About the book:Is the half sister that Rebecca Strand has never met short? Tall? Rich? Poor? Pretty? Funny? Married? Lonely? Happy? . . .
Rebecca is about to find out. The New York City paralegal thought nothing could shake her life off its fast track--which includes her handsome lawyer boyfriend and their extravagant condo. The shocking revelation that she even has a half sister comes from her dying father, in a hospital bed confession of a long-past summer affair... and now the dad she adores has one last wish: would Rebecca deliver a cache of letters he never sent to his other daughter, Joy Jayhawk, in a tiny coastal Maine town?
But when Rebecca arrives in Wiscasset, with the life-changing letters stashed in a leather box, nothing goes as she imagined--and Joy Jayhawk is less than thrilled to meet her. Joy already has her own life, her own family, and her own business: she runs a bus tour for singles, a matchmaking excursion that's brought lovers together, healed broken hearts, and changed lives. Rebecca joins the singles tour in the hopes of unlocking a door into Joy's life and forming a relationship with the only family she has left. But as she spends more and more time with Joy and the women who dub themselves The Divorced Ladies Club of Wiscasset--and starts a flirtation with a seriously hunky local carpenter--Rebecca realizes it's her life and heart that are ready for healing and change... and that sometimes, you just have to go along for the ride.
About the author:
Melissa Senate is the author of eight novels, including the bestselling See Jane Date, which was made into an ABC Family TV movie and has sold over 200,000 copies worldwide. She's published short pieces in Everything I've Always Wanted to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, It's a Wonderful Lie, Flirting with Pride and Prejudice, and American Girls About Town. A former romance and young adult editor from New York, she now lives on the southern coast of Maine with her son. Find her online at her website, www.melissasenate.com.
drey's thoughts:
Oh, what a lovely book this is. Rebecca pulls you along with her on her journey of discovery--of her sister, her wants, her life... Warm, funny, and intimate, The Secret of Joy is a touching story about a young woman's quest to find the more in her life. Because there's gotta be more than just this.
Never mind that the journey is kick-started by a deathbed confession. Never mind that the person she's searching for may not want her around. And never mind that her live-in boyfriend swings between ambivalence and antagonism towards her quest.
A thoroughly enjoyable read by Melissa Senate. So enjoyable, in fact, that I went and sat down at the computer as soon as I finished reading the last page. Get it if you like warm fuzzies from your books.
Giveaway!
Thanks to Pocket Books, I have two copies of The Secret of Joy for you...
Rules:
-- Contest is open to US residents only, no PO Boxes please!
-- To enter, comment and share--what would you have done, if you were Rebecca? I'd probably have freaked. But in Rebecca's shoes, I probably would've been too numb to act anytime soon...
-- Follow for 1 extra entry.
-- Share for 2 extra entries (let me know what & where, please).
-- Do it all before 6:00 pm CST November 30th. Good luck!
Title: The Secret of Joy
Author: Melissa Senate
ISBN-10: 1439107173
ISBN-13: 9781439107171
Paperback: 330 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2009
Challenges: 100+, Pub
Disclosure: My copy of The Secret of Joy was provided by the publisher for this blog tour.
Tour stops:
Books, Movies & Chinese Food
Booking Mama
Frugal Plus
All About {n}
Rundpinne
Brizmus Blogs Books
Psychotic State
Books Reviews by Buuklvr81
Starting Fresh
A Sea of Books
That’s A Novel Idea
Book Junkie
My Book Views
drey’s library
Me, My Book & the Couch
Just Another New Blog
One Person’s Journey Through A World of Books
Booksie’s Blog
Book N Around
Keep on Booking
My Life In Not So Many Words
Beth’s Book Review Blog
Readaholic
My Reading Room
My Book Addiction and More
Crazy For Books
Bella’s Novella
Blog Business World
Reading at the Beach
My Friend Amy
Book Magic
The Life (and Lies) of an Inanimate Flying Object
So Many Books, So Little Time
Jeanne's Ramblings
Red Headed Book Child
Reading with Tequila
Books, Gardens, and Dogs
Jens Book Talk
My Own Little Corner of the World
Lit and Life
Entertainment Realm
41 comments:
I probably would have gone to the town and just checked Joy out without telling her why I was really there. Then, I would have explained the situation to her after I had talked to her a couple of times.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog via Google.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
I would definitely contact a half-sibling. Whether we stayed in contact would depend on the person.
winterset AT peoplepc.com
I'm a follower.
winterset AT peoplepc.com
I would probably have taken a week or two to digest the information. Then I would have cautiously scoped out Joy before I talked to her.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I probably would have tried to find my half-sister (after I freaked).
I subscribe in Google Reader.
milou2ster(at)gmail.com
I am trying to imagine this scenario. I think I would have found her so I could have a sister...
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
I would most likely be very angry and not contact her at all.
romansj111 at yahoo.com
I follow
romansj111 at yahoo.com
I probably would have been speechless and frozen with confusion. Then, I would have sought out my half-sister.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow via google friend connect.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think I would have done what Rebecca did...
karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
i'm a subscriber :)
karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
If I were in this situation, I feel that it would possess my thoughts so strongly that I would have to act immediately and get myself to Maine!
mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com
I am a google follower!
mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com
I can totally relate to this story. Not so much about the affair, but growing up an only child to finding out the I was the oldest of 17. I always knew I was adopted, but then years later I found out I had a sister and they grew to lots more siblings. I also had the good fortune of meeting both of my biological parents.
So, to answer the question I would definitely go to find and meet her.
I definitely would love to win this book.
sharon54220@gmail.com
I am also a subscriber via Google Reader.
I would definitely want to get in touch, but I would be very surprised at the revelation.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I am a follower by email
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I don't really know whether I'd get in touch or not. I'd shocked first and foremost.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I am a follower.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I would probably deal with my hurt feelings for a while then I would try to find out what I could about my half-sister.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
I am a follower.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
I probably would have been really nervous, but would follow thru on the wish of delivering the letters.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower
This is an interesting story!
lady.graeye(at)gmail(dot)com
Count me in please. Thanks for the chance.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
I think I would have done what Rebecca did.
kkhaas at bellsouth dot net
+1 I am a follower
I think I would be alittle freaked out too and very curious
copperllama at yahoo dot com
blog follower
copperllama at yahoo dot com
1 shared on twitter
http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/5958571690
copperllama at yahoo dot com
2 shared on twitter
http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/5958571690
copperllama at yahoo dot com
I think I would have gone along for the ride like she did...seems like a good one!
kdhaney AT gmail DOT com
I follow on GFC
or is it GCF...I always worry when it is late if I put the initials KFC somewhere :D
kdhaney AT gmail dot com
I would have done what was asked of me, even though i'd be freaking out.
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com
I follow!
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com
Don't enter me -- this tour stopped at my blog, too. I just want to say I also thought this book was lovely -- and so did my sister!
First of all, I'd be furious at my dad for having an affair. I would want to meet her, but I don't think I would push too hard to have a relationship with her.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Follower via Google
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I would have been shocked. Then, I would have honored my father's request.
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