The Ocean Between Us With Susan Wiggs Book Collection Giveaway
The latest book by Susan Wiggs is called The Ocean Between Us. In it the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Susan Wiggs explores the emotional rewards and sacrifices of love and marriage.
When Susan Wiggs’s recent novel Fireside debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, the author responded by jumping into her swimming pool fully clothed, despite the freezing temperatures of February. Why? “Because I never wanted to forget that moment,” she said. “It’s such a singular sensation. And so often for a writer, the good news comes during the odd time of day, when no one is around but the dog and the seagulls on the beach.”
Wiggs credits the book’s popularity to her loyal readers, whose unflagging interest has steadily propelled her sales upward over her twenty-year career. From the very start, the author’s stories have illuminated the everyday dramas of ordinary people. She self-published her first novel at the age of eight (and it can be seen on the author’s blog here—http://susanwiggs.wordpress.com/about). A Book About Some Bad Kids was based on the true-life adventures of Susan and her siblings.
Today, she is an internationally bestselling author with millions of copies of her books in print in numerous countries. Her novel Table for Five has been optioned as a feature film by Zimand Entertainment. She continues to draw inspiration from her friends, family and the nuances of human nature that make the headlines every day.
Susan, who holds a graduate degree from Harvard, confesses that the first romance novel she ever read was Shanna, by the late Kathleen Woodiwiss, which she devoured while slumped behind a college textbook, studying to become a math teacher.
How did a math teacher become a bestselling writer? Susan says the real question is how did a writer turn to teaching math? “I was born to write. I always knew it. When I was in college, I took a career aptitude test that said I should be (a) a writer, (b) a teacher or (c) a speech
pathologist. So I decided to go for two out of three. I chose teaching—and the subject of math specifically—because it was something I knew I’d love and be good at. Also, a math teacher can make a living. This is not always the case for a writer, not right out of the gate.”
Susan appears at writers’ conferences across the country, speaking to aspiring novelists about the profession. She’s been an instructor and workshop presenter at the Maui Writers’ Conference, an intense retreat for published and unpublished authors. She is also a key organizer of the prestigious Field’s End Writers’ Conference closer to home, on Bainbridge Island, Washington.
The author has won three RITA® Awards for her novels Lakeside Cottage, Lord of the Night and The Mistress. Her recent novels have all placed high on the New York Times, Washington Post, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly lists. The Charm School was honored with the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence and was designated a Favorite Book of the Year by Romance Writers of America. Wiggs belongs to the Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc. She is often interviewed in the media on the topic of writing popular novels for today’s women, having appeared on Talk of the Nation and in the Seattle Times and Portland Tribune. Her blog, “The View from Here,” (susanwiggs.wordpress.com) is filled with her photos and observations and was featured in Publishers Weekly. It has quickly turned into a huge hit with readers.
When she’s not writing, Susan can likely be found hiking with her dog, Barkis, listening to music, seeing the world, reading books and doing what she calls “extreme crafts”—Fair Isle knitting, impossible faux-finish paint projects, furniture refinishing and upholstery.
Susan lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. Her lively Web site can be found at www.susanwiggs.com
Synopsis
The Ocean Between Us is a powerful novel of love, duty and second chances. Susan Wiggs deftly portrays the struggles and triumphs of an American family facing life’s greatest challenges as they come to understand the timeless lessons of the heart.
Grace Bennett has it all—three wonderful children, a devoted husband and a life of adventure and travel. But beneath the calm demeanor of an efficient Navy wife, Grace stands at the crossroads—of her life and her marriage. When she looks in the mirror, she doesn’t recognize the person staring back. She’s tired, out of shape and feeling invisible. Somewhere between her husband’s demanding career, raising a family, the constant uprooting and the Navy’s routine, Grace has lost her sense of self. Something needs to change. She needs to change.
Steve Bennett simply can’t understand the unraveling of his wife’s heart. He thought he was proving his love to her with each promotion. He believed he could still be a good husband and father while juggling an officer’s myriad duties. But he now realizes they were seeing their marriage through different eyes. And when a nearly forgotten secret resurfaces, Grace’s discontent comes into sharp focus. Now Steve must try to make their marriage right again before his next deployment. For himself. For his family. For the twenty years of shared history that have always anchored him to home.
Then duty calls.
Separated by an ocean of regrets and longing, Grace and Steve take a hard look at their faltering marriage, the love that brought them together and the family they cherish. They confront the choices they’ve made, the sacrifices they’ve rationalized and the dreams they’ve set adrift.
But just as they come to grips with their marriage, the unthinkable happens—a disaster aboard Steve’s aircraft carrier shatters Grace’s world. As she gathers her children around her and waits for news, she faces a Navy wife’s worst nightmare—the cold truth that life’s biggest chances can slip away while you’re looking for guarantees.
The Ocean Between Us arrives in stores on April 27th, 2010.
WIN IT!
ONE winner will receive 11 titles from the Susan Wiggs catalog, including a copy of The Oceans Between Us. This Gift Pack is valued at $100.50.
Titles include:
* Table for Five
* The Summer Hideaway
* Just Breathe
* Summer at Willow Lake
* Home Before Dark
* The Charm School
* Snowfall at Willow Lake
* The Horsemaster’s Daughter
* Fireside
* The Winter Lodge
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter leave a comment telling me why you’d like to read The Ocean Between Us OR what your favorite Susan Wiggs book is.
