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GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen

February 16, 2011 By Mary

Product Description

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOUR HUSBAND SUDDENLY WANTED TO REWRITE THE RULES OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
 Julia and Michael meet in high school in their small, poverty-stricken West Virginia hometown. Both products of difficult childhoods — Julia’s father is a compulsive gambler and Michael’s mother abandoned his family when he was a young boy – they find a sense of safety and mutual understanding in each other. Shortly after graduation they flee West Virginia to start afresh. Now thirty-somethings, they are living a rarified life in their multi-million-dollar,Washington D.C. home. From the outside it all looks perfect – Julia has become a highly sought-after party planner, while Michael has launched a wildly successful flavored water company that he sold for $70 million.
But one day Michael stands up at the head of the table in his company’s boardroom — then silently crashes to the floor. More than four minutes later, a portable defibrillator manages to jump-start his heart. Yet what happened to Michael during those lost minutes forever changes him. Money is meaningless to him now – and he wants to give it all away to charity. A prenuptial agreement that Julia insisted upon back when Michael’s company was still struggling means she has no claim to his fortune, and now she must decide: should she walk away from the man she once adored, but who truthfully became a stranger to her long before his near-death experience – or should she give in to her husband’s pleas for a second chance and a promise of a poorer but happier life?

About the Author

Sarah Pekkanen is the author of The Opposite of Me and Skipping a Beat. Her work has been published in People, The Washington Post, USA Today, The New Republic, The Baltimore Sun, Reader’s Digest, and Washingtonian, among others.  She writes a monthly Erma Bombeck type column for Bethesda Magazine, and has been an on-air contributor to NPR and E! Entertainment’s “Gossip Show.”  She is the winner of a Dateline award and the Paul Miller Reporting Fellowship. Sarah lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with her husband and three young sons.

Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Washington Square Press; Original edition (February 22, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1451609825
  • ISBN-13: 978-1451609820

SOURCE: PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

This is the most emotional book I have read in a long time.  I actually had to take breaks while reading this since I was so drawn into the story and how real the whole thing seemed.  Within pages, I felt like I had known Julia my whole life. I could feel her fear and how much she loved Michael, yet realize they had grown apart.  Like most marriages they had forgotten those moments that create the relationship.  The ending was exactly how it had to be, although I never saw it coming.  I ended up in tears several times, but any author who can create that kind of connection is something special.  This is in my top ten for the year!

I really felt the author made Julia more accessible by taking great pains to detail her relationship with money and her father and how this history makes her responses to Michael quitting his job very realistic.  She sees the money as the security she never had as a child and when Michael decides to give everything away without discussing it with her, that trust is broken.

Julia tries to understand Michael and what happened between them and how they have grown apart.  She reflects and makes correlations through the music and stories of opera that she has found as an escape.  In a way, the story is an opera. Also, Julia meets someone who puts everything in perspective in the body of a boy.  She introduces Noah to Michael and that child becomes the catalyst that rebuilds their relationship.

This is probably one of the hardest reviews I have ever written.  The story felt like it was ripped from my own life since my husband decided to quit his job on New Years Eve 1999, without much warning.  They always say truth is stranger than fiction, but it is pretty hard to imagine someone else capturing my exact thoughts and feelings, but that is exactly what Sarah Pekkanen did. I received this book at no charge from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?

Contest is open to anyone with a US mailing addresses (no PO Boxes)

Contest ends on 3.1.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 3.2.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by  Washington Square Press and one copy of the book will be available.
Only one winner per household address!

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and leave me a note about an interesting fact
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Comments

  1. Bethie says

    February 16, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  2. Jennifer says

    February 16, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win! On her website, you can see that Sarah has long, beautiful hair (my fun fact.) She also loves chocolate, and will answer your email if you have a question (personal experience).

  3. llevinso says

    February 16, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Great giveaway (as usual)!

    llevinso.bookreader[at]gmail[dot]com

  4. Tiffany Drew says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    Great giveaway, I am dying to read this book 🙂

    Sarah was once sued (unsuccessfully) by the chief of staff to a corrupt U.S. Congresswoman.

    Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  5. Patty says

    February 16, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    What a fascinating premise for a story. I’m really interested in seeing how she develops this story.

    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    2/16

  6. Patty says

    February 16, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    Sarah sounds like she has a whole lot of moxie; her website notes that she was thrown out of the Vanity Fair White House Correspondents Dinner after-party three times by bouncers! (Wish they would have let her in just on the strenght of her persistence alone!)
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  7. Chi Kittie says

    February 16, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    Thank you for this awesome giveaway.

