Saturday, May 29, 2010

HUSBAND AND WIFE: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
HUSBAND AND WIFE
BY LEAH STEWART

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this new novel by the celebrated author of The Myth of You and Me, a young mother discovers that her husband's novel about infidelity might be drawn from real life.

Sarah Price is thirty-five years old. She doesn't feel as though she's getting older, but there are some noticeable changes: a hangover after two beers, the stray gray hair, and, most of all, she's called “Mom” by two small children. Always responsible, Sarah traded her MFA for a steady job, which allows her husband, Nathan, to write fiction. But Sarah is happy and she believes Nathan is too, until a truth is revealed; Nathan's upcoming novel, Infidelity, is based in fact.

Suddenly Sarah's world is turned upside down. Adding to her confusion, Nathan abdicates responsibility for the fate of their relationship and of his novel's publication—a financial lifesaver they have been depending upon—leaving both in Sarah's hands. Reeling from his betrayal, she is plagued by dark questions. How well does she really know Nathan? And, more important, how well does she know herself?

For answers, Sarah looks back to her artistic twenty-something self to try to understand what happened to her dreams. When did it all seem to change? Pushed from her complacent plateau, Sarah begins to act—for the first time not so responsibly—on all the things she has let go of for so long: her blank computer screen; her best friend, Helen; the volumes of Proust on her bookshelf. And then there is that e-mail in her inbox: a note from Rajiv, a beautiful man from her past who once tempted her to stray. The struggle to find which version of herself is the essential one—artist, wife, or mother—takes Sarah hundreds of miles away from her marriage on a surprising journey.

Wise, funny, and sharply drawn, Leah Stewart's Husband and Wife probes our deepest relationships, the promises we make and break, and the consequences they hold for our lives, revealing that it's never too late to step back and start over.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Leah Stewart was born in 1973 at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, where her father was stationed. As a child, she lived in Virginia, Idaho, England, Kansas, and Virginia again. She went to high school in Clovis, New Mexico, a town featured in her second novel, The Myth of You and Me. She always wanted to be a writer.

At Vanderbilt University, Leah was the editor of the student newspaper, the Vanderbilt Hustler, and spent summers interning for the Tennessean in Nashville and the Commercial Appeal in Memphis. The latter experience inspired her first novel, Body of a Girl. After college, Leah went to the MFA program at the University of Michigan, and then moved to Boston, where she put her master’s degree to work by taking a job as a secretary for the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She had an office with a door, and she wrote most of her first novel there.

Since then, Leah has worked as a secretary at Duke, a cataloguer in a used bookstore, a magazine editor, a copy editor, and a staff member at the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. She has been a visiting professor at Vanderbilt University, Sewanee, and Murray State University. The recipient of a 2010 NEA Literature Fellowship, Leah teaches in the University of Cincinnati’s creative writing program, and lives in Cincinnati with her husband and two children.

MY REVIEW:

HUSBAND AND WIFE is Leah Stewart’s novel where fiction becomes reality. That is, Sarah and Nathan Price seem to be a happy couple with two children and each supposedly happy in what they are doing. Well, not one of them as we quickly come to find out. It seems that Sarah gave up her poetry writing and Master of Fine Arts degree in return for a regular steady job. This job allows Sarah to give more attention to the children and bring in some much needed income, and thus Nathan can devote his time to his writing. Nathan writes fiction and Sarah cares for their lovely children. A happy life, or so it seems, until Sarah finds out that Nathan’s new novel, Infidelity, is fiction but it is partially based on facts and experience. The experience part is Nathan’s very own experience as he had cheated on his wife. His wife, Sarah, who had no idea this had been going on. Nathan decides it is time for Sarah to know prior to the book being published.

Sarah is in shock as she thought of them as a team and this news is a rude awakening that has left Sarah shattered. She begins to look at her past, thinking about the direction her life has taken and the choices she has made. Everything Sarah thought she knew had been a lie. Sarah is numb. To make matters worse, Nathan not only has admitted to the cheating but in his own way of trying to make amends tells Sarah that he will leave the fate of his book and their marriage up to her. If she doesn’t want the finished work published, he says he won’t. If she wants to try and make up and let their marriage go on, it is her choice, (I think this is the point where I REALLY started to dislike Nathan more than for the usual “man-cheating-on-wife” reason). The one part of the book that is fact is that the book's success was something they were counting on financially. Now is the burden totally on Sarah?

What will Sarah do? Will she forgive Nathan? Will they then be able to mend things so their marriage and family can mend and move on? Is Nathan capable of this? What is to become of them financially on a practical note? What decision is made and how Sarah decides what to do, makes up the rest of the story. Sarah must be careful now and look at the role she really wants to play in life and not squander that chance again. Her decision takes her on a somewhat wild and lengthy trip to distant places and brings people into, and BACK into, her life that she thought would never be part of it again. This book brings out many emotions as Stewart has the narrator telling the story. I think the characters were well written and Sarah especially brings out the tears but also writes some very amusing parts as well as she tells about all Sarah has gone through in her past and how she approaches this difficult time in her present. Sarah is a sympathetic yet quirky little soul that I cheered for and overall found the story to be an interesting character study as well as one with some unexpected twists and turns. It was an easy read and I did find the premise interesting and was glad I read HUSBAND AND WIFE. It made for a couple of fun sittings to finish it up.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS WITTY

BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS REVIEW OR BOOK DESCRIPTION THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO READ THE BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOME FUN "STUFF" YOU FOUND ABOUT LEAH STEWART FROM THE HARPER COLLINS WEBSITE HERE.

