Monday, September 14, 2015

A Weekend Getaway - Teaser Tuesday and First Paragraph / First Chapter

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Karen Lenfestey's characters in A Weekend Getaway (the first novel in the three-book Secrets Series) are so easy to relate to. More than once I found myself wondering what I would do in the main character's situation, and I easily understood the decisions Bethany made. I'm only about halfway through the book, so it will be interesting to see how the plot develops. By the way, I've found no grammatical or other errors in this book so far, which I always appreciate. Karen Lenfestey is an indie author who writes "happy endings with  a twist." I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

First Paragraph / First Chapter:
As Bethany tugged the suitcase down the creaky stairs of her boyfriend's Victorian, she kept thinking if he were more of a gentleman, he'd offer to carry it for her. She grunted as if the bag contained more than just a weekend's worth of clothes. Drew didn't take the hint, so she added this infraction to the list she kept in her head, then reminded herself that this would be the weekend that changed everything.

Teaser (from 16% on my Kindle):
Refusing to think about the past anymore, Beth cranked up the Top 40s station on the radio and pushed hard on the accelerator. Even with the music blaring, thoughts about her secret baby and the potential fall-out with Parker and Drew gnawed at her. Could she possibly contain the damage once she opened the lid?

Genre: Women's Fiction
Length: 302 Pages
Amazon Link: A Weekend Getaway
Author's Website: Karen Lenfestey's Novels
FYI: I previously featured Made for Two by this author HERE.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
      Bethany Morris always puts everyone else’s needs first. That's why when she got pregnant in college, she shouldered the burden alone. She had the baby in secret and placed it for adoption. Sixteen years later, she’s patiently waiting for her live-in boyfriend to propose and wondering if she’s missed her one chance at motherhood. 
      Life gets complicated when she runs into the baby’s father and realizes the chemistry’s still there. At first, Bethany and Parker relive the good, old days, but then he reveals that he has the same disease that took his father’s life. Does Bethany owe it to Parker to tell him that he has a child? Should she track down the daughter she’s never known just to give her bad news? 
      Risking the comfortable life she’s built for herself, Bethany embarks on a cross-country road trip to face her past and find the daughter she never forgot.



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

30 comments:

  1. I love the cover. This sounds like it could be an emotional read on one hand, but also a fulfilling one. I do love a happy ending. :-)

    I can relate to Bethany in the first paragraph. After 17 years of marriage, I know now to ask him to carry down the full laundry basket for me so I don't have to. Hinting rarely works.

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  2. Literary Feline: I agree with your comment about the laundry basket. Also, it's really not a good idea to keep a list of infractions in your head, but I'll admit that I have done so... once or twice.

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  3. I do like the opening, such a familiar occurrence! Like you I enjoy books where I can think about what I'd do or how I'd behave in similar situations, so glad that this is proving to be such an enjoyable read for you. Here is my Tuesday post https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/09/15/first-chapter-first-paragraph-september-15/

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  4. I laughed when I read "she added this to the list of his infractions in her head". Hahaha! Don't we all do this???

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  5. It's a sad truth that books without grammatical errors are special nowadays! A Weekend Getaway sounds like a really interesting read, especially since the beginning has a really different tone from the teaser! And the cover is so summery! Thanks for sharing :) I hope you have a great week!
    My Tuesday post
    Juli @ Universe in Words

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  6. I laughed at the phrase " she added this infraction to the list she kept in her head" too! This could be a fun read... hope you enjoy the rest of it.

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  7. Sandra, love the cover and the intro, it made me smile.

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  8. You've whet my appetite to give this author's books a try. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Oh, I love the sound of this one! The secret baby, the "list" she keeps in her head of her BF's shortcomings...thanks for sharing!

    Here's mine: “PRETTY GIRLS”

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  10. Not sure if it's for me but, still, it sounds like it will be quite interesting and complex. Enjoy!

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  11. I'm honored to have been featured twice on your "Teaser Tuesday" blog! This book was fun to write and was inspired by a college reunion I attended where I realized how much younger and more naive I once was. Of course, I like to keep my real life drama-free while creating troubles for my characters like I did in "A Weekend Getaway." Happy reading, everyone!

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  12. This sounds like a good story, Sandy, and I love the cover; thanks for sharing this one!!

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  13. Sandy, I love the sound of this one. You always find good independent authors. The cover is gorgeous. Thanks for visiting my blog too. Here's Mine

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  14. Hi Karen,

    It really is good to find an Indie author who takes the time and pays enough attention to detail, to ensure that their writing is as good as it can be technically. The odd mistake is bound to slip through (I know how many I make simply writing a post or replying to comments), however the overall perception is all important. I love the cover art of the book, although it might be a little too jolly for the undertaking Bethany is about to make :)
    ---------------------------------------------
    Hi Sandra

    You chose your teaser lines from quite early on in the story, so you have kept us on the edge of our seats and given nothing away about what kind of reception Bethany gets, when and if she eventually finds her daughter, especially as you say that Karen writes "happy endings with a twist."

    Having been married for 36 years, I know by now, that I have to ask directly if I want something doing. Occasionally hubbie will take the hint, or even sometimes the initiative, but generally a more direct approach is needed. I do tend to store up all the 'infractions', as Bethany describes them, but it doesn't ever really get me anywhere :)

    Thanks for sharing, this sounds like a great story.

    Yvonne

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  15. I try hard not to dwell in the past, but alas, at times it is inevitable. I like the sounds of this one, feels like something one can relate to :)

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  16. I like happy endings. I really enjoy Taylor Dean's books and these sound a bit like hers. Such an enchanting cover too.

    Here's my TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2015/09/15/teaser-tuesdays-129-floral-depravity/

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  17. Hope you enjoyed this read, it sounds good. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  18. Wow, sound like she has a lot on her mind! She does have some tough decisions to make. Looks like a great read. And I got a kick out of that first paragraph too- about not getting the hint. :)

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  19. Sounds like a really good read.

    http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2015/09/teaser-tuesday_15.html

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  20. Yvonne--Thanks for your feedback about the cover. Sometimes I fall in love with a photograph as I did in this case. You'll have to let me know what you think after you read it.

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  21. It sounds like she's in for a weekend of drama!

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  22. If he isn't considerate or helpful and she's still waiting on him to propose, then she needs to cut her losses and move on.

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  23. Based on the first paragraph I want to keep reading. I'd like to know if she dumps that loser boyfriend. When I went on to read the blurb, I then determined to read the book. It sounds like it raises great issues. Thanks for telling us about it.

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  24. This sounds fascinating! These all sound difficult, but relatable decisions that the characters will be dealing with. I'll definitely be adding this to my TBR!
    Thanks for visiting my TT!
    http://taralei.me/teaser-tuesday-sept-15/

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  25. This sounds very interesting, although not my usual type of book! Thanks for visiting my Teaser this week!

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  26. Good teaser! Wonder how opening up that can of worms is going to work out for her.

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  27. So much intrigue! I need to know more about this secret baby!!!

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  28. FYI: A Weekend Getaway is on sale on Amazon for 99 cents until Sept. 24th.

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  29. This book sounds really good, another one that I'm adding to my wishlist. Thanks for visiting the book beginnings post on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.wordpress.com earlier today.

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