Saturday, June 11, 2011

Here, Home, Hope (book) Review and Giveaway! (US/CAN) - CLOSED


Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors' seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly's own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan. From page one, Kelly's witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan--she places Post-it notes all over her house and car--will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.

Here, Home, Hope is the Winner of the 2011 Indie Excellence Award!

At some point in our lives, we all struggle to find out who we are and what we want to do for the rest of our lives. Being a stay at home mother, it's difficult putting your life on hold to take care of your children and household. It is just as hard for working moms, you can't be there for your children, so you try to make time for them when you can, or as in Here, Home, Hope, a friend of Kelly's named Kathryn, asks Kelly to help her out with her anorexic, troubled teenage daughter. Kelly has two boys, one teenager and one tween, she is also trying to figure out what she is going to do with the rest of her life.

At first, when I started reading this book, I didn't feel that I could identify with Kelly and her friends and the rich lives that they lead. But I found myself realizing that in the next few years, both of our children will be in elementary school, and I will have nothing to do for six hours a day while they are there. Reading Here, Home, Hope made me realize that I need to figure out what I want to do now, instead of waiting until the time actually comes.

I like the idea of the story towards the end where Kelly says "...something in my life had to change. What I also discovered was that I was the only one who could do it. Not having that realization was what held me back for so long. I was ready to rewrite Things to Change rule Number One. My life is up to me to define. I needed to make my own dreams come true."

After I was finished reading the book I was left with the ideas that it doesn't matter your size, shape, age, or gender, you can reinvent yourself. Find your passion in life and find a way to make a difference in other people's lives.


Buy It!
Here, Home, Hope can be purchased at most bookstores and also on Amazon.com.


Win It!
Would you like to Win a copy of the book, "Here, Home, Hope" by Kaira Rouda? Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Ends 6/20/2011 at 11:59p.m. Central Standard Time



MANDATORY ENTRY:
1) Tell me the name of the best book you've ever read is and why it's a really great book along with your email address. (1 entry)



*Please leave your email address with every entry, or your comments/entries will be deleted. NO EXCEPTIONS!



Extra Entries:
1) Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Networked Blogs. (1 entry for each that you do)


2) Follow me on GFC (Google Friend Connect). (2 entries)


3) Sign up for my daily emails on my right sidebar. (3 entries)


4) Enter any of my other giveaways and let me know which one. (only good for 1 entry)


5) Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link. (1 entry per day)
Sample Tweet: Here, Home, Hope book Review & Giveaway! (US/CAN) Ends 6/20 http://tinyurl.com/3bwdl68


6) Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave me the link. (1 entry per day)


7) Blog about this Giveaway. (5 entries)
(You must have at least 40 followers on Google Friend Connect for these entries to count. If you don't have a Google Friend Connect on your website/blog, these entries will not be counted, and I will delete them.)


8) Post either my "Airplanes and Dragonflies" button and/or my "Last Chance Giveaways" button on your blog's main page. (2 entries for each button)


Giveaway is CLOSED


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from One2One Network in exchange for writing a review. No other compensation was received or exchanged.

64 comments:

  1. Nice meeting you. The book sounds great and I look forward to more visits and learning more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The best book I have read would probaly be
    The Loop or The Horse Whisperer.


    amhengst(AT)verizon (DOT)net

    ReplyDelete
  3. In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall because it was an amazing look into her study of the great apes. She is such a wonderful woman. I read this book in the 1970s and still have my original copy. It has since been re-released and is a wonderful read for anyone who loves animals.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. The best book I ever read hmmm The Book Thief - I love reading WWII books and Markus Zusak has a wonderful style.

    mkbrander at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I absolutely love the book The Other Side of Love by Jacqueline Briskin! I found it years ago and have read it about 3 or 4 times. I love the historical aspect to it and the details of the family in the book.

    sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i follow via GFC

    sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. i follow via GFC #2

    sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. i added you on Fb
    Sasha L

    sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Where the heart is(My favorite book) It is such a great read and there is also a movie!
    mrs.cakes01@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I follow you on GFC
    mrs.cakes01@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow you on GFC. #2
    mrs.cakes01@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Bible is the best book I have every read because it hold the truth and the way to salvation.

    junerlisle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. email subscriber #1

    junerlisle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. email subscriber #2

    junerlisle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. email subscriber #3

    junerlisle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. The best book I ever read was the bible. It tells the story of the lord jesus.

    ontariohappychick@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Follow you with GFC - Denise G #1

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Follow you on GFC #2 - Denise G

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Like you on facebook - DEnise G

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Follow you on twitter @wishwash1

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. subscribe to your emails #1

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. subscribe to your emails #2

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. subscribe to your emails #3

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. The best book I ever read was The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Never before or since have I read a book that so beautifully and powerfully captures what it feels like to completely love and be devoted to someone.

    slbastin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. The best book I ever read was The Red Tent because it inspired me to reread the bible and learn more about that time in our history.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow you on gfc as degood #1

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow you on gfc as degood #2

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I entered the princess boutique giveaway.

    kerrie@mayansfamily.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thorn Birds was the most impressive. I was only 18 when I read it. Perhaps it impressed me because I was a Catholic then and had priests on a pedestal. Recently re-watched the movie and loved it too. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway


    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  30. GFC follower #1. Thanks


    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  31. GFC follower #2. Thanks





    dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I loved the Twilight series. Loved the strange and twisting plot
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow on gFC #2
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love reading and I love books and cannot pick one. I like every book I read or I don't read it, lol. Right now I am reading a really good book called "The Waiting Place" Learning to Appreciate Life's Little Delays by Eileen Button.

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am a FB fan
    Valerie Sandel-Stayton

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am a networked blog follower
    Valerie Sandel-Stayton

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am a GFC follower
    Valerie Stayton
    My 2 Cents

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com
    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am a GFC follower
    Valerie Stayton
    Valerie @ My-2-Cents

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  39. Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/Valeries_2cents/status/82795521193951232

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Posted on FB
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=113014138790112&id=168508646518271

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I've read many great books, but my most recent favorite is "Water for Elephants." I enjoyed it because I connected with the main character Jacob Jankowski. My mom's maiden name is Jankowski, so it was easy to get lost in the book, imagining that it was a long lost relative telling me a story about his experience in the circus.
    nerakg1974@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Neat giveaway! Sounds like a great book! :) The best book I've ever read is probably Between Sundays by Karen Kingsbury. Such a good, emotion-packed book! :)

    godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow you on Twitter (Godsgalnj)
    Godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I sent a friend request on Fb (Jocelyn P)
    godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow you via GFC (Joce) Entry #1
    godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I follow you via GFC (Joce) Entry 2
    godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I blogged about it at
    http://my-2-cents.blogspot.com/2011/06/here-home-hope-book-giveaway-ends-today.html

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com
    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  48. I blogged about it at
    http://my-2-cents.blogspot.com/2011/06/here-home-hope-book-giveaway-ends-today.html

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com
    entry 2

    ReplyDelete
  49. I blogged about it at
    http://my-2-cents.blogspot.com/2011/06/here-home-hope-book-giveaway-ends-today.html

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com
    entry 3

    ReplyDelete
  50. I blogged about it at
    http://my-2-cents.blogspot.com/2011/06/here-home-hope-book-giveaway-ends-today.html

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com
    entry 4

    ReplyDelete
  51. I blogged about it at
    http://my-2-cents.blogspot.com/2011/06/here-home-hope-book-giveaway-ends-today.html

    my_2_cents at hotmail dot com
    entry 5

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh Geez, I read so many books. The one that sticks in my mind from recently read books is The Devil In The Junior League by Linda Francis Lee. I really enjoyed this book because it was innocently funny and I actually laughed out loud.
    elund323@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I follow with Networked Blogs

    ReplyDelete
  54. I subscribe via email
    entry #1

    ReplyDelete
  55. I subscribe via email
    entry #3

    ReplyDelete
  56. Tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/#!/elund323/status/82817372053970944

    ReplyDelete
  57. I have read many many good books. One of my favorite authors is Jodi Picoult. Any of her books are good - I especially likes House Rules.
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I follow you on Twitter
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I liked you on FB
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I follow you on GFC - 1
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I follow you on GFC - 2
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Tweeted:
    BeeWBedard Brenda W Bedard
    Here, Home, Hope book Review & Giveaway! (US/CAN) Ends 6/20 tinyurl.com/3bwdl68

    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete