Mary Kay Andrews: Blue Christmas Book Giveaway!

Not all email is created equally. Email via my blog, in general, is always good. Some days it's really good. Last week, I received an email from Meg at Tandem Literary who works closely with Mary Kay Andrews and she happened to know we read each others blogs! So this email I knew was going to fall into the really good category. Really good for my readers!

No secret I love books, from the classics to the lighthearted. Have I mentioned we've had some plans drawn up to expand our library? More on that another day. Today is all about passing on a favorite holiday read to one of you to keep or maybe give as a gift!

I received a hard copy of Blue Christmas yesterday, signed by Mary Kay Andrews, to give away to one of my readers. She's one of my favorite southern authors. I wrote about MKA here and gave you a little tour of her beach house. Her books are just so much fun. Page turners, hard to put down. This one definitely involves decorating!

To enter simply become a follower, if you're not one already, and leave me a comment by midnight Thursday. Please make sure you leave an email address if you don't have a google account! I'll pick a random winner Friday.

PS: Just in case you want to read it now, this book is available from any e-book retailer for $1.99 through December 23rd only!

Tuesday Tip

Beach reading!  Around this time of year I start combing the bookstores to see what I might like to pack in my beach bag. Besides the necessary sunglasses, hat, and suncreen I consider my reading material just as important.  My criteria: light, fun, and if possible related to my vacation area.  Here's a hint...this Virginia gal considers herself a southerner.  I like to vacation down south and my husband and I plan to retire in one of our favorite southern cities!  So it is understandable that I have great affection for southern authors.  I have many favorites and among them is Mary Kay Andrews.

I have no idea how I first came across her book Savannah Blue's several years ago, but after reading it, I was hooked.  I have since read many of her books.  She is a great story teller and writes in such a way that the characters seem so real that when you come to the last page, you feel as if a close friend has moved away.  Her books are immensely entertaining and the best part.....rich in details about interior decorating, design, junking and antiques! Yes, in other words any designer or design enthusiast dream beach read!!!

Not only is the official start of summer is just around the corner, so is the release of her latest book The Fixer Upper.  And, it just so happens Mary Kay Andrews bought her own beach house fixer upper in 2008 and it was featured in this month's issue of Better Homes & Gardens!

 Here's a little tour: 

  So grab a book, get comfortable and relax...it's summer! 

Paula Deen's Savannah Style

I love it when out of nowhere you discover something you didn't know existed, let alone know would provide an unexpected delight.  Well that is exactly what happened on my last trip to Costco!  As I cruised the book section, there was Paula looking radiant with her silver hair and  mega watt smile.  I want to be her friend.  Now more than ever. 

We all know she can cook...and has authored many, many cookbooks. And, she has a couple of cooking shows and 2 restaurants. While vacationing in Savannah several years ago we had dinner at her infamous Lady & Son's restaurant.  We did not meet Paula, but did meet her son, Bobby, who stopped by our table and could not have been nicer!

But....did you know she has a decorating book new out this year?  She co-authored this with her assistant. Decorator and styling expert, Brandon Branch.  The fantastic photography is by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn.  It is well written, full of insight's and history and lot's of gracious southern hospitality.  It is also the first decorating book that I have, or likely will ever own, that uses the word...peein'...more than once! 

The book not only shows  Paula's homes, but those of friends as well.  It is also broken down into season's and Brandon provides lot's of style secrets throughout.  They talk about everything from silver to taxidermy! 

Here are just a few of the beautiful interior and exterior spaces that caught my eye:

She has just added two guest houses on her property shown below.  She did not want visiting friends to be inconvenienced by film crews.  How very thoughful...yes, I want to be her friend even if I have to say the word peein'!!!  Each is decorated in a different style by her friend and interior designer, Carolyn Hultman, who used lots of Paula's own furniture designs! Hard to believe they are only a mere 650 square each.  Oh, how I would love to stay in one!

Looking for a wonderful Mother's Day to gift to give or receive?  This book might be it!

Don't forget to enter the givaway on the previous post!