Happy Friday everyone! Today’s first line comes from the historical novel inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, The Seamstress by Allison Pittman. If you love classics or history or just a wonderful reading experience, you will want to pick this book up. Complex and beautifully written, it is a novel to be savored and pondered.
What is your first line today? Leave a comment and the head over to Hoarding Books for more fabulous first lines!
France, 1788
It is the best of times . . .
On a tranquil farm nestled in the French countryside, two orphaned cousins — Renée and Laurette — have been raised under the caring guardianship of young Émile Gagnon, the last of a once-prosperous family. No longer starving girls, Laurette and Renée now spend days tending Gagnon’s sheep, and nights in their cozy loft, whispering secrets and dreams in this time of waning innocence and peace.
It is the worst of times . . .
Paris groans with a restlessness that can no longer be contained within its city streets. Hunger and hatred fuel her people. Violence seeps into the ornate halls of Versailles. Even Gagnon’s table in the quiet village of Mouton Blanc bears witness to the rumbles of rebellion, where Marcel Moreau embodies its voice and heart.
It is the story that has never been told.
In one night, the best and worst of fate collide. A chance encounter with a fashionable woman will bring Renée’s sewing skills to light and secure a place in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. An act of reckless passion will throw Laurette into the arms of the increasingly militant Marcel. And Gagnon, steadfast in his faith in God and country, can only watch as those he loves march straight into the heart of the revolution.
Allison Pittman (in her own words).
As far as I know, I have always been a writer. Before I could put words to page, I would dictate stories to my mother. I have always lulled myself to sleep by crafting stories — a new chapter each night. When God called me to write, I was thrilled to answer His prompting. And so it was, after a long conversation with my husband, I left a 20-year teaching career to pursue a new direction. It called for a HUGE step of faith, but God has kept me and our family safe.
I count every single one of my readers as one of God’s blessings in my life, and I like to think of my stories as being the first step in a conversation. Please visit my website, www.allisonkpittman.com and send me an email. It is one of my greatest joys to hear from you!
Happy Friday! My first line is from Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano:
“Once upon a time, Melody Johansson had believed in happily ever afters.”
Loved that book!!
I just finished Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe and LOVED it! Currently I’m reading The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof–
“WITH THE HISS of smoothing irons and the starchy scent of soap trailing her, Ella toted a bundle of hospital linens up the steps.”
Enjoy Joanne’s book! Have a wonderful weekend!
The Lady and the Lionheart is an amazing book!
My first line is from The White City by Grace Hitchcock:
“Winnifred Wylde concentrated on his forehead, nodding, trying to respond appropriately, but it was so difficult with his nose hair escaping and retreating into his left nostril with every breath.”
https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2019/02/first-line-fridays-white-city-by-grace.html
Have a great weekend!
Eww and LOL!
Happy Friday!
MY first lines come from Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower.
“Cut! Cut!” the director Raymond Reynolds yelled. He was a tall, loose-jointed man, who braided his hair into a ponytail at the back of his head. Before meeting him, I didn’t think I had ever seen a man with a braid before, and I couldn’t stop staring at it. In my community only little girls braided their hair, never grown women and certainly never menfolk.
Have a great weekend and happy reading!💜
I love her cozies!
I LOVED this book so much!
Happy Friday!
I’m currently reading Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron. It is such a great story. I highly recommend it. Right now I am in the middle of chapter 23, so I will share a line from there.
“Most of the south side was still cloaked in darkness from the gasworks disaster.”
Hope you have a relaxing weekend. Happy reading! 🙂💚📚
I’ve heard lots of good things about that series. Happy Friday!
Happy reading Beckie!
Great to hear a little more about Alison Pitman.
I’m sharing from the latest Elizabeth Camden novel on my blog, but I’ve just picked up After the Rain by Brandy Bruce. Here’s the first line:
“Deb, I miss you. I think about you. Just wanted to say it again.”
Have a great weekend, Iola!
Happy Friday! I’m sharing from The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall on my blog today. Here is the first line from Chapter 7:
“The minute Lieutenant Dimsmore offered Emeline his arm as they emerged from the companionway after dinner, she regretted accepting his invitation.”
I liked that book!
This week on my blog I shared the first line from Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews (releases 3/5). I’m currently reading it so I’ll share the first line from my current chapter (22) here: “I had experienced the atrocities of war but never witnessed a battle like the one my son fought for his life during the week of his illness.” This book is soooo good I highly recommend it! Hope you have a great weekend with quality reading time! 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great book!
Happy reading this weekend, Trisha!
Sorry, Beckie, I forgot which site I was on, lol!
Lol!!