First Line Fridays #18 – The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

Can you believe that it’s already September? I was hoping that life would slow down a bit now that school has started and things should start to settle down, but it seems like my days are even busier now, then before. So my question for you is, how do you find time to read when everything else seems to demand your time? Thankfully I still have a little bit of time for reading and I am LOVING my current “must read” so I thought I would share the first line with you.

“The numbers marched across the page in a glory all their own.”

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

This first line is interesting to me, because all you get is that there’s numbers… but we have no idea what they’re for or what they mean 🙂

The Number of Love is the first book of Roseanna’s latest series, The Codebreakers and so far it is AMAZING!

Here is the information from the back cover

The Toughest Puzzle She’ll Have to Solve
Might Be the Wishes of Her Own Heart

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network–field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack German telegrams for hints of the enemy’s plans. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, she discovers for the first time in her life that numbers aren’t enough.

About the Author

Roseanna M. White (www.roseannamwhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, designing book covers, editing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books . . . to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.


Are you reading something new to you, or are you sitting down with a favorite – I’d love to know the first line of the book that you’re currently reading.

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Happy Reading! 😊

First Line Fridays #17 Overcomer by Chris Fabry

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

I’m so excited that here in VA, we are having a taste of Fall! The leaves are starting to change, there’s a crispiness in the morning and night air, and it’s not as hot. Anyway, I wanted to take a second to show you the first line from a book I just started called Overcomer, by Chris Fabry.

Barbara Scott paused at her front door and listened, hoping she would hear noise inside.”

Overcomer by Chris Fabry

So this first line is from the novelization of the movie, Overcomer and I wanted to share it with you because I saw it a couple of days ago and it was great!! (it is an awesome story, but warning… there are some sad parts) It really makes you stop and ask the question, Who am I?

From the back cover

Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team and state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant shuts down and hundreds of families leave their town, John questions how he and his family will face an uncertain future. After reluctantly agreeing to coach cross-country, John and his wife, Amy, meet an aspiring athlete who’s pushing her limits on a journey toward discovery. Inspired by the words and prayers of a newfound friend, John becomes the least likely coach helping the least likely runner attempt the impossible in the biggest race of the year.


About the Author

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He has written more than 80 books for children and adults. Stop by his website at http://www.chrisfabry.com to learn more about his writing and radio endeavors


Do you like to read books that are novelization of a movie? If so, do you like to read the book first, or do you prefer watch the movie first? Now it’s your turn. Grab the book closest to you or your current “must read”, and comment below with the first line.

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Happy Reading 😊

First Line Fridays #16 – After a Fashion by Jen Turano

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

Hope that you’re week has been great so far and full of quiet moments to read God’s word and time to dive into a good book.  Unfortunately, I’m going to have to cut my blog time short today, because I’m having some eye issues and can’t be on the computer long, but I wanted to take a second to show you the first line from one of my favorite books, After a Fashion by Jen Turano!

“Miss Peabody, I do so hate to interrupt your work, but an urgent message has just arrived that requires immediate attention.”

After A Fashion by Jen Turano

Hmmmm, now that’s an interesting first line.

My question is; what kind of message did she receive that was so urgent, that it demanded her immediate attention? I wanted to show you this book because it’s the first book in the Class of Their Own series and it does not disappoint. If you like reading a fun, quirky romance novel, that has a good dose of humor, you will love this book (and the entire series!)

From the back cover

Miss Harriet Peabody dreams of the day she can open up a shop selling refashioned gowns to independent working women like herself. Unfortunately, when an errand for her millinery shop job goes sadly awry due to a difficult customer, she finds herself out of an income.

Mr. Oliver Addleshaw is on the verge of his biggest business deal yet when he learns his potential partner prefers to deal with men who are settled down and wed. When Oliver witnesses his ex not-quite-fiance cause the hapless Harriet to lose her job, he tries to make it up to her by enlisting her help in making a good impression on his business partner.

Harriet quickly finds her love of fashion can’t make her fashionable. She’ll never truly fit into Oliver’s world, but just as she’s ready to call off the fake relationship, fancy dinners, and elegant balls, a threat from her past forces both Oliver and Harriet to discover that love can come in the most surprising packages.

