It’s time for another FIRST LINE FRIDAY + REVIEW of Becky Wade‘s latest book, Falling For You.

Friends, this is such a sweet romance! You gotta check it out! Keep reading to see what her intriguing first lines are below…

Here’s my REVIEW:

This book, in true “Becky Wade” style, delivers a heartfelt story of grace and love that never dies. Willow and Corbin (Love their names!) are a dynamite couple. Their past is very complicated. At the beginning, their fears are keeping them from living life abundantly. The truths they learn along the way are a great reminder for all of us.

Romantic hearts will rejoice reading this. Our hero pursues his lady relentlessly and seems to charm everyone but her at the start. The conversations between them are full of entertaining banter and tension as the two come to realize they still have feelings for each other after all these years. There’s also a nice little dose of mystery to keep you turning the page.

There are some mature subjects discussed, involving some of the characters’ past regrets, but the story is told with a delicate grace. Nobody is perfect and these two characters – gorgeous and talented as they are – still have a lot to learn about God. Their spiritual walk really deepens as the story develops. Their journey is both believable and inspiring.

It’s the second installment in the series, but you can still read it by itself and enjoy it. There are small hints and underlying stories from the other sisters, but they only add to the story. If you haven’t read the first book, it will definitely leave you wanting more. A fun summer read!

I received a copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Famously beautiful model Willow Bradford is taking a temporary break from her hectic schedule to work as the innkeeper at her family’s small-town bed-and-breakfast. She was enjoying the peace of her hometown, Merryweather, Washington, right up until she came face-to-face with Corbin Stewart, the man she loves to hate. A thoughtful rule-follower by nature, Willow threw caution to the wind four years ago when she entrusted her heart to Corbin — then suffered the consequences when it all fell apart.

Former NFL quarterback Corbin is forceful, charming, and accustomed to getting what he wants . . . except where Willow Bradford is concerned. Unable to forget her, he’s never stopped regretting what happened between them.

When a decades-old missing persons case brings Corbin and Willow together, they’re forced to confront their past and who they’ve become — and whether they can risk falling for one another all over again.

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And the first lines are:

“I discovered a secret.”

Corbin Stewart looked sharply at twelve-year-old Charlotte Dixon. “What kind of a secret?”

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Find “Falling For You” on

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / CBD

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Happy Friday, friends. What are you reading this week? I just had to hop on and share the first line of my latest book.

I recently received an early copy of “A Perfect Weakness” from author friend, Jennifer A. Davids. I’m in the middle of reading it right now and I’m LOVING it! The setting, the time period, the drama, everything!

Ready for the first line? 🙂

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And the first line is:

Hampshire, England, July 1868

“Penelope Howard stood before a mound of earth in the church graveyard.”

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Available for PRE-ORDER here:

Amazon

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Have a great weekend, my friends!!

Today I’m back with a FIRST LINE FRIDAY + REVIEW of Sharee Stover‘s debut, Secret Past. Keep reading to see what her intriguing first line is below…

Here’s my REVIEW:

I haven’t read a lot of suspense books, but I’m so glad I picked this one up. Secret Past hooked me from the first page and kept me guessing to the very end. I instantly sympathized for our heroine, whose life is flipped upside down in a heartbeat. Katie is a fighter and her strength only grows throughout her journey to safety. You’ll find yourself cheering her on just as I did.

And what’s not to love about Daniel? He’s her protector. He’s strong, smart, understanding, kind. I tell you, he’ll capture your heart too.

There is plenty of action and high-risk danger to keep the pace flying. Many scenes, especially the hiking scene (you’ll have to read it to know what I mean), had me flipping the pages as fast as I could read them. Twists and intriguing characters rounded out the suspense nicely.

Katie and Daniel’s relationship unfolded very naturally. It’s definitely complicated, but all the loose threads are tied up nicely in the end. Secret Past was an easy-to-read and easy-to-love book. I hope you’ll check it out! I look forward to more stories by this debut author.

I received a copy from the author. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Her life is a lie

She’s not who she thinks she is

With gunmen at her doorstep, Katie Tribani learns her true identity. She’s been in witness protection since childhood, and now her crime-lord father has found her. As bullets fly, US marshal Daniel Knight whisks her to safety—but not for long. Captured and held prisoner, only Katie can unearth her secret past…if she can survive long enough.

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And the first line is:

“Uncle Nick is going to kill me.”

