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.

©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/ 

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Recent Reads - The Wendy

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The Wendy by Erin Michelle Sky and Steven Brown - In this reimagined version of the tale of Peter Pan, Wendy Darling is the adventurous protagonist, and many of the familiar characters from the classic make appearances in slightly different - yet recognizable - roles.

Wendy is an orphan in London in 1789, and more than anything else she wants to be a ship's captain. Despite her intelligence, determination, and aptitude for science and swordplay alike, she is ridiculed by her peers and dismissed as a silly girl. She is fortunate enough to find a seasoned sailor who is willing to teach her and prepare her for the Navy, but when the time and opportunity comes she doesn't win a posting in the Navy after all. She is recruited for a secret mission and finds herself at a lonely post in Dover studying and watching for any sign of the greatest threat to England - magic! Magic in the form of the "everlost" beings who are kidnapping children from the streets of London.

With the help of new friends Michael and John, and the faithful dog Nana, Wendy does indeed sniff out the arrival of magical forces in Dover, and confronts the everlost. Surprisingly, the leader of the everlost, who calls himself Peter Pan, seems willing to negotiate with Wendy and even wants to win her favor. When Wendy submits her report to the Home Office, she is summoned to meet with the formidable Captain Hook and hopes she can impress him with her military skills and earn a spot on the crew of his ship in order to continue the hunt for the everlost.

Unfortunately for Wendy, Hook is arrogant and erratic, and wants only to destroy Peter Pan and his kind. He doesn't listen to Wendy, and tries to keep her safely imprisoned at his country estate, believing that she will eventually give him more information about Pan's whereabouts.

This very well-written retelling does an excellent job of making Wendy the hero of the story, and although written for a modern Young Adult audience, the style seems like it could have been written alongside J.M. Barrie's work. The presence of magical elements such as fairies and flying ships and the everlost boys that cannot be killed puts this firmly in fantasy territory, yet the historical research was thorough enough that the story has a historical setting feel. There are hints of romantic feelings, and all the main characters are young adults, with all the young men wanting Wendy's attention in some way, but Wendy is focused on her mission and quite innocent of how they are attracted to her. In a sense, this story is Wendy's coming-of-age tale, with a conclusion that is satisfying while also leading inevitably to the sequel.

This is a book about secrets (#11) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

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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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Recent Reads - Mrs Witherspoon Goes To War

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Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis - Peggy Witherspoon aspired to be a pilot from an early age, and her flying experience made her a valuable member of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) after her pilot husband was killed during WWII. Her courage and leadership have earned her the respect of her fellow WASPs, but many of the male soldiers don't feel that women should be pilots at all.

Major Howie Berg is the officer newly appointed to supervise the WASPs at Bolling Field in Washington DC, and he is impressed by the skill and dedication of the women pilots - especially Peggy - but he has to work hard to overcome his instinct to protect the women. It doesn't take long for him to learn that these ladies are as brave and tough as any soldiers.

While on a routine cargo flight to Cuba, Peggy overhears information about American soldiers being held captive on the island. She passes the intelligence along, but when no official rescue effort is planned, Peggy and two fellow WASPs start planning their own daring rescue mission. Until Major Berg discovers what they are doing. Will he put a stop to the plan? Will Peggy go against orders to fly to Cuba anyway?

I don't generally think of the WWII setting as one I enjoy reading about, but a story about the WASPs caught my attention. I was very interested in the historical details inserted into the story, although the rescue mission seemed farfetched and not really believable. Peggy's duties were more wide-ranging than most of the individual women pilots, but it did show the broad range of skills and talents these ladies brought to the war effort. The little glimpses of everyday life and the budding romantic interest between Peggy and Howie kept the story warm and human. Both Peggy and Howie had to come to terms with their own losses and fears before they could consider getting involved in a relationship. 

From the publisher:

A WASP Goes Above the Call of Duty to Free Captive American Soldiers

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes - the heroines of WWII.

Peggy Witherspoon, a widow, mother, and pilot flying for the Women's Airforce Service in 1944 clashes with her new reporting officer. Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg was injured in combat and is now stationed at Bolling Field in Washington D.C. Most of Peggy's jobs are safe, predictable, and she can be home each night with her three daughters - until a cargo run to Cuba alerts her to American soldiers being held captive there, despite Cuba being an "ally." Will Peggy go against orders to help the men - even risk her own life?

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.

