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Book Review: Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin & Giveaway
July 6th, 2010
Sea Escape, releasing today, by Lynne Griffin is a book that I really enjoyed. This story was emotionally charged for me; it’s the story of family – of the things that are important and of the things that we hold secret without thought to the consequences. For me, it was also the story of a woman still striving for her mother’s love even as an adult with children of her own. I felt a deep connection to this story which is probably why I liked it so much. It’s also very much a love story – of a couple and of a woman’s desire to have everything perfect from her love for her man to the home and family she’s dreamed of all her life. Yet, it takes only one thing to go wrong to upset this delicate balance and throw it all into a turmoil.
Laura is married with two kids at home and a great career that she loves as a nurse taking care of newborn babies. As well there is her mother Helen, someone Laura has strived almost her whole life to understand. As a child her mother doted on her but then tragedy struck and Laura’s mother went into a depression and after that Laura’s life was very much different. Her mother was no longer there for her emotionally. Laura has spent her life wondering why her mother didn’t love her anymore. What had she done?
Tragedy strikes yet again as Laura’s mother has a stroke and is in a coma. Laura, in an attempt to better understand her mother begins to read private letters from her father to her mother that her mother has vigilantly kept to herself over all the years. She also decides to try reading them to her mother; Laura believed if anything could bring her mother out of a comma it would definitely be her father’s words.
Through these letters though Laura begins getting a very different picture of her mother and also more of an understanding as to why her mother was the way she had been over the years. The story unfolding before her eyes is one very different from what she thought her parent’s and her mother’s life to be. The woman she calls her mother; someone she hasn’t been allowed to get to know, is beginning to make a lot more sense to her. Laura begins to realize that her mother isn’t who she had always thought – she wasn’t just a cold and unemotional person. She was a very private person who just didn’t know how to open up after being hurt.
As Laura fights to make sure her mother receives proper care she begins to realize through the letters and very difficult conversations with her mother due to the stroke that they may not be so different from each other as she’s always thought. As more and more secrets come to light Laura develops a relationship with the mother she thought she had lost.
There are so many layers to this story that it’s hard to put it all into words. It’s very much a story of a mother and daughter. A daughter wanting her mother’s love yet never feeling as though she’s getting it. I found the story and characters very real. Laura was a character I really liked. She seemed to be a loving and caring woman who, even though she felt distanced from her mother, still wanted to do everything possible to try one last time to get close to her. For me, this is where I connected to this story so strongly. My mom and I have a relationship a lot like that. I love her more than anything but we don’t have that close mother/daughter bond that I’d like because for whatever reason she doesn’t allow that. I could really see myself in Laura; always making that attempt to get closer, to understand.
The story goes back and forth between the present with Laura and the past with her parents when they were first in love and starting a life. It never seems confusing; the chapters flow together nicely. Sea Escape was a page-turner for me. I just couldn’t put it down -from the very beginning the story gripped me and once everything started unfolding and the secrets that had been buried so long were being realized – I just couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I would recommend Sea Escape to those who enjoy mother/daughter relationship books like I do. If you’re looking for a book club pick, Sea Escape would be a terrific choice. I think novels that involve mother/daughter dynamics and family life in general can really spark a great deal of great conversation.
As a note, this story was actually inspired by the author’s personal family letters about the ties that bind mothers and daughters.
I read Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. I’m the first of the tour stops so you have lots of other stops to check out here. Make sure to pop in and visit Lynne Griffin’s website. You can purchase your own copy of Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin here in the US and here in Canada.
My thanks…to Trish with TLC Book Tours and the publisher Simon & Schuster for my eBook review copy of Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
This is a great giveaway: not only do I have 1 copy of Sea Escape by Lynne Griffin up for grabs but a copy of her first novel Life Without Summer will also be included in the giveaway to 1 winner! What do you need to do…
- Leave me a comment with a way to contact you. Please leave me an email address or I will delete your entry. Thank you.
That’s it. Easy Peasy. This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) as the books will be coming to the winner from the publisher. I will draw for the winner on Saturday, July 31, 2010. Good luck!
***THERE SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING GOING ON WITH COMMENTS RIGHT NOW. THEY AREN’T SHOWING UP HERE BUT THEY ARE IN FACT COMING INTO MY MAIL SO WE’LL WAIT AND SEE IF IT’S A BLOGGER ISSUE. JUST SO YOU KNOW I DO SEEM TO BE GETTING THEM.
Filed under 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 eBook Challenge, 2010 Romance Challenge, 2010-100+ Challenge | Comments (69)
Hey Dar, Please enter me in this contest! Looks great.
forevereading at gmail dot com
I also posted about it.
Sounds a bit heartwrenching to me, but glad you enjoyed it Darlene.
Relationships between mothers and daughters almost defy description, and they are extremely tricky. This was definitely the case with my mom and I'm finding it to be the case with my own daughter. I doubt there will ever be a lack of things to write about. Nice review, and I'd love to be included in the giveaway! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com
Thanks so much for the review,,it sounds like a wonderful read,,please enter me into the giveaway,,thanks,,
Devon
hanna_563 at msn dot com
This sounds like the perfect book to read during the summer. Thanks for the great give away.
jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net
Darlene…. that is a beautifully written review – touching & poignant!!! As a reader, after reading your review I have a clear picture of what to expect from this book and I must say, now I really want to read this book… Please enter me in this giveaway..
archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks
Arch
I'd love to have a copy of Sea Escape. (I've already read Life without Summer, so you don't need to send it if I win.)
