Friday, June 24, 2011

ARE YOU LISTENING? FRIDAY: THE AMERICAN HEIRESS AUDIO BOOK - A REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO
BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS FRIDAY'S
"ARE YOU LISTENING? DAY"
AUDIO BOOK CHOICE IS.....
GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE AMERICAN HEIRESS
An Audio Book
BY DAISY GOODWIN
ABOUT THE AUDIO BOOK:
Be careful what you wish for. Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage.

Witty, moving, and brilliantly entertaining, Cora’s story marks the debut of a glorious storyteller who brings a fresh new spirit to the world of Edith Wharton and Henry James.

"For daughters of the new American billionaires of the 19th century, it was the ultimate deal: marriage to a cash-strapped British Aristocrat in return for a title and social status. But money didn’t always buy them happiness." --Daisy Goodwin in The Daily Mail
PRAISE FOR THE AMERICAN HEIRESS,THE AUDIO BOOK:
“Dripping with acerbic affectation and perfect British and Newport upper-crust accents, Katherine Kellgren deliciously portrays wealthy, beautiful, naïve Cora Cash…This story is filled with a full cast of unlikeable characters…Kellgren delivers each perfectly and convincingly conveys the worst that lack of character has to offer on both sides of the pond.” 
AudioFile Magazine

“Ketherine Kellgren, a truly accomplished voice actress, affects a la-di-da intercontinental accent for the narration of this puree of Edith Wharton, ‘Downtown Abbey’ and pulp romance.” 
–-The Washington Post

“This audiobooks is full of historical detail about the lives of the rich and famous at the turn of the last century, from fashion and food to living spaces and manners. I think I listened to the descriptions of Cora’s Parisian-made trousseau about five or six times so that I could picture each sumptuous, amazing gown clearly in my mind.” 
–-Star-Telegram

“When I first started buying audiobooks, I always went for ‘bang for the buck’ and with 13 hours of listening time to the pleasant voice of Katherine Kellgren, you definitely get your money’s worth on this one.” 
–-5 Minutes for Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
DAISY GOODWIN, a Harkness scholar who attended Columbia University’s film school after earning a degree in history at Cambridge University, is a leading television producer in the U.K. Her poetry anthologies, including 101 Poems That Could Save Your Life, have introduced many new readers to the pleasures of poetry, and she was Chair of the judging panel of the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. She and her husband, an ABC TV executive, have two daughters and live in London. The American Heiress is her first novel.
MY BOOK CLUB READS THE AMERICAN HEIRESS:
My book club entered a giveaway for THE AUDIO BOOK of THE AMERICAN HEIRESS and won copies for all of us. We meet next week and I am anxious to know how they liked it. Many have not done an audio book before but most are educators or counselors so off for the summer and I imagine will enjoy the luxury of relaxing and listening to a good audio book as much as most do including myself. I shall keep you posted!
MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
Listening to the audio book of Daisy Goodwin's novel THE AMERICAN HEIRESS was a look into the world of wealthy Americans in the late 1890‘s. During this “Gilded Age” where the well-to-do ruled in the extravagant ways of the time, keeping up with the Jones family, or the Astors, was not abnormal but rather the norm. THE AMERICAN HEIRESS tells the story of Cora Cash, one of the wealthiest American debutantes, who starts the novel with her elaborate coming out party. Despite months of planning and thousands of dollars, an unexpected accident REALLY makes it the talk of the town for reasons Mrs. Cash had not planned on.

With Cora being the premier catch of the season, her mother is resolute in her determination to add to the family name by having Cora marry into a titled English family. Cora is set on getting married to escape from her overbearing mother, and so she agrees to go along to England to “tour” the most sought after titled young men. Quite by accident, Cora meets Duke Wareham who she never would have looked at but he grows on her and before you know it, they are married. Their wedding is not only popular with the crowds who want to catch a glimpse of the new “royals” but also with Cora who has not only escaped her mother’s clutches but also has actually married for love. Or did she? What of the Duke, Ivo, who owns the family estate that is grand in structure but needs much work, and money, to be put back into its original splendid condition. So did the Duke marry for love, or for money?

Although I found the beginning of the story to be a little stilted, and it took me a few minutes to warm to the accents as well as the likes of these mostly superficial people, I found myself enjoying the story. The characters were really different from those I normally read about and Goodwin did a nice job fully developing them, faults and all. The servants were even a big part of the story. Bertha, who was Cora’s maid, was a favorite character and what seemed like innocence I think was a character with a good heart as well as much common sense and an innate need for survival. I became caught up in her story as much as Cora’s. The seemingly straight forward, interesting read does lead the reader along some twists and turns that really give the story its life. I even grew to care about poor Cora who was subjected to the very stilted and seemingly ridiculous rules of the English blue bloods!

I think this was a perfect audio book for this time of year. Each time I listened, especially when driving in my car in this 98 degree heat, it would carry me away to this other world that Daisy Goodwin created. THE AMERICAN HEIRESS is an enchanting and captivating way to spend a few hours so give it a try. 

