Monday, February 3, 2014

Cape Maybe - Teaser Tuesday

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A teacher friend of mine has said that girls in her classes often repeat the poor choices their mothers made. Marrying too young, having babies before they're ready,  dropping out of high school. That was on my mind as I read this book.

In CAPE MAYBE, author Carol Fragale Brill does an excellent job of showing the effects of a parent's alcoholism on her child and on the extended family. Speaking in first person viewpoint, Katie reveals her chaotic life with an alcoholic mother from age 11 to young adulthood. But will she follow in her mother's footsteps or break the cycle of addiction that has plagued her family?

TEASER (from 2% on my Kindle):
     Poppi always makes excuses for her and says she would be different if my father didn't die in Vietnam. I don't remember my father, but I miss him as if I do.
     If I can't have a different mother, I want to be someone else, but only if I can still keep Poppi. 

Genre: Women's Fiction
Number of Pages: 354
Amazon Link: CAPE MAYBE
My Review on Amazon: REVIEW
More Books by This Author: PEACE BY PIECE
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away -- you don't want to ruin the book for others)
  • Share the title and author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers
  • Leave a comment on MizB's Teaser Tuesday post (HERE) and include your link so everyone can find your post.

56 comments:

  1. From what I ready here this is a really tense book with a lot of exploration

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    1. There is a lot of tension, but there's also sweetness. It a good story.

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  2. I enjoyed Piece by Piece and this premise is so topical that I find it intriguing. It's on my list Sandy and thanks again for bringing so much good writing to light!

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    1. You'll enjoy this story, Jacquie. Carol Brill is such a good writer.

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  3. I downloaded this book a couple of weeks ago...and now I must move it up in the queue. I do like books about this era...and about these issues. Thanks for sharing. Here's MY TUESDAY POST

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    1. This is an excellent story. I'm sure you'll like it.

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  4. This sounds good, I've not heard of it before either. I do like a book that explores issues. There is probably truth in what your friend says but not always. Those that break the pattern deserve applauding!

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    1. I agree with your comment. Although this book deals with serious issues, there are plenty of feel-good scenes too. The author kept me guessing as to how Katie ultimately chooses to live her life.

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  5. Sounds like a child's point of view. Great teaser and interesting selection.

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    1. The book is in an 11-year-old's POV and follows her into young adulthood. It was eye-opening to me to see how alcoholism can affect a child's day-to-day life.

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  6. This would be a hard book to read. My father is an alcoholic so I grew up with that. I despise drinking now! Great tease though!!

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    1. The book is beautifully written and not too sad, but I can see how it would be difficult for you to read. Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment.

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  7. Sounds like an interesting YA novel with a message...Nice choice.
    Harvee
    Book Dilettante

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    1. I wouldn't call this a YA book although teens would probably enjoy reading it. The author isn't preachy at all, which I appreciate.

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  8. I have this one on my Kindle. Sounds good.

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    1. It is! Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment.

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  9. Wow, this one sounds intense and thought provoking. I hadn't heard of it yet...your teaser sounds a bit heartbreaking, sounds like a child who is trying to process something tough. Sounds like it touches on a very emotional topic. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. The young woman in this story was lucky enough to have a loving grandfather nearby. I came to care for her more than I expected.

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  10. I haven't heard of this author or the book but it sounds like an intense book! I might read it !! Thanks for stopping by !!

    - Gayatri @ Notorious Writer

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    1. It's a worthwhile book. Thank you for visiting my blog today.

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  11. This book appeals to me as a young women I determinedly set out to break a family cycle (and did).

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    1. Good for you! If you read this book, I'd be interested to hear your reactions to the story.

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    2. Nise, glad you broke your cycle. I hope you'll identify with Katie and share your thoughts with me after you read CAPE MAYBE. thanks, carol

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  12. Aww. That makes my heart hurt. Strong topic. The book I just finished (Lost Lake) talked about generations of women repeating certain patterns. While not to this extent, still an interesting topic. Thanks for coming over to my Teaser Tuesday today!

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    1. I have Lost Lake on my Kindle, waiting its turn. It sounds like a good book.

