Joan Hall shared her lovely review of Swamp Ghosts on her blog today, and it’s perfect timing, too, since I didn’t have anyone scheduled for #ShareAReviewDay. Hope you’ll check it out and will pass it along, far and wide. Thanks so much, and my heartfelt thanks to Joan for a splendid review! 🙂 ❤
Author: Marcia Meara
#MondayMeme #MondayBlogs
A little of this, a little of that,
and hopefully a whole lotta smiles!
😀
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Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore – Book Marketing – Setting up your Amazon Author Page by Sally Cronin
Do you have an updated and useful Amazon Author’s Page? If not, you should check out this helpful post by Sally Cronin on her Smorgasbord blog. Great suggestions here, some of which I hadn’t thought of adding to my own Author’s Page. Check out her post, and be sure to pass it along, thanks. And as always, thanks to Sally for another great one! 🙂
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#FirstLineFriday Submissions Are Now Closed – Here is Our Winner & The Answer to Today’s Quiz!
Thank so much to everyone who racked their brains over today’s #FirstLineFriday opening line. I had no idea this one would be quite so challenging, but I hope you all agree that as first lines go, it’s amazing. Not having read the book myself, I didn’t recognize it either, but now that I’ve studied the wonderfully creative wording, I will soon be rectifying that. Not sure how I’ve missed it this long, anyway.
Before I announce today’s winner, I just want to remind you that half of the fun of this quiz (at least for some of us) is taking a moment to study the sheer genius behind some of the greatest opening lines in literature. This one was on almost every list I looked at, and as soon as I read it, I saw why. I hope it resonates with you as much as it did with me, and you read the book, if you haven’t already.
Now about that winner. We only have one today, and she slid in as the last seconds were ticking by. Further, she wasn’t even trying to compete. She’s a friend I met on the river tour some years ago, and she just wanted to let me know this was her favorite book. I don’t think she expects a prize, but I’m by-golly gonna be sure SOMEONE gets a prize today, and Anne is it! So to my friend, known around these parts as The Purple Lady (for her favorite wardrobe color), congratulations!
Now, here’s the answer to today’s quiz:
“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.” is the brilliant opening to Pat Conroy’s The Prince of Tides.
The 1986 book is focused on the destruction that results from keeping an unspeakable family secret. It was made into a 1991 award-winning movie starring Nick Nolte and Barbra Streisand.
Buy The Prince of Tides HERE
BLURB:
Tom Wingo has lost his job, and is on the verge of losing his marriage, when he learns that his twin sister, Savannah, has attempted suicide again. At the behest of Savannah’s psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Lowenstein, Tom reluctantly leaves his home in South Carolina to travel to New York City and aid in his sister’s therapy.
As Tom’s relationship with Susan deepens, he reveals to her the turbulent history of the Wingo family, and exposes the truth behind the fateful day that changed their lives forever.
Drawing richly from the author’s own troubled upbringing, The Prince of Tides is a sweeping, powerful novel of unlocking the past to overcome the darkest of personal demons—it’s Pat Conroy at his very best.
And that takes care of this week’s quiz. I’m sorry we didn’t have more winners, but the good news is, you have a brand new chance next week, and I’m pretty sure you might even have a bonus book among your choice of prizes. Set those alarm clocks now! And thanks for playing! 😀 ❤
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#FirstLineFriday – #GiveawayContest – #FreeBooks
Here it is Friday again, and time for another chance to study an amazing opening line from a well-known book. This time, in addition to seeing if you recognize the line, read it out loud a time or two. Think about how it’s put together, and whether or not it would have pulled you into this book, as a good first line should. And then, have a go at the quiz. You can only enter once each week, but if the line doesn’t ring a bell, feel free to take your best guess. Nothing to lose, and who knows? You might be right.
The rules are simple:
- Be one of the first five people to email me before the game ends at noon, with the title and author of the correct book.
- Do not reply here on the blog. Email only: marciameara16@gmail.com
- Honor System applies. No Googling, please.
- Submissions end at noon, or when I receive 5 correct answers,whichever comes first.
- Winners who live in the U.S. may request a free download of any of my books for themselves or someone of their choice. OR, if they’ve read all of my books, they may request a free download of my next publication.
- Winners who live elsewhere may request a PDF or Mobi file of the same books.
Got your thinking caps on? Then without further ado, here’s today’s #FirstLineFriday poser:
“My wound is geography. It is also my anchorage, my port of call.”
Good luck!
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#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – That Darkest Place by Marcia Meara
I’m sure you’ve all noticed that when I have an afternoon opening in my #ShareAReviewDay schedule, I fill the spot with a review of one of my own books. Guess what? Yep, it happened again today, so I’m sharing a wonderful review of my 3rd Riverbend novel, That Darkest Place. Hope you’ll enjoy it and will pass it along to all your friends on social media. The Painter brothers will thank you for it, and so will I. ❤
REVIEW:
Alex Craigie rated a book 5 Stars
Goodreads Review
That Darkest Place is the third of Marcia Meara’s books in the Riverbend series. I recommend reading them in published order so as not to come across spoilers – and I’m pretty confident that once you’ve read one, like me you’ll want to read the others!
This book picked up from where the second left off and tells the story of the two older Painter brothers, Jackson and Forrest. There’s intrigue and danger running through it but the biggest and greatest part of the plotline for me concerns the relationships between the characters. Marcia has a special talent for revealing the uncertainties and inner feelings of her protagonists in a way with which her readers can readily identify.
