Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 7, 2016

Happy Friday!
I've felt good getting through files at work this week. My desk is still covered with files but I have made progress. 
Hubby continues to get stronger. We are hosting a family (friends of our son) who evacuated the coast due to hurricane Matthew. We are praying for safety and minimal damage for all those still in the path of the storm.

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 September 30 Pick. This week there was one automatic win. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were one title blocked by three requests.
AUTO: bn100 gets Freedom's Stand

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from September 30 Pick:
Mystica gets a GC

Miki also 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.}

Love to fall into books. :-)
Image found at Tumbler.

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
PAIRS:
Into the Night (book 5) and Gone too Far (book 6) by Suzanne Brockmann
The Wedding Night of an English Rogue: A Novel (A Boscastle Affairs Novel Book 3)
The Wicked Games of a Gentleman: A Novel (A Boscastle Affairs Novel Book 4) by Jillian Hunter
SINGLES:
*Bloodstone by Lynn Benedict (1973 - yellowed)
*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
Her Scoundrel by Geralyn Dawson
In Search of Lucy: A Novel by Lia Fairchild
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
Wicked by Beth Henderson
To Die For: A Novel (Blair Mallory Book 1) by Linda Howard
The Inheritance by Joan Johnston
A Dark Champion by Kinley MacGregor
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Mysterious: The Right Path / This Magic Moment / The Search for Love by Nora Roberts (2008)
The Spitfire by Bertrice Small


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.)
SINGLES:

*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
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:

First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette


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:
Border Bride by Deborah Hale

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

SINGLES:
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield

Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)


New Book Group #59 July 31, 2015 -- All Gone



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 -- All Gone

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
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)

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

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 1002+ 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: The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

This is a 'captivating' American Revolution romance with wonderfully strong characters.

The Captive Heart
by Michelle Griep

File Size: 1318 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (October 1, 2016)
ASIN: B01DQ93D32
Genre: Historical, Christian
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Proper English governess Eleanor Morgan flees to the colonies to escape the wrath of a brute of an employer. When the Charles Town family she’s to work for never arrives to collect her from the dock, she is forced to settle for the only reputable choice remaining to her—marriage to a man she’s never met. Trapper and tracker Samuel Heath is a hardened survivor used to getting his own way by brain or by brawn, and he’s determined to find a mother for his young daughter. But finding a wife proves to be impossible. No upstanding woman wants to marry a murderer.

Review:
Eleanor is a proper English woman who had a difficult life with her father. She became a governess who had to reject the advances of her employers. Shevwas helped by her lecherous employer’s wife to escape to America. Unfortunately, the ship’s captain is corrupt and puts Eleanor with other women to be sold when they reach America. Along the way someone steals the money and reference letter that Eleanor was relying on for a new start. Instead Eleanor and two shipmate friends are carried off to a remote community in South Carolina where they each are placed in an 'indentured' situation. Before she can catch her breath, Eleanor is ushered into a marriage of convenience with a rustic man who needs a mother for his young daughter.

Samuel Heath is a multi-personality man. He is a frontiersman, trapper, tracker, friend of nearby Native Americans, a father of a toddler and once a proud British gentleman. Now he looks like a savage living in the wilderness and his loyalties no longer lie with Britain -- but that is a well-guarded secret. Samuel is haunted by memories of his first wife but now he needs a wife for his daughter, Grace. Even though a lovely young Native widow wants to be his mate, Samuel wants a woman who can raise Grace with proper ‘English ways’.

Eleanor and Samuel are an unlikely pair. She has no idea how to live a woodman’s rustic life. But Eleanor adores Grace, she is brave and willing to learn if only Samuel would stay home long enough to teach her. She soon discovers that he is the target of a bitter rival and he has secrets that he holds tight. But she also sees his warm love for his daughter and his steady provision and respect.

I was immediately pulled into this warm story first in England and then in the 1770 American frontier. Ms. Griep gives a vibrant portrayal of frontier living and pre-Revolution tensions. The characters are strong and well developed with a lovely passion that grows between strangers who show respect and care for each other. I enjoyed the faith foundations of both characters which is shown through their struggles and strengths.

This is a clean, American revolution historical romance, not to be confused with the sensual Regency romance genre. I highly recommend this captivating and delightful story. I will definitely look to read more by Ms. Griep.

I received this through NetGalley. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Launch with Giveaway! TWO BY TWO by Nicholas Sparks

TWO BY TWO by Nicholas Sparks
(October 4, 2016; Grand Central Publishing; Hardcover; $27.00)

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with his signature combination of gripping, emotionally resonant storytelling and love overcoming all odds.


At 32, Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable 6 year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive and an expansive home in Raleigh. He is living the Dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is the center of that dream. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear . . . and no one is more surprised than Russ when he finds every aspect of the life he took for granted turned upside down.

In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or wife, caring for his young daughter London while struggling to adapt to a new and baffling reality. Trying to launch his own business while grappling with the demise of his marriage, the only thing he knows for certain is that London must be sheltered from the consequences of these radical changes. Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding - one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he ever imagined.

