Book Beginnings & Friday 56 4/10

On Fridays I participate in two memes that give a little taste of what a book will be when it is read. I like to use a book I haven't started, often an ARC I've accepted for review. I find it gets me excited to read the book. This week I am featuring The Alchemist's Daughter by Mary Lawrence, which is going to be the first book in a new historical mystery series. I got it from NetGalley and it will be released April 28, so be looking for a review in the future.

Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillon at Rose City Reader.
"London, March 1543 Imagine a time when the good king’s ship the Mary Rose moors within sight of His Majesty’s Whitehall residence, its four masts reaching skyward like trees sprouting on the river Thames. Her sails are furled, waiting for the sun and wind to call them open. But it is night, and plying the waters beneath the galleon floats a humble wherry steered by one not of the stuff of man but of something else." [What a beautiful vision! I know the king mentioned is Henry VIII. I hope the book isn't just about him, but is just set in that time. I've had enough of Henry lately.]

The Friday 56 is from Freda's Voice. Select a quote from page 56 or 56% of your e-reader.
"Bianca glanced about anxiously. A coil of rope nearly as high as her shoulders was her only chance of staying hidden. She crouched behind it and worried the rats might start to hiss and the sound would give her away. She lowered her head at an unnatural angle, trying to hide. Her neck cramped, but she would not leave without her traps, nor could she chance Wynders spying her." [Here's our heroine. She seems pretty spunky, her only fear of the rats is that they will give her away!]
Please visit Rose City Reader and Freda's Voice to get a taste of some other great books.