Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Five-Line Friday-First Lines!
Where authors and readers meet to share and read romance novel snippets!
Five-Line Friday RULES
- Five lines of your current work in progress, new release, soon-to-be-released … whatever. (Do keep it as close to five sentences as you can.)
- You are welcome to post buy links too.
- PG (I don’t have a warning on my blog about content, so it has to be appropriate for all I will delete comments that aren’t appropriate or offensive to some audiences. (Sorry.)
Today, let’s share the opening five lines of our romances!
Mine’s from Her Scandalous Wish (A Waltz with a Rogue Novella)
Part of Once Upon a True Love’s Kiss available for preorder HERE:
Coming January 4, 2016
One, two, three, four … No, I think there are actually five.
Yawning behind her partially open fan, Philomena peeked through the leaves of the enormous cage-shaped potted ficus and counted the wiry hairs sprouting from Lady Clutterbuck’s chin. The chinwag and her cronies gossiped a short distance away, their unending litany contributing to the onset of Philomena’s nagging headache.
She relaxed a fraction. No sign of Mr. Wrightly, a repugnant would-be suiter, and the reason she’d dove behind the plant when she spied him looking for her earlier.
Coming February 2016
I never thought the indiscretions of my youth would return to bite me in the butt by walking through the door of the Susie Buddha Café in Syracuse’s trendy Armory Square district, but they did. Or rather, one did. Winslow Winthrop Winston the Whatever, commonly known as Win.
I don’t know if I lost my ability to breathe because I was terrified he’d recognize and expose me or because he was just so darned good-looking. Probably the result of both. Win had always had a paralyzing effect on me.
SUMMER FLING http://www.loose-id.com/summer-fling.html
Hi Collette! Here is the first five lines of A Highlander’s Accidental Marriage (11/30 release):
Braeden McKinnon glanced up at the sky at the light drizzle and menacing clouds gathering. “I hope we make it to the inn before the skies open up.” His voice carried in the wind to Monty Blackwood riding beside him, both of their horses covered with sweat from the hard ride.
“Ach, it won’t be the first time we’ve gotten soaked.”
“Nay. And not the last,” Braeden said. They continued on for several minutes, the wind whipping around them preventing any type of conversation.
http://calliehutton.com/the-highlanders-accidental-marriage-marriage-mart-mayhem-book-6/
And now I want to know why they are riding around in a storm!
What a great opening, MJ!
Thanks so much for the opportunity, Collette!! I loved your snippet. Here is mine from Miss Featherton’s Christmas Prince.
Miss Margaret Elizabeth Lucinda Featherton, second daughter of Viscount Featherton, glanced down at the missive in her lap. The letters were rounded, much like a child’s would be, but the spelling and grammar were correct.
Dear Miss Featherton,
I pray this letter arrives in time to save you from making a horrible mistake. Lord Tarlington is not what you think him. I do not expect you to take my word for it.
Buy links: Amazon http://amzn.to/1FbRDE1
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/1ZQy5BF
Apple http://apple.co/1LFhzg2
B&N http://bit.ly/1KWU6nE
Google http://bit.ly/1EsPLvs
Kobo http://bit.ly/1FbSi8l
This is on my Kindle, Ella!
I hope you love it!!
Now THAT’S an opening!
Thanks, Collette! Here are the first few lines from The Rake’s Irish Lady.
“My dear, sweet darling,” said the man Bridget O’Shaughnessy Black had once loved. “You leave me no choice.”
*At last,* thought Bridget, daring to hope he finally understood the word *no.* “That’s correct. You have no choice but to leave.”
Martin Fallow went down on one knee with a sigh, his gaze on the worn Axminster carpet as if in contemplation or perhaps even prayer. Judging by the last two weeks, it was actually the prelude to more blather.
http://www.amazon.com/Rakes-Irish-Lady-Scandalous-Kisses-ebook/dp/B018GK893U/
Such a fabulous read, Barbara!
