Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Review and Giveaway: Almost Home by Mariah Stewart




Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345520378
ISBN-13: 978-0345520371

Steffie Wyler, owner of the very popular ice cream parlor, One Scoop or Two, is living her dream - well, almost. Since she was little she had three goals in life: make ice cream every day, marry the coolest guy in town and live happily ever after. It's the "marry the coolest guy in town" that has eluded her but now that her high school crush, Wade McGregor is back in town maybe, just maybe that goal is reachable.

 In town for a wedding, Wade renews his acquaintance with Steffie getting her all starry eyed with her hopes up but once again he hightails it back to Texas where he has been living and working since college. Try as she might, Steffie tries to be complacent about it.

"She tried to keep a smile on her face and a positive attitude as they said good-bye, even until the door closed behind him and she turned the lock.

Then, from somewhere deep inside, a little voice whispered that some things never change. Wade would leave and get on with his life, and she'd still be here,  in St. Dennis, until next time."

Things in Wade's life, both personal and business wise have gone sour and now he is back. Again! But this time with some surprising new complications to consider. Will Wade finally see what is right in front of him? Will this be the time for Steffie and Wade to make a go of it once and for all?

What I like about this series is the recurring characters that feels like visiting with old friends and family. I like Stewart's emphasis on love, friendships and the complexities of family dynamics.There's something so engaging about all the interwoven family stories in the little town of St Dennis on the Chesapeake. Even though as a reader, you pretty much know all will work out in the end, it's a delightful journey getting there with the characters as they go through all of life's surprises, joys and heartaches.
Almost Home is the third book in the Chesapeake Diaries series by Mariah Stewart. Any of these stories can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend you start with the first one just to get a feel for the little town and all the characters. I'm so invested in these characters now, I can't wait for the next one; Home Town Girl, the fourth in the series, will be released in July.

Last year I read and reviewed Coming Home the first book in the series, and Home Again, the second book. If you visit Mariah's web site and click on books, you can read excerpts from the first two. There are also links to contests. Happy browsing!

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Ballantine Books & TLC tours in exchange for my honest opinion.

The publisher is allowing me to give away one (1) copy of the book. US & Canada. Deadline for giveaway is May 27th at 5 PM (est). Be sure to include an e mail address in your comment. As always bonus entries are available by :

+2 for being a follower- just remind me how and under what name
+3 for tweeting or putting on sidebar - leave me a link, please.
Good luck!


33 comments:

  1. I've just put all 3 books on my wish list!

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. please count me in...thanks :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. i'm a 'new' follower...karenk

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would love to read this, it sounds really good.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win this.

    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. This series sounds so charming! I'm so glad you're enjoying it. Thank you so much for being on the tour!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This series sounds delightful! Thanks for the giveaway.

    I subscribe in Google Reader.

    kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please enter me. GFC follower as SandyG265

    sgiden at verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. This sounds like a great book and I fell in love with the cover when I first saw it. I'd have to start at the beginning though to read them. No need to enter me my friend.

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  10. I have these books, read the first two, and have Almost Home on my bookshelf. I have enjoyed reading them and am looking forward to reading this one soon. I wish you all could win it, but in the meantime, Congrats to who ever wins it.

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  11. I love the way you described the characters and how reading this book was like coming home. I need to read this series for sure!

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  12. Sounds like an intriguing book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  13. I'd love to be entered, please!!

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am an old follower on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi! Please enter me too...

    erikadlugoATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  16. e mail entry terry

    itzmeterry[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Another must have....I grew up near St Dennis and find these books good reading.

    gcpeach17 at aol dot com

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  18. I am an old follower with GFC.

    gcpeach17 at aol dot com

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  19. I have almost the same dream ... but mine is toe EAT ice cream every day. No need to enter me though.

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  20. THanks for the chance.
    ericandsarita (at)gmail(dot)com
    +2 following as Sarita

    ReplyDelete
  21. Must read these,,,please let me win.

    tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  22. follow on GFC

    tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  23. posted in the giveaway sidebar on <a href="http://tutus2cents.blogspot.com>Tutu's Two Cents</a>

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'd really enjoy this book. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  25. GFC Follower under pbclark
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nice review, I think I'd like to read this one. Margot just had a glowing report as well.

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  27. Please enter my name in the giveaway! Thanks!

    I'm a follower (Mary)

    meah56 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'd love to read this book. What a beautiful cover!
    Thanks for the giveaway~
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. GFC follower (CherylS22)
    #1
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. GFC follower (CherylS22)
    #2
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would love to win this one. I have more and more gotten into some of what I call comfy books PLUS ice cream is involved! Thanks for the chance!

    kdhaney at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am a Google Friend Connect long time follower although I see yours isn't working any better than mine...I reported it!

    kdhaney at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I still am a GFC follower so here is #2...thanks!

    kdhaney at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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