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

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU CAN COMMENT MORE THAN ONCE AND THUS GET MORE ENTRIES.

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
JUNE 14 !

GOOD LUCK

117 comments:

Laura said...

Please enter me. I am a follower.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail.com

Teresa said...

I have wanted to read this one since I read the first review.

I especially want to read it now that I've learned that she is a military brat (like me) and that she grew up in New Mexico (like me)

I am a follower.

teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

traveler said...

I was interested to learn that she gew up in NM since it is an unusual place which is hard to leave and forget. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

This story intrigues me greatly. The review was fascinating and it appeals to me greatly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

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

Colleen Turner said...

I love how you describe this as a fiction come to life. So many of us feel safe and secure in our roles as wife, mother, daughter, etc. and who knows how safe and secure those roles really are. Sounds intriguing!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I found out that the author's drink of choice is bubble tea from L'Essencha in Cincinnati. I have never even heard of bubble tea but will have to find out what it is...sounds delicious!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a fan on Facebook.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a GFC follower.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am an email subscriber.
candc320@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

First, I like the cover. Second, I can relate to the story.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Harper Collins site is down, but on her blog I learned she liked the TV show Arrested Development.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Arch said...

I liked your review about this book and makes me want to read it... It will be interesting to read about how the wife handle all her emotions - being cheated on by her husband, having to think of her kids' future and above all having to deal with her self esteem!!

I would love to read this book.

archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks
Arch

LoveMyCoffee said...

I am a follower
and email subscriber

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

I'm very interested in reading this book, the review has me interested as to what her decision will be, since it will not only affect her marriage, but their family financial situation as well.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

LoveMyCoffee said...

I found it interesting that one of her favorite books was American Wife.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

debbie said...

I found it interesting that the life that the main character thought she was living, was not the actual life she was living. It sounds like a good book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subcriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Kristen said...

I follow on Google Reader (Google Friend Connect)

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

Kristen said...

I have wanted to read this one since I first read about it. I find it interesting that the novel is about a novel that is based on reality causing upheaval, especially since I know authors frequently get asked just how much of their novels are based on real life.

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

Kristen said...

I'm entertained that she says her worst quality is her bossiness. I am a bit of a bossy boots myself. ;-)

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

scottsgal said...

I love her theme song "girls just wanna have fun"
msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

I like books where a strong female emerges -this one sounds good
msboatgal at aol.com

Benita said...

I like the way you describe the novel as, "where fiction becomes reality."


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I find it interesting that the author's best quality is her optimism.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Please enter me, I am a follower. Tore923@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. The concept of the book, supposed fiction actually real life, seems fascinating. I am always interested in books about marital relationships.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. I am an email subscriber.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Rebecca Orr said...

I found it interesting that in the book, he left the fate of their marriage up to her. I agree..I have a feeling that it would make me dislike him, because basically, if she made the "wrong" choice, it would be all "her fault".
Thanks for the chance.
bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Google Reader follower. bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Follower on Networked Blogs: Bekki Orr
bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Facebook follower: BekkiOrr
bekki1820cb at gmail

Rebecca Orr said...

Twitter follower: @bekki1820cb bekki1820cb at gmail

Shannon said...

A book that can make you cry and make you smile is a rare thing. =)

tiredwkids at live dot com

Shannon said...

I follow through google reader.

tiredwkids at live dot com

Shannon said...

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who has to choose between reading and laundry. tiredwkids at live dot com

enyl said...

I think that asine that the husband would tell her to decide the fate of the family after dropping that bombshell on her.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Tweeted.
twitter.com@enylstil#husband
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I find it intresting that Chuck is the show that she can't do without; I absolutely hate Chuc.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

GFC follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

NetworkedBlog follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

e-mail subscriber.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

bison61 said...

Nathan has admitted to the cheating but in his own way of trying to make amends tells Sarah that he will leave the fate of his book and their marriage up to her. wow-don't think i like him

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jess said...

I am a follower.

jess
barney's book blog
jedziedz(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jess said...

This sounds like an interesting read. How does one overcome infidelity especially when it is printed in black and white for everyone to read?

Please enter me in the giveaway.

jess
barney's book blog
jedziedz(at)hotmail(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

Signed up for swag bucks #1.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

Signed up for swag bucks #2.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

Signed up for swag bucks #5.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

Signed up for swag bucks #4.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

Signed up for swag bucks #3.
candc320@gmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

This cuts real close to home for an old relationship and I think maybe reading it would be cathartic.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

StephTheBookworm said...

I follow on Google.

