Friday, October 17, 2008

"The Shape of Mercy" - Book Tour and Giveaway

Okay, I promised you a great book giveaway today and here we go.

When asked to read and do the book tour for this story I was very excited. The story sounded so fascinating. Modern, wealthy young college student trying to get out of the privelaged family mold and expectations finds a job transcribing a 300 year old diary written by a young girl who was tried and hung at the Salem witch trials. Taking the job because she loves literature, but soon finding a connection with the young diary writer, Lauren finds herself taking a hard look at her own life and her own perceptions.
Although I haven't quite finished the book yet, I am having a hard time putting it down. Susan Meissner hooked me from the very beginning as Lauren's story was given a foundation. Then as excerpts from the diary were added I felt my heart being pulled to the young woman who would soon be accused. A very compelling story.
An excerpt from the publisher:

Summary: Lauren Durough is a college student longing to break free of family expectations when she stumbles into a project for eighty year old Abigail Boyles—transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with the mysterious Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to discovering the candid truth, Lauren must earnestly ask if she is playing the role of helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and recognize who she really is?

In our high-pressure, success-oriented culture, readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to forge her own identity separate from the plan her family designed for her. Offering intrigue, romance, and heartbreaking drama, this contemporary novel with a historical twist conveys the intense beauty that emerges when we see how our stories affect the lives of others.
About the author:
From early school-day projects to becoming editor of a local newspaper in Minnesota, Susan Meissner’s love for writing has been apparent her entire life. The Shape of Mercy is her latest novel in a string of books that delve into the deeper issues of life. She is the author of nine novels and lives with her family in San Diego, California. Find out more about her at http://www.susanmeissner.com/.

The Giveaway:
And now I get to give away a brand spanking new copy. If the description of this story has grabbed you, just leave a comment and I'll draw next Tuesday for the book. As always please make sure you leave some way to get ahold of you, either blog link or email address. Unfortunately, Canadian or U.S. postal address only please.
You may also purchase this book here at Amazon.

23 comments:

cpullum said...

Wow this sounds good finding a diary and living in someone elses life! Would love to read!

SmilingSally said...

I have a giveaway: a BOX of new books. Come enter.

Anonymous said...

Sounds intriguing! Count me in.

Faith said...

Sounds awesome!
Please count me in for your giveaway.
Thank you!!

Barb said...

This book sounds fascinating - I've always been intrigued by that whole time in our history - the Salem witch trials. I'd love to be entered for a chance to win this book.

And I've had it with Bloglines - we're going to break up and I'm going to start dating Google Reader because I did NOT know you'd done a new post. Arrgggh! To think I could have missed this!

Willow said...

This book sounds fascinating. I love history and books that are set in some way in the past always interest me.

Chris said...

Sounds like it's right up my alley. I need a good read right now!

Renna said...

It definitely grabbed me. I'd love to read this book! :-)

Susie said...

This sounds like just the fiction book I've been looking for to get me out of my rut. Please count me in!

Rhondi said...

That book sounds very intriguing. Please add my name to the giveaway.Rhondi

Sandra said...

First, don't add my name to the drawing, because I just won a copy from Michelle yesterday :)

Loved your review on it, I'm even more excited to read it now.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I sat with Susan Meissner at a table once. She's really nice. Count me in your giveaway, Susanne.

Carrie said...

Thanks for entering me! I would love to read this book.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my! This one sounds gripping. And I love books with take-away value. I've already added it to my "Wish List."

Islandsparrow said...

You've got my attention Suzanne! Count me in please.

Tammy said...

Oh, this sounds great, Susanne! Please count me in!

Kelli said...

Sounds like a good book that I would enjoy reading! Please put me in the giveaway and I'll keep my fingers crossed that I win:)

Have a great day and may God bless you every day!

gail@more than a song said...

Count me in too please! Sounds pretty interesting...and I've liked a lot of your recommendations in the past!

Jen said...

Sounds awesome! Something my Lauren might like to read, also.
Please count me in! Thanks!
pinkaboutit1(at)gmail(dot)com

Kelley said...

Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to read it.

Shawna said...

This sounds like an excellent book, and I only read the first sentence or two! I do hope I win this one! Thanks, Susanne, for hosting the giveaway. :0)

Julia said...

I've been reading a bunch of historical fiction lately. (Just finished Liz Curtis Higgs series of 4 books - I'd highly recommend them!) Shape of Mercy sounds really good, I'd love to be entered in the draw! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a very compelling story. Please add me to your book giveaway.

bailey4236@verizon.net