Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Vicky from I’d Rather Be At The Beach who posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
My opening paragraph today comes from The Lost Letters by Sarah Mitchell because I have a longing to read a good dual time-line novel and this sounds like it fits the bill perfectly.
Blurb
What if keeping your loved ones safe meant never seeing them again?
Norfolk, 1940: Sylvia’s husband Howard has gone off to war, and she is struggling to raise her two children alone. Her only solace is her beach hut in Wells-Next-The-Sea, and her friendship with Connie, a woman she meets on the beach. The two women form a bond that will last a lifetime, and Sylvia tells Connie something that no-one else knows: about a secret lover… and a child.
Canada, present day: When Martha’s beloved father dies, he leaves her two things: a mysterious stash of letters to an English woman called ‘Catkins’ and directions to a beach hut in the English seaside town of Wells. Martha is at a painful crossroads in her own life, and seizes this chance for a trip to England – to discover more about her family’s past, and the identity of her father’s secret correspondent.
The tragedy of war brought heartbreaking choices for Sylvia. And a promise made between her and Connie has echoed down the years. For Martha, if she uncovers the truth, it could change everything… Amazon
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First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
ONE
CANADIAN AIRSPACE, RECENTLY
‘… seven, eight, nine…’ Martha Rodwell is counting under her breath. On ten she opens her eyes and her left hand – freckled, slim and workmanlike – slackens its grip on the arm of the airline chair. Little by little the slope of the gangway begins to level and the grinding whine of the engines slows to a growl.
‘Well,’ she murmurs, ‘I guess we can all breathe again now!’ The man in the seat but one from her own lifts his head from the well of a ring binder, spearing her with his light blue eyes. ‘I’m sorry?’ he says. ‘What did you say?’
‘Oh!’ – Martha laughs awkwardly – ‘I… Well, I just… Oh, it was nothing…’
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Well I am hoping the man with the spearing eyes appears more often!
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
I’ve read this one and it’s very good.
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That’s good to know Nicola, I’m even more keen to read it now!
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Hmm, I’m not sure, to be honest. I like the sound of it from the blurb but that first paragraph makes me worry about the quality of the writing. I mean what is ‘spearing’ someone with your eyes (of whatever colour)? Also, where is the ‘well’ in a ring binder? Might be me being ultra picky but I think I’d want to read another few paragraphs before deciding.
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Maybe the style of writing isn’t for you?
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Yes, perhaps and ‘style of writing’ is a more generous term than mine. I do still wonder at how you ‘spear’ someone with your eyes though!
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I’m not a huge fan of books set during wartimes. I hope you do enjoy this one.
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Thank you Diane
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I do like a dual timeline, Cleo, if it’s done well. And this sounds like an intriguing setup for a story. It sounds as though this is character-driven, too, which I do like. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
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Sounds like it could be good. I hope you enjoy it:)
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Thank you 🙂
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Sounds like a light romance. I’d read on.
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Not one for me despite the spearing eyes, but I hope you enjoy it!
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I am looking forward to this one – time for a change for this little bookworm!
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I like a good dual time frame too. This one sounds good and is off to an interesting start. Enjoy.
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Thank you Margot
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This sounds very interesting, I do like a dual storyline. I do like reading war stories, I like mine around WWII some reason I have a fascination with that time period. I will wait to see your review on the book but does have me interested.
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Excellent news – I’m hoping to get to this one soon!
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I forgot to leave my post: http://www.oneemergentlife.com/first-chapter-first-paragraph-week-3/
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🙂
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Sounds promising. MK French shares a horror novel at Girl Who Reads
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Thanks for visiting Donna and leaving your link 🙂
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I love stories in dual time lines, and lost letters seal the deal…plus, guys with spearing light blue eyes. LOL
Here’s mine: “HUNGRY HEART”
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I’m intrigued by those eyes 😉
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Sounds interesting. I’m curious about what she discovers. This week I am featuring Read and Gone by Allison Brook. Happy reading!
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Thanks for visiting and leaving your link
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This book does sound good and I can sympathize with ‘letting go’ of the armrest on the plane. That’s me. Ha!
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Haha fortunately because I have to fly to get anywhere I’m not an armrest gripper!
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I’d keep reading!
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🙂
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Sounds fun and i like the dual timeline,too!
Here’s my Tuesday post. Enjoy your day!
Sassy x
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I am a fan of wartime settings. Each book throws up another perspective all different all compelling.
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