Yvonne
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house during the last week.
Be warned that Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
Your host for June 2013 is: Bellezza over at ‘Dolce Bellezza’
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!
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I first discovered Marcia, when Elizabeth, over at ‘Silver’s Reviews’, mentioned both author and book, as part of her Mailbox Monday post that week. When commenting, I mentioned that I would quite like to add this book to my reading list and how envious I was of Marcia managing to combine her love of retail and books, when bagging herself a job in a college bookstore. Never one to let the grass grow beneath her feet, Elizabeth had hooked me up with Marcia in no time and although I did end up by purchasing this book myself, I have had some lovely conversations with Marcia and I am really looking forward to reading ‘North Of Supposed To Be’.
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‘NORTH OF SUPPOSED TO BE’
In the aftermath of violence, photographer Bronwyn McCall isn’t quite so alone. Former M16 agent Ernest Rose enters her life and becomes her Jeeves, equally faithful, sidekick and father figure. When she’s given the abandoned Bayside Blanket and Toboggan Factory in coastal Maine, a massive fortune – acquired in the most bizarre manner – launches second chances and the dream homes of her imagination. It’s easy to fall for the allure of frosty Maine with its luscious lobster and small town charms, but is that enough to halt the haunting loss and loneliness that define both Bronwyn and Jeeves? For this Jeeves has his dark side and secrets, and whether he’s Bronwyn’s salvation or her destruction is always in question as they are swept away on this mutual adventure.
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MARCIA FERGUSON
As a child Marcia Ferguson loved listening to her mother read ‘Five Little Peppers and How They Grew’, and ‘Little Women’. When she learned to read, Marcia took up the Reading Aloud baton and happily read to younger elementary students. She still remembers the library shelf beneath the classroom windows, and mounting the steps into the impressively cavernous BF Jones Memorial Library. The smell of books, the quiet, and the well-worn marble beneath her feet was intoxicating.
A career in retailing and a love of books happily collided when she became store manager of a college bookstore. Textbooks, yes – but also children’s books, fiction, cookbooks, all selected, shelved, and happily sent along to happy homes.
Not surprisingly, after a lifetime of reading, Marcia’s active imagination and creative bent began carving out the detailed world of her chosen characters, ‘Bronwyn McCall’ and ‘Ernest Rose’. In her debut novel, ‘North of Supposed to Be’, North is not just a direction away from hopes and dreams, but also a place – Maine – where things did become as they were truly meant to be.
You can also follow Marcia’s blog, here at ‘Goodreads’
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It is rewarding when readers choose to read North of Supposed to Be. Anytime readers sit down with a book, they are investing precious time – I know, as I am a reader, too. But when something touches the reader or provides escape or wonder – it is time well spent.
At this early stage of North’s exposure to the world, it’s a real delight to hear from readers who enjoy the story and the evocative places the characters live in and visit. When I first wrote North, I hoped just one reader would enjoy it as much as I did … and when that happened and there were more and more, it was a tip of the hat to Bronwyn, Jeeves, Clive, Jamie, Gus, Clara, and the rest. I just whisper their story to you – they’re the ones who dance across the pages.
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I can’t wait to discover all your own great new finds this week … so please stop by and share your link
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I found myself agreeing with everything Marcia said from the books she loved listening to, to the shelves under the windows, to sharing literature with elementary children. That joy almost equals my own personal reading pleasure.
Thank you for the kind comment
you left on my blog. It is easy to leave a quick snippet, but the well thought out responses mean the most to me.
Happy reading this week to come, and of course, throughout the summer!
Hi,
Marcia is such a delightful author to work with, by the time we had exchanged a few e-mails, it felt as though we had known each other for years. Of course, the fact that I too can relate so well to just about everything she says and ‘feels’ about books and reading, is a great bonus, although I am very jealous of her managing to find her dream job mixing her retail and book skills together!
I also agree with your thoughts about comments. Whilst I realise that not everyone has the time to leave a lengthy comment and I love to hear from each and every one of them, I truly do value the comments which have been well thought out and seriously considered.
Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate all the comments I receive.
