Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into The Secret Keeper of Main Street & Other Friday Fun

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

It was a gift, seeing what most people were afraid to see. It took her Aunt Charlene to teach Bailey she wasn't hexed. "But did the visions have to be with naked bodies?" twelve-year-old Bailey asked one evening as she sat on the porch swing, watching fireflies. [opening of The Keeper of Secrets of Main Street]

I imagine at the age of twelve, it would have been quite startling to see naked people in her visions. I don't think I would have taken that well either. 

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Our wonderful host Freda of Freda's Voice is on a break, and Anne of My Head is Full of Books  has stepped in to host! 

Ingrid's voice rose to a shriek. "In the midst of my worrying about where you'd run off to, again, I hear about this from Vera, who, by the way, wanted to know if you perhaps knew what the fight was about, since Niles didn't want to talk about it." [excerpt from 56% of The Secret Keeper of Main Street]  

The communication between Elsa and her mother, Ingrid, is far from good. It sounds like it has reached the tipping point for Ingrid in this scene, doesn't it? There's nothing like finding something out about your daughter via gossip rather than directly from the source. Although, to be fair, Elsa has good reason not to be open with her mother. 

I just finished an early e-release copy of The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha R. Thomas (my bookish mewsings to come).  The author is going to be at my favorite local bookstore this coming week, and I can't wait to meet her! I have already pre-ordered a final copy of the book for her to sign. 

Acclaimed author Trisha R. Thomas delivers a masterful new tale of scandal and intuition. In 1950s oil-rich Oklahoma, Bailey Dowery, a dressmaker with the gift of “second sight,” reluctantly reveals the true loves and intentions of her socialite clients, making her a silent witness to a shocking crime.

1954: In the quaint town of Mendol, Oklahoma, Bailey Dowery is a Black dressmaker for the wives and daughters of local oil barons. She earns a good living fitting designer gowns and creating custom wedding dresses for the town’s elite. But beyond her needle and thread lies a deeper talent, one passed down from her the gift of insight. With just a fleeting touch or brush against the skin, Bailey has sudden flashes of intuition— witnessing the other person’s hopes, dreams, and nightmares, as well glimpses of their past and future. To protect herself, she wears gloves to keep from grazing the skin of her clients as she pins them into their gowns.

Brides have whispered that Bailey can see if their true love is faithful, or if their marriage will be a success. Her aunt Charlene has always warned her, “It’s safer to stay out of White folks’ business.” But Bailey will reluctantly provide a reading during a fitting, as long as the bride promises to be discreet.

Now Elsa Grimes, daughter of one of the richest oil men in Oklahoma, has come to the Regal Gown as the least joyful bride Bailey has ever seen. Elsa’s big society wedding is imminent and her gown is gorgeous, but what Bailey’s intuition uncovers when she touches Elsa’s hand horrifies her. Against her better judgment, she’s determined to help Elsa in whatever way she can. But when the son of a prominent family turns up dead on the eve of Elsa’s wedding, and the bride-to-be is arrested for his murder, Bailey is suddenly at the center of a firestorm that threatens to overtake her and everyone she loves. [Goodreads Summary]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

Which books are you looking forward to reading this summer?

So many! And probably most I will not be able to fit in. That and I am terrible at planning my reading ahead of time. I am too much of a mood reader. Here are some of the books I am considering reading in the next few months: 

The Wrong End of the Telescope by Rabih Alameddine

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Legendborn (#1) by Tracy Deonn

Black Sun (Between Earth & Sky #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse 

Artificial Condition (Murderbot Diaries #2) by Martha Wells

A Botanist's Guide to Society and Secrets (Saffron Everleigh Mystery #3) by Kate Khavari

Murder Road by Simone St. James

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

American Demon (Hollows #14) by Kim Harrison

Ill-Fated Fortune (Magical Fortune Cookie #1) by Jennifer J. Chow

Daughter of the Moon Goddess (Celestial Kingdom Duology #1) by Sue Lynn Tan

And of course I am thinking of more after listing these . . . 

Which of the books I mentioned do you think I should make sure to read? What books are you looking forward to reading this summer?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading!

---

© 2024 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.