Sharing: 30 Days of Gratitude

My son sent me this calendar with this message:
1. Be Grateful on Purpose - YOU are invited to join the Gratitude Challenge
beginning 1 Nov. This calendar (attached) is a template to consider
following. This can be done individually, with your significant other, with
your children, with your friends, etc. Intent is to overshadow
discontentment with contentment.

I think it is a wonderful idea.
The written list can be found at Text My Journal.
I will link this in my  "Tour" box on the sidebar and update this post each morning. :-)

1. What smell are you grateful for today? Pine.
2. What technology are you grateful for? Computer
3. What color are you grateful for? Gold
4. What food are you most grateful for? Cheese
5. What sound are you grateful for today? Birdsong
6. What in nature are you grateful for? Trees
7. What memory are you grateful for? My Mother's strength and dignity
8. What book are you most grateful for? the Bible
9. What place are you most grateful for? Home
10. What taste are you grateful for today? Bacon!
11. What holiday are you grateful for? Thanksgiving!
12. What texture are you grateful for? Rose petal.
13. What abilities are you grateful for? Reading.
14. What sight are you grateful for today? Stars in the sky.
15. What season are you grateful for? All - but to pick one...Spring.
16. What about your body are you grateful for? Eye Sight.
17. What knowledge are you grateful for? God's Sovereignty
18, What piece of art are you grateful for? The Seasons by David Najar
19. What touch are you grateful for today? My Childrens' Touch
20. Who in your life are you grateful for? My Hubby!
21. What song are you most grateful for? Trust His Heart
22. What story are you grateful for? Beauty and the Beast
23. What tradition are you grateful for? Christmas Eve PJs :-)
24. What challenge are you grateful for? Living each day with Grace.
25. What moment this week are you most grateful for? Being with both children and all six grandchildren for Thanksgiving!
26. What form of expression are you most grateful for? (Not sure of the question but I think:) Written Word (Books and Music)
27. What small thing that you use daily are you grateful for? Contact Lenses.
28. What small thing that happened today are you grateful for? Time to read to Sweet Pea.
29. What friend/family member are you grateful for today? My Sister.
30. What talent or skill do you have that you are grateful for? God Given Faith.

Sunday Post October 30, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 31, 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.

Once again I worked steadily this week handling current files and preparing for some trials in November.
Weather fluctuates with cool nights and warmer days.
Everyone have a fun, safe Halloween if you celebrate!

My reading and listening was good during the week, although I only finished two books; one ebook and one Audible. I posted three reviews and the usual memes.

I had a nice time visiting other bloggers early last week.
This week I direct you to Rinn Reads who is hosting November Sci Fi. 

Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 23, 2016/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 24, 2016.

• Books Received at FWA 2016 Conference: The Prometheus Saga and more!

• Book Review: Extracted (The Lost Imperials Series Book 1) by Sherry D. Ficklin and Tyler H. Jolley; Sci Fi, Steampunk, Time Travel; my rating 4.25.

• Book Review: Quirky Essays for Quirky People: The Complete Collection by Barbara Venkataraman; Essays, Humor; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 28, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/3/2016.

• Audible Book Review: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; Contemporary Romance; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #276 Comment Giveaway October 29, 2016. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/05/2016.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 30, 2016.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Written in Fire (The Brilliance Trilogy Book 3)
by Marcus Sakey
Good conclusion to an exciting series.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible (ABB-Narrator)

The Colonel's Lady
Written by: Laura Frantz
Narrated by: Laura Jennings
This was wonderfully entertaining.
I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. ebook/Kindle

Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent
by Robin Parrish
I selected this for Ladies Book Club October read 
as I thought it would be rather timely.
We will be discussing this Saturday November 5.
"The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion." --Reverend Billy Graham
The Question Is Not If Attempts Will Be Made
to Limit Religious Freedoms, But When.
And When That Day Comes, Will You Stay Silent?
A storm is coming.
The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther's endorsement as critical.
But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option--putting everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth. It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation's freedoms.

2. Audible (Audiobook Jukebox)

Five Minutes Alone
By Paul Cleave
Narrated By Paul Ansdell
The summary makes this sound very interesting.
I received the audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Publisher's Summary
There's a common plea detectives get from the loved ones of victims: When you find the person who did this, give me five minutes alone with them. And that's exactly what someone is doing. Someone is helping these victims get their five minutes alone.
When the body of a convicted rapist is found, the detectives try to determine if this is murder or suicide. The following night two more rapists go missing. It's hard to investigate when everyone on the police force seems to be rooting for the killer. But when innocent people start to die, two detectives find themselves with different objectives, and soon they're battling something they never would've expected: each other.
©2014 Paul Cleave (P)2016 Dreamscape Media, LLC

3. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Shadow Reaper (Shadowlands Series)
by Amos Cassidy
I set this aside for my book club title. 
I am also distracted by the rough language. 
I will pick it up and try again - so we will see.
This is another title I received for free 
Only the bravest go over the Horizon...
Twenty years ago the barriers between worlds came down and our reality was swallowed up by the Shadowlands. Now we scavenge to survive, until one day there’s nothing left to reap. Starvation is around the corner, but I’m not the roll over and wait-to-die kinda girl. Nope, I’m going further than anyone has ever been and returned to tell the tale. I’m going into the Beyond, and I’m not coming back without a solution.
Dark urban fantasy with a post-apocalyptic twist.

