Welcome to the weekend, friends, with another First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books. I’m featuring another historical romance this week, but one with comedic flair. The fun always begins in a Jen Turano novel with the characters’ names! Though when pitted against names like Permilia Griswold, Oliver Addleshaw, and Temperance Flowerdew, Isadora Delafield and Ian McKenzie of her latest novel, Flights of Fancy, are pretty tame in Jen Turano world 🙂 This novel begins Jen’s American Heiresses series and you can be sure hijinks and hilarity will follow.
And of course, the first line is what every 18th and 19th Century mother longs to hear!
First Line
Please share a first line from a book close to hand or link to your First Line Friday blog post in the comments!
Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she’s always known and finds herself to be an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.
Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely on his own merits. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he’s unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.
Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when mysterious incidents on the farm and the truth of Isadora’s secret threaten those they love, they’ll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.
Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. She can be found on Facebook or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All things Turano @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Jen’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: Flights of Fancy or Koorong
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February 15, 2019 at 1:15 pm
I’ve seen this around the book blogs lately. Love the cover, and the book sounds so sweet!
February 15, 2019 at 11:57 pm
Well, it was all sounding very promising until I read that the Duke of Montrose was elderly and uncouth. I think I’d pass him up if I were her!
Meanwhile, I think you’ll recognise the first line on my blog this week. 🙂
February 17, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Katie Donovan » Too true!!
February 16, 2019 at 12:32 am
I’m currently reading Sarah Sundin’s latest book “The Sky Above Us” I’ll share here the first line from Chapter 30 (because that’s where I am at this moment).
“At 250 yards, Adler squeezed the trigger. Texas Eagle’s bullets erupted the length of the Messerschmitt 110’s right wing, and smoke plumed out of the right engine. Flames.”
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get to enjoy some time reading!
February 17, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Trisha » Great line, Trisha – thanks for sharing. I’m going to do some reading as soon as I finish responding to comments here 🙂 Hope your weekend is going well.
February 16, 2019 at 1:33 am
I’m reading “Mercy’s Fight” by Tammy L. Gray and the first line is: Disoriented, I blinked repeatedly, trying to get Bruce’s face to come into focus.
February 17, 2019 at 7:40 pm
Amy M. » Oh, love, love, love, Mercy’s Fight. Did you love it? I’m assuming you have finished it by now 🙂
February 19, 2019 at 3:51 am
Did I love it? Yes, yes, YYYYEEEESSS!!! You first introduced me to Tammy’s books with “My Hope Next Door”, and man oh man…does she know how to write outside the Christian fiction norm?! Mercy’s Fight was so captivating that I read it much too quickly, but since I own it I can go back and savor time and time again.
February 16, 2019 at 3:17 am
I adore this book. Correction – I adore ALL of Jen’s books!! I cannot wait to read the next in the series 🙂
I’ll share the first line from a book I’m starting this weekend, Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson.
“George Emerson didn’t need anybody.”
Have a lovely weekend!
February 17, 2019 at 7:40 pm
Jessica Baker » How are you enjoying Courting Mr. Emerson? I love that it’s a romance with older characters 🙂
February 18, 2019 at 1:19 pm
I am loving it so far 😁. Such hope for finding love at any age!
February 16, 2019 at 3:43 am
My first line is from A Desperate Hope by Elizabeth Camden
Summer 1896
Alex Duval’s first hint of trouble was when Eloise failed to appear at their hideaway.
Read Flights of Fancy. I agree…. I live ALL. Of Jen’s books!
February 17, 2019 at 7:39 pm
Paula Shreckhise » Nice! I love all Elizabeth’s books, too 🙂
February 16, 2019 at 3:52 am
Oh, that mama burns my biscuits! I’m sharing a new release on Faithfully Bookish but here’s the first line from chapter 2 of my current read, Once Bitten by Betsy St. Amant of the Finding Ever After novella collection: “He was going to stand her up.”
February 17, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Beth Erin » I know, right?! Betsy’s starting line doesn’t bode well either!!
February 16, 2019 at 4:18 am
I loved this book so much!
Happy Friday!
Today on my blog, I am sharing the first line from Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano. I am loving this book so much. I’m currently just starting chapter 19, so I will share the first line from that chapter here.
“‘A bookstore?’ Justin didn’t mean for his dismay to show in his voice when he pulled up in front of the address Melody had given him, but it escaped all the same.”
Hope you have a really excellent weekend filled with relaxing reading time. 🙂💜📚
February 17, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Nicole Santana » Thank you, Nicole! Bittersweet is an excellent book – love Justin so much 🙂
February 16, 2019 at 12:04 pm
I read a book a few weeks ago that had a “Paolo” as a main character. Every single time I read that name, I thought about Rachel’s boyfriend on Friends. Drove me crazy!
February 17, 2019 at 7:37 pm
Dianna » Ha!!
February 16, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Happy Friday! This was such a fun read! I’m sharing from my current read today, American Omens by Travis Thrasher (Uncorrected Proof). Her is the first line from Chapter 17 “The Same Page”:
“The moment her father stepped foot in the barn that morning, Cheyenne couldn’t help but let loose with an uproarious laugh.”
February 17, 2019 at 7:37 pm
Yvette » I have Travis’ book in my TBR too. It’s a happy line to start what I imagine is a suspenseful read!
February 16, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Happy Weekend! My first line is from “If Only It Were Yesterday” by A. M. Heath:
“Oomph. Something solid bashed into my shoulder, knocking me off balance.”
I don’t know which name is the most unusual I have read, but Miss Permilia Griswold from “Behind the Scenes” by Jen Turano is very intriguing! She has been one of my favorite characters from her quirky names.
