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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Galway Bay Blog Tour

March 17th - Blog Tour - Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly and Paddy the Elephant Giveaway!


To start.... Isn' t this just a beautiful book?

I am going to post a full review in the next day or two. I will say that I love this book inside and out! It reminds me of other favorite great books such as The Thorn Birds, Angela's Ashes, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Angela's Ashes, East of Eden and the "Fambly" in Grapes of Wrath. It is a book about a family struggling in horrific circumstances, I love family sagas. I can't say enough about my journey into this book. Like so many powerful stories of oppression and tyranny this book pulled me through a range of emotions, laughter, tears, and truly heart breaking scenes. I can not recall more heroic characters than Micheal and Honora. Because in my opinion the most noble of people in life are a man and woman as mother and father working together for their family in the most simple in sincere life sustaining tasks. Once caught up in this story I didn't want to do anything else.

This is definitely a favorite book of mine and I am pretty sure it will hold high rank for years to come.



Description:

Here at last is one Irish family's epic journey, capturing the tragedy and triumph of the Irish-American experience. In a rousing tale that echoes the myths and legends of Ireland herself, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family, inhabiting a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations. Selling both their catch--and their crops--to survive, these people subsist on the potato crop--their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees in one of the greatest rescues in human history: the Irish Emigration to America. Danger and hardship await them there. Honora and her unconventional sister Maire watch their seven sons as they transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century", fight the Civil War, and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. The Kelly clan is victorious. This heroic story sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's 44 million Irish Americans.

In the author's colorful and eclectic life, she has written and directed award-winning documentaries on Irish subjects, as well as the dramatic feature Proud. She's been an associate producer on Good Morning America and Saturday Night Live, written books on Martin Scorsese, World War II, and Bosnia, and a novel based on her experiences as a former nun - Special Intentions. She is a frequent contributor to Irish America Magazine and has a PhD in English and Irish literature.


About the Author:


Mary Pat Kelly is the author of a novel Special Intentions, and nonfiction on subjects as varied as Martin Scorcese and the rescue of Scott O'Grady from Bosnia. In her life, she has been everything from a nun to a documentary filmmaker to a producer of short films for "Saturday Night Live". She lives in New York, NY.

Click here to read a letter from author Mary Pat Kelly.

Where to buy the book?


Now for the Giveaway!

It is Paddy the Elephant! You must have seen him lurking around my blog... And A Circle of Books is giving him away! And to sweeten the deal. Miriam from Hachette is adding a copy of this beautiful book!

Just to be clear, this giveaway is for the handmade stuffed elephant, Paddy, shipped from Toni, and a copy of this gorgeous epic book shipped from Hachette!

A Circle of Books is going to raffle Paddy off in honor of this fabulous book. Galway Bay! It is a random drawing and here is how you get entries.

  • For one entry just reply on this post.
  • For 2 entries add the giveaway to your side bar.
  • For 3 entries add the giveaway to your side bar and include it in a POST on your blog.
  • For 4 entries.. all of the above and follow this blog.... at least 50 people already have this step done and it does count! Thank you loyal followers.
  • Do all of the above and something fantastic like advertise on Twitter and that will give you a fifth entry!
Please let me know in your post what you are doing and how many entries you get (please include links). It is okay to post again if you decide to earn more later.

This contest runs from today 3/17/2009 through 3/28/2009. Winner will be announced on Sunday 3/29/2008. YOU will have to check back to claim this little guy. So please email me within 3 days . I will not be emailing the winner. So you do not have to include your email address in the post. You can email me directly with your snail mail address when I announce your name!

I am shipping to US and Canada only.

Paddy is hand knit by myself using 100% wool. He is NOT child safe and although I think I knit him and sewed him thoroughly, he is not for children under the age of 4. Allergy alert! ...And although my house is pretty darned tidy when it comes to pet hair, this toy was crafted in a house occupied by a dog, and has been knitted of 100% animal fiber. He is stuffed with Poly fiberfill. He does come from a smoke free home.

Here are the participants in the blog tour. CHECK them out. MANY will have giveaways. Not only that... many are so clever and write darned good reviews. I really can't think of a better way to spend a morning blog hopping!!

http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com
http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/
http://book-thirty.blogspot.com/
http://readersrespite.blogspot.com
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
http://www.corinnesbookreviews.blogspot.com
http://lorisbookden.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookthoughtsbylisa.blogspot.com
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com
http://libraryqueue.blogspot.com
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com
http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://www.marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://thebookczar.blogspot.com
http://writeforareader.blogspot.com/
http://linussblanket.com
http://booksbytjbaff.blogspot.com/
http://www.caribousmom.com
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://www.chikune.com/blog
http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com
http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com
http://www.kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com
http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com
http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookbargainsandpreviews.com/reviews/history/galwaybay.htm
http://wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com
http://www.thisbookforfree.com
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/ Share

49 comments:

Serena said...

Paddy is adorable. I'm on the tour as well and loved this book, and I generally don't get too engaged in family sagas. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by this book. I have a giveaway at my stop as well.

I would love to win paddy, but I will refrain and let others enter your great giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I would love both the book and Paddy! Maybe Paddy even more! :--)

Please enter me!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Jenn's Bookshelves said...

I'd love to enter to win Paddy! I already have a copy of the book, though!

Toni said...

Hey Bloggers and Tour participants.... Paddy is for everyone... so if you have the book and win Paddy.. then you can pass the book to the number two pick ..but I did make Paddy with everyone in mind to try to win.. ;)

Happy Blog Tour DAY !

Darlene said...

Well since I can pass the book on then I must enter to win Paddy because he is so absolutely adorable. I already follow you and I will, of course, put this in my sidebar. A really awesome giveaway Toni!

Sage Ravenwood said...

Paddy is adorable! I've heard so many good things about this book. I would love to be entered in this drawing. Thanks! Indigo

ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

Tara said...

I would love to be entered! Thank you.

April said...

Great post, Toni and can I just say that I LOVE Paddy!!! He is soooo awesomely adorable! You rock, girl! I have always wanted to learn to knit - it just seems so relaxing!
I wanted to say that I loved this book as well and was just thrilled to be on the tour! What perfect timing with St. Patrick's Day!
Have a wonderful day, Toni!

Shoshana said...

I love the elephant! I enjoyed this book so much!

Corinne said...

So, thanks so much for stopping by and leaving some nice words at my blog! I sure appreciate that :)

I have People of the Book on my reading list for the next month, I am excited to try it :)

Alyce said...

This book reminded me of The Thornbirds too. It was a delight to read.

Unknown said...

I'd really like to read this book.

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

.Books by TJ Baff said...

please...please....Oh I would love to be entered to win Paddy!
Tamara

Miriam said...

Paddy is so cute. I just keep coming back to your site to look at him. :)

Jo-Jo said...

Paddy is just adorable! I would love to win both him and this book Toni.
joannelong74@gmail.com

Luanne said...

Paddy is adorable! And you are very talented! I too loved Galway Bay and found myself crying at parts as well. ( No need to enter me1)

Number One Novels said...

Paddy is so cute! I'd love to win this book, too!

Toni said...

Way to go with all the comments. Thanks everyone... I think we need to have more Reading Elephant giveaways... Happy St. Paddy's Day.

Debs Desk said...

Please include me in your giveaway. I am a follower.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net

Passages to the Past said...

Me, me, me....pick me! I'm already a follower!

You have no idea how much I want Paddy - he is adorable...did you make him?

Becca said...

I would love a chance to win both the book and Paddy. This is in my sidebar and in a post here:
http://completepoppycock.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-galway-bay.html
(for a total of 3 entries I think)
Thanks
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'm desperate for GALWAY BAY, but Paddy is irresistable, too! Elephants are a family favorite at my house, so I'm crossing all fingers and toes . . . Thank you for the chance!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

. . . and, I'm a follower!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

. . . and, here's my Tweet!
http://twitter.com/ASeaOfBooks/status/1349383432

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Ti said...

Count me in. The elephant is too cute.

thereedfamily[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

This is just for the one entry. I am not together enough to do the other stuff right now.

Kaye said...

Paddy is soooo cute. My daughter would just love him and yes she is over the age of 4. She has a nice little collection of elephants. No penguins, though. Hmmph, very odd in my mind. Anyway enter me in the drawing, please.

Anonymous said...

Hi Toni, You writing about Galway Bay has made me eager to read it plus I adore Paddy.
Please enter me. Thank you.
Vicki

Toni said...

Wow...I just want to say part of the fun of the giveaways.. is the tour, the reading of the book, the giveaway comments... and this time it was also getting to knit Paddy knowing that he was going to be a giveaway prize. Good luck Everyone!!

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I would love to be entered. I also joined as one of your followers!

Jo-Jo said...

Hi Toni...I've added your contest to my sidebar here.
joannelong74@gmail.com

Jo-Jo said...

I'm also a follower...
joannelong74@gmail.com

KR said...

My kindergarten kids would adore Paddy & I'd love the book!

KR said...

I follow.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Jo-Jo said...

I'm back to let you know that I blogged about your contest here.
joannelong74@gmail.com

Jenny Girl said...

I am a sucker for contests!
1 for the comment and 1 for already being a follower.

I actually plan to make an elephant for my friend's daughter whi is pregnant, so I can keep your all for myself.

(Stop by, I gave you an award on my blog)

nfmgirl said...

Me! Me! I would LOVE to win Paddy! I mean, of course I want Galway, too. Everyone is raving about it, but Paddy really sweetens the deal! Thank you!

Wanda said...

My great-grandmother Rose, came from Ireland to Canada as a young girl in the early 1900's. Thanks for the chance to win this book, I would love to read it!

I've posted about your giveaway here: http://aseasontoread.blogspot.com/2009/02/who-would-like-to-win-book.html

I'll become a follower in about two seconds...

CherylS22 said...

Paddy's so cute! Would love to win him. Please count me in!

Thanks,
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

BurtonReview said...

Awww what a cute giveaway! Please count me in!
marieburton2004(at)yahoo.com

OH AND I
Twittered your contest HERE

http://twitter.com/BurtonReview

:)

rubynreba said...

I don't have a blog so this will be my only entry! The book looks great and I collect elephants so I'd love to have Paddy!

Shelley said...

I would love to read this book! And the elephant is so cute too! For now I just have this one comment.

Toni said...

Oh why Oh why didn't I make two elephants... it is going to be hard to give away just one. :) Definitely a note to self for the next one.

Anna said...

Paddy is so cute! I'm a sucker for family sagas, but this one is probably my all-time favorite. I just loved this book, even though it made me cry several times. ;)

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Anita Yancey said...

Patty is so cute! I would love to read this book, I've heard such good things about it. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

tetewa said...

I've been hearing alot about this one, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

Anonymous said...

please do enter me for this giveaway!! i have ben hearing so much about this book that i definitely want to read it now..and paddy's such a bonus too!! I subscribe to your blog via google reader

ramyasbookshelf@gmail.com

Rachel said...

Paddy is adorable! Please enter me!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book.
Beckie
loki304(at)tds(dot)net

Anonymous said...
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