Saturday, October 17, 2009

SPINNING FORWARD: PREVIEW & GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
SPINNING FORWARD

BY TERRI DULONG

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In a debut novel brimming with warmth and wit, Terri DuLong spins a tale of new beginnings, old friends, and lives forever bound…

A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband's untimely death—and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Bereft of her comfortable suburban life, Syd takes shelter at a college pal’s bed and breakfast, where amidst the bougainvillea blossoms and the island's gentle rhythms, a plan begins to form…

Syd never considered the possibility of turning her passion for spinning and knitting into something more than a hobby, but when the unique composition of her wool draws attention, a door is opened—the first among many. Yet even as she ventures out of her comfort zone, Syd finds herself stepping into the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship...and secrets. And as long-hidden truths are revealed, Syd faces a choice: spin a safety net—or spin decidedly forward and never look back...

“Poignant, absorbing, humorous...a debut that tugs at the heart.” —Sophia Nash, author of A Dangerous Beauty

“Captures the essence of what often lies in each of our hearts. Don’t miss it!” --J.L. Miles, author of Cold Rock River

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Terri was born and raised in the Boston area....Salem, the Witch City, to be exact. An only child, she drew on her imaginary friends for playmates. All these years later, Terri is certain that those playmates and her love for books is what led her to her passion for writing. However, it would be a circuitous route before she finally arrived as a bona fide author.

Married young, with three children, then divorced, Terri realized that education was the key and attended college to graduate as a Legal Secretary. After remarrying, with the children getting older, she decided to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse. During this time Terri continued her love of reading women's fiction. But her writing only consisted of extremely long letters to friends and keeping a journal. After graduating college as an RN and working in Critical Care, the thought of writing "seriously" became stronger and Terri took a creative writing class at college. Encouraged by the Professor, that was when Terri began writing with the possible hope of publication.

When Terri's husband was transferred with the airlines to the Tampa, Florida area she was working part-time as a home health RN and devoting more and more time to writing. That was when she began attending writers conferences to not only improve her craft of writing, but to learn the very complicated publishing industry.

A long thirteen years later, Terri's first women's fiction novel was released by a small press. When the press closed a few years later, it was back to square one. Attending more and more writers conferences, networking, reading, always working on her writing, Terri never gave up. She couldn't. Writing was her passion and filled her soul. Queries went out, rejections came back. But she noticed that the rejections became not form letters, but very nice personal correspondence. Understanding that there had to be an agent, editor or publisher out there that would love her work, she kept writing.

When Terri's husband retired in 2004, they relocated two hours north to Cedar Key, an island off the west coast of Florida. Having visited there for many years, they knew this was where they wanted to be. A small town, surrounded by Mother Nature. And Terri's muse went into high gear......lots of quirky characters, people who actually waved to you and knew your name, a place that touched her soul and she knew she was in her element.

Having completed a women's novel with the setting of Cedar Key, Terri attended the Romance Writers of America Conference, summer 2007. Upon returning home, she sent off a query to Kensington Publishing with the required first three chapters......and she forgot about it and got on with life. Continuing to write, read, enjoy her knitting and her days. Until December 11.......

That was when Terri received an email from her editor's assistant, requesting the full manuscript. And on Feb. 26, 2008 Terri was offered a two-book contract from Kensington Publishing. Finally.....and it was a long time coming......THE call came! Terri's women's fiction novel will be released Autumn 2009.

Her motto is "Believe in yourself and make great things happen."

GIVEAWAY

Would you like to win a copy of

SPINNING FORWARD?

Thanks to Jeanne Devlin and

Nancy Berland Public Relations

I have two copies to give away!

Here is what you need to do!

U.S. Residents only

No P. O. Boxes, Please

Include your email address for contact

Be sure each ENTRY is a separate comment!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: Comment on one thing you found interesting about author TERRI DULONG

+1 MORE ENTRY: Blog or Tweet about this Giveaway and leave a link in your comment

+1 MORE ENTRY: Watch for my Review and Author Interview in a few days, and answer the BONUS ENTRY questions that will be with them. Then come back HERE to comment on them.


All entries due by

6 PM, EST, October 30

69 comments:

Kaye said...

Interesting? Holy moly! She lived north of Boston, I lived South. She moved to FL, me too and Cedar Key is not too far from me. The minute I read the location I could picture it. This books sounds so intriguing to me, I just can't tell you. Love books set in New England. If I ever won the lottery, I would move back there in a hearbeat. At least for the spring thru fall. I can't wait to read your interview. florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Kaye said...

I love the cover of this book too. Sorry about my longwinded first reply, but I got excited by this one. I put a link in my sidebar to your drawing.

florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Bingo said...

Kaye...I like your enthusiasm...I am pretty sure people who read the book will feel the same as it is a good one and she is a nice lady...maybe you live near her even...good luck!

KR said...

