Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans & Rachel Hauk GIVEAWAY

The Sweet By and By
by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN-13: 9781595544896


About the Book

A redemptive story from multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans.

Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love.

But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past--the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love's rejection.

Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they'll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by.

My Review

I found The Sweet By and By to be emotionally charged. It was so easy to like or dislike the characters created in this story. Jade's soon-to-be mother-in-law, June got under my skin! She definitely fit the stereotype of the Southern uppercrust who likes to stay with how things are, not necessarily how they should be.

Combine June with her son, Jade's fiance, Max and you get a lovely conflict of interest. Max needs to grow a spine and back-up his future wife when his mom shares her "fabulous" ideas. Jade on the other hand needs to communicate with Max about what's expected out of her and their future life!

And the lady who made this story possible, Beryl. Oh, she is just a peach...a peach you'd like to squish! You know, some people are so "open minded" that they close their minds to other possibilities and responsibilities. How any of Beryl's children turned out decently is a miracle of the Lord.

I loved the writing of Rachel and Sara together. The characters they created were solid and easy to relate to. I love it when authors create characters that cause me to have emotion toward them. Beryl and June were two women I would've love to strangle a handful of times. I loved Beryl's mom, who was a constant for Jade and her siblings.

*SPOILER*The ending wasn't as clean as I'd have liked. I would've liked to have seen more interaction between Jade and her estranged father. I didn't like that he showed up at the very end. I would've liked to have seen him struggle in his own new family and weave Jade into it in some uncomfortable way. Other than that minute spot in the book, I loved the rest of the story and blazed a trail through it.

About the Authors

Sara Evans

Multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans has been honored with numerous accolades, among them the 2006 Academy of Country Music’s Female Vocalist of the Year and the Country Music Association’s Video of the Year for “Born to Fly." Evans has been named one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People" and won the hearts of television viewer's as the first-ever country star to compete in ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Sara is a Cabinet Member of The American Red Cross.

Rachel Hauck

Best-selling and award-winning author Rachel Hauck lives in central Florida with her husband, Tony, a pastor. A graduate of Ohio State University, she left the corporate software marketplace in '04 to write full time.

Enter To Win

Would you like to win The Sweet By and By? Have you ever listened to Sara Evans music or read a book by Rachel Hauk? Let me know.



Must be at least 18 to enter and a US Resident. Giveaway ends 1/7/09, 10pm CST. Void where prohibited. You MUST leave an email address or it must be easily found in your profile. No Email/Contact Info = No Entry.

*I'd like to that the team at Thomas Nelson for my copy of The Sweet By and By. You can find out more about this book at their website Thomas Nelson. You can also check out more of their other selections as well! Are you interested in becoming a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger? You can join here: http://brb.thomasnelson.com/join or click on the link on the left sidebar.





28 comments:

Michelle said...

This book looks good.
I have never heard of Sara Evans or Rachel Hauk. I would love to get to know them.
Thanks for adding my name to the giveaway.

moma3homeschoolatgmaildotcom

Anonymous said...

I've read one Rachel Hauck book. I can't say it really struck a cord for me. Would like a chance to win this! Thanks and have a blessed new year ahead!

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

Joshlin said...

This looks like an interesting book. I like Sara Evans as a musician, so why not a story in a book instead of a song? Born to Fly is my favorite of her songs!

savingmomssanity at gmail dot com

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

I have heard of both Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck but I've never listed to Sara's music or read a book by Rachel. I love Christian fiction though and can't wait to read this latest collaboration!

XOXO~ Renee
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com

Janna said...

Oh, I've heard a lot about this book and Rachel Hauck is one of my favorite authors, but I missed out on getting to review this one, so please enter me :-)

Janna
ryanx6 at msn dot com

Virginia C said...

Sara Evans is a wonderful entertainer who has combined her talents with a great writer, Rachel Hauk.

Please enter my name in the drawing. I am a follower.

