Sunday, May 31, 2009

Book Review and Giveaway: Stealing Home by Allison Pittman/4 Stars

About the book:

It’s 1905 and the Chicago Cubs are banking on superstar Donald “Duke” Dennison’s golden arm to help them win the pennant. Only one thing stands between Duke and an unprecedented ten thousand dollar contract: alcohol.

That’s when sportswriter David Voyant whisks Duke to the one-horse town of Picksville, Missouri, so he can sober up in anonymity. He bides his time flirting with Ellie Jane Voyant, his unofficial chaperone, who would rather hide herself in the railway station ticket booth than face the echoes of childhood taunts.

Ned Clovis, the feed store clerk, has secretly loved Ellie Jane since childhood, but he loves baseball and the Duke almost as much–until he notices Ellie Jane may be succumbing to the star’s charm.

Then there’s Morris, a twelve-year-old Negro boy, whose only dream is to break away from Picksville. When Duke discovers his innate talent for throwing a baseball, Morris might just have found his way out.

Four individuals, each living in haunted isolation, each harboring a secret passion. Providence brings them together. Tragedy threatens to tear them apart. Will love be enough to bring them home?

My thoughts:

It's not often that books and sports come together at the same time for me. I happen to dearly love a good dose of both, and this book was the perfect solution. Baseball happens to provide the backdrop for this story, and I was a captive spectator through the whole thing. I cheered along with Duke as Morris continued to practice his pitching, and with Ned as he hoped to make a catch with Ellie Jane. Allison Pittman has created a masterpiece of a book with delightful characters and an enjoyable story that will definitely stick with you.

4 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  No

One other thing....

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of Allison's book, simply leave a comment at the end of this post with your email address like this--yourname at gmail dot com--or something similar. Sorry, but if you do not leave your email address, you will not be entered in the giveaway. Your email address is the only way I can contact you. Giveaway is open only to US residents, and the winner will be announced on Monday, June 8th.

16 comments:

  1. Hi, I would like to win this book. Thanks. I just became a follower too.
    Come follow me! :)

    gahome2mom at gmail d com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I skip over from PBS ever so often to check out your blog. I'd love a chance to win this book. I haven't read anything by this author.

    ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Please enter my name in this contest. Thanks!

    bookheart at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Would love to win this book. Would like to see how the player ends up dealing with his alcoholism.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This book sounds so different and interesting I would love a chance to win it.

    Gayla Collins
    gayla.c@bresnan.net

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd love to win a copy of this book. Have become a baseball fan since both of my boys play. :)

    Blessings,
    Mimi

    mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds like a good read to me!! Very interesting and different. Sign me up!

    Gail Mundy
    johngailm(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  8. My cousin just told me about this book last week and I put it on my pbs wishlist. I would love a chance to win it!

    Mary Jo Robertson
    rcmjrobertson at sbcglobal dot net

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would love to win this book. Please enter me in the drawing.Thanks!
    debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great Review!! And your Blog looks great!!! I hope to win!

    Rae Byuel

    raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds absolutely wonderful. I love baseball. It's a big thing in our family, so this would be a great book to read. Leaving you messages twice in one day, I think that's a record.

    pleblanc_1[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the name of your blog!

    And I loved the review of this book. Sounds like a wonderful read. Please enter me in the give away. Barb C. ChristianHomes@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please enter me in the book giveaway. Thank you.

    tavnkate1989 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have an Allison Pittman book on my TBR shelf, but haven't read this one - please enter me...

    Janna
    ryanx6 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I enjoy Allison's books so much and would love to win a copy of this one. Thank you for the contest.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  16. And the winner is......Mimi!

    I've sent you an email asking for your mailing address. I hope you'll enjoy this wonderful book!

    Christy

    ReplyDelete