Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! I’ve headed back to the early 1600s this week—with a bit of a twist. Nadine Brandes’ new release Fawkes tells the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, but it’s blended with elements of fantasy. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but it’s working for me. I’m really enjoying it!
~ About the Book ~
Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th-century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.
But what if death finds him first?
Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did it. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.
The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.
The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.
No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.
~ First Line ~
I wasn’t ready to turn to stone.
I don’t blame him, quite frankly!
I’d love it if you’d share the first line of whatever you’re currently reading in the comments. And don’t forget, you can find out what other bloggers are sharing for First Line Friday by going over to Hoarding Books blog and finding all the links. If you’ve got your own blog, why not join in and add your link over there. 🙂
Fiction Aficionado 
This book is very intriguing. Can’t wait to dig in. Thanks for sharing.
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It is! Hope you enjoy it too 🙂
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My first line is from The Reckoning of Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright:
.Gossamer Grove, Wisconsin. 1907
Libby Sheffield had never stopped to wonder what she would take specific note of if she ever stumbled upon a dead body.
Your book looks fascinating!
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Loved Gossamer Pond! Enjoy 🙂
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Today, I’m sharing the first line from River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart over on my blog, so I’ll share with you here the first line from chapter 12 of the same book.
“In the years she’d been with Ruth, Adria had brought home plenty of strays.”
Have a wonderful weekend!
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That sounds like my father-in-law. He’s brought home many a stray in his lifetime—but they’re usually people strays! Often international students at the University he works at. They have a lot of ‘adopted’ children!
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I am so excited to read this one (still a couple weeks before I can get to it, but I will!).
I’m currently reading (listening to) Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks. Here’s the first line from Chapter 5:
By the time Murphy finished diagraming, it was raining again, the crowd had thinned to two people, and the bulk of the law enforcement and emergency vehicles were gone.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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This one’s coming up for me next month! Love her books 🙂
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Happy Friday, Katie!
My first line comes from The Counterfeit Heiress by Tasha Alexander
I raised the long, curved bow and with two fingers pulled back its string, all the while resisting the urge to remove one of the silver-shafted arrows nestled in the quiver slung over my shoulder.
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Ooh. I’ll have to check this one out! Enjoy your weekend, Caryl 🙂
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Happy Friday!
Today on my blog, I’m sharing the first line from Melanie Dickerson’s novel, The Orphan’s Wish. I just started it and I’m loving it so much!
Here, I will share the first line from chapter 8 (that’s where I’m at currently).
“Aladdin followed Herr Kaufmann around for the first week.”
Hope you have a great weekend full of fun reading!!! ❤📚
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It will be interesting to see what she’s done with the story of Aladdin. Enjoy!
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That sounds so good! Today, I’m sharing the first line from a book recommended by my daughter: Matched by Ally Condie. “Now that I’ve found the way to fly, which direction should I go into the night?” I don’t think I’m going to read that one, but she sure liked it 🙂
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A very important question! Glad she enjoyed it 🙂
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Definitely an intriguing book. The book I’m featuring on my blog is “My Sister’s Intended” by Rachael Anderson. It’s been on my TBR list for quite some time now, but I finally read it and am so glad I did. Truly an enjoyable read. I will share the first line from Chapter Eleven here. “”Would you care to go for a stroll with me in the gardens, Miss Gifford?” Brand asked, not sure whether or not he wanted her to accept.”
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I’ve heard a few people mentioning her historicals. I’ve read one of her contemporary series and really enjoyed it, so I should check out her historical books!
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This sounds like a book I would love to read. Thanks for sharing.
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Hope you get a chance to read it!
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Happy Friday!
Ah, I need to read this book ASAP!
I’m reading The Dear Reader by Mary O’Connell right now, so here’s the first line: “Miss Sweeney disappeared on the first day of March, an icy Thursday morning of gloves and boots and veneers of diamondy frost on the windows of Sacred Heart High School.”
Hallie @ Book by Book
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Ooh! How mysterious!
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Intrigue! Happy reading!
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Thanks!
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Happy Friday! My first line is from La Risposta: The Answer (A Tuscan Legacy book 9) by Autumn Macarthur:
Prologue: “Instead of returning to her vegetable garden, Teresa Pellegrini rushed into the farmhouse.”
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Sounds like something just happened!
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Happy Friday!
The book I shared on my blog this week is Her Place in Time by Stephenia H McGee but my next book is going to be The Baker’s secret by Stephen P Kiernan so I’ll share that first line here: “All through those years of war, the bread tasted of humiliation.” Hope you have happy weekend with plenty of reading! 🙂
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Great first line!
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I’m sharing from a book that will be out early next month (I won an uncorrected proof on GoodReads) on my blog today, The Daisy Children by Sofia Grant, so here is the second line:
“It wasn’t the fault of the trousers, of course, but it was tempting to blame them nonetheless.”
Happy Reading!
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I love first lines like that! Always makes me want to keep reading.
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This is such a good book! My review is coming …
I’m sharing the first line from More than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer on my blog. I’m a big Karen Witemeyer fan, and this did not disappoint.
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I’m enjoying it so far. If only I could get more than 10 minutes at a time to actually read it! 😳
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I see this book all over and I need to get a copy of it in my hands! Of course, my TBR is a mile long, but what’s one more book, right! 😉
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Just slip it in there. No one will notice… 😉
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