©2008-2022 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 Hobbit

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The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Well, who isn't familiar with the classic story of Bilbo Baggins and how the wizard Gandalf got him to join a company of dwarves on an epic adventure to win back the dwarves' gold? It's a story that most students know, thanks to the movie, but it turns out not many students have read the book. This was the novel our high school literature class read to end the year, and it's a perfect choice to illustrate the Hero's Journey plot.

We meet the hobbit, Bilbo, in his comfortable home - a hobbit-hole - and his quiet, comfortable life. Until Gandalf the wizard selects Bilbo as the burglar needed to accompany Thorin Oakenshield and the dwarves on a mission to The Lonely Mountain to reclaim their gold from the dragon Smaug. No wonder Bilbo initially refuses the Call to Adventure! Of course he does go on this Hero's Journey after all, with Gandalf as the mentor and the dwarves as traveling companions.

They soon encounter hardships - trolls and goblins, dark and dangerous caves, and mysterious forests. Bilbo matches wits with the creature Gollum and gains a reward - a magic ring that turns the wearer invisible. This ring proves invaluable when the dwarves are captured by the wood-elves, as Bilbo's luck and cleverness combine to keep him from being captured. He is able to free his friends and they continue their journey to the Lonely Mountain. 

Bilbo faces the dragon Smaug and manages to do some burgling, but when Thorin sees the treasure, he is soon overcome by the dragon-sickness which puts the entire company in danger once again. Smaug takes out his anger on the village of Lake Town, but is killed by one of the men. The men of Lake Town and the wood-elves come up to the mountain to claim what they think is their fair share of the dragon's hoard, and Thorin's greed leads to a tense standoff before Bilbo once again saves the day.

In addition to the Hero's Journey elements to the plot, The Hobbit also provided excellent examples of motifs, figurative language, and an empathetic lead in Bilbo himself. An entertaining and exciting classic that appeals to all ages, and never disappoints.

I read this novel and studied it along with students in my high school literature co-op class. We learned about the hero's journey plot and how Bilbo's adventures followed that pattern. We also discussed Tolkien's use of elements reminiscent of epic tales. 

Our discussion and study was guided by the textbook Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis from Writing with Sharon Watson.

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Recent Reads - Redemption at the Eleventh Hour

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Redemption at the Eleventh Hour by Andrew Crown - Dismas can't seem to catch a break. He's had a hard time as little more than slave laborer for an olive grower, and finally steals some money and a horse and runs away. While avoiding capture, he stumbles into a fishing village and meets Leah and her father Asher. Asher takes him on as a hired hand and once Dismas adjusts to his new life, he finds it quite peaceful and satisfying. And he is falling in love with Leah too. When Leah becomes deathly ill, Dismas makes the trip to find Jesus - a man who is said to be capable of miracles - and is amazed when Jesus speaks words of healing.

Dismas attacks a Roman centurion to protect Leah and her father and as a result he is a fugitive again. This time he runs to Jerusalem in hopes of finding his brother and avoiding any Roman soldiers that might recognize him. He arrives in the great city just before Passover, and meets Jesus once again. As the world-changing events of that Passover week unfold, Dismas finds himself at Jesus' side right to the end.

Well written and compelling, the story brings perspective to a historical figure mentioned but not named in the Bible. The story telling is simple and straightforward, with enough action to keep it moving and enough character development to make it relatable. As with most historical novels, the outcome is already known, but the details in getting there creates the tension. Most readers will guess what final role Dismas plays early on, but the twists and turns along the way are not as predictable. I did not expect a fairy tale style happy ending, of course, but found that the wrap-up and final chapters balanced the inevitable tragedy with comfort and hope so that the closing was satisfying even in its realism.

From the publisher:

Living off thievery and evading the Roman authorities, Dismas is a man who looks out only for himself. But when a sudden misfortune leaves him stranded in a small village on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Dismas has an opportunity to leave his fugitive existence behind. As a hired hand on a fishing boat, Dismas finds pleasure in work for time, and peace out on the sea. It's an honest life -- and he may have even found a woman to share it with. 

But then tragedy strikes, and Dismas sets out on the road again to seek a man he's been told is capable of miracles. However, being touched by the divine grace of this man cannot save Dismas from the Roman authorities if they finally catch up with him for his past misdeeds. As Passover approaches, Romans and Jews alike converge on the chaotic city of Jerusalem, where Dismas navigates trials of persecution, conspiracy, and murder that ultimately lead him to be an eyewitness to the most pivotal moment in human history. 

With vividly imagined depictions of familiar events from the New Testament, Redemption at the Eleventh Hour is the exciting and heart-wrenching tale of one man's difficult journey towards salvation.

