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

©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.

Recent Reads - The Wedding Gift

The Wedding Gift by Connilyn Cossette - In this novella, we meet Shalem and his older cousins when they are young boys so it functions as a prequel for the King's Men series. Shay is included in many of the older boys' adventures, but longs to be truly counted as one of them. The families of Kiryat-Yearim are preparing for a relative's wedding, and the groom's delegation brings a curious box with them that holds a traditional wedding gift. 

The boys are all very curious about the box and the warriors guarding it, so when it goes missing, blame initially falls on them. Shalem, Avidan, Gavriel, and Zevi decide they will find out who took it and bring it back in order to clear up the suspicions.

It's a sweet story of family ties and a sort of coming-of-age story about Shalem. When the first book of The King's Men series begins, the cousins are young men and Shalem is an older boy, still trying to keep up with them, so this story sets the stage and fills in some of the background.

From the publisher:

Shalem cherishes visits with his family on the sacred mountain of Kiryat-Yearim, where the Ark of the Covenant has been hidden for many years. Although he and his cousins, Avidan and Gavriel, are not excited about attending a relative's wedding, they cannot wait to explore the woods together. Since Zevi, an older boy rescued by Shay's uncle Natan, came to live there a few months ago, the four boys have spent countless hours dreaming of being warriors one day and of defending Israel from the vicious enemies that surround her.

When a caravan of foreign wedding guests arrives on the mountain, carrying a mysterious box that ignites the boys' curiosity, they are determined to discover what lies inside. However, when the priceless box goes missing and the boys are blamed for its disappearance, they embark on a mission to find it and vindicate themselves.

"The Wedding Gift" serves as a prequel novella to the King's Men series, published by Bethany House Publishers. It unfolds a few months after the conclusion of "Between the Wild Branches" (Book Two of the Covenant House series) and before the Epilogue. The novella offers a window into the evolution of Shalem, Avidan, Gavriel, and Zevi's friendship, leading up to 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: 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 prequel (#11) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

Also counted as a "Seasonal Salad" for the May Mini-Challenge, due to its "leafy green cover"

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot, and at  the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2025 hosted by The Intrepid Reader and Baker.

#histficreadingchallenge

©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.

Recent Reads - Kingdom of Love

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

Kingdom of Love by Tracie Peterson - The three novellas in this collection read almost like fairy tales thanks to their medieval settings with lords and ladies, castles and knights, and the 'happily ever after' romances in each. 

In "A Kingdom Divided" Arianne and Richard agree to an arranged marriage in which she finds kindness and respect for the first time. She is very cautious about opening her heart to her new husband, but he is patient and gentle in winning her over. But it's only when an enemy puts them and everyone in the castle in danger that Arianne truly realizes how much she does love Richard. Initially it seems as though the conflict is resolved almost immediately, since Arianne's opposition to the match is reversed as soon as she realizes that she will probably be safer with Richard than with her abusive father. There are quite a few peaceful chapters with them getting acquainted before the real conflict with the invader begins. 

In "Alas, My Love" the main character Helena is also in an abusive home and refuses to submit to the plans her step-siblings try to force upon her. She escapes when they try to confine her to a convent and is taken in by Arianne and Richard when one of their tennants brings her to the castle. Helena has nursed the hope that a young man, Tanny, that she knew when she was a little girl would someday come back and rescue her, and that he is her true love. This is another fairy tale ending reconciliation story, and although I did find the idea that a woman would believe herself genuinely in love with a man she hadn't seen since she was nine years old, the story was one of hope and restoration and quite interesting.

The third story, "If Only" has an unrelated setting and characters, but is still set during the middle ages. The bubonic plague is ravaging England and Mary flees her home when her physician father is attacked by superstitious townsfolk because they believe he is doing the devil's work and has brought the plague upon them. As Mary treks towards York with a vague hope of finding the grandmother she has never met, she takes refuge at a monastery for a time and uses her knowledge of healing to help the monks there. Another traveler, Peter, is there as well, and they join forces for the rest of the journey, and take in several orphaned children along the way. This story was perhaps the most believable of the three in many ways.