At the heart of the book is the subject of how people move on after tragedy strikes and the often dangerous, ill-considered assumptions made by those around them. Two of the characters have suffered severe physical and emotional damage that has left them feeling unable to interact socially. Their powerful portrayal creates such real and believable personas that you’re swept along with them, feeling their suffering and praying that they’ll overcome the obstacles before them.
Marcia has done her homework and the medical and psychological backgrounds feel real and grounded; there’s no instant solution. However, the book isn’t doom and gloom at all. As always, there’s plenty of wit and humour running through the plotline – even in the tender love scenes which capture the spark of passion, the fear of rejection and the joy in finding a soulmate.
This book has all you need for a captivating read. Buy it! Continue reading
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#ShareAReviewDay Tuesday – Unknown Reasons by Joan Hall
Happy Tuesday, Everybody! This morning, we are getting the ball rolling with an excellent review of Unknown Reasons: Driscoll Lake Book Two, by Joan Hall. I know you’ll enjoy it and be glad to pass it along, too. Thanks so much!
REVIEW:
Review: Irene Aprile 5 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads Review
May 2, 2018
Back to Driscoll Lake
Ok, I have a problem. I’m officially in love with Brian Nichols, the main character in this novel. In a literary fashion, of course (not even him could take my husband’s place). But this is a problem because now I’ve finished reading Unknown Reasons, what am I to do with my reader-self? How am I going to move on and leave Driscoll Lake?
I’ve already been there once, thanks to Unseen Motives, and I was only too happy to be back for another story. Matt and Stephanie, main characters in the first novel of the series, here are minor characters since the story follows events related to Brian and Rachel, other inhabitants of Driscoll Lake.
I would have liked to read it all in one sitting. Unfortunately, I had to go to work (too bad). If mystery with a touch of romance, or romance with a touch of mystery, are your thing, carefully plan your reading time because, once you start reading, Unknown Reasons isn’t going to leave your mind until the end.
It’s fast-paced, full of suspense, and has the right amount of love and passion, angst and thrill. I loved the fact the villain has a point of view because it makes the story multifaceted and well-rounded.
As usual, Joan Hall has the ability to fully represent the pros and cons, ups and downs, of growing up and living in a small town, where everyone seems to know everything about everyone, privacy is a luxury, and gossips never rest.
I can’t wait, (can’t wait!) for the third title in the series. Really. Can’t. Wait.
BLURB:
If you can’t stand the heat…
Rachel Jackson hails from one of Driscoll Lake’s wealthiest families. Like her father, she became a doctor and is now a respected physician. But despite her successful career, Rachel feels something is missing from her life—until she crosses paths with Brian Nichols.
The son of a hard-working mother and alcoholic father, Brian acted out when he was young, earning a reputation as a troublemaker. As an adult, he’s worked hard to clean up his act and now owns a burgeoning construction company.
Rachel and Brian form an unlikely friendship which begins to blossom into something more. But a series of structure fires—determined to be arson—puts Brian in the hot seat. The properties are all associated with his work, making him the prime suspect. Toss in his juvenile history, and he finds himself the focus of a tenacious investigator. Even Rachel starts to have doubts.
Brian struggles to save his relationship, his company, and his reputation. But unless the real arsonist is caught before striking again, everything Brian holds dear may go up in smoke.
Buy Unknown Reasons: Driscoll Lake Book Two HERE
Author Joan Hall
Joan Hall likes to create character-driven fiction with strong, determined female leads and enigmatic male characters. She’s always enjoyed reading a good mystery or suspense story, so it’s only natural that’s her favorite writing genre. When she’s not writing, Joan likes to take nature walks, observe the night skies, and explore old cemeteries. She also likes ghost walks and learning local folklore. Joan and her husband live in Texas with their three cats.
Contact Info, Website, and Social Media Links:
joan@joanhall.net
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | BookBub
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#MondayMeme – #MondayBlogs
Getting a bit late in this busy, busy day, but here are a few smiles for you.
Might be you need them more now than you did this morning!
😀
Thank you, Jim Butcher!
(Harry Who???)
And there you go!
Hope you found at least a chuckle or two in the group.
I’m partial to, leaning toward, in favor of the last one, myself.
😀
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Week in Review
Joan Hall’s Week in Review post for this past Friday is one you should definitely check out. I was late getting there, but so glad I finally made it. Great photo (with story) and super links this week. Don’t forget to share, thanks, and thanks to Joan for putting it all together for us. 🙂
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Friday Writing Question: Who?
Joan Hall asked an interesting question on Story Empire’s Friday Writing Question. Stop by and take a look. Check out the comments, too, and then pass it along for the others to enjoy. Thanks, and thanks for a great post, Joan! 🙂
Hey SE Readers. Joan with you today. It’s time for another writing question.
All of us have people who have impacted our lives. Most of the time, we think of people who have had a positive influence.
Yet other times, a person may have made negative remarks that we took to heart. Encouraging words can go a long way. Discouragement, if not overcome, lasts a lifetime.
For example, one of my best friends changed her college major because of negative remarks made by a professor. This “teacher” had the audacity to call my friend’s writing worthless in front of the entire class. “Ann” left that day with her tail tucked between her legs and changed to her major to math.
But the desire to write never left her. Years later, she began writing again. She didn’t give up. Finally came the day came when a nationally published magazine accepted one…
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The Write Stuff 