Monday, March 2, 2009

Review and Giveaway: Everyone is Beautiful



Title: Everyone is Beautiful
Author:
Katherine Center
Review Copy Provided by:
Pump Up Your Book Promotion

About the Book: Lanie Coates’s life is spinning out of control. She’s piled everything she owns into a U-Haul and driven with her husband, Peter, and their three little boys from their cozy Texas home to a multiflight walkup in the Northeast. She’s left behind family, friends, and a comfortable life–all so her husband can realize his dream of becoming a professional musician. But somewhere in the eye of her personal hurricane, it hits Lanie that she once had dreams too. If only she could remember what they were.
These days, Lanie always seems to rank herself dead last–and when another mom accidentally criticizes her appearance, it’s the final straw. Fifteen years, three babies, and more pounds than she’s willing to count since the day she said “I do,” Lanie longs desperately to feel like her old self again. It’s time to rise up, fish her moxie out of the diaper pail, and find the woman she was before motherhood capsized her entire existence.
Lanie sets change in motion–joining a gym, signing up for photography classes, and finding a new best friend. But she also creates waves that come to threaten her whole life. In the end, Lanie must figure out once and for all how to find herself without losing everything else in the process.


My Review: Dorothy asked me to take on this book at the last minute, and boy, am I so glad that I agreed! It's been quite awhile since I've picked up an adult fiction novel that I couldn't put down. This was one of those reads. I fell into this story, fell in love with Lanie and her family, and continuously rooted for her until the very end of the book. Katherine Center has written a "real" story. By "real," I mean Lanie could be the stay at home mom down the street. What woman that got married and had kids, hasn't had regrets, dreams that they put on hold, wished their life had been different somehow, etc.? Lanie's story is just that. It's about what really happens in a marriage, the emotions that are out there, and the way women feel but are sometimes so afraid to talk about. I admire Lanie's character. She had what she loved, a husband who took care of her and three beautiful children, but she wasn't happy with herself and what she had become. She loved the men in her life, but she didn't love herself, not completely. Why do I admire her then? She did what she had to do, put herself last, to put her family first. That's the way I was raised and the way I thought it was supposed to be. Lanie learned differently and I have too. Yes, she needs to put her family first, but she learns that she can do things for herself, to better herself and make herself happy, without sacrificing her family. Doing for Lanie, makes Lanie a better person and in the end, makes her family stronger. I kept thinking that Peter was going to have an affair and hurt Lanie, because most novels I read turn out that way. Boy, was I wrong; thank goodness. Nothing was as I expected, and that's what kept me so intriguied by this book. Center has, in my opinion, a bestseller on her hands.

GIVEAWAY

I was so moved by this novel that I immediately emailed the author just gushing with praise for this book. She actually lives not too far from me and is doing a book reading in town that I am anxious to attend. She emailed me back the next day, with these words, "Thank you so much for your kind note--and for taking the time to write it. It is always great to get good feedback! " I emailed back and asked if she would want to give one of my readers the opportunity to win her book. Well, Jayne at Ballentine Books contacted me today with the news that yes, we could definitely do the giveaway. So, there you have it. One of you will win a copy of Katherine Center's Everyone is Beautiful. All you have to do is comment here about one thing you find beautiful about yourself. Be sure to leave your email address if you are not a blogger.
This contest is open to US and Canadian addresses. Please no PO boxes as the book will be coming from the publisher. You can earn extra entries by doing any of the following:

  1. Follow this blog in Blogger, in a reader, or through RSS feed - 1 extra entry

  2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway - 2 extra entries

  3. Blog about this and link back to my site - 3 extra entries
You could possibly earn 7 entries. Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry you do. I am running this giveaway in conjuction with the Book Giveaway Carnival, so you have until Mar. 8th to enter. A winner will be drawn randomly on Mar. 9th, emailed and posted on this blog.

90 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't enter me because I already read and LOVED this book. I'd be so jealous if you get to meet Katherine Center. All of my communication with her has been nothing but sweet. Great book! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

One thing I feel is beautiful about me... man, nothing comes immediately to mind. If I sat here and thought about it, I guess I would say my ability to forgive people.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

thewriterslife said...