Hi Bellezza,
Book lovers have so much in common, don’t they? You might like looking at my Pinterest board about books, titled “Books, Bookstores, Writers, Oh My” … there are some terrific photographs there, including a spectacular royal blue outdoor stairway, holding bricks painted as book covers – stunning! You don’t have to belong to Pinterest to see the photos – just click on each board to see the different ‘pins’. My boards are at http://www.pinterest.com/mfergusonnorth
Happy reading and Happy summer days!
Marcia
Intrigued by both the title and the ‘bizarre way’ in which Bronwyn obtains the factory I’ll be sure to keep a look out for this one.
Hi Tracy,
I must admit that the book’s title is a little intriguing and I didn’t think to ask Marcia about it when we last spoke. Perhaps I’ll drop her a line and ask about it, together with the even more intriguing origins for the name of the factory, it would make for a great guest post?
Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a great week, despite the still chilly weather!!
Hi Petty … glad North is intriguing you. Regarding the title of North of Supposed to Be … at first the title was Find Me (there are three reasons that Find Me relates to the story). However, a few literary agents mistakenly believed Find Me was a thriller, even though the synopsis clearly showed it wasn’t. So drawing-board time. I wanted a title that was special, along the lines of Jamie Ford’s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The funny thing is, Jamie wrote that bestseller as The Panama Hotel … so some titles are slow being born.
I was frustrated trying so hard to find the best title until one morning I awakened and felt like ‘this isn’t how it’s supposed to be; it’s so difficult coming up with something special.’ And then I remembered how Maine was North and how north also signified a veering away from … and voila – the title was born. I’m sure Bronwyn – all alone – railed at the sky and shook her fist at least once, saying ‘this isn’t how it’s supposed to be’ as we all do at times of loss.
As far as the bizarre way Bronwyn begins to build at the estate and comes into a fortune – I read somewhere that Fiction requires that the reader suspends disbelief. And I think that’s true. Strange things happen in real life, as well.
Happy summer reading – I hope you devour lots of books!
Marcia
I’ve not heard of this one but it does sound intriguing. Will be interested to see what you think of it once you’ve read it.
Hi Kristen,
The idea of a modern day ‘Jeeves’ character is also very intriguing, especially one with a ‘dark side’ to his personality and with possible hidden secrets!!
There are so many quirky and intriguing aspects to this story, that I am not really sure what to expect … watch this space!
Thanks for stopping by today, your comments are appreciated.
It’s so much fun (and a little nerve wracking) to read a book after you’ve made a connection with the author. I hope you adore this book!
Hi Kathy,
I had never thought about the nerve wracking aspects of reading for an author with whom I have built up something of a rapport, now you have me a little worried!
There are so many interesting little quirks about both the characters and the storyline of this book, that I am certain there is never going to be a dull moment in the reading of it!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment, it is always appreciated.
I adore books set in Maine…and this one does sound promising.
Here’s MY SUNDAY UPDATES/MAILBOX MONDAY
Hi Laurel-Rain,
This book does indeed sound promising and seems to have a great mix of mystery, intrigue and suspense, with a generous portion of emotional turmoil, thrown in for good measure. I am left wondering, whether with the ‘Jeeves’ connection, there will be just a hint of satire too?
Thanks for taking an interest in today’s post, your comments are always welcome.
Sounds like an interesting read.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2013/06/mailbox-monday_24.html
Hi Mary Ann,
You just get the feeling that this story isn’t going to be quite as straightforward as you might think, don’t you? It sounds as though there are several twists and turns to be had, to add to the air of mystery and suspense.
Thanks for taking the time to link up today.
Love the suspense and the Maine setting. I’d read it for sure.
Hi Harvee,
All of the US contributors today, seem to be raving over Marcia’s use of Maine, as the setting for the storyline. There are several other books on my TBR shelves which centre their stories around the region and I am wondering just exactly why it is such a popular location. I must check it out …
Thanks for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated.
Ooh, maine setting. Perfect book for my trip there next month, methinks. Thanks Yvone for letting us know about it. 🙂
Hi Mari,
Having had several commenters mention the setting for this book, I just had to check it out for myself. Not only did I not really appreciate just how close to Canadian border the State is, but I completely underestimated the breathtaking scenery and amazing beaches it hosts.
