First Line Friday – Diversity Between the Pages

First Line Friday: She Knows Her God

Published on January 29, 2021January 7, 2021 by Nicole2 Comments

Happy Friday everyone! You know what that means…it’s time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line!

Today we are featuring the first line of She Knows Her God by award-winning author Joy Ohagwu. It is the first book in her new Asia Bancroft Christian Suspense series. If you enjoy suspense and are new to Joy Ohagwu’s books, this is a perfect opportunity to add She Knows Her God to your TBR list. Happy Reading!

and the first line is….

“There are two sides to every story.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

A gripping Christian Suspense series by an award winning USA Today bestselling author.

Her sworn duty was finding missing girls. His was to make her dead.

Asia Powers, a small-town girl with big dreams and secrets of her own, founded Missing But Treasured Inc. with one goal—to find women like her who were taken from their place of safety.

Traveling overseas to find a missing only daughter sets a dangerous criminal hot on her trail. Caught in the thick web of international trafficking, and confronting more than one dangerous enemy, she is given a single warning: Not to return home if she wants to live. Will she comply?

She Knows Her God is Book 1 of the gripping Asia Bancroft Christian Suspense series by USA Today bestselling, top 17 Christian Fiction Author Joy Ohagwu. Grab your copy now and prepare to read past your bedtime.

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

By God’s grace, USA Today Bestselling Author Joy Ohagwu is an award-winning author of Christian Suspense and Romance & Christian Inspirational Fiction.

Named by Book Riot in August 2019 as one of the 17 best Christian Fiction authors, she writes heartwarming stories with a healthy dose of suspense, divine inspiration, and happy endings.

She credits Jesus with having turned her life around, averted multiple life derailments for her, and she’s grateful to be writing stories that embody grace, hope, love, and second (and multiple) chances.

She earned a Masters’ degree in International Affairs, a Bachelors’ degree in Political Science and has been honored with fourteen individual academic awards for excellence by her alma mater and her peers.

She lives in the Washington DC capital region.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB

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

First Line Friday: Forever In My Heart

Published on November 20, 2020November 19, 2020 by Toni4 Comments

Happy Friday everyone! You know what that means…it’s time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line!

Today we are featuring the first line of Forever In My Heart by Dionne Grace. And the first line is…

Sherry Palmer listened to the gentle rustle of the trees and green foliage in the distance.

About the Book

Sherry’s God-given gift allows her to see far beyond the naked eye, just not what He has planned for her.

Throughout Sherry’s life, there was only ever one man. Adrian Chase. She fell deeply, and when they made plans to marry, she thought her life was set.
Strong in the Lord, she has a gift to see into the spiritual realm. But when unforeseeable, uncontrollable circumstances change the course of their lives, the only man she has ever loved ends up with someone else.
Years on, plagued with memories of their past, she is left in limbo and has given up the possibility of ever seeing Adrian again.
All it takes is one fateful weekend and one look into his soulful brown eyes to undo the years of work it has taken to bury the pain that now threatens to tear her apart all over again.

Plagued by her past and the love in her heart, can she move forward with her life?

Amazon | Goodreads

What’s the first line of the book you’re reading?

Post by Contributor Toni Shiloh

First Line Friday: Finding Seguridad

Published on November 13, 2020October 19, 2020 by Nicole6 Comments

Happy Friday everyone! You know what that means…it’s time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line!

Today we are featuring the first line of Finding Seguridad by Allison K. Garcia, which released last month in October. It is the second book in her Buscando Home series.

and the first line is…

“Fear gripped eight-year old Emanuel Martinez’s heart as he and his mother ran down the hill from their trailer towards Dove Peak Presbyterian Church in Lederville, Virginia.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

How do you feel safe when chaos is ever-present?

Eight-year old Emanuel and his mother, Ana, had finally begun to understand what it meant to be a family when a domestic violence situation caused them to flee their home. Now they need to start over, this time with things more dangerous than ever.

Carlos’ life, as he knew it, was ripped away from him in an instant. Furious about his arrest yet longing for the familiar, he has to choose between winning Ana back and taking revenge.

As Lauren and Peter begin their awakening to systemic racism, their world is shattered and replaced with doubt. Questions about what is real versus what lies they’ve been told lead them to ponder how their faith fits into their new reality.

In this time of grief and loss, who will they turn to for support and safety?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Allison K. García is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a passion for writing. Latina at heart, Allison has absorbed the love and culture of her friends and family and has used her experiences to cast a glimpse into the journey of undocumented Christians.

WEBSITE |FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB

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

First Line Friday: Fourth Day

Published on October 23, 2020August 24, 2020 by Allyson Anthony2 Comments

It’s 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 Fourth Day by Lisa Phillips, book 4 in in her Northwest Counter Terrorism Taskforce series.

