Tag: Linda Goodnight

First Line Friday

First Line Friday | Week #218 | Twins for the Cowboy by Linda Goodnight

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m sharing from Twins for the Cowboy by Linda Goodnight, an older book. Yes, I’m working through my to-read pile. Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

Whitney Brookes leaned her forehead on the heel of her hand and wondered if she could do this.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Twins for the Cowboy

Her daughters are everything to her…

Single mom Whitney Brookes needs this fresh start. A long-lost relative passed away and left her the ranch that’s going to be her saving grace. The only problem–it’s full of tiny critters that Whitney has no idea how to care for. She refuses to fail–her twin toddlers need the safety and security… and most of all, a place to belong.

He’s been burned before.

As rugged as the land, Nate Caldwell grew up on the 11,000-acre Triple C Ranch. He’s well acquainted with city women and is certain his new neighbor Whitney will bail as soon as her inheritance is settled. But that doesn’t stop his traitorous heart from leaping every time the determined redhead gets near. And those twins… they fill up the dormant places in his heart.

When Whitney’s livelihood is threatened, Nate realizes just how deep his feelings for her have gotten. But will his help come too late…?

You can find Twins for the Cowboy online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

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Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

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Which new-to-you authors have you read in 2021?

Bookish Question #207 | Which new-to-you authors have you read in 2021?

I usually try to read as many debut authors as I can each year, so I can recommend great new authors to my friends and blog readers, and so I can see and understand the market trends.

I don’t know if it’s me or if I haven’t been looking, but I haven’t seen as many debut authors coming from major Christian publishers this year. Where I have seen them publishing books from new authors, they are authors who have already published independently, such as Courtney Walks or the amazing Toni Shiloh. I”m looking forward to reading her Bethany House debut next year, as I love her independently published contemporary Christian romances.

But I have still managed to read some new-to-me authors, even if I’m not reading them as debut authors.

(In some cases, I’m reading them after they’ve been publishing for years).

Twins for the Cowboy by Linda Goodnight is a fun cowboy romance that’s probably more clean than Christian (while both main characters are Christians, neither make a big deal about it and thebooko isn’t at all preachy).

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee is a thought-provoking story of a white woman interviewing ex-slaves in the 1930s.

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong is an excellent contemporary Christian romance with a healthy dose of funny. Click here to read my review.

A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner is a powerful family drama. Click here to read my review.

The Billionaire’s Secret by Meghann Whistler was a debut novel in a genre I don’t usually read – billionaire romance. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A Promise to Remember by Kathryn Cushman is an oustanding novel about a mother’s struggle with grief after the death of her son.

Other new-to-me authors I read this year include:

  • Kathleen Neely
  • Ashtyn Newbold
  • Valerie Howard
  • Wendy Rich Stetson
  • Melissa Crosby
  • Mimi Matthews
  • Tara K Ross
  • Heidi Kimball
  • Ava Mills
  • Rae Walsh
  • Shaenae Johnson
  • Jamie Dearen
  • Dora Hiers
  • Vivi Holt
  • Bree Livingston
  • Janine Rosche

That’s the fiction authors – I won’t list the nonfiction authors (which is probably another five … being the authors of the five nonfiction book I read this year).

It’s actually a longer list that I’d thought, but most of them are books I downloaded free or bought on a Kindle 99 cent deal. Most of them were perfectly good novels, but few were exceptional enough to kick an existing must-read author off my to-read list. (I have hundreds of unread books. I need to read some of them before adding more books to the list).

What about you? Which new-to-you authors have you read in 2021?

Which will you add to your read and recommend list?