First Chapter First Paragraph Tueday Intros - A Killer's Guide to Good Works, The Semi-Sweet Hereafter

Hey everyone! I know I know, right after I said I was going to post at least once a week, I disappear again. In my defense, not only was I super busy at BoucherCon from Tuesday - Saturday, my boyfriend and I ended up making this crazy decision the Sunday before my trip:

Two rescue dogs!

My boyfriend's pick: 6-year-old Bayley (named after a female wrestler he loves)

My baby: 5-year-old Max Power (Simpsons reference)

Seriously, how adorable are they? Ever since my dad stole my dog (not really, but there's a story there), I've missed having a dog. My bf and I had been looking to adopt for almost two years now, but hadn't found the right dog for our household. There was a brief, disastrous interlude involving a puppy that had to be returned, so we decided to exercise more caution when choosing our next family member. 

There was an adoption event near us on the 11th, and I told him that if we couldn't find a dog at this event, we would hold off until after we move to L.A. (a plan for the near future, hopefully within the next 2 years). Who knew that we would fall in love with not one, but two dogs? And senior dogs at that, though Max has the energy of a dog half his age (which makes me wonder if the lady from that shelter was lying to me...) The most surprising part was my bf's reaction. He likes dogs, but he was really only entertaining the idea because I wanted one so badly. He was always the practical one, making sure I wasn't rushing the decision like I did with the puppy. And yet adopting two dogs was his idea; he immediately fell in love with Bayley, and when he heard what usually happens to senior dogs at shelters, he decided both of them needed to come home with us. Two dogs is a LOT of work, but snuggling up with them on the couch while reading a book or playing video games has been such a comfort. Puppy love <3

I also need to talk about my New Orleans/BoucherCon trip, but so much went on, I think I'll save that for it's own post. Moving onto my Tuesday meme...

                                                         Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

I'm focusing on some NetGalley picks this week, so first up is:

A Killer's Guide to Good Works; Shelley Costa

Henery Press - 2016

PROLOGUE

Veracruz, 1595

The Franciscan friar lifted his eyes to the open window in the room he had rented by the harbor. Veracruz was a coastal town, more liberal in its ways, and only an outpost of the Inquisition. So it suited his purposes. After working in secret for the last two days, he set down the goose quill and stared impassively at the final page of his work, a satire about the Inquisition he titled "The Entertainment of Spain." Then he carefully set the pages inside the acacia wood box that used to hold family papers.

Hmm, doesn't really give you a whole lot, does it? I guess that's the problem with prologues, particularly ones that start way in the past with the main work taking place in present day.

My other pick is a culinary cozy (surprise surprise):

The Semi-Sweet Hereafter: A Chocolate Whisperer Mystery; Colette London

Kensington - 2016

When most people find out what I do for a living, they have one of two reactions. Either they think my life is a nonstop vacation (because of all the traveling I do), or they think I must have a sweet tooth the size of Texas (because of all the chocolate I sample). The truth is, those people are not wrong.

_____________________________________________________________________________

So which of these openings catch your attention? And who are the pets in your life and how did you name them? 

My bf had Bayley's name picked out from the get-go, but since we never pictured adopting a boy dog, we had no names chosen. I tried out a bunch (some contenders were Mr. Peanutbutter from the show Bojack Horseman, and Kanji, a character from my favorite video game), but his name at the shelter was Maxwell and he responded best to Max. I figured I had to geek it up at least a little, and what better than a random Simpsons reference?

Check back in tomorrow for a review of Murder Most Fowl by Edith Maxwell (I love that stupid pun title):

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #7 - Story to Kill, A Catered Tea Party, and Salem's Cipher

Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

First up is one of my NetGalley choices, a cozy that I just finished today. Review will be up sometime this week.

