Share Four Somethings - May 2020

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Another month of lockdown has gone by, and for those keeping score at home today is Day Seventy in my state. It was supposed to be about fourteen days, yet here we are. This situation and so many others are disheartening, to say the very least. Hopefully we can hang on and see a return to normal and healthy very soon!

Something Loved

Like I said, there's a lot of negative stuff happening in the world these days, and usually that's what the news of the day focuses on. What a treat to discover the very fun YouTube series called Some Good News. John Krasinski hosts these episodes packed with good news and clean humor. I love it because it's positive and sweet and entertaining. And is a great reminder that there really is a lot of good in people and in the world.

I've also been enjoying the free extras that Drive Thru History has been providing, especially the most recent little video episode about Canada! 

Something Read

I completed four books in May. You can see more about my reading in my Monthly Bookshelf Review for May 2020, which will be posted shortly.

Redemption at the Eleventh Hour by Andrew Crown

Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette

A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn

Rosemary - or Too Clever To Love by G.L. Robinson

   

   



Something Treasured

Over the long weekend we were able to visit our son and his family, and this time our other kids made the trip as well. It was such a treat to have all "my people" together! Our granddaughter is always a delight, and we definitely treasured that time and the good time we all had over those few days. We treasured a bit of freedom as well, as their state has not imposed as many restrictions as ours. Just the simple act of sitting down with the family to eat inside a restaurant was quite a highlight of the weekend!

Something Ahead

Last month I said I was hoping we'd start to reopen during May. That didn't really happen. But my boys have gone back to work, although with limited hours. College and co-op classes never resumed, and at this point we are hoping that everyone can go back to class normally in the fall. I did get to visit family during the month, so that wish came true!

We continue to pray that businesses can open fully, that people can gather again to celebrate life's milestones and to embrace simple hospitality, and that churches will be able to meet and worship together. And may it happen soon! In the next month!

This post will be linked at Share Four Somethings hosted by HeatherGerwing.com

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Recent Reads - Rosemary or Too Clever to Love: A Regency Romance

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Rosemary - or Too Clever To Love by G.L. Robinson - A story summary and a cover that reminded me of Georgette Heyer's novels prompted me to read this novel and it made good on the promise. (update: The cover that now appears above is NOT the charming one that I liked.)

Rosemary is the quintessential governess - very well-educated and from a good but penniless family, left to make her own living when her parents pass and she is still unmarried. She earned her place as governess to Marianne by dressing as plainly as possible in order to appear older. When Marianne's father dies, she must go to live with her guardian, the Earl of Tyndell, accompanied by her governess. Rosemary fears that she will soon need to secure a new position, since Marianne is old enough to not need a governess, but to the relief of both ladies, the Earl (or 'Dear Uncle Giles' as Marianne calls him) decides that Rosemary should stay on as a companion and chaperone. His condition is that Rosemary update her very dowdy wardrobe.

Rosemary boldly challenges the Earl's ideas about the education of women, and he finds her to be intelligent and talented, able to converse on serious topics, and to his surprise she turns out to be quite beautiful when she exchanges her shapeless brown dress and severe bonnet for more flattering styles. 

After an unfortunate misunderstanding, the Earl sends Marianne and Rosemary to his cousin in London. There, the cousin is supposed to prepare Marianne for her London season, but the company is dull and uninteresting, and the cousin's son makes advances on Rosemary. When Giles discovers this - and that a London rake has been romancing Marianne - he makes changes to their arrangement, and starts to recognize his growing feelings for Rosemary. But a foolish decision by Marianne puts her in danger, and Rosemary's instinctive but reckless effort to save her makes matters worse. Can Giles track them both down and protect them both from harm?

As mentioned, this novel was quite reminiscent of Heyer's style, and was a charming romance set in the Regency period. The three main characters are very likable and while much of the plot is predictable, the story is well-written and interesting. It is a clean romance, although there are references to the lustful and wandering eyes of a couple of male characters, and there is one scene between Rosemary and Giles that hinted at becoming racy, it stopped short.

Overall, a very pleasant and entertaining Regency with a bit of Gothic flavor.

From the publisher:

The Ugly Duckling meets the Gothic novel: a plain governess, a romantic Miss, a stern but handsome guardian, involved in a midnight chase, a woman dressed in britches and a gloomy castle. Throw in a bit of Vivaldi and some French philosophy, and you have it all!

If Rosemary can't control her wayward pupil and prove her worth to her guardian the Earl, her future is bleak.

When Marianne's father dies, she and her governess Rosemary are forced to go and live with her guardian the Earl of Tyndell. The Earl has strict ideas about how young ladies should behave. He isn't impressed by the romantic notions Marianne has absorbed straight from the pages of a Gothic novel. And her governess is not only dowdy but perfectly ready to put him in his place, especially regarding his ideas about the education of women. But when the Earl's interest in Rosemary blossoms just as Marianne falls in love with the last person he would ever agree to her marrying, where will it all end? Read Rosemary or Too Clever to Love to see how this tangle is sorted out. 

In spite of its light-hearted and often humorous tone, this charming novel raises questions about women's education and philosophy. Book Group Discussion topics have been included at the end.

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Recent Reads - A Murderous Relation

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A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn - Veronica and Stoker have all but decided they need to take a break from their dangerous sleuthing adventures and perhaps explore a relationship when they are prevailed upon - once again - to lend their aid. The Princess of Wales appeals to Veronica to help recover a valuable jewel given by her son to a notorious woman as a gift. She worries about a possible scandal that will taint the royal family. Veronica staunchly refuses to be drawn into the royal family's drama, until she and Stoker find out that Lady Wellington might have been trying to prevent a scandal as well - because the Ripper murders are the terror of London, and the possibility that the prince's indiscretion might be discovered, or worse, that he might become a suspect.

