Recent Reads - A Christmas Charade

A Christmas Charade by Karla Hocker - I found this book on my Kindle while hunting for something with a holiday theme and it obviously fit the bill! The story takes place at Stenton Castle, which has been standing empty for some years since a tragic fire. Clive Rowland, Duke of Stenton has decided to refurbish the castle and host a Christmas house party, but it's a cover to give him an excuse to investigate probable spy activity along the nearby Sussex coast.

Elizabeth Gore-Langton is a somewhat reluctant guest, having come as the paid companion to Lady Astley. A decade earlier, Elizabeth had been enamored of Clive during her first season, and is uncomfortable wondering if and how he'll remember her. 

It's pretty clear that a second chance romance will likely develop between these two, but there is a whole cast of supporting characters with their own storylines, including Lady Astley's son and his wife who are navigating issues in the marriage since his return from war. There are little subplots going on among the other extended family members and close friends at this house party as well. And while all these personal interactions are playing out, Clive is still trying to find out if spies are using the nearby coastline.

An important supporting character is Annie Tuck, the castle's ghost! Annie has her own agenda, now that there are people at the castle again, and to everyone's surprise, she can also contribute to the romances, dramas, and subterfuges. Annie becomes gradually more tangible to the people in the castle, and her part is probably the most entertaining part of the story.

While this was an enjoyable light read, I felt that it was very busy with all the little subplots, and everything about the spy activity and investigation seemed contrived and flimsy. There was an action scene that was confusing and improbable, both in the action itself and the characters' reactions and motivations.

From the publisher:

A charming Yuletide romance painted with gorgeous Regency detail.

Elizabeth Gore-Langton was hardly in a position to refuse accompanying Lady Astley to the Christmas party at Stenton Castle. After all, a paid companion must follow her employer's wishes. It scarcely mattered that Elizabeth would be forced to face the man who had unknowingly broken her heart years ago during her first season. Most likely, the Duke of Stenton wouldn't even recognize her. But once she looked up into his dark, piercing eyes, she knew this was a man who fogot very little and forgave even less. Well, she was no longer a blushing schoolgirl, and the dashing duke would soon find that a broken heart, once mended, could be formidable indeed!

Clive Rowland, Fifth Duke of Stenton, was in no mood for a holiday gathering. But the Christmas gala would provide the perfect cover as he investigated reports that French agents were doing a brisk trade in stolen documents along the Sussex coast. It would be devilishly difficult to play the host while tracking down traitors, but Clive was up to the task―provided he kept his wits about him and didn't get distracted by yule logs and Christmas folderol . . . or the delightful charms of the disturbingly familiar Elizabeth. She was hiding something, to be sure, and Clive liked nothing better than unveiling a lady's secrets!

This is a book with a time frame of a week or less (#32) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024

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Recent Reads - A Louisiana Christmas To Remember

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A Louisiana Christmas To Remember - a novella collection by Morgan Tarpley Smith, Betsy St. Amant, and Lenora Worth - This sweet trilogy of novellas is like a Hallmark Christmas movie weekend in print! The stories center around a family of women in Moreau, a fictional small town in Louisiana as they come together to plan some very special holiday events. Each one finds love and a renewed connection to their town and to each other, and their faith plays a big role as well.

A Louisiana Snow gets things started with Mattie who is one of the key planners for a holiday marketplace that will also be a fundraiser for some important restoration work that needs done as the town is recovering after hurricane damage. On her team is Paul, a school friend that she saw as a rival. As they are forced to work together, Mattie learns to let go of her need for control as she gets to know Paul again and their friendship is rekindled. Mattie plans to have a mural painted and revealed for the marketplace but the artist is injured . . . 

Enter Mattie's cousin Jolene, who just happens to be an artist! Jolene has been away from Moreau for years and has a reputation for being flighty and unreliable, but when she comes home for the holidays, Mattie is able to talk her into taking over the mural project in the second novella, Restoring Christmas. Jolene reluctantly takes on the project under the supervision of Cameron, and they get off to a very rocky and combative start. They establish a truce, and Jolene's attempts to find inspiration for the art help her work through her guilt and fears. And the truce becomes a romance as Cameron sees Jolene for who she is and wins her trust. 

With the marketplace and the mural project looked after, the attention turns to the holiday ball and the third story picks up the thread. A Christmas Reunion focuses on Jolene's mother, Adale, a beautiful widow whose contribution to Moreau's holidays is planning the ball. She's caught completely off guard by the architect that has come to oversee the restoration work on the chapel, and who has been placed on her planning committee. Remy is not just any architect - he is the boy who stood her up in Paris when she was sixteen years old. And she suspects that her own mother, Eloise, had a hand in bringing Remy to Moreau. While Remy has never forgotten Adale and wants to make amends and earn a second chance with her, Adale is reluctant and fearful of being hurt again. It's only when she finally learns the truth about why Remy never met her that last day in Paris that she is able to fully forgive and allow herself to accept the second chance for happiness with him.

Despite being by three different authors, the stories are well coordinated and follow chronologically. Eloise, or Granny as Jolene and Mattie call her, is the matriarch of the family, and her presence in each story helps tie them all together as well. The characters and storylines work together so well that there's not a jarring change in style when a new author takes over. The viewpoint characters simply change, and this does allow a little bit more character development than most novellas have time for, since the four women appear in each story, even though they may be more in the background. 

