Moonlight Masquerade : Regency Review - Author Ruth Axtell

Moonlight Masquerade Author: Ruth Axtell [click to link directly] Publisher: Revell Mar 1.13 * French-born Lady Celine Wexham is perfectly placed to collect political secrets from the highest circles of London society but finds herself in danger of falling for the man sent to discover where her true loyalties lie.- Revell
* Loved it! 
A Regency with suspense, espionage, ruses and red herrings enough to keep me reading for more. 

Surprise revelations, gorgeous settings, precise timing, excellent characterization of protagonist and antagonists,  secondary characters, both French and English, high speed horseback and carriage chases,  midnight escapades and masquerades, romance and intrigue, all made for above average reading pleasure. 

Rees Phillips, delegated butler, is delectable.  Sent unsuspected from the British Foreign Office , he is intelligent, responsive and willing to take necessary action!   But his attraction to Lady Celine must be shaken if he's to fulfill his raison d'etre.  Learning more of Lady Celine's past and its formational effect on setting her up for espionage gives readers the information Rees is lacking.  Intense scenes where I often wondered,  "What would I do now?"  What would I have done in the situations presented...? 

The story definitely lived up to its book cover! No disappointments. The ending is delicious.. A do not miss invitation to Ms Axtell's next novel!

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Ruth Axtell [also Ruth Axtell Morren] wrote her first spy thriller at 12, her practice having paid off with Moonlight Masquerade a result.                                               Much delightful information on her well-travelled life at her name link  and the opportunity to discover many more of her novels.

"Ruth's inner journey of faith parallels her outward journey--seemingly circuitous, sometimes wandering in the desert--yet ever-guided by the Good Shepherd."- Goodreads

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*With appreciation to Revell for providing a reading and review copy without obligation. ~~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~~

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TeaCup Tuesday ! 18.6.13

TeaCup Tuesday Beauty !
I could not pass up this gorgeous find for this morning's tea post... {From Rabbit and Rose Australian Vintage Tea Hire}
to me it's TeaTime Perfection !

Enjoy your Tea Time with me Today ?! * Following Terri's weekly Garden Tea Party prep and anticipating next week's outdoor Garden Tea Party [weather permitting!]  Join us?

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Audio Book Week: Day 2 Choosing Your Audio Book

From our Audio Book Week host at Devourer of Books Day 2 Discussion

Today’s prompt:

How do you decide what you’ll listen to? Do you mostly listen, or split time between listening and reading? Particularly if you split time, how do you decide what you’ll consume in audio and what in print?

Pretty much what I'm in the mood to hear - which is much the way I choose print books. Am I ready for some non-fiction thoughtfulness ? Am I needing some fluff to give my brain a break? What am I interested in at the moment? My choices for audio depend on what I have available. Have I downloaded something I am ready to listen to?   Is it a good time to listen - enough time?  no distractions? or can I relax with a great book just to enjoy the pleasure of reading? Public libraries are great for finding audio books.  If they're not shelved, then a request will bring them to my closest branch within days.  Always a great option. * Another option I enjoy is checking out local charity/thrift shops.   I've found a Lot of amazing audio books and book sets for value priced listening! Agatha Christie's 'Partners in Crime' series,  a vintage classic Durkin Hayes Pride and Prejudice, 

3 'More New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' -  [original radio dramas starring Nigel Bruce and Tom Conway]

* in addition to the Louis L'Amours mentioned in yesterday's post.
* How about your audio listening? Any tips that add to the discussion? *

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Audio Book Week Begins Today... 17.6.13

Having a tough decision about this week's book opps - ReadaThing ends at 6 pm cst - a success for me in getting more books off the review stack. Then Audio Book Week begins today as well. It's actually going to begin for me now that I've completed ReadaThing at 6 pm... *

Here's my 1st participation post and response to Devourer of Books *

Today’s prompt:

Are you new to audiobooks in the last year? Have you been listening to them forever but discovered something new this year? Favorite titles? New times/places to listen? This is your chance to introduce yourself and your general listening experience.

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I have listened to audio books seemingly forever, but new to being part of Audio Book Week. So far my fave places to listen are longdistance driving in my car. A new way for me to listen is via my kindle, which makes it even handier with the number  of books I now have available. I love having a story read to me since a child, but I am pretty selective in audios according to the narrator.  Luv a good voice and especially a British accent =) Agatha Christie mysteries are always great for that! * Last summer I listened to most of Jane Austen's books on audio while travelling. *

*      I have just won a brand new audio release of Sally Smith O'Rourke's Yours Affectionately, Jane Austen so will have to give that a listen during this week  [amongst others on the stack!] * * Louis L'Amour audio books for my nephews [who love LL!]       I recently found 3 vintage Sherlock Holmes re-dos I'm anxious to listen to... I get 2 free monthly audio books via Oasis Audio, with over 3500 titles to choose from  and Christian Audio, neither with any cost for membership or to join. Great titles and definitely a valuable resource whenever you choose. As are eChristian.com with many free books available and booksshouldbefree.com - Free public domain audio books and ebooks from librivox.com offering multiple genres.
* The one I've been considering currently is on amazon.com for anyone who loves  Canadian author, LM Montgomery. Almost the entire collection of her books on audio for .99 !

