I love starting a book that has an enticing first line. That first sentence can be short and simple or long and descriptive. It can be sexy, funny, sarcastic, distressing, or philosophical - anything really, but there's just something about it that grabs your attention. Here are just a few of my favorite first sentences I've come across recently (in no particular order):
Have you ever wanted to put yourself in the hands of a man whose sole purpose is to give you pleasure?
- Wicked Ties by Shayla Black
The first day of my captivity was like being born...or dying.
- Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas
My philosophy is pretty simple - any day nobody's trying to kill me is a good day in my book.
- Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
The summer I discovered the world was not black-and-white - the way I liked it - but a host of annoying shades of gray was the summer a lot more changed than my vision.
- Blue Moon by Lori Handeland
Julie Stanford took a deep breath before shoving aside the curtain to walk into the massage room where Nathan was laid out in all his glorious, naked splendor.
- Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks
When Patricia descended to investigate the noise in her antique store, she found a man with a broken wing stretched unconscious across the floor.
- Mortal Temptations by Allyson James
She made certain they didn't have bodies to bury.
- Shadow of the Vampire by Meagan Hatfield
It had obviously been one hell of a night if I couldn't recall why I was waking up in a Dumpster.
- Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles
The unmistakable sound of a woman being pleasured echoed through the woods above the village of Carbrey.
- Rampant by Saskia Walker
Have you ever been spanked?
- Bound to Please by Lilli Feisty
I was standing there naked when a dead man sauntered into my bathroom.
- Dark & Disorderly by Bernita Harris
There are so many great first sentences. Do you have any memorable favorites? Please share with us!






The only line I can remember is from The Lovely Bones.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie.
It had obviously been one hell of a night if I couldn't recall why I was waking up in a Dumpster.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Oh la la, so many great first sentences.
ReplyDeleteI think a strong first sentence/paragraph is important and can get you in the right mood to enjoy a book.
Some of my favorites:
ReplyDeleteSome nights, a woman just wanted to bash her brain against a wall to keep from screaming.
--Marked by Elisabeth Naughton
The worst part about murdering someone was planning exactly how to do it.
--Divorced, Desperate, and Dating by Christie Craig
Haven't read either one but bought them based on their beginnings :)
These are great, Diana! I'm going to have to start paying more attention to first lines! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you can tell whether you are really going to like a book or hate it from the first few lines. Great choices!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThe first line of The Doctor's Wife by Elizabeth Brundage really drew me in: The memory starts here, in my apron pocket, with the gun.
My favorite first line recently is from Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
ReplyDelete"My name is Gin and I kill people".
It's a great urban fantasy, definitely on the dark side.
lots of great first sentences!!
ReplyDelete