Friday, February 16, 2018

First Line Friday - The Lady and the LionHeart




Happy Friday!!! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's week. I'm breaking with tradition here and am going to use a kiss scene from The Lady and the LionHeart. I did a kissing blog post on Wednesday, you can read it here. I also have a giveaway on that post if you can match up the quotes to the author's who wrote them.








About the book:

Two worlds collide when the circus comes to Victorian-era Virginia.
Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.
As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.
Just then a child in the row behind Ella cried out, “Look, Mama!”
Charlie, dressed in his center ring finery, strode into the arena, as strong and strapping as ever. Face powdered and painted with two jagged teardrops under his eyes, he walked with stoic authority, tall boots forging a fresh trail straight toward his audience. Ella didn’t know a single man could hush a packed house with no words, but…then there was Charlie Lionheart.

Amazon || Barnes & Noble || Audible || Better World Books ||



And the kiss . . . .


His thumb felt against her lips again and he waited until she seemed calmer. To his surprise, her eyes closed. He nearly kissed her in that breath, fast and firm and achingly swift, but he had to pull on every ounce of his self-control for his touch to be as feather-light as possible.

And then his lips met hers. She was soft and she was silk. His mind and heart whirled with all that she was to him. Like the dripping of wax to an envelope, he felt a press and a pain and a freedom that something had just sealed inside him. He held her that way for only a heartbeat, then pulled away.

But she slid her hand behind his neck and tugged him back. Kissing him. And then his world went white. Everything but her…gone. From head to toe she was perfect and there wasn’t a single part of her that was less than. Overwhelming was the desire to tell her that. She was a precious gift to be given. All of her. As was this, a kiss. He knew what value it held for her. And she was giving it to him, of all people.


31 comments:

Fiction Aficionado said...

Oh man, I really need to read this book!

I'm sharing the first line from April Gardner's latest release, Love the War Woman, on my blog, but right now I'm reading a romantic suspense called 'Panama Deception' by Jennifer Haynie. Here's the first line:

"He was next."

Short and maybe not so sweet!

Ellie said...

My first line that I am featuring on my blog today is from Melody Carlson's Once Upon a Winter's Heart, but the first line of the book I'm reading is from Robin Lee Hatcher's "You're Gonna Love Me": "Samantha Winters parked her car in the Caldwell Hospital parking lot."

Anne Rightler said...

She was soft and she was silk…that is awesome! Thx for sharing. I need to read this one!

Suzie Waltner said...

Sigh! One more reason to get to this book that everyone has read (or so it seems).

The first line from a book I plan to finish this weekend: Wyatt Paxton never realized coming home could be as bittersweet as leaving. -A Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

Trisha said...

Wowza! Where is my fan?! I have got to read this book!

Paula Shreckhise said...

My first line is from Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer:
The cheerful tinkle of a bell alerted Grace Mallory to the arrival of a guest.

1bgpayne said...

Wowsers! I just got that book from audible. Can't wait to listen to it!

My First line is from Love's Bright Tomorrow by Naomi Rawlings.
The dream came in waves, soft and gentle at first.

Anneliese Dalaba said...

Wow! That's good writing! The book I'm featuring on my blog is Rumors and Promises by Kathleen Rouser. Since I'm on chapter 14, I'll share the first line from that chapter here. "I insist that you stay here and rest today, Sophie." Have a wonderful weekend!

Nicole Santana said...

Happy Friday!

Today on my blog I am sharing the first line from the new novella by Bell Renshaw, As Easy As Riding A Bike. It's a really fun read.

I am currently reading The Captain's Daughter by Jennifer Delamere. I am LOVING this story so much. I am just beginning chapter 7, so I will leave that first line here:

"Rosalyn drew the blanket around her to ward off the chilly night air as the carriage moved briskly down the near-empty streets."

Iola said...

This is definitely on my to-read pile. I'll get to it one day!

I'm featuring Kill Shot by Susan Sleeman on my blog, which doesn't have any link to pink or hearts (although it is romantic suspense so there is some romance). I'm currently reading, Focus on Love by Candee Fick which has a Valentine's Day scene, even if it's not central to the plot. Here's the first line:

Elizabeth Foster ripped the Christmas wrapping paper from the box on her lap

englishmysteriesblog said...

Beautiful paragraphs...still need to read this book. Happy Friday!

Betty Louise said...

On m my blog I am showcasing Elaine Orr's Jolie Gentil series. I am reading TILL DEATH DO US PARTY. "Landing in Las Vegas was somewhat akin to touching down in Oz."

Yvette said...

Good choice! :D I’m sharing from the Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers Romance Collection (read through NetGalley) today. Here’s the first line from Partners in Crime by Vickie McDonough:

“Run, Laurel. Run!”

Andi said...

Yes, you do!! I love that line!!

Andi said...

I love reading Robin’s books because she lives here in Idaho and I know the places.

Andi said...

I agree! I promise you won’t be disappointed!!

Andi said...

Sarah Sundin’s is next on my list. Yes, you need to read it! You’ll fall in love with Charlie like all of us!

Andi said...

***passes fan*** I thought you’d read it. Yes, you do!!!

Andi said...

That was a fun book!

Andi said...

YAY!!! We need to chat after you read it!! Happy Friday!!

Andi said...

Thanks, you too!

Andi said...

I loved that book! Enjoy!! Q

Andi said...

Definitely!!

Andi said...

That’s funny and so true! Lol

Andi said...

Why is she running?!

Andi said...

Good! Have a great weekend!!

Unknown said...

"Execution day was the best day."

Thompson, Shannon A.

Bad Bloods: November Rain

Caryl Kane said...

Prologue

Vincentio Rossi lifted his glass of ten-year-old Lombardi Brunello di Montalcino, closed his eyes, and sniffed the complex bouquet of the ruby red wine. - Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

Happy Friday and Happy Reading

MeezCarrie said...

Charlie <3

My current first line is from Missy Tippens’ new novella “Her Valentine Reunion” (in the Back to You collection) – "In a preemptive strike against the Valentine’s Day funk that hit her every year in February, Abbie Rogers had been working on her latest craft project she’d dubbed Operation Kill Cupid.”

JaneReads said...

Pass the fan now. I need to read this book someday. I am going to share the first line of the book I am currently reading, Charming the Cowboy by Liz Isaacson, "Glancing up at the clock, Heather Carver tried not to mentally calculate the minutes until she could go home."

Becky said...

I know I’m late but yesterday was busy! Happy Weekend! My first line is from A Langhorne Romance (which is in Right Where We Belong collection) by Deborah Raney.

“No sooner had Lily O’Neal plunged her hands into the sticky bread dough than the doorbell rang. Why did it always work that way?”

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