As much as we love us some light, fluffy reading to escape from the week, we also really appreciate when a book tackles heavier issues with just the right tone. In fact, it’s usually those books that resonate with us for long after we read the last page.
That’s why we’re pleased as punch to feature the lovely and talented Amy Hatvany and her latest novel, Best Kept Secret today. It’s a story about a mother struggling with alcoholism and trying to put her life back together after her world falls apart-it’s a summer must-read!
Cadence’s drinking snuck up on her – as a way to sleep, to help her relax after a long day, to relieve some of the stress of the painful divorce that’s left her struggling to make ends meet with her five-year old son, Charlie.
It wasn’t always like this. Just a few years ago, Cadence seemed to have it all—a successful husband, an adorable son, and a promising career as a freelance journalist. But with the demise of her marriage, her carefully constructed life begins to spiral out of control. Suddenly she is all alone trying to juggle the demands of work and motherhood.
Logically, Cadence knows that she is drinking too much, and every day begins with renewed promises to herself that she will stop. But within a few hours, driven by something she doesn’t understand, she is reaching for the bottle – even when it means not playing with her son because she is too tired, or dropping him off at preschool late, again. And even when one calamitous night it means leaving him alone to pick up more wine at the grocery store. It’s only when her ex-husband shows up at her door to take Charlie away that Cadence realizes her best kept secret has been discovered….
Sound good? Well, we have five copies to giveaway-just leave a comment and we’ll choose the winners on Sunday June 12th after 6pm PST. Good luck!
CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS…AMY HATVANY’S 5 DO’S AND A DO-OVER
5 DO’S
1. Do make a gratitude list. I used to snark at this idea, but after practicing it for a while, it has literally become impossible for me to feel grateful and irritated at the same time. In moments of stress, shifting my focus to all the wonderful things in my life lessens the weight of the negative and reminds me how blessed I actually am.
2. Do wear red. It’s a power color! I always feel so confident and strong when I slip a red piece of clothing on. I even got married (ahem – the second time) in a blood red dress (Go figure: the only person not wearing white in the wedding party was me.) Find the shade that works for you and embrace your inner sassy minx!
3. Do help someone else out when you’re having a bad day. It can be something as simple as telling a co-worker how great she looks in a particular outfit, or even making surprise dinner for a friend and delivering it to her house. Helping others lifts my spirits so much, and gets my mind off my own “stuff,” even if it’s just for a little while.
4. Do get to bed early one night a week. Whether you’re single or have a partner, the extra rest or additional “quality” time is a must. In our busy, busy lives, moments filled with wonderful conversation, or just snuggling beneath the covers alone and reading a book in peace and quiet – pure bliss!
5. Do speak kindly to yourself. Negative self-talk has been so damaging to me in the past. I would NEVER speak to someone I care about with the same judgment and disdain I have used on myself. Several years back, I made a commitment to knock it off, and wow, what a difference! No one deserves your love and compassion more than you.
DO-OVER
If I could, I’d convince the little girl I used to be that exercise is pleasurable, not punishing. That way, it wouldn’t feel like I’m being forced to walk the plank on my way to the gym!
Other than that, there is very little I would change about my life. I’ve had a few wishes for “do-betters” for mistakes I’ve made along the way – a few hairstyles come to mind (anyone else have the 1980’s Wall O’Bangs?) – but overall, I believe everything I’ve done, mistakes included, has led me to the woman I am today. And I’m pretty okay with her.
Thanks Amy! xoxo, L&L
To read more about Amy, head on over to her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Add a Comment
Sometimes, bad things sneak up on you.
Oh my I feel like I have found a kindred spirit! Love and wear red…check! Say something nice to someone else when you are down….check (I hate to wallow and complain to others when I have a bad day because I hate it when they do it to me…instead make someone else’s day by being kind)! I am still working on not indulging in negative self talk (it makes my husband so mad when I do it) but that is a little bit of a struggle for me. I always looked at exercise of any kind as torture and am working really hard to get over that now. Not successful yet :)! I can’t wait to read this book, I have read such awesome things about it.
I really like Amy’s “Do” list. I agree with everything on it except wear red. Red just doesn’t look good on me. lol
Wow, this sounds incredibly powerful! I’m adding it to me to-read list! And yes, I remember the 80′s bangs, in fact I think I may have carried those right into the early 90′s…oh well at least I was “cool” (ha!).
can’t wait to read this and see how things go after the ex-husband shows up. sounds like a very interesting book. love the do’s list; esp about wearing red, my fav color!
Such powerful, positive thoughts! I think they are all things we should be doing for ourselves. I think I’ll put on a red shirt today.
This sounds like it will be an emotional roller coaster of a book. I also love the Do list. :)
Wonderful advice which really got me to think about some changes that I could make to better myself. I’m looking forward to reading the book because it is a topic that speaks to me. I have family that has struggled with the same issues in the past and its nice to have an author tackle the subject every now and again. Thanks ladies :)
This book I would absolutely love to read!!! Send it my way and I will dig into it immediately.
