YvonneWhen Cosmo Greco learned of the layoff, the first thought that popped into his head was how he’d spend the rest of his day between the comic book store and the cafe.
He blamed his apathetic response on not being fully awake, and blamed his fatigue on the barista whom he suspected had accidentally given him decaf instead of regular.
In fact, he had been so tired that when he arrived in his staff area and noticed his colleagues shoving the contents of their desks into boxes he didn’t question why they were doing this …
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This is the second book, written by author Grace Mattioli, I have been invited to read.
Grace’s debut novel ‘Olive Branches Don’t Grow On Trees’, introduces us to the emotionally dysfunctional Greco family and this, her latest novel, concentrates on the lives of just two of the Greco siblings, as they attempt to bond and grow closer together.
I have it on good authority, that the two books can be read as independent works and Grace will be stopping by soon with her second guest post, as she shares her thoughts on what she would like the reader to take away from having read ‘Discovery Of An Eagle’
Click here to read what Grace wanted the readers of ‘Olive Branches Don’t Grow On Trees’, to take away from the experience.
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WHAT IS ‘BOOK BEGINNINGS’ AND HOW CAN YOU JOIN IN THE FUN
Would the first few lines of your book make you want to read on?
If so, would you like to share them with us, (without revealing too many spoilers of course) ?
Click here and visit Gilion @ Rose City Reader
You can then leave a link to your own book beginnings post, or just browse for some great reads, there are always plenty of new authors and titles to be discovered.
Don’t forget that Gilion and all the other contributors to this meme love to hear from you, so why not leave a comment or two at the same time?
I can’t wait to do a little blog hopping myself and check out all the great Book Beginnings you have!
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As this was an invitation to read and review, a complimentary Kindle download of ‘Discovery Of An Eagle, was gifted to me, by its author, Grace Mattioli.
This will in no way influence any comments I may express about the book, in any blog article I may post. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.
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I remember your posting about Olive Branches Don’t Grow On Trees, this one sounds good as well, especially since it continues with the Greco family storyline. Enjoy it!
Hi Naida,
As an author, Grace is definitely one of the friendliest and most eager to participate in promoting her books at any given opportunity. She has decided to take a second bite of the cherry, with a great new guest post, which will be featuring here at Fiction Books very soon, so keep an eye out for that!
‘Discovery Of An Eagle’ does continue with the Greco family story, however as the books work well as independent stand alones, you don’t need to have read ‘Olive Branches Don’t Grow On Trees’, to enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping by, it is good to catch up with you.
Both books look interesting and I’m especially intrigued by the opening lines of this second one. They definitely make you want to know more!
Here are the opening lines of my current book, The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith:
“Precious Ramotswe,, creator and owner of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Botswana’s only detective agency for the problems of ladies, and of others, had never studied business management. She knew that it was common for people who ran their own businesses to take courses on topics such as stocktaking and cash flow, but she did not feel this was necessary in her case. Mind you, the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency had never made a profit, although in recent years it had not made a loss either, for Mma Ramotswe had managed to juggle income and expenditure in such a way as to end up breaking even – provided that you practised what a book-keeper friend of hers called, with some admiration, ‘Optimistic Accounting’.”
Hi Kelly,
Cosmo is one of the ‘middle’ children of the Greco family, very much one of the lost voices and invisible bodies in the crowd. He lives his own life, in exactly the way he chooses, however in doing so, he has become almost insular and reclusive, which of course doesn’t fit easily with his parents’ perception as to what he should be like and doesn’t appear to make him happy either.
I love those first lines from ‘The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon’. I think that in these days of continued austerity and difficulty for small companies in getting enough business to make a living wage and keep their heads above water, this type of accounting is probably more prevalent than any of us can imagine! … Although here in the UK, this would be called ‘Creative Accounting’!
I really must make the effort to get hold of book one and start on the series, it really does sound rather good. Although if I leave it too long the whole thing will get away from me, as I see you are now up to book fourteen in the series!
Have a good weekend and I hope that you continue to enjoy your book.
The beginning sounds really interesting because I can totally relate to showing up to work completely disconnected from what’s happening around you, and usually that has to do with coffee as well. I hadn’t heard of these books or of the author but it’s great our promoting them! Thanks for sharing 🙂 I hope you have a great weekend.
My Friday post
Juli @ Universe in Words
Hi Juli,
I think Cosmo’s problem is that he is completely disconnected from what’s happening around him, most of the time, regardless of the coffee fix, he has or hasn’t received! Much of that is to do with the volatile family life he has shared with his siblings, although living alone hasn’t really done much to improve his situation by the sounds of things!
I have to admit that as soon as I arrive in the shop of a morning, the kettle goes on for coffee and it never really gets to cool down for the rest of the day! Oh! the chocolate biscuits usually also help to improve the concentration levels!
Thanks for taking the time to comment and have a good weekend.
Cosmo sounds like an interesting member of the Greco family. I’m adding both these books to my TBR list.
Here’s the link to my Friday post: Beach House Memories.
Hi Sandra,
I don’t think Cosmo is a particularly happy person and doesn’t seem to communicate well, or interact positively with either strangers, or his family. Maybe his enforced unemployment will see him rethinking the direction is life is taking…
Grace will be so pleased that you have added the books to your TBR list, she really does get personally involved with the Greco family!
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.
Thank you so much for your interest Sandra. I know you’ll enjoy:) Happy reading to you!
Oh boy…Greco is my mother’s maiden name. LOL!! I don’t think they are dysfunctional. 🙂
Olive Branches Don’t Grow on Trees sounds REALLY good.
This sounds like a good book too.
Thanks, Yvonne.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
Hi Elizabeth,
Ooops! I do hope that Grace remembered to include the disclaimers about not confusing the fictional family Greco, with any other family of the same name!!
Seriously, what are the chances??? I am amazed LOL!
In the story, the Greco family are of Italian descent and they do nothing except bicker, argue, shout and play mind games with each other. There are four siblings and their parents, who are seriously all as bad as one another!! It is not surprising that Cosmo has switched off from life … I think I would have too!!
Excellent books and a very forthright and outgoing author.
Thanks for stopping by with your comments, you know I always appreciate them.
I like the beginning though it brings back nightmares of working through layoff sprees when you spent most of the days hoping that it wasn’t going to be you getting the phone call and the sad face along with the pink slip! I’ll definitely have to read more about this book. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Katherine,
Being made redundant is never a nice feeling, no matter how sympathetically it is handled, although it has obviously not sunk in for Cosmo, that this is indeed what is happening here! It is bad enough to have to be the one handing out the P45 to staff, but to then know that it is your turn to be handed the envelope, is the stuff that nightmares are made of! The comic book shop or the cafe, are definitely not going to be the answer for Cosmo … surely?
Thanks for taking part in the discussion, I always value your views and comments.
Thank you for your interest Katherine. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Discovery of an Eagle and hope you have an opportunity to check it out! Happy reading! Grace