Comfort Food (and a giveaway)!
One of the most fun aspects of book blogging is to be able to participate in and/or host book giveaways. Is there anything more wonderful for a reader to open their mailbox and find a free book inside?
So when a gentleman from Penguin Group e-mailed me with an offer to send me an ARC of Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs and a bunch of cute canvas tote bags for a giveaway, how could I resist?
Comfort Food is the new book from Jacobs. I read her debut book, The Friday Night Knitting Club (you can read my review here) for my book club and we were even able to chat with Jacobs during our meeting. She was a most gracious person, answering all of our questions about her book while looking for her lost luggage at the airport! I was really happy to get her newest book, Comfort Food, from her publisher and dived right in.
Comfort Food is the story of Augusta Simpson, Gus for short, who’s been the host of “Cooking with Gusto” on the CookingChannel for twelve years. Her show has been steadily loosing viewers and as a last ditch effort by the President of the channel to save the program, Gus ends up having to share her show with the new “Foodie Queen” and former Miss Spain, Carmen Vega. New to the food television world, Carmen is not too pleased to be a co-host and not have her own show, while Gus feels that the show will lose integrity with the new live format.
In addition to her career worries, Gus also feels that she still needs to be mother hen for her two twenty something daughters, wants to help her former tennis star turned recluse neighbor Hannah and now begins to have feelings for her new culinary producer Oliver.
As I found with Jacobs first novel, Comfort Food has a great array of characters. At first Gus comes off as a snobby Martha Stewart-ish control freak and her new co-host as a whiny “what’s in it for me” beauty queen, but as with her other book, Jacobs develops these characters well and I really enjoyed how each women matured and changed within the story. Often times funny and sometimes touching, Comfort Food is all together a really well written book. Unlike The Friday Night Knitting Club, this book didn’t have the shocking ending that the first one had (just figured I would mention that Eva, as I know you weren’t too happy with that)! Already her first novel has been optioned for a movie and I wouldn’t be surprised if Comfort Food follows in its footsteps.
I also love the fact that the author has hit upon two of my favorite things – knitting and cooking! I wonder what’s next (dare I hope a novel about book blogging)? 😉
Now for the giveaway: All you have to do is leave a comment here by midnight EST time on Wednesday, April 30th and you will be automatically entered to be one of five people to win a cute canvas tote bag (click on the image to view larger). Just think of all the books you could fit in one of these when you head to the used book sale at your local library! In addition, one of those five people will also get the advance reader copy of Comfort Food! For an even better chance to win, post about this contest on your own blog (linking back to this post) and your name will be entered twice! If you aren’t one of the lucky winners, then make sure to get a copy of Comfort Food at your local bookstore once it is released on May 6th. Good luck!
I also want to mention that Dewey is hosting a weekly blogging challenge called Weekly Geeks. Already there are a bunch of participants signed up (myself included). Stop by and take a peek!
What a great contest! I’m eager to read the book. It sounds great. Your reviews are very helpful!
Great Contest! Sounds like an interesting book. Please enter me. Thanks!
Oh, enter me please! Thanks!
Sign me up! I could use a good sturdy tote.
Pick me! 🙂 I loved her first book
I am all about comfort food. I heard about FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB, both good and bad, mostly the ending caused the ruckus. This sounds more me.
That said, I would like to be entered into your drawing, please.
That sounds terrific. I am crossing everything in the hopes of winning!
http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2008/04/good-review-and-nifty-give-away.html
Now I am linked…..
Sign me up please and thank-you!
Good luck everyone!
Pick Me! Pick Me!! 🙂
I haven’t read The Friday Night Knitting Club yet but since I love the Food Network and my sister is a trained chef we’d get good use out of it.
I’d love to be entered, I REALLY want to read this book and that tote bag is adorable! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am reviewing this book tomorrow! I didn’t get any totebags though! I would love to be entered for just the tote bag.
How fun. And this book really does sound like your kind of read! (Mine, too.) I’ve heard great things about both books. Not that I need to add anymore to my stack, but go ahead. Count me in. 🙂
Cool contest! I love reading all of your book reviews 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful book. Please count me in!
Ooh, I didn’t know she was going to have a new book so quickly! Thanks for posting about it! I really enjoyed Friday Night Knitting Club. I’m off to post about this on my blog….. 😉
What a lovely and delisghtful giveaway. It looks so appealing and unique. Thanks for this chance.
I got the ARC of this one, but not the tote bags 😦 No fair – they’re cute. Enter me for one of the bags, please!
Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!
Would love to be included in the contest!
I’ve very fond of comfort food so I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
I’m a fan of both these books and reviewed the ARC copy myself. But I’d love to have the matching totebag – so count me in.
Great review, by the way. And I like your idea for a novel about book blogging – why not, eh?
Great review!
Please add my name to the draw too! 🙂 Thanks.
I’d love to enter this giveaway! Thanks 😉
I’ve seen this book mentioned several times on blogs. Looks like it will be a really good read.
Count me in! Thanks!
Oh absolutely put me in! Thanks so much.
Ooh, count me in!
I have her first book and it’s second to next on my list of to reads… maybe I should bump it up to first next! Count me in on the fun!!!
Great contest – I can’t wait to read Kate’s new book and the totes are great!
I’ve posted a link on my blog today.
http://www.lapdogcreations.com/2008/04/after-heartbreak.html
Count me in!
Count me in! Thank you.
