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Friday, April 17, 2015

First Lines Friday

The first lines of a story can 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/   

23 comments:

Ruth Kaufman said...

The old woman’s unearthly wails carried over the sibilant whispers of the crowd.
"Save me. Someone save me!”
Chills coursed through twelve-year-old Adrian Bedford.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

http://amzn.com/B00TYM7XBE
www.ruthkaufman.com

Nancy said...

Mitzi Stancil waited for the stoplight in the center of the crossroad to turn green. The humidity had moved past comfortable just after daylight and now hinged next to pressure cooker making everyone seek shelter in the many air conditioned businesses that lined Robert E. Lee Boulevard. However, one expected this in the south, considering it was July.

Playing With Fire
http://bit.ly/1IBOD5H

Tessa Berkley said...

The gray skies combined with the endless drum of the rain on the roof of his carriage did little to lift his spirits. “Lord Heartless,” he growled and crushed the newsprint beneath the supple deerskin glove of his left hand. T’was not his fault Charles Gilbert gambled, nor did he ply bottle to cup, or force his hand to pick up the revolver and place it against his temple.

Lord Heartless
amzn.to/1cKD3uh

Gilli Allan said...

The opening to FLY OR FALL, by Gilli Allan, it will be published soon by Accent Press. No link yet.

The cartoon rabbit ran straight off the edge of the cliff. He hung, oblivious to his predicament, feet pedalling the empty air. There was a snigger, halfway between laughter and derision, from the twins.
Perhaps belief is everything, I thought. If you believe you’re still on the same level, that life hasn’t changed, you won’t see the void which has opened beneath your feet. And if you don’t see it, you don’t fall.....

JM Maurer said...

Years ago I’d learned which beeps and tones demanded immediate attention, and which were just noise. Such was life in the neuro intensive care unit, often interrupted by strident yet sometimes noncritical alarms resonating through the air. So while staring at my assigned room’s glass doors in front of me, lulled by the familiar rhythm of those sounds, I absentmindedly tapped my pen against my head—life most likely trying to beat some sense into me.

SEEKING LOVE by J.M. Maurer

http://bit.ly/SeekingLove
www.jmmaurer.com

anne stenhouse said...

Bella's Betrothal by Anne Stenhouse Special Price till April 28th

DALKEITH, SCOTLAND, 1826
“I trust, ma’am, you will not scream.”
Beyond the bed, a male voice spoke from the shadows at the far end of the room.
Bella screamed lustily. Her novel fell to the floor, and when she threw back her head to take a breath for another scream, a large hand clamped over her mouth, stifling her yells into barely audible squawking.
amazon $1.45 http://goo.gl/7mh8FI amazon 99p http://goo.gl/P3lmzk

Daryl Devoré said...

My erotic adventure began the minute he whispered, "Do you happen to own a pair of red, fuzzy handcuffs?"

Well okay, it didn't exactly start there. If I'm going to be perfectly honest, I think it started with Kat's text: "Meet me at - insert name of five-star restaurant here."

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Capris-Fate-ebook/dp/B00CJ1I6Y0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1366992997&sr=1-1&keywords=new+dawning+bookfair

Blog – http://myeroticnotions.blogspot.com

Sophia Ryan said...

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET by Sophia Ryan

Feeling every prick of the slivers of fear I thought had vanished, I hesitated to give him what we both wanted.

You don’t know this guy, my mind warned.

But I’d really like to, my heart cooed, sending a warm rush of desire through my veins that pushed my hand into his.


Amazon

Sophia Ryan Website

Anonymous said...

From Shane's Seduction, Book 4 of The Wilton Grand Hotel Series by Skye Michaels released today on Bookstrand.com http://www.bookstrand.com/shanes-seduction

Shane Beckett reached across the table and took Nicole Armstrong’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Nicole, honey, I hate to have to say this—and it’s really all about me and not about you—but this is not working out for me. I need some time to figure myself out.”

Sophia Ryan said...

Gilli, this is intriguing!

Veronica Scott said...

MISSION TO MAHJUNDAR, science fiction romance:
The next morning, Shalira stood with as much dignity as she could muster when the door to the hut creaked open. A night of shivering in the unheated cell had left her weak and headachy, with stiff knees, but she was determined not to let the tribe break her will.
“You look more like a slave than a princess now,” said the rough voice of the chief wife.

http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Mahjundar-Veronica-Scott-ebook/dp/B00MRLXPQ6/?tag=verscoblo-20

Marie Lavender said...

SECOND NATURE (book one of the Blood at First Sight Series) by Marie Lavender

Alec lunged, catching the woman up in his arms before she cracked her head on the tile. He muttered a curse, tightened his hold and carried her from the room. As he did, her long hair surrounded him, and the smell of her shampoo, sweet like candy, moved him more than it should.

Universal Amazon link: http://bit.ly/1y7UKIF
B&N: http://bit.ly/1uZT8j8

http://marielavender.com/

Susan Macatee said...

From short paranormal romance, Dreaming Josie.

“Heard Monica dumped your ass.”

Kyle Dalton shielded his eyes from the sun as he scowled up at his friend. He laid the rifle he’d been cleaning on the grass beside him and rose to his feet.

http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Josie-ebook/dp/B008FZSPLS/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1341001818&sr=1-7

Collette Cameron said...

From Regency romance, Triumph and Treasure (Highland Heather Romancing a Scot, book 1)

Flynn smiled as the black-clad young woman rushed along the path until she reached the house’s terrace.

Would she turn around?

Pausing, she flicked a swift peek behind her before disappearing through an open door.

http://amzn.com/B00Q6Q5ZP2

http;//collettecameron.com

Savanna Kougar said...

ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE

First three lines from Chapter One:

Shades of blue pearl, the late evening moon of Gryphiz, high and nearly
full, cruised across black sapphire heavens.

“Sheridan.”

“What is it, Brad?”


~~~

[Erotic Fantasy Romance, OtherWorld, Aristocratic Intrigue]

Blurb/Excerpts/Link: http://bookstrand.com/all-shades-of-blue-paradise

HAPPY READING!

Savanna

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

Sarah Marsh said...

Talia's Match: Coalition Mates 2

First three lines chapter nine:

"Ash pushed Grae over toward the far side of the bath, to where they both knew that Talia would be able to watch them if she ventured toward the doorway, which they were counting on. On the first step, the water only came up to mid-thigh, just low enough to give their Talia a good show.
Talia was fighting with herself on whether or not to give in to her raging lust and inch closer to the bath when she realised that her legs had already decided, and all she had to do was peek around the corner to see the prize."

Don't you want to see the prize? Trust me it's worth it! ;-)

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/talias-match
Blog link: http://sarahmarshfiction.com/

I hope you enjoy it!
Sarah.

Unknown said...

"How To Train Your Knight" Coming May 6th! Winner of RWA's "The Molly," "Show Me The Spark," and placed in four others.

Chapter 1
Year of our Lord 1276

“By God, drag her down here! Naked if you must! Bread and water from now to eternity if you cannot!” Sir Marcus Blackwell slammed his fist on the well-worn table and the sound echoed back from every direction. Of all the bad luck. Forced into marriage with a foul-mouthed, murderous widow.

See more at www.stellamariealden.com
Stop by and comment! I'd love to hear from you!

Anonymous said...

April 1860, Echo Canyon, Utah Territory, U.S.A.

She smelled blood. Its metallic tang assailed her senses, before it was overshadowed by the stench of death. Stepping back to scan the sheer wall of the bluff rising before her, her breath caught in her throat, and a sob escaped.

Lizzi Tremayne
http://.lizzitremayne.com
Buy link: http://lizzitremayne.com/store/ All formats digital and softcover.

E. Ayers said...

I still think that is one of the best and one of the funniest opening lines I've read for an erotic. It tells everything about the book.

Jana Richards said...

From the opening of THERE GOES THE GROOM:

She was going to faint. Or throw up. Or trip over her dress. Perhaps all three, possibly at the same time.

Jana Richards
www.janarichards.com
Click here for my Amazon Author Page

Erin OQuinn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin OQuinn said...

The first two lines of Ch. 6, WARRIOR, RIDE HARD. A gay historical romance set in 5th C Ireland, this opening may be self-explanatory.

Gristle, resplendent in a silver-gray silken tunic, sat astride his dark stallion Shadow, riding in a place where he could watch both Father Patrick and Caylith. All the while he kept them in his protective gaze, he sought a glimpse of Wynn in the crowds following their caravan to Tara.

This and its sequel WARRIOR, STAND TALL are available on my Amazon page: http://amzn.to/1w8PVgI

Stephanie Queen said...

SMALL TOWN HOT SHOT BRIDE by Stephanie Queen

"An Audrey Hepburn look-alike would not have been Tammy’s top pick for best friend material, but all these years later, what was done was done. Since kindergarten, when they were both silly and cute, Tammy and Julie had forged a sisterhood of shared secrets, crazy boy crushes and foolish rebellions. Now at the advanced age of twenty-four, with their bond more than superglue strong, Tammy felt the strain of her best friend’s absence."

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VI7CRH8