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GIVEAWAY!! Blog Tour: For What It’s Worth by Karey White with a guest post by the author
For What It’s Worth
written by Karey White
published by Cedar Fort, Incorporated
find it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads
Why did I pick this book: I participated in the blog tour hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
Did I enjoy this book: I really enjoyed this book. It made me happy. It was a quick read that I read every free chance I had.
For What It’s Worth is a sweet, romantic, clean chick lit read. The premise was unique for me. I would love to see a business run as Abby ran hers. It was really fun to see how she developed her business and how it took off beyond her own expectations.
Abby, the baker and owner of “A Piece of Cake,” is insecure but determined. She took a giant leap of faith to start this business. Dane, the contractor, is a genuinely nice guy who cares about his future and that of his future family. He really cares for Abby even though at one point he was rather unfair to her. They made a pretty good pair.
I got caught up in this story. I wanted Abby’s bakery to succeed. I wanted her and Dane to make it. I wanted Dane to be happy as well. I wanted them to find balance and keep their faith. I was not disappointed.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. It is a good, clean chick lit read.
Will I read it again: I will read this book again.
About the book: Twenty-four year-old, Abby Benson has dreams of owning her own wedding cake shop. An inheritance from her aunt gives her the ability to make those dreams come true. She hires Dane, a handsome contractor, to help her get the bakery up and running and soon they’re moving toward their own happy ending.
Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?
Every Free Chance Book Reviews is pleased to welcome Karey White, author of For What It’s Worth, to the blog today. She has prepared the following guest post for all of you. Thank you, Ms. White!
Finding Balance
The question of balance is a big one and isn’t always easy to incorporate. A major theme in For What It’s Worth is the struggle to find balance, to be able to juggle a variety of things that are important without dropping any of them in the process.
That’s something I have to address every day. The challenges of being a writer are a little different than with other jobs or careers. So many women have jobs where they get up in the morning and go to work. While they’re at work, they do their job. They aren’t distracted by the laundry piling up or the rugs that need vacuumed or the messy kitchen. They probably think about those things, but there’s nothing they can do about it until they get home from work. They come home tired and even though they’ve put in a full day, they have to face the work that has been waiting for them at home.
Women who work from home (which includes me as an author) have a different challenge. Our challenge is to learn how to be at home and still carve out the time to work. There are some days I can’t do it. I see what needs to be done around my house or what my children need and I have to give myself permission not to write that day, even if words are knocking around in my head begging to be put on paper (figuratively of course since I use a computer). Other days I have to give myself permission to write even if there is laundry to do or dishes to wash. If I wait for perfectly clean and tidy surroundings before I write, I won’t get anything written.
The biggest challenge for me is taking these different things that are important–my family, my home and my writing–and giving them the attention they need. It sometimes feels like I’m juggling too many balls and honestly, I’m not all that coordinated. But when I finish a good day of writing, I feel pleased. When I’ve enjoyed a good day with my family, I’m happy and when my house is tidy and clean, I feel proud. I think it’s about learning to celebrate what I’ve accomplished that day, even if it means the words didn’t get written, but I was able to help one of my children with their homework or even if the accomplishment was a great chapter but I go to bed with a mountain of clothes staring at me from the chair.
It’s about compromising with myself and my own expectations. And in the end, I’ve learned that the writing will eventually get done, the cleaning will still be there tomorrow, but your family will not stay the same. They’ll grow and change and if I don’t put time with them first, the other stuff won’t matter that much when they’re gone.
Praise for For What It’s Worth
Reading Karey White’s books, like eating chocolate cake, is always satisfying and brings a smile to my face. For What It’s Worth is light, romantic, and delicious. It’s a great pleasure read. Sit down and get lost in the charming world of wedding cakes and love. As an added bonus, each chapter starts with a recipe, so it’s a novel and cookbook all in one. A fun read!
—Teri Harman, KSL columnist, Studio 5 contributor, and author of Blood Moon, available June 22, 2013
I just loved the book – loved it. Hated putting it down and hated finishing it. Karey White is my new Maeve Binchy, her writing as warm as the bakery her novel is set in. For What It’s Worth surprised me, made me smile, say “no” out loud in a public place. I love when a character feels like my sister. I didn’t want to finish it, so now I may try the recipes that began every chapter.
—Amanda Dickson, author and radio personality
This book oozes charm, romance, and mouth-watering recipes. If you want to escape reality and curl up with a darling story, For What It’s Worth is the perfect fit. Thank you, Karey White!
—Rachael Anderson, author
This is a book worth every penny of the price. In the business of baking wedding cakes, every detail must be perfection, but this story remembers that real life is oh-so-messy. White’s clear and honest writing left me hungry for good food, a close family, and a little romance. A beautiful marriage of food, family, and faith.
—Regina Sirois, author of On Little Wings, 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
About the author: Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.
She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.
And now for the GIVEAWAY!! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift card and a copy of For What It’s Worth!
(Paperback available to US only, Ebook Available Internationally)
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent’s permission. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Happy reading wherever you are and whenever you get a free chance!!!
3 Comments
by Karey
Thanks for the great review and the chance to do a guest post on your blog. I appreciate your help getting the word out about my book.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
by The Every Free Chance Reader
It was my pleasure! I was happy to have the chance to review FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH. Your guest post was great. As a stay-at-home mom, I understand the need to find balance. I struggle with it every day.
Merry Christmas, Karey!