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I learned that the author would like be a flight attendant, but she has no idea why! That is pretty funny, but kind of cool! :)

StephTheBookworm said...

Such an interesting premise! A novel that she believes might be based on life. Wow, how neat! I've been hearing some great things about this one and it's been on my TBR. I'd love to read it.

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

Debbie F said...

I follow thru networked blogs.

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow thru google reader

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow - GFC

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

Interesting that the husband would 'come clean' thru writing a book. Looking forward to reading this one.

thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Shirley said...

wow what a premise. Your husbands writing a novel on infidelity and you suspect he's writing from life experience. Thankfully I nor did anyone I know ever have their husband cheat on them. That could be from shame as some would rather people not know.
I'd like to read this book.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I like this fact the best, because I too agree with her. "My first crush was...Harrison Ford."

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/15428761149

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

FB: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=127488897278683&ref=mf#!/profile.php?id=100001087052807&v=wall&story_fbid=125972057425214&ref=mf

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

follow via network blogs
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a GFC follower
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm an email subscriber too
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

Fan through facebook
shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I follow you on Twitter
shirley Larkin H
shundelt@yahoo.com

bermudaonion said...

Wow, can you imagine finding out about your spouse's affair by reading a book they've published. I'd love to read this to find out how Sarah reacts. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I found it interesting that Leah's favorite drink is bubble tea and now I want to know what that is! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

The premise of this book is pretty unique and intrigues me. A husband who basically confesses his infidelity in a novel he writes.
I'd like to read this and see what happens to their marriage. Please enter me in your giveaway.

Thank you!

~ Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I am thrilled to discover that Leah Stewart play Word Twist on Facebook because Word Twist is the only game on the computer that I am addicted to and love to play!

~ Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I follow your blog on GFC!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I follow your blog on blogger dashboard where I have a list of the blogs I (try) to read!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I follow via email (Aimala02@yahoo.com)


Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'd like to read this book. It sounds interesting, like nothing I've read before. The premise of your man writing a novel that might be more like a memoir.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I found this fun fact and perfewct choice for me because I'm exactly the same, I totally agree with her.
"The place where I am the happiest is...at home."

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

posted on twitter: http://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/15495607381

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/05/husband-and-wife-review-and-giveaway.html
posted on stumble

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.confirmation&mode=5&groupID=0&userID=533391661&authorID=0&messageID=0&commentID=0&commentAuthorID=0
posted on Myspace Bulletin

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow you via network blogs

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a email subscriber

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+5 for swag buck entry

Unknown said...

I'm a fan on facebook too

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter-romantic73

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Sometimes we ignore the signs and just go on thinking we and our partners are satisfied and happy. I would like to read this story.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I think the book sounds interesting. Is he or isn't he talking about his real life. I'd like to read it to find out.
Thanks for the givaway!

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

The music I'm really into these days is…
Neko Case, Frightened Rabbit, Bon Iver, Crooked Fingers, MGMT, Lady Gaga, and Adam Lambert.
Thats an interesting list oh music.
I only know of two.

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

posted on FB: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001144971475&v=wall&story_fbid=129567270395914

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

posted on facebook:
http://twitter.com/Christina101092/status/15590186215
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow via network blogs

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm an email subscriber
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a fan on Facebook-Tina Sh
christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter
christina101092

christina101092@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

+5 for swag bucks entry

christina101092@yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

I like the art imitating life imitating art twist in this story about infidelity.

AlexDean03@yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

I'm a GFC follower.

AlexDean03@yahoo.com

Jolee said...

Find it interesting that the husband would name the book Infidelity...and how the epiphany evolves.... joleehamlin at comcast dot net

Jolee said...

follow on gfc joleehamlin at comcast dot net

Jolee said...

Find it interesting that one of her favorite cities is Austin -- one of my favorite cities, too. joleehamlin at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=134857973190998&ref=mf

chirth7@yahoo.com

Spring said...

Thanks for the contest! What appeals to me about this book is the infidelity theme. I'd really like to read it.

Thanks,
comethespring at gmail dot com

Spring said...

I blogged about it here, http://bit.ly/dsJhnc

comethespring at gmail dot com

Spring said...

I'm an email subscriber too.

comethespring at gmail dot com

Spring said...

What I found intersting from the Harper Collins site is that her worst quality is that she's bossy. I have that in common with her!

comethespring at gmail dot com

bjcunningham said...

The storyline intrigues me because it is so plausible (unfortunately). The part in the description about stray gray hairs, etc., i.e., the changes that come with having kids and getting older, especially caught my eye.
I'm always interested to find authors who are new to me, which you are. :)
Can't wait to read it!

Nancye said...

Leah attended Vanderbilt University. She was the editor of the student newspaper.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/15974108665

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

email subscriber

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower on Twitter
@NancyeDavis

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Facebook / FB Networked Blogs

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I discovered that Leah is a procrastinator, just like me!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Anonymous said...

I'm now on summer break and ready to read. What a great book cover. Sometimes the cover is what catches my eye to pick up a book. Sure would like to read this one.

SusieQ @ Hinson

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