Amazon Author Page

Sunday, May 19, 2013

"What's On Page 25?" Chick Lit Author Blog Hop and Grand Prize Raffle


Chick Lit Author Blog Hop 2013 asks: “What’s on page 25?”

Join in for a week of fun with the 2nd annual Chick Lit Author Blog Hop. Enter to win a Kindle Keyboard 3G and more. New to blog hops?  Want to learn how to win the grand prize by collecting the secret words? Find complete information by clicking here.

The Rafflecopter prize registry form will close at 11:59 pm on May 27, 2013. The winner will be selected by random drawing and notified by email the following morning. See form at the end of this post.

In addition to the grand prize, you can enter to win a free copy of  The Unfaithful Widow, by posting a comment below. A separate drawing on this blog only will be done for my e-book and the winner announced on May 28th.

List of other blogs below.



So Just What Is On Page 25 Of My Book?


I flipped open The Unfaithful Widow to be greeted with "Down The Rabbit Hole." Like Alice's white rabbit, I am always chiming “I'm late, I'm late.” I can't remember getting any place on time as far back as...well, as far back as I can remember! I used to think it was my creative brain working in a stodgy federal office. With a flex schedule that allowed me from 6 am to 9:30 am to appear at my desk, most days I didn't show up until 9:45. I was always in trouble it seemed. I haven't changed much.

Dating again the first year after my husband's death was a challenge. I wanted out of the house to be alive with people, but the effort to be on time was staggering. After years of just grabbing my husband's arm and heading out the door, I now had to prep to look my best for someone who most likely would look their worst.

Anyone who has done the online dating thing will agree there aren't many reasons to spur you out of the house in anticipation. Dinner was my inspiration. I'd pay for my meal, order what I wanted, then rush back to the comfort of my house and dogs. (Win the grand prize! The 24th secret word in the 25-word sentence is: hopping)

I finally got up the nerve to invite a male I knew to my house. Timing is everything. It's hell to be caught with your pants down, or in my case, in my undies. A short excerpt follows:

* * * * * * * *

“Come over for dinner tomorrow.” I couldn't believe I actually said those words. No one had been in my house other than my best friend since my husband died.

“What are you cooking?”

Obviously he was not a close friend if he asked that question.

“Pizza delivery. Does that work for you?” Now I am sorry I've opened my mouth to take this step

But the plans were made and my friend was due shortly.

I looked at the floor with its fine layer of dog hairs and then at the clock. Plenty of time, I thought. I'll run the vacuum. Dog hairs are my social faux pas. It is especially fatal when the person is wearing black.

I had just pulled the vacuum into the living room when there was a loud knock on my front door.

The dogs started barking and I ran up to the door yelling over the howling hounds, “Yes, who is it?”

My guest had arrived early. Another indication this was not someone who knew me well. There I was standing in my knickers and bra.

“Wait a minute. I'll be ready in a jiff.”

Well, I thought pleasantly to myself, no need to vacuum now.

* * * * * * * *

The Unfaithful Widow is my story on my first year alone doing all those things I thought I'd never do again with the help of a vintage Corvette, the best girlfriends, a bevy of rescue dogs, bad dates leading to good things, and signs from the universe. For a true confession it has all the elements of a great chick lit story, shared over a cup of tea, or as I prefer, a frozen Margarita!

I'd love to meet all the authors here in person. Talk about a great girls night out! Join me and let's go see what's on their page 25!

Blog Hop List


a Rafflecopter giveaway

14 comments:

Colleen Oakes said...

Your book sounds great! I'm absolutely loving finding all these new Chick-Lit authors from the blog hop. My library queue is about to get 25 books longer...Your dog picture made me laugh!

Unknown said...

Barabara! What a great book. I love, love, love the excerpt. The pacing is fabulous. (I'd really love to get my hands on this book!) Have you connected with Meredith Schorr? She's an author on this hop and her second book, A STATE OF JANE, is about a young woman going back out into the dating scene. Her main character is younger/unmarried and dating in NYC, but I'd love to compare the two storylines to see if there's a common thread among women of all ages and circumstances who are trying to date in today's world.

Thank you so much for participating in the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop. It's so much fun hopping around and reading about "What's on Page 25?" It's like window shopping page 25 of 25 great books.

Cheers!

Savannah Page said...

No need to enter me in the contest to win your book, Barbara, because I already have it and adored it! So entertaining and endearing and filled with heart. Glad to see you on the Hop this year! Hugs, Savannah

Anna Garner said...

What a fabulous excerpt! I can totally relate to the "special carpet" although mine is made of cat hair (definitely hopefully will include dog hair someday when I become a bestselling author so I can afford a bigger place, hehe). Anyway, sounds like a fantastic read and you're so right! It would be amazing to all meet up in person!

Samantha Stroh Bailey said...

What a fantastic excerpt, Barbara. I really want to read this book and I love the title. Great to meet you!

Anonymous said...

Barbara,
Great page 25 teaser! Confessions of The Unfaithful Widow sounds awesome—I love your voice and look forward to reading more! So glad I've had a chance to 'virtually' get to know you! Take care,
Dee

Jackie Bouchard said...

I've actually read your book and it was great. I found it (seems like long ago?) via Women on Writing - think you did a post or blog tour with them.

I'm a huge dog lover as well! Love your blog cover pic w/ the dogs.

Unknown said...

Love the excerpt, something I have definitely done as I am always late and leaving things to the last minute. Can't wait to read the rest of the book.

Tracie Banister said...

Ha ha What a great excerpt! That'll teach you to vacuum in your unmentionables, Barbara! :) I take it that Mr. Early Arrival was not a keeper?

Rachel Schurig said...

This sounds really good! I laughed really hard at your description of showing up at 9:45--I would totally do that! No matter how much extra time I have, I'm still late. As a fellow dog lover, I'm looking forward to this one and am so happy you participated in the Hop!

Barbara Barth said...

Thanks to everyone who left a comment here. Have yet to figure out how to reply individually. You all are wonderful and I will be visiting your blogs! Stay in touch. Barbara

Susie Schnall said...

Great excerpt! I look forward to reading your book. I've loved being on the Hop!

Unknown said...

I love this teaser... Definitely had me laughing! Looking forward to checking out the book :)

Pauline Wiles said...

Nothing worse than an early guest! The dogs sound great, though ;)