I’ve called the Nashville area of Tennessee home for almost 24 years now, but since I didn’t grow up here, I appreciate any book that brings Nashville history to life. In Count the Nights by Stars, Michelle Shocklee gives readers a taste of what visiting the Tennessee Centennial Exposition (the replica of the Parthenon built for this exposition still stands in the heart of the city).
About the Book
Count your nights by stars, not shadows. Count your life with smiles, not tears.
1961. After a longtime resident at Nashville’s historic Maxwell House Hotel suffers a debilitating stroke, Audrey Whitfield is tasked with cleaning out the reclusive woman’s room. There, she discovers an elaborate scrapbook filled with memorabilia from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Love notes on the backs of unmailed postcards inside capture Audrey’s imagination with hints of a forbidden romance . . . and troubling revelations about the disappearance of young women at the exposition. Audrey enlists the help of a handsome hotel guest as she tracks down clues and information about the mysterious “Peaches” and her regrets over one fateful day, nearly sixty-five years earlier.
1897. Outspoken and forward-thinking Priscilla Nichols isn’t willing to settle for just any man. She’s still holding out hope for love when she meets Luca Moretti on the eve of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Charmed by the Italian immigrant’s boldness, Priscilla spends time exploring the wonderous sights of the expo with Luca―until a darkness overshadows the monthslong event. Haunted by a terrible truth, Priscilla and Luca are sent down separate paths as the night’s stars fade into dawn.
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I think there’s too much going on in that first sentence for my taste. It switched from Elvis’s voice (which I thought was a nice intro) to dirty marble floors. Sorry for raining on your parade, lol. Hope you enjoy the novel. My first line Friday is up as well.
There is a lot going on there, but it works well for the novel as a whole (the half of it I’ve read thus far, anyway)
Happy Friday!
I’m just beginning A Proper Scandal by Esther Hatch.
“I am to go by myself?” Grace dropped the rag she had been using to wash the parlor window.
I hope you have a great weekend! ❤
We’re FLF twins this week! I also shared from Count the Nights by Stars: http://gracetogrowblog.com/count-nights-by-stars-michelle-shocklee/
Can’t wait to read Michelle’s book!
My first line is from Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill:
December 31, 1883
“I don’t understand why we can’t marry sooner. Cincinnati doesn’t require your grandfather’s consent.”
Great first line. I am looking forward to reading this one as well.
I’m currently reading Enchanting an Heiress by Kristi Ann Hunter, so here’s a line from there: A few weeks ago, Harriet had not been looking forward to the April Meeting and the influx of people and social engagements it would bring.
Hope you’re having a great weekend!