The characters are often gritty with very real true-to-life problems and worries. I wanted them to succeed. The book enthralled me from the first page, and I truly could not put it down. This 5-star story will stay with me for a long time.
Opening Paragraph:
Mud and rain invaded my dreams after Donna's death. In southeast Alaska, where I've lived for half my life, we have precipitation 310 days out of the year. All those nights with the skittle-skattle of wet pelts against the windows, you'd think that rain would have formed the base molecules of my sleep a long time ago. And the mud. It's everywhere up here, omnipresent and brutal.
Teaser (from 39% on my Kindle):
But who's going to walk through the door--a mature, grown-up daughter, who I haven't yet met, or the junkie I know? I push the letter to the back of the drawer and close it.
Genre: Literary/Adventure / Family Relationships
Length: 298 Pages
Amazon Link: The Gods of Second Chances
Author Website: Dan Berne
I agree with you. I love it when the setting is as powerful as a character. Alaska could definitely do that. I'd like to read more of this one.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading books where you can commiserate with or cheer for one or more of the characters. TBR'd on GoodReads.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Love the front cover, the intro and the teasers. Off to check out the synopsis and add it to my wishlist! Thanks for sharing! Here's my TT.
ReplyDeleteI didn't add the synopsis to today's post because I hoped my intro would give people an idea of what the book is about. Besides, that would have made the post longer than I'd like. I hope you enjoy this story.
DeleteI can just imagine all that mud and rain. Great opener and teaser.
ReplyDeleteHope September brings you blessings, Sandra.
Kay
Thank you! I'm looking forward to cooler weather and even the rain that autumn brings to the Pacific Northwest.
Deletethat is a great intro and a book I would love to try. hope you enjoy it. thanks so much for joining us this week.
ReplyDeleteHe does have his hands full. I like The Teaser and the first.....I like this enough to put it on my list. Didn't know it rained so much in Alaska.
ReplyDeleteAlaska is such a big state. Perhaps the rainfall he mentioned doesn't occur everywhere, but I really don't know. Regardless, that's a heck of a lot of rain!
DeleteThanks for sharing. I am adding this book to my ever growing list of TBR. I like the cover too and I often judge a book by its cover!
ReplyDeleteI like books with strong settings, too. This book seems to have it all - cover, setting, story, and writing. Off to see if it's available from my library.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sandy. Thanks for reading the novel and talking about it on your blog! I's very glad the strong sense of the Alaskan landscape, and how it impacts the lives of the characters, came through. The spot-on cover was created by Gigi Little who works with my publisher. When I first saw it I knew she had gotten the essence of the story. And it's a good thing she did! If left to my own devices, y'all would be poking at a photo of a crab fishing boat anchored in a cove.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Dan. You're right about the cover -- it's eye-catching and captures so many elements of your story. You've created a memorable book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
DeleteI agree, the setting was like another. I enjoyed this one, too....thanks for sharing, and reminding me of this book. Here's mine: “THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU”
ReplyDeleteI meant to say "like another character." LOL
DeleteI have a feeling that I found this book through your blog! It's one of the best stories I've read lately, and I recommend it for men and women alike.
DeleteRain 310 days out of the year? That's worse than Seattle (where I lived for 20 years). But the characters sound interesting. I love exploring family dynamics.
ReplyDeleteMy TT is at http://suziequint.blogspot.com
I now live in the Seattle area, and although I don't mind the rain, 310 days a year would be a little too much for me! But the weather is definitely a significant factor in this fisherman's life.
DeleteI hadn't realized it was so different in Alaska. I've been there, but only for a few days a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteI've been on an Alaska cruise, which is hardly a "real world" experience! I enjoyed the beauty of the area.
DeleteI like the intro and the location. I'm glad you enjoyed this. I''m going to add this to my 'To Read' list.
ReplyDeleteThe opening doesn't do much for me....300+ days of precipitation?? No thank you! But the book does sound interesting. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteToday I'm featuring The Girl Who Came Home.
Not generally something I read, but this one sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteMy TT this week is from a Tolstoy novella. http://wp.me/pZnGI-ci
For a moment I got confused when you said a place as a character, but then I totally clocked what you meant! This sounds like a really interesting book although I'm not so sure about the first person narrating, it's just not really my thing! I'm glad you enjoyed it :) thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteJuli @ Universe in Words
Very intriguing opening! I like the cover, too.
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like a read that puts you through the wringer. Glad you were rooting for him as that shows that the characters are well-drawn. Thanks for visiting my TT http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/09/02/teaser-tuesday-september-2/
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this story, I felt like I knew the main character very well. The author did a great job.
DeleteUmmm..This sounds interesting! I'll have to check it out on goodreads, because you've got my interest peaked! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my TT @ Addicted Readers! :)
I like the sound of this one! I read a fantastic memoir set in Alaska called Still Points North by Leigh Newman...I also love the writing in the intro and the gritty story. I'll add this one to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteHere's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-back-channel-stephen-l-carter/
Thanks for telling me about Still Points North. I'll read that one.
DeleteSounds great!
ReplyDeleteHe does have more problems than anyone should have to face but I think there are more people like him than we realize.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. The book made me stop and think about the many people who live a marginal existence where any financial setback can be catastrophic. This character managed to find a way to provide for himself and his granddaughter, through hard work and the help of his friends, and in spite of his misfortunes.
DeleteSounds interesting and sounds like the setting numbers among his problems in part, but he also must have some sort of love for it. Imagine the same is true for how he feels for his daughter. Hope he got the ending he deserved. Thanks for coming by my blog.
ReplyDeleteAt one point he says: "But since moving here, I've never wanted to live anywhere else."
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRich in culture and characters. I can see why you couldn't stop until you reached the end. That's a very telling cover too. I like it. Thanks for stopping by my tease.
ReplyDeleteOuch, that tease sounds like there's definitely going to be an interesting relationship going on, and the description in the intro was cool too. Vivid. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy Teaser.
I really enjoyed the intro for the book; beautiful and quite captivating. I've said this about so many people's Tuesday Teasers and similar, but I think I might have to add this to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteHere's my TT: http://deweygirl.co.uk/2014/09/teaser-tuesday-greywalker/
Every week I'm tempted to add at least a dozen books to my Kindle! It's hard to resist so many good stories.
DeleteThat is a lot of rainy days! Wish it rained that much where I live; we are in a terrible drought. Anyway! I do hope you enjoy your book :)
ReplyDeleteSparrow's TT
Great intro and teaser! You have my interest.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by mine today:
Mine this week is a YA disability story:
http://pdworkman.com/excerpt-from-window-boy-teasertuesday-yalit/
After recently visiting Alaska, I want to check this book out.
ReplyDeleteIt will give you a new appreciation for the hard life of an Alaska fisherman.
DeleteI like that, I like a well defined setting. I like to know where I'm at. I'd keep reading. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteOooh.... I wonder too!! Good one!!
ReplyDeleteThanx for visiting my TT
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
I love the cover of this book. I really want him to have a super happy ending b/c he sounds like a very sweet man! Thanks for sharing (:
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'd call him "sweet" (he's kind of crusty), but he is definitely loving in his own way. It's obvious that his granddaughter is of utmost importance to him.
DeleteLove your tears. They are very intriguing. Thanks for visiting my teaser tuesday
ReplyDeleteI like both the teaser - they draw out the atmosphere and emotion well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Write Note Reviews.
I meant, both the intro AND teaser :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks interesting, with Alaska as the background. I've heard about that city a lot on the movies and tv serials and kind of curious about it. Great review by the way. Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteThat opening is really intriguing. This story sounds really different.
ReplyDeleteKero @ KBB
The descriptiveness is fantastic, and that intro really drags you right in. Also am loving the cover for this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting our teasers! :)
I hope it's the first one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having visited my blog!
^_^
I love the stories where you find yourself really pulling for the characters...really invested in theri well being:) Plus I love the title:)
ReplyDeleteOoh, this sounds really good! I am dying to go to Alaska, and love that it acts as such a big part of the book. :) Great teaser!
ReplyDeleteRachel @ Paper Cuts