Book Giveaway Winner Announcement

It's been a week and our giveaway for a copy of Olga Soaje's new self published novel {chick lit} has ended. A winner has been selected using random.org entering the amount of total comments and our winner is:

The very last comment entered was:

Tina Bobina who said:

"a metal grate or grass!" 

Congratulations Tina! E-mail announcement is on it's way and you have 48 hours to respond with your full mailing address so the copy of the book may be mailed to you.

Thank you to everyone for entering this fun giveaway. :D

Olga Soaje {Book author interview and giveaway!}

I had the opportunity of interviewing Olga Soaje the author behind my latest novel obsession "Borrowing My Mother's Saints". If you haven't read my review for her novel make sure you do! Here is what I asked her -I hope you enjoy reading her answers. 

1.- How did you come up with the story?

"It's a funny story actually, my youngest son had began school and I had realized I had time on my hands so I went to visit a friend and shared with her that I wanted to write a Saints manual but I wanted it to be written in a language we use daily and I wanted it to be a light read. However one night at a dinner party the character came to mind and I began to imagine the story and what was going on with the characters. I told my friend about it and she being the loyal supporter she's always been said "write it and send it to me tonight!" and that is how Julianna came to life. When I finished writing the story I realized how much I had written and how I enjoyed it so I researched about getting it published with the help from another friend. It's been an unforgettable experience!"

2.- What did you most enjoy about writing this novel?

"I enjoyed so many things, but to answer the question: The process. From scribbling the outline in pieces of paper that looked like a giant puzzle on a small wall in my home office, to a constant chatter in my mind with the scenes' not to mention discussing the story over coffee, tea, errands with my friend Adriana... it was a joyous journey. I can say that on the days that I got the opportunity to write I had the feeling of that second wind you get after a good run, it was addictive."

3.- The main character Julianna is faced with life changing decisions. What life changing decisions have you had to make? 

"I've had my share over the years, from moving back to my hometown to leaving job opportunities in lieu of dreams. The most recent was to publish "Borrowing My Mother's Saints" and say out loud what I had only chosen to tell a few close friends and family... I'm a writer and loving every minute of it."

4.- What would you like readers know about the book?

"When you read Saints in the title you might think of it as a religious book and although I do mention Patron Saints my aim was to go more into the "inspirational?. One of my greatest dreams is to have readers not only enjoy the story but to feel that I have somehow touched their feelings and inspired them; when I read stories that people send me at my Facebook page it just brings a smile to my heart all day long!"

For more about Olga Soaje make sure you visit her Facebook Page where readers all over the world are sharing a picture of them holding the book. This makes for a fun and active page and who knows maybe Olga herself might respond to your post! ;)

GIVEAWAY!

You read my review and now you know a little more about the author. Now you can win a copy of the book! So you can read it too. The book starts with Julianna getting her shoe's heel stuck in the street as she is walking.

What other places can get your heel stuck as you are walking?? 

Winner will be selected at random! 
Good luck!

Terms & Conditions of giveaway: 

 Giveaway is only open to U. S. residents age 18 or older, ends on Tuesday March 5th at 11:59 p.m. PST.  Number of entries received deteermines the odds of winning. One winner will be selected using random.org As always winner will be notified by e-mail and has 48 hours to respond with complete mailing address and claim their prize otherwise a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using random.org  Sponsor is 100% responsible for prize and will ship book directly to winner. Void where prohibited by law. 

DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of "Borrowing My Mother's Saints"  which facilitated my review.

Borrowing My Mother's Saints {book review}

I enjoy reading, although it isn't something I always make time for. Since New Year's I've been reading a lot more and enjoying all I can learn through books. We have always read for Adventure Girl and Adventure Boy, but when it came to us we just did not make the time to enjoy a good book. A good story. Usually I enjoy reading non-fictional books because I feel I learn so much from them, I enjoy reading memoirs and although they're not always in the chick-lit category when I've found one I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

That is the case for "Borrowing My Mother's Saints", it's a novel written and self published by Olga Soaje. Who is Olga Soaje you ask? Well let me tell you a little bit about Olga. She is a wife, a mother and once upon a time she was a manufacturing plant manager for several years who discovered her passion for writing and enjoyed it to the fullest when her youngest soon started school. She lives between San Diego and Baja with her family and she is one of the sweetest women you'd ever meet! How do I know? Well, I've met her!

When at the end of January I received her newly self published novel "Borrowing My Mother's Saints" I did not know what to expect. The name of the book made me think immediately that it would be 100% religious. I was surprised when I began reading it and immediately began to see the story unfold in my mind.

Julianna Di Santis the main character of the book is a 30 something successful woman who lives in New York and works for an important Marketing Company -she is an ad executive.  She leads her dream life dating the man of her dreams, working at the company of her dreams, wearing luxury brands and well known for her ideas and professionalism.  One morning her life turns, she loses her job. Her boyfriend breaks up with her. Her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer and Julianna well she begins an adventure in finding her true calling, her true self and begins to have flashbacks of when she was growing in Catholic school and all the teachings Sister Gertrude taught her at such a young age.

Throughout the story we learn about her faith, her passion in life, what she once forgot and is now working to always remember: be in the moment and enjoy it to the fullest.

For the next two weeks after I put my children to bed I would settle with a nightlight and enjoy reading all about Julianna and learn about life and several Saints. It's a fun combination that sometimes humored me, filled me with hope and of course being the romantic I am it also gave me a romantic story and reminded me about faith. It is a book that looks at life as we all dream of it.

I enjoyed reading "Borrowing My Mother's Saints" so much that I would end up reading past midnight and in fact I did finish the book at midnight 10 days after I received it! I was excited to continue reading about Julianna and what would happen on the next page. Funny thing is I had a highlighter with me while reading the book and would highlight my favorite quotes. Here are some of them:

I highly recommend reading this novel, specially if you like chick-lit! And word has it she is preparing the second part of this novel! Squee!

You can connect with Olga Soaje through her Facebook page and also read more reviews of the book on Goodreads. Borrowing My Mother's Saints is available for purchase on Kindle, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Disclosure: I received a printed copy to facilitate my review, however all images and opinions are my own.