October 30, 2016 - I got a few days behind last weekend.
I have been listening to the companion commentary online for the past few days to get caught up.
I am enjoying reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church.

I posted three reviews which keeps me up to date with one past and two new for the coming week.

I am still requesting audio titles as I can always squeeze listening in!
I have been lining up Sci Fi titles for November. Here are a few of the ones I plan to read:
Trajectory Book 1 (New Providence) by Robert M. Campbell from Sci Fi Explorations in September 2016
Lost Coast Rocket (Mare Tranquillitatis Series Book 1) by Joel Horn from the author in October 2016
AOB (Return to Earth) by Bria Burton - met author at FWA in October
NetGalley titles:
The Wrong Unit: A Novel by Rob Dircks
Toru: Wayfarer Returns by Stephanie R. Sorensen
The Invisible City by Brian K. Lowe
The Circuit by Rhett C. Bruno
The Reader by MK Harkins
Free Space by Sean Danker
PLUS Some choices from my own TBR shelves:
The Terminals: Spark by Michael F. Stewart (Book win 5/2014)
Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles Book 1) by Marissa Meyer (Feb 2014)
First Colony (Citadel Book 1) by Kevin Tumlinson (Sept 2015) Sci Fi, Steampunk, Military
Galaxy of Heroes by Gus Flory (10/2014) Space Opera
Hero (Epic Book 3) by Stephen Lee (6/2015)
Audible:
Monster Hunter Legion: Monster Hunter, Book 4 by Larry Correia (Nov 2015)
The Synchronicity War Part 1 by Dietmar Wehr (2014)
Eye of the Storm: Legacy of the Aldenata (2012)
Invincible: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, Book 2 by Jack Campbell (1/13)
Spider's Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 1 (9/2012)

We continue to add upcoming releases at eTreasure's NetGalley page.
Two books released on Kindle: Jake's Happy New Year and Murder Crosses the Pond
One to release in print hopefully on Monday.
Had a hiccup with the NetGalley title, but it should be up later 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 still have new review requests to consider.
I received a new audiobook title this week and I signed up for  a blog tour for Feb 2017.
I resisted purchasing anything.
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

I selected this for Ladies Book Club October read to be discussed November 5.

Persecuted: I Will Not Be Silent
by Robin Parrish
(See full description under currently reading.)



I received this audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox

Five Minutes Alone
By Paul Cleave
Narrated By Paul Ansdell
(See full description under currently reading.)

I received this title from Dancing Lemur Press through MC Book Tours
The Tour is in February and my review and an author guest post are scheduled for February 1, 2017.

The Remnant
by William Michael Davidson
(a Christian Futuristic Fiction novel)

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

Fake (Finn Teller Corporate Spy Mystery #1)
by Twist Phelan
"Have you ever thought about buying a counterfeit product? Maybe a watch or a handbag for fun? After you read FAKE, the first book in Twist Phelan's series featuring Finn Teller, corporate spy, you'll think again."


I only added 51 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 30, 2016

We had another good Sunday School message today about Spiritual Warfare. I will share that another time. The Pastor continued his sermon series on the Healthy Church.


It is sometimes difficult watching our children grow. We are to train them up. They will go through painful moments. Although we might want to shield or protect our children, the growing process is necessary for development. CIPA is a nervous system disease that exhibits a lack of pain. This can cause danger because the person with the decease doesn’t realize or recognize pain when pain occurs. They can’t learn from painful experiences. The pain of our past can shape how we live the future.
The message was centered around Titus chapter 3. The sermon encouraged us to post verses around our houses and cars. The verses note how division is negative for family, church and country. Unity matters.

The Point: A Healthy Church embodies the attitude and posture of Christ.

The book of James discusses the power of tongue. A careless tongue, or malicious one, can cause offence in family and church. We need to be authentic; not hiding behind masks. People should be our first priority. We should be sensitive to those around us. As followers of Christ we should convey the attitude and posture of Christ. We should be giving and sharing rather than taking and hording. We should give grace towards others, remembering that, in everything we do and say, we are representing our Father. As Paul encourages Titus, we too should learn to surrender and obey in humility. We have been declared righteous by God through Christ’s sacrifice and we need to share that gift with others.

I think this song is appropriate for this message: With Every Act of Love

Verses for Today:
Titus 3:4-7
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would help me to share kind and graceful words and acts in my everyday living.

