Books: First Lines Fridays 9th May 2025
Welcome to First Lines Fridays! This week we’re diving into the opening lines of a cosy mystery that promises to draw you in right from the start. I haven’t read it yet, but the first sentence certainly piques my curiosity! With just the right hint of intrigue and charm, it’s got me wondering what twists and turns lie ahead. So, let’s take a look at this week’s first line and see if it hooks you as much as it has me!
Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.
I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.
What is First Lines Fridays?
First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
- Finally… reveal the book!
My Pick For This Week
The first lines of the book:
I stand in the middle of my grandmother’s—no, my—living room, surveying the organized chaos around me. Streamers drape elegantly from the ornate crown molding, their pastel hues a stark contrast to the deep, rich tones of the antique furniture. The scent of lemon furniture polish mingles with the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting from the kitchen. It’s almost perfect, but something still feels off.
Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!
And the book is...
- ASIN : B0DGNN9QNK
- Publication date : September 10, 2024
- Print length : 78 pages
Book synopsis for Granny’s Ghost and the Poisoned Punch by Sloane Finley
A housewarming party to die for...
Lena's fresh start in her grandmother's old Victorian house takes a sinister turn when her housewarming celebration becomes a crime scene. As guests fall ill and accusations fly, Lena finds herself at the center of a poisonous plot. With the help of her grandmother's ghost, she must unravel a web of secrets, rivalries, and hidden agendas before the killer strikes again.
In the quaint town of New Oslo, where everyone has a stake in Lena's inherited property, friend and foe blur into one. As she digs deeper, Lena uncovers long-buried tensions and realizes that her dream home might be hiding more than just creaky floorboards.
Will Lena solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim, or will her housewarming be her final welcome?
Book 2 of 12: Ghostly Gumshoe Cozy Mysteries
Where to find Granny’s Ghost and the Poisoned Punch by Sloane Finley online:
Have you read this book?
Book Spotlight: Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron
Today I'm part of a virtual book tour organised by The Write Reads for Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron. The tour for ‘Thief of Farrowfell' will run from 6th - 15th May 2025.
Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Middle Grade
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Number of Pages: 320 Pages
Publication Date: May 2, 2023
Book synopsis for Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron
Welcome to a fantasy world where edible magic is the hottest commodity, traded between those who can pay or - in the case of Jude Ripon, the youngest thief in Farrowfell - those who can steal it!Twelve-year-old Jude Ripon has never been taken seriously by her family of magic-stealing masterminds. To them, she's just the youngest, only good for keeping watch while they carry out daring heists.
Desperate to prove her worth, Jude decides to steal valuable magic from the fanciest house in town . . .
But Jude's stolen prize was protected by a curse which threatens to wreak havoc on the family business.
While attempting to untangle the mess she's made (and wondering why anyone would want to curse an honest thief trying to earn a living), Jude discovers just how far her family will go to stay at the top of the criminal world.
Suddenly, her quest to become a true Ripon isn't straightforward any more . . .
Where to find Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron online:
About the author: Ravena Guron
A born and bred Londoner, Ravena writes MG and YA, usually featuring antiheroines or snarky narrators. She is a lawyer with a degree in biochemistry, and hopes to use the knowledge gained from her experiences to plot her books, whether that's wild MG fantasy adventures, or twisty YA murder-mysteries.
You might also like: 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers
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Books: First Lines Fridays 2nd May 2025
Welcome to First Lines Fridays! This week, we’re kicking off 2nd May 2025 with the opening lines from a book that immediately grabs your attention. I haven’t read it yet, but the first sentence alone has me curious and eager to dive in. Whether it lives up to the promise or not, one thing’s for sure — it’s a brilliant hook! So, let’s take a look at this week’s first line and see if it sparks your interest too.
Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.
I'm participating in First Lines Fridays as I think it's a great way to highlight more of the books that are on my bookshelves.
What is First Lines Fridays?
First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
- Finally… reveal the book!
My Pick For This Week
The first lines of the book:
PAISLEY VALLEY HOSPITAL 3:30 a.m. Everyone lies: the doctors who say I’m safe, the nurses who promise I’m protected, the police who swear to find my abuser. Everyone is lying — to themselves, to me. No one can protect me. No one can keep me safe. No one will find the man who did this. Even though he’s probably right here, in the middle of this mess, known by everyone.
Do you know which book this is from? Scroll down to find out!
And the book is...
- ASIN : B0CTHQ49MJ
- Publisher : Joffe Books psychological thrillers, suspense and crime
- Publication date : January 28, 2024
- Print length : 356 pages
Book synopsis for The Sister Under the Stairs by Steena Holmes
Please note this is a revised edition of Lies We Tell Ourselves.
My twin sister disappeared twelve years ago.
Jess went missing on our way home from school. We were sixteen. Dad’s golden rule was Never walk home alone. But I was in a hurry and she was flirting with boys. She just vanished. No word. No sightings. Nothing. My family destroyed.
I blame myself. And I won’t ever give up looking for her.
Each year, on the anniversary of Jess’s disappearance, a bunch of flowers is delivered to our home, along with a note. Two words: I’m sorry.
It’s the only clue we’ve ever had as to what happened. Until the day I get a text: I found her.
And in my desperation to know the truth, I’m walking into a carefully-laid trap . . .
The truth about what happened to my twin is even worse than I could ever have imagined.
Where to find The Sister Under the Stairs by Steena Holmes online:
Have you read this book?
April 2025 Book Blogger Posts Round UpA collection of blog posts by book bloggers
Welcome to another Book Bloggers Round Up post! Let's see what book bloggers posted about during April.
Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.
I introduced this feature here on the blog in May 2021 to showcase blog posts by other book bloggers and as it continues to be a popular series I've decided to continue again this year too.
Each month I'll include a wide variety of content so there's something for everyone. You'll find book reviews, interviews, discussion pieces and more...
So if you're looking for new bookish content to read and/or want to discover some new book bloggers to follow, look no further!
Why I do this feature:
Scanning through various social media feeds to find suitable content can take up valuable time and so I figured I'd make it easier and put together a collection here on the blog.
It's also a way for me to highlight some of the other great book bloggers out there and help promote books and reading at the same time.
How it works:
Each month I do a post via my Twitter, where I offer the opportunity for book bloggers to submit posts published during that month for inclusion in this round up. I do this every month.
Want to be included in future round ups? Follow my Twitter profile and keep an eye out for the submission tweet (it's usually pinned to the top of my profile).
April 2025 Book Blogger Round Up
@WordsofMystery did a post with book reviews for Solving for the Unknown by Loan Le, "An emotional and heartwarming read, Loan Le’s follow-up to her debut novel was well worth the almost four years wait!" & First Love Language by Stefany Valentine "Even if you’re not an interracial adoptee, if you come from a multilingual background, you may be able to relate to Catie’s struggles and traumas in her language-relearning journey." Read the full reviews of both books here.
What bookish blog posts did you enjoy reading in April? Have a favourite book you read in April that you want to share?
In case you missed it, don't forget to check out the March Round Up for even more great bookish posts by different book bloggers.
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