Monday, June 8, 2020

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph and Teaser Tuesday

It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 





First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros now hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.

Teaser Tuesday hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker, where bloggers post two teaser sentences (no spoilers allowed) from a random page of their current read. 

Today I'm featuring The Burning by Jane Casey, a novel I borrowed from the library. It's the first book in the Maeve Kerrigan series.

 

Book Beginning:  She should have gone home with the others.

Kelly Staples stared at her reflection in the cracked and spotted mirror, trying to make sense of what she saw.  Surely that wasn't her face squinting back.  Mascara had smeared under her eyes, leaving shadowy smudges speckled with tiny flecks of black that wouldn't come off no matter how she rubbed at them.  The remnants of her foundation were caked around her nose and across her forehead, where her skin looked dry.  Her face was red and she had a spot on her chin that she was sure hadn't been there when she was getting ready to go out.  Her mouth was slack and wet, and there was something on her top . . . With a huge effort Kelly bent her head to inspect the damage.  Wine, she thought hazily.  She had tipped red wine down her front.  She vaguely remembered laughing hysterically, holding the wet material away from her, offering someone--a man she'd never met before--the chance to suck it, so as not to waste it, before Faye dragged her away from him, muttering crossly in her ear about behaving herself.  But as Kelly had pointed out, or tried to, tonight was all about not behaving herself.  Out with the girls for an evening of freedom, a pub crawl in Richmond.  Dolled up, tanked up, ready for a laugh.  It was getting near the end of term; they'd needed a break, all of them.  Especially her, since she'd broken up with PJ three weeks before.  Or, to be precise, he'd broken up with her.  Two years they'd been together, and he'd thrown it all away to chase after Vanessa Cobbet, the fat slapper.  A tear slid down Kelly's face, gliding through what was left of her make-up.

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Teaser:  "That looks nasty," I said mildly, pointing at it.  "You might want to cover it up before the Haworths see it."

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What do you think?  Would you continue reading?
The opening paragraphs present a situation that arouses my curiosity.  There's been lots of positive feedback about this book and I'm eager to immerse myself in the story.





This First Chapter ~ First Paragraph and Teaser Tuesday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.

7 comments:

  1. These are great teasers. They make me want to know more about the book.

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  2. Hmmm, very curious for sure. The title and author are new to me.

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  3. The great beginning makes me want to grab this one! Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

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  4. I like the first paragraph and the teaser.

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  5. Good beginning and teaser. I'd read on. My Teaser

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  6. Socrates' Book Reviews is an enlightening journey through the world of literature. The insightful analyses and articulate commentary bring books to life, making them accessible and intriguing for readers of all backgrounds. Socrates' unique perspective adds a touch of wisdom to each review, elevating the reading experience. It's a delightful space where passion for literature meets intellectual depth, creating a community bound by the love of books. Engaging, thoughtful, and genuinely uplifting, Socrates' Book Reviews is a must-visit for anyone seeking literary inspiration and a shared appreciation for the written word.

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  7. Hi Book Club Enthusiasts, I've been following the insightful discussions on this thread and thought I'd share a resource that could elevate our reading experience. Digital printing has revolutionized the way we engage with books, offering stunning visuals and customizable options. I recently came across a fantastic collection of digital printing images at Depositphotos that perfectly capture the essence of modern publishing. Imagine incorporating these vibrant images into our discussions, creating visually appealing materials for our book club meetings or enhancing the aesthetics of our shared online spaces. Let's explore the possibilities of merging literature with cutting-edge visuals! I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas on how we can integrate digital printing into our book club activities. Looking forward to your creative input!

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