Happy Friday. Today I am in Alaska! Squee! A bucket list check off for sure. But I could not leave the lower 48 without scheduling a First Line Friday post featuring the talented Lori Benton‘s latest novel, The King’s Mercy. I got a chance to read it before going on vacation, but you will have to wait for my review. Just know it is excellent!
For more fabulous first lines, check out Hoarding Books. But don’t forget to leave me a comment before leaving. 🙂
When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king’s mercy — exile to the Colony of North Carolina — he’s indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey’s slaves — and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. A mistress with a servant’s heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father’s overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he’s faced with the choice that’s long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex’s very life.
Lori Benton was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the eighteenth century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching, Lori enjoys exploring and photographing the Oregon wilderness with her husband. She is the author of Burning Sky, recipient of three Christy Awards, The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn; Christy nominee The Wood’s Edge; A Flight of Arrows; and Many Sparrows.
My first line is from The Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund:
London, England. May, 1862
“Hang on a little longer, my lamb,” Mercy Wilkins shifted the listless infant in her arms without slowing her pace.
Lor’s book is fabulous!
Happy Friday! I know I’m late but today was a busy day. It was the last day of school!!!!
Anyways, today on my blog I am sharing the first paragraph from A Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep. It’s a FANTASTIC novel. You can see my post by following the link: https://christianfictiongirl.blog/2019/06/06/first-line-friday-90/. I am just starting Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan, so I will post the first few lines from there.
“Heartbeat, Hamish. Assess your surroundings. Acknowledge the trigger point. Assure a corner for a quick retreat before the symptoms draw attention.”
Hope you have a great weekend. Happy reading!