First Line Friday: Catch a Falling Star

Happy Friday!

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line. Today I’m sharing the first line from Catch a Falling Star by Linda Leigh Hargrove.

“Disgusted, I threw the morning newspaper across the room.”

About the Book

Youthful mistakes cut their dreams of the Olympics short. What happens when Mae decides that those choices have haunted her long enough? Can Harrison also recognize that now is their second chance to catch a falling star?
Amazon | Goodreads

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About the Author

I write fiction under the pen name of Linda Leigh Hargrove. I’m a native North Carolinian and I currently live near Charlotte, NC. I have strong opinions about biblical racial reconciliation, growing your family by adoption, and writing fiction. And oh yeah, I’m an engineer. Find out more about my books at http://www.thefaithtowrite.com/books/. 

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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh

First Line Friday: The Paper Daughters of Chinatown

Happy Friday Everyone!

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line! Today I am sharing the first line from The Paper Daughters of Chinatown. This book is set to come out September 1, and I’ll be reviewing it next week, so stop back and see what I thought!

 

 

And the first line is…….

“Donaldina Cameron leaned her head against the cool glass of the window as the train slowed to a stop, its whistle mimicking the call of a mournful dove – deep and melancholy – a fitting echo of her life over the past few years.”

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ABOUT THE BOOK

A powerful story based on true events surrounding Donaldina Cameron and other brave women who fought to help Chinese-American women escape discrimination and slavery in the late 19th century in California.

When Donaldina Cameron arrives at the Occidental Mission Home for Girls in 1895, she intends to teach sewing skills to young Chinese women immigrants, but, within days, she discovers that the job is much more complicated than perfect stitches and even hems. San Francisco has a dark side, one where a powerful underground organization – the criminal tong – brings Chinese young women to America to sell them as slaves. With the help of Chinese interpreters and the Chinatown police squad, Donaldina becomes a tireless social reformer to stop the abominable slave and prostitution trade.

Mei Lien believes she is sailing to the “Gold Mountain” in America to become the wife of a rich Chinese man. Instead she finds herself sold into prostitution – beaten, starved, and forced into an opium addiction. It is only after a narrow escape that she hears of the mission home and dares to think there might be hope for a new life.

AMAZON  |  BARNES AND NOBLE  |   GOODREADS

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty publications. Her historical novels and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes women’s fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt, the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

Please join Heather’s email list at: HBMoore.com/contact/
Blog: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com
Website: HBMoore.com
Instagram: @authorhbmoore
Twitter: @heatherbmoore
Facebook: Fans of H.B. Moore

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Let us know the first line of the book closest to you & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

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Post by contributor Jessica Baker

First Line Friday: Kiss and ‘Telle?

Happy Friday Everyone!

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line! Today I am sharing the first line from Kiss and ‘Telle by Nadine Keels. Don’t you just love the cover!?

 

 

And the first line is…….

“Welp. We might as well, ’Telle.”

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ABOUT THE BOOK

If only this type of thing were as easy as it looks in chick flicks.

Ever since her college days, Chantelle has had growing feelings for Dennis, a swaggering and smart geek-at-heart who’s got romance coming out of his ears. At least, he talks as if he’s mastered the art of dating, but how would Chantelle know if it’s true? She’s never gotten to experience Dennis as anything more than a close friend.

But wait! A huge opportunity comes along that could impact both their personal and professional lives. This may lead to the perfect time for Chantelle to tell Dennis what he means to her.

It may also be time for some of Chantelle’s own words about love to come back to bite her.

Oops.

AMAZON  |  BARNES AND NOBLE  |  APPLE  |  KOBO  |  GOODREADS

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With her lifelong passion for life-enriching fiction, Nadine C. Keels enjoys reading and writing everything from short stories to novels. Her fiction works include Love Unfeigned and The Movement of Crowns Series, and select pieces of her lyrical poetry can be found on her spoken word album, Hope. Lyricized. Through her books and her blog (Prismatic Prospects), Nadine aims to spark hope and inspiration in as many people as she is privileged to reach.

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Let us know the first line of the book closest to you & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

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Post by contributor Jessica Baker

First Line Friday: The Switch

Happy Friday!

