Scripture and a Snapshot - June 13, 2015

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"God alone understands the way to wisdom;

he knows where it can be found,

for he looks throughout the whole earth 

and sees everything under the heavens. 

He decided how hard the winds should blow

 and how much rain should fall. 

He made the laws for the rain 

and laid out a path for the lightning.

 Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it.

 He set it in place and examined it thoroughly.

 And this is what he says to all humanity:

'The fear of the LORD is true wisdom;

to forsake evil is real understanding.'"

~Job 28:23-28~

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/

Recent Reads - The Secret of Pembrooke Park

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The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen - Abigail Foster and her family are facing financial ruin, and must find a way to economize, including finding affordable lodgings. So the timing is perfect when a solicitor comes to bring a rather unusual offer - the use of a manor that has been abandoned for eighteen years. The offer is generous, even providing for some household staff, but mysterious as well, because the client wishes to remain anonymous. Upon arriving at Pembrooke Park, Abigail and her father are surprised to see that it must have been abandoned in a hurry, with tea still on the table and a doll's house left in the middle of play. They decide to accept the offer, and Abigail sets to work to put the manor back in order. She is also very curious about rumors that there is a treasure hidden somewhere in Pembrooke Park, and other odd stories in the neighborhood.

William Chapman, the handsome local curate, and his family welcome Abigail, but Mac (William's father, and the steward of the manor) also has some stern warnings about treasure hunters. Abigail can't help but wonder about what happened to cause a family to leave the house so suddenly, or whether the treasure really exists. When letters begin arriving for her with journal pages enclosed, she is determined to find out what really happened. William and his sister Leah are sometimes helpful, and sometimes too reticent, and it seems that there are several locals who know more than they will talk about.

Will Abigail find the treasure, if it actually exists? And how will she and William overcome the obstacles to find happiness together?

I am becoming more enamored of Julie Klassen's book each time I read another one. This one was a very enjoyable read, with a little gothic novel style mystery and intrigue along with the romance.

By the same author: The Tutor's Daughter, The Dancing Master

©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 - June 9, 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!

Helplessness crashed over her, just like that stormy day four months ago when she'd stood on the shore and had to watch her father drown without being able to do a thing to save him.
By the end of the week she'd be jobless and homeless. And there wasn't a single person left in the world who would care.
~Hearts Made Whole (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund, page 29

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

 

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.

Windmill Point LighthouseMichigan, May 1865           A distant flash of lightning crisscrossed the darkening skies of the west, followed by the call of a nearby loon. "I don't think you should set out." Caroline Taylor clutched her shawl tighter against a cool gust that wrestled with it. "The storm's coming fast."          Her father shoved the rowboat across the gravelly shore of Lake St. Clair. "We'll be fine," he said over his broad shoulder. "We'll beat the storm. Besides, I've crossed this lake in more storms than I can count."          The old doctor already waited on a bench inside the cutter, clasping his top hat and fighting with the wind to keep it on his head. "I can't stay any longer, Caroline," the doctor said. "I've done all I can for your sister."

Here's the blurb:

     After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper -- even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.
     Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's been given the post as lighthouse keeper, and the isolation where he can drown in drink and hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's none-too-pleased to be giving up her position. They both quickly realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but Ryan's unwilling to let anyone close, ravaged by memories and guilt. Caroline's drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?

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/

What I'm Reading - June 8, 2015

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This weekly meme has been hosted at Book Journey, but as that blog author has taken a break and is not back to hosting this yet, I am linking at the book blog Christian Novels instead.

I'm currently reading...

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen - so very close to finished!


Hearts Made Whole (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund - Just barely started on this, my next Bethany House review, coming soon!


Abigail: A Novel (The Wives of King David) by Jill Eileen Smith


Laiden's Daughter by Suzan Tisdale - I was a little concerned that this might be a cheap bodice-ripper, but so far it's been okay. I'm about halfway through and it's -- meh. Not objectionable, and good enough that I'm still reading, even if I'm only mildly interested.

Next on the stack...

The Fatal Tree (Bright Empires) by Stephen R Lawhead
Star of Wonder: A Novella (The Incense Road Book 1) by Tracy Higley
And I just loaded up the Kindle with several new titles, not sure which of them I will go to next!

      

What are you 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 - June 6, 2015

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We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,

in the midst of your temple.

As your name, O God,

so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.

Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

~Psalm 48:9-10~

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 - June 2, 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!

If Nabal's actions had put their household in danger, then perhaps by God's grace, hers might undo the consequences that were sure to come. Even her father and Daniel would not be able to stop a warrior like David. She knew only too well what it was like to live with an unpredictable, often violent man.

~Abigail: A Novel (The Wives of King David) by Jill Eileen Smith, page 111

©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/

What I'm Reading - June 1, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links. 

This weekly meme has been hosted at Book Journey, but as that blog author has taken a break and is not back to hosting this yet, I am linking at the book blog Christian Novels instead.

I recently finished reading...
Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas - Read my complete review HERE.


I'm currently reading...

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen


Abigail: A Novel (The Wives of King David) by Jill Eileen Smith - It's kind of weird reading two books with the lead character having the same name, but the settings and their personalities are very different.


Laiden's Daughter by Suzan Tisdale - I was a little concerned that this might be a cheap bodice-ripper, but so far it's been okay. Still deciding if I like it or not.

Next on the stack...

Hearts Made Whole (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund - my next Bethany House review, coming soon! I've read the previous ones in this series and greatly enjoyed them.
The Fatal Tree (Bright Empires) by Stephen R Lawhead
Star of Wonder: A Novella (The Incense Road Book 1) by Tracy Higley - pre-ordered this one so it should appear on my Kindle sometime today!
The Hand That Bears the Sword by George Bryan Polivka

    

   

What are you 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/