Thanks for the good review.
Carol
cdirks1@sbcglobal.net
Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!
pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com
Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the opportunity! emilyjoymitchell at gmail dot com.
I like the idea of mother/daughter relationships…love the cover and wanted to read this one too!!
This book sounds compelling and wonderful. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win and read it. And two for one??? Wow!
teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com
No need to enter me in this giveaway, as I am part of the tour as well. I loved this book and thought it was a very poignant read. I am glad you liked it too and thought that you wrote a wonderful review on it!!
I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
aploughery (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Thanks for this lovely giveaway. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you so much for the giveaway!
ekta.p7 [at] gmail [dot] com
Great giveaway!!! Count me in please!!!
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
Sounds great!! I would love to win!!
vivaglampink@yahoo.ca
I'd love to read this.
mj.coward[at[gmail.com
you have made this book sound like a great read with a wide range of emotions; makes me want to read this book and the other one. thanks.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
The book sounds fantastic. I'm trying to figure out what the cover has to do with the storyline. milou2ster(at)gmail.com
sounds like a wonderful book. please enter me
reneesuz82(at)msn.com
This is a wonderful giveaway, Dar and Lynne Griffin, too, thank you! I came across Sea Escape this morning, read about it and added it to my tbr list so I was thrilled to see your giveaway.
This story sounds very emotionally charged and as a woman who has had some struggles in her relationship with her mom I can relate to Laura's plight and hope to read her story soon.
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com
Great contest. Please count me in.
forwhlz at gmail dot com
This would be a new author for me, sounds good! tWarner419@ao.com
I would really love to read both these books! Please enter me in this great giveaway!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com
Like I need more books on my TBR pile? But it sounds too good to miss.
Thanks!
JHS
Colloquium
jhsmail at comcast dot net
This is easy peasy, great review
sports[dot]erikalynn[at]gmail[dot]com
I would love to win Sea Escape. Maybe I can find where I went wrong with my daughter. My daughter and I are close but she seems distant now. She comes to me when she needs money or to borrow something else or needs me to run an error for her but seldoms call just to see how I am or to tell me what is going on in her life. She is now a widow. We use to be closer but something has happened and we are not that close anymore. I lived alone since 91 until my son moved in when he was sick so I am a loner and love my computer which keeps me company.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I'm interested. Count me in.
mbamster0720(at)gmail(dot)com
This one sounds terrific. I'd love to win it Dar!
je2kids(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh yeah, I'd love to win this! Another new to me author, I love finding them.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
sounds like a good read
courtney at kindasassy.com
The cover seems at odds with the title, I wonder what that's all about? Relationships between mothers and daughters always seem to be evolving, especially when daughters become mothers themselves. Your review has me wanting to read this book, please enter my name for a chance to win, thanks Dar.
wanda_waiting[@]hotmail[.]com
Looks like a missed a couple of posts yesterday thanks to blogger weirdness, but looked back
great review
Please enter me!!!! This sounds like such a good read
behapppppppy(at)hotmail(dot)com
This book sounds like my cuppa tea.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I'd love to have these!
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
Please enter me. I would love to read this.
mittens0831 at aol dot com
I'd love to read these. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I'd like this! Thanks so much.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Enter me in the contest please. The book sounds lovely and something I'd enjoy. Thanks for the review & giveaway!
cc932005[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for another giveaway!
allisonsbj3(at)gmail.com
This sounds like a wonderful book. Today I found a box of postcards and letters that I want to go through. My mom sent letters to my uncle in '43 and '44 that I have found so far and postcards from early 1900's. I hope to learn more about my family when I read them.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I'm thrilled to see that you enjoyed this book so much! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
(no need to enter me)
Terrific review, Dar. I definitely want to read this one so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed.
booklogged at gmail dot com
Please enter me for this.
thanks
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com
Dar, count me in! Thanks for having this giveaway!
cmcdermitt1@carolina.rr.com
Sounds like a very interesting book. I would enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
This so strange..I was just reading a review of "Sea Escape> yesterday..And thought..I want to read this book..Thanks for your indepth,but Spoil Free Review much Appreciated..Susan In Vt…
sounds very good, and I like the cover too. It sounds like the mother daughter relationship was a complicated one.
Great review.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
booksncity at gmail dot com
Aww this sounds super sad! But any book that can make you sad is very well written
bmweida at yahoo dot com
What an awesome giveaway! I'd love to read both these books.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Enter Please
PelicanJL(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway. This looks like a good one.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
liked your review of this book. Sound like a good book.
RJB
loki304[at]tds[dot]net
Please count me in, I would love to read this one
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
I hope I win. I want to read this book.
brn2shop9@gmail.com
I'd love to be counted in for these books. Thanks for the giveaway.
~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com
Mother-daughter relationships…always interesting!
ruthiekb72@yahoo.com
The synopsis of this book is intriguing and one that I would like to read. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.
steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to be counted in for these books! Thanks for the giveaway.
Marie
utah91960[at]yahoo[dot]com
Sounds good! Please enter me.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
brn2shop9@gmail.com
This book sounds fantastic! I would love to read it!
Thanks for the chance to read both of these books!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
Please enter me! I would love to read this book.
dancealert at aol dot com
I subscribe!
thanks for the chance to read these fabulous novels
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com