Monthly Bookshelf Review - December 2021

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Not surprisingly, December has been a busy month and I've had to carve out little bits of reading time here and there. It's also time to consider what reading challenges I may want to take on in the upcoming year!

December's Books Completed and Reviewed

The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch - Lady Juliette Thorndike is shocked to find out that her missing parents have been spies for the government, and that she may be able to join the family profession. (Read my full review HERE)

As Death Draws Near by Anna Lee Huber - Kiera and Gage investigate a murder at an Irish abbey amid growing tensions between Ribbonmen and Orangemen, Catholic and Protestant. I've once again fallen behind the pace in the Lady Darby Read-Along group on Facebook and keep missing the book discussions! (Read my full review HERE)

During December I started reading:

The End of the Magi by Patrick W. Carr - A young magus-in-training finds himself on an epic journey towards Israel as one of the few who have been keeping the calendar numbering the days until the prophesied king arrives.

Atomic Habits by James Clear - it's the perfect time of year to read a practical book about breaking bad habits and establishing good ones!

   

High-Wire Heartbreak by Anna Schmidt - a novelist visits the Ringling mansion as part of her research for a mystery she's writing, but also to explore the history of her own mysterious ancestor who had been a performer in the circus.

 

During December I shelved:

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty - I just couldn't finish up this clever YA fantasy before the library needed me to return it. I kept a note of where I left off, and hopefully I can pick it up again later.

`

Coming Up in January!

A Brush with Shadows (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

All That's Fair by Amanda G. Stevens

Raincoats & Sunglasses by Caroline Johnston

   

   

What I'm Highlighting . . . 

There are still a couple more days to enter the Cozy Up to A Good Book Giveaway to celebrate the release of The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch. See my post Recent Reads - The Debutante's Code - Book Tour and Giveaway - for the link and more info!

On my blogs recently . . . 

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Friday Fun posts - The Friday 56 and First Lines

What I'm Reading - December 13, 2021

And on HS Coffee Break:

I Spy posts (#48-#51)

Five Minute Friday posts

Keeping Christmas All the Year

Share Four Somethings - December 2021

High School Writing Tip Sheets - Writing Dialogue

Currently . . . December 2, 2021

November Photo Album

This post will be linked at the December 2021 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-up Link-up and Giveaway hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction.

 

©2008-2021 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. 

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 - As Death Draws Near

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

As Death Draws Near by Anna Lee Huber - Lady Kiera Darby and Sebastian Gage are on their honeymoon when they receive instructions from Gage's father to investigate a murder in Ireland. The victim was a young woman related to Lord Wellington was a postulant at an abbey. With very little information to start with, and annoyed that Lord Gage would cut short their honeymoon, Kiera and Gage travel to Ireland and take on the investigation.

Tensions are high in the village near the abbey, because of the conflict between Protestant and Catholic and growing unrest and potential hostility between Ribbonmen and Orangemen. Kiera does her best to gather information from the nuns and students at the abbey, while Gage talks with villagers. They both run into dead ends when people are reluctant to talk to them, and are frustrated when they uncover facts that Lord Wellington and Lord Gage would have known but had not shared. Finally, one of the nuns comes to a decision to share important insights with Kiera, but is found murdered before she can do so. 

While the investigation itself is very frustrating for both of them, it also starts Kiera questioning her role and purpose, and whether she is following a calling by assisting Gage in investigation. Conversations with the Mother Superior expose Kiera's uncertainties about whether she is right to use the knowledge she has about anatomy, and whether she should continue taking an active role now that she's a wife and will potentially become a mother. The expectations of married gentlewomen of the time period are addressed as part of this personal struggle, and the political and religious conflicts are the backdrop for the intriguing murder mystery with a surprise twist.

(I've fallen quite behind, but do check out the Lady Darby Read-Along group on Facebook if you're interested.)

By the same author: The Anatomist's Wife, Mortal Arts; A Grave Matter, A Study in Death, A Pressing Engagement, This Side of Murder, As Death Draws Near  (from my first reading in 2018), A Brush With Shadows. Treacherous Is The Night, An Artless Demise, Secrets in the Mist, Penny for Your Secrets, A Stroke of Malice, A Pretty Deceit

©2008-2021 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.

Christmas Day Scripture and a Snapshot - Every Good and Perfect Gift

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

~John 3:16~

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

~James 1:17~

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

"They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

their righteousness endures forever."

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

~II Corinthians 9:7-11~

Merry Christmas!