What a fun idea, Collette! Thank you so much. Here are the first five lines of WINTER FIRE: A Return to Kintail romance…
“I dinnae believe my eyes!” Duncan MacKenzie, the Black Stag of Kintail, leapt from his bed, his much-deserved sleep forgotten as he stared at the little red fox drinking from the water bowl in a corner of his laird’s chamber.
A carefully chosen spot near the hearth, meant to offer warmth and comfort to any castle dog who deigned to visit the chiefly room. The good folk of Clan MacKenzie were dog lovers, especially their proud chieftain.
Even so, his affection for animals didn’t extend to foxes in his privy quarters.
He especially didn’t care for this one.
“Thon beastie is Somerled!” He swung round to glare at his lady wife, Linnet, already up and dressed. “He’s Devorgilla’s witchy helpmate.”
FREE with KU or .99: http://amzn.to/1kO5EDL
Ah, a Scottish brogue. Love it. Foes in his privy. Too funny.
Thank you, Collette for this chance. Here is the first five lines from my new release “Chasing the Painted SKies”
Raven Koynes could not believe it. Despite the weather forecaster’s continual assurances to the contrary, the storm was continuing to grow. Looking out past the lace curtain, she seriously wondered how much worse it was going to get.
“So much for that mild wind from the west.”
And there was ‘him’, about to arrive…
http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Painted-Skies-Ryan-Summers-ebook/dp/B0189B2PB8/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449242150&sr=1-3&keywords=ryan+jo+summers
Love this! I’m traveling today and can’t get to my manuscript to play but I’m enjoying all these.
I love this feature. I’ll never be able to read all the books I come across here weekly.
Collette, I have one more to share, the first lines from my contribution to Soul Mate Publishing’s Christmas Anthology,, Sizzle in the Snow. My short, steamy story is called Tamed by Christmas.
“It’s no use,” Emmy said, her tone dismayed. “He’s just untamed.”
Paige planted her hands on her hips and regarded both Emmy and young Bobby, who wailed and flung his arms in crazy circles. There is was again. She cringed at the word. “I disagree with you. Bobby is autistic, not untamed.” She’d had plenty of experience with untamed individuals before she fled to Gilcrest Village, nestled deep in the rugged corner of North Carolina and far from the refinement of Bristol Beach.
http://www.amazon.com/Sizzle-Snow-Soul-Christmas-Collection-ebook/dp/B0186SCT74/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449242553&sr=8-1&keywords=sizzle+in+the+snow
This anthology sounds wonderful!!!
Sizzle In The Snow was released on December 2nd, A Christmas Anthology with eight steamy little stories to help keep you warm this winter. My short story is Christmas Eve Surprise.
Pregnant.
The word rattled around in Steve’s brain, making him crazy. Jaw clenched tight, he concentrated on his driving, careful of the snow accumulation on the roads from the storm that’d just dumped six inches on them. Trying not to think about Amy being alone and pregnant, and working on Christmas Eve.
Knowing he was to blame. For everything.
http://tinyurl.com/SizzleInTheSnow
This sounds great, Cheryl!
Love this blog series and the insights into the new stories. Here are the first five lines of our novella, “Kissing Santa” in the “Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection.”
Kissing Santa
Anna Noel studied the trim backside of the Santa standing in front of her. He appeared younger than most of the Santas at the Santa Claus conference she’d chosen to attend this year. A lot more attractive than any Santa she’d ever met. For the briefest of moments she let her mind wander, lingering on Christmas wish number nine—make love to Santa.
Buy on Amazon:
Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection http://amzn.com/B0186SCT74
I’m chuckling. That’s quite a Christmas list.
Thanks, Collette! Your “wiry chin hairs sprouting” made me smile. I’m posting from Love Notes today because it fits the season. (It starts as fall is turning to winter and ends on Christmas Eve.)
The wave hit the boat hard on the port and disappeared into a frothing swirl of white. Tommy Love tightened his life vest and squinted at the pastel-colored cabins scattered along the beach and in the forest off the starboard side. “That’s the place?” he yelled over the wind.
“Yep. Rainbow Lake Lodge,” Billy yelled back as the motor strained to beat off the whitecaps slapping at the bow.
