Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where you can share the first paragraph, or a few, of a book you are reading or thinking about reading soon.
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!
Accidents of Marriage explores a topic rarely shown in fiction: the destruction left in the wake of spouse’s verbal fury. Ben never meant to hurt Maddy. He never imagined his recklessness would lead to tragedy.
Maddy is a social worker trying to balance her career and three children. Years ago, she fell in love with Ben, a public defender, drawn to his fiery passion, but now he’s lashing out at her during his periodic verbal furies. She vacillates between tiptoeing around him and asserting herself for the sake of their kids – which works to keep a fragile peace – until the rainy day when they’re together in the car and Ben’s volatile temper gets the best of him, leaving Maddy in the hospital fighting for her life.
Randy Susan Meyers takes us inside the hearts and minds of her characters, alternating among the perspectives of Maddy, Ben, and their fourteen-year-old daughter. Accidents of Marriage is a provocative and stunning novel that will resonate deeply with women from all walks of life, ultimately revealing the challenges of family, faith, and forgiveness.
ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE explores a topic rarely shown in fiction: the damaging effects of a spouse’s emotional abuse.
Opening Paragraph
Maddy ran her tongue over her teeth, imagining the bitter taste of a crumbling tablet of Xanax. After a gut-wrenching day at the hospital, nothing tempted her more than a chemical vacation. Nothing appealed to her less than cooking supper. Churning stomach acid — courtesy of work — coupled with anxiety that Ben might come home as frenzied as he’d left — made a formidable appetite killer.
She could bottle it and make a fortune.
Each morning she spun the wheel on the Ben chart, hoping that arrow would hit happy husband, or at least the neutral guy. Today his arrow landed on total bastard, holding her personally responsible for Caleb’s tantrum, which — oh horror! — had cost Ben twenty minutes of work.
My Teaser
“Right.” What an all-purpose word right had become in their family, their polite way of saying, I am acknowledging you have spoken, but am choosing not to engage in any meaninful way. Lately, they used it all too often.
page 4
(These quotes are from uncorrected advance proofs. Please refer to the final printed book for corrected quotes!)
So...what do you think? Is this one you would pick up? Leave a comment below!
This one sounds like it might be hard to read - I'll look forward to your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteLots of positive reviews around for this one... will keep an eye out for your thoughts. Sounds like book I might like.
ReplyDeleteWow, sounds intense.
ReplyDeleteMy teaser is an excerpt from a YA book about the Underground Railway.
http://wp.me/p3Nz8P-h7
An emotional read for sure. Hope you love it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful teaser! We all have polite words which stand for very different interpretations!
ReplyDeleteJesus the Christ Tuesday Teaser
This may be too much for me to handle. I've experienced verbal abuse and it has a life long impact that takes struggle to rise above. Still, I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteHere is my TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/10/28/teaser-tuesdays-87-moore-zombies-and-the-alien-next-door/
I'd have to give this one a try. If it gets too intense, I might have to give up. Look forward to your review.
ReplyDeleteI read this one recently and LOVED it! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI think this one is going to be added to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! (:
Here is my TT!
Kenzi @Shattered Hearts Reviews
This sounds like an excellent book that focuses on the characters. Just what I like!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog post about THE BEARWALKER’S DAUGHTER.
Oo! This does sound good. I would keep reading. I haven't heard of this one before.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds intense. I'd have to keep reading. I'll look forward to your review!
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to read this one - I saw it on Laurel Rain-Snow's blog recently. I love the opening and the teaser - such a dismissive word, right! Here is my TT http://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2014/10/28/teaser-tuesday-october-28/
ReplyDeleteSounds emotionally engaging. I'd have to be in the right mood.
ReplyDeleteOuch, it sounds like a really rocky family situation. Sounds like one that I would find a little hard to get through. I hope you are enjoying it though!
ReplyDeleteThis week I'm diving into The Perilous Sea.
Oh yes,love the intro and I've enjoyed the author's books in the past.
ReplyDeleteI read and enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteOh, it seems so sad. I like the way the author drew me in right away.
ReplyDeleteI'm not taken in by the beginning so I'd probably pass. Have a happy Halloween! kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, this sounds like an intense read. I can't help but hope it ends with redemption.
ReplyDelete