As we exchange gifts with loved ones, may we be reminded of the good and perfect gifts given to us by God. Especially the gift of his Son, who gave us salvation. May we share the grace and blessings we receive by being joyful and generous!

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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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles, and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2021 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.

Christmas Eve Scripture and a Snapshot - The Time Came

So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

~Luke 2:4-7~

This post will be linked at Scripture and a Snapshot hosted by Just A Second.

 ©2008-2021 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.

Advent Scripture and a Snapshot - This is Love

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what was said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

~Matthew 1:18-23~

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

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

~I John 4:7-12~

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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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles, and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2021 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.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for December 17, 2021

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

The key to creating good habits and breaking bad ones is to understand these fundamental laws and how to alter them to your specifications. Every goal is doomed to fail if it goes against the grain of human nature.

~from page 55 of Atomic Habits by James Clear

(page 56 is blank!)

Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving - every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights.

Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field.

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

***************

On the final day of my sophomore year of high school, I was hit in the face with a baseball bat. As my classmate took a full swing, the bat slipped out of his hands and came flying toward me before striking me directly between the eyes. I have no memory of the moment of impact.

~From the Introduction to Atomic Habits by James Clear 

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

***************

First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

©2008-2021 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 - December 13, 2021

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

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 Book Date link-up happens weekly, I don't manage to post that often. I aim to post and link about once a month, although I sometimes link up my monthly summary as well. 

I finished reading . . . 

The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch - Lady Juliette Thorndike returns to London from finishing school for her debut season, but her parents have had to go to the estate and are not able to accompany her. After a mysterious theft of artwork, Juliette is stunned to find her uncle may have been involved, and even more shocked when Uncle Bertie reveals that he - and her parents - are spies for the Crown. Juliette must decide whether to follow in this family tradition. (Read my full review HERE)

Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels - Designer Willa (in 2020) and singer Lily (in 1895) try to find safety and healing from their respective pasts while at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. (Read my full review HERE)

Rest Girl: A Journey from Exhausted and Stressed to Entirely Blessed by Jami Amerine - A wonderful and encouraging book about accepting and giving yourself grace, and finding rest and peace in the process. (Read my full review HERE)

I'm currently reading . . .

As Death Draws Near by Anna Lee Huber - This book is taking me forever to read - and it's a re-read! I keep pausing to focus on other things. Anyway. Kiera and Gage are investigating a murder at an Irish abbey. (I'm way behind in the Lady Darby Read-Along group on Facebook!)

The End of the Magi by Patrick W. Carr - The prophet Daniel establishes a group of wise men who will be counting down the days to the fulfillment of his vision of the coming Messiah. That's sort of the prologue to the rest of this story in which a young magi acolyte flees the city at a time when the days are drawing near for the fulfillment.

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty - I need to hustle and finish this inventive YA fantasy in which teens from our world and from a fantasy land called Cello are unexpectedly able to interact.

  

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick - I don't know that I'm reading this as much as skimming and referring to it now and again as we use it in the Creative Writing course I'm teaching. I've read it a couple times before so I didn't feel is necessary to read it cover to cover this time. 

   

Next on the stack... 

Atomic Habits by James Clear

A Brush with Shadows (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

All That's Fair by Amanda G. Stevens

Raincoats & Sunglasses by Caroline Johnston

   

   

     

What I'm Highlighting . . . I was privileged to participate in the book tour for this new regency mystery from Erica Vetsch. I thought it delightful (and you can see more of my thoughts in my review) and highly recommend it. There is also time remaining in the Cozy Up with a Good Book Giveaway, so I encourage you to click on the graphic below or go to my review post to enter!

On my blogs recently . . . 

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines posts

Recent Reads - The Debutante's Code - Book Tour and Giveaway

Monthly Bookshelf Review - November 2021

TomlinUNITED Tour - Announcement and Giveaway

And on my "first cup blog", HS Coffee Break:

I Spy posts (#45-49)

Five Minute Friday - Behold!

Five Minute Friday - Expectation

Currently . . . December 2, 2021

Share Four Somethings - November 2021

Five Minute Friday - Nourish

Coffee Break Reading List for Thanksgiving 2021

TomlinUNITED Tour (Announcement and Giveaway)

Five Minute Friday - Hide

High School Writing Tip Sheets - Creating Characters in Fiction

Five Minute Friday - Wander

Five Minute Friday (Bonus) - Morning

What are you reading?

©2008-2021 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.