Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, First Chapter/Intros, originally hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea and now hosted by I’d Rather Be at the Beach; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by The Purple Booker.
Today’s feature is a recent download: Left (e-book), by Mary Hogan, an unforgettable tale about life’s aching uncertainties—and a woman who discovers that somewhere between hope and reality, an unexpected future will find its way forward.
Intro: I never meant for it to happen. Though, isn’t that what they all say? My heart was at the wheel; my mind and body were buckled, helpless, in the backseat? Lola was along for the ride, of course. Best friends like her appear only once or twice or maybe three times in a lifetime.
Lola—leggy, striking, indifferent—was standing a few feet back when love broadsided me. More precisely, when lust hit in a T-bone collision. Because that’s what it was. Blind and combustible want. A longing so fiery I felt like a flushed teenager. As if I would incinerate if we didn’t connect.
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Teaser: I waited for feelings of love to creep back in like a fog. The way they always did after a fight. Always had, before my husband of two decades became a man I didn’t recognize (p. 58).
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Synopsis: It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding—but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.
Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay’s worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband—her rock, her love, her everything—is succumbing to the ravages of dementia.
As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay’s invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can’t accept.
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What do you think? Would you keep reading?
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I would keep reading. I’ve got a copy of this one in the queue.
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Thanks, Catherine, the blurb really grabbed me. Enjoy!
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That sounds really good. I also like the Teaser. Enjoy.
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Thanks, Margot, I hope to enjoy this one. Have a great reading week!
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Oh what a sad sounding tale although the writing is gorgeous… enjoy!
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Oh, yes, Cleo, it is definitely sad sounding. I will have to wait for the right mood to start reading it.
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I love that intro Laurel, good draw in that makes me want more. Hope you enjoy it.
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Thanks, Diane, the intro had that same effect on me. Enjoy your pick!
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I like the cover, the teasers really didn’t catch me, but the synopsis sounds interesting. I don’t know if I would keep reading.
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Thanks for visiting, Donna, I was mostly drawn by the synopsis, too…and I love the cover.
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I think as long as you don’t have someone in your life that has dementia you could keep going it sounds like a good plot. However, since my dad currently is living with ALZ I would skip this one its to close to home just like last years Good bye vitamin.
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Thanks, Susan, and yes, I think our own experiences will affect how we feel while reading this one.
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I’m already intrigued. This one is going on my wishlist. Great choice!
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Thanks, Yvonne, I was immediately drawn to this one when I discovered it. Enjoy yours!
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I always wonder just who “they” is/are! LOL. Sounds like my kind of book.
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Oh, yes, what “they” say are those voices in our heads that we would like to ignore. LOL
Thanks for visiting, Nise, and enjoy your reading.
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It sounds like they are both succumbing to dementia.
Mine: http://www.aliceaudrey.com/?p=15867
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Definitely a disease that takes its toll on everyone involved. Thanks for stopping by, Alice Audrey.
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I’d definitely keep reading! From the blurb and the teaser I’m so intrigued!
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Thanks, Katherine, I hope to love this one! Enjoy your pick.
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I love the cover and the teaser was interesting.
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Thanks, Vicki, glad you could stop by, and thanks for hosting.
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Nope. Wouldn’t touch it with a barge-pole. It sounds absolutely fabulous – but right now I have a loved uncle and mother-in-law slowly being swallowed by this terrible disease, so I can’t face anything like this. I hope you enjoy it, Laurel.
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Thanks, Sarah, we definitely have to be in the right frame of mind to read a book like this. Thanks for stopping by.
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