House and Home by Kathleen McCleary
By APOOO • Sep 18th, 2008 • Category: Book Trailer •
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House and Home is another APOOO sighting due to Book Blogger Appreciation Week.
Okay…so House and Home by Kathleen McCleary isn’t written by an African-American author and probably doesn’t even have African-American characters…but the reviewers enthusiasm, the book trailer and the book review pulled me in. And I’m a woman ain’t I? I’m also married…with kids…and while I’m not in the process of getting a divorce I believe I can relate to this book on some level. It sounds UNIVERSAL. TIMELESS. Key buzz words in the publishing/literary arena…lol.
Anywho, check out the book trailer below and let me know if you think the trailer is well done…and if you read these sort of books would the trailer entice you to pick up the book. Oh, yeah some folks referred to this book as Chick Lit…hmmm NOT. Chick lit deals with single women, without children, in their 20s/maybe early 30s who like lots of shoes…okay scratch that last part. LOL. House and Home be Kathleen McCleary…I would classify as Women’s Fiction or just contemporary fiction. What about you…and while we’re on it…why do we tell folks to write outside of the box…but yet…want to put what they write in a box? Don’t answer that question…that’s another post for another day…hehe.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
The story of a woman who loves her house so much that she’ll do just about anything to keep it.
Ellen Flanagan has two precious girls to raise, a cozy neighborhood coffee shop to run, terrific friends, and a sexy husband. She adores her house, a yellow Cape Cod filled with quirky antiques, beloved nooks and dents, and a million memories. But now, at forty-four, she’s about to lose it all.
After eighteen roller-coaster years of marriage, Ellen’s husband, Sam–who’s charismatic, spontaneous, and utterly irresponsible–has disappointed her in more ways than she can live with, and they’re getting divorced. Her daughters are miserable about losing their daddy. Worst of all, the house that Ellen loves with all her heart must now be sold.
Ellen’s life is further complicated by a lovely and unexpected relationship with the husband of the shrewish, social-climbing woman who has purchased the house. Add to that the confusion over how she really feels about her almost-ex-husband, and you have the makings of a delicious novel about what matters most in the end . . .
Set in the gorgeous surroundings of Portland, Oregon, Kathleen McCleary’s funny, poignant, curl-up-and-read debut strikes a deep emotional chord and explores the very notion of what makes a house a home.
About the Author
Kathleen McCleary is a reporter and writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, More, and Health, and on HGTV.com. She lives in northern Virginia.
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APOOO is a book club and an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; to provide marketing resources, tools and tips to authors; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.
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Thanks so much for mentioning my book on your terrific web site. You’re right, I’m not an African-American author and there aren’t any African-American characters in the book (which has really got me thinking hard about my second novel, which I’m writing right now), but I believe you hit it exactly when you said the themes are universal and timeless. The book covers universal experiences—relationships (with spouses, kids, and friends); loss (of a baby, money, a house); love. (And someone told me the book is “hen lit” LOL, since the main character is married and over 30!) I would welcome feedback from the African American community on the book. THanks so much for including a mention of it here.
Wow…greetings Kathy and thanks so much for stopping by! It’s a pleasure to have you in our midst…and I’m off to email you directly to inquire about APOOO getting a review copy of yHouse and Home as I would love to read, promote and support it!
OK..that sounds like a book I would read…!!
I would love to read this book. It sounds emotional and just the way I like my books to be.
Jennifer C.’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #7- Sweets I like to Eat
Ditto on all the above. Off to Amazon.com to check it out.
Dera’s last blog post..I’ve Been Called Out
I am going to read it…I am loving this…
angelia
I would definitely read this book. I enjoy all fiction whether or not the characters look like me or not. I’ve found there is something to be gotten from every well-written book. Thanks for introducing us to this author.
a co-worker mentioned this book to me and I added it to my list of potential books. Now I’ll have to move it over to the buy list… Sounds wonderful.
This seems like an interesting read. I do tend to read books by African American Authors, but I do not limit myself to them. I am going to add this to my list.