Book Beginning:
Diane Solier's stomach churned as she made her way through the crowded Chicago Central student commons. Energy buzzed in the air like a shaken can of pop about to explode.
The Friday 56 (from 56% on my Kindle):
As Diane crossed through the storefront, Kim stared at her with her arms crossed. "That's why I hate you."
A lump formed in Diane's throat. She walked into the chilly air and softly closed the door behind her.
Genre: Romance
Length: 62 Pages
Amazon Link: Made for Two
Other Books by This Author: Karen Lenfestey Website
Synopsis from Karen Lenfestey's website:
Diane acted on instinct when she broke up a fight at the inner-city school where she teaches. When the superintendent suspends her, Diane returns to her hometown of Foxworth. Almost immediately she finds herself tracking down her old boyfriend, Tim. Just seeing him rekindles her love and she realizes that her life, just like her tandem bike, was made for two.
Unfortunately, Tim keeps pushing her away, claiming it will never work out. After all, she still wants to live in the city and he can't imagine leaving his family's bakery. But Diane discovers there's more to it than that. Tim has been hiding in this small town because he has a secret.
Join RoseCityReader.com every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.
Visit FredasVoice.com
Grab a book and turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader
Find any sentence (or a few, just no spoilers) and grab them.
Post them and add your URL to the Linky.
Synopsis from Karen Lenfestey's website:
Diane acted on instinct when she broke up a fight at the inner-city school where she teaches. When the superintendent suspends her, Diane returns to her hometown of Foxworth. Almost immediately she finds herself tracking down her old boyfriend, Tim. Just seeing him rekindles her love and she realizes that her life, just like her tandem bike, was made for two.
Unfortunately, Tim keeps pushing her away, claiming it will never work out. After all, she still wants to live in the city and he can't imagine leaving his family's bakery. But Diane discovers there's more to it than that. Tim has been hiding in this small town because he has a secret.
Join RoseCityReader.com every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.
Visit FredasVoice.com
Grab a book and turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader
Find any sentence (or a few, just no spoilers) and grab them.
Post them and add your URL to the Linky.
This looks interesting! My post: http://takeawalkonthewriteside.blogspot.it/2014/08/book-beginning-and-friday-56-15082014.html
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to know Tim's secret. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThose are some strong words for your 56. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Kathy--I feel like every good story has a secret that needs to be revealed. I hope you like it! Let me know.
ReplyDeletewww.karensnovels.com
"Happy Endings with a Twist"
I agree, Karen. The secret in your story was a surprise.
DeleteThank you for stopping by today.
Ah, yes, going home again when hurt and frightened sounds like just the thing...but in this case, there could be more challenges ahead.
ReplyDeleteThat 56 made me wonder what is going on with Kim. Thanks for sharing...and here's mine: “SAVE THE DATE”
It's a good "second chances" story, something I almost always enjoy.
DeleteI am very fond of the cover but wonder who the gal will ride the bike with a dress on. Ha! SOund like a good book. Anne's Friday Memes
ReplyDeleteI love the cover too. Whenever I read a book or see a movie where a woman is riding a bicycle in a skirt, I wonder how she manages it. But women all over Europe do just that. I've seen them myself! I'm afraid I'd end up tangled in the chain and sprawled on the pavement.
DeleteI, personally, have never ridden a bike with a skirt on, but like you, Sandra, I saw women in Amsterdam riding in dresses and high heels! The cover photo I used for the book is actually a couple's engagement photo shoot and I fell in love with it. The photographer, www.jonathanivyphoto.com out of Houston, was kind enough to share it with me and my readers.
Deleteoooh, this sounds good! As a former teacher I'm intrigued by the main character and will have to add this to my TBR on Goodreads! I'm especially intrigued now that I read it's not "just" romance, the old boyfriend has a secret! Thanks for visiting my Friday 56 earlier.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Diane deserves that kind of harshness or if Kim is overreacting. It just sounds really harsh though. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteKim is Tim's sister, so she's concerned about her brother. That's why she's so harsh!
DeleteAh! Your 56 has me curious, this certainly looks like something I would read :) Have a wonderful weekend Sandra :)
ReplyDeleteThat excerpt makes me wonder what's going on in that scene. :D
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. I don't blame him though. The city is not for me.
ReplyDeleteI like the country, too. I at least need to be able to see some trees and hear the birds singing.
DeleteI like the sounds of this. When well done a novella can be every bit as developed as a book and it sounds like that was the case for this one. I'll definitely have to look for this. It sounds like a lovely read.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good story, and it was definitely well done.
DeleteI leaves me wondering what his secret is. Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteGood one! I want to read this. I'll add it to my list.
ReplyDeleteI love the way the author describes nerves in the beginning!
ReplyDeleteThe 56 seemed kind of nasty.... but the story is there.
Happy weekend!
I love the mention of pop. That's what we called it in Michigan. Down here on the Gulf coast I've become a true southerner of 30 years and call it soda or coke.
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning and the 56 it sounds like she had reason to be tense. I'd like to read this.
Thanks for stopping by for my 56. Have a great weekend.
I was raised in Texas, and every soft drink was called "Coke." I think you'll enjoy this story for more than just the "pop" reference!
DeleteI believe you're right!
DeleteHate is a hard word. Might not be easy to take it back. Wonder why she hates her.
ReplyDeleteOh my, it sounds tension packed, I hope she gets an HEA.
ReplyDeleteCute cover. I love the description of energy being like a shaken can of pop. Is the entire book descriptive like that?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Happy Reading!!
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Book Beginnings
I'm glad you like the cover. I fell in love with the photo from www.jonathanivyphoto.com and he was kind enough to let me use it. I remember when I was a school counselor on lunch duty and sometimes I felt like the student body was about to explode like a can of pop.
DeleteHi Sandra and Karen,
ReplyDeleteI love the two featured excerpts from 'Made For Two' and as with everyone else who has commented, the cover art is amazing and so well suited to the storyline. I do hope that the real couple are still together and happy and not undergoing some of the intense issues which Diane and Tim seem to have going on!
Pop, is a word not often used here in the UK these days, although I can remember it with fondness from my childhood. Cola is still mostly referred to as coke, whilst most other makes of pop, are simply soft drinks.
I haven't read too many short stories, as I have strong views about the three stages of a story; a strong opening, a well defined and communicated premise and a conclusive ending; and I find that many short story authors have difficulty achieving all three in so few pages.
'Made For Two' sounds as though it has all three elements though and I am definitely intrigued enough to add it to my Goodreads 'Want To Read' list.
Thanks for sharing and I hope that you are both enjoying your weekend,
Yvonne.
Yvonne--Thanks for your comments. I don't usually like short stories, either, but some people have suggested that "Made for Two" had enough potential to make a full-length novel. I'd love to hear what you think after you've read it.
ReplyDeleteOnce as a child, I traveled to Connecticut and someone asked if I wanted a "soda." I thought she meant an ice cream soda--yum! and was disappointed when I received a Coke. :)