Kaira Rouda’s book Here, Home, Hope: A Novel will not be released until Sunday, May 1, 2011 (Greenleaf Book Group; $15.00). But you can enter now to win one of three copies that we’re giving away! This is a tale that will appeal to readers of popular fiction who feel like they’re ready to transition into something new in their own lives.
Here is the official synopsis of Here, Home, Hope:
Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her ordinary middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding but exhausting. Meanwhile, Kelly’s own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathyrn and Charolotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.
Kelly’s witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan – she places Post-It notes all over her house and car – will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, they might rant along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.
In order to enter this contest, just post a comment with your name and e-mail address below while answering the question, “Have you ever reached a point of restlessness in your own life? If so, how did you handle it?” This will count as a first entry. For a second giveaway contest entry, tell us the name and location of your very favorite bookstore in the U.S. (Maybe Kelly will decide to pay it a visit, you never know.)
If you prefer not to post a comment here, you can send an e-mail or two to Josephsreviews@gmail.com . In order to enter this giveaway you must live in the U.S., have a residential mailing address (books will not be shipped to P. O. boxes or business related addresses), and submit your entry or entries by Midnight PST on Monday, May 30, 2011 (Memorial Day). The 3 winners will be drawn at random, notified by e-mail, and given 72 hours within which to provide a proper mailing address.
This is it for the complex contest rules. As always, good luck and good reading!
Note: Kelly Rouda will be doing a book signing and reading in Capitola, California on Monday, May 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at the Capitola Book Cafe (1475 41st Avenue). She will be doing a reading and book signing in San Francisco at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at Book Passage (1 Ferry Building). For information on these events, call (831) 462-4415 or (415) 835-1020.
Joseph's Reviews 
When I reached the age of 35, I felt very restless. I was unhappy with my job, with my life, with my husband. I didn’t handle it very well at first but I had a lightbulb moment when my mom got sick. I realized that life was so short and so fragile and I needed to dig deep within myself to find my own peace. I’m happy to say I made it through a smarter person.
Yes, long ago, after the divorce with my first husband and my son going off to college, I felt restless. I took some evening courses at a junior college, joined a dance group, went on some group tour trips, and made some new friends.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I hope to win a copy 🙂
My favorite book store is the Borders in Allen, Texas.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
my favorite book store is in radcliff, kentucky. it is called “the bookstore”.
i have faced restlessness in my life with different things that have happened along the way. i think the hardest one for me so far, was becoming disabled and not being able to go to the job i had held for over 16 years. it is strange to suddenly not be affiliated with something that i had “been” for that long. i think the biggest “thing” i did for myself was to become more involved with what caused me to be disabled in the first place; crohn’s disease. i found out more about it so i could understand some of it, reached out to others who have it, and joined the committee for the cc take steps for crohn’s and colitis walk.
Yes I have. About six years ago I decided I didn’t like where I was so I decided to go back to school after a long absence. I loved it. I finished school, earned a degree, and got a better job that I enjoyed.
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
My favorite bookstore is Barnes & Noble in Portsmouth, NH. I can spend hours in there.
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
Yes! My son was born at 32 weeks and so had to be in the hospital for a month before they deemed him healthy and big enough to go home. That entire month I could not relax or stay away from his bedside (incubator-side?). My legs started to swell a little bit because I was always on my feet and wasn’t letting my body heal, so the nurses tried to send me home. When I refused they gave me a reclining chair and insisted that, if I wouldn’t go home and rest I had to at least lay back and rest there :). From the moment I woke up to the moment I was ready to go to sleep I was at the hospital. If it wasn’t for my good friends I wouldn’t have even left to eat and, when they could drag me away for a few hours, I spent the whole time thinking about getting back. Restless just isn’t strong enough! Anyways, he is absolutely fine now and is strong, healthy and happy!
My favorite book store is a local independent called Inkwood Books (in Tampa, FL). They have great author events and a book club night for everyone (you don’t have to be in a book club to go) where they give their best picks for book clubs to read and discuss, and everyone leaves with free ARCs!
I think I’m at a point of restlessness right now! I feel like I need a change but am lacking motivation to make the necessary change! I have a lot going on in my personal life right now.
I want to read this book soooo much!!!
shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite book store is probably Barnes and Noble but I buy most my books from the cheap shelf at the library! The books are .25 cents to $1 at the most and you can find good stuff in pretty good condition! Esp. kids books!!
shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com
When my mother died suddenly my life changed and I could not settle down. There was a void and I knew that something had to happen. I decided to travel since I never had before and now I had the opportunity. It changed me for the better.
My favorite bookstore is Malaprops in Asheville, N.C. What a wonderful treasure.
I have been restless over the past several years, which prompted me to start writing on my own. After struggling with pregnancy and the near death of my son, my current career seems less than rewarding. How could I teach my children to follow their hearts, if I am not determined enough to follow my own.
Barnes and Nobles at San Tan Mall, Gilbert, AZ.
I felt restless when all of my children were in school all day. Having been a stay at home mom for many, many years I didn’t know who I was or what to do with myself when there were no more children at home! It was a rough transition, but I survived it!
nowakoski at sbcglobal dot net
Barnes & Noble, Carmel, IN
lol yes everyday almost. What do I do, just keep chugging along, next day to the next. Not much else to do.
frellathon(at)gmail(Dot)c0m