Share Four Somethings - February 2019

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Welcome to the end of February and another edition of Four Somethings. Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, and Something Read over the past month in my busy life!

Something Loved

It's exciting that my daughter is nearing graduation, but to be honest there are some bittersweet moments as she nears the milestone and the reality hits hard sometimes that she'll be an adult soon! Things to love this month included her senior portrait session, and some college decisions made.

I took some photos while Kennady was posing for the photographer - and in between poses as well - so I have some of these shots in my personal collection as well as the beautiful portraits by our good friend Bonnie, who also happens to be our Pastor of Student Ministries.

Something Said

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence. ~Abigail Adams

Something Learned

Did you know that there are sweet hummus spreads? I did not know this until a few weeks ago. I was not a fan of hummus, but I bought it occasionally for the hubster. I found plain hummus bland enough to be unobjectionable, but why would I want to eat it? And I just couldn't get excited about the red pepper or garlic flavors. So then I happened to see mocha and dark chocolate hummus on sale one day, and thought, "well, why not?" And this is my new favorite snack food. I've since discovered vanilla bean flavor, and I have a snickerdoodle one to try as well.

Something Read

I completed three books in February, and I'm currently working on two novels, and as always I have a  long TBR list. You can see more about my reading in my Monthly Bookshelf Review for February 2019.

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep
Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure
Dark Road to Darjeeling (A Lady Julia Grey Mystery) by Deanna Raybourn


   

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Monthly Bookshelf Review - February 2019

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February's Books Completed and Reviewed

 Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure - I was pleasantly surprised to find this full of practical advice on living out kindness every day, and being gracious and godly women. (Read my full review HERE)

Sometimes all it takes is one person's simple act of graciousness to turn our day -- or maybe even our life -- around.

Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep - a collection of three novellas, all three set in the 19th century, but with different themes and settings. A governess and a gentleman smuggler, a doctor's daughter with nursing experience and a frontier army doctor, and a young society woman and her city attorney fiance.  (Read my full review HERE.)




Dark Road to Darjeeling (A Lady Julia Grey Mystery) by Deanna Raybourn - Lady Julia and Brisbane are nearing the end of their honeymoon trip when they are asked to go to India and discover whether foul play was involved in the death of a friend's husband. (Read my full review HERE.)

It had occurred to me that if I were to solve the murder of Freddie Cavendish on my own, it might go a long way towards convincing Brisbane of my worthiness as a detecting partner, as well as my ability to have a care for my own safety.

During February I continued reading:

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte - Since I didn't finish this book club pick in time for the discussion, it's kind of on the backburner, but I'm still working on it.




During February I started reading:

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery - Just started this story about a young woman who thinks romance has passed her by, and what happens when she finally tests her independence and breaks free of her overbearing family.




The White City: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime by Grace Hitchcock - I've only just cracked the cover of this one for an upcoming review. A young woman thinks she may have witnessed someone being kidnapped during the Worlds Fair.

Coming Up in March!

Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer
American Princess: A Novel of First Daughter Alice Roosevelt by Stephanie Marie Thornton (ARC)
Secrets in the Mist (A Gothic Myths Novel) by Anna Lee Huber


   

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Feed Your Fiction Addiction - February 2019 Wrap-Up Round-Up & 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/ 

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Recent Reads - Kind Is the New Classy

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Kind Is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously by Candace Cameron Bure - What does a popular actress and TV personality have to say about being classy that is relevant for everyday women? Turns out - a lot! Candace writes in a relaxed conversational style, and her own kindness and graciousness comes through in every anecdote and suggestion. Her premise is simple - kindness and caring never goes out of style, and how we treat people will ultimately be remembered more than anything else. And if we are Christians, we certainly ought to be kind and gracious anyway, as a result of living godly lives in response to God's grace given to us.

