It’s time for another First Line Friday, hosted at Reading is my SuperPower. Grab the book closest to you and list the first line(s) then return to Reading is my SuperPower and visit other blogs to see everyone else’s posts.
The book I’m featuring today is:
The first line:
On the doorstep of Rose’s house, Annie smooths out her coat and straightens her scarf before gripping her cane again.
+ABOUT THE BOOK
Grannies, gangsters, murders—and a rollicking journey across France!
It’s January 4, 1961, and Marseilles housemaid Annie Malian is in love. It’s also the day her fiancé René takes his life under peculiar circumstances.
Many decades later, an old Christmas postcard addressed to Annie arrives, and all her doubts come flooding back.
At 84, there’s no time to waste!
Annie enlists the help of Rose Tassy, an eccentric retired teacher and amateur sleuth.
Thus begins an unforgettable journey from Provence to a quaint village in Picardie and then on to the sparkling Riviera, with a detour through wintry Paris.
Amid yuletide festivities, Annie and Rose navigate perilous terrain. Their list of suspects quickly grows. Was it Rene’s older brother? Maybe the ex-gangster turned chicken farmer? The powerful Monegasque tycoon?
Stumped, Rose begins to question her detective mettle when a new death compounds the plot…
This Christmas, will Annie receive the overdue truth as a gift?
368 pages G.P. Putnam’s Sons publisher September 26,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
In its heyday, Piney Peaks and its beloved Christmas house were made famous by Sleighbells under Starlight, a romantic holiday movie. Fifty years later, the small town is ready for a new love story.
As a successful film liaison, Elisha Rowe has her heart set on one thing and one thing only: putting her hometown back on the map. So, when she gets the chance to secure the long-hoped-for sequel to Sleighbells under Starlight, a beloved holiday movie, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, that includes claiming to have already gotten permission to film at the historic Christmas house—permission she was very much denied by the gorgeous new owner.
City boy Ves Hollins is only back in Piney Peaks long enough to sell the house he inherited from his great-aunt. The holidays have always been tough for Ves, and it’s not any easier when he’s distracted by memories of a Christmas long, long ago, and the irresistible charm of neighbor Elisha. He has no plans to put down roots or fall in love…even if Elisha unravels his hesitations like a bad Christmas sweater.
There’s no question the two are opposites in every way. Ves is undeniably frosty. Elisha is brimming with warmth. He doesn’t do commitment. She never runs from a challenge. But as the two grow closer, they quickly realize that the growing spark between them may be just what the season calls for.
MY THOUGHTS
Wrapped with a Beau was a festive Christmas book. While the storyline was predictable, I thought it was a light read great for this busy time of year.
Piney Peaks, home of the Sleighbells under Starlight, a beloved holiday movie and the festive holiday house it was filmed at. The home’s owner has passed away and neighbor Elisha has been the self-appointed home carer.
Early one morning when she sees what she thinks is a break in at the house she knows she needs to investigate. Dressed in her pajamas and wielding a huge plastic candy cane she is ready to take care of that burglar.
A meet cute, it turns out that the owner’s great nephew is in town to quickly fix up the holiday house and sell it after the festive season. In this grumpy to sunshine story, Ves Hollins, city boy from New York may find Elisha Rowe attractive but he’s here to sell his great aunt’s home and can’t wait to leave. He has no plans on helping Elisha with the Christmas movie sequel and certainly no interest in staying any longer than possible.
It was heartwarming seeing how Elisha’s family took to Ves, welcoming him and even joking around like he was one of the family. With personalities so different can she sway him to her way of thinking, that life can be shiny and bright in this small town?
Wonderful, light holiday read.
Pub Date 26 Sep 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lillie Vale is the author of books for both teens and adults, including Wrapped with a Beau, The Decoy Girlfriend, Beauty and the Besharam, The Shaadi Set-Up and Small Town Hearts, an American Library Association’s 2020 Rainbow Books List selection. She writes about secrets and yearning, complicated and ambitious girls who know what they want, the places we call home and people we find our way back to, and the magic we make. Born in Mumbai, she grew up in Mississippi, Texas, and North Dakota, and now lives in an Indiana college town. Find her on Twitter @LillieLabyrinth and Instagram @labyrinthspine, or visit her website lillielabyrinth.com.
I hope you are enjoying your day and staying warm. Thanks for stopping in today.
The theme today on TTT or Top Ten Tuesday is top ten books on my winter 2023-2024 to-read list. I’m going to do my own thing with a theme of Wintery books I really want to get to. Hopefully next month I’ll be able to. Check out That Artsy Reader Girl for some other great posts this week.
SOME GREAT LOOKING WINTERY COVERS OF BOOKS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WINTER
I’m sharing 11 covers but who’s counting, right? Are any of these on your reading list ?
297 pages Bethany House publishers December 12,2023 publication date grab a copy here.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Haunted by the death of her sister, Finola Shanahan has resolved that she’s not worthy of a family of her own and commits to spending her days caring for immigrants in the slums. When Finola sabotages yet another unwanted relationship her parents arranged for her, her father calls upon the local Irish matchmaker, who pairs her with successful wagonmaker Riley Rafferty. Finola quickly realizes her usual tricks won’t work on him, however, as she cannot outsmart or outwit the dashing, determined, and daring man.
A candidate in the St. Louis mayoral election, Riley is confident a union with the wealthy Shanahan family will help solidify his chances of winning–and even more assured he and Finola can make a difference together. When a cholera outbreak begins to take St. Louis by storm, they must navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger testing all they know about love and sacrifice.
MY THOUGHTS
It’s great to see a historical fiction book based on immigrants from Ireland. Seeing the characters settling in St. Louis as opposed to New York is new and exciting to me.
The way the author describes the slum area is so realistic but tragic. To give everything to move to a new country, leaving behind family and friends, never to be seen again. They had such hope to see their family prosper but in many cases that never came about. The Irish were discriminated against and had such a hard time finding work. My ancestors came over from Galway and settled in Pennsylvania in the 1800’s.
There is a lot going on in this book which makes it interesting. A young woman, Finola Shanahan who blames herself for the death of her baby sister feels unworthy of marrying and having children. When she is almost trampled by horses, she is saved by wagonmaker Riley Rafferty.
When her parents realize that she is not interested in any of the matches they’ve made for her they enlist the help of a local Irish matchmaker. Now this is where the fun comes in as she’s paired with none other than Riley Rafferty, a man she already feels attracted to with her senses on high alert when he’s around.
Convinced she’s doing the right thing; she knows she must become a nun and not marry.
If only the sparks didn’t fly when the two are together.
Touching on a lot of important historical topics I found the book to be relevant and interesting. I love the sense of humor the author injects into her books making the characters fun and realistic.
I greatly look forward to reading more books in this series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
THE AUTHOR
Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.
Have any of you read this book or plan on it? What is your opinion on the spice level in the book? She has been increasing the spice level in her books in the past few years. Thoughts?
334 pages Joffe books October 19,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
A NAIL-BITING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER WITH ONE OF THE BIGGEST TWISTS YOU’LL READ THIS YEAR.
After choir practice for midnight mass, college sophomore Rose Grandon takes a short-cut through Harbor Park. Grabbed from behind, she is violently assaulted, beaten and left for dead.
The last thing she hears is someone singing Silent Night.
Several hours later, the police find Rose lying in a ditch. Badly beaten — but alive.
As she recovers in hospital, Rose is told she’s pregnant. She has a terrible choice to make. She decides to keep the baby.
Nine months later, she gives birth to a beautiful baby girl. She names her Mary.
Rose lives quietly in her small Connecticut hometown raising her daughter — the one good thing to come out of her horrible ordeal. She begins to get her old self back.
But her evil attacker has never been caught. He strikes twice a year. Once on Christmas Eve, once on Christmas Day.
And until he’s behind bars, Rose and her baby can never be safe.
But now he’s found out he has a daughter. And that changes everything . . .
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE, NAIL-BITING TENSION AND A SHATTERING FINAL TWIST.
MY THOUGHTS
I don’t read psychological thrillers all that often, some can be really hokey and not much of a plot. Not so with this one, it took my breath away.
A young boy, innocent, still barely holding onto his belief in Santa, is hoping Santa will bring him a few gifts this year because he knows his mother won’t. There’s never a tree or any trimmings to make the holidays special. Neglected and unwanted, he knows his mother would rather be sleeping off her drunken fits than even putting food on the table. He is filled with rage and knows what he must do, and he will when he gets older.
Rose is a shy, church going girl, excelling at college, she doesn’t have many friends. A Christmas eve service has her excited to be with a few friends from church as the youth groups plans that evening’s events. Living close to church in a small Connecticut town, she slips out early to wrap a few presents and plans to return for the Midnight Mass as she walks home in the dark that evening. Her route takes her past a dark and deserted park. Frantic, her parents call the police when she is hours late getting home.
An evening search finds her badly beaten and sexually assaulted; the hospital staff not sure if she’ll survive. After months of physical therapy, she’s physically able to recover in body but she will never be the same. Finding herself pregnant from the attack she decides at the last minute to keep the baby and lives with her parents who give their full support to her choices and help with her child.
Deciding to move to her own place when her child is a school age, she enrolls her child in a local school and meets the new teacher, her child’s new teacher, a male. Her daughter and this teacher form a special bond, she is a challenging student but likes her teacher and they just click. When the teacher needs to talk to Rose about her daughter Mary’s behavior, he also makes an impression on the mother.
