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Friday, May 15, 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/   

31 comments:

Kat said...

VOICES - Romantic Suspense

Adrenaline rocketed through Rachel’s system, driving her out of the stall with feet pounding the hard-packed dirt. Every step a promise for the fallen man.
Bellowed warnings of "LOOSE HORSE!” mixed with shouts for an ambulance and the echoes of other boots.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q06XLAY

Big thanks to Exquisite Quills for this opportunity to share :)

JM Maurer said...

Seeking Love (Emerging From Darkness Book 1)
by J.M. Maurer

"Woman? Are you trying to kill me?"

www.jmmaurer.com

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/SeekingLove
($0.99 for a limited time)

Susan Macatee said...

From chapter 2 of Victorian time travel romance, Thoroughly Modern Amanda.


Jack stared at the television screen, but his brain didn’t connect to the program. His thoughts strayed to the Victorian house. The idea of it being demolished to make way for new homes grated on his nerves.

http://www.amazon.com/Thoroughly-Modern-Amanda-ebook/dp/B00AQAIHHW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355948640&sr=1-1&keywords=Thoroughy+Modern+Amanda

PJ Sharon said...

Chapter one: WANING MOON, Book 1 in The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael Trilogy

May 2057
“I didn’t mean to kill him!”
My Uncle Samuel gripped my shoulders and shook me gently. “Calm down and tell me what happened.”

WANING MOON is now available for FREE on all major retailers. Check out my website for links at http://www.pjsharon.com

Unknown said...

From "Blood Ties"

Once alone, Audra called Kyle and told him in detail about her exhausting but disappointing morning. “My cop friend believes Doug is innocent, but my intuition says different.”
“If you feel Doug’s dangerous, for God’s sake, stay away from him,” he said, his voice filled with concern.

Jo Anne’s Postings: https://joannemyers.wordpress.com/

http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?keyWords=wicked+intentions&categoryId=100501

Andrea Cooper said...

Stolen Hearts Book 1 - Romantic Suspense
from Chapter 9

Kade stared in disbelief. Slim waist with wide hips, and breasts stuffed inside a black body suit.
The thief was a woman.

getBook.at/StolenHearts
http://www.andreaRcooper.com

Carly Carson said...

Opening from Eclipse of the Heart

"No matter what he says, his thoughts will revolve around stripping you naked and bending you over his desk," Jessie said.

Amanda Thompson smiled as she remembered the silly words her roommate had teased her with this morning at breakfast. Perhaps they were effective at reducing her tension a bit.

Buy: http://amzn.com/B00C5ROHB4

Sharleen Scott said...

Caught in Cross Seas by Sharleen Scott
romantic suspense

Over the years, Clay had received many propositions on airplanes. Back in his commercial flight days, it was usually a businesswoman in the first-class cabin looking for a thrill. In later years, when he switched to private charters, a young flight attendant might offer to help pass the time. He wasn’t a member of the mile-high club yet and never considered joining that exclusive membership.
Until now.

http://amzn.com/0991589009

Rosemary Morris said...

Sunday’s Child Sweet Regency Romance
by Rosemary Morris
Hertfordshire, England
November 1813
Chapter Two

“When Georgianne came downstairs a little after dusk, no one was in the well-appointed parlour where everyone would assemble before dinner was announced.
With nervous hands, she smoothed the skirt of her lilac gown and twitched the grey satin bow beneath her bosom into place. Yet why was she so anxious for the major to see her as a young lady and not as the little girl he last saw at her aunt and uncle’s house?”

e-book available from:

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com B009YK1MFO

Barnes and Novel, AppleiBookstore, Kobo, Blio, Google Play, Overdrive, Omnilit, All Romance E Books, Bookstrand, Coffee Time Romance, Scribd, Smashwords, Flipcart – India, Tolina

Read extracts and view the book trailer at; www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Beginning of Chapter Three of The Highland Lass

The sun streaming through the window wakened Eilidh from her strange dream of standing stones and Celtic crosses, and that same feeling she’d often had of someone calling to her through the mists of time. She’d been accused of romanticism before, and suspected it might become worse before her trip was over.

http://www.amazon.com/Highland-Lass-Rosemary-Gemmell-ebook/dp/B00TOTER6Q

Website: http://www.rosemarygemmell.com

Erin OQuinn said...

