Sunday Words of Encouragement August 26, 2018

We had a good Sunday School message on the book of Esther, which I will share another day. Then we had worship and praise before our Youth Pastor gave a great sermon titled “You Were Made to Shine”.

Our youth pastor, (JB), opened saying that he felt anointed for the message; he could even smell the anointing. It turned out he had a bottle of anointing oil in his pocket which had broken!

JB noted that he had learned to love all types of church services. But the services mean nothing if we are not fulfilling our purposes. If we don't step out to teach the lost, then the service is hollow.

There are currently about 7.6 billion people in the world. 2 billion plus claim to be Christian. That leaves 5 billion plus who need Jesus. They are lost and without hope.

We have to do more than go through the motions of church. There is work to be done for the kingdom of God. A life to be lived by each of us. Do we live the truth? What has He created us to be? He created each of us to be a light in the darkness.

We are to live differently than the world. You were made to shine. Matthew 5:14-16.

Unfortunately, too many Christians have become better at blending into the culture instead of standing out. When the church goes silent, the church goes dark.
JB recently turned on TV and the MTV awards show was just starting. Within two minutes they disrespected country and God and JB was offended so he turned it off.

Do not accept the lawless culture. Instead, remember the song “Though none go with me, still I will follow.” Jesus never lets you down like this world does.

Be careful of multiple identities. Too many Christians hide their light under a basket. Oftentimes it is due to selfishness and pride. Too often we are uncomfortable to reach out to lost people. We have to believe that no one needs to know my name, but they need to know who Jesus is and the gift of salvation he offers.

Romans 12:2 says not to conform to the world, but to be transformed. Reaching the low bar of the world is too easy. Instead, we should be trendsetters for Christ.

Matthew 5:14-16 states three key points: Our identity, our purpose, our reason.
We are a light…to shine God’s message of hope…so all men may praise Him!
Shine your light for all to see.
If we are going to make a difference, they (the world) need to see a difference.
We are going to have to be different.

Actions needed to back up our words. Own your identity! Your true identity will reveal your purpose.

Don't put a basket over your light.
Darkness only exists because there is an absence of light. 5 billion people need us to shine.

I thought I might use the I'll Follow song but I decided on this fitting song video instead:

Verses for today:
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

JB exhorts us to pray: "Lord, help me to live the life You've called me to."

Sharing Beyond Books #351 Comment Giveaway August 25, 2018

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Eleven of us read whenever we can, throughout the day. Three read at night or evenings and two before bed. One reads during daytime with day light.


The Winner from SBB #350 comments is: #1 NATALIJA who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #351

(One Question.)

Faith Hope and Cherrytea asks: What is your top/favourite/go to reading genre???

(We had this question in 2013 and I will compare our replies now to the ones then.) My current favorite/go to reading is Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian followed closely by military sci fi, and third, historical romance.

Image found at Composition's Wiki.

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.
Ashfa and Faith Hope CherryTea get 1/2 book credit or $2.50 each for questions used in the month of August.

Your turn to share. Faith Hope and Cherrytea asks: What is your top/favourite/go to reading genre???

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

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 September 8, 2018 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Must Love Babies by Lynnette Austin

This is a fun, charming romance with a baby and vintage cars.
Must Love Babies
by Lynnette Austin

File Size: 1764 KB
Print Length: 416 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (June 5, 2018)
ASIN: B079JVCHTX
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

This baby's not the only one in need of a cuddle...
Brant Wylder is a bachelor and loving it! He's in Misty Bottoms, Georgia, property-hunting for his vintage car repair shop when he gets the call. His sister's been in an accident, and Brant has to drop everything and take care of his five-month-old nephew. That's the end of the bachelor lifestyle.
Bridal boutique owner Molly Stiles is all business all the time, until she sees that Brant's in trouble. In this Southern town, nobody ever has to go it alone. And besides, how can she resist that beautiful baby in the arms of a beautiful man...?

Review:
Brant has his bachelor eye on Molly Stiles although he knows he shouldn’t move on his interest since she doesn’t seem an easy, limited time date. Still, he can enjoy looking. When his sister is hospitalized after a car accident, Brant is called in to take care of his five-month-old nephew. This ends his loose bachelor days and he is glad to find Molly is willing to help him out. She might not have a lot of experience with infants, but she does love babies.

Molly has trauma from her young years and men who leave. She has a To-Do schedule that keeps her career in focus and finding a boyfriend out a few years. She might have been able to resist Brant when she thought he was single, trouble and leaving town to boot. Now he is not only planning to move his business to Misty Bottoms, but it is clear he can use help and support with the infant he is caring for. Surely she can help him and keep to her To-Do time line… if only he wasn’t pushing to change the schedule.

These are both charming characters. Brant is quick to step up to help his family and he is consistently a gentleman with Molly (despite his mental thoughts). Molly has made a successful start of her own business but has emotional baggage to work through. The interaction with the baby is natural and fun (think first time diaper changes, feeding and bathing). Brant’s brothers and their vintage car business, as well as a surprise celebrity wedding, add to the story.

I enjoyed the easy flow of the dialogue and the struggles both characters go through to overcome their internal resistance to commitment. Although the story is fairly predictable, it is nicely handled and there are a few surprises as Molly faces her background disappointment. I recommend this to readers who enjoy strong romance where the guy has to convince the girl to take a chance on love.

