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Friday, May 1, 2009

It is a May Giveaway! Beach Trip by Cathy Holton

Ahhhh I am just crazy about the wonderful beach reads that come out just before summer. Isn't it absolutely paradise just sitting on the beach and absorbing some sun and a fabulous story? Nothing makes a little sunbathing go faster! Of course it is also nice to just sit on the deck and get swept away by a great story. Really a good beach read is the ultimate "staycation." Now summer starts early in Arizona, and I am really thrilled about it. I wont necessarily have a beach to sit on and enjoy the sound of the surf and sun, but I have a deck, I have a deck chair, and I have a good mister. The mister works almost as well as a little ocean air. And now I also have my first total beach ready read. Thanks to author Cathy Holton I have a wonderful novel to read and enjoy and the opportunity to giveaway four autographed copies to four readers! This novel is Beach Trip, and I just received my advanced copy, but I'll be delving into it this month and each week I will post a brandy new giveaway for an autographed copy! How cool is this?

Let's get your beach reading juices flowing with some details:

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Beach Trip by Cathy Holton
Ballantine Books
ISBN 978-0-345-50599-6
Hardcover
May 2009
Mainstream Fiction




Description (supplied by the author):

A reunion between four friends becomes a cathartic journey into the past in Cathy Holton’s luminous new novel.

Mel, Sara, Annie, and Lola have traveled distinct and diverse paths since the early 1980s and their years together at a small Southern liberal arts college. Mel, a mystery writer living in New York, is grappling with the aftermath of two failed marriages and a stalled writing career. Sara, an Atlanta attorney, struggles with guilt over her son’s illness and her own slowly unraveling marriage. Annie, a successful Nashville businesswoman married to her childhood sweetheart, can’t seem to leave the regrets of her youth behind her. And Lola, sweet-tempered and absent-minded, whiles away her hours and her husband’s money, on little pills that keep her happy.

Now the friends, all in their forties, converge on Lola’s lavish North Carolina beach house in an attempt to relive the carefree days of their college years. But as the week wears on, and each woman’s hidden story is gradually revealed, they find they must inevitably confront their shared past; a failed love affair, a discarded suitor, a betrayal, and a secret that threatens to change their bond, and their lives, forever.

Darkly comic and deeply poignant, The Beach Trip is an unforgettable tale of life-long friendship, heartbreak, and happiness.

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About Cathy (from author's website):

As a child, Cathy Holton entertained her classmates with tales of a scaled creature that lived in her carport shed and a magical phone that hung in her family’s bathroom that could be used to summon an English butler (this was in North Carolina in the 1960’s and her family lived in married student housing).

She was what we call in the South, a “truth-stretcher.” Sometime around third grade she learned that there were people out there who got paid for truth-stretching and those people were called writers. At that moment, Cathy realized her true calling.

She is the author of Beach Trip, Revenge of the Kudzu Debutantes and Secret Lives of the Kudzu Debutantes, all published through Ballantine/Random House Books. She lives in the mountains of Tennessee with her husband and three children, in a house that has both electricity and running water but, alas, no magical phone to summon an English butler.

You can learn more about Cathy and her novels at www.cathyholton.com Definitely go take a peak. You will be glad you did. :)

So how about the giveaway?

This week's giveaway starts today Friday May 1 and will run until Friday, May 8. The first winner will be announced and emailed on Saturday May 9. The winner will have three days to contact me or another winner will be drawn. Other drawing dates will be May 16, 23, and 30.

How to win? All entries need to have emails attached or have email attached to their blog. The giveaway is open to the US and Canada.

Main Entry (this needs to be done first) - Comment with what it is about the summer you look forward to.

Additional Entries (Main entry must be done first)-

+1 Blog about this giveaway and come back and comment with the link.

+1 Tweet about this giveaway and come back with the link.

+5 Go to Cathy's website and check out her other novels. Read her Q&A section and come back and comment with an author who has influenced Cathy. That is right...this one is worth 5 entries but you still need to do the main entry first.

