Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! I’m so excited about the book I’m featuring today! I absolutely adore Tamara Leigh’s Age of Faith series, and today is release day for the first book in a brand new series that goes back to the beginning of the Wulfriths—and it all starts with a woman. I give you: Merciless! *Insert barely restrained SQUEEEEEEE*
~ About the Book ~
A battle. A crown. The conqueror. The conquered. Medieval England—forever changed by the Battle of Hastings. And the rise of the formidable Wulfriths.
AN HONORABLE NORMAN
Chevalier Cyr D’Argent convinced himself he joined Duke William’s invasion of England to reform its church and place its rightful king on the throne. But after a decisive Norman victory, the truth of his quest is revealed when his search for fallen kin leads to a Saxon grieving a boy slain by one of his own. Certain the defiant young woman will become the pick of the plunder, he forces her off the battlefield. Following a pilgrimage of penance, Cyr returns to England to seek his missing brother and claim the barony awarded by King William who stipulates he end the rebellion on his lands. He agrees, only to discover the woman he cannot forget is among those he must vanquish—and may even be their leader.
A REBELLIOUS SAXON
On a fateful autumn day in 1066, Aelfled of Wulfen’s mistake leads to the death of her lady’s son. Unforgivable—as is the silver-haired warrior who tempts her to put a blade in his back then does the unthinkable in protecting her from his fellow Normans. Now under the usurper’s rule, faith crippled by her people’s suffering, she finds her sanctuary threatened when she becomes a pawn of the rebel leader—and destroyed when betrayal delivers her into the hands of the man who haunts her dreams. As the fires of unrest scorch lives and lands, Aelfled struggles to shield her heart as well as her people. But perhaps love can unite Normans and Saxons. Perhaps she is meant to be here…with him…for such a time as this.
~ First Line ~
The battle was done. England was on its knees.
Even those two lines send thrills through me!
I’d love it if you’d share the first line of whatever you’re currently reading in the comments. And don’t forget, you can find out what other bloggers are sharing for First Line Friday by going over to Hoarding Books blog and finding all the links. If you’ve got your own blog, why not join in and add your link over there. 🙂
Happy Friday! My first line is from “This Courageous Journey” by Misty M. Beller:
“Today, we left the train – forever, if my aching limbs could decide the matter.”
My pre-ordered e-copy arrived on my kindle right at midnight! Looking forward to reading it soon!
Over on my blog, I’m sharing the first line from One Plus One Equals Trouble by Sondra Kraak! The book is FREE (limited time – this weekend only).
I’m currently reading Under the Same Sky by Cynthia Roemer. I’ll share the first line from chapter 23
“Where’d Mr. Bennett and Mr. Whelan go, Miss Becky?”
Can’t wait to get my hands on ‘Merciless’ and am super jealous you’re already starting it. I MUST have it in paperback because of that wonderfully swoon-worthy cover, so it’ll be a few more days before my SQUEEEEEEE begins :-). Until them I’m reading “Burden of Proof” by DiAnn Mills. The first line is: “Eerie feelings are rarely something to ignore, and hostage negotiator Special Agent April Ramos feared her arrival at a critical scene might be too late.”
Got ‘Merciless’ on my Kindle this morning, it looks amazing and the cover is lovely.
Having read something about the period, the first line makes me smirk and want to say ‘That’s what you think, Normans, we English are not finished yet’. Lol, of course I’m on the Saxons side. You could say I’m personally invested in events, being from Southern England.
This looks so good. I have got to read one of her books! Here’s a first line from Reason to Breathe by Deborah Raney — “A beam of late-afternoon sun canted through the mullioned windows of the breakfast room in her parents’ house — Dad’s house now — casting a checkered shadow across the tile.”
Happy Friday! On my blog this week I shared the first line of Searching for You by Jody Hedlund but it’s also my current read so I’ll share the first line from my current chapter (8) here: ” Sophie stretched and yawned, relishing the scent of bacon and coffee and something sweet.” I’m good for the bacon but I have to admit I don’t like coffee OR the smell of it (yes, I know I’m the odd-ball lol). Hope you have a great weekend!
I’ve only read one of her books in this series, but I plan to read more. On my blog I’m featuring A Tale of Two Hearts: Book 2 in Once Upon a Time Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep. I’m currently reading A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews. Since I’m on Chapter Two, I will share the first line from this chapter. “You told him what?” Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!