Book Friday – The Bartered Bride by Erica Vetsch
23 October 2009
“The idea’s preposterous, and I’ll have nothing to do with it.” Jonathan Kennebrae bolted from his chair and stalked across the office. “You won’t manipulate me like this. And I doubt Noah or Eli will go along with the scheme either.”
I knew as soon as I read that opening sentence, I was going to love The Bartered Bride by my friend Erica Vetsch. As a budding writer, one of the things that aggravated me most was hearing editors or agents say they only needed to read the first page of a manuscript to know if they were going to like it. That sometimes they knew from the first sentence. “How can they possibly know?” I used to think. “Gosh, give the writer a little time to build their story.” And now, years later, nothing frustrates me more than a lousy opening. A lousy opening usually leads to a lousy book. I’m now firmly in the camp that a writer shouldn’t open by building their story, that we the readers should be plunked right in the middle of the action.
Erica has done a tremendous job of doing this, as you can tell by that stellar first sentence. We’re in the middle of a conversation that Jonathan is having with his grandfather, who’s manipulating him into marrying to form a business alliance. If he doesn’t, he’ll be written out of the will and lose the business that he’s spent the last eight years building.
I’m about halfway through The Bartered Bride, and it’s taking all my self-control to work today rather than curling up on the couch and finishing it. I’m so proud of my friend for writing such an amazing book, full of vivid descriptions that leave me thinking, “Wonder if Erica will notice if I steal that…?” (Jewels that feel as cold and heavy as the heroine’s heart, yellow ribbons of light on black waters. Really excellent stuff.) Erica’s the first writer friend of mine about whom I can actually say, “I knew her when…” In a couple weeks, Erica will be featured on Writing Wednesday, and she’ll be giving away a copy of The Bartered Bride. If you don’t win it, I definitely recommend spending the $2.49 it costs through ChristianBook.com. (It doesn’t release officially until November 1st – that’s why they don’t have cover art up yet.)
Have a great weekend everybody! I plan to spend mine finishing this book!
Comments
My copy of The Bartered Bride is being shipped today. I’m can hardly wait to read it.
Posted by Beth Hines on 23 October 2009
Sounds great! I’m gonna have to get myself a copy. (And Stephanie, if you want to write a review, I’m sure the Christian Review of Books would be happy to post it;-)
Posted by Roseanna White on 26 October 2009
Squeeeee! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the book. :D
Posted by Erica Vetsch on 23 October 2009