+1 Become a blog follower or if you already are a blog follower leave a comment.

+1 Become a Twitter follower or if you already are and leave a comment.

81 comments:

Liyana said...

The sun, the sand, the sea! Oh, and the hot guys.

I'm a follower. :D

Yvonne said...

This sounds like a wonderful book. I'd love to be entered in this giveaway.

I most look forward to summer for the warmer weather.

I'm already a follower here and on twitter!

yvone473[at]optonline[dot]net

Thanks!

LuAnn said...

I love books about relationships, especially women who have been friends for years. Please enter me in the drawing.

reading_frenzy@yahoo.com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, my friend. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.

scottsgal said...

I love summer - I look forward to opening our pool up and spending lazy days floating and reading!

msboatgal at aol.com

Irene said...

This is difficult; I am not a summer person. When I was younger I loved summer because it meant summer vacation. Now I love winter. Does this disqualify me? If not, I would like to win the book. Thank you.

Irene said...

One of Cathy's favorite authors is historical novelist, Anna Seton.

Irene said...

I am a follower, and I am also on twitter.

Bingo said...

OH, I really would love to read this book! I have a special summer to look forward to as I am retiring after teaching school for 37 years! What more could I ask for this summer...er, maybe to win this great summer read? :D


And I am definitely a follower!

Kitten22 said...

This looks great! Please enter me!

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing some green things growing in my garden - and harvesting those lovely veggies this summer!

BookCrossingKitten22[at]gmail[dot]com

mindy said...

not having to dig the car out of the snow thanks for another wonderful giveaway

Annie1 said...

Hubby and I take the grandchildren to the beach! We live on an island and we have so many different kinds of beaches; its always exciting!

Thanks


nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

I follow your blog!



Thanks



nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

I follow you on Twitter

greeeneyedwhwom (twitter name)



Thanks



nancyrobster@gmail.com

Annie1 said...

Tweeted


http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/05/it-is-may-giveaway-beach-trip-by-cathy.html Win a copy of Beach Trip!!

http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom


greeeneyedwhwom (twitter name)

Thanks


nancyrobster@gmail.com

KR said...

I teach so I'm looking forward to catching up on my reading, preferably at the beach!!!

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

I follow.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

I follow on Twitter - Sumrthyme

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

Answer to ? Eudora Welty

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Ashley said...

I would like to enter, please!
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

I can't wait for the summer because I just LOVE going to the beach. My family goes every year, and it's my favorite trip of the season.

+1 entry: I am a follower.

Ashley said...

booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

+1 entry: I also posted this contest on my sidebar at http://booksobsession.blogspot.com

+5 entries: There were many authors that influenced her such as Jane Austen and Shelby Foote.

Ally in WA said...

Looking forward to planting both a veggie and flower garden again this year. And sitting outside in the lawn chair reading.

espressogurl at hotmail dot com

A Reader said...

i look forward to the first cookout on the grill. It always spells summer and freedom to me.
Thanks for the giveaway!
kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

traveler said...

I am a summer person. I love the heat, sunshine, and my favorite place to be is the beach. I could sit out all day and read, and walk along the shore. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

sharon54220 said...

The summer is great, warmer weather, but I hate the humidty.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am also a follower.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

Author - William Faulkner

sharon54220@gmail.com

CherylS22 said...

I look forward to lots of sun & blue skies (winters in the northeast can be so dreary!)

Please count me in - Thanks!
Cheryl
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

CherylS22 said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber.

Cheryl
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

CherylS22 said...

One of Cathy's influences was Eudora Welty.

Cheryl
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com

Renee G said...

I love being able to sit on the porch in the evening with my family.

rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

valerie2350 said...

i like the warm evenings :)

valerie2350 said...

twitter
valerie2350

Kat Bryan said...

Maybe reading this book would make me think warm weather had arrived!

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to garden fresh veggies.
Thanks!
1bmore @ gmail . com

Nicole C. said...

