Woohoo! It’s my first First Line Friday of 2018!
If you’re new to First Line Friday, welcome! Each Friday I pick a book and share the first line with you. In return, I hope you’ll share with me a first line from whatever book you have at hand!
Today I’m sharing the first line from a novel I recently finished, Count Me In by Mikal Dawn. I actually discovered this book when Trisha shared its first line in a comment on my December 8, 2017 FLF post. Then Mikal did an interview over at Joy of Reading which I think was one of the best author interviews I read last year, and I was sold. I immediately clicked over to Amazon and bought the book. Now, having read and truly enjoyed this novel, I decided it deserved its own FLF post here so that more readers could discover it. I’ll also be sharing my full review of this book on January 22, so be sure to come back and check it out! 🙂 Thank you, Trisha & Mikal!
The little hairs on the back of Allegra Spencer’s neck stood at attention. He was behind her.
Don’t let this opening fool you. This isn’t a suspense novel. It’s a contemporary romantic comedy with a Christian worldview.
Allegra Spencer has been living a careful life. Her safe job as an accountant is bookended by going to church and the gym. Okay, sometimes the gym. Fine. She goes to church. And the coffee shop. She avoids risk at all cost, preferring to stay safe in her cozy condo. Until her accounting firm goes belly up and she’s out of a job.
Tyler Hawk had a glorious career as a star NFL tight end. He retired on a high note and now lives a second dream of owning his own business and leading others on extreme outdoor adventures. But he needs help with his books—and his heart. When Allegra takes the job, sparks fly.
It’s a case of safety zone versus danger zone, and in their minds, never the two shall meet.
Now it’s your turn to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first (or your favorite) line!
Then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating:
I bought this, but it’s still on my to read pile. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I’m sharing the first line from Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano on my blog. It has so many great lines!
I’m currently reading ‘Aint Misbehaving by Marji Lane. Here’s the first line:
“Her future wasn’t the only thing at stake.”
Talk about getting right to the point. Ha ha. Telling us straight out what’s at stake is a good way to grab a reader’s attention.
Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to read this one!
I’m sharing the first line from Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” today, in keeping with the diversity theme, but here I’m going to share the first line of “One Plus One Equals Trouble” by Sondra Kraak:
“Killing Edward Stevens was beyond her proper ways. So instead, Claire Montgomery made tea.”
LOL I’m so happy you shared that line! Sondra’s Love that Counts series is one of my favorites and I’m so excited that the next one is releasing soon.
I want to really read this one!!
Happy Friday!
My First Line Friday comes from a book I will be reading later this month, The Upside of Falling Down by Rebekah Crane….
I was born twice. The first time was on July 9 to Paul and Mimi Haas in Cleveland, Ohio. My mother died six years later.
Have a great weekend and stay warm!
Hmmm. I like the title AND the first line is intriguing? I need to check this one out. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hi Kathleen! I’m so happy that you got to read this super fantastic book and even more so that you too enjoyed it also! Mikal has a way with words that keeps you glued to the pages! I look forward to reading your review!
Yes, she does. Thanks again for telling me about it! 🙂
I still need to read this! Thanks for sharing Kathleen!
I’m sharing A Letter from Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd on my blog today, but I’m currently reading Isaiah’s Daughter by Mesu Andrews so I’ll share that here.
732 BCE (Spring)
Judean Wilderness
My friend Yaira said to be brave – but why? Brave or scared, we kept marching. She told me to be a big girl, not to cry, but I’m only five and I’ve seen big men crying.
Happy Weekend!
Hmm. I definitely think 5 year olds should be permitted to cry. I’m glad it seems she isn’t taking that instruction without question.
Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to purchase a print copy of this book for my shelf, I LOVE IT! 😍 I’m diving into Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse today!
A sleepy purple twilight wrapped around the farmhouse, its tall windows glowing with warmth from somewhere inside.
And now I want a warm glass of cider, a blanket, and a good book. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I so need to read this one. It’s on my bookshelf now. In 2018, I’m trying to read at least one book a month from my TBR list from previous years (and not just new releases) so I hope to get to it!
The first line from the next book on my TBR list: Until We Find Home by Cathy Gohlke: Lightning crackled, splitting the night sky over Paris, illuminating letters painted on the bookstore window across the street: La Maison des Amis des Livre.
Ha ha ha. That is a great goal. I may steal that. I know I have trouble getting to my TBR’s with all the new releases I’m trying to read in time to write timely reviews. Perhaps if I actually sit down and write my list out all in one place … right now my TBR list is partly on my Amazon wishlist, partly on my Goodreads list, partly on my computer … LOL
Okay. I LOVE that first line! I can totally see it in my mind.
Thanks for sharing!
I loved Mikal’s book!
PROLOGUE
Night crept over the hills, smothering the landscape in a cocoon of darkness that would hide him in a few minutes. – Haven of Swans by Colleen Coble
Happy Friday and Happy Reading!
Oooh. I wonder who he’s trying to hide from and if the darkness will hide him in time. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I loved this book so much, and I can’t wait for book 2!!!
Happy Friday!!!!
Today on my blog, I am sharing the first line from the novel The Gift of the Inn by Golden Keyes Parsons. So here I will leave the first line from the book I am starting next, Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren.
Chapter 1
“Sierra should have brought marshmallows.”
I will definitely be reading book 2.
I have only read one book by Susan May Warren so far, but I definitely enjoyed it. … and now I’m craving a s’more. 😉 Thanks for sharing!
I don’t read much romance but I do like comedy. I am sharing a historical mystery that is set in Victorian England.
Hmm. I haven’t read anything set in England recently. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for stopping by!
I see it is a selection on Overdrive this week.
I LOVED Mikal’s book! I love these Fridays & reading the first lines from all these books I’ve either enjoyed or want to read!
My first line is from Rush by Jayme Mansfield:
“I can’t stop shivering when I sleep alone.”
Wow. That is a powerful first line. It makes me wonder what happened to him to cause such a reaction.
I know what you mean. First Line Fridays are super fun. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Well it looked like a suspense so you saying it’s a romantic comedy … welcome to the fun! 😉
Right? I knew it would be misleading to only share the first line. There is definitely tension in this novel, but it isn’t of the suspenseful kind unless you count worrying with Allegra over how many ways she and Tyler could be injured on their adventures! 😉 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
It sound suspenseful doesn’t it?! Great opening line though! Happy Friday!
Yes. It caught my attention, for sure, which is exactly what it is supposed to do. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
What a line. Happy Friday!
Thank you! I hope you are enjoying your weekend!
This was a great book! My first line from my current read is: “So you broke up with Farrah?” from Coming Home to Steeple Ridge by Liz Isaacson
Well, that sounds like the start of a conversation that could go in so many different directions, it makes me curious. Thanks for sharing!