Happy Friday! It’s hard to believe it’s already December, and Christmas is only three weeks from today!

For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m sharing a new release by debut author Ashley Clark – The Dress Shop on King Street.

Downtown Charleston, 1946

“Millicent Middleton. That’s the name Mama told her to give if anyone asked. Half of it was honest, at least.”

The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark

The Basics

Title: The Dress Shop on King Street

Author: Ashley Clark

Series: Heirloom Secrets (Book 1)

Genre: Historical/Contemporary Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie’s past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton–the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman–boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they’ve both dreamed of. But it’s not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

My Thoughts

How could a heritage half-denied bring a life fully lived?

The Dress Shop on King Street is a fascinating story about two women whose lives are intertwined in ways they never imagined. It’s hard to believe this skillfully crafted time-slip novel is Ashley Clark’s debut!

Although they share a love of dressmaking, Millie and Harper are different in many ways. Living in the South in the 1940s, Millie was able to pass as white but struggled with feeling like she was abandoning her heritage. In the present day, Harper is facing rejection of a different kind – in her education and career. When she and Millie decide to open a dress shop together, pursuing their shared dream brings them both healing and new relationships they didn’t expect. Peter was a kind, endearing hero to both Millie and Harper. I really enjoyed seeing how all the threads of the different timelines and characters came together in the end!

One of the hallmarks of a great novel is relatable characters, even when their experiences are so different from your own. Those kinds of stories remind us of the humanity we share, and that was definitely the case in this book! This story of second chances, forgotten dreams, and sacrificial love will stick with you long after the last page. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series in May 2021!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! It’s hard to believe another week has gone by, but here we are, ready for another First Line Friday less than a week away from Thanksgiving! The book I’m featuring today is a must-read for suspense fans – keep reading for my review of The Escape by Lisa Harris.

“There is a razor-thin edge between justice and revenge, where the two easily blur if left unchecked.”

The Escape by Lisa Harris

That line definitely gives you an idea of the intensity and suspense you’re about to encounter in this book!

The Basics

Title: The Escape

Author: Lisa Harris

Series: US Marshals (Book 1 of 3)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn have orders to transport two high-profile prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest. 

With both pilots and one prisoner dead–and one fugitive on the run–Madison and Jonas must negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry as they track a murderer who is desperate to disappear . . . and will do anything to stop them.

My Thoughts

Lisa Harris’ new series is off to a great start with The Escape! If you like action-packed suspense that’s lighter on the romance, you will enjoy this book.

Madison and Jonas are US Marshals tasked with transporting a prisoner, and I really enjoyed learning more about this unique law enforcement agency. The fact that their prisoner escaped means we know from the start who the bad guy is, but that doesn’t lessen the suspense at all. He always seems to be one step ahead of the marshals as they track him across the country, keeping the tension high and the story fast-paced!

I appreciated the slower pace of the romance in this book – it feels much more authentic to both the suspenseful story and to Jonas and Madison. It also allows the rest of the series to focus on the same characters, which gives more opportunity for rich character development. Another thread that weaves the series together is the underlying mystery of who killed Madison’s husband – and who might be coming after her next. I can’t wait for the rest of the series, and I think fans of Natalie Walters, Lynette Eason, and Dani Pettrey will enjoy this book as well!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as part of the Revell Reads blogger program. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! I can’t believe we’re less than two weeks from Thanksgiving; in some ways it seems like this year is flying by! I am on track to hit my yearly reading goal this weekend – I hope that wherever you are, you can get in some quality reading time this weekend too. The book I’m featuring for today’s First Line Friday linkup is a great one to savor on a fall weekend! The cover is gorgeous, and the story inside is even more beautiful.

Beverly, West Virginia

July 1934

“The day’s heat lay close to Loyal like a quilt he couldn’t push back.”

The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

The Basics

Title: The Right Kind of Fool

Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he’d obeyed his mother. Desperate for help, he runs to the mountain cabin of his mostly absentee father, frantically trying to communicate the news with his hands.