The thing I look forward to the most about summer is having my 3 kids home with me. Also, with 3 totally different kids, into totally different things, I won't miss the rush, rush, rush that goes along with the school year!!

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

squiresj said...

I would love to win and review this book. It sounds like a good book.
jrs362 (at) hotmail (Dot) com

Kelly said...

I actually have 3 things to look forward to in the summers: Longer daylight hours for taking walks, farmers markets for delicious fresh food, and an abundance of yard sales! Thanks so much for the giveaway. :)

krtrumpet [at] aol [dot] com

Marie said...

The thing I always look forward to about summer is being able to get outside for gardening, hiking and having fun with my kids!

marielay@gmail.com

Marie said...

I am a follower.

marielay@gmail.com

Debs Desk said...

This summer is my grandson 1st birthday and I cant wait for the party. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Debs Desk said...

I am a follower.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Debs Desk said...

I follow on Twitter.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

tattwo said...

The best thing about summer is being outside. Here in the midwest you don't have summer starting early. I can't wait to move to Ariz. Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

In summer I look forward to bronzy skin and long days at the beach with family. I am a follow of your blog and on twitter.

Mary said...

Sitting by our pool in the warm sun and reading a good book like this one!

mamie316@sbcglobal.net

Ali said...

Thanks for the giveaway! What I look forward to about summer is WANTING to go outside instead of wanting to stay inside where its not cold and rainy!

malleycc said...

Chasing the kids at the beach and eating ice cream!

Alicia said...

The long days & air conditioning.

Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

Unknown said...

I look forward to swimming!

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm already a blog follower.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'm already a twitter follower.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

Tweeted contest - bridget3420

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

Kate Atkinson influenced her.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

a real librarian said...

I just love the warmth and the sun!! I can't wait for it to warm up!! Thanks for the chance to win!

areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I love laying out in the backyard or at the beach with a book in hand.

crystalfulcher*at*ec.rr.com

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I'm a new follower.

crystalfulcher*at*ec.rr.com

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I'm also following you on twitter.

crystalfulcher*at*ec.rr.com

Anita Yancey said...

I am most looking forward to the warmer weather, and being able to sit outside and read my books.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I am a follower!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Cyndell said...

I look forward to our vacation that's spent on the beach. We go every year. Each year I take a huge bag of books with me. Beach, the sun, and my books..I'm in heaven.
Please enter me for a chance to win. I'm a follower.
Dutchlvr1 (at) aol.com

1993wel said...

I am looking forward to being less scheduled and having more time with my children.

anne said...

Going on vacation to the seashore. What a wonderful place to soak up the sun, relax and dream. Summer is everything that is special.
bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katrina said...

i look forward to wakeboarding

Kaye said...

Hanging around the pool and reading a great book between dips. florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

Kaye said...

DUh, just realized today is the 9th, I did want to wish you happy Mother's day too so anyway, at least i didn't wait until Monday for that.

Carlene said...

I look forward to swimming in the summer. I would love to be entered in your drawing.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net

Carlene said...

I am a new follower.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)verizon.net

Pam said...

I look forward to the sunshine, green grass and warm weather! This summer, I'm also looking forward to moving into our new house.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

Follower

melacan at hotmail dto com

Pam said...

She was influenced by Jane Austen.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

Jane Austen #2

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

Jane Austen #3

melacan at hotmail dto com

Pam said...

Jane Austen #4

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

Jane Austen #5

melacan at hotmail dto com

esther said...

I look forward to the warm weather and swimming.

esther said...

I'm a follower.

esther said...

Hilary Mantel influenced her.

Sue W. said...

Next week our jet skiing group called the FABS (Flying Aqua Babes) starts up for the summer. It is the most exciting time on our wonderful lake going jet skiing with between 25 and 40 women aged 50 plus every Tuesday of the summer.
roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net

Sue W. said...

I'm a follower.

roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net

Sue W. said...

She was influenced by Kate Atkinson.
roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net