Hi all you faithful MaNiC MoMMy readers! I hope you have all your holiday hoopla in place and ready to go! It’s been a crazy few weeks here and I’m sure you’re all in the same boat. Thank you all for the kind thoughts and prayers about the loss of my Little Granny. We will be going to her funeral a couple days after Christmas.
But before the end of the year comes and goes I wanted to share one more amazing book with all of you. I had the great pleasure of reading Amy Hatvany’s book Outside the Lines last month and I loved it so much.
Somehow, I ended up with two ARCs of it, and I asked Amy if I could give one away on my blog. We talked and wanted to make it extra special so I’m also going to give away some other goodies too – I’m not quite sure what they are, but I think it might involve some chocolates, maybe some yummy soaps and possibly some other fun stuff, sooo, if you’re in the mood to get a nice little care package from Amy and me, continue reading!
Outside the Lines was a heartbreaker! But in the best way possible. It’s the story of Eden and her search for her father, who deserted her when she was a young child because of his mental illness.
I loved this story because it’s told from Eden’s perspective when she was a young girl, and also when she is a grown woman. It also tells her father’s perspective too. I am frustrated with myself because often after I read such an emotional book I try to write my thoughts down immediately and I didn’t this time and I should have. This was one of those perfect-ending books, in a way that it ended perfectly, if not wrapped up in a perfect bow. Amy has a knack for storytelling and she has created a beautiful family portrait in Eden and David’s story in Outside the Lines.
About Outside the Lines:
When Eden was ten years old she found her father, David, bleeding on the bathroom floor. The suicide attempt led to her parents’ divorce, and David all but vanished from Eden’s life.
Twenty years later, Eden runs a successful catering company and dreams of opening a restaurant. Since childhood, she has heard from her father only rarely, just enough to know that he’s been living on the streets and struggling with mental illness. But lately there has been no word at all. After a series of failed romantic relationships and a health scare from her mother, Eden decides it’s time to find her father, to forgive him at last, and move forward with her own life. Her search takes her to a downtown Seattle homeless shelter, and to Jack Baker, its handsome and charming director. Jack convinces Eden to volunteer her skills as a professional chef with the shelter. In return, he helps her in her quest.
As the connection between Eden and Jack grows stronger, and their investigation brings them closer to David, Eden must come to terms with her true emotions, the secrets her mother has kept from her, and the painful question of whether her father, after all these years, even wants to be found.
If you’d like to enter to win the copy of Outside the Lