Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you’re reading.  The Friday 56 – As many of you know Freda over at Freda’s Voice hosted The Friday56 for many years. Since Freda is no longer blogging The Friday 56 is now hosted by, Anne over at My Head Is Full of Books. So grab a book, turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader, and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is My Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you’re reading. Book Blogger Hop asks a question of general interest or discussion hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer

My book for today is Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder by S.A. Kazlo

Publication Date: December 3, 2024


Christmas is coming and children’s book author, Samantha Davies, and her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, are caught up in the holiday festivities in beautiful upstate New York. Sam’s parents, Chuck and Barbara, who have been enjoying their retired life in sunny Florida, have flown into Wings Falls to spend the holidays with Sam and meet her new boyfriend, Detective Hank Johnson. Sam is also busy hosting this year’s Christmas party for the Loopy Ladies, Sam’s rug hooking group.

The Loopy Ladies know how to party and are enjoying an evening eating, drinking, and making merry… until Santa crashes the party. Unfortunately, this Santa is Sam’s next-door neighbor who her parents have had a long-running feud with. When not playing the local mall’s not-so-jolly old St. Nick, Leo Sayers is a newspaper reporter, and he announces to the group that he’s written a damning article accusing Sam’s dad and his close friend, Herb Feinstein, of some very shady dealings in their past. To preserve peace on earth—and among the Loopy Ladies—Chuck and Herb escort Leo from the party.

Only, not long after being sent on his way, Santa is found dead—lying in the snow, run over by a plastic reindeer, with a string of Christmas lights around his neck! Are Sam’s father and Herb now on the naughty list? If Sam can’t prove them innocent of murdering Santa, she’s afraid their stockings will contain handcuffs and a one-way ticket to prison this year!

Goodreads/Amazon

First Sentence:

“How about here?” “Maybe next to Rudolph.” I pointed to the plastic, red-nosed reindeer ornament I had hung on my Christmas tree. “My parents bought him for my first Christmas.”

Page 56

I shook my head. This was as close as they were going to get to having young children around to enjoy, and it was the time of year meant for kids. Plus, the boys would keep my parents occupied while I proved my dad innocent of murdering Mr. Sayers.

Today’s Question Is: –  Being thankful and reflecting are common themes throughout November. Can you suggest a book that you’ve found inspiring and that tackles themes of appreciation, thanksgiving, or personal growth?  (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

A: For me that would be, The Hate U Give. This was an emotional yet powerful inspirational story. I loved it!

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets — Easy-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.


Friday 56 is hosted by My Head Is Full of Books

Book Beginnings hosted by Rose City Reader

First Sentence Friday hosted by Reading Is My Superpower

Book Blogger Hop (BBH) is hosted by Coffee Addicted Writer

Please leave a comment so I can visit your post. Visit the hosts above and see what other participants have to say, or better yet, join the fun!

Screenshot
I'm on Instagram
The Dollmaker and Wee, Wee, Wee, As You Burn 

by @ashlynnauthor

🔗Order yours today! ➤ https://tinyurl.com/2cwmacte

#ashlynnauthor #thedollmaker #weeweeweeasyouburn #erotichorror

...

19 0
𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐭?

The second book in the Dark Lanes series is scheduled for release on 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟳𝘁𝗵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. I am getting so excited for this, it's crazy! You have to read the first book in the series, Fatal Collision, to get to know Jessica and Kane. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱.

Midnight Chase by @author_harleighbeck

Book 2 Dark Lanes series

🔗 Pre-Order ➤ https://books2read.com/u/3Lz95D

Blurb

Jessica’s world is falling apart.
Her mother is slipping away. Her brother is unraveling. And every choice she makes pulls her deeper into Bleakmoor’s shadows.
She should walk away from Kane Ravencourt.
He’s reckless, possessive and consuming.
But when he touches her, she forgets why she ever tried to run.

Kane has already decided. Jessica is his.
She thinks she can stay away.
She can’t. Not from him.
Jessica is his, no matter what it costs. His father’s threats, his friends’ warnings, her family’s hatred… None of it matters.
Because he’ll burn every rule, every enemy, every fucking boundary to keep her.
Being noticed by him is dangerous.
Being wanted by him is ruin.
And together, they’re headed for their Midnight Chase.

❓️ What are you having for Christmas dinner?

For future collaboration posts and LWT engagement, check out @smuttybookbabes

#comingsoon #MidnightChase #HarleighBeck #darkromancereader #erotica bookrecs

...

39 4
💋 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 & 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹 💋️

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 by @iam_a_em

Pre-Order Now 🔗 https://books2read.com/u/m0pe0Y

#newbook #themindheleftbehind #aembooks

...

52 6
🏒 CryBully: A MM Hockey Bully Romance By Ashlynn

🧨Pre-Order Now: https://a.co/d/3rFkohc
🏒 Release Date: Jan 2026

BLURB:
They were never meant to be more than a secret.
One reckless summer.
A mistake that burned too hot to survive daylight.
When Bastian walked away without a word, Lyzander told himself it didn’t matter. He learned how to bury want beneath bruises, discipline, and the weight of leadership—until anger sharpened into something meaner. Something easier to control. Now Lyzander is captain—untouchable, respected, feared.
And Bastian is back.
Same university, same elite hockey team, same cramped dorm.
Every shift on the ice is a power play.
Every practice is punishment disguised as leadership.
Every cutting remark, every extra drill, every public correction reminds Bastian who holds the power.
To the team, it’s authority.
To Bastian, it’s personal.
Lyzander calls it discipline—control, armor. Because if he breaks Bastian down first, maybe he won’t break himself. But resentment curdles into hunger. Every brush of skin is a threat. Every look dares the other to remember what they were—and what they still want.
Because in a world built on violence, loyalty, and silence, wanting the wrong person isn’t just dangerous—it’s unforgivable.
And this time, it could cost them everything.

