Today, for Great First Lines, we’re looking at the first line of Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano.
The First Line of Storing Up Trouble
The truth of the matter was this—she, Miss Beatrix Waterbury, had been banished from New York, and all because she’d had the great misfortune of landing herself in jail . . . twice.
Okay, this book is set in 1886 when, as far as I know, it wasn’t common for women to be arrested. What could Miss Beatrix possibly have done to have landed in jail not once but twice?
Other questions that come to mind after reading the first line of Storing Up Trouble are:
- Who has banished her?
- Where has she been banished to?
- What’s going to happen to her now that she’s been banished?
- Why was she sent to that particular relation in New York?
- Will she now curb the behavior that led to her banishment?
How this plays out in the story
The reader quickly realizes that Beatrix is fearless. She has strong opinions and doesn’t care who knows it. She is fiercely loyal to those she cares about and is always on the lookout for ways she can better the plight of the downtrodden. It is because of these reasons that she often finds herself in trouble–including the times she landed in jail.
As you read Storing Up Trouble, you’ll also realize that Miss Beatrix Waterbury does not intend to stop the actions that got her banished in the first place. In fact, it is quickly evident that being with her aunt will lead to more outlandish behavior instead of less.
Norman Nesbit is at the opposite spectrum of Beatrix in terms of temperament. He is quickly embroiled in the high jinks that follow Beatrix. Beatrix has been banished–seemingly for bad behavior–but she has not changed one bit!
About Storing Up Trouble
After Miss Beatrix Waterbury suffers multiple mishaps due to her involvement with the suffrage movement, her mother decides a change of scenery is in order for her incorrigible daughter. Banished from New York, Beatrix is sent off for an extended stay with her Aunt Gladys in Chicago.
Mr. Norman Nesbit, a gentleman and a brilliant man of science devoted to his work, doesn’t have time to be distracted with members of the feminine set. When robbers descend on the train, intent on divesting him from his important research papers, Norman is thrust into Beatrix’s company when she has the audacity to interfere–leaving him no choice but to try to save her from herself.
When Beatrix’s life is put at stake after she takes employment as a salesgirl, she and Norman find themselves propelled into each other’s company again and again. With danger and intrigue dogging their every step, they become surprisingly drawn to each other–until information comes to light that threatens this relationship that’s barely had a chance to blossom.
About the Author
Jen Turano is the author of over eight books and two novellas. A graduate of the University of Akron, she has a degree in clothing and textiles, is a member of ACFW, and lives in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit her at www.jenturano.com.
You may also like: