Monday, June 17

What I'm Reading - June 17, 2024

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 It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This weekly reading list meme is hosted at Book Date. Join in to see what others are reading and maybe get some ideas of what to read next! Although the Book Date link-up happens weekly, I don't update that often. Usually I do this around the middle of the month, and try to share my monthly bookshelf summary on the last Monday of the month. I've missed a couple months of doing this mid-month update, but haven't been reading a whole lot either. Here's what I've been working on lately!


I finished reading . . . 

Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall (Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries Book 1) by PJ Fitzsimmons - This clean, clever cozy was a delight! A fast-paced narrative full of snappy and humourous description and dialogue, and a cast of loveably quirky characters. (Read my full review HERE.)




Silencing the Siren (Ever After Mysteries) by Denise L. Barela - This is a retelling of The Little Mermaid set in 1920s New York City. A wealthy but lonely young man falls in love with a young woman with a disability who performs as a mermaid at a Coney Island curiosity show. (Read my full review HERE)



The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright - there is definitely something strange and frightening going on at the mysterious Castle Moreau, in both timelines. Cleo and Daisy are the two young women, separated by decades, who try to hide from their fears and failures at Castle Moreau, but find that it may not be a place of safety at all. (Read my review HERE.)




I'm currently reading . . .

Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette - Avidan joins Saul's army despite his family's Levite heritage, and while searching for his missing cousin he meets Keziah, a young woman running from her father and the cruel man he has betrothed her to.



Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck - Susanna is adjusting to being single after waiting twelve years for a proposal when she meets a good man who turns out to be a prince. An actual crown prince!



Wimpy Weak and Woke by John L. Cooper - Still working away on this a little at a time. I wish I had longer chunks of time when I could really concentrate so I could make more progress!



Up Next . . . On the TBR stack . . . 

The stack grows faster than my ability to read it, especially lately! No guarantees, but these are the top contenders for me to pick up next:

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber - this has been on my bedside table a long time, along with a couple other Huber titles that I want to get going on!
Shield of the Mighty by Connilyn Cossette - if I get a NetGalley copy, I'll be starting this next. If not, I'll have to wait until August when it's published.




On my blogs recently . . . 

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



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


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

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What are you reading?


This post will be linked at What's On Your Bookshelf? #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge hosted by Deb's World. 

 ©2008-2024 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.

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Sunday, June 16

Recent Reads - Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall

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


Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall (Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries Book 1) by PJ Fitzsimmons - From the first page, this cozy is full of snappy narrative and plenty of humour. It starts off with a prologue that sets the tone and explains how Theodora acquired her quirky sidekick Tuxedo Bird. The real mystery begins when Teddy arrives at the country manor Hardy Hall, to reconnect with some old friends and with instructions from her mother to choose one of the eligible bachelors present so she can settle down to a respectable marriage.

Teddy's goal for the weekend is to have a good time but to avoid a betrothal. Turns out she doesn't need to come up with her own distractions, because the hostess's distinctively ugly but valuable necklace is stolen sometime during dinner on the first evening. The manor is surrounded by a moat so clearly the thief is one of the guests and not a drifter, as was the case in a previous theft . . . and in that situation, almost all the same guests were present . . . so Teddy is presented with a fascinating conundrum to solve. She does so with a mischievous sense of humor, quick wit, and inventive theories. 

As a lead character, Teddy is a delight. She has a razor-sharp wit and while she is cheerfully avoiding a marriage her defiance of her parents' wishes seems gentle and not disrespectful. She is a buoyant and light-hearted heroine, and even when challenging the stories or actions of other characters, she does so with a surprising amount of kindness, grace, and good humour. 

The characters are all so likeable and each one has hilarious quirks and mannerisms that continually add laugh-out-loud humour to the fast-paced narrative. There's no murder and everyone is polite and well-meaning, and the solution to the mystery brings wonderful satisfaction, especially after enjoying the witty repartee and comedy of errors along the way. The narrative is so clever and humorous in a very sophisticated way, while describing characters and situations that had me picturing the action as if in a crisp animation style. I'm already looking forward to the next adventure of Teddy Quillfeather!    


From the publisher:

The theft of an immensely valuable, immensely ugly necklace is only the beginning of the intrigues and idiosyncrasies of a country weekend at Hardy Hall where Teddy Quillfeather's mother has sent her with strict instructions to select an eligible bachelor from a shortlist of aristocrats, plutocrats, and copycats.

But when Teddy sets out to discourage the suitors and discover the looters with her natural knack for applied shenanigans she instead uncovers countless conspiracies, complicated by country house courtesies. It's a comedy of manners and caper of manors and the only solution, if you're Teddy Quillfeather, is obviously another heist . . .

This series starter is a clean, clever cosy that will appeal, obviously to readers of Anty Boisjoly but also PG Wodehouse, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L Sayers, and above all to those who like a little, or, ideally, a lot of comedy in their cosies.


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

Featured Book Reviewer


This is a locked-room mystery (#1) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.
#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024




©2008-2024 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.


