16 Mar 2018

First Line Fridays 24: A Search for Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter




That time of the week again! I have not been doing much in the way of actual reading these last couple of weeks, or at least not much fiction. I have just finished my second Julie Klassen audiobook, through the Audible Romance package.  That's The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess down. 

The book I am including today is a novella, published only in e-book format (so far), which is a prequel to the upcoming full-length novel A Defense of Honor, which is due out in June. Both books mark the beginning of a new Regency romance series by Kristi Ann Hunter.  A lady who already has the 4-book Regency Hawthorne House series to her name. 

I had to to go Amazon.com to get the novella, because, for some bizarre reason, it's still not available on Amazon.uk, but is available on other ebook platforms, including Google Play books. When the full-length follow up comes in June, I will have to get used to using the American spellings in the title. We Brits spell defense with a c and put a 'u' in honour. Like that.


Margaretta Fortescue desperately needs to disappear from London society, and her only hope is to follow the rumors of another young woman who recently made a life for herself away from the glare of society. Her search leads her to the market town of Marlborough where, in spite of her efforts to avoid attention, she can’t seem to elude local solicitor, Nash Banfield.

All Nash wants is a quiet, sedate life—no risks or surprises. When Margaretta, clearly on the run and unwilling to answer questions, interrupts his solitude, his curiosity and his principles won’t let him leave this determined woman without assistance.

But will the truth of what Margaretta is running from be worth finally opening his heart up to a chance at love?


Isn't that a beautiful cover? The first line reads:

"Marlborough, England, 1804

Margaretta had used the word desperate many times in her life, but she'd never truly known the meaning  until she stood in the open door of a mail coach, clutching an eight-month-old letter and praying that someone in this minuscule market town  would know where the author had gone when she moved on"

 Good, isn't it? Although I am not sure Marlborough is that small. Now it's your turn, and don't forget to click the meme to see what others are reading. 

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13 comments:

  1. I need to squeeze this one in soon (at least before the first full length book is released).

    Here's my current read:

    Brandi's head throbbed. The hateful words still sizzled in her ears as the front door brushed open. (Finding Evergreen by Jennifer Rodewald)

    Happy Friday!

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  2. I just downloaded this book to my Kindle, and I can't wait to read it! Happy Friday!

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  3. Happy Friday! My first line is from At Home with Daffodils by Paula Moldenhauer:

    "Not again!"

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    Replies
    1. That's a good first line- or rather two words. Happy Saturday.

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  4. I loved that story so much!!!

    Happy Friday!

    Today at my blog, I am sharing the first lines from Jennifer Delamere's latest novel, The Heart's Appeal. It's such a great book!

    Here I will share the first lines from my next-up book, Finding Evergreen by Jennifer Rodewald. This is my first read of this author's works, but I am very excited!!!

    "July
    Brandi's head throbbed. The hateful words still sizzled in her ears as the front door brushed open. Ethan stepped over the threshold."

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  5. Looking forward to reading this one!

    Ty Remington blamed the homemade orange marmalade cake for why he found himself huddled under an overhang off some faraway path in Glacier National Park, shivering, praying he might live through the night.
    Storm Front by Susan May Warren

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  6. I really enjoyed this novella! Must review soon...

    I'm sharing a book with an Irish hero on my blog today, so here's the first line of an audiobook a friend recommended to me, The Bookshop on the Corner (or, in the UK, The Little Shop of Happy Ever After) by Jenny Colgan:

    "The problem with good things that happen is that very often they disguise themselves as awful things."

    Happy Friday!

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  7. I suppose Marlborough might have been that small in 1804. I've just finished this, and now I'm looking forward to A Defense of Honor (and I'll have to check myself on the spelling as well).

    I'm sharing the first line from A Season to Dance by Patricia Beal on my blog today, but I'll share here from the book I'm currently reading: A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears:

    "I wish you luck, George."
    "It's Aaron now. Don't forget."

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    Replies
    1. That is possible. I know that until the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham, which is England's second largest city today, was nothing more than a small fishing village.

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    2. There were 2367 residents of Marlborough in 1801, according to records!

      I must read this novella!

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    3. Fair enough. 'Tiny Market Down' is fitting then.

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I like to hear from readers, so feel free to leave a comment!

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