Sunday Words of Encoragement July 26, 2015

We attended a funeral yesterday morning for a dear brother in the Lord. He died a week short of his 97th birthday. We only knew him for the past ten years that we have been at out church. He made a big impression as a simple man who loved God and never missed an opportunity to share Jesus. He and his wife, who is only a year or so younger, have been faithful prayer warriors. She has been suffering from Alzheimer's the past couple of years and only comes to church sporadically now.

Brother Roy’s family shared several lovely stories of his past and his influence on children and grandchildren. Pastor read a poem that Brother Roy carried with him in WWII. I could not find it on the internet so it may have been a private poem. It was very striking. It started by asking for protection and stated along the lines: “do not allow any bomb to burst, unless my God assigns it first.” I will have to ask for a copy.

Pastor also shared bits of wisdom written in the margins of Brother Roy’s Bibles. One was: “Before you shoot your mouth off, make sure your brain is loaded.” Another was “Any man who thinks by an inch and talks by a mile, needs to be kicked by a foot.”

This beautiful song, which I had never heard, was song live.
Celebrate Me Home.

Verses for today:
Psalm 116: (NIV)
7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
8 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.

Lord, I thank you that I had the chance to know Brother Roy here in this world. My DH always joked that they would "ride the elevator together". Although that didn’t happen, I hope he tells you that DH and I are 'on our way'. We look forward to seeing our family and friends – and You, when You bring us home.

Sharing Beyond Books #212 Comment Giveaway for July 25, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB! I had another busy week and spent today at home trying to work through a cough/cold that sprang up on me on Thursday. Ugh. I hope to post this and then head off to bed.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Six of us chose a flower or flowers and agreed they, at least sort of, reflected our personalities. Four chose flowers but were not sure if they reflected their personalities. Two chose flowers but made no comment on personalities, One chose no favorite and thought that matched them being a bit indecisive. The final two said they had no favorite flower.

~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #211 comments is: #2 Mary P who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #212 (One Question.)

Nikki asks: Q1 Is there a short series that you wish had a continuation??

A: The first series I thought of was The Magnificent Devices series by Shelley Adina. I only thought there were four books but when I looked I discovered it is up to eight so there are more for me to read. The second series I thought about was Project Universe by Pauline Baird Jones. That one ended at six books. The third one I thought of was The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger which also stopped at five books. (I should try her other series.) I am sure there are others but I can't think of them right at the moment.

Image found at The Adventures of Library Girl.

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! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.
There were three questions submitted for July: Miki, MaryP, Nikki. Random Org chose #3 - Nikki.

Your turn to share:
Nikki asks: Q1 Is there a short series that you wish had a continuation??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the  Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question 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 August 1, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Seduction in Death: In Death, Book 13 by J. D. Robb

This is another entertaining crime investigation with two of my fav characters, Eve and Roarke.
Seduction in Death: In Death, Book 13
Written by: J. D. Robb
Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
Series: In Death, Book 13
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-15-13
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Crime Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Dante had been courting his victim in cyberspace for weeks before meeting her in person. A few sips of wine and a few hours later, she was dead. The murder weapon: a rare, usually undetectable date-rape drug with a street value of a quarter million dollars. Detective Eve Dallas is playing and replaying the clues in her mind. The candlelight, the music, the rose petals strewn across the bed - a seduction meant for his benefit, not hers. He hadn't intended to kill her. But now that he has, he is left with only two choices: to either hole up in fear and guilt or start hunting again....
©2001 Nora Roberts (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Eve Dallas knows that evil comes in all shapes and sizes. She is a detective who fights for the innocent dead. The latest victim is a young woman who had fallen onto the sidewalk from her high up apartment. Eve quickly recognizes that the death is not a suicide. The evidence shows that someone romanced her with flowers and wine. Eve correctly suspects she died from an accidental, but lethal, overdose or mix of rare date-rape drugs.

The security cameras caught images of the perpetrator, and he left a trail of fingerprints and DNA. But none of that is in the system and it appears that not even his face is real. Eve and her team are going to have to go the long route to track down the expensive shoes, clothing, flowers, wine, wig, make-up traces and, most importantly, the hard to get drugs, in an effort to tie them to the killer.