This is the start of a special friendship that turns into a romance between Rose and David, the teacher. He was the nicest man, always so understanding of Mary, the daughter and they both fall for his charm and kindness. After the wedding they settle into his house.
Rose is kept updated on the Christmas Eve killer every year by the police. He only strikes on Christmas and twice on Christmas Eve. Very few of his victims survive as he strikes along the East Coast of the United States. Rose doesn’t feel safe because whoever did this to her is still out there. Tucked away in her house with her daughter and new husband she feels as safe as she can possibly be with the decorations up and the spirit of Christmas, she should have no worries, right?
A shocking, twist of a story that lulls you into feeling safe and then strikes when you least expect it. Excellent!
Pub Date 12 Oct 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An Amazon Charts/Best Selling Author, many of McGarvey Black’s novels are also available in audiobooks and have been translated into other languages. A new psych suspense novel is in the works for next year. Stay tuned.
TWICE ON CHRISTMAS
MY SISTER’S KILLER UK
WITHOUT HER CONSENT #6 on Amazon Kindle in the UK and landed on the Amazon Charts..
THE FIRST HUSBAND, also an international bestseller was re-released in 2023
TRUST ONLY ME
THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS
“I love writing twisty thrillers that keep readers guessing and hanging at the end of each chapter. Nothing makes me happier than when one of my readers tells me I kept them up all night.” —McGarvey Black
Other novels include:
A FAMILIAR STRANGER — a tale of redemption about what happens when you fly too close to the sun.
LOVE ON THE LINE (formerly titled The Fussy Virgin) is a romantic comedy about soulmates finding each other.
Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, McGarvey Black is married with two children and lives and writes in Florida. She loves dogs of any kind and eating ice cream with demitasse spoons to make it last longer.
If you enjoy her books, please leave a review, every single one helps so much. You can connect with her on Twitter: @mcgarveyblack, Instagram: mcgarveyblack1, Facebook: McGarvey Black
The festive season is fast approaching and the Little Duck Pond Café menu has been given a mouth-watering sprinkling of December magic. Jaz is hoping for the perfect festive season with little daughter Emma. But her feelings for next-door neighbour, Milo, are getting in the way. With his old love back on the scene, is she really prepared to risk her heart and make it the best Christmas ever?
MY THOUGHTS
A Winter Wonderland is part of the Little Duck Pond Cafe series. I am loving this series. This book is warm and welcoming, and I know I’d love to meet the characters and have tea with them.
One of the things I enjoy about this series is its inclusivity. The book doesn’t focus on one person or one couple but the community as a whole. There are multiple side stories to focus on. The author doesn’t make the secondary characters any less, they play just as important a role in the story as the main characters.
I also enjoy how realistic the books are, we see a homeless teen in the book who has run away because he believes his father disapproves of him. He’s new in town and moody. He has a lot of growth, and it was encouraging seeing how much he improved with all pulling for him.
There’s our main character Jaz who lives next door to Milo. Both are single parents, and their daughters are best friends. Jaz is open to a new relationship but there are ups and downs and a few things seem to be getting in the way on both of their sides.
The children really have the Christmas spirit which in turn spills over onto the adults. The plot is so much fun, I really enjoyed the catch up with all the characters and I am looking forward to more in this delightful and heartwarming series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Purchase Links
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. Look out for THE SUNSHINE SISTERS – a heart-warming and thoroughly enchanting trilogy of books in the Little Duck Pond Café series, out early in 2024!
432 pages Doubleday publisher December 5,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own.
Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.
Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.
MY THOUGHTS
It’s a beautiful thing, to go back in time with authors as they bring back to life important people from the past so we can hear their story. Taking place in Maine in the late 1700’s when the Kennebec River is frozen.
Martha Ballard is a married, lifelong midwife. She has ushered in hundreds of lives, not many of the women in this rural area have access to a doctor. Many of the women fall pregnant before a marriage takes place. Martha is privy to this information, and quite a lot of other personal information like who the father is but she keeps this information to herself. Margaret keeps a daily diary with personal information about her clients.
The judicial system, if you could even call it that is so different than today. Quite a bit of the book involves a rape trial of a woman accusing the town’s judge and another man. Where is the justice? It reminds me of Reba’s song, The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia. There’s a similarity there. There is also a spectacular murder trial.
As the author says this work of fiction is what could have happened in Martha Ballard’s life and not a biography. The book is inspired by real events. I like realistic books, and this is written like a biography. If I can learn something from the historical fiction, I read I am all for it, may it be a person, place or event I am here for it. This book has inspired me to start reading biographies again in the new year.
