Monday, December 7, 2015

Beach Trip - Teaser Tuesday and First Chapter / First Paragraph

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     With all the cold, rainy weather we've been having here in the Pacific Northwest, I've turned to beach stories as an antidote to the dark days. Beach Trip by Cathy Holton did that job well. The story of four friends reuniting at a North Carolina beach house captivated me from the opening all the way to the satisfying ending. The story switches between the women's college days (1982) and their reunion (2005), and covers the years in between. The author's sense of humor kept me smiling.
     I'm picky about formatting and the craft of writing, and while I didn't see any grievous errors, I felt like the editors at big-time Ballantine could have done a better job for this author. But having said that, the things I noticed didn't prevent me from enjoying this engaging story.

First Paragraph:

Spring of 1982
Bedford University
Mount Clemmons, North Carolina

     Lola was engaged to Briggs Furman, so her roommates were stunned the evening she came home and told them she was in love with a boy named Lonnie. They sat around in various poses of disbelief and concern, watching Lola and Lonnie, who stood, arms entwined, in the middle of the living room. Lola had leaves in her hair. This was six weeks before they were all set to graduate from college and go their separate ways into the wide world, and no one had suspected Lola of a secret love affair. Least of all Briggs.


Teaser (from 36% on my Kindle):
Once he realized Annie was on the Pill and there'd be no repercussions, no squalling babies or homicidal parents to contend with, Mitchell took to sex like flies to roadkill. His words. There was nothing of the romantic poet about Mitchell Stiles.

Genre: Women's Contemporary Fiction
Book Length: 433 Pages
Amazon Link: Beach Trip

Synopsis:
     Mel, Sara, Annie, and Lola have traveled diverse paths since their years together at a small Southern liberal arts college during the early 1980s. Mel, a mystery writer living in New York, is grappling with the aftermath of two failed marriages and a stalled writing career. Sara, an Atlanta attorney, struggles with her own slowly unraveling marriage. Annie, a successful Nashville businesswoman married to her childhood sweetheart, can’t seem to leave behind the regrets of her youth. And sweet-tempered Lola whiles away her hours—and her husband’s money—on little pills that keep her happy.
     Now the friends, all in their forties, converge on Lola’s lavish North Carolina beach house in an attempt to relive the carefree days of their college years. But as the week wears on and each woman’s hidden story is gradually revealed, these four friends learn that they must inevitably confront their shared past, and a secret that threatens to change their bond, and their lives, forever.


Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Post two sentences from somewhere in a book you're reading. No spoilers, please!




First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.
Link at BibliophileByTheSea



Twitter: @SandyNachlinger
Facebook: sandy.nachlinger

23 comments:

  1. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one despite the book needing better editting. I felt that way with my most recent read, a Christmas in Vermont.

    I had to laugh as I read your second teaser. Definitely not a romantic. Haha

    I do like the sound of this one--friends reflecting on the past and buried secrets being uncovered. Thank you for sharing!

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  2. This sounds like fun and an antidote to the bad weather - I chuckled at your teaser!

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  3. Beach stories? I think you are on to something Sandy. It's cold and rainy here in northern California too, but because of the drought, no one is complaining at all. I really liked the first paragraph. I'd keep reading.

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  4. I love the cover of this! And I'm with everyone else -- It'd be lovely to escape to warm weather and light reading. Bummer about the editing issues.

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  5. Doesn't sound like my favorite type of story, but still a bit curious. Hope you enjoy this one Sandy.

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  6. Great teaser! I'm thinking of adding this book to my wish list.

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  7. Love these reunion stories...this is probably one I'll pick up:)

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  8. I like the opening, and the sound of this book. It looks like something I'd like, so I'd keep reading!

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  9. Mitchell is definitely not the poet, but he does paint a vivid picture. Good teaser. The book sounds interesting.

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  10. I do love beachy reunions...and these women sound like fun. Great cover, too. I don't think I like Mitchell, however...LOL. I cringed a little at his descriptive thoughts.

    Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  11. This sounds like a fun read! One that readers could reminisce and revel in their own college days; great post!

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  12. Just looking at the cover I can't help but smile. :-) Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    sherry @ fundinmental My TT

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  13. This sounds like a book I would enjoy. The teaser is so funny. Thanks for checking out my TT earlier.

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  14. That kind of reading this time of year just make me feel even colder. I can't imagine the sex is that good, either.

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  15. This sounds like a good one. I often thing that publishers are dropping the ball when compared to good self-published books. That's too bad. Here's Mine

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  16. Great choice! That could be me and my sisters on the cover. And this is almost about 10 books away from the top of my reading list.

    My TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/12/08/teaser-tuesdays-138-sins-of-the-angels/

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  17. Cool choice for a teaser! I don't think I'll be picking this one up, but it looks like a fun read for people who like this sort of book.

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  18. I love the sound of this book and the cover is a great one!

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  19. Looks interesting, well chosen teaser!

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  20. Those relationships sound complicated! It sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for sharing your teaser(:

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  21. I do like stories about women and their relationships.

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  22. I love the premise of this book, and the cover too! Not sure if I'd get through it all, but I would sure give it a try. Thanks for visiting my Teaser/Intro post this week.

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  23. What a great way to fight off dreary weather! Your teaser is very steamy, that is for sure! :)

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