A Story to Kill; Lynn Cahoon

Kensington - 2016

When Thomas Wolfe said you can't go home again, Cat Latimer wondered if he knew he was full of crap. She stood at the turret window looking out on her backyard in Aspen Hills, Colorado. During her marriage, she'd made this circular room into her office. The wall to ceiling built-in bookshelves were now bare, waiting to be filled with the rare and not-so-rare books she'd collected during her two years as an English professor over at Covington College. She brushed her fingers over the cool window glass, not quite believing she was back. 

Next up is another NetGalley cozy. I've gotten a couple chapters in, but I'm not quite feeling it yet. Hopefully it'll pick up soon.

 A Catered Tea Party; Isis Crawford

Kensington - 2016

PROLOGUE 

One hour before the play 

Ludvoc Zalinsky looked at his creation and saw that it was good. It had taken him seven months to create The Blue House instead of seven days, but then God hadn't had to contend with the Longeley Planning Commission or the unions. Zalinsky smiled as he rearranged his top hat on his head. The thing was heavier than he thought it would be, but the costumer he'd bought it from had assured him that this hat was the one that had been used in the 2008 off-off-Broadway production of Alice in Wonderland. 

Such a creep.

And in an effort to not only read and review cozies, my next pick is a suspenseful thriller.

Salem's Cipher; Jess Lourey

Midnight Ink - 2016

PROLOGUELinden Hills, Minneapolis 

Grace Odegaard inserted her key into the top dead bolt and rotated it. The lock slid free with a satisfying slick. She repeated the action with the three locks below, humming to herself, a satisfied smile anchoring her face. The date had gone well. Not great -- she could have done without the corny jokes -- but good enough. He was a high school soccer coach. The conversation had flowed easily. At the end of the night, he'd kissed her. Not too sloppy, exactly the right length of time. He'd even held her face when his lips brushed hers, just like in the movies.  

Her smile widened. 

"Out late, aren't you?"

_________________________________________________________________________________

So which of these seem the most interesting? Any that you think I should drop from my list? 

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #6 - Behind Closed Doors, Terror in Taffeta, Book of Beloved

How's everyone's summer going? Mine has been pretty crazy so far. Unlike most teachers, since I work in the education/tourism industry, summer is peak season, so I haven't been able to slow down and relax at all. Throw in weddings and wedding-related activities, birthdays, festivals, author events, etc., and you can imagine how exhausted I've been lately.

Unfortunately, that's definitely affected my writing. I started this blog after I got sick of staring at my manuscript and needed a break, but wanted a way to write every day, even if just a short blog post. Somehow even that has become a bit of a chore, as all I want to do when I get home is lie on the couch with a cup of tea, a book, and an episode of The Great British Baking Show in the background.

I'm trying to get out of my funk, since I really want to finish the first draft of my novel by November, but it's proving to be a bit of a challenge. What do you guys do when you get in a writing funk?

In better news, I got two packages yesterday: one was a book I won in a Goodreads giveaway and the other was the cutest tea infuser ever. Nessie will definitely brighten up my reading time ^^

Seriously, how cute is that?

Cup of tea, zucchini bread, and a suspenseful read

Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

Every Tuesday, I share the opening paragraph(s) of my reads for the week.

First up is the book I won on Goodreads, and also the August read for the Women of Mystery group.

Behind Closed Doors; B.A. Paris

MIRA - 2016

PRESENT 

The champagne bottle knocks against the marble counter, making me jump. I glance at Jack, hoping he won't have noticed how nervous I am. He catches me looking at him and smiles. 

"Perfect," he says softly.

Ooh, so simple and yet it already hints at so much.

Next up is my NetGalley pick for the week:

 The Book of Beloved; Carolyn Haines

Thomas & Mercer; 2016

In Savannah, George, two things could be counted on without question - the heat of summer and Alfred the mail carrier's regular arrival six days a week. I had come to anticipate his knock at four each afternoon, as regular as the milkman and the daily newspaper delivery. I looked forward to Alfred's arrival, not because I carried on a great correspondence with anyone, but because I needed regularity, routine. Death had taught me the power and stabilizing influence of routine. Alfred's arrival meant the world continued in an ordered fashion.

Hmm, a bit of a slower start, but there's potential.

