Monday, January 4, 2016

Jewel - Teaser Tuesday and First Paragraph / First Chapter

Jewel by Bret Lott is an engrossing and beautifully written story. The author delves deep into the main character's fears and dreams, and he does a great job of portraying the reality of the Deep South in the 1940s and 1950s, especially regarding treatment of children with Down's Syndrome. Jewel is a book I won't forget.

First Paragraph:
     I was born in 1904, so that when I was pregnant in 1943 I was near enough to be past the rightful age to bear children. This would be my sixth, and on that morning in February, the first morning I'd known I was with child, I'd simply turned to Leston in bed next to me, the room gray from a winter sky outside the one window, that sky not yet lit with the sun, and I'd said, "There'll be no more after this one."

Teaser (from Page 80 in my hardback copy):
     But I let that fear hole up inside me until February, praying each day something might happen: that my baby would smile up at me when she came to, that she would roll over, that the sound of a baby's laugh might escape her and make its way into the house.
     Nothing came. Now she was five months old.

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction / Family Saga
Book Length: 358 Pages
Amazon Link: Jewel
Author's Amazon Page: Bret Lott

Synopsis:
In the backwoods of Mississippi, a land of honeysuckle and grapevine, Jewel and her husband, Leston, are truly blessed; they have five fine children. When Brenda Kay is born in 1943, Jewel gives thanks for a healthy baby, last-born and most welcome. Jewel is the story of how quickly a life can change; how, like lightning, an unforeseen event can set us on a course without reason or compass. In this story of a woman's devotion to the child who is both her burden and God's singular way of smiling on her, Bret Lott has created a mother-daughter relationship of matchless intensity and beauty, and one of the finest, most indomitable heroines in contemporary American fiction.


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

31 comments:

  1. Sounds good to me Sandra - I like books which explore family relationships.

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  2. Sounds like it could be good -- maybe a little sad?

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  3. I remember this book and meant to read it a long time ago. Was it an Oprah book? Seems like maybe it was. I love the beginning. Thanks for sharing it and reminding me!

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  4. I read this Oprah pick more than 10 years ago so I don't remember much about it. I do like the intro though.

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  5. Oh wow, this book does sound like it would stay with you! I like the voice of the narrator and am definitely intrigued to find out more about the story! Thanks for sharing :) I hope you have a great week!
    My Tuesday Post
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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  6. This sounds like it would be an emotional and heartwarming read. I can feel her anxiety in the teaser you shared.

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  7. This one sounds very heartbreaking but maybe uplifting. I haven't had much luck with other books on Oprah's list, but I will take your recommendation. We have enjoyed the same books in the past. Thanks for sharing this one, Sandra!

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  8. I read this one a few years ago....I went to Goodreads to check for my thoughts, as it did sound so familiar, and discovered that I had read it, but didn't post a review, as it was before blogging.

    I think there was a TV movie, too, with Farrah Fawcett, perhaps?

    Or I could be crazy...LOL.

    Definitely a heart-wrenching story. Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

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  9. I knew the book had to have something awful happen from Miz B's teaser. Now I know it, but I'm still only guessing. The baby is deaf? Or just mute?

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  10. Just one paragraph and I already feel something for the main character. Nicely written too.

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  11. The Deep South in the 40s and 50s?!! Oh, yeah! Count me in!!

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  12. I hope this isn't as sad as it sounds. I'm not sure it's for me. Here's my intro/teaser from a Josephine Tey classic: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-16A

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  13. I love the writing in the intro, and I love stories about families and stories set in the South. I'd keep reading!

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  14. I love the era and reading books set in southern locations. This sounds quite traumatic. I'd need to be in the right mood to read.

    Thanks for stopping by my post and Happy New Year!

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  15. I read this year ago. Happy Tuesday

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  16. Good one. I love family sagas.

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  17. Sounds like it could be a very emotional story. I'm guessing I'd probably cry a little bit. Thanks for vising my Tuesday post earlier!

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  18. I've been curious about this book. Sounds like a heavy read.

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  19. That teaser is so intimate and interesting. It really has me curious to know where the story goes. I hope it's a great read for you!


    Thank you so much for sharing and for stopping by my post earlier. I really appreciate it. Happy reading!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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  21. Sounds interesting, hope you enjoy it.
    Ash @ First Dream of Books

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  22. It sounds heartrending, but alluring all the same; I would keep reading. Thanks for sharing this one Sandra :)

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  23. Great teaser. I read this some tine ago and loved it. Truly will touch any heart.

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  24. This sounds like a very emotional novel but interesting to find out how the family change as a consequence. Thanks for visiting my blog earlier and best wishes for 2016.

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  25. That teaser is so sad :/ I hope the baby laughs one day.

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  26. Sounds like an emotional read. Hope you enjoy it.

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  27. Ohh great teaser it looks and sounds really interesting and intriguing. Thank you for stopping by my blog! :)

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  28. This book sounds very thought provoking. It must have been such a difficult era to have a special needs child. <3

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  29. Interesting teaser. I hope everything goes well in the book! Thanks for sharing.

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