Wordless Wednesday - Tuning

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One of her duties at work is to make sure all the guitars and ukuleles are tuned. 

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life on Chickadee Lane; and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea's Scribble Pad.

©2008-2019 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Alamo Bride

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The Alamo Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower) by Kathleen Y'Barbo - Together with her mother and two young brothers, Ellis Dumont is keeping the farm as best they can while her father and older brother are away fighting for Texas. While visiting her grandfather, she sees a company of New Orleans Greys arrive, come to help the Texians in the brewing conflict with the Mexican army. Later she finds a man dressed in the uniform of the Greys injured and unconscious in a pirogue. She and her mother tend to his wounds and keep him sheltered in hopes that he will recover. In his fevered state, the man talks about treasures and maps and meetings. Ellis takes to writing down some of what he says, unsure of where his loyalties truly lie.

When Claiborne Gentry regains consciousness, he finds he is a sort of captive of the beautiful Ellis and her family, but he has very little memory of his past or what his mission in Texas is. As Clay tries to piece together the few details he remembers and make sense of who he is to meet and why, he must also earn Ellis's trust and figure out for himself which side he is on.

Ellis is fiery and headstrong, much like one of her ancestors in this series, and has to keep her impulsive streak under control and be wise when it comes to whether she will trust Clay. For his part, Clay doesn't have much in the way of his own memories to go on, so he wrestles with his purpose and loyalty, and what his responsibilities may be. He has only a vague sense of a mission that he must complete, and his loyalty and affection for Ellis must be weighed against the importance of the mission.

This was an entertaining read for me, although I felt a little unclear about what was happening in the beginning. I had the sense that the first chapter about Clay was a bit disconnected from the rest of the story. It did explain his mission to a certain extent, and since he loses his memory before he meets Ellis, it's important for the reader, but I felt that a shorter prologue establishing that would have been just as effective. The characters were likable and the plot moved quickly but in places was vague. Although this is part of a series, it's not necessary to read the books in order as each stands well alone and are only loosely connected, as the lead characters are all part of a large family tree.

From the publisher:

Will Ellis lose all at the Alamo?

Ellis Dumont finds a man in New Orleans Grey unconscious on Dumont property in 1836. As his fevers rage, the man mutters strange things about treasures and war. Either Claiborne Gentry has lost his mind or he's a spy for the American president-- or worse, for the Mexican enemy that threatens their very lives. With the men of her family away, Ellis must stand courageous and decide who she can trust. Will she put her selfish wants ahead of the future of the republic or travel with Clay to Mission San Jose to help end the war?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo.

Other books in this series: The Mayflower Bride, The Pirate Bride, The Captured Bride, The Patriot Bride, The Cumberland Bride, The Liberty Bride
Book Seven in the Daughters of the Mayflower series.

By the same author: The Pirate Bride

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of this review.

©2008-2019 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Because of His Mercy

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

~Titus 3:4-7~

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An InLinkz Link-up

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad. and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2019 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Wordless Wednesday - Snow

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This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life on Chickadee Lane; and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea's Scribble Pad.

©2008-2019 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

What I'm Reading - January 21, 2019

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This weekly reading list meme is hosted at Book Date. Join in to see what others are reading and maybe get some ideas of what to read next! Although the link-up happens weekly, I've had trouble keeping up with a weekly schedule, so I've decided to try for every other week! Here's the latest from my reading list.

I finished reading . . . 

Silent on the Moor (A Lady Julia Grey Mystery Book 3) by Deanna Raybourn - Lady Julia boldly follows Brisbane to his newly acquired estate in Yorkshire, intending to define their relationship, and finds mysteries and danger.  (Read my full review HERE.)

I'm currently reading . . .

Humorous Stories and Sketches by Mark Twain - I had read most of this little collection of short stories but had to turn it over to my daughter so she could read it in time for class. Now that she's finished with it, I need to get it back so I can read the last couple of essays!



The Alamo Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower) by Kathleen Y'Barbo - I recently got started on this latest in the Daughters of the Mayflower collection. As the title suggests, this one is set in Texas in 1836.