A few nights later another young woman is found murdered. This time the death is clearly not accidental - it is intentional and brutal. There is no trace evidence left at the scene of this fragile young woman. Either the killer is upping his game or there is more than one person involved.

Eve is determined, as always, to get the killer(s) before more young ladies die. She isn’t beyond using a little computer help from Roarke who is brought on board as a civilian consultant to help Eve think more like a man in this process of seduction.

The plot is detailed, a bit gritty because of the sexual/rape nature of the crimes, and has effective twists. JD Robb (Nora Roberts) does a wonderful job weaving personal character issues (this episode has the estranged romance between Peabody and McNab) in the background of the crime investigation. This story also reveals the crimes from the view of the killer(s) which adds interest. These books are always reliable entertainment and I will continue to download and listen to them as there is a long list ahead.

Audio Notes: Susan Erickson does her usual wonderful job of narrating this series. She has these characters pinned with personality and voice. I really enjoy listening to the books as I can follow them while doing mindless chores - vacuuming, folding laundry, etc. It makes for enjoyable and productive use of my time.

I purchased this with an Audible credit to continue in the series. This qualifies for my 2015 Audio Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 24, 2015

Happy Friday - 
Sigh - it has been a busy, busy week. I have much work to complete and DH wants to go away for the weekend to visit our son at their new house. Not sure I can go without working this Saturday - we'll see.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK:

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up to late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the July 17 Pick. There were three automatic wins this week.  Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was one title blocked this week.
AUTO: LindaK gets Honeymoon, 
CarolNW gets Dead in the Water Audio, and 
SueF gets Patriot Dreams

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 17 Pick:
Llehn gets a GC

Betty gets Where is He Now?

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.}

Doesnt' this look relaxing? 

Image found at GoiTalk

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015
-- A few summer titles, a few mysteries, a few historicals...

PAIRS:
JoAnn Ross:Impulse and Far Harbor\
Barbara Bretton: One and Only and Shore Lights
SINGLES:
Honeymoon by James Patterson
Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson Audio Cassette Tapes
Marriage by the Book by Joan Johnston (slight binding damage)
Summer Lovin', American Romance - Marin Thomas, Laura Marie Altom and Ann Roth
Hot Pursuit - Karen Rose, Annie Solomon and Carla Cassidy
Murders in the Mist by Willard Scott
Murder on the Atlantic by Steve Allen
Love Me Tommow by Rosanne Bittner (spine creasing)
The Reiver's Woman by Catherine Creel
Never Romance a Rake by Liz Carlyle
Patriot Dreams by Barbara Michaels
Sevant, The Awakening by L.L. Foster


New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015
(I'll finish the list with authors on Saturday 5/2/15)

PAIRS:
Nora Roberts: The Heart of Devin MacKade and the Pride of Jared MacKade
SINGLES:
A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl
Veil of Night by Lydia Joyce
The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess by Trish Morey
Special Agent by Candice DeLong
Dead in The Water by Stuart Woods - Cassette Tapes
Rally Fever by Crea Jones

New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

PAIRS:
Catherine Lanigan: Tender Malice and Elusive Love (spine creases)
SINGLES:
Madison Avenue Marriage (Silhouette Desire #129) by Cassandra Bishop
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Where is He Now? by Jennifer Greene
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks


New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015
(I'll try to get the rest linked another day.)

SINGLES:
If I Had You by Deborah Bedford
Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
The Man Who Ate the 747 by Ben Sherwood
Paradise Bay by James Michael Pratt
Exclusive Anthology by Fiona Hood-Stewart, Sharon Kendrick and Jackie Braun


New Book Group #54 December 26, 2014

SINGLES:
Ender’s Shadow by Orson Scott Card - Tape Cassettes



BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories by Kate Chopin
Maybe This Time by Victoria Barrett
The Commander by Kate Bridges
The Cinderella Plan by Margaret Daley
The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook by Steve Doocy
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Richard Paul Evans PAIR: The Looking Glass and The Carousel
Duo Book: Yesterday's Memories by Tara Taylor Quinn and Amanda Stevens
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner


BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)

Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
Cattle Rancher, Secret Son by Margaret Way
Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
Trouble Becomes Her by Laura Van Wormer
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain
Illegal Possession by Kay Hooper


BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)

Thinner by Stephen King
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- 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
Tara Taylor Quinn: Father: Unknown and McGillus v.Wright
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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.


BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)

Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Death Angel by Linda Howard

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 five+ years I have posted 54 groups of 16 (864) books to find new homes! (as of February 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 844+ 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. 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!

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 $7.00 and $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)

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!

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: A Killer Past by Maris Soule

This thriller has a twisted, fairly unique plotline.

A Killer Past
by Maris Soule

• File Size: 656 KB
• Print Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale; Alabama edition (June 1, 2015)
• Publication Date: March 1, 2015
• ASIN: B00ZO3LQE2
• Genre: Crime Thriller
• My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

When two gang members choose Mary Harrington as their target, the quiet widow has a secret to share of her own
Most people in the town of Rivershore, Michigan view Mary Harrington as a quiet widow whose only oddity is that she spends a lot of time at the gym. Her son thinks it’s time for her to move into a retirement home. Two gang members think she’ll be an easy target. No one in Rivershore knows what Mary did in her younger years—really did—but the two gang members discover they’ve underestimated their victim . . . and Mary fears reverting to old habits may have jeopardized her future.

Review:
Mary Harrington appears to be just a quiet widow in her 70s. But looks can be deceiving. She works out a lot at the gym to stay in shape mostly because it makes her feel better. There are other, long seated reasons that few people, not even her family, know about.

Mary’s quiet suburban neighborhood is slowly being encroached upon by drug dealing, violent gangs. Her car breaks down a block from home where two teenagers are hanging out. They think she will be an easy target but, again, looks can be deceiving. They didn't expect her to fight back. A local Sergeant, Jack Rossini, ends up investigating the mugging. Jack has been around the crime force a long time and senses there are facts that Mary is hiding. He warns her to expect retaliation by the gang but she thinks she can handle it.

Sure enough it is not long before the danger heats up with an attack on her house. The day of the attack a friend from 40 years in her past shows up on her doorstep. Mary has to explain to Jack and her own family that David is a friend from her youthful days exploring Europe - a time before she settled in this community, met and married her sweet husband. Jack thinks the man looks very dangerous and Mary’s family suspect he may be trying to con her out of money. David brings news of another danger to Mary so now she has to cope with two lines of threats.

Ms. Soule does a lovely job building tension and giving the story some good twists. The primary characters are well developed, showing their sharp minds, strengths, determination and a few flaws. The description of the deterioration of the once nice suburban community and how that impacts the residents, especially the aging members, was insightful. The story was just a tad slow in the beginning but it did pick up. There were also some back history details that seemed repeated unnecessarily. Still, the twists made this an engaging story and I appreciated that the story had a different character history - which I can’t reveal or it would be a spoiler.

I would be interested to try other stories by this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy their mystery/crime thriller with some good twists.

I picked this up last minute from Novel Book Tour for an honest review on tour.

A Killer Past Buy Links:
 Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Books | Books-A-Million

About Award-Winning Author Maris Soule
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter | Amazon Author Page

Writer, teacher, artist, wife, mother, dog trainer, horse rider, boater. Maris Soule can list an array of occupations and avocations. Even as a writer her 29 published books span a variety of genres and subgenres, ranging from short stories to romances, romantic suspense, and mystery. A two-time RITA finalist, Soule has placed in and won several writing contests. Born and raised in California, Soule and her husband now spend their summers in Michigan and their winters in Florida.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Visit other Tour Stops for Excerpts, Author Interviews and more:

Monday, July 20, 2015
A Blue Million Books – Author Interview
Christine’s Words – Author Interview
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – Spotlight
Fundinmental – Book Review

Tuesday, July 21, 2015
The Book Diva’s Reads – Guest Post
Sexy Between the Covers-Melissa Keir – Spotlight
Tales of a Book Addict – Spotlight

Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Cathie Dunn writes… – Guest Post
Authors’ Cafe – Book Review
Lora Lee – Spotlight

Thursday, July 23, 2015
Christa Reads and Writes – Spotlight
Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf – Book Review

Friday, July 24, 2015
What Readers Want – Spotlight
Finding Fantastical Books – Spotlight
Margo Hoornstra – Writing Inside & Out – Spotlight

Saturday, July 25, 2015
Diane Burton – Adventure and Romance…in this world and beyond – Guest Post & Book Review