The May Queen Murders - First chapter, first paragraph & teasers

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea to share the first paragraph of a book you're currently reading or about to read. 

Chapter 1 – “Yet another LOST DOG sign marked the animal clinic’s window. This one stung. Mrs. Knightley had brought her beagle Jones in for a heartworm test only last week. I’d given him one of Aunt Rue’s dog biscuits, and Jones’s tail had wagged with glee.  Now he was one more missing face. The curled papers blanketing the glass rustled against the April wind. Some had been there since January, when the dogs began disappearing. Papa wouldn’t take them down.”

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and a Beat  to participate open the book you are currently reading to a random page and share two sentences - but make sure they aren't spoilers.

Here are mine:

From page 105:

 “A murder of crows rushed into the sky and perched upon the houses, the fences, wherever they could find a place to land.”

“The edges of his sharp beak opened to reveal a pointed tongue before he gave a loud ‘Caw, caw, caw!”

 

Based on the first paragraph and the two teasers, is this a book you would continue reading?  Why or why not?

Don't forget to share your link so I can check out yours.

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Vassa In the Night

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros is a weekly meme hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea to share the first paragraph of a book you're currently reading or about to read. 

  Chapter 1 (skipping the prelude).

"People live here on purpose; that's what I've heard.  They even cross the country deliberately and move into neighborhoods near the river, and suddenly their shoes are cuter than they are, and very possibly smarter and more articulate as well, and their lives are covered in sequins and they tell themselves they've arrived.  They put on tiny feathered hats and go to parties in warehouses; they drink on rooftops at sunset.  It's a destination and everyone piles up and congratulates themselves on having made it all the way here from some wherever or other.  To them this is practically an enchanted kingdom.  A whole lot of Brooklyn is like that now, but not the part where I live."

Based on this paragraph, would you read more, or pass on this book?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Kathryn at Book Date hosts IMWAYR, a place to  meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week.

Finished Last Week

 I recently discovered this series while volunteering at the library.  I've been into graphic novels lately.  I find this series to be delightfully creepy.  In this installment, Courtney has begun attending a school for witches and wizards.  Will she finally make friends?

Currently Reading

 I owe a review on Netgalley/Edelweiss for this book.  I've been working on it for a while now - but only because I'm taking part in a team challenge on Goodreads and I have to keep switching books for something that will fit the challenge.

Up Next

 Reading this for the team challenge I referenced above.  Also it will help with another challenge to finish series that I've started.


What are you reading this week?

Guest Blog: Inspiration to my writing By Rachael L. Thompson author of Live Life on Purpose

The inspiration for my writing always stems from my own personal experience. I took a leap of faith two years ago that lead down a path of discovering who I really was and what I really wanted to do with my life. This path was not straight and narrow by any means. It was filled with ups and downs, doubt, fear, anxiety, shame, happiness, fulfillment, excitement, so on. Underlying my hodgepodge of emotions was a sense of knowing, knowing that if I just kept going it would be all worth it. 

I spent far too many years following the path I thought I was supposed to take in life. I dealt with overwhelming anxiety, fearing that I would never find something that truly made me happy. Through trial and error, introspection, and overcoming a lot of mental barriers I discovered my path. I now want to take what I learned and help others do the same. 

Far too many live life only for the weekends, and spend the majority of their days just “making it through” instead of actually living. We are limited by our own ideas about how we “should” be and what we “should” do. This causes nothing but increased stress, unhappiness, and decreased quality of life. And for what? So that we are not judged by others? So that society deems us acceptable? And on our death beds will we say “I’m really glad the other soccer moms enjoyed my chocolate chip cookies”? I know this is a bit extreme and morbid, but this thought, or rather trying to help others overcome this type of thinking is the inspiration for all of my writing. Just a note, this is not trying to judge anyone for the path they choose in life. If being a mother is your dream and you are fulfilled, that is truly wonderful! If climbing up the corporate ladder is fun and exciting for you, great! My work is targeted to those who are in situations that do not make them happy. Everyone’s journey to fulfillment is their own. It is not my place to tell anyone what is at the end of that journey, rather I aim to help others discover how to find that path for themselves. 

In talking with a lot of people I realized that many do want to change their lives but do not know how. They feel stuck. They face a lot of physical and perceived barriers. What I have come to find is that many of these barrier are mental. We are prisoners to our own beliefs, judgments and fears. Everything I write is intended to help people overcome these mental barriers and I find when these are lifted, the rest of the journey becomes much easier. 

Book Genre: Self-Help/ Career & Business Advice
Publisher: Mind Body & Spirit Entrepreneur
Release Date: September 29, 2016
Buy Link(s): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LDWGNOA

Book Description:

What is Your Life Purpose?

