Tuesday, November 10, 2009

THE GIFT: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

A BINGLE BELLS BOOK CHOICE
[<span class=
GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE GIFT

A NOVEL
BY CECELIA AHERN

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Gift is a magical, fable-like Christmas story from Cecelia Ahern, the celebrated New York Times bestselling author of P.S. I Love You and Thanks for the Memories. The story of Lou Suffern, a successful executive frustrated by the fact that he spends more time in the office than with his doting wife and two young children, The Gift is “a tantalizing tale wrapped in a tale. . . . [the] perfect treat for the holidays.” (Sara Gruen)

New York Times bestselling author Cecelia Ahern spins a witty, warm, and wise modern-day fable of love, regret, hope, and second chances.

Extremely successful executive, Lou Suffern is always overstretched, immune to the holiday spirit that delights everyone around him. The classic workaholic who never has a moment to spare, he is always multitasking while shortchanging his devoted wife and their adorable children. And ever since he started competing for a big promotion, he has barely seen his family at all.

One frigid morning in an uncharacteristic burst of generosity, he buys a cup of coffee for Gabe, a homeless man huddled outside his office building. Inspired by his own unexpected act of kindness, Lou decides to prolong his charitable streak and contrives to get Gabe a job in his company's mail room. But when Gabe begins to meddle in Lou's life, the helping hand appears to be a serious mistake. Gabe seems to know more about Lou than Lou does about himself, and, perhaps more disturbingly, Gabe always seems to be in two places at once.

With Lou's personal and professional fates at important crossroads and Christmas looming, Gabe resorts to some unorthodox methods to show his stubborn patron what truly matters and how precious the gift of time is. But can he help him fix what's broken before it's too late?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Before she embarked on her writing career, Cecelia Ahern completed a degree in journalism and media communications. At 21, she wrote her first novel, P.S. I Love You, which became an international bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture, starring Hilary Swank. Her successive novels—Love, Rosie; If You Could See Me Now; and There's No Place Like Here—were also international bestsellers. Her books are published in 46 countries and have collectively sold more than 10 million copies. She is also the cocreator of the hit ABC comedy series Samantha Who?, starring Christina Applegate. The daughter of Ireland's former prime minister, Ahern lives in Dublin, Ireland.

MY REVIEW:

Cecilia Ahern has certainly given her book the right title, THE GIFT. This book is truly a gift especially at this time of the year. When all of us double and triple our already full workload, we wind up asking ourselves why? So most of us will relate somewhat with the main character, Lou.

Lou is the king of multi-taskers except that he often needs to single task and pay more attention to other things in his life like his wife and family. He is so busy doing so many things at once, is life it on a treadmill. When Lou gets a chance for a promotion at work, he winds up doing even more. Even when he is home with his family, his mind is not there with them but on what else he needs to be doing.

On a winter morning that all changes. Lou finds a homeless man outside his office building and almost passes him up and then decides that maybe this is someone he can help. He introduces himself to the man whose name is Gabe and before you know it, he helps Gabe get a job in his company. Lou figures if he does that, Gabe will be able to take better care of himself and in turn that makes Lou feel great. Gabe gets a job in the mail room however, he also starts to get in Lou's way. It seems like every time Lou turns around, Gabe is there. Before you know it, Lou begins to resent it and feel his personal space is being invaded. It also makes Lou suspicious at how Gabe always seems to know where Lou will be and shows up there.

Christmas isn't far away and Lou realizes slowly how valuable time really is. He learns how important certain things in life really are but he also learns a very hard lesson as well. What happens and what part does Gabe play in this? What secrets will be revealed? The story shows how just like a gift can hide something under layers of usually good looking paper and bows, so can people be a different thing once you unwrap them and discover their true secrets...and what is really important in life.

GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO KYLE AND HIS SUPPORT
FROM HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE THREE COPIES OF THIS
HOLIDAY BOOK TO GIVE AWAY.

RULES

--U.S. Residents Only
--No P.O. Boxes, Please
--Email address must be in your comment
--ALL comments must be separate to count
or they will count as one instead of possibly two.

HOW TO ENTER:


+1 ENTRY: Go to Cecilia's Website HERE and read about her. Comment on one thing you found interesting from that site about this author.

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

+1 MORE ENTRY: Follow on Google Connect (see left hand sidebar) or tell me how you do follow

+1 MORE ENTRY: Read my review above and comment on whether you think I gave too much away....it is OK, you won't hurt my feelings and it won't hurt your chances to win!

ALL ENTRIES DUE BY

6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 2

GOOD LUCK!

127 comments:

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I did not know that Cecelia was a co-creator of Samantha Who? ! I loved that show and I'm so sorry that it was cancelled.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/5596229163

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I am a loyal follower via Google Friend Connect!

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I don't think you gave too much away! I like that the homeless man's name is Gabe (my son's name!). I have a sneaking suspicion that he may be a certain angel that we all have heard of!

Thanks for another great giveaway, Karen!

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Virginia C said...

Cecelia's seventh novel, THE BOOK OF TOMORROW is currently out in the UK and Ireland now.

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Virginia C said...

You wrote an excellent review, explaining just enough to peak our interest!

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

drey said...

I don't think you gave away too much at all!

dreyshouse at gmail dot com

drey said...

I'm a follower (of course!)

dreyshouse at gmail dot com

drey said...

I still can't believe that she wrote P.S. I Love You at 21! Loved the movie, too... Should've come with a box of tissues required warning...

dreyshouse at gmail dot com

Reading said...

Cecilia is a the co-creator of Samantha Who? starring Christina Applegate.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

bermudaonion said...

I learned that Cecelia is the co-creator of Samantha Who.
milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

You didn't give too much away - I want to know what secrets were revealed.

Margie said...

She wrote her first novel, PS I Love You, at age twenty-one. It became a major motion picture. Very impressive at that young age.

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I follow by email; and the site is on my Favorites list.

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

You did give away a lot of information, but just enough to make us want to read the book and find out what really happens!

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Hot Off the Shelves said...

Cecilia was the youngest recipient of a Nielsen Book Platinum Award....that's impressive.

jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

Hot Off the Shelves said...

I blogged about your giveaway (I stole...I mean borrowed.... your image of the book).

jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

Hot Off the Shelves said...

I follow through my blogger.

jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

excellent; thank you

bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

KR said...

She wrote her first novel, PS I Love You, at age twenty-one.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

I follow on Google Freind

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

KR said...

Nah, u didn't give too much away.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

mindy said...

no i think you gave enough away to make me want to read it minsthins at optonline dot net

holdenj said...

I'm surprised she was schooled as a journalist, Ahern's stories are just magical, not factual! I also had no idea she helped create Samantha Who? What a creative woman.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I follow via google friend connect.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

No, I don't think you gave too much away in your review. It was just enough to whet my appetite for a wonderful sounding Christmas tale! Thanks for the giveaway!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

heatherzilla said...

I am shocked that she wrote PS I Love You when she was only 21. Wow! I love the movie, I didn't realize that it was based on a book. I see that she has several other books that have been optioned for movies or tv.

heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

heatherzilla said...

I liked your review, and I do not think you gave too much away.

heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

heatherzilla said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/heatherzilla8/statuses/5603014142

Mitz said...

I think it's pretty cool that she co-created Sam Who. I used to watch that show and love Chritina Applegate.

I enjoyed your review and think you gave just enough away to make me want it.

misty_labean(at)yahoo.com

heatherzilla said...

I am follower (blogger/subscribe in google reader).

Kelly said...

I didn't know she was so young! I've read a couple of her books and just adore them. I expected her to be much older!

krtrumpet [at] aol [dot] com

lag123 said...

Cecelia was THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT OF A NIELSEN BOOK PLATINUM AWARD FOR HER BOOK: PS: I LOVE YOU

lag110@mchsi.com

lag123 said...

I follow via google friends connect and google reader.

lag110@mchsi.com

lag123 said...

No, I don't think you gave too much away in your review. It was enough to intrigue us.

lag110@mchsi.com

Anonymous said...

CECELIA AHERN IS THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT OF A NIELSEN BOOK PLATINUM AWARD FOR HER BOOK, PS: I LOVE YOU.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow on Google Connect.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Based on your review, I'm eager to read the book. I don't think you gave too much away. Thanks for the review.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

DarcyO said...

Wow, Cecelia's seventh novel is out. This girl is uber talented!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

tweeted:

http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/5605653326

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I thought your review was great and didn't give too much away.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

scottsgal said...

she was voted Author of Year in the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in 2008

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

Follower via google reader

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

I don't think you gave away too much - I enjoyed reading about the book

msboatgal at aol.com

Mary said...