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line!

And the first line is…

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“Where are you?”

“I’m driving past Marine Parade, Ash. I can practically see your house from here. Would you calm down?”

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About the Book

A Friends To Lovers Romance

Ashanti Lane would do anything for her best friend Luke. Even pretend to be his girlfriend so his traditional Chinese parents would accept a black woman into their family.

The plan is simple. Get in and get out so Luke can have a happily-ever-after with his African queen. But when it’s time to make the switch, Ashanti realizes her feelings for Luke are more than a ruse.

Should she risk their friendship for love or step back and watch Luke walk away with someone else?

 Amazon | Goodreads

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Let me know the first line of the book closest to you & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh.

First Line Friday: Taming Mr. Charming

Happy Friday!

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line!

And the first line is…

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“Spencer and Peyton are what?” I shrieked, wondering if I was in an alternate universe.

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About the Book

Mia Johnson is a girl with a past, but she’s never let her past define her and she isn’t about to start now. She has her eyes set on the future, a future where the perfect black Prince Charming will come rescue her and whisk her off to enjoy the love of a lifetime.

There’s only one problem.

Peyton Lowry, Spencer Braden’s handsome business partner, is constantly getting under her skin. Will he be able to break down her walls and give her the fairy tale ending she never knew she wanted? Or will prejudice and insecurities keep her from taming the right Mr. Charming?

 Amazon | Goodreads

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Let me know the first line of the book closest to you & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh.

Throwback Thursday: Taming Mr. Jerkface

Happy Thursday!

I know you might be shocked we’re coming to you on a Thursday, but there’s been a slight change. 😉 We’ll be posting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays now with an odd post on the other days here and there as we see fit.

Now onto today’s scheduled post. 🙂

This Throwback Thursday read is brought to you by Nia Arthurs author of Taming Mr. Jerkface. This book released in 2016. Have you read it? I recently discovered it last weekend and have been diving into Ms. Arthurs’ backlist.

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About the Book

Melody Reyes is on her first public relations assignment overseas. She’s living life the only way she knows how, with one foot in the Kingdom and the other in the world. One divinely inspired encounter knocks her flat to the ground, literally. Melody finds herself swept off her feet by a hunky, Asian guy who is her opposite in nearly every way.

She’s a quirky girl from the Caribbean in the big city for the first time. He’s a smooth, no-nonsense businessman helplessly drawn to her sincerity and weirdness. She blurts exactly what she’s thinking and he keeps his cards close to the chest. He’s close to perfect but not quite. Can this lively Belizean beauty tame the Jerkface?

 Amazon | Goodreads

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You can find the author on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh.

Book Spotlight: Monday Morning Joy

Hey, Diversity Readers!

I hope you’re having a good bookish week! I wanted to share a book spotlight on Monday Morning Joy by Tia McCollors. I read it over the weekend and thought it would make a good spotlight. Have you read it? If not, see below for more information.

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About the Book

Rae Stevens’ life might as well be a front page headline after a popular local sportscaster abruptly ends their engagement. Now, due to a staff shortage at the newspaper she works for, Rae is assigned to write a feature on baseball standout Malachi Burke, renowned as a womanizer and party man. She plans to write a quick and uninvolved story and then leave Malachi and everything he represents in the rearview mirror. Malachi Burke has never been so intrigued by a woman as he is by Rae Stevens. From the first day they met, he knew there was something different about her. For three months, he’s worked to put his life in right standing with God and leave his past behind. But it resurfaces when his former girlfriend Alexandria shows up to claim what’s hers. He doesn’t mind that Alexandria doesn’t like the person he’s become, but he wants Rae to know him for more than the person he’s been.

Amazon | Goodreads

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About the Author

Tia McCollors used to dream of being a television news anchor, but her destiny led her behind the pages instead of in front of the cameras. After earning a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill, she went on to work several jobs in the public relations industry. In 1999, a job layoff prompted Tia to discover and pursue a writing career.  Following the birth of her son in 2006, she left the corporate arena to focus on raising her children and her burgeoning writing career.

In addition to being an author, Tia is an inspirational speaker and instructor for writing workshops. She particularly enjoys coaching women of faith, female entrepreneurs, and stay-at-home mothers.

A native of Greensboro, NC, she now lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area with her husband and children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh

Book Review: A Worthy Heart

Happy Friday!

Not only is it Friday, but it’s Valentine’s Day! A good day to read a romantic book, don’t you think? That’s why I’m sharing A Worthy Heart by Sara Beth Williams. This sweet story is the perfect Valentine’s Day book to curl up with!

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About the Book

Joel Bennett has always known Serena Hayes as his sister’s gregarious best friend. In the three years since Lacey began college, Serena became a regular houseguest, but lately, she’s absent more than not. When Joel discovers she’s in an abusive relationship, protectiveness from within roars to life.

With only a part time job to support her and nowhere to go, Serena fears leaving her current relationship would jeopardize her chances of graduating college. After a brutal attack leaves her no choice, she courageously moves out. On her journey toward regaining confidence, self-worth, and independence, Joel falls in beside her, encouraging her. The way he emulates Godly love and compassion draws her close—not just to him, but to the God who can satisfy her longing for love better than any man,

Attraction sizzles between them, but events from their pasts cast shadows of doubt. When the unthinkable happens, can Serena open her heart to a second chance at love, or is she destined to be alone?

Amazon | Goodreads

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My Thoughts

Sara Beth Williams has given readers a story that will absolutely touch their hearts. In a powerful story of fighting for yourself, relying on a God who is big enough to get you through anything life throws at you, and how second chances can sneak up on us during the times we are least expecting it, Williams shows readers that you really can get out of a tough situation.

There is no denying that abuse is a hard topic. It’s tough to write, it’s tough to read, and even watch in real life if we know someone who suffers from it. And while Williams doesn’t get gruesome with her details, she writes enough for readers to know exactly what is happening. It absolutely broke my heart, and the way Serena dealt with it for so long, it just made me angry. Here’s the thing – there are so many women suffering from this very thing that do not feel like they can escape either. Or they tell themselves it won’t keep happening, their boyfriends/husbands love them, etc… But this book, well it gives these women hope. Hope that there is people out there who can help them. If for nothing else, read this story for that!

Aside from that, it really is a well written story. The characters are wonderful – especially Joel. What a caring, protective hero that readers will most likely swoon over. He doesn’t judge, and sometimes he doesn’t ask – he just takes action. I love seeing a man’s protective instincts, and Joel certainly shared his throughout the story. At one point I thought those instincts would get him in a bit of trouble – I guess you’ll have to read for yourself to see if he did or not!

At the end of the day, Williams reminds readers of God’s ability to turn something horrible into something good. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time, and I hope to share it with others who could benefit from its powerful message. I encourage you to do the same! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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About the Author

Sara Beth Williams has loved to read and write since her elementary school days. She loves a good story, regardless of platform. Therefore, she hates watching TV episodes out of order! (God forbid she should miss something vital to the overall story line!)

She was raised in Sacramento, California, and still resides there with her husband, two beautiful daughters, a lovable old pit bull and a spunky and very shaggy Pomeranian. Her time is currently divided between working, raising her daughters and doggies, and writing every spare moment she can.

She loves children, writing, music, teaching and playing with children and a good, soaking rainstorm.

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter  / Goodreads / All Author / Bookbub / Amazon

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Post written by contributor Jessica Baker

Book Review: History Lesson

Happy Friday!

I’m super excited about February because it’s Black History Month. I love learning about past Black Americans and the awesome inventions and contributions they blessed us with. This month I decided to look at some historical fiction written by Black authors. The first one I read was History Lessons by Linda Leigh Hargrove. It’s set in the 70s so not a true historical, but a throwback enough I counted it. 😉

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About the Book

Rural North Carolina, 1973

At first, Paula Raye Lawrence is dead set on leaving the small farming community of Cherry, North Carolina. She’s willing to work in the cucumber fields, take in sewing, and tutor GED students to realize her dream of escaping her rural roots (and past mistakes) to become a big-city math teacher.

But then a visit from Dr. Edward Anderson, a young handsome history professor, from UNC Chapel Hill changes her mind. Through Edward’s eyes, Paula begins to see the influences of Harriet Tubman and Booker T. Washington hidden in plain sight all around her tiny coastal North Carolina community.