Tommy had been dreaming of building a house in a spot like this since he was a kid stuck in a trailer house on the edge of Miller’s Swamp. Now, it was finally going to happen. He shielded his eyes against the sunshine, but all he could see was a part of the roof – not that it mattered. Billy had assured him the old lodge was nothing a bulldozer wouldn’t take care of in quick order.
http://amzn.com/1938101197
Wonderful!
Finally chiming in with my 5 lines, also from the SMP Christmas anthology Sizzle in the Snow.
‘Twas the Crazy Night Before Christmas by Crystal Firsdon (www.crystalfirsdon.com)
Clara lay flat on her back, dead silent. A rock dug into her shoulder and she fought the urge to wiggle out of the way. The dirt beneath her was dry and chilly while a small pool of sweat puddled between her breasts. The stranger she’d met only a half hour earlier lay directly on top of her, propped up on his elbows on either side of her head, covering her body head to toe in a protective shield. Her hands were pinned between their chests. No matter how hard she tried to still them, they trembled.
Buy now on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1QPcF3L
Oh, I want more!
Great first lines here! Here are the first five from A PERFECTLY UNREGIMENTED CHRISTMAS from CHRISTMAS REVELS II.
A potato.
Knocked from his horse, Ben Miserington lay sprawled on the snow-covered drive leading to Pennyworth Hall. He fingered the growing lump on the back of his head and fought not to laugh.
If you want me dead, God, you will have to put a bit more effort into it than that.
Of all the weapons wielded against him since he’d been tossed into the navy at the age of ten and cashed out to join the cavalry at fifteen, a potato masquerading as a snowball at least held the virtue of being unique. Between French sabers and guns on the Peninsula, a well-swung shovel followed by a razor to the throat in the streets of San Sebastian, and an attempted incineration in London, Ben scarcely credited his continued existence at all.
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Revels-II-Regency-Novellas-ebook/dp/B016CV9G6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444879593&sr=8-1&keywords=christmas+revels+II
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-revels-ii-hannah-meredith/1122771468?ean=2940152400946
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/christmas-revels-ii-four-regency/id1047951334?mt=11
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/christmas-revels-ii-four-regency-novellas
OMG. I can’t stop laughing.
Thanks, Collette. This is the beginning of my Christmas release, Two Rings for Christmas, a historical set in Donegal, Ireland. On Amazon now in print; ebook due to be published there Dec 6
October, 1817
His name was Fergus Carney, and he came from Clonmany in Donegal, the beautiful, windswept land on the northwest edge of Ireland. Standing on the deck of a stout ship he was, sailing out of Boston harbor on a good wind that filled the sails and sent the ship skimming eastward over the dark blue waters of the Atlantic. It was a good start. Praise God may the voyage continue to be, for ‘twas the end of October already, and he’d promised himself he’d be back in Clonma for Christmas.
A promise the keeping of which lay not in his own hands.
So many wonderful Christmas stories!!
Thanks Collette!! From my Rome book, Love & Vengeance (Book I of The Gladiator series):
Rome 108 CE
A menacing growl followed by an earth-shattering scream bellowed above the rafters. The roar of the crowd snapped her back out of the numbness. The applause echoed through the chambers as particles of sand rained through the wood slats in the ceiling.
She was filthy, covered in sweat, blood and grime. What damage could more dirt do?
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Y4BzhU (paperback)
http://amzn.to/1PCtGgP (Kindle)
iBooks: http://apple.co/1SKrVhA
Kobo: http://bit.ly/20NEm1f
Nook: http://bit.ly/1Snvyt0
I love your gladiator stories, Gina!
Thanks, Collette. Here is my 5 lines from For The Love Of A Gypsy.
“Declan Forrester, you are under arrest for treason.”
Treason?
Declan shot his gaze between the officers and his father. He feinted right, then left, twisting out of their reach.
The magistrate continued to read a list of laws Declan had supposedly broken.
Crimes against the crown–Sedition–Threat on the King’s life?
He was innocent.