GIVEAWAY 
THANKS TO MY FRIENDS AT MACMILLAN
AUDIO, I HAVE TWO COPIES OF THIS GREAT
SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER AUDIO BOOK TO
GIVE AWAY TO TWO LUCKY READERS
 
--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: READ ABOUT THE AUDIO BOOK ABOVE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THE AMERICAN HEIRESS  THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS AUDIO BOOK

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

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO MACMILLAN AUDIO BOOKS WEBSITE HERE AND LISTEN TO PART OF THIS AUDIO BOOK IN AN EXCERPT ON THAT PAGE AND COMMENT HERE THAT YOU DID IT OR ABOUT IT

+1 MORE ENTRY: SIGN UP FOR SWAGBUCKS IN MY RIGHT SIDE BAR AND EARN SWAGBUCKS TOWARD PRIZES-WHEN YOU EARN, I EARN AS WELL AND THAT IS HOW I BUY SOME OF THE BOOKS I GIVE AWAY. IT ALSO GIVES YOU CHANCES EACH MONTH FOR EXTRA ENTRIES TO MY GIVEAWAYS. IF YOU ALREADY SIGNED UP ON MY WEBSITE THEN JUST TELL ME AND I CAN CHECK. THANKS!

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JULY 13
GOOD LUCK!

44 comments:

Janet said...

I had no idea that nouveau riche american women married British men to get titles and such. I think this book has a fascinating story to tell. Thanks for a chance at the giveaway. rushant at northwestel dot net

lag123 said...

I visited Stockbridge and Lenox a few years ago and was able to see many of the mansions of the rich during that era. I would love to listen to this book. It was definitely a "time gone by".

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lag32583/status/84213895916564480

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Angie@ By Book or By Crook said...

When women marry for money/social status other than love it's always an intriguing storyline. I can't fathom why anybody would make that decision with their lives.

aksimmo at clearwire dot net

debbie said...

It is very interesting to hear about the lives of the very wealthy at that time. They lived a very different life than most people.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Ricki said...

I love trying debut authors.
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

Literary Chanteuse said...

The story is set in 1890. I love stories set in a historic age. Thanks! I would love to win!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I listened to the audio excerpt. The era of balls. How wonderful!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

holdenj said...

I visited Newport on a family trip when I was young, definitely some great looking homes.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I already belong to swagbucks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This fascinating era interests me greatly. Many thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love historical fiction and would love to listen to this book. I love audio books. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

petite said...

The audio excerpt is captivating. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

mamabunny13 said...

I was surprised to find out wealthy American women married British men for their titles. I guess grass IS always greener on the other side. The cover of this book is so beautiful.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I didn't want the audio excerpt to end! I was holding my breath waiting for her to go up in flames. Yikes! :O
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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Jo-Jo said...

This sounds like a time period in American History that I would enjoy so please enter me! joannelong74@gmail.com

traveler said...

The entire period and story would be special to enjoy. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I can listen to this audio forever. Wonderful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I love reading books that are loaded with historical information and I am very very interested in the gilded age. While doing genealogical research, I found a letter from one of my ancestors to father of woman who was engaged to marry his son. The gilded age was suppoosed to last until 1901 and his letter was written in 1905 so I think it is not far off. The father states that his son still does not know the value of a $100 and has never wanted for anything. Therefore, he was starting his son in the family steel factory at the bottom so he could see what it like starting from nothing at all. That letter makes me want to listen to this book!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I listened to the audio segment. The lighted dress sounds so weird today. I would like to see that gown.

That must have been very painful to wear to have a steel rod strapped to your back. Not everything was pleasant with being riched.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

clenna said...

I find this time period very interesting. To think Cora has to marry whoever her mother picks out. I want to find out how Cora handles this situation.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

Re Macmillan Audio Books Website: I enjoyed hearing about Newport RI and the Humming Bird Man. I have been to Newport and I could imagine the houses as he passed by. And to think 800 invitations were sent out! And the lighted dress - oh my!

clenna at aol dot com

lag123 said...

I listened to the excerpt. Her description of Newport in 1893 makes me want to visit there.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Brenda said...

In the late 1890's mothers were pushing their daughters to marry for position not love. I would love find out if this marriage will be for love or postion/money. I love HEA.

Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Sue Farrell said...

I think I would probably relate to the maid's story more than to the rich girl---but it would be interesting to hear about a different kind of life than mine.
suefarrell.farrell#@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I just listened to the excerpt of the audio book and was surprised at how interested I became---the description of the dress with all the light bulbs was just a hoot.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Please note this is the correct email address---I added an extra character in my first entry. Sorry.

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love this time period! It's a fascinating prospect that the rich Americans sold off their daughters like that.

Margay1122ATaolDOTcom

Janelle said...

I'd love to listen to this audiobook as I visited several of the Newport mansions with my local library.
The story sounds rich with detail.
Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this wonderful giveaway!
Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com

Janelle said...

I really enjoyed the audio snippet as the reader's accent was perfect for the material. Imagine sending out 800 invites.
Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this wonderful giveaway!
Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com

CherylS22 said...

I'm interested in the era that the book is written in & would enjoy reading about how the wealthy lived.
Thanks for the giveaway!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

The narrator on the audio book excerpt perfectly fits with the story. I enjoyed the excerpt.
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CherylS22 said...

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misskallie2000 said...

Tweeted giveaway
http://twitter.com/#!/misskallie2000/status/86613875277053952

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I loved the excerpt and enjoyed the voice of “Ketherine Kellgren as the voice of the audio. She is very good.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

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Becky said...

I love listening to audio books while I sew. I love historical fiction. This sounds like a great Summer "listen."

Reading said...

What an interesting story. I would love to listen to this by the pool.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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