Just A Second: June 2025

Monday, June 30

June Bookshelf Review

Like a crazy person, I opted to start on the 52 Book Club's Connections Reading Challenge, which takes the place of a summer mini-challenge this year. The entire challenge is twenty-one books, which CLEARLY I won't finish during the summer, but will just plod along through it for the fun of seeing how many I can do. And for my own entertainment, I may continue until I do finish, even if that takes me into next year. For me, reading challenges are to push me to read more and to read books outside of my most favorite genres, and not for comparison or competition with others. Anyway, true to form, I've no sooner started on the Connections and then realize that I'll not be able to start the third book of the challenge until I've finished a couple of review books. :shrug: That's the way it goes!

June's Books Completed and Reviewed

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn - Spy thriller meets murder mystery as four women, all retired professional assassins, realize that the firm they worked for is trying to kill them. They combine their skills and resources to protect each other, and naturally, to kill the would-be killers before they become victims. (When I posted the May Bookshelf Review, this review hadn't posted. You can find it HERE.)

The Blind Scribe by Connilyn Cossette - Shalem's curiosity about languages and about a mysterious stranger gets him into trouble, but it turns out the stranger is a scribe and willing to trade knowledge with Shalem. (Read my review HERE)

Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - Jane's life in Toronto is not a happy one, really, but it's all she's ever known . . . until her father has her come spend a summer with him on Prince Edward Island. A lovely novel about growing up and family bonds. (Read my review HERE)

During June I started reading:

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber - Well, I finally started on this next one in the Verity Kent series (I'm getting behind in it!) and am just getting introduced to the mystery to be solved, but I have a couple of review books and a library book that have to take priority, so this may have to be on hold for a little bit. Such a pity, because I love this character!

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jónasson - With very few clues to start with, detective Helgi is tasked with finding out what happened to a popular crime author who has vanished. There are alternating timelines, including one in which an unnamed character is interviewing that author. I'm very curious to see how it all will get tied together, and I'm just beginning to see some possible connections.

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham - Fourth in the Freddie & Grace Mystery series, this one starts with Frederick and Grace arriving at Grace's childhood home, only to discover that the estate has been sold, her father has deceived her about his financial situation, and that her mother has left an inheritance to Grace and her sister. But claiming it may be a real challenge!

Where My Books Took Me in June . . . Here's where I've traveled through the pages during the month, along with One Word to sum up the ones I finished.

Killers of a Certain Age begins on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, moves to New Orleans, then to the UK, and then to Paris. Plus flashback scenes in the USA, UK, and Zanzibar.

One Word: Ruthless

The Blind Scribe is set in ancient Israel.

One Word: Learning

Jane of Lantern Hill takes place in Toronto and Prince Edward Island, Canada.

One Word: Belonging

Murder Most Fair has started in Great Britain.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer is set in Iceland.

The Highland Heist begins in the USA, but looks like it will move to Scotland.

Coming Up in July!

10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte - Just picked up from the library and I doubt I'll be able to renew it, due to demand, so this is definitely the next one I'll start.

Before Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Brittany Fichter - Sorry, Beauty! Bumped again!

Village Books by Craig McLay

Believe it or not, I also have no less than three new books recently purchased that I need to put into rotation as well. I really need to find more time to read!

On my blogs recently . . .

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

What I'm Reading - June 17, 2025

Connections Reading Challenge Kickoff

And on A Fresh Cup of Coffee:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Everyday Images posts

Hodgepodge and other Q&A Link-up posts

Share Four Somethings - June 2025

WOTY and Goals - June Journal

WQ - Patriotism

Tell Us About . . . Blooming: Wherever You're Planted

WQ - Summer Fun

10 on the 10th - Photo Edition

Currently . . . June 6, 2025

WOTY and Goals - Spring Summary

This post will be linked at Share Your Shelf hosted by Slices of Life.

©2008-2025 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. This post was written by a human. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

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

Saturday, June 28

Recent Reads - Jane of Lantern Hill

Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - I would consider myself somewhat of a fan of Montgomery's books, but I admit I wasn't at all familiar with this title before it was named as the June pick for an online book club I follow. The story starts out by describing where Jane lives in Toronto - a large house in an expensive and exclusive neighborhood, where she lives with her mother, grandmother, and aunt. Though Jane loves her mother deeply, she has no affection for the cold-hearted grandmother who never seems to have a good word to say to or about Jane. Jane is lonely, largely friendless, and stifled in any activity she might want to try. This dull existence changes when an unexpected letter arrives from Jane's father who lives on Prince Edward Island. He requests that Jane come visit him for the summer. Jane is scared to go, having only just discovered that her father is still alive, and worried about being away from her mother for so long.