Source: Author Marketing Experts. This will qualify for a 2018 review for my 2018 Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: One Man's Opus by Boyd Craven III

This is a charming romance with a great dog included.

One Man's Opus

A Survival and Preparedness Story

By: Boyd Craven III

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Series: One Man's Opus, Book 1

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 04-26-17

Language: English

Publisher: Boyd Craven III

Genre: Preparedness, Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Man's best friend.

Rick is like many Americans. He's concerned with what he sees on the news, and how the country seems to be ready to tear itself apart. His biggest concern has been civil unrest. Already an avid camper, he sets out to secure his future, and career, by finding his own Eden.

Tina is a small-business owner and knows what she wants in life. She and her furry companion find themselves at gunpoint when Rick walks back into her world and forever changes the dynamic between them.

One dog, who's been the savior, protector, and companion...Opus. The owner of two humans that mostly understand him. Mostly.

When the police walk into an ambush, a series of events forces the couple to bug out. The problem with having to leave for a small town, at a remote location, is it really isn't a secret. Small towns bring their own problems with crime, and power plays. Everybody knows everybody, and the gossip mill runs as fast as lightning.

Will the trio be as prepared as they need to be?

©2017 Boyd Craven III (P)2017 Boyd Craven III

Review:
Rick is a serious introvert and sort of a geek author. He thought he would write a different genre but, on a dare, he started writing paranormal romance which provides a decent living. A friend offers him an old RV and Rick re-meets Tina when he goes to ask to park the unit at her storage facility. In an unexpected situation he is surprised to meet her guard dog, Opus.

Rick goes camping and begins to set up a campsite/bug out place. He thinks he may need to be more prepared for rough times. Rick, with Tina visiting, spends more time at the RV especially as unrest and riots spread in the city. Most of the campsite neighbors are friendly but one man and his unpleasant friends object and look to cause trouble.

The relationship between Rick and Tina develops slowly, always with Opus making his presence known. Rick and Tina are very relatable, real to life characters and Opus is a gem. This is a charming romance story which moves along at a nice pace with the decisions of life and impact of friends added in.

I have read and enjoyed a couple of post-apocalyptic tales by Mr. Craven. This story is not truly post-apocalyptic but rather a preparedness story as stated. I was pleased to find this engaging even though it is not full of tension and action. It is not a steamy romance either; just a nice, warm love story. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a natural life, warm romance and might like the touch of prepper elements.

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce does a solid job of narrating. He creates voices for characters and provides appropriate emotion while being a very easy listen. I enjoy his portrayal which added to my enjoyment of the book.

Source: Audible Credit Purchase June 2017. This qualifies for 2018TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway August 24, 2018

Happy Friday! Happy Back to School!

I've had another busy work week; coming home and crashing fairly early as I am tired.

I did not get to the GCs last weekend so it it first thing for me to work on this Saturday.

I continue to hope everyone is staying safe from fires, rain, storms, floods and heat.

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 August 17 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. One title was blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from August 17 Pick:
MARJORIE gets a GC and
BN100 gets The Broken Window

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.}

We've had our share of cloudy beach days this summer. How about you?
Image found at Skis.Com.

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
No One Left to Tell is MP3
Kisscut is Cassettes
Dark Summer is CDs
Pairs: Kay Hooper and Carla Neggers
The rest are singles


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Pairs: Fern Michaels and James Patterson
The rest are singles
Note:
The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes



New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Doctor’s Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen
The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
Rhapsody in Time by Judith O’Brien
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

Midnight Rainbow
Betrayed
Indigo Blue
By a Spider's Thread 
Johanna Lindsey Pair 
Judith Krentz Pair
Breaking Point 
My Dark Prince
Fatal Defect

New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018
I thought I would look for some 'Springish' titles but that didn't happen. Hope someone finds a title or two you like.

PAIRS
Betty Neals: Tabitha by Moonlight and Fate Takes a Hand
Nora Robert: Hot Ice (spine creased) and Sanctuary
SINGLES:
My Lord Conqueror by Samantha James
Surrender by Pamela Clare
Dessert Rogue by Suzanne Simmons
The Rose and the Shield by Elaine Barrieri
Hannah’s Courtship by Emma Miller
Someone to Watch Over Me by Judith McNaught
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
A Husband’s Wicked Ways by Jane Feather
Hot on Her Heels by Susan Mallery
Indigo Blue by Catherine Anderson
Between the Devil and Desire (Scoundrels of St. James Book 2) by Lorraine Heath (hardback)


New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
21 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

 THESE BOOKS CHOSEN/WON ARE THE ONES STRICKEN HERE:
Finger Licken' Fifteen
How to Tame a Highland Warrior
The Texan
Total Control
Atlantis Found
Stephanie Laurens Pair
Desperado 
Rebellious Desires 
Forget Me Not 
The Eighth Commandment
Ghost Riders
The Manning Brides by Debbie Macomber 
Shadow Music 
Corbin's Fancy 
Hawk's Lady

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
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
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

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 EIGHT years I have posted 75 groups of 16 (1,200) books to find new homes! (as of November 2, 2017).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,180+books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A month or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] 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!