Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Should Be Reading.
Today’s featured book is A Desirable Residence, by Madeleine Wickham.
Intro: There wasn’t much point, Liz told herself, in getting upset. It wasn’t his fault, poor man. The estate agent had finished talking, and was looking at her concernedly, expecting a response. To gain time, she glanced out of the sash window of the office, the panes bright with the sun and raindrops of a confused September’s day. There was a little courtyard garden outside, walled, with a white wrought-iron bench and tubs of flowers. It must be nice in the summer, she thought, forgetting that this still was, to all intents and purposes, the summer. Her mind always worked at least half a term ahead.
‘Mrs. Chambers…?’
‘Oh, yes, sorry,’ said Liz, and turned back. ‘I was listening.’ She smiled at the estate agent. He didn’t smile back.
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Teaser: But Ginny did know. She knew that she had somehow a strange ability to find an attraction in almost any kind of residence, be it a tiny flat or a manor house. Confronted with the meanest little house, she was always able to construct in her own mind a charming hypothetical life there, imbuing on it a vicarious, often quite undeserved appeal. (p. 67)
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Amazon Description: From the author of the internationally bestselling Sophie Kinsella novels, Madeleine Wickham’s newest novel features a house whose asking price includes a stunning renovation of dreams and hearts…
Liz and Jonathan Chambers were stuck with two mortgages, mounting debts and a miserable adolescent daughter. Then Marcus Witherstone came into their lives – and it seemed he would solve all their problems. He knew the perfect tenants from London who would rent their old house: a glamorous PR girl, Ginny, and her almost-famous husband, Piers. But soon Liz is lost in blissful dreams of Marcus, Jonathan is left to run their tutorial college, and neither of them has time to notice that their teenage daughter is developing a passion for the tenants, Piers and Ginny. Everyone is entangled with everyone else, in the most awkward possible way. And as events close in, they all begin to realize that some deceptions are just a bit too close to home.
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What do you think? Does it capture your interest? Would you keep reading?
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Sounds interesting. Love the teaser. Here is my TT https://cynthia2729.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/teaser-tuesday-april-29/
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Thanks, Cynthia…glad you could stop by! Enjoy your week.
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This sounds intriguing! I myself love looking through real estate catalogs and imagine how I would live in certain houses, where I’d put what etc. Being such a big Harry Potter fan, it is strange to see a different character with the name Ginny. She’s the first non-HP Ginny I’ve seen! I hope you enjoy this one 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
My Tuesday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
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I love looking at houses, too….in fact, for years, when I was young, going to open houses and imagining myself living in them was a regular Sunday event. Thanks for stopping by, Juli.
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I think I might enjoy this one Laurel –I’d read on. Hope u enjoy it and thanks for participating today.
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I’m glad you could stop by, Diane, and I have enjoyed other Madeleine Wickham books…and some of them were better than her Sophie Kinsella works, so I’m looking forward to this one. Enjoy your week!
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I’m not sure about this one, but I think I’d like it. But I’d have to be in the right ‘reading mood’ for it.
Today I’m spotlighting “For Such a Time by Kate Breslin.
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Yes, I always have to be in the right mood for a particular book…sometimes I plan out my week, and then the mood strikes and I’m off on another course. Thanks for visiting, Kim, and enjoy your reading.
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The description captured my interest–I’d read on.
My Tuesday Intro: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/04/first-chapter-first-paragraph-59.html
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Thanks, Catherine…I am probably going to be reading this one toward the end of the week. Glad you could stop by, and have a great week!
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I’d keep reading. I believe in the notion that any house can be a home.
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So true…even shabby homes can be brought to life with TLC. I have had my share of “fixer-uppers” in my day. Thanks for stopping by, jkb.
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I would like to read this one. I use to love riding in the car with my parents at night. I would try to see through the lighted windows and wonder who lived inside. I like your Teaser and paragraph. Love the little garden described…
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Yes, I like the sound of the garden, too, Tea. And looking at windows lit up at night is a great way to imagine other lives. Thanks for stopping by.
