Tuesday Teaser - tempt us with your current read! Showing 701-750 of 1,166

[Carolyn]

Michael wrote: "That is a really good read Marianne. Joanna Cannon is a great author.

'I can do it, I can do it,' I told him and began to wind in my fish. I wound and wound and it got harder and harder and I used..."

LOVED that book Michael!

[Carolyn]

From the opening of Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz:

A bottle of wine. A family size packet of Nacho Cheese Flavoured Tortilla Chips and a jar of hot salsa dip. A packet of cigarettes on the side (I know, I know). The rain hammering agaianst the windows. And a book.
What could be lovelier?

(Well, personally I'd ditch the ciggies (Ugh! Why do so many people in books still smoke?) but agree with the sentiment.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

That's another good book Carolyn:)

[Sally906]

My teaser is from The Rising Storm by Ceri A. Lowe

…The first week underground was the hardest. It was tough, not just because she missed her mother, but because she missed all the little things about their life. She missed biscuits and the map on the wall in the flat and the green blades of grass in the park and her blue dress with the embroidered red rose. Sometimes she even wondered about the man with the evil eye in the museum and whether he or any of the coffee cups had made it out intact. But most of all she missed the view from her balcony and being able to look out across the city, watching the way the river snaked around the outside of her world in the far distance, hugging it tight like a noose…

[Li'l Owl]

Phrynne wrote: "“Maude shook her head firmly. ‘I have evidence,’she said. ‘Evidence that I think proves that the story the police gave us was bullshit.’
Aisling felt hot, then cold. ‘What sort of evidence?’
Maude ..."

I'm looking forward to reading this one, Phrynne!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

You will love it Owl!

[Marianne]

"Shall we run through what you've told me so far? You married John Ball"
Mary looked down at the brown leather handbag on her lap.
"Yes, I did. In September 1876."
"But then he died."
"Twice."
William frowned. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"No, you heard me. He died twice."
"Miss Holmes, is this another example of wasting police time?"
She looked up. Her eyes were full of tears.
For a moment neither spoke.
"Miss Holmes ---"
"I have to tell you the whole story. I can't just pull out bits and pieces in a rush. Or none of it makes sense."
Should You Ask Me by Marianne Kavanagh

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It was three days before Dr Miller and Father Devlin and the guards could get to the island. I was desperate for news, but when it came, it was only confirmation of what I'd been told.

Skin Deep by Liz Nugent

[Andrea]

"She didn’t take any physical education classes in Bulgaria at all. No self-defence. Nothing.”
“That surprises me,” said Civilai, “considering the number of life-threatening situations librarians find themselves in. I mean, overdue book, customer reaches for a machete in her handbag, quick karate chop to the solar plexus, thwack, down goes the rule-breaker, money retrieved. One more victory for Library Woman."

Love Songs From A Shallow Grave by Colin Cotterill

[Carolyn]

From The Diary of a Bookseller a non-fiction book by Scottish bookseller Shaun Bythell about his customers and the books they buy:

"Today's first customer was a short man with a wispy beard who suddenly appeared at the counter, startling me. He grinned and said 'You've got some stuff here haven't you? Some stuff. Some stuff.' he bought a copy of The Hobbit. I am putting together a mental jigsaw of what a hobbit looks like, based on a composite of every customer I have ever sold a copy to."

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Patuki tapped his papers on the table to even the edges, then placed them back on the desk. He rose from his chair and took two paces to be almost behind *****. He leaned over and said quietly and calmly into *****'s ear, "No. No, not at all. You're wrong. Very wrong.

Ice Hunters by Neil Roberts

[Carolyn]

From American by Day by Derek B. Miller:

"...Did you know that in the U.S. we don't even have a database on fatal police shootings? We the people don't even know how many citizens the government kills - justified or not."
"Yes, I did know that," Sigrid says.
"Really?"
"I'm a police chief in Norway. There's a lot of talk about America near the coffee maker."
"So we're global news, huh?"
"It's hard to ignore the moose sitting on your waffle."
"What?"
"That might not translate."

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

If I hadn't already got it waiting to be read I would run out and get it based on that quote Carolyn:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL!!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

"The window glass had shattered into a million pieces the size of raisins.I began to brush them from her shoulder, pick them from her blood matted hair. I kept saying her name over and over again."

The Accident by Linwood Barclay

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "If I hadn't already got it waiting to be read I would run out and get it based on that quote Carolyn:)"

Lots more like that Phrynne! You'll enjoy it :)

[Marianne]

Carolyn wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "If I hadn't already got it waiting to be read I would run out and get it based on that quote Carolyn:)"

Lots more like that Phrynne! You'll enjoy it :)"

I take it that you are, Carolyn?

