Monthly Bookshelf Review - April 2018

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April's Books Completed and Reviewed

The Weaver's Daughter: A Regency Romance Novel by Sarah E. Ladd - A romance with some mystery and drama, set against the background of conflict between traditional weaving tradesmen and mill owners who want to use machines. (Read my full review HERE.)

She looked to make sure the door was closed behind her. "There is going to be an attack on this mill. Tonight."

The Innkeeper's Daughter by Michelle Griep - Johanna is doing her best to keep the family inn profitable - or at least in business - and Alex is working undercover to find a traitor. Plenty of intrigue in this one! (Read my full review HERE.)

This assignment was wearing on him in more ways than one. Would that Ford had decreed he not only reside at the Blue Hedge Inn, but marry the innkeeper's daughter as well.

The eBook is FREE this week at Amazon!



The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo - A light adventure and romance in which Maribel, daughter of a Spanish nobleman, reconnects with the pirate captain that held her captive when she was a child.  (Read my full review HERE.)

Color rose in Maribel's cheeks. She was lovely when she was angry, much more so than when she was a girl aboard his ship.

In Places Hidden (Golden Gate Secrets) by Tracie Peterson - Well-educated Camrianne comes to San Francisco looking for her missing brother Caleb, and teams up with Irish contractor Patrick to find out what happened. (Read my full review HERE.)

She paused to cast a quick glance down the street and then looked back at Patrick. "Do you think he knows more about Caleb's disappearance than he's letting on?"

During April I continued reading:

As Death Draws Near (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber - Can Kiera and Gage find the murderer of a young nun before there are more victims? This mystery in the Lady Darby series is set in Ireland.

I turned aside, wondering what else could be done as we waited. I stared awkwardly off into the distance, trying not to think about the body that lay at my feet, or the blood staining the leather of my gloves.

 



During April I started reading:

A Treacherous Curse (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery) by Deanna Reybourn - Stoker may be a suspect when an old enemy of his disappears, so of course he and Veronica decide to find out for themselves what really happened.

I stopped so suddenly that Stoker carried on several steps before he realized I had not kept pace. He turned and I gave him a long, level look. "They will hunt you, you know. They will hunt you like a pack of feral dogs. And they will break you."

Downsizing The Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go by Marni Jameson - Because I need help making these kinds of decisions! We've long been saying we need to get rid of a huge amount of our stuff, rather than leave the job to our kids.

I needed a mental filter through which to look at the household's stuff and all the associated memories to help me sort swiftly and decisively. I needed a divining rod to guide me through the process in a way that let me honor the past and not burden the future, and which allowed me to be a respectful steward of . . . our family history--not a sappy sentimentalist who can't let go.

Coming Up in May!

No Less Days by Amanda G. Stevens
Delilah: Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt
Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi (Experiencing God) by David Crowder

    

This post will be linked at:

5 Minutes For Books - What's On Your Nightstand?
The Book Date - Reading Month In Review - April

©2008-2018 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 - Lead Me

Send me your light and your faithful care,

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

Then I will go to the altar of God,

to god, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the lyre,

O God, my God.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

~Psalm 43:3-5~

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

Sunday Scripture Blessings is hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad

©2008-2018 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 - In Places Hidden

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In Places Hidden (Golden Gate Secrets) by Tracie Peterson - Camrianne Coulter arrives in San Francisco with two new friends made on the train ride west, determined to find out what has happened to her brother Caleb. His letters had stopped arriving several weeks ago, but no one seems to have any idea where he may have gone. Camri starts her search with Caleb's employer, who directs her to Patrick Murdock. Caleb had successfully defended the Irish contractor from a trumped up murder charge and the two had become friends. Camri is drawn to Patrick and to his sister and wants to trust them, especially when she wonders whether Caleb's employer can be trusted.

Patrick has been searching for Caleb, and after meeting Camri he has even more motivation to find him. As Camri and Patrick work together, she realizes that corruption and illegal activity are rampant in the city, and that Caleb's disappearance must be related to the powerful darker side of the political machine. Camri needs to decide who to trust, and she also learns that her privileged views of education are not quite as practical as she thinks.

Excellent historical fiction, with elements of suspense and drama, along with a gentle romance.

From the publisher:

The search for her missing brother leads to the most dangerous part of the city . . .

Camrianne Coulter's brother Caleb is a successful San Francisco attorney. But when three months go by without a word from the usually communicative Caleb, Camri boards a train to the booming West Coast city to find out for herself why he hasn't written. When she arrives at his home, nobody seems to know where he is, or what has become of him.

