Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by A Daily Rhythm.
My featured book today has been languishing on my Kindle since December 2013, so it’s about time to bring it out, don’t you think? Here, Home, Hope, by Kaira Rouda, will surely appeal to readers of chick lit and other women’s fiction titles who are ready to transition into something new in their own life.
Intro: Here’s how I knew something about my life had to change.
I was sitting in the dentist’s chair, waiting for the topical numbing goo to take effect on my gum so the dentist could jab a needle into the same spot. My only choice for entertainment was to stare at the light blue walls surrounding me or flip through the channels available on the television suspended on the sea of blue. I chose the latter and discovered an infomercial: Learn to preach in Spanish. The sincere narrator promised to tell me how many souls needed saving, and what an impact I could have, after I took their course, of course.
Maybe this was the answer to the problem I couldn’t name, the cause of the sadness I felt just under the surface of my life? I could become a successful Spanish missionary. I stared at the screen transfixed until Dr. Bane appeared to administer the shot of Novocain.
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Teaser: It was odd that I’d ended up this way: a vintage housewife living in a modern world. My mom had been a stay-at-home mom, a model of domestic perfection. Perfect house, perfect kids, perfect meals. And then poof! My dad ran off with a neighbor. (p. 66).
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Blurb: Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly’s own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.
From page one, Kelly’s witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan—she places Post-it notes all over her house and car—will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.
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What do you think? Do the excerpts grab you? Intrigue you? I’m hoping that, after all this time that I’ve had the book, it will be worth the read.
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I can definitely see the appeal of this one. I like the intro you shared, Laurel-Rain. I think I hit my moment when I was about 36-37 years old, looking over my life, content on some level, and yet restless. Some people get new jobs or new husbands. I decided to try to have a baby. I think the final lines of the blurb sold me on this one.
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I could relate as well, Wendy…I made some major changes in my life when I was 37, too; upheavals, in fact, and I don’t regret them, but looking back, I often wonder “what if?” I like books that explore these issues.
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week….
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I am definitely intrigued by this one – I liked the opening and the teaser and I’d like to know exactly what blend she settled on to make her life more fulfilling
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Me, too, Cleopatra…I think most of us go through similar things, wondering what it all means, and what we can do to shake things up. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy your week.
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The first paragraph made me feel sad but it was a little humorous too. Yes, I’d keep reading. I hope it’s a good one for you.
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Yes, I like the mix of sadness and humor…I think there will be a lot of the self-deprecatory humor, which I enjoy. Thanks for stopping by, Margot…enjoy your week.
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This doesn’t sound like a book I’d have picked up on my own, but I like the opener and the teaser, so I might give it a try.
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It has been a while since I picked it up, and I am not sure why I did, except that I’d read another book by the author and enjoyed it. Thanks for visiting, Candace.
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I read this when it first published but can’t remember anything except I liked it. I hope you enjoy it!
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I hope I enjoy it, too, Mary; I had read another book by the author, which is why I chose this one. Thanks for visiting, and have a great week.
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I probably wouldn’t have given this one a second look, but I’ve had those “is this all there is moments and unsettled feeling” so I’m now curious. Hope u enjoy this one.
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Those feelings were probably what led to this choice for me when I bought the book…and I’d read and enjoyed another book by the author. Thanks for hosting and visiting, Diane…have a great week.
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I like the sound of this one. So nice to read an enjoyable story and take it off your Kindle TBR “pile.” A definite win-win!
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Yes! I had no idea how much time had flown by since the purchase…and that seems to be the story of my reading life, Catherine. Thanks for stopping by…and welcome back!
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I’m not sure this one is for me, but hope you enjoy it!
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Thanks for visiting, and it’s great to connect with other bloggers, Sarah.
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I like this opening, and I’d keep reading. I have several books waiting on my Kindle, too!
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I’ve been frantically developing lists of books yet to read on my Kindle. My physical stacks are manageable…but the books can hide on the e-reader. Thanks for visiting, Monica, and enjoy your week.
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I like the sound of this story — especially since it’s told with humor. This sounds like the kind of book I adore. Hope you enjoy it.
My Tuesday post features Beach Trip.
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This one was hidden on the cloud, but as I perused my list of purchases for 2014 and 2015, I found it and brought it right up onto my device. I am also eager to dive into it. Thanks for stopping by, Sandra, and enjoy your book.
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Kudos for digging it out ..I like the sound of this while it has a sad tone , i also sense some humor.
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Thanks, Kimberly…that is why I am glad I track my book purchases on this blog, by month and year. It helps keep me on track…sort of. LOL.
I also like the sound of it, and thought I had read another book by the author…but can’t find it on her list. I do have another of her books hiding on Pippa…In the Mirror.
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” And then poof! My dad ran off with a neighbor.” I would definitely continue reading this one, Laurel. I often feel out of place myself in our modern society too. Thanks for sharing this one with us!
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Yes, I liked how that was revealed, Claudia. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy your week.
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Laurel, You know that I love a book where the main character runs away to a new life. Sounds like a good one. Here’s Mine
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So do I, Paulita….thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.
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Really love the intro. Sounds like a good read.
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Thanks, Ali, glad you could stop by!
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This sounds so good. I, too, have a ton of books on my Kindle that I really need to read.
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The Kindle is so great at hiding our books…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne, and enjoy your week!
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I like everything about this book, intro, tease, cover and blurb! Sometimes those that languish for a while turn out to be great reads.
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I completely agree, Nise…I’m reading another one that I’ve had a while, and it is totally engaging, too. (Where We Belong). Thanks for stopping by.
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I have a lot of books that have been sitting here too long. This sounds like a good one.
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Me, too, Kathy….and I am happy to dig around until I find something that appeals to me…like this one. And I also just finished an older one from 2014: Where We Belong, by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
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