Meet the Exquisite Quill Authors


Friday, April 10, 2015

First Lines Friday

The first lines of a story should be a powerful hook to capture the imagination.

In comments, tempt us with
the first three lines of any chapter. Don't forget your buy link and website/blog link. Have fun!


Share your participation with our ready-to-go tweet or make your own:


Discover great reads. Exquisite Quills' First Lines! http://exquisitequills.blogspot.com/   

30 comments:

D'Ann said...

From Cowboy Proud:

“You want me to do what?” Madeline Harper stared at her sister in horror. “I can’t. ..."

http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Up-2-Allison-Merritt-ebook/dp/B00U4190W4/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425142973&sr=1-4&keywords=cowboy+up+2

Rose Anderson said...

The Witchy Wolf and the Wendigo (Book 2 in the series) by Rose Anderson. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004XDGWL6

**********************************************************
Absalom RedLeaf heard the ravens burst from the trees. Something had disturbed their roost. “Always trust your raven brothers,” his grandfather had advised years ago, and it was true, the ravens would tell you if they saw something unusual.

**********************************************************
Buy my books wherever books are sold. Sample the first chapters free on https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333971 Stop by my blog for interesting topics all month long: http://calliopeswritingtablet.com/

JM Maurer said...

From Seeking Love by J.M. Maurer

The worst day of my life started out like any other. When I opened my eyes this morning, I was excited and brimming with happiness, exuberant even, fully ready to take on the day. Then without warning, a vortex of darkness swirled around me, taunting me with its thick black smoke rolling in from all directions, sucking the life right out of me. It was a cruel reminder of just how quickly life could change—in a flash, in a heartbeat, in one last breath.

Amazon: bit.ly/SeekingLove

Website: http://jmmaurer.com

anne stenhouse said...

Mariah's Marriage by Anne Stenhouse http://goo.gl/4LWt1H http://goo.gl/JjY907

Chapter Four
The following morning, Tobias waited just along the mews where he had a good view into Grosvenor Square and back to the way he thought Mariah Fox would walk from her home in Redde Place. He was sure she would walk and he was sure she would come.

Sophia Ryan said...

6 DAYS OF YOU by Sophia Ryan

“You can come visit, but we won’t be having sex.”

Not exactly the thing a girl wants to hear from her boyfriend after suggesting that the two of them spend their week-long fall break together in his dorm room and make love for the first time.

Yet, that’s exactly what mine said—and that was after fifteen minutes of me trying to talk him into letting me come up to his college at all.

6 DAYS OF YOU: 6 Days of You

Read an excerpt at http://sophiaryan.webs.com



J Hali Steele said...

From Firstborn-Hellacious 3

Chapter One:
Lightning slicing angrily through the bough of a tree that stood silent and graceful for hundreds of years, or water carving away deep, parched earth to form a new river; these are what Wicked Sathariel’s thoughts felt like as they tumbled headlong into Lori Thornton’s mind.
*Tonight, you will be mine.*

*indicates italics*

Nominated for Best of 2014 BDSM/Kink at Love Romances Cafe

Sly and Slick, books 1 & 2 in the Hellacious series can also be found at most ebook outlets including Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Firstborn-Hellacious-J-Hali-Steele-ebook/dp/B00O29IZF2/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1428678244&sr=1-6

www.jhalisteele.com

Erin OQuinn said...

From TO THE BONE (gay romcom mystery):

By the time Michael McCree finally awoke from an erotic dream, the object of that dream had deserted his bed.

http://amzn.to/1bEXep2

Andrea Cooper said...

Stolen Hearts Book 1 Romantic Suspense

She landed on the concrete with a thump, then removed her mask. Usually she worked at night when the catering gig didn’t provide the necessary cover, but she had a date this evening.
A blind date.

http://amzn.com/B00TKW9Y4W

Unknown said...

From To the Wind, part two of the Sweet Lenora series:

The world is a wicked place, full of lies and deceit. A man must stand strong against the force of evil, lest he perish. So I thought before Lenora came into my life.

http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Sweet-Lenora-Ute-Carbone-ebook/dp/B00FO99J2C/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395866992&sr=1-2&keywords=to+the+wind

Anonymous said...

From PRINCESS OF THE LIGHT:

I felt a chill of fear down my back and shivered. I was waiting for Joe to come out of the bathroom. I looked around and my eyes narrowed at seeing a flash of black smoke by the window.

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Light-N/dp/1502438453

Find out more here: http://princessofthelight.com

Donna Cummings said...

LORD WASTREL

It wasn’t the night of hard drinking Hugh Longford, Lord Weyson, regretted in that particular moment. Nor was it the fact that the sun blistering his eyes meant night had slipped away without his knowledge, once again.

The cause of his agony, and the source of his sudden wish that he had lived his past few years differently, was standing in his drawing room, calling him "Papa".

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OMBL5N4

www.AllAboutTheWriting.com

J.D. Faver said...

GIRL'S NIGHT
Every time I even contemplate actually killing him, my heart takes off like a conga drummer on speed. I’m really not cut out for this sort of thing, but I don’t see any way out of it. It’s just something I must do. I’m committed.
I heave a huge sigh and begin my mental mantra.
I really must kill him. After all, I promised. Everyone’s counting on me.
This is the pep talk I give myself each day, usually while brushing my teeth in the morning. It doesn’t seem to move me to action, but I say it anyway.
I am so screwed.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UNPG50G

www.jdfaver.com

Sessha Batto said...

From Strength of Will

It was mid-morning when they returned from training, dirty, sweaty, bloody and laughing like loons.

http://sesshabattousai.com/Strength_of_Will.html

Erin OQuinn said...

PS, The last line is 5 words long, and even better ...

Unknown said...

La Déesse Noire: The Black Goddess

The first time Kali met her father, he was screaming.

Pre-order:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/19cKUjY

www.MarianaGabrielle.com

Tamara Hunter said...

From PAINTED PASSION:

Trella stroked a brush dipped in burnt sienna across the canvas. She wasn’t sure which frightened her more—the tender way Carlos looked at her when she was holding Maria, or the knowing light in his eyes, as if he knew she’d been imagining what his children would look like.

Website: http://tamarahunter.com
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xuBeeZ

Savanna Kougar said...

MURDER BY HAIR SPRAY IN GARDENIA, NEW ATLANTIS

First three lines from Chapter One:

The evil cloud of hair spray dominated the air in guest room 666 at Gardenia’s only motel, The Eternal Magnolia – so named because it was surrounded by a park-like acre of Magnolia trees, saved despite the cataclysmic weather, wars and land changes on Earth.