I loved reading about her determination. She's a great role model for all of us!

I'd love to read this.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Reading said...

Please enter me. Thanks. I found it interesting that she saw a connection between her imaginary playmates and her writing.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Molly said...

I find it interesting that it took her 13 years to have something published for the first time.

Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com

Molly said...

I posted a link about the giveaway on my sidebar under Find Other Giveaways Here!

Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com

Linna said...

She's born and raised in Salem, the Witch City!!??
I just came back from Boston and I didn't have enough time to go to Salem. I regret about that. : (

linna.hsu at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

I always think it's great when people use both sides of their brain so well--Terri studied to be a nurse, also while honing her writing skills! That's amazing!
Thanks for the chance to win her book. It looks good.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

She and her husband live on an island of the Gulf coast of Florida - LUCKY!!

meah56 at gmail dot com

mrsshukra said...

I think it's neat that the author was born in Salem and also that she was an RN!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Beth (BBRB) said...

It's interesting that she used to be a home health care RN.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Linda Kish said...

Legal secretary, critical care RN, home health RN, writer, wife, mother. Makes me tired just thinking about it. Whew!!

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I found it interesting that she had imaginary playmates as an only child since I did too and I was also an only child.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Martha Lawson said...

I found it interesting that she went back to school to be a legal secretary, then wound up being a RN, then finally a writer!!! My goodness she has been busy. Congratulations Ms DuLong...


mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

Oh I forgot to say I'm looking forward to read this book!!

I'm a follower..

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Rebecca Orr said...

I think that is interesting that she lived and grew up in Salem...I love reading about the Salem Witch Trials...it has always been an interest! bekki1820cb@gmail.com

Rebecca Orr said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/bekki1820cb/status/4961151829

bekki1820cb@gmail.com

Momma Hunt said...

Looks like a great book!!! I woudl love to be entered into the contest. ezhunt@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

She was born and brought up in alem. Now that has got to have an impact on a person's life, and if she's a writer, on her writing.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

RAnn said...

I found her career path-legal secretary to nurse to writer to be interesting

ruthjoec at aoldotcom

Toni said...

Her motto is "Believe in yourself and make great things happen." What more can I say.. I'd love to read this one.. :) I mean the cover calls out to me.. : )

Commchick said...

I find it interesting that Terri is not a quitter, she persevered until she attained her goal, good for her.

Sharon
belchers@jccal.org

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Bonus entry:
The prizes are a $25 Macy's gift card and an arc of Spinning Forward. Re: International entries she wrote: ... my legal advisors have asked me to restrict my monthly contest to U. S. residents and U.S. military only because of the variation in contesting laws from country to country.

meah56 at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

The prize is a $25.00 Macy's gift card and an ARC of Spinning Forward.
No international entries.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Candy said...

I love the fact that she lives and writes in Cedar Key, one of my most favorite places. I can't wait to read this book!

Wrighty said...

This is my kind of book! I can't wait to read this one.

+ There were many things that were fascinating about the author. I enjoyed the fact that she has had several careers and became an author a little later in life. I'm sure she will have a lot of different experiences to share in her writing.

+ added to sidebar
www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com

bonus - $25 gift certificate to Macy's and an ARC of this book.

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

Tea said...

I would love to win "Spinning Forward." I enjoyed reading the interview. I thought it was interesting that she had read Elin Hilderbrand's Barefoot. I enjoyed reading "Castaways" by the same author this summer.

teakettle58atyahoodotcom

Tea said...

I have blogged about Spinning Forward on my blog.

teakettle58atyahoodotcom

holdenj said...

Thanks for the bonus entry!
Her website prize is a copy of the same book as here, Spinning Forward along with a
$25 Macy's gift card! Those poor int'l readers...her legal advisors say to keep the contest in US/USmilitary because of varying contest laws from place to place!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love that moving to a small town kicked her muse into overdrive. You really do meet some interesting people in small towns!

jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

For the contest the prize is $25 Macy’s Gift Card and an ARC of Spinning Forward.

Contest restricted to US residents and US military only due to contest laws in other countries.

jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

Libby's Library said...

Wow - she and her husband, lived in Tampa. I grew up in St. Pete and Dunedin & then lived in Lakeland for 25 years...all three cities within 45 of Tampa.

The books cover is beautiful.

Thanks for the giveaway.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

A $25 Macy's gift card.
Giveaway is only for residents of the US and Us Military - due to her legal advisors...because of the variation in contesting laws from country to country.

I commented on the review and then came back here. Hope I did this right!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Rebecca Orr said...

The prize is a $25 gift card to Macy's and an ARC of Spinning Forward
You have to be a US resident or US Military to enter...no international reader are able to enter due to differences in contest laws. That stink for international readers...this looks to be really great book. But it also makes me really glad that I live in the US!

Natalie A. said...

I found it's interesting she lives in FL! Thanks!

coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com

Natalie A. said...