Lastly, a book that I won during the Save Our Cozies Readathon:

 Terror in Taffeta; Marla Cooper

Minotaur Books - 2016

The sea-foam green bridesmaids' dresses had been a mistake. Not for the obvious reason - that seafoam-green bridesmaids' dresses are almost always a mistake - but because they added a sickly tinge to Nicole Abernathy's three very hungover bridesmaids.  

I'd warned them not to overindulge the night before the wedding, begged them to have their bachelorette party back home instead of waiting util they got to San Miguel de Allende, but no one listens to the wedding planner when it's time to start drinking.

Always gotta throw a cozy in the mix, and for once, not a culinary cozy. I won this one in the Save Our Cozies Readathon, so here's hoping I can give it a positive review. 
______________________________________________________________________

What books are you most looking forward to? And don't forget, give me your tips on how to break out of the writing blahs!

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #5 - A Useful Woman, The Assassin Game, and Zahrah the Windseeker

Hosted by Diana @ Bibliophile by the Sea

Every Tuesday, I share the first paragraph(s) of what I am currently reading and/or will soon be reading.

First up is a historical cozy mystery series, inspired by the novels of Jane Austen ( <3 ):

A Useful Woman (Rosalind Thorne Mysteries #1); Darcie Wilde

Berkeley - 2016

When the Dance Finishes Early 

LONDON, FEBRUARY 15, 1812 

When she told the story afterward, Rosalind would say the noise woke her up. The truth was, however, she had never actually been asleep. 

She'd come home unusually early from the Wednesday ball at Almack's. She'd been tempted to stay, but if she did, she knew she'd have blurted out her secret. As it was, she feared she'd given herself away.

The next book is a very different kind of story, a YA thriller I got from NetGalley:

The Assassin Game; Kirsty McKay

Sourcebooks Fire - 2016

It is about 4:00 a.m. when they come for me. I am already awake, strung out on the fear that they will come, and the fear that they won't. When I finally hear the click of the latch on my dormitory door, I have only a second to brace myself before they're on me.

And finally, an African-influenced YA fantasy novel that I just bought:

Zahrah the Windseeker; Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

HMH Books for Young Readers - 2005

Dear Reader,

My name is Zahrah Tsami. This is my story. As many of you may know (and some of you may not, for who knows how far this book has come), I decided to write this book because of the stupid photos published in the Ooni Inquirer. Anyone who would stalk two innocent teenagers, hide in a tree, and take pictures of them really needs to question his or her job. That's not journalism. Yes, it was Dari and me in those photos. Yes, I can fly. No, I am not a witch, a jinni, or a ghost posing as my living self. I am a Windseeker. My story will tell you what really happened. And no matter where you're from, I want you to understand it well.

Sincerely, 

Zahrah Tsami

______________________________________________________________________

What do you think? Keep reading all three? Which one catches your interest the most?

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #4 - Rum Luck and Paper Girls

Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

Every Tuesday, I share the first paragraph(s) of what I am currently reading or will read soon.

First up is a book from my NetGalley shelf:

Rum Luck (A Bar on the Beach Mystery #1); Ryan Aldred

Five Star Publishing - 2016

The hot, humid air wrapped around Victoria Holmes the moment the driver opened her door. She stretched her legs, rose from the chauffeured car, and absently plucked one of her long auburn hairs from her skirt. She wished, not for the first time, that she'd had time to unearth a summer-weight suit before catching the flight late last night. Her driver returned to his seat and cut the engine, spilling silence onto the sleepy side street.

She glanced down the road toward the center of Tamarindo, where the rolling verdant hillside gave way to beach houses and brightly colored hotels, their yards punctuated by massive trees. Across the street, rusted corrugated roofs gave way to towering resorts and half-finished condominiums, framed by the glittering Pacific. Dense foliage hummed, chirped, and chittered. Life atop of life, atop of life.

I've always wanted to visit Costa Rica, and the location descriptions in this book make it seem even more beautiful and magical (despite the brutal murder).

Random thought: Why do the women in these books always have natural red/auburn hair, as if it's super common? This has to be the 3rd or 4th cozy I've read where the heroine is a quirky and/or strong redhead.

My second read is a graphic novel:

 Paper Girls Vol.1; Brian K. Vaughn, Cliff Chiang (illustrator), Matthew Wilson (illustrator)

Image Comics - 2016

Here is the first page, so you can get an idea of the beautiful art and coloring (and really trippy story):

_______________________________________________________________________

Either of these titles catch your interest? What are you reading?

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #3 - A Dark and Stormy Murder; Throw Away Girls

Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

Post the first paragraph(s) of what you are currently reading or will read soon.

First up is a book that I got about a week ago and have been looking forward to.

A Dark and Stormy Murder (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery #1); Julia Buckley

Berkeley - 2016

I was immersed in The Lost Child, one of my favorite Camilla Graham novels, when an unlikely phone call changed my life.

Short, simple, and already intriguing. I can't wait to read more! Next up is a very, very different sort of story...

Throw Away Girls; Jennifer Vaughn

Waldorf Publishing - 2016

"You are heavier than you look, sweet thing," the man grunted as he hoisted the woman by the waist. Her knee caught a metal hook near the wall that held a cat o'nine tails and ripped open. She groaned. Blocking out a stab of pain and the stark shock of having this enjoyable encounter rapidly degrade into a nightmare, Zoe Statler switched to survival mode.

I haven't started A Dark and Stormy Murder yet, but I'm about nine chapters into Throw Away Girls and it is a heck of a page-turner.  

Which one seems more interesting to you? 

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #2 - Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna; Bruno, Chief of Police

Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

Post the first paragraph(s) of what you are currently reading or will read soon.

First up is a preview of the book I'll be reading for the Save Our Cozies #readathon on Saturday, July 16th.

Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna: A Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery (Book 3); Maia Chance

Berkeley - 2016

The day had arrived. Miss Ophelia Flax's last day in Paris, her last day in Artemis Stunt's gilt-edged apartment choked with woody perfumes and cigarette haze. Ophelia had chosen December 12, 1867, at eleven o'clock in the morning as the precise time she would make a clean breast of it. And now it was half-past ten.

And next is my mystery discussion group's July pick:

Bruno, Chief of Police; Martin Walker

Vintage - 2010

On a bright May morning, so early that the last of the mist was still lingering low over a bend in the Vézère River, a white van drew to a halt on the ridge that overlooked the small French town. A man climbed out, strode to the edge of the road and stretched mightily as he admired the familiar view of St. Denis. The town emerged from the lush green of the trees and meadows like a tumbled heap of treasure; the golden stone of the buildings, the ruby red tiles of the rooftops and the silver curve of the river running through it. The houses clustered down the slope and around the main square of the Hôtel de Ville where the council chamber, its Mairie, and the office of the town's own policeman perched above the thick stone columns that framed the covered market. The grime of three centuries only lately scrubbed away, it's honey-colored stone glowed richly in the morning sun. 

I'm a couple of chapters into both and am enjoying them immensely. Expect a full review of Beauty, Beast, and Belladonna on Saturday!

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #1 - The Black Stiletto by Raymond Benson

Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

Post the first paragraph(s) of the book you are currently reading or plan on reading soon.

                                         The Black Stiletto (Book 1); Raymond Benson
                                                Oceanview Publishing - 2012

I

Martin

The present

My mother was the masked vigilante known as the Black Stiletto

                I just found out today, and I’ve been her son for forty-eight years. All my life I knew she had some secrets, but needless to say, this is a bit of a shock.

                At first I thought it was a joke. I mean, come on. My mother? A costumed crusader? Yeah, tell me another one. And the Black Stiletto, of all people? No one in a million years would believe it. I’m not sure I do, and here I am being presented with hard evidence.

                The Black Stiletto. One of the most famous persons on the planet.

                And she’s slowly dying. In a nursing home.

What do you think? Should this be my next review?