Sunday Words of Encouragement September 7, 2014

Pastor’s central point in the Sermon this morning continued what we have been reading, discussing and seeing in online videos: God has a purpose for all things and there are times of Divine Appointment. Habakkuk 2:2-3 Jesus prayed in sorrow for Jerusalem because they would not – chose not to –  believe; therefore they missed an appointed time. Matthew 23: 37-39.

We believe today that warnings have been given, the signs are appearing and the world circumstances are moving toward a Divine Appointment. There is lawlessness, there are famines, volcanoes, earthquakes, blood moons and eclipses.  We must be careful not to miss our appointed time.

God is now warning nation, church and individual. How should we respond? We need to abandon any worldly idols that hinder our time and worship of God; that hinder our obedience and relationship with God.

We sang a part of a song this morning but I do not know it and it wasn't on the song list I picked up.

In searching for a song today I found this and it fits for me.

From the Inside Out

Verses for Today:

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NIV)

 2 Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
    and make it plain on tablets
    so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
    it speaks of the end
    and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
    it will certainly come
    and will not delay.

Lord, it is my prayer that you will help me lay aside unimportant matters and focus more on You and what You want me to do each day. I praise you and thank you for your faithfulness and your never ending grace.

Sharing Beyond Books #167 Comment Giveaway September 6, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
This has been a short week because day off results in pushing the rest of the week to catch up.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Ten out of 19 people do not use the snooze either because it is not a function on their alarm, they don't use an alarm or they are morning people like scottsgal and fredamans (who jumps out of bed like a Pop Tart!). Five of us use the snooze fairly regularly and another four use it on rare occasions.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #166 comments is: #3 SarahM who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #167 (One Question.)

Q1. Alyn asks: Do you remember the first book you did not finish??

A: Really?? I'm lucky to remember the last book I did not finish. And that was only two weeks ago. I had so much trouble starting an audio book I even forgot to list it on my Monday Reading Post. Now I don't remember the name of the book and would have to go look it up. There is also a paperback on the book shelf in my 'throne'room that I started at the beginning of the year that probably will end up in the next giveaway box. It was too risque and not for me.  It is only recently that I decided that not all books are worth finishing. As a guess, the first book I DNF was War and Peace.

That is a good saying but I have come to agree with other readers that 
sometimes there are books that need to be passed on.
Image found at Behappy.me.

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 book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Alyn asks: Do you remember the first book you did not finish??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two 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 through Saturday September 13, 2014 at 5 PM  central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 5, 2014

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

And there goes another busy week. :-) Sigh.  I hope everyone is doing really well and making good transition back to school or getting ready for fall events. 
I'll be pulling together another box for next week. 

[UPDATED NOTE - US entrants I prefer, please, that you pick a book as that is the first purpose of this giveaway - to find new homes for books. The GCs are for the international entrants because postage has jumped up.]

Thank you to all who entered the August 29 Pick. There was one automatic win this week.  (Automatic winners are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.) There was one title blocked again.
rubynreba gets A Place Called home

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 29 Pick:
MaryP gets a GC

Anita gets Midnight Reign

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.}

Do you ever feel squirrelly when you're reading?

Image found at Wallpaperhi.

New Book Group #50! August 8, 2014

PAIRS:
William J. Coughlin: The Court and The Judgment
Phyllis J. Whitney: The Ebony Swan and Woman Without a Past
SINGLES:
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
So Hard to Forget by Evelyn Crowe
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
Whirlwind Affair by Jacquie D'Allessandro
Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione 
ChiefTain by Nan Ryan
A Place Called Home by Lori Wick
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose

New Book Group #49 June 27, 2014

PAIRS:
Sandra Brown:  The Thrill of Victory and Temperatures Rising
Beverly Barton: The Last to Die and Raintree: Sanctuary
SINGLES:
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
Down by the Water by Caroline Upcher
Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton
Savage Thunder by Cassie Edwards
Miracle by Deborah Smith
Desperate Alliances by Cory Daniells
Never Walk Alone by Paula Detmer Riggs
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Running Blind by Lee Child
Dirty Sexy Knitting by Christie Ridgway
The Grey Beginning by Barbara Michaels
The Highlander's Bride by Michele Sinclair


