YvonneHelena, Montana – Memorial Day, May 29, 2000
Joel eyed the remains and laughed at the animal that had caused the carnage. The carnivore had done damage, serious damage, to the thing that covered most of his plate. But even serious damage was not a mortal blow, not to a 24-ounce porterhouse. They would have to leave it behind. Doggie bags didn’t cut it on ten-hour drives home.
…
The concept of being able to make any real headway into a 24 ounce steak would horrify most English people, you simply wouldn’t find it on 99% of menus.
The likelihood of ever being offered a doggie bag has even longer odds against … it is just something that isn’t done over here!
I am not sure, that without the benefit of a more comprehensive synopsis, I would carry on reading based on those first lines, however I am now eager to see exactly how they fit as a prelude to the storyline.
You can find out more about both book and author by clicking here…
Whilst you are there, take a few seconds to compare cover images and check out the sexy new look.
…
 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.
…
As this was an author invitation to read and review, a complimentary Kindle download of ‘The Mine’, was gifted to me, by its author, John Heldt.
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.
…
Despite not being a vegetarian etc the focus on that slab of meat in the opener doesn’t grab me, but it’s certainly unusual…
Hi Jo,
I am definitely not a vegetarian, although if we eat out, I will occasionally opt for the veggie choice, depending on my mood.
I would like to say that the thought of a steak of those proportions are unknown to me, however a few years ago, we took my sister-in-law and her family to Florida for Christmas and in one of the best steakhouses on site (The Yachtsman Steakhouse on The Boardwalk), her husband ate a steak of similar size and finished it, together with a large portion of fries and a starter!
It is quite an unusual opening sequence for a book, however this is a time travel romantic fiction saga, so I am guessing that there is much more to the story than a plate of steak!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I value your thoughts.
Ok, I agree that is a big steak and not my cup of tea either.
Hi Jo,
Steak is something which we never usually have at home,although we can both be easily tempted if we eat out at the right restaurant. Even then, we would only ever order fillet steak and never more than 8 ounces in weight, cooked medium-well.
As I know the full premise for this story, I am sure that these opening lines are only a short prelude for what is to come and I am looking forward to one of the regular ‘out of comfort zone genres’ which I am becoming accustomed to.
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate the visit and comment.
I read The Mine. I really liked it.
ENJOY your weekend.
I didn’t have time to post a book beginnings so I am leaving a link to another fun post you may want to check out.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
What Would You Give Your Book Character For Christmas?
Hi Elizabeth,
When I first realised that ‘The Mine’ was a time travel story, I must admit that I was a little put off, however after having read the synopsis, I was more than a bit intrigued by the scenario it painted. Added to which the book has received some tremendous reviews and ratings, so all those people can’t be wrong surely?
Now I know someone from my own circle of friends who has also read and enjoyed the book, I am more than willing to take that leap of faith and place myself firmly out of my comfort zone once again.
I have just tracked down your review, so I am off to read it now. Thanks for your input to today’s post, I really appreciate it and hope that you have a good weekend.
Hi Elizabeth,
I just realised that I actually commented on your review at the time, however reading it again now that I am ready to embark on the journey for myself, has been a worthwhile exercise.
A none meat eater, The Mine shouldn’t really appeal to me and yet I’m oddly intrigued by it.
It was 11 March when my sister called, our mother had a broken ankle due to an accident with the hoist in her nursing home.
– Chapter 1: Beyond My Control by Suzan Collins.
I’m not sure this is going to be the easiest of reads and because of my personal circumstances may prove harrowing but I’m determined to give it a try.
Hi Tracy,
I am sure that as a non meat eater, these opening lines don’t fill you full of excitement about the book, however I found the synopsis to be full of intrigue, despite the fact that I still feel the whole storyline sounds remarkably similar to that of the film ‘Back To The Future’.
There will definitely be some issues of conscience as to whether knowledge of what is going to happen in the future, should be used to change the course of events … which is of course just not permitted as the whole of history as we know it, might then be altered … Looking forward to this book more and more!
I definitely think that ‘Beyond My Control’ is going to be a deeply disturbing read, although I can only base that assumption on the many damning news articles I read about the care system in this country. Whilst the press will always go for the attention grabbing headline, so everything you read needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, I still believe that the system and many of the ‘carers’ who work within it, are failing the vulnerable lamentably … your opening lines probably set the scene for much of what is to follow.
I don’t think this would be a book for me, however I hope that it doesn’t cause you too much distress should you decide to persevere with it.
Thanks for sharing and have a great week.
I love a big steak, but 24 oz.? WoW!
I plan on reading this book sometime in 2014.
Hi Vicki,
I have a couple more books to go before I start on ‘The Mine’, so you might well catch me up!
Good to find someone else who enjoys a good steak, although a porterhouse wouldn’t be my cut of choice, as I am not keen on bones in meat and I tend to prefer the leaner cut of fillet steak. Either way, 8 ounces is my maximum weight of meat, anything else is just way too much!
I am loving the sound of this book’s premise and can’t wait to get started on it.
Winter has arrived here in the UK, with some very cold, wet and windy conditions due today and for much of the coming week …. Have a good week yourself and thanks for stopping by.
I do enjoy a good steak myself, but I like mine well done, while hubby loves his rare. I especially like NY strip steak. Is that true about the English and steaks? Or is it just that size of steak? We have steakhouses here, restaurants that specialize in them. About the book, yes, I’d keep reading 🙂
Hi Naida,
Isn’t it strange how eager we all are to discuss food at the ‘drop of a hat’ and although it may sound like a strange opening few lines for a book, when read in isolation, they have certainly evoked some good conversation. The book itself is really beginning to call to me now and I am eager to get started on it.
We don’t have steakhouses in the way that you do in the States and overall there are very few restaurants who specialize in turning out a quality steak. In fact the quality of most steak over here is pretty average, to say the least.
Also, most Brits wouldn’t eat a steak of the size mentioned in the book opening and certainly not how we came across it in most of the States, where the larger slabs of meat are served on their own on a plate. Over here it would have to come with thick cut chips (fries) at least, but preferably also with fried mushrooms, tomatoes and onion rings.
Now, at 05.39 am, this discussion has made me hungry, so I’m off to make muesli for my breakfast. Have a good week.