The narration style also contributes to the fairy tale quality, because the viewpoint character switches often, with the narrator giving the thoughts, emotions, and reactions of multiple characters. Because the stories are novellas, the characters and conflicts are less developed than in full length novels. My understanding is that this collection is a re-release of Peterson's earlier writing, and I did feel like the writing style didn't have the same depth as other novels of hers that I've read. The stories were enjoyable and interesting, with sweet and clearn romances that would also be suitable for teen or young adult readers, in my opinion.

From the Publisher:

Kidnapping. . .Murder. . .Revenge.
If Only the Fortress Walls Could Talk!

From bestselling author Tracie Peterson come 3 unique historical novels, rereleased for old and new fans alike. Liberty and love--even life itself--are fragile commodities those living in medieval England. Will God's love and power triumph in the lives of these three courageous women? Find out in soul-searing historical novels of romance and suspense!

A Kingdom Divided
Raised in a home filled with violence, Arianne Pemberton experiences love and gentleness only after her arranged marriage to Richard, Duke of Gavenshire. But before she can feel confident both in Richard's love and in God's personal care for her, a mysterious enemy from Richard's Past over-powers the castle and takes Arianne hostage. Who is Tancred, and why is he set on revenge? What fuels the animosity between the two men? Exercising her new faith, Arianne risks her life to restore peace and unite a kingdom divided. 
 
Alas, My Love
England in the Middle Ages is far from a jolly place for an unprotected young woman. Yet the savagery of her stepbrother and the devious schemes of her stepsister have given golden-haired Helena Talbot little choice. She must find shelter elsewhere. Afforded protection by the magnanimouse Duke of Gavenshire, Helena nonetheless lives under an assumed name, ever fearful her whereabouts will be revealed to her stepbrother. Only one dream transports her above her worries, the desire that one day she will be reunited with brave Tancred. Years have passed since they were together and now an ocean and a king's decree keep them apart. But are those obstacles stronger than a woman's prayer for love? 
 
If Only
The year is 1349, the place, England. As the bubonic shadow spreads across the land, Mary Beckett finds herself alone and desperate. Her father, a physician who has been accused of consorting with the devil, has been murdered. Even her own interest in medicine has brought cries of witchcraft. Mary's only hope is to journey north to the home of her godly grandmother, a woman her father once rejected. Doctors and pilgrims will cross her path, and, last but not least, Peter Donne, a knight on a mission from the king. Hundreds will beg her to heal them. Will Mary Beckett, a lonely pilgrim herself, find a way to help her people and herself? If only she could reach her grandmother's home, if only she could find her own way to God. . . .

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

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

#KingdomofLove #NetGalley

By the same author: In Places Hidden

This is a book related to the word "murder" (#50) - because the murder of a main character's parents was the catalyst for events and conflicts in the first two stories - and a book with a character who is a refugee (#41) - because the main character in the third story is a refugee - for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - A Louisiana Christmas To Remember

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

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

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Bridges

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

Bridges by Linda Griffin - Neil, a middle-aged chauffeur, and Mary Claire, a blind college student, have little in common when they meet, but they both love books and Mary Claire finds Neil an ally in her grandfather's household. Mary Claire and Neil don't even share similar faith as he claims to be an atheist and she is a devout Catholic. She has been summoned from her college to be with her grandfather during his final hours.  Mary Claire's aunt, who has been running the grandfather's household, is rude and condescending and bullies Mary Claire, and Neil wants to protect her. Mary Claire appreciates that Neil always treats her with respect and recognizes that she is intelligent and capable.

When the grandfather's will is read, he leaves his mansion and most of his wealth to Mary Claire . . . with two provisions. She must allow Aunt Edna to live at the mansion, and she must marry within a year and stay married. If she does not, everything will go to the state. Mary Claire has no desire to be married, and has trouble standing up to her aunt, and frequently talks to Neil about her dilemma. When Aunt Edna insists on arranging a marriage to a man Mary Claire can't stand, she finally pushes back, refusing her aunt's choice, and instead she arranges a marriage of convenience to Neil so that Mary Claire can keep the house and continue to employ all the servants.

What neither of them expects is that they could learn to truly love each other. And if they act on that love, what will it mean for their friendship and for their other relationships?

