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historical fiction

An Honorable Deception: (English Historical Romance Series with Mystery and Private Investigators Set in Edwardian England) (The Imposters) 

400 pages Bethany House Publishers November 19, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

n the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they’re willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they’re the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia’s own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life–her friendship with Yates–lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn’t dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn’t always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.

MY THOUGHTS

It seems like just yesterday I read the first book in the series and here we are finishing up the third and final book in the series. Though this and each book can be read as a standalone I highly recommend starting at the beginning and reading them in consecutive order for the full magnificence of the full series.


I enjoyed seeing some of the characters in all three books and a few have their own special story now finally. A series tie in with characters from another series by the author was a great addition.
The continued return of the circus performers was not something I expected but did enjoy.


This is my favorite book in the series if I had to pick one though I did love them all. We are treated to a delightful package of mystery, intrigue, suspense, reckoning, forgiveness, a greater understanding and romance.
There were some tough subjects tackled in this book, but the author handles them well and in a respectful way.


Very in-depth plot and realistic characters kept me glued to this hard to put down book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at http://www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Have a marvelous day. Thank you for stopping in.

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First Line Friday

Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday hosted at Reading is my Superpower! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today I’m delighted to feature A Corpse Among the Carolers by Debra Sennefelder a book published in November of this year. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to read it soon.

276 pages November 12, 2024 Beyond the Page Publishing

First Line

Food Blogger Hope Early always gets a hearty holiday laugh knowing that the weeks leading up to Christmas are as frantic as they are festive.

Would you want to continue on with reading this? I probably would just based on the adorable cover alone. You’ve got to love Beagles.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hope Early is fully immersed in the spirit of the Christmas season, until the sounds of joyful carolers are silenced by the words “Ho-ho-homicide” . . .

Food blogger Hope Early always gets a hearty holiday laugh from knowing that the weeks leading up to Christmas are as frantic as they are festive. But in spite of everything she has to do, the one thing she always has time for is the annual Jingle Bell Stroll, a night when the community gathers to sing their hearts out and enjoy each other’s company. This year’s caroling feels especially heartwarming, until the final note lands with a thud when Hope finds the body of the man who’d volunteered to play Santa, a knife plunged into his back.

With virtually the whole town present at the caroling, the list of suspects seems endless. It doesn’t take long, though, for both Hope and the police to turn a sharp eye on the victim’s bitter and vindictive ex-wife, along with his new wife, who may have been after his money. Then Hope unearths a clue that suggests the dead man may have been hiding a sordid past and connections to unseemly characters. But as she closes in on the killer, they’re determined to wring her neck before she can ring in the new year . . .

Includes tasty and toasty holiday recipes!

About the Author:

Debra Sennefelder lives and writes in Connecticut, where she shares her home with her family and slightly spoiled Shih Tzu. An avid reader across a range of genres, mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. She’s the author of the Food Blogger Mysteries, the Resale Boutique Mysteries, and the Cookie Shop Mysteries. When she’s not writing, she’s either baking or reading. To learn more, visit her on the web at debrasennefelder.com.

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*Blog Tour* DESIGNS ON YOU by Jaci Burton (Berkley; 12/3/24) publication date

352 pages Berkley publisher December 3, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

About DESIGNS ON YOU

Natalie Parker is in her mid-thirties, divorced, and firmly focused on her newly resurrected career and her two children. When her sister asks her to help design the backyard in the new home she shares with her boyfriend, Linc, Natalie’s more than happy to take on the project. What she isn’t prepared for is Linc’s younger brother, video game designer Eugene Kennedy. He’s smart, incredibly good-looking, and constantly flirts with Natalie. He’s also too young for her, which makes him totally off-limits.

 Eugene is intrigued by Natalie’s beauty, smarts, and especially her sarcastic wit. When he teases her, she throws it right back at him. Besides that, they have an instant chemistry, but she keeps trying to get rid of him despite the sparks that fly between them. And Eugene never backs down from a challenge. 

Natalie is running out of reasons to think being with Eugene is a bad thing. Her kids adore him, her sister loves him, and even her always negative mother does, too. The only person holding her back is…her. Maybe it’s time she take that leap and design herself a love for the ages. After all, if she can create the perfect home, she sure as hell can design a happily ever after.

MY THOUGHTS

Interior designer Natalie Parker has had enough of men and feeling like she’s not heard or appreciated. This divorcee has two adorable children and a resurrected career. Though with children around which makes life hectic she’s able to get some me time in without her husband’s demands anymore.


