Sunday Words of Encouragement August 7, 2016

We had a good morning – Sunday School covered Romans Chapters 5 through 7. We had nice worship service with a sermon shared by one of our congregants. (Our new Pastor will be in place next Sunday.)

Our brothers message was based on Joshua 1:1-9. In summary it says that ‘God is with you wherever you go; do not turn right of left’. But there is always … “What’s next?” Robert Breault stated: “God sends the dawn that we might see the might-have-beens that still might be.”

The Israelites had a dream of the land promised by God. But their own fears resulted in wandering in the wilderness for forty years. Joshua had to be the leader to step up and make the people accept the reality and proceed…move forward. These nine verses reveal four points we can learn from to face loss or obstacles and to move forward to the future, to the next step.
1. The cause still advances – it is not dependent on any one person. Sometimes in order for the next thing to happen, something must change. (Reference the book Who Moved My Cheese?) Sometimes change happens and our live will never be the same again. The sooner the change is accepted the sooner we find the new location of the 'cheese'.
2. The cause requires our strength and passionate action. The Israelites had to go and conquer the land. It requires energy to move forward. Thinking about it and hoping it will happen is not enough. You have to “go”.
3. The cause demands unwavering determination. Verse 7. Eugene Patterson said that 'possessions in your life are less important than taking the message'. A man set up a birdfeeder to enjoy watching the birds. But every time he went inside the squirrels came to steal the food. No matter what obstacles he put up the squirrels were persistent. The man focused on the problem in between work, sleeping and other activities. The squirrels focused on getting to the food all of the time. Sometimes we need to be the squirrel! As Calvin Coolidge stated: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.”
4. The cause comes with God’s assurances and blessings! Verses 5 and 9.

I found this very upbeat song to share with this message.

Get Up by Mary Mary

A Verse for Today:
Joshua 1:9 NIV (But I encourage you to read verses 1 through 9!)
9”…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Thank you, God, for being a fair and guiding God. I commit myself to be used as you wish to reach others in my community and as far as you wish.

Sharing Beyond Books #264 Comment Giveaway August 6, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
I am winding down from a nice day with the hubby although that means not too much work accomplished.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Eight of us are cheerful risers and several get more cheerful after coffee. :-) Six commenters don't like getting up even if they are not quite grumpy.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #263 comments is:#2 Miki 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 - maybe the beginning of next year, lol.] Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #264

(One Question.)

Elizabeth asks: Have you watched the recent Star Wars movie? Are you a Star Wars fan??

I got to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens with my son and husband several months ago. I thought it had a lot of parallels to the first Star Wars. We enjoyed watching - especially that we got to watch it together. I am not so much a 'fan' of Star Wars but I am a fan of space movies.

Image Found at Star Wars Movie Online

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.

Your turn to share:
Elizabeth asks: Have you watched the recent Star Wars movie? Are you a Star Wars fan??

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 13, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Engaged in Danger (Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Book 4) by Barbara Venkataraman

This is a fun, engaging female lawyer mystery series.

Engaged in Danger (Jamie Quinn Cozy Mystery Book 4)
by Barbara Venkataraman

File Size: 570 KB
Print Length: 242 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publication Date: September 11, 2015
ASIN: B0159LGVHA
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Women Sleuth
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Finally, life is good for reluctant family law attorney, Jamie Quinn--her father may get his visa soon, her boyfriend is the bomb, and her law practice is growing like crazy--but when she agrees to take on a high-profile divorce case, everything falls apart. What looked like an opportunity to work with her friend Grace and make some serious bucks has turned into a deadly game, one that could destroy their friendship and tear their town apart. Why couldn't Jamie just leave well enough alone?

Review:
Jamie has settled into a nice routine with enough clients to stay busy and still leave time to spend with her boyfriend, Kip. But Jamie is alarmed when Kip announces he is traveling across the world to serve on a team to help save the wombat population in Australia (not that Jamie knows what a wombat is). That is one stress in her life, but then another walks into her office in the form of a high society wife seeking to divorce her wealthy, powerful and controlling husband.

