Sunday Words of Encouragment November 11, 2022 - His Love is Steadfast!

We honored the veterans and serving men and women in our church with breakfast this morning.

Our Sunday School teacher shared a lesson on the binding of Satan. Revelation 20:1-3.
It was a very interesting lesson reminding us that we need to be diligent to wear our armor to fight against Satan and to be prepared to fight repeatedly/daily.

We shared in communion signing the Old Rugged Cross.
Today’s sermon was based on Psalm 36:5-6.
Whether we like to admit it or not, there are wicked men in the world. And if we allow anger and bitterness to overtake our hearts, we may be on a path that is not good. But... The loving kindness of God extends to the heavens.

Don't let people and their behaviors cause you to sin or keep you out of your relationship with God. Colossians 3:2. God’s love is steadfast - steady, consistent, reliable, and unconditional. 

Romans 8:38-39 tells us “38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God loves us...no matter what. And God is faithful. He never forsakes the righteous. Psalm 37:25. His love never ends.

God’s righteousness is like the highest mountains. Psalm 36:6. God always does the right thing.
Anger can cause people to focus on themselves and ignore the mountain of God. We can trust Him.
His judgments are like the great deep.

We are just a tiny speck on a much bigger picture. But even though we are no more than a speck, He loves us and cares for us. He saves man and beast. Psalm 36:6.

He causes all things to work together for good to those who believe in Him. Romans 8:28. Events may roll, much like the ocean. But as the flood tide rolls out, He will roll it back in. Psalm 29:10. God is in control. It helps if we remember that His love reaches to heaven.

This song fits today: Your Love, Oh Lord.

Verses for today:
Psalm 36:5-6 NIV
5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.


Lord, Your love is awesome. I give thanks and praise to You for Your steadfast faithfulness to me.

Audio Book Review: The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett

This is a very engaging Epic.
The Warded Man
Written By: Peter V. Brett
Narrated By: Peter Bradbury

Duration: 18 hours 16 minutes
Release date: 11-25-09
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Adventure, Epic, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
Peter V. Brett has won accolades from critics, fans and fellow authors alike for this riveting debut novel. The Warded Man features a world where demons stalk the night, hunting humans who have long forgotten the magic of their ancestors. But all is not lost, as some hold out hope that a savior will release humanity from the demons' terrifying reign. 'Brilliant, with action and suspense all the way.' -Terry Brooks

Review:
The world of humans is cowed and oppressed by demons who stalk the night. The humans rely on magical wards to protect them within their walled cities and homes. But much has been lost in the arts of magic and warding and the demons are making headway. Young (eleven-year-old) Arlen, from an outlying community, gets to meet a brave messenger, Ragen, and his entertaining, but fearful, juggler. A messenger does much more than deliver messages. He is trained to fight and knows how to ward to protect himself and his juggler on the roads at night. The juggler’s job is to entertain the children and crowds while the messenger negotiates for trade goods.

Arlen learns about big cities, mountains, and deserts from Ragen. Arlen begins to believe that he could become a messenger when he grows older. Arlen is small but smart. He was bullied until he learned to outsmart the bullies. Ragen reinforced his young views explaining that men could stand up and fight, though they might die, or they can hide and slowly die as cowardice shames them. After tragedy in his family, Arlen runs away and learns to fight the demons, even injuring a powerful rock demon who becomes his enemy.

Meanwhile, in other chapters, Leesha is a young woman struggling with the thought of becoming nothing more than a ‘brood mare’. She wants to take over her father’s printing business, but then she begins to work with the local healer. Although the healer is considered an old crone, she clearly knows the magic to care for the sick, heal wounds, and set bones.

The third primary character is a young boy, Rojer Inn, who witnessed his parents die as Arrick Sweetsong, the Duke's Herald, hides with Rojer in the bolthole under the Inn. Arrick raises the boy who becomes his apprentice. But Arrick loses his position and Rojer struggles in the streets trying to keep food, instead of alcohol in Arrick’s belly. Rojer suffers from guilt and tends to try to stay under the radar. As he matures, he realizes that he has a magical ability to impact the demons but he doesn’t know how this magic will be used.

The reader/listener anticipates how and when the three protagonists will meet. I got caught up in the world and the intensity of the characters, particularly the very lone warrior, Arlen. I liked his struggles, battles, and development. I did hope that he would find love somewhere in the story.

I initially was reluctant to start such a long book, but I was very glad that I listened to this. I will want to continue in the series at some point. I recommend this to readers who enjoy D&D type fantasy.

Audio Notes: Peter Bradbury does a good job with the narration. I quickly adapted to enjoying his energy and his variety of voices for the characters. The narration made this a better experience for me.