While this short novel tells an intriguing and sweet May-December love story, the narration is spare and the relationship moves very quickly from respectful distance to trusted confidantes. The dialogue moves the story along effectively, but given that this is a shorter story I had a sense that the characters lacked some dimension. Neil is the viewpoint character and it's through his perspective that we see how Mary Claire matures, and how Neil grapples with his changing attitude towards her. He struggles with the idea that he could be romantically involved with a girl so much younger, but doesn't seem to give much thought to any other personal dilemmas. Aunt Edna's role is rather like a stereotypical wicked stepmother, and other supporting characters are little more than names on the page. Overall, I enjoyed this story as a quick read with a new twist on the marriage of convenience theme, and I liked that the ending was left somewhat open as to how Neil had come to terms with himself and his choices.

From the Publisher:

In 1963, Neil Vincent, a middle-aged World War II veteran and "Christian atheist," is working at Westfield Court as a chauffeur. He spends most of his spare time reading.

Mary Claire DeWinter is a young, blind, Catholic college student and reluctant heiress. To secure her inheritance, she has to marry within a year, and her aunt is pressuring her to marry a rich man who teased and bullied her when she was a child.

Neil and Mary Claire shouldn't even be friends, but the gulf between them is bridged by a shared love of books. Can they cross the bridge to more?

I received a digital copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book features an inheritance (#2) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2023

©2008-2023 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Price of a Rose

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

Price of a Rose by Byrd Nash - In this short and sweet fairytale retelling, three sisters are drawn into the magical world of the reclusive Sir Griffin and his odd household. Their father was caught trying to steal a rosebush from Sir Griffin's garden, and agreed to a card game to settle his debt. In the morning the young ladies discover that he lost one or all three of them - he's not sure - in a wager. The oldest, Lily, goes over to Thorn Hall immediately to negotiate and takes the position of housekeeper, while the middle sister, Rose, is determined to bring the gardens of Thorn Hall back to beauty. Eventually the youngest, Poppy, makes her way over as well, lured by the extensive library and her interest in magic.

The servants at Thorn Hall are a strange lot, but Lily takes them in hand. She finds rooms switch around at will, and at one point is trapped in one of the rooms by the magic. Rose finds the same magic at work in the gardens and grounds, but also notices that her beastly employer is becoming more human as time goes on. Just as they are all settling into a routine, one of the neighborhood gossips brings a young lady to visit, and this Miss Amaranth has clearly set her cap for Sir Griffin. She inserts herself into life at the estate time and again, to the annoyance of all. And Rose realizes her own jealousy, which Miss Amaranth taunts.

Of course the fairy magic will be undone eventually, and there will be a happy ever after, because it is a fairy tale!

This is a sweet and clean fantasy story, with a budding romance between Rose and Sir Griffin. The reason for the spell on the household is revealed a bit at a time, and the author cleverly weaves the magic into the story. Because it's a fairy tale and more of a novella, there is not much character development and it felt as though details were missing. Either the reader must assume that fairy magic and all its effects are common enough that the young ladies are not shocked, frightened, or disgusted by a half-beast lord of the manor, or the reactions are notably missing. Although the original attempted theft and card game introduce the characters and give a reason for the girls entering the household, Sir Griffin doesn't seem to realize they are there in payment of their father's debt and they are not captive in any way, nor does Sir Griffin behave in particularly beastly ways, so the premise seems a bit weak.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and found it well written, but it is definitely light reading with a very simple plot and no dramatic character arcs or intrigue.

From the publisher:

The Beast is about to be tamed by three determined ladies.

When their father loses a card game to the local recluse, his three daughters step in to determine their own fate. The oldest, Lily, rolls up her sleeves to take the strange household in hand even if the house keeps moving the rooms. The youngest, Poppy, devours his books on magic while playing secretary.

But it's Rose, the middle daughter, who works magic in his forgotten garden. She could be the key to unraveling his curse, if he can recognize what's real behind fairy magic.

A Victorian England, 1890, Beauty and Beast fairytale retelling like you've never read before.

A novella featuring a delightful, clean and sweet romance. Perfect for fans of historical romances who also like a fairytale fantasy with humor.

