Wednesday, July 6, 2011

FOLLY BEACH: GUEST REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDEDFOLLY BEACH
A Lowcountry Tale
BY DOROTHEA BENTON FRANK

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Home is the place that knows us best. . . . 

A woman returns to the past to find her future in this enchanting new tale of loss, acceptance, family, and love.

With its sandy beaches and bohemian charms, surfers and suits alike consider Folly Beach to be one of South Carolina's most historic and romantic spots. It is also the land of Cate Cooper's childhood, the place where all the ghosts of her past roam freely. Cate never thought she'd wind up in this tiny cottage named the Porgy House on this breathtakingly lovely strip of coast. But circumstances have changed, thanks to her newly dead husband whose financial—and emotional—bull and mendacity have left Cate homeless, broke, and unmoored.

Yet Folly Beach holds more than just memories. Once upon a time another woman found unexpected bliss and comfort within its welcoming arms. An artist, writer, and colleague of the revered George Gershwin, Dorothy Heyward enjoyed the greatest moments of her life at Folly with her beloved husband, DuBose. And though the Heywards are long gone, their passion and spirit lingers in every mango sunset and gentle ocean breeze.

And for Cate, Folly, too, holds the promise of unexpected fulfillment when she is forced to look at her life and the zany characters that are her family anew. To her surprise, she will discover that you can go home again. Folly Beach doesn't just hold the girl she once was . . . it also holds the promise of the woman she's always wanted—and is finally ready—to become.

Folly Beach, filled with the irresistible charm, saucy wit, and lush atmosphere that have won her the devotion of fans and propelled her books to bestsellerdom, is vintage Dorothea Benton Frank.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dorothea Benton Frank is the New York Times bestselling author of Bulls Island (William Morrow, 2008), The Christmas Pearl (William Morrow 2007), The Land of Mango Sunsets (William Morrow 2007), Full of Grace (William Morrow 2006), Pawleys Island (Berkley 2005), Shem Creek (Berkley 2004), Isle of Palms (Berkley 2003), Plantation (Jove 2001), and Sullivan's Island (Jove 2000).  Her newest book, Return to Sullivans Island, will be released by William Morrow June 30, 2009.

Ms. Frank has appeared on NBC's Today show, Parker Ladd's Book Talk, and many local network-affiliated television stations. She is a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues, such as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She has also been a guest speaker at the South Carolina Book Festival; Novello, North Carolina's Festival of Books; and the Book and Author annual event in Charleston, South Carolina, sponsored by the Post & Courier.

Before she began her writing career, Ms. Frank was involved extensively in the arts and education, and in raising awareness and funding for various nonprofits in New Jersey and New York. At the present time she serves on the boards of The South Carolina Historical Society and The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League.

The author, who was born and raised on Sullivan's Island in South Carolina, currently divides her time between New Jersey and South Carolina.

GUEST REVIEW: 
Please welcome back a favorite reviewer at BOOKIN' WITH BINGO, Steve Capell. This review is written by Steve, a frequent reviewer. He currently lives with his wife in Kansas City metro area. Steve has done a really creative Guest Review for us of Dorothea Benton Frank's FOLLY BEACH. I know you will all enjoy it. Thank you, Steve!

Setting: A living room in Kansas, dark except for a reading light, grandfather clock ticking along one wall, television on showing the weather map with sound turned off, cup of earl gray tea setting on the end table.

Director’s Note: A man is reading the book Folly Beach and every few minutes you can see lightening and hear thunder from the direction of a large picture window.

Steve: “I have the TV on the weather channel in case we need to take cover from this storm.”

Steve’s wife: “Without any sound on the TV you will not know if we need to take cover till it’s too late. Look at you … you’re so engrossed in that book that you never look up at the TV.”
 
Steve: “I guess your right. I just can’t put this novel down. It’s so realistic. Listen -- this author has an opinion on raising children … you know what gender is easier to raise --girls or boys? Let me read this to you.” Steve reads a few lines aloud and Steve and his wife both burst out laughing. “Isn’t that so true and factual? It’s a real hoot!”

The light from the picture window faded many hours ago and the storm passed through without causing any problems. The living room is quiet now with the exception of the grandfather clock that can be heard ticking and chiming every half hour, and frequently a chuckle of laughter can be heard as the pages of Folly Beach are turned throughout the night.

Fade to Darkness.

Every other chapter starts with a vignette in the form of brief scene of a play similar in format I used above. The vignette is about Dorothy Heywood and her husband Dubose and the time period covered is the early 1900s. The novel centers around Cate Copper, a widow that finds herself broke and totally embarrassed because her late husband had a number of unbecoming characteristics and qualities that only became known after his suicidal death. Cate finds the inspiration to start a new life, career, and romance on Folly Beach. She settles in a cottage that her Aunt Daisy owns and soon finds out that the cottage in a much earlier time was owned by Dorothy Heywood and her husband Duboseters around Cate Copper, a widow that finds herself broke and totally embarrassed because her late husband had a number of unbecoming characteristics and qualities that only became known after his suicidal death. Cate finds the inspiration to start a new life, career, and romance on Folly Beach. She settles in a cottage that her Aunt Daisy owns and soon finds out that the cottage in a much earlier time was owned by Dorothy Heywood and her husband Dubose. This historical connection brings the story of Cate Cooper and the vignettes together around the subject of being a playwright.  

My thoughts:

Dorothea Benton Frank weaves the past history of Folly Beach into the present in a rather remarkable way with the vignettes. At first I wasn’t sure that this form of writing would be my cup of tea; however, after about four vignettes with alternating chapters of the Cate Cooper’s life story I found myself totally engaged in the marvelous novel. This book has wonderful characters that just seem so human and genuine to me. I was really feeling for Cate and was so hopeful everything would work out for her. Her entire previous life was entirely destroyed around her and I just wanted to help her out from under the pieces of her life that caved in around her.

The writing was descriptive and just flowed beautifully. The interaction between the relatives and friends was not just coincidental – the dialogue was like déjà vu. Once I finished reading Folly Beach I looked-for someone to tell – so my wife, sister, children and friends know how much I immensely enjoyed reading Folly Beach.

Who should read this novel?

I would classify this novel as historical romance fiction. This book will be a must read for anyone that loves romance novels. I am also recommending this book for those that love rich dialog with well developed characters.

A word of warning – if you read this novel you will be talking to all your relatives and friends about this beautifully written novel so be sure to have your phone book handy.

Thank you again, Steve, for a clever and enjoyable presentation!
 

GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO MEGAN AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF FOLLY BEACH TO GIVE AWAY
--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 ABOVE THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN FOLLY BEACH

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

+1 MORE ENTRY: VISIT DOROTHEA BENTON FRANK'S WEBSITE HERE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU ENJOYED OR FOUND INTERESTING AT HER SITE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY,  YOU MAY ENTER EACH WAY BUT YOU MUST COMMENT ON EACH SEPARATELY

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, JULY 19
GOOD LUCK!

120 comments:

debbie said...

I would like to hear about the past owners of the house, they sound interesting.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
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debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
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lag123 said...

Steve's review made me WANT to read it. Thanks for the beautiful review Steve. I love Dorothea's books and would love to read this one too. I must add it to my wish list.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lag32583/status/88555415666827264

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I love the Shem Creek recipes on her website.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

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lag123 said...

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lag123 said...

I follow via networked blogs.

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lag123 said...

I follow via twitter: @lag32583

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lag123 said...

I follow on FB: Lisa Holmes Garrett

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Karen B said...

Steve's review is the best I have read so far - and makes Folly Beach a must read! Thanks Steve.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Karen B said...

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Carol N Wong said...

Now I have to read the book. Thank you Steve for the creative review. It was easy to imagine it because we live in the land of summer storm watches too.

I have read one other book that had historical vignettes along with a modern day story and I loved it.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Margie said...

Enjoyed the review! Very clever.
I have been in this area of SC several times, so I'm sure I would enjoy the book. The coming together of the past and the present also intrigues me.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Carol N Wong said...

I tweeted, my Twitter name is Carolee888.


http://t.co/hOkSoTUGiveaway of 'Folly Beach'.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Margie said...

I saw that the author was born on Sullivan's Island, SC. Before she began her writing career, Ms. Frank was involved extensively in the arts and education.
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Colleen Turner said...

I just love "coming home to find yourself" stories! There is something about getting back to the basics of your past in order to clear your head and makes decisions for the future. And I loved Steve's review!
candc320@gmail.com

Carol N Wong said...

On her website, the author has Shem Creek recipes. One that I looked at was for hushpuppies. That made me think of what is home to me. Of course, no one in Indiana would put jalopeno peppers in their hush puppies. But in the Brown County Inn in the Nashville area, they are famous for their hush puppies. You have to be careful because you may not have any room for anything else!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

On her website, the author has Shem Creek recipes. One that I looked at was for hushpuppies. That made me think of what is home to me. Of course, no one in Indiana would put jalopeno peppers in their hush puppies. But in the Brown County Inn in the Nashville area, they are famous for their hush puppies. You have to be careful because you may not have any room for anything else!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

I found out from the author's website that before she was an author she was involved in promoting the arts and grew up in South Carolina where some of her books take place. I can imagine her background and love of the land she writes about would make for good reading.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am an email subscriber.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I follow you on Goodreads (Colleen Turner).
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Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks #4.
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Unknown said...