Upon arriving on PEI, Jane's connection with her father is almost immediate, and the two of them begin forging a strong bond. Dad gets them a little house on Lantern Hill to live in for the summer, where they can get to know each other, and Jane finds endless delight in being able to cook and clean and decorate and play outside with new friends to her heart's content. The house at Lantern Hill truly becomes her "home" and the affection she shares with her dad is deep, though she has promised to not speak of mother to him, or write anything about him to her mother. She grows more curious about why the two are no longer together, and for the remainder of the story yearns to somehow reconcile her two worlds - the home and people of PEI and both of her beloved parents.

Jane is a sad and suppressed little girl at the opening, and why wouldn't she be with the harsh edicts and spite of her grandmother ruling her. It begs the question very early of why the mother would choose to live in that situation and subject her little daughter to it unless there was something very wrong with the life she had with Jane's father. There are glimpses of who Jane really is - she longs for friendship, she has an imagination, and she has a heart that want to be useful and helpful to others. Once away from her grandmother's house and with her dad, Jane blossoms and finds joy in being able to try all the practical skills she was only allowed to watch before. It's a coming-of-age story in that sense. Jane is almost too good to be true, once given the freedom to try things and learn. She masters cooking and gardening and almost everything else with speed and skill, despite her young age, and I did find that aspect a bit hard to believe. Jane is pragmatic, energetic, hopeful, and kind; and is as delightful a character as one could hope for. Her dad and her friends are all incredibly likeable as well. Her mother's character is not as well-developed, and she appears weak-willed and shallow in the beginning, even though her love for her daughter seems genuine.

From the publisher:

In Jane of Lantern Hill, L.M. Montgomery brings to life the inspiring journey of Jane Stuart, a young girl who embarks on a new chapter of her life after moving to Lantern Hill to live with her estranged father. Amid the beauty of the island and the challenges of her new life, Jane begins to discover her inner strength and form deeper connections with those around her, including the father she never truly knew. The story is rich with themes of self-discovery, family bonds, and the transformative power of love.

This heartwarming tale is perfect for readers seeking a comforting escape, filled with Montgomery's signature warmth and charm. Jane of Lantern Hill is a celebration of new beginnings and the deep, enduring ties that bind families together.

This is a book with a character's name in the title (#21) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

This is second in The 52 Book Club's Connections Challenge. Its title shares a word with the previous book title. The word "of" - not very creative of me, but I'm working with what I have!

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot.

Tuesday, June 17

What I'm Reading - June 17, 2025

Here's a quick update on what I've been reading and watching lately.

I'm currently reading . . .

Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - I wasn't familiar with this novel by a favorite classic author, but it is the pick for an online book club. I'm really enjoying it so far - it's sweet and a little sentimental but I like Jane immensely and she's a character that seems to deserve a very happy ending.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jónasson - Last year one of the prompts for the 52 Book Club was a Nordic Noir, a genre I'd never heard of, but I found a book by Jónasson to review and quite enjoyed it. As a result I was offered this book to review now and decided to give it a try. I haven't read far enough yet to have many clues, but the mystery seems like a baffling one.

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber - I'd fallen behind on the Verity Kent series and this has been on my TBR pile for quite awhile, so I got started on it and am getting reacquainted with the characters as the new case is being introduced.

Up Next . . . On the TBR stack . . .

These are up next on my Kindle. I've got a few books on the physical stack too, but I haven't decided which of those will be next.

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham - I'll be starting this one very soon, as it's a review.

Before Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Brittany Fichter - I keep meaning to start this, and something else inevitably gets ahead of it in the queue.

10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte - This is on hold at the library and is in high demand, so whenever they tell me it's ready to pick up, I'll have to start reading right away!

I finished reading . . .

The Wedding Gift by Connilyn Cossette - This is a prequel novella that takes place several years before the King's Men series, giving background to the friendships between Avidan, Gavriel, Zevi, and Shalem. The boys are accused of stealing a valuable traditional gift that has disappeared ahead of their relative's wedding. (Read my review HERE)

The Blind Scribe by Connilyn Cossette - This story follows the events of The Wedding Gift. Shalem befriends a mysterious stranger who is also interested in words and languages. (Read my review HERE)

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn - A spy thriller with a twist . . . four women in their sixties retire from their careers as elite assassins only to realize the organization they worked for is now targeting them and they will need to kill or be killed. (Read my review HERE)

I've been watching . . .

