At the moment I am in the middle of Ann Howard Creel's The Whiskey Sea, about a young woman doing what she can to support her younger sister and the man who raised her. She loves being on the water and, with the help of a World War I veteran, learns how to repair boat engines. When that doesn't bring in enough money, she turns to rumrunning during the American Prohibition, a very lucrative, but dangerous trade for anyone, but especially a woman.
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.
Prologue
She opened her eyes to blackness. Salty blackness. She moved her arms against water, then remembered. The ocean. The fight. The flames.
No.
Her arms and legs would not move. She was drowning, falling into the cold depths. Below her, the pull of invisible arms and no light. A silence pure and dark. Her face down, her vision gone, she was plunging fast into infinite time. She could not hold her breath much longer; she was going to die.and then
Chapter One
1908
When death came to Della Hope, this story begins.
Della never set foot more than a few paces off the waterfront. A sweet little thing with brassy hair and misty green eyes, she made a living off being shapely and willing, with no other means to support herself. As the town whore, she lived above one of the ramshackle dockside establishments and catered to men coming in off a fishing boat, reeking of the sea. Along the way she caught a disease that drove her mad--and then killed her.
Teaser from page 17% of The Whiskey Sea:
She sighed and breathed in, then slowly exhaled. "I've been thinking. Come better weather we should go for the liquor, too."and at 24%
Anger erupted, and if there had been something there to strike she would've punched it. But instead she sucked in some shaky breaths and willed that urge away. This was a moment for thinking, not losing control.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
From the prologue and then the opening of the first chapter, I was immediately intrigued. My initial thought is the prologue is a foreshadowing of what will come. And I'm already hoping death by drowning is not the fate of the protagonist, Frieda, but only time will tell the further I read. In the opening paragraph of the first chapter, we meet Frieda and Bea's mother, Della--at least briefly. She leaves behind two very young daughters who instantly won over this reader's heart. So far, I am enjoying The Whiskey Sea.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.
This week's Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten Series Set in California. I enjoy reading books set outside of the United States very much, but I enjoy reading books set in familiar places. Admittedly, there are many more books I want to read than I actually have read (which, I imagine applies to many books in all types of settings). That list, however, would be too long to post here. Here are some of my favorite series set in California (most of which I am not completely caught up with--yet):
1. Rebecca Chastain's series featuring Madison Fox, a Illuminant Enforcer living and working in Roseville, California (First book: A Fistful of Evil)
2. Carol Higgins Clark's series featuring Regan Reilly, a private investigator based out of Los Angeles, California (First book: Decked)
3. Michael Connelly's series featuring Harry Bosch, a homicide detective in Los Angeles, California (First book: The Black Echo)
4. Michael Connelly's series featuring Mickey Haller, a lawyer in Los Angeles, California (First book: The Lincoln Laywer)
5. Robert Crais's series featuring Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, a pair of Hollywood private eyes, in Los Angeles, California (First book: The Monkey's Raincoat)
6. Sue Grafton's series featuring Kinsey Millhone, a private eye in fictional Santa Teresa, California (First book: A is for Alibi)
7. Tami Hoag's series featuring Tony Mendez, a Sheriff's detective in mid-1980s Oak Knoll, California, in the Oak Knoll mysteries (First book: Deeper Than the Dead)
8. Jonathan Kellerman's series featuring Alex Delaware, a child psychologist in Los Angeles, California (First book: When the Bough Breaks)
9. Lisa Lutz's series featuring Isabele “Izzy” Spellman, a 28-year old sleuth working for her parents’ private investigation firm, in San Francisco, California (First book: The Spellman Files)
10. Jaime Lee Moyer's trilogy set in historical San Francisco, featuring Delia Martin, who can communicate with the dead, and Police Captain Gabriel Ryan (First book: Delia's Shadow)
Do you enjoy reading books set in or around where you live? What are some of your favorite series set near where you live?