Are you looking to find the answer to the age-old question “What the hell should I do with my life”? Do you want to find work that simply makes you happy? Are you sick of dreading each day and only living for the weekends? If your current job situation does not bring you happiness but you do not know how to fix it, this book will help answer all of your questions. It will not, however, answer these questions in a typical fashion. It is not going to give you a personality test or an aptitude assessment. You're not going to find a list of career or business options that you could try. This book dives much deeper than other typical career or business books you will find. The theory behind this book is that one must unlearn everything he or she has been taught before being able to authentically explore the best business or career choice.

How this book is different than typical career guides or business books: Clothing Analogy

Imagine you are asked to find one outfit to wear the rest of your life. Would you rather choose from a pre-filled closet or have your apparel custom-made? With other books, you are essentially looking in a closet full of different clothes and picking out the best option; it may not be your favorite color or fit just right but it will do. In this book, you will design your perfect ensemble

The book is structured into three parts:

The first section describes and gives examples of psychological concepts to explain how you have been shaped and exactly why you are in your current situation.
The second part is all about relearning how to live and think authentically. This is where you begin to explore and research, with fresh eyes, the best business or career choice for you.
The third part is focused solely on techniques that you can apply to assist in this process. Complex theories are broken down into simple steps, with examples to help explain how to apply these concepts in your own life.
Whether you want to find the perfect job, or start your perfect business, it will guide you through each step necessary to reach a life of happiness and fulfillment.

Sneak Peek at Everything that will be Covered:

Each of the following topics will be broken down into simple, easy-to-understand explanations and steps.

• Psychological Learning Principals
• Societal Norms and How They Affect You
• Understanding Your Underlying Beliefs
• Subconscious Structuring and Restructuring
• Psychological Theories (Cognitive Bias, Distortions, Effects of the Ego)
• Decision-Making Theories
• Techniques to Explore Ideal Career or Business
• Research Techniques
• Goal Setting and Planning Strategies
• Journaling Techniques
• Affirmations
• 6 Powerful Meditation Techniques (Mindfulness, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Imprinting Beliefs)
• Visualization and Manifesting (Law of Attraction) Techniques
• How to Find a Support System

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Author Links -
Website: www.mymbse.com
Blog: www.mymbse.com/blog
Twitter: @RachaelT_MBSE (twitter.com/RachaelT_MBSE)
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mindbodyand0084/
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-l-thompson-9a8b45126?trk=hp-identity-name
(Slide Share: http://www.slideshare.net/RachaelT_MBSE)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15403851.Rachael_L_Thompson
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Rachael-L.-Thompson/e/B01ICAIBQY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1473945421&sr=8-4

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Schedule

​October 6 - Introduction at VBT Café Blog​
October 12 - Spotlight at Bikers With Books
October 14 - Spotlight at My Book Tour
October 17 - Guest Blogging at Waiting On Sunday To Drown
October 21 - Spotlight at Must Read Faster
October 22 - Interviewed at DealSharing Aunt
​October 24 - Guest Blogging at CAT Magazine
​October 26 - Spotlight at Books, Dreams, Life
October 28 - Spotlight & Review at BookLoverCircumspect4
October 31 - Reviewed at Black Coffee, Brown Cow

The Sunday Post

I didn't get a whole lot of reading done this past week as the kids were on Fall break. Also I was trying to catch up on episodes of Supernatural and the Blacklist. I did get the chance to check out Hastings final days of business. All new books are 70% off and used books, media, comics, etc are 90% off.  I made quite a hall for only $37.71.

Feverborn: A Fever Novel I have loved this series from the beginning.  I am not caught up yet.  I have two books to read before this one, but I couldn't pass it up at this price.

Black Knight (Witch World) I have the first book in the series.  Again, I couldn't pass up the great deal.  It was $3.60 brand new.

The Lifeboat Clique I was really surprised they still had this book left, as it came out this year, and most of the newer books have already sold out. 

Ascend: A Trylle Novel This is the final book in the Trylle series.  It is a very different take on faery mythology.

The Museum of Heartbreak Another book from this year that was on my wish list, and I was surprised to find still available in the final days of the sale.

Supernatural: John Winchester's Journal I found this at the last minute, and I am so glad that I did.  I love Supernatural and this book was on my wish list.  As soon as I finish Bobby's journal I will be starting on this one!

Paper Towns This is one of those books I feel like everyone has read except me.  Well, anything John Green to be Exact.  I got the audio book version brand new for only $4.50!

Did anyone else get any exciting book deals this week?