Yeah, she’s an interior designer and can’t resist the chance to pop over to her sisters and look at her backyard of her new house and give a few tips on decorating and styling it. Not counting on seeing the most gorgeous man alive there, Eugene the brother of her sister’s boyfriend.


Telling herself she’s not getting involved in another relationship is like telling the grass not to grow. Shortly after meeting the book takes on an instalove theme between the characters Eugene and Natalie.

Things get spicy pretty quickly, but the book does have some substance to it. It’s a feel-good fun book, not one to be taken seriously but a great relaxation book when you don’t want a heavy read.

The relationship goes through its ups and downs, some growing pains and some things that need ironed out. I loved the addition of the two children and how much page time they had in book and how they were made to feel like important characters.
A book I enjoyed a lot.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

About the Author

Jaci Burton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Boots and Bouquets series, the Brotherhood by Fire series, the Hope series, and the Play-by-Play novels.

Photo by Zaksheuskaya on Pexels.com

Your blessings are many though you may not always see them.

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Wrangling the Wandering Rancher: A Sweet Historical Romance (High Country Ranch Book 4) 

216 pages October 22, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the high country of Colorado, love endures all things, even the solitary way of life in the wilderness.

Maisy Merritt has vowed she’ll never marry a mountain man. Even though she loves the Colorado Rockies and the wild creatures she helps, she hates the way her pa’s mountain-man ways took him away from his family and caused her ma to die of loneliness. Maisy’s ready to start a normal life, and that includes marrying a normal man.

As a trapper and trail guide, Tanner Oakley lives a wandering life. He’s witnessed how hard being alone is for Maisy and her sister whenever their pa is gone, so he’s decided that he’s not husband material for any woman since he’s so restless and unsettled.

Having given up looking for the family he lost long ago, Tanner returns to the mountains and finds Maisy in trouble. As he tries to help her, he only makes matters worse. With Maisy injured and her reputation in shatters, he’s forced to do the right thing and marry her. They resist being together, but maybe marriage is what both of them really want—and need—after all.

Lost family

Friends to more

Alone together in wilderness

Trapped in a cabin

Shotgun marriage

Abandonment issues

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve read reading the authors books for years and her books are automatic reads for me. I love everything about them, her writing style, the setting and the characters.

This is Tanner’s story, the second adopted son. The previous book had his brother’s story.
The book has a beautiful western setting. Maisy doesn’t want to get married all the mountain men she knows leave, including her father and her sister’s husband and she doesn’t trust it not to happen to her.


Tanner hasn’t found a woman worth staying around for but he’s out to prove it to Maisy she’s the one for him and he’s staying despite her hesitation.


I love when a question from another book is answered and the book had a very satisfactory wrap up, a totally unexpected one at that. Faith filled and inspirational this clean western romance is one I can highly recommend.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet, clean historical romances with plenty of sizzle (but without the spice).

Have a great day. Thanks for visiting today.

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Blog Tour for Winter Magic in Port Berry by K.T. Dady

Book Title:

Winter Magic in Port Berry

Book Blurb:

Welcome to Port Berry, where love and festive magic are just around the corner.

Ginny Dean’s quiet life running Port Berry’s only café is disrupted by the arrival of gorgeous and enigmatic Will Pendleton. Will has returned to Port Berry looking for answers about his family’s heritage.

Sparks fly when he meets Ginny. At the annual holiday party their connection only grows into an undeniable chemistry neither can resist.

Then Will announces plans to open a tearoom next to Ginny’s café. She sees her own dreams melt with the winter snow. For as long as she can remember she has dreamed of her own tearoom — and just like that, this stranger to Port Berry has snatched it away.

But Will is going nowhere, and when they find themselves stranded in the snow together, they discover that neither are their feelings.

With Christmas approaching, both Will and Ginny must learn to face their own fears and take a chance on happiness.

And perhaps they need a little winter magic to help . . .

This festive, opposites attract romance is perfect for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Milly Johnson, Kim Nash, Jessica Redland and Jo Bartlett.

Readers Love PORT BERRY:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Loved it . . . An ace love story but not in a predictable story line . A fabulous read.’

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Great read and lovely to be back in Port Berry.’

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book makes you laugh at times and has you feeling for what the characters are dealing with in life. I recommend reading this book.’

⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Not just a love story; it’s a tale of second chances and the healing power of community . . . If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with depth and heart, this book is a must-read.’

More stories from Port Berry coming in 2025!