I'm a big fan of her books and in fact, I just picked up Thanks for the Memories today. I find her site very interesting and love that she created Samantha Who.

mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Celticlady's Reviews said...

I knew that Cecelia Aherns father was prime minister of Ireland but I did not know she cowrote Samantha Who??

I follow on your blog plus on Google Reader , I twittered contesthttp://twitter.com/Celticlady1953/status/5608149159

also posted contest on my sidebar on my blog.

momkelly2003@yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

Her book PS,I Love You was made into a movie.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

+1 Cecelia was nominated for Best Newcomer 2004/5 at the British Book Awards for her debut novel PS, I Love You.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

+1 I am a follower.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

+1 I think your review was just great - really made me wnat to read this book

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

lynnie said...

I am so impressed with all Cecelia's sucess in writing she has given all her royalities of quite a few short stories to chairity, bravo!


Mytyme2 at gmail dot com

kakihara said...

I learned that the book of tomorrow is already out in the UK--hey not fair! I love P.S.I Love You!!!
thanks for the chance to win!
kakihararocks@gmail.com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

I learned Cecelia's the co-creater, (along with Donald Todd), and producer of the ABC television show, Samantha Who?

heatheranne99 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Tweet!
http://twitter.com/heatheranne99/status/5612472390

heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Blog follower!

heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

No I don't think you gave away too much information, I always enjoy your reviews!

heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com

Debbie said...

That is so cool that she is the co-creator of Samantha Who.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

I follow on google connect.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

And I always like your reviews. You definitely didn't give too much away.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

brizmus said...

Ooh! I saw this book last Cristmas and wanted to read it. I don't know why I didn't.
Cecilia is the youngest winner of the Nielsen Book Platinum Award.
I don't know what that award is, but cool!

zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

brizmus said...

Contest in my sidebar under The Contest List
http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com
zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

brizmus said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect!
zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

brizmus said...

I was afraid to read the review in case you did give too much away. In the end, it's a great review, and while it was a little bit more than *I* would want to know, I think the average review reader would not think so.
zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

Sue said...

"At twenty-one, she wrote her first novel PS, I Love You, which was sold to over forty countries." How amazing! I just read it this summer and I'm amazed at such great talent at such a young age.
Thanks for sharing.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

CherylS22 said...

I learned that her first novel "PS, I Love You" was sold to over forty countries & made into a major motion picture - and she was only 21!

megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

I don't think you gave too much away - I liked your review! You told me just enough to increase my interest in reading this book.
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I had no idea she was so prolific! And multi-talented. Short stories, novels, movies, AND Samantha Who?!! I have a copy of THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES in my TBR pile. I think I'll move it up in the stack while I wait to see if I've won THE GIFT. Thanks for a chance to win.

geebee.reads AT gmail dOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'm a Follower!

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I don't think you gave too much away -- but I won't know for sure unless I get to read the book!

geebee.reads AT gmail dOT com

Unknown said...

She's one of the creators of Samantha Who.

kolists a/t gmail d\t com

Unknown said...

No, I don't think you gave too much away.

kolists a/t gmail d\t com

mrsshukra said...

Cecelia was nominated for Best Newcomer 2004/5 at the British Book Awards for her debut novel PS, I Love You.

I miss Samantha Who, so nice to know Cecilia was co-creator.

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Google friend follower!

delilah01809at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

You didn't give too much away in your review! Even if you did, I like spoilers!

delilah01809at)yahoo(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

Cecelia writes short stories for different anthologies and donates any proceeds to charity.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

I follow by GFC

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

I don't think you gave too much away in the review.
I agree with another poster, perhaps Gabe is heaven sent.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

D Q said...

I found out that Cecelia was a co-creator of Samantha Who? Didn't know that.
djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

cstironkat said...

I learned that her first book PS, I Love You was one of the biggest-selling debut novels of 2004.

GoneGirl said...

I think it's neat that she produce Samantha Who?! Amazing that she finds the time to write! Busy, busy!

GoneGirl said...

No, I don't think you gave too much away. I think you gave just enough to make me want to read it!

GoneGirl said...

Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/bucbratt/status/5682709218

GoneGirl said...

I follow you on blogger...mama hill

Miranda Ward said...

Cecilia is a the co-creator of Samantha Who

Gwendolyn B. said...

Free Play Bear Bonus -- The names of the bears are: Max, Agie, All Oops, Barney, Ursala.

