Recently, I was asked to review a copy of
The Season of Second Chances by Diane Meier which just came out in paperback. I wasn't really sure what to expect but the premise from her PR group really sounded up my alley. A middle aged college professor decides to take a chance by moving to a small town from NYC to begin a new chapter in her career and renovating an old Victorian house. I figured if I didn't like the book, I wouldn't be out on much, right?
After a slightly bumpy start (mostly because I don't read much fiction) I quickly became engrossed and found Meier and I spoke the same language. Within the first dozen pages, a haircut was described as a
Maxfield Parrish mural, a hotel was compared to the namesake in the Astaire/Crosby movie "
Holiday Inn" and when house shopping in a small town as opposed to a rural area she wrote,
"Lets go there - now! My heart ran ahead. Let's leave the arena of wild bear and rabid raccoon and crazy men with axes, for the safety and comfort of a neighborhood, for the aroma of blueberry pies cooling on the kitchen windowsills, for little front yards and the idea of biking to work. The concept of biking to work should have given me the hint that I was getting carried away. And why was it priced so far below all that we'd seen, and what did she mean by "white elephant"? "
From this passage on, I was hooked. Don't ask me why it took me 9 pages-did I hear a bit of myself in her voice? I would recommend this book to anyone and to pass along the pleasure, I'm giving away my copy of the book (free to me, free to you). Please live in the United States and leave a comment by Sunday, May 8th (Mothers day!). I will notify the winner and send it off immediately so you can hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. Good luck!
I have long been an admirer of the online retailer Paris Hotel Boutique. When Cote de Texas offered a giveaway of two of their items I jumped at the chance to register!
I was so excited when I actually won! I chose an antique silver dish marked from the Alexander Young hotel. It's so incredibly heavy, beautiful and pretty large too!
I'm happy to report that the item arrived well-packaged and extremely quick. I plan on adding the company to my list of retailers I check out on a regular basis. You never know who you are buying from in online auctions so it's nice to know this is a reputable online dealer.
For now I have the dish living on my coffee table where it really has become the star! Thanks to Joni and also to Paris Hotel Boutique!!
To enter, simply leave a comment saying which house number you would pick if you won. Receive 1 extra entry for posting a link to the giveaway on twitter or facebook. Good luck!
the all white
I've always loved this blue and white pattern as well! Like she mentions it mixes so well with other pieces so is a fun one for mixing and matching. I have a teacup in this pattern but really don't have much blue & white -i need to work on that!
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