Just A Second: May 2016

Tuesday, May 31

Teaser Tuesdays/First Chapter First Paragraph - A Necessary Deception

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn at Books and Beat. 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 feel like I'm cheating a little today! I had this teaser post ready to go, but I finished the book last night, so I can tell you that I, at least, kept reading. I'll post a full review very soon.

She dropped her face into her hands and rubbed her temples. None of it made any sense. A floor below her, a man she suspected was working for the French claimed he was not the enemy, while the Englishmen made no claims for whom they worked.

~A Necessary Deception (The Daughters of Bainbridge House Book #1) by Laurie Alice Eakes, page 97

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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.

DARTMOOR PRISON

DEVONSHIRE, ENGLAND

March 1812

Entree into the prison proved easy for Lady Lydia Gale. As the stranger at her cottage door had assured her when he arrived at dawn to inform her of a certain French major's presence as an enemy "guest" of England, a few shillings exchanging hands had placed her in the guardhouse. She held a handkerchief sprinkled with the honey-citrus aroma of linden blossom oil beneath her nose against the prison stench, awaiting the arrival of Chef de Batallon Christophe Arnaud.

Here's the blurb:

When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entree into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?

Discover a world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past - and let love guide the future.

What do you think? Would you continue reading?

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Monday, May 30

What I'm Reading - May 30, 2016

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In grateful memory of the men and women who gave their lives in service of our country, and in honor of all those who serve and their families who sacrifice.

Happy Memorial Day

From the High School Lesson Book - Memorial Day

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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! I also link up with Tales of a Pee Dee Mama for D.E.A.R. Monday (Drop Everything And Read).

I finished reading . . . nothing during the past week, but I'm very close on a couple of things!

I'm currently reading . . .

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - I'm very close to the end. In fact, I probably would have finished it yesterday, except that I got to a chapter which appeared longer than average, and I didn't think I'd have time to get through an entire chapter, so . . .

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy - I wish I was better at doing accents, since I'm reading this out loud!

A Necessary Deception (The Daughters of Bainbridge House Book #1) by Laurie Alice Eakes - This is a real page-turner, so I'm nearing the end of this one too!

From This Momentby Elizabeth Camden - reading this for a Bethany House review and enjoying it!

Next on the stack...

Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent
The Pharaoh's Daughter: A Treasures of the Nile Novel by Mesu Andrews
Swept Away (Trouble in Texas) (Volume 1) by Mary Connealy
Lady in the Mist: A Novel (The Midwives) by Laurie Alice Eakes

On my blogs last week . . .

Here on Just A Second:

Scripture and a Snapshot - Be Patient
Bookshelf Review - May 2016
Teaser Tuesdays/First Chapter First Paragraph - From This Moment

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Homeschool Weekly - Memorial Day Weekend Edition
From the High School Lesson Book - Memorial Day
The Summer of Landon
Virtual Refrigerator - Designer Doodles
5 Tips for Finding What Works in Your Homeschool

What are you reading?

Saturday, May 28

Scripture and a Snapshot - Be Patient

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient, and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

~James 5:7-8~

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

Let Us Grow is hosted by Let Us Walk Worthy

Bookshelf Review - May 2016

This post contains affiliate links.

May's Books Completed and Reviewed

These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - I so enjoyed this fast-paced adventure set during the reign of Louis XV of France, in which the Duke of Avon takes an interest in a young girl disguised as a boy. He purchases her as a page, then acts as her guardian and insists she stop using the disguise. This story has a kidnapping, a daring escape, plenty of intrigue and drama, some charming romance, and delightful characters, all accompanied by wonderful humor and dialogue laced with dry wit. (Read my full review HERE.)

His Grace was at her side, and lifted her down from the chair."My enfant," he said, "duchesses do not dance on chairs, nor do they call their brothers 'imbecile'."Leonie's eyes twinkled irrepressibly. "I do," she said firmly.

The Prophetess: Deborah's Story (Daughters of the Promised Land) by Jill Eileen Smith - This novel brings to life an intriguing woman from the Bible, with lots of historical background and detail in a genuine page-turner. (Read my full review HERE.)

In a heartbeat, she knew Lappidoth was right. The vision had truly come to her from the Lord. "If I am to be God's prophet," she said softly, "I think it is time I let you teach me to read."

The Curiosity Keeper (A Treasures of Surrey Novel) by Sarah E. Ladd - Camille decides to leave everything behind and try to start a new life after her father's business dealings put her in danger. Jonathan, heir of Kettering Hall follows the trail of a valuable gem stolen from his father to the curiosity shop and tries to help and protect the shop girl, who seems to be a victim and yet may hold the answers to his questions. Camille fears she is being used, but wants to put things right.
(Read my full review HERE.)

Her father had left her alone - again - to pursue one of his clandestine business arrangements. He'd invited the murderous stranger to their door and not bothered to meet the man there. He'd even taken Tevy, her one defense against anyone stronger than her. Why should she risk her life to stay and guard his treasures?

During May I continued reading:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - I'm almost finished this book. The writing is wonderful, and the story has my full attention, but I have to say I heartily dislike almost all of the characters!

Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.

During May I started reading:

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy - Kennady and I are working on a literature study of this classic, so we are reading it aloud, which obviously takes longer! I remember loving the movie so I'm planning for us to watch that together when we've finished reading.

They seek him here, they seek him there
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere
Is he in heaven or is he in hell?
That demned elusive Pimpernel

A Necessary Deception (The Daughters of Bainbridge House Book #1) by Laurie Alice Eakes - I recently started this and it's quite gripping already. A young widow drawn against her will into espionage, and a Frenchman in England who might be trustworthy - or who might be a double agent.

She dropped her face into her hands and rubbed her temples. None of it made sense. A floor below her, a man she suspected was working for the French claimed he was not the enemy, while the Englishmen made no claims for whom they worked.

From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden - I recently received this for review, and it's intriguing so far! Stella is a celebrated artist but she is trying to keep a low profile in order to investigate her sister's death. Romulus is the editor of a magazine and has spent years trying to get her to work for him, and now she is in his city and he may be able to help her - for a price.

"Perhaps you can thank me by making a few lithographs for the next issue of Scientific World," Romulus said. "You can have your choice of topics, and I have a new rotary lithographic press that will tempt the birds from the sky."

During May I shelved:

The Coffee Trader: A Novel by David Liss - The poor coffee trader. He keeps getting pushed aside while I read other books that are more appealing. Not that he isn't, but this novel moves at such a plodding pace, and I have no sense of urgency to finish it, so I just read a little at a time.