Sunday, March 11, 2012

BRUNCH WITH BINGO: HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE: A GUEST REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY"
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS SUNDAY'S

   SPECIAL BRUNCH BOOK CHOICE IS....
 GIVEAWAY ENDED 
HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE
BY MEG DONOHUE
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Free-spirited Annie Quintana and sophisticated Julia St. Clair come from two different worlds. Yet, as the daughter of the St. Clairs' housekeeper, Annie grew up in Julia's San Francisco mansion and they forged a bond that only two little girls oblivious to class differences could—until a life-altering betrayal destroyed their friendship.

A decade later, Annie bakes to fill the void left in her heart by her mother's death, and a painful secret jeopardizes Julia's engagement to the man she loves. A chance reunion prompts the unlikely duo to open a cupcakery, but when a mysterious saboteur opens up old wounds, they must finally face the truth about their past or risk losing everything.
 
PRAISE FOR HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE: 
“A sparkling, witty story about an unlikely, yet redemptive, friendship….Grab one of these for your best friend and read it together—preferably with a plate of Meyer Lemon cupcakes nearby.” 
—Katie Crouch, bestselling author of Girls in Trucks and Men and Dogs
 “Beautifully written and quietly wise, Meg Donohue’s How to Eat a Cupcake is an achingly honest portrayal of the many layers of friendship--a story so vividly told, you can (almost) taste the buttercream.”— Sarah Jio, author of The Violets of March and The Bungalow
 “A heartwarming and unpredictable tale of friendship, family and frosting.”— Zoe Fishman, author of Balancing Acts "An irresistible blend of sweet and tart, this book is truly a treat to be savored."— Beth Kendrick, author of The Bake Off and Second Time Around
“Deliciously engaging. Donohue writes with charm and grace. What could be better than friendship and cupcakes?”-- Rebecca Rasmussen, author of The Bird Sisters
 “Donohue’s sweet debut is a clever exploration of how a West Coast mean girl grows up and gives in to friendship, love, and dozens of delicious cupcakes....Donohue’s culinary romantic thriller will keep readers hungry for more.”— Publishers Weekly ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Meg Donohue has an MFA from Columbia University and a BA from Dartmouth College. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she now lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughters, dog, and a weakness for salted caramel cupcakes. To read more about Meg's "bio" you can visit her website HERE.

Follow her on Twitter: @megdonohue
Become a fan on Facebook
Visit Meg’s website: http://www.megdonohue.com/

GUEST REVIEW: 
Today's Guest Reviewer is once again a favorite of mine, Carol Wong. I have decided to become a fly on the wall to see just how this talented lady can do all she does, and still read and write such great reviews so often! Carol's latest review for me was for the audio book for THE DOG WHO DANCED (check it out HERE). Carol lives with her husband in Texas and is an animal lover, and all-around good person! I particularly like her because she loves books as much as I do. Now enjoy Carol's review of HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE!
I really enjoyed reading 'How to Eat a Cupcake' by Meg Donohue. In fact after I finished the book, I looked for more books by her but couldn't find any. So, if this is her first book, I think she has done very well.

What attracted me to this book was the cover with a wonderful array of cupcakes in a cupcakery. After my mouth watered for a while, I started to read the story of two women of the same age who grew in the same house but weren't related to each other.


Anna Quintana was the daughter of the cook and housekeeper for the St. Clairs. She didn't know who her father was and her mother didn't tell her about her past. Anna had a bubbly personality, curly hair, was very creative with cupcakes. Since her mother died early and after an argument that they had had, Anna felt cheated out of a chance to reconcile with her mother. Anna was determined to be independent and vowed never to return to the house where she grew up.


Julia, the Sinclair's daughter was serious, a successful business woman, engaged to be married, ambitious and she hid her depression from everyone. Although she grew up with all the advantages, she was somewhat jealous of Anna for a wonderfully loving mother.


Julia's mother, Lolly had sent invitations to Annie before but when one came requesting her to cater a charity event for a fee, Annie's friend told her to go ahead and do it. When Julia tastes Annie's mocha flavored cupcake, it made her a little less sad and temporarily released her pain for all the secrets that she kept from every one. That cupcake made Julia to decide to open a cupcakery.


Julia and Anna's joint business tested to the limits any remains of any friendship that they had when they were young. Being together, eventually brought their closely held secrets, and provided for a slow healing between them.


'How to Eat a Cupcake' has mystery, humor, wit, surprises, sorrow, regret, anger and just about every emotion that you can imagine. At the first, I felt that Anna was just a little too bubbly but she grew on me and so did Julia. I was sad that the book ended.


I recommend this book to all who love to read about women's relationships and who enjoy an occasional delicious cupcake.

Carol received this book free from the Amazon Vine Program but that did not influence her review in any way.
 
GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO MARY AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT WILLIAM MORROW PAPERBACKS, I 
HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS DELIGHTFUL
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY TO A READER
 

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HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK

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

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE YOU HAVE ENTERED. IF YOU ENTERED MORE THAN ONE, COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR EACH AND YOU WILL GET AN ENTRY FOR EACH ONE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU CAN COMMENT SEPARATELY AND EACH WILL COUNT AS AN ENTRY
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MARCH 25
GOOD LUCK!




174 comments:

debbie said...

I would like to see how they reconcile their friendship, and manage to open a store together.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
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debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
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debbie said...

I entered scones and bones.
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debbie said...

I entered the face thief.
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Pat L. said...

