Welcome to some bookish fun today as we share Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and as we showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.
To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.
Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!
If you have been wanting to participate, but haven’t yet tried, now is the time!
What better way to spend a Friday?
Have you noticed how quickly the weeks are going by? It’s a good thing (IMO) that there is always something fun to do on the blogs, all seven days of the week.
Today’s spotlight is zooming in on an ARC I just received last week: The One That Got Away, by Bethany Chase.
Beginning: Every woman has one. That name you Google at two o’clock in the morning. That intoxicating connection that somehow never solidified into anything real; that particular memory you still visit every now and then, for that guaranteed hit of pure, sugar-packed dopamine. It’s that story that starts with “There was this one time” and ends, reluctantly, with “but I guess…”
***
56: Gardening is as close as I get to meditation. Instead of chanting, I have the texture of the earth in my hands, the varied colors and textures of the plants, the rich smell of mulch. The solitude and simple repetition allow my knotted mind to uncoil like nothing else.
***
Blurb: Sarina Mahler thinks she has her life all nailed down: a growing architecture practice in Austin, Texas, and an any-day-now proposal from her loving boyfriend, Noah. She’s well on her way to having the family she’s hoped for since her mother’s death ten years ago. But with Noah on a temporary assignment abroad and retired Olympic swimmer—and former flame—Eamon Roy back in town asking her to renovate his new fixer-upper, Sarina’s life takes an unexpected turn. Eamon proves to be Sarina’s dream client, someone who instinctively trusts every one of her choices—and Sarina is reminded of all the reasons she was first drawn to him back in the day. Suddenly her carefully planned future with Noah seems a little less than perfect. And when tragedy strikes, Sarina is left reeling. With her world completely upended, she is forced to question what she truly wants in life—and in love.
***
What do you think? I love stories about the “what ifs” in life, those unexpected twists and turns. That unique something that comes around the bend and changes everything.
What are you sharing today?
***
Great beginning, it has me wondering who she is Googling.
LikeLike
Oh, me too, Whitney….I have Googled people from the past, too. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
This sounds promising. The opening is truly intoxicating and the cover is great. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Lauren…glad you liked it!
LikeLike
I can totally empathise with her thoughts and feelings about gardening.:-) Thanks for sharing. Have a great w.end.
Here’s my meme for this week – Here is the link for this week@s meme, Best Friends…Forever? (Landry’s True Colors Series).
LikeLike
Thanks, Sherry G, and any kind of activity that gives us serenity is a good thing! Glad you could stop by.
LikeLike
Both of the bits really draw me in, I’m TBRing this one! My feature this week isn’t “what if?” It’s ” why” and it’s what some would call chick lit. It’s definitely more than a romance.
Here’s my post: http://ebogie.blogspot.com
LikeLike
I am up for chick lit now and then, Elizabeth. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy!
LikeLike
Nice choice. I can see myself sinking into this one.
My Friday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/03/friday-focus-friday-56-book-beginnings_27.html
LikeLike
Thanks, Catherine, and I am eager to sink into it too! Glad you could stop by.
LikeLike
I have Googled “that” name. Even looked on Facebook. Can’t find him anywhere. Sigh. Love the beginning. Please check out mine… http://lisaksbookthoughts.blogspot.com/
LikeLike
I actually found one on Facebook…and we’re “friends” there. That’s all, though…sometimes the past has to stay there…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Lisa.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.
sherry @ fundinmentalFriday Memes
LikeLike
You, too, Sherry, and thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I am actually reading this one as well as the one that I have on my Friday memes..it was sort of an accident as I don’t normally read these types but some how I accidentally ended up with it from First Reads so I am trying to read it. 🙂
LikeLike
A blogger friend pointed me to this one on Vine…and now I am eager to dive in. Thanks for stopping by, Stormi.
LikeLike
Interesting sounding beginning
LikeLike
Thanks, Brandi…glad you liked it.
LikeLike
Sounds like a fun read. Who doesn’t love an Olympic swimmer?! Thanks for visiting my Friday book memes page and happy reading!
LikeLike
Thanks, Sam, and enjoy your reading!
LikeLike
Sounds like a fun book. I’d read this one!
LikeLike
Thanks, Harvee….I think so, too.
LikeLike
I find gardening to be a very therapeutic activity. If you’re feeling happy, plant some flowers. If you’re feeling angry, pull some weeds. It has many valuable facets.
LikeLike
Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Alicia….
LikeLike
Her description of gardening was beautiful.
My F56: http://onceuntold.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-friday-56-dead-of-winter.html
New follower.
LikeLike
Yes, it was, Christina…thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Great opening that I can definitely relate to. This book is being added to my TBR collection.
Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment
Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed it, Sandra, and thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I like the nice simplistic cover. It goes well with the excerpts. Girl Who Reads
LikeLike
Thanks, Donna, glad you could stop by.
LikeLike
Both excerpts are great and I relate to both. The blurb has me intrigued. I’m curious to find out what happens. Hope you enjoy!
LikeLike
Thanks, Katherine…so do I!
LikeLike
I have this in my TBR pile. 🙂 Good description of gardening and how if functions as meditation for her.
LikeLike
I liked that part, too, Bea…and thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
This sounds like it’s going to be a good one.
LikeLike
I totally agree, Yvonne…thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
I ❤ ❤ ❤ that cover!!
I can relate to the beginning like you wouldn't believe.
I am an indoor gardener… apartment living… so can relate to the 56 as well. There really is something therapeutic about gardening.
Happy weekend!
LikeLike
I can relate to it, too, Freda…thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I have a “one that got away story” and I do Google him every once in a while just to make sure he is alive, I guess. Ha!
LikeLike
Yes, I do the same thing, Anne…LOL. It’s fun. And then we sometimes find them on Facebook. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Great blurbs. That looks like an interesting book. I can relate to some of those quotes.
LikeLike
Thanks, Cynthia, I am eager to read this one, too.
LikeLike
I like the sound of this one. And gardening is my therapy and meditation time too. I have a bunch of mulch waiting to be mixed into my flower gardens and can’t wait. LOL
My 56 – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/03/27/the-friday-56-55-retaliation-by-imogen-rose/
LikeLike
I wish I enjoyed gardening…sigh. I love the idea of it, though. Thanks for stopping by, Laura, and enjoy the mulch.
LikeLike
This book sounds sweet. I hope you’re enjoying it.
LikeLike
Yes, definitely, Sharon, and thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike