Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! I’ve discovered a new author recently, thanks to Rachel McMillan, and she’s just released a Christmas novella—perfect for those who’d like to get a taste of her writing. Mimi Matthews writes Victorian romances for the general market (clean), often with slightly Gothic overtones (although not so much in this novella), and I loved A Holiday by Gaslight. In fact, if you’re a fan of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South, you’ll find quite a few nods to that story here. You can check out my full review here.
~ About the Book ~
A Courtship of Convenience
Sophie Appersett is quite willing to marry outside of her class to ensure the survival of her family. But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run-of-the-mill London merchant. He’s grim and silent. A man of little emotion–or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months of courtship, she’s ready to put an end to things.
A Last Chance for Love
But severing ties with her taciturn suitor isn’t as straightforward as Sophie envisioned. Her parents are outraged. And then there’s Charles Darwin, Prince Albert, and that dratted gaslight. What’s a girl to do except invite Mr. Sharpe to Appersett House for Christmas and give him one last chance to win her? Only this time there’ll be no false formality. This time they’ll get to know each other for who they really are.
~ First Line ~
An icy late November breeze rustled the bare branches of the trees along the Serpentine.
Brrrr! Doesn’t that make you shiver?!
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. 🙂
This looks like a great Christmas read.
I posted about The Plum Blooms in Winter (Linda Thompson) on my blog.
So, I’ll share a line from a non-fiction book I am reading.
`The Sparkle Effect` (Kristen Dalton Wolfe)
Chapter 3 (page 15)
“For the longest time, I didn’t have a sense of style. I looked to other people and trends to decide what I should wear.”
Here’s my first line from The Making of Mrs. Hale by Carolyn Miller:
Julia Hale lifted a weary hand and rapped on the yellow painted door. Please let me in. please!
Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!
My first line Friday is from With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander. It just arrived in the mail this morning.
November 30, 1864
Carnton Plantation
Franklin, Tennessee
21 miles south of Nashville
“And this, children, is a drawing of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
Blessings, Tina
Happy Friday!
On my blog this week I’m sharing the first line from The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse but I’m currently reading the Amish Midwife’s secret by Rachel J Good so I’ll share the line from my current chapter (10) here: “By the time Leah arrived at the Groffs’, Sharon had already completed the checkup.” Hope you have a wonderful weekend with plenty of quality reading time!
Happy Friday and Happy Weekend! My first line (and 3rd line because I love this line) is from “Reaching Her Heart” by Kimberly Rae Jordan:
“Tristan Callaghan moved to the side of the long hallway to let a young couple pass, giving them a smile and a nod before continuing on… What on earth had possessed him to agree to teach Sunday School to seven and eight-year-old boys?”
I love that cover! I need to find some Christmas reads 🙂
I hope you can stop by:
https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2018/11/first-lines-friday-and-56-112318.html
Colletta