This is a debut novel (as far as I know!) for the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge.

©2008-2020 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 - Britfield & the Lost Crown

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Britfield & the Lost Crown by C.R. Stewart - This novel is targeted to middle school readers but has quite broad appeal. It features Tom and Sarah, two of the fifty-six children living and working in an orphanage called Weatherly. The orphans have a very hard life, because the owners and staff of the orphanage are cruel and selfish. But the orphans have developed strong and loyal friendships with each other, so when Tom and Sarah face some especially harsh punishment and decide to try escaping the grounds, the others are glad to help. Mr Grevious (the owner) taunted Tom with information that his parents may still be alive, and while skeptical, Tom believes he needs to take the chance and see if he can find out the truth. The only piece of information he has is a word another orphan was able to copy from Tom's files: Britfield. What does it mean?

Tom and Sarah manage to get out of Weatherly, but the Greviouses have hired the renowned Detective Gowerstone to track them down. So begins an epic chase across England, with Tom and Sarah making a desperate bid for freedom in a hot air balloon, with several very narrow escapes. They crash land at Oxford, where they find a friend and ally in Professor Hainsworth, who accompanies them as they elude Gowerstone and head for London. Another unplanned stop takes them to Windsor Castle, but Gowerstone's forces and local law enforcement soon close them in there as well, and they must make another daring escape.

 Their arrival in London means yet another crash landing, this time in Richmond. And with Gowerstone's men and so many other policemen in close pursuit, it feels like their luck may soon run out. Next stop is King's College, where Hainsworth believes a friend can help them get to the bottom of the Britfield mystery. The chase then continues into the heart of London, and finally to Canterbury while Tom puts together the pieces of information gathered to try and discover the truth about his past.

Will they continue to stay ahead of the people pursuing them and find safety? Will they be able to send help for the orphans still at Weatherly? What does Tom find out about his background and his family? There is a happy ending to this book, but it's also a bit of a cliffhanger because there are four more novels still to come in the series!

Britfield & the Lost Crown is an exciting blend of history and imagination, fantasy and facts. I enjoyed it, my 18-year-old daughter started it and was also quickly drawn in. It has something for everyone, with positive family-friendly themes and honorable protagonists. 

You'll find more details about this book and its author in my original review post at Homeschool Coffee Break. You may also visit the publisher's website:  (there's a free Study Guide as well); and the author's website: www.Britfield.com. Also check out some of the following links:

KUSI Book Tour Interview
Another KUSI Book Tour Interview
Community Focus Interview
San Diego Union-Tribune: Sunday Editon
Bridge City News Interview
Britfield School Tour
Britfield Book Trailer
Britfield on Facebook

This is a book I chose for the cover for the 2019 Modern Mrs Darcy Reading Challenge.

©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 - The Last Book In The Universe

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The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick - This post-apocalyptic novel is assigned reading for the high school creative writing class I'm teaching at our homeschool co-op, so obviously I needed to read it if I'm to guide discussion about it. It's targeted for a younger teen audience, around middle school age, and was chosen to go along with the high school level writing course because its easy readability makes it a generally quick read for older students who are then able to focus on the story-telling aspects and learn from it.

So here's what happens in the fast-paced story. The protagonist is a teenager who has become known as Spaz, thanks to his epilepsy. His disability got him banished from his foster family and the 'latch' (a neighborhood run by a gang) he'd been brought up in, and he's an outsider even among outsiders. It turns out that there's some good news to having epilepsy though - he was never able to use mind-probes, which is the addictive and brain-draining method most people in the latches are getting entertainment and information. Spaz meets an old man named Ryter who takes an interest in him, and eventually accompanies Spaz on his quest to reach his ill foster sister.

Spaz and Ryter must cross forbidden latches, travel through no-mans land areas, and face all kinds of dangers. Along the way, Ryter continuously talks to Spaz about the importance of books and writing, which are almost completely unknown in this future world. They even wind up rescuing a 'proov' (genetically improved people who live in Eden, which is completely off limits to 'normals') and then try to enlist her help in getting to Spaz's sister.

I read this book in a couple of hours as we drove home from vacation, and I look forward to being able to discuss it in class with my students. It's a great quest and adventure story with interesting characters and a theme perfect for a writing or literature group to discuss.

