First Line Friday #63

Posted May 31, 2019 by thebeccafiles in First Line Friday / 30 Comments

first line friday

Happy Friday!

The book I’m featuring this week is:

A Reluctant Bride (Bride Ships, #1)

Amazon | Goodreads

London, England
May 1862

“Hang on a little longer, my lamb.” Mercy Wilkins shifted the listless infant in her arms without slowing her pace.

I’ve had a bit of a crazy week so I haven’t been able to inhale this one as quickly as I wanted to, but a few nights ago I opened the book to read “just a few chapters” and read almost halfway through. I’m almost finished right now and have every intent on finishing tonight. I am LOVING this story so far. Jody Hedlund certainly knows how to draw a reader in and hold them captive within the pages of her books! I will be sharing my full review once I finish, but already I can tell you that I highly recommend it! I received an early copy myself but it releases this coming week on June 4 🙂

About the Book:

Living in London’s poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins has little hope of a better life. When she’s offered an opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. After witnessing so much painful heartache and loss in the slums, the bride ship is her only prospect to escape a bleak future, not only for herself but, she hopes, someday for her sister.

Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves home and takes to the sea in order to escape the pain of losing his family. As ship’s surgeon, he’s in charge of the passengers’ welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love.

With hundreds of single men congregating on the shore eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph lose their chance at true love, or will they be able to overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart?

About the Author:Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Now it’s your turn!

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. To see what First Lines others are sharing this week head over to Hoarding Books.

First Line Fridays hosted by Hoarding Books

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30 responses to “First Line Friday #63”

  2. Ellie

    I’m hoping to read this one, too! This is the second glowing recommendation I’ve read.

    Reply
  3. Kay Garrett

    It was our last day in Paris.
    My husband (and yes, I was really loving that word – a lot) Derek and I had breakfast on the private terrace of the hotel suite, enjoying the spectacular view of the city that was spread out before us.
    THE BOOK SUPREMACY by Kate Carlisle
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Reply
  5. joyofreadingweb

    Great mind… I’m featuring this fantastic book today also! <3
    Over on my blog, I'm sharing the first line from A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund. Here I'll share with you the first line from chapter 4 of the same book.
    "Mercy stood in the long line of tenants waiting for a turn at the water spigot at the back of the building."

    Reply
  9. Anneliese Dalaba

    I enjoy this author too, so I plan to buy the book. You make it sound wonderful. I’m featuring a novel by Crystal L. Barnes on my blog called Husband Hunting. My current read is Prudie’s Mountain Man by Elaine Manders. I’m about to start chapter 5, so I will share the first line from that chapter. “Prudie sneaked a sidelong glance at her intended.” I hope you will enjoy a fantastic weekend!

    Reply
  10. Beth Erin

    I’m looking forward to reading Jody’s book! I’m currently reading The Reluctant Guardian by Susanne Dietze… “With a furtive pat, Gemma Lyfeld blotted her nerve-damp palms on her white muslin gown.”

    Reply
  12. Yvette - Bookworlder

    I need to read this! 😀 I’m sharing from Kelly Irvin’s Through the Autumn Air on my blog today. Here is the second sentence:

    “Mary Katherine Ropp stood motionless in the middle of her kitchen, a platter holding a two-layer German chocolate cake covered in whipped cream cheese frosting nestled in her hands.”

    Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

    Reply
  13. lelandandbecky

    Happy Weekend! My first line is from “When Love Blossoms: Book 2 of the Kindred Lake Series” by Elaine Stock:

    “Kierra Madden grasped the phone tighter in both disbelief and gratitude.”

    Reply
  15. Paula Shreckhise

    More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer:
    May- 1896- Honey Grove, Texas
    “The council has denied your appeal, Miss Kemp.” Mayor Longfellow delivered the blow with a finality that threatened to buckle Abigail’s knees.

    The Reluctant Bride is next after I finish The Number of Love by Roseanna White.

    Reply

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