This short story ebook is a friendly read for teens and adult readers who love the grand period of the Late Victorian time period.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a an Author with X, Y, or Z in their name (#23) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

©2008-2022 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

Recent Reads - Lumberjacks and Ladies

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

Lumberjacks and Ladies (a novella collection) - A themed novella collection is a nice break from longer novels now and again, don't you agree? It's an introduction to authors I might not have read before, and the shorter stories are easier to get through in a short period of time. This particular set focuses on the lumber trades during the 1800s, from Maine to the Great Lakes region to the Rocky Mountains.

All That Glitters is set in 1851 Maine. Wini has taken responsibility for her family's lobstering trade because her father and brothers have gone in search of gold. A lumberjack named Jess happens to see her fall into the water and saves her from drowning. He also falls for her and as he's courting her the two of them try to find out what is really going on at the Electrolytic Marine Salts Company. 

In Winter Roses, Eliza Beth comes home to help her mother cook for a logging crew in Michigan, but she's determined to find a teaching job and get away from that life. She's also sure she does not want a relationship with a logger, because of the danger and uncertainty of that life, even if the new hire Wes is charming and kind, and even saves her life. 

Not for Love is set in Wisconsin. Maggie, a  young widow, hopes to find a husband from the logging camps where her late husband worked. She needs a man to help her work her farm so that she won't need to sell to speculators, so it's just a marriage of convenience. To her surprise, once Jack has settled in and they start working together, she may be open to love again after all.

In the final story, Undercover Logger, widow Carrie needs to get her inherited timberland to turn a profit again before the bank calls her loan. The banker's nephew, Michael, hires on as a clerk, and unbeknownst to Carrie, his assignment is to figure out why her business is losing money. Soon he realizes he has a rival for her affections as well. Can he help her hold on to the property so she can follow the dream she has for developing it?

The first story, All That Glitters, was my least favorite of the four, which was disheartening. I assumed that the crazy scheme of the marine salts company had to be based on a true story (it was), but overall the story didn't ring true with me. From the 'love at first sight' meeting of the two protagonists to the improbable amateur sleuthing they try to do, somehow it didn't draw me in. I enjoyed the other three stories, and I think the characters were more realistic and the love stories moved at a more believable pace. The sweet courtship of Winter Roses and the friendship turning to something more in Undercover Logger were paced well. Undercover Logger also had an improbable scheme going on, one that was not based on real events, but it seemed more believable for some reason! Not For Love was my favorite of the four, and ironically almost none of it involved logging! Maggie and Jack form a good working partnership which inevitably leads to trusting friendship and eventually a true marriage. The progression goes quickly, but because the story itself has a gentle pace, it feels measured and real.

From the publisher:

Lumberjacks and Ladies Work Together to Build America

Struggling to remain independent in the 1800s, four women reluctantly open up to help from lumberjacks - and love.

All That Glitters by Candice Sue Patterson

1851 - Maine

Winifred finds herself running the family lobstering business when her father and brothers join the California gold rush. Will she stubbornly reject help from a local lumberjack?

Winter Roses by Pegg Thomas

1865 - Michigan

Eliza Beth cooks for a logging crew, determined to escape that life for something better, until reoccurring gifts capture her attention. Will she follow her dreams - or her heart?

Not for Love by Naomi Musch

1881 - Wisconsin

Widowed, Maggie seeks a husband - in name only - from the logging camps, but the man who answers her letter is a surprise. Can she open her heart to love again?

Undercover Logger by Jennifer Lamont Leo

1890 - Idaho

Carrie will not sell her timberland and allows the banker's nephew to sign onto her logging crew to ferret out the reason she is losing money at an alarming rate. Will truth be revealed to her forlorn heart?

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.

This is an anthology (#44) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

©2008-2022 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - A Pressing Engagement

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

A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber - This novella originally came out after the fourth book in the Lady Darby series, and is a prequel to the fifth novel, As Death Draws Near. In it, Kiera (Lady Darby) is more stressed than delighted by the elaborate arrangements for her upcoming wedding to Sebastian Gage. Her sister Alana had envisioned a grand social affair, but Kiera objects to an event on such a scale and insists on an earlier wedding with much less fanfare. Alana is still coordinating all the plans, and Kiera feels the need for a distraction in order to keep her sanity!