[Marianne]

The ship was due to leave on 28 December, and on Christmas Eve I took the train to Nowra, where Dad was to meet me at the station and drive me to their place.....
I received permission from the military police to go, and didn't think a thing of it when I saw the MPs' car pull alongside the train in Kiama as we followed the Princes Highway along the coast. At the station in Kiama two uniformed MPs boarded and walked through our car. "We're looking for a Mrs Sarah Jackson. Is there a Mrs Sarah Jackson on board?"
I stood, my voice shaky. "That's me."
"We've got orders to bring you back to Sydney. Ship's leaving early."
The Passengers by Eleanor Limprecht

[Carolyn]

Marianne wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "If I hadn't already got it waiting to be read I would run out and get it based on that quote Carolyn:)"

Lots more like that Phrynne! You'll enjoy it :)"

I take it ..."

Yep! Still on leave today so finished in just over a day!

[Marianne]

Looking forward to your review, then....

[Sally906]

From Fiction Can Be Murder by Becky Clark - Charlemagne (Charlee) Russo is a mystery writer and this quote is from a scene where her writer’s group discuss reader reviews – one member has just returned from a counselling session with his therapist:

“…He held up one hand. “In my defence, it was one-star and began, ‘I don’t know anything about astrophysics, but … ’”

Ouch. Those hurt. Even I get those. Not about astrophysics, of course, but equally ridiculous. I’m giving Ms. Russo’s book one star because I ordered the wrong book. Or, this is a mystery and I hate reading mysteries, even though the description clearly states it’s a mystery. Or my favourite, I thought this was by Richard Russo, NOT Charlemagne Russo, whoever she is. I LOVE his books. Won’t bother to read hers.

It took volumes of emotional maturity to ignore those kinds of bogus reviews…”

[Carolyn]

I thought the librarians here would like this one from The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman:

"You're a Librarian." Lady Guantes put the same delicate disgust into the word that someone else might have used for merceneries, colonoscopy or mad dogs and Englishmen. "Letting you do so much as talk is dangerous."

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL Carolyn!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The morning briefing was underway when Cooper's phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the display, it was Rada Wells. He'd tried to call her three times last night with no response.

"I'm going to have to take this, Sarge," he said, stepping out into the hallway.'

"Ms Wells, you finally decided to return my calls."

Dark Edges by Catherine Lee

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Carolyn wrote: "I thought the librarians here would like this one from The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman:

"You're a Librarian." Lady Guantes ..."

Irene is not your average librarian:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

“Sure. Why not?” he said. “A cup of tea. That’s what everyone drank all through the war. A bomb was dropped and everyone said, ‘It’s all right. Have a cup of tea.’” And he laughed.”

The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Hahaha!!! True!

[Marianne]

Nina didn't utter a word, or attempt to walk away. How could she when a kilo of cow poo had turned her heeled boots into wedged soles, and her khaki T-shirt and blue jeans were a mess of cow cud that had turned the dust into a sticky mud? She'd gagged when the testicles had hit the ground and now the man with the good looks and the bad attitude expected an explanation.
A Place to Remember by Jenn J. McLeod

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I thought the librarians here would like this one from The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman:

"You're a Librarian..."

She certainly isn't Phrynne, although she does bear some of the traits of good Librarians (such as fearlessness, tenacity and a good BS detector!)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Lol! All true Carolyn:)

[Sally906]

Carolyn wrote: "I thought the librarians here would like this one from The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman:

"You're a Librarian." Lady Guantes put the same delicate disgust into the word that someone else might have used for merceneries, colonoscopy or mad dogs and Englishmen. "Letting you do so much as talk is dangerous." ..."

LOL - Love it - I have book 1 to read yet - nice to see there is a second one.

[Marianne]

I know it's not Tuesday, but I couldn't resist this bit from The Radleys:
"What the hell are you doing?" Helen presses the "off" button. "You promised never to phone him."
"Who?"
"You were phoning Will."
"Helen, there's a dead body. We can't handle this sort of mess any more."
"I've brought a spade," she says, aware of how ridiculous it sounds. "We don't need your brother."

[Sally906]

Marianne wrote: "I know it's not Tuesday, but I couldn't resist this bit from The Radleys:
"What the hell are you doing?" Helen presses the "off" button. "You promised never to phone him."
"Who?"
"Yo..."

I loved that book - gave it 5 stars when I read it.

[Sally906]

My teaser today is from:

Magic's Song by Sela Carsen

…The horse jumped, and Trick wished he'd had better final words as the water closed over his head. Of course, of all the ways he'd ever thought he'd die, magically glued to the back of a swimming devil horse was not on the list...

Don't worry though - Trick escapes! The horse is actually a lonely kelpie trying to match-make and our hunky hero is rescued by a mermaid.

