Author event and giveaway: Karen White
When I saw Karen White was coming back for another Book Your Lunch event, I quickly signed up. I’ve met Karen on several occasions and have always found her charming but I’d forgotten just how funny she is. Karen kept the audience laughing even as she updated us on her latest happenings.
Karen says she has 3 kids – a girl, a boy, and a dog – and the dog is her favorite. Her daughter is currently in college and her son will start college in the fall. Both of her children scored well on writing tests but, so far, neither has shown an interest in writing.
Karen writes what she calls Grit Lit – southern fiction with female protagonists and reluctant heroines. She has lived in the South for 20 years but her southern roots go way back.
Sea Change was released on June 5 – it’s Karen’s 15th novel and it’s the hardest book she’s ever written. The sequel to Falling Home will be released on January 2013 and readers will have to wait until January 2014 for the next Tradd Street book. Karen started the series in 2006 and says they’re her favorite of the books she’s written. She told us people who know her well say she’s like Melanie, but she denies it.
About Sea Change:
For Ava Whalen, a new marriage and a move to St. Simons Island means a new beginning. But what she doesn’t realize is that her marriage will take her on an unexpected journey into the deep recesses of her past that will transform her forever…
For as long as she can remember, Ava Whalen has struggled with a sense of not belonging, and now, at thirty-five, she still feels stymied by her family. Then she meets child psychologist Matthew Frazier, and thinks her days of loneliness are behind her. After a whirlwind romance, they impulsively elope, and Ava moves to Matthew’s ancestral home on St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia.
But after the initial excitement, Ava is surprised to discover that true happiness continues to elude her. There is much she doesn’t know about Matthew, including the mysterious circumstances surrounding his first wife’s death. And her new home seems to hold as many mysteries and secrets as her new husband. Feeling adrift, Ava throws herself into uncovering Matthew’s family history and that of the island, not realizing that she has a connection of her own to this place—or that her obsession with the past could very well destroy her future.
I got Karen to autograph a copy of Sea Change for one lucky reader. To enter to win an autographed copy of SEA CHANGE, simply fill out the entry form. Contest is open worldwide – one entry per person, please. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EDT Saturday, July 14, 2012. Winner will be announced on Sunday, July 15, 2012. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
Please count me in and thank you for makingit open to all. Much appreciated.
I have a copy of this one waiting on my shelf and I can’t wait! Karen always writes such interesting fiction. It’s great that you’ve been able to meet her in person several times!
I really really enjoyed this book, and then I passed it on to a friend when she went to the beach and she loved it and her mother loved it. I fear I will never see the book again! Ha! And I love Karen. She is the essence of Southern grace. I have all the Tradd Streets stacked up on my nightstand, and I’m going to read them sometimes soon!
I have liked most of what I’ve read of her books so I’m really looking forward to this. You have the best author events!
Hey, wow, we go to where this book takes place about once a year. We have friends that have family on the island. I entered because I usually love stuff set somewhere I know of!
Thanks for the awesomesauce giveaway!
Beth ^_^
http://sweetbooksnstuff.blogspot.com/
You met Karen White! I am in awe. I have heard so much about this author and yet it seems the UK haven’t quite found her.
Thank you for hosting this great giveaway. I’ll post it in my blog’s sidebar, Kathy.
I can’t believe I have to wait that long for the next Tradd Street book! Grr… Glad to know there’s a sequel to Falling Home, since I enjoyed that one.
Looking forward to this book. I discovered Karen’s books through blogger recommendations!
What a fun event! I like the term Grit Lit and that is hilarious that she said the dog is her favorite of all her kids
I read this one last week and need to review it. I enjoyed it but was a little surprised that there was a supernatural element to it.
I read this last week and LOVED it! I keep very few books but this is one that I will keep. Now to read all her other books.
Oh..this is fantastic!! This book is on my wishlist. Keeping fingers crossed. Thank you for the giveaway!!
Another fantastic giveaway. I’m still jealous of your Book Your Lunch events.
Thanks for the giveaway!
No need to enter me as I have this book and am loving it already. Karen is one of my favorite authors. I cannot believe I have to wait so long for the next Tradd Street book, but good things come to those who wait I guess!
I haven’t read any of Karen White’s books yet, but I did meet her this Spring at the UCF bookfestival. As you know, she was very sweet. Thanks for the chance to win.
Another great author! I went to an author event this week too… yup – ME! LOL, in my home town!
Karen White is a wonderful author, this one sounds so good!
I love this lady and meeting her would be wonderful!! You live in such a great area for authors!!!
I’ve only read her first two Tradd Street books, but really want to try one of her others.
It was great seeing you again! Thanks so much for the big shout out!
I have not read anything by Karen White. Sounds good! Thanks!
I was supposed to get a copy of this but it never did arrive and I’d really love to read it at some point. Guess is better pop over and enter. I’d love to meet Karen one day.
I’d like to read more by her :
Karen White sounds like one of the nicest authors …and now I know she’s quite funny, too. I’m guessting her talks and readings are really enjoyable! I’m going to make sure I attend her next reading in NYC. I’d love to meet her, as well. She’s an author I don’t feel that intimidated to meet…so long as we don’t talk books (lol, lol)
Thank you so much for this giveaway, Kathy! I don’t have much luck with the giveaways on your blog but this is one I really, really hope to win
) But I’ll be happy for anyone who wins it, they’re getting a terrific book to read.
I love Karen White’s books and am so jealous of all of your opportunities to meet such great writers!! Thanks for hosting the giveaways!
Just finished this book last week and loved it! I can’t wait to read more of her books.