Wow, how neat about the giveaway! Don't enter me of course but I wanted to let you know how much you are appreciated and you write an excellent review! Thank you!

thewriterslife said...

BTW, if Katherine is anything in person like she is via email, this is one sweet girl. ;o)

Ti said...

What do I find beautiful about me? My ability to maintain friendships that span many years and many miles. I'm really good at staying in contact and being there for my friends when they need me.

thereedfamily[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Erika Powell said...

whats beautiful about me? i always feel silly answering this but my fav thing about me is how quirky I am. I am a silly girl, who works in athletics and is a book worm. These things don't usually go together.

Erika Powell said...

i blogged it here
http://kissmybook.blogspot.com/2009/02/contests-galore.html

Meg89 said...

I love my toes!
Please enter me!
meh471 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

photoquest said...

This sounds like a wonderful book, i have never heard of it but would love to get a copy, it's just the kind of book i love to read. One think i love about myself is my eyes, but the most important thing i love is that i can except myself as i'm getting older and not feeling bad about it.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Becca said...

Something beautiful about myself, huh? Well, physically my eyes are great because they are kind of grey-green and change tones and intensities depending on what color I am wearing. Personality? I would say that I really like that I am an empathetic person. I can empathize with someone whose situation I have never been in. I somehow can understand where most people are coming from. I think it made me a better teacher, it makes me a good daughter, sister, and friend, and I think it will come in handy with lots of things in the future. I am really lucky to have it and hope never to lose it.

Oh, before I forget! :) I subscribe to your blog and to you on Tweeter.

Rue said...

There's a guy at work who walks by my cube every morning, says hello and, if I'm not smiling, tells me a joke or makes a funny comment or something. He says I'm much more beautiful when I smile. (Fortunately none of this is in a creepy or stalkerish way...although when I type it out, it does sorta sound like that.) I guess I've got a beautiful smile.

Thanks for the chance to win!
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

bermudaonion said...

Don't enter me - this is in my TBR pile. I loved your review and I'm glad to see the book's good.

Anonymous said...

one thing I find beautiful about my self (above my many flaws) is my compassion. I try to help who i can, and point the ones I cant in the right direction.

Anonymous said...

following on blogger

livingmyhappilyeverafter at yahoo

Anonymous said...

following on twitter and tweeted

Julie P. said...

This is a hard one for me. I guess my hand b/c they hold my kids, cook for my family and make crafts! Plus, they hold my books and type!

Please pick me! I've heard such wonderful things about this book and want to read it so badly!

bookingmama(at)comcast(dot)net

mindy said...

what is beautiful about me is things you can not see from the outside like my compassion and caring thanks for the giveaway

April said...

Great review! I have this one to tour in a couple weeks and can't wait! It sounds like such a great read!

Cheryl said...

Wow! Sounds like a great book. I would love to win a copy, but alas, I work for Pump Up Your Book Promotion and am not eligible. Sigh!

I will, however, have to go buy this one now because I really want to read and review it at my site.

Thanks for the great review.

Cheryl

Amanda said...

Hm, something beautiful about me...I'm creative. I guess I really like that about myself. Thanks for hosting this competition. My address is amandagignac [at] gmail [dot] com.

Tracee said...

No need to enter me, I have this sitting next to me begging to be read! You made it even more intriguing - thanks for the great review!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...in true wife-and-mother style, I find it easier to find ways to compliment other people. So...I like that I've made a home that kids and friends (and one lonely dog) like to spend time in and where they feel welcome. I also like my hair, most days.

Enter me please! kay.hardtmann@gmx.de

clenna said...

Beautiful: I try desperately to keep family first and to instill that deep love in my children and their families.

sharon54220 said...

What a great review. I would really like to read this.
Please enter me.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am a follower also.

sharon54220@gmail.com

ikkinlala said...

I'll answer with the physical one: most of the time, I like my hair. There are lots of other things I like about myself, but I'm not sure if "beautiful" is the best word for them.

ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

Marie said...

What I find beautiful about me -- that I'm a good listener and that I care a lot about my friends and family.

vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

YZgirl4 said...