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  13. I have second hand knowledge of this as I married someone who grew up in a family with the same problem. It is tough to cope with.

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    1. Must have been difficult for your husband. In this story, a loving grandfather makes a difference.

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  14. Great teaser! I just love the cover. Thank you for stopping by.

    Jess @ Jess Time To Read

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  15. Great teaser, and sounds like an emotional book..I hide from emotional books...lol. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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    1. I know what you mean. I have to be in the right mood to read something deep. But this book wasn't depressing to me. I really liked the main character.

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  16. Sounds like it is going to be a very heart wrenching book. DO you know if it is from her own experience?

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    1. I don't know if this came from her personal experience or not, but I saw nothing in her author profile to suggest that it did. So I imagine the story is from her imagination.

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    2. Hi, I once heard an author say (sorry, can't remember who it was) that all of her characters must somehow be part of her experience because they come out of her. CAPE MAYBE is fiction not autobiographical. I am not an only child, never knew my grandfathers, and neither of my parents were alcoholics. Like most families, if you shake our family tree, a few alcoholics will fall out.

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    3. Thank you for letting me know that Carol, and I am happy that it is complete fiction and that you did not have to suffer through it. I know it was difficult for my kids with a mother who was/is borderline alcoholic which is one of the reasons I got custody of them in the divorce. It shows your strength as an author if you are able to cause the questions that were raised here by other commenters. Well done, and thank you again for taking the time to answer my question, I appreciate that

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  17. Interesting teaser! Haven't heard of this one but hope you're enjoying it!

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  18. Good teaser, Sandra! Mine: Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.

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  19. This will not be an easy read. I do have quite a bit of dealings with people with substance abuse problems in my job, so I find it quite good to read books about the subject / real life experiences.

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    1. If you decide to read the book, I'd be interested in hearing what you thought of it--especially since your job involves dealing with people with substance abuse problems.

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    2. Peggy, I'd love to hear your thoughts, too. My links are listed in my below comment. Thanks for your interest,
      carol

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  20. Holy heartbreak! That was an amazing teaser that got me teary-eyed. I'm adding this one to my TBR. Thank you so much for sharing and for stopping by. :)

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    1. I think you'll be glad you read this book. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment today.

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  21. Good teaser! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy reading! :)

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  22. Great teaser. Looks like a good book. Thanks for stopping by my site.

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  23. I was lucky to be able to break the cycle in my family, but not without having been influenced by my parents' alcoholism. This sounds like an interesting book and I'm curious to know what direction she chose.

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    1. It seems that alcoholism has touched many families--mine included. This book felt real and I came to care about the girl in the story. Good writing.

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  24. Wow, that was so heartwarming! It makes me want to read it and see what pain this girl is going through, and if she can get her happily-ever-after! ;)

    Thanks for stopping by my TT @ Addicted Readers! :)

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  25. Sandra, I really appreciate your teaser and comments about CAPE MAYBE. It means a lot to me that you picked it for Teaser Tuesday.
    And thanks to all of Sandra's followers for you comments. I hope you enjoy CAPE MAYBE.
    Would love to hear from you after you read it.
    Find me at
    Facebook : http://on.fb.me/1kzwqJ1
    Blog : http://bit.ly/1jNIjO0
    Goodreads : http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6924892.Carol_Fragale_Brill
    Twitter : @carol_brill

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  26. I like to think that the cycle can be broken. Sounds like an interesting book.

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  27. This sounds like an emotional read! Thanks for stopping by my blog, and great teaser!

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  28. This sounds pretty fascinating. Thank you for sharing!

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  29. Sounds an interesting & emotional read. Lovely teaser. I hope you're enjoying it!
    Thanks for sharing & stopping by Book Munchies (:

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  30. Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for sharing!

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  31. That's an emotion-laden teaser! Sounds good though.

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  32. So much sadness in that teaser. Perhaps this character can break the cycle of alcoholism in this story. Very good teaser!

    :)

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  33. That's a great teaser, and sounds like a really good book! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

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  34. Oo this sounds like an emotional one. I hope Katie is able to break the cycle for her sake!

    Thanks for stopping by my post the other day!

    Tiffany @ A Nanny's Literary Musings

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