Book Links/Buy Links:

https://geni.us/winter-port-berry-tour

MY THOUGHTS

This is another go to author for me, and you know what that means. Yes, as soon as I see another book coming out by the author, I just have to read it. I’ve read quite a few of the author’s books but not quite all and I need to remedy that.


I feel as though the characters could be neighbors and friends with me in this small-town charmer of a book. Not too long as to make you bogged down reading it’s the perfect length for a cozy afternoon in reading.


The thing I really enjoy, and it continues on in this book of the authors is how realistic it is. By this I mean the book isn’t all peaches and cream, unfortunately we all have things we experience or go through that aren’t the best, but we certainly work on improving them.


A character returns to Port Berry, and he has a lot to deal with, will he come to think of it as home though? There are themes of dementia, and we follow another character on a healing journey. The healing journey was really beautiful to see because this character isn’t alone one step of the way, they have so much support.

The characters are fun and supportive. This is one of the things I liked so much about the book, how the characters are really there for each other in their time of need. No one is allowed to feel alone or unsupported and I loved it.


Warmth, fun and wisdom you can feel coming right through the pages.
Highly recommended.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Name of Author:

K.T. Dady

Twitter Handle:

@kt_dady

Instagram Handle:

@kt_dady

Facebook Handle:

@ktdady

Author’s Website:

ktdady.com

Genre:

Festive Romance

Author Bio (small paragraph about yourself which I can share with reviewers.):

Hello, I’m K.T. Dady. I’m the bestselling author of the Pepper Bay series. I’m also a chocolate lover, mum to a grown-up daughter, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, baking cakes, or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers.

Thank you for stopping in. I hope you have a lovely day.

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Blog Blitz for The Little Christmas Library by David M. Barnett

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Little Christmas Library: A warm and cosy romance to curl up with this festive season 

Molly McGinley has had enough of London and, feeling like a failure, heads home to the unremarkable Northern town of Merry-le-Moors, to move back in with dad Jack for Christmas.

Jack, still mourning the loss of his wife and Molly’s mum ten years ago, nevertheless maintains a positive outlook on life, and to lift Molly from her slump insists she goes out with him on his daily rounds driving the town’s mobile library.

When an elderly man, Cliff, starts coming into the library for warmth and companionship, Jack and Molly provide tea and sympathy… and begin to attract the lost, lonely and jaded people of Merry-le-Moors, who gather each day at the mobile library to talk about books, life and love. Each of them is searching for something in life, and Jack and Molly know just how to find it in the library.

As friendships – and more – begin to form, Christmas approaches… and so does a dark cloud on the horizon. The library is under threat, and so too the fragile friendships that have been formed.

But this is Christmas, after all, and magic – like love – can be found in the most unlikely places.

Available now

MY THOUGHTS

Reading this brings all the memories of my childhood back. I was introduced to libraries at a very young age and still love to go to them today.
One of the libraries I went to was a mobile library just like in The Little Christmas Library, it was called a bookmobile, and we still have them here in the rural area where I lived. Oh, the nostalgia has a lot to do with helping people connect with certain books. This was such a lovely read set at Christmas time. I felt right at home amongst the shelves of books on the bus.
Jack, the bus librarian loves suggesting books from the shelves for patrons though he may not always know what a book is about to make the best suggestion his heart is still in the right place. I enjoyed Jack’s character.
His daughter Molly moves back home to Merry-le-Moors after a relationship breakup for Christmas. Molly soon finds herself going with her father on his daily mobile library bus runs. These runs are beneficial not only to Molly and her father but the companionship they bring to some down on their luck folks whose spirits are lifted in friendship by daily talks about books and life in general. When there is a threat to the continuation of the library itself will this holiday spirit ring true for these folks who need it so much? Just lovely, I enjoyed the book so much.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

BLOG BLITZ PARTICIPANTS TO VISIT

MEET THE AUTHOR

David Barnett is an author, journalist and comic book writer based in the North of England. Writing as David M. Barnett, his novels include CALLING MAJOR TOM, THE GROWING PAINS OF JENNIFER EBERT, THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER and in 2021 THE HANDOVER, to be published in the US in 2022 as SAME TIME, SAME PLACE. In December 2021 he pubished on Kindle the novel NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH. He is also the author of ALIEN: COLONY WAR and the GIDEON SMITH series of steampunk novels. His comics work includes, for IDW, EVE STRANGER and PUNKS NOT DEAD, for DC’s Sandman Universe BOOKS OF MAGIC, and he has also worked for Archie and 2000AD. As a journalist he writes mainly long-form features for the UK press including the Guardian, Independent, Big Issue, Tortoise, BBC Culture and more. He can be contacted via his website davidmbarnett.com or Twitter, @davidmbarnett

Thank you for stopping in.

