First Line Friday: Jody Hedlund’s The Runaway Bride (with giveaway)

First Line Friday

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, [easyazon_link identifier=”B07VPL25T2″ locale=”US” tag=”relzrevi-20″]The Runaway Bride[/easyazon_link], 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 – [easyazon_link identifier=”B004HKIIBW” locale=”US” tag=”relzrevi-20″]The Preacher’s Bride[/easyazon_link]. 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

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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

The Runaway Bride

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 HedlundHS

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: [easyazon_link identifier=”B07VPL25T2″ locale=”US” tag=”relzrevi-20″]The Runaway Bride[/easyazon_link] or Koorong

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38 comments

  1. 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.”

  2. 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. ❤📖

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. I love the idea of time traveling through books and the social tensions between men and women of the time.

  6. 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!

  7. I have always liked history and like learning about the past, the customs, the dress, the occupations, the travels. Historic fiction is my favorite!

  8. 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.

  9. I love reading historical fiction because I love to read about life in another era Thanks for the opportunity to win

  10. 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.

  11. I so enjoy reading historical fiction. Jody is one of my favorite authors in this genre. Always watching for her next awesome story.

  12. I love learning something new in a really good read! Good characters make the story and time period come alive! Love Jody’s writing!

  13. 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!

  14. I love reading of how people lived and done things in historical fiction. The simplicity of life intrigues me.

  15. 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.

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