First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
- Finally… reveal the book!
First Lines:
The coppery scent of spilled blood coiled into Princess Sarani Rao’s nostrils as she fled down the corridor toward the courtyard, her slippers soundless on the polished marble. She tugged on her maid’s arm, hefting the carpetbag she’d stuffed full of jewels, weapons, and clothing over one shoulder. Bombay. They had to get to Bombay, and then find a ship. Any ship.
Do you recognize the lines?
Hint: It’s a new historical romance.
Still not sure? Here’s another hint:
It’s written by Amalie Howard
The First Lines Friday book is:
The Princess Stakes
About the Book:
Title: The Princess Stakes
Author: Amalie Howard
Page Length: 352
Publication Date: June 29, 2021
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Synopsis: Born to an Indian maharaja and a British noblewoman, Princess Sarani Rao has it all: beauty, riches, and a crown. But when Sarani’s father is murdered, her only hope is the next ship out—captained by the boy she once loved…and spurned.
Captain Rhystan Huntley, the reluctant Duke of Embry, is loath to give up his life at sea. But duty is calling him home, and this is his final voyage. Leave it to fate that the one woman he’s ever loved must escape to England on his ship.
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Have you read this one? What do you think of the first lines? Comment below!
Wow, that is a strong beginning! Definitely curious about the book now. And the cover *swoons*. Have put it on my list!
Right! I love that cover!!! 🙂
Oh I didn’t know about the book, but those first lines are definitely already intriguing. And the cover is stunning!