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, The Date by Louise Jensen.  The excerpts shared are from the trade paperback version I borrowed from the library.

 

Beginning:  Chapter One -- Sunday

Something isn't right.

I know that as soon as I wake from a thick, muddy sleep.  I know that even before I am aware of the throbbing at my temples.  It's not the stab of disappointment I get every morning when I realize I'm not in bed with Matt, that I'm no longer living, or welcome, in my own home.  It's something else.  My head is pounding, thoughts cloudy, and the whole room feels as though it's spinning.

Something is wrong.

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

Page 56:  You will remember everything.  I'll make sure of it.  It will all come back to you and when it does . . . 

You'll really wish it hadn't.

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

My thoughts:  I find the beginning and page 56 snippet very chilling--and compelling. A sense of urgency to find out more seizes me immediately.

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

From Goodreads:  Something bad has happened to Alison Taylor. 

Her Saturday night started normally. Recently separated from her husband, Ali has been persuaded by her friends to go on a date with a new man. She is ready, she is nervous, she is excited. She is about to take a step into her new future. 

By Sunday morning, Ali’s life is unrecognisable. She wakes, and she knows that something is wrong. She is home, she is alone, she is hurt and she has no memory of what happened to her. 

Worse still, when she looks in the mirror, Ali doesn’t recognise the face staring back at her. She can’t recognise her friends and family. And she can’t recognise the person who is trying to destroy her… 

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

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, is where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon. 

Today I'm featuring a current read, The Guardians, John Grisham's latest legal thriller. The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version I borrowed from the library. 

 

 

1

 

Duke Russell is not guilty of the unspeakable crimes for which he was convicted; nonetheless, he is scheduled to be executed for them in one hour and forty-four minutes.  As always during these dreadful nights, the clock seems to tick faster as the final hour approaches.  I've suffered through two of these countdowns in other states.  One went full cycle and my man uttered his final words.  The other was waved off in a miracle finish.

 

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

As per his usual narrative style, Grisham pulls the reader in immediately, creating a sense of urgency that appeals to one's sense of social justice.  This is another of his compelling, page-turning novels.

 

 

 

 

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 a current read, A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole. It's the first book in the Reluctant Royals series.  The excerpts shared are from the paperback version I borrowed from the library.

 

Beginning:  Chapter 1
Sender:  LikotsiAdelele@KingdomOfThesolo.the
Subject: Salutations from the Royal Family of Thesolo

Dear Ms. Smith,

I hope that my letter finds you well.  I, Likotsi Adelele, assistant to His Royal Highness, have sought you out high and low over the last few months, at the behest of the most exalted—and most curious—Prince Thabiso.  He has tasked me with finding his betrothed, and I believe I have succeeded: it is you.

********************
Page 56:  He recognized what he was feeling then; he'd seen it in so many people he'd dismissed from his presence over the years.  It was shame.

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

My thoughts: Romances are not my typical read, but after hearing author Alyssa Cole speak at the Romance Writers of America (RWA) Librarians Day in July,  I decided to take a closer look at her novels.  She was so engaging—genuine, warm, and witty in person—and that's exactly what comes across in the pages of the story.  

Cole's likeable characters, interesting plot, and laugh-out-loud scenes are delightfully entertaining.  I am wholeheartedly rooting for the main character, Naledi Smith, a young woman determined to succeed as a research scientist despite personal and financial hardships and the obstacles placed in her way by the men dominating the laboratory she works in.  Who is this dashing Prince Thabiso Moshoeshoe of Thesolo?  Are her prospects about to change after she makes his acquaintance?

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

From Goodreads: From acclaimed author Alyssa Cole comes the tale of a city Cinderella and her Prince Charming in disguise . . .

Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.

Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.

The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?

Selected as one of the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2018!

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



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, is 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, Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose, the first book in the Wrexford & Sloane mystery series.  The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version I borrowed from the library.  

 

Prologue

 

A flicker of weak light skittered over the stone floor, followed by the soft scrape of steps and the whispered whoosh, whoosh of mist-dampened wool.  Quickening his pace, a lone man moved down the nave's aisle, the shoulder capes of his great-coat fluttering darkly against the shroud of shadows.

 

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

The opening paragraph and book cover conjure up a very atmospheric setting, one that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.  I'm planning to immerse myself in this book on a chilly autumn weekend for maximum reading pleasure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 on Millionaires' Row by Erin Lindsey. The excerpts shared are from the trade paperback I purchased.

Beginning: Chapter 1

ROSE GALLAGHER OF 55 MOTT STTEET -- JUST ANOTHER DAY -- CLARA'S ADVICE -- THE FIRST CLUE

As I tell you this story, I'll thank you to remember that I was young and in love.

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

Page 56:  What happened next is seared forever in my memory.  For a long time afterward, the sound of church bells tolling the hour would send a shiver of dread down my spine. 

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

 

My thoughts:  This is another one of those books that appeals to me on many levels: it's historical fiction: it's the first in a series (Rose Gallagher #1); it has a female protagonist; the setting is Gilded Age New York; it's a debut novel; the second book in the series is imminent (if not already available).  I plan to soon immerse myself in Rose Gallagher's world.

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

 

From Goodreads:  Erin Lindsey takes readers on a chase through Gilded Age Manhattan, filled with wonderful historical details, ghosts, romance, and Pinkerton detectives in Murder on Millionaires' Row, a delightfully charming debut mystery. 

Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears. Rose is certain Mr. Wiltshire is in trouble, but the police treat his disappearance as nothing more than the whims of a rich young man behaving badly. Meanwhile, the friend who reported him missing is suspiciously unhelpful. With nowhere left to turn, Rose takes it upon herself to find her handsome young employer. 

The investigation takes her from the marble palaces of Fifth Avenue to the sordid streets of Five Points. When a ghostly apparition accosts her on the street, Rose begins to realize that the world around her isn’t at all as it seems―and her place in it is about to change forever.

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

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, is where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon. 

Today I'm featuring my current read, Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty.  The excerpt shared is from an ARC I received from the publisher before the book's publication in November 2018.  

CHAPTER 1

Yao

'I'm fine,' said the woman.  "There's nothing wrong with me.'

She didn't look fine to Yao.

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

So begins Liane Moriary's latest novel . . .

What do you think?  Would  you keep reading?

As I said, I've had this book in my possession for quite some time, and had hoped to begin it way before now.  I've enjoyed other books by this author, and I find the setting for the story--a health spa in Australia called Tranquillum House--both intriguing and different.  So, when the book was the suggested read for one of my book clubs, I was eager to start it.  I've only read the first few chapters, which present the character introductions.  I'm liking the book so far . . .

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.