2. Carol Higgins Clark's series featuring Regan Reilly, a private investigator based out of Los Angeles, California (First book: Decked)
3. Michael Connelly's series featuring Harry Bosch, a homicide detective in Los Angeles, California (First book: The Black Echo)
4. Michael Connelly's series featuring Mickey Haller, a lawyer in Los Angeles, California (First book: The Lincoln Laywer)
5. Robert Crais's series featuring Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, a pair of Hollywood private eyes, in Los Angeles, California (First book: The Monkey's Raincoat)
6. Sue Grafton's series featuring Kinsey Millhone, a private eye in fictional Santa Teresa, California (First book: A is for Alibi)
7. Tami Hoag's series featuring Tony Mendez, a Sheriff's detective in mid-1980s Oak Knoll, California, in the Oak Knoll mysteries (First book: Deeper Than the Dead)
8. Jonathan Kellerman's series featuring Alex Delaware, a child psychologist in Los Angeles, California (First book: When the Bough Breaks)
9. Lisa Lutz's series featuring Isabele “Izzy” Spellman, a 28-year old sleuth working for her parents’ private investigation firm, in San Francisco, California (First book: The Spellman Files)
10. Jaime Lee Moyer's trilogy set in historical San Francisco, featuring Delia Martin, who can communicate with the dead, and Police Captain Gabriel Ryan (First book: Delia's Shadow)
Do you enjoy reading books set in or around where you live? What are some of your favorite series set near where you live?
© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I do like the opener you've chosen this week - the premise is interesting and I would imagine there is lots of action with the protagonist being a rumrunner.
ReplyDeleteCleo - She certainly runs into her share of trouble. Rum running was both exciting and dangerous from the sounds of it!
DeleteThat prologue and chapter one are kinda harrowing, it sounds like some dark days ahead for the protagonist, but it does also sound like a good book.
ReplyDeleteI think the last book I read set in CA was Eight Hundred grapes. Nice list (and pics). The Chastain series sounds good, and so does the Monkey's Raincoat.
Greg - I'm really curious about Eight Hundred Grapes. I've noticed that most books set in California tend to be set in Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco--which I guess is expected given how big the cities are. It's nice when a different town or city pops up.
DeleteI didn't care for the prologue, but liked the first paragraph of chapter one. Loved your Top Ten. I've read a few of those mentioned here, but would love to keep going on your list. I'm bookmarking this page. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMargot - I could probably have added other ones too, but I tried to stop at ten. :-)
DeleteI really want to visit California one day! :-)
ReplyDeleteChrissi - I hope you are able to! There's so much to see and do.
DeleteI like the title, The Whiskey Sea. For some reason, I like titles which use the word "whiskey." I guess it's because of a rich brandy or brown color. I worried about the description of the woman "shapely and willing." Then, the next line answered my question. She's a lady of the night.
ReplyDeleteTea - I really like the title Whisky Sea. It's very fitting for the book. Whiskey is a word that just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?
DeleteYes, I'm still liking this book. I like the way she controls her anger.
ReplyDeleteTea - Control is very important to Frieda.
DeleteThat is quite an opening and it definitely had me intrigued. Looking forward to hearing what you'll think of the book.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great list you've for the TTT topic. I don't think I've read any of those books so thanks for the list so I could keep them in mind for my future reads.
Melody - It was fun coming up with the list. There were a number I left off too, which I kind of feel bad about.
DeleteThe opening certainly packs a punch and given that I am always interested in an unusual narrative pov - though it would go flying across the room if I felt I was being manipulated or it was a gimmick. It doesn't appear to read like that, though and writing seems very strong. I'll be fascinated to hear how it ends... I don't generally read books about my own surroundings - not enough fae or aliens... This is my TT - https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/08/16/teaser-tuesday-16th-august-2016/
ReplyDeleteSarah - I thought so too! I think the prologue offers a good teaser for what is to come. I'm sure it was meant to grab the reader's attention right away. I really liked Creel's writing and would like to try something else by her.
DeleteChastain's books have plenty of fae and other supernatural creatures and is practically in the backyard of where I grew up for a good part of my childhood. :-) So you never know . . .
I've enjoyed several of your top ten series set in CA! I like the cover of The Whiskey Sea, but I'm not sure the prologue would pull me in. The first lines in the first chapter, though, those intrigue--"When death came to Della Hope, this story begins."