Driven away by fear and guilt over his son’s deafness, Creed has played a distant part in Loyal’s life and language. But when he’s pulled into the murder investigation, he discovers that what sets his son apart isn’t his inability to hear but rather his courage. As the impact of the murder ripples through their West Virginia town, both will learn what it took to kill a man and what it takes to become one.

My Thoughts

What an exquisite, captivating story! This is the first of Sarah Loudin Thomas’ books I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. She does a beautiful job of writing from the unique perspective of Loyal, a young deaf teenager in 1934 rural West Virginia. I loved the way she was able to incorporate sign language into the story! When he accidentally discovers a dead body one summer day, a whole chain of events is set in motion that changes how everyone sees him – his parents, his friends, the community, and even himself.

While the mystery keeps the plot moving, the richly engaging characters are the stars of the show. Loyal’s growth throughout the book is compelling, as he is forced to make some hard choices. I loved the way he and his father begin to see each other from a new perspective and learn from each other as the story progresses, and Loyal and Rebecca’s growing friendship provided more touching moments. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, especially Joanne Bischof’s Blackbird Mountain series!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! I am so excited about the book I’m sharing for today’s First Line Friday linkup – Things We Didn’t Say by debut author Amy Lynn Green just released this week, and I absolutely loved it. It’s such a unique twist on WWII fiction!

From Johanna Berglund to Charles Donohue, attorney-at-law

January 26, 1945

“Dear Mr. Donohue,

If I were an expert in criminal law, I’d be sick to death of outraged clients claiming to be falsely accused, and especially of weepy female clients wringing their hands and saying things like, ‘How could it have come to this?'”

Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green

The Basics

Title: Things We Didn’t Say

Author: Amy Lynn Green

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Headstrong and determined, linguistics student Johanna Berglund has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind. But when the only way to her intended future is through undertaking a translator position at a nearby camp for German POWs, she reluctantly accepts.

Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy Minnesota town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they’re not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her close friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.

As Johanna interacts with the prisoners and censors their letters home, she begins to see them in a more sympathetic light, but advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred–and she must decide where her heart truly lies.

My Thoughts

Amy Lynn Green has written a captivating debut novel! This unique WWII story is told entirely through letters, newspaper articles, and other correspondence. Even with the challenging format, the author captured each character’s distinct voice through their writing and wove together a fascinating look at some little-known aspects of the WWII era in America. We learn about life in a German POW camp through Johanna’s eyewitness accounts, and understand more about the struggles Japanese Americans faced through Peter’s perspective.

The epistolary format makes for rich characterization as we get inside the characters’ heads through their writing. I really enjoyed Johanna’s wit and determination, and Peter’s wisdom and encouraging spirit. Although we are reading about the action after the fact, there is still plenty of tension and anticipation to keep you turning pages!

This book is a peek into history wrapped up in a powerful, moving story that will linger with you after the last page. Fans of Sarah Sundin and Roseanna M. White will especially enjoy this novel. It will be going on my list of favorite books of 2020, and I will be eagerly awaiting whatever Amy Lynn Green writes next!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m featuring a book that just came out last week – The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano. This is a beautiful story that’s perfect for curling up with on a cool fall day!

“There are two ways to truly know a person – one is to begin a friendship with them. The other is to end it.

– A scientist’s observations on love.”

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Basics

Title: The Love Note

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Genre: Christian historical romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings–mostly negative ones–about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa’s search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. 

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

My Thoughts

Joanna Davidson Politano has written an enchanting story about the power of words and the way they can touch our hearts. The story centers around Willa Duval, a nurse who wants to become a doctor in a time when that’s not a woman’s profession, and an anonymous love letter she finds in her desk. As the letter makes its way through the manor, touching each person in a different way, it sets changes in motion that alter the lives of its readers forever.