Very much enjoy your blog and your reviews! As for the contest, add my name to the list! Thanks!
Great review…great contest!
Awesome contest! I’d love to be entered 🙂
That sounds like a great book. Thanks for the contest too!
Wow, great contect!!! Please pick me – I’m a knitter and use totes all of the time. It’s great to carry a knitting project and book.
Sounds like a good book and I’d love to be entered. I’ll make a note of it at my blog.
This sounds like a great “comfort” read and aren’t those tote bags cute!
Count me in 🙂
Sounds fantastic!
I would love to enter this giveaway! 🙂
What a great idea for a contest. I’ve still got Friday Night Knitting Club on my TBR list.
I’d love to be entered for the tote! (I already have the ARC…) 🙂
Am I disqualified since we’re friends??
Awesome!
Wow…I can’t wait for the book to be released! Sounds really wonderful.
What a great idea! I read Friday night Knitting Club and liked it and definitely want to read this one!
Thanks!
u have me hooked, I will post about this on my blog!!
How fun! I loved her first book. Food, knitting, reading, please count me in for a chance at a prize!
What a perfect contest for me! I LOVE to read!
Mmmmm, comfort food. Sounds like a great hide in bed and read all Saturday type of book. Count me in!
Please enter me in your contest. I just finished FNKC and love Kate’s writing style! I can’t wait to read this one!!!!
I love contests! Please enter me! The book sounds good, and I love totes! 🙂
Chelsea
I’m so glad to hear you liked her first book. I always look at it when I go to the store, but I never pick it up because I just wasn’t sure. Now I’ll put in on my list for sure.
Oh, and I DEF want to be considered for the drawing. Love canvas bags and LOVE free books 🙂
Sounds like an interesting idea for a novel – great contest too – count me in 🙂
I have finally been able to get The Friday Night Knitting Club book on audio, only way to commute to work in the NO VA area on the Capital Beltway. Books are my passion but now I only have the time to listen. Still have my original Nancy Drew books from the 50’s.
I have posted your contest on my blog.
thank You
Count me in! I’m actually reading The Friday Night Knitting Club right now.
Oooh what a fabulous giveaway, and that looks and sounds like a great book!
I’d love to be entered for a chance to win, and I’ll definaltly have to check out that book!
Yay, new spring/summer reading 🙂
Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity! The book sounds delightful! I’m always looking for new and inspiring reads!
Please enter me! Ya know, even saying and thinking about “comfort food” is so comforting….
I love the bags!! I usually destroy mine with the weight of the books I carry! How cool….sign me up please!
What a great give away! I’ve ordered the book and am anxious to read it.
I haven’t read her books before, but they sound fun. Count me in for the contest.
I loved The Friday Night Knitting Club and can’t wait to read this one!
Please enter me in your contest.
I liked your review and now this book is on top of my TBR list. Count me in!
I’ve blogged it here –
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/2008/04/book-giveaway-comfort-food.html
I’m also having a BOOK GIVEAWAY with a very SPECIAL PRIZE on my blog as well. Hope you’ll stop by.
Thanks,
callmeabookworm at gmail dot com
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com
What fun! I’ve heard lots of good things about this one lately, so stick my name in the hopper!
I loved the friday night knitting club! Please sign me up for the contest.
I was not familiar with this author but you make it sound like she writes good books with fascinating characters! The book cover is lovely and so is the tote! Please enter me in your fabulous drawing. I appreciate it…..Thanks,Cindi
This sounds excellent. I’d love to be entered in the drawing. Thanks!
i would love to win this book more than I can really explain…Being chronically critically ill books are my only escape from torturous pain, so enter me please!!
Thanks,
Kristybee
Giveaway? Yeah, I’m in…
I could always use another tote! I’m in…thanks!
Sounds wonderful – please enter me.
Please count me in. Thank you!!
taracaspar at yahoo dot com
Sounds great, count me in!
I would love to be in this draw. I’ve linked it to my blog!
This sounds like a great book. I love the cover art. Thanks.
Like I need another book. But, it sounds good, so please add my name. 🙂
The book looks good and the tote is a automatic want for me!! I love totes and I have posted an entry on my blog about the give away!
*smiles*
Kim
This sounds like a great read! My reading pile is getting very short!
I could totally use this!!! Thank you so much for this chance!!! 🙂
Whoa, look at all these comments! I probably have no chance, but I’d love to give it a try! I use those sort of bags for my grocery shopping.
I’d love to enter your giveaway. I could always use another tote. Unfortunately I cannot gain another entry because I haven’t started up my blog yet. Thanks for the chance. I’d really love a copy of the book, it looks great!
I posted before I’m not sure that it went through! 🙂
I guess it didn’t! Well, I have to say this giveaway looks awesome! Please enter me! =) I also have a very new, kinda ugly blog, that I’ll use to post about your giveaway!
Thanks a ton! =D
sign me up as well.. the book sounds interesting!:)
Sounds great! Sign me up please as well if it’s not too late 🙂
I’d love to be entered if I’m not too late!
This comment is so late, but I just wanted to say thanks for the shout-out! hehe Since there’s no sucker-punch ending, I’ll put this on the TBR list. 🙂
And a novel about book blogging?! Stephanie-that’s brilliant! Run with it. 😀
merci!
http://www.ar4.us
I have chosen Knit Two for our Book Club to read, so Kate and all this fun is new to me.
Please make me a winner. 🙂