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Daughters of Paris: An epic, heartbreaking and gripping World War II novel! 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A must-read for fans of Kate Quinn and Kristin Hannah!

Paris 1930s

A promise that binds them together. A war that pulls them apart.

Childhood companions Fleur and Colette make a vow, under the trailing ivy of their secret garden, that they will be secret sisters forever. But as they grow up, the promises of childhood are put to the ultimate test. For Colette is the daughter of the house, and her life is all jazz clubs, silk dresses and chilled champagne, while Fleur is the orphan niece of the housekeeper and doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere.

Years later, in 1939, life as they know it will never be the same. As the German tanks roll in and Paris becomes an occupied city, the promise they made as children will have consequences they could never have imagined…

MY THOUGHTS

WWII historical fiction that was thought provoking yet entertaining. Two girls growing up together with vastly different backgrounds, one rich and accustomed to only the best life can offer, the other the niece of the housekeeper.


As these girls grow into women, they do their best to keep that childhood promise they made to stay in contact and be secret sisters. Besties for life. Paris, romantic, thrilling but then the war comes.

Life will never be the same for these women, life throws curves at them they could not have seen. So many circumstances they experience together and apart.

Life hits them hard but yet there is still joy to be find despite circumstances beyond their control. Romance is inevitable in a lovely book taking place in Paris but yet it is not the main focus.

The sisterhood, a lifetime of changes, vast differences still the bond is unbreakable between these women.
Very much enjoyed this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

lisabeth writes romantic historical fiction as Elisabeth Hobbes and historical folklore/fantasy romance as Elisabeth J. Hobbes.

She teaches Primary school and unlike her characters, the six year olds generally do what she tells them. She spends most of her spare time reading and is a pro at cooking one-handed while holding a book. She loves to travel and explore, looking for places to inspire her characters into life.

Elisabeth lives in Cheshire because the car broke down there in 1999 (though at heart she’s still a Yorkshirewoman). She has two almost grown kids, two cats, two dogs and a husband. The whole family are autistic. She dreams of having a tidy house one day.

May your day be pleasant.

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Blog Tour for Christmas at the Board Game Cafe by Jennifer Page

ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas at the Board Game Café

Kate seems to have it all – wonderful friends, a successful career and an idyllic life in the quirky Yorkshire town of Essendale. But under the surface Kate’s lonely, and she longs to feel part of a family – especially during Christmas.

With the holiday season fast approaching, and the town desperate to attract more visitors, Kate conceives a brilliant plan: an enchanting living Advent calendar. Each December evening, a captivating window display will be unveiled across town. With local businesses struggling, including her best friend’s board game café, she’s feeling the pressure. 

But Kate’s picture-perfect plans take an unexpected turn when her ex-boyfriend arrives in Yorkshire, insisting on creating the Christmas Eve display. Can Kate trust him to deliver a show-stopping window? And can she finally put the past behind her and embrace the future she’s always dreamed of?

Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/gNiOWja

MY THOUGHTS

WOW! How is it even possible the author has four books out already in the Little Board Game Cafe series? I’ve read and loved every single one of them.

This one is Kate’s story, and I think it’s my favorite, but I probably said that about all of them because I loved them all. I think it’s the most emotional of the series but not in a bad way. There are so many things going on and I don’t think this is a spoiler, but the book has a lovely happy ending.


I still wish there was a board game cafe near me in the states, it’s sounds like such a fun way to spend some hours. I love the characters that we got to visit from previous books and meeting new characters was a blast too.
Kate has been friends with the board game cafe owner since early school days and now that winter is here business is not only slowing down in the cafe but around town in general.

With dark approaching earlier there just doesn’t seem to be the draw from the business there was in the summer. Marketing guru Kate overhears her friend lamenting about lack of business during this cold and dreary time and knows she has to do something to jump start business for the cafe but also around town. The plan she comes up with is genius and in such a short amount of time.

A lot of the time is spent talking about this plan and its marvelous final results and I loved every minute of it.
I was so glad to see Kate had cleared up a big misunderstanding she had with her father, and it has brought their relationship closer.

There is also a possibility of a romance brewing for Kate with two very different personality types. There were some laugh out loud moments in the book and some awww moments too.

I also enjoyed learning about some Polish Christmas traditions too and even looked up a few more to learn more about it.
A very well received book, I enjoyed it so much!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

MEET THE AUTHOR

Author Bio – Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

Social Media Links –

https://twitter.com/jenpagewrites

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferPagewrites/

https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpagewrites/

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping in.

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Blog Tour for Wedding Cake & Big Mistakes in Lily Vale Village

ABOUT THE BOOK

Wedding Cake & Big Mistakes in Lily Vale Village

Lottie should be on top of the world – her boutique has just opened in the quaint little village of Lily Vale and her designs are already delighting the locals. But just nine months ago, she was fired from her dream job and forced to move in with her dad, all because of one big mistake and a betrayal from someone she thought was her friend.

During a fitting appointment, Lottie meets groom-to-be Kit Brooks. Her first impression? Arrogant, rude, and a downright snob. However, as they work together to create the perfect bridesmaid’s dress for his little sister, Lottie begins to view Kit in a whole new light.

Suddenly, she’s battling to keep her heart under control – after all, Kit is getting married. But nothing could prepare her for the identity of his bride…

Wedding Cake and Big Mistakes in Lily Vale Village is the eighth story in the Lily Vale Village book series, a charming set of novellas revolving around the lives of the ordinary people who reside in the beautiful countryside community. It can be read as a standalone story, or as part of the series.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8FF2764

MY THOUGHTS

Nine months ago Lottie’s career was fully on track as a fashion designer she had risen to the top of her field and was well known. One night it all fell to shambles as she accidently divulged her style secrets and has been blacklisted in the fashion world with the top of the top. She though this woman whom she told was a friend but unfortunately now that the cat is out of the bag she finally sees the truth of the woman’s worth. A fake smile while pretending to be your friend will only go so far.


Getting away from the stress and moving closer to her father will help her stress factor and she’s thrilled to open up her own brand-new little boutique making custom dresses.


Unbelievably her first customer is the woman who betrayed her wanting her to make a wedding dress for her. Bridezilla has nothing on this woman, she couldn’t find a worse woman to sew for if she tried. I loved all her other customers though.

I loved seeing how Lottie settles in at Lily Vale Village, the descriptions have it sounding so serene and the coffee shop/bakery, I’d love to see a book taking place there.

Fun, fabulous and heartwarming with a realistic new friendship and a surprise fantastic romance. Love this, such a delight and can’t wait to read more in this series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Bio –  Imogen Payne lives in the British countryside with three stuck-up cats, one mad dog and a very well-trained husband. There she writes the romantic, dramatic and always uplifting Lily Vale Village and Sunny Shore Bay series.

When she’s not writing, she’s cooking up a storm in the kitchen, taking long walks through the nearby woods or snuggling up on the couch with a good book.

Social Media Links – Twitter: Imogen Payne (@ImogenJPayne) / X

Newsletter: Imogen Payne Books (list-manage.com)

Have a beautiful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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First Line Friday

Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday hosted at Reading is my Super Power! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today I’m delighted to feature the first line(s) of The Sirens by Emilia Hart.

First Line(s)

She breathes in time with the sea.

In

The waves crash against the rocks, frothing through the mouth of the cave. Icy on her toes, her shaking thighs.

Out

St. Martin’s Press publisher April 2,2025 publication date

A spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries, but bound together by the sea, from the author of the runaway New York Times bestseller Weyward

2019:
 Lucy awakens from a dream to find her hands around her ex-lover’s throat. Horrified, she flees to her older sister’s house on the Australian coast, hoping she can help explain the strangely vivid nightmare that preceded the attack—but Jess is nowhere to be found.

As Lucy awaits her return, the rumors surrounding Jess’s strange small town start to emerge. Numerous men have gone missing at sea, spread over decades. A tiny baby was found hidden in a cave. And sailors tell of hearing women’s voices on the waves. Desperate for answers, Lucy finds and begins to read her sister’s adolescent diary.

1999: Jess is a lonely sixteen-year-old in a rural town in the middle of the continent. Diagnosed with a rare allergy to water, she has always felt different, until her young, charming art teacher takes an interest in her drawings, seeing a power and maturity in them—and in her—that no one else has.

1800: Twin sisters Mary and Eliza have been torn from their loving father in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship bound for Australia. For their entire lives, they’ve feared the ocean, as their mother tragically drowned when they were just girls. Yet as the boat bears them further and further from all they know, they begin to notice changes in their bodies that they can’t explain, and they feel the sea beginning to call to them…

A breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space, The Sirens captures the power of dreams, and the mystery and magic of the sea.

What are the first line of the closest book to you ?