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I like the feel from the cover. I can never remember if this is the author of the Shopaholic books or not. I can’t read those, but I might give this a try. Here’s Mine
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Yes, it is the same author, and except for the first couple of Shopaholic books, I was tired of them. I enjoy her Madeleine Wickham books more! LOL Thanks for visiting, Paulita.
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I have a habit of imagining living in living in different cities and towns I visit and putting myself in houses we may visit. I think that’s why I like the House Hunters show so much–even though I know it’s mostly staged. I still enjoy touring houses. Anyway, I would keep reading. This one sounds interesting–and complicated.
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Yes, I can see myself living in cities all over the world, wherever I have visited. And enjoy imagining myself in the houses. Thanks for visiting, Literary Feline, and enjoy your week.
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I would keep reading. I saw this book on a couple of other blogs and put it on my TBR list.
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Thanks for stopping by, Nise…Hope you have a great week!
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Sounds like a born real estate agent.
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Definitely! Thanks for stopping by, Alice Audrey. Enjoy your week!
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Not sure about this one…nothing really grabbed me in the intro. I know her books are really popular, but I haven’t had a chance to read any of her stuff yet!
Here’s Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-divorce-papers-susan-rieger/
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Thanks for stopping by, Sarah…hope you are loving your read!
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I love looking at houses… this might be a fun read. Hope you’re enjoying it 🙂
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I will be enjoying it by the end of the week…it’s the last one on this week’s list. Thanks for visiting, JoAnn.
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Love the intro/teaser. I would pick it up!
Here is my intro/teaser post!
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Thanks, Gautami…glad you could stop by. Have a great week!
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Good thing I’ve seen this intro teased elsewhere recently — I don’t know if it’s just my computer or what, but the text (including comments) is bleeding into the sidebar, making it difficult to read. I do remember thinking this one sounded interesting when I saw it teased previously. Hope you enjoy(ed) it, and thanks for visiting mine.
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Oh, how strange that there is “bleeding” in the sidebar. Thanks for stopping by, Heather….
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I enjoy books by this author and this sounds really good.
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I am excited about this one, Yvonne…it’s been awhile since I read a Wickham book. Thanks for stopping by!
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Yup, you definitely caught my attention, Laurel-Rain. It sounds very different 🙂 Thanks for stopping by earlier. Happy reading.
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Thanks for returning the visit, Lexxie…and your teaser made me giggle.
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Sounds good, nice teaser!
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Thanks, Mary Ann…glad you could stop by!
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Nice teaser. Thanks for visiting.
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Glad you could stop by, Jo…enjoy your read.
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I like Ginny! She seems like the kind of person who finds the positive in everything. Good teaser.
Thank you for stopping by my blog to leave a comment about A SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLAN. I’m glad the book appeals to you.
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I liked the sound of your pick, Sandra…and thanks for stopping by here!
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Interesting teaser. I haven’t read this one yet. Will check it out.
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Thanks, Maya…glad you could stop by. Enjoy your book!
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The intro did a good job of describing the setting but didn’t really draw me into the story. I thought from the cover it would be my kind of story. Guess I’ll have to read a bit more.
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Sometimes that’s what we have to do, Margot…thanks for stopping by!
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this sounds like a fun little romance. enjoy your book. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
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I agree, Kelley…thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your reading!
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I really want to read this!
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I think it looks like a lot of fun, Patty. Thanks for stopping by!
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This sounds like a great light read with a positive protagonist 🙂
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I think so, too, Cleopatra…thanks for stopping by!
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Ha ha ha! I love the book cover to the, “A Desirable Residence” book >.< I love the attention to detail on the intro; details are my best friends 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my little corner on the net this week 🙂
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Yes, I think it looks like a fun read, Claudia. Thanks for visiting!
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