And the first line is…

“I need help!” Allyson huffed out a breath, then yelled again. “Medic!”

ABOUT THE BOOK

A dead woman returns.

The trap is set.

Allyson can’t get caught up in feelings. Not when there’s work to do. The night her phone rings, the voice on the other end changes everything. Drawn into the latest Northwest Counter Terrorism Taskforce case, Allyson has to figure out where her loyalties lie.

Sal knows things are changing with the team, but he isn’t sure what’s next for him. As soon as he clears this one last investigation he’ll figure it out. Trouble is, finding Allyson might be the hardest thing he’s ever done.

The Northwest Counter Terrorism Taskforce is on the case.

*a Christian romantic suspense*

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London, Lisa attended Calvary Chapel Bible College where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Since then she’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Lisa can be found in Idaho wearing either flip-flops or cowgirl boots, depending on the season. She leads worship with her husband at their local church. Together they have two kids and an all black Airedale known as The Dark Lord Elevator.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

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

Post by contributor Allyson Anthony

First Line Friday: Third Hour

Published on September 25, 2020September 15, 2020 by Allyson Anthony2 Comments

It’s 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 Third Hour by Lisa Phillips, book 4 in in her Northwest Counter Terrorism Taskforce series.

And the first line is…

Talia breached the first firewall in minutes.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Hiding from her enemy.

Talia takes an assignment at a bank, where she meets a dashing Secret Service agent. Before anything can happen, the NSA analyst is implicated in a cyber-crime.

Mason knows there’s more going on, but Talia won’t tell him what happened to her.

When the hacker closes in, and the Secret Service office is targeted, the only way to uncover what’s really going on is for them all to trust each other.

But with their histories, that’s a whole lot easier said than done.

Good thing the Northwest-Counter Terrorism Taskforce is on the case.

*a Christian Romantic suspense*

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa can be found in Idaho wearing either flip-flops or cowgirl boots, depending on the season. She leads worship with her husband at their local church. Together they have two kids and an all black Airedale known as The Dark Lord Elevator.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS |FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

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

Post by contributor Allyson Anthony

First Line Friday: Heart of a Warrior

Published on September 18, 2020September 10, 2020 by Danielle Grandinetti9 Comments

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! Today we’re traveling back in time to the Oregon Trail as it wove through the Rocky Mountains in the historical romance Heart of a Warrior by Angela K. Couch. The first line is:

Autumn 1859
Eyes clamped shut against the subsiding ache in her abdomen, Christina Astle sucked in cool mountain air.

About the Book

Heart of a Warrior

The Man She Fears Is Her Only Chance For Survival . . .

All Christina Astle wants is to reach Oregon before her baby is born, but the wagon train is attacked, and her husband killed, stranding her in a mountain labyrinth. Raised in the East, within civilization’s embrace, survival is not a skill she’s learned. Neither is evading the lone warrior dogging her trail.

Disgusted by the greed and cruelty of men like his white father, Towan has turned to the simpler existence of his mother’s tribal people. He is not prepared for the fiery woman who threatens to upturn his entire life … and his heart.

This is an Inspirational Historical Romance published by Pelican Book Group. You can find this book blurb as well as various purchase links on Goodreads.

About the Author

Angela K Couch To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after four munchkins. (from her website)

What’s the first line of the book you’re reading?
For more first lines, visit Hoarding Books!

First Line Friday: A Duke, the Lady and a Baby

Published on September 4, 2020August 4, 2020 by Nicole2 Comments

Happy Friday everyone! You know what that means…it’s time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Grab the book nearest to you and share the first line!

Today we are featuring the first line of A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley, which released this summer on June 30, 2020. It is the first book in her new Rogues & Remarkable Women series. If you enjoy historical regency fiction, definitely check this book out!

and the first line is…

” It was a universal truth that no matter her background, face, or charms, a widow in possession of a fortune would be targeted for theft. In my circumstance, I’d been cheated of everything, even my greatest gift. Now was the time to defy authority, to strike and win.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

When headstrong West Indian heiress Patience Jordan questioned her English husband’s mysterious suicide, she lost everything: her newborn son, Lionel, her fortune—and her freedom. Falsely imprisoned, she risks her life to be near her child—until The Widow’s Grace gets her hired as her own son’s nanny. But working for his unsuspecting new guardian, Busick Strathmore, Duke of Repington, has perils of its own. Especially when Patience discovers his military strictness belies an ex-rake of unswerving honor—and unexpected passion . . .

A wounded military hero, Busick is determined to resolve his dead cousin’s dangerous financial dealings for Lionel’s sake. But his investigation is a minor skirmish compared to dealing with the forthright, courageous, and alluring Patience. Somehow, she’s breaking his rules, and sweeping past his defenses. Soon, between formidable enemies and obstacles, they form a fragile trust—but will it be enough to save the future they long to dare together?