New Book Group #48 May 30, 2014

PAIRS:
Karen Haper:  Black Orchid (spine creases) and Shaker Run
Elizabeth Lowell: Fever and The Color of Death
SINGLES:
After Dark by Phillip Margolin Audio Tapes
Dangerous by Debra Dier
First to Fight Anthology
Full Bloom by Jayne Ann Krentz
Mesmerized by Gayle Lynds
On the Edge by Susan Kearney
Safe by His Side by Linda Conrad

New Book Group #47 April 25, 2014

SINGLES:
Trey's Secret by Lois Faye Dayer
Midnight Reign by Chris Marie Green
Once Upon a Moon by Julie Kistler
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy



New Book Group #46 March 15, 2014

SINGLES:
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Penhollow by Georgette Heyer
The Last Heiress by Bertrice Small (spine creases)
Strong Arms of the Law by Vicki Kennedy


New Book Group #45 January 31, 2014

SINGLES:
Out of Darkness by Lynn Erickson
Lord Braybrook's Penniless Bride by Elizabeth Rolls
Contract Dad by Helen Shelton
Hearts Are Wild by Laura Wright

New Book Group #44 December 14, 2013---(All gone)

New Book Group! #43 November 1, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #42 September 27, 2013 ---(All gone)

New Book Group #41 August 2, 2013

Singles:
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way

New Book Group #40 June 28, 2013

Singles:
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)

New Book Group #39 May 31, 2013 - Plenty of "summer" titles!
Singles:
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford

New Book Group #38 April 20, 2013
Awaken the Senses by Nalini Singh

New Book Group #37 March 22, 2013
Singles:
Anthology: Something Borrowed, Something Blue - this book has spine creases and minor water damage...I thought I had read it and liked it but now I realize it was another anthology I read with Elaine Barbier.

New Book Group #36 February 15, 2013

The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe

New Book Group #35 January 11, 2013 (All gone)

New Book Group #34 December 7, 2012--- (All gone)

New Book Group #33 October 27, 2012---(All gone)

New Book Group #32 October 5, 2012
- Oops upside down book! 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 - A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley

New Book Group #31 August 31, 2012
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012--- (All gone)

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)

New Group #25 January 12, 2012---(All gone)

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011---(All gone)

New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011---(All gone)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books Group #20---(All gone)

3/25/11 Group #19---(All gone)
Primary Colors - audio tapes

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone).

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 on November 27, 2009 and in four years I have posted 43 groups of 16 (688) books to find new homes! (as of November 2013).

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! I am happy to say that so far about 704+ 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 $7.00 and $6.00 $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)

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--- (All gone)

12/3/10 Book Set: #16
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown 

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books! ---(All gone)

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2---(All gone)

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4---(All gone)

Pick #5---(All gone)

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7
Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Pick #8
The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes
No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9
On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Pick #10---(All Gone)

Audible Book Review: Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1 by B. V. Larson

This is an engaging, action packed sci fi and a fun listen!
Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
Written by: B. V. Larson
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
Series: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-03-13
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi, Military
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the 20th century Earth sent probes, transmissions, and welcoming messages to the stars. Unfortunately, someone noticed. The Galactics arrived with their battle fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined their vast Empire. Swearing allegiance to our distant alien overlords wasn't the only requirement for survival. We also had to have something of value to trade, something that neighboring planets would pay their hard-earned credits to buy. As most of the local worlds were too civilized to have a proper army, the only valuable service Earth could provide came in the form of soldiers…someone had to do their dirty work for them, their fighting and dying.
I, James McGill, was born in 2099 on the fringe of the galaxy. When Hegemony Financial denied my loan applications, I was kicked out of the university and I turned to the stars. My first campaign involved the invasion of a mineral-rich planet called Cancri-9, better known as Steel World. The attack didn't go well, and now Earth has entered a grim struggle for survival. Humanity's mercenary legions go to war in Steel World, best-selling author B. V. Larson's latest science fiction novel.
©2013 B. V. Larson (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
James McGill, born in 2099, spent his growing years playing virtual reality games instead of concentrating on legitimate studies. When he loses his college loans he turns to the military as no other jobs are available. McGill has reasonable skills and thinks fast on his feet. In spite of the fact that he is able to think through several of the tests he is rejected by the first floor of recruiters due to his “attitude”. The doorman sends him to the basement where he is accepted by the Varus unit. This is a unit that is continually underseige and known to have been completely wiped out on more than one occassion. But what choice does he have?

McGill signs on as a”splat”, the name given the newest recruits who are considered expendable. Although it is expected they will all die, McGill manages to evade death time and time again.

