Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Giveaway! Turning the Paige (A Getaway Girls Novel #2) by Laura Jensen Walker

From the Back Cover:
Welcome to the in-between world of Paige Kelley.

At thirty-five, she’s put her dreams on hold to care for her ailing, high-maintenance mother. Three years after her divorce she’s still not dating, still working at her temp job, and still longing for motherhood even though, as her own mother often points out, “You’re not getting any younger, you know!”

When her Getaway Girls book club friends urge Paige to break free and get on with her life, she desperately wants to try. But how? What about her mom? The unexpected answers come from a surprising source. A trip to Scotland and a potential new love interest help launch an exciting new chapter in her life, and lead Paige to discover that God’s plan for her life promises to be more than she ever imagined.

This latest release in the Getaway Girls collection delivers a smart, funny, and warm account of one woman’s challenge to reconcile who she is—a dutiful Christian daughter—with the fulfilled woman she longs to be. It will appeal to any woman whose ever forgotten, even momentarily, that God’s timing is perfect.


My Review:
The author has the ability to tell an interesting story. The opening foreshadows the tale to come. It reads, "My mother killed my marriage. Stomped all over it with her Pepto-Bismol pink pumps and ground it to divorce dust." I enjoyed this chick lit tale of a middle-aged divorcee who is stuck with the burden of her ailing mother. Although Paige loves her mother, she is frustrated by her inability to find some freedom for her own life. I connected to Paige right away; my husband and I had both of our mothers living with us for a time.

Each chapter contains a quote at the beginning that further foreshadows. The reader gains a good bit of information on flowers--their meaning and the workings of a florist shop. There's a hint of romance. Many places in California and Scotland are visited and described such that this reader feels as if she's taken the trip along with the characters.

Paige's mother, Catherine, is a diabetic and loves her sweets. Paige works hard to rid her mother's house of all sweets and keep her eating a sugar-free regimen. However, the American Diabetic Association states "experts agree that you can substitute small amounts of sugar for other carbohydrate containing foods into your meal plan and still keep [your] blood glucose levels on track." To forbid a diabetic sweets is a mistake that many people make, but an author should not.

Although it's a Christian fiction, there's little to define it as such. The protagonist attends church and works in the children's Sunday School, but that simply serves as the background to move the story along. The topic may sound heavy, but the book is a light-hearted read.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to purchase a copy, click here.

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I am willing to give away my ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) copy of this book. (HINT: I like to give away books to people who regularly leave me comments.)

  • Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing addresses, please.
  • Leave your email address in code in your comment (This is the biggest mistake entrants make. They forget to leave their email address! Please do not ask me to look it up. This is all I ask of you.)
  • I'll close the comments at 6 PM EST April 1st and pick the winner. I will contact the winner via email to get her mailing information. She will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from her within three days, I will select another winner(s).
  • If you're interested, just say so in a comment with that all-important email address in code.
    Example of email in code: you[at]yourmail[dot]com

18 comments:

traveler said...

Thanks for featuring this book. It would be a pleasure to read this story. It sounds delightful and timely.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

bermudaonion said...

This sounds like a good one. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

anne said...

This type of novel appeals to me greatly. Thanks for the chance.
rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Libby's Library said...

So I guess I'm a "shoe-in" for this one;-)
Thanks for such great giveaways!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Coloradolady said...

This sounds like a really good book. Please enter me. All your suggestions on reading are always spot on, Sally.

smelkoski (at) yahoo (dot) com

petite said...

Thanks for your wonderful giveaways. This is an excellent choice.
bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ruthie said...

Sounds interesting. Put me down.
my Email is:
justruthie08[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks.

bj said...

I'd love reading this one...
bjconklin@xanadoo.com
Thanks Sally....you are so sweet to do all this..
xo bj

Carole said...

I'm new to your blog, Sally. I've enjoyed Laura's books ever since reading "Dreaming in Black and White" and would love to win a copy of this one. Thank you for the giveaway.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Tea said...

I like the play on words in the title, "Turning The Paige." I also loved reading your review. I would like to read and see how God helps Paige handle all that life has given her. Thanks for considering me for the Book Giveaway.

Unknown said...

You write such great reviews, Sally, including a synopsis and opinions and really thinking about the construction of the story. I keep trying to be as intellectual as you in my reviews. I need to start taking notes while I read, because I think these profound things or notice techniques and I forget them when I'm writing the review.
No need to enter me for the book!

Treasia Stepp said...

That sounds like a really interesting read. I just love reading. It's my escape from life at times.

hummingbird2662(at)yahoo(dot)com

ellie said...

This book would be so enjoyable and wonderful. Thanks for this opportunity. Your review was excellent. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lynda said...

I enjoyed your review of this book, Sally! Now I want to read it! :>) Please add my name to the drawing....

lyndcee@gmail.com

deepsouthrunner said...

I've read a lot about Laura Jensen Walker's books but have never actually read one yet! This would be a great book to relax with after a long day! Count me in.

I am becoming a follower of your blog -- I love hearing about great new books to check out!


sarahbcrawford[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

I'd love to read this, sounds like a great book for a rainy night.

sweetcountryangel2003[at]yahoo[dot]com

Heidi Pocketbook said...

I would enjoy reading this book, and would love a chance to win.

SmilingSally said...

The winner is Neas Nuttiness.