Saturday, July 16, 2011

HOW CLARISSA BURDEN LEARNED TO FLY: A REVISIT AND BIG GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
HOW CLARISSA BURDEN 
LEARNED TO FLY
BY CONNIE MAY FOWLER

ABOUT THE BOOK:
How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.

Set amidst the lush pine forests and rich savannas of Florida’s Northern Panhandle, HOW CLARISSA BURDEN LEARNED TO FLY tells the story of one woman whose existence until now has seemed fairly normal: she is 30-something, married, and goes about her daily routine as a writer. However, it is soon discovered that ghosts, an indifferent husband, and a seemingly terminal case of writer’s block are burdening Clarissa’s life. She awakes on the summer solstice and, prodded by her own discontent and one ghost’s righteous need for truth, commences upon a twenty-four hour journey of self-discovery. Her harrowing, funny, and startling adventures lead Clarissa to a momentous decision: She must find a way to do the unthinkable. Her life and the well-being of a remarkable family of blithe spirits hang in the balance. Connie May Fowler demonstrates her keen abilities as a storyteller in this remarkably original novel about an unexpected mid-life awakening. This is an empowering story that will resonate and be discussed for years to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Connie May Fowler is an essayist, screenwriter, and novelist. She is the author of five novels, most recently The Problem with Murmur Lee, and a memoir, When Katie Wakes. In 1996, she published Before Women Had Wings, which became a paperback bestseller and was made into a successful Oprah Winfrey Presents movie. She founded the Connie May Fowler Women With Wings Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding women and children in need.

Audio and Video


MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
Connie May Fowler’s HOW CLARISSA BURDEN LEARNED TO FLY is about Clarissa, who is a very troubled, 35-year-old woman whose pursuit of self-discovery and independence takes place in a single day-that being the summer solstice of 2006. She is unhappy in her marriage and as an author, unable to fulfill her book writing responsibilities because she spends so much time dreaming of ways to get rid of her husband. Just as she grew up with no father and was abused by her mother, Clarissa has continued to let everyone walk all over her. Her husband, who is an “artist” living off of Clarissa’s money, treats her with disdain while he flaunts his young, fairly naked models around with no thought of how it makes her feel.

Set in the northern savannas and hot, humid forests of Florida, the reader watches Clarissa’s journey toward her own personal freedom simmer in the heat. She has to learn to fight for what is right using her personal strength of character. Clarissa’s journey is told by many as, you see, she lives in a haunted house with the likes of dwarfs, a grounded angel, and inner voices who are what force her into action. These characters she encounters during this 24-hour period all help to remind her that she is a worthwhile person.

And so when she awoke on that summer morning, having been prompted by her own discontent as well as one ghost's moral search for truth, she begins her twenty-four hour initiative. Her disturbing, funny and astonishing adventures lead Clarissa to a crucial decision. She realizes that she must find a way to perform an unimaginable undertaking. Her life and the well being of an extraordinary group of serene souls depends on the outcome. What she experiences later not only motivates her to write again, but influences her to change her life, as she truly learns to finally fly free.
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO NICK AND THE GREAT FOLKS
AT HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I HAVE SIX
COPIES OF THIS NEWLY RELEASED IN
PAPERBACK BOOK FOR 6 LUCKY WINNERS!
  
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
 --NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
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--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY


HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS STORY FROM ABOVE THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO WIN A COPY (REMEMBER TO ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS)

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

 +2 MORE ENTRIES: VISIT THE LATEST AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY SUMMER RENTAL, BY MARY KAY ANDREWS HERE AND ENTER THAT GIVEAWAY. COMMENT BELOW TWO TIMES BY WRITING "SUMMER RENTAL" AND GAIN TWO MORE CHANCES AT ONE OF THE 6 BOOKS UP FOR GRABS HERE!

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GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 4
GOOD LUCK!

115 comments:

debbie said...

This books sounds like a very unique spin on the self discovery stories. I would love to see how the ghosts influence her to find herself.
I would like to read this book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

summer rental
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

summer rental
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

I too would like to see how the ghosts help her to make her "decision". I live in the panhandle of Florida and would be interested to read about the setting.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/92177295451750400

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

1. Summer rental

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2. Summer Rental

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holdenj said...

I just read a review of this book in the local press (ideas for summer reading). Clarissa looks like a wonderful character and this looks like a great story.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

SUMMER RENTAL.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

SUMMER RENTAL.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

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

holdenj said...

I am a longtime GFC follower!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
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Pat L. said...

I am intrigued to find out what she must do/overcome.

patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I am an email subscriber.
\
patoct@yahoo.com

Pat L. said...

I entered Summer Rental - one post

patoct at yahoo dot com

Pat L. said...

patoct at yahoo dot com

entered Summer Rental - 2nd post

traveler said...

I would enjoy this enthralling story. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

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

traveler said...

Summer Rental. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

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petite said...

This intriguing story sounds different. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

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petite said...

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Literary Chanteuse said...

This sounds like a really unique story. I would love to journey for 24hrs in my life and learn a lot I bet. What a great idea!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

1# Summer Rental (entered giveaway)

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

2# Summer Rental

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I'm a GFC follower

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

I subscribe via email

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

Reading said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I think this will be an intersting read on self discovery.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I am an email subscriber

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Margie said...

This sounds like a very inspirational book. I'd love to read it.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

follower by GFC
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Margie said...

email subscriber
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Reading said...

Summer Rental

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

Summer Rental

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Connie said...

Hi! I would like to win this book for two reasons. 1. The main character goes for a 24 hour self discovery of herself.
2. The author has my first name as well. :)

Thanks for the great giveaway!

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Summer Rental

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Summer Rental

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

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Kat Bryan said...

I NEED to win this book! Maybe Clarissa's story would help me jumpstart MY life! LOL

winterset AT peoplepc.com

mamabunny13 said...

I like that the story has a ghost in it. Should make for a fun read.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

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Jo-Jo said...

I love the premise of this story...a woman rediscovering herself!
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

I entered the giveaway for
Summer Rental

joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

Follow through Google Friends.
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BrittanyGale said...

Besides the fact the beautiful cover caught my eye right away, it sounds like a story I'd be really interested in reading.

quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

BrittanyGale said...

Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/QuixoticWeetzie/status/92796130227781633

quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

BrittanyGale said...

SUMMER RENTAL
Entry 1

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BrittanyGale said...

SUMMER RENTAL
Entry 2

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BrittanyGale said...

I follow via GFC quixoticdreamer


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~Enamored Soul~ said...

What a unique concept! Stories about self-discovery are not merely about self-discovery, they are also stories about self-empowerment. Because knowing oneself is essential in become self-actualization, a very important aspect of maturity and growth. Plus, any character facing "writer's block" is most definitely a character I can empathize with!

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'd love to enter the "Summer Rental" (audiobook) giveaway however, since I've already read the book, I believe it would be much better for someone else to have that opportunity.

But thank you SO much for the opportunity, Karen! :)

(I'm not trying to cheat, you don't have to consider this an entry)


~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a GFC Follower.

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a Twitter Follower.

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a Facebook Fan: Hira Hasnain

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a Networked Blogs Follower: Hira Hasnain

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a CONFIRMED Email Subscriber.

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm an RSS Feed Follower via Google Reader: Hira Hasnain

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I tweeted the giveaway:

http://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/93525339996815360

~Hira~
GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter : @inluvwithbookz

Anonymous said...

would love to read this because I would love to go out and "discover" myself

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks for the chance

Misusedinnocence said...

Having some ghosts of my own to deal with this seems like a fascinating red.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

Summer Rental. :) 1/2

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

Summer rental. 2/2

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I subscribe via email.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on gfc.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

BrittanyGale said...

I entered Left Neglected

quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anita Yancey said...

What I find interesting about this book that makes me want to win it, is the ghost in the story. I love stories about ghosts. I have read a lot of reviews on this book, and I've been wanting to read it for some time now. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

Subscribe via email.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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