In this future world each planet has come under the thumb of the Galatics. The only way a planet can survive is to trade its resources. The only resource that Earth brings to the market are the protection and fighting skills of its mercenary forces. Now those skills are being challenged by another planet who claims its mercenary units are better skilled. The Varus unit has been sent into Steel World to face the enemy and to determine if Earth can hold enough contracts to keep the planet in the trade system.

McGill and the other raw recruits are thrown into the battle with little training. They have some excellent commanders but also a few leaders who are obsessive “by-the-rules’ types. The battle leaders appreciate McGill’s ability to think outside of the box and to improvise but those skills make him a target for discipline and elimination by the rule-followers.

This is an engaging sci fi story with strange alien beings and good plot twists. There is a cast of rough characters, male and female, heros and villains. There’s a little bit of romance, a little bit of, sometimes macabre, humor, and lots of action. The first person story-telling by McGill keeps the story active and real from the perspective of an often irreverent twenty-two year old. Fortunately the author did not include excessive foul language.

The characters have good development and the bizarre conflict is sufficiently explained. There are some interesting observations on life and death but for the most part this is just fun, engaging entertainment. This is the first book I have ‘read’ by this author but it will not be the last. I have already picked up book two to listen to after some review audios are completed.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a wonderful job of narration. He is able to portray the personalities of the various characters through their voices and attitudes. He also delivers the story with steady pacing and energy. I recommend this as a fun, fast listen.

This title is from my own Audible library.

Book Review: Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel by Katie Reus

I enjoyed the strong action with second chance romance in spite of some annoying issues.

Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel

by Katie Reus

• File Size: 1792 KB
• Print Length: 346 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0451419227
• Publisher: Signet (August 5, 2014)
• Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
• ASIN: B00HZ1E5UI

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Military Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
At a benefit dinner, community activist Maria Cervantes overhears two men plotting a terrorist attack that could rock Miami to its core. But before she can alert authorities, she’s almost killed in a massive explosion—and wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened. As the sole survivor of the attack, she is now a person of interest to the NSA—and especially to Agent Cade O’Reilly. Because Maria is the one woman Cade has never been able to forget.

Years ago, they were closer than either was willing to admit—until Cade disappeared when Maria needed him most. Now he’s sticking by her, whether she likes it or not. Because the memories locked inside her mind could hold vital clues to the next attack. Because terrorists want her dead—and because he never wants to let her go again.

Review:
Maria Cervantis is part of a wealthy family of givers with Maria working in a local community program to help disadvantaged kids. Maria has been suffering from flu symptoms for a week but insists on attending a high society party to make an appearance for her board of directors. While finding her way from a private bathroom to return to her car Maria overhears three men, one being a voice she knows, planning terrorist attacks around Miami. Distressed and wretchedly ill, Maria stumbles outside to get fresh air and to get to her car so she can call someone to report what she has heard. Before she gets to the car the mansion blows sky high behind her. Stunned and thrown to the ground, Maria awakens to discover she is the sole survivor and, not only has her mother died in the explosion, but she has lost her memory of the evening's events.

Cade O’Rielly is a special forces agent working for the National Security Agency (NSA). He volunteers to determine what connection Maria might have to the bombing as he has a past history with Maria.  He was best friends with her brother while they served in Afghanistan together eight years before. Cade had started a friendship and tentative relationship with Maria until her brother died and Cade, filled with guilt, disconnected himself from her life.

Parts of this made good sense when Cade would focus on protecting Maria and not dash off after the terrorists which happens in some books/movies. There was also a good mix of potential suspects for the person Maria knew but wasn’t remembering. There were some good diversions, some irony and lots of good, fast paced action.

I mostly liked Cade as a character and sort of liked Maria. I think she was strong but the traumatic loss was pretty devastating. Her sorrow didn't keep her from wanting to jump all over Cade though and at one point my thoughts of her were pretty negative.  My objections are that midway I was really tired of the repetition: guilt for Cade, ‘sob, sob’ for Maria, but, ‘okay’ lets use steamy sex as a distraction. It was time to get over the “she was a mess” parts and move past the 'eye candy' and the guilt and get to acknowledging their feelings, then finishing the suspense of the story. I was glad when the author got to wrapping it up. Overall I enjoyed the action and romance in this story in spite of those issues. I would be willing to try another book by Ms. Reus.

I received this from the Publisher through NetGalley.