AMAZON | GOODREADS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fascinated by the Regency and early Victorian eras, Vanessa Riley made time for renaissance fairs, and period novels and films while obtaining her Ph.D in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Specialty RWA Chapters: The Beaumonde, and the Georgia Chapters, as well as the Historical Novel Society. Vanessa also juggles her military hubby, mothering a teen, and speaking at women’s events. Visit her at http://www.vanessariley.com.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB

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

First Line Friday | If I Believe

Published on August 21, 2020August 20, 2020 by Carrie10 Comments

Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! Today I’m sharing the first line from If I Believe by Kim Cash Tate, book 2 in her Promises of God series.

Goodreads | Amazon

And the first line is:

I don’t believe in fairy tales

I love that cover & the first line definitely has me intrigued! How about you?

About the Book

Sometimes the biggest risk is daring to hope.

Cinda Ellis doesn’t dare to dream. Life has dealt too many blows, and she’s come to expect disappointment. But then a lifelong dream is realized—meeting her dad—and Cinda’s life is finally turning . . . until reality crashes in once again. On the verge of despair, Cinda finds connection with a group of women from Living Hope Church—and an unlikely connection with one of Hollywood’s hottest stars. Her life just might be turning again. But will she only suffer disappointment once more?

Alonzo Coles is living the life of his dreams. On the heels of his first Academy Award nomination, people are already buzzing about his next film. But his choices—from his career to his exploits with women—are starting to bother him. And he’s reminded of a connection he’d made—to Jesus. His quest for answers—about who he is and what he’s called to do—leads him to the pastor of Living Hope Church . . . and a woman unlike any he’s encountered.

Treva Alexander is embracing her new season. A widow turned newlywed, she’s enjoying new love in a new city, in her new role as pastor’s wife. But she’s suddenly challenged when God begins to shake things up. What will she do when her faith is tested like never before?

Faith Langston is on hiatus—from life. An unexpected pregnancy has made her a new mom at twenty. Now, instead of doing big things for God as she’d hoped—or at least working toward her degree—she’s sidelined at home. And though she’d thought she and the baby’s father would rekindle a relationship, she now wonders if she’s even on his mind—or on God’s mind. Has she forfeited the plans He had for her?

About the Author

Kim Cash Tate is an author, bible teacher, speaker, and singer/songwriter. As an author, she has written several books, including Cling: Choosing a Lifestyle of Intimacy with God and her fictional Promises of God series. In addition, Kim has an active YouTube channel featuring bible studies and practical, biblical teaching. She has also created and written a scripted web series called Cling The Series, in which she also played a leading role, airing on her YouTube channel.

As a singer/songwriter, Kim wrote the songs on the Cling Soundtrack and performed on the album as well. She has spoken in several cities with Women of Faith and has been featured on national broadcasts such as The 700 Club and Discover the Word. She has also written for Desiring God, Christianity Today, and She Reads Truth. Formerly, Kim clerked for a federal judge and practiced as a partner in litigation with a large Midwest law firm. She and her husband Bill currently reside in St. Louis, Missouri. Kim can be found online at http://www.kimcashtate.com and on social media platforms @kimcashtate.

What’s the first line of the book you’re reading?
For more first lines, visit Hoarding Books!

First Line Friday | Different Like Me

Published on August 14, 2020 by Danielle Grandinetti14 Comments

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! Today we’re branching off a bit to open the first page of a children’s picture book: Different Like Me by Xochitl Dixon. The first line is:

I look all around me and what do I see?
So many kids who are different from me.

About the Book

Different Like Me celebrates differences while also highlighting what binds us all together. Whether a child feels different because of their race, disability, or another reason, this book shows children working together and acknowledges God made each one.

This is a Christian Children’s Picture Book published by Our Daily Bread. You can find various purchase links here on the author’s website.

About the Author and Illustrator

Xochitl (So-Cheel) E. Dixon authors devotionals and other articles that facilitate spiritual growth by sharing God’s truth in a way that makes it understandable. Her month-long devotional Waiting for God: Trusting in God’s Plan and Pace released last year. A native Californian, she recently moved with her husband to Wisconsin. She also battles chronic pain with the help of her service dog, Callie, who readers will notice joins the children in the illustrations of Different Like Me.

Bonnie Lui is an illustrator for children’s books, animation, and games. She loves to have fun and it shows through her art. You can learn more about Bonnie and her work on her website.

What’s the first line of the book you’re reading?
For more first lines, visit Hoarding Books!

First Line Friday: The Paper Daughters of Chinatown

Published on July 24, 2020July 23, 2020 by Jessica Baker1 Comment

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.”

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

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

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

Post by contributor Jessica Baker