Sunday Words of Encouragement February 5, 2017

We had an interesting Sunday School with our substitute sharing a video interview from a Reverend and his family describing their experiences visiting heaven. Pastor continued his series in James, titles “When Faith and Life Collide”.

Recapping he reminded us that we all face temptation and we are God's prized possession. God has supplied us with all we need to face and overcome the battle. Then Pastor asked how many of us were good listeners. Too often people listen without absorbing what is being said. They are emotionally poised to respond, focused on making their own points. As example: Consider how many sermons have you heard over the past 10 years? Then consider if your life has changed based on those sermons.

Often, we hear things, but don't listen; we are taught but don't learn. There is a disconnect between the lesson and responsive action.

Pastor read James 19-27, stressing: do what the word says and God will bless you.
Go beyond listening to do what it says. Your response to the word has the power to save your souls. (James 21.) What is the most important information you need at this moment? At some point you have to surrender.

Sermon Point: Real change requires real action.
Change brought through obedience should be permanent, not temporary. James says it is absurd to look in a mirror, then walk away and forget what you look like. How can you experience what God has for you and not stay there?

What are you doing daily? When was your last significant change? Have you made a full connection? What has to change today? Always the step starts with repentance and changing our actions.

Think how your life could be different? Is it time for a life change? Do you need an attitude change? What could God do through us if we responded with obedience? Access where you could be and what you will do with the next days, weeks, months and years of your life.

This song seemed to fit for today.

Verses for Today:
James 21 NLT
21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

Lord, again I pray, help me listen and focus on Your Will for my life; that I might do as You direct.

Sharing Beyond Books #289 Comment Giveaway February 4, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

I enjoyed the job choices noted by commenters. Six commenters are not currently working, four retired, one at home and one full time student. Two commenters have no idea what job they might like. At least three of us would like to work more with books and a fourth would like to work more online. Two would like more travel, one would like to work with animals or plants, one might like to go into politics, another might be a cashier and one would have liked to have been a teacher.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #288 comments is: #4 Becky 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 #289

(One Question.)

BN100 asks a timely question: Do you read out loud or silently??

I rarely read out loud except when I read to the grand kids. Also I sometimes like to read poetry out loud to get a better feel for it. I do let the Kindle read out loud to me -- as long as hubby isn't nearby as he doesn't like hearing the reading. The Kindle reading is not narrative performance like audio books but I still like it for allowing me to do chores while listening.

Image found at Figment.

Who knew? There is a World Read Out Loud Day! Coming up February 16, 2017.

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: BN100 asks: Do you read out loud or silently??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. 2-4-17: I FINALLY have some new "Love" and Christmas titles! I hope to get the picture posted later this week.

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 February 11, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Kalico Jack by Mike Nahorniak

This is a fun little read with a positive message.

Kalico Jack
by Mike Nahorniak

File Size: 3653 KB
Print Length: 34 pages
Publisher: First Edition Design Publishing (October 6, 2016)
ASIN: B01M8F0RSM
Genre: Children
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Kalico Jack is a little different from the other Jack Rabbits so much so that he is he is constantly ridiculed. As he gets old enough, Kalico Jack decides to embark on a journey to find where he fits in. This adventure takes him across the western part of the United States where he makes many friends and eventually figures out what his special purpose is.

Mike Nahorniak was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is a self-taught artist who has enjoyed the adventure of living in various locations across the Western half of the United States. Some of his most famous paintings include, "Time," "Where the Antelope Play," and "Montana Moose."
He is retired from the Air Force where he served for 27 years. Mike is married with three children.

Review:

Kalico Jack is a jack rabbit with a difference – his fur is multicolored with orange and black stripes and splotches on white. Add to that two different eye colors and Kalico Jack was repeatedly made fun of by other rabbits. When he gets old enough, Kalico Jack decides to take travel west from his home in Chicago hoping to find a place where he fits in.

