Sunday, April 10, 2011

Giveaway! On Humingbird Wings by Lauraine Snelling

"But Mother is always dying," is Gillian Ormsby's sarcastic response when her younger, favored sister tells her that she has to go take care of their hypochondriac mother. Much against her will, since she and her mother never have gotten along, Gillian arrives in California to find the garden and yard dead, the blinds all drawn, and her mother indeed in bed--waiting to die. But when Gillian talks with the doctor, he assures her there's no medical reason behind her mother's state.

Now on a mission to restore her mother to health, Gillian insists Mother get out of bed, eat, exercise, and hopefully, choose to live. She also sets about reviving the garden to its former glory, enlisting the help of Adam, a handsome man who owns a family gardening business with his father. Gillian is delighted when a pair of hummingbirds appear, and her friendship with Adam grows.

Soon, Mother's health improves, and one day she announces she and her friend Enzio are going on a cruise. Before Gillian has time to turn around, her mother is gone, and she is left high and dry again, and wondering, what is she going to do with the rest of her own life?


My Review:
How nice to read a contemporary work. The protagonist, Gillian, is a successful New York businesswoman. She's climbed her way to the top of the corporate heap, but then, the bottom drops out of her world. Her sister, back home in California, calls for Gillian to come home because their mother is dying. During Gillian's weekend visit, she discovers that her company has been bought out, and she is out of a job! Gillian is left to figure out what she wants to do with the remainder of her life. Stay in California? Return to New York? Change careers?

The author realistically paints the mother/daughter portrait and stress of the two sisters. Each sister thinks that the other is the one that "mother loved best." Each time the sisters communicate, the tension can be cut with a knife. This sure sounds familiar to me!

However, a handsome neighbor sparks romance, causing Gillian's life to become even more complex.

I connected to Gillian as she organizes and thinks through her options. She analyses much the same as me. This is a good read, and comes with a Reading Group Guide.

Thank you to Sarah Reck at FaithWords for my copy.

If you would like to read a bit, click below:


If you would like to buy a copy, click here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In addition to furnishing me my review copy, Sarah Reck at FaithWords is allowing me to host a book giveaway for two (2) copies of this book!
  • The winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing addresses, please.
  • Leave your email address in code in your comment.
  • I'll close the comments at 6 PM EST May 10th and pick the winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from the winners within three days, I will select another.
  • 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


60 comments:

xinex said...

This looks like an interesting book, Sally. I would love to have a chance of winning it. Love the title too! xinex@cableone.net....Christine

Dimple said...

It does seem like a good read, Sally. Add my name to your list!
Louise [dot] Callen [at] gmail [dot] com.

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Sally,
Oh, I'd love to enter!
I'm at
cindylou (underscore) 20 (at) hotmail (dot) com

I didn't realize that you were a high school teacher...I taught ESL in California before I moved here to New Orleans five years ago...Teaching is the best, isn't it?
XO

Meredith said...

looks like a great book!!!
meredithmoza(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Erica (Irene) said...

I would love if you entered me.....it looks like a good read. Thank you.

teesha16@gmail.com

April said...

Thank you so much for telling me about your giveaway, Sally! My mom, who's been gone now for 10 years, LOVED hummingbirds, so I've always had an affection for them, too! Please enter me in your giveaway...thanks a bunch!

Anonymous said...

Ooooo yeah! count me in.

gcjo(at)planttel(dot)net
gcjo@planttel.net

ps thanks for being such a wonderful host for blue Monday,you are always gracious to answer and comment on all that link up, so many host don't.You are awesome.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Joyful said...

The book sounds great! I'd love to win it. My email kerichojoy[at]gmail[dot]com

peggy gatto said...

Yes please!!!!!!!
thanks!
heyyapg@comcast.net

Patti said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Patti said...

Hi Sally...

The book sounds like a great read - I would love to win it and then pass it on for others to enjoy! Thank you for your generosity!

pattivzfl@gmail.com

traveler said...

Thanks for this lovely giveaway which interests me greatly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

What a great review. This book sounds captivating and real. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sonya Badgley said...

Hi Sally,
I would love a chance to win this book. It sures sounds a lot like my life (or how it was). Thank you for the chance.
Sonya
walker2897(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good book!

