Hello, readers!
Welcome to this week’s installment of First Sentence/Free Book Friday! This week’s sentence is on the relationship between Joetta and her father-in-law, Rudean McBride.
There’s always one in every bunch, as the old saying goes. As the very first sentence of #WhentheJessamineGrows revealed, “Joetta McBride could not stomach conflict;” this trait might allow someone like her father-in-law to run roughshod over her, especially in a marriage that’s new, where she wouldn’t want to seem critical, ungrateful, or disrespectful. The social dynamic between men and women back then didn’t give her many options. As was due her elders, even if someone didn’t deserve it, and Mr. McBride often didn’t, she remained respectful.
Where this could become trying is when the young married couple has to live with their in-laws/parents until they can set themselves up in a household. Mr. McBride’s personality challenged Joetta from the beginning. Through her observations of his interactions with her mother-in-law, the elder Mrs. McBride, and after hearing Ennis tell a few stories of his own about growing up with a self-absorbed father with a hint of a mean streak, it’s obvious he’s never been easy to live with. Ennis was used to his ways, as was his mother. Joetta’s never ending patience coupled with Ennis’s even-keeled nature foiled Mr. McBride and his penchant for causing disruption, and signaled the strength of their union.
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CHAPTER 5
Back when they had lived with Mr. McBride in the beginning of their marriage, when the building of their home took longer than anticipated, Joetta’s character was sorely tested.
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BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!
This week is the final chance to win a signed copy of #TheForgivingKind! If you haven’t read it yet, and would like this copy, tell me about the book you’re currently reading and what you love about it! (I bet you thought I was going to ask you to air some dirty laundry about your own family. Nope!????)
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PRE-ORDERS
Pre-orders gauge the interest and signal to the publisher readers are eager for an author’s work! Please consider pre-ordering because it really does help! If you’re holding out because you might win an ARC or a finished copy, remember you can always give away the extra as a gift to one of your reader friends. ????
Pre-order links for your convenience:
Kensington Publishing Corporation
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Last, but not least, don’t forget to:
- Add WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS to your Goodreads “To Read” shelf
- Share this post with your reader friends
- Follow me on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, Bookbub, or my blog!
See you all next week!
I’m reading “I know an old lady”… very good book about growing up as a teenager
With that title I had to go look it up – is this the story by Margaret Standafer? Either way – it has a great premise!
I’m reading Moloka’i right now. It’s heartbreaking but very interesting. I didn’t know about this history of Hawaii before. I’m really enjoying it.
I went out to take a peek at the book you’re reading – and it does look interesting! The publisher mentions it’s a never before told story – so very unique. I knew about a leper colony there, but didn’t know the name of the island.
I am between reading at the moment. Summer time and planning a baby shower for daughter is keeping me busy. I do have my next I want to read on my end table. “The Floating Girls” by Lo Patrick that I do want to read next. . It’s set Georgia. On back cover… “The backwaters of Georgia hold many buried secrets, but they won’t stay buried forever.”I states if you liked “Where the Crawdads Sing,” (which I loved) so this book appealed to me. I look forward to reading when things settle at bit.
I hear you about a busy schedule – speaking of baby shower’s I might be planning one myself for my daughter, too, in the coming months if I can figure out a time.
I just started reading The Cafe at Beach End by RaeAnne Thayne. I love her books and I am sure this one will not disappoint me .
It has a beautiful cover – one of the kinds you want to transport yourself to!
not reading anything now
I’m always reading something. I can’t be without a book.
I’m reading multiple books.
1) almost done The Road to Bittersweet! I love Wallis Ann’s rugged confidence and complex insecurities; makes her so real.
2) The Overstory. I love the essay format which gives each featured tree a tangible story. The people become depersonalized as the trees become main characters.
3) Theft by Finding. I love Sedaris’ embellished observations.
4) Poland: A History. I love the challenge of studying my people’s history and awakening to the world context. I feel closer to my ancestors.
5) Figuring. Amazing women-focused realists like Rachel Carson, my hero and brilliant Maria Mitchell. I love the focus on the underrated and unknown.
I read The Overstory! Really good, and very different. It made me think of trees (which I love anyway) in a very different way.