Sunday Words of Encouragement July 28, 2019

This morning in Sunday School we watched a Discover Ministries Video of Pastor Steve Cioccolanti issuing warnings to California believers. I have enjoyed listening to many of Pastor Steve’s video teachings and prophesies.

Our Youth Pastor continued the teachings from Hebrews 11:32-40. He reminded us that Hebrews 11 is often known as the Hall of Faith. Pastor J told us that “what you are facing in your life is not to destroy you but to make you stronger”. Difficult situations are usually to provide lessons and growth.
All of the old testament characters mentioned in this section have two things in common:
1. They had to make a decision to trust God.
2. They had to make a decision to grow.

God has something new for you every morning. God wants to do more than we can imagine.
He wants us to have a fresh anointing.
We need to be aware that ‘what you started with will not be enough to finish.’
God wants you to step it up. You need to be seeking God. What is He doing this season?

We have to realize we often have unrealistic expectations. We are expecting the fullness of God but only giving half of ourselves. You need to give all of yourself, then see what God can do!

We are comfortable with the knowledge of faith but we're uncomfortable with the action of faith.

Move beyond the repeat of coming to church on Sunday and going home with no change during the week; then returning next Sunday. .
Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to give up meeting together,… but encouraging one another.
We need to be serving others.

The ultimate goal of faith is to make heaven our home. But we are here for a reason. We need wins in this life; Spiritual victories.

The reward of our faith is not just entering into the kingdom of Heaven, it's building it.

Our faith is a journey, not a stationary place.
We are blessed with freedom.
Those of faith who struggled through hardships became strong in battle. Hebrews 11:34.
The battle provides an opportunity to grow.
Pray: God help me to see what you see; see the opportunity.
Remember that God works all things for good to those who love Him. Romans 8:28. And "If God is for us, who can stand against us?" Romans 8:31.
Will you choose to grow?

I like this song for this message:

Hebrews 11:32-34 (NIV)
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

My prayer today: God help me to see what you see; see the opportunity!

Sharing Beyond Books #374 Comment Giveaway July 27, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Three commenters love HGTV, Five or us enjoy their shows and three more watch sometimes. Three have never seen HGTV (no TV or little watching) although one watches a property location show. Two others don't watch HGTV.

The Winner from SBB #373 comments is: #2 MARYP 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. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**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 #374

(One Question.)

Life's Simple Pleasures asks: If you had to exchange a book as part of a first date, what book would you pick and why??

What a good question! I had to think about it and it will be interesting to see other answers. I looked at my reading lists for ideas. I narrowed it down to The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute which is nonfiction and important for relational issues. Maybe for a second date I'd go with fiction: Lightning by Dean Koontz.

Image found at Smore.com.

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 1/2 book choice or $2.50 towards 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.
Comments for July were provided by: Marjorie and Life's Simple Pleasures who each get $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Life's Simple Pleasures asks: If you had to exchange a book as part of a first date, what book would you pick and why??

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 August 10, 2019 at 5 PM central.

Audible Book Review: Fata Morgana by Steven R. Boyett and Ken Mitchroney

This fun, alternate history is full of WWII period, and beyond, action.

Fata Morgana

By: Steven R. Boyett, Ken Mitchroney

Narrated by: Macleod Andrews

Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 06-13-17

Language: English

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genre: Alternate History, Sci Fi, Time Travel

My Ration: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary

At the height of the air war in Europe, Captain Joe Farley and the baseball-loving, wisecracking crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress Fata Morgana are in the middle of a harrowing bombing mission over eastern Germany when everything goes sideways. The bombs are still falling and flak is still exploding all around the 20-ton bomber as it is knocked like a bathtub duck into another world.

Suddenly stranded with the final outcasts of a desolated world, Captain Farley navigates a maze of treachery and wonderand finds a love seemingly decreed by fate—as his bomber becomes a pawn in a centuries-old conflict between remnants of advanced but decaying civilizations. Caught among these bitter enemies, a vast power that has brought them here for its own purposes, and a terrifying living weapon bent on their destruction, the crew must use every bit of their formidable inventiveness and courage to survive.

Fata Morgana—the epic novel of love and duty at war across the reach of time.

©2017 Steven R. Boyett & Ken Mitchroney (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Captain Joe Farley and his WWII flight crew are relieved to get a new B17 when their first one barely limps into base. They name their new plane Fata Morgana and Joe describes a mysterious woman to be painted on the nose. They pick up a new crew member, a Native American who bailed from his plane which shockingly arrived back to base with an all dead crew.

