GOTCHA - FIRST LINES THAT WON'T LET GO

             I love first lines in a book that make me want to read more. Whether they shock me, tease me or make me laugh, they snag my attention and draw me into the story. Before I know it, I can’t put the book down and I buy it. I’d like to share some of my favorite first lines that caught my attention. I am delighted to say these books reside on my bookshelf or in my e-reader.

“Well, thank God, this is about to be over.” Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

“If he catches me, I’m dead.” Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost

“His brother had thought Hell a fiery abyss, but Nicolas Montfaucon knew better. Seduced by Darkness by Delilah Devlin

“Many things are not as they seem: the worst things in life never are.” White Night by Jim Butcher

“Once, there were more of us.” The Dream Thief by Shana Abe

“Death, Pestilence, Famine – They surround me, my lovers, the terrifying Unseelie Princes.” Dream Fever by Karen Marie Moning

“A funeral always made for a bad day.” Falling Awake by Jayne Ann Krentz

These are just a few of the many, many books that have drawn me into them. What do all of these have in common? They beg the question – what in the heck is going on?  I have read the front and back cover, so yes, I have an idea what the story is about. But I always open the cover and read the first page or so to see what the writing is like.

Knowing that I enjoy reading quite a few genres and, in those genres, there are hundreds of new books to choose from, I peruse the book store looking for the next gem that I will take home and devour.  If an author has a series that I’ve already started, i.e., Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, I don’t even have to do any of my “research”. I just pick up the next book in the series because I know I’m going to love it. But I have discovered a plethora of new authors who I now follow simply because I read the first few intriguing lines.

So how important is that opening? To me, if I don’t know the author, it’s paramount. It could make the difference between buying that book and choosing another. When I put it that way, there’s a lot of pressure to get it right.

Now, it wouldn’t be fair to judge others if I didn’t let you judge mine, also. So here are the first lines of my books. Have I done a good job of hooking you?

“There was so much blood. Everywhere.” Leaves in the Wind by Gail DeYoung

“The sign on the door to Decadent Delights read, ‘Mature audiences only. Anyone under 18 not allowed.’” Decadent Delights by Gail DeYoung

“Submission…the most intimate exchange of power. If this is your goal, let me take you to your limits and beyond.” Desire’s Awakening by Gail DeYoung

I welcome your comments.