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Quite interesting sally. I love to read this book. You look beautiful.
dean graziosi

Donna said...

Sounds like a good read. Please enter me
dogdmc(at)hotmail(dot)com

Krystal Larson said...

Thank you for hosting this giveaway! My email address is edysicecreamlover18@gmail.com

linett said...

would love to read this, thanks

Amber said...

I would totally love to win!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary said...

This sounds like something I'd love to read and need tissues close by while reading.

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

As someone with "mother and sibling" issues, I would love to read this. Please accept this as my entry. Thank you!

Aliya D.
aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

Heidi Pocketbook said...

Hi Sally!

This sounds like an interesting read that is "just my style".

You can enter my name: heidipocketbook[at]gmail[dot]com

McKim said...

Sounds like a good book! I would love to win!
kimkmc at yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like your review and synopsis. This is something that I would be interested in reading.

abstractrose at yahoo dot com

Erica G said...

sounds good

cinderwhims (at) gmail {dot} com

Tea said...

Thank you for entering me.

teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

Desmond said...

Count me in!

dwarzel(at)hotmail(dot)con

Maria D. said...

I am defintely interested in this book!...Thanks for the contest.

junegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com

nfmgirl said...

I think this book sounds great! Please count me in. Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Sally, pls enter me in the drawing! If I don't win, I will definitely need to run out and purchase a copy, as it sounds like good reading! :)

Grandmother Wren said...

Intriguing, Sally.
Thank you for the opportunity to win.

kwrenb(at)gmail(dot)com

Rechie said...

This book sounds interesting Sally. The story is something I could relate since i have sisters. Although our parents tried their best to give us fair attention, rivalry is still inevitable.

chiewilks(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great story! Thanks for the chance to win.

ellie.bfaos(@)gmail(.)com

Nancy said...

I would love to win this book!! Please enter me in the drawing:
nancyshouse[at]gmail[dot]com
Also...I loved your flowers and your Easter egg cake. I could almost taste that chocolate icing! :)

ann said...

would like to win this book

amhengstATverizonDOTnet

Reading said...

I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

BrittanyGale said...

Looks like an interesting read.

quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

debbie said...

I can really understand the sister conflicts- I know, because in my case my mother really does like my sister more. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I can really understand the sister conflicts- I know, because in my case my mother really does like my sister more. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Bingo said...

I would love a chance at this one after reading your review. Thanks for the chance!

kdhaney AT gmail DOt com

karenk said...

would enjoy reading this novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Rhonda said...

This sounds like a lovely book. I would enjoy reading it
rhondastruthersatyahoodotca

Patti said...

Looks like a fantastic read...and I SO love hummingbirds- added bonus.
If I win, please know that I always pass on my books so other can enjoy them- and hopefully pass them on again!
sweepingnewsatgmaildotcom

Karen Greenberg said...

I would love a chance to win. Thanks!

nerakg1974 @ gmail dot com

bison61 said...

the book sounds great

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Lisa said...

Would love a chance to win! Thanks!

Peachesncream887(at)hotmail(dot)com

joyh82 said...

I love the cover and your review makes it sound worth reading for sure. Count me in on the giveaway please!
jhoorm01atyahoodotcom

rubynreba said...

This is a book I would love to read! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

saturdaynightfever said...

Yes, I would love to read this!

edgenemmers[at]gmail[dot]com

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! I would love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

AEKZ2 said...

I'd love to read this!

annettekz2@yahoo.com

susansmoaks said...

i love to read and this sounds like a good one
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

esldiane@gmail.com said...

This looks like a very interesting book
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

mom2girls said...

Oh this book looks SO good, a great summer read - if summer ever comes LOL!
tracyschultz@yahoo.com

/\Heather/\ said...

I've never had a weird mom like that (haha), so this will be interesting. Thanks!
heatherpooh (hotmail)

Sand said...

Sounds like a great book!

atreau[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

It sounds like a great book. I would love to read it Thanks. garrettsambo(at)aol(dot)com.

SmilingSally said...

Congratulations to:

1. Pattivz and

2. Gramdmother Wren