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Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi WaxmanGarden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


Thanks to Berkley publishing, I am giving away one print copy of Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman.

Description of Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles Botanical Garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not… 

Praise for Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


“Waxman’s skill at characterization…lifts this novel far above being just another ‘widow finds love’ story. Clearly an observer, Waxman has mastered the fine art of dialogue as well. Characters ring true right down to Lilian’s two daughters, who often steal the show. This debut begs for an encore from Waxman.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 “Waxman takes readers from tears to laughter in this depiction of one woman’s attempt to hold it all together for everyone else only to learn it’s OK to put herself first.”—Booklist

“Brilliant. Simply brilliant. The Garden of Small Beginnings is funny, poignant, and startling in its emotional intensity and in its ability to make the reader laugh and cry on the same page…I loved this book!”—Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street Novels

About Abbi WaxmanGarden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


Abbi Waxman is a chocolate-loving, dog-loving woman who lives in Los Angeles and lies down as much as possible. She worked in advertising for many years, which is how she learned to write fiction. She has three daughters, three dogs, three cats, and one very patient husband.

Giveaway of Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman


This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on May 20, 2017 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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 White Lies by Susan BarrettWhite Lies by Susan Barrett


Publisher:  Create Space (August 30, 2016)
Category: Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction; Contemporary Fiction; Family Saga
Tour Date: April/May, 2017
ISBN: 978-1536806847
Available in: Print & ebook,  164 Pages

White Lies

The story is told from three perspectives: that of Beth, the natural mother of Tess, Liz, the adoptive mother, and Tess herself.  The reader’s sympathy is engaged with each woman in turn, as the intricacies of the plot demonstrate how nature and nurture interplay in the formation of personality.

Beth is a guest at a wedding. The bride is Tess, her natural daughter, who’d been adopted as a baby. During the moments leading up to the marriage ceremony, Beth remembers the lifetime events that have led to her present state of sick fear. Recent revelations have made her suspect that the bridegroom is the first child she’d given up for adoption, and therefore Tess’s half-brother. Will she speak of this impediment to matrimony, as invited by the priest, or forever hold her peace?

White Lies gives the answer in a way that reveals the complexities of truth-telling in the context of parenthood and adoption.  An entertaining page-turner, the novel also traces the social changes in family life over the last fifty years.

My Thoughts White Lies by Susan Barrett


Have you ever thought of adopting a child or were you an adopted child?  Have you ever wondered what it would be like for the birth mother, the adoptive mother, or the child who was adopted?  With the new television series that came out last year, ‘Long Lost Family’, we get a glimpse into those lives.  However, is a “reality” television show really reality?  What goes on behind the scenes or ends up on the cutting room floor?

Thought fiction, perhaps ‘White Lies’ will give a perspective.  It is written by a mother who has adopted.

‘White Lies’ is told from the perspective of the birth mother, Beth, Liz, the adoptive mother, and Tess, the adoptee.  Beth was invited to her birth daughter’s, Tess’s wedding.  Though she should be happy to have been invited and excited to see her daughter’s wedding, she is fearful.  Could the bridegroom be the first child she gave up for adoption? Should she speak up or let the ceremony go on?

Times have changed, it use to be that there was virtually no way of finding a birth parent or birth child.  It has been getting easier, especially with the invention of DNA testing, etc.  More and more people have developed more of an open mind and don’t scrutinize unwed mothers the way they use to.  Now a days, there are even women who decide to have a child without getting married and they don’t even have to wear a big scarlet letter “A”. LOL! 

No matter what you beliefs, if you have feelings, you can’t help having sympathy for all the parties involved in this book.  I certainly did.  Susan Barrett uses her art to cast a story about the experience of adoption from all sides.  She develops believable and sympathetic characters into an excellent story of love.

This is a beautifully written story of love and loss with even a dash of humor.  I highly recommend ‘White Lies’ to readers who love strong female characters and excellent story telling.

5/5

I received the print version for my honest review.

About Susan Barrett White Lies by Susan Barrett


Born in Plymouth, Devon in 1938, Susan Barrett began writing fiction in the 1960s while living on a Greek island.  Her first novel was published by Michael Joseph in 1969.  Film rights were sold and renewed over several years. She went on to write six more novels which were published with mainstream publishers in hardback and paperback in UK and USA.   A book on Greece’s landscapes, flora and fauna, illustrated in watercolours by her artist husband Peter Barrett, was published by Harrap Columbus in 1986.  They have also produced many children’s books together, published in the US.  In the 1990s she trained in humanistic counselling and gestalt psychotherapy and has practised as a counsellor for the last twenty years.  Her latest two novels and a work of non-fiction are available as ebooks and in paperback editions.

Website http://www.aliveinww2.com
Twitter @SusanBarrett192
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/writersreadersdirect
Google+ https://plus.google.com/107631556274786388597

Buy White Lies by Susan Barrett


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Giveaway White Lies by Susan Barrett


This giveaway is for 2 print copies and 6 ebook copies of ‘White Lies’, for a total of 8 winners. Print is open to Canada, UK, and the U.S. only however, ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on June 1, 2017 at midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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White Lies by Susan Barrett

Night the Lights Went Out by Karen WhiteNight the Lights Went Out by Karen White

Thanks to Lauren Burnstein of Berkley, I am giving away one print copy of Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White.

Description of Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Tradd Street series comes a stunning new novel about a young single mother who discovers that the nature of friendship is never what it seems…. 

Recently divorced, Merilee Talbot Dunlap moves with her two children to the Atlanta suburb of Sweet Apple, Georgia. It’s not her first time starting over, but her efforts at a new beginning aren’t helped by an anonymous local blog that dishes about the scandalous events that caused her marriage to fail. 

Merilee finds some measure of peace in the cottage she is renting from town matriarch Sugar Prescott. Though stubborn and irascible, Sugar sees something of herself in Merilee–something that allows her to open up about her own colorful past. 

Sugar’s stories give Merilee a different perspective on the town and its wealthy school moms in their tennis whites and shiny SUVs, and even on her new friendship with Heather Blackford. Merilee is charmed by the glamorous young mother’s seemingly perfect life and finds herself drawn into Heather’s world. 

In a town like Sweet Apple, where sins and secrets are as likely to be found behind the walls of gated mansions as in the dark woods surrounding Merilee’s house, appearance is everything. But just how dangerous that deception can be will shock all three women….

Praise for Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

“An atmospheric and entertaining look at the friends who keep your secrets—and the friends who keep you guessing until it’s too late.”—Kirkus Reviews

“If Big Little Lies met To Kill A Mockingbird and had a compulsively readable love child, that book would be The Night the Lights Went Out. I couldn’t stop reading!”—Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author 

About Karen WhiteNight the Lights Went Out by Karen White

Karen White is the New York Times bestselling author of ‘The Sound of Glass’, ‘A Long Time Gone’, and ‘The Time Between’, among other novels.

Giveaway of Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on April 28, 2017 midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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