Book Blogger Hop - April 24, 2015

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I'm going to start getting involved in book-themed blog hops and links as I see them, and this is the latest one I've come across. It's hosted at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer, which is a blog title that resonates with me - because I'm a coffee addicted reader. So there's that. And it's a very easy hop - just answer the weekly question, link back to the anchor post, and then visit some of the other participants and see what their responses are.

This week's question:

Does the title of a book make or break your choice to read it?

It's pretty rare that the title would be a deal-breaker, but an intriguing title will often get me to notice a book and take an extra moment to see what it's about. 

Visit the Book Blogger Hop at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer to participate and to read other responses. 

©2008-2015 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Ten Favorite Authors

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Yes, it's Wednesday, and I'm writing a list for Top Ten Tuesday hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. The thing is, I already do a book link-up on Tuesdays, and since my Tuesdays are busy enough already, I decided I would do these on Mondays or Wednesdays and call it good.

I'm starting my participation on this list with a hard one - Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Authors. Are you kidding me? Ten??? I started jotting down a list and it got out of hand pretty quickly, so here - in no particular order - are just some of the authors that I consider my favorites.

Jane Austen
Anybody who knows me expected Austen to be at the top of my list, and no explanation is needed. I never get tired of reading her books, and I keep trying out the various re-imaginings, sequels, and fan fiction related to Austen. Of those, Carrie Bebris is my favorite. The renewed interest in the Regency era means there are plenty of authors writing historical fiction in that setting, and I'm finding some new favorites there - Sarah Ladd and Julie Klassen come to mind, although there are plenty more! (Jane Austen books, including Austen-inspired books, mentioned here on Just A Second - Carrie Bebris books, Sarah Ladd books, Julie Klassen books, and all Regency books)

Deanna Raybourn
Deanna Raybourn is a no-brainer for my list, because she is one of the few authors that I have such complete confidence in that I pre-order her books pretty much as soon as the option is available to me. She has never disappointed. I love her strong, quirky female characters and their intense, passionate male counterparts. Two other authors that fall in a similar category deserve honorable mention here - they are Tasha Alexander and Anna Lee Huber. (Deanna Raybourn books mentioned here on Just A Second - Tasha Alexander books, and Anna Lee Huber books)

Coming September 1st!

Stephen R. Lawhead
Lawhead is another author that has earned that "pre-order status". I love the elements of historical novel and fantasy that are woven together in many of his novels; and the newest, the Bright Empires series, combines historical and time-travel sci-fi in a fascinating way. (Stephen Lawhead books mentioned here on Just A Second)


Agatha Christie
She was my introduction to detective fiction when I was a teenager, and I became quite a fan of Hercule Poirot. Because of Christie (and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, of course!), I got hooked on detective and mystery novels, so I guess I should credit her for leading me to Deanna Raybourn, and to the next author on my list...

Anne Perry
She's become a favorite in the mystery/detective category too. I like her William Monk series especially, and own all of them. I've also read most of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt series, and her Christmas novellas. (Anne Perry books mentioned here on Just A Second)

C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis would make my list of favorites on the strength of the Chronicles of Narnia series alone, because I never get tired of reading them. Wonderful fairy-tale fantasy stories with allegorical elements, and with ageless appeal! Honorable mention here goes to James Stoddard - his books The High House and The False House remind me of the Narnia books, and would rank quite high in my all-time favorite books list. (Which I hope I don't have to narrow down to ten, as that would be quite a daunting task!)

Janette Oke
Janette Oke makes my list for several reasons - I've never met a Janette Oke book I didn't completely love; I own every one of them; and just as Agatha Christie inspired my love of mysteries, Janette Oke introduced me to Christian romantic fiction. The list of Christian historical fiction authors that I love would be a Top Ten (at least!) all its own, but it was Oke that got me started on this genre. It helps that she's a fellow Albertan and many of the settings for her books are in Canada. (I've reviewed the two most recent Janette Oke books here on Just A Second)


Lucy Maud Montgomery/Laura Ingalls Wilder/Louisa May Alcott
I cheated a little here by doing a three-in-one, but my reason for putting these three authors together is that they wrote primarily for a younger audience, and I first read their books when I was very young. Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, and Little Women are all still favorite novels that I often re-read as an adult. I also have learned that just because a book is written for  Young Adult audience doesn't mean that it won't appeal to an older audience as well. I give honorable mention here to Hope Auer and to Wayne Thomas Batson, who write YA Fiction that this mom of young adults adores!

