Welcome to some serendipitous 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!
I’ve grabbed a book from my stack for next week, and I can’t wait to read it! The Long Way Home, by Karen McQuestion, is the story of four women in search of something more….
Blurb: For Wisconsinites Marnie, Laverne and Rita, life isn’t working out so well. Each is biding time, waiting for something better, something to transport them out of what their lives have recently become. And then there’s Jazzy: bubbly, positive, and happy even though she hears voices of the departed. Brought together by a chance meeting, the women decide to join Marnie on a road trip from Wisconsin to Las Vegas where she intends to reunite with Troy, the boy she raised as her own—and who she’s been separated from since her boyfriend’s death. Little do they know that as the road trip unfolds, so will their lives—in directions they never anticipated. Humorous, heartwarming, and bittersweet, the journey has something special in store for each woman.
***
Beginning: She arrived late.
They were nearly finished when the young woman rushed into the classroom, flustered and apologetic. When the door flew open and Marnie first spotted her, she assumed the girl had entered the wrong room. For one, she was so much younger than the rest of the group—in her early twenties, judging by her looks.
***
56: She had difficulty sleeping since encountering Matt in the grocery store. His words kept running through her mind. Troy was alone. He was unhappy. He missed her.
***
I love stories about road trips, and this one sounds really good to me.
What are the rest of you spotlighting today? I can’t wait to find out more….
SERENDIPITY 
I really like the beginning. Everyone has those moments where they come into a classroom and everyone stairs at them! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend!
Juli @ Universe in Words
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You’re right, Juli…I can still remember the first time that happened to me…in first grade!
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your weekend.
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It’s never a good feeling to be running late. I wonder what kept her from being on time?
Here are my Friday Memes.
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I am curious about that, too, Bev; perhaps she’s one of those perpetually late people. Or maybe something really interesting kept her…Hmm.
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your read.
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Hmm, I’d like to go on a road trip.
Also, I’m mesmerized by your background.
Here’s my Book Beginnings.
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Me, too; road trips can be so much fun!
Glad you could stop by, Chris, and thanks for the compliment on the background. If “mesmerized” is a good thing, of course…lol
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Nice choice. Thanks for visiting.
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You’re welcome, Jo…and I am glad you could stop by. Enjoy your read!
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Good beginning! It makes me want to know more.
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I think so, too, Margaret…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your read.
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Aw, I love the quote from page 56…been there…
Have a good weekend.
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Oh, I definitely do that, too, over just the smallest thing sometimes! Thanks for stopping by, Amber, and enjoy your read.
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Being late and an unfit in the group! Not a great beginning for class. But Interesting beginning for the book!
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Definitely, Srivalli….thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your read!
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Sounds like a story with many layers.
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I think so, too, Freda…thanks for stopping by!
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It’s funny how we replay words over and over in our mind. Wonder what he said to her.
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I’m eager to find out, too, Lady D. Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your weekend.
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Looks really interesting.
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Thanks, Eva…glad you could participate today, and happy you could visit. Enjoy!
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Sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my blog!
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You’re so welcome, Lauren…glad you could visit, too. Enjoy your weekend!
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Hi Laurel Rain,
I definitely think those opening lines would have me hooked enough to want to keep on reading. As Marnie assumes she is in the wrong class because she is younger than the others (in her twenties), I am intrigued to know just what kind of classes Marnie teaches (see, I have already assumed she is a teacher … where did that come from?)
Another to be added to my reading list, I hope that you enjoy the book and get to find out exactly what Marnie is doing, but no letting on mind….!
Yvonne
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Oh, I didn’t think of it that way, Yvonne…but you have a point. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts…and enjoy your read.
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This sounds like a book I would love …. you have me hooked on this one. I love the synopsis, the beginning and the quote from page 56. Another one to add to my ever increasing wishlist, LOL. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks, Janet Ruth…Ah, yes, the ever expanding list! I have notes and post-its everywhere! But what’s worse is when I actually click over to Amazon and order! lol
Enjoy your reading!
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Great beginning, although it’s never a good thing to be late! Not familiar with this book, but hope you enjoy it. Thanks for visiting my Friday post. Have a great weekend.
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Definitely not a good start to the day, being late. Thanks for visiting, William, and enjoy the weekend.
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