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Friday, May 31

Monthly Bookshelf Review - May 2024

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


You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book. ~Dr. Seuss

Honestly, I thought I'd done a fair bit of reading over the past several weeks, so I was a bit surprised to realize I'd only finished one book during the month. I guess having several books on the go at the same time isn't the most efficient unless I have LOTS of reading time! I didn't even do much reading on the long weekend. 


May's Books Completed and Reviewed

Silencing the Siren (Ever After Mysteries) by Denise L. Barela - This retelling of The Little Mermaid is set in 1920s New York City, and features a wealthy young man falling in love with a girl who performs as a mermaid in a Coney Island freak show. (Read my review HERE.)

 


During May I started reading:

Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck - Susanna waited for twelve years for a proposal from her boyfriend, but he broke up with her instead. And then this ordinary girl met a prince.



Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall (Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries Book 1) by PJ Fitzsimmons - A witty cozy mystery featuring a British flapper asked to track down a stolen necklace for the hostess of a house party.



During May I continued reading:

Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette - Avidan is searching for his young cousin following a battle when he meets Keziah, who is disguised as a boy in order to flee from a forced marriage.



Wimpy Weak and Woke by John L. Cooper - I'm still working on this a little at a time. Wish I had more time to devote to it!




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

Silencing the Siren took place in New York City.
One Word: innocent

Voice of the Ancient takes place in ancient Israel.
Once Upon A Prince has started in coastal Georgia, but will move to the fictional kingdom of Brighton.
Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall is set in England.


Coming Up in June!

I'm limiting myself to one or two books in this section, because what's "up next" changes often, and I'm reading more slowly. This one has been sitting in the "next" position on my bedside table for awhile.

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber




On my blogs recently . . . 

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



On Homeschool Coffee Break:



And on A Fresh Cup of Coffee:



This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot; at Share Your Shelf hosted by Slices of Life, and (if I remember) at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date.

bookworms monthly linky

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


©2008-2024 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.


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Friday, May 24

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for May 24, 2024

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


I made a snap decision to accept this humorous cozy (or cosy, since it's British!) mystery for review, and I'm enjoying it so far, about a quarter of the way in. The narrative is witty and moves quickly!

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CHAPTER ONE
In which timing is everything, all hope is lost for the next generation, a burglary is announced, and Teddy Quillfeather prepares for what promises to be a challenging away derby.

The key to a successful heist, almost anyone who's ever heisted successfully will tell you, is timing.

~From the beginning of Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall (Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries Book 1) by PJ Fitzsimmons


The theft of an immensely valuable, immensely ugly necklace is only the beginning of the intrigues and idiosyncrasies of a country weekend at Hardy Hall where Teddy Quillfeather's mother has sent her with strict instructions to select an eligible bachelor from a shortlist of aristocrats, plutocrats, and copycats.

But when Teddy sets out to discourage the suitors and discover the looters with her natural knack for applied shenanigans she instead uncovers countless conspiracies, complicated by country house courtesies. It's a comedy of manners and caper of manors and the only solution, if you're Teddy Quillfeather, is obviously another heist . . . 

This series starter is a clean, clever cosy that will appeal, obviously, to readers of Anty Boisjoly but also PG Wodehouse, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L Sayers, and above all to those who like a little or, ideally, a lot of comedy in their cosies.

***************
RimSP button

First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.
*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.
*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

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Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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"So you can see why Mama wants to marry me off as soon as possible," Teddy examined her fingernails casually, "before the family curse kicks in."

~at 56% in Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall by PJ Fitzsimmons



The Friday 56 was started and hosted at Freda's Voice. She is taking a break from hosting, but Anne at My Head Full of Books has volunteered to host for now, so I'll be linking up there.

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.
*Find a snippet, short and sweet.
*Post it, and share in the Linky.


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And here is the weekly bookish question in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

This Week's Question: What's your favorite outdoor reading spot, and do you have any advice for creating the perfect outdoor reading experience?

My Answer: I seldom read outside, in general. I'm usually doing something when I'm outside rather than just sitting and reading, although there have been many times when I've stood at the grill "watching" something cook while reading a few paragraphs of a good book. It's the light that is my problem. I use reading glasses so if my reading spot is too sunny, it's just too bright for my comfort. (I'm planning to get new glasses soon, and I'm thinking I may get bifocal sunglasses too, which might help.)

So for me, the perfect outdoor reading experience would be somewhere on a comfortably warm day, but I'd get myself into a hammock or lounge chair in a lightly shaded spot. Very little breeze, and hopefully very few bugs to distract me!




©2008-2024 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.


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Friday, May 17

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for May 17, 2024

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


It's hard to find time to read lately, at least time when I'm not falling asleep! I do have a little bit of time at lunch, so this is one of the books I've had sitting on my Kindle for a long time that I'm finally working on. I noticed the blurb says it inspired a Hallmark movie, which I didn't even know!

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What did he say? The storm gusts moving over the Atlantic must have garbled his words.
"I can't marry you"?