BONUS ENTRIES
1 – Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
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1 – Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 – Tweet this giveaway.
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1 – Friend me using Google FriendConnect. (bottom right of page)
1 – Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 – Place my button on your blog. (bottom of page)
1 – Visit Game Review Network and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 – Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.
THE SMALL PRINT.
US addresses only please. This contest will end on Saturday 05/22/10 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Category: Giveaways
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I would love to win these books because Susan Wiggs is an incredible author! It would be such a treat to win this prize pack! My mom an aunt would be in heaven because we always pass books around and they LOVE Susan!
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I love to read contemporary romance novels. This sounds like a perfect addition to my library!
I read Just Breath and really enjoyed it!
i haven’t read any of her books yet. but this one sounds really amazing. i’d love to be exposed to a new author to read.
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Summer at Willowlake was my fav and I would love to read this one too!
I just added your blog to my Google Reader. I look forward to exploring your site.
I’ve read Susan Wiggs books for years. I get most of my books from the library, but there are 3 that have earned their place on my shelf. I own the Tudor Rose trilogy, although the books I have are the original titles (Circle in the Water, Vows Made in Wine, and Dancing on Air). I didn’t realize they had been re-released with new titles. I don’t think I could pick just one book as my favorite. I love reading the historical romance books to escape the stress of life.
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School is out, summer is here, and more than anything, I would love something new and fun to read.
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I haven’t read any of her books yet but I would love to! The Ocean Between Us sounds very interesting. I’m going to visit her website now to read about more of her books!
My favorite Susan Wiggs book is Table for Five. What a wonderful picture of tragedy and triumph! Sean and Lily had to learn, grow, and change to become the parents the Holloway kids needed, and as they grew up, they grew together. Great love story on so many levels!
I especially love the winter and Christmas books. I collect them and read them all year long. It’s just that feeling of love and happiness that the holidays bring that I am so addicted too. I follow you on facebook as well.
I just added myself to your newsletter list. I think the book sounds like a good read.
I have never read a Susan Wiggs book. It is summer and lots of beach and pool reading time is ahead and her books sound like a perfect match.
I collect Susan Wigg’s books where ever and when ever I find them and enjoy turning others on to these books and a great author. I am proud to say I met Susan on a number of occasions on Maui
Added this giveaway to my contest listings at JAMTOT!
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Following with Google FriendConnect (Deb – Mom of 3 Girls)!
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Oh! Susan Wiggs is one of my new favorite authors! I’ve read most of her books from the library and would love to actually own them. My favorite is “Summer at Willow Lake” and all of the rest of the Lakeshore Chronicles books.
I love Susan Wiggs’ writing. And I’ve heard her speak at multiple conferences and events. As a writer myself, I am inspired by her talent and success. I’m building my collection of her books (there are so many of them!), and I have a few of these titles, but I figure the duplicates I can share with friends or family or donate to my local library so everyone has a chance to experience her amazing storytelling and writing talents.
I have been a fan of Susan Wiggs for a few years now. When I’m reading her stories, I am transported to the time and place of each. With such descriptive writing, I am able to “watch” each saga unfold, as if I am right there at Willow Lake. I stay a silent bystander, hearing each character’s hopes and dreams. It would be a real treat to win The Ocean Between Us. It sounds like a king-size box of tissues might be a necessary accompaniment. Count me in for the ride!
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I would like to win because I like reading but I haven’t read any of these books yet and they all look very interesting.
i just subscribed to your newsletter.
thanks
Lisa
I was introduced to Susan Wiggs’ books by a friend of mine. I have enjoyed everyone that I’ve read. Thanks, Susan!
i just subscribed to your RRS feed
thanks
Lisa
i just friend ed you on Facebook!
thanks
Lisa
My favorite Susan Wiggs book is the first one i read of her. Just Breathe! I’ve read it several times in fact. I would recommend this to anyone as a first book of Susan’s to read if you’ve never read any of her books before.
Lisa
modokker AT Yahoo DOT com
I want to read this book simply because your name is on it and I have loved everything I’ve read by you, especially the Lake Shore series.
I have read the Calhoun Chronicles and love them! Susan Wiggs is such a talented writer.
I read every book Susan writes, because I know it will captivate and enthrall the reader, she pulls you in and keeps you until the last word.
I don’t skip ahead or skim over any paragraphs as I do with other writers, because I know, somewhere in the depths of descriptive prose, she places a clue and if you miss it, you will have to go back and find it. Plus, every word she writes is worth reading.
I love Susan Wiggs!
My favorite Susan Wiggs novel will always be Just Breathe. Before I read it, I was not a reader. I didn’t like books and I never had. I have a short attention span and found it difficult to stick with a book long enough to get to the end. I bought Just Breathe for a trip, figuring it’d be long enough to last the car ride. It didn’t. I inhaled it. Susan’s writing spoke to me in a way no author ever had before, and I have since devoured every book of hers that I could get my hands on. She inspired me to seek out other authors that spoke to me in the same way, and I am now one of the biggest book lovers you will ever meet. Just Breathe made me fall in love not just with Susan, but with reading in general. For that, I am forever grateful.
Every book gets better and better, but The Charm School is one I go back to read again and again. The romance and adventure in it are truly exhilarating!
I love all your books so I can’t pick just one! This book looks very emotional and thought provoking! Can’t wait to read it! Thanks!