YvonneChapter One
‘As night fell, the rain stopped. A hackney cab sluiced through the deserted streets, slithering to a halt outside an imposing stone terrace.
“Here we are, Miss. Grosvenor Square, like you said.”
Eulogy tightened the grip on her valise and peered into the night. Yellow lamplight spilt through the curtains of the grand buildings, hinting at comfort and warmth within, mocking the inhospitable, rain-washed streets.
“Well, Miss. I ain’t got all night, you getting out or what?” ‘
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Those lines definitely made me want to read on:
Judging from the fact that she doesn’t seem to recognise Grosvenor Square and that she finds the buildings so grand and imposing, we can only assume that Eulogy has never been to this place before.
Why is she arriving in a strange place at night time?
Does she have a tight grip on her valise because she is worried about the character of the neighbourhood she is in, or because she is a little scared of the reception she might get at one of the houses she has just been delivered to?
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To avoid too many spoilers, I have not included a full synopsis with this post, but should you wish to read more details, please click on the image.
This book was a review copy, sent to me by the author, Grace Elliot and as such, was free of charge.
This in no way influenced any comments I may have expressed about the book, in any blog article I have posted. Any thoughts or comments are my own personal opinion and I am in no way being monetarily compensated for this, or any other article.
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They say that the first lines of a piece of writing, are always the most difficult to set down on paper. It seems to me, that they may also be the most definitive, as I find they often set the scene in my mind, even before I have turned the first page… and it is quite disappointing if they don’t…
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My thoughts about ‘Eulogy’s Secret’ will be published very soon
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Want to take part in ‘Book Beginnings’?
Would those first few lines of your book make you want to read more, without revealing too many spoilers?
You can then leave a link to your own book beginnings post, or just browse for some great reads, there are always plenty of new authors and titles to be found.
Don’t forget that Katy and all the other contributors to this meme love to hear from you, so why not leave a comment or two at the same time.
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UPDATE: 14/11/2011 …. My thoughts about ‘Eulogy’s Secret’ can be read by clicking here
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I do like this beginning, and I am also quite drawn to that pretty cover. Judging by the appearance of a hackney cab, it sounds like this is a historical novel, and that is right up my alley! Thank you for participating in Book Beginnings, Yvonne! 🙂
Hi Katy,
The cover is quite seductive, isn’t it? and yes, it definitely is an historical romance and a very good one at that.
This is Grace’s second published historical romance and she also hosts a very interesting blog, full of both feline facts, with anecdotes, great articles and really useful snippets of information relating to her beloved Georgian and Regency periods.
You certainly won’t be disappointed by both the plot and character driven aspects of this great story, if you decide to give the book a try.
Thanks for hosting this great meme and have an enjoyable weekend
The beginning interests me. From her hesitation to step out of the cab it sounds as though she might be starting a new undertaking in a place very different from what she is use to.
Hi and thanks for the visit today.
You are just about spot on in your analysis of the situation. Eulogy has definitely been forced out of her comfort zone and usual environment by this trip. To make matters worse, she has no idea whether she is going to be welcome at the house where she has arrived and no idea what to do if she isn’t.
All is revealed quite early on in the book, but there are plenty more twists and turns before life runs smoothly for Eulogy again!!!
I like the language in this opening, with words like “sluiced” and “slithering,” and culminating with the description “Yellow lamplight spilt through the curtains…”
Very mournful in many ways. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Laurel- Rain
There are further great adjectives used throughout the book, which is very descriptive and draws you into the story very quickly.
The opening isn’t particularly mournful, although Eulogy is a little sad about the circumstances under which she has found herself undertaking this journey. However it is a terrible night weatherwise and Eulogy is very uncertain and filled with trepidation, about the reception she is about to receive at the house where she has been taken.
That’s about all I am going to say, or I will start to divulge ‘spoiler’ snippets of information.
Thank you for stopping by, you always leave such great observations and comments.
Have a great weekend.
Sounds like my kind of book.
Hi Jo,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving comment, I always love to receive feedback about a post, or a book I am reading.
Checking out your blog, you appear, like myself, to have quite an eclectic taste in reading material, although I have to say that science fiction really just isn’t my thing.
I couldn’t read historic romance novels to the exclusion of everything else, so it is then even better when a great book such as ‘Eulogy’s Secret’ comes along, I’m sure you would enjoy it.
What an interesting name! I’m interested to know why Eulogy has come to Grosvenor Square, which I assume is the one in the up-market area of London. Is she coming to take up a post as a maid or governess in one of the houses or has she a relationship with the owners of one of the grand houses? I wonder what is behind Eulogy’s secret? This historical novel sounds intriguing.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for choosing to stop by Fiction Books today and join in the discussion about ‘Eulogy’s Secret’. I always enjoy meeting new people and love to receive comments and opinions about anything you see here.
My thoughts about ‘Eulogy’s Secret’ are to be published very soon, so many of your questions will be answered then.
It is actually quite late on into the book before we find out why our main protagonist has been given a name which seems so inappropriate for her background.
The reason for her visit, bravely undertaken, to a noble house in London, is the start of a tumultuous, dangerous and emotional journey for Eulogy ……
Sorry, no more spoilers!
Have a great weekend