Sunday Words of Encouragement May 27, 2012

This is Pentecost Sunday and we had a beautiful service filled with the presence of the Spirit. Pentecost celebrates the birth of the church when the Spirit filled the worshipers for the first time. It is fitting that Pentecost and Memorial Day may be celebrated together. Both are dedicated as a remembrance. 

Our Sunday School leader pointed out that in Revelations 3:1-6 God spoke to the church at Sardis. "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." (v.1-2).  All churches need to be careful to do more than go through the motions. We need to remember the power of the Spirit and allow Him to work within our hearts and lives.

This wasn't one of our songs this morning but I think it is beautifully fitting.

Verses for Today

Acts 2: 1-4 (New International Version)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

I pray that the Spirit will always help me to remember that God is my creator, my redeemer and my guide.

Sharing Beyond Books #50 Comment Giveaway May 26, 2012

Welcome to SBB! It is so hard to realize that we are almost through five months of 2012 already.

Thank you to all those who commented last week.

Most of us are forgiving of minor errors in historical fiction but we don't want blatant errors and we are annoyed if we know there is an error. Also, we do want the story consistent to the era  :-)

I was pleasantly surprised that we all like vegetables! Asparagus is a favorite to 4 people and it would be my second fav too. Sarah's favorite is fiddleheads which I had to look up - it is a type of fern. I love learning new things! Abby didn't like brinjal which I also had to look up -  it is eggplant.

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The Winner from SBB #49 comments is: #9 Marianne. There are still 7 'love' books to pick from and 2 Christmas choices. Marianne please choose a book (or GC if international) from the remaining Love Books List for Giveaway, remaining Christmas Giveaway Books, 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 #50 Questions

Q1.  Abby asks: Have you read any Asian books (Asian-influenced, Asian authored, about Asia)??

A:  I looked up Asia to learn that it includes 48 countries. I didn't realize that. The only book that I thought of by an Asian author or about Asia that I have read is a book I got at a book signing at a favorite bookstore in Jupiter.  The Purple Storm by Nicholas Tu which is the remarkable true story of a man who struggled for 15 years to escape from Vietnam.

Q2. My question this week:  How did you celebrate your graduation??

A: This seemed like a timely question. My mother took my sister and me on a Nassau cruise when we graduated from High School. My father took me on a trip when I graduated college. We went to the Super Bowl in LA and then went out to Hawaii to visit my sister who lived there at the time. When I graduated from law school I have to admit that I partied with a friend drinking Tequila. Oh that wild college past - I don't do that anymore. :-)

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 being replenished!  Thanks for sending in questions! 

Your turn to share:

1. Abby asks: Have you read any Asian books (Asian-influenced, Asian authored, about Asia)??
 
2. My question: How did you celebrate your graduation??
 
SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the remaining  Valentine and "Love" books or the remaining Christmas Giveaway Books - there are still about 9 books available to choose from. Also I have added the Review and ARC Box now.

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, June 1, 2012 at 10 PM central.

Book Review and Giveaway: Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy

This is a charming and delightful read. I would definitely read more by Mary Connealy.

Calico Canyon, Lassoed in Texas Series #2

by Mary Connealy 

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 288
Vendor: Barbour Publishing
Publication Date: 2008
ISBN: 1597899380
ISBN-13: 9781597899383
Series: Lassoed in Texas
Available in Kindle or Nook;
also available as part of the series trilogy in print or ebook.
Genre: Christian Romantic Comedy, Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Let yourself be swept away by this fast-paced romance, featuring Grace Calhoun, an instructor of reading, writing, and arithmetic, who, in an attempt to escape the clutchs of a relentless pursuer, runs smack dab into even more trouble with the 6R's - widower Daniel Reeves, along with his five rowdy sons. When a marriage is forced upon this hapless pair - two people who couldn't dislike each other more - an avalanche isn't the only potential danger lurking amid the shadows of Calico Canyon. Will they make it out alive? Or end up killing each other in the process?

Review:
Grace was adopted as a four year old by Parrish, a man who beat and terrorized her and worked her as slave labor in the carpet mills of Chicago. Grace tried to protect her “sister”, Hannah, and the other little girls who were targeted by Parrish.  Grace finally escaped and on the way out of town was able to get Parrish arrested for theft.

Grace ended up as a teacher in a remote Texas town where she starves herself as she sends most of her money home to Hannah. Grace presents a prim and proper image trying to appear older than 16 and trying to control her students. Most of the children, especially the little girls, love her but the five impish Reeves boys won’t settle down. Her attempts to get their father to help control them go to no avail and finally there is a confrontation.

Grace is in despair but that is nothing to her fear when Parrish bursts into her barren room. Fleeing in the cold night Grace hides in a wagon and ends up frozen in the remote, barren home of the Reeves. Grace doesn’t want the bullish man and his 11 year old troublesome twins and 5 year old terrible triplets. And Daniel Reeves wants nothing to do with a prim, prissy woman, no matter how pretty, especially after he lost his wife to child birth. But the parson shows up and they stumble into marriage vows.

When an avalanche blocks the family into the canyon how will Grace manage to cope with the six Rs?

I loved Grace as a brave young woman who faced all obstacles by returning to her faith in a God who is ever faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him. I also enjoyed the zany antics of the motherless boys, Abe (Abraham), Ike (Issac), Mark, Luke and John. The boys are hiding their longing for a mother’s love behind their rowdy exteriors. One of my book club mates pointed out that it was interesting that the personalities of the boys are similar to their Biblical namesakes. The Biblical messages that are shared are beautiful, powerful and flowed appropriately with the historical setting where the Bible was the primary source of reading material.

Ms. Connealy does a grand job of describing the settings and primitive cultural aspects befitting the 1867 west. The pacing in the beginning is just a little slow but once it hits the humor it is easy to settle in and the rest moves at a nice brisk pace. The writing has a good flow and balance between character development, plotline and description. This is a fine read for anyone who enjoys a Christian message wrapped in a fun story.

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A sampling of quotes:
The parson sort of tricks them into marriage:

Grace quit listening to the parson as she considered what seemed to be going on in this cave this morning. Forget nervous horse: Try runaway train. This situation was definitely out of control... Page 53

Grace discussing God with John while they are blocked in the cave:

"God loves us especially when we don't deserve it, honey." Page 140

Daniel's thoughts on a playful Grace after she is dug out from the avalanche:

The snow had buried an overanxious prude. He'd dug up a little spitfire. Page 147

I picked this up at Christianbooks for $2.99 for our Church ladies' book club. Everyone enjoyed it! It is still available at that lovely discounted price!

This is set in Mosqueros, Texas for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my New Author Challenge list.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something you found there of interest OR if you have read this author before tell me a title you liked and/or why you liked it. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower on any media (GFC, Twitter @MSEREADS, Facebook fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByMarthasBookshelf , Goodreads or Linky - links on right sidebar) or tell me if you are already a follower.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Two total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 1, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 2. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Author Hosts US Military Wives Contest!

4th Annual U.S. Military Wives Contest—Open for Entries!

For the past couple of years, as a special thank you to our service members and their families, I have held a contest just for Military Wives. It turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the privilege of meeting several incredible women and their beautiful families. It's so easy to forget that there are real people who are deeply affected by the conflicts overseas. Hearing the personal stories of these families helped me remember that our troops are husbands, fathers, brothers and sons who are immensely loved and sorely missed.

This contest will run from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend but start sending those entries in now!

Who is eligible? Wives of any U.S. military service member may enter. Retired or active-duty.

How do you enter? Send an email to info@novelromance.net with a picture of you and your family member in uniform. Tell us a bit about what branch he serves in, where you've been stationed, challenges and so forth. We want to hear your story! Please put "4th Annual Military Families Contest" in the subject line.

Once a week, beginning Memorial Day weekend, I will pick one entrant to be highlighted on my blog. These weekly entrants are semi-finalists. Labor Day weekend I will select three winners.

Second Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card, Signed copies of Unleashed and Untouched

First Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Card, and signed copies of Unleashed and Untouched

Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon Gift card and signed copies of Unleashed and Untouched

For more information about the contest and Sara Humphreys, please visit http://sarahumphreys.com/ and follow Sara on Twitter, @AuthorSara.

Check out the Huffington Post Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-taney-humphreys/military-families-_b_1533949.html?ref=tw

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sara Humphreys has been attracted to the fantasies of science fiction, paranormal, and romance since her adolescence when she had a mad crush on Captain Kirk. An actress and public speaker, Sara lives in Bronxville, New York with her husband, who is very considerate of her double life, and four amazing boys. For more information about the contest and Sara Humphreys, please visit http://sarahumphreys.com/

 

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 25, 2012

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

Happy Friday folks. How is everyone this week? Do we have any graduates out there? I'm so glad you guys liked the sign from last week. I'm thinking about offering one for giveaway!

Thank you to all who entered May 18 Pick.  There were no 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).
There were two picks blocked by multiple requests but one was won this week from a several week "face off." (Sorry Carol - I think I have a second copy to read and I will make myself a note that you are interested in it when I finish.)

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from May 18 Pick:

mamabunny13 chose A Week in Winter
and

bn100 chose The Blue Zone

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 and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

Congratulations Graduates; 
now you can go from text books to fun books!

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham

Game Over by Fern Michaels

Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)

In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott

Gabriel's Lady by Ana Seymor

Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

Nightshade by John Saul

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

Cross Country by James Patterson

Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey (spine damage)

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

When Dreams Come True by Cathy Maxwell (slight spine wear)

A Week in Winter by Marcia Willett

Slow Heat by Erica Spindler

The Trouble with Joe by Emilie Richards

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

The Amazing Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly
*Not Looking for a Texas Man by Lass Small
*Ladies Start Your Engines

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.

Nora Roberts
     Inner Harbor (#3 Cheasapeake Bay Series) and Blue Dahlia (SC) (#1 In the Garden Trilogy -(nice trilogy!)
Dick Francis
     Smokescreen (SC) and Field of Thirteen

New Group #25 January 12, 2012

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

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

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

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

The Firebird Deception (Silhouette Bombshell) by Cate Dermody

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

*Prime Time by Sandra Brown  

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

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.)

Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey

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

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

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.

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

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 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

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 358 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

List #15---

List #14

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

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

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

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3

One Eye Closed by Karen Whiddon

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

The Daddy Spell by Patti Ann Cole

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6

Elusive Love by Catherine Lanigan

Pick #7

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

Three Weddings and a Kiss - Anthology

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes

Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10

The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)

Dreams Gather by Kathryn Collins (sc)