As every writer knows,
beginnings are important. We all strive to write a truly intriguing first
sentence designed to engage readers and invite them into our stories. After
all, these books are our babies, created with blood, sweat, tears and love. We
want other people to love them as well.
To celebrate great beginnings, I’ve invited some author friends to send
me favorite first lines from their own books.
If you’d like to be in the
drawing to win a signed copy of one of my books, please hit the comment button
and tell me which first sentence you like best. I’d be grateful if you hit the follow
button as well, but it isn’t a requirement for the drawing.
I’ll start with my own
favorite first sentence (not part of the contest)
“Pantyhose are a tool of the devil.”
“Pantyhose are a tool of the devil.”
From The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam
The authors featured below are all
members of Romance Writers of America and are all published authors. I’ve
included links to their books. Be sure to check them out for some fabulous
reads.
1.“A long memory made for bad company when a man had too
much time on his hands.”
From The Rodeo Man’s Daughter by Barbara White Daille
From The Rodeo Man’s Daughter by Barbara White Daille
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B006IIX7JE
3."Ruby Hollingsford threw herself out of a moving
coach." By Regina Scott
From The Wife Campaign
4.“The Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse rode in, late as usual.” By Mary
Connealy
From Calico Canyon.
5.“Whistle shrieking, the train jerked to a stop, the sudden lurch throwing Julie Lawson forward.” ByTerry Blaine
From Colorado Silver, Colorado Gold
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/lx5c4xo
6."With a flick of her mermaid tail, Shelly emerged from the deep coastal waters holding the dead body of victim number two." By Debbie Herbert
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Amazon: http://goo.gl/cdgxFT
7.“Ghosts don’t have sex, do they? Annabelle Ronaldi wasn’t one hundred percent sure of the answer.” By Robin Kaye
From Too Hot to Handle
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B0037ZSX54
8.“Uncle Jake, I presume?" Lacey
wasn't doing anything wrong, so why did she feel as though Brad Pitt had just caught her picking her nose?” by Lynn Crandall
From Always and Forever Love
All great first lines! Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteLove the new book cover, Lynn Crandall!
ReplyDelete-R.T. Wolfe
Very fun idea! Thank you for including Always and Forever Love!
ReplyDeleteNumber 7. Do ghost have sex? Never thought about until just now.
ReplyDeleteKaren Cyr
DeleteThis would be a very tough choice! Thanks for holding the contest, Marilee.
ReplyDeleteThese are all fantastic! Thanks for the opportunity to be included, Marilee. I'll be sure to add these to my to-be-read file.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Herbert
They're all great - I love number 4 - the 5 horsemen of the Apocalypse rode in late as usual" Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteSue! I should have had you send me one - I'm sure you've got some goodies!
ReplyDeleteLynn Crandall, Brad Pitt is my distant cousin, so your line made me laugh out loud. I love your cover, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks,Deborah! I've had several dreams with him in them. The last one he was making a movie out of Always and Forever Love. Haha!
DeleteWhoa, how distant? Kissin' cousins by any chance?
ReplyDelete#7 - very intriguing question. I think I'd be drawn in by all of them, but I'd start with wanting to know if ghosts have sex first.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Skyewriter!
DeleteThe first chapter is up on my website if you want to check it out. http://robinkayewrites.com/Bookshelf/Books_TooHotToHandle_ChapterOne/tabid/71/Default.aspx
My favorite first line of all time (it was after the prologue) was from Alex Kava--a Necessary Evil.
ReplyDeleteThe line (as I remember it):
There just no good way to pick up a human head.
>>> Now I just dare anyone not to read on. LOL Thanks for including me Marilee.
The twist to my opening, The Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse...
ReplyDeleteIs that the hapless school marm with the 'five horsemen' her five most unruly students, ends up married to their father because of a compromising situation and no two people have ever been more unhappily married. Throw in five sons and a snowed in canyon gap so no one can escape and you've got a romantic comedy.
Any book Marilee Brothers suggests is on the top of my to read list!
ReplyDeleteAll the examples are great! Thanks for using mine. :)
ReplyDeletepretty nice blog, following :)
ReplyDelete