Camri's search for her brother leads her deep into the political corruption of the city--and into the acquaintance of Patrick Murdock, who Caleb successfully defended from a false murder charge. Getting to know this handsome Irish contractor challenges all of Camri's privileged beliefs, but Patrick is unshakably loyal to her brother, and he seems to know more about what happened to Caleb than anyone else. As the two edge closer to the truth behind Caleb's disappearance, they risk angering the powerful forces that control the city. Can Camri trust Patrick to protect her from the dangers that lie hidden in San Francisco's backstreets?

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

 This book is the Last Book Added to Your TBR for the Full House Reading Challenge 2018 hosted by The Book Date

©2008-2018 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.

Teaser Tuesday/First Chapter First Paragraph - In Places Hidden

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. 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!

"Mr. Armbrewster, this is 1905, and I am neither weak, nor in need of protecting. I've spent my life in Chicago, and my work with the suffrage movement and women's concerns is well documented. I have seen more than my share of the uglier aspects of life. I've also become very good at discerning lies."
~In Places Hidden (Golden Gate Secrets) by Tracie Peterson, page 61

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

First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is a weekly link-up hosted by I'd Rather Be At The Beach. To participate, share the first paragraph (or two) of a book you're reading, or thinking about reading.

LATE NOVEMBER, 1905

"San . . . Fran . . . cisco! Next stop, San . . . Fran . . . cisco," the conductor called in a slow, elongated manner.

Passengers throughout the car began gathering their things, and the volume of conversations grew as the train slowed.

Camrianne Coulter smiled at the two women sitting opposite her. "Thank you both for making this such a pleasant trip. I believe God put us together for a reason."

The redheaded woman who'd introduced herself three days earlier as Kenzie Gifford nodded. "I don't imagine I've been good company, but I'm grateful for your friendship."

Here's the blurb:

The search for her missing brother leads to the most dangerous part of the city . . .

Camrianne Coulter's brother Caleb is a successful San Francisco attorney. But when three months go by without a word from the usually communicative Caleb, Camri boards a train to the booming West Coast city to find out for herself why he hasn't written. When she arrives at his home, nobody seems to know where he is, or what has become of him.

Camri's search for her brother leads her deep into the political corruption of the city--and into the acquaintance of Patrick Murdock, who Caleb successfully defended from a false murder charge. Getting to know this handsome Irish contractor challenges all of Camri's privileged beliefs, but Patrick is unshakably loyal to her brother, and he seems to know more about what happened to Caleb than anyone else.

As the two edge closer to the truth behind Caleb's disappearance, they risk angering the powerful forces that control the city. Can Camri trust Patrick to protect her from the dangers that lie hidden in San Francisco's backstreets?

What do you think? Would you continue reading?

©2008-2018 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 - Shout for Joy

May he give you the desire of your heart

and make all your plans succeed.

May we shout for joy over your victory

and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the LORD grant all your requests.

~Psalm 20:4-5~

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

Sunday Scripture Blessings is hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad.

Glimpses is hosted by Embracing Every Day, a lifestyle blog by Barbie Swihart.

©2008-2018 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 - April 16, 2018

This post contains affiliate links. 

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 finished reading . . .  

The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo - A French privateer takes the young daughter of a Spanish nobleman on board his ship. When his ship is attacked, survivors take young Maribel to an orphanage for her safety. She and the captain, Jean-Luc, meet again after she is grown up. (Read my full review HERE.)




The Weaver's Daughter: A Regency Romance Novel by Sarah E. Ladd - Kate is caught between loyalty to her father, a traditional weaver, and the friendship growing with Stockton Mills' progressive owner, Henry. Tensions are high in the community as the weavers resist the introduction of machines to the mill, which threatens their livelihood. (Read my full review HERE.)

I'm currently reading . . .

As Death Draws Near (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber - Kiera and Gage unravel the murder of a young nun in Ireland.

 


In Places Hidden (Golden Gate Secrets) by Tracie Peterson - Camri travels to San Francisco determined to find her brother who has been mysteriously missing for a few months.




Next on the stack... 

A Treacherous Curse (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery) by Deanna Reybourn
Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi (Experiencing God) by David Crowder
Delilah: Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt
Downsizing The Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go by Marni Jameson


   

   

On my blogs recently . . .

Here on Just A Second:

Recent Reads - The Weaver's Daughter
Scripture and a Snapshot - Do Not Forget
Wordless Wednesday - Peeps Art
Recent Reads - The Pirate Bride

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

YWAM Publishing (Blogging Through the Alphabet)
Homeschool Highlights - Week 32
Virtual Refrigerator - Cross
5 Days of Lessons for Homeschool Moms - 2018 Spring Blog Hop

What are you reading?

©2008-2018 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.