Monthly Bookshelf Review - July 2018

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July's Books Completed and Reviewed

Together Forever (Orphan Train) by Jody Hedlund - Marianne Neumann becomes a placing agent on the orphan train in hopes of helping children and of finding her own younger sister. Her partner on her first placement trip is Drew Brady and a dare becomes a wedding proposal.  (Read my full review HERE.)

She couldn't stop from fearing that somehow Drew would miss getting back to the train on time and she'd be all alone with the children. The more distraught she became, the rowdier and louder the children grew.

 

A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden - Dr Rosalind Werner is a biochemist dedicated to making public water supplies clean and safe. Nicholas Drake is the new Commissioner of Water for New York, who has the same goal, but is very skeptical of the chlorination technique Rosalind and her colleagues have developed. (Read my full review HERE.)

Nick must never learn of Dr. Leal's plan to release the chlorine early, or that she played any part in covering it up. As fast as Nick's respect for her had flared to life, it would vanish in a flash if he was betrayed.

During July I continued reading:

Delilah: Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt - How did Delilah meet Samson, and why was she willing to accept a bribe to betray him? Why did Samson fall for her deception? This novel presents some fictional background and detail answering those questions.

Silver was a rare and precious commodity, worth more than its weight in gold. Yet the cerens were willing to pay eleven hundred pieces of silver for Samson?

 

During July I started reading:

Where the Fire Falls: A Vintage National Parks Novel by Karen Barnett - Olivia Rutherford is an artist commissioned to do paintings of Yosemite, where she meets Clark Johnson. Will she let down her guard and be herself with Clark?

Olivia had changed her own name, dyed her hair, become a new person -- all at Frank's bidding. Was this really so different?

Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore - this is apparently based on the true story of the author's ancestor who was accused of witchcraft during the notorious Salem with trials.

The jailer leads me into another room. Ten pairs of eyes settle on me, belonging to nine women and the surgeon John Barton, the man in charge of the witches' examinations. My heart sinks at the sight of the surgeon and the jury of women.

During July I shelved:

In the Region of the Summer Stars (Eirlandia Series) by Stephen R. Lawhead - I had great intentions of reading this book several weeks ago, but got busy and had a couple of review books to read. I'm hoping to pick it up again soon, but life continues to be busy, so I'm not sure.

Coming Up in August!

Treacherous Is the Night (A Verity Kent Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber
The Patriot Bride: Daughters of the Mayflower - Book 4 by Kimberley Woodhouse
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, July
The Book Date - July Reading Month In Review

©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 - Morning Mist

"Remember these things, Jacob,

for you, Israel, are my servant.

I have made you, you are my servant;

Israel, I will not forget you.

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,

your sins like the morning mist.

Return to me,

for I have redeemed you."

Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this;

shout aloud you earth beneath.

Burst into song, you mountains,

you forests and all your trees,

for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,

he displays his glory in Israel.

~Isaiah 44:21-23~

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.

Wordless Wednesday - Park of Roses

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Last week we were in Columbus, Ohio and spent an afternoon at the Columbus Park of Roses. This public garden was established in 1953, and now includes over 12,000 roses in over 400 varieties. It's free and open all year long. Of course, the best time to see the roses would be in late May and early June. On our visit in mid-July, many of the roses were past their peak.

See all the pictures and a few more words on my Homeschool Coffee Break post: A Park of Roses PhotoJournal

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life at Rossmont; and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea's 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.

Teaser Tuesday/First Chapter First Paragraph - Where the Fire Falls

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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!

She jammed everything back inside and fastened the thin sheet of plywood over the top. She'd kept this corner of her life under lock and key for so long, it was difficult to see it bleeding into today.

~Where the Fire Falls: A Vintage National Parks Novel by Karen Barnett, page 78

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

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.

July 2, 1929

Sacramento, California

Olivia Rutherford applied lip rouge the same way she painted -- with bold, broad strokes. Anything to distract from the truth. She leaned toward the mirror in the gallery's tiny powder room, admiring the cosmetic's resemblance to the cadmium red she'd chosen for her latest painting. Girl with Scarlet Poppies was sure to be a success at tonight's showing. She, on the other hand? Olivia placed a hand against her chest, her heartbeat obvious to the touch. The shingled bob, the expensive beaded dress, the black hair dye -- she'd become her own canvas, and it demanded every penny she had. If tonight's shindig flopped, she'd be hoofing it home on an empty stomach. Again.

Her art dealer, Frank Robinson, always insisted she attend. "Buyers like to meet the talent behind the artwork. Just act the part. We want them to think you're modern and sophisticated, not some starving bohemian."

She adjusted the feathered headband, the final piece of her carefree charade -- such a contrast from her backwoods roots. When she'd changed her name, she'd left everything behind. Olivia Rudd died the moment she signed the paperwork at the county courthouse. If she played her cards right, Olivia Rutherford would provide her sisters with the life she'd missed out on. It would also ensure she never needed to step outside a city again.

Here's the blurb:

Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as "pervaded with divine light."

Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.

After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?

As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas -- a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.

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.

What I'm Reading - July 23, 2018

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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!

I finished reading . . .  

A Daring Venture by Elizabeth Camden - Biochemist Dr Rosalind Werner and the new Commissioner of Water for New York, Nicholas Drake, have opposing views on the chlorination of public water supplies, but a strong attraction to each other.  (Read my full review HERE.)

I'm currently reading . . .

Delilah: Treacherous Beauty by Angela Hunt - a novelization of the Biblical story of Samson.

 



Where the Fire Falls: A Vintage National Parks Novel by Karen Barnett - Olivia Rutherford is an artist commissioned to do paintings of Yosemite, but has to overcome her aversion to the place that holds very negative memories and associations.




Condemn Me Not: Accused of Witchcraft by Heather B. Moore - this is apparently based on the true story of the author's ancestor who was accused of witchcraft during the notorious Salem with trials.




Next on the stack... 

Treacherous Is the Night (A Verity Kent Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber
Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi (Experiencing God) by David Crowder
In the Region of the Summer Stars (Eirlandia Series) by Stephen R. Lawhead - If I can find the time, I'd like to get to this!


   

On my blogs recently . . .

Here on Just A Second:

Scripture and a Snapshot - Everything that has Breath
Recent Reads - A Daring Venture
Wordless Wednesday - Strasburg Rail Road

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Homeschool Highlights - Camp and Vacation Edition
Virtual Refrigerator - Butterfly

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.