This chapter is the emotional crux of the book THE KILT COMPLEX. Alex has forsaken the bed of his Alpha lover Rory for a much more rustic one in a small cabin near the castle. Here in the opening lines we see through Rory's eyes:

Was it on purpose, that this cabin in the Scots pines looked and smelled like the one on Mt. Moriah, the piece of kindling wood where he and Alex had fucked and fought and fallen in love? He wanted to cry like a child. He wanted to walk out the door, the way he’d done in Nevada when he thought his lover had betrayed him. But he sat, dumb with choked-back emotion, while the man talked.

Sequel to Nev. Highlander, on my Amazon page:
USA http://amzn.to/1w8PVgI
UK http://amzn.to/17DWFzg

Janice Seagraves said...

Maya Gladstone shifted in her chair as her commander and expedition leader, Ben Tyler, read her report.

Matrix Crystal Hunters
www.amazon.com/Matrix-Crystal-Hunters-Crystals-Book-ebook/dp/B00FJ10W26

Kate Hill said...

Grace could scarcely believe the filthy drunk sprawled on the table in the bar was the man she'd spent weeks searching for.
She closed her eyes in a brief moment of disbelief before she approached. Scuffed floorboards groaned beneath her booted feet.

Trouble in Paradise
http://www.kate-hill.com/troubleinparadise.html

anne stenhouse said...

This is taken from the beginning of Chapter Seven of Mariah's Marriage my humorous regency romance:
Mariah tugged the ribbons on her precious new bonnet viciously, until she felt them part and shred beneath her fingers. With no thought for its safe landing, she tossed the hat across the room. It dislodged a pile of papers onto the floor and tumbled after them.
How dare he? She fumed inwardly. How dare he make me such an insulting offer and why? Why me?
Mariah's Marriage amazon UK http://goo.gl/4LWt1H US http://goo.gl/JjY907 kobo http://goo.gl/LaFygG

stanalei said...

From the opening of Lightning Only Strikes Twice - on sale now for .99.
“You can’t rewrite history with a bulldozer, Mr.
Maxwell.” The words tumbled out before Annie
Crawford realized she’d spoken aloud.
Luke Maxwell stopped rolling the development’s
project plans and raked a stunned, dark-eyed gaze over
her. “I beg your pardon?”

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Only-Strikes-Twice-ebook/dp/B00AD4V8X6/
Website additional buy links:
http://www.stanaleifletcher.com/lost.html

Great first lines here! Thanks for letting me play.
Stanalei

Unknown said...

From the first chapter of Rematch (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series #1.5) by Rachael Slate:

Those sparkling green eyes would be his undoing.
Li Tieguai scowled at the newest morsel of temptation the Matchmaker had deposited in his household. Thick lashes framed eyes with a down-turned, feline cast.

On sale for $0.99: http://amzn.to/1InNzER

Julie Lence said...

Bring Me Luck; Chapter 5

“You have coffee and the newspaper Stephen brought home last week. Is there anything else you need?” Rachael stood over Jess rubbing her palms on her skirt. Her fingers still trembled from when she’d touched him earlier.

www.julielence.com
www.amazon.com/dp/ B00OP5PT2U

D'Ann said...

From Cowboy Proud in Cowboy Up 2:

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

Unknown said...

La Déesse Noire: The Black Goddess

The woman’s breath was heavy; voice coarse, rough, like monsoon winds blowing sand against a cliff wall.
“Kali,” the woman whispered, “you must go now, before they come for you. You and Kamala must go.”

www.MarianaGabrielle.com
Pre-order at Amazon: http://amzn.to/19cKUjY

Anonymous said...

Love in the Time of Zombies

I could start by quoting the old saying about good intentions and the road to hell. But what is done is done and the human race doesn’t get a do-over. We all have to live with the consequences of our actions.

http://amzn.com/B00RHGTYUC
www.jilljameswrites.com

Savanna Kougar said...

THE MOUNTAIN LION KING, ShapeShifter Seductions Presents Novel ~ By Pat Cunningham

Chapter 1

Nilambari ran as if her life depended on it, because it most definitely did. If her pursuers caught her, she would die, at the hands of her husband-to-be.
She had not said a word since she and her escorts had boarded the plane in India, or during the car ride from the small private airfield to the town of Talbot’s Peak.

AVAILABLE at Smashwords Premium Catalog ~ http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/541980

AVAILABLE at Amazon ~ http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Lion-King-Pat-Cunningham-ebook/dp/B00XIQ2DQM

Unknown said...

Chapter 2 of How to Seduce a Knight

The next morning the sky was a brilliant turquoise as Rodick approached the forest's edge with his horse at a walk. His heart rate sprinted as he caught sight of her when she entered the grassy field on the far side at the bottom of the mountain. His happy mood turned to anger when he saw two mounted thugs ride out from behind boulders and attempt to hem her in while the heavier man grabbed for her reins.

http://www.amazon.com/Dee-Ann-Palmer/e/B00BLWLV6I
http://deeannpalmer.com

Carolina Valdez said...

Chapter 2 from Avalanche!

Powderfall--thick and fluffy. The night's storm left the perfect surface for skis and snowboards, Seri thought. It'll be a prosperous day for the resort.

She felt the chair lift's gentle bump on the back of her legs, and she sat, allowing the lift to carry her on its journey to the top of one of Mahmut's highest peaks and the ski patrol hut where she worked.

http://www.amazon.com/Carolina-Valdez/e/B0055I94J0
http://www.CarolinaValdez.com

Barbara White Daille said...

From Chapter Two of The Cowboy's Little Surprise:

“Men are more trouble than they’re worth.”

Her best friend couldn’t possibly know how much Tina agreed with the familiar refrain right at that moment.

She looked down the length of Canyon Road, Cowboy Creek’s business section, then back at Ally.


http://www.amazon.com/Surprise-Harlequin-American-Romance%5C-Hitching/dp/0373755643
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com

Thanks, EQ - and happy Friday!

Hywela Lyn said...

Thanks Equisite Quills.

This is the first three lines from the first chapter of 'Starquest'

The scream of the red alert cut rudely into Jess's
dreams, waking her instantly. She sprang from her bunk and ordered the computer to shut off the alarm, then pulled on her bodysuit and raced the short distance from her cabin to the flight deck.

Purchase at
http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=138&zenid=5f58b3f00e7ced9c86ae72144feea0c7

Website: www.hywelalyn.co.uk

Hywela Lyn said...

Sorry about the misspelled 'Exquisite'! :)

Barbara Ehrentreu said...

From the first chapter of After:

The phone rang as the ball left the pitcher’s glove and I glanced toward the sound. Mom’s tears made me forget all about the game. My life changed while the TV blurred and turned into a nightmare kaleidoscope. That moment has been indelibly pressed into my thoughts.

Available at:

http://www.amazon.com/After-Barbara-Ehrentreu-ebook/dp/B00NDYDC3C/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/young-adult/after-detail

Also at Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Kobo

Website:http://barbaraehrentreu.blogspot.com

Nancy said...

From Prince Charming Wore Spurs.
Water dripped from the tangle of short curls down his face. His expression held as much surprise as hers, she was certain. He took a step toward her. The towel flapped.

To find out more.... use the links listed below.
http://amzn.to/1FdKru5

http://amzn.to/1cwh4YE

http://bit.ly/1IxwFFh

http://bit.ly/1JcHoUP

Nan O'Berry

Iris B said...

LET ME LOVE YOU ~~ by Iris Blobel

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. For Pete’s
sake, he was a pitcher, not a hitter, and well known
for his fastballs as well as his perfect curveballs.
Alas, he had neglected his hitting. Today, his swing
was below average, and, unable to focus, he walked
over to the bench where he spotted Coach Becker
shaking his head towards him.

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

Gilli Allan said...

From the opening prologue to FLY OR FALL, by Gilli Allan. (Published on Thursday 21st, by Accent Press) Nell is stunned by the news her husband wants to move house - away from everything that is secure and familiar. She's beginning to accept that he is serious, that despite her misgivings, life is going to change in unknowable ways.

One moment I’d felt like I was at the edge of a precipice, facing a leap into the unknown, yet still clinging to the possibility of retreat. Now I realised the world had shifted on its axis; there could be no going back. The secure ground had vanished from beneath my feet. I had only two options left – to fall or to fly.

Availble to pre-order:
http://www.accentpress.co.uk/Book/13658/Fly-or-Fall

Mellie said...

Opening lines, Chapter 1, of Jareth, First Lord

“No, Julian, I’m not coming home. How many times do I have to explain it?” Viviane asked the tall, slim man standing in her shop. Obviously exasperated, her brother was running his hands through his sandy brown hair, standing it on end.

http://melliemiller.com
http://amzn.com/0989678644