Dark Road to Darjeeling (A Lady Julia Grey Mystery) by Deanna Raybourn - At the end of their honeymoon, Julia and Brisbane are asked to help find out if foul play was involved in the death of a friend's husband in India.




The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte - I'm going to need to hustle in order to finish this Facebook book club pick in time for the discussion, but I'm finding it interesting so far (just a couple of chapters in).




Next on the stack... 

Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure
American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt by Stephanie Marie Thornton (ARC)

   

On my blogs recently . . . 

Here on Just A Second:

Scripture and a Snapshot - Wait in Hope
30 Days to Understanding the Bible (A FlyBy Review and Giveaway)
Wordless Wednesday - Winter Sunrise
Recent Reads - Silent on the Moor
Scripture and a Snapshot - Trust in the Lord
The Devoted Life: A Creative Devotional Journal

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Becoming a Model Learner on Heart and Soul
30 Days to Understanding the Bible (A Review and Giveaway on Just A Second)
Homeschool Highlights - The Week It Really Felt Like Winter
Fostering Independence in Your Middle Schooler at Heart and Soul
Virtual Refrigerator - January 2019
Word of the Year - Trust

What are you reading?

©2008-2019 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Wait in Hope

We wait in hope for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, LORD,

even as we hope in you.

~Psalm 33:20-22~

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Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

An InLinkz Link-up

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad. and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2019 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

30 Days to Understanding The Bible (A FlyBy Review and Giveaway)

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30 Days to Understanding The Bible by Max Anders - I was delighted to be able to review this handbook for learning about the Bible. Author Dr. Max Anders simplifies the themes and teachings of the Bible without dumbing them down and presents it all in an easy-to-understand format.

Section 1 gives an overview of the history of Israel told in the Old Testament. The wisdom, poetry, and prophetic books are placed into the historical narrative, making it clear where they fit together. Keeping the chronology of the Old Testament straight is a challenge for a lot of people, so I think this is so helpful! The major figures in the history and the general geography are also covered.

Section 2 does a similar overview of the New Testament, explaining the historical narrative and the letters to the churches, and discussing the geographical settings.

Section 3 provides a concise teaching of the ten great doctrines of the Bible, the "basic body of doctrine that nearly all Christians have historically agreed upon." In addition to the Biblical teaching about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, these doctrines include the reliability of Scripture, the nature and destiny of mankind, sin, salvation, and the church.

Readers are encouraged in Section 5 to master the Bible and its teachings, and to study it so deeply that these powerful words affect every part of life. In other words, as the title says, to "Master the Bible So Well that the Bible Masters You". For those wishing to use the book and gain understanding of the Bible in a group setting, Section 6 provides a Teaching Plan for doing just that. By following the suggestions in the Teaching Plan while meeting once a week, participants in a small group could complete the study over a thirteen week period. There is also a section of bonus content such as a comparison of the four gospels, studies of the parables and miracles in the Bible, and an explanation of how Passover and the Lord's Supper are related.

From the publisher:

Do you want to learn the Bible but don't have a lot of time? Do you need a quick refresher on what you already know? If so, 30 Days to Understanding the Bible is for you. With just fifteen minutes a day, for one month, you'll learn the Bible's key people, events, and doctrines. Using a proven study plan, author Max Anders breaks down the Bible's structure so you can learn and remember the key points of the Bible's text quickly.

30 Days to Understanding the Bible is the straightforward, easy-to-use guide to learning the Bible that's been recommended by Bible teachers and pastors for 30 years.

Dr. Max Anders is the author of over 25 books. He has taught on the college and seminary level and is a veteran pastor. Max was also one of the original team members with Walk Thru the Bible Ministries. He provides resources and discipleship strategies at MaxAnders.com to help people grow spiritually.

Find out more at the website: BibleIn30Days.com

FlyBy Promotions has made it possible for me to offer a giveaway for this book - enter using Rafflecopter form below, and good luck!
(Giveaway is open to residents of the continental US and Canada only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

©2008-2019 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.