About the Author

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. She can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at http://www.jenturano.com.


Something fun, or full of mystery? I’d love to know what you’re reading, so comment below with the first line from your current “must read”. Hope you guys have a great weekend!

Happy Reading! 😊

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

First Line Fridays #15 – A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

Hi Readers, Happy Back to School Friday! Here in Virginia, we started school a couple of days ago. How about you, has school started for you and/or your kids? If so, does that give you more or less time for reading? Personally, I’m hoping things will slow down now so I can enjoy more time reading – seriously, Summer was way too busy and passed by way too quickly. Well I have to go back to work, but I wanted to pass along the first line from one of my latest must reads by Sarah E Ladd.

“Is it always a sin to tell a lie?”

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

So, what do you think about this first line? Personally, I find it very interesting. It makes me wonder what happened to the main character to make her ask such a question.

From the back cover

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Darbury, England, 1819Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady’s companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she’s desperately hidden for years.Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father’s position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breathe a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he’ll never be free to find his own way in the world. He’ll never be free to fall in love.When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long kept?

About the Author

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever. 


Ok, it’s your turn. What are you reading this weekend? Grab the book nearest you and comment below with it’s first line. Maybe, we’ll be able to find more books to add to my ever growing TBR list

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Happy Reading 😊

First Line Fridays #14 – Up From The Sea , A Novella by Amanda Dykes

Hi Readers, Happy National Book Lovers Day!! I can’t believe that school is starting again next week. Now maybe things will slow down I’ll have more time for reading. 😉 Today I want to share the first line of a novella I just started.

“The forest floor came alive that night.”

Up From The Sea by Amanda Dykes

This first line is so interesting to me. Depending on how you read it, it could come across as slightly creepy or it could come across as a poetic way of describing the forest – I guess I’ll have to continue reading to find out.


From the Back Cover.

Deep in a New England forest, an ancient tree stands at the center of a tale passed down through the generations. So much so, that the residents of Ansel-by-the-Sea, Maine, no longer know what is truth and what is fable. A woman fleeing in the night, rumors of treason, revolution, retribution . . .

When Savannah Mae Thorpe, born and raised near the golden sands of the South, arrives with a version of the story unlike any heard before, she finds herself the unlikely leader of an expedition into the woods to discover the truth. With help from local lumberjack Alastair Bliss, who holds a shadowed past of his own, her search to discover the truth of the Atonement Tree may have unexpected ramifications on her life–and the lives of those around her.

A tale of origins, this novella is a story complete on its own but also an invitation to discover the legacy that came before the story of Robert Bliss, the fisherman-poet who changed the tide of a nation with his unsuspecting words in Amanda’s full-length novel, Whose Waves These Are.

About The Author

Amanda Dykes is the author of Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale, the critically-acclaimed bicycle story that invited readers together to fund bicycles for missionaries in Asia. A former English teacher, she has a soft spot for classic literature and happy endings. She is a drinker of tea, a dweller of Truth, and a spinner of hope-filled tales, grateful for the grace of a God who loves extravagantly.

>>Great News! This novella is a free ebook on Amazon, Google Books and Christian Book Distributors. If you’ve never read any of Amanda Dykes books, this is a great opportunity to check them out!

Are you reading a suspense novel or maybe a historical romance? Grab the book nearest you or the book your currently reading and comment below with it’s first line

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Happy Reading! 😊

Throwback Thursday Reviews – An Elegant Facade

Hi Readers, welcome to Throwback Thursday Reviews!

These reviews are for books that are on my “Must Read” list; however, they aren’t new releases. This “Must Read” is by one of my favorite authors, Kristi Ann Hunter!

Here’s a bit of the story 🙂

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has a secret. A secret that not even her family knows and she’s determined to keep it that way. She’s been planning her debut into Society for three years and is thrilled when she hears that the Duke of Marshington is making a reappearance in society on the same night as her debut. That night at the ball, it appears that every eligible bachelor wants to dance with her… everyone that is, except the Duke – who seems to have his sights already set on her sister, Miranda. Not one to be discouraged easily, Georgina is sure she can overcome that small obstacle, so she decides to think up several ways to get the Duke’s attention. Now her biggest problem seems to be that her plans keep getting spoiled by the ever annoying, Colin McCrae.