For The Love Of A Gypsy – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VG98NWQ
http://www.madelynhill.com
Now that grabbed my attention!
Thank you, Collette: Here are my five lines from “Operation Santa” from the Soul Mate Publishing’s Christmas Anthology, “Sizzle in the Snow.”
Marci Hofer wasn’t sure when her twenty-five-year marriage to David had gone south, but south it went. And since they lived in Florida, that was saying something. The penguins in Antarctica were probably using their license for nesting material.
http://amzn.com/B0186SCT74
I’m grinning. Love it.
Excerpt from The One (The Only One) #1
Adelia woke with a start, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Out of breath and disoriented, she checked the clock, which read two, as she sought confirmation that she was really awake. The recurring nightmare was always the same. She was pursued and running, sometimes with Detective Weiss, sometimes alone. What was never clear was the face of who was chasing her or why the person was chasing her.
The suspense is killing me! Well done.
I for got to put my Amazon and social media:
Writing as Belle Ami
The One (The Only One) #1
The One & More (The Only One) #2
Coming 2016 – One More Time is Not Enough (The Only One) #3
Amazon: http://bookshow.me/TheOne
Amazon: http://bookshow.me/TheOneAndMore
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belle.ami.96?fref=ts
Twitter: @BelleAmi5
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/belleami96/
Website: http://belleami.us
Thanks Collette! This is from Fate Stepped In ~ Fairfield Corners Book 3 to be released in 2016:
Oblivious to the pounding on the door, Robbie rubbed the sandpaper over the wood, enjoying the rhythm of the song and the satiny smoothness of the wood under his hands. Creating the handmade memory boxes out of blocks of wood soothed his soul better than the oblivion he had tried to find at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. The music blasting through his workshop and its open windows was his way of shutting out the world that no longer had her in it. This box was special; it was for his soon-to-be niece or nephew and he still needed to find the right design for the lid. His sister Ragan had cried when he gave her the one for Skylar with the guitar and music notes carved into the lid.
Goodreads: http://smarturl.it/FateSteppedInGR
Wow, this is a very moving passage.
Thanks, Colette, for the opportunity.
Below are the first lines of Chapter One in my work-in-progress, Her Red Riding Hood Valentine (Snow Globe Magic Book 3). Book 1, Her Snow White Christmas is now available; Book 2, Her Frog Prince Holiday is available in Season of Surprises Holiday Box Set.
“That’s the woman I’m going to marry.”
Carlyn stopped in the middle of smoothing her bridesmaid’s gown over her hips and jerked her attention toward the deep masculine voice a few feet away. Her gaze collided with deep brown eyes that glittered with amusement. The owner of the eyes smiled at her and winked.
Arrogant jerk.
Amazon link for Her Snow White Christmas (Snow Globe Magic Book 1):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R77L2GU/?tag=carmaraut-20
Amazon link for Season of Surprises Holiday Box Set (which includes Her Frog Prince Holiday (Snow Globe Magic Book 2)):
http://www.amazon.com/Season-Surprises-Merry-Holly-ebook/dp/B014LZJRVM/?tag=carmaraut-20
That title is great!! So is the snippet. Thanks for sharing!
This is from my upcoming release (12/7!), What the Marquess Sees…
Clifford Ross, 7th Marquess of Dansbury was altered…forever changed. He had known nothing before that precise instant, nothing before he saw her. But then he did, and he was captivated. His world righted itself…he hadn’t even known it was askew. And in that moment, his life split into two distinct halves: Before her and After.
Buy links can be found here: http://amyquinton.net/published-works/what-the-marquess-sees/
Thanks Collette!
This is beautiful.
I swear, this book is a romance! Though judging by the five opening lines, you’d never know it. Here’s my snippet from Remedy Maker (Book One of The Centaurs) Thanks for sharing the five-line love! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Screams of the terrified echoed through the corridors of Rhycious’s mind. Shouts from warriors and cries of agony ebbed away. The pounding of his heart decreased.
He gripped the roughly hewn table with both hands, forcing himself to concentrate on the picturesque view of the Boronda Forest beyond his kitchen window, as it faded in favor of the horrific scene.