I do need to add some non-fiction back into my reading selections and this would be a great way to start. The book is compelling, and it leaves me to wonder how many other fascinating people from the past I have yet to meet through books to hear their story.
Pub Date 05 Dec 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ariel Lawhon is a critically acclaimed, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. She is the author of THE WIFE THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS, FLIGHT OF DREAMS, I WAS ANASTASIA and CODE NAME HELENE. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Library Reads, Indie Next, One Book One County, Amazon Spotlight, Costco, and Book of the Month Club selections. She lives in the rolling hills outside Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and four sons. She splits her time between the grocery store and the baseball field.
Have you read this book? Let me know your thoughts if you do. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping in.
440 pages December 5,2023 publication date Bethany House publishers
ABOUT THE BOOK
Royalty comes to Sidmouth, bringing unexpected danger and the sweet possibility of romance. . . .
When the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter–the future Queen Victoria–rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal family’s male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they’ve invited secrets and intrigue into their home.
Meanwhile, Emily Summers longs to become an author. A local publisher offers to consider her novel if she will first write a Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily agrees and begins researching the area with help from the Duke of Kent’s handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she’s long held dear and her budding dreams for the future.
Return to the Devonshire coast with the Summers sisters, where loyalties are tested, secrets come to light, and new love emerges.
MY THOUGHTS
A Winter by the Sea is the second book in the On Devonshire Shores series. Having read the first I eagerly looked forward to reading this one and was not disappointed.
I feel as though once again I’ve gone back in time with the Summers sisters. They have new neighbors for the winter season, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter–the future Queen Victoria–who rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage. I enjoyed getting to know the royalty and seeing how they interacted.
When the staff they bring with them doesn’t all fit in Woolbrook Cottage the male staff will be staying at the seaside house. The characters are so well presented and researched; I enjoyed getting to know them all.
So many different personalities, a few are quite the characters. There are not many authors that can write regency romance the way this author can. Each storyline is unique with characters and plots that hold my attention and makes me want to read more.
Romance and an intriguing storyline with realistic scenes will have you remembering this story long after you’re done.
I highly recommend this series and book.
Pub Date: 05 Dec 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit http://www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.
Thank you for reading my post today. Have a wonderful day and stay warm.
Italy, 1943. With tears in her eyes, Giulia listens out for the sound of bombers flying overhead and thinks of the baby growing inside of her. Through the fabric of her lace dress her fingers touch the cold bullets carefully sewn into the seams. Luca might never forgive her, but she has to do this…
New York, present day. When Tori Coleman discovers that her mother was adopted, her whole world shatters. Jeremy, her boyfriend, wants to get married, but how can Tori commit when she doesn’t know who she truly is? The only clue to the identity of her biological family is a mysterious postcard with a photograph of an ornate wedding dress her grandmother Giulia made, which she’s told was gifted to a museum on an Italian island…
Tori arrives on Parissi Island, surrounded by turquoise Mediterranean waters, with the sweet smell of orange blossom filling the air. She soon finds the museum and learns that Giulia was Jewish, and secretly lived there during World War Two. She thought her grandmother abandoned her mother, but was she forced to leave and give up her child?
Just as she’s getting closer to answers, an unexpected call from Jeremy stops Tori in her tracks. As he passionately urges her to find out the truth, suddenly Tori wishes he were in Italy by her side, ready to propose again.
But then Tori is shocked to find bullets sewn into the lining of one of Giulia’s dresses and a notebook claiming she did something terrible during World War Two. Will the secrets in her family help her follow her own heart, or send her home from Italy with it finally broken forever?
An enchanting, unforgettable novel about desperate decisions in the dark days of war and the uplifting power of true love. Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Soraya Lane and Victoria Hislop.
MY THOUGHTS
The author absolutely writes from the heart. Her books are so vividly described I could have easily been there watching the story play out.
This is a dual timeline and I enjoyed both time periods equally. I have read her contemporary fiction as well and enjoy it just as much. This is an author that is an automatic read for me, I just love her books.
When you read a book and you can feel the emotions the characters are feeling you care about them and want only the best. When secrets are revealed, they change a young woman’s life and help her to understand who she is as she discovers the importance of family.
Family relationships are so important. We really don’t know how long a person will be in our lives so have those family gatherings and make a lot of precious memories to carry you through.
I highly recommend this author’s books.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Author Bio:
Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. She is the author of five previous novels including The Lilac House, The Bluebell Girls, The Lily Garden, The Cranberry Inn, and The Last Dreamer. She has also written hundreds of articles and essays in major and regional publications about family, home and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her rescue pup, a mini-schnauzer named Albie. She is currently at work on Book 2 of her Sisters of War series, a follow-up to Secrets of the Italian Island.
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