Monday, October 25, 2010

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!

24 comments:

  1. Don't enter me as I am overseas but the book sure looks good. That cover is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a great read. Please include me.

    +2 old follower with GFC

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

    ReplyDelete
  3. Old friend with Google Friend connect under Book Bird Dog.

    Sounds like a good story!

    harvee44 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds like a good book, I would love to read it.
    I am a old gfc follower+2
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Another book to add to my wish list!
    +2 Old GFC follower as Karen B
    kpbarnett1941 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like a good book, I'd love to read it.

    +2 Old follower GFC (seriousreader)
    +3 Tweeted http://twitter.com/BookOwner/status/28709089293

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I tweeted, my Twitter name is Carolee888


    http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/2010/10/review-and-giveaway-casting-about-by.html See above link for giveaway
    half a minute ago via web

    ReplyDelete
  8. Would love to read this book.


    Thank you for the giveaway.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am an old GFC follower of your blog.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. As a knitter I love the title!
    please enter me.

    +2 I am an old GFC follower

    jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  11. see you did have something to say and I loved the format too! I want to read this one because I just love books with female characters that bond over a craft...something warm about that!!!

    stacijoreads@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sounds like a great book, thanks for the chance to win!

    +2 old GFC follower.


    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would love to win and read this book.
    I follow by google reader under cenya2.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Don't enter me as I have the book and just wanted to tell you I love your review...except it is a lot like mine because I liked it as well. We must have the same taste. So glad you also enjoyed it. I found it to be a relaxing, fun book. Hope you are also relaxing, K....take care!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Please, enter me in this giveaway. I think this may be a book I will enjoy.

    +2 GFC Follower

    gcpeach17 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. I have my name on this one at the library so don't enter me.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was unaware of this series until reading your review. Sounds like a good read. Aside from the main focus, I think the setting is quite interesting.

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. No need to enter me. Just checking in to say hi!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like a good one, please count me in

    +2 old follower via GFC

    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you so much for a great review and I'm pleased you enjoyed my novel.
    Just wanted to say hello to all your readers and thank them for their comments. And a FYI: I've now set up a new website, Cedar Key Series, strictly about the books and it'll be an interactive place where we can get to know each other. Here's the URL: http://www.cedarkeyseries.net
    Please do stop by for a visit. I love meeting new readers and fans.
    All the best.....................Terri

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looks like a great book. Thanks for the contest!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The cover is beautiful - I would love the opportunity to win this.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    +2 Old Follower - Libby's Library
    +3 Blogged it here:
    http://giveawaybloghog.blogspot.com/2010/11/casting-about-book-giveaway-link.html

    PS - come by and use the scroll button to read the post:-)

    libneas[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Looks like a great book - please count me in!

    +2 - Old GFC follower (CherylS22)

    Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lovely book, count me in, thanks!

    Old follower +2

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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