Tuesday, August 23, 2011

ESCAPE: BARBARA DELINSKY'S NEWEST - REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED 
ESCAPE
BY BARBARA DELINSKY

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Emily Aulenbach is 32, a lawyer married to a lawyer, living and working in Manhattan. An idealist, she had once dreamed of representing victims of corporate abuse, and signed on with a firm that promised this, but it hasn't worked out. She spends her days in a cubicle, surrounded by lawyers in other cubicles, talking on the phone with people sickened by tainted bottled water. Her firm is being paid by the bottler to minimize claims.

Convinced that she is betraying her dreams, she has looked into changing firms, but no one is hiring. She wakes up each morning dreading her work.

And it isn't only work. It's her sister, her friends, even her husband James, with whom she doesn't connect the way she used to. Her relationships are superficial and rushed. She connects to three things - her computer, her BlackBerry, and her watch.

One particularly difficult Friday, she realizes that her life is all wrong. Uncharacteristically acting on impulse, she leaves work early, goes home, packs her bag, and takes off. As she gropes toward the future, though, she finds herself going back - back to the small New Hampshire town where she had last been unequivocally happy and carefree. If she were to map out her life, this was the spot where she had made her first wrong turn. 

Escape is the story of the dreams we have and the heart-breaking task of giving up the parts that don't work, salvaging those that do, and creating new dreams for what lies ahead.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
BARBARA DELINSKY is the author of more than seventeen bestselling novels with over twenty million copies in print. She has been published in twenty-five languages worldwide. Barbara lives with her family in New England.

Barbara Delinsky can be found online here:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BarbaraDelinsky 

PRAISE FOR ESCAPE:
"Delinsky nails it in her trademark latest, a captivating and moving story about a woman who's had enough of her life and wants a fresh start. . . . [She] keeps the story moving with some nice twists on a familiar plot, rich characterizations, and real-feeling dilemmas that will keep readers hooked."
—Publishers Weekly 

"Our literary editor recommends Escape, by Barbara Delinsky."      
---Good Housekeeping 

"This thought-provoking book will be popular summer reading." 
---Library Journal  

“Barbara Delinsky knows the human heart and its immense capacity to love and believe.”
Washington Observer-Reporter 

“Delinsky may be as adept at chronicling contemporary life in New England as any writer this side of John Updike.”
Times Union
 

“Delinsky is one of those writers who knows how to introduce characters to her readers in such a way that they become more like old friends than works of fiction.”
Flint Journal 


MY REVIEW/THOUGHTS:
Barbara Delinsky once again demonstrates why she continues to be the  best-selling author she is with her latest novel, ESCAPE. This is the story of a young woman who just can’t find fulfillment in any part of her life. Emily Aulenbach is the 30 year old lawyer who should be on cloud nine working in an exciting city like Manhattan and married to another successful lawyer. They have a busy professional and personal life which includes many friends and a supportive family who also should add to her contentment. Her sister is getting married soon and Emily is in the midst of helping with the wedding and yet, Emily is anything but happy. All she can think about is the job that isn‘t what she had dreamed of, a marriage where she seems to be going through the paces with little passion, and a social life that lacks all the elements she desires. Thus, we find Emily searching for a way out so that she can experience the thrills that life and the right person should offer.

The theme is a familiar one many of us have read about in one form or another. And so that brings me back to just what makes Barbara Delinsky’s treatment of what might appear to be such a tried and true format still produce, once again, such a successful novel? That is where the huge talent of Delinsky makes the difference. Her multifaceted characters have lives that connect with each other as their layers peel away. As the story twists and turns and takes readers to surprising places, the success becomes evident in this distinctive and delicious read.

Almost from the start, when Emily leaves work one day with no word to anyone and only a quickly packed bag, doing what she feels like she wants to do instead of following her normally programmed life, the novel takes off. Emily heads of to a town in New Hampshire where she spent a defining summer during college to return to some unfinished business, she hopes. Perhaps this is where she will clarify what she really wants in her life and how to get it. She may even discover why Jude keeps creeping into her thoughts. Jude was her best friend Vicki’s brother and Emily’s relationship with him is one she can’t shake despite the love she truly feels for her husband. Perhaps this may even answer the question of why her efforts to conceive a child have been so futile. But wherever Emily’s ESCAPE takes her, be sure that this is one book that will have you turning pages to find the answers right along with the main character.



GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO JENNIFER AND THE 
GREAT FOLKS AT RANDOM HOUSE, 
I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS AMAZING
BOOK, ESCAPE, 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 WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT ESCAPE  THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING AT BARBARA  DELINSKY'S WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY TO RECEIVE EXTRA ENTRIES


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 6
GOOD LUCK!

123 comments:

lag123 said...

It sounds as if this character has the dream life but it is not a life that I would want either. So many times as we pass through life our priorities change. I would love to see how the story unfolds.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

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lag123 said...

I learned that Barbara went to summer camp in a maine which is the setting for many of her novels.

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debbie said...

The character sounds pretty unhappy with her life. I would like to see what she does to change it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
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Unknown said...

Sometimes living the dream life is not you really want. As the character is finding out in the book. There is more to life than what her life is. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

holdenj said...

Sometimes that search for fulfillment takes longer than others.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Wow, she was kicked out of Honors English, but is compared to Updike in her portrayal of New England. Fascinating.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I am an email subscriber.
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holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
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holdenj said...

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Steve Capell said...

Great review! When I read the line about being tied to the computer, BlackBerry, and a watch that brought back a lot of memories working for corporate America. I love the idea of following a dream and this book sounds like a perfect read. One of my favorite quotes is from George Bernard Shaw, "You see things; and you say Why? But I dream things that never were; and I say Why not?" Thanks again for your honest and very well done review.

steven(Dot)capell(At)gmail(Dot)com

Margie said...

