On Thursday, February 21st Mystery of the Heart won the Clash of the Titles. In honor of that I wanted to give back. My awesome publisher, Realms at Charisma Media agreed. So in order to make this a little more interesting I’d like you to do a couple things if you’re interested in getting a free copy of Mystery of the Heart.
This can also be used as a lesson in hooks. What pulls a reader in and catches their interest.
1) Share the first line of the novel you are currently reading, the author, and the name of the book or the first line of any fiction book you’ve read, the author, and the name of the book.
2) Let us know your first name and what state you live in.
3) Leave and e-mail addy in this format: jillian (at) jilliankent (dot) com to help protect from spam.
I’ll get us started. “For eight years I dreamed of fire.” Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Language of Flowers. Jillian from Ohio. jillian (at) jilliankent (dot) com
Okay. You get the idea. I’ll run this contest through Sunday, March 3rd. This contest will end at midnight on Sunday, PST time and is void where prohibited. U.S.A. residents only. However, if you live outside the U.S.A. and want to contribute your favorite please join the party. I’ll post winners sometime Monday afternoon on March 4th.
“Sister Jasmine where on earth are you taking us? “
“The Gifted” by author, Ann H. Gabhart
Maxie from Texas. mac262(at)me(dot)com
Now I wonder what Sister Jasmine is up to. Thanks for that first line, Maxie.
“I’m pulling into the scene now”.
“Full Disclosure” by Dee Henderson.
Janet from Florida
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
CONGRATULATIONS!!! What an awesome win.
“Religion is a by-product of living in a world brimming with gods.”
“Alice Will” by Ashley Chappell
Elizabeth from West Virginia
eseckman(at)ymail(dot)com
“I wish our teacher wasn’t so cross all the time.”
A Merry Heart by Wanda Brunstetter
Katie J. from Florida
johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thanks for joining us, Katie. That line makes me wonder what she’s upset about. And that’s what all writers hope for.
Good morning ladies,
This is great fun! Love those first lines, and I’ve never read any of those books. I do love Dee Henderson and have had my eye on that for awhile. Thanks for the congrats, Elizabeth. I didn’t know you were were from West Virginia. My hubby grew up in Charleston and we met at WVU. 🙂
Have a great day!
Jill
First time visitor to this site. Glad I came since I am always looking for new authors to read. I like to read about the Highlanders so the book I selected is TEMPTATION IN A KILT by Victoria Roberts. The opening line tells me a lot about what this story will be.
” Sometimes being a Highland laird was a royal pain in the arse.”
Sounds like it is going to be a good one.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com
Ha,ha! Interesting first line and probably true! Glad you stopped by Joye.
“Some days David Brooke didn’t know whether to count his blessings or to hide from them.”
Scent of Lilacs a novel by Ann H. Gabhart
Kathleen from Missouri
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Congratulations!!!
Ohhhh. Another good line. I’m just loving this. Thanks for playing along.
Hi Amber,
I’ve been wanting to read Glamorous Illusions but haven’t found time yet. Love that first line for Grave Consequences. Thanks for sharing that and stopping by for the give away.
“Crowds swarmed around and jostled against the Whittaker carriage, slowing its progress from a trot to a crawl.” ~~Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes
Deanna from Indiana. deamundy(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Deanna,
Thanks for joining the party. Nice first line from Laurie’s book.
He could stop this with a word…Congo Dawn by Jeanette Windle
mitzi(underscore)wanham(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the congrats and follow, Marianne. That’s a fascinating first line, and a hook that will draw people into the novel. I haven’t read J.Windle.
Congratulations on your win, Jillian. How exciting!
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhmamATyahooDOTcom
“The clip-clopping of horses’ hooves alerted Caitlin to someone coming up the drive.’ The Unwilling Bride – Candy Ann Little.
Patty from SC
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Patty, thanks for being here.
I’ve got to tell you this made me laugh. Here’s why: My hubby who is very ornery was reading a paragraph out loud from my latest novel. After a carriage scene he added, “Clipity-clop, Clipity-clop” and I give him a strange look and say, “I didn’t write that.” He smiled and said, “I know. I just wanted to see if you were really listening.”
“Gabe sat by the side of the bed, clasping Hope’s hand.” A Promise for Miriam, Vannetta Chapman.
Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on your win…Linda from Red Lion, PA
dmcfarl101(at)juno(dot)com
Hi Linda,
Thanks for coming out to play the first line game with us. That first line of Vanetta’s is touching.
How fun reading all these first lines! Thanks for having the giveaway, and congratulations!
“With the wrong smile, her sister could destroy Jinx’s world.”
Heiress, Susan May Warren
pickles_and_co(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Annette,
Ah, Susan has a good line there. Nice choice. Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for the congrats. Glad you could stop in and join the fun.
What a fun idea! I’m going to have to copy it, Jillian…I hope you don’t mind. 🙂
Here’s mine:
“Hoo-ooo-ie, she’s het up!”
Serendipity, Cathy Marie Hake
Delia Latham delia(at)delialatham(dot)net
Hi Delia,
This is fun. Let me know when you do the same on your blog. I don’t mind at all. What a first line! That’s different. 🙂
Great beginnings!
“Now this is how love should be-nice and neat.” A Hope Undaunted, Julie Lessman
Merry in TX
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Love those Julie Lessman books. Thanks for joining in Merry.
Great beginnings of the book I’m reading now…
“Thomas woke to a kiss on the forehead from a woman he once believed he had loved, a woman who betrayed and spied upon him, a woman he had watched die.” Fortress of Mist, Sigmund Brouwer
Michelle in Arizona
joyfulhutch[at]msn[dot]com
WOW! That is a great first line, Michelle. Thanks for sharing that. That’s a line that really sucks me in and makes me want to read more.
Hi Ada!
Another great first line. Thanks for joining us in the first sentence game.