Colin McCrae is intrigued by Lady Georgina. She is absolutely beautiful with her golden hair and brilliant green eyes; however, he knows that she would never be interested in a match with him because of his position. Since he knows that Ryland (the Duke) is only interested in Miranda, Colin decides that he wants to get to know Georgina better, even though it appears that she’s already set her sights on Ryland.


Here’s the bookish details.

This is the second book in the Hawthorne House series and it can be read as a standalone; however, I strongly recommend reading the first book (A Noble Masquerade) before reading this one. An Elegant Facade includes some of the same events described in the first book; however, this book is told from Georgina’s point of view instead of Miranda’s. In the first book, I didn’t really like Georgina, because I found her annoying and a bit stuck up; however, after reading about the events from her point of view, my opinion has definitely changed. Overall, I give this book, five out of five stars ***** and would definitely recommend to put in your TBR pile .

This is one story you don’t want to miss! This book (and the whole series) is the perfect blend of romance and comedy, and it’s definitely high on my “Must Read” list.

As always, thanks for checking out my latest Must Read! Would this be a book you would read? Or if you’ve already read it, did you like it or were there parts you didn’t like? Leave a comment below, I’d love to know what you think!

Happy Reading! 😊

First Line Friday #13 Swept Away by Mary Connealy

Hey Readers, Happy August! I can’t believe how fast the summer is going by. I wanted to take a quick second and tell you about the book I’m currently reading by Mary Connealy, Swept Away.

“The sharp crack of a cocking pistol brought Lucas Stone’s head around.”

Swept Away by Mary Connealy

From the Back Cover

When a cowboy focused on revenge encounters a woman determined to distract him, there’s going to be trouble in Texas! Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn’t terribly upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they’ve ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but disoriented, she’s rescued by Luke Stone…so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future. Luke is on a mission to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men currently on the property won’t let it go without a fight. Luke plans to meet up with friends who will help him take back the land, and since he can’t just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she’s going to have to go with him. But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love? 

About the Author

This is another author that I had the pleasure to meet at this years CFRR and she is as hilarious as her books are. Mary Connealy lives on an eastern Nebraska ranch with her husband, Ivan, and enjoys spending time with her four grown daughters and their families. She is known for her bestselling historical romantic comedies.


What is your favorite genre of books? Do you like to read several of the same genre or do you like to switch things up? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Reading! 😊

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

First Line Fridays #12 – Her Place In Time by Stephenia McGee

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!
I don’t have much time to talk today, but I wanted to show you a book that I just started yesterday and am LOVING so far. I’ve had this book on my TBR list ever since I had the pleasure of meeting Stephania McGee at the CFRR earlier this year. Finally, after three months, I get to read it! (*head smack*) so my First Line Friday quote is from my current Must Read by Stephania McGee, Her Place In Time.

If only leaving her problems behind were as simple as leaving town.

Her Place In Time by Stephenia McGee

This book is a time-travel romance novella and it’s the prequel to The Liberator Series; however, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. Hope you check it out!

From the back cover

Can love offer a new future…in the past?
A mysterious gown, unexpected courage, and a love that transcends time.
Nursing student Lena Lowery faces a grim diagnosis and a dangerous surgery. On the cusp of the life-changing procedure, Lena stays at the Rosswood Plantation Bed and Breakfast for one last weekend with her mother. There in an antique armoire, Lena discovers a Civil War-era gown that holds an unimaginable cure…a trip back in time to when the house served as a hospital.
Confederate Sergeant Caleb Dockery lost his brother, his eye, and nearly his life. Stuck in a makeshift infirmary, he’s counting the days until he can return to duty…and seek revenge. When a stranger appears, he suspects she’s a spy. If he can’t return to duty and find the revenge he craves for his brother’s death, he can serve his country by stopping this traitor. But her nursing skills are saving lives, and her courage and independence stirs his heart. When Lena’s safety is threatened, Caleb must strain the loyalties that bind him or risk losing her forever.
Caught between a future that holds no promises and a past that could offer new life, Lena must face an extraordinary decision. Should she return to her own time where her days are numbered? Or can she and Caleb find a love that stretches across time?

