I haven’t done a First Line Friday for a while, so I’m making up with it by bringing your four first lines this week!! Today, I’m featuring The Kissing Tree, a collection of four timeless novels from authors Regina Jennings, Karen Witemeyer, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese. This collection spans centuries and is linked by a magnificent oak tree and the romances that take beneath its limbs.
This is a delightful collection, not to be missed. Each author’s voice is unique and the story they bring romantic and immersive. It is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Thanks to Bethany House we have a copy to give away – enter below!
First Line Friday is hosted by the lovely folk at Hoarding Books – you should join in the fun!
Enjoy these first lines…
First Lines
The Book
Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors’ unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak’s bark.
In Regina Jennings’ Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.
In Karen Witemeyer’s Inn for a Surprise, two opinionated collaborators with conflicting visions must turn a doomed business venture into a successful romantic retreat.
From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.
Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance about the groundskeeper of a historic inn who’s reunited with someone from her past while she fights to save a town landmark.
Karen Witemeyer is a winner of the multiple Carol Awards and has been a finalist for the RITA Award and National Readers’ Choice Award. She lives in Abilene, Texas.Visit her atwww.karenwitemeyer.com.
Regina Jennings is the acclaimed author of The Fort Reno Series and winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award. She lives with her family outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Visit her at www.reginajennings.com.
Amanda Dykes is the author of Whose Waves These Are, a Booklist Top Ten Debut Romance of 2019 and acclaimed by Publishers Weekly as an “impressive debut.”Visit her at www.amandadykes.com.
Nicole Deese is a Carol Award winner and a RITA Awards and INSPY Awards finalist. She lives in small-town Idaho. Visit her at www.nicoledeese.com.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Witemeyer @ Relz Reviewz
All Things Jennings @ Relz Reviewz
All Things Dykes @ Relz Reviewz
All Things Deese @ Relz Reviewz
Buy at Amazon: The Kissing Tree or Koorong
October 17, 2020 at 10:15 am
Happy Friday!
Over on my blog I am sharing the first line from Secret Beach Boyfriend by Kari Trumbo. “Annie Roman squinted into the bright setting sun at the ferry chugging into the dock.”
https://www.musingsofasassybookishmama.com/2020/10/first-line-friday-secret-beach-boyfriend.html
Have a lovely weekend!
October 17, 2020 at 10:40 am
I am currently reading 50 Days of Heaven by Randy Alcorn. I’m only on Chapter Two, so I’ll share the first line from that chapter. Over the years, a number of people have told me, “We shouldn’t think about Heaven. We should just think about Jesus.” Have a wonderful weekend.
October 17, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Normally I prefer a full length novel, but when time is short, such as when packing, cleaning, and moving, a novella collection is a wonderful way to squeeze a complete story into a full day!
October 17, 2020 at 11:29 pm
Although I’ve read each of the authors in this collection, novella collections like this are often a great way to be introduced to a new author!
October 17, 2020 at 11:30 pm
I like reading them because I enjoy reading stories by different authors.
October 18, 2020 at 12:28 am
Usually in novella collections I can try out authors that are new to me before committing to a full-length novel by them.
October 18, 2020 at 1:02 am
Looking forward to reading this collection! Thank you for the opportunity!
October 18, 2020 at 1:08 am
I enjoy novella collections when I have appointments to wait for, am in between review novels, or just want something shorter to read when life gets hectic.
October 18, 2020 at 1:19 am
I enjoy reading novellas in between larger series.
October 18, 2020 at 5:12 am
I love novella collections because they bring together several authors who show their creativity by writing about a common theme.
October 18, 2020 at 5:20 am
I like when there are multiple stories in a book. It’s a nice change. Thanks for the chance.
October 18, 2020 at 5:26 am
It’s fun to have a collection from different authors. Sometimes I want a quick read.
October 18, 2020 at 5:53 am
Novellas are a good change, mixed in with longer books or series. They are also a good introduction to authors.
October 18, 2020 at 7:23 am
The Kissing Tree was a fabulous collection!
My current book is A Haven For Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. November 1939
Olivia Rosetti turned up the volume on the radio in the empty parlor.
October 18, 2020 at 10:09 am
I love meeting new authors this way. I found four great authors, including Regina and Karen, when I read “With the Ring?”. I can’t wait to read Nicole Deese’s story. Love the other three, but Nicole is a new-to-me author. It was fun getting to know them all a bit better at the launch party on Facebook. What a great collection. Thanks for the opportunity!
October 18, 2020 at 10:09 am
I love novella collections because they usually have a common theme. Novellas are faster paced, with less details, which makes them fun also.
October 18, 2020 at 11:54 am
I love novella collections, and I have bought so many over the years. They are a great way to enjoy stories by a variety of authors based on a common setting, theme, etc. It’s also a fun way to be introduced to new writers.
October 19, 2020 at 8:16 pm
What a great group of authors! I like collection like this because you can get several of your fave writers in one bind.
October 19, 2020 at 9:47 pm
I like novella collections as well as full length novels.
October 20, 2020 at 9:19 am
I love novellas because they are short and sweet and can be enjoyed at just about any quick little interval I can fit them in!
October 20, 2020 at 10:46 pm
Sometimes I don’t want to spend days reading a book and a good novella provides me the ‘break’ I need in an afternoon.
October 23, 2020 at 1:22 pm
I don’t love novella collections in particular. Usually I love the novella and wish it was a full length novel. I read them because the stories are written by favorite authors. If I haven’t heard of the authors or if there are more than four or five novellas, I don’t usually read them.