Source: 10/16/19 Audiobook.com VIP. This qualifies for 22022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: What Lurks Beneath by Ryan Lockwood

This is a well dramatized story of biologists and divers chasing a sea monster (and it chasing them).
#FRATERFEST-7.

What Lurks Beneath [Dramatized Adaptation]
Written by Ryan Lockwood
Narrated by Collected Narrators: A full cast
Andy Brownstein, Colleen Delany, David Jourdan, Dawn Ursula, Deidra Starnes, Dexter Hamlett, Ericka Rose, Evan Casey, James Konicek, James C. Lewis, Ken Jackson, Kenyatta Rogers, Michael Glenn, Michael John Casey, Nanette Savard, Nanna Ingvarsson, Patrick Bussink, Richard Rohan, Scott McCormick, Thomas Keegan, Yasmin Tuazon

Run Time 6h 41min
Release Date: June 3, 2020
Publisher: GraphicAudio
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher Description
A new breed of terror that rises from the depths of the ocean. To hunt. To devour. To kill.
The first attack occurs in the underwater caverns of the Bahamas. Two professional divers exploring the unknown. A monstrous flesh-ripping predator they never see coming.
Now the attacks are coming closer and closer to shore. A sun-soaked playground for sea-loving tourists. A human feasting ground for whatever lurks beneath.
Now, in a desperate race against time, Eric Watson, an expert on remote control underwater vehicles, and marine biologist Valerie Martell, must identify a savage new species of killer—and piece together one of nature’s most horrific mysteries. But the most terrifying discovery of all waits for Val and her team at the bottom of the sea. A discovery too shocking, to comprehend.
Because up till now, this creature existed only in mankind’s darkest nightmares. Not anymore.

Review:
Valerie is a biologist who specializes in studying cephalopods —squids and octopuses. She is having a bad week as the most recent study specimen has just died. Plus, she is struggling with how to resolve her relationship with Will, a diver, who has spent the last year falling into the bottle. She is preparing to give a project update and knows that her co-worker Eric is getting the better presentation spot.

Eric has been developing a remote control underwater drone vehicle that will help exploring in the deep waters. It is still experimental but very close to use.

Valerie and Eric are called in to investigate underwater caverns in the Bahamas when members of a diving team don’t return. There have been local cave divers who have been attacked too. And rumors of sightings of a sea monster akin to the Kraken. When a tourist is snatched from the beach the concern and investigation intensifies.

The author shares this story in alternating chapters which include the prospective of the sea monster. This creates sympathetic feelings for the creature which is behaving as it should – seeking prey and a safe place to have her children.

There is some environmental discussion going on, especially with remarks on government testing in the water with disregard for the impact on the sea creatures. There wasn’t clarity to the testing (or results) but the military actions seem to serve more as a catalyst that wakes the sea creature and threatens it.

I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the sea creatures. There is good action and suspense that kept the story moving well. There were some gaps in the histories of the characters, but I realized after I finished that this is actually a second book in a series (first book Below) so the first would have filled in those relationships better. I enjoyed the suspense and intensity of the story and appreciated the different POVs. I suppose it fits with the “horror” genre and I recommend this to fans of deep-sea monsters.

Audio Notes: There is a full cast of narrators for the dramatization. This worked will and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: October 27th, 2021 Chirp Purchase $3.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry

This is fun cozy with a skeleton as the protagonist’s side-kick.
#FRATERFEST-6
A Skeleton in the Family
By Author Leigh Perry
Narrator: Katina Kalin

Duration: 7 h 57 min
Release date: 03-31-21
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Women Sleuth
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
Most families have skeletons in their closets … Moving back into her parents’ house with her teenage daughter had not been Georgia Thackery’s “Plan A.” But when she got a job at the local college, it seemed the sensible thing to do. So she settled in and began reconnecting with old friends. Including Sid. Sid is the Thackery family’s skeleton. He’s lived in the house as long as Georgia can remember, although no one, including Sid, knows exactly where he came from and how he came to be a skeleton. Sid walks, he talks, he makes bad jokes, he tries to keep Georgia’s dog from considering him a snack. And he manages to persuade Georgia to let him leave the house. But when she takes him to an anime convention—disguised as a skeleton, of course—he sees a woman who triggers memories of his past. Now he is determined to find out how he died—with Georgia’s help. But their investigation may uncover a killer who’s still alive and well and bad to the bone …

Review:
Georgia Thackery has moved back home with her teenage daughter, Madison. She is fortunate her parents, well respected, tenured college professors, are away on sabbatical, so she can live in the family home while she starts a new job as an adjunct professor. Another big plus of being home is she that she is able to share time with her friend, Sid, the skeleton in the attic.

Georgia thinks it is time to tell Madison about Sid, but ‘he’ isn’t ready. Georgia is willing to follow Sid’s wishes, considering he saved her as a child. Sid hasn’t been out of the house in a long time, and he seizes the chance to go to an anime convention that Madison is going to. While enjoying hiding in plain sight, disguised as a skeleton, Sid sees a woman who triggers memories which is startling since he has no clear memories of who he was ‘in the flesh’.