We've been watching some hockey - not much after the first round of playoffs, but now that it's the Stanley Cup finals, we're more interested again and have watched at least some of each of the finals games so far. My husband recommended a movie series he thought I would like so I've watched the first one with him - The King's Man - which I understand isn't actually the first movie in the series, but a prequel movie. In any case, I did enjoy it so I imagine we'll watch the other movies over the summer.

I've been listening to . . .

Continuing with my usual podcast playlist, which includes The Bible Book Club, The Bible Project, and political commentary podcasts. Listened to more Jordan Peterson and some Kirk Cameron podcasts lately. My music playlist has been RadioU and my collections of favorites. Not much changes in my listening selections although I've been tweaking my playlists and adding some new things.

On my blogs recently . . .

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

Connections Reading Challenge Kickoff

May Bookshelf Review

On my main coffee break project, A Fresh Cup of Coffee:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Five Minute Friday posts

Everyday Images posts

Hodgepodge and other Q&A Link-up posts

Tell Us About . . . Blooming: Wherever You're Planted

WQ - Summer Fun

Currently . . . June 6, 2025

WOTY and Goals: Spring Summary

Share Four Somethings - May 2025

WQ - The Value of Our Stories

Victoria Day

An on my "first cup blog", Homeschool Coffee Break:

Victoria Day

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

What are you reading?

This post may be linked at What's On Your Bookshelf? #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge hosted by Deb's World, and/or at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date.

Wednesday, June 11

Connections Reading Challenge Kickoff

The 52 Book Club's summer mini-challenge is the Connections Challenge. Instead of a list of prompts that can be done in any order, the idea of this challenge is that each book is connected in some way to the one before it so it must be done in order. There are twenty-one links in the connection chain and clearly it will take me longer than the summer if I want to complete the list, so I'll just keep plugging away it until it's complete, at least until the end of 2025.

1. Pick any book. I decided I might as well start with the first book I completed during what would be considered the summer and go from there! Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn was my choice. (Read my review HERE)

2. The title of this book must share a word with the previous book's title. This feels like the easy way out, but of the books I had just started, Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery does share the word "of" in the titles. And since this entire challenge is based on connections, I wanted to start out with a connections that I felt confident I could make, so I had an eye on how the next pick is connected to this one . . . I'll need to pick a book set in the country that this author is from. I think I'll be able to do that.

I won't write a whole new Connections Challenge post for every link in the chain, but I thought I should do a kick-off post at least, and will add links every now and again.

Tuesday, June 10

Recent Reads - The Blind Scribe

The Blind Scribe by Connilyn Cossette - This prequel novella follows The Wedding Gift and continues the story focused on Shalem, the young boy who wants so much to be included in the adventures of his older cousins and friends. A stranger has been seen on the mountain and rumors about his strange appearance have built him up as having mysterious and dark powers. The boys decide to sneak up on the stranger's camp and see for themselves, but Shay is left behind and follows at a distance. When the older boys are frightened away by the stranger's servant, Shay siezes the opportunity to slip into the tent and see for himself.

Shalem's insatiable curiosity about other languages and words gets the better of his judgment, and the stranger returns to find Shay looking at a clay tablet . . . and in his surprise, Shay drops and breaks it. It could be Shalem's undoing, but he finds that he shares a deep interest in learning and languages with the strange scribe and the two begin a friendship.

This novella fills in a little more background about Shalem and his gift for languages and about the other characters as well. Several years will pass between the end of this story and where the first novel in The King's Men series begins, and serves as a backdrop to those events.

From the publisher:

Shalem is always getting left behind by his older cousins, especially after he was hurt badly during their last adventure. But when rumors surface about a mysterious and fearsome stranger who has come to the mountain of Kiryat-Yearim, where the Ark of the Covenant is hidden, he is determined to follow Avidan and Gavriel, and their friend Zevi, on a quest to uncover the truth. However, when their plans go awry and Shalem's thirst for knowledge drives him to make a risky decision, he'll find himself face-to-face with the enigmatic stranger and the pieces of an intriguing mystery scattered at his feet.

"The Blind Scribe" serves as a prequel novella to the King's Men Series, published by Bethany House Publishers. It unfolds a few months after the last chapter of "Between the Wild Branches" (Book Two of the Covenant House series) but before the Epilogue. The novella offers a window into the evolution fo Shalem, Avidan, Gavriel, and Zevi's friendship when they were boys and long before the fateful day when they witness Saul's anointing as Israel's first king in "Voice of the Ancient" (Book One of The King's Men Series).