February 17, 2019 at 7:36 pm
Becky Smith » Great first line! Hope you are enjoying your weekend, Becky.
February 17, 2019 at 2:36 am
That is a difficult question, albeit a very interesting one! I never really think much about funny or unusual character names, until I find myself laughing at some of Jen’s wonderful and sometimes quirky names. It is hard to top “Temperance Flowerdew”.
February 17, 2019 at 7:35 pm
Cathy » 🙂
February 17, 2019 at 11:33 am
I have that book in my unread book box. Hoping to read it soon. Happy Reading!!!
I’m sharing the first lines from A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton:
“Satahuhsiyost — Listen! Open your ears to a story I will tell you.”
https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2019/02/first-line-fridays-flight-of-arrows.html
February 17, 2019 at 7:23 pm
Beauty in the Binding » I loved A Flight of Arrows!
February 18, 2019 at 3:02 am
“I can’t believe she did this to me again.” Abigail Pressman from PAPER HEARTS by Courtney Walsh.
February 19, 2019 at 9:45 am
Love Courtney’s stories!!
February 18, 2019 at 12:25 pm
I just finished “A Heart Reclaimed” by Elizabeth Maddrey. It was very good – I am loving her Peacock Hill series. The first line is “Anna Hamilton parked her car under one of the shaggy cedars near the front of Peacock Hill and rubber her hands together.”
February 19, 2019 at 9:45 am
Thanks for sharing, Ellie!
February 18, 2019 at 11:51 pm
There’s no need to fix something that isn’t broken. First line from A Reason to Stay by Kellie Coates Gilbert.
Thanks for the chance to win Jen Turano’s latest novel.
February 19, 2019 at 9:46 am
So glad you have joined the fun, Staci!
February 19, 2019 at 6:29 am
Skylar Austin trailed along in a line of veterans and their families waiting for their VIP tour of the White House.
First Line from Defense Breach by Lisa Phillips
February 19, 2019 at 9:46 am
Thanks for sharing, Merry!
February 21, 2019 at 2:11 am
Currently reading Robin Lee Hatcher’s Who I Am With You. First line is: “Jessica? Her mother’s voice seemed to come from a great distance.”
February 21, 2019 at 1:32 pm
Laura W. » I want to read another of Robin’s books. Haven’t in a while – thanks for the nudge 😉
February 21, 2019 at 8:44 am
Thanks so much for the chance to win. I love your books!
February 21, 2019 at 8:51 am
“On 7 January 1855 the minister of New York Street Chapel, Southwark, opened his morning sermon as follows”
First line from “Knowing God” by J. I Packer
February 21, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Shamekka S » There’s a lot in that book!
February 21, 2019 at 10:25 am
ARC of The White City by Grace Hitchocock
Winnifred Wylde concentrated on his forehead, nodding, trying to respond appropriately, but it was so difficult with his nose hair escaping and retreating into his left nostril with every breath.
February 21, 2019 at 1:23 pm
Lori Payer » Ha! What an image 🙂 I’m hearing quite a bit about this novel. You’ll have to let me know how you enjoy it, Lori 🙂
February 21, 2019 at 10:31 am
“Growing your own food is rewarding on so many levels.” The Made from Scratch Life by Melissa K. Norris
February 21, 2019 at 1:22 pm
Stacey » So true!!
February 21, 2019 at 1:09 pm
As circumspectly as she could, Rosalind Perry smoothed her dark gray skirts before meeting the wide, assessing gaze of Douglass Sloane, the twenty-four-year-old son and heir of the Sloane estate. Secrets of Sloane House by Shelley Gray.
February 21, 2019 at 1:22 pm
Colleen » Ooo, I love that first line! I’ve enjoyed a number of Shelley historicals.
February 21, 2019 at 2:11 pm
She usually stayed in bed until at least six, but this morning she was restless, like animals get when the barometric pressure drops before a storm.
From Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton
February 21, 2019 at 2:26 pm
Rachel Somers wasn’t sure what bothered her more: conning most of America, or the fact that they’d been doing it for almost a decade and no one even suspected. One Thing I Know by Kara Isaac
February 21, 2019 at 3:38 pm
“If she’d known there were so few washrooms in Indian Territory, Hattie Walker wouldn’t have drunk three cups of coffee at breakfast that morning.” From The Lieutenant’s Bargain by Regina Jennings. I just finished Flights of Fancy and LOVED it. The characters are just so endearing (or not!). The perfect mix of fun, history, romance, and inspiration. I love how Jen doesn’t just drop you at the end of a story. The last chapter and epilogue were fantastic. Definitely “good stuff”!
February 22, 2019 at 3:35 am
The cover is so eye catching that you just have to read the back. looks like sure a darling story.
February 22, 2019 at 3:36 am
Ten year old Meredith Hayes balled her hands into fists as she faced her tormentor.
February 22, 2019 at 4:12 am
Well, this is from the first book i grabbed, actually it was on the very top of my other books, I haven’t read it yet, but it’s the first book i grabbed. “Miss Arabella Beckett had always been proud of the fact she’d never ended up in jail.” Looking forward to reading it! 🙂
February 22, 2019 at 5:22 am
I totally adore Jen’s books and thus one sounds awesome!!
February 22, 2019 at 7:48 am
Winnifred Wilde concentrated on his forehead, nodding, trying to respond appropriately, but it was so difficult with his nose hair escaping and retreating into his left nostril with every breath .
February 22, 2019 at 8:55 am
Love Jen Turano books! Thanks for the chance to win.
February 23, 2019 at 4:11 am
“I told you, I’m not staying.” It’s a short line but it has a lot of weight once you get into the story. It’s from Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green.