    I love this: Save a homeless dog! I’ll donate $100 to the animal charity of your choice (in honor of my rescue lab Bella, who kept my feet warm while I wrote)

    Thats so sweet of her!

  8. holdenj says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:30 am

    I visited Sarah’s beautiful website. I like all of the writers she loves…good chick lit gals like Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin and Marian Keyes. I think Sarah would be a great candidate to read Jill Mansell, that European flair/chick lit is quite fun.

  9. holdenj says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:31 am

    This book has such an intersting premise, especially the idea of them walking away from it “all”. I really liked your review, it’s always amazing when a book can touch you so much.
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  10. Rosita says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:26 am

    Sounds like a great read! Count me in!
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com

  11. Rosita says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:32 am

    Sarah confirmed on her website what I always suspected: that there is absolutely nothing sexy about Capitol Hill. . . .
    rosita dot p dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  12. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:56 am

    She recommended a number of books for writers including Stephen King’s book “On Writing.” I think I’ll check that one out.
    Tony
    rositatony (at) yahoo (dot) com

  13. Taffy says

    February 17, 2011 at 2:00 am

    Great giveaway!
    Sarah had a messy desk at school 🙂

  14. Patty says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    I live in DC and I’m really eager to see how Sarah has depicted my city.

    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

    Daily Entry for Feb. 17

  15. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Sounds interesting —

    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Today’s comment entry 2.17

  16. Bethie says

    February 17, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    Daily Entry 2/17

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  17. holdenj says

    February 18, 2011 at 1:27 am

    Daily entry 2/17. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. nicolesender says

    February 18, 2011 at 6:12 am

    daily entry
    2/17
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  19. holdenj says

    February 18, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    Daily entry 2/18. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  20. Rosita says

    February 18, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    Daily entry 2/18
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com

  21. Bethie says

    February 18, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  22. Bethie says

    February 18, 2011 at 11:18 pm

    Daily Entry 2/18

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  23. nicolesender says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:22 am

    Daily entry
    2/18
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  24. nicolesender says

    February 19, 2011 at 9:16 am

    daily entry
    2/19
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  25. holdenj says

    February 19, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    Daily entry 2/19. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  26. Rosita says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    Daily entry 2.19
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com

  27. holdenj says

    February 20, 2011 at 12:37 pm

    Daily entry 2/20. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  28. Patty says

    February 21, 2011 at 1:34 am

    Today’s entry
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com
    2.20

  29. Rosita says

    February 21, 2011 at 1:42 am

    In for today!
    Daily entry 2/20
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com

  30. nicolesender says

    February 21, 2011 at 5:48 am

    daily entry
    2/20
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  31. holdenj says

    February 21, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    Happy President’s Day!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  32. Anonymous says

    February 21, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    Daily entry 02.21
    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

  33. Bethie says

    February 22, 2011 at 3:29 am

    Daily Entry 2/21

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  34. nicolesender says

    February 22, 2011 at 5:55 am

    daily entry
    2/21
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  35. Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com says

    February 22, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Oooooooooo I am itching to read this 🙂 great review!

  36. nicolesender says

    February 22, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    daily entry
    2/22
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  37. Bethie says

    February 22, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    Daily Entry 2/22

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  38. Patty says

    February 22, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Another day, another comment
    2.22 Daily entry
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  39. holdenj says

    February 22, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    Daily entry 2/22. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  40. Rosita says

    February 23, 2011 at 12:44 am

    Daily entry Feb. 22nd:
    In for today!
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com

  41. Anonymous says

    February 23, 2011 at 4:01 am

    Daily comment for 02.22

    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

  42. nicolesender says

    February 23, 2011 at 9:34 am

    daily entry
    2/23
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  43. holdenj says

    February 23, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Daily entry 2/23. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  44. Glenda Cates says

    February 23, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  45. Bethie says

    February 23, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    Daily Entry 2/23

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  46. Anonymous says

    February 24, 2011 at 1:00 am

    Comment for today 2.23
    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

  47. Patty says

    February 24, 2011 at 1:10 am

    Count this DC girl in for today!
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com
    Daily entry: Feb. 23rd

  48. Rosita says

    February 24, 2011 at 1:42 am

    Fingers crossed for this one.
    Daily entry 2/23
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com

  49. YWLiang says

    February 24, 2011 at 2:52 am

    Thanks for the giveaway! Great book 🙂
    What I find interesting: Bouncers did not allow Sarah into the Vanity Fair after-party. Sarah attempted entry three times! O_O

    yiliang0124[at]hotmail.com

  50. holdenj says

    February 24, 2011 at 11:59 am

    Daily entry 2/24. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  51. Bethie says