By the same author: The Wedding Gift, Voice of the Ancient, Between the Wild Branches, To Dwell Among the Cedars, Like Flames in the Night, Until the Mountains Fall, Shelter of the Most High, A Light on the Hill, Wings of the Wind, Shadow of the Storm, Counted With the Stars

This is a book with short chapters (#19) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

Sunday, June 8

Recent Reads - Killers of a Certain Age

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn - Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have certainly earned their retirement, having worked their entire adult lives as professional assassins for a secretive agency known as the Museum. And so in the opening pages of this thriller, they are meeting on board a cruise ship for an all-expenses paid vacation to mark the end of their active employment, and they have some mixed feelings about it. Their training is everything though, and they recognize a Museum operative among the crew members and quickly deduce that they are the next targets. First order of business is to get off the ship alive, and the next is to figure out why the Board of the Museum wants them dead. And naturally, if they want to survive, they will need to kill those who have signed their death warrants.

What follows is a thrilling global chase, as these four sixty-somethings disguise themselves, track down information and leads, and hunt down the hunters. Every skill they've learned in their decades-long careers, their long years of experience, and their trust in each other will be put to the test in a kill or be killed mission.

Billie is the main viewpoint character, and the present-day narrative is punctuated occasionally by flashback scenes that provide insight into Billie's recruitment and training with the Museum, and the early missions the foursome completed. It feels strange sometimes to be rooting for cold-blooded killers, but Billie and her friends are definitely likeable and the epitome of sympathetic characters. Besides, the Museum has always exercised great discretion in the targets they remove, which only adds to the tension of why the organization has now turned on its own assets.

From the publisher:

"This Golden Girls meets James Bond thriller is a journey you want to be part of." -Buzzfeed

Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that's their secret weapon.

They've spent their lives as the deadliest assassins in a clandestine international organization, but now that they're sixty years old, four women friends can't just retire ― it's kill or be killed in this action-packed thriller by the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.

When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they've been marked for death.

Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They're about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman―and a killer―of a certain age.

By the same author: A Murderous Relation, A Dangerous Collaboration, A Treacherous Curse, A Perilous Undertaking, A Curious Beginning, Night of a Thousand Stars, Bonfire Night, Twelfth Night, City of Jasmine, Whisper of Jasmine, Midsummer Night; A Spear of Summer Grass, Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, The Dead Travel Fast

This is a book with cover font in a primary color (#41) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

I've picked this as the first book in The 52 Book Club's Connections Challenge.

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot.

Monday, June 2

May Bookshelf Review

As usual I had high hopes for what I was going to read during the month, but my expectations were also realistic. I picked up a review book that had a deadline, which meant spending a little less time on the books that did not have a deadline.

May's Books Completed and Reviewed

Black Fog by KT McWilliams - Elizabeth Bowmar is a midwife in training in this story set in London in the 1600s. Elizabeth is one of the last to see Master Prowler alive, when she confronted him to pay properly for his wife's care during a difficult delivery. With the help of some trusted friends, Elizabeth sets out to find out who murdered him before she is the one taken up and accused. (Read my review HERE)

The Wedding Gift by Connilyn Cossette - This novella is a prequel to the King's Men series and introduces Shalem and his older cousins when they are young boys. (Read my review HERE)

During May I started reading:

The Blind Scribe by Connilyn Cossette - I figured I should keep going and read this novella that follows The Wedding Gift.

Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - This classic is the pick for an online book club I participate in sometimes, and since I like Montgomery and haven't even heard of this one, I challenged myself to get it read in time for the discussion.

Where My Books Took Me in May . . . Here's where I've traveled through the pages during the month, along with One Word to sum up the ones I finished.

Black Fog is set in London, England.

One Word: Suspicion

The Wedding Gift is set in ancient Israel.

One Word: Curiosity

Killers of a Certain Age begins on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, moves to New Orleans, then to the UK, and then to Paris, before returning to the UK. Plus flashback scenes in the USA, UK, and Zanzibar.

One Word: Ruthless

The Blind Scribe is also set in ancient Israel.

Jane of Lantern Hill has started out in Toronto, Canada.

Coming Up in June!

I just moved Jane of Lantern Hill to "currently reading" status, but I still have Before Beauty in the queue, and wanted to move it up. I just received an invite to another review that I might take on ahead of it though. Pretty sure Murder Most Fair needs to be the next physical book I read, since I'm behind on that series!

Before Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Brittany Fichter

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber

On my blogs recently . . .

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

What I'm Reading - May 16, 2025

On Homeschool Coffee Break:

Victoria Day

And on A Fresh Cup of Coffee:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Everyday Images posts

Hodgepodge and other Q&A Link-up posts

Share Four Somethings - May 2025