Justine's Writing Journal

As part of Naughty or Nice, the Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar, now available is my contribution, A Reason to Come Home.

A Reason to Come Home by Justine Currie

Nathan Calder is a young businessman, successful in every way—according to him. According to his best friend, who fancies herself a matchmaker, he's letting the best years of his life pass by while he nurses a bruised heart. When his boss sends him to Chicago to work on a project with the handsome and shrewd Paul Madigan, Nathan catches a glimpse of what he's been missing and realizes just how lonely he's become. Will his trust issues prevent him from grabbing hold of a possible future with Paul? Or will love manage to sneak up on the elusive Nathan Calder and catch him just in time for Christmas?

I really enjoyed writing this, and I hope it shows. Thanks so much to Libby and Alex for looking it over and providing feedback and support. The story is all the better for your input. ♥

First, OMG, Dreamspinner Press accepted my short story and *\o/* will be publishing it in their Advent Calendar in December. Yay!

A big thanks to those who looked it over before I submitted it ♥.

Second, here's a link to what American Book Review feels are the 100 Best First Lines from Novels. You be the judge. (There were at least a couple that lost me and had me nearly drifting off before the end.) Most are good, though. I think the key for me is 'Does it compel me to continue, with an almost need to know what comes next?'

Is there a first line in a book that you would consider to be one of the best? I will admit I don't tend to remember first lines once I get into a book, and I'm not sure I'd say it was the best, but I do like how the Harry Potter series started: "Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much." ~ JK Rowling