Monday, November 9, 2009

Review & Giveaway: Crossed Wires by Rosy Thornton

Peter Kendrick is a Cambridge geography professor, a widow, and the father of nine year old twin girls. His life is hectic, most days he is lucky just to get everyone fed, clothed and where they need to be on time. Romance is just about the last thing on his mind.

When the neighbor's cat darts out in front of his Land Rover, the result is just a minor dent. The young woman who answers the phone at the insurance call center is unexpectedly friendly and helpful, pleasant. He remembers her name, Mina, and imagines what she looks like. Not that he really has time to imagine things like that, but she made an impression somehow.

In an embarrassingly short amount of time, about a month, there was a second incident. Peter was playing charades with his daughters while driving and rear ended another car. No real damage to his big SUV but the smaller car lost its bumper. So, naturally, when he calls the insurance company, he asks for Mina.

Something clicks between the two. Mina is a single mom with a ten year old daughter and a complicated family life. But they find they can talk to each other about all kinds of things. There is warmth and humor, an easiness of communication that both of them are attracted to. Hashing over life's problems in that weekly Sunday night phone call becomes the highlight of the week.

Of course, no road to happiness ever runs smoothly. There are always obstacles and twists that you can't see coming. But that is what makes this book so charming. It is about real life, everyday drama, the little highs and lows of any ordinary person. No theatrics, no heroics, just people doing the best they can with what life has thrown at them.

This is a sweet and gently funny story, with realistic and honest characters who win over the reader. I really loved this heartwarming book and am now a big fan of Rosy Thornton. If you want a book that will just make you feel good, you won't go wrong with Crossed Wires.

Rosy Thornton teaches at Cambridge University, lives in Cambridgeshire (lucky girl) and didn't write her first novel until after she turned forty. For more information about her and all of her books, please visit her website.

Crossed Wires is published by Headline, ISBN 978-0-7553-4555-7.

Rosy has generously provided me with a signed copy to give away (thank you so much, Rosy)! For one entry, just leave me a comment here that includes your email address. This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE and you can enter until midnight eastern on November 30. For extra entries:

+2 Follow this blog any way you choose (Google, Feedburner, etc) and leave a comment...if you already do, include that in your comment
+2 Tweet or blog this giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know that you did

80 comments:

M. said...

This sounds like something different - don't recall ever reading a geography professor hero before. And I like the cover! Please count me in.

I'm a follower!

mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca

Sue said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Milka said...

Sounds great, thanks for the giveaway!

+2 follower on Google

milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi

bermudaonion said...

I'd love to read a sweet funny story, so please enter me!

+2 I subscribe in Google Reader

milou2ster(at)gmail.com

KiraR said...

Count me in please.

Google friend follower.

kiris089 at gmail dot com

Mom of 5 Boys said...

Ooh, sounds like a fun read! I'd love to give it a try.

I'm a follower on igoogle.

Beth F said...

Don't enter me because I have a copy here! I really should get around to reading this!!

rubynreba said...

Very interesting book! Thanks for the great giveaway!
+2 follow on google friend
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Linda said...

I'd love to read a sweet and funny story that will make me feel good. Thanks for the giveaway.

I follow thru Google Reader.

lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Oh, please enter me for this one! Thanks.

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

+2 Follow via Google Reader/Friend Connect
+2 Posted this one on my blog:
http://bookshelfmonstrosity.blogspot.com/2009/11/weekly-monstrosity-giveaway-list-115.html

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog. I also subscribe via Google Reader.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'd love to read this book. I recently "discovered" Rosy Thornton but haven't had a chance yet to read her books. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

geebee.reads AT gmail dOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'm a Follower!

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

This book sounds like fun...love the cover.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

rubynreba said...

Please enter me. Thanks!

+1 follower
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I'd love a shot at this one. Many thanks.

I subscribe via email.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Zibilee said...

I had been trying to grab a copy of this book from the Early Reviewers program and didn't manage to snag one, so I'd love to get the chance again! Please enter me in the giveaway, and thanks for hosting it!

zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

I am also a follower of your blog.

mrsshukra said...

Please count me in!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Google friend connect follower!

delilah01809at)yahoo(dot)com

Stacey Brucale said...

Please enter me!

+2 google follower

squiggles87(At)aol(Dot)com

holdenj said...

It looks like a great story, thanks for the chance to win!


+1 follower.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

+2 follower

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

mabelilly28 said...

This sounds like a great read!

mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

mabelilly28 said...

I'm a google follower! #1

mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

mabelilly28 said...

I'm a google follower #2

mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I'd love a chance into this giveaway thanks!

And I'm a follower via blogger/google reader!

unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

Jonnie (JB) said...

The cover is cute
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

Jonnie (JB) said...

+2 I follow with google friend connect
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

enyl said...

This sounds like the makings for a good comedy.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

I'm a follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

brizmus said...

This sounds great! Very interesting. . .
+2 I'm a follower
+2 It's in my sidebar under The Contest List
http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com

zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

lag123 said...

This sounds good. Please enter me.
I am an old follower. (In more ways than one.)

lag110@mchsi.com

Sandra K321 said...

