1974
On that first day of school Mama wrapped her hand around mine as we walked together into the classroom at Cobb’s Creek County School. I’d been so sheltered about our family’s past – not to mention the small-minded ways of Hadlee, Mississippi – that I was completely unprepared for what would come.
Mama leaned down and whispered, “No need to worry, Jason Lee. Everything’ll be fine, son.” I breathed in the familiar almond-cherry scent of her lotion. “Be brave like your daddy was,” she said. “He was a hero.”
Straightaway a lump caught in my throat. Those were the first words she’d spoken of him to me. Until then, I never even wondered about the man.
With that she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and moved toward the door. She turned back and smiled at me before leaving.
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If you want to find out more about the book, you can either click on the book image, or at this link …
For a great guest post by the author and to glean more background research about the storyline of the book, click here …
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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 and PDF document of ‘The Clock Of Life’, was gifted to me, by its author, Nancy Klann-Moren.
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 remembered this book after looking back at Tracy’s review. I’m still not sure it’s one for my wish list, despite the fact she enjoyed it more than “To Kill a Mockingbird” (which I loved).
Here’s the opener from my current book:
“Portland, Oregon. December, 1997. Low-life, low-rent, low-tech, lazy-ass excuse for a delivery service. Get that envelope back! Get it back now!”
– The Hard Karma Shuffle by Mike Nettleton & Carolyn J. Rose
Hi Kelly,
I am certain I will have read Tracy’s review of ‘The Clock Of Life’ at some point in time, although as I wouldn’t have wanted to know too many spoilers, I shall probably make a return visit to compare thoughts, after i have read the book for myself.
It is definitely one of those books you are either going to engage with, or not, as the case may be and I have to admit that I am looking forward to this powerful and thought provoking storyline.
‘The Hard Karma Shuffle’ is also on my future reading list, so I shall be keen to know what you think of it, those opening lines sound so good!! I am almost done reading one of Carolyn J. Rose’s solo books and as always, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.
Ooh I’m so looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one.
There was once a young man who wished to gain his Heart’s Desire.
And while that is, as beginnings go, not entirely novel (for every tale about every young man there ever was or will be could start in a similar manner) there was much about this young man and what happened to him that was unusual, although even he never knew the whole of it.
– Stardust by Neil Gaiman.
Hi Tracy,
This book seems to have taken an age to get anywhere near the top of my TBR pile and I am so looking forward to starting on it. I did try to check back with your review, but couldn’t find a search button on the site? If you could send through a link, or point out any serious problems with my eyesight, that would be great … LOL!
I am not really into fantasy stories, unless specifically requested as a review, however I am intrigued by the very last part of your opening lines …. “….although even he never knew the whole of it.” That has really piqued my interest!
Thanks for sharing your own lines this week and for taking the time to comment. I hope that you enjoy your weekend.
This sounds really interesting, thanks for sharing! Here is my beginning at Shut Up & Read
Hi Sheri,
‘The Clock Of Life’ definitely has an interesting and intriguing storyline, which is sure to evoke emotions within the hearts of even the most stoic of readers. Even those opening lines fill me with foreboding and apprehension, although I am not really sure why.
Thanks for stopping by, your comments are always welcomed.
Those opening lines are so compelling! I’m wondering what happened in his family’s past, why his mother wouldn’t speak of his father, and what’s going to happen at school. Sounds like an excellent story.
Here’s the link to my Friday post: DARLIN’ IRISH.
Hi Sandra,
I know! There are just so many questions contained in such a short piece of prose, aren’t there?
The book has actually been in my review pile for so long, that I had quite forgotten the synopsis, so much so, that when I went back and checked it out, I was surprised that from reading the opening lines as I wrote them for this post, I had made totally the wrong assumptions about who was who and what was what!!
Thanks for visiting today, I always value your comments.
Reading that beginning, I would keep reading…..
Here is my Book Beginning post!!
Here is my Friday 56post!!
Hi Gautami,
This is definitely the kind of book opening which leaves behind more questions than answers, making it impossible to walk away from without some form of closure.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, it is always good to hear from you.
Wonderful beginning. The first day of school is always the best. 🙂
Cobb’s Creek County School sounds like a place I would like to attend. 🙂
THANKS for sharing.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Book Beginnings
Hi Elizabeth,
Apart from the odd episode or two of bullying, I really enjoyed my school days. In fact I am still in touch with one of my teachers from the early 1960s, who taught English, which was always my favourite subject. He also taught me the finer points of italic writing and sword, country and old time dancing. Homework was always a joy to do, never a chore, unless it was mathematics, which I never really excelled at. ….. perhaps I can now see why I might possibly have been bullied!!!
It sounds very much to me, as though Jason Lee’s mother might be a little concerned about what is going to happen to him at school …. Must have something to do with the family history?
Thanks for taking the time to comment and I hope that you are enjoying a little ‘me time’ this weekend.
That’s a powerful opening. Why did his mother choose to spring a comment about the father on the first day of school? I have questions!
Hi Katherine,
She couldn’t have picked a worse moment to talk to Jason Lee about his father for the first time. I am guessing that she is expecting something to either be said or done to Jason at school, which will have reference to his father in some way, although she could have prepared him a little better, poor boy!
I am assuming that this has all to do with the mysterious family history and the small minded way of the local people.
So many questions, I am looking forward to discovering some answers!
Thanks for the comment and I hope that your weekend is going well.
I’d keep reading, that sounds like an emotional first day at school. I wonder why she decided to mention the dad at that time. Happy reading!
Hi Naida,
From reading the synopsis, it seems as though Jason Lee’s mother is preparing him for what might be the first of many challenges to come for him, in this small insular community.
‘The Clock Of Life’, does sound as though it is going to be a very thought provoking, emotional and even slightly controversial book to read …. I can’t wait!
Thanks for taking the time to backtrack to previous posts each time you visit, I always value the contribution you make.
Yvonne,
I just came across this thread, today. Thanks so much for the shout out. I, as well, am looking forward to your impressions and assessments of The Clock Of Life. Until then, Thanks again.
Hi Nancy,
I am more than a little embarrassed at the length of time ‘The Clock Of Life’ has been sat in my TBR pile, however I will be getting to read it very soon now …. promise!
There are generally three or four shout outs for a book, before the final review is published, so I am hoping that my tardiness in reading the book, is in some small way vindicated.
I seem to have read a few books just lately where the small minded ways of insular communities play a large part in the unfolding story and those first lines from ‘The Clock Of Life’, already have me intrigued and eager to know more.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, your support is appreciated.