The crew is part of a bombing mission during which the formation comes under attack by German bombers. Suddenly the Fata Morgana is pulled into a dark cloud and spit out into a desolated world. The planet appears devastated and the crew is alarmed when two opposing teams converge on them, one trying to protect them and the other attacking them. It appears the teams are from two rival colonies who are trying to get the plane for their own use. And that these people are not the worst enemy they will face.

The wisecracking crew members are stranded unless their mechanic wizard can get the plane working again. Meanwhile they are all surprised, especially Joe, when the woman of his dreams appears in front of them! She convinces them to return to her community but not everyone is as welcoming as she is. The crew makes friends but will have to survive betrayal to have a future.

The story starts a little slowly as the authors introduce and develop the crewmembers. There is fun banter and baseball camaraderie shared even during the stresses of war. The battle scenes are well written with action and tension. Once the plane crashes in the other world there are totally different tensions and conflicts the crew must face. I liked the well-developed characters, the action, the romance and the plot twists. The romance grows slowly and warmly to mature to a point of heartbreak. There is a strange scene involving limited characters around the center of the time whirlwind. This gives some of the surprising background of the world. I anticipated the betrayal but didn’t see all of the twists which made it interesting.

This isn’t as good as my favorite alternate history/universe series, The Destroyermen series, but it was a fun, fill-in listen. I recommend this to readers/listeners who enjoy World War II era and/or the alternate history genre.

Audio Notes: Macleod Andrews does a wonderful job with the narration. He captures the variety of character accents and energies. His narration helped to bring the story alive. The narration enhanced the story for me and I would be glad to listen to more by this narrator.

Source: 12/2/2017 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway July 26, 2019

Happy Friday! Another busy week. Mostly hot, sometimes wet. *sigh*

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 19, 2019 Pick. There were no automatic wins again 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 but won through the block.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from July 19, 2019 Pick:
MIKI gets a GC
and
Becky gets Preaching to the Corpse (through a block).

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've always liked hammocks -- and books of course!
Image found at Dandelion Chandelier.

New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forged in Steel by Maya Banks
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Eco-Sisters: The Car by P. Ryan Hembree and Mary Ann Gustin
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Murder at Granite Falls by Roxanne Rustand
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes
SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Homecoming
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES
Best Laid Plans
Darkness Tell Us
Cooking More Deadly


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
Firebird
No Getting Over a Cowboy
The Book of Fate 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)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

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

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


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
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(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 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,260+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year 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!

#NetGalley Book Review: The Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander

This was a very fast, fun and charming read.
The Library of Ever
by Zeno Alexander

File Size: 3795 KB
Print Length: 197 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1250169178
Publisher: Imprint (April 30, 2019)
ASIN: B07CL27HGD
Genre: Action and Adventure, Children's, Middle Grade
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

The Library of Ever is an instant classic for middle grade readers and booklovers everywhere—an adventure across time and space, as a young girl becomes a warrior for the forces of knowledge.
With her parents off traveling the globe, Lenora is bored, bored, bored—until she discovers a secret doorway into the ultimate library. Mazelike and reality-bending, the library contains all the universe’s wisdom. Every book ever written, and every fact ever known, can be found within its walls. And Lenora becomes its newly appointed Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian.
She rockets to the stars, travels to a future filled with robots, and faces down a dark nothingness that wants to destroy all knowledge. To save the library, Lenora will have to test her limits and uncover secrets hidden among its shelves.

Review:
Lenora an 11-year-old left home is bored with the nanny who is dragging her around visiting the nanny’s friends and shopping for items the nanny wants. Finally, the nanny stops at the library and Lenora perks up. She slips away from nanny to visit the children’s section of the library and what an adventure she finds!

Lenora helps a boy trying to get into a strange, mysterious hall in the library. Lenora slips into a library through a door with a sign that says: Knowledge is a light. Lenora runs into a Chief Librarian who tells Lenora she must leave. But Lenora convinces the Librarian to give har a job as a Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian. Lenora is directed to use her imagination, be resourceful and show courage. She is placed first at the Calendar Help Desk so she can learn important dates in history. She begins learning interesting details but is soon dragged off by a robot to help a kingdom in the future! When she returns to her desk Lenora is promoted to Third Assistant and moves on to another help desk. Her adventure continues through several departments where she learns new facts and helps creatures including penguins, ants and cats. She visits the future, outer space, the globe and ancient Egypt. As the adventure moves along, Lenora is confronted by an enemy who wants to stop her and, even worse, wants to destroy knowledge. What can Lenora do to help fight the enemy that is trying to bring darkness?

The journeys are fantastical and the reader learns fun facts along the way. I found the story delightful and think it would be wonderful for the intended audience of middle graders. It might be better enjoyed if read in sections as it is rather busy and fast paced. Still, it is well worth the fun reading experience.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.