Sharing Beyond Books #276 Comment Giveaway October 29, 2016

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week. (Welcome back Brooke and hello to William.)

I was a little surprised that 12 commenters still prefer print although several have digital readers. Five of us do read more digital. The genre, fiction or nonfiction didn't make any difference. In December 2012 the split was 11 preferred print and 8 used their ereaders.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #275 comments is: #12, CarolL 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 #276

(One Question.)

My question tonight: Do you have a strange 'remedy' that works for you??

I saw an blurb on Facebook about using soap in the bed to prevent leg cramps. I put a fresh bar of soap near my feet between the sheets and it works for me! When I was at the hotel last weekend I got a Charley horse/leg cramp. I got up and got the small bar of soap to put near my feet -- no more cramping. It is a nice relief. It does not seem to require any specific soap as I have used several types now.

Image Found at My Central Health.

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.
This is the end of October. The questions this month came from: Marjorie, Becky, bn100 and Elizabeth. Random.org chose #3 so BN100 gets to pick a book.

Your turn to share: My question tonight: Do you have a strange 'remedy' that works for you??

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 November 5, 2016 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

This has SEP’s touch for distinct characters but a Gothic, darker tone to it.
Heroes Are My Weakness
Written by: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-26-14
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Contemporary Romance (with Gothic tone)
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Deepest winter.
An isolated island off the coast of Maine.
A man.
A woman.
Puppets. (Yes, puppets…)
And…
A mysterious house looming over the sea…
He's a reclusive writer whose imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill his characters with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill an audience with laughs. But she's not laughing now.
Annie Hewitt has arrived on Peregrine Island in the middle of a snowstorm and at the end of her resources. She's broke, dispirited, but not quite ready to give up. Her red suitcases hold the puppets she uses to make her living: sensible Dilly, spunky Scamp, and Leo, the baddest of bad guys. Her puppets, the romantic novels she loves, and a little bit of courage are all she has left.
Annie couldn't be more ill prepared for what she finds when she reaches Moonraker Cottage or for the man who dwells in Harp House, the mysterious mansion that hovers above the cottage from a windblown cliff. When she was a teenager, he betrayed her in a way she can never forget or forgive. Now they're trapped together on a frozen island along with a lonely widow, a mute little girl, and townspeople who don't know how to mind their own business.
Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes.
It's going to be a long, hot winter.
©2014 Susan Elizabeth Phillips (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Review:
Annie is greatly discouraged. She has lost her flighty and critical mother whom she cared for during her last year of illness. All her mother left was a pile of debt and a deathbed whisper that Annie will find her legacy at the cottage on Peregrine Island. Annie has also suffered rejection from a broken engagement. She has retreated to the Island with only her beloved puppets to give her support while she rests and regains her footing.

Arriving in a storm Annie is startled by a man on a dark horse racing through the snow. She soon learns the man is none other than her childhood crush, the handsome but brooding Theo. Not only did Theo break Annie’s young heart when he spurned her after they became close friends one summer but he tormented her and almost got her killed. Theo has suffered his own heartaches. He and his twin sister were abandoned by their mother. The twins were inseparable until strange problems developed in their teen years, ultimately resulted in his sister’s death. Now he broods in his dark lonely, Gothic house, and writes horror thrillers with a particularly dark villain.

Annie discovers another childhood friend who has her own crush on Theo. Jaci is working as Theo’s housekeeper at Harp House. She is finding the job difficult with a mute child and a broken leg. Someone is harassing Annie and trying to drive her off the Island, adding the Gothic type mystery. She gets some rather questionable help from her mixed group of puppet alter egos and, of course Theo steps up to try to protect her.

I usually enjoy SEP’s distinct characters and the conflicts and obstacles they overcome on the journey to their HEA. These characters were a little difficult to enjoy for a good part of the book. If the reader perseveres the story finally gets to a place where Annie begins to appreciate her own strengths and to recognize the truths about Theo. Even so, it takes patience to put up with Annie’s strange multi-character and a true romantic to see behind the dark, moody character that Theo initially presents.

SEP romances are often fun and delightful, even with down on their luck heroines and cocky, handsome heroes. This one is not light but goes through a lot of despondency and darkness before Annie determines she can make it on her own and Theo gets to be a hero. I did like the ending but it was not a delight getting there. Readers might note that ratings run from 1 star to 5 so it may depend on the reader’s mood and expectations. Do not pick this up expecting the usual SEP light fun. On the other hand, SEP does deliver distinct characters and an engaging, if darker, gothic-type story. I didn’t love it but I came to appreciate it.

Audio Notes: Fortunately, this story has a different tone so I think it was easier to get used to the voices of Erin Bennett. Erin does a good job distinguishing the characters, even the several puppet voices. Erin’s presentation conveyed the tones of the characters and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

I picked this one from my Audible Library (2014) to listen to for Audio Challenge, Mount TBR and "H" in Alphabet Challenge.