~From the beginning of Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck


The story that inspired the Hallmark Original movie! He's a royal prince. She's an ordinary girl. But this holiday could change everything.

Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess―just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn't going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up with her instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life.

The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simons Island is the queen of his heart. The prince has duties, and his family's tense political situation means he won't be able to marry for love or even choose his own bride.

When Prince Nathnaiel stops to help Susanna, who is stranded with a flat tire under the fabled Lover's Oak, he is immediately enchanted by her. And even though he's a total stranger, Susanna finds herself pouring her heart out to him.

Their lives are worlds apart, and soon Nathaniel must face the ultimate choice: his kingdom or her heart?

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RimSP button

First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.
*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.
*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

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


Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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

Others? What others? This adventure was starting to raise more questions than answers. She and Avery were staying at the royal summer house with members of the royal family? And she had yet to hear from Nate?

~at 56% in Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck



The Friday 56 was started and hosted at Freda's Voice. She is taking a break from hosting, but Anne at My Head Full of Books has volunteered to host for now, so I'll be linking up there.

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.
*Find a snippet, short and sweet.
*Post it, and share in the Linky.


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

And here is the weekly bookish question in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.  

This Week's Question: Do you consider yourself a book collector or a book hoarder?

My Answer: Well, I would say collector and I'm sure my husband would say hoarder. I guess he wouldn't be completely wrong, but in my defense I have pared down my COLLECTION a great deal over the past year or two. I have a few favorite authors and will buy their books for my collection. Other than those few, I try to be very careful how much I spend on books. However. it's soooooooo hard to just "get rid" of books!! I want them all to have a good home!




©2008-2024 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.


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Saturday, May 4

Recent Reads - Silencing The Siren

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


Silencing the Siren (Ever After Mysteries) by Denise L. Barela - This novel is part of the Ever After Mysteries, a series of fairytale retellings with a mystery element. It is also a debut novel for author Denise L. Barela. It is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in 1920s New York City. I was curious as to how the character Annabelle would be similar to a mermaid, and how figurative that aspect would be. Annabelle has a disability - she has a deformity in her legs which confines her to a wheelchair, but as part of a Coney Island "freak show" she dons a costume and performs as a mermaid. Andrew Grayson is the "prince" who is mesmerized by the mermaid's beauty and quickly falls in love with her. Since he is from a wealthy upper crust family with domineering, controlling parents, he sneaks away from home to visit Coney Island and spend time with his little mermaid and her troupe. 

It's the prejudice and snobbery of Andrew's parents and the young lady they want him to marry that puts the challenges in the way of his relationship with Annabelle. The Graysons view Coney Island and the freak show troupe as being socially so far beneath them that they are horrified that Andrew spends time there. They are especially repulsed by Annabelle's disability. Andrew, however, has found friendship and acceptance with the troupe, and is determined to marry Annabelle. Instead, the Graysons arrange a marriage for Andrew to a wealthy socialite, Valerie. Andrew is trying to figure a way out of his dilemma when Annabelle suddenly goes missing and her father is told she is dead. In his grief, Andrew determines to find out what really happened, and he has to finally stand up to his parents to do so.

I loved that the female lead character, Annabelle, was shown as a strong and gracious heroine who happened to have a disability and was in a wheelchair. I also loved that despite his pretentious and sheltered upbringing, Andrew was a kind young man who wasn't deterred by Annabelle's much lower socio-economic standing or her disability. Both are likable and sympathetic characters who rise above the limitations and obstacles they face. In contrast, Andrew's parents and Valerie were more like stereotypical and one-dimensional fairytale villains. Andrew's age was a bit of a puzzle to me, as he was old enough to drive and to be married, but at times he acted like a very young teenager in his compliance with his parents' demands. He withdrew his own funds from a bank and opened a new account of his own, and engaged an investigator, but obeyed when he was sent to his room as if he was a small child. I would have liked to see his character developed with a bit more emotional depth and consistent with his age and circumstances.

I felt that I did need to keep in mind that this is a fairytale retelling, and as such, the characters were not as fully developed as one might expect in a novel, and there were plot devices that were coincidence straight out of a fairytale rather than fully believable occurrences in a more realistic world. It's a sweet and clean fairytale quality romance, and in my opinion would be suitable for young readers.


From the publisher:

Andrew Grayson thought he had everything . . . until he met her.

The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it - clothes, gadgets . . . even a car! What more could a young man desire?

Enter Annabel Thompson. Freakshow mermaid extraordinaire . . . in a wheelchair!

Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can't help but fall for her.

Annabel's connection with the freakshow repels his parents and their society friends. They want him to sever all ties with her and his new friends. Oh, and marry the "right" girl with the "right connections." But he won't do it. He'll defy them and marry his little mermaid.

When Annabel turns up missing, declared dead, things don't add up, andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, "What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?"

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. Silencing the Siren offers a retelling of "the Little Mermaid" that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold.

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

Featured Book Reviewer


This is a book that includes a wedding (#44) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.
#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2024




©2008-2024 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.


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