When a chance encounter with an old flame tempts him to take a chance on love again, he will navigate this new opportunity with trepidation and wonder. But with the loyal support of his parents and his wise older sister Marge, and in the hard-won lessons of fatherhood, Russ will finally come to understand the true nature of unconditional love - that it is a treasure to be bestowed, never earned.

Buy the Book!

Amazon:http://amzn.to/2cEjWre 

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2d8zfHg 

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2btEy2F 

iBooks: http://apple.co/2duf6hx 

Google: http://bit.ly/2dCyJ2V

About the Author:

With over 100 million copies of his books sold, Nicholas Sparks is one of the world's most beloved storytellers. His novels include 12 #1 New York Times bestsellers. All his books have been New York Times and international bestsellers, and were translated into more than 50 languages. Ten Sparks novels have been adapted into major motion pictures, with The Choice coming in February 2016.

Social Media Links:

http://nicholassparks.com/

https://twitter.com/NicholasSparks 

http://facebook.com/NicholasSparks 

Add TWO BY TWO to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2dcDqT0 

GIVEAWAY!

Enter to win a copy of TWO BY TWO. There will be 10 winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


In the event of any trouble with the Rafflecopter widget here is the direct link: http://bit.ly/2dnw4g1

Sunday Post October 2, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 3, 2016

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I still have tons of work to do even though I stress getting some items off the to-do list each day.
Hubby is definitely on the road to recovery. He out did me in steps this week -- Good for him and pretty pitiful for me. :-(

I had lots of good reading/listening this week. I finished four books: one ebook; two audios and one print. I only posted two reviews and the usual memes.

I did get to visit early mid week.
I decided to link one interesting blog post each week from my visits.
I enjoyed this post by Lindsey at A Rambling Reviewer: 5 Steps To Organising Blog Posts
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 25, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 26, 2016.

• Book Review: The Forever Gate Book One by Isaac Hooke; Sci Fi, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 30, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/6/2016.

• Audio Book Review: Haraken: A Silver Ships Novel by S. H. Jucha; Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 4.75.

• Sharing Beyond Books #272 Comment Giveaway October 1, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/8/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 2, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

The Captive Heart
by Michelle Griep
I really liked this delightful story.
I had hoped to get the review up last week but didn't get to it. It will post on 10/5/17.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Kiss an Angel
Written by: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by: Anna Fields
This is charming. I will post the review later this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible (TBR)

FREE: Summer Farmer: A Story from White Man's Problems
Kevin Morris (Author)
Matthew McConaughey (Narrator)
This is an interesting short story 
from a larger work.
I downloaded this free at Audible 8/17/15.
"Summer Farmer", the first short story in White Man's Problems, sets the stage for the honest and heartfelt themes explored in Morris' debut collection. The meeting of two disparate strangers serves as a cleverly crafted examination of the universality of longing, remorse, and purpose.

4. Print/ebook (Ladies Book Club)

Simple Deceit: A Mennonite Community's Way of Life Is Threatened by Outsiders (The Harmony Series Book 2)
by Nancy Mehl
We really enjoyed this very nice story.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. Audible/MP3 (ABJ)

Lost in a Good Book: A Thursday Next Novel
Written by: Jasper Fforde
Narrated by: Emily Gray
This is crazy fun listening. Makes me smile.
I added this to my Audible library in August, 2012.
Publisher's Summary
Intrepid literary detective Thursday Next is back in the second installment of Jasper Fforde's one-of-a-kind series. The inventive, exuberant, and totally original literary fun that began with The Eyre Affair continues with Jasper Fforde’s magnificent second adventure starring the resourceful, fearless literary sleuth Thursday Next.
When Landen, the love of her life, is eradicated by the corrupt multinational Goliath Corporation, Thursday must moonlight as a Prose Resource Operative of Jurisfiction—the police force inside books. She is apprenticed to the man-hating Miss Havisham from Dickens’s Great Expectations, who grudgingly shows Thursday the ropes. And she gains just enough skill to get herself in a real mess entering the pages of Poe’s "The Raven".
What she really wants is to get Landen back. But this latest mission is not without further complications.
Along with jumping into the works of Kafka and Austen, and even Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, Thursday finds herself the target of a series of potentially lethal coincidences, the authenticator of a newly discovered play by the Bard himself, and the only one who can prevent an unidentifiable pink sludge from engulfing all life on Earth.
Delve into Jasper Fforde's literary universe with the other books in his Thursday Next fantasy/detective series.
©2011 Jasper Fforde (P)2011 Penguin Audiobooks

2. Print (Author)

Ergon
by George HS Singer
I am looking forward to reading this poetry volume.
George Singer's ERGON is precise, delicate and fierce in its engagement with the world.