Charming, heart-warming, light holiday reading with sweet romances and small town characters.

From the Publisher:

A Rare Snowfall Leads to a Christmas to Remember

Three heartwarming, interconnected stories of faith, love, and restoration, brought to you by three Louisiana-native authors. Will a rare snowy Louisiana Christmas bring restoration and hope to the hometown and hearts of three women from the town's founding family?

In A Louisiana Snow by Morgan Tarpley Smith, meet Mattie: A passionate visionary who learns to forgive and finds love in unexpected places . . . 

In Restoring Christmas by Betsy St. Amant, meet Jolene: An artist and prodigal daughter who discovers love exists in the very place she once called home . . . 

In A Christmas Reunion by Lenora Worth, meet Adale: A beautiful widow who finally dares to love again . . .

And don't forget Granny, whose feisty spirit, blunt dialogue, and quirky ways play an important and endearing role.

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

#ALouisianaChristmastoRemember #NetGalley

This is a book with a contemporary setting (#44) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge. Because it's three stories, I'm also counting Restoring Christmas as an enemies-to-lovers plot (#38) for the challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

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Scripture and a Snapshot - For All Nations (Epiphany)

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel."

~Luke 2:25-32~

Today is Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas, and the day chosen to remember the visit of the Magi. The word Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means "manifestation". While the date chosen is arbitrary, the meaning is significant. The Magi were from the East, and although we don't know for certain where they came from, we can be fairly sure that they were Gentiles (not Jewish), traveled a long distance and that they recognized Jesus as a very important king. They recognized that he was the King of the Jews, but they worshiped him and gave him costly gifts even though they were not Jews. You see, even though the Jews had been watching and waiting for the coming Messiah for generations, the prophecy had always been that the Messiah would be for all people, all nations. He is not just the King of the Jews, he is the King of Kings. A Saviour not just for Israel, but for all nations.

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

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Scripture and a Snapshot - What Great Love

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~

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

~I John 3:1-2~

Happy New Year!

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Scripture and a Snapshot - He Shall Be Their Peace (Christmas Eve)

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.

~Micah 5:2-5a~

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

~Hebrews 13:20-21~

Amen. Praying that you will know this wonderful peace as you worship the Prince of Peace and celebrate his coming.

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Love Each Other (Advent: 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"). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

~Matthew 1:18-25~

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."

~John 15:4-5, 9-17~

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Let Us Rejoice (Advent: Joy)

LORD, you are my God:

I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness

you have done wonderful things,

things planned long ago.

He will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears

from all faces;

he will remove his people's disgrace

from all the earth.

The LORD has spoken.

In that day they will say,

"Surely this is our God;

we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the LORD. we trusted in him;

let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."

~Isaiah 25:1, 8-9~

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. . . The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

~Luke 2:8-20~

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Scripture and a Snapshot - He Himself Is Our Peace (Advent: Peace)

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

~Isaiah 9:6-7~

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

~Ephesians 2:13-18~

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Just As He Promised (Advent: Hope)

Send me your light and your faithful care,

let them lead me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,

my Saviour and my God.

~Psalm 43:3, 5~

And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me -

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but as sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors."

~Luke 1:46-55~

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Recent Reads - The End of The Magi

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The End of the Magi by Patrick W. Carr - This novel follows the epic journey of a young magi acolyte as he flees the city where his father was murdered, joins a merchant caravan, and eventually makes his way to Bethlehem following a star that not everyone can see.

The prophet Daniel called on a select group of magi to keep a calendar counting down the days until the arrival of a king promised to Israel. For generations, these few magi counted the days faithfully, until a Parthian queen ordered the magi slaughtered. Myrad's adoptive father was one of this select group, and he had been bringing Myrad up as a magus as well. Despite being lame, Myrad is able to escape the city with his father's important documents, including the calendar. He had also received a dream that directed him to a special star appearing in the sky, and Myrad's journey is a combination of survival, desperation, and a determination to follow the star and keep the calendar.

Myrad's insight and gift for negotiation earns the respect of a wealthy merchant, and a place traveling with the merchant's caravan. They must navigate clever trade agreements, war and intrigue, enemies, and much more as their travels take them through the Parthian and Roman Empires and into Judea. As a few other magi join their numbers, Myrad learns more about the ancient prophecies about a Messiah king for Israel, and the magi all consider whether the calendar and star are pointing to that Messiah and how a baby born to a peasant couple could possibly be the promised one.

This historical fiction gives a fresh perspective and possible explanations of the background of the 'wise men from the east' that visited the baby Jesus. It would make a good read for young people, in my opinion. A lot happens to Myrad along the way, the storyline is straightforward and uncluttered.

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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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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~

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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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Advent Scripture and a Snapshot - Rejoice!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

~Luke 2:8-11~

   Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

~Philippians 4:4-5~

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Advent Scripture and a Snapshot - The Path of Peace

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

~Isaiah 9:6-7~

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for he has visited and redeemed his people,

 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David,

as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

that we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us;

to show the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant,

the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

might serve him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

to go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

to give his people the knowledge of salvation 

through the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

to shine on those living in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace.

~Luke 1:68-79~

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