* I believe there are only 2 copyrights they weren't able to get permission for. Doesn't that look tempting?  Especially for this week and the new Canadian Reading Challenge beginning July 1st ! * Join us? at John's Bookmineset Blog 
* Those are my thoughts for starters about me. I do want to say various enthusiastic blog posts on audio books have encouraged me to pursue this avenue of reading and reviewing and it's been a great addition for this book luver! Thanks!
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It's 3rd Monday in June! What Are You Reading? 17.6.13

It's the 3rd Monday in June ! What Am I Reading? Well, I'm totally enjoying Library Thing's  Monday June 10 -  Monday 17 midnite Any other readers here participating? I found out about it via twitter, a teeny bit late, but not enough to dissuade me ! So jumped in and, of course, enjoying another permission to read... This one's different in that you can actually sign up for the hours you intend to read, [or have read during the event] allowing everyone to note when people are reading around the world.  Pretty cool. Everyone can log book reads HERE plus responses .   Of course reviews can be posted on your Library Thing account or books added to your various libraries . Sign up info that will be helpful for the next one can be found HERE.
If I continue to ignore my responsibilities for one more day I'll probably have  another book to add! * So far, my week's been amazing book wise.  Starting with the 1/2 price sale at the  neighbourhood charity store! Not that I needed 1.more.book!  but at .25 and .50/each, I couldn't leave them shelved.  Oh No.  3 bags full are now shelved [temporarily] on a large chair in my living room! FuN to find books for family members by their fave authors too! Extra wee gifts to surprise them once in awhile...
* The reading part of my week looked like this ~ * The BLossom Sisters 10.6.13  Unfortunately, content not worthy of its pretty cover.

Glamorous Illusions book 1 Grand Tour series Lisa T Bergren 10-12.13

Grave Consequences book 2 of the Grand Tour series                                                             
I liked book 1 best so far, but interest definitely piqued at ending of book 2  Tons of Anticipation for book 3 due Oct 1st..
Grace's Pictures by Cindy Thomson read 14-15.6.13
Grace is a 19 yr old Irish immigrant -  Add to this emotive story the invention of Kodak's Brownie, people's reactions to photos  as invasion of privacy, and some suspenseful scenes ensue.. [plus a lovely side of romance!]






Finished Ripples Along the Shore eNovella  #3 Quilted Hearts series by Mona Hodgson ,  and posted Goodreads review 16.6.13 today A lovely series of sisterhood of women, post civil war, uniting in support and encouragement over  weekly quilting as they piece their lives back together and their hopes/dreams for the future..


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plus,
I read Cupcakes, an ebook by Daniel Kelley, a LibraryThing win. 16.6.13 

           A short, well written familial eParable of 4 cousins being cared for by an Auntie 

who owns the bakery where they meet daily; progressing to adulthood, whilst keeping the bond she instilled.  Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til it's gone? Definitely sweet, but not a cookbook!






* That's it for this week at this point, but liable to change the minute another book  catches my eye!
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How about your reading week? Books?  Read-a-THons or ReadaTHing?
* Next Monday I probably won't post unless I'm super organized and autopost! I'll be busy packing to fly out to meet my lovely wee grandson [and of course spend time with my blessed son and daughter in law!] Not to worry about my reading though - I've 2 1/2 hours to enjoy my kindle enroute! * Because I'll be away, I do want to invite ALL of you to join the 7th Annual Canadian Reading Challenge  which begins on Canada's Birthday, July 1st of every year.

Definitely a Top Fave Reading Challenge ! It's all about challenging one's self to more Canadian reading discoveries. Are you up to the Challenge?  Hope to find you there!
* Find more Monday Reading at Book Journey

* If you're interested in a Summer Reading Program with Fab Book GIfts, find MORE INFO HERE ! *

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Father's Day Blessings -Proverbs 12.2 16.6.13

Every Blessing on Your Fathering !

HapPy Father's Day ! *

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in ADONAI with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

                                                                                  Proverbs 3. 5-6  *

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Review: Grace's Pictures: An Ellis Island Novel -by Cindy Thomson

Grace's Pictures
an Ellis Island Novel by Cindy Thomson

* Grace's Pictures Book 1 of Cindy Thomson's Ellis Island Series
Published June 2013
Tyndale House Publishers
 * Author Cindy Thomson's intriguing thoughts that initiated the novel:   The legacies of those who came before us has always enthralled me.  I am interested in history and how the events impacted us.  In Grace's Pictures the introduction of the Brownie Camera changed photography forever.  Now everyone had access and could snap pictures at will. What if that got someone in trouble?

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Grace McCaffery hopes the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise the lush hills of Ireland did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader.

