Giveaways

When one sees the word giveaway and it’s in big and bold letters, this is an attention grabber! Am I wrong? I did’t think so! Yesterday I hosted my first tour and (I think) it went pretty successful. The author was kind enough to give away two copies of her book. HERE is my post from yesterday.

This leads me to the point of this blog post. When an author goes on tour to promote herself and/or her book, by having giveaways on blogs can be one of the biggest ways to help get the word out that there’s a new book that they might like, and maybe become a fan. I’ve been lucky enough to win three books from authors and books that I didn’t know about — thanks to blog giveaways! With already known authors (such as Emily Giffin) having them on the blog would be an honor, but they don’t need as much publicity as new and self-published authors.

If you’re an author, how do you promote yourself? If you’re the blogger, how do you help promote the book or the author?

Book review for “Binding Arbitration”

“Binding Arbitration” by Elizabeth Marx

Libby Tucker’s son, Cass, is terminally sick. As a single mother the only choice she might have to possibly save his life is to contact the boy’s father, baseball player – sexy, alluring, and passionate, “Band-Aid” Aidan Palowski. (He even left me even swooning for him). When she reaches out for his help, he does so willingly. The instant connection between Cass and “Mr. Pole-ow-ski” is what begins to make these three the family that they should’ve been all along.

After reading the storyline, I knew that I would love this book. When I finally did started it, I was instantly in love with “Binding Arbitration.” From the beginning I was hooked, especially having Chapter 1 start in Aidan’s POV. (I thought that was a really cleaver thing that the talented author, Elizabeth Marx, did). In the first chapter, we see Aidan shooting a commercial with little girl fairies. In a cute way, it was comical to see how Aidan behaves around them. He’s not mean, just the typical baseball player who isn’t a fan of sparkles and screaming kids.

Chapter 2 was in Libby’s POV. I liked her character because with all that she has going for her, she doesn’t back down and shows no sign of weakness whatsoever. She’s a woman who gives 100% to her job as a highly acclaimed attorney, and as a mother who would do anything for her child.

After the Libby confronts Aidan and at the end of the 3^rd chapter, it was obvious that there are still some very strong feelings between these two, no matter who or what stood in their way. I was cheering for them the whole way through, especially at the end when a tragedy strikes, which turned out to be a heartwarming conclusion to this sweet book.

I read “Binding Arbitration” in about a week, and it was everything I thought and hoped it would be. There weren’t any slow parts that left me feeling that I was being strung along. I think that Ms. Marx did a phenomenal job of creating such wonderful book that deals with such a sad situation for such a sweet little boy like Cass. I admired the way Cass’s character was written as a child – he didn’t seem to care much about what was happening to himself, but only wished the best for his parents. That was just one more sign of what a great mother Libby was to her little man.

If you’re the mood for a quick read about love, forgiveness and family, I think you enjoy it as much as I did.

“Binding Arbitration” will definitely be on my list of my Top Reads of 2012.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

**GIVEAWAY**

Win “BINDING ARBITRATION” by leaving a comment telling me why you love reading Chick Lit books, along with your email address! Two winners will be randomly selected. This giveaway ends on April 2nd at midnight EST! (I WILL ONLY INCLUDE YOU IN THE DRAWING IF YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS) Good luck!

About the author:

Windy City writer Elizabeth Marx brings cosmopolitan flair to her fiction, which is a blend of romance and fast-paced Chicago living with a sprinkle of magical realism. In her past incarnation she was an interior designer–not a decorator–which basically means she has a piece of paper to prove that she knows how to match and measure things and can miraculously make mundane pieces of furniture appear to be masterpieces. Elizabeth says being an interior designer is one part shrink, one part marriage counselor and one part artist, skills eerily similar to those employed in writing.

Elizabeth grew up in Illinois and has also lived in Texas and Florida. If she’s not pounding her head against the wall trying to get the words just right, you can find her at a softball field out in the boonies or sitting in the bleachers by a basketball court. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs.

Elizabeth has traveled extensively, but still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.

Contact Elizabeth:

Email: elizabethmarxbooks@gmail.com

Buy “Binding Arbitration!”

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Get the prequel! “Cutters vs. Jocks” is still available — and FREE!

Amazon