CryBully is a MM Hockey Bully Romance. This book is intended for readers 18+. Please see the author's website for full 

#bullyromance #hockeyromance #mmromance #spicyromance

...

9 0
Ever think about the games we played growing up? Well, get ready for an adult take on a classic.

Simon Says is a dark romance cosplaying as a suspense thriller, and it can’t wait to play with you.

Coming March 24, 2026.

by @sbrogueauthor

Are you ready?

#letsplay #simonsays #darkromance #sbrogue

...

46 2
💕𝑴𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆 by @author_harleighbeck  💕

coming January 7th!

𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙 𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒’𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑒.

Jessica’s world is falling apart.
Her mother is slipping away. Her brother is unraveling. And every choice she makes pulls her deeper into Bleakmoor’s shadows.
She should walk away from Kane Ravencourt.
He’s reckless, possessive and consuming.
But when he touches her, she forgets why she ever tried to run.

Kane has already decided. Jessica is his.
She thinks she can stay away.
She can’t. Not from him.
Jessica is his, no matter what it costs. His father’s threats, his friends’ warnings, her family’s hatred… None of it matters.
Because he’ll burn every rule, every enemy, every fucking boundary to keep her.
Being noticed by him is dangerous.
Being wanted by him is ruin.
And together, they’re headed for their Midnight Chase.

🩶🩶

**𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙞𝙨 𝙃𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙇𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙀𝙉𝘿𝙀𝘿 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙈𝘾𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙.**

Preorder Now! 🔗 https://books2read.com/HBmidnightchase

#harleighbeck #midnightchase #darkromance

...

126 8
Naughty or Nice

by @author.samantha.barrett

?¿ Have you been naughty or nice this year?

BLURB

Forgive me, Santa, I have been a naughty, naughty girl.

I don’t care if my stocking is filled with coal. I’d gladly stay on the naughty list as long as they keep filling me with their release every night.

Oh, Santa. They may dress like you, fill my bedroom with naughty little treats, and make all my secret Christmas wishes come true, but I have one last request...

Help me uncover who the three masked men are. The ones that chase me through my office, stalk me like I’m their prey, and make my body hum with pleasure like they own every inch of me.

Your naughtiest girl always,
Holly xx

🔗 Grab your copy now ➤ https://books2read.com/u/mYXzrw

Available on KU

#samanthabarrett #naughtyornice #darkromance #darkanddirtyqueensstreetteam

...

112 0
🪢 Do you love art? 🪢

Sign up for I.V. Shady's newsletter and feast your eyes on a masterpiece by the insanely talented Veenus @gentle_veenus.

And guess what? There’s a NSFW version too 👀

❗Sign up for @shady.ivy.author Newsletter and get a digital art SFW/NSFW art print.❗

🔗 http://tiny.cc/4jiw001

🔥 Bound — by I.V. Shady 🔥

Out on Amazon $.99 and Kindle Unlimited

 A quick, one-handed MF tale pulsing with desire, dominance, and a delicious shift in control 💋🔐

❗STREET TEAM ALERT — The Shady Squad is still open for applications for the next story Monster 💌

🔗 Link in my bio (under street teams)

💎 Question of the Day 💎

What content do you prefer in a newsletter?

#EroticFiction #EroticRomance #SteamyReads #DarkRomance #SpicyRomance #RomanceBooks #BDSM #Bondage #Kink #Submissive #Mistress #Femdom #PowerExchange #SubmissiveMen #NSFW #ShortStories #Erotica #IVShady #ShadyIvyAuthor

...

173 2
COME JOIN THE FUN!

The SerendipiTEA Hype Team for @iam_a_em is now open!

🔗 Link and Requirements are in my bio (under street teams)

...

24 4
COMING SOON BY @iam_a_em

𝟮𝟰𝗛

Are you ready for this?

No Title
No Blurb
No Release Date.....

Would you dare read it?

𝟮𝟰𝗛

#aemauthor

...

72 4
Some rides leave bruises. Others leave marks you ache for long after the engine dies.

If you like…
😈 Masked strangers & instalust
🏍️ Biker erotica & badass FMCs
🔥 Power exchange, switch dynamics & battle of wills
🖤 Dirty talk, CNC vibes & all the spice

🔥 Monster by I.V. Shady @shady.ivy.author
🏍️ Preorder now — https://mybook.to/MonsterIVShady

Question of the Day:
Do you want to be the one in control… or the one who gives it up to the right monster? 🖤

#DarkRomance #BDSMReads #SpicyBooks #IVShady #ShadyBabe

...

21 4
COMING SOON FROM @ashlynnauthor

🔗 PRE-ORDER NOW! ➤ https://books2read.com/u/b5NY7O

#ashlynnauthor #lolligag #erotichorror

...

61 0