Thanks!

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Ashley said...

I adore Cecelia Ahern and would love to win this! I love her books and loved her even more as co creator of Samantha Who

Ashley said...

I am a follower

bellasnovella@gmail.com

Ashley said...

I don't think you gave away too much, if anything you made me want to read more

bellasnovella@gmail.com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I learned that she wrote the novel the movie P.S. I Love You was based on! Who knew? How cool! And that the book hit over 1 million!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'm a Google Friend Connect follower.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Framed said...

Entry No 1 - She is a very accomplished woman, novelist, short story writer, TV show creator, Woman of the Year. I'm impressed.

Entry No 2 - I thought your review was a good teaser. I still want to read the book.

Framed said...

Sorry I forgot my email address:

shaneen(at)easilink(dot)com

Debbie F said...

Samantha Who was also one of my favorite shows and it's cool that Cecelia was a co-creator.

Wow! Maybe she can do it again!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I think your review was just right. Not too much and not too little. Great job!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

thanks

Debbie F said...

I'm a follower!

thanks!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Kim said...

LEARNED: Cecelia is the co-creater, along with Donald Todd, and producer of the ABC half-hour comedy television show, Samantha Who?

~ Noelle said...

I learned that she has also written a play!
wow! She seems to do it all!

holdenj said...

+1 Free Play Bear Bonus

Max, Agie, All Oops, Barney, Ursala

Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandy Jay said...

I follow with Google Reader.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Sandy Jay said...

Good review. It was just enough to make me want to read the book. Thanks

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Renee G said...

I was surprised to hear that OVER A MILLION READERS LOVE CECELIA! That is a lot of book sales.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

cheryl c said...

I was surprised to find out that she created Samantha Who. I miss that show!

castings at mindspring dot com

cheryl c said...

Google follower

ValerieAnne said...

I didn't know she co-created 'Samantha Who?'.. That was def an interesting fact!

vsizemore@ymail.com

ValerieAnne said...

No, I don't think you gave to much away in your review of the book.

vsizemore@ymail.com

ValerieAnne said...

I follow on Twitter!!


vsizemore@ymail.com

Unknown said...

I had no idea that Cecelia Ahern helped create the sitcom "Samantha Who?" and I also found it interesting and wonderful that she donated her royalties for the short stories she contributed to several anthologies to charity. I really appreciated finding out about this author!

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

ValerieAnne said...

I follow with RSS feeds.

vsizemore@ymail.com

Unknown said...

I blogged this giveaway:

Giveaways

Thank you!

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect and Google reader!

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

ValerieAnne said...

xo_MissV_xo Contest for Cecilia Ahern's Holiday Novel -- http://bookinwithbingo.blog...
less than 20 seconds ago from web


- That's me!! I tweeted about it, My page is protected though, so only my few hundred friends can see it..

vsizemore@ymail.com

Unknown said...

Personally I don't think your review revealed to much. It sets the stage for the major part of the story and I am very intrigued now. This is more than a story about a man with means helping another man who's down on his luck!

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

rubynreba said...

It is amazing that she wrote PS I Love You at 21.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I am a follower on Google Friend.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

In my opinion you did not give too much away.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

ossmcalc said...

I discovered that in October 2008, Cecelia's first play, Mrs Whippy - a one woman show - opened starring Marion O'Dwyre, and is currently touring Ireland with Mary McEvoy and Wendy Peters. She is truly a multi-talented young woman.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/6186776965

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow on Google Connect.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

Actually I do not think that you gave too much away. I still have plenty of curiosity about what happens to make me want to read this book.

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

The Girl from the Ghetto said...

Bingo, you didn't give too much away.

First of all, I loved the movie P.S. I Love You, and had no idea it was a book. Now I want "The Gift" and "P.S. I Love You."

I just went to the authors website and found out how young she was (21) when she wrote her first book. Inspiring!


Thanks for having so many fun contests, especially with such great book giveaways. You make this unemployed woman very happy!

The Girl from the Ghetto
thegirlfromtheghetto@gmail.com

Nancye said...

I found out from the website that "her second book "Where Rainbows End reached no.1 in Ireland and the UK, remaining at the top of the Irish bestsellers list for 12 weeks and again a bestseller internationally" Cool!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I don't think you gave away too much in your review! It just made me want to read it more!!


nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower via Google Friend Connect


nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/6283010710

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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