I also like all of Amy’s 5 Do’s. My favorites are #2 and #3. I love to wear red! The color makes me feel good and I always get compliments when I wear anything red. Helping someone else also always makes me feel better, but especially when I’m having a bad day myself. It gets my mind off my own troubles while at the same time making someone else’s day better.
Count me in for the giveaway!
And……favorite “do” is #4!!!!!
i like the do list and the do over, and I’d love to read this book!
With how stressful our lives can get it is easy to allow something like “drinking” to become a problem and not be aware of it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com
I sure like what I read what Amy Hatvany, and I REALLY like what I read about her book! Its subject sure resonates with me and the family dynamics I’m familiar growing up with, except my father was the drinker. I’d love to win a copy of this!
fun! I read this book and LOVED it!
Sounds awesome! Please enter me in the contest. Another book to add to my summer reading list!
Wow, what a spooky yet beautiful cover! And have to say, great advice with the Gratitude List. As inspired by Oprah (lameeee, i knowww) I started keeping a gratitude notebook to write 5 things I am grateful for at the end of each day. Has been an awesome experience and am now on my third one!
Sounds like a great summer read…I will add it to my list!
Wonderful list! Sounds like a great read. Would love to read this!
Now this is the type of book that I love! Not only does it sound intersting, but it touches on a subject that is taboo in today’s society. I just watched a special about mothers who are closet drinkers. Some went to treatment and some relapsed. Some are doing great. As for me, I am social worker and this type of thing goes on in my job every day. Sad, but true. Especially for the children. Thanks for shedding light on a book that may not always be a a fun subject to touch on. Keep em coming! :)
I think this is the fifth contest I’ve entered trying to win a copy of this book :D I’m not a drinker, but an eater…I eat out of frustration/stress of being at home with kids the house what have you. I look forward to reading Cadence’s story and see what happens!
Sounds great. Count me in please.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I grew up in an alcoholic home, so I know how life is when one of your parents has “checked out” of your family. I would REALLY love to read this novel!!
I love the idea of #5. Now if, I could just stick with it….
This book is so intriguing! I can’t wait to read it….
These are all great do’s!!! I believe in all of them!!!
i’m currently working on a story (you can read along as i write it on my blog!) in which one of the characters is a formerly-together young mother who has disappeared into alcoholism. she’s a somewhat peripheral character because its not something i’m really familiar with — i would love to read a novel in which the alcoholic mother is the central figure.
Doesn’t sound like a typical light summer read.
this is a great “do list”. love #2!
That Do-List is excellent. I especially love #2 cos I love red! And she got married in red? LOL. That is soooo bold.
This is not my usual “light” read but this sounds like it is going to be a great read. The Do List is great …#1 and #5 I applied to my life a few years ago and it has caused great changes for me.
Oh yes,this is a definite for my tbr which keeps on growing.Alcoholism touches everyone,be it the person,family or friends. Thanks for the give away!!
This sounds like a must-read!
can’t imagine losing my kids….sounds like a “spend the day on the deck” kind of book!
She’s brave to tackle such a serious topic…makes me want to read it all the more.
I cannot wait to read this book. Replace the divorce with a death and make that two kids … I didn’t go over the edge, but wine made it possible for me to fall asleep. Unfortunately, it also meant that I drank a great deal of coffee in the mornings. Maybe I should have taken a shortcut and gone with spiked coffee …
love her list! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. :)
I like that idea of “do-better” versus “do-over” as I, too, think that mistakes need to be had every once in awhile. This looks like a powerful read with lessons to be learned for all of us.
I am so grateful for Liz & Lisa asking me to post this! I love these ladies so much, and their ebook, “The D-Word” was so great I was honored to blurb for them!
So excited to be able to give away a few copies of BEST KEPT SECRET here! Thank you all for your interest and kindness…fingers crossed for you to be in for the win! XOXO!!!
great list!!! i’ve heard so many good things about this book. count me in. :)
Amy, we can’t tell you how excited that you took the time to read The D Word! You are awesome and so is BEST KEPT SECRET! Thanks so much for being here on the site-we had a blast! xoxoxoxoxo L&L
I absolutely cannot wait to read this book! I really hope I win :)
I love your 5 Do’s and do-over —- I can so relate to all of them on some level. Amazing to read them….felt like I wrote it myself!
This book sounds really awesome!
kewalker1972@gmail.com
I like the do list, especially the gratitude list. This book sounds very thought-provoking. Thanks for the giveaway.
#5 is one I’m still trying to do, but I’m getting there. :)
I’d like to read this book.
Congrats to arizonars@gmail.com, in_stitches_59@yahoo.com, jennysryan@gmail.com, kmcelroy123@aol.com, anovelreview@yahoo.com! They’ve each won a copy of BEST KEPT SECRET! Thanks to all who entered! xoxo