3. Audio (ABJ)

Loreena's Gift
by Colleen M. Story
This sounds intriguing.
I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Description
Loreena Picket is a young blind woman with a gift. In the rare moments when she's not wearing her gloves, if she takes your hand, she travels with you to your own personal afterlife. Loreena will return -- you won't. Loreena's minister uncle says her power is a gift from God, and together they help terminally ill people die peacefully. Still, Loreena is conflicted, because she's seen the afterlife, and it's nothing like her uncle says it is. This uneasy peace is shattered when one night, Loreena must take a life to save her wayward brother. This act draws her unwillingly into a seedy world of crime, and she must learn to survive being kidnapped, confined, and used for her power. And, ultimately, she must discover whether her true nature is that of an angel of mercy or an assassin.

October 2, 2016 - I have really enjoyed reading Isaiah with all of its prophesies. I remain up to date with Reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I will also be listening (sometimes) to the companion commentary online.

I posted two reviews which keeps me up to date although I wanted to do another. I have four now for this week.

I am still accepting new audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I continue reading author titles. I am reading another from the list of six this week.
My NetGalley shelf is holding at three.
I am planning/hoping to get to TBRs for November when I will participate in Sci Fi Month.

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
I expect to have another children's book up this week.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I have more review requests to look at but I did pick up a couple of review titles this week.
Plus I made purchases that made up for the past several weeks of no purchases.
Again, I picked up the usual healthy number of free kindle titles -- Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

Print book received for free:
Alive After Crisis
by Richard Marshall
Survivalist planner.

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.

Loreena's Gift
by Coleen M. Story
'Religious fiction.'
See full description above under currently reading.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I did buy these 5 books on sale at Audible for price Total: $19.83

1. The Scarlet Thread
by Francine Rivers

2. Time for the Stars
by Robert A. Heinlein

3. Zombie Fallout: Zombie Fallout, Book 1
by Mark Tufo

4. Wool: Silo, #1; Wool, #1-5
by Hugh Howey

5. Samantha Watkins, Book 1:
Chronicles of an Extraordinary Ordinary Life
by Aurélie Venem, Stacey E. Battis - translator


I also purchased four Kindle eBook bundles for $.99 each:

The Forensic Geology Series, Box Set,
Toni Dwiggins

Starship Blackbeard: The Complete Series

Michael Wallace

Lost Library Collection: Books 1-3
Kate Baray

Christmas Mail Order Angels #1:
A collection of 6 historical romantic novellas of mail order brides
(Mail Order Angels Collection)
Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Susan Page Davis, Brandi Boddie, Jennifer AlLee, Teresa Ives Lilly

The end of this week our local library had a sale. Well of course I could not resist!
I got 52 books to use for Friday Picks including 5 Audio Books (cassettes). There are also 19 Christmas titles for either Friday Pick or Sharing Beyond Books.

I also got another15, including two CD Audiobooks, that I want to read for me.

Total cost? $6.00!

Free

I again added 52 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 2, 2016

We had another lovely Sunday. Our Sunday School teacher has been reading This Present Darkness and his message today addressed spiritual warfare. I am saving that message for another day. Our Pastor started a new series on the Healthy Church.


When a young couple marry they are passionately in love, expecting “happy ever after” where the marriage continues smoothly; all love, love, love. But that is not reality. Neither party is perfect. There are discord and struggles in any relationship. Just as Satan battles against marriage, health, finances and more, he also battles against the church and relationships in the church. Satan’s attacks are not a single shot but a constant eroding. Any relationship has to grow, not stay at its beginning level. The journey begins with excitement. If something negative happens, ripples spread through the rest of the relationship. This can lead to troubles, even to death. As a church we must choose to be healthy.

Titus was in Crete where the community was suffering from moral decline and negative influences. Paul’s letter to the young Titus addresses issues in the church. Paul states that he has been ‘sent to proclaim faith,… to teach those whom God has chosen to know the truth’. Titus 1:1-4.

Sermon Point: The Healthy Church has a growing, deepening passion for Jesus that compels them to proclaim faith and live by truth.

Salvation comes by faith. We each have a tiny snippet of life on earth compared to the time we will spend in eternity. Why do we place so much importance on the tiny snippet? Our focus, and certainly the focus of a healthy church, needs to be on eternity. We should be using our life snippet to reach others with God's truths.

Look at the example of end time churches described by God in Revelation 2 and 3. The churches 1) have lost their first love; 2) were impoverished; 3) were compromising standards; 4) had sin in leadership; 5) were apathetic, dead; 6) were weak; and 7) were lukewarm. The health of the church matters to God. Congregants are to commit to church in support and to remain to work through any troubles in the relationship.

If I have a problem with our passion level, the one responsible to fix it is me. We need to be prepared, and help others to be prepared, for eternity.

Church Health begins with a passion for Jesus. Pastor challenged us to turn up the passion level.

I found this song video which gave me chills - times could be coming.

Whether here on earth or in heaven, I want to be found "Guilty" of sharing God's Love and Truth.

A Verse for Today:
Titus 1:1 (NIV)
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.

Lord, help me to remember that my life is less than a blink of eyes in your measurement of time. Help me to focus my efforts on sharing your love and message to those in darkness who need to hear the truth.