First Line Friday

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:
 

First Light by Michele Paige Holmes

Seventeen-year-old Adrielle doesn’t believe in magic; she merely possesses it, though no one has ever mentioned that her unusual gifts—exceptional speed, a flair for fire, and an intimate knowledge of flora—aren’t things she was born with. When Adrielle starts a fire that burns down the family home, she must deal with both her grief and her siblings’ hurtful rejection. While journeying to far away Tallinyne, in search of her older, estranged sister—the only relative who might take her in—Adrielle is separated from her escort when the carriage is beset by thieves. Alone, she is thrust into a dangerous and unfamiliar world where she encounters fairies and gypsies, a wild boar, a drunk cook, and an evil queen whose curse is sweeping death across the land. Adrielle also finds love, falling hard for a kind, funny, handsome—and completely unavailable prince. From the glowing pearls tucked beneath her mattress and keeping her awake at night, to Queen Nadamaris’s curse that seems to thwart Adrielle’s every effort, Adrielle struggles to navigate a world of magic she never imagined, where people she knows and loves are not always what they appear to be. With the glowing pearls—and her fondest desire—within her grasp, she is forced to make a choice no girl should ever have to—satisfying her own heart or saving the kingdom.

 

First Line:

"The day my life changed forever began as any other."

I already want to continue reading and see what happens on that day! I've heard good things about this book already and isnt that cover gorgeous?!?! 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.

Happy Reading! 

Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes

Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve been looking forward to reading this one for awhile now. I really enjoyed the first two books, and loved the character of Christopher and was looking forward to his story. If you’re not aware, this series follows a family of two sisters and their brother. They’re best if read in order, in my opinion, although they can stand well on their own as well.

Christopher was a very likable character, I love how loyal and protective he is of his sisters. I love stories with strong sibling relationships. As much as he loves his sisters, he wants to make a life for his own, in America. The other books were set in England and thought Christophers journey was a nice change of pace. On his journey to America he meets Marsali. Marsali has had a rough life, something Christopher can relate to with his own untraditional upbringing.

Overall, this was an emotional read and it was great to be along for the ride as Christopher follows his dreams and gets his happily ever after. If you enjoy Regency or Historical Fiction, I highly recommend this series.

Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: Mild
Religious: None


View all my reviews

Loving Helen by Michele Paige Holmes

Eighteen-year-old Helen Thatcher grew up under the protection of her older siblings, Grace and Christopher. Living in their shadows and keeping to herself suited Helen just fine—until she met widower Samuel Preston. Watching Mr. Preston care for his young daughter and seeing his concern extend to her own family, Helen felt her reserve slipping away, as she learned first to trust him and then realized she had fallen in love with him. But instead of returning—or even noticing her affection—Mr. Preston developed his own tender, and unrequited feelings, for Grace. In the midst of each silently nursing their broken hearts, Helen and Samuel are faced with a daunting task—reuniting Grace with her fiancé, Nicholas Sutherland. Now it is Helen who must look out for her sister and sacrifice her own fragile heart, as she and Samuel pretend to be engaged. Helen finds the role surprisingly easy to play, allowing herself to imagine that Samuel’s loving remarks are sincere. As the time for their charade to end draws near Helen must summon her courage and tell Samuel the truth of her feelings, or risk losing him forever.

I really enjoyed this one! It had been awhile since I read the first book, but I was quickly sucked back into the story and the characters. This is the second book in the Hearthfire Romance series, I actually think it stands well on its own. I really enjoyed the first book and recommend reading it, but I think this one can be enjoyed on its own as well. Characters from the first book do play a role in the story though so you may enjoy it more if you have read the previous book. Helen was a likable character. She is more on the quite side, but more because of life experiences than of truly being shy. She has learned the hard way not to trust men, but with their livelihood in the balance she decides she wants to marry to help her family. She has come to admire their neighbor, Samuel Preston. Mr. Preston is still morning the loss of his wife and also happens to be falling in love with Helen's sister Grace. Lots of fun tension and complications in this one. I really liked their brother Christopher and how he looks out for his sisters. There's a good set up for his book, which I believe comes out later this year Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable story. There were some parts I thought were a little slow, a little too much inner-thought, but that's more of a personal preference. I would easily recommend this series to any regency fan. Content: Clean

Saving Grace by Michele Paige Holmes

After the death of her grandfather, the Duke of Salisbury, Grace Thatcher wants nothing more than to live quietly in the country with her younger siblings. Her father’s debts thwart those plans, and to protect her sister, Helen, Grace must marry a man of her father’s choosing. As each suitor proves less than desirable, Grace comes up with clever schemes, causing each to reject her. While staying at the mysterious Sutherland Hall, a middle-of-the-night mishap sends Grace into the arms of a stranger, Nicholas Sutherland—and provides inspiration for her grandest plan yet—one that will leave her reputation in tatters yet free both her and Helen from all possibility of marriage. Too late Grace regrets her rash actions when her father’s last choice, Mr. Samuel Preston, proves to be a gentleman and a friend. But Samuel is the sworn enemy of Nicholas Sutherland, the man responsible for her “ruin.” Now instead of being free, Grace is caught between two men—each with his own agenda.

I love picking up a book and falling into the story right from the start. I knew early on that I was going to enjoy this one, and I did. Grace Thatcher finds herself in a tricky spot, her father is trying to marry her off to any wealthy man that he can find to cover his extensive gambling debts. Grace has no desire to marry and simply wants to take her siblings and hide away in the country. Her plans run amok when her carriage breaks down and she finds herself in the home of Lord Sutherland. Through a series of unfortunate events the two find themselves engaged.

I loved the evolution of their relationship, from hating one another to eventually caring rather deeply for each other. I though this had a strong start, I did feel at times it was a tad slow, but I enjoyed it. Grace was a likable heroine, she was kind and honest. I liked that she always attempted to make the right choice, even if it didn't always turn out the best. Nicholas was pretty broody and full of revenge when the book starts, but Grace brings out his softer side. They were a good couple and it was fun seeing them together. There was a bit of a love triangle, but was well done. I actually came to like Samuel Preston quite a bit. I would have liked a scene where Nicholas and Samuel really come to an understanding of what happened with Elizabeth. But, I was happy with how everything turned out.

Overall, a fun regency story and one I'd recommend!

Content: Clean
Nominated for a 2014 Swoony Award.