Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring a recent blog tour read, Death by Dissertation by Kelly Brakenhoff.  It's the first book in the new Cassandra Sato mystery series. The excerpts shared are from the eBook I received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Beginning: Chapter One

Cassandra Sato cradled her palms around her warm Morton College travel mug, hoping the coffee inside would calm the churning in her stomach.  Half anticipation, half impatience at wasting her time, uncertainty was the last thing she needed her boss to see at the start of their probationary coaching meeting.  She fixed a serene expression on her face, pretending to admire the view from his picture window, while reviewing her mental list of the issues he might raise.  As the youngest person to earn a doctorate in education from the University of Hawai'i at age 28, she had years of practice appearing more mature and confident than she felt.  Still, feeling confident in the tropical sunshine of Manoa was much easier than squirming on an antique wooden armchair in Carson, Nebraska--population 8,300--in an office that best resembled a British men's club.

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56% of eBook (approximately):  Normally, she would have immediately dismissed his suggestion and fled upstairs to work.  Some impulse--and Dr. Nielson's reminder to get out of her office more--led her to accept his invitation.

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My thoughts:  Death by Dissertation is an engaging mystery with puzzling clues that introduces readers to a plucky protagonist.   Insider observations and a realistic portrayal of campus politics and life in a small college town and the personable cast of characters make this novel a promising start to the series.

You can read my review here and enter a giveaway.

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From Goodreads:  Ambitious Cassandra Sato traded her life in Hawai'i for a dream position as Student Affairs VP at Morton College in tiny Carson, Nebraska. She expected the Midwestern church casseroles, land-locked cornfields, and face-freezing winters would be her biggest challenges, but it's her job that's rapidly becoming a nightmare.

A deaf student is dead and the investigation reveals a complicated trail of connections between campus food service, a local farmer's beef, and the science lab's cancer research. Together with her few allies, Cassandra must protect the students caught up in the entanglement.

Dealing with homesickness, vandalism, and a stalker, Cassandra is trapped in a public relations disaster that could cost her job, or more. No one said college was easy.

Get to know Cassandra and her new friends at Morton College. 

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This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter with appropriate recognition is appreciated.   

Great Escapes Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: Death by Dissertation by Kelly Brakenhoff

Today I'm participating in the Death by Dissertation Blog Tour.  In this post you'll find book and author information along with my review.  And don't forget to enter the giveaway via the link in this post.  


About the book . . . 

  

Death by Dissertation (A Cassandra Sato Mystery)

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Nebraska
Emerald Prairie Press (April 17, 2019)
Paperback: 355 pages
ISBN-10: 1733742409
ISBN-13: 978-1733742405
Digital ASIN: B07PKRD658
 

Synopsis . . .  Ambitious Cassandra Sato traded her life in Hawai’i for a dream position as Student Affairs VP at Morton College in tiny Carson, Nebraska. She expected the Midwestern church casseroles, land-locked cornfields, and face-freezing winters would be her biggest challenges, but it’s her job that’s rapidly becoming a nightmare.

A deaf student is dead and the investigation reveals a complicated trail of connections between campus food service, a local farmer’s beef, and the science lab’s cancer research. Together with her few allies, Cassandra must protect the students caught up in the entanglement.

Dealing with homesickness, vandalism, and a stalker, Cassandra is trapped in a public relations disaster that could cost her job, or more. No one said college was easy.


My review . . .  As Vice President of Student Affairs, Cassandra's main duties are disciplining undergraduate students and mentoring thesis candidates.  When she is tapped to fill in for the college president while he travels abroad creating partnerships with foreign universities, Cassandra imagines an opportunity to showcase her administrative talents and advance her career goal of one day becoming a college president herself.  As it turns out, the experience will not only test her leadership abilities, it will endanger her own safety and that of several students.

Endless meetings and arrangements for Homecoming are somewhat stressful, but pale in comparison with the unfolding developments after the death of a student worker at the college laboratory where groundbreaking cancer research is being conducted.  Cassandra must put her own career on the line to protect the students and the school's reputation.  Will her actions earn her the respect and support of the college president and board of directors, or will she lose her dream job and the chance to realize her career aspirations?