Their beloved Lady Wellington having suffered a stroke, Veronica and Stoker decide they will see what they can do about recovering the jewel and protecting the honor of the royal family. With some help from Stoker's brother Tiberius, they infiltrate the infamous madam's house and start exploring. During the evening, their various interactions include several of the other party-goers and Madame Aurore herself. Unfortunately, just as they obtain the jewel, Madame Aurore is found - murdered! - and they must flee the scene and take the luckless Prince Edward with them before anyone recognizes him. 

The three are abducted and held prisoner in a warehouse, and one of their captors is none other than Veronica's uncle, who wants to put her on the throne. Another daring escape must be effected, and the odds are stacked against them, but Veronica's steely determination and Stoker's valiant heroics prevail. 

This was another delightful and unexpected trip through Victorian London with the intrepid Veronica and the bold and reluctant hero Stoker. Their unconventional personalities and the wry pragmatism of Veronica's narration of their adventures endear them both to me and keep me hoping for more and more.

By the same author: A Dangerous Collaboration, A Treacherous Curse, A Perilous Undertaking, A Curious Beginning, Night of a Thousand Stars, Bonfire Night, Twelfth Night, City of Jasmine, Whisper of Jasmine, Midsummer Night; A Spear of Summer Grass, Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, The Dead Travel Fast

©2008-2020 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/ 

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Scripture and a Snapshot - My Salvation and My Honor

Truly my soul finds rest in God;

my salvation comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress.

I will will never be shaken.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;

my hope comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;

he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;

pour out your heart to him,

for God is our refuge.

~Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8~

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Wordless Wednesday - A Short Hike

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From our short hike in the Catoctin Mountains on Saturday. The eagle was spotted right close to home though, and the flowers are actually in my yard.

I'm late today - all my routines are off during these "unprecedented times!" 

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life on Chickadee Lane, and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea Scribbles.

Pictorial Tuesday

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Fix Our Eyes

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

~II Corinthians 4:1, 6-9, 16-18~

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Connect Five Friday - Victorian Era Mysteries

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The Friday Five Link Up is a List Link Up hosted by The Book Date. It can be five connections of any kind. Books can have been read last year or any year. Books can be used more than once. They may not have been read yet. . . It can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Maybe it's not a list of actual books, but things connected to books - e.g. favourite book shops, recipes etc. It might even be five movies related to books or five poems or five poets or five bookish moments, five thoughts about reading - be creative! The link-up will be open each Friday and will close on Thursday. Use the hashtag #connect5books

In Canada, this is the beginning of the long weekend of Victoria Day. The Canadian holiday was first celebrated in 1845, on Queen Victoria's birthday. The holiday is on the third Monday of May and now marks the official birthday celebration of the current Queen of England. For most Canadians, it's just a day off and the unofficial beginning of the summer season. As I saw this holiday on my upcoming calendar, I thought it would make a good connection for novels. Here are five set in Victorian England, and it turns out they are all mysteries too. Hmmm.

*****

A Curious Beginning (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery) by Deanna Raybourn - This series from Raybourn, as well as the Lady Julia series, is set in Victorian England, but I chose to feature this one because (possible spoiler alert!) the mysterious parentage of Veronica Speedwell is connected to the royal family.  A mysterious German baron rescues Veronica from an abduction attempt. Convinced she is in danger, the baron brings Veronica to London, and reveals that he knows the identity of her parents. He delivers her for safekeeping to his friend Stoker, a reclusive scientist and explorer with his own dark secrets. However, before Veronica can speak with the baron again, he is murdered in his home. Veronica's only known link to her past is gone, and she and Stoker realize they are considered the prime suspects for the murder.  They team up to solve the murder and track down the clues to Veronica's parentage.

A Study In Scarlet Women (The Lady Sherlock Series) by Sherry Thomas - This novel takes a very different angle on the Victorian era detective stories by proposing that Sherlock was an assumed identity for a very clever young woman named Charlotte Holmes. A scandal surrounding Charlotte escalates when the sudden death of a society matron stirs up suspicion of Charlotte and her family. With her sharp mind, Charlotte sees a connection between that death and two others, and writing letters as Sherlock Holmes, tries to urge the authorities to investigate further. Charlotte's funds are running dangerously low when she strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, and soon the two of them think of a way to use the mysterious Sherlock Holmes identity to solve the case and to take clients in need of an investigator.

The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry - Another mystery series set in Victorian London, the William Monk series features an enigmatic police detective who has lost much of his memory following an accident. He returns to work and is assigned the case of the murder of a Crimean war hero, all while trying to hide his memory loss from his superior. Perry also writes the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt series, which is also set in Victorian London and makes use of London neighborhoods and street names in the novel titles.

And Only To Deceive by Tasha Alexander - Young society widow Lady Emily Ashton develops an interest in her late husband's dealings in antiquities, which stirs up questions about how he might have been connected to a black market in antiquities and engaged in fraudulent activities. Emily sets out to unravel the mysteries and decide which, if any, of her late husband's friends she can trust. This is the first of the Lady Emily series, in which she and her new love Colin are thrust into intrigues and mysteries as they navigate their new relationship in class-conscience Victorian society.

Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent - Violet Morgan has been assisting her husband Graham in his undertaking business, and has a real affinity for her work. In fact, she is actually better suited to it than Graham is. Their relationship is deteriorating, and Violet is beginning to uncover a blockade running scheme he and his brother are involved in. Violet notices something strange about some of the bodies she deals with, and suspects a murderer is at large. She must track down the killer and rescue the orphan that she's taken in. In what seems at first to be an unrelated storyline, the Queen requests Violet's involvement in planning the funeral for Prince Albert. 

 ©2008-2020 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/ 

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