    February 24, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Daily Entry 2/24

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  52. Patty says

    February 25, 2011 at 1:57 am

    Would love to win this one!
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com
    Daily Entry
    Feb 24th

  53. Anonymous says

    February 25, 2011 at 1:58 am

    Daily Comment: 2/24
    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

  54. Rosita says

    February 25, 2011 at 2:02 am

    Daily entry 02.24
    In for today.
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com

  55. nicolesender says

    February 25, 2011 at 3:15 am

    daily entry
    2/24
    nicolesender(at)yahoo.com

  56. holdenj says

    February 25, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Daily entry 2/25. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  57. Bethie says

    February 25, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    Daily Entry 2/25

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  58. nicolesender says

    February 25, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    daily entry
    2/25
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  59. Rosita says

    February 25, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    Fingers crossed!
    rosita dot p dot mariani at gmail dot com
    Daily Entry
    Feb. 25th

  60. Patty says

    February 26, 2011 at 1:42 am

    I’m in for today.
    Daily entry Feb. 25th
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  61. Anonymous says

    February 26, 2011 at 1:42 am

    Today’s entry comment:
    2.25
    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

  62. holdenj says

    February 26, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Daily entry 2/26. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  63. Anonymous says

    February 26, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    Daily comment for today:
    02.26
    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

  64. Patty says

    February 26, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Would love to win this one.
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com
    Daily entry, Feb. 26th

  65. Rosita says

    February 27, 2011 at 12:34 am

    Daily entry 2/26
    I have my fingers tightly crossed!
    rosita dot p dot mariani[at]gmail dot com

  66. nicolesender says

    February 27, 2011 at 5:48 am

    daily entry
    2/26
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  67. Patty says

    February 27, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    In for today.
    Daily entry for Feb. 27th
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  68. holdenj says

    February 27, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    Daily entry 2/27. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  69. Bethie says

    February 28, 2011 at 12:15 am

    Daily Entry 2/27

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  70. Anonymous says

    February 28, 2011 at 12:25 am

    Sounds like a thought-provoking book.
    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Daily comment for 02/27

  71. Rosita says

    February 28, 2011 at 12:55 am

    Daily entry: 2.27
    Fingers crossed for today.
    rosita dot p dot mariani[at]gmail dot com

  72. nicolesender says

    February 28, 2011 at 6:17 am

    daily entry
    2/27
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  73. Kaylie says

    February 28, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    WOW!!! This book is extraordinarily fresh and considerate to me 😀
    I love it.
    I just found out that Sarah’s book covers are likely cute.
    Most of the them covers image of people’s backs 😛

    ckaylie777(at)hotmail(dot)com

  74. Rosita says

    February 28, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    Fingers crossed for this one.
    rosita dot p dot mariani[at]gmail dot com
    daily entry 2.28

  75. holdenj says

    February 28, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    Daily entry 2/28. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  76. Patty says

    March 1, 2011 at 12:59 am

    Thanks for the chance to win this.
    Daily Entry for Feb. 28
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com

  77. Anonymous says

    March 1, 2011 at 1:02 am

    Comment for today, 02.28
    Tony
    rositatony(at)yahoo(dot)com

  78. nicolesender says

    March 1, 2011 at 4:40 am

    daily entry
    2/28
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  79. Patty says

    March 1, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    In for today!
    patricia dot mariani dot esq at gmail dot com
    Daily entry for March 1st

  80. mamabunny13 says

    March 1, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    I know you asked for an interesting fact about Sarah but I found a funny one. While she was in labor with her first child she bite her husband on the hand so he would remove it from her shoulder! *snickers
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  81. holdenj says

    March 1, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    Daily entry 3/1. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  82. Rosita says

    March 2, 2011 at 2:13 am

    Fingers crossed. I’d love to win this book!
    Daily entry 3/1
    rosita dot p dot mariani[at]gmail dot com

  83. Laura H. says

    March 2, 2011 at 2:59 am

    From the author’s website I learned that she was a former on-air correspondent for E! Network.

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

  84. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2011 at 3:49 am

    Thanks for the giveaway.
    daily comment for 03.01
    Tony
    rositatony[at]yahoo[dot]com

  85. nicolesender says

    March 2, 2011 at 4:14 am

    daily entry
    3/1
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

  86. Mary (BookHounds) says

    March 2, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    REN — renahe_90

    Be sure to visit Renahe’s Ramblings HERE

    An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam). The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

    Thanks to all who entered.

    PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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