Special birthday Chill Out, Josey! giveaway for January!

Win a copy of Chill Out, Josey! by Susan May Warren. Both Susan and I share a birthday this month so we decided to hold a special giveaway to celebrate. Honestly, I just loved this book so much I'm using my birthday as an excuse to share it with someone. So post a comment to enter your name and make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win. I will draw the winner on 1-8-08 when I turn 41. Susan's birthday is the 21st, but I didn't ask her how ancient she will be. We'll leave that a mystery!



About the book:

Josey Anderson will be the perfect wife. She and Chase did have the perfect wedding--if you don't count the matron of honor going into labor. Now all she has to do is find a cute Cape-style house, report for the Gull Lake, Minnesota, paper, bake cookies and learn to sew--is that so difficult?

But when Chase lands a new job--in Moscow--Josey's dreams disintegrate. After all, she's been there, done that as a missionary, and a city without year-round hot water, decent takeout or . . . maternity clothes--that's not perfection! But what's the perfect wife to do?

My Review:

Don't read this book in public. All of the snickering and snorting will draw attention to yourself, and you won't be able to hold it back. I read about four pages of this book to my son the other night (while we were waiting to start a game) and even he (Mr. Serious) starting rolling in laughter with me. Josey is such a great character. Her thoughts were hilarious and her antics were totally nuts. But she tries so hard you've gotta love her. She is a bit naive, though, when it comes to some things, but fortunately the trust she places in people is not destroyed. You have to love someone who cares as much she does, right? Isn't that what makes her so adorable? I think so.

Josey had funny names for people that will make you laugh, but she is descriptive without sounding mean, and I loved that. She referred to the Russian women (who worked with her husband) as the underfeds because they were so thin compared to her. And when she starts going through her internal pregnancy thoughts (like comparing herself to a manatee) make sure your mouth is empty or you'll spew food on your book. Trust me, this story is a keeper. You won't want to ruin it.

I especially enjoyed one of the key props in this book. Josey referred to them using a pet name, scary pants. There is a whole lot of subtle meaning that goes in to that clothing item. Brilliantly done! Personally, I think this author is most gifted in writing funny chick lit. I hope Josey's legacy continues or I'll be one sad reader. Of all of the books I've read in the past year, this is by far the most amusing, but it also had some profoundly insightful moments that were a natural part of the storyline.

Lest you think you will get only humor from this book, let me set you straight now. Josey gains insight into her inner life and motivations, and as a reader you will do some soul-examining along with her. The spiritual message is wonderful. Steeple Hill deserves major kudos for publishing this work of art. This is what Christian Chick lit should be about...humor and depth. Susan May Warren has that going on here, so enjoy!

Chill Out, Josey! was published by Steeple Hill Cafe and released in December 2007! WIN a copy while it's hot!