A new project provides the distraction, when a cousin gives Kiera a last minute wedding gift - a gold torc that Kiera and Gage believe is the one they had been asked to locate during a previous investigation. To satisfy their curiosity, they trace the torc's history and try to make sure it winds up where its owner had intended. Their old nemesis Bonnie Brock also makes an appearance, asking them for a favor, and this provides another distraction.

As these little investigations come to a close, Kiera and Gage do make it to their wedding on time, and it's clear that while they are happily married, their investigative partnership will continue. This is a short and engaging read that invites fans to 'attend' the wedding and get some additional insights into the characters. 

(Check out the Lady Darby Read-Along group on Facebook if you're interested.)

By the same author: The Anatomist's Wife, Mortal Arts; A Grave Matter, A Study in Death, A Pressing Engagement  (from my first reading in 2016), This Side of Murder, As Death Draws Near, A Brush With Shadows. Treacherous Is The Night, An Artless Demise, Secrets in the Mist, Penny for Your Secrets, A Stroke of Malice, A Pretty Deceit

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Summer of Dreams

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

Summer of Dreams by Elizabeth Camden - When I read the novel From This Moment a few years ago, I somehow completely missed the fact that this prequel novella existed. Even reading the two stories 'out of order' was very rewarding, as I knew what would be happening a few years later and this provided some context and background.

Clyde Brixton is a cadet at West Point and a brilliant engineer, and he's made it that far on his intelligence and audacity. But thanks to his impulsive behavior, he has racked up a lot of demerits and needs to work some off if he hopes to graduate. He's offered an opportunity to work off some of those demerits by helping the general's daughter with a greenhouse project. Clyde expects a spoiled little girl, but instead finds Evelyn White is a beautiful young woman with a keen scientific mind. She and her cousin Romulus have created a fine greenhouse, but a couple of the advanced elements they want require Clyde's abilities.

While working together on hydraulics and electric generators, Clyde is drawn into their close friendship and eventually he courts Evelyn and they plan to marry after his graduation from West Point. But when Clyde takes an extended weekend without leave so he and Evelyn can help Romulus through a crisis, all their plans are threatened by the likelihood of more demerits or expulsion.

The loyal and sacrificial friendship between the three characters, and the commitment and partnership between Clyde and Evelyn form a moving background to the events of From This Moment, when the friendships and commitments will be tested anew.

By the same author: A Daring Venture, A Dangerous Legacy, Beyond All Dreams, To The Farthest Shores, Against the Tide, From This Moment, Until the Dawn, Into the Whirlwind

    

 ©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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - A Pressing Engagement

This post contains affiliate links. 

A Pressing Engagement (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber - This novella came out after the fourth book in the Lady Darby series, and is a prequel to the fifth novel which was recently released. However, since I hadn't pre-ordered the fifth novel, and my library hasn't acquired it yet, I decided I would wait awhile to read this. It was worth the wait!

Kiera (Lady Darby) has little interest in her wedding to Sebastian Gage being a grand social affair, but she has been trying to allow her sister to plan the occasion as she wishes. In the midst of the last minute preparations, a cousin arrives to present Kiera a wedding gift - a gold torc that she and Sebastian are sure is the same one that they had once been asked to locate. At the time they had declined to take the case, but now presented with the item, they trace its journey to them and make sure it ends up where its original owner had intended. Other minor investigations also provide some distraction for them amid the whirlwind of wedding preparations, but in the end of course the happy couple weds and the stage is set for the next mystery they will solve.

A short but engaging read that will satisfy the curiosity of Lady Darby's fans who want to know who attended the wedding (does Gage's father relent and make an appearance?), and like me, are still awaiting the next full-length novel, As Death Draws Near.

