Just A Second

Tuesday, June 10

Recent Reads - The Blind Scribe

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

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

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

From the publisher:

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

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

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

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

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

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Sunday, June 8

Recent Reads - Killers of a Certain Age

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

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

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

From the publisher:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

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

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

Monday, June 2

May Bookshelf Review

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

May's Books Completed and Reviewed

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

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

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn - Spy thriller meets murder mystery as four women, all retired professional assassins, realize that the firm they worked for is trying to kill them. They combine their skills and resources to protect each other, and naturally, to kill the would-be killers before they become victims. (Review coming!)

During May I started reading:

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

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

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

Black Fog is set in London, England.

One Word: Suspicion

The Wedding Gift is set in ancient Israel.

One Word: Curiosity

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

One Word: Ruthless

The Blind Scribe is also set in ancient Israel.

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

Coming Up in June!

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

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

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber

On my blogs recently . . .

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

What I'm Reading - May 16, 2025

On Homeschool Coffee Break:

Victoria Day

And on A Fresh Cup of Coffee:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Everyday Images posts

Hodgepodge and other Q&A Link-up posts

Share Four Somethings - May 2025

WQ - The Value of Our Stories

Victoria Day

WQ - Memorable Vacations

Making Birthdays Special

Currently . . . May 11, 2025

Tell Us About . . . Thursdays: A Look Back at Thursdays

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

Thursday, May 29

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

Friday, May 16

What I'm Reading - May 16, 2025

I'm really trying to choose a book more often than I choose doom scrolling or mindless games on my phone, but with a very busy schedule and not a very long lunch break at work, I don't get through nearly as many pages of reading as I think I'd like to. The weather has been improving and I'm happy about warmer days and the weekends that are perfect for hiking and other outdoor things. Maybe I'll get a chance to sit outside and read soon!

I'm currently reading . . .

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn - Four women, recently retired professional assassins, realize they are on their organization's kill list, and put all their skills to work to discover why and to keep each other alive. Quirky, sometimes dark humor and full of suspense.

The Wedding Gift by Connilyn Cossette - Realized I had this prequel novella to a favorite author's series and decided I'd better read it before the newest novel is released! It provides some backstory to the characters in The King's Men series.

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

Or in the Kindle queue, to be accurate. I've got a few books on the physical stack too, but I haven't decided which of those will be next.

The Blind Scribe by Connilyn Cossette

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

I finished reading . . .

Black Fog by KT McWilliams - an aspring midwife in 1618 London sees that she may be suspected of murder when a man she confronted is found dead a short time later. Elizabeth is determined to find out who the real killer was in order to keep her name clear, but she must do it before the sheriff comes for her. An interesting debut novel that I reviewed. (ARC version) (Read my review HERE)

I've been watching . . .

I watched some hockey, more during the first round of playoffs, but we don't have a streaming service that shows the playoffs so that hasn't been high priority. We recently bought the entire DVD set of the RVL Discipleship series and my husband has been watching them almost every night. I watch with him a couple nights a week.

I've been listening to . . .

My podcast playlist includes The Bible Book Club, The Bible Project, and political commentary podcasts. My music playlist has been RadioU and my collections of favorites. Not much changes in my listening selections.

On my blogs recently . . .

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

April Bookshelf Review

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

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Five Minute Friday posts

Everyday Images posts

Hodgepodge and other Q&A Link-up posts

WQ - Memorable Vacations

Making Birthdays Special

Currently . . . May 11, 2025

Tell Us About . . . Thursdays: A Look Back At Thursdays

WQ - The Morning Routine

Share Four Somethings - April 2025

My "first cup blog", Homeschool Coffee Break, is mostly idle these days, unfortunately.

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

What are you reading?

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

Thursday, May 15

Recent Reads - Black Fog

Black Fog by KT McWilliams - Elizabeth Bowmar is a young woman in 1618 London hoping to earn her midwife's license. It is early on a foggy morning when she and fellow midwives are attending a mother in a very difficult birth, one that will require assistance from the inventors of a mysterious birthday device, but that will cost money. Elizabeth is tasked with finding the father and getting him to pay, and with finding the inventors and convincing them to come help. After the successful delivery of the child, it is discovered that the father, Master Prowler, has been murdered, and that Elizabeth was one of the last to see him alive. This will mean she is likely to be a suspect, and even being questioned could mean the loss of her midwife license.

With help from her trusted friends and some new allies, Elizabeth hurries to find and outwit the murderer before the disgruntled inventor goes to the sheriff to cast suspicion on her. They are constantly surrounded by the black fog, and in danger from the likely murderer and those who do his bidding, but Elizabeth holds on to her hope that all will unfold according to God's plan, and faces all the challenges and uncertainty with as much courage and confidence as she can manage.