I would love to read about the past owners lives. Please enter me in contest. Sounds like a really good book, Tore923@aol.com

bermudaonion said...

Great review! I loved this one too. No need to enter me.

Carol N Wong said...

I hope to be following you with Library Thing soon. I sent a friend request.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I hope to be following you soon with Shelfari because I sent a friend request to you.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I sent you a friend request on GoodReads so I should be following you there soon.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Pamela Keener said...

Dorothea Benton Frank is a new to me author and this sounds very interesting.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I am an e-mail subscriber to your blog
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Connie said...

Hi! I like the unique name of the book and the storyline. I know I would enjoy myself reading this book. Thank you for a wonderful giveaway! I loved the review as well.:)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

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ann said...

sounds like a great historical romantic book I would like to win
thanks

amhengstATverizonDOTnet

ann said...

I am a email subscriber also

amhengstATverizonDOTnet

ann said...

Before she started writting she was involved in the arts and education.

amhengstATverizonDOTnet

holdenj said...

Steve has outdone himself. What a great intro to the book, I think it sounds like a great story and sure hope I win!
Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I really loved the recipes at Dottie's website. The only book I've been familiar with up to now is the Land of Mango Sunsets, so I can't wait to explore more of her titles. Thanks again for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am an email subscriber.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
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holdenj said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
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Reading said...

I would love to read this. I love a good romance.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC

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Reading said...

I am an email subscriber.

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Anonymous said...

Hi - Love DBF!

I love the idea of a mature woman starting over in a cottage by the beach - what a great place to begin-again!

Linda

Love this giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Hi again -

I posted on DOT's facebook page recently that I loved her book LowCountry (just finished it)

Will post it on her website, too!

Linda

Anonymous said...

I follow you, too!

Linda

Linda Kish said...

It sounds like a nice mix of past and present in the story.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an email subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

The recipes look interesting.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I thought Steve's review of the book was very interesting and creative.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I enjoyed the Shem Creek recipes on Dorothea's website.
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mamabunny13 said...

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Anonymous said...

GFC Follower as Martha@Hey, I want to read that.

Thedavi4(at)gmail(dot)com

Martha@Hey, I want to read that said...

I want to read Folly Beach because I love everything Dorthea Benton Frank and thanks to Steve's review I want to review it even more.

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Martha@Hey, I want to read that said...

Follow you on Networked Blogs as Hey, I want to read that.

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Misusedinnocence said...

I love books that take place in South Carolina and it sounds like a really interesting set up. I would like to read it.

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Misusedinnocence said...

I subscribe via email.

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I follow on gfc.

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Michelle M. said...

I loved that it was reviewed by a man and it's so a girly book. And he liked it.

mdmartin076@ bellsouth.net

Michelle M. said...

I am so gonna make those Benne Seed Shrimp from her Shem Creek recipes

Michelle M. said...

I follow via GFC

~Enamored Soul~ said...

There is something about the Carolinas. All stories situated there are suffused with a sense of nature, romance, love, loss. It is, as if, the Carolinas (North and South) are the perfect stage for the telling of a story about the human emotion, and it's development in the human psyche. Folly Beach sounds like it would be an extremely touching, and resonating, novel. Folly Beach sounds like it chronicles a woman's journey in discovering herself, and I love stories like that.

Thank you for hosting this amazing giveaway.

~Hira~
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I tweeted the giveaway:

http://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/93076954131083265

~Hira~
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I visited Dorothea Benton Frank's website, and the first thing that struck me are the beautiful simplicity of her book covers. Also, I absolutely LOVED her "Shem Creek" recipe section (Hello, Carolina Crabcakes!!!). I also find it interesting that she serves on the Board of the South Carolina Historical Society - which tells me that she must have EXTENSIVE knowledge of the area, and it's history, which I am sure translates into her beautiful novels.

~Hira~
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a GFC Follower.

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I'm a Twitter Follower.

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I'm a Facebook Fan: Hira Hasnain.

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Nancye said...

I would LOVE to read this book!! The story takes place in South Carolnia in a tiny cottage named "Peggy House". I would LOVE to be at this idyillic place right now!! :)

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

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Nancye said...

After visiting Ms. Frank's website, I learned that there are lots of delicious low country recipes there, Yum!

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Mona said...

This is a new author for me. But when I read that
"Folly Beach, filled with the irresistible charm, saucy wit, and lush atmosphere..." I am eager to read it.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Mona said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/Kulmona/status/93434214174826496

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Mona said...

I visited her site and liked that included recipes. I enjoy it when books incorporate food/recipes. I very often find myself craving the food depicted :)

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