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Winners of Love Engineered, A Cold Creek Secret and Miss Hildreth Wore Brown

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS:

of Giveaways Ended January 27

Giveaway (Personally Autographed to me) Love Engineered

Suzanne (Hope you had a Happy Birthday!)

Giveaway 2 Copies of Cold Creek Secret

lag123 and Rachel

Giveaway of Miss Hidreth Wore Brown

RAnn

WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the books out. Please reply within 72 hours!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Forever's Paranormal Blog Tour January 30 - February 8

I finished Midnight Reckoning and am engaged by Firelight - good books! Visit here next Wednesday 2/1 for reviews, Q&A and chance to win both books!

Here is the full tour list:
          Blog URL                        Posting Date
My Book Addiction and More    1/30/2011 with Q&A
http://www.lovetoreadforfun.com    1/30/2011
http://maryinhb.blogspot.com    1/30/2011
http://www.renees-reads.blogspot.com/    1/30/2011
http://bodicerippernovels.wordpress.com    1/30/2011
http://www.thebookgirl.net    1/30/2011
http://www.justanothernewblog.com    1/30/2011
http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com    1/31/2011 with Q&A
rexrobotreviews.com    1/31/2011
www.boekiesbookreviews.com    1/31/2011
http://krazybooklady.blogspot.com    1/31/2011
http://gimmethescoopreviews.blogspot.com/    1/31/2011
http://www.seducedbyabook.com/    2/1/2011 with Q&A
http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/    2/1/2011 with Q&A
http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com    2/2/2011
http://bookofsecretsblog.com    2/2/2011
http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com/    2/2/2011
http://dreyslibrary.com    2/2/2011
Novelreaction.com    2/2/2011
http://romancingrakes.blogspot.com    2/4/2011
http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com/    2/5/2011
http://www.sarahsblogoffun.com    2/5/2011
hangingwithbells.com    2/6/2011
www.sosaloha.blogspot.com    2/6/2011
http://www.book-obsessed.com    2/6/2011
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/    2/7/2011
http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com    2/7/2011
http://kimberlysbookshelf.blogspot.com/    2/8/2011
www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com    2/8/2011
mothergamerwriter.com    2/8/2011
www.marygramlich.blogspot.com    2/8/2011 with Q&A
http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com    2/8/2011
http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/    2/8/2011
http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/    2/8/2011
http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/    2/8/2011

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway January 27, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway, scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.]

Whew! I have had such a week. I looked up tonight and WOW - it was Thursday already!
Thank you to all who entered January 20 Pick. There were FOUR Automatic winners this week (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).
Way to Go!!
Carol M asked for Blackwater Sound for 4 weeks with no blocks.
mamabunny13 asked for The Marshall Takes a Bride for 4 weeks with no blocks.
lag123 asked for After Dark for 4 weeks with no blocks.
Lieder asked for The Shattered Rose for 4 weeks with no blocks.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from January 20 Pick:

Jane chose Swear by the Moon

Birgit 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 or sexy +plus - I am still low on just sweet.

It feels like time is flying.
Maybe a book clock would help!
Found at The Bookshelf

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Endless Chain by Emilie Richards

~~Baby and All (3 Novels in 1) by Candace Camp, Victoria Pade and Myrna Mackenzie~~

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

~~Thinner by Stephen King~~

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Dangerous Lady by Amanda Scott

November of the Heart by Lavyrle Spencer

Long Way Home (Friends Romance Series) by Wendy Corsi Staub

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov

The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown

*Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark

*Out of the Blue (Allegheny Hopes) by Janice A. Thompson

*A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)

~~After Dark by Beverly Barton(spine wear)~~

~~The Shattered Rose by Jo Beverley~~

Final Justice by Jasmine Cresswell

Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey

~~Praying for Sleep by Jeffery Deaver~~

Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery

The Wedding Wager by Cathy Maxwell

Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon

Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Witch by Barbara Michaels (spine wear)

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

Death Angel by Linda Howard

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011

Singles:

Tender Triumph by Judith McNaught

A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holibrook

~~Blackwater Sound: A Novel (Thorn Mysteries) by James W. Hall~~

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

~~Coffin Underground (Inspector John Coffin) by Gwendoline Butler~~

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

* I. O. U by Pickard, Nancy (spine creased)

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Disguised Blessing

~~Rhapsody: A Love Story~~

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

Patricia Cornwell Pair:

Cruel and Unusual

At Risk (Win Garano)

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

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 in November 27, 2009 and in two years I posted 24 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (Nov 2011)

I have 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! I am happy to say that so far about 303 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

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, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, 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 far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 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)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

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!

1/14/11 New List
#17

Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins
Saving Faith by David Baldacci (Audio Book)

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Best Of Enemies by Taylor Smith

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Uneasy Alliance (Famous Firsts) Jayne Ann Krentz (slightly worn)

List #15

~~The Texas CEO's Secret (Silhouette Special Edition) by Nicole Foster~~

List #14

Blood And Glory (Soldiers Of War) (Soldiers of War, Book 1) by Larson Reed

Lines of Defense by Barry Siegel
Gospel Truths by J.G. Sandom

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12

The Ripple Effect by Lynn Erickson

Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt

~~The Genesis Code: A Thriller by John Case~~

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1 Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2