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I think the opening sentence of the 1st chapter would have been enough to grab me too.
DeleteI completely left out Jonathan and Faye Kellerman. If I was aiming for longer, I would have included them as well.
That's a great intro, I'd want to read more. Hope it's a good one.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I enjoyed this one. It was a bit predictable, but good.
DeleteYes, I've been reading the Kinsey Milhone books forever! Great idea for a list!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Top Ten!
Deb - Grafton's series is one of my favorites. I love those books.
DeleteA rumrunner, sounds like an exciting book!
ReplyDeleteMine today is from Nerve by Jeanne Ryan recently adapted to the silver screen. https://wp.me/p3Nz8P-JD
PD Workman - Doesn't it? I thought so too!
DeleteI really like your teasers. I love reading about that era. My Teaser is from a contemporary domestic suspense.
ReplyDeleteLaura - It's such an interesting time period, isn't it? I really like reading about it too.
DeleteI love the title, and the time period, and want to know more about this young woman who is a rumrunner. I would definitely keep reading!
ReplyDeleteMonica - I agree with you about the title. I love it too. :-) The time period is so interesting, isn't it? I enjoyed this one and hope you like it if you decide to give it a try.
DeleteThe blurb sounds interesting. My teaser this week comes from Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I enjoyed this one. :-)
DeleteThe Whiskey Sea has been recommended to me. I'm getting very curious:)
ReplyDeleteMy TT from The Madonna Of Notre Dame
Laura - I hope you do get a chance to read it--and if you do, that you enjoy it!
DeleteI am curious about some of the books in your Top Ten Tuesday. I will have to check them out!
ReplyDeleteKelly - They are all good series. I hope you do get a chance to give one or two a try.
DeleteThere's something comforting about books set in a familiar place. I'm going to check out your list closer.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I agree! Sometimes I will drive by a spot mentioned in a book and I can't help but think back on the characters and what they were doing when last I "visited" there.
DeleteI like the writing style of The Whiskey Sea and am intrigued by the story, so I would keep reading.
ReplyDeleteCatherine - I hope you do get a chance to read it. I enjoyed it. :-)
DeleteHow interesting! I really like the prologue, but Chapter one is a little meh for me. Sounds like a fascinating book though - can't wait to read your review!
ReplyDeleteEustacia - It really was fascinating--the historical bits in particular.
DeleteMy mom has been on me to read the Kinsey Millhone series for years! She really enjoyed it! Great TTT!
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten Tuesday
Samantha - My husband and I both enjoy the Sue Grafton series. I'm a few books behind--but not terribly so like I am with some other series I am in the middle of.
DeleteI am impressed you were able to do 10 books set in a specific state! We couldn't even think of 10 books to go in any specific genre this week :p
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
Allyson - California seems to be a popular setting, especially for mysteries. :-)
DeleteYou have definitely piqued my curiosity with those excerpts, from the foreshadowing to the various teasers. Thanks for sharing and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: “LEAVE ME”
Laurel-Rain - I ended up liking the book. It was a good one!
DeleteIt sounds like a good book and I would keep reading. But what amazes me, is your organizational skills! A marriage, a child, a job, and yet---you can get these three weekly memes accomplished every time! Yay!
ReplyDeleteDebbie - That's very nice of you to say. Thank you. :-) I wish it was true all the time! LOL
DeleteI have yet to read any of those books, but they all sound good! Three Wishes is the first book in a time travel duology by Lisa T. Bergren and it takes place in 1840's California!
ReplyDeleteAbby - I haven't read Three Wishes, although I have read another book by Lisa T. Bergren that I enjoyed. I'll have to add it to my list to check out! Thanks for the recommendation. :-)
DeleteWhew, those teasers! As my mom says, I don't do death by drowning (I have nightmares about it, literally -- as does she.) But the book sounds really good anyway.
ReplyDeleteTop Ten Tuesday: I like your choice of setting! Though I admit, I haven't read many books or series set in California, except Robyn Carr's Virgin River and Grace Valley series. And I thoroughly enjoyed Laurie R. King's Locked Rooms, which is set in 1906 and 1920s San Francisco.
