Thursday, August 13, 2009

A BETTER VIEW OF PARADISE: GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
A BETTER VIEW OF PARADISE

BY RANDY SUE COBURN

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Dramatic, moving, and exquisitely written, A Better View of Paradise explores the tender bond between fathers and daughters, ponders the delicate nature of healing, and celebrates the redemptive power of forgiveness and love.

Thirty-six-year-old Stevie Pollack has come into her own as a celebrated landscape architect. Her designs, famed for their evocative natural beauty, reflect her upbringing amid the splendor of Hawai‘i. But when critics blast her latest efforts and her boyfriend abruptly ends their relationship, Stevie seeks solace in her roots among the dazzling flowers, and comforting traditions of the islands and their calming waters. Still, in the back of her mind, Hawai‘i holds troubling memories of a childhood with Hank, her emotionally distant father, and a reserved British mother.

Despite her irascible father’s presence, the trip home promises Stevie a welcome departure from her trials on the mainland. But the shocking news that Hank is dying forces the pair’s reunion into high gear. As father and daughter attempt to rekindle their bond, Stevie discovers sides of Hank she never knew, including family secrets that have shaped their lives. And what started as a holiday escape for the beleaguered architect becomes a chance for transformation, one as exciting as it is uncertain. Inspired by her father’s insight, and energized by the attentions of an attractive local veterinarian, Stevie learns to surrender her inhibitions and seize the day.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Randy Sue Coburn began her career as a journalist whose essays and articles appeared in numerous national magazines and major newspapers. Her screenplays include Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, the 1994 film about Dorothy Parker that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won Jennifer Jason Leigh the National Society of Film Critics Award for best actress. Film work and teaching at The University of Washington subsidized the writing of Remembering Jody, (1999, Carroll & Graf), and Randy Sue’s second novel, Owl Island, was published in June, 2006 by Ballantine, a division of Random House Publishing Group. A Better View of Paradise, also from Random House/Ballantine, is being published in July, 2009. Born in Chicago and raised in South Carolina, Randy Sue is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The University of Georgia. She lives along the waterfront in downtown Seattle and relishes morning strolls through the Pike Place Market with Binx, a floppy-eared terrier known by name to many more vendors in the Pike Place Market than his mistress.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO DOROTHY AND "PUMP UP YOUR BOOK", I HAVE TWO HARDBACK COPIES OF THIS AMAZING BOOK TO GIVEAWAY. JUST FOLLOW THE RULES AND DIRECTIONS FOR ENTRY, AND A COPY COULD BE YOUR VERY SOON!

RULES

1-U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY (DUE TO COST OF SHIPPING BY ME, SORRY)
2-NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
3-INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO YOU CAN BE NOTIFIED WHEN YOU WIN!


HOW TO ENTER

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHY YOU WANT THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON IF YOU FOLLOW OR NOT AND WHERE/HOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: WATCH FOR MY REVIEW AND COME BACK HERE AND COMMENT ON IT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY

6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 2

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

89 comments:

Libby's Library said...

I want to win a copy of this book, because I'm addicted to books...one more won't hurt me!

Thanks

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

I'm a loyal follower - thank you.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

bermudaonion said...

How do you manage to have all of these great giveaways? I'd like to read this book because I've always been a Daddy's girl.
+1 subscribe in Google Reader
milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Libby's Library said...

I blogged it here:

http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-link_8825.html

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

tawndam said...

I want this book because the desc. somehow touched me...

tawndam said...

blogger follower

Kat Bryan said...

Why do I want to read this book? Well, for starters the cover caught my eye. I'm interested in things Hawaiian - my son was lucky enough to work there for several winters, and other family member have gone but not me. Also, I was close to my father and he's gone, so I would like to read this father-daughter story.
I am a site follower.

winterset AT peoplepc.com

Madeleine said...

I would realy loveto win this book
i am a follower

madeleine444[at]gail[dot]com

Kristen said...

I would love to win this book. Anything set in Hawai'i is appealing to me. Also, I follow through Google Reader.

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

Valorie said...

I would like to read this because I've never had a bond with my father and it's nice to read about them. :)

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Valorie said...