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I have read all of Rachel Hauck's books...they are fabulous.

And Sara Evans's music is wonderful.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this masterpiece.

karenk
kmkuka*at*yahoo*dot*com

Niurka said...

I follow your blog

Carole said...

Don't enter me because I already have this book and am looking forward to reading it soon, Mimi. I had never heard of Sara Evans until I saw her on Dancing with the Stars, and have been intrigued with this book since it was first publicized. Maybe it has something to do with loving the hymn by the same title. I appreciated your review, Mimi.

Sara said...

I haven't heard of rachel hauk. Will have to see if my library has any of her books. I used to work at a Christian radio station and sara evans was one of my faves.
thefiller4@gmail.com

ossmcalc said...

I love to listen to Sara Evans who is a fantastic Country Music Artist. I have not read anything by Rachel Hauck. It would be very interesting to read this book especially since I am such a big fan of Sara Evans.

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Sandee61 said...

I'd love to read this book! I've read "Sweet Caroline" by Rachel, and have been a longtime fan of Sara Evans. My favorite song of hers is "Suds in a Bucket". Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you!

New Year Blessings,
Sandee

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Jamie said...

Love Sara Evans' music and I had no idea she was now into writing fiction. Cool!

savvyhousewife@yahoo.com

Winning Readings said...

I think I've heard Sara on the radio - I can't remember reading anything by Rachel. But this looks like a good place to start!

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/01/sweet-by-and-by.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Tammy said...

I really enjoy Sara's music so I know her book ought to be good too.

twillyard@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

I have heard Sara Evans' music.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Love sara's music and would love to get a chance to read this book. trishbazin@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I enjoy Sara Evans' music- she is a great vocalist. I'm sure she is also a great writer. As an avid reader, I'm always willing to read a new book!

saramomof2ia(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mary Lou said...

Since I am an avid reader too, as someone has already said, I am always ready to try something new. This sounds great. Sad to say I've never heard of either author, but am willing to put that aside and read the book. Thanks for doing the give away..
Mary Lou
dlowran1(at)comcast(dot)net

Nora said...

Hi, Mimi!! I would like to put my name in for Rachel's book. I'm excited for her. She talked about this book when she came to my book club. I love the cover.

Thanks for putting my name in the hat.

Blessings

Nora
Findind Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Peggy Blann Phifer said...

Hi, Mimi, please throw my name into the hat for this book. I'm a huge fan of Rachel and I have read all her books to date.
Thanks for this opportunity to get the next one.

pbphifer at gmail dot com

Andrea Schultz said...

Mimi -
Please enter me! I've been wanting to read this one!

Blessings & Happy Twenty Ten -

Andrea

andrealschultz[at]gmail[dot]com
http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com

Jo said...

I've read several of Rachel's books and know her. We used to belong to the church that her husband is a Pastor at when we lived in Florida. I love Sara Evan's music. Would love to be entered in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Rachel Hauck said...

Thanks for posting, Mimi! And for giving the book away!

Blessings!

Rachel

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

I've been waiting for this book to come out. I like Rachel's writing.

joyfulhutch[at]msn[dot]com

Casey said...

I have never read any of Rachel's work, but I have listened to her give talks on my ACFW recordings- wonderful speaker! I have listened to some of Sara Evan's music- love her rich voice. We have a gospel cd with her on it. She sings In the Sweet by and by...imagine that. :)

Please enter me.

caseym(dot)writer(at)gmail(dot)com

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Mimi -

Please enter me in the giveaway. I've never read Rachel's books before. This sounds like a good place to start.

susanjreinhardt (at) gmail (dot) com

Blessings,
Susan :)

Pam at Daysong Reflections said...

I have read and enjoyed most of Rachel's books but don't think I've heard Sarah's music. Will have to check her out.

Please enter me.
pam [at] daysong [dot] com

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Woven by Words by Mimi B is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.