After rumors surface about why he’s not fighting in the war raging in Vietnam, she begins to doubt his real romantic intentions. Is he worth giving up her dreams for or is he just like her late father — just another rolling stone.

Amazon | Goodreads

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My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. There was so much about it that painted a vivid picture that almost displayed itself like a movie reel in my mind. The North Carolina community Ms. Hargove set this in came to life with the scenery and the history it offered.

Paula Raye was a great heroine who struggled to see her dreams come to fruition. Yet she was determined not to give up. I loved that!

And Dr. Edward Anderson seems to have it all at first glance, but little by little, the reader sees the heartache he’s experienced.

These two were perfect for one another, and I enjoyed seeing their romance unfold as I got a glimpse of the past.

*I read this through Kindle Unlimited. My review was not required nor influenced.

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About the Author

Linda Leigh Hargrove blends suspense, humor, and faith into compelling stories about race and class in America. Her writings include three novels, two romance novellas, and two works of nonfiction.

Linda has taught workshops on fiction writing to adults and teens. To further help would-be writers realize their dreams of publication, she plans to launch “TheFaithToWrite.com” in Spring 2018.

She is a native of Washington County, North Carolina and currently resides near Charlotte with her husband and three sons. Connect with Linda on your favorite social media platforms.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Post written by contributor Toni Shiloh

Book Spotlight: My Beauty for Your Ashes + #Giveaway

Happy Wednesday!

Have you read Traci Wooden-Carlisle? If not, today’s a great day to do so. She’s giving an eBook copy of her book, so be sure to enter the giveaway.

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About the Book

Four lives connected by one secret. The key to unlocking the answers…forgiveness.

Elder Paige Morganson has come back from the brink of suicide and dealt with most of the anger and pain from her past. Now, she serves as a well-loved minister at her church, and full-time writer and women’s motivational speaker.

As she juggles these roles, she is also artfully dodging her pastor’s attempts at matchmaking. Her world is rocked when a door she thought closed forever opens once again, spilling secrets even she was unaware of.

Elder Brandon Tatum has finally stepped out from under his father’s shadow and is looking forward to what God has in store for his new ministerial career. He has no time for stubborn, golden-eyed beauties who haunt his dreams.

Widower Mason Jenson’s top priority is his daughter, Vivian. When a near-fatal accident jeopardizes her livelihood, his search for a living donor brings him face to face with a beautiful, golden-eyed woman who looks oddly familiar.

Vivian’s grandmother, Victoria Branchett, would also do anything to ensure the health of her granddaughter. But in her mind, Mason Jensen is not to be trusted. Especially since she believes he is to blame for her daughter’s death.

As the years of secrets binding these four together begin to unravel, will they overcome their anger and prejudices to find the peace and love they have long desired?

Amazon | Goodreads

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About the Author

Traci Wooden-Carlisle first considers herself a child of God, a lover of souls, and a passionate seeker of the beauty God sees in each one of His creations.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Wooden-Carlisle desired to be a poet and novelist at the age of 11. She planned out her life at that time, until 26, but was unable to see beyond that year. Both of her parents were believers in the one and only living God and that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

Her love for God is a gift she treasures and wishes to continually share with everyone. She believes it is through that love that she was able to receive many answers to questions that plague people of a youthful physical age and maturity.

At 24 she found herself out of college and having a hard time with the transition from school to the workplace, but thanks to a Tuesday night Bible Study invite and Gods intervention she was fire baptized and began writing poetry under the unction of the Holy Spirit.

Her younger sister, whom she adores, speaks this of her. “Her love of dance and passion for reading and writing are, in many seasons, what God uses to minister to His people. Jesus Christ is such an integral part of her life, it emanates from her very being. Her desire for God speaks so loud all you can say is I want what she has. The love of God surrounds her and her husband of 11 years, which is a love she and her family believes to be a match made in heaven.”

Today, Mrs. Wooden Carlisle lives in San Diego with her husband. She is currently building her jewelry making business and writing her third book in the Christian-fiction series, Promises to Zion.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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Giveaway

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