The story follows Kalico Jack as he passes through St. Louis and journeys west all the way to the coast Along the way he makes friends with bullfrogs, cows, wolves, various desert creatures, Big Foot and even a Martian (near Area 51 apparently). He checks out several national parks and, as he nears Devil’s Tower, he makes a surprising discovery. He decides he must return to the city to use his newly found skills to help others. That isn't easy and he faces a fearsome enemy. He knows he still has lots to learn, but now he feels he has a purpose.

The story is cute and imaginative, if a bit wacky. The images are beautiful and fun and I am sure that a print version would be a delight for children. There is obviously a message regarding being different and finding a way to accept one’s differences and make them an asset. I enjoyed the story and think it would be a fun read with a young person who likes adventure.

I received this title through NetGalley. This qualifies for 2017 TBR Challenge, NetGalley Challenge and “K” on Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Review: X Minus One: Old Time Radio, Sci-Fi Series

This is a wonderful collection of classic sci fi short stories where, as the intro to the weekly show states: "you'll live in a million could-be years on a thousand may-be worlds."
X Minus One: Old Time Radio, Sci-Fi Series
Written by: Ray Bradbury , Philip K. Dick , Robert A. Heinlein , Frederik Pohl , Theodore Sturgeon , Isaac Asimov , Ernest Kinoy , George Lefferts
Narrated by: Old Time Radio

• Length: 20 hrs and 5 mins
• Radio/TV Program
• Release Date:02-04-13
• Publisher: BN Publishing
Genre: Vintage Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

X Minus One was a half-hour science fiction radio series broadcast from April 24, 1955 to January 9, 1958, in various timeslots on NBC. Initially a revival of NBC's Dimension X (1950-51), X Minus One is widely considered among the finest science fiction dramas ever produced for radio. The first 15 episodes were new versions of Dimension X episodes, but the remainder were adaptations by NBC staff writers, including Ernest Kinoy and George Lefferts, of newly published science fiction stories by leading writers in the field, including Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Robert A. Heinlein, Frederik Pohl, and Theodore Sturgeon, along with some original scripts by Kinoy and Lefferts.
Episodes of the show include adaptations of Robert Sheckley's "Skulking Permit", Bradbury's "Mars Is Heaven", Heinlein's "Universe" and "The Green Hills of Earth", Pohl's "The Tunnel Under the World", J. T. McIntosh's "Hallucination Orbit", Fritz Leiber's "A Pail of Air", and George Lefferts' "The Parade".
The program opened with announcer Fred Collins delivering the countdown, leading into this introduction (although later shows were partnered with Galaxy Science Fiction rather than Astounding Science Fiction):
"Countdown for blastoff.... X minus five, four, three, two, X minus one.... Fire!" [Rocket launch SFX] "From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future; adventures in which you'll live in a million could-be years on a thousand may-be worlds. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with Street and Smith, publishers of Astounding Science Fiction presents...X Minus One.
©2012 BN Publishing (P)2012 BN Publishing.

Review:
This audio book consists of stories originally broadcast on radio in 1955. The dramas are very engaging and I enjoyed the voice production and background sounds. Each story runs about 25 minutes so they are great for little snippets although the introduction and ending credits for each one become a little annoying. I could just picture an older generation sitting in front of the radio listening.

My favorite was Heinlein's “The Green Hills of Earth” which tells the tale of a space mechanic who protects the ship when automation fails. He becomes a beloved space “sailor” traveling along the freight lines and writing songs to sing on his guitar. A very special song is about the green hill of his home planet.

Another one that I really liked was George Lefferts' "The Parade". A wealthy man asks a slick public relations man in New York to prepare a plan to announce “the Martians are Coming.” The PR man is thrilled to have the high paying job and thinks the ad plan is for a new spectacular movie. The campaign will culminate in a gala parade to introduce “the Martians” to the city.

The stories are classic sci fi with the twist of irony I have come to expect in science fiction. There is a bit of humor and a strong dose of creepy horror. I do think it is fun that some of the stories treat the 1970s or '90s as a future world. I recommend this to those who enjoy vintage sci fi and like the idea of the broadcast format.

