First Chapter First Paragraph ~ Tuesday Intros
The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman
Berkley | September 2016 | Paperback • Kindle • Audio | 384 pages
June 1940 Paris
Outside, I could hear the sound of airplanes, and their rumble filled me with unease. The only thing worse would be the wail of a bomb siren. I bit my lip and hurried to grab my bag.
I moved through the rooms of my grandmother’s apartment one last time. My finger trailed over the edges of her furniture, my eyes absorbing the image of her beloved porcelains, her carved ornaments, and, lastly, the magnificent portrait of her over the mantel. The only possession of my grandmother’s that I would take with me was hidden underneath the collar of my blouse, and feeling it against my skin gave me courage.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
Paris, WWII, a mystery . . . I can visualize this scene and it makes me want to start reading right now.
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From Goodreads:
An elusive courtesan, Marthe de Florian cultivated a life of art and beauty, casting out all recollections of her impoverished childhood in the dark alleys of Montmartre. With Europe on the brink of war, she shares her story with her granddaughter Solange Beaugiron, using her prized possessions to reveal her innermost secrets. Most striking of all are a beautiful string of pearls and a magnificent portrait of Marthe painted by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. As Marthe’s tale unfolds, like velvet itself, stitched with its own shadow and light, it helps to guide Solange on her own path.
First Chapter Tuesday is hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea. Join us by visiting Diane and linking your own First Chapter post or to find out what others plan to read this week.
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Source: Advance copy provided by Tandem Literary.
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Under My Apple Tree 
This sounds good but, I try to avoid WWII books lately as there are just too many of them that I feel it’s overkill.
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I love stories set in this era, and that intro evoked such feelings of upcoming loss. I also love how the narrator seemed to be saying goodbye to the possessions, while clinging to something very important. Perhaps something that would see her through.
Thanks for sharing, and here’s mine: “THE SISTER”
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sounds great!
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I remember loving her earlier novel, The Lost Wife, so would definitely give this a try!
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This sounds good. I’d like to know what is under her collar…
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I’m intrigued. I would keep reading. Enjoy!
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