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 a great way to spend a Friday!
Today’s feature is a new download from an old favorite author: All the Wrong Places, by Joy Fielding: Four women—friends, family, rivals—turn to online dating for companionship, only to find themselves in the crosshairs of a tech-savvy killer using an app to target his victims in this harrowing thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of See Jane Run and The Bad Daughter.
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Beginning: “So, tell me about yourself,” he says. He smiles what he hopes is a sweet smile—neither too big nor too small, one that hints at a wry, maybe even off-beat sense of humor that he thinks would appeal to her. He wants to charm her. He wants her to like him.
The young woman sitting across from him at the immaculately set table for two hesitates. When she speaks, her voice is soft, tremulous. “What do you want to know?”
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56: “I need a drink,” she said, marching down the stairs into the kitchen, and reaching into the fridge for the bottle of wine she and Matt had shared at dinner the night before.
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Synopsis: Online dating is risky—will that message be a sweet greeting or an unsolicited lewd photo? Will he be as handsome in real life as he is in his photos, or were they taken ten years and twenty pounds ago? And when he asks you to go home with him, how do you know it’s safe? The man calling himself “Mr. Right Now” in his profile knows that his perfect hair, winning smile, and charming banter put women at ease, silencing any doubts they might have about going back to his apartment. There, he has a special evening all planned out: steaks, wine, candlelight . . . and, by the end of the night, pain and a slow, agonizing death.
Driven to desperation—by divorce, boredom, infidelity, a beloved husband’s death—a young woman named Paige, her cousin and rival Heather, her best friend, Chloe, and her mother, Joan, all decide to try their hand at online dating. They each download an app, hoping to right-swipe their way to love and happiness.
But one of them unwittingly makes a date with the killer, starting the clock on a race to save her life.
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I love this author’s books, so I’m eager to dive into this one. What do you think?
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Oh no. Not a date with a killer. Don’t go on that date! My Friday quotes
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Thanks for visiting, Anne, and I can hear myself yelling the same thing! What a thrill ride this will be. Enjoy your book.
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Sounds like a compelling read–and unfortunately plausible in real life.
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Thanks, Catherine, so true. I think I won’t read this one at bedtime…nightmares! Enjoy your pick for today.
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Eeek! Enjoy your book! It looks like an intense read. 🙂
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Thanks, Lin, it does! I can’t wait to start reading it. Enjoy yours.
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Plays on that understandable fear of the unknown that comes with online dating. Sends chills.
From a writer’s perspective, it is an interesting choice of present tense for the first part.
Hope you enjoy it.
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Thanks, Roberta, sometimes a present tense in a thriller is even more suspenseful. Enjoy your pick.
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Ooh, this sounds scary! I’m intrigued. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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Thanks, Ashley, I think it will be!
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Oft! That opening is so skin-crawling! Sounds great 😊
Friday Spotlight
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Thanks, Louise, it is! Enjoy your pick.
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The dinner date pulled me right in…. LOL… Happy weekend!
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Thanks, Freda, I’m excited about this one.
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I’ve never read anything by this author but the blurb sounds amazing. I hope you enjoy the story. This week I am spotlighting Grave Destiny by Kalayna Price. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, I hope to love this book.
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I’ve heard a lot of great things about Fielding. Thanks for sharing!
Lauren @ Always Me
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Thanks, Lauren, I’m eager to read this.
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I love this author. I haven’t read anything by her in a long time. Great choice!
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Thanks, Yvonne, I love her books, too. I’m always excited when she releases a new one, so I’m looking forward to reading this one. Enjoy yours!
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Hope you’ll enjoy your new thriller and that it lives up to your expectations.
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Thanks, NIcki, I’m eager to begin reading it. Enjoy your book, too.
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I just cringed at “Mr. Right Now.” I feel like that’s a red flag in itself. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
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Thanks, Alicia, I am eager to start reading this one, despite the chilling premise. Or because of it. Enjoy yours.
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