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Find “Secret Past” on

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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If you missed my interview earlier this week with Sharee Stover, you can still catch it here. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! 😉

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Sorry it’s been a few weeks since my last “First Line Friday”. I’ve been busy writing and reading a LOT! 🙂 I recently finished a great non-fiction book called The Eden Concept. Keep reading for the First Line AND my review. 🙂

Here’s my REVIEW:

The Eden Concept is an easy-to-read, uplifting book for men and women alike, whether they’re married or not. The authors’ focus on Biblical marriage and heart for Christian couples is inspiring from the first to last page. Readers will leave encouraged and counseled to follow after God in all their relationships.

Each chapter is filled with lots of Scripture, simple suggestions, and experiences to learn by. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been married one year or twenty, whether you’re new parents, single or divorced, you’ll find encouragement and applicable wisdom. It even touches on how to love your spouse if they’re an unbeliever.

In our lost and hurting society, it’s refreshing to read a book that uplifts God’s view and purpose of marriage. I appreciated the honesty and the commitment. The message of glorifying God through our lives and relationships is one worth revisiting again and again.

The Eden Concept is a great reminder to take a closer look at our marriages and invest our whole hearts in strengthening our bond with our spouse. It would also make a great gift for newlyweds. I read through it quickly, but will be carrying its truth with me for a long time.

I received a free copy from the author. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Are you married? Do you wish to be? Do you have a good marriage, but desire for a better one? Are you struggling in your marriage and have questions? There is One with all the answers. The Eden Concept dismisses mankind’s view of marriage and sees it as God, the Absolute Authority, designed it. In this book, we throw out man’s happiness and self-gratification as the standard and instead elevate God’s Word as the design for a thriving and fulfilling marriage. It doesn’t matter if you’re a newlywed or have been married for 50 years, God wants to do a work in your life and for His glory. So, journey with us as we reveal God’s plan. We start with Adam and Eve and witness the devastation that sin brought to Eden. We present God’s perfect design for Eden and show you how to re-establish it in your own marriage. We address three areas in marriage that need cultivation. We examine the ruin caused by the thorns and thistles in Eden and learn how to uproot them. Then we touch on raising children, those tender plants of Eden. Finally, we give you a glimpse into the future, perfect marriage between Christ and His Bride and reveal how your marriage can be a witness of this perfection. Get ready, once you understand marriage God’s way, there is no turning back.

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And the first lines are:

“Darkness shrouded the surface of the deep, and the earth hung formless and empty. Then the Creator of heaven and earth spoke.”

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Find “The Eden Concept” on

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

It’s been a few weeks since I shared a “First Line Friday” and thought today would be perfect with my review of Regina Jenning‘s latest novel, Holding the Fort. I love her books and this newest one is going on my keeper shelf too.

Here’s my REVIEW:

Everyone has those authors they trust to deliver a great story every time. Regina Jennings is one of those for me. I’m always entertained. I’m always hooked. This latest novel – Holding the Fort – was an absolute delight to read. It was charming, unique, and witty, as Regina’s books always are.

I loved Louisa. The difficulties of her past made her shine as a tried-and-true heroine. She feels her imperfections deeply, but her heart is kind and she’s braver than she thinks. I admired her grit and determination to be a better person. Watching her relationship with the Major and his girls unfold was adorable and endearing.

And Major Daniel Adams was a great leading man, who steps onto the page with flare and feeling. He’s honest and smart, good at his job and a loving father. His feelings for Louisa melted my heart. Despite their obvious differences, they really do compliment each other perfectly.

If you enjoy historical romance, this is one I highly recommend. It’s not weighted down with too many historical facts and yet it still pulls you right into the era with grace and realistic descriptions. I can’t wait to read the rest of this new series!

I received a free copy from the  publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

With Miss Bell as the Teacher, Everyone’s Bound to Learn an Interesting Lesson

Dance hall singer Louisa Bell has always lived one step from destitution. When she loses her job at the Cat-Eye Saloon, she has nowhere else to go but to her brother, a cavalry soldier stationed in Indian Territory. But he’s run afoul of his commanding officer. Unsure what she can do to help him and desperate for a job, she doesn’t protest when she’s mistaken for a governess at the fort. How hard can teaching really be?

Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno, especially raising two adolescent daughters alone. If this new governess doesn’t work out, his mother-in-law insists she’ll raise the girls herself–far away from the fort. Miss Bell bears little resemblance to Daniel’s notion of a governess–they’re not supposed to be so blamed pretty–but he finds himself turning a blind eye to her unconventional methods. Louisa has never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough to help her brother and to secure the respectable future she’s sought for so long?

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And the first line is:

“The fumes of the gaslights at the foot of the stage protected Louisa Bell from the more noxious odors of her audience.”

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Find “Holding the Fort” on

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ChristianBook

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Happy Friday, friends. What are you reading this week? It’s time to share our first lines!

