Go "Barefoot" through "The Blood of Flowers" (A Book Giveaway Contest)

I've just read two wonderful books from Hachette Book Group - The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani and Elin Hilderbrand's Barefoot. Both are great summer reads by the pool or at the beach. And you're eligible to win one of two copies of Barefoot or a copy of The Blood of Flowers (see contest rules below)!

The Blood of Flowers reminds me of Tracy Chevalier's The Lady and the Unicorn as both are about young female weavers. Chevalier's book deals with a group of tapestry weavers in 15th century Brussels, while The Blood of Flowers takes place in 17th century Persia. The protagonists of both books are young women who make beautiful things for the king's (or shah's) court. And both their families rely on the artistic talents of their daughters to survive.

But that's where the similarities end. The Lady and the Unicorn has forbidden love at its romantic core, while Amirrezvani's book has a three-month "marriage" contract with a rich man - something in between a mail order bride and a prostitute for the night. Finally, the rug weaver (we never learn her name) realizes that this arrangement is not for her, and risks her and her mother's lives to become an independent woman with a honest trade.

Barefoot is about three women spending the summer on Nantucket - two sisters and one of their best friends. One of the sisters has cancer. The other sister just got fired from her college teaching job for having an affair with an (older) student and damaging a valuable painting. The friend just found out that after seven failed in-vitro attempts that she's pregnant - and her husband is having affair. Throw into this mix a local college boy, Josh, who's hired to take care of the kids, ends up having an affair with one of the women, and inspires them all.

It's an compelling and honest look at friendships, sister bonds, motherhood, romance, marriage, and cancer.

See below on how to win one of these books!

1. Post about the contest on your blog and link back to this post. You have from today until Thursday, July 19, 2007 at midnight MT to do so.
2. Come back to A Mama's Rant and post the weblink (the link to the actual post) in the comments section below along with your email and blog address.
3. If you don't have a blog, not to worry. Just leave your name and email address in the comment section below.
4. If you have a preference as to what book you'd want, please let me know.
5. I'll randomly pick the winner and contact them via email for their name and mailing address.
6. The winner will be announced on this blog by Saturday, July 21. I will mail out the book via USPS Media Mail by Tuesday, July 24.
7. Please do not enter this contest if you are unwilling to email me your name and mailing address. I promise NOT to release your private info to the public.
8. This contest is open bloggers and readers in the continental U.S. only due to postage costs and previous hassles with customs. I love my Canadian readers. I just don't like your customs department keeping things for a couple of weeks. Sigh...

If you have any questions, email me.

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