Audio Notes: If you have ever listened to an old radio broadcast you know how they are presented with good actor voices and background stories, including music building to enhance the mystery and danger.

This is from my Audible library, picked up in 2016 and planned for Vintage Sci Fi. It qualifies for my 2017 TBR and Audio challenges and “X” in Alphabet Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 3, 2017

Happy Friday!
I had another fairly quiet week which was good as I had to pick up the slack with staff member was out sick and my daughter was in half-days still coping with problems from her pulled wisdom teeth. 
Hubby is doing better :-). Thank you all for good wishes.
Our weather is fairly nice.
I got a new list of books up for February.

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 January 27 Pick. There were no 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 again.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from January 27 Pick:
CAROL L gets No Place for a Lady.
and
ELIZABETH gets a Snowbound Reunion

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.}

I love reading for February, don't you?
Image found at Pinterest.

New Book Group #70 January 27, 2017
Thought I’d share some romances for February:
PAIRS:
Betty Neels: The Girl With Green Eyes and the Damsel in Green
Linda Howard: The Touch of Fire and Loving Forever
SINGLES:
The Devilish Pleasures of a Duke by Jillian Hunter
Kissed by Shadows (Get Connected Romances) by Jane Feather
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn
Love Letters From a Duke (The Bachelor Chronicles Book 3) by Elizabeth Boyle
Love Overboard by Janet Evanovich
Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
Only With Your Love (Vallerands Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas
Scandalous Love by Brenda Joyce
Someone to Love by Jude Deveraux
Valentine by Jane Feather
A Visit From Sir Nicholas (Effington Family Book 9) by Victoria Alexander
Winter Fire by Jo Beverly


New Book Group #69 November 18, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
Some books for Christmas
Mistletoe Marriage by Jessica Hart
Twelfth Night Proposal by Karen Rose Smith
Jingle Bell Blessings by Bonnie K. Winn
Snowbound with Mr. Right by Judy Christenberry
Christmas With the Prince by Michelle Celmer
The Christmas Cowboy by Michele Dunaway
Christmas Bonus: Strings Attached by Susan Crosby
Wanted: Christmas Mommy by Judy Christenberry
One Cowboy One Christmas by Kathleen Eagle
All I Want for Christmas by Gina Wilkins
Mistletoe and Miracles by Marie Ferrarella
Her Montana Christmas by Arlene James
All She Wants for Christmas by Stacy Connelly
Miracle on Christmas Eve by Shirley Jump
Snowbound Reunion by Barbara McMahon
Holiday Homecoming by Mae Ann Wilson


New Book Group #68 October 28, 2016
(I'll post a picture and links later)
PAIR:
Lisa Gardner: The Perfect Husband and The Other Daughter
Stella Cameron: True Bliss and Sheer Pleasures
SINGLE:
Stray by A. N. Wilson (hardcover)
Soul of the Wildcat by Devyn Quinn
The Seventh Tower, Book One by Garth Nix
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
Kill Chain by Meg Gardiner
Wild Rain by Christine Feehan
The Copper Beach by Maeve Binchy
Beyond Reach: A Novel (Grant County Book 6) by Karin Slaughter
Crimson Shore by Preston & Childs
The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry
Critical by Robin Cook
Mania by Craig Larsen

New Book Group #67 September 9, 2016

(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
SINGLES:
*The Brittany Stones by Lynna Cooper (1974 - yellowed; corner of cover cut)
No Place for a Lady by Katherine Greyle
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)


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


New Book Group #65 April 29, 2016

SINGLES:
A Dangerous Fancy by Tracy Cozzens
The Champion by Heather Grothaus


New Book Group #64 March 4, 2016
SINGLES:
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette

New Book Group #63 January 22, 2016 -- All Gone

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


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

BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)

The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
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)

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 seven years I have posted 68 groups of 16 (1,088) books to find new homes! (as of November 4, 2016).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,033+ 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!