If you like historical romance with a twist, strong female characters, and heroes that transcend eras, you’ll love this journey through time that tests the limits of love.

About the Author

Stephenia H. McGee writes stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. After earning a degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences, she discovered her heart truly lies with the art of story. She put pen to page and never looked back.


Are you reading a book from your TBR pile or maybe a Christmas book because it’s July? I’d love for you to leave a comment with the first line from your current must read. Well, I’ll talk to you guys soon!

Happy Reading 😊

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

First Line Fridays #11 – Buried by Elizabeth Goddard

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

I know you guys are busy (seriously, what happened to the lazy days of Summer?) but I wanted to take a moment to show you the first line from one of the most AMAZING Love Inspired Suspense books that I’ve ever read! So without further ado, I give you, Buried by Elizabeth Goddard!

Gasping for breath, Leah Marks ran for her life, working her way through the deep snow from last night’s winter storm, the semiautomatic in her pocket pressing into her side.

Buried, Elizabeth Goddard

Wow! That’s all I can say about this intriguing and intense first line. Like all the Love Inspired Suspense books, Buried is a smaller book, which makes it perfect to grab if you don’t have a lot of time for reading or if you have a smaller bag; however, I will warn you – I found this book really hard to put down because I HAD TO see how it ended. 😉

From the back cover

Nowhere to hide.

Fleeing to Alaska is the only option for Leah Marks after witnessing a murder. Afraid for her life, the legal investigator hopes a remote cabin will be a safe shelter. But the killer has tracked her to Mountain Cove. As he chases her into snow-packed Dead Falls Canyon, an avalanche buries them both. Saved by daring search and rescue specialist  Cade Warren, Leah longs to tell him the truth. But how can she, without bringing even more danger into Cade’s life? Especially when they discover the killer is very much alive and waiting to take them both down.  Mountain Cove: In the Alaskan wilderness, love and danger collide

About the Author

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels and novellas. A 2011 Carol Award winner, she’s a double finalist in the 2016 Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and a 2016 Carol Award finalist. Elizabeth graduated with a Computer Science degree and worked in high-level software sales  before retiring to write full time.


What amazing book are you currently reading? Has it turned out like you expected or has it had some surprising twists? Let me know by leaving a comment with the first line and how you like it so far.

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Happy Reading 😊

First Line Fridays #10 – Another Day, Another Dali by Sandra Orchard

Hi Readers, Happy Friday! Hope you guys are enjoying the lazy days of Summer. So my First Line for this Friday is from a hilarious suspense novel by Sandra Orchard!

I tore my gaze from the porch that wrapped around the drug dealer’s house and cringed at the number on my phone’s call display.

Another Day, Another Dali by Sandra Orchard

From the back cover

When FBI Special Agent Serena Jones takes on the case of a forged Dali painting as a favor to her grandmother, she assumes it will be a typical investigation. Hopefully collaring the thief will also mean finally measuring up in her grandmother’s eyes. But the deeper she delves into the forgery and the suspects surrounding it, the less typical it becomes. 

The Dali isn’t the only painting that’s fallen prey to the forgery-replacing thief, raising the possibility of a sophisticated theft ring–one with links to dirty cops, an aspiring young artist, and the unsolved murder of Serena’s grandfather. To make matters worse, someone connected to the forgeries seems to be determined to stop Serena’s investigation–no matter the cost. 

About the Author

Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of several books, including A Fool and His Monet and the Port Aster Secrets series. The winner of five Canadian Christian Writing Awards and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, Sandra has also received a HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, a National Readers’ Choice Award, and a Daphne du Maurier Award. She lives in Ontario, Canada.


Leave a comment below with the first line of your current Must Read – I would love to know what books you’ve read this week and of course, which one you’re currently reading.

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Well thanks for stopping by – See you next week!

Happy Reading! 😊