This book is a Book Under 250 pages for the Full House Reading Challenge 2018 hosted by The Book Date; and a book you can read in a day for the 2018 Reading Challenge at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

©2008-2018 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 - India Black

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India Black (A Madam of Espionage Mystery) by Carol K. Carr - I'm so glad I finally read this book that has been on my TBR for so long! It was a highly entertaining mystery and spy story with great characters. The tale is narrated by the enterprising India Black herself, and she opens her story by stating in no uncertain terms that she is a whore, but that the story she tells in the following pages will not be a salacious account of what goes on in the brothel she owns, but a narrative of how she managed to get mixed up in espionage and intrigue.

Sir Latham from the War Office has a heart attack and dies while in her establishment, and India quickly comes up with a plan to remove the body to be found somewhere else in hopes of keeping attention away from her business. Unfortunately, her activities are observed by an enigmatic British spy known only as French, and when the case of government documents Sir Latham had with him goes missing, French and the British government put pressure on India to help them steal the documents back. From the Russians. Which involves some pretty creative work on the part of India and some of her business associates. The enterprise is not entirely successful, but having played her part, India could wash her hands of the entire affair, but her pride and sense of adventure goad her into continuing the quest to obtain those papers.

India's narrative takes the reader along on the thrilling chase through the backstreets of London to the government offices and embassies; and then on a cross-country race to Dover in hopes of catching the Russians before they make the crossing to France. The uneasy partnership between India and French is tested several times, and more than once they must rely on the dirty young street urchin that is oddly loyal to both of them.

Although there are no graphic details, India makes no apology for her line of business and what goes on her brothel, and must make use of her particular knowledge and background in the attempts to thwart the foreign spies. The narrative does make clear reference to the activities of the brothel and its inhabitants throughout, so I don't recommend this book to anyone who would be offended or bothered by these types of descriptions and slightly coarse language, or by a general lack of modesty or morality.

©2008-2017 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/

Recent Reads - Here, There Be Dragons

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Here, There Be Dragons (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica) by James A. Owen - I saw this YA fantasy recommended by a fellow blogger and her review inspired me to hunt it up at my library and give it a try. I was also hoping my daughter would read it, but she is too busy with other things these days, but perhaps in the summer. Anyway, the book opens with three young men - John, Jack, and Charles - meeting under the strange circumstances of an Oxford professor's death. The professor had been tutoring John in ancient languages and there was something extremely odd about his murder. The three soon meet a strange little man called Bert that tells them they are now the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica, which is an atlas of all the lands of myth and legend, and they soon find themselves on Bert's dragonship leaving World War London and traveling to the Archipelago of Dreams.

It appears the mysterious Winter King has been conquering parts of the archipelago and the lands he has taken have become Shadow-lands. His goal is to claim the Silver Throne and control the entire archipelago, and this is what the Caretakers must stop. The three companions, along with Bert and his daughter Aven, and a young knight-in-training, must work together to overcome challenges and deceptions and their own fears and doubts in order to save the lands of the Imaginarium. 

Many of the characters they meet and their adventures may seem familiar to readers, and give clues to the twist at the end, which I will not give away!

©2008-2017 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/

Recent Reads - The Reckoning

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The Reckoning (Legacy of the King's Pirates) (Volume 5) by MaryLu Tyndall - I am a sucker for a good pirate novel, and Tyndall delivers consistently with fantastic adventures filled with swashbuckling pirate heroes and a romantic storyline. This particular story is a little different from the previous tales in the King's Pirate series, because it is not set entirely in the 17th century when pirates ruled the seas, but combines a period pirate tale with a modern time traveler as the heroine.

Morgan Shaw considers herself a bit of a nerd and a definite rule-follower. She has OCD and anxiety, and now on top of that, she recently found out she has cancer. Her mother is a nervous wreck, and her father is distant and solves problems by throwing money at them, so Morgan expects little support from them. Her boyfriend breaks up with her when she tells him about the cancer, and so to avoid running into him again at the tall ships festival they are attending, she ducks into a small room on the replica pirate ship. But moments later, her surroundings have changed dramatically - she's still on a pirate ship, but now everyone is in period costume and acting like they are on the set of a pirate movie. Which makes sense if Morgan's father has orchestrated some grand adventure to take Morgan's mind off her cancer - and she is convinced that is what's happened. The pirate captain must be an actor paid by her father to romance her, right? Yet, she finds that she trusts him and feels safe with him.