A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her, Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness. - Tyndale House Publishers backcover

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Fascinating look into the life of Grace, a newly arrived Irish immigrant to America, at the turn of the century in 1900-1901. The effects of her father's emotional and psychological abuse have long lasting and far reaching effects. At nineteen she is still dealing with the emotional scars and valiantly battling the lies that rise to confront her every step into her future in this new land.

I longed for Grace to make the right choices. To stand up strong. To learn to trust. To believe God's truth about her, so well put in her mother's mantra, "I am smart. I am important. I am able." that sustains her, until the final revelation in her ma's song over her as a child. From Be Thou My Vision, " Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one".  The final recognition that her earthly father's constant criticism didn't determine her worth. Her heavenly Father's perspective is what mattered.

Leaving behind a life spent in the workhouse, longing for safety in her new country, Grace finds a haven at her home provided by the Benevolents.  But not outside that home. Greed of landlords taking advantage of immigrants' housing needs, corruption amongst the police force, predators on naive and needy newcomers. Grace's own belittling experiences during hiring and poor treatment by employers whilst working as a maid; finding her way in every new area of life - massive adjustments, relational misunderstandings, confrontations, and losses, yet Grace perseveres. 

And we're treated to the inside story of her courageous journey.

Her fascination with being photographed upon entry at Ellis Island leads to personal growth and joy once she pursues the hobby. A mailorder magazine ad offering the Kodak Brownie camera for $1 definitely brings it within her reach.  With the instruction book included along with 2 rolls of film, Grace is set. Yet this too proves unsafe when she photographs the wrong members of NY society. Stalked, pursued and harassed Grace faces dangerous consequences. 

No, definitely not the safe country she hoped for and believed she'd found.

One insightful moment in the book  grabbed me personally.  

Irish policeman, Owen's, revelation on 'waiting'.

Whilst taking comfort in Psalm 106, Owen read of the Hebrew ancestors who wouldn't wait for Adonai's counsel, coming into trouble as a result .  This settled his own responses to confusing life choices . 

It impacted me likewise in the reading.

A full story of Grace's experiences, suspense, and subplots.  

All bring the story to the loveliest romantically subtle closing. 

I re-read it several times just to repeat the enjoyment!

Great summer reading addition for those who like their historical stories with realistic details, authentic characters, and a side of romance... 

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*Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for providing an ebook copy to read and review without obligation.

*Reviewed for the TYndale Summer Reading Program  and  * Tyndale Rewards Program of Free books and audiobooks.  Receive your 1st 25 Rewards points FREE by joining HERE *

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Grave Consequences : Review - author Lisa T Bergren

The Powerful, Epic Romance Continues in the 2nd Book of the Grand Tour series  Grave Consequences by Lisa T Bergren *

Grave Consequences - Grand Tour series Book 2 Author - Lisa T Bergren Publisher - David C Cook March 1 2013   *                   For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future—her very life—depends on the decisions she’ll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her new found family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone’s plans in danger. And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own.
She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences. - David C Cook publisher
* I quickly discovered I needed to read 'Glamorous Illusions', before I had the background necessary for Book 2 in Ms Bergren's Grand Tour Series.  With the stage set, I began this 2nd leg of the journey...

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Hair-raising adventures dogged the Kensington and Morgan families from Paris to Austria to Italy. Red herrings and ruses thrown in to confuse any resolutions kept the tension building. 
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Our feisty protagonist, Cora, seems to have a flair for the dramatic, managing to get herself and not a few of the other entourage members into hot water. Repeatedly. She never seems to recognize the outcome of her decisions will affect more than herself.  Grave Consequences indeed... Whilst I appreciated many of her strengths of character, others, due to her immaturity, were borderline.  Scenes with her father were dynamite interactions calling for every available inner resource she possessed. Her growth of character ending this 2nd installment was valued.
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The romantic scenes offer a lovely tension, emotionally engaging this reader.  

Cora's confusion regarding her two pursuers is tangible.  I have the delightful advantage, as a reader, to make my own choice!

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Descriptive picturing of locations, people, settings, add to the appeal of the era. Historic information provided via tour presentations serves the reader well without being documentary. An added insight into these characters through their teaching methods and dialogue, and their choice of activities provided for these Grand Tourists. It certainly stirred up my own interest regarding their various ports of call. Live concerts in Vienna featuring the work of historic composers, balls [and ballgown shopping!], picnics in France's meadows overlooking waterscapes, champagne and strawberries at every turn... ahhh - not hard to picture the life Ms Bergren is presenting to her readers.
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The ending? Absolutely delicious. 
Fantastic story twist setting the stage of anticipation for book 3,  Glittering Promises, due this October 1st.  {Definitely looking like a HapPy Birthday gift to me !} *

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Enough summer reading time to complete books 1+2 in preparation. Enjoy!

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Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy.  She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Click to Connect with Lisa T Bergren and her Writing ..
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*With appreciation to David C Cook for providing an ebook to read and review without obligation. *

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