I absolutely loved the author’s writing style and the beautiful way she crafted this deeply layered story. Willa is a bold and confident heroine, determined to reach her goals and still longing for a love that will give her the freedom to pursue her dreams. Gabe Gresham is a delightful hero, understated but charming in his own way. His tender heart allows him to see beyond the surface of everyone around him. The final chapters brought an unexpected yet satisfying conclusion – I never guessed the true author of the letter until it was revealed! This was the first of Joanna Davidson Politano’s books I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! If you are a fan of romantic suspense with nonstop action, you won’t want to miss the book I’m featuring for today’s edition of First Line Friday! Rachel Dylan is one of my favorite suspense authors, and her newest release doesn’t disappoint.

“The incessant knocking on her condo door made Layla Karam grumble as she threw off the covers.”

Backlash by Rachel Dylan

The Basics

Title: Backlash

Author: Rachel Dylan

Series: Capital Intrigue (Book 2)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: With a target on her back, she’s determined to find answers. But can she escape the deadly backlash?

CIA analyst Layla Karam is thrust into a dangerous DEA field operation against a cartel, and after one of her team members is murdered because of fallout from the op, Layla is left scrambling to find safety.

At the same time, the CIA opens an internal investigation against her. Out of options, Layla turns to ex-boyfriend and private investigator Hunter McCoy for help finding out who might want to ruin her career.

Layla and Hunter soon discover that a mole inside the DEA has sold out the team’s identity to the cartel. She needs to clear her name with the Agency in order to protect herself and her teammates from cartel retaliation. With threats on all sides, Layla must put her trust in Hunter–the man who broke her heart–and hope they both come out of it alive.

My Thoughts

This is the second book in Rachel Dylan’s Capital Intrigue series, and it’s filled with just as much intense action as the first! In Backlash, we meet the same core group of friends – Layla, Viv, Bailey, and Izzy. This story focuses on Layla, a CIA analyst whose bosses want her to get out in the field – a decision that has had dangerous consequences.

This book features several subplots and secondary characters that help keep up the fast pace of the story. Layla and her DEA teammates are facing several different threats that keep them constantly looking over their shoulders. I really enjoyed Layla and Hunter’s second chance at love and watching their friendship be restored. Some of my favorite parts were the threads of Izzy’s story continued from the last book, and I hope a future book will focus on her! This gripping suspense series is a must read for fans of Lynette Eason, Lisa Harris, and Dani Pettrey.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! If you’re a fan of small-town romance, you’ll love the sweet story I’m sharing for today’s First Line Friday linkup – The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant!

“The only thing Bri Duval loved more than romance was a perfectly executed French macaron. Fortunately, at least one of the two was within reach.”

The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant

The Basics

Title: The Key to Love

Author: Betsy St. Amant

Publication Date: October 13, 2020

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so that she’s created her own version of the famous Parisian love-lock wall at the bakery where she works in Story, Kansas. She never expects a video involving the wall to go viral–or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He’s definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for an epic love story like the one her parents had–and that certainly will not include the love-scorning Gerard.

Just when it seems the Pastry Puff is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just the bakery but the pedestal she’s kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri’s recipe just needs to be tweaked.

My Thoughts

Betsy St. Amant is a new-to-me author, and my first taste of her writing was definitely sweet! I loved the small town of Story, Kansas, and the quirky characters who call it home. Bri and Gerard are the epitome of opposites attracting – homebody Bri dreams of a romance like her parents’, while career-focused Gerard never stays in one place for long and is a little jaded after a broken engagement.

If this story were a petit four, the supporting characters would be the icing on top! Mabel and Agnes, the owners of the bakery, are the charming matchmakers who are like aunts to Bri. Casey and Nathan’s love story provides both funny and heartwarming moments too. This book has all the charm and sweetness of a Hallmark movie with a spiritual depth that fans of Melissa Tagg and Tari Faris will enjoy.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Friday, reader friends! The book I’m featuring today for First Line Friday is a gripping new suspense novel by Siri Mitchell. Everywhere to Hide will be released on October 6, and if you’re a fan of the suspense/thriller genre, you won’t want to miss it!

“I was just ten steps away from the Blue Dog|RINO coffee shop where I worked when a hand closed tightly around my forearm.”

Everywhere to Hide by Siri Mitchell

The Basics

Title: Everywhere to Hide

Author: Siri Mitchell

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: How can she protect herself from an enemy she can’t see?

Law school graduate Whitney Garrison is a survivor. She admirably deals with an abusive boyfriend, her mother’s death, mounting student debt, dwindling job opportunities, and a rare neurological condition that prevents her from recognizing human faces.

But witnessing a murder might be the crisis she can’t overcome.

The killer has every advantage. Though Whitney saw him, she has no idea what he looks like. He knows where she lives and works. He anticipates her every move. Worst of all, he’s hiding in plain sight and believes she has information he needs. Information worth killing for. Again.

As the hunter drives his prey into a net of terror and international intrigue, Whitney’s only ally, Detective Leo Baroni, is taken off the case. Stripped of all semblance of safety, Whitney must suspect everyone and trust no one—and hope to come out alive.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed Siri Mitchell’s last suspense novel, State of Lies, and after reading this one, I am officially a fan of her work! This book was deeply layered in so many ways, from the plot to the characters to the suspense. It feels ripped from the headlines, dealing with subjects like cryptocurrency and China’s quest for power.

Despite her rare condition of face blindness, Whitney is a relatable character as she struggles with getting a job, getting out of debt, and moving past the pain her ex-boyfriend caused her. Leo really helped make the story for me too! His care for Whitney, and the way he would do anything to protect her, added him to my list of favorite fictional heroes. The suspense and tension ran high throughout the book, with twists and turns around every corner. The story struck just the right balance of compelling characters and an engaging plot that makes you think and keeps you guessing. Everywhere to Hide is an excellent suspense novel – one that I think fans of Rachel Dylan, Carrie Stuart Parks, and Sibella Giorello will especially enjoy!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! I’m so excited to share this book with you for First Line Friday. Today’s first line comes from a debut novel by an author I think you’ll love – The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox.

September 8, 1994

People considered him homeless because he didn’t have an address of his own, but Harvey James would’ve been homeless even if he owned the turreted mansion off State Route 460. To have a home, you’d have to feel as though you belonged. The edge of the highway was the closest he’d ever been.

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

I couldn’t resist sharing more than one line… the whole first paragraph is such a beautiful introduction to the story!

The Basics

Title: The Edge of Belonging

Author: Amanda Cox

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: When Ivy Rose returns to her hometown to oversee her late grandmother’s estate sale, she soon discovers that the woman left behind more than trinkets and photo frames–she provided a path to the truth behind Ivy’s adoption. Shocked, Ivy seeks clues to her past, but a key piece to the mystery is missing.

Twenty-four years earlier, Harvey James finds an abandoned newborn who gives him a sense of human connection for the first time in his life. His desire to care for the baby runs up against the stark fact that he is homeless. When he becomes entwined with two people seeking to help him find his way, Harvey knows he must keep the baby a secret or risk losing the only person he’s ever loved.

In this dual-timeline story from debut novelist Amanda Cox, the truth–both the search for it and the desire to keep it from others–takes center stage as Ivy and Harvey grapple with love, loss, and letting go.

My Thoughts

It’s hard to believe that this is Amanda Cox’s debut novel! She has expertly woven together two storylines from the past and present to create a beautiful story about love, family, and finding a place to belong. 

While the plot is unique and the themes are powerful, it’s the rich characterization that sets this story apart. Harvey is such a compelling character, as we see him turn the pain from his past into an unconditional love that would do anything for the baby he found and cared for. Pearl, the grandmother in the story, extends wisdom and grace to everyone she meets. Ivy is someone many women can relate to, as she searches for her purpose in life and healing from an abusive relationship. And Reese, Ivy’s lifelong friend, has become one of my favorite fictional heroes – you’ll have to read the book to find out why! 

Amanda Cox is an author to watch – I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next! I highly recommend The Edge of Belonging, and I think fans of Erin Bartels and Amanda Dykes will especially enjoy this book.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!