Welcome to another First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books, where I share a first line from a book I’m reading…or about to read. This week I’ve chosen the first line from Jody Hedlund’s new historical romance, The Runaway Bride, the second book in her highly acclaimed Bride Ships series. Jody is a stellar writer, combining beautiful prose, electrifying attraction, and impeccable research, and have loved her novels from her debut – The Preacher’s Bride. I can’t wait to read this story and hope the same for you. Thanks to Bethany House, you have the chance to win a copy below.
Now, for the first line…
First Line
If that doesn’t herald the story to come, I don’t know what will! If you love this trope, Jody does it beautifully.
The Book
Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.
Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town’s baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella’s affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.
As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need–a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter’s advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what’s right cost both her and Peter everything?
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of over 20 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats. Visit her at www.jodyhedlund.com.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Hedlund @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Jody’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: The Runaway Bride or Koorong
You Might Also Like...
First Line Friday: Jody Hedlund’s A Bride of Convenience (with giveaway)- First Line Friday: Nancy Mehl’s Firestorm (with giveaway)
- First Line Friday: Becky Wade’s Sweet on You (with giveaway)
- First Line Friday: Misty M. Beller’s Hope’s Highest Mountain (with giveaway)
- First Line Friday: Jody Hedlund’s A Reluctant Bride (with giveaway)
February 22, 2020 at 12:54 pm
History is fascinating. The romance aspect is the icing.
February 22, 2020 at 1:26 pm
The settings & time period.
February 22, 2020 at 1:37 pm
I love history based books. A lot of the time I learn something I didnt know.
February 22, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Happy Friday! On my blog I’m sharing the first line from a Mary Connealy book, Woman of Sunlight. Here’s the next line:
“Her face was peppered with half-healed blisters left from having chicken pox, but she resisted the urge to slap her hands over her scabby cheeks.”
February 22, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Happy Saturday! 😊
Yesterday I shared the first few lines from Blind Dates, Bridesmaids, and Other Disasters by Aspen Hadley. I’m just starting chapter 10, so I’ll share a line from there.
“Sunday night I was lounging in the comfy over-stuffed chair in the corner of my room, flipping through an old copy of Pride and Prejudice that I’d read a few times.”
Hope you have a great weekend filled with awesome reading time. ❤📖
February 22, 2020 at 6:43 pm
I love and enjoy reading in this time era. It takes me to a time when I am reading, I enjoy it so much that I feel I’m with the people.
February 22, 2020 at 11:22 pm
This whole series looks wonderful! Have a great weekend!
February 23, 2020 at 1:19 am
I can’t wait to read this book!
February 23, 2020 at 1:26 am
I can’t wait to read this book. I have loved everything by Jody!!!
February 23, 2020 at 1:44 am
I learn so much by reading historical fiction and find it fascinating! Love this beautiful cover!
February 23, 2020 at 1:46 am
Historical romance is my favorite genre. The history, if well researched, helps bring the story to life and the romance speaks to the heart of a person.
February 23, 2020 at 1:58 am
I love the idea of time traveling through books and the social tensions between men and women of the time.
February 23, 2020 at 2:17 am
I have many of Hedlund’s books in my church library. Love them all!
February 23, 2020 at 2:23 am
I always love the descriptions of the time period and seeing how things were in the past.
February 23, 2020 at 2:54 am
I have always loved historical fiction, because I feel I learn something well I also enjoy it!
February 23, 2020 at 2:57 am
I just seems like a simpler time compared to today.
wfnren at aol cot com
February 23, 2020 at 3:21 am
What an amazing first line! On my blog today I’m sharing the first line from So Over My Head by Jenny B Jones:
“If my love life were the knife toss at a circus, I’d have Luke Sullivan speared to the wall with an apple in his mouth.”
Have a great rest of your weekend!
February 23, 2020 at 3:29 am
I love reading historical novels! I learn so much about the past!
Thank you for considering me 🙂
February 23, 2020 at 3:42 am
I have always liked history and like learning about the past, the customs, the dress, the occupations, the travels. Historic fiction is my favorite!
February 23, 2020 at 3:44 am
I love to learn about history with the romance.
February 23, 2020 at 4:26 am
I love reading historical fiction as it just seems like a more romantic, simpler time period. I’m sure it probably wasn’t though. But I still love that time period.
February 23, 2020 at 6:01 am
I love reading historical fiction because I love to read about life in another era Thanks for the opportunity to win
February 23, 2020 at 6:29 am
This book looks amazing! That first sentence reels me right in. Can’t wait to read it!
February 23, 2020 at 7:03 am
I can always learn something new and fascinating about history. I read Jody’s first book in this series and looking forward to the second.
February 23, 2020 at 7:21 am
I so enjoy reading historical fiction. Jody is one of my favorite authors in this genre. Always watching for her next awesome story.
February 23, 2020 at 7:25 am
The cover is beautiful. I like learning about the time period.
February 23, 2020 at 9:51 am
I enjoy the history lesson behind the story in historical romance fiction.
February 23, 2020 at 9:57 am
BTW the link for BookBub goes to Jody not someone by the name of Lisa as it says in the Rafflecopter.
February 23, 2020 at 12:18 pm
I love learning about history and when it includes a little romance it is win win.
February 23, 2020 at 1:36 pm
I love learning something new in a really good read! Good characters make the story and time period come alive! Love Jody’s writing!
February 24, 2020 at 7:09 am
Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres to read. I enjoy going back in time and experiencing life without technology.
February 24, 2020 at 11:32 am
I love learning about so many times and people of all places in historical fiction. I enjoy knowing the books will be clean, especially when they are by authors I already enjoy!
February 24, 2020 at 11:08 pm
I really like historical fiction. i read Jody’s book the Reluctant Bride and thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 25, 2020 at 3:00 am
I’m always curious as to the ‘whys’ some women would become mail-order brides.
February 26, 2020 at 2:12 pm
I love reading of how people lived and done things in historical fiction. The simplicity of life intrigues me.
February 27, 2020 at 12:35 pm
I love all of the history and romance in Historical Romances.
February 27, 2020 at 3:26 pm
I love thinking about history as real people living through the experiences in the book.
February 28, 2020 at 12:50 am
I love Historical books. I learn so many facaniting facts and it takes me to places I may have been, or somewhere I have not been.I always learn something new.