I adore openings. I’m like you in that respect. There’s such a buzz about opening a new book and wondering what will happen, or as you say, wondering how characters are going to redeem themselves! I find something similar when I write – the excitement of setting up a new story is fantastic. I’m looking forward to reading the whole of your ‘Bejewelled Bride’. It’s on my tbr list.

Annie

You’ve got me on one of my favourite things, 1st chapters.
I have already given one favourite above, the other one is Michelle Reid’s, Marriage Surrender.

When I first bought this book in 1999? I can’t believe it was such a long time ago,(by the way, the book is as fresh now, as when it was first published), a little story, I lost the book, shock horror, imagine me losing a Michelle Reid book? Sacriledge!

The first chapter takes place with Joanne standing on the street outside her estranged husband’s office building, trying to pluck up the courage to ring him. She is standing in a telephone booth, desperately trying to scrape coins together to pay for her call. Her absolute terror and loneliness never fail to touch me.
She was so brave, Joanna finally manages to ring him, Sandro is really harsh with her, only because she left him with no explanation, so I always forgive him for that. The whole scene breaks my heart every time. Gorgeous!

(If you were wondering did I get another copy, of course I did, after much searching).

xx Karen

Heidi -it’s good to know you often start thinking up a story with an opening scene too, I did with my first couple of books but now I’m trying really hard to decide on a conflict first and then work backwards…because I keep coming up with these fabulous ideas which by chapter two are really not going anywhere! But throwing a new hero and heroine into a deliciously tricky situation is just so inspiring, isn’t it? Talking of which, I’ve just finished your Hot-Shot Tycoon and thought Daisy’s entrance was fab – won’t be forgetting her outfit in along time And the rest of the story was just as memorable!

Sorry I’ve made you doubt the opening chapter of your current story Mulberry, although I can tell you you’re not alone! My first chapter is usually the one which undergoes the most changes of all. Good luck with it!

But you have me thinking how utterly pathetic the opening is for my current story.

Or, I’ve just realised, not pathetic, just not “Presents”!

What a great post.

As an author who loves to start thinking up a story with that opening scene, I’m a big fan of first chapters as well.

That first chapter of India Grey’s Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire’s Pleasure totally blew me away too. As did Abby Green’s The Mediterranean Billionaire’s Blackmail Bargain, and then there’s the opening scene in Natalie Anderson’s recent Modern Heat Between the Italian’s Sheets and Kate Hardy’s Playboy Sheikh and… Goodness the list is endless.

One of many opening chapters, that have stuck in my mind over the year’s, one particular is Kate Walker’s, Desert Affair.

Its a chapter I have read many times, particularly because of the instant sexual attraction between Lydia and Amir.
Lydia’s bewilderment as to why this mysterious stranger has instantly become this sexual obsession, that in her heart she knows will change her life.

The whole first chapter takes place in an airport departure lounge, when he tells her that he she must know that they will make love eventually? It makes me melt every time I read it.

Gorgeous!

xx Karen