[Carolyn]

My teaser is from the start of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni, Sam has just been born and diagnosed with ocular albinism giving him red eyes:

Grandma O'Malley did not acknowledge afflictions, neurosis, diseases, or maladies, a trait I have since attributed to her Irish heritage. She apparently marched into my parents' bedroom, unswaddled me from my cocoon in the bassinet and proclaimed, "Two eyes, two ears, ten fingers, ten toes, and a nose. Perfect."
And that was her final work on the subject.

[MaryG2E]

Phrynne wrote: ""The window glass had shattered into a million pieces the size of raisins.I began to brush them from her shoulder, pick them from her blood matted hair. I kept saying her name over and over again."..."

I really like this author Phrynne, and your excerpt tells me I need to read more of his work.

[MaryG2E]

The only signs of human life they encountered that morning were the ancient stone crosses slumped along the path at irregular intervals, most of them worn almost to the bone by weather and time, by thousands of penitent caresses.
City of Crows by Chris Womersley

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

“Miss Tarabotti was not one of life's milk-water misses--in fact, quite the opposite. Many a gentleman had likened his first meeting with her to downing a very strong cognac when one was expecting to imbibe fruit juice--that is to say, startling and apt to leave one with a distinct burning sensation.”

Soulless by Gail Carriger

[Sally906]

Phrynne wrote: "“Miss Tarabotti was not one of life's milk-water misses--in fact, quite the opposite. Many a gentleman had likened his first meeting with her to downing a very strong cognac when one was expecting ..."

I love this series - and the next series - and the prequel series :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Sally906 wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "“Miss Tarabotti was not one of life's milk-water misses--in fact, quite the opposite. Many a gentleman had likened his first meeting with her to downing a very strong cognac when on..."

Yay!!! More for me to read:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Alice went to the bookshelves, walking her fingers along the spines until she found the selkie book. When she slid it off the shelf another book came with it, falling to the floor. Alice picked it up, a clothbound hardcover with gilded lettering and a faded illustration on the cover. It was the story about the girl with her name, and the wonderland she fell into.

Alice opened the front cover. As she read the inscription, her body went cold.

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland

Absolutely loving this book!

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "Alice went to the bookshelves, walking her fingers along the spines until she found the selkie book. When she slid it off the shelf another book came with it, falling to the floor. Alice picked it ..."

Been hearing good things about it - my local library has it on their purchase list - so have added it to my library wish list

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Such an amazing read Sally :)

[Marianne]

Barely a minute passed before the woman spoke again. 'Would you like one, dear?' she said, holding out a large square tin. 'Lovely corned beef and pickle. Awfully tasty.'
They did sound tempting, particularly as she'd forgotten to take the sandwiches her mother had made for her. Father had been calling out from the car. They were going to be late. In any case, her mother's sandwiches were often unreliable, spoiled by incompatible fillings like jam and gherkin. But how could she accept the awfully tasty corned beef and pickle when she was travelling under protest? It would undermine her suffering.

The Unexpected Education of Emily Dean by Aussie author Mira Robertson

[Sally906]

Marianne wrote: "Barely a minute passed before the woman spoke again. 'Would you like one, dear?' she said, holding out a large square tin. 'Lovely corned beef and pickle. Awfully tasty.'
They did sound tempting, p..."

Another book that has just gone straight onto my wish list

[Marianne]

Yes, Sally, I reckon you would like this one too.

[Sally906]

Haven’t done much reading the last few days but have finally picked up a book that has sustained my attention The Trip of a Lifetime by Monica McInerney.

Here’s my teaser:
Lola opened the door, dressed in bright-pink pajamas and a long silver dressing-gown.
“Bette what a treat. Are you sleepwalking?”
“ Is it too late? You do stay up till eleven don’t you?”
“Every night. Why limit my excess gin drinking to the daylight hours?”

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Did you see she's coming to Australia in July Sally?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The oil painting in question was part of a triptych, a vast image of the navy's best defensive warefare - frigates and aircraft carriers, including HMS Eagle before it was torpedoed - and its colossal twenty feet took up nearly the whole wall of that gallery. The hard lines and blunt edges of the machines tapered down to an intricate mesh of greys and blacks, crisscrossing until the perspective led her gaze into the distance.

Eleanor's Secret by Caroline Beecham

[Marianne]

He opened the door and stood there, illuminated by the porch light, one hand holding the door half ajar. He was resplendent in a knee-length, white terry-towel dressing gown open at the neck, around which he wore more chunky gold chains than Mr T.
Kenny was about 10cm shorter than me and thin as a whippet. His attempt at a Dennis Lillee mo just made him look like a ponce. His hairy chest competed with an artificial suntan. And, although it may have been wishful thinking on my part, I was positive his head was glued to a heavily hair-sprayed toupee that looked liked a sucked mango.

The Long Con by Barry Weston