Bloody soldiers lay scattered in his reminiscence like the deadfall they were.
Buy Links:
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1PlHSsO
Amazon.ca: http://amzn.to/1J5861F
Amazon.fr: http://amzn.to/1EnY0DK
Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/1MoFy5Z
Amazon.co.jp: http://amzn.to/1J0ajqM
Amazon.de: http://amzn.to/1TscNJJ
Amazon.com.au: http://bit.ly/1V3rX3B
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1iqhwL3
Kobo: http://bit.ly/20epJDZ
It’s a gripping beginning!
Also from the just-released SIZZLE IN THE SNOW Christmas anthology, here’s the beginning of my novelette, SANTA BABY:
December 23
“Push. Push.” The stout nurse glanced at the monitor and back to the patient.
“I am pushing.” Brooke’s face twisted in pain. She squinted at her feet in the cold stirrups, rethinking the alternating red and green toenail polish for Christmas. It seemed like a good idea when everyone at the salon was getting holiday pedicures. Brooke threw her head against the gurney, squeezed her eyelids together, and pushed again.
I LOVE this!!!
Excerpt from Scarred Protector. Book Two in The Midworlder series. Angels and demons are not what you think in these books.
“There is a way I can stop him from touching or hurting you.” Heath rubbed his temple as he considered what he was contemplating.
“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like this?”
“A friend of mine stopped a woman from being taken by Demonics. They did it by bonding with each other.”
“Bonding? You’re not expecting me to have sex with you when we have people about to break down the door? I’ve had a few one night stands, but I can’t say almost being killed has ever worked as foreplay for me.”
Amazon Link http://tinyurl.com/pkch5es
Smart girl!
It’s my favorite day of the week, Paty. I get to read fabulous snippets! Thanks for sharing yours!
Intriguing opening, Collette. Here are the first five lines of the first story in my December release of free stories: Hand-Turned Tales. The story is The Raven’s Lady. Links coming to http://www.judeknightauthor.com soon
In the past eight years, Felix Maddox had spent more hours staking out suspects than he ever wished to remember. He couldn’t count the number of nights he’d spent awake, knowing he’d go into battle the next morning. He had even been imprisoned for six months.
This evening as a guest in what should be his own home was probably not the most interminable he had ever suffered through. At this moment, though, it certainly felt like it.
I love the name Felix. I want to know more.
This is the opening of Breakwater Beach, Book One in the Unfinished Business Series. It is due out in with Soulmate in April 2016.
A chill ran through her like she’d guzzled ice water. His muscular body drew close and pulled her into an embrace. Liz’s heart hammered against her ribs as she sat up and shook herself awake, expecting the dream to end. But it didn’t.She blinked to clear the mist clouding her vision and struggled to reach the light. As she floundered, a notebook tucked next to the arm of the sofa fell to the floor. Papers rustled.
Before a scream passed her lips his hand covered her mouth. “Don’t be afraid, Elisabeth.
Subscribe for a free preview of Breakwater Beach
http://eepurl.com/bfNver
The Widow’s Walk
A Cape Cod Paranormal Romance
Part of the Unfinished Business Series
http://amazon.com/author/carolemoleti
http://Twitter.com/Cmoleti
https://www.facebook.com/caroleannmoleti
http://caroleannmoleti.blogspot.com
Ohhh, very good.
Thanks for this opportunity, Collette.
Willow’s Discovery, book 3 of The Winters Sisters series
Willow palmed her office door scanner at the same time Asia, her petite black Doberman, pushed her snout into the door.
“Wait until…” her words trailed off as Asia bounded into the office. “This is between you and me, girl. Wyatt will have a cow if he finds out I left my door open.” She pushed the door open further and stepped inside.
Her jaw dropped; the wreckage of her office stunned her.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Willows-Discovery-Winters-Sisters-3/dp/0996700110/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1449358884&sr=8-3&keywords=Joanne+Jaytanie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Joanne-Jaytanie-Author-146892025475388/
Website: http://joannejaytanie.com/