Jamie doesn’t quite feel up to taking on the case but she may be one of the few attorneys in town who doesn’t have a conflict. The case would require intense financial forensic investigation so Jamie seeks the help of her best friend, Grace. They agree to team up to take the wife’s case and, of course, Jamie plans to bring her PI friend Duke in to help.

Meanwhile, closer to home, Jamie is helping her neighbors who have taken in their niece after her parents died in a small plane accident. Jamie agrees to try to determine who owned the plane as it appears there may be a case for improper maintenance.

As Jamie and Grace push along the investigation of the wealthy husband they determine he may be laundering money and they are concerned about his connections with the Russian mob. More surprising is the trail of contacts that begin to connect the plane crash to the money connections of the husband.

As an attorney, I can easily follow the issues but it wouldn’t require a legal background to enjoy the suspense and cozy warmth of this series. There is extra fun for me as this involves a South Florida attorney in areas I am familiar with, and also includes songs and book references that are familiar to me.

This is book four and although it could be read as a stand-alone, I do recommend the earlier books so the reader can learn the characters and enjoy Jamie's propensity for trouble and trouble solving. I like the characters and the good, realistic mystery. I really enjoy the light, easy read of this mystery series and recommend it to those who enjoy cozy mystery.

I received this title from the author for an honest review.

Audible Book Review: For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2 by H. Paul Honsinger

I enjoy the action and smart characters in this space military series.
For Honor We Stand: Man of War, Book 2
Written by: H. Paul Honsinger
Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins
Series: Man of War, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-11-14
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Sci Fi, Military Space Opera
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In 2315, the Earth Union is losing a 30-year-long war with the Krag Hegemony.
Having encountered the Krag before, Space Commander Max Robicheaux now faces daunting challenges aboard the USS Cumberland: The dangers from the enemy without…and clashes with crew and superiors within.
Meanwhile, Doctor Sahin receives a coded message summoning him to a secret meeting which aims to forge an alliance that could change the balance of power in Known Space. But first, he must circumvent the fighter ships and heavily armed troops of the traitorous emir bent on killing him before he reaches the negotiating table.
Both men must call upon their developing skills and growing friendship to bear the burden of carrying between the Krag Hegemony and the Earth Union a fateful ultimatum and the shocking answer: An answer that could spell eternal slavery, or even extinction, for all humankind.
The second novel in the Man of War series, For Honor We Stand continues the galactic naval adventures of Robicheaux and Sahin.
©2013 H. Paul Honsinger (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Review:
Space Commander Max is continuing to face danger in this action packed series. Max has to think - on his feet in tight circumstances and with his sly cunning - in order to prevail in the face of being outnumbered and outgunned by the Krag, a vicious reptilian enemy. The Krag, with their superior technology and weapons, continue to seek annihilation of inferior species.

The ship doctor, Doctor Sabin, receives a cryptic message calling him to a clandestine meeting. Max and Sabin are then ordered to proceed as an ambassador to negotiate a new alliance. Although the kingdom has long said they would remain neutral they are beginning to recognize that the Krag are a threat to all human species, including their own. The new leader seeks an alliance but there is a traitorous rival power who has set out to block any alliance. This is just one more obstacle for Max to overcome…or maybe ram his way through to pursue mission goals.

Max’s ship, the Cumberland, fresh from repairs, receives orders for a new mission. Not into battle this time but as an escort. And more problematic, Max isn’t the commander of the mission. Instead he and another battle escort ship have to take orders from a pompous leader who has never served in battle. Max is sure that the plans of this unskilled leader spell disaster for the mission and he and his new friend, the other escort captain, may have to risk their careers if they want to safely complete the mission.

Max’s antics gain respect even from the fearsome Krag. There are fascinating interactions with the Krag which give depths to their motivations and lead to an intense ending moment for this book.

While all of the battle action continues, the author shares crew dynamics as they continue to improve in their training. The author does a wonderful job showing the importance of respect and caring that make the crew successful under Max. I love the dialogue between Max and Sabin (see screen shot below) and I love how Max cares for and interacts with the young members of the crew. The author does a great job sharing insight to Max's past through some of this interaction.