Rowan Dutton has been successful as a pirate, but craves one big prize - big enough to repay his sister what he owes and to make up for his past mistakes and neglect of her. To his surprise, a young woman in very strange clothes and with even stranger speech mysteriously appears on his ship and interrupts some of his plans. He and the crew are convinced the young woman is completely mad, and yet Rowan goes out of his way to protect her and rescue her from several dangerous predicaments. He's determined to get her safely to Charles Town and then be done with her, but as time goes on, he realizes that she won't be safe there either. Despite her odd behavior and her claims of being afraid, he sees great courage in her and is drawn to her.

Eventually Morgan does realize the unlikely truth that she has somehow traveled back in time, but through all the adventures she's shared with Rowan and a few godly people who genuinely care for her and demonstrate real faith, does she really want to go back? Would she go back if she had the opportunity, or would she rather stay with a man she's come to love?

This one had even more fantasy and belief-suspending moments thanks to the time-travel aspect, but the conflict and tension created by a modern woman being dumped into a 17th century pirate ship was entertaining. The ending took a bit of a twist, and held a couple of surprises for me before twisting back more in the direction that I was hoping for. No spoilers here, so you'll need to read it if you want to know how it ends!

By the same author: Charity's Cross, Tears of the Sea, Elusive Hope, The Ransom, Forsaken Dreams, Veil of Pearls, Surrender the Dawn, Surrender the Night, Surrender the Heart, The Falcon and the Sparrow, Charles Towne Belle Series (The Red Siren, The Blue Enchantress, The Raven Saint), The Legacy of the King's Pirates series (The Redemption, The Reliance, The Restitution)

©2008-2016 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/

Recent Reads - Charity's Cross

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Charity's Cross (Charles Towne Belles) (Volume 4) by MaryLu Tyndall - It's been quite some time since I read the first three novels in the Charles Towne Belle Series, so it was with some surprise that I noticed Tyndall had written a fourth novel for the series. This one follows the story of the oldest of the Westcott sister, Charity. She had married the wealthy Lord Villemont and remained in England when the rest of her family moved to Charles Towne in the Americas. Unfortunately for Charity, her husband was cruel and abusive, and the story opens with Lord Villemont's shooting death and Charity's panicked flight from England as she realizes she will be accused of murder.

Charity manages to get to the Caribbean and there meets the enigmatic Elias Dutton, a pirate turned preacher. Elias is intrigued by this brave yet secretive woman, and rescues her from trouble over and over, even masquerading as her husband for awhile in order to secure her passage on a ship to Barbados as she seeks to escape her husband's brother, who is intent on returning her to England to stand trial.

Charity wrestles with guilt and fear, and believes she cannot trust any man. But she is learning that Elias is honorable and perhaps even trustworthy, and to her dismay she is developing feelings for him. She knows she can't stay with him and keep accepting his help and protection, and that he probably won't want anything to do with her if he discovers the truth about what she has done. Elias thinks he has found the pure and innocent woman he has been hoping for ever since his heart had been broken by a schemer a few years ago, but is unsure he can trust his own judgment. Especially when he finally discovers that Charity's secrets include a marriage, her pregnancy, and that she is a murderess.

Tyndall brings her signature interest in pirates and adventure stories to another set of larger than life characters in extraordinary circumstances, and even forges a connection between the Charles Towne Belle series characters and the King's Pirates series characters.

By the same author: Tears of the Sea, Elusive Hope, The Ransom, Forsaken Dreams, Veil of Pearls, Surrender the Dawn, Surrender the Night, Surrender the Heart, The Falcon and the Sparrow, Charles Towne Belle Series (The Red Siren, The Blue Enchantress, The Raven Saint), The Legacy of the King's Pirates series (The Redemption, The Reliance, The Restitution)

©2008-2016 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/

Recent Reads - The Fatal Tree

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The Fatal Tree (Bright Empires) by Stephen R Lawhead - I feel badly that it took me so long to finish this book. I admit that in part it was because this is the final book in the Bright Empires series and I kind of didn't want it to end! As I've come to expect from Lawhead, the story kept me turning pages and holding my breath as I followed the time travel adventures of Kit and his friends.

Quick recap from the previous books: Kit Livingstone and his girlfriend Mina, along with a growing cast of characters, have been learning as much as they can about ley line travel, which is essentially traveling into alternate timelines. Their own introduction to ley travel was accidental, but they are following in the footsteps of a master traveler, who mapped his own vast knowledge on his own torso using tattoos. Trying to beat them to the complete map is Lord Burleigh and his henchmen - clearly the bad guys! In the fourth novel, the questors included Kit and Mina, Cass and her father Tony, and Gianni; and they'd discovered that something was happening to time - something potentially disastrous that would end the universe.

