Review and Giveaway: Casting About by Terri DuLong

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Kensington; Original edition (October 26, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758232055
ISBN-13: 978-0758232052

1. Title of book: Casting About by Terri Dulong
2. Words to describe book: family relationships
3. Characters you met or setting:

• Cedar Key: a small island off coast of north west Florida
• Monica Brooks: recently married to Adam, a single father who unexpectedly gets custody of his 8 year old daughter, Clarissa Jo. Monica is happily running the yarn shop business after her mother re-married and went to France but now becoming a step-mom full time is a little worrying. Unfortunately, Monica feels insecure about her maternal capabilities but she finds out it's a learn as you go process.
• Sybile: Monica's late grandmother who makes her presence known in some very interesting ways. Although she has not appeared in any ghostly form, Monica has smelled her gardenia scent at certain times. When Clarissa Jo had some difficulties adjusting, Sybile's presence  greatly helped her. This little bit of paranormal aspect lent some unexpected spice to the story.

4. Things you liked or didn't like:

•  I really liked the characters in this story, they were down to earth and realistic. They could be your neighbors, friends or family members.
• The feeling of kinship in a small town island atmosphere was a great addition to the story. All the peripheral characters felt like old friends.
• I liked the way DuLong showed the growth in Monica's character and how she coped with her new role.
• Although Casting About is the sequel to Spinning Forward, it can be read as a stand along novel. However, Spinning Forward is such a wonderful book that I just loved, I hope you will read that first and get a better idea of what happened to Monica's mother and how she came to live on Cedar Key and start her own unique knitting shop. (Review style patterned after Show Me 5 Saturday.)

5. Stars or less for your rating: 4****

 Disclosure: A review copy of Casting About was provided by the author, Terri DuLong. Thanks so much, Terri, for another enjoyable visit with our friends on Cedar Key.

To celebrate tomorrow's release of her new book, Casting About, Terri DuLong is allowing me to give away a copy of her book. Open to US & Canada.

 Bonus entries available :

+2 for old followers - remind me how you follow and under what name

+3 for new followers thru GFC

+3 for posting about and linking to drawing or tweeting. Please, please please, DO NOT leave 3 separate comments saying you tweeted or that you are a follower! :)
Be sure to leave an e-mail contact.
 Deadline is Nov 5th at 5 PM. Good luck!