Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I enjoy sharing excerpts from books…and connecting with other bloggers, who do the same.
Let’s begin the celebration by sharing Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and let’s 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!
What better way to spend a Friday!
Today’s spotlight is shining on an ARC from Amazon Vine: Freedom’s Child, by Jax Miller.
Beginning: (Prologue)
My name is Freedom Oliver and I killed my daughter. It’s surreal, honestly, and I’m not sure what feels more like a dream, her death or her existence. I’m guilty of both.
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56: “Yeah, sorry.” I put my hands down in my cleavage and scoop out the sweat. I gulp at air polluted with crack and try to shake it off. I try to tell myself that it was years ago, that it’s over now.
***
Blurb: Freedom Oliver has plenty of secrets. She lives in a small Oregon town and keeps mostly to herself. Her few friends and neighbors know she works at the local biker bar; they know she gets arrested for public drunkenness almost every night; they know she’s brash, funny, and fearless.
What they don’t know is that Freedom Oliver is a fake name. They don’t know that she was arrested for killing her husband, a cop, twenty years ago. They don’t know she put her two kids up for adoption. They don’t know that she’s now in witness protection, regretting ever making a deal with the Feds, and missing her children with a heartache so strong it makes her ill.
Then, she learns that her daughter has gone missing, possibly kidnapped. Determined to find out what happened, Freedom slips free of her handlers, gets on a motorcycle, and heads for Kentucky, where her daughter was raised. As she ventures out on her own, no longer protected by the government, her troubled past comes roaring back at her: her husband’s vengeful, sadistic family; her brief, terrifying stint in prison; and the family she chose to adopt her kids who are keeping dangerous secrets.
Written with a ferocious wit and a breakneck pace, Freedom’s Child is a thrilling, emotional portrait of a woman who risks everything to make amends for a past that haunts her still.
***
It has been another week of sluggish reading, but I hope to dive into this one by next week. Let’s see!
My house guests are still here, and to make the guest room/office more spacious, I removed the bookcase that jutted out into the room…and now it is in my garage, filled with more books to donate.
Before:
After:
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What bookish events are happening in your corner of the blogosphere?
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Oh, this sounds really good! This will have to go on my tbr!
Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).
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Thanks, Lauren, I was drawn to it in the Vine newsletter, even though I haven’t come across it anywhere on the blogs. Glad you could stop by.
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Wow, I don’t think I care for Freedom at all! Please check out mine http://tinyurl.com/lisaksbkreviews
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She is definitely a tough character, isn’t she? I suspect that discovering her backstory will make her more likeable. Thanks for visiting, Lisa.
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Haven’t heard of Freedom’s Child–it sounds like a compelling, un-put-downable read. Enjoy!
My Friday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/07/friday-focus-friday-56-book-beginnings_17.html
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I haven’t seen any mention of it anywhere in the blogosphere, but I kept pausing when I saw it on Vine…and then had to give it a try. Thanks for visiting, Catherine.
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Sounds interesting though probably one I’ll wait to see reviews of. The premise is definitely attention hooking though! Enjoy your house guests!
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Thanks, Katherine, and I do hope to enjoy it. My house guests have gone to my daughter’s for a few days…we’ll have dinner together most nights, though. Then they will return!
Glad you could stop by, and enjoy your weekend.
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She’s so damaged I must meet her. This sounds like it would be a great movie too.
Here’s my 56 – http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/07/17/the-friday-56-69-grey-daze-by-author-michael-allan-scott/
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I do enjoy damaged characters, Laura, especially if I suspect that how they were wounded by life events will tug at my heartstrings. Thanks for stopping by.
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Oh wow, this sounds like quite a complicated read. I’m not quite sure it’s one for me although the beginning is definitely working for me. Intrigued doesn’t even really cover how I feel about the beginning. Thanks for sharing 🙂 I hope you have a great weekend!
My Friday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
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Yes, that beginning stunned me, Juli….and I do want to know more, too. Thanks for stopping by!
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This does sound like an amazing thriller. I hope you are enjoying it. I’m spotlighting Silver Mirrors by A. A. Aguirre this week. Happy reading!
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Thanks for visiting, Kathy, and I hope you are enjoying your read, too.
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This sounds like a brilliant yet difficult read. I might add this to my ever growing tbr list
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Thanks, Emily, I do wonder about the character, and I’m curious about her backstory.
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I have FREEDOM’S CHILD. It sounds good. That first sentence definitely pulled me in.
I like your book case. Sorry it had to be “sent” to the garage. 🙂
ENJOY your company and your weekend,
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
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Oh, I think I’ll miss the bookcase, Elizabeth, but it did take up a lot of space.
I have sentimental feelings toward it as well. I got it from a favorite shop that was going out of business….and the owners used it for display. I liked the little “chicken wire” doors. The surface is rough and hard to keep clean, so it may be best in the garage. But I think I’ll keep it there for a while…just in case.
I hope you enjoy Freedom’s Child. I am looking forward to it.
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Wow oh wow. That prologue is really something else. What an opening. My oh my.
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I think so, too, Anne….thanks for stopping by!
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I like that book cabinet, don’t get rid of it, just the books. This book sounds dark, but possibly exciting. I look forward to what you have to say after reading it. Thanks for visiting.
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Yes, I am thinking I can use it somewhere…I am a big fan of using things in different rooms. Thanks for visiting, Elizabeth.
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Oh…my…gosh! That are some excerpts and a powerful blurb. I had this on my radar but I know I will want to read this. Whether or not it is a pleasurable read I don’t know yet due to the main topic, but it sounds like a thrilling ride!
p.s. why didn’t you just lay a few (hundred) of your books on the floor and make a pallet for your guests? Then they could read and sleep in the same spot 😀 Oh, I’m only joking here, you know 🙂
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Ha-ha! That sounds like quite the idea, Rita. I have that sleep sofa in my office, and up until now, it has only been used for a night or two at a time. It is a challenge to make it work for a few weeks…or more.
I like the sound of this book, too.
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I like the name Freedom, even if it is an alias. Hope you’re enjoying it!
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Me, too, and it seems appropriate for someone running from the past. Thanks for stopping by, Alicia.
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Gross 56, but that beginning grabs you!! Happy weekend!
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Yes, that 56 did make me pause and wonder…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Freda.
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This sounds dark but fantastic. I think I’ll add it to my wish list.
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Thanks, Bea, I am definitely hoping to dive into this one soon.
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OMG. I don’t know what to think with an opening like that!
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Yes, I was caught off guard with that one, Aloi. Thanks for stopping by.
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Holy crap this sounds downright intense..and what momma bear wouldn’t stop at anything to protect her young.
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Kimba, and I am enjoying this one so far.
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Wow! That’s an opening that grabs your attention! And I like the Oregon connection. I’m going to track this one down.
Thanks for playing along with BBOF. I don’t always stop by to leave comments, but I appreciate your participation!
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Doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Gilion, and I love the Oregon connection, too. I have been to Oregon several times over the years, and each time, I want to move there! LOL
Not as easy to pull up stakes as wishing might suggest.
The book has short chapters, which I am loving…and the writing style is unique.
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Jax Miller here, I do hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Jax….and I am enjoying the many layers of Freedom, not to mention the interesting and dangerous layers of other characters!
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