Tweet!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/5084277890

coolnatty12 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I found it very interresting that Terri was working as a home health RN and lived in Boston for a time!


Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

In the giveaway on Terri's website, the contest is limited to US citizens and US military because her legal advisers told her that the international laws governing contests were too varied to open the giveaway to anyone and everyone.

Thank Amy
Aimala127@gmail.comyou!

holdenj said...

Well, Sydney seems to me like she'll be a fighter. It takes a lot to rebound from such a surprise after a spouse's death and she sounds like she'll have much fortitude and a lot of support from others.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Bonus Entry - NTERNATIONAL READERS: I am so sorry, but my legal advisors have asked me to restrict my monthly contest to U. S. residents and U.S. military only because of the variation in contesting laws from country to country.

dancealeart at aol dot com

Unknown said...

Sydney sounds like a very interesting character. I love seeing how women reinvent their lives after a major tragedy. It takes a lot of strength to move on and not let grief consume their lives.

jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I would love to enter this giveaway! The most interesting thing about the author was when she talked about her imaginary friends...I could relate to that!

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I blogged about this giveaway, by putting a link in the sidebar of my Obsessions and Compulsions blog here:

http://rainysnowyobsessions.blogspot.com/

DarcyO said...

I found her very different jobs interesting: legal secretary, RN and writer -- wow!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

She is giving away a $25 Macy’s Gift Card and an ARC of SPINNING FORWARD.

The contest is not open internationally.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

RAnn said...

I think Sidney is a lady who doesn't realize what she has inside her until she has to use it.

Andrea said...

I like her perseverance, I'd be crushed if I had to start over after the small press closed.

andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

minishoes1 said...

I loved the fact she was a nurse first and she never gave up her dream of being a writer. Thanks! jacquecurl1@gmail.com

Sherri said...

Please enter me in this giveaway! I found the author very interesting. I love the way she evolved-first a Mom, then divorced, then an RN, then a writer! I am a spinner, knitter, weaver so I would love to win this book! cmcdermitt1@carolina.rr.com. Thanks for having the giveaway!

CMash said...

Please enter me in this giveaway. I was piqued by your review and Ms. Dulong's bio. Living in the New England area where the story begins and being a retired RN, I am putting this read on my TBR list.

Deb K said...

I found it interesting that she is not only a Writer but a Registered Nurse too!

That is awesome~and the book sounds great too :)


deb55106(at)gmail(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Wow she had to work long and hard to get her books published. I have to admire those that are so strong in their spirit that they dont' give up on their dreams!

dancealert at aol dot com

Kristi said...

I think her career choices were interesting in that that they were so diverse - from Legal secretary, to nursing, to author!

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Kristi said...

I went to Terri's website and she is giving away a $25 Macy's Gift Card and an ARC of Spinning Forward.

I am so sorry, but my legal advisors have asked me to restrict my monthly contest to U. S. residents and U.S. military only because of the variation in contesting laws from country to country. (International readers)

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Kristi said...

Sydney sounds like a strong woman. It is nice to see a book featuring an older "heroine" - and giving her what sounds like will be a fun romance! (along with a little mystery). I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Kristi said...

I tweeted - http://twitter.com/kherbrand/statuses/5250686915

kherbrand at comcast dot net

Margie said...

I like the fact that she never gave up on her passion for writing. I find this very inspirational. Also...as an avid knitter, I love her hobby!

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

CherylS22 said...

I found it interesting that Terri was an RN & worked in Critical Care.

Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

BONUS ENTRY

The prize: $25 Macy’s Gift Card & SPINNING FORWARD ARC

INTERNATIONAL READERS: Her legal advisors asked her to restrict her monthly contest to U. S. residents and U.S. military only because of the variation in contesting laws from country to country.

megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

BONUS ENTRY

I love characters that are survivors & strong women. I believe that is the kind of character Sydney is.

megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Margie said...

Bonus entry....
Prize is a $25 Macy's Gift Card and an ARC of Spinning Forward. For the international readers, she iws sorry that her legal advisers asked her to restgrict her monthly contests to US residents and US military only because of variation in laws between countries.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Bonus entry....
The main character appears not to have been involved in family finances, and probably lived a life pretty uninvolved with her husband. She never really knew herself or thought about her options. But she is willing to take risks. She appears to be friendly and it is easy for her to make friends.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

lag123 said...

She live in Cedar Key, not too far from me!

lag110@mchsi.com

Nancye said...

Terri graduated as a Legal Secretary,then became an RN, and then eventually a writer.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/5279027188

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Jaime said...

Terri never gave up. She couldn't.
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Debbie F said...

I really admire a person who doesn't give up. Being a single mom and going back to school is a wonderful feat!

the books so wonderful and I love the cover too. Thanks for a great review.
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

DarcyO said...

I think Syd probably never had to stand on her own before and will probably prove that she has the mettle to do so.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY