YvonneMarch 16, 2003. Payson, Arizona.
He thought he was dead.
Steam hissed from the crumpled front end of the RV that had folded accordion-style against the guardrail. His face stung from the punch of the airbag. His lungs burned from that awful talcum powder that drifted through the cabin as the bag deflated. The chemical dust, suspended in the air, seemed to be frozen in time.
His nose was numb and swollen. He tasted blood trickling down the back of his throat like a cocaine drip. He peered through the cracked windshield, his eyes adjusting to the reddish-glow of a desert sunrise. The crushed-in hood had jarred upward. The chassis was off balance. The whole vehicle wobbled as he shifted his weight in his seat.
Oh my God …
You can check out the full synopsis and discover more about the author by clicking .. here
I am left wondering if anyone else was involved in this accident, either passengers in his vehicle, or any other vehicle on the road.
Also, does the reference to cocaine indicate that he is under the influence of drugs, it is hardly the first analogy someone would make, unless they were cognisant of the taste or affects of the substance!
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It really starts off with a bang, doesn’t it! 🙂
Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).
Ha Ha 🙂
Seriously Lauren, this is a strong beginning which really grabbed my attention. Here’s hoping the rest of the story is as full-on.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend – No snow here yet, but it is a white ice-landscape this morning, although a bright and sunny day is forecast 🙂
Sounds like quite a tense start! I wonder what’s next…
Hi Nikki,
I really like the two short, punchy lines, at the beginning and end of the quote.
That initial reaction of ‘Am I dead?’ or ‘I’m going to die’, sounds silly, but I can imagine that being many peoples first thoughts, in that kind of sudden impact scenario.
Then the ‘Oh my God’, really sets the imagination running about what he has seen, heard or felt, which is having this immediate and tense reaction.
Unfortunately, I can’t really share the next line with you, as it wouldn’t tell you anything and it sets us off into another lengthy paragraph, which gives away just a little too much information!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment though. I hope that the weather isn’t too severe up your way and that you have a good weekend 🙂
Ha! I like Lauren’s comment! It really does start off in a manner that makes you want to know more.
As you might guess, I’m still reading The Lion Trees. I’m over half way through the first volume! 🙂
Hi Kelly,
Those first few lines really do leave so many unanswered questions hanging in the air. With the benefit of a synopsis, which in my opinion, gives away just a little too much of the storyline, some of those questions are answered, however I can just sense that there is plenty more intrigue to be revealed …
I can’t believe you have got through 400 odd pages of ‘The Lion Trees’ already. I am so jealous, when it would take me well over a week to get that far!! I am guessing that you are enjoying the book, or you would have ‘Did Not Finish’ it by now?
Have a good weekend 🙂
Despite that suspenseful start I’m not sure that this particularly appeals to me.
About to finish The Governess, I’ll get back to you with the first sentence of my next book.
Hoping you have a good week-end. I’m all set for more snow (brrrhhh)
Hi Tracy,
The suspense of those first few lines, together with the synopsis, sold this one to me as soon as I was contacted reference a review.
The author is also writing about an area where he has some experience, in this case the legal profession, which always bodes well for me as a reader.
I didn’t mark ‘The Governess’ as one to read, so I shall be interested to know what you thought of it.
No snow here, a beautiful sunny day, although bitterly cold.
Have a good, safe weekend and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Oehh, that beginning. It gets you started and intrigued right away!
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for stopping by today, I enjoy meeting new people, so your comments and visits will always be welcome 🙂
There is certainly no gentle build up to those opening lines, you are right into the action and wondering just how bad things are going to get for him!
Have a great weekend and Happy Reading 🙂
I wonder what it feels like to Wonder if You are dead? Intriguing opening.
My Friday Quotes
Hi Anne,
I have never been in a car accident, but I can imagine that my first reaction would be to establish that I was actually still alive, before the logic in my brain kicked into re-start and realised just what a stupid thought that was. Those first few seconds must be almost surreal and completely happening in slow motion. This certainly doesn’t sound like a minor collision.
Thanks for taking the time to visit, I always appreciate your comments 🙂
Too funny Yvonne, I thought the exact same thing about the cocaine reference. He must have used it before to be able to compare it now.
Enjoy this one, it sounds gritty.
Hi Naida,
I wonder if he his high on cocaine now and that is what has caused the accident. Is he going to try and run from the scene, or is there another vehicle involved and he is going to stay and help?
All supposition, as we don’t even know that the accident is his fault at all, but I’m certain that it isn’t going to be a case of “All’s Well That Ends Well” ….
Good to have you stop by and I hope that all is well with you 🙂