Friday, July 19

Recent Reads - Once Upon A Prince

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


Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck - I've had this book in my Kindle library for a very long time and finally decided it was time to read it. And I'm glad I did. It's a sweet romance that combines fairy tale charm with a contemporary setting and strong characters. 

Susanna considers herself just an ordinary young woman, working hard to succeed in her career and waiting patiently for years to marry her high school sweetheart (now a Marine). But all her carefully laid plans for her life crumble in the opening pages when he breaks up with her instead of proposing. Susanna is disturbed to realize that she was more in love with her plan than with her young man, and sets out to figure out what she really wants to do with her life. And then she meets Nate when she's in need of help, and he seems to show up as a sort of knight in shining armor for her, leading to a friendship.

While on holiday in America, Prince Nathaniel isn't looking for a romance, especially since there are restrictions on who a member of the royal family can marry. He enjoys lending a helping hand to Susanna though, and getting to know her. They do seem to get along so well, and as the days go by they both find themselves considering the possibility of love . . . but Susanna doesn't even know Nate is really a prince. 

Both Susanna and Nathaniel have many choices to make and must learn to trust God's purpose and timing for their lives. Both character arcs feature loyalty, honoring commitments, and being willing to obey God and follow him in everything. 


From the publisher:

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 Nathaniel 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?

This is a character-driven novel (#9) 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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Monday, July 15

What I'm Reading - July 15, 2024

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

 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. It doesn't always work out, but I'm trying! Here's what I've been working on lately!


I finished reading . . . 

Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette - Avidan joins Saul's army but quickly realizes he needs to find his missing cousin and return home. While searching for the boy, he meets Keziah running away from a cruel arranged marriage and the two decide to travel together. (Read my full review HERE.)



Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck - After a long-time relationship fizzles, Susanna meets Nathaniel and is shocked to discover he is the crown prince of Brighton Kingdom. Any possible romance between them is impossible, isn't it? (Read my full review soon.)




I'm currently reading . . .

Find Momo Across Europe by Andrew Knapp - This is a photography book, so there's not a ton of reading for me to do, but many of the photos do present a challenge. It's a really interesting book to browse a little at a time and enjoy the scenery and peek into various countries while hunting for the dog featured in each photo.


Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber - a historical novel that follows two wealthy Canadian sisters and their family as their grand tour concludes with a voyage on the Titanic.



Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar - Sarah is a young Hebrew woman with a gift for languages and learning, and she becomes the senior scribe for the Persian queen.



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:

The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa - I finally purchased this book that's been on my wishlist.
A Deceptive Composition by Anna Lee Huber - I'd pre-ordered this so it was a nice surprise to have it arrive, but now I need to get started reading it!
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.







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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Saturday, June 29

Monthly Bookshelf Review - June 2024

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



Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore? ~Henry Ward Beecher

Indeed. Nothing like a bookstore to inspire an unrealistic expectation of when I'll have time to read all the books I want to read! Last weekend I visited one of my favorite spots, the Book Loft (with some of my favorite people), and limited myself to just one book. Okay, two books. One for me and one I hope to enjoy with my granddaughter.





June's Books Completed and Reviewed

Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall (Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries Book 1) by PJ Fitzsimmons - In this very witty cozy mystery, Teddy hunts for a stolen necklace during a house party. There are no bodies or violence, but there is plenty of British humour. (Read my review HERE.)

Teddy regarded Tuxedo Bird, who was dancing with his reflection in the glass panes of the French doors. "Ah. That penguin . . . he's just worked out how the necklace was stolen."



Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette - Avidan is determined to find his missing cousin before returning home after a battle, but when he meets Keziah running away from a cruel marriage, he resolves to see her safely to her family. (Read my review HERE.)

. . . yet I was anything but a hero of faith. In fact, I'd all but rejected my own Levitical heritage when I ignored the law to run off and fight for Saul. Why would Yahweh bother listening to such an ignorant fool?



During June I started reading:

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber - I finally got started on this historical novel featuring two sisters and their entourage as they set out on the Titanic. I'm still getting to know the characters at this point.

There was also the familiar flutter of nerves that began in the pit of her stomach before starting any journey and a touch of sadness that their grand tour was nearly at an end.



Find Momo Across Europe by Andrew Knapp - This is a photography book, and we got it to enjoy as sort of a project with our granddaughter who loves dogs. The reading shouldn't take long, but we're planning to work on finding the dog Momo in each of the photos with our granddaughter whenever she comes over.


Watching Momo explore the courtyard where Van Gogh once walked was a surreal moment!


During June I continued reading:

Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck - After her longtime relationship fizzles, Susanna decides it's time to make changes in her life. Do those changes include a possible relationship with Nate, who turns out to be a crown prince? Nathaniel is falling for this ordinary American girl, but his future is determined by his duty to his kingdom.

"Odd how you seem to be a man who has it all, except you can't marry the woman you love."



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

Voice of the Ancient takes place in ancient Israel.
One Word: Trust

Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall is set in England.
One Word: Comical


Once Upon A Prince has started in coastal Georgia, but will move to the fictional kingdom of Brighton.
Sisters of Fortune is mostly set on the Atlantic Ocean.
Find Momo Across Europe - obviously, all over Europe! The journey begins in Portugal and Spain.


Coming Up in July!

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. I have an extra one on the list this time, because it's possible I'll get an advance reader's copy, in which case it will get bumped to the top of my TBR list.

The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa - I finally purchased this book that's been on my wishlist.
A Deceptive Composition by Anna Lee Huber - I'd pre-ordered this so it was a nice surprise to have it arrive, but now I need to get started reading it!
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:



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; and (if I remember) at Share Your Shelf hosted by Slices of Life, and 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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Saturday, June 22

Recent Reads - Voice of the Ancient

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


Voice of the Ancient by Connilyn Cossette - This new series picks up threads from To Dwell Among the Cedars and Between the Wild Branches as the prophet Samuel anoints Israel's first king, Saul. Avidan is a young man of the Levite tribe, expected to serve as a musician, but he longs to join his cousins in more adventurous pursuits. When the new king summons all Israel's fighting men to defend one of the towns under attack, Avi sneaks off along with his cousins to join the troops. He quickly finds out he has no stomach for war after all, and he takes seriously his responsibility to protect his youngest cousin who had followed them, so after the battle he decides to collect Shalem from where he's hidden and take him home. To Avi's horror, the hiding place is empty, and so he begins his search for the boy, and instead finds Keziah.

Keziah's father betrothes her to a cruel but wealthy older man in order to buy protection for the village, but at the last minute, her servant risks everything to help Keziah escape. Keziah is disguised as a slave boy, but just at the right moment, Avi comes to her defense when she's attacked by some young ruffians. Since Kez has a horse, the two decide to travel together, searching for Shalem while headed towards the tribal village where Kez can seek refuge. As the days go on, Keziah realizes that Avi has known she was in disguise right from the start, yet has behaved honorably. By the time they reach her destination, the two of them have formed a strong bond, but Avi still has to return to his home.

Both Avidan and Keziah wrestle with finding their true purpose and identity, and how they properly fit into their families, and Avidan also struggles with the guilt and regret of how his choices have negatively impacted others and how he's failed in his responsibilities. The story is full of action and suspense, but also reveals how the hearts and minds of these two lead characters are shaped and matured by the dangers they face and how God reveals himself to them as the Voice of the Ancient. 



©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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Monday, June 17

What I'm Reading - June 17, 2024

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

 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:

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

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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