Lark - I've had nightmares about my daughter drowning and my being unable to save her. -( Maybe that's why I'm so bent on her learning how to swim!
DeleteI haven't tried Robyn Carr before, although I've heard good things about her book. She's actually on my list of authors I want to try. Laurie R. King too, for that matter.
I think you'd really enjoy Laurie R. King's Russell & Holmes series.
DeleteGreat teasers and top ten list! I was happy to see Delia's Shadow. I haven't read the Bosch books but have watched the show on Amazon prime and that is the perfect setting for Bosch.
ReplyDeleteIliana - Thank you! I need to purchase or check out the rest of the trilogy now. I haven't read too many of the Bosch books yet, but the ones I have read, I've enjoyed. I have only seen the pilot episode of the television show.
DeleteThis sounds interesting and I like the premise. I would keep reading.
ReplyDeleteHeather - It turned out to be a good one. I especially liked the time period.
Delete"The Whiskey Sea" sounds very intriguing! I could always use some more historical fiction in my life!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of those books set in California, but my little brother was born in Roseville, where the first book on your list takes place!
Lindsay - It was, although predictable in terms of the romance. I enjoyed it nonetheless. I need to read more historical fiction too.
DeleteHow funny that your brother was born in Roseville! My grandparents used to live not too far from there. :-)
I liked the intro, but would have to read a bit more to make sure!
ReplyDeleteBeth - It'd be worth it to keep reading. ;-)
DeleteWendy! The snippets you shared were great - I now have a new book in my TBR ;___; it's good news that you like it so far! Really looking forward to your review :D
ReplyDeleteNina - Thank you! I enjoyed this one. The romance was a bit predictable, but I thought the rest of it more than made up for it.
DeleteI have Whiskey Sea coming up next but for some reason I wasn't really looking forward to it. I think I had forgotten what it was about. It sounds really good and now I'm really looking forward to it! I love the books you chose. I forgot that the Kinsey Millhone books were set in CA and I love that Tami Hoag series. I listened to one not that long ago and loved it!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I hope you do end up liking this one, Katherine. I think the time period and Frieda being a rum runner is what ultimately drew me to this one.
DeleteI need to read more by Tami Hoag. I've enjoyed all the books I've read by her.
I almost requested The Whiskey Sea for review, just on the summary. The bits you posted made me wish I had. That first chapter in particular was A+. I hope you enjoy the rest of it!
ReplyDeleteLeeanna - I did enjoy this one overall. I am glad I decided to give it a try. I sometimes feel that way about books--they sound good, but I decide against requesting them and then wish I had when I read a good review. There are just too many books out there to choose from!
DeleteI would continue; the premise sounds excellent, sold already. I'm currently reading Whispers Through A Megaphone which seems quirky (only read a couple of chapters so far).
ReplyDeleteI do like reading books set near where I live, it's interesting when they're older to be able to contrast then and now, and if they're more contemporary you get a different perspective. I like that you've many series, not just standalones, that you've enjoyed.
Charlie - I enjoyed The Whiskey Sea's perspective on that time in American history. Such an interesting time period.
DeleteOh yes! I agree. It's fun to see how much a place has changed.
The Whiskey Sea sounds interesting, but a bit depressing. As I've successfully managed to gather shelf-fulls of depressing books, I am currently rethinking my book buying choices- I need more hopeful books.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, I really don't seem to care for books set in my home state of Montana- even if a Montana native writes it, they always seem to get something wrong in my eyes. I think I get a bit picky about things that don't necessarily matter to the story, but they matter to me.
~Litha Nelle
Litha-Nelle - I am not sure I would call The Whiskey Sea depressing, although there was definite angst and some sad moments mixed in with happy ones. Still, maybe not exactly what you are looking for when you refer to more hopeful books. Although this one is hopeful in its own way.
DeleteI haven't read too many books set in Montana. I can see why it would bother you if certain aspects of a familiar place aren't done correctly. I feel that way about distances in California when reading fiction. Why, I don't know. It's obviously not a big plot point, but it is one of my pet peeves.
Vicki - It won't be to everyone's taste, but I did enjoy it!
ReplyDelete