Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I share excerpts from books…and connect 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!
My choice today is one of my newer books: The Girl in the Red Coat, by Kate Hamer.
Beginning: I dream about Carmel often. In my dreams, she’s always walking backwards.
The day she was born there was snow on the ground. A silvery light arced through the window as I held her in my arms.
As she grew up I nicknamed her ‘my little hedge child.’ I couldn’t imagine her living anywhere but the countryside. Her thick curly hair stood out like a spray of breaking glass, or a dandelion head.
(A few extra sentences, necessary to convey the thoughts).
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56: (Carmel) I stare into the dark, being like a cat, and I start seeing some black hills. It looks like countryside with not even a single house. ‘I thought you lived in London,’ I say.
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Synopsis: Newly single mom Beth has one constant, gnawing worry: that her dreamy eight-year-old daughter, Carmel, who has a tendency to wander off, will one day go missing.
And then one day, it happens: On a Saturday morning thick with fog, Beth takes Carmel to a local outdoor festival, they get separated in the crowd, and Carmel is gone.
Shattered, Beth sets herself on the grim and lonely mission to find her daughter, keeping on relentlessly even as the authorities tell her that Carmel may be gone for good.
Carmel, meanwhile, is on a strange and harrowing journey of her own—to a totally unexpected place that requires her to live by her wits, while trying desperately to keep in her head, at all times, a vision of her mother …
Alternating between Beth’s story and Carmel’s, and written in gripping prose that won’t let go, The Girl in the Red Coat—like Emma Donoghue’s Room and M. L. Stedman’s The Light Between Oceans—is an utterly immersive story that’s impossible to put down . . . and impossible to forget.
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What do you think? Does this story grab you?
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yes! it does grab me! nothing like a missing child story to give me goosebumps and therefore have me turning pages
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I feel the same way, and notice that I’ve read a lot of missing children stories lately. Thanks for stopping by, Daniela.
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Oh, my library just received this one earlier this week! It does sound interesting- I may have to check it out.
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Thanks for stopping by, Lauren, and I suspect that I am going to love it!
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I wonder if she is always walking backwards because she is leaving or fading away. I think the book sounds good.
My Friday Quotes
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Yes, I was curious about that, too, Anne…thanks for stopping by.
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Love these excerpts. As usual, my TBR is ever growing. Here’s my Friday Book Hour
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Oh, yes, we can blame book blogging, can’t we? Thanks for stopping by, Bev, and enjoy.
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This definitely grabs me and is also scary because it’s a fear I’ve had when I’ve babysat for my nieces. Here’s my Friday meme
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Oh, yes, definitely scary! Thanks for stopping by, Maria…
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This sounds like a really gripping and intense books. I liked the opening description of Carmel, especially because I was such a nature kid when I was younger. I loved nothing more than the country side! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I hope you have a great next week!
My Friday Post
Juli @ Universe in Words
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Me, too, Juli….there was a lot of freedom out in the country; freedom to wander and explore. That’s how I grew up. Thanks for stopping by.
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Good choice. This one is getting lots of buzz and it’s on my wish list.
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I have never read this author, but I was definitely feeling the buzz as I started seeing it all around. Thanks for stopping by, Catherine.
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It sounds like a book that will keep me on edge. I like the synopsis and the cover as well. I’ll have to add it to my massive TBR list. Thanks for sharing!
My Friday Meme –> MIND GAMES
Have a great weekend 🙂
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Ah, yes, the massive TBR! I love books that keep me on edge, but they do cut into my sleep…thanks for stopping by, Danica.
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I loved this one but I don’t want to influence you.
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Ah, why not, Patty? LOL. Thanks for stopping by, and I’m eager to begin reading it.
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This does sound fascinating. This week I am featuring Uprooted by Naomi Novik which I thought was amazing. Happy reading!
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathy, and yours sounds interesting too!
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I ordered this one from the UK last year when someone (probably Cleo) talked about it. And have not read it yet. The beginning sounds almost like a fairy tale instead of a thriller – which would be fine. I’m listening to Kate Morton’s THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN right now and I have Gothic fairy tales in my head. LOL
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I have only read one Kate Morton book, The Lake House, but I am eager to read more from her. I also loved the fairytale aura to these lines. Hope to start reading it soon! Thanks for stopping by, Kay, and enjoy The Forgotten Garden.
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I love the cover and the description of her hair! It sounds really interesting!
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Yes, that is an interesting description, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Brooke.
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I read this last year and enjoyed it, though there was so much hype that got in the way for me. I think I expected the best book ever written…my own fault for getting sucked in. There was also a bit of a spooky element that threw me if memory serves.
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Thanks for stopping by, Emma, and I try to start a book without too many expectations…LOL.
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This one sounds okay, thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks, Breana, I am excited about it.
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This has been on my radar for awhile. I love the sound of it and the voice of the teasers even though missing children stories always make me nervous!
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Yes, they make me nervous, too, Katherine, but I can’t stop reading them!
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It sounds good, but I hope they do the alternating stories well. Sometimes that’s iffy for me. 🙂
Happy weekend!
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I hope so, too, Freda…it is a challenge to do it right. Thanks for stopping by…and for hosting.
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This sounds really good.
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I think so, too, Yvonne…thanks for visiting!
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Sounds like an interesting one. 🙂
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Thanks, Stormi, enjoy your book!
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This sounds rather intriguing. I love that both characters have their own journeys. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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Thanks, Alicia, I like that, too!
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I’m wondering if the walking backwards could be a metaphor. Sounds like quite an emotional and suspenseful one.
My 56 – http://fuonlyknew.com/2016/03/11/the-friday-56-97-forest-of-memory-authenticities-and-captures/
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Good point, Laura…thanks for stopping by!
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This book sounds very good.
Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog.
ENJOY your weekend.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
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Thanks, Elizabeth, I’m excited about it!
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I think I would like this one. You teases did their job. 🙂
sherry @ fundinmental Friday Memes
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Thanks, Sherry, so glad you could stop by…and enjoy your weekend.
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These sees to be making its rounds and it’s quite intriguing! The teasers sound great but when reviewers start comparing, I start to get a little wary. I guess we’ll see! 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by, Aloi…I am excited about this one!
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This looks like it could be one of those sad but beautiful reads. Will definitely check it out!
Here is my Friday 56: https://vfseattle.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/friday-56-elected-the-elected-series-1/
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I think it will be, Gen….thanks for stopping by!
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