Death by Dissertation is an engaging mystery with puzzling clues that introduces readers to a plucky protagonist.  Cassandra is a highly motivated, talented young woman determined to make her mark in the field of higher education.  Leaving her home and family in Hawai'i and adapting to life in Nebraska is challenging--both in terms of physical weather and cultural climate--but Cassandra's combination of natural grace and assertiveness serve her well.  A core group of campus friends stands by her, and together they form relationships that readers will be able to follow in subsequent books in the series.

Author Kelly Brakenhoff is to be commended for her insider observations and realistic portrayal of campus politics and life in a small college town.  These elements, along with the personable cast of characters, are a promising start to the series.  I look forward to following the further adventures of Dr. Cassandra Sato and her friends and colleagues.

Giveaway . . . Enter the Death by Dissertation contest by clicking on this link. 


About the author . . .  Kelly Brakenhoff is an American Sign Language Interpreter whose motivation for learning ASL began in high school when she wanted to converse with her deaf friends. As an American Sign Language Interpreter with more than twenty years of experience, Kelly’s worked in college classrooms for fifteen different majors. From traipsing across muddy farm fields to stomach-churning medical procedures, and stage interpreting for famous figures, Kelly’s community interpreting interactions number in the thousands. Unfortunately, once she’s stepped away from the job, she usually forgets 90% of what happened. Which helps her keep confidential information safe, but also makes it really hard to grocery shop for more than 5 items without a written list.  

Kelly wants to live in a world filled with peace, love, and joy, where people who can hear learn enough sign language to include deaf people in everyday conversations and work. Where every deaf child has early access to language and books with characters like them, and dark chocolate is cheap and plentiful.

When she’s not interpreting or writing, you can find Kelly cheering for her favorite Husker teams or training for half-marathons because she really likes dessert.

Her first mystery, Death by Dissertation, released April 22, 2019.

Purchase link . . .  Amazon  June 22 – 30 – Just $0.99!!

 
 

Tour Participants . . . 

June 17 – The Layaway Dragon – REVIEW
June 17 – Only By Grace Reviews – REVIEW
June 18 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE
June 18 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – Island Confidential – REVIEW
June 20 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 20 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
June 21 – Book Club Librarian – REVIEW  
June 21 – That’s What She’s Reading – GUEST POST
June 22 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW
June 22 – MJB Reviewers – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 23 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
June 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
June 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW
June 25 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 26 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
June 26 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
June 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW  
June 27 – I’m All About Books – GUEST POST
June 28 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
June 29 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW, GUEST POST
June 30 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Note . . . I received a complimentary copy of Death by Dissertation from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

This Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Sharing this original post on Twitter and/or other blogs with appropriate recognition is appreciated. 

 

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon. 

 

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, The Book of Dreams by Nina George.The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version borrowed from the library.

 

  

Day One

Henri

 

I jump.

 

The fall only lasts a few seconds.  I can hear the engines of the cars above me on Hammersmith Bridge.  Rush hour.  I smell the city, the fading fragrance of spring, of dew on the leaves.  Then I plunge into the cold water and it closes over my head.  I strike out with my arms, gathering speed as the receding tide carries me with it.  Despite being more than thirty miles away, the sea sucks the river toward it.  My body has not forgotten the tug of the tide; it's as if I never left the sea, although it's over twenty-five years since I last bathed in the Atlantic.

 

Finally I reach the girl.

 

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

This story features a very dramatic opening.  Reading the first line, I'm drawing one conclusion.  Reading the second paragraph, I'm not sure my conclusion is accurate.  And then there's the third one-line paragraph.  It's enough to keep me reading, combined with the fact that I've read and enjoyed other novels by this author. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter with appropriate recognition is appreciated.

 

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, Murder at Archy Manor by Sara Rosett.  The excerpts shared are from a trade paperback I borrowed from the library.

  

Beginning:  Chapter One

London, Summer 1923

I didn't intend to become a lady detective, but when one's relative is swept into a police investigation and the outcome looks rather grim — well, one can't stand aside.  One must do something.

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Page 56:  Lady Pamela, who had twisted her handkerchief around her fingers, unwound it.  "What Hugh means is he doesn't participate in shallow things.  He's far too serious for anything fun."

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My thoughts:  This book has several appeal factors for me:  it's the first in a new series—the High Society Lady Detective series—and it is set in a time and place that I absolutely adore.  The cover is quite striking also!

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From Goodreads:  A high society murder. A spirited lady detective. Can she out-class the killer before an innocent person takes the fall?   