All around the world, strange and inexplicable anomalies in time are resulting in disasters small and large. Unexplained mysteries to most, but the Questors recognize that these blips could mean cosmic disaster. When they figure out that the Well of Souls probably holds the key to stopping and reversing the damage, Kit helps them travel back to the prehistoric world of the River City Clan that he had lived with previously, since he had seen the Well of Souls from there. But the portal is completely blocked by a gigantic tree which seems to be part of the ley portal itself. Even worse, contact with the tree burns out their shadow lamps and even kills one of their members. How can they get to the Well of Souls with the fatal tree in the way?

While Kit, Mina, and the others are trying to solve this problem and navigate the increasingly unstable leys, Burleigh languishes in a medieval Prague prison, with Mina's friend Etzel caring for him. When Mina and the others finally find their way back to Prague, they are shocked to find Burleigh released from prison and working for Etzel - and claiming to have been converted and wanting to help them set things right! Can he be trusted? What choice do they have in their race against time?

By the same author: The Shadow Lamp, The Spirit Well; The Skin Map; Patrick; The Pendragon Cycle: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, Grail

©2008-2015 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/

Recent Reads - The Legend of the Firefish

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The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka - I first read the Trophy Chase Trilogy several years ago, and I enjoyed it just as much this time around - probably the third time I've read it. The story has elements of fantasy and adventure, and the characters include pirates, swordsmen, and a warrior with a thirst for revenge.

Packer Throme wants to help the people of his fishing village, and thinks he can do that by partnering with the notorious pirate Scat Wilkins in hunting the legendary firefish. Packer's father had passed along his theories about the firefish feeding grounds, and it's this information that Packer hopes to broker with Wilkins in order to more successfully hunt the dangerous fish. He stows away on Wilkins' ship, unleashing a series of events that put him and the crew in danger; and puts the life of his fiancee Panna Seline at risk as well.

Panna has a vivid dream in which Packer is in danger, so she tries to follow him, stumbling directly into the path of Talon, the Drammune warrior who has determined to take her revenge against Packer by killing Panna. She deceives Panna into an uneasy partnership, and the two of them head for the capital city.

Neither Packer nor Panna know for sure that the other is still alive, but they each set out on a mission to protect the other, knowing only that the dangers they face are real and deadly.

©2008-2015 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/

Recent Reads - The Princess Bride

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The Princess Bride by William Goldman - I assume that almost everyone has seen the movie The Princess Bride by now; and if you haven't, what is wrong with you and what rock have you been living under? It's a classic and it's my favorite movie. But I hadn't read the book, and decided I needed to remedy that recently. I read this hardcover version with illustrations by Michael Manomivibul, and it delivered on all the true love and high adventure as promised.

It opens with an Introduction by William Goldman for the 30th anniversary of the movie, and it's actually hilarious. He tells the story of how his father read him "S. Morgenstern's classic" when he was a kid recovering from pneumonia and how much he loved it. It's full of tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating humor, and sets up his print version of "just the good bits". Most of the story is very similar to the movie, with some extra background on the characters, and some extra scenes. Throughout the narrative, Goldman jumps in to interrupt with an anecdote or an explanation of what he's cut out of the original and why. The characters are slightly different too. Buttercup has far fewer brains in the book than in the movie, and Humperdinck is much more devious and evil. He is portrayed as a hunter of unparalleled skill in the book, while the movie character fancies himself a hunter but also is more obviously cowardly and a bit of a bumbler, and doesn't seem to know exactly what is going on in the Zoo of Death.

There is also an epilogue, Buttercup's Baby, which is also accompanied by Goldman's introduction and commentary on "S. Morgenstern". Much of it is just as funny and entertaining, but overall I felt like I wouldn't have missed much if I hadn't read it.

Lots of laughs and action, but don't freak out that it's not the exact same as the screenplay!

©2008-2015 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/

Teaser Tuesdays - February 24, 2015

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers!
• Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

"You see," Max explained as he pumped, "there's different kinds of dead: there's sort of dead, mostly dead, and all dead. This fella here, he's only sort of dead, which means there's still a memory inside, there's still bits of brain. You apply a little pressure here, a little more there, sometimes you get results."
~The Princess Bride by William Goldman, page 317

He had yet to see an unarmed genius outduel an idiot with a pistol. He'd rather stand with half a dozen fighters who could swing a sword and weren't smart enough to know the odds than two dozen Lund Landers who could make a clock out of chicken bones and clothespins.
~The Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka, page 158

©2008-2015 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/