Scripture and a Snapshot - A Future Generation

Let this be written for a future generation,

that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:

"The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high,

from heaven he viewed the earth,

to hear the groans of the prisoners

and release those condemned to death."

So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion

and his praise in Jerusalem

when the peoples and the kingdoms

assemble to worship the LORD.

~Psalm 102:18-22~

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

~I Samuel 1:27-28~

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Happy Mother's Day!

Perhaps the greatest joy of parenting is seeing children growing in faith and worshiping the Lord. The great responsibility and privilege we parents have is to pass on that faith to the next generation and to pray for our kids. Moms, keep praying and keep telling the stories of God's work in your life! 

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Recent Reads - Recitatif

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

Recitatif: A Story by Toni Morrison - This short story is the only one published by Morrison, and is a quick but interesting read. Her purpose, in her own words, was "an experiment in the removal of all racial codes from a narrative about two characters of different races for whom racial identity is crucial." And in that, she was successful. It's clear that race and racial identity plays an important role in the two characters' lives and how they define themselves and their place in the world. But at no point does the reader discover which woman is white and which is black. 

Twyla and Roberta meet when they are both eight years old and are placed together as roommates in a shelter. They are both "other" than the majority of the girls in St Bonny's because unlike the rest, they are not orphans but only there temporarily. The become inseparable friends for those few months, but lose touch quickly once they leave. They meet again once they've grown up, once at a diner where Twyla works, once at a grocery store, and finally at a protest over school integration. Their interactions are brief and a bit uncomfortable, especially when Roberta brings up an incident with one of the women who worked at St Bonny's - a woman that was mute and may have been mentally challenged. Roberta and Twyla remember the occasion differently but are haunted by whatever happened to that woman, and by their own participation and reactions.

Twyla is the narrator of the story, and nothing she says gives away her own race or Roberta's - only that race is an integral part of how they view themselves and society. It's a quick read, but thought-provoking. The ending is somewhat unsatisfactory as it leaves many questions unanswered - but then again, that is probably the point.

The introduction, written by Zadie Smith, is at least as long as the story itself, but is definitely worth reading as it does frame the story well and point out many of the elements to watch for. 

This is a book with a person of color as the main character (#50) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

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Scripture and a Snapshot - Like a River

But let justice roll on like a river,

righteousness like a never-failing stream!

~Amos 5:24~

The context of this verse is God's revelation that he is angry with Israel because they offer sacrifices and celebrate festivals in a show of religion, but their hearts are far from him. They sing praise songs but they don't mean any of the words. God is sick of it. Their empty rituals and religious practices are disgusting to him as long as they continue to live selfishly. God wants them - and us! - to practice justice and mercy, love for others, genuine devotion to him and heart-felt obedience to his law. Are we going through the motions of attending church and acting religious - standing up on the cliffs and taking selfies to prove to everyone that we have been to Niagara Falls? Or are we in awe of the beauty and power of the mighty river that carves the landscape and provides for the needs of so many - truly worshiping God and aligning our hearts and lives with his Word?

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Monthly Bookshelf Review - April 2022

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

April's Books Completed and Reviewed

A Rose For The Resistance by Angela K. Couch - During the Nazi occupation of France, a young Frenchwoman, Rosalie, finds an unexpected ally in a German soldier when he protects her more than once. But the stakes are high when Rosalie gets involved with the resistance, and can Franz still be trusted? (Read my full review HERE)

Price of a Rose by Byrd Nash - A fairy tale retelling, in which three sisters take the challenge of managing Thorn Hall and its beastly master. The middle girl, Rose, looks after the gardens and may be the key to break the curse. (Read my full review HERE)

During April I started reading:

A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma - This story is set in the San Antonio area - in 1835 Josie Wilkins is in love with a Protestant preacher and a future together doesn't seem possible, especially as events hurtle towards the Battle of the Alamo. In the present day story, Kayleigh Hewland seeks help from an appraiser to find out more about an engraved ring that may hold the key to understanding what happened to her parents.

Recitatif: A Story by Toni Morrison - This is Morrison's only published short story, and at less than 50 pages, it won't take me long to finish. In fact, the forward is just as long as the story! Two women interact over the years - one is black and the other is white. Racial identity is very important to both of them, but the reader is never told which is which. 

During April I continued reading:

An Artless Demise (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber - Kiera and Gage are back in London and start investigating a murder case that may be related to the resurrectionists recently terrorizing the city. With Kiera's past looming over them, they are in very real danger.

Coming Up in May!

Obedient Unto Death by Liisa Eyerly

Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber

An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn

All That's Fair by Amanda G. Stevens

A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber (but I have to read A Stroke of Malice and A Wicked Conceit first, in order to read the whole series chronologically! This is the latest which just came out, and now I'm really regretting having fallen behind in re-reading the series!)

   

   

 

What I'm Highlighting . . . I don't really have anything bloggy or bookish to highlight this month, since I've been pretty quiet in the blogosphere of late. Once the school year wraps up, I do hope to get back to a better rhythm of reading and writing here.

On my blogs recently . . . 

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

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Friday Fun posts - The Friday 56 and First Lines

What I'm Reading - April 11, 2022

The Little Women Devotional

And on HS Coffee Break:

I Spy posts (#65-#68)

Five Minute Friday posts

Currently . . . April 6, 2022

Share Four Somethings - March 2022

March Photo Album

A Peaceful Environment

This post will be linked at the April 2022 Monthly Wrap-Up Round-up Link-up and Giveaway hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction; and at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date.

 

©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.

  

Scripture and a Snapshot - Wait For The Morning

Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,

Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD,

for with the LORD is unfailing love

and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel

from all their sins.

~Psalm 130~

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Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for April 22, 2022

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

"Because the band and setting of the ring is made from a high karat of gold, and because the periodic table of elements wasn't created until 1869."

~from page 56 of A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma

Can Promises Made in Times of Struggle Endure 200 Years?

Visit historic American landmarks through the Doors to the Past series. History and today collide in stories full of mystery, intrigue, faith, and romance.

Young, spirited Josie Wilkins' life is about to take a turn when faced with political turmoil and secret love in San Antonio of 1836. John Gilbert has won her heart, despite being a Protestant preacher who is forbidden to practice his faith in Texas. If he discovers the secrets of her painful past, he will never have anything to do with her. But then comes the Battle of the Alamo. Will either of them survive an epic battle for liberty to create a legacy of love?

Nearly 200 years later, Kayleigh Hewland takes breaks from her demanding job as a refugee coordinator working with Mexican migrants to attend flea markets where she has found a uniquely engraved ring that helps her discover who killed her parents. Enlisting the help of appraiser Brandon Mullins, they piece together a love story long forgotten. But will dangers linked to the ring end her own hopes for leaving a legacy built on hope, faith, and love?

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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September 28, 1835

Recent rains that had broken the long Texas summer heat had swollen the Guadelupe River so that it churned and foamed as it roared over the rocks along the bank. After a long day on her now-swollen feet, the water called to Josie Wilkins, sang its siren song, and beckoned her to slip off her shoes so the water might refresh her.

~From the beginning of A Promise Engraved by Liz Tolsma

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.

 ©2008-2022 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 - 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.