The thing I find beautiful about me is my ability to love whole heartily, even though sometimes I get hurt in the end.



yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net

scottsgal said...

OK I guess my eyes or my shining personality :-)

please enter me

msboatgal at aol dot com

eyeslikesugar said...

I would love, love to read this book! Please enter me. :) Thank you for offering this giveaway! eyeslikesugar [at] gmail [dot] com.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

thanks for the giveaway mrs.mommyyatgmail.com

I am an openhearted person and share what I have if others need it

judygr64 said...

I feel my most beautiful thing is that I really try to be considerate and helpful to people I meet. Thanks for sponsoring the giveaway.

judy(dot)greenberg(at)gmail(dot)com

Simply Stacie said...

Beautiful thing about me- I guess the gift of compassion.

Mia J. said...

This book sounds wonderful. Something I think is beautiful about me is that I am a good listener.

Unknown said...

Follower via blogger.

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Susana la Banana said...

It's tough to think of my strengths as beautiful but I think my ability to keep my calm in the midst of the storm is pretty beautiful. A few years ago I would have totally lost it over all the stuff that's happened lately but because of the strength I got from becoming a mommy, now I can remain calm and feel good about myself and that is pretty powerful stuff. Thanks to my son for giving me that gift. Thanks for the giveaway!

susanbaranow@yahoo.com

Lady Roxi said...

Love to have this. I love my big beautiful blue eyes.

Thanks,

darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

em my nose
KawaiiNeko2008 (at) aol (dot) com

Medens G. said...

Finding something beautiful about myself is really hard to do, but the one thing that I actually do find beautiful in myself is my compassion for others. No matter what the situation I rarely judge and always listen through what someone has to say and always finds a way to help them out no matter what the situation.

medens_g@yahoo.com

Alyce said...

I always liked my eyes because the color (blue) was inherited from my dad's side of the family, and my kids have the same color of eye too.
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Alyce said...

I'm following you on blogger.
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Alyce said...

I follow you on twitter, and tweeted here:

http://twitter.com/AtHomeWithBooks/status/1277127373

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to read this and I DO follow! Thanks for the chance.

Unknown said...

I find my values and selflessness beautiful! *toot toot*


Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!

Janna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com
www.FeedYourPigBlog.com

Sage Ravenwood said...

For some reason everyone is drawn to my eyes and comments how beautiful they are. I get comments like if the eyes are windows to the soul, then yours is truly beautiful.

I think at the end of the day it's not the outer appearance, rather what lies inside. I believe who I am as a person is the most beautiful thing of all. Thanks for this opportunity to enter the drawing! Indigo

Rebecca Anne said...

I appreciate my easy smile. I can barely control it most of the time, usually I can find a reason to smile at just about anything~
This does sound like an interesting book, something many of us could relate to!
Rebecca

Rebecca Anne said...

Hmm, I forgot to mention, I suscribe in a RSS feeded, and I'm off to click your twitter feed to make sure I'm following you there. Rebecca

Belladonna1975 said...

The most beautiful thing about me is the love that I have for my wonderful baby girl.

Thanks for entering me.


Belladonna1975(at)pobox(dot)com

demmi said...

the most beautiful thing about me is my smile con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

deltay said...

Hmm... maybe my ability to emphathize.

lucidconspiracy[at]gmail[dot]com

toohotforturtle said...

I am an overly emotive dork....not sure if it makes me beautiful, but it does make me "me".

A Reader said...

I'm loyal. Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sherrylinn said...

What's beautiful about me? My love for children. I love to teach them about Jesus!

slcremer at gmail dot com

Sherrylinn said...

I follow on twitter

tweet
http://twitter.com/Sherrylinn/status/1281400746

Sherrylinn said...

tweet #2

http://twitter.com/Sherrylinn/status/1281400746

Sherrylinn said...

I'm a follower - Sherrylinn

Rhonda said...

One thing beautiful about me...The love for my Family.

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

Jinxy and Me said...

I think being caring is the most beautiful thing.

Jinxy and Me said...

I'm a follower!

islandgirl said...

Okay, fine, I like my hair, even in all it's crazy bushy Polynesian style, it makes me stand out from the crowd!

islandgirlinutah at gmail dot com

Great book recommendation, thank you!

Margay Leah Justice said...

I am following this blog - and I will be following this book, too. It looks like a good one!

Margay

Margay1122 (at) aol (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I found your site through Paperback Frenzy (I'm a reviewer there too). Nice giveaway - I would love to win a copy of this book! One thing I find beautiful about myself right now? Probably my long fingernails - now all I need is a manicure and they will be even prettier! wordblog@optonline.net

nfmgirl said...

This books sounds like it would be inspiring. I would love an opportunity to win it.

Something beautiful about me? My heart, I guess I would have to say.

CherylS22 said...

What's beautiful about me is that I am strongly committed to family, both my own & my husbands. I am a loyal friend. I will do anything my family or friends need.

Thanks for the great giveaway - please count me in.

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

sweetsue said...

Something beautiful about me (according to those around me) is my ability to do it all with a smile. Personally, I think I have a beautiful nose!
smchester at gmail dot com

sweetsue said...

I am following you on Blogger.
smchester at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

one beautiful thing about me is my ability to forgive people...i think that shows a lot of strength.

fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

I'd like to read this book. One beautiful thing about me is that I have a passion for helping people in their time of need.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Neverwithoutabook said...

I'd love to read this book! Your review makes it sound great and I agree with alot of what you said. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Neverwithoutabook said...

I'm now following you, too!

Nickolay said...

One thing I find beautiful is that I tend to give everyone a chance and I am not to judgmental.

jason@allworldautomotive.com

Nickolay said...

I follow you on twitter and I tweeted this

http://twitter.com/parkerozgood

jason@allworldautomotive.com

Anonymous said...

I would have to say my honesty and caring of others.

Jennifer said...

What do I find beautiful about myself? I'd have to say my mind. :)

I read Katherine Center's last book that had the ducks on the front cover. I can't remember the name of it right now, but I did enjoy it. I would love the opportunity to read another book by her. Thanks so much!

kairilily at yahoo dot com

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway. I would say my honesty.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in this contest.
Okay, one thing that is beautiful about me..... well, I think my laugh sounds beautiful, even to me.

I am subscribing to your blog and I am posting about this because I love the idea of making people way at least one beautiful thing about themselves. What a great post.

Bcteagirl said...

I pride myself on being a very good friend.. Thank you for this contest! :)

Michelle Kuo said...

Physically, I guess my dimples because that what all my friends say. But personally I think the most beautiful think about me is how care-free I am :)

michelle.kuool(at)yahoo(dot)com

I'm also now a follower!
I also blogged about it here:
http://flyingsolooooo.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-giveaway-links-for-march.html

Molly C. said...

I think I am beautiful, because I take the time to be friendly to everyone.

Leslie said...

It is sometimes hard to look at one's self and give praise. I find that I do have the ability to recognize when I say or do something wrong to others and apologize to them; I think that this could be considered a beautiful trait to hold. Thank you for the giveaway.

Nicole C. said...

I guess something beautiful about me is I try to live my life treating people like I would want to be treated, with compassion and respect.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

What's beautiful about me is that I really do try to help other people and make them feel better about themselves.

pabav at aol dot com

Candie L said...

I am always trying to improve my life by learning by my mistakes and vowing to try not to make the same mistake twice. Thank you.

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

Candie L said...

I follow. Thank you.

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I find my ability to listen to others beautiful about myself

Becky said...

I loved reading your review! I think when a book surprises us I think that makes it even more special.

Thanks for the chance to win!

dbkagrayson2002 at gmail dot com

Becky said...

I am a subscriber via google reader!

AmyLynn said...

I love my smile.

AmyLynn said...

I'm a follower!

Anonymous said...

This was such a lovely review. Thank you so much!! I want to let you know that I've just posted a trailer for the book on my blog. It's pretty awesome (can't take credit for the photos or the music, but the words are from the book!)
http://katherinecenter.wordpress.com
Thanks again so, so much for your fantastic review!

 
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