First Line Friday - Week 25

Happy Friday!!!

Welcome to First Line Friday's hosted by Hoarding Books. I started this post planning to feature an upcoming release, The Engagement Plot by Krista Phillips, but as I was writing the intro I began talking about the book that introduced me to her writing and was the reason I was excited to read her new release. I read this book back in 2013 (which means there is no review on the blog) but I remember loving it and have kept an eye out for future works by her. So I decided to change my plan and feature that one instead. And now after cracking it open to share the first line, I feel I must read this again soon.

Today's book is: Sandwich, with a Side of Romance by Krista Phillips

First line is:

"God, is it against the rules to want to strangle one's boss?"

Now it's your turn!

Let me know your first line in the comments and then head over
to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
 

At Your Request by Jen Turano

Series: Apart from the Crowd #.05
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: Jan. 3, 2017
105 pages

About the Book:

After her father lost the family's fortune, Wilhelmina was cast out of the fashionable set and banished to the wallflower section. Taking a position as a social secretary to help support her family, she's mostly come to terms with her new status. But when her old friend Edgar returns to New York society for the first time since she rejected his marriage proposal, she's newly ashamed at how far she's fallen--and how hastily she dismissed him years ago. Her strategy is to avoid a face-to-face encounter at all costs, but he seems to have other plans. Will Edgar take advantage of their now reversed positions and make her regret her refusal, or is there still hope for a friendship between them--or something more?

At Your Request is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Jen Turano's new Gilded Age historical romance series, Apart From the Crowd! Includes an extended excerpt of the first full-length novel in the series, Behind the Scenes.

                                                                    Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook 
                                                          Jen Turano's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟  (3 stars) 
  

“You may be known as a wallflower to society, Wilhelmina, but I’ll always think of you as the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever known.”

This is an intro to the series, Apart from the Crowd. It is a short little novella that introduces the setting and some of the characters in this series. There is really not a lot of substance to the plot but it was sweet, romantic and had me laughing out loud with some of the antics that happened throughout. Some incidents were a bit over the top unbelievable at times, but if you can just accept them you will enjoy some humorous and romantic moments. Story may revolve around Wilhelmina and Edger but I was intrigued the most by their friends Permilla and Asher. I look forward to spending more time in the 1880’s with these characters.

 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review

are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 Other Books in the Series:

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Blooper Freak by Christy Barritt

Series: Worst Detective Ever # 5
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: River Heights
Released: October 20, 2017
229 pages

About the Book:

Real life is nothing like TV.

Joey Darling, actress and detective by default, is reminded of this point daily. If only problems could be solved in sixty minutes, complete with commercial breaks, closing credits, and a catchy theme song.

Joey accompanies Detective Jackson Sullivan to a crime scene, only to discover she knows the victim. After a friend is accused of murder, Joey can’t refuse her help—however bumbling it might be. Unfortunately, she only seems to dig up more questions instead of desperately needed answers.

When a misguided fan offers clues, Joey discovers something much deeper than a single crime. But can she sort through all the various story lines to get to the truth? Or will one blooper after another put not only the investigation in jeopardy but her life as well?

Goodreads / Amazon
                                                       Christy Barritt's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)

“Stuff doesn’t make you happy.

It’s the people in your life that make the difference.”

Another great addition to the Worst Detective Ever series. Joey is just as entertaining as ever, I absolutely loved her inner thoughts. The time spent entertaining herself at the crime scene made me really laugh. Zane has been accused of murder and Joey doesn’t believe he did it, so she is determined to search for answers. In typical Joey fashion, she end up putting herself in danger a couple of times, but thankfully there is always someone looking out for her (even if one of those people end up being her stalker). I haven’t really been much of a Zane fan, but even I didn’t want to believe that he could be a murderer. There were twists thrown in that kept me guessing who was behind everything. The ending left Joey with some tidbits about her parents that should help with solving the case of her missing father. Each character is unique and I enjoy spending time with them. I am team Jackson and hope for the best going forward. Thankfully we only have to wait a month for the next book to see where her search takes her next.

“I like you because of you. You make me laugh. You make me want to pull my hair out . . . you make me look forward to each new day.”

(I received this book free from the Ms. Barritt; opinions expressed in this review

are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 Other Books in the Series:

  

Ready to Fumble Review / Reign of Error Review / Safety in Blunders Review / Join the Flub Review

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First Line Friday - Week 24

Happy Friday!!!

Welcome to First Line Friday's hosted by Hoarding Books. The e-book version of today's book is currently on sale until tomorrow, Oct. 21.  You can get it at Christianbook.com for $ 1.59 or via Amazon for $1.99. I read this earlier this summer and absolutely loved it. My review can be found here.

Today's book is: Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

First line is:

"Just Breathe."

Now it's your turn!

Let me know your first line in the comments and then head over
to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!
 

Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan

Series: Atlanta Justice # 1
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: Sept. 5, 2017
320 pages

About the Book:

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower's allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer.

 

Determined not to make the same mistakes, he's intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything--even murder--to keep the case from going to trial.

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook 

                                    Rachel Dylan's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)   

“Even in the darkest times, He is there. Even when
we may not feel His presence or hear His voice.”

Two friends are on opposing sides of the case, can they still be friends once the case is decided?

Kate was a strong lead character, dedicated to her work and bringing justice for her clients no matter what happens. She won’t be scared off by the events happening to and around her. She hires PI Landon to look into something for her but his job ends up becoming more of a security detail for her after she is threatened multiple times.

Story does include a bunch of the legal footwork that is necessary to bring a case to trial. It is stressed to associates that even though this may be mundane work it is a very important part of the process. I liked that it showed this rather than glossing over it and making the process seem easy. There was quite a bit of legal jargon that did go over my head at times, but I understood the basics and knew which side I wanted to win. Getting there kept me on my toes never knowing what was going to happen next and just when I thought I knew who the mastermind was a twist was thrown in.

I always enjoy getting multiple perspectives throughout a book and this was no exception. Getting both sides of the case allowed me to feel more invested in the story and characters. I liked Ethan even when I didn’t agree with some decisions he was making. But Kate and Nicole were probably my favourites, they might be on different teams, but they had the same morals and guts to do what needed to be done.

Mixed throughout were moments between Kate & Landon discussing their faith and time spent with Kate’s best friends. I loved the interaction between Kate & Landon, and that she was able to help him as much as he helped her, the romantic moments between them also put a smile on my face. I felt these two balanced each other out nicely.

This is the first book in the series and there were quite a few characters that I would be interested in getting to know more in future books. I will be on the lookout for book two.

“God loves you, and He’s there for you even when you don’t think He is. You’ve shut Him out, but it only takes small steps to change and open back up to Him.”

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley;

opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 Other Books in the Series:

 

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook