• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Remembrancy

*Inspirational and clean reads to remember and see

  • Home
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Disclaimer, Privacy and Legal Notices

First Line Friday: Count the Nights by Stars by Michelle Shocklee

March 25, 2022 by Suzie Waltner 7 Comments

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.

Amazon | B&N | BAM! | Book Depository | Christianbook | IndieBound | Goodreads

 

Join the FLF fun by leaving the first line of your current read in the comments then head over to Reading Is My Superpower to read more first lines.

Filed Under: Book Review Tagged With: Book Quotes, Count the Nights by Stars, Dual time, First Line Friday, Historical Romance, Michelle Shocklee, Nashville History, Tennessee

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lyn Perry says

    March 25, 2022 at 7:19 AM

    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.

    Reply
    • Suzie Waltner says

      March 25, 2022 at 7:35 AM

      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)

      Reply
  2. Nicole Santana says

    March 25, 2022 at 11:05 PM

    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! ❤

    Reply
  3. Jen Newendyke says

    March 26, 2022 at 9:40 AM

    We’re FLF twins this week! I also shared from Count the Nights by Stars: http://gracetogrowblog.com/count-nights-by-stars-michelle-shocklee/

    Reply
  4. Paula Shreckhise says

    March 26, 2022 at 1:03 PM

    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.”

    Reply
  5. Cindy Davis says

    March 26, 2022 at 6:54 PM

    Great first line. I am looking forward to reading this one as well.

    Reply
  6. Danielle Grandinetti says

    March 27, 2022 at 9:28 AM

    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!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Primary Sidebar

Buzzing About Books

Ad
Ad
Subscribe

RSS Feed

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter GoodReads GoodReads
grab this