Candace shares stories from her own experiences on the sets of Full House and other shows, from her time co-hosting on The View, and from her other acting and producing stints, but most of the stories could just as easily have taken place in any office or workplace. People are people, whether they are celebrities or not, I guess! She talks about staying calm and composed when under pressure, seeing everyone as God does, doing good and doing the right thing, being hospitable, and being confident. She gives some wise advice on cultivating meaningful friendships that bring out the best in us and in our friends. I especially liked her chapter on being ambitious for the good of others and her assertion that this kind of ambition is very classy indeed, that the best use of our gifts and talents and big dreams is on behalf of others. Another chapter that might be a surprise to some is the one about self-care, which points out that taking care of our own health and well-being is a very positive thing. Again, it offers practical advice and encouragement meant for real women who don't have a personal trainer or cook. 

Overall, this was an upbeat yet down-to-earth look at all the ways women can live out their God-given purpose and show genuine kindness in everything we do. Living graciously is more about looking good and making a good impression. I agree with Candace that being gracious is the result of the Holy Spirit's work in us, and that kindness is definitely classy!

©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 - Ladies of Intrigue

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Ladies of Intrigue by Michelle Griep - With a beautiful cover like this and the promise of not one, but three, stories, how could I pass up a chance to read this book? It is a collection of three novellas by Michelle Griep. All three are set in the 19th century, but the themes and settings vary.

In the first, The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady, governess Helen Fletcher is on her way to see her ill father when the ship is attacked by smugglers. Helen is kidnapped by the leader, but to her surprise, she comes to no harm as he simply delivers her to a coaching inn where she may safely complete her journey. Not long afterwards, she realizes that her father's benefactor is one and the same with the smuggler. Fortunately for Isaac Seaton, Helen is cautious and doesn't reveal that she recognizes him to the government agent there with orders to stop the smuggling. Over the next several weeks, while Helen is at her father's sickbed, she and Isaac get to know each other and love each other, and Isaac must decide how to get out of the smuggling ring he's been involved with.

The second story, The Doctor's Woman, is set in the American west. Emmy Nelson is the daughter of a missionary doctor, and has learned a great deal about medicine as his assistant. With his passing, Emmy is asked to take his place at the nearby fort, at least until the doctor from the east arrives. Dr James Clark arrives almost at the same time, and the two must work side-by-side during the busy time of the Dakota Uprising. And as one expects, they also fall in love, but how will that work out when Dr Clark receives word that he's been accepted to a prestigious medical position back East?

And finally, A House of Secrets tells the story of Amanda Carston and Joseph Keeley, already engaged and very much in love, but with some hurdles to overcome before their wedding. Amanda is determined to clean up a 'haunted' house and make it into a school for children in poverty. But little does she know that Joseph, the city attorney, secretly owns the property and is using it as a safe house for brothel girls trying to escape the city's notorious madam. If Joseph's secret is found out, the mayor's political rival could create a scandal, and when Amanda stumbles across the information she is angry that her fiance was deceiving her.

All three stories are good light romance reading, but because they are short, the plots are not very involved. The middle story was the best of the three, in my opinion, and felt most complete. The background for the characters was simple, and the story focused on Emmy and James and their budding relationship. In The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady, there seemed to be a lot of information left out in order to keep the story short, and the reason for Isaac's turning to smuggling and some other background was only hinted at. For that reason it was just vaguely unsatisfying. I enjoyed A House of Secrets but it moved very quickly even with all the layers of deception and corruption that could have been explored given the setting and circumstance.

The title claim to 3 Tales of 19th-Century Romance with a Dash of Mystery fell just a bit short, since the dash of mystery was terribly small. The mystery of why Isaac started smuggling is really not resolved in any way, and only the third story had a mystery that was unraveled in any way. All three leading ladies did have more to their characters than what first appeared, and were intriguing, but referring to them as Ladies of Intrigue was a bit of a reach. But for light, clean romance stories with interesting characters, this book does deliver.

From the publisher:

3 Page-Turners Under One Cover from Reader Favorite Michelle Griep!
Can truth and love prevail when no one is as they appear?

The Gentleman Smuggler's Lady
Cornish Coast, 1815
When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father -- not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton's unusual secret?

The Doctor's Woman (A Carol Award Winner!)
Dakota Territory, 1862
Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side and Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.

A House of Secrets
St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890
Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul's ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a "haunted" house that's secretly owned by her beau -- a home that's his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city's most infamous. madam.

By the same author: The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper's Daughter, The Captive Heart

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a 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 - Your Paths

Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

~Psalm 25:4-5~

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©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.