Friday, May 27, 2016

First Line Friday: I Am Delilah


Welcome to First Line Friday! This fun meme is easy to do, simply pick up the book you're currently reading and share the very first line! There are some really good first lines out there, they grab you and suck you right into the story. Make you want to keep reading. So, my selection for this week is:

I Am Delilah by Josi S Kilpack

Although Delilah works in New York, she’s a small-town girl and eager to finish her job as a nanny and return to Big Fork Montana where she’ll marry her high-school sweetheart. When she ends up the focus of a Hollywood stunt centered around her being the Oscar date of Hollywood heartthrob Sam Hendricks, life as she knows it becomes a thing of the past. Delilah promptly refuses him, only to find that it isn’t so easy to step out of the limelight once you’ve ended up in the middle of the public eye. Sam Hendricks is not used to taking no for an answer, and when his rejection become a leading story, he determines to do whatever it takes to turn the tide of public opinion back in his favor. Again and again Delilah refuses him until she proposes an offer—if he’ll spend two weeks on her family’s dairy farm, she’ll be his date to the Oscars. In no way is this a fair trade, but Sam feels he has no choice and therefore agrees to her proposal—they both agree no one will ever know.

First Line:

"The makeup girl finished with the powder on Samuel Hendricks' face while he tapped his fingers on his knees and pretended not to notice the coy glances she'd been giving him for the last ten minutes."
So, what's your pick for this week? If you want to participate grab the logo and post your own First Line Friday entry on your blog and then leave your link in the comments. If you don't have a blog, just leave the title, author and first line in the comment section below.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

EdenbrookeEdenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love!

Each time I read this I seem to fall in love just a little bit more. It really is one of my very favorite regencies. I remember when it first came out I was drawn to its beautiful cover, it really fits the story so well.

Marianne is a likable heroine, a bit blind at times and so modest that she couldn't possibly imagine that anyone would chose her over her beautiful twin Cecily. After the tragic death of her mother, she is separated from her twin and sent to live with her grandmother in Bath. Unlike her sister, she prefers the quiet country life and is unhappy living in a bigger city. Marianne is witty, kind and has an innocence that is endearing.

Philip is the ideal hero, it's no surprise that so many people have added him to their "book boyfriend" list. He is just the kind of regency hero that I adore, a true gentleman. He is kind, charming, full of integrity and he just treats Marianne so well. I really loved everything about him, very swoon-worthy.

Philip and Marianne have an awesome love story, while there is an attraction, I loved that they actually build a friendship first. They're is an easy report between them and you can really feel their connection. Marianne is shy and inexperienced, which I thought was realistic for the time period, and while Philip’s intentions may be obvious to us. Marianne is also loyal to a fault and put others needs ahead of her own, which helps explain why I think she purposefully chooses to ignore what's right in front of her.

I loved the writing, it flowed really well and was written in a way that you’re able to get lost in the story and forget that you’re reading. I also loved the supporting characters, especially Philip’s aunt, uncle and mother. Every time I read this I secretly hope that Cecily will get her own book. She is easily swayed by her friendships and worldly pursuits, I just think there is a lot of potential there to see her grow and mature. While I didn't really like Cecily, there were a few times we see glimpses of a genuine person beneath her sometimes self-centered persona and I think it would be fun to see her get her own book.

Overall, a light and fun regency romance. Would recommend to fans of Courting Miss Lancaster and Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince.

Content
Romance: Clean and swoony
Language: None
Violence: Mild

Source: Kindle and paperback



View all my reviews

First Line Friday: Edenbrooke


Welcome to First Line Friday! This fun meme is easy to do, simply pick up the book you're currently reading and share the very first line! There are some really good first lines out there, they grab you and suck you right into the story. Make you want to keep reading. So, my selection for this week is:
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
 
Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.
 
First Line:
 
"It was the oak tree that distracted me."
 
So, what's your pick for this week? If you want to participate grab the logo and post your own First Line Friday entry on your blog and then leave your link in the comments. If you don't have a blog, just leave the title, author and first line in the comment section below.