Sunday, February 14, 2010

ROSES: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
ROSES

BY LEILA MEACHAM

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Spanning the 20th century, the story of Roses takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town's founding families. Cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timber magnate Percy Warwick should have married but unwisely did not, and now must deal with the deceit, secrets, and tragedies of their choice and the loss of what might have been--not just for themselves but for their children, and children's children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Leila Meacham is a writer and former teacher who lives in San Antonio, Texas.



REVIEW:


ROSES is sweeping family saga that spans the twentieth century and has been compared to GONE WITH THE WIND. Full of passion, mystery, tragedy, and excitement, it doesn’t fail to live up to such an esteemed comparison.

The three families at the heart of the story are the Tolivers who are in cotton farming, the Warwicks in timber, and the DuMonts of clothing department store fame. They founded the town of Howbutker,Texas generations ago. As descendants of the Lancasters and Yorks who were the key families during the War of the Roses, the Toliver and Warwick families continue the tradition of giving a red rose when asking for forgiveness, a white rose when granting forgiveness, and a pink rose if all is not forgiven. This of course plays an essential part in the story and thus the title.

Mary Toliver DuMont decides on her death bed to make changes in her will as she believes it will spare future generations from the “Toliver curse.” These changes have lasting ramifications for sure.

This first part of the story then goes back to Mary’s youth in 1916 on her families’ cotton plantation to answer the mystery of the curse. Readers will learn what happens to Mary to bring her to the decision she makes on her death bed in this first part of a story of her amazing life shaped by the battles she has in life and love. One thing is for sure and that is her love of the land of Somerset is never in question, and she recognizes that same devotion in her great-niece, Rachel. The second part of the novel is Percy Warwick’s story, and the third part of the novel is set back in 1985 with Mary’s Great-Niece Rachel’s story and where Meacham draws the three parts together.


ROSES is a 600-plus page publication that author Leila Meacham has delivered as an amazingly unanticipated fast read. I got so involved with the characters and especially finding comparison to those in my all-time favorite novel, GONE WITH THE WIND, that it didn’t seem so big. I thought the character development was the strongest part of Meacham’s work as the plot was a little thin in the end, and at times parts were a bit exaggerated. Even with that, it was still a satisfying page turning delight!

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MIRIAM AND THE
HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I
HAVE FIVE COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK TO GIVEAWAY!

THE RULES:

--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: TELL ME ABOUT ONE OTHER GIVEAWAY THAT IS STILL GOING ON HERE AT BOOKIN' WITH BINGO THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED. IF YOU HAVEN'T, GO ENTER SOME, AND YOU CAN COME BACK. LOTS OF GOOD STUFF TO TRY FOR!

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON IF YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG IN ANY WAY

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MARCH 8

GOOD LUCK!

97 comments:

Zia said...

I'm entered in the Crazy School Giveaway here.

Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com

Zia said...

+1 I follow Through Google Friend Connect

Zia

rubynreba said...

I entered the 8th Confession giveaway
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I follow on google friend
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

skkorman said...

I entered to win "The Lighthouse of Mr. Tinfish"!

Sheila
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I entered the Swan Thieves giveaway, and would love to be entered in this one as well; thanks so much. I follow your blog.

bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I entered the Truth About Lord Stoneville (Sabrina Jeffries) contest.

Margay

Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I am a follower via Google Friends Connect.
Margay

Margay Leah Justice said...

I tweeted the giveaway here: http://twitter.com/Margay/status/9099427989

Margay

Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

Susan O'Bryant said...

I've also entered to win The Swan Thieves audio book. Thank you for all of these great giveaways!

susanaudrey316 at gmail dot com

Susan O'Bryant said...

I'm a follower via Google Friend Connect.

susanaudrey316 at gmail dot com

Susan O'Bryant said...

And I posted a link to this giveaway at my blog.

susanaudrey316 at gmail dot com

scottsgal said...

I'm entered in the Ozzy giveaway - he is such a riot (if you can understand him!)
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

follower through GFC
msboatgal at aol.com

traveler said...

Thanks for this great giveaway. I entered The Swan Thieves. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

brokenteepee said...

I entered the Last Snow giveaway amongst others...
thanks
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I follow by email and google
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

There is a photo link up on my sidebar at www.brokenteepee.info
thanks
kaiminani at gmail dot com

doreen lamoureux said...

Hey, thanks for the review and giveaway. I entered Swan Thieves giveaway.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

doreen lamoureux said...

I follow on google friend....dor

dorcontest at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

Roses looks wonderful, thanks for the chance to win! I'm entered in the Racing Hearts giveaway!
Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

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

Linda Kish said...

I entered the 8th Confession giveaway.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Jane said...

I entered the Dare to Surrender giveaway.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

Jane said...

I'm a GFC follower.

janie1215 AT excite DOT com

Hot Off the Shelves said...

I have entered Not My Daughter and The Swan Thieves giveaways.

jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

Hot Off the Shelves said...

I follow through blogger dashboard.

jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

DarcyO said...

I entered the "CAREER GPS: Strategies for Women Navigating the New Corporate Landscape" giveaway.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

409cope said...

I entered the I am Ozzy giveaway. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Charleydog said...

I have entered "The Swan Thieves" giveaway.
Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

KR said...

I follow on Google

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Martha Lawson said...

I entered for the Ozzie audio book giveaway!!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Martha Lawson said...

I am a follower on google friend connect

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Esme said...

I entered Last Snow Giveaway

thanks

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

cococroissants

roses giveaway http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/02/roses-review-and-giveaway.html

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I entered for the Ozzie book and audiobook.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow through Google.

seriousreader at live dot com

Sue said...

I entered for The Swan Thieves. Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

g.g. said...

I entered for Not My Daughter...Roses looks really good

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I subscribe with email and google follower

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

Carol M said...

I entered the LAST SNOW GIVEAWAY.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/9145098180
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

This is a book that after reading the review here that immediately went to the top of my wishlist

+1 I follow Through Google Friend Connect

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

bison61 said...

I entered THE SWAN THIEVES GIVEAWAY

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I entered the He Crashed Me giveaway.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I follow with google friend connect.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

mrsshukra said...

I entered the I am Ozzy book giveaway!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Google friend connect follower!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jaime said...

entered ULTIMATE NASCAR INSIDERS TRACK GUIDE GIVEAWAY
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I entered your giveaway for The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova.


Amy
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I follow on google friend connect and on blogger dashboard!


Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I tweeted this giveaway:
Roses Giveaway

Amy
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Marian Perera said...

I entered the giveaway for "Searching for Tina Turner" as well. :)

Marian

mdperera at hotmail dot com

Teresa said...

I entered The Still Life giveaway
sounds like a very good read
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I entered Drood. Really want to read that one too, and this! =)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered Worst Case audiobook by James Patterson.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Reading said...

I entered the Not My Daughter giveaway.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered a bunch of different giveaways, including The Wife's Tale and the Swan Thieves.
Thanks!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I just signed up to start following your blog. Can't wait!
candc320@gmail.com

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

I have entered The Wife's Tale giveaway also.

bthgordon at yahoo dot com

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

I am also a google follower. Thanks so much for the chance to win.

bthgordon at yahoo dot com

Vera said...

I entered the CeeCee Honeycomb giveaway! vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

I follow and subscribe by email. vvperesk@gmail.com

Bombtastic Belle said...

i haven't entered anyyet, but I'm on my way! Thanks for teh chacne1
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

kristinemarie7 said...

I entered the giveaway for The Wife's Tale.
kristinemarie7 at gmail.com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I'm a loyal follower via Google friend connect.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I entered the Secrets of Eden giveaway.

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Rebecca Orr said...

I am a follower via email, google reader, and gfc. :)
bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

I just finished entering the Saving CeeCee Honeycut. I am going to sit here and enter the rest that sound good to me now! Thanks! Have a great day Karen.
bekki1820cb at gmail

Glenn said...

I also entered for TRY DARKNESS BY JAMES SCOTT BELL. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

I'm also a follower.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

I just entered Secrets of Eden...which I almost missed!
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jolee said...

follow your blog. joleehamlin@comcast.net

Jolee said...

Also entered "the wife's tale." joleehamlin@comcast.net

Unknown said...

I follow your blog with google friend connect.

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I have entered every giveaway that is currently open -- I'll read almost anything. :D most recently entered the James Patterson audio giveaway

ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

I follow through GFC

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

I entered in the Undress Me In The Temple of Heaven Giveaway.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I'm entered in The Wife's Tale giveaway.

meah56 AT gmail DOT com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I blogged about this giveaway in my sidebar giveaways:
http://bookfan-mary.blogspot.com

meah56 AT gmail DOT com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I'm a Google Friend Connect follower : )

meah56 AT gmail DOT com

Pamela Keener said...

I entered in the When will there be good news giveaway.
I would love to win this book
I am a new follower via google
I subscribe via e-mail.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290@comcast.net

ossmcalc said...

I have entered the When Turtles Fly Giveaway.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow you through email, Google Reader, and now Facebook.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/10086164395

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Benita said...

I follow via GFC.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered The Heights Giveaway.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Francine Anchondo said...

follow your blog via google connect

fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com

Francine Anchondo said...

I entered the THIS ONE IS MINE giveaway.


fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com

Karin said...

Entered The Moon Looked Down giveaway--

karin56381 (at) gmail.com

Nancye said...

I entered Still Life, Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, and I plan to enter The Wife's Tale, The Heights, and many more! :)

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect and e-mail.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/10191340486

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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