You did it! We figured this one out! It is a truth universally acknowledged (by me for certain) that the Bitchery pretty much knows everything, and really, it's true. Scroll down to see the solution for this HaBO - and many thanks!
This HaBO is from Darynda Jones. Yes, that Darynda Jones! There’s just one catch, she hasn’t actually read the book:
This is one of those books I “intended” to read. I read the opening years ago and was hooked from the first paragraph. Planning to buy it as soon as humanly possible, I quickly wrote down the title. Then I lost it just as quickly. Of course.
All I remember was in that opening, someone was pounding on a door, annoying the ever-lovin’ crap out of the heroine. Her line was something like, “…someone was getting their ass kicked. Whether is was the person pounding on the door or me remained to be seen.”
That is literally all I remember about the book. I just recall loving the heroine immediately and really wanting to read her story. I have tried every search imaginable and have come up with zilch every time. Any help would be appreciated.
This is a tough one, but we believe in you, Bitchery!
Stray
by
Rachel Vincent
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Hmm. It sounds like one of those neighbor meet-cutes. I’m not sure if I read this one, though.
Sounds like “Wallbanger” by Alice Clayton, maybe?
I thought Wallbanger, too, Elaine. It doesn’t fit exactly, but the tone is definitely the same!
Was it in the paranormal genre? Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow starts out like that.
I think I might have read part of this one! If it’s the one I’m thinking of, she gets attacked by some guy and they fight for a while in her apartment and maybe they have sex? But then it turns out she and the guy are in a relationship. And, I can’t remember any more….
Thanks for your thoughts, guys! I knew this wasn’t much to go on. I have done every search known on planet Earth with no luck. It’s definitely not Wallbanger, which was brilliant, IMHO. It’s also not Working for the Devil, although after reading the sample, I bought that immediately, so thanks!
Persephone, if you come up with a title, let me know and I’ll check it out.
I don’t even remember the genre. I just remember this awesome, badass heroine. I know, I know.
Thanks for trying to help, all!
It almost sounds like the start of the first Anita Blake book. She’s in bed after a long night. And she’s immensely likeable in spite of being a bit self righteous in the first 10 books or so.
Thanks for the guess, Michelle. That’s not it either. This is driving me crazy. lol
I wonder if it is Something About You by Julie James. I seem to think the book started like that. It is set in Chicago and is part of the FBI/Us Attorney Series. I enjoyed the audiobook last year and have the rest waiting for their turn to be read at home.
Amy, that’s not it but what a great opening!
IS it one of the Kate Daniels books by Ilona Andrews? She’s a kickass heroine who often has weird people showing up at her door looking for a fight.
That sounds familiar but I can’t think of the name. I’m going to have to look and see if there is a chance in hell of figuring out which one I’m trying to think of..
It’s ringing a bell from one of Katy Munger’s mystery series about PI Casey Jones – that sounds like the character’s voice and I seem to recall one book opening with a stream of people coming into her office. (If not; hey, they’re really good anyway!)
It kinda sounds like a Shelly Laurenston book.
Gone to Dust by Lilliana Hart was suggested on Facebook. Starts with a writer under deadline interrupted by the doorbell and furious about it.
Has anyone mentioned Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire? October Day series.
Patricia Briggs has a story, Seeing Eye, that starts in a similar fashion. You can read the beginning here: http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/strangeBrewExcerpt.shtml
I want to say Angie Fox. The accidental demon slayer. The start of the book opens with all hell breaking loose lol
Kelley Armstrong’s bitten series or meg Cabot’s mediator series.
How long ago was this? It wasn’t one of S.M. Reine’s books (Muse series) was it?).
Not the book here but I think if you like fun quirky badass heroines who get into absurd relationships with neighbors you would love Caprice Crane’s Stupid and Contagious. She gets his mail, opens it, “borrows” his $10 his grandmother sent him and uses it buy donuts before handing him the opened envelopes. “She didn’t just open my mail. She tore it open. Wasn’t even careful about it. It looks like a dog went at it in search of a Milk-Bone.”
Maybe Persephone is talking about A Date With Fate by Tracy Ellen???
Could it be an engine revving instrad of door knocking waking the heroine up? Try Penny Reid’s Beauty and the mustache.
She doesn’t hit him with a hockey stick, does she? I know I’ve read a book where that happens, but the title escapes me right now.
Weather wardens by Rachel Caine. Maybe
Maureen, the hockey stick one you are thinking of is Too Good to Be True by Kristin Higgins… Thais happens later in the book so I didn’t think of it for this HaBO but maybe?
It may be Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. It was published in 2009.
Dang, I could swear I recently read a book with a similar beginning. I can’t remember who, what or where – I think it was in a paranormal book that is part of a series and the heroine is a sort of detective.
Since I have 3 of your books on my table to be read [and then returned to the library] I hope your request stays in my head.
Feel free to bug me on email or facebook.
Mary Evenson
I only read the one in the series where a character, Carrie (I think) was the friend, not the lead, but Carrie was constantly getting her door knocked on, late, by lady visitors who mixed up her room number with a playboy neighbour’s.
Carrie’s book may have bee previewed, too:
Front Page Engagement (Park Avenue Scandals #2)
by Laura Wright
Here’s my guess, Kim Harrison the hollows series. A witch, a vampire and a fairy live in an old church with a big door and when someone bangs on it it’s really loud.
You guys have been amazing! Unfortunately, none of these suggestions are the book I’m thinking of, but I’ve made a ton of purchases based on these recommendations and subsequent samples. LOL. Thanks so much, everyone! It looks like I’m still on the hunt. Darn it. Someday…
And sorry it took me a bit to get back to you! I’m in Europe, gallivanting across the continent as we lovers of history are wont to do.
Also suggested this on the Goodreads post, Stray by Rachel Vincent opens with the line:
“The moment the door opened I knew an ass-kicking was inevitable. Whether I’d be giving it or receiving it was still a bit of a mystery.”
However, the door opening doesn’t have anything to do with someone knocking.
A Cat’s chance in Hell – Sharon Hannaford (Hellcat series) ? I’m sure I’ve read that line… . .
THAT’S IT!!! Juels got it along with several readers on FB. It’s Stray by Rachel Vincent. So… no door knocking. Ugh. I think that was throwing everyone off. Thank you guys so much!!!
The powers of the Bitchery never cease to amaze me!