"Reminds me of seventh grade, after gym class. When I avoided the noxious fumes of spurting hair spray," Sheriff Kalypso spoke to her deputy.
~~~~~~

***Available in Ebook & Print at the usual vendors***

EXCERPT/BUY LINK: http://bookstrand.com/murder-by-hair-spray-in-gardenia-new-atlantis

HAPPY SPRINGTIME READING!

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~savannakougar.com~

Babette James said...

From Clear As Day (The River #2) a contemporary romance:

Of course, the more she determined not to think of Nate, the more she did.
“Just perfect.” Kay Browning tipped her Dodgers cap low against the mid-morning glare and kicked into a hard backstroke through the cool water.

Clear As Day on Kindle
BabetteJames.com

Susan Macatee said...

From Civil War romance, Confederate Rose.

Katie O’Reilly tensed as she stared at the swift-running stream. Trees cast long shadows across the rushing water, and the air held a biting chill. Her stomach emitted a growl, protesting not having had anything to eat since she’d departed earlier that morning.

http://www.amazon.com/Confederate-Rose-Susan-Macatee/dp/1601545568/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_4

Janet Lane Walters said...

From Temple of Fyre (Island of Fyre)
Ria stuffed the scroll she'd taken from the shelves beneath her caftan and tightened the sash to make sure the cylinder holding the rolled papyrus remained hidden. Beads of perspiration covered her forehead. She rubbed the sleeve of her robe over her face.

Charmaine Gordon said...

Reconstructing Charlie by Charmaine Gordon
In 1996 I killed my father.
Prologue:
Dear old Dad was great with a belt. A belt of whiskey. A belt from around his waist unbuckled when you least expected it and later I knew when it was coming and some of us escaped. Not me, not Mom. Never Mom. I’m the oldest. I didn’t want the little ones to see the okay dad turn into a monster on payday.
AMAZON B&N OMNILIT PDF

Collette Cameron said...

From Regency Romance, Wagers Gone Awry (Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper)

Was I born under an evil star or cursed from my first breath?

Brooke Culpepper suppressed the urge to shake her fist at the heavens and berate The Almighty aloud. The devil boasted better luck than she.

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00UQVRATC/
(Available in print and ebook at the usual vendors.
Website: http:collettecameron.com

LindaRae said...

THE PASSION OF A MARQUESS
Fingers delved into her hair, a thumb caressed her cheek and a sudden movement beneath her right cheek had Samantha slowly opening her eyes. She really would have to have a word with her new maid as to the proper way in which to wake her in the mornings. Simply opening the drapes would do the trick, she thought as she regarded her counterpane.
Except that it wasn’t her counterpane.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RUQEKGW
htto://www.lindaraesande.com

James D said...

From DREAM CHILD Book 3 of the Dream Series), prologue:

Well, it’s official. Doubly official, in fact. I just had the ultrasound and I’ve got the pictures to prove it.

http://getBook.at/DreamChild

and on audiobook at

http://getBook.at/DreamChildAudio

DGarson said...

YOUR WILD HEART (just released today!!):

From the shadows of the surrounding foliage, Wyatt Powell watched the slip of a woman move about her campsite with ease. The business card she had left with the girls at the ranger office read, Dr. Isabelle Acker, Wildlife Biologist. It seemed, she was used to camping outdoors.
But even if she had been camping for over five years, it was damn foolish of her to be out here alone.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Heart-Black-Hills-Wolves-ebook/dp/B00UKLM7C8/
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-wild-heart-dena-garson/1121707026?ean=2940151320276

Kim McMahill said...

SHROUDED IN SECRETS: Debris rained down on Cash, shredding the back of his light cotton shirt into bloody strips of hanging threads. The force of his diving belly flop onto the tiled hallway while shielding the artifact in his hands forced all the air out of his lungs. Fine powder from the crumbling adobe and stucco walls dusted him like a thick blanket of winter snow, making him none too anxious to gasp for a much-needed breath.

Find on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1b8wA5L
For more info, please follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/kimmcmahill or check out my blog at http://KimMcMahill.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

THE BACK NINE:
(Releases 4-14, pre-order for a 10% discount)

The sun’s rays cast ripples of light against the blades of hard grass as Brooke’s eyes focused on the beads of perspiration forming underneath Alec’s neckline. Her chest was heated. She let out a breath and her breasts sank for a moment from their at-attention point.

Twitter: giastonewriter
https://giastone.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gia-Stone/871113616295712?ref=bookmarks

Mickie Sherwood said...

**Christmas Crush**
(Ashley observes Craig)

Even dressed in his business attire, it was obvious Craig worked out. His body appeared muscular and fit from head to toe. In fact, he looked as if he could just stand up out of that wheelchair and trot away, no problem whatsoever.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Crush-Mickie-Sherwood-ebook/dp/B00QQFBW1Y/

Blog: www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood

Iris B said...

~~ LET ME LOVE YOU ~~

Sweat ran down Oliver’s back, soaking his shirt. He’d been on the field for a couple of hours, but frustration grew in him with every ball he missed. He placed his hands on his knees and took a deep
breath, fixing his stare at the ground.

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Australian-Sports-Star-Book-ebook/dp/B00RQRKAXM/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

THANK YOU :-)

Stephanie Queen said...

"So far Shana's first undercover assignment held about as much promise as her attempt to catch a rabid Kangaroo on the loose.
She had not expected, after flying all the way from Sydney to London--Goddamn London--in a state of heart-stopping excitement about her brand new post, that she would be ordered that same day to leave and fly to Boston. Goddamn Boston."

from USA Today bestselling author Stephanie Queen's romantic suspense novel THE BEACHCOMBERS - book 4 in the
Scotland Yard Exchange series

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MRG85MK