Monthly Bookshelf Review - September 2022

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So busy with family and work and school these days that I'm not getting much reading done! I've pared down my expectations a little bit, because now that the school year has started I need to read the novels I've assigned to students and keep up with grading. And in October, I'll welcome family for a visit, so I don't think I'll be doing a whole lot of extra reading in the weeks ahead!

September's Books Completed and Reviewed

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep - This story was like a rom-com set in 1885 London, as Inspector Jackson Forge and fiancee Kit Turner face misunderstandings and danger on the way to their upcoming wedding. (Read my full review HERE)

During September I started reading:

Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain - Twain's ironic tale of lookalikes and mistaken identities is the first novel we're studying in Literature class.

During September I continued reading:

A Stroke of Malice by Anna Lee Huber - I thought I'd find time to finish this by now, but I haven't. In this Lady Darby mystery, Kiera and Gage look for answers regarding a body found during a Twelfth Night party.

Coming Up in October!

Mary by Shannon McNear

War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber

A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber

   

    

What I'm Highlighting . . . a post from the archives at HS Coffee Break: From the High School Lesson Book - Rosh Hashanah

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 - September 12, 2022

And on HS Coffee Break:

I Spy posts (#87-#90)

Five Minute Friday posts

School Scripture 2022-2023

Currently . . . September 8, 2022

A Calvert County PhotoJournal

August Photo Album

This post will be linked at the September 2022 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-up Link-up and Giveaway hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction.

 

©2008-2022 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 - The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

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The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep - Jackson Forge and Kit Turner are eagerly looking forward to their approaching wedding day, and working on a police case or two at the same time. Street-savvy Kit enjoys being able to put her energy to good use helping Jackson investigate a theft operation, and comes up with an idea that she thinks would make an ideal wedding gift for the detective. She wants to find out who was responsible for an attack on Jackson's brother many years ago that left him scarred and disabled, even though Jackson and his father have told her to let it go.

Headstrong Kit gets a lead on that old case, and takes a big risk to meet an informant. A risk that ends in disaster when she gets trapped in an old warehouse and stumbles on the remains of another woman who appears to have met with foul play. Oh - and by the time Kit is rescued, she is many hours late for her wedding! That leads to broken trust, misunderstandings, wounded pride on both parts, and Jackson and Kit break off the engagement in hurt and anger.

Turns out the body in the warehouse led to a connection to the disappearance of Kit's mother many years ago, and Jackson is tasked with solving that mystery, but without letting Kit know what he's working on. For her part, Kit continues following up on her own leads, and although the two of them are trying to avoid each other in their hurt, eventually they each find they need to cooperate. And forgive, and learn to trust again.

Will they solve the mysteries before danger catches up to them? And will they resolve their differences and mend their relationship before it's too late?

This was a very enjoyable romp through 1885 London, with lots of action and humor. This is a follow-up to the story in which Jackson and Kit meet and fall in love, so the romance is already well established, but of course things don't run smoothly for the couple and they must overcome obstacles to get their relationship back on course. I have not yet read that first story and found that this book could stand alone quite nicely. The pace is energetic, and the situations sometimes improbable, but the characters grow from starry-eyed and idealistic to devoted and passionate as they rush from one adventure to another.

From the publisher:

The Continuing Adventure of Jackson and Kit!

Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who's turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother - despite Jackson's warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.

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.

By the same author: Lost In Darkness, The House at the End of the Moor, The Noble Guardian, Ladies of Intrigue, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper's Daughter, The Captive Heart

This is a book with less than 2022 Goodreads ratings (#11) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

©2008-2022 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 and Be Glad

"Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD. "Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you."

~Zechariah 2:10-11~

May your name be inscribed for a good year! 

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Autumn Rains

Be glad, people of Zion,

rejoice in the LORD your God,

for he has given you the autumn rains

because he is faithful.

He sends you abundant showers,

both autumn and spring rains, as before.

~Joel 2:23~

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What I'm Reading - September 12, 2022

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. Here's what I've been working on lately.

I finished reading . . . 

Nothing in the past month! Honestly, I feel like I am taking a breather because I have plenty coming up. I'm teaching two classes at co-op, one being a high school Literature class, so I will have a lot to keep me busy reading and grading and lesson planning in the months ahead, not to mention keeping up with a work schedule that will be a bit busier for the next little while.

I'm currently reading . . .

A Stroke of Malice by Anna Lee Huber - Kiera and Gage wind up investigating a murder at a Twelfth Night house party, and Kiera's advancing pregnancy presents additional challenges in keeping themselves safe and one step ahead of the villain.

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep - A continuing story of the relationship between Inspector Jackson Forge and street smart Kit Turner. Misunderstandings, mishaps, and wounded pride result in their wedding being called off, but can they mend the rift and learn to trust each other when they wind up working together on two very personal cases?

Next on the stack . . . still working on getting caught up on the upcoming reads!

Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain - first novel my Lit class will discuss

Mary by Shannon McNear

A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

All That's Fair by Amanda G. Stevens

   

   

        

     

What I'm Highlighting . . . my Currently . . . post for September 8th, which sums up a lot of what's been happening here lately.

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

Monthly Bookshelf Review - August 2022

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

I Spy posts (#85-#88)

Five Minute Friday - Generous

Currently . . . September 8, 2022

A Calvert County PhotoJournal

Five Minute Friday - Root

August Photo Album

Five Minute Friday - Show

Share Four Somethings - August 2022

Five Minute Friday - View

Five Minute Friday - Forget

A Signs and Skies PhotoJournal

  

What are you reading?

 ©2008-2022 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 - Instruction

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,

and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

The wise in heart are called discerning,

and gracious words promote instruction.

~Proverbs 16:20-21~

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Sing His Praises

Sing a new song to the Lord!

Sing his praises from the ends of the earth!

Sing, all you who sail the seas,

all you who live in distant coastlands.

Join the chorus, you desert towns;

let the villages of Kedar rejoice!

Let the people of Sela sing for joy;

shout praises from the mountaintops!

Let the whole world glorify the Lord;

let it sing his praise.

~Isaiah 42:10-12~

(Dear friends, I'm sorry my post is late this week! We went out of town for a couple of days and did not have wifi. Scripture and a Snapshot will return to its usual Saturday this week. Thanks for your patience!)

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©2008-2022 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.