There is a prologue that hints at a harrowing experience from Elizabeth's past, and there are some references throughout the story linking this terrible event to her attitudes and to the unusual training she has in using knives to protect herself. Snippets of this backstory are teased into the narrative, creating a curiosity about it and providing some explanation for Elizabeth's unconventional and independent approach to solving the dilemma she finds herself in. The bits and pieces of the backstory didn't always satisfy as an explanation, leaving me with more questions about how it could possibly fit together.

Although this isn't a detective story, there is a mystery that must be solved, and the characters must be resourceful in their pursuit of answers. I enjoyed this creativity and the unusual characters, though I was sometimes a little unsure of their relationships and uncertain of the plausibility of all the events and their happening during the given timeframe. I felt like there was an awful lot to fit into just one day, stretching believability at many points. Some of the threads of the story didn't get woven together in a way that felt natural. The black fog is mentioned often in the narrative, and its ubiquitous presence in the city is important to the setting and mood, and necessary to the plot as it obscures clear vision. In my opinion, it is mentioned too often - it felt too obvious. As this novel is a debut and an introduction to a series, I'm curious about how the subsequent stories with connect to this one, and hope that some of these characters might be featured and further explored in the next installment, and as the author develops her storytelling voice.

I read an Advance Reader Copy, so I understand that punctuation and minor errors will probably be corrected before publication.

Note: This review will be updated with a link to purchase once available on Amazon.

From the publisher:

Where kindness battles cruelty, a woman's quest for truth is a fight for survival & divine justice.

In the heart of 1618 London where the shadow of the past lingers, join Elizabeth Bowmar, a young, aspiring midwife, as she navigates the complexities of birth, betrayal, and a chilling murder.

Elizabeth faces the impossible: convincing two irascible men to accept life altering change to save the life of a mother and her child.

But as life and death hang in the balance, one is murdered, and the other seeks revenge against Elizabeth.

Elizabeth must rely on her wit, strength, and unwavering faith to uncover the truth before time runs out.

Black Fog is the introduction to the On The Wings Of Angels series. Experience a world where true kindness lifts souls, and God's plan guides the journey. Dive into this historical fiction enriched with Christian suspense and immerse yourself in KT McWilliams' latest novel.

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

This is a book with a title of 10 letters or less (#13) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

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

Sunday, May 4

April Bookshelf Review

The end of March and beginning of April was very busy for me, and so I skipped quite a few posts, including my monthly bookshelf review. I didn't get much, if any, extra reading done, but here's the round-up of what I've read the last couple of months.

March's and April's Books Completed and Reviewed

The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa - this was a delightful collection of cat stories from Japan. Each of the seven stories stands alone, but the last two also serve as prequels or supplements to The Travelling Cat Chronicles by the same author. (Read my review HERE)

A Deceptive Composition by Anna Lee Huber - Kiera and Gage are initially interested in helping Lord Gage's family discover the truth about how their patriarch died, but as more lies and deceptions are discovered, they are losing their patience. Still they forge ahead to find the truth before they become the next victims of greed and violence. (Read my review HERE)

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews - Captain Arthur Heycomb offers Phyllida a marriage of convenience in order to protect her from marriage to a cold-hearted duke, but as danger seems to follow them to Arthur's estate, they also must find a way to navigate the very deep feelings they develop for each other. (Read my review HERE)

During April I started reading:

Black Fog by KT McWilliams - This is a review book, soon to be released. The main character is a midwife in training, and the story is set in London in the 1600s. Elizabeth is one of the last to see Master Prowler alive, when she confronted him to pay properly for his wife's care during a difficult delivery. When he is discovered dead, Elizabeth must find out who murdered him before she is taken up and accused.

During April I continued reading:

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn - I finally got started on this quirky novel that combines elements of a spy thriller and a murder mystery. Four women, all retired professional assassins, are on a cruise when they realize that the firm they worked for is trying to kill them, and they band together to protect each other and to find out who and why.

During April I shelved . . .

Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health by Casey Means, MD with Calley Means - I dabble in this every now and again, but at this point I consider it on the backburner.

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

The Goodbye Cat stories are all set in Japan.

One Word: Devotion

A Deceptive Composition takes place in Cornwall, England

One Word: Dysfunction

The Work of Art is also in England. It starts in London and then moves to Devonshire.

One Word: Trust

Killers of a Certain Age begins on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, with flashback scenes in the USA and Europe.

Black Fog is set in London, England.

Coming Up in May!

Well, we're already in May and I'm honestly not sure what I'll try to read next. These aren't next but I just put them on my wishlist at the library, though I'm not certain I'll actually read either of them. Have you read either of these?

Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell - maybe one for around Halloween?

O Little Town of Bethlehem by Elizabeth Boyle - the title seems like it's something to save for the holidays