Friday, May 27, 2011

SUMMER IN THE SOUTH: REVIEW AND BONUS ENTRIES

GIVEAWAY ENDED
SUMMER IN THE SOUTH
BY CATHY HOLTON

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK:
Cathy Holton, author of the popular Beach Trip, returns with an intriguing and mysterious tale of dark deeds and family secrets in a small Southern town.

After a personal tragedy, Chicago writer Ava Dabrowski quits her job to spend the summer in Woodburn, Tennessee, at the invitation of her old college friend Will Fraser and his two great-aunts, Josephine and Fanny Woodburn. Her charming hosts offer Ava a chance to relax at their idyllic ancestral estate, Woodburn Hall, while working on her first novel. 

But Woodburn is anything but quiet: Ancient feuds lurk just beneath its placid surface, and modern-day rivalries emerge as Ava finds herself caught between the competing attentions of Will and his black-sheep cousin Jake. Fascinated by the family’s impressive history—their imposing house filled with treasures, and their mingling with literary lions Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner—Ava stumbles onto rumors about the darker side of the Woodburns’ legacy. Putting aside her planned novel, she turns her creative attentions to the eccentric and tragic clan, a family with more skeletons (and ghosts) in their closets than anyone could possibly imagine. As Ava struggles to write the true story of the Woodburns, she finds herself tangled in the tragic history of a mysterious Southern family whose secrets mirror her own.
  

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cathy Holton is the author of Revenge of the Kudzu Debutantes and The Secret Lives of the Kudzu Debutantes. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

AN EXCERPT FROM SUMMER IN THE SOUTH:
The Traveler

When Ava was small, Clotilde told her stories of ghosts and ruined castles and lonely moonlit roads. Most children would have been afraid of such tales but Ava welcomed the shivers of fear and trembling possibility they sent up her narrow spine. She preferred the gnomes and changelings and lonely, misshapen creatures because they seemed more familiar to her than the beautiful princesses and handsome princes that wove themselves in and out of Clotilde’s rambling tales.

“Tell me a story,” Ava would say, climbing sleepily onto Clotilde’s lap, and Clotilde’s girlish face would go still and then brighten as the words came to her.

They owned few books in those days, not because they were poor but because Clotilde liked to travel light. She preferred rented rooms furnished with the cast-offs of other people’s dismal lives to possessions of her own. To finish reading this excerpt, visit the RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHERS' Website HERE where it is found.

MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
Cathy Holton’s SUMMER IN THE SOUTH should not be confused with a typical “beach read”. The book is certainly entertaining, but SUMMER IN THE SOUTH is also a well written novel with wonderfully fleshed out characters and a storyline filled with a little of everything. A little romance, a little mystery, and even some paranormal interaction, all go into making this is a fun read complete with enchanting characters. The book opens in 1931 with the body of Charles Woodburn being identified at a funeral home by one Josephine, that readers will meet again later in the story. The details surrounding this beginning will come into play as the story goes on and the power of the deceased’s family name is revealed.

Move ahead to 1998 and Holton introduces the main character, Ava Dabrowski, a would-be author. She has recently lost her fairly unconventional mother as well as parted ways with her current love interest, bringing Ava to also leave her job. Luckily, Ava is offered the chance to spend the summer in Tennessee by her old college pal, Will Woodburn. Ava thinks this will be a perfect chance to not only visit her old friend but also find time to really work on becoming a novelist. With Ava traveling to Woodburn, Tennessee, Holton introduces all of the colorful southern cast living there. Besides Will (yes, the town is named after his well-to-do family), there is the gang who are living in the family’s town home. These are his colorful aunts who include Fanny who is married to Maitland, and unmarried Aunt Josephine, as well as Maitland’s sister and his nephew, Alice and Fraser. Of course, there has to be one “bad boy” in this group and that is Jake. He is the grandson of Charles Woodburn, who was married to Fanny during prohibition. Clara also lives on the property in a small cottage behind the main house. Clara’s family worked for the Woodburn family for years, long ago. The addition of Darlene, the former beauty pageant gal, who has her eyes set on Will as the prize, rounds out this motley crew.

Cathy Holton uses wonderful descriptions of the setting to make you feel like you are there learning about Toddy Time in the late afternoon and seeing this world through Ava’s eyes. This is a much different world than Ava’s. When she tries to learn more about this fabled Woodburn family, there aren’t any contributors except for Jake, who just wants to catch her eye. The things she does learn lead Ava to see the possibilities for a really juicy novel. She digs up more than she really probably wanted to uncover but hey, a ghost here or there is expected when messing with the skeletons in a family’s closet.

Cathy Holton has skillfully constructed a narrative in which the present and the past come together so that readers walk away with a marvelous story. From the dialogue to the description, from the mystery to the myth, readers will keep the sand off this “beach read” so they can keep turning pages to find out just what it is really like to spend SUMMER IN THE SOUTH.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO CATHY HOLTON, I HAVE 
THREE HARDBACK COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK JUST IN TIME
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING!
--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:
DON'T FORGET TO READ MY INTERVIEW
WITH CATHY HOLTON AND COMMENT TO
GET EVEN MORE ENTRIES BY GOING HERE

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT SUMMER IN THE SOUTH AND WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO WIN THIS ONE

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

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED HERE ON BOOKIN' WITH BINGO. YOU MAY COMMENT ON AS MANY AS YOU ENTERED BUT MUST COMMENT ON EACH YOU HAVE ENTERED SEPARATELY, PLEASE
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 
6 PM, EST, JUNE 2
GOOD LUCK!

