11.06.2014

# At Home With Madame Chic # Bittersweet

Bittersweet Book Giveaway



Today's featured book is Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough. Bittersweet is Ms. McCullough's first romantic saga since The Thorn Birds and it has readers swooning.

Here is what the critics are saying:

"Filled with humor, insight and captivating historical detail, McCullough's latest is a wise and warm tribute to family, female empowerment and her native land." (People)

“Just as epic as her ultra-romantic classic, The Thorn Birds.” (Marie Claire)

"Readers of historical family dramas will be excited to find a new, satisfying book to enjoy while longtime fans of The Thorn Birds will be over the moon, welcoming back a dear old friend. Take it to the beach, on the plane, or the couch, this book will be the best traveling companion of the summer." (Library Journal, starred review)

"McCullough's richly drawn characters grab control of the heartstrings from the beginning...and prove that, even when choices are not in wide supply, happiness is attainable--even if, at times, it is bittersweet." (Publishers Weekly)

"A fascinating exploration of the bonds between sisters and a fine historical novel." (Booklist)

Here is the description from Simon & Schuster:

In her first epic romantic novel since The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough weaves a sweeping story of two sets of twins—all trained as nurses, but each with her own ambitions—stepping into womanhood in 1920s and 30s Australia.

Because they are two sets of twins, the four Latimer sisters are as close as can be. Yet these vivacious young women each have their own dreams for themselves: Edda wants to be a doctor, Tufts wants to organize everything, Grace won’t be told what to do, and Kitty wishes to be known for something other than her beauty. They are famous throughout New South Wales for their beauty, wit, and ambition, but as they step into womanhood, they are not enthusiastic about the limited prospects life holds for them.

Together they decide to enroll in a training program for nurses—a new option for women of their time, who have previously been largely limited to the role of wives, and preferably mothers. As the Latimer sisters become immersed in hospital life and the demands of their training, they meet people and encounter challenges that spark new maturity and independence. They meet men from all walks of life—local farmers, their professional colleagues, and even men with national roles and reputations—and each sister must make weighty decisions about what she values most. The results are sometimes happy, sometimes heartbreaking, but always . . . bittersweet.

Rendered with McCullough’s trademark historical accuracy, this dramatic coming of age tale is wise in the ways of the human heart, one that will transport readers to a time in history that feels at once exotic and yet not so very distant from our own.


Simon & Schuster are kindly offering to give away 3 copies. Please enter the giveaway via the rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (terms set by the publisher). The winners will be announced on the widget and contacted by email one week from today. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


For more information on Coleen McCullough, visit her here.

Follow Simon & Schuster on Twitter @SimonBooks


News
At Home With Madame Chic is number 5 on the New York Times best seller list under fashion, manners and customs.

and is also featured on the following blogs this week:

This Mom Loves

Momzinga

I Wish I Lived in a Library


Signing at Laguna Beach Books

Thank you to everyone who attended my recent book signings. I loved chatting with all of you and getting to know you better.

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32 comments:

heathen13 said...

I'm looking forward to reading Bittersweet, and I'm going to get a copy for my mom. She introduced me to the Thorn Birds which is one of her favorite books. My favorite novel set in the 2o's is The Great Gatsby. I can never read enough about the Roaring 20's and flappers!

LD Siess said...

Thank you for the opportunity to win! I just finished reading "Maisie Dobbs" - a nurse turned detective in post WW1 England; a perpetual student of human nature.

Kelly said...

My favorite book of the year so far is probably Lessons from Madame Chic-- honestly! :) I also really enjoyed The Book Thief.

I loved Thorn Birds, so I'm excited to read Bittersweet.

evaevaeva923 said...

So excited about this book. Thorn Birds is in my 10 ten all time favs.

Amy said...

One of my favorite books is The Thorn Birds. I look forward to reading bittersweet.

Amy said...

I don't really have a favorite historical period. I find it all extremely fascinating.

Unknown said...

Transport me to the days of Jane Austen or Scarlett O'Hara and I would be a happy girl . . .

Gloria said...

The Great Gatsby would have to be my favorite historical novel. Want to read Bittersweet.

Unknown said...

Oh boy! Narrowing it down to one historical time period is so difficult for me, all of them have a voice worth listening to. There is so much to learn from each.

Favorite books in the 20s and 30s: Maisie Dobbs, The Paris Wife, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day.

Favorite Book I've Read this year, thus far: The Spanish Bow was pretty powerful, The House of Hades was fun to listen to on CD, and The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis was very thought provoking.

Thank you very much for your Thursday book giveaways. So fun! :)

Elleninnc said...

Hey Jennifer. It is quite difficult to choose just one era for historical fiction, since they all have positive characteristics to recommend themselves. However, I especially enjoy the late 18th and early 19th century period, which includes (of course) Jane Austen. One of my favorites is the original writing of ,"The Scarlet Pimpernel", authored by Baroness Emma Orczy, which I read aloud to our 2 daughters years ago. Since then we have all reread this many times, and each time find something else that resonates (they are now 28 and 25!). Thank you for this introduction to a new McCullough book!

Ann said...

Oh my...loved the Thornbirds, so I am sure I will love this. Love historical fiction...mostly WWII and also Victorian times...you can't beat The Secret Garden, my all time favorite!

Miss Mary said...

Loved the Thornbirds!! Love the 1920's.....its perfect!

Anonymous said...

I work in a library, so I read a lot, and one of my favorite books I've read this year is The Fortune Hunter by Daisy Goodwin. I'm also happy to report that my library district has a couple of copies of At Home with Madame Chic! Can't wait to read it!

rhonda said...

The victorian era the clothes jewels homes luxury of living.

Holly said...

My favorite book so far this year was probably Astonigh Me, which is great!

Clare said...

I really enjoyed "The Pink Dress" recently. It features the life of the seamstress who sewed Jackie Kennedy's dress, the one she wore to Dallas in November, 1963.

But I'm not familiar with 1920s & 30s Australia, so this sounds intriguing.

Elena said...

This sounds wonderful!! My favorite historical time period is the Victorian era: ball gowns, (my) pale skin, grace and poise.

Unknown said...

Loved The Thornbirds...a book from the past. Bittersweet sounds like a perfect book to curl up by the fire with, for hours and hours and hours..... Thank you for yet another fun chance to play and maybe win! Have a lovely day. Sally

Cathie said...

I have several favourite historical time periods, but the ones I like the most are Victorian, Edwardian, and Baroque/Rococo

Cristine said...

I loved Colleen's writing- so glad another book is out. I just read Alan Furst the World at Night- love the historical period he writes about: Paris during WW2.

Valerie said...

I love historical novels from long long ago like those written by Philippa Gregory of Good King Harry written by Denise Giardina.

Sarah said...

As far as books set in the 20s and 30s, I recently read Murder at the Brightwell and really enjoyed it. I also enjoy Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness mysteries and the Maisie Dobbs books by Jacqueline Winspear.

Ginny said...

Favorite books this year: Bread and Wine, The Noticer, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. And I love historical fiction!

Viridine said...

I love all history... My favorite time periods span centuries... I really liked the biography of Edna St Vincent Millay "Savage Beauty" as well as the diaries of Anais Nin...

Kimberly V said...

I love books set during the Golden Age. Beatriz Williams has some very enjoyable books set partially in the 20s and 30s. My favorite book this year is We Were Liars.

Crestwood said...

Favorite novel set in the 20s or 30s/one of my favorite novels, period: The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway.

Susan said...

I cannot pick a favorite historical time period, but I do find the '20's and '30's fascinating. Those were the days my grandparents were getting married, setting up house, and starting families. How different it was for them than for me!

Ladylike said...

Since I am grieving the loss of my father, my favorite books this year include, if not revolve around, themes of loss: "A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table" by Molly Wizenberg (better than "Delancey");
"Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness" by Scott Jurek; and "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion. If mourning is a reality for you, you will find kinship!

Ladylike said...

My favorite novels about the 1920's and 1930's were actually written during those years. These are "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier which was made into one of my favorite films (by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier), and "The Barly Fields" by Robert Nathan, a collection of short stories, one of which was made into my other favorite film, "The Bishop's Wife" starring Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young. You would love Loretta Young's dinner table, wardrobe and chignons, Jennifer! Hope you will check out these books and films and enjoy!

Leslie said...

Thank you for the chance to win Bittersweet. My favorite book of the 20's and 30's is the Great Gatsby and anything by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Unknown said...

My favorite book is Jane Eyre. Such a great story. Love Jane Austen especially Pride and Prejudice! Love that time period.

Unknown said...

My favorite time periods are the 40's, 60's, & 70's. I do have a huge fondness for the 20 & 30's, as well. Tough to pick one. : )
In all honesty, my favorite books, I read this year are Madame Chic & Bringing Up Bebe.