First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

  It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . now hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.

Today I am featuring my most recent read, A Sip Before Dying by Gemma Halliday.  The excerpt shared is from an eBook borrowed from the library.

Beginning:  Chapter One

My best friend was waiting for me outside Silver Girl, her jewelry boutique in downtown Sonoma, when I pulled up in my Jeep.  Ava Barnett: blonde, bubbly, and as perpetually optimistic as a woman who worked the tourist trade could be.  She was dressed today in a flowy floral dress that just skirted her perfectly tanned ankles above boho-style sandals and pink painted toenails.  We were both about a size eight, though Ava was on the lithe, athletic side of eight, and I was on the generous enjoys-her-chocolate side of eight.  She floated into my passenger seat on a cloud of peachy lotion and patchouli incense, and I instantly felt my spirits lift as I tried to downplay how rotten that Friday had turned out for me.

What do you think?  Would you continue reading?

I was in the mood for a light, cozy mystery, and this book fit the bill.  It's an entertaining escapade set in California wine country, and the first book in Gemma Halliday's Wine & Dine mystery series.  You can read my review by clicking on this link.

This First Chapter~First Paragraph post was originally composed and/or compiled by Catherine for the Book Club Librarian blog.  It cannot be republished without attribution.