Recent Reads - A Pressing Engagement

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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.

What I'm Reading - September 13, 2021

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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 manage to post that often. I aim to post and link about once a month, although I sometimes link up my monthly summary as well. 

I finished reading . . . 

A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber - Lady Drummond, Kiera's portrait subject, dies suddenly and Kiera and Sebastian Gage launch their own investigation, despite being busy with wedding plans and concerns for Kiera's sister. (Read my full review HERE)

The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood - Vaughan Springthorpe takes a position arranging legal matters for the sale of Morton Abbey. The owner is not in residence, but his invalid brother is, along with a couple of other residents, and Vaughan must decide who she can trust when mysterious happenings threaten her safety and sanity. (Read my full review HERE)

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene DuBois - Professor William Sherman sets off to live a solitary life wherever the wind takes his hot air balloon, but he crashes on Krakatoa and finds it's not uninhabited as everyone believes. (Read my full review HERE)

Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel - In this dual timeline story, Devyn and Chase are looking for information about a young woman in a photo taken on the steamboat where Devyn is an event coordinator. Back in the 1920s, Hattie, the adopted daughter of the steamboat's captain, falls in love with the new first mate as they investigate mysterious happenings on the boat. (Read my full review HERE)

I'm currently reading . . .

A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber - Stressed by the wedding preparations, Kiera finds a welcome distraction by teaming up with Gage to find out more about a gold torc she received as a wedding gift. (The Lady Darby Read-Along group on Facebook will be discussing this novella this week!)

Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan - A graphic novel retelling of the Snow White story in the setting of 1920s New York. The artwork is really beautiful!

Next on the stack... 

At the Edge of the Orchard: A Novel by Tracy Chevalier

Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds by Michael Knowles

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

Holes by Louis Sachar

    

     

What I'm Highlighting . . . Along with a few blogging friends, I'm participating in an Online Book Club that is a little different. Instead of all reading the same title, we'll be reading books that have a theme in common. That way readers of all ages, homeschoolers or not, can participate. Our theme for September is Apples. Stop by HS Coffee Break to find out more.

On my blogs recently . . . 

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

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines posts

Monthly Bookshelf Review - August 2021

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

I Spy posts (#32-36)

Five Minute Friday - Rescue

Five Minute Friday (on Wednesday) - City

Online Book Club - September Theme: Apples

Online Book Club - Wrapping Up August: Newbery Medal Books

Currently . . . September 1st

Five Minute Friday - Desperate

Share Four Somethings - August 2021

August Photo Album

A Blue Ridge Parkway PhotoJournal

Five Minute Friday (on Monday) - Teach

Five Minute Friday - Accountability

How Do You Kick Off the New Homeschool Year?

What are you reading?

©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 - Undercurrent of Secrets

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Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel - Devyn Asbury is trying to move on after a bitter betrayal and breakup, and loves her job as wedding coordinator on a historic river steamboat, the Belle of Louisville. The Belle is a finalist in an important wedding venue contest, and Devyn needs to pour all her creativity and energy into preparing for the event. Then Chase Jones shows up, and bargains his own creative skills in exchange for her help in finding out about a young woman that appears in a 1920s photo taken on the Belle.

In the timeline from the 1920s, Hattie Louis is the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain. She loves their life on the river and is involved in all aspects of it. Then her Papa welcomes new first mate on board, Jack Marshall, and everything changes. At first she is suspicious of Jack, but eventually he earns her respect and friendship. As their relationship blossoms, they cooperate to find answers to some of the odd happenings on the steamboat. After all, Jack is a federal agent looking for rumrunners. 

The storylines alternate, with Devyn and Chase building their own relationship and preparing the Belle for the contest while hunting down leads about Hattie and what her connection might be to Chase's great-grandfather. Devyn has her past to reckon with, so she's hesitant to trust Chase, and he has secrets as well. There are some unexpected twists in both storylines that add intrigue and mystery to the unfolding romances during the two timeframes.

From the publisher:

Two women, a century apart, are bound by a haunting secret aboard a legendary steamboat.

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others' dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn't planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.

A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie's determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall's handsome skin.

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

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

©2008-2021 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.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Watchful and Thankful

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

~Colossians 4:2-6~

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Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

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Click here to enter

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles, and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©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.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for September 10, 2021

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

"So she gave it to me. In private. And told her brother that she donated it to that society. She knew they'd come after me if they knew, or claim I'd stolen it. So she lied. To protect me."

~From 56% on my Kindle version of A Pressing Engagement by Anna Lee Huber

With her wedding to fellow investigator Sebastian Gage only a day away, Kiera is counting down the hours. But just when matrimonial jitters threaten to consume her, Kiera receives a welcome distraction in the form of a mysterious gold necklace.

The Celtic torc, thought missing for decades, was directly involved in a recent investigation. Now, Kiera feels compelled to uncover the truth behind its sudden reappearance.

But with an overwhelming flock of wedding guests, a muddled cat, an unpaid favor, and a ferocious storm throwing things into disarray, it's anyone's guess whether Kiera and Gage will actually make it to the altar . . .

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*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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They were fighting over apples again. He wanted to grow more eaters, to eat; she wanted spitters, to drink. It was an argument rehearsed so often that by now they both played their parts perfectly, their words flowing smooth and monotonous around each other since they had heard them enough times not to have to listen anymore.

~from the beginning of At the Edge of the Orchard: A Novel by Tracy Chevalier

1838: James and Sadie Goodenough have settled where their wagon got stuck - in the muddy, stagnant swamps of northwest Ohio. They and their five children work relentlessly to tame their patch of land, buying saplings from a local tree man known as John Appleseed so they can cultivate the fifty apple trees required to stake their claim on the property. But the orchard they plant sows the seeds of a long battle. James loves the apples, reminders of an easier life back in Connecticut; while Sadie prefers the applejack they make, and alcoholic refuge from brutal frontier life. . .

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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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.

©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 - The Twenty-One Balloons

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

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene DuBois - The Online Book Club theme for August was Newbery Medal Books, and when I started looking at the Newbery lists, this title caught my eye. The description of this Newbery Medal winner from 1947 looked charming. and this covert art was attractive too. The copy I read had a more bold and colorful cover design.

The introduction sets the stage for this story about Professor William Sherman, who wanted to live by himself floating along under a balloon, but instead briefly became a citizen of Krakatoa.

There are two kinds of travel. The usual way is to take the fastest imaginable conveyance along the shortest road. The other way is not to care particularly where you are going or how long it will take you, or whether you will get there or not.

Professor Sherman was an arithmetic teacher, and found it dull and unimaginative. He dreamed of being by himself in quiet surroundings, with nothing to do but float wherever the wind would take him. He designed a large balloon with a basket he could live in comfortably for up to a year. When he first floated up into the sky he enjoyed his adventure immensely and soon was high above the ocean. 

Trouble arrived in the form of gulls that eventually punctured his balloon. As he lost altitude he employed all his ingenuity in keeping the balloon as high above the water as possible until the last possible moment. It was with great relief that he was able to land on a small island, but he was quite surprised to find that he was on Krakatoa, and that it was NOT uninhabited, as everyone thought.

The unique citizens of Krakatoa have an unusual society but they welcome Professor Sherman cordially. He learns about how they came to live on Krakatoa, about their source of wealth, and about the interesting rules of their society. But just as he is starting to get settled, the rumbling and grumbling of the volcano indicate a dangerous eruption is imminent and they must all evacuate!

The story is imaginative and humorous, full of little ironies, and a witty blend of realistic and fantastical story telling. In some places it sounds almost believable, but there's a tongue-in-cheek type of humour that keeps it light. The illustrations throughout add to the light and witty tone. I thought the ending was rather unsatisfactory, but overall a very enjoyable book that I wish I'd been able to give to my kids when they were young.

Professor William Waterman Sherman intends to fly across the Pacific Ocean. But through a twist of fate, he lands on Krakatoa, and discovers a world of unimaginable wealth, eccentric inhabitants, and incredible balloon inventions. Winner of the 1948 Newbery Medal.

The original version of this review originally appeared on HS Coffee Break as part of the Online Book Club for August 2021

 

©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.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Time and Eternity

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfication in all their toil -- this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1-14~

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I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles, and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©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.