London, 1923. Olive Belgrave needs a job. Despite her aristocratic upbringing, she’s penniless. Determined to support herself, she jumps at an unconventional job—looking into the background of her cousin’s fiancé, Alfred. 

Alfred burst into the upper crust world of London’s high society, but his answers to questions about his past are decidedly vague. Before Olive can gather more than the basics, a murder occurs at a posh party. Suddenly, every Bright Young Person in attendance is a suspect, and Olive must race to find the culprit because a sly murderer is determined to make sure Olive’s first case is her last. 

Murder at Archly Manor is the first in the High Society Lady Detective series of charming historical cozy mysteries. If you like witty banter, glamorous settings, and delightful plot twists, you’ll love USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett’s series for Anglophiles and mystery lovers alike.

Travel back to the Golden Age of detective fiction with Murder at Archly Manor. 




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This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter with appropriate recognition is appreciated.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon. 

Today I'm featuring Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton, which I am reading for one of my book clubs.  The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version borrowed from the library.

 

chapter one

Elisa

Havana, 1959

"How long will we be gone?" my sister Maria asks.

"Awhile," I answer.

"Two months?  Six months?  A year?  Two?" 

"Quiet."  I nudge her forward, my gaze darting around the departure area of Rancho-Boyeros Airport to see if anyone has overheard her question.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?
I'm finding this story about a family's migration from Cuba to Miami very engaging.  It unfolds over two different time periods and is told in the voice of a grandmother and granddaughter.

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter with appropriate recognition is appreciated.

Friday Focus: The Friday 56 and Book Beginnings

It's Friday . . . time to share book excerpts with:

• Book Beginnings on Fridays hosted by Rose City Reader, where bloggers share the first sentence or more of a current read, as well as initial thoughts about the sentence(s), impressions of the book, or anything else that the opening inspires.  
• The Friday 56 hosted by Freda's Voice, where you grab a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% of an eBook), find one or more interesting sentences (no spoilers), and post them.

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith.  The excerpts shared are from a hardcover version I borrowed from the library.

 

  

Beginning: I

People Do Strange Things

It was the first time that Paul had made duck a l'orange for friends since Becky left him for her personal trainer.  Her departure--after four years of living together--had been a surprise, but not as great a shock as the discovery of her new lover's identity.  Looking back on it, Paul realised that all the signs had been there, and might so easily have been spotted.

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Page 56: "Listen, dottore, in Italy we are always open to new experiences.  We are not like our dear friends the Germans--they are always so careful and so measured; we are not.  We like to live.  We like to throw caution to the winds."

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My thoughts:  The excerpts lead me to believe that the protagonist is about to embark on some totally new scenarios told from McCall Smith's humorous perspective.

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From Goodreads:  When writer Paul Stewart heads to the idyllic Italian town of Montalcino to finish his already late book, it seems like the perfect escape from stressful city life.  Upon landing, however, things quickly take a turn for the worse when he discovers his hired car is nowhere to be found. With no record of any reservation and no other cars available it looks like Paul is stuck at the airport. That is, until an enterprising stranger offers him an unexpected alternative. While there may be no cars available there is something else on offer: a bulldozer. 

With little choice in the matter, Paul accepts and so begins a series of laugh out loud adventures through the Italian countryside, following in the wake of Paul and his Italian Bulldozer. A story of unexpected circumstance and lesson in making the best of what you have, My Italian Bulldozer is a warm holiday read guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

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This Friday Focus: The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter with appropriate recognition is appreciated.

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

                                                      

 

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon. 

Today I'm featuring Blessed be the Wicked by D.A. Bartley.  The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version purchased by a librarian friend after we heard the author speak about this first book in her new series at the Malice Domestic conference in Maryland last month.

 

One

The dead man in the closet was dressed almost entirely in white: shirt, trousers, shoes and socks, even the sash draped over one shoulder and the stiff, puffy cap on his head.  The only exception was a dark-green apron embroidered with fig leaves around his waist.  He was sitting upright in a heavy chair; his feet and knees had been bound with a thick white satin ribbon.  An identical ribbon was wrapped tightly around the trunk of his body, fixing it in place.  Both tied into meticulous bows.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

The opening is a very detailed and curious description that brings several questions to mind:  Who is the dead man?  Why is he dressed the way he is?  Who "gift-wrapped" his body, and why?  I'll be reading on to find out.

This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter with appropriate recognition is appreciated.