Sid and Georgia are determined to investigate to discover his identity and his killer. Especially when they learn that the mystery woman is a professor. When they go to speak with her they find her murdered too. Georgia gets some help from another new adjunct professor whose real job is as a journalist. Georgia and Sid also get help from an elderly professor friend who helps them sneak into the College during the night. It becomes clear that they are stirring up trouble when Georgia gets threats, and their professor friend is attacked.

This is really a fun story. I love Sid’s quite but determined character and it is funny how he drops bones when he is depressed. The author does a good job using the plot line to reveal the history of when Georgia and Sid met and how he became part of the family. There are twists in the investigation that keeps it interesting and I learned a lot about the problems of being untenured in the university syestem. I want to read/listen to more in the series. I recommend this to fans of cozy mysteries who like the mix of paranormal and humor with the mystery.

Audio Notes: Katina Kalin does a really nice job with the narration. Although her voice is soft, she provides clear, distinct voices. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/31/2021 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Martha's BookShelf Friday Pick November 11, 2022

Happy Friday!
TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK.
I'm still working crazy but not quite as stressed.
I still have some GC emails and payments to complete and books to pull for mailing soon.

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 November 4, 2022 Pick. There was no automatic win last week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There was no title blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS to one winner (under 10 entries):
Random.org picked Winner from November 4, 2022 Pick:
#3 MARJORIE 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.}

I love this type of recycled use of books.
Image found at Skylar's Pretty Little Books.

New Book Box #96 June 10, 2022

PAIR:
Liz Carlyle: Three Little Secrets and My False Heart
Johanna Lindsey: Brave the Wild Wind and Fires of Winter
SINGLE TITLES
Against the Sky by Kat Martin
Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

The Eagle and the Dove by Jane Feather
Heir to a Dark Inheritance by Maisey Yates
The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour
A Legacy of Secrets by Carol Marinelli
Marry in Secret by Anne Gracie
No Greater Treasure by Ellen Kelley
One Minute Out by Mark Greaney
Texas Born by Diana Palmer
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (Illustrated Classic Edition)
While Others Sleep by Helen R. Myers


New Book Box #95 November 7, 2021

I'll add the titles through the week (16 including 2 doubles, 1 pair).
(on top) (Two) Rancher's Wild Secret and Hold Me Cowboy by Maisey Yates
(on top) Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
(Two) The Taming & The Conquest by Jude Deveraux
My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth
Love's Surprise by Karen Ball
Manhunt by Wayne Barton and Stan Williams - Audio CDs
After the Light by Kimberly Clark Sharp (Hardback)


New Book Box #94 May 28, 2021 (10 books)

Three One Audio CD Books:
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
SINGLE TITLES
Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale
The Hidden Heart by Laura Kinsale

New Book Groups #92 and #93 November 13, 2020.
#92 (15 books):

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
The Tender Stranger by Carolyn Davidson
Her Wedding Wish by Jillian Hart
Heart's Desire by Ruth Ryan Hagan
The Deputy's Duty by Terri Reed

Box #93 (14 books)

Seducing Mr. Darcy by Gwyn Cready
There's Only Been You by Donna Marie Rogers (personally signed)
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper
The Irish Bride by Alexa Harrington
When We Met by Susan Mallery
All of Me by Lori Wilde

New Book Group #91 October 2, 2020 - Suspense themed

SINGLES: Ten books in this box:
Fight or Flight by Natalie J. Damschroder


PICK TWO  your choice (listed below the picture) Nora Roberts:

Born in Fire Audiobook Cassettes
Montana Sky
Valley of Silence


New Book Group #90 June 19, 2020
Quite a few mysteries in this box.

SINGLES:
Alias by Smy J. Fetzer
Hot Sex by Janet Evanovich (Audio cassettes)

New Book Group #89 March 6, 2020

Singles:
My Surrender by Connie Brockway
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holoquist
Phoenix by A.J. Scudiere

New Book Group #88 November 8, 2019

Singles:
A Lady Never Tells by Candace Camp
Dawn of Redemption by Starla Childs

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

SINGLES:
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES

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

SINGLES:
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek


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

SINGLES:
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
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.

SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
Christmas Haven
King Harold's Snow Job

New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
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
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

SINGLES:
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018
All Gone

New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
SINGLES:
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes

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

P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (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
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham

New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
Too 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
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
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.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three One more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four One 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 TWELVE years I have posted 91 groups of mostly 16 books plus an additional 21 totaling approximately 1,535 books available to find new homes! (As of November 26, 2021).

I am happy to say that so far at least 1,407 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, 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 faraway 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!