Interesting review! This story sounds like one that many could identify with...but probably would not follow through as the character did. I'd like to read this one to see how things develop.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The bio on the author's website is interesting. I like her comments concerning writing from the heart, about ordinary people. Her readers can identify with the characters.
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Colleen Turner said...

I always feel for people, whether in reality or in a book, that realize that they have let their dreams and love of life leave them and have settled for so much less than they deserve. I think all of us feel this way in a small way, atleast once in their life, but most not to this extent. The best part of these sorts of stories is seeing how they prevail past this feeling and finds their passion again. Thanks for the giveaway!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I learned from the author's website that the defining occurence of her childhood was when her mother died at eight. That is just tragic!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am an email subscriber.
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Colleen Turner said...

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Anonymous said...

Count me in sounds great. Love a story with a lot of questions to be answered.

gmapeony@yahoo.com

petite said...

This interests me greatly.The character and the decisions. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Losing her mother at such a young age. What an experience to have. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Connie said...

Hi! I want to read this book because I identify with the main character. I also like the title of the book as well.

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

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bermudaonion said...

I've never read Delinsky's work, but you've made me feel like I need to. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I found it interesting that Delinsky was kicked out of Honors English in high school. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Pat L. said...

I would love to see how the woman's escape turns out.

patoct at yahoo dot com

Pat L. said...

Many of Barbara's wonderful books set in Maine.

patoct at yahoo dot com

mamabunny13 said...

It isn't a dream life if you're not happy. I'd love to see how things turn out in this book.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mamabunny13 said...

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mamabunny13 said...

What? She got kicked out of Honors English in high school! Interesting.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

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(\___/)
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http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

This sounds like one of those "be careful what you wish for" situations. I've always enjoyed Delinsky's books and expect no less from her newest.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

When BD was in high school,she was kicked out of Honors English because she couldn't keep up! (lol)I'd hate to have been that teacher!
(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
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ann said...

Sometimes it takes us longer in life to get their dream life. Interested to see how hers plays out

amhengst at verizon dot
net

ann said...

i am a GFC follower

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ann said...

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ann said...

Most of Barbara's setting for her novels were a summer camp in Maine that she went to

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Carol N Wong said...

I can identify some with the main character. I spent many years "living" in a very small cubicle. There were no windows on our floor and I worked with attorneys all day. That wasn't too bad because I felt like I was on the right side. It was just that I felt caged in and now that I am retired, I feel so much freer.So, I think it would be easy to get into this book and I am curious about how the srory ends.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

http://t.co/qsHT7d4

I tweeted above.

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Carol N Wong said...

I am in a support group for a condition that may turn into bone marrow cancer. Most of the new people are very scared but when I read a blog by people who actually have it, they are no longer scared, they are just thankful for every day that they live. When I read Barbara Delinsky's bio, I learned that she had to deal with and get treatment for breast cancer and now she feels stronger for it. So she reminds me of the people who already have Multiple Myeloma.

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Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with an e-mail subscription.

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Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with an RSS feed on my IGoogle Page.


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I follow your blog with Twitter.


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Cindy W. said...

I would love to win this book simply because I love Barbara Delinsky's work.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am an email subscriber.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

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Cindy W. said...

I am a GFC follower.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

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LAMusing said...

I like the character dealing with re-creating her life - we all pass that way many times - what we do, or do not do is the question
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LAMusing said...

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Becky said...

Barbara Delinsky writes such thought provoking novels. I'd love to read this one. My public library has it, but I'm number 100 something on the hold list.

Becky said...

I follow your blog on Google reader.

Anonymous said...

need to find out where her escape takes her.

lovesthemets@yahoo.com

Pamela Keener said...

Barbara Delinsky never disappoints so I would love to win this book
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

A Lot of Barbara's books take place in Maine.

lovesthemets at yahoo dot com

Jolee said...

Enjoy Delinsky quite a bit, and one of the reviews shown on your site mentioned it's a good summer read....I'm not quite ready to give up summer reads! :-) joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

follow you on gfc joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Found out on Delinsky's website that she wrote a nonfiction book on breast cancer. Cool!! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

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Jolee said...

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Maria D. said...

I found it interesting about the book that Emily is like so many uf us...we have ideas of what we want from our work and get promised things but many uf us find ourselves in the same spot she's in ...either betrayed by her employer or by the ideal itself...


junegirl63(at)gmail(dot)com

Maria D. said...

I tweeted the giveaway;

http://twitter.com/#!/crazymidwestgal/status/109268389935067136

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Maria D. said...

When looking at Barbara's website I thought it was neat that she has a way for Reading Groups to sign up and that she'll call them for a 30 minute chat about her books...it's pretty unique!

jungirl63(at)gmail(dot)com

Maria D. said...

I follow Bookin with Bingo via Google Friend Connect

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Maria D. said...

I follow Bookin with Bingo via email

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Maria D. said...

I follow Bookin with Bingo via Twitter as crazymidwestgal

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Maria D. said...

I follow Bookin with Bingo on Facebook

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Anonymous said...

Found out a lot of Barbara's books take place in Maine.

jt70yankfan@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Want to find out how the story turn out and if the escapee is happy at the end.

jt70yankfan@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This character must really be unhappy if she leaves her family to find happiness. And I want to find out what happens in her journey.

lrmegtom@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Many of Barbara's books are set in Maine.

lrmegtom@gmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I'm very interested in reading this. I feel like I've left a few of my dreams along the way and I always like to read about people reclaiming them.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I leanred that the author was kicked out of Honors English in high school.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I subscribe via email.
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