Monday, November 23, 2015

The Beach House - First Chapter / First Paragraph and Teaser Tuesday

     Today's post features The Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe. It's a beautifully written story about 40-year-old Cara and her mother who is dying of lung cancer. Cara goes back home to the barrier islands of South Carolina and while caring for her mother, confronts issues that have followed her since she was a child. Loggerhead turtles figure in the plot too, and I learned a lot about them through this story.
     Seems like a lot of the books I've been reading lately are set at the beach. Maybe it's time for a getaway to someplace warm! 
FYI: This book is part of a trilogy.


First Paragraph:
Prologue
     It was twilight and a brilliant red sun lazily made its hazy descent off the South Carolina coast. Lovie Rutledge stood alone on a small, rolling sand dune and watched as two young children with hair the same sandy color as the beach squealed and cavorted, playing the age-old game of tag with the sea. A shaky half smile lifted the corners of her mouth. The boy couldn't have been more than four years of age yet he was aggressively charging the water, the stick in his hand pointing outward like a sword. Then, turning on his heel, he ran back up the beach, chased by a wave. Poor fellow was tagged more often than not. But the girl... Was she seven or eight? Now there was a skilled player. She danced on tiptoe, getting daringly close to the foamy wave, instinctively knowing the second to back away, taunting the water with her high laugh.

Teaser (from Page 179 of my paperback):
     Brett slowed their pace and the engine lowered to a bubbly growl as he expertly motored through the jungle of grass, his eyes on the bank, one hand on the rudder. It was like being Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart on the African Queen, she thought to herself.
    "Are we almost there, Mr. Allnut?"

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction
Length: 407 Pages (paperback)
Amazon Link: The Beach House
Author Website Link: Mary Alice Monroe

Synopsis:
Caretta Rutledge thought she’d left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother coming just as her own life is spinning out of control has Cara heading back to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide “turtle lady” and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. But it is in reconnecting with her mother that she will learn life’s most precious lessons true love involves sacrifice, family is forever and the mistakes of the past can be forgiven.

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

24 comments:

  1. I have heard such great things about this book. The beach does sound appealing. I have been spending a lot of time in fictional worlds with lots of snow of late.

    I like your teasers. The mention of the boy in the opening reminded me of my daughter. And any reference to Katherine Hepburn is bound to catch my eye.

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  2. This sounds like a great, if poignant read - I do like the setting, sounds divine and that picture of the children on the beach... Thanks for sharing

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  3. I'm really more of a mountain person than a beach person, but someplace warm does sound nice. Love the reference to the African Queen.

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  4. I read my first Mary Alice Monroe book a few months ago (Summer's End) and loved it. I vowed to read everything she's written. Thanks for sharing this one. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

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  5. Oh this sounds like it could have me in tears...lovely writing though

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  6. I don't think I have read Mary Alice Monroe in the past, but I love the sounds of this one. I like the Lowcountry setting that I have read in other books too. I am doing a Women's Fiction Challenge in 2016, this one will go on my list. Thanks for sharing. Thought about you with all the high winds last week, hope your family was safe.

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  7. I enjoy this author, and love books about going home to heal or repair the past. This is one I haven't yet read, so it's going on my list. Thanks!

    Here's mine: “SNOW ANGEL COVE”

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  8. Grammajudyb: The trees behind our house whipped around in the wind and we had heavy downpours, but luckily there was no damage. Thank you for your concern. We're looking forward to sunshine for Thanksgiving!

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  9. I loved the reference to Mr. Allnut from The African Queen. The author painted a picture for me, and I had no trouble envisioning the characters in this book steering the boat through the shallow water.

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  10. I do love her work and I loved this book! Good teaser!

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  11. The setting alone makes me want to read this one! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  12. The African Queen had a pretty rough trip. I hope she fairs a bit better.

    My teaser is here: http://www.aliceaudrey.com/?p=12970

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  13. Sounds interesting! Not sure it's one I would have automatically picked up either.

    My teaser

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  14. Sounds lovely! Thanks for visiting my site!

    Anyone up for a Christmas teaser? Dickens' A Christmas Carol: http://wp.me/p3Nz8P-yj

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  15. I really like the sound of both your teaser and the story itself. Thank you for stopping by my teaser!

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  16. It sounds really good. Thanks for sharing it. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  17. I agree about getting away to someplace warm! That's the problem with reading too many winter themed books.

    Thanks for stopping by mine at http://wp.me/pZnGI-qP (set in no particular season, but in Paris.

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  18. Sounds like she's experiencing a contented life. It's one I think I'd enjoy. Here's my teaser: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-12n

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  19. I think I read this one years ago and recall enjoying it - sounds good,hope you are liking it.

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  20. I love the writing, Sandra. It draws you in right away. Sounds wonderful.

    Thanks for stopping by my post today and have a lovely Thanksgiving.

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  21. I love this author and enjoyed the series.

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  22. This book sounds so amazing! I love the teasers and that they include Hepburn and Bogart! :)

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  23. Cute teaser! I love the descriptions (: Thanks for sharing!

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