Mark Twain
Would he be considered an early YA author as well? I'm not sure, but I have always enjoyed his wit and humor in his novels, short stories, and essays. Honorable mention for humorous observation writing goes to Bill Bryson, who also can make me laugh out loud!


Peter J. Leithart
On a more serious note, I love Peter Leithart's studies of literature (Miniatures and Morals is a study of Jane Austen's works; Brightest Heaven of Invention is a study of some of Shakespeare's plays) and the Bible (A House for My Name) are among my favorite non-fiction works. (Peter Leithart's books mentioned here on Just A Second)

Could you narrow down your favorite authors to just ten? How many of my favorites do you know?

Read more Top Ten Tuesday lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

©2008-2015 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Teaser Tuesdays/First Chapter First Paragraph - April 21, 2015

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. To play along, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
• Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

"At least we're in the right place to pray," someone said nervously.
No one answered. They were fighting men who had put out the nuns and violated the house of God--and for that, a price would be exacted on their souls.

~A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick, page 224

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 
First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is a weekly link-up hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or two) of a book you're reading, or thinking about reading soon.

I'd seen a few reviews recently of Brentwood's Ward: by Michelle Griep that caught my attention, so I picked it up on a library run, and it's now on my stack waiting for me to get started. Here's how it opens:

London, 1807
    "You, sir, are a rogue!" Emily Payne scowled into the black marble gaze fixed on hers, determined to win the deadlock of stares. Horrid beast. Must he always triumph?
    Without so much as a blink, the pug angled his head. Sunlight from the front door's transom window streamed over her shoulder, highlighting each of his fuzzy wrinkles. The pup's face squinched into a doggy smile, coaxing a smile from Emily. Who could remain cross with that scrunched-up muzzle?

Here's the blurb:

Place an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.

What do you think? Would you continue reading?

©2008-2015 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Scripture and a Snapshot - April 18, 2015

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Hear my cry, O God,

listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock

that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy.

~Psalm 61:1-3~

Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada - September 2012

Scripture & a Snapshot is hosted by A Glimpse of Our Life.

The Weekend Brew is hosted by My Freshly Brewed Life.

©2008-2015 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Teaser Tuesdays - April 14, 2015

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. To play along, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
• Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

Turns out that we are much more of an encouragement to others when we are honest about the way life really is. That means we share our struggles, not just our successes.
The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Daylight by Heidi St. John, 71% on my Kindle
(if my cover image is messed up, I promise I'll come fix it later!)

Caroline interrupted before Frank could say anything -- before he could even finish his polite bow of acknowledgement in her direction. "We've met," she said. Her voice was angry, too, hard and clipped.
Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2 by Anna Elliott, 23% on my Kindle

©2008-2015 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Scripture and a Snapshot - April 11, 2015

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I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.
~Psalm 18:1-3~

This picture was taken from inside the Castille de San Marcos, St Augustine, Florida.

Scripture & a Snapshot is hosted by A Glimpse of Our Life.

The Weekend Brew is hosted by My Freshly Brewed Life.

©2008-2015 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Teaser Tuesdays - April 7, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm. To play along, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
• Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

I've got two selections to share this week. The first is from The Crimson Cord, a historical novel telling the story of the Biblical character Rahab. The second is a book I'll be reviewing on Homeschool Coffee Break soon - The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Daylight. Hope you enjoy these snippets!

She was a slave. As she had been a slave in her marriage, now she was a slave to this pompous, wealthy man, who was as much a fool as Gamal. A different type of fool, but pride and greed always produced fools, no matter what level of success they achieved.

She had simply been traded from one fool to another, hopelessly bound to their desires.

The Crimson Cord: Rahab's Story by Jill Eileen Smith, page 81

It's difficult to create a successful rhythm to your day if you are surrounded by another set of not-so-wonderful twins I like to call Chaos and Clutter. Left unmanaged, these brats will drain you of your time and energy. They are the nemesis of every busy homeschool mom. Along with their cousin, Excess, they are the enemy of a peaceful, organized home.

The Busy Homeschool Mom's Guide to Daylight by Heidi St. John, 22% on my Kindle
(if my cover image is messed up, I promise I'll come fix it later!)

©2008-2015 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/