Good combo a mystery and food related story. I love cupcakes.

patoct@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

I love stories of friendship. I want to see all the aspects of this relationship.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/178822638209220608

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lag123 said...

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lag123 said...

I subscribe via google reader.

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lag123 said...

I follow via GFC.

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lag123 said...

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holdenj said...

Great review Carol! I always think it's a great recommendation when you search for more books by the author! The cover is lovely, I can just see standing in the street, looking over all those cupcake possibilities!
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holdenj said...

I am a GFC follower.
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holdenj said...

I entered Scones and Bones.
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holdenj said...

I entered Cruising Attitude.
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holdenj said...

I entered Little Shop of Homicide.
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holdenj said...

I entered Fashion Faux Pas.
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bloggingmom said...

Cupcakes and a mystery makes this book sound extremely interesting to me. garczynski (at) aol (dot) com

Rebecca Orr said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/bekki1820cb/status/178862288000917506

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Rebecca Orr said...

I follow via FB: Rebecca Orr
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Rebecca Orr said...

I am a follower via Google Reader {rss feed}.
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Connie said...

I want to read this book because involves cupcakes and relationships. Good combo for a book. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

bloggingmom said...

I am an email subscriber.

garczynski (at) aol (dot) com

bloggingmom said...

I am an GFC follower.

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bloggingmom said...

I am a Facebook Fan.

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Karen B said...

Who can resist a good review - thanks Carol - and a yummy cupcake!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

bloggingmom said...

I am a Twitter follower.

garczynski (at) aol (dot) com

bloggingmom said...

I entered Little Shop of Homicide

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bloggingmom said...

I entered the Scones & Bones giveaway.

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bloggingmom said...

I entered the Cruising Attitude giveaway.

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bloggingmom said...

I entered the Fashion Faux Paw giveaway.

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bloggingmom said...

Facebook March Bonus #1

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Facebook March Bonus #2

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Facebook March Bonus #3

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Karen B said...

Networked blogs follower.
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bloggingmom said...

Facebook March Bonus #4

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bloggingmom said...

Facebook March Bonus #5

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bloggingmom said...

I entered the Clobbered by a Camembert giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I follow via twitter: lag32583

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lag123 said...

I follow via FB: Lisa Holmes Garrett

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lag123 said...

3. +5 March Facebook

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traveler said...

An appealing and interesting book. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered Blood Orchids. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered Dog Who Danced. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Entered Scones & Bones. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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petite said...

I find this book wonderful. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I am a follower. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered The Face Thief. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Scones and Bones. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Blood Orchids. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered The Dog Who Danced. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

So much is interesting here...the painful secret, old wounds, the truth about their past. I need to read the book to find the answers.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered OATH OF OFFICE

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Entered LITTLE SHOP OF HOMICIDE

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Linda Kish said...

+5 March facebook
3
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Unknown said...

I would love to read about their friendship and how they become friends again. Please enter me in contest. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

rubynreba said...

I enjoy mysteries and love cupcakes!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

+5 March facebook
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+5 March facebook 2
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rubynreba said...

email subscriber
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rubynreba said...

GFC Follower
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Entered Blood Orchids
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Entered Scones & Bones
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Entered The Face Thief
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Entered Fashion Faux Paw
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Entered Oath of Office
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I find it interesting that it is cupcakes that bring these two ladies back together - and it is only natural because the love of food, or the emotions foods evoke can be quite elemental in bringing different people together. Also think it would be interesting to see them reconcile their relationship, while dealing with the past that comes to haunt.

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I tweeted the giveaway:

https://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/179011603205849088

Name: Hira Hasnain
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Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~

Name: Hira Hasnain
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I subscribe via email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

Name: Hira Hasnain
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Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a Facebook Fan: Hira Hasnain

Name: Hira Hasnain
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I follow via Google Reader: Hira Hasnain

Name: Hira Hasnain
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~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a Twitter follower: @inluvwithbookz

Name: Hira Hasnain
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Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'm a Networked Blogs Follower: Hira Hasnain

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misskallie2000 said...

I am hoping they can renew their friendship and make it in business together.
I love the cover, the title and the cupcakes made me drool. lol

Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveawawy.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

Tweet
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Entered LITTLE SHOP OF HOMICIDE GIVEAWAY

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Follow via GFC

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Follow via networks blog

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Follow via FB(Brenda B. Hill)

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Entered FASHION FAUX PAW GIVEAWAY

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holdenj said...

I entered Adrift on St. John.
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mamabunny13 said...

I like stories about friendship.
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I follow on fb-mamabunny shelor
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I entered Where Shadows Dance.
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Pat L. said...

Entered Sandra Brown's Lethal.
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Pat L. said...

Am a gfc follower of this blog.
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Pat L. said...

I love books about friendship and food, particularly desserts.

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Pat L. said...

Am an email follower.
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Margie said...

Sounds like a great book about restoring friendships. And who doesn't love cupcakes!
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Margie said...

email subscriber
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Entered Bliss Giveaway.
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I entered Sketch a Falling Star.
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Helen L. said...

Entered Lethal.
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Entered Calico Joe.
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Helen L. said...

Enterd Bliss.
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Helen L. said...

I would like to see how two advesaries work out their problems to actually work together in business.

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Helen L. said...

I am gfc follower.
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I am an email follower.
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Anonymous said...

Entered Bliss.
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Entered Calico Joe.
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Jolee said...

I read "culinary," "thriller," and "romance," and that was enough for me to be interested. :-) joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

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