By the same author: The Anatomist's Wife, Mortal Arts, A Grave Matter, A Study in Death

©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 - Bonfire Night

*this post contains affiliate links*

Bonfire Night by Deanna Raybourn - It was rather bittersweet to read this Lady Julia Grey novella because it is the last one in the series. Julia and her husband, Nicholas Brisbane, receive the unexpected news that he has inherited a country house - but there's a bit of a catch. The family must be in residence from  All Hallow's Eve through Bonfire Night. Not having any recollection of the benefactor, they are skeptical, but since they need some time away from London they pack up and head for the country. From the moment they arrive, things seem a little odd, with the housekeeper and everyone in the village making a point of mentioning the local ghost stories. Brisbane and Julia, along with Plum (Julia's brother), and Portia (Julia's sister), are largely amused by the sometimes clumsy attempts of the locals to frighten and "haunt" them, at least until Julia's new maid goes missing and their curiosity over the motive behind all the theatrics turns to something more urgent.

The Lady Julia Grey Novellas (Silent Night, Midsummer Night, Twelfth Night, Bonfire Night) are best enjoyed if you have read the full length novels (Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Inquiry). As usual, Raybourn's delightfully eccentric characters deliver wry and witty dialogue in this short and rather cozy mystery. I enjoyed reading it, even as I mourned the fact that there will be no more Lady Julia Grey stories in the future. This is because Deanna Raybourn is with a new publisher, so there will be new characters and new series coming soon, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what is next!

By the same author: Twelfth Night, City of Jasmine, Whisper of Jasmine, Midsummer Night; A Spear of Summer Grass, Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, The Dead Travel Fast

©2008-2014 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 {Twelfth Night}

Twelfth Night by Deanna Raybourn - at last! Another Lady Julia Grey story! I'd missed her and her eccentric family so I was very excited to get this novella. In this one, the entire March family has gathered at Bellmont Abbey to perform the Twelfth Night Revels. A newborn baby is discovered in the stables - cradled in the steel helm that Brisbane is to wear for the part of St George! - and the local legend of a ghost living in a nearby abandoned cottage is revived. With a little help from precocious niece Perdita, Julia and Brisbane track down the mother that abandoned the baby and the source of the latest ghost story. And then are faced with a momentous decision that may change all the plans they've been making for their future.

Since it's a novella, the pace is quick and there aren't a lot of details about the rest of the March family. They are all present, but make only brief 'cameo' appearances. We do get a little introduction to Perdita that makes it sound as though she may be appearing in a future Lady Julia story; and we meet one of the characters from A Spear of Summer Grass as a child. I particularly enjoyed that little tie-in! Although the ending didn't come as a surprise to me, the identity of the baby's mother did. Another very enjoyable little cozy from Deanna Raybourn that whetted my appetite for whatever will come next.

By the same author: City of Jasmine, Whisper of Jasmine, Midsummer Night; A Spear of Summer Grass, Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, The Dead Travel Fast

(Book #24 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

Here's the thing: for the challenge, we are supposed to be listing books and not novellas, but really - I think the fact that this is just a novella is balanced by my having just read an 800+ page epic. Just saying. ;-)

©2008-2014 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 {Whisper of Jasmine}

Whisper of Jasmine by Deanna Raybourn - Despite this being a novella rather than a full length novel, I am counting it as one of my 52 Books in 52 Weeks, because I was working on a longer-than-average book at the same time. I figure it all evens out.

I simply adore Deanna Raybourn's writing, especially the Lady Julia series, but also thoroughly enjoyed her more recent novel set in 1920s British Kenya. Whisper of Jasmine backtracks with the main character of A Spear of Summer Grass, the brash socialite Delilah Drummond, and introduces the characters that will be at the center of the upcoming release, City of Jasmine. (And yes, I have already pre-ordered it!) The setting is London in 1914, and Delilah (still married to her first husband, Johnny) throws a New Years Eve party intending to do a little matchmaking. Evie longs for adventure, and her eccentric Aunt Dove dresses her to turn heads at Delilah's party. Adventurer Gabriel Stark takes notice of Evie and it appears to be love at first sight, despite the fact that Delilah had meant to match each of them with someone else!

This fast-paced prequel to City of Jasmine really was over too quickly, and I am really looking forward to getting to know these new characters better as soon as the book arrives in my mailbox!

By the same author: Midsummer Night; A Spear of Summer Grass, Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, The Dead Travel Fast

(Book #5 in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge)

©2008-2014 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/