I subscribe via RSS.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Please count me in...loved the books cover.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I'd like to read this book for a couple of reasons first father/daughter relationships intrigue me and attract me because many women I have known have either a fantastic relationship with their dad or a pretty bad relationship with their dad. Mine was good and bad; secondly I loved the movie Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle and would like to read a book by the woman who wrote the screenplay and finally, I love the cover of this book!

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower :)

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I foloow your blog on blogger dasboard and google reader =o)

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

The Obsessive Reader said...

I loved how you put author information also. I might just have to steal it =)

Unknown said...

Looks a really interesting book and author

Barry

Debbie said...

I'm an only child and very close to my dad so this sounds great.
fourkidssrgreat(at)gmail.com

holdenj said...

I've heard good things about this story and the father/daughter relationship. I miss my own all the time and just recently read another book with a great dau/father relationshp, Thanks for the Memories...would love to read another. Thanks for the entry!

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

holdenj said...

I'm a follower through Google!

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'd love to win this for my aunt. I'm sure she'll love it!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Beth (BBRB) said...

I'm a follower.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

KR said...

I'm still looking for Paradise so please count me in!!

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Gaby317 said...

I'd love to win this book - it sounds like a fun read.

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

I follow on googlereader

thanks so much!

LoveMyCoffee said...

I want to win this book because I am a total book addict. I also like the cover of this book, it had me dreaming of the ocean and being on an island somewhere.

I follow
Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I love books! I can't keep enough in the house or the truck!

dancealert(at)aol(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I follow!
dancealert(at)aol(dot)com

Commchick said...

This sounds like a very good book. I was closer to my father just before he died than I was as a child, so I can kind of relate.

belchers@jccal.org

Commchick said...

I follow you on Blogger!!

belchers@jccal.org

rubynreba said...

I've never been to Hawaii but I do love to read about it! Sounds good!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I'd like this book because - I hate to admit it - I love the cover!!!

Please enter me!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

I follow on Google Reader.

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I'd love this! I don't think I've read a book that concentrated on the father-daughter bond. Being a daughter, I'd be interested in exploring that!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I follow

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Kaye said...

Sounds amazing. Even though my dad died more than 30 years ago, I still miss him. My fondest memory is of him sitting in his chair reading.

florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

I'm a public follower

Kim said...

I would love to win this book because I love books about family secrets and reconciliation. The cover caught my eye also!
*smiles*
Kim
kimmery4(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kim said...

I follow you on blogger and through my google reader!
*smiles*
Kim
kimmery4(at)yahoo(dot)com

janetfaye said...

I would like to read this book.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

I follow with Google - janetfaye

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

janetfaye said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/3326880075

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Jo-Jo said...

I want to win this one because I kind of missed out on the father/daughter bond, as my dad died when I was 9. I can see it between my husband and daughter though, and it is sure amazing!

I am also a follower through blogger.

joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Bingo said...

So many touching comments. I, too, lost my dad many years ago so the book was quite special for me as well. Good luck to you all! Thanks for entering!

holdenj said...

I really liked your review and your comments about how the place is as much as a catlyst for things as the strength of these characters. After all, it's Hawaii, paradise, what could go wrong??

Still hoping I win this--it looks great!

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks.

bermudaonion said...

Your review has got me wanting to know about Stevie and her dad. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

scottsgal said...

I'd like to read this since we just got back from Cancun and the cover reminds of being back on vacation

msboatgal at aol.com

scottsgal said...

already a follower and subscribe via google reader

msboatgal at aol.com

rubynreba said...

Just read your review - sounds like an interesting book of love and forgiveness.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

tawndam said...

after reading your review... I'm even more convinced I have to read this!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I read your review, and I'm wondering if Randy picked the name Stevie because she herself always had to deal with an ambiguous name.... Also, Hank sounds like an interesting character...

Commchick said...

Your review makes me really want to read this book and find out how it ends, I hope/know it will be happily!!!

belchers@jccal.org

Kat Bryan said...

I enjoyed Ms. Coburn's post and her comparisons of Chicago and Kauai.

winterset AT peoplepc.com

tawndam said...

Oo... you are torturing me! lol
your guest post BY RANDY SUE COBURN points out the cultural differences and tie ins... I really want to read this! (and then, I'll have to pass it on to my daughter... she loves seeing/reading about different cultures lol)

bermudaonion said...