Sounds like a fun read.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

I subscribe to your blog via google.

Unknown said...

Please enter me for the book.


kolists a/t gmail d\t com

Unknown said...

+2 follower on google.


kolists a/t gmail d\t com

Emily said...

Oooo...I had heard of this book a while ago and completely forgotten about it until I read your post! I would love to be entered in the contest! Thanks!

+2 I subscribe to your blog via RSS google reader.

emily DOT wittenberg @ gmail DOT com

Nicole said...

sounds like a good book.

Nicole said...

follower

heatherzilla said...

+3 I am a follower

+2 tweet
http://twitter.com/heatherzilla8/statuses/5673923643

Kaye said...

This sounds like a good read. I've never read this author before but I trust your judgement. Please enter me in the drawing. Have a great week!

I'm a follower

florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

Jem said...

Please enter me: thereadingjourney[at]gmail[dot]com

I am a follower through google reader.

I also posted a link in my sidebar: http://thereadingjourney.blogspot.com

Gwendolyn B. said...

Blogged about this giveaway here: http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaways.html

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

troutbirder said...

sweet and funny. Now that I like the sound the sound of very much,
raypotthoff@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi :)
I am Following your Blog now.
I posted about your giveaway on my blog for Mon, Nov 16th post.
:)
Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Thank you also for the thoughtful review. Is Rosy on Twitter? I couldn't find her.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo
PS - email's in Blogger Profile

Reading said...

Please count me in. Thanks for the giveaway.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

This sounds like a delightful, fun story. Please include me in your giveaway!

+2 I subscribe via Google Reader

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I tweeted this giveaway:
http://twitter.com/Amestir/status/5786647948.

Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com

Rosy Thornton said...

In reply to RKCharron's question, I'm afraid I'm not on Twitter - but you can find me on Facebook here:
http://www.facebook.com/rosy.thornton?ref=name

Thanks for a lovely, generous review, Carey!

buddyt said...

I am a Follower.

Lovely interview.

Please enter me in the giveaway.
Thank you.

Carol.

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Helen said...

This sounds great - thanks for the giveaway!

+2 I'm following with Google Friend Connect.
+2 Tweeted http://twitter.com/lovesbooks81/status/5862531476

helenlovesbooks81[at]gmail[dot]com

Esther said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Esther said...

The book sounds good and the author sounds interesting.

I'm a follower and I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/eshchory/status/5883167462

eshchory[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Hello Carey – I hope you don’t mind me dropping by. I’m a British author and a fellow Bookblogs member and my next novel, Thaw, will be published online next year after its physical publication. I wanted to invite you (and your readers) to participate in my Blogsplash - there’s more information at http://www.fionarobyn.com/thawblogsplash.htm. Thanks for listening!

Unknown said...

Please count me in, new google follower.
I'd love to win this book.
etea08(at)gmail.com

avalonne83 said...

Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

bianca_riot said...

hey, sounds awesome, would love to win
+2 am a follower on google
wateva_08 at hotmail dot com
+2 Tweeted about giveaway:
http://twitter.com/baf8464

thanks

Victoria said...

oooh! Sounds good! I'd love to read this!

Thank you!

victoriah40@yahoo.com

Victoria said...

I'm a follower!

victoriah40@yahoo.com

Sandy Jay said...

This looks like a fun read. Sign me up!

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Sandy Jay said...

I follow with Google Reader.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Margie said...

Sounds like a good book. Count me in please.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Linda/CT said...

This sounds like a delightful book and I'm always happy when I can read about the UK. We all need a little romance now and then. I so love the picture on your website! Linda/CT

Laura's Reviews said...

This book sounds fantastic and I would love to be included in the giveaway!

My address is laarlt78(at)hotmail(dot)com.

I am already a follower.

Thanks!

Aik said...

I'd love to read this book! Thanks!

+2 Subscribed via google reader

+2 Blogged
http://aik-friendsnfamily.blogspot.com/2009/08/list-of-worldwide-giveaways.html

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Jem said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jem said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anita Yancey said...

Sounds funny and romantic, a book I would really enjoy. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I subscribe via Feedburner!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

CherylS22 said...

Thanks for the chance to win this book ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

+2 I subscribe via Google Reader
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Lee P said...

I would love to read this book! Thank you for this giveaway and please count me in.

chinook92 at gmail dot com

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

+2 Follower on Google

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

+2 subscribe via feedburner

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Margie said...

I follow by igoogle
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Angie said...

Please enter me!

aksimmo@brainerd(dot)net

Unknown said...

I'm in - ea_dim@popmessenger.de

Anonymous said...

Count me in - th_humanoid@popmessenger.de


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About Me

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New Hampshire, United States
Bibliophile, Anglophile, Traveller... I have been an avid reader all of my life, since I took the Dr. Seuss Dictionary away from my Mom when I was less than a year old because I wanted to read it myself. In college, where I earned my degree in English Literature, I was often asked "What are you going to do with it?" Now I finally have the answer to that question!!! Being employed as a Flight Attendant for twenty years has given me a lot of life experience and, better still, a lot of time to read. I love to travel for fun, too.