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!

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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!

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ARC & ST Sign-Ups available until February 10, 2026, for Simon Says by @sbrogueauthor

"Oh, Simon," she moans, “I've been very naughty since we last met."

STREET TEAM Sign-Ups are open. Join the unhinged chaos. We are all a little unhinged, right? 🤔🤫 

LINKS ⤵️

✨️Releasing: 24th March 2026✨

🔗 Pre-Order ➤ https://shorturl.at/dMmex

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☠️Cam Girl X Sect Tech.
🖤Stalking.
☠️Age Gap.
🖤Masked Men.
☠️Primal Play.
🖤Forced Proximity.

🖇 Links for both are in my bio under street teams

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📿 Beneath Her Sins 📿
by @sk_pryntzauthor

What to expect…

📿 Self ouchie MMC/FMC
🛐 False Prophet
📿 Yakuza
🛐 Female Chasity belt.
📿 Seduce a priest.
🛐 Hell hath no furry like a woman scorned.
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🛐 Familiar friends.

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Her last name may be King, but she is the Queen of twisted. Introducing @jodie_king_author

You can purchase her books on her website. The link is in her bio!

#QueenOfTwisted #jodiekingauthor
🩸Blood Sport Agency
 🚘H̠I̠T̠ &̠ R̠U̠N̠ Book 1 by @authorkinsleykincaid

•Bounty Hunter x Serial Unaliver
•Secret Gov’t Agency For The Elite
•Wealthy NYC
•Weekend at Bernie’s 🤔
•Lots of Banter
•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Enemies to Lovers
•Found Family
•Darkness Level: Light on the Kins Scale
•And Cute Baby Animals 🦝

🚀 Releasing this June!

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The Mind He Left Behind by @iam_a_em is available now on Amazon KU! 

🔗 https://shorturl.at/dC1Zt 

Convincing you to read this:

🩺The line between doctor and patient? Snapped.  

👿She went in for answers. She came out with bruises on her sanity.  

🩺Her trauma didn’t make her weak. It made her recognizable to monsters.  

👿She wanted answers. He wanted access.  

💔Love didn’t save her. Love complicated the crime scene.

#aemauthor #themindheleftbehind