Today I’m drawing a book off my bookshelf that I’ve had for awhile now. I love Deeanne Gist’s books and was excited to find this on sale for $2.00! What a bargain! 🙂 I’m in the middle of reading it right now.

Ready for the first line? 🙂

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And the first line is:

Biltmore Estate

Near Asheville, North Carolina

August 1898

“Like a butterfly breaking free from its confining cocoon, Tillie Reese emerged from the barren, tan-colored servants’ hall into the opulence of Biltmore’s main level.”

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Find “Maid to Match” on

Amazon

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Have a great weekend, my friends!!

Today my “First Line Friday” is extra fun! I’m also sharing my review for “Charming the Troublemaker” AND there’s a GIVEAWAY!! Thanks to Pepper, one of you lucky readers will win a free ebook copy of her new release. You’re going to LOVE it! 🙂

Here’s my REVIEW:

Once again, Pepper Basham had me laughing and tearing up with another adorable story in the Mitchell’s Crossroads series. I was delighted to be back in the Blue Ridge Mountains with the Mitchell family to watch Rainey’s story unfold. Only, it’s so much more than that. I fell in love with the whole cast of characters and wished for each of them a “Happily-Ever-After”.

Rainey’s a mom on a mission, ambitious and strong. The handsome, new doctor in town quickly flips her world upside down. Awww, Alex. 😉 They’re both searching for happiness, purpose, and healing. Rainey is struggling to forgive her ex and afraid to open her heart to someone new. Alex carries his own baggage from the past, including a tense relationship with his father and shame over previous mistakes. They both long for a new beginning and “Charming the Troublemaker” is all about second chances. What’s not to love about that, right? 🙂

If you’re new to this author’s work, you’ll undoubtedly be entertained by her witty dialogue, charming characters, and rich settings. There’s always a beautiful Spiritual message woven delicately throughout. And the romance will leave you blushing! 🙂 I can’t wait to read her next book!

I received a free copy from the author. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Dr. Alex Murdock is demoted to a university in rural Virginia, the last thing he expects to find is a future. But country charm never looked as good as it did on Rainey Mitchell.

Rainey Mitchell does not need a high-class flirt in her wounded world, but trouble and temptation wafts off the new professor as strong as his sandalwood-scented cologne. When circumstances thrust them together to save her tutoring clinic, can the troublemaker find the hero inside and encourage the reticent Rainey to open her heart again?

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And the first line is:

“Loser ex-husbands and freezing January afternoons left a nasty chill.”

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Find “Charming the Troublemaker” on

Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Happy Friday, friends. What are you reading this week? It’s time to share our first lines!

I got this book for my Mom for her birthday. We both love Beth Moore’s studies and were excited to see she’d written a novel. After she read it, she passed it along for me to read. Can’t wait to start it soon!

Ready for the first line? 🙂

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And the first lines are:

Prologue

Christmas Eve 1921

“Reverend R. J. Brashear dipped the bread into the wine.
He lifted his chin and stared at the stained-glass image of Jesus, the rocking boat, and the daring disciple”.

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Find “The Undoing of Saint Silvanus” on

Barnes & Noble

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Happy Friday, my friends!!

Happy Friday, friends. What are you reading this week? It’s time to share our first lines!

I was so excited to see this book below go on sale this week. After reading the first book in the Unblemished Trilogy, I HAD to know what happened next. This isn’t my typical genre to read, but I’m so glad that I stepped out of my familiar favorites and gave it a try.

*NOTE: Unraveling isn’t really a stand-alone novel, though. You’ll definitely want to start with Unblemished first, but they’re both amazing!

Ready for the first line? 🙂

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And the first line is:

“I’m not ready for this.”

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Find “Unraveling” on

Amazon

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Happy Friday, my friends!!

It’s time for “First Line Fridays” again. 🙂 Last night, I just finished the book I’m about to share with you and I’m still thinking about it this morning. Love those books that stay with you.

*Don’t forget… you can join in on the weekly fun by grabbing the book nearest to you and leaving a comment with the first line. I can’t wait to hear what you’re reading!

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The book I’m excited to feature today is The Story of With by Allen Arnold. I sat in his class at the recent ACFW and was so encouraged by what he had to share. When he blessed me by giving me a free copy of his book (signed, of course!) I knew I had to read it immediately. What a beautiful message it offers to readers. It’s unique, thought-provoking, and a treasure to keep.

And the first lines are:

“Most of us are stuck in a story of without. We go about our tasks and get through the day without much hope, without our dreams realized, without deep friendships, and without experiencing the presence of God.”

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Find “The Story of With” on

Amazon

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Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Happy Friday, my friends!!