Teaser Tuesdays - June 16, 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!

"That must have been the letter James brought from the receiving-office then!" exclaimed Mrs. Darracott. "Well, at least he can write! Poor young man! I can't but pity him, though I perfectly appreciate how provoking it is for us all that he should have been born. Still, even your grandfather can't blame him for that!"

~The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer, page 30

©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 - Laiden's Daughter

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Laiden's Daughter by Suzan Tisdale - I should probably have gone with my gut on this and not read it. It was one of those free books on Amazon, the kind where I look at the description and think, "betcha this is a cheap bodice-ripper" because apparently that's what Historical Romance means to BookBub and the like. When I'm not sure, I read the negative reviews, because that's where you'll find out if it's simply a historical setting for bedroom scenes - and if that's indicated by the negative reviews, I take a pass. I didn't see any of those types of comments on this one, and I believe there were even a couple of comments in the more positive reviews that it was "clean". However, "clean" is a relative term. It is cleanER than most of this genre, but NOT what I would call clean; although the author did wait until about halfway through before getting graphic.

But long before that, I had some criticisms. In the first chapter (or perhaps it is a prologue), the main character is referred to only as "the bairn" all the way through. "The bairn this... the bairn that... blah blah the bairn..." and there really wasn't any point in doing that, other than to emphasize that she was only five years old or so. There was no reason to withhold her name that I could tell. I found it irritating and immature, and hoped it would get more interesting. In the next chapter, her name (which is Aishlinn) is given and the chapter is devoted to a wicked English earl's attempt to rape her and the beating she endures before she finally escapes. I found a little bit of hope here, because although the earl's violent and lustful intent and actions are clear, it wasn't done so with graphic description. Aishlinn was somehow able to remain conscious during the vicious beating and seized an opportunity to stab the earl with his dagger, and then escape. In the next several chapters, during her flight towards Scotland, she is captured by a band of Scots who care for her wounds and take her to their land, vowing to defend her against the English who will surely be searching for her.

The author goes to great lengths to continually talk about how frail and delicate Aishlinn is, and how amazed the Scots are that she has survived. For some reason, their leader, Duncan, begins falling in love with her, which I still haven't figured out because really all she did for the first several weeks of their acquaintance is sleep. Apparently that was because of the severity of her injuries. During the entire journey to the clan's holdings, she rides on Duncan's lap and sleeps. I did feel some sympathy for Aishlinn because she had endured an entire life of abuse and neglect, but all the same, I thought it was completely ridiculous that she was so convinced that she was ugly and stupid no matter what anyone said. She was understandably timid, but I found much of her humility and poor self-image rang false; and she was incredibly naive. Then there was a sudden and miraculous transformation when one day she decided that maybe she wasn't as plain and stupid as she'd believed and vows that she will not be pushed around by anyone. So the reader is expected to believe that her entire character change was the result of a fifteen minute conversation. 

Then there is her lover, Duncan. He is honorable enough that he fiercely protects Aishlinn and won't bed her until they are married, but I could never figure out why he was so reluctant to tell her that he loved her. Except, of course, the sense I had that his affection was based mostly on lust. After all, she didn't do anything worthy of his affection other than sleep on his lap. 

I've been pretty hard on this, but as I did finish the whole book, it wasn't so bad that I decided to cut my losses before finishing. I don't know anything about the author and how much writing experience she has, but I have been left with the impression that this novel is rather amateur because of the shallow and inconsistent characters, and rather unbelievable scenarios, and historical anachronisms. For my part, I have no desire to read anything else by Ms Tisdale, and I am glad I didn't spend any money on this one.  It's not horrible, but I don't recommend it.

©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 15, 2015

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

I recently finished reading...

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen - Read my complete review HERE.


Abigail: A Novel (The Wives of King David) by Jill Eileen Smith - Read my complete review HERE.


Laiden's Daughter by Suzan Tisdale - Just finished this and it wasn't awful, but I really can't recommend it either. I ripped it more thoroughly HERE.


The Legend of Obadiah Wilder: The Glorious Defeat of the Dickenson Gang (Cactus Creek Challenge) by Erica Vetsch - This was a very quick read, as it is just a short story prequel to Vetsch's novel The Cactus Creek Challenge coming in July. By the way, it is FREE on Amazon!



I'm currently reading...

Hearts Made Whole (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund - Loving this one so far!


Star of Wonder: A Novella (The Incense Road Book 1) by Tracy Higley - only a chapter or two into this one.


The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer - Not very far into this one. I enjoy Heyer's writing, but it always seems to take a little while to get the characters straight before I can really get into it.

Next on the stack...

The Fatal Tree (Bright Empires) by Stephen R Lawhead
I have a bunch of new things on my Kindle too, and it's likely I will start on another one in addition to Star of Wonder, but I don't know which one will be 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/

Recent Reads - Abigail

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Abigail: A Novel (The Wives of King David) by Jill Eileen Smith - I'm sure I'm not the only one that has thought about King David being known as a "man after God's heart" and yet wondering why he disobeyed God's command to not take many wives. Of course polygamy was not unusual in middle eastern cultures of that time, and it was considered quite normal for a king or prince to have many wives because they were able to forge political alliances that way. And yet... what might it have been like for the wives?  Jill Eileen Smith has tackled the subject with a series of novels on the wives of King David, and lends some insight and possibilities for what may have gone on in David's palace.

Smith's novelization of Abigail's story is firmly based on the few things we do know about her - she was intelligent and beautiful, and married to a selfish fool of a man named Nabal. David was living on the run from King Saul, and when he came to request provisions for his men, Nabal insulted them and refused. Abigail's timely and wise intervention turned David's anger aside, because he would have killed all the men belonging to Nabal. Soon afterwards, God struck Nabal dead, and David claimed Abigail as his wife. He already had one wife, and was still determined to get his first wife Michal back as well.

Smith tells a plausible and compelling story, creating a scenario for how beautiful Abigail came to be married to the mean-spirited Nabal; and a bittersweet life story for Abigail and her relationship with David, and with his other wives. Abigail's story is not all sunshine and roses, but she had a happier ending than Michal's. I'm looking forward to reading Smith's take on Bathsheba next.

By the same author: The Crimson Cord, Michal; Sarai: A Novel

©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 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

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!

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/