In this beautifully crafted and uplifting novel, the author of the acclaimed Spinning Forward welcomes readers back to the lush Florida island of Cedar Key, where the vibrant shades of hibiscus and azaleas are the perfect backdrop to a colorful, quirky community. . .
In the four years since Monica Brooks moved to Cedar Key, she's found a home, a husband, and now a business to love. Taking over her mother's bustling knitting shop is a welcome challenge, but Monica's exciting plans are waylaid by unexpected news. Her husband's ex-wife has been deemed an unfit mother, and custody of their eight-year-old daughter, Clarissa, is to be transferred to Adam.
Going straight from honeymoon to motherhood--especially when she's unsure she wants children--leaves the normally even-keeled Monica doubting herself at every turn. Yet in a place like Cedar Key, nobody goes it alone. With help from friends and relatives, Monica, Clarissa, and Adam begin to forge a close-knit family of their own--one that will need to be strong enough to withstand all the surprises set to unravel. . .
I had the opportunity to review Casting About a few weeks ago - remarkable book! Terri DuLong took a few moments from her day to answer a few questions.
1. Is there a special yarn or knitting project that you'd like to share with us or tell us about?
I've fallen in love with the bamboo yarns this past year. I love the cotton ones and also the Bonsai silk yarn. I find they make beautiful scarves in the lace patterns.
2. What books are on your nightstand?
We don't have enough space here to list all of my "to be read" books, but to name a few that are stacked up, "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen, "The Weight of Silence" by Heather Gudenkauf, "The Girl on Lagare Street" by Karen White. I recently finished Barbara Bretton's "Spun By Sorcery" and "Cross Roads" by Fern Michaels, both of which I enjoyed a lot. Last night I began reading, "East of the Sun" by Julia Gregson, a novel I purchased two years ago in the south of France. Written by a Welsh author, so far this one looks very good!
3. Are you working on another book? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
I just finished book 3 in my Cedar Key Series yesterday! This one focuses on Grace Stone, who readers met in Casting About as Monica's best friend. It has to do with sisters, betrayal, a past love, a present love, redemption and of course, knitting. Readers will visit with previous characters but will also be introduced to some new ones. This will be released November 2011 and book 4 in my series will follow in November 2012.
4. Since it is holiday season, do you have any unique traditions that your family does?
Probably the only Christmas tradition we have is to make a pistachio cake for Christmas Eve. My mother always did this, I did the same when I married and had children and my daughter now makes sure she has this delicious green cake to serve on Christmas Eve.
5. Do you associate your characters with anyone in reality or do they all take shape in your mind?
All of my characters come to me as a composite of people I've encountered over the years. Working as an RN, I met some very interesting patients and I think a lot of their strength and flaws have given me inspiration. But as I writer, I'm always observing--out in public I listen and watch for gestures, mannerisms and conversation that sometimes show up in my characters.
Thank you so much for inviting me to be here and I want to wish you and your readers a very happy holiday season!
www.terridulong.com (Author website)
www.islandwriter.net (Blog)
Thanks Terri!! Happy Holidays to you as well!!
We gave away a copy of Casting About a few weeks ago, but generous Terri is giving away an Autographed ARC!!
You won't want to miss out on this one!!
Leave a comment with your email and a comment or question for Terri (Can even be Happy Holidays) to enter!!
Contest ends on December 23rd. USA Only
I love that you have too many books in your TBR pile! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeletelisa.mcgeen@hotmail.com
I think the cover is just beautiful & happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom
I,too, have met many interesting characters as my patients. Everyone always told me to write a book but, I am a reader not a writer.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
I enjoyed this opportunity to get to know a little bit about you, and "Casting About" looks terrific. Thanks for the summary!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the cover is very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays to you both.
cjwallace43 at gmail dot com
Any suggestions for someone who would like to write a book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a pistachio cake, I might have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this, please count me in.
teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com
I would love to read this book!! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!!
myra0502 at yahoo dot com
I throughly enjoyed reading The Girl on Lagare Street" by Karen White and "Cross Roads" by Fern Michaels. It's nice that you use your experience as an RN and incorparate the very interesting patients that you meet along the way. Your strength gives me inspiration to be a better person. "Casting About" sounds like another great read.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Rebecca
rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com
It's great to know there are 2 more Cedar Key books in the pipeline. I love this series. Don't enter me in the drawing, Wendy, I've already read the book. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteHi! I appreciate this giveaway. I have one question for the author: Is there one particular item that you like to knit the most--like scarves for instance?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this giveaway. Merry Christmas! :)
aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com
I like pistachio cake too...great color for Christmas. Please include me in this giveaway!
ReplyDeletealekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com
I would love to add this to my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteThanks, this looks like an awesome read, and I hope to win!!
ReplyDeleteEmail: melissajackson07@gmail.com
Sounds great! Enter me please.
ReplyDeletefollow on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I'd love to read this book!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Merry Christmas! reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this one! My question: do you have favorite items to knit, or by whimsy?
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom
Happy holidays. Thanks so much for this very gracious and lovely giveaway. My fingers are crossed!
ReplyDeletebgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Merry Christmas! Looks like a good read.. with a gorgeous cover. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book the cover looks amazing which makes me want to read books more :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays
khyla_808@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway…..
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the giveaway, happy holidays!
ReplyDeletesamuelhall-at-gmail-dot-com
Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love your books!
nicolesender@yahoo.com
Happy Holidays to both Terri and you :)
ReplyDeletespork_of_truth(at)hotmail(dot)com
This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletenancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net