The Post that Got Away



Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, Virginia

 

When I posted about the giveaway for "The One that Got Away" I had a schedule all set for announcing the winner last Friday. I would do the post on Thursday night and press send on Friday morning, just before I left for the airport for Richmond and my class reunion.  Yes, I know I can preschedule, but when I do that I miss one of the links for my posts. It made sense when I wrote it on my calendar at the beginning of last week. What was I thinking! Even if I'm only going away for three days -- actually not more than 48 hours -- and packing not much more than three pairs of black pants, a couple of shirts and a toothbrush -- time ran away. I had the foggy notion of blogging during the reunion, but -- very happily -- I got so caught up spending time with classmates and enjoying the activities that blogging never happened. I did manage to take the picture of this wonderful bookstore that I thought would be the perfect photo for this post. 

Without further ado, I will be sending a copy of "The One that Got Away" to Sweepmom. Dear Sweepmom, I'll be emailing you to get your address. Thanks, all for your comments and book recommendations. There will be more Fiction (and Non-Fiction) Fridays and more giveaways, too. Thanks, too, to my Goddaughter, J, for graciously donating a copy of the book.   

I've got some photos of Richmond that I'll be posting later this week. I'm still in somewhat of a fog thinking about the weekend and seeing friends I've known since 1968, when we began college together. But it's a good fog and I know how fortunate I am to have spent the weekend with dear friends, including five women from my dorm freshman year. Now it's time to get back to grocery shopping, the gym, Weight Watchers and blogging. I know, too, how fortunate I am to have all of this to come home to. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a great week!

Fiction Friday: The One that Got Away Giveaway

I love first sentences of novels. Whether it's "Anna Karenina" or "Gone with the Wind," give me a good first sentence and you've got me for the rest of the book. The converse is not necessarily true, but if the first page of a book doesn't draw me in it's less likely I will stay with the book. If this is shallow, I plead guilty. But there are so many books and so little time.

Bethany Chase, you had me at the first sentence of  "The One that Got Away." "Every woman has one. The name you Google at two o'clock in the morning." You kept me through the last sentence. Though I'm a good thirty years beyond the main character of the book, Sarina Mahler, I, too, have a name I Google. It's not necessarily at two o'clock in the morning, but the sense that there is a "could have been" for romance stays with us. 

"The One that Got Away" is warm, witty, sad and above all, real. It's not my generation, but the story  absorbed me and kept me reading. It's a love story that will delight fans of romance novels, but it's also a family story and that aspect especially captured me.

Do I recommend this? Highly! And happily I have a copy to give to a citizen of Buttercupland. Just leave a comment -- perhaps whatever you're reading now or read lately -- follow Buttercupland on Google+, BlogLovin or Google Connect. Easy Peasy! Entries open through Thursday, October 22 and on Friday, October 23, I'll let the lucky reader know.

Please note: Disclosure in blogging...Bethany Chase is a friend of my goddaughter, who is sponsoring this giveaway. I've never met Bethany and the opinions are, as usual, all mine.

Autumn is definitely in New York. I'm in socks and it's just chilly enough to feel I'll be in socks for the next six months. Summer, I'm missing you.

As ever, thanks for visiting and wishes for a great weekend.   

 

You Know You're Grown Up When...

...Just seeing the box for your new Shark Rocket Powerhead is exciting.

 

BlogHer15 had lots of giveaways and one that I was especially interested in was sponsored by my friends at Shark. I'd been reading about the Shark and friends had recommended it. I was delighted to find out that I was one of the winners of the giveaway. I sent the needed tweets to Shark and settled in to enjoy the rest of the summer. I didn't forget about my Shark, but it was well in the back of my mind. Until today...

 My floors and I thank you, Shark!

 

 

When I was in elementary school I always replied "toys," when I was asked what I would like for my birthday or Chanukah. When I got to Junior High, books and clothes were at the top of my list. They're probably still at the top of my list, but I'm loving my new vacuum. This is definitely not the gift I would have asked for in years past, but it's the gift the grown Buttercup is thrilled to receive. Thanks, friends at Shark.

 

My new vacuum wasn't my only surprise this week. My sweet goddaughter, J., sent me a copy of "The One that Got Away" by Bethany Chase. It looks terrific and I can't wait to read it and then share it in a giveaway next week to formally kick-off "Fiction Friday." My goal for the rest of this year is to write about one novel every Friday. Fiction lovers, hope you will stop by.

 

Our first "Fiction Friday" giveaway next week features "The One that Got Away." 

 



 

It's a beautiful autumn day in New York. I'm feeling much better and was able to enjoy being outside this morning. I'm still barking, but much less and my energy is coming back. So glad and grateful to be more of my peppier self. 

 

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a terrific Thursday!