Happy Friday, bookish friends! I hope I don’t make any enemies with this post but I’m starting to make Thanksgiving & Christmas celebration plans!
Now before you come to the conclusion that I’m one of the crazy people who run to the stores as soon as the Christmas paraphernalia hits the shelves, let me assure you I am not.
Actually, I’m a bit of a minimalist when it comes to the fluff and fuss of holiday celebrations but this year we have the rare opportunity to host my sisters’ families for an evening meal in just a few weeks.
So, that’s why I am extra excited to share this Christmas novella collection featuring four sisters with y’all! I’ve included the first line from each novella bellow.
Sleigh Bells Ring
Goodreads | Amazon
All I Want for Christmas by Sandra D. Bricker
Joanna had intended to sleep in past seven, especially now that she had the option—an unusual occurance for a Thursday morning except for her recent state of unemployment
Her Old Kentucky Home by Lynette Sowell
Bella Tucker had forgotten the scent of her sister Jo-Jo’s favorite perfume, but that all came rushing back as soon as she found herself in a rib-crushing hug.
Please Come Home for Christmas by Lenora Worth
Sophie Tucker loosened her white-knucked grip on the steering wheel of her 1999 white Ranger pickup as she gradually slowed to pull into the ice- and snow-covered driveway.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Barbara J. Scott
“Order up!” Amy Tucker Brosseau folded the wrinkled piece of paper and put it back in the pocket of the old sweater she usually wore while working the early morning shift at the Garden District Dish Café.
Anyone else busy making holiday plans or looking forward to seeing extended family? Do you get excited when you find family dynamics similar to your own in a book?
So, open the book nearest to you and post the first line in a comment below!
Then go see what these First Line Ladies are up to:
Carrie @ Reading is My Superpower
Rachel @ Bookworm Mama
Sydney @ Singing Librarian Books
Andi @ Radiant Light
If you’d like to share the First Line Friday fun on your blog, let Carrie know!
Faithfully Bookish 
I have this novella collection on my list to read in November or December! So exciting!!
My first line:
Pecan Street & Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas
February 1, 1882
“My ability to recognize one’s true love, and I say this in all humility, surely must be a gift.”
~If I Loved You Less by Gina Welborn
In Austen in Austin Vol 1
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I have that book on my shelf and I’m looking forward to reading it!
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Across the narrow train aisle from Sarah, a matron examined her Friday newspaper, the bold print headline proclaiming ANOTHER BALLOONIST SUCCUMBS IN KALAMAZOO.
-First line in the first novella of The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection.
Carrie Fancett Pagels’ “Requilted with Love”
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Oh boy! Those Barbour collections are hard to beat.
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I have this collection along and will be reviewing it in November.
My first line comes from Laura Frantz’s book The Mistress of Tall Acre
On this day, 8 August, 1778, a child was safely delivered. . . .Nay, not safely. Anything but safely.
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I finally just put this one on the calendar, it wasn’t moving up my tbr quickly enough!!!
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August 1916
My foot pressed the pedal on the floor, shifting the Packard Runabout into a higher gear. At Every Turn by Ann Mateer
HAPPY FRIDAY! 🙂
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Ooooo! That sounds interesting, I’ll have to check it out. Thank you, Caryl! Have a great weekend!
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From Nowhere For Christmas by Heather Gray:
“Some women were satisfied with one man in their life. There were even women who would say that was too many.”
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I like Heather Gray’s style! I’ll have to make sure to highlight that title…
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I loved her book!! I was reading it at night and trying not to wake up my hubby with all my laughter!
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Hehehe! I’ve gotten myself into that kind of trouble before!
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I haven’t been able to read a lot since I’ve been mainly focusing on prep and writing for Nanowrimo (national novel writing month) in November. So I’m going to share the first paragraph of an old favorite instead. (If I give you the first line only it won’t be much of a hook.”
“I don’t believe in ghosts. I don’t believe in witchcraft either, or Ouija boards, levitation, tarot cards, astrology, curses, crystals, second sight, vampires – not any of the whole mumbo jumbo of the ‘other side’. Of course I don’t. I’m intelligent, sane, sensible Evie Johnson. Girls like me don’t get mixed up in all that crazy paranormal trash.” – Immortal by Gillian Shields
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Eliza, I’m glad you came by and old favorites are always welcome!
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As a crafter I admit that I began my Christmas preparations a couple weeks ago. Because I make most of my decorations myself. I love LOVE crafting!
“Baby steps.” – Leaving Oxford by Janet Ferguson
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You go, girl! I am not generally crafty, I’d rather be reading 🙂 Last year I made quilted stockings for our family, they turned out pretty good.
I’m so excited about reading Janet’s series!!! And baby steps are the way to go, for sure.
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“Roasted chestnut latte? How can that be a bad thing” from Restoring Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti. Such a good Christmas story! I had an e-copy from being on her influencer team, and I just received the hardcover in the mail! It’s gorgeous. The book itself is red with silver writing on the spine and a gorgeous dust jacket–so Christmasy. It would make an awesome Christmas gift!
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Aww! I love a pretty book! I still need to read a Cynthia Ruchti title.
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The summer storm lit up the night sky in a jagged display of energy, lightning streaking and fragmenting between the towering thunderheads. Dee Henderson Danger in the Shadows
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Hi Janet! That first line paints a vivid picture, I have not read any Dee Henderson titles yet. I’ll have to add it to my list!
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as it turns out, a copy of my book, Cissy, is closest to me (waiting to be signed and mailed) and the first line is,
“I hate you and I wish you was dead.”
Cissy is the third book in my unsavory heritage series.
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Welcome, Robin! I’ll have to check your books out! Thank you for sharing!
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“Cain Maddox stepped into the elevator, and then just as the doors were about to close he heard a woman call out. ” This is from Debbie Macomber’s Twelve Days of Christmas. Yes, I have started my holiday reading!
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Welcome, Janice! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your Christmas reads!
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yay!!! I’m looking forward to reading this collection soon too!
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I didn’t realize over on the FB we were talking about our Christmas books – my book club read a Barbour collection last year – A Pioneer Christmas collection; this is the first line in its first novella (though not sure it’s really reflective of the book as a whole or even this one but here goes) –
Papa would tan her hide if he knew she was out here again.
Shannon McNear’s Defending Truth
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Any book, Donna! Whatever is closest to you. I enjoy those Barbour collections, they are so good!
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