Saturday 7 May 2011

Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda and UK Giveaway


Pages - 308

Published by Greenleaf Book Group Press in May 2011

Book kindly sent to me by publisher for an honest review.

Here's how I knew something about my life had to change.
I was sitting in the dentist's chair, waiting for the topical numbing goo to take effect on my gum so the dentist could jab a needle into the same spot. My only choice for entertainment was to stare at the light blue walls surrounding me or flip through the channels available on the television suspended on the sea of blue. I chose the latter and discovered an infomercial: Learn to preach in Spanish. The sincere narrator promised to tell me how many souls needed saving, and what an impact I could have, after I took their course, of course.


Kelly Mills Johnson has reached her thirty-ninth year and is feeling restless. She is bored with her life and depression is setting in. She has a successful marriage and has two adorable sons, all living in a fabulous house, yet it isn't enough any more. Kelly wants to do something with her life.  She sees the success her two friends, Kathryn and Charlotte are having and she wants something similar. She begins to empower herself with Post It notes all over the house, to keep her motivated. Then all hell breaks loose when she finds herself left in charge of an anorexic, moody teenager. She tries to take care of her, whilst dealing with a boozy, frisky neighbour and her friends begin heading for the divorce courts.

If you are like me, just tipping over into the 40 year old age bracket, then you will find a little of yourself in this book.When you begin to struggle with the nearing inevitable empty nest syndrome. When you see many years have passed with little to show for them. We have all been there at some point, where we become disheartened with our lives and achievements. On reading this book, I found it gave me a little kick to get on with writing my own book. Kaira's book may be fiction, but there is inspiration on every page.

Kelly confidence grows so much throughout the book, you cannot help  but want to jump on her bandwagon. She is extremely funny and very clever at turning things to suit her way. She is warm and loving and definitely one of those people I would like in my social circle. The Post It notes scattered around the house and in her car, did inspire me to make a list of things I would like to change about my life.

I did feel that everything was wrapped up a little too tidily for me by the end, when all her friends seemed to have swapped husbands without any cat fights and her her new business took off instantly, becoming an overnight success. In real life, I am not convinced that it would all happen so smoothly, but then perhaps I have watched too many episodes of Jerry Springer in my time and turned into a bit of a pessimist.

This book does have a touch of Desperate Housewives about it which did keep me entertained.

If you are at a place in your life where you are not sure which way you want your future to go, then this is the ideal book to pick you up and put you on your journey to the rest of your life.

Kaira Rouda not only writes inspirationally, she is an inspiration because she has achieved the kind of success we all dream of through her numerous companies. She was named 2008 Best Entrepreneur by the Stevie Award for Women in Business and is on the Forbes list of Top 30 Women to Follow on Twitter, so she knows what she is talking about!

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The publisher has kindly given me a spare copy of the book (ARC copy)  to give away on this blog today. The competition will run until the 14th May and is only open to UK residents (sorry to my international fans, but postage has gone through the roof!).

All you have to do to enter the competition is leave a comment with name and  email address so that I can contact you if you win. You don't have to be a follower to enter, but it would be lovely if you were. If you tweet about this competition,then please link it to @Serendipity_Viv, so I can say thank you.

12 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this book and am glad to read that you did as well!

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  2. This sounds really interesting and you've written a great review.

    I'd love a chance to win and read this one for myself.

    Jules

    jules.ablaw[at]gmail[dot]com

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  3. Perhaps, just because you said that about not knowing exactly were you are right now

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  4. Terrific review, Vivienne! I know I am not eligible for this giveaway, but I will post it in my blog's sidebar. Have a lovely Mother's Day.

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  5. Vivienne!

    Thank you for such a wonderful review of HERE, HOME, HOPE! It means so much, as a first time novelist, to have your support. That you found "inspiration on every page" made my heart sing! Thank you! And thank you for doing a giveaway, as well!

    Amazing! Truly!
    Kaira

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  6. I adore the sound of this. Such a great review, Viv. :)

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  7. Sounds good! Even if it was wrapped up nice and tidy at the end, I wouldn't mind that.
    Nice review :)

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  8. Please enter me!
    booksforcompany @ gmail.com

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  9. Thanks for the giveaway!
    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

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  10. I am 'that' age myself and this sounds right up my street. I'd love to enter the giveaway please.
    theslowestbookworm(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. That does sound like Desperate Housewives! I'm not in the UK, so don't enter me.

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  12. Sounds good. Count me in.
    alison.maloney@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

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