120 comments:

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I'd love to win this one because 1) I love mysteries 2) I love stories of the South and 3) Because you seem to recommend it, and it most certainly sounds like an excellent read, especially if the author has managed to tie the past & present together.

Thank you for the amazing giveaway opportunity! :)

~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/74045434460512256

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered "The Goodbye Quilt" Giveaway.

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered the "Come and Find Me" Giveaway.

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered the "Faith" Giveaway.

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered the "Summer In The South" (Interview + Giveaway).

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered the "Please Look After Mom" Giveaway.

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered the "Year We Left Home" Giveaway.

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered the "Secret Daughter" Giveaway.

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

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I entered the "Crunch Time" Giveaway.

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

debbie said...

I love a story with even a bit of mystery in it. It sounds like you get some really interesting characters along with it, too. I would love to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered please look after mom giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered the faith giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered come and find me giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered crunch time giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered alter of bones giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

lag123 said...

I love to read Southern fictions, especially when there are dark deeds and family secrets. Thanks for your wonderful review!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/74075499617468416

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the Tabloid City giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I entered the Martha Stewart New Pies and Tarts giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered The Year We Left Home review giveaway.
lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the THE YEAR WE LEFT HOME INTERVIEW giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I entered the A Southerly Course giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the PLEASE LOOK AFTER MOM GIVEAWAY

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lag123 said...

I entered the Summer in the South part one giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the Faith giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the Come and Find Me giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the The Goodbye Quilt giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I entered the Crunch Time giveaway.

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lag123 said...

I entered the Altar of Bones giveaway.

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Anonymous said...

I love to win this because I love mysteries and it sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

lag123 said...

I entered the Dead By Midnight giveaway.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Steve Capell said...

The words "dark deeds and family secrets" has peaked my interest. Thanks for the opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Margie said...

A Southern family with dark secrets lurking sounds fascinating!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Please Look After My Mom
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered A Southerly Course
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered Faith giveaway
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered for Come Find Me
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered for Altar of Bones
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

entered for Goodbye Quilt
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Laura said...

Please enter me. I am from the south and would love to read this. I am a follower.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail dot com

Sue Farrell said...

I like books with deep, dark family secrets---and was glad to see that you thought this was a more complete novel that just a quick beach read.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I entered the "Crunch Time" giveaway.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

Thank you for the review! I loved her Beach Trip book and now that I know this combines mystery, paranormal AND southern culture and tradition I was to read this even more!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Secret Daughter giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Year We Left Home giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks #1.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks #2.
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Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks #3.
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Colleen Turner said...

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Connie said...

Hi! I like the story line of this book becuase it centers in Tennessee. Also, the main character will learn secrets and solve a mystery as well. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I also entered for the "Goodbye Quilt" book as well. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

petite said...

This book would be captivating for the characters, locale and story. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered The Year We Left Home. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Please Look After Mom. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Faith. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Come and Find me. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered The Goodbye Quilt. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Crunch Time. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Altar of Bones. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered What Did I Do Wrong. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Dead By Midnight. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Tabloid City. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Martha Stewart Pies and tarts. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Summer in the South. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

traveler said...

An interesting mystery with a great setting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Dead by Midnight. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Goodbye Quilt. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered What Did I Do Wrong. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Altar of Bones. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Crunch Time. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Come and Find Me. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Faith. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Please Look After Mom. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Year We left Home. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Tabloid City. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Martha Stewart's Pies. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Summer in the South. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered The Secret Daughter. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

dogwood said...

I'm just a sucker for stories set in the South... and throw in a good mystery! Sold.

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

dogwood said...

I also entered The Year We Left Home

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

mamabunny13 said...

I like that the storyline is filled with a litle of this and a little of that :)
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/74198148523892736

mamabunny13 said...

I entered The Year We Left Home giveaway
mamabunny13 at gmail fot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered "The Goodbye Quilt" Giveaway
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the "Come and Find Me" Giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the "Crunch Time" Giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the "Secret Daughter" Giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the "Faith" Giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the "Summer In The South" (Interview + Giveaway).
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the "Please Look After Mom
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the Tabloid City giveaway
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered the Martha Stewart New Pies and Tarts giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered A SOUTHERLY COURSE GIVEAWAY
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Dead by Midnight giveaway
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I entered Alter of Bones giveaway
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Carol N Wong said...

I love mysteries and unconventional characters. The situation reminds me a little of my sister in law from my first marriage. The town is names after them and they closed off rooms from the very large house in order to use just what they need. There may be some interesting stories connected to that house.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

My Twitter name is Carolee888 and I tweeted:

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-in-south-review-and-bonus.html

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'The Year We Left Home'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'A Southerly Course'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for'Come and Find Me'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'The Goodbye Quilt'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Crunch Time'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'Tabloid City'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the giveaway for
'What did I do Wrong?'.




CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I want to read more about the interesting family history and the mystery.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered ALTAR OF BONES

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered FAITH

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered COME AND FIND ME

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered THE GOODBYE QUILT

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Entered CRUNCH TIME

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Linda Kish said...

Entered DEAD BY MIDNIGHT

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Linda Kish said...

Entered TABLOID CITY

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Linda Kish said...

Entered MARTHA STEWART'S NEW PIES AND TARTS COOKBOOK

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Linda Kish said...

Entered NEVER WAVE GOODBYE

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bison61 said...

A little romance, a little mystery, and even some paranormal interaction--all things I like in a book

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Anita Yancey said...

What I like most about this book is that it is set in a small southern town, and contains secrets in the story. I love reading books with secrets. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I entered for Come And Find Me.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I entered for Crunch Time.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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