This series offers a full range of elements: wonderful action, engaging war and battle tactics, creative nations and heartwarming crew relationships. In addition to all of that I like the prose and phrasing that you might not expect in a military space story. I will definitely be getting book three for more wonderful entertainment.

Audio Notes: Ray Chase does a great job of narrating the touch of snark as well as the ingenious smarts of Max and the rest of his crew. He also successfully portrays the other species and makes the listening flow with excitement.

This is from my Audible TBR Library (credit pick in 2015). It qualifies for my Audio Challenge and “F” in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

A sample of dialogue between Max and Doctor Sabin:

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 5, 2016

Happy Friday!
Okay - where did another week go? How did it get to be Friday already? I realize I am behind in putting the up to date links in the sidebar. I will try to get that done over the weekends because it sure isn't getting done later in the week.
DH is working well with the therapists... still in pain though.
I lost one night this week with the internet off (due to storms I think). It gave me the chance to go to bed early with meds I got from the doctor for my back spasming. 

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 too 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 29 Pick. I was a little surprised to find FOUR 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 were no titles blocked.
AUTO: bn100 gets Once an Angel
CarolL gets Bride of Lochbarr
Di gets Bound for Temptation
and
Rita gets Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 29 Pick:
CarolNW gets On Fire

Janhvi 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, 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.}

Now this is a lovely way to read. 

Image found at community sparknotes.
 
New Book Group #66 June 25, 2016

(I will post a picture later. *Four of these books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I have had for many years. They may not be wanted by anyone and if so, I will donate elsewhere in time.)
Sandra Brown: Above and Beyond and Honor Bound (my copy is 1986 edition with a different cover
Joan Johnston: Faron & Garth: The Cowboy and the Princess / The Wrangler and the Rich Girl and Sweetwater Seduction
SINGLES:
Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews (new- hardcover)
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
*Witch’s Hammer by Caroline Farr (a 1967 yellowed pages - different cover)
*Mistress of Mount Fair by Jane Gordon
Once an Angel by Tammy Hilz
Bound By Temptation by Lavinia Kent
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
On Fire by Carla Neggers (1999 version with different cover)
Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Waiting for Nick & Considering Kate by Nora Roberts
*She Came Back by Patricia Wentworth (1981 yellowed pages)
Freedom's Stand by J. M. Windle


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus
So Wild A Kiss by Nancy Richards-Akers


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016

SINGLES:
Short Straw (Ed Eagle Novel) by Stuart Woods Hardcover
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
N is for noose by Sue Grafton -Cassettes
Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF by April Winchell


New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016

SINGLES:
Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Audio Tapes

New Book Group #62 November 6, 2015
All Gone

New Book Group #61 October 30, 2015
After I noticed the trend I went on a hunt for “bride” titles. I even pulled a couple from some of my long time collections(*). (But they are not getting read on my shelves.)

SINGLES:
Bride of Lochbarr by Margaret Moore (*)
The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens (*)
A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

New Book Group #60 September 18, 2015
A set of "haunting" tales and a few mysteries for October!

Shannon Drake –  Realm of Shadows (Alliance Vampires#4) 
SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015
A few more summer titles, historicals and mysteries!

SINGLES:
Cruise to a Wedding by Betty Neels

New Book Group #58 June 26, 2015 -- All Gone

New Book Group #57 May 1, 2015 -- All Gone


New Book Group #56 March 20, 2015
SINGLES:
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)

New Book Group #55 February 5, 2015 -- All Gone

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 Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty byVickie Kennedy
First to Fight Anthology
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Commander by Kate Bridges
A Garden of Friends by Penny Pierce Rose
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle


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)
A Lady of Consequence by Mary Nichols
Sweet Talking Man by Betina Krain


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)
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


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 almost six years I have posted 62 groups of 16 (992) books to find new homes! (as of November 6, 2015).

I am happy to say that so far about 985+ 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!