#FirstLinesFriday: 5.15.2020

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“When Tess Dombegh was six and still irrepressible, she married her twin sister, Jeanne, in the courtyard of their childhood home.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Tess of the Road

By Rachel Hartman

Blurb:

Meet Tess, a brave new heroine from beloved epic fantasy author Rachel Hartman.

In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, stubbornly, is a troublemaker. You can’t make a scene at your sister’s wedding and break a relative’s nose with one punch (no matter how pompous he is) and not suffer the consequences. As her family plans to send her to a nunnery, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a journey across the Southlands, alone and pretending to be a boy.

Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it’s a stroke of luck. This friend is a quigutl—a subspecies of dragon—who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultuous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she’s tried to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one.

Returning to the fascinating world she created in the award-winning and New York Times bestselling Seraphina, Rachel Hartman introduces readers to a new character and a new quest, pushing the boundaries of genre once again in this wholly original fantasy.

Goodreads | Amazon

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I received an ARC from Goodreads a couple of years back and absolutely loved this book. I flew through the chapters, eager to see what awaited Tess. Click here to check out my full review. 

#FirstLinesFriday: 5.1.2020

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“Packs of teenagers, pumped for the official start of spring break, rushed past the black sedan parked across from the high school, unaware they were being watched from behind the car’s tinted windows.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Agents of Chaos (The X-Files: Origins)

By Kami Garcia

Blurb:

How did Fox Mulder become a believer? How did Dana Scully become a skeptic? The X-Files Origins has the answers.

The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos explores the teen years of Fox Mulder, the beloved character depicted in the cult-favorite TV show The X-Files. His story is set in the spring of 1979, when serial murder, the occult, and government conspiracy were highlighted in the news.

The book will follow Mulder as he experiences life-changing events that set him on the path to becoming an FBI agent.

Goodreads | Amazon

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I am a huge fan of The X-Files. I started watching the show about a year ago and was hooked right off the bat, so when I saw this book on Book Outlet during Black Friday I just knew I had to get it. Once I finish my "forgotten" TBR pile it is next on my list, along with several other new Black Friday purchases. :)

#FirstLinesFriday: 4.24.2020

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“After three days of tramping across endless lava fields, Ronan quickened his steps at the sight of the forest.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Sea of Shadows
By Kelley Armstrong

Blurb:

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

Goodreads | Amazon

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My sister has been telling my to read this book for a while now and I have always put it aside for something different, but after re-read the premise I do believe this book is getting moved to the top of my TBR pile. Right after I finish my "Forgotten TBR pile." LOL!

#FirstLinesFriday: 4.17.2020

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“Right now, I am packing to fly to Los Angeles tomorrow, which is crazy. I’ll tell you why.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Bare Bones: I'm Not Lonely if You're Reading this Book

By Bobby Bones

Bare Bones has been sitting on my shelf for a while now, it's one of those biographies I mentioned Wednesday. 

I listen to Bobby Bones almost every morning on my way to work and I am not one for morning radio shows, when I am driving into work I often prefer listen to music, but Bobby Bones is the one and only radio show I will listen to. I enjoy the comradery among the cast and who open they are about their lives. So when Bobby Bones mentioned he was releasing a biography I was excited and couldn't wait to read it, however over time it has slowly been pushed to the bottom of my TBR. Hopefully now I can actually crack open the cover!

#FirstLinesFriday: 4.10.20

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“Once upon a time, a girl was born.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Futhermore

By Tahereh Mafi

 

Blurb:

Alice Alexis Queensmeadow 12 rates three things most important: Mother, who wouldn’t miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. Father disappeared from Ferenwood with only a ruler, almost three years ago. But she will have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. Her only companion is Oliver whose own magic is based in lies and deceit. Alice must first find herself—and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss.

Goodreads | Amazon

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I put off purchasing Furthermore for quite some time before finally caving on Black Friday when Book Outlet had a massive sale. Previously, I wasn't sure this was something I would enjoy however as time past and more people reviewed it, the more interested I became. So I figured "why not" it's on sale and I can purchase book two as well. Now it is patiently waiting in my TBR pile awaiting to be read. 

But first I must finish my Forgotten TBR pile. :)

#FirstLinesFriday: 4.3.20

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“She’s so lovely, so fragile. Those haunted eyes. Those rosebud lips…they’ll scream so prettily.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Poison Princess

By Kresley Cole

Blurb:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Arcana Chronicles, post-apocalyptic tales filled with riveting action, the dark mysticism of Tarot cards, and breathtaking romance.

She could save the world--or destroy it.
Sixteen year old Evangeline"Evie" Greene leads a charmed life--until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, killing everyone she loves, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future--and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can't do either alone.
With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally trust Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?
As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side...

In Poison Princess, New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces a dark and intriguing world, full of unspeakable danger and irresistible romance.

Goodreads | Amazon

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Another series I absolutely loved!! Granted I have yet to finish the series but the first three books were amazing!! 

#FirstLinesFridays: 3.27.20

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“The moment the door opened I knew an ass-kicking was inevitable. Whether I’d be giving it or receiving it was still a bit of a mystery.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Stray

By Rachel Vincent

                                                    

Blurb:

There are only eight breeding female werecats left...

And I'm one of them.

I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.

Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

I'd been warned about Strays — werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back... for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever — and whoever — I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays — 'cause I got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them... 

Goodreads | Amazon

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I love everything about this series: the story, characters, writing...absolutely everything. This series had me on the edge of my sit from beginning to end. :)

Read this years ago and it is still one of my favorites!

#FirstLinesFriday: 3.20.20

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“I was almost sixteen the first time my grandmother died.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Amber House

By: Kelly Moore, Tucker Reed & Larkin Reed

                                                   

Blurb:

Sarah Parsons has never seen Amber House, the grand Maryland estate that's been in her family for three centuries. She's never walked its hedge maze nor found its secret chambers; she's never glimpsed the shades that haunt it, nor hunted for lost diamonds in its walls.

But all of that is about to change. After her grandmother passes away, Sarah and her friend Jackson decide to search for the diamonds--and the house comes alive. She discovers that she can see visions of the house's past, like the eighteenth-century sea captain who hid the jewels, or the glamorous great-grandmother driven mad by grief. She grows closer to both Jackson and a young man named Richard Hathaway, whose family histories are each deeply entwined with her own. But when the visions start to threaten the person she holds most dear, Sarah must do everything she can to get to the bottom of the house's secrets, and stop the course of history before it is cemented forever.

Goodreads | Amazon

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This book turn out to be one of my favorite reads from last year. I had no idea going in that I was going to find myself so invested in the characters and story. Click here to read my review.