Wow, the author really did her research - I never knew that Frank Sinatra almost drowned in Hawaii! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Another fun guest post from the author! I love those local curse stories. I read a cute book for YA about the Boston Red Sox one. How funny about all the rocks!!!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

scottsgal said...

Ah yes, the dreaded Cubs curse - hopefully that will end SOON!! (being a huge Cubs fan!)

msboatgal at aol.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the guest post. It was interesting to hear how the author was so concerned about the characters. Thanks for the additional entry.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'd really like to win this book because it's a book centered around relationships. These are the kinds of books I enjoy in the evening instead of watching TV.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

holdenj said...

What a great guest post! I'm sure Randy had no idea when she was writing her novel that our new president would have those same Hawaii/Illinois ties.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I read your review. I got to know my step father better, much better while he spent his last year dying.
He coulnd't drink any more, and we talked every day. I actually missed him after he was gone. Made me think of him.
dancealert(at)aol(dot)com

Wrighty said...

I came to add my extra entries and realized that I hadn't posted my first comments yet! I need to pay more attention.

- I would like to read this book because it sounds like the perfect summer/back to school read. Who doesn't want to read about Hawaii? :)
- I follow you on my Google reader and you're on my blogroll.
- Added to my sidebar.
www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

Wrighty said...

Loved your review! It's so fascinating when the author can use the setting as a character. It sounds like an emotional story and it has a great cover too. Thanks!

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

Wrighty said...

The author's comments were so interesting. What great trivia! There are so many fascinating connections that she makes between Hawaii and Chicago that I never heard before.

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

Jo-Jo said...

I bogged about your contest here.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I love the title and the cover.

dd DOT bookgoddess AT gmail DOT com

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I'm a goggle reader follower:

dd DOT bookgoddess AT gmail DOT com

Randy Sue said...

Had a great time reading all these comments and yes -- I did choose the name "Stevie" because I had a gender-unspecific name myself, and I *was* happily surprised at how all those Hawai`i-Illinois connections in our new President!
Thanks for entering, everyone!
Randy Sue
http://randysuecoburn.com

Debbie F said...

I really don't have much of a relationship with my father. We have not spoken in 3 years.

Please enter me
I follow!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

starryann2000 said...

I would love to read this because I always had a special bond with my own father and it will be interesting to see what the author does with this subject.

starryann2000@yahoo.com

Kim said...

I want this bc I read great things about it!

CherylS22 said...

I'd like to read this book because it centers around the relationship of a woman & her father. To me, this is one of the most important relationships we have in life.
Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

I read your review & it made me want to read this book even more. I thought it was interesting that you thought the setting should also be considered a character in the book.
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

I read the guest post & found the connections between Chicago & Kaua`i interesting.
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

DarcyO said...

I love that the book is set in Hawaii. Someday I hope to visit.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow with Google.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I enjoyed your review, Bingo, especially the part about the pup. It sounds like he brings love and laughter into Stevie's life.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Gaby317 said...

Such a beautiful cover! The book sounds interesting to me because of the relationship between father & daughter. Many of the books I've read lately revolve around the mother-daughter relationship. My own relationship with my father is much more complicated than that between my mother and me.

thanks for the entry


gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

Gaby317 said...

i follow through googlereader and blogger

gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

nfmgirl said...

I can't remember whether I posted this. If so, please delete. But I blogged this:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-08-29-09.html

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

please please enter me; i so want this book:

google reader follower

dd DOT bookgoddess AT gmail DOT com

thanks

Ms. Cindy said...

I'd love to read this book! It sounds like a good one! Thanks!

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

I follow!

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3646526805

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Andrea said...

I want to win this book because I absolutely love reading. The cover looks so relaxing, my best friend is from Hawaii and I'm going to visit her there next summer, I can't wait :)

andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I want to win this because I am all for seizing the day! aitmama (ta) gmail (tod) com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/3663627548

Debs Desk said...

I love the cover and the book sounds great. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie D
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Commchick said...

A friend just told me about your blog and I will be joining soon.

Wanda
jwashington8622@netzero.net

Debbie Rodgers said...

I'm really sorry that this contest is for U.S. residents only :-(

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY