Yvonne
This is a meme for all you ‘First Page Browsers’
IDLE HANDS by CASSONDRA WINDWALKER
BOOK BEGINNINGS / FIRST LINES
PROLOGUE
Of all of them, Tad was the hardest for me to hold on to.
Perhaps that was why I let him go so soon.
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BEFORE THE ACCIDENT – CHAPTER ONE
“You know this is the only way,” Perdie sighed, scraping back the strands of brown hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail.
“Are you sure?” Julie asked, her brow furrowed as she absently shook a doll in the direction of her three-year-old daughter. Lexie ran over and grabbed the rag-haired toy with a high-pitched squeal that barely registered to either mother. Julie frowned more deeply; her attention no longer divided. “What if he comes after you? Or charges you with kidnapping?”
“I’m not saying it’s not a gamble. It is. But it’s the only chance I have. And I think I at least have a fair chance of neither of those things happening. Matt’s … very particular. He won’t leave his classes mid-term. And he won’t have me charged.” Perdie’s gaze drifted, darkened. “He can’t admit to that kind of loss of control. At least, that’s what I’m banking on.”
“I hope you’re right … But how will you survive out there? Isn’t Colorado an expensive place to live?”
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I so wish I could have featured the entire prologue in this post, however it was just a tad too lengthy to fit within the ethos of the meme.
I do recommend however, that if you decide to read the book, you take extra time to actually truly read and study each and every word, giving yourself plenty of time to absorb and assimilate the amazing narrative.
So, you have taken a look, would you read the book?
Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Just to give you an extra helping hand, here is the book’s premise …
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IDLE HANDS by CASSONDRA WINDWALKER
You can call me Ella. You generally assign me a whole host of other preposterous monikers. I think the least imaginative name I’ve heard is “the devil”, but I’ll answer to it if I must.
After making the courageous decision to leave her abusive husband, Perdie and her three young children start over and finally find the safety and love they deserve. But years later, when tragedy strikes, Perdie is left wondering if the choice she made to leave has led them to this moment.
If she were given the opportunity to take it all back and stay, would she?
In a frantic bid to protect her family, Perdie makes a deal to do just that. But in a world where the devil pulls the strings, can Perdie really change the past?
Brimming with enlightened observations and brilliant voice, Idle Hands is a haunting examination of grief, resilience, and what we’d give to spend another moment with the ones we love.
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You might also like to visit Gilion, over at ‘Rose City Reader‘, where you can share links to the book beginnings from her own reading schedule and that of many of our fellow bloggers. There are always plenty of new authors and titles to be discovered
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I remember this cover! I also like the premise. Combined with those opening lines, I have a feeling this one is destined for my wishlist, if not my TBR pile!
Hi Kelly,
My review is currently scheduled for the end of August, however this one earned a resounding 5 stars from me and a place on my Goodreads ‘favourites’ shelf.
The writing style, narrative and dialogue, were all excellent and the storyline was emotionally destroying!
Be warned – The Devil has a lot to say for herself throughout the story and I was fascinated by her ‘alternative’ take on the facts.
Have a peaceful weekend 🙂
Man, that cover’s a bit creepy, isn’t it?! The prologue definitely grabs my attention, and it sounds like a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing!
Here’s my Friday post.
Hi Sammie,
Thanks for stopping by today, it is good to ‘meet’ you. I like making new friends and I am always willing to chat about anything bookish, so comments are definitely welcomed and appreciated 🙂
This book was the complete package for me; the writing was excellent, the storyline intense and heartbreaking and the characters played out their parts with complete authenticity.
Reading this one took me right out of my comfort zone, but I was lured to it by that creepy cover and it is definitely the case that ‘the devil makes work for idle hands’ and she has a lot to say about it too!
Have a great weekend and Happy Reading 🙂
I can’t decide if it sounds really good or too magical. Also, my cat is named Ella and I don’t like the idea that the devil might have the same name. 🙂
Thanks for posting even though I was late! Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Gilion,
We have been hearing about the troubles you are enduring each night time in Portland, so I can understand that this must be a particularly stressful time for everyone and posting on time is probably one of the last thoughts on your mind right now.
Reading this book might definitely make you see your Ella cat in a completely different way, but it is such a strong and competently written piece of work, that it is well worth giving some time to.
I am not a huge fan of fantasy, so I can say that it is definitely not too magical a story. More an intense study of the psyche, which makes us as humans always seem to pose the question … ‘what if?’, or make the statement … ‘I wish I had done things differently’
Ella just constantly reminds us that the Devil is always there on your shoulder, just waiting for you to make those wrong decisions, so that she can cash in on your misfortune!
Thanks for visiting and have a peaceful weekend 🙂
I do love books that spotlight these difficult decisions and the consequences. They do give us so much to ponder.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lorraine,
This story definitely makes you stop and think about those ‘what if?’ decisions we make every day. I can’t say too much about Perdie’s decision making, as it would give away too many spoilers, but let’s just say that she got what she wished for, but was she any better off with her change of circumstances?
The question Cassondra raises in her writing, is do we all have the Devil sat on our shoulder trying to influence our decisions for his/her own ends and just waiting for us to fail!
Definitely a book which demands to be really read thoroughly, I was captivated.
Thanks for stopping by and have a peaceful weekend 🙂
What a wonderful cover! Also, the prologue grabs your attention. I think I would enjoy this book 🙂
Hi Konna,
I see that in general, our reading genres are quite the opposite from one another, however I think that this particular book tells a story like no other and falls between the cracks in the usual genres definitions. I know that I thoroughly enjoyed the reading of it and I think that it might also resonate with you. The cover art certainly tells its own story about ‘The devil making work for idle hands!’. I can definitely recommend it.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend 🙂