When you consider that you have several States, which individually cover an area equal in size to that of most of the British mainland, then the scale of my ignorance is perhaps understandable to a degree?
I think that ‘North Of Supposed To Be’, would make an ideal holiday read and I hope that you have a wonderful trip.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I am so happy to see you received/bought the book. I haven’t started it yet. It does look good doesn’t it?
ENJOY your week!!!
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for hooking me up with Marcia, she really is a sweet lady and the book sounds fantastic.
I only ended up by buying the book myself, because there were some glitches in gifting the Kindle copy, between Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Most authors seem to be able to complete the transaction without any problem, but every now and again, there seems to be this gremiln which gets into the system and causes problems and this isn’t the first time it has happened to me!
I am sure that you will read the book long before I get to it, so I shall keep an eye out for your review.
Have a good week and thanks for stopping by.
Sounds interesting! I almost added it to my TBR list, but will wait to see what your thoughts are. Hope you enjoy it!
Hi Vicki,
I spend most of my time adding books and authors to my TBR list, however I have very little hope of ever getting round to reading even a small percentage of said list!
I am just a sucker for a great sounding book and although Marcia’s book is still way down my review pile, I am looking forward to reading it eventually.
Thanks for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated.
Hi Laurel-Rain Snow,
I agree with you about Maine. It’s such a special place and it calls to me sometimes. My first visit was long ago, and on that trip I went whale watching, met ‘old’ Mr. Butterfield of JH Butterfield’s grocery in downtown Bar Harbor, tasted popovers at Jordan’s Pond and began my unending love of chocolates at Ogunquit’s Harbor Candy. Maine is the kind of place where you can relax and pop on a hoodie and some LL Bean comfy shoes and just take it all in.
Happily, several of these places and other Maine locations are woven into the story.
Happy summer reading!
Marcia
Hi Marcia,
Maine sounds like my kind of place!
I had to check out what ‘popovers’ were and see that they are the US equivalent of our own ‘Yorkshire Puddings’. Traditionally these are served along with a Sunday roast and are covered with gravy. Larger versions are often filled with sausages and gravy and served as a meal in themselves. In the North of the country, they are also very popular served sweet with jam, although this is a trend which hasn’t really ever caught on, down here in the more discerning South!! LOL!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_pudding
Thanks for taking the time to answer all my readers’ questions about ‘North…’ Your comments were very interesting and very much appreciated.
Hi Yvonne,
My Pinterest board ‘Bronwyn’s Maine’ shows a couple of Jordan Pond popover photos. The spot of Jordan Pond (in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor) is quite majestic and you reach it by hiking a bit from the road … a gorgeous stone building with tons of windows, but the ‘lawn’ is covered with green wooden tables and that’s a traditional place to have the popovers and strawberry jam, facing the unforgettable expanse of Jordan Pond. So quiet and peaceful. Quite memorable.
Bronwyn has a traditional English holiday dinner with a roast and Yorkshire pudding – wish I could have been there!
Hi Marcia,
I checked out the board and it certainly looks like a beautiful spot, with a view to die for.
I have always found that the US version of a roast dinner, differs in many ways from our own UK version, predominantly because of the good old roast potato, which it seems to be impossible to come by anywhere we have travelled in The States and which is an important ingredient in the perfect roast dinner …
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1303/ultimate-roast-potatoes
I have an Aunt who settled in California over 60 years ago, however she still cooks an English style roast every Sunday for family and friends and there are seldom empty seats at her dinner table.
Thanks for sharing your ‘foodie’ thoughts.
Enjoy North of Supposed to Be, it sounds like a good one.
Hi Naida,
Quite a unique storyline by the sounds of it, with plenty of underlying mystery and suspense, can’t get better than that!
Apart from also having a fantastic author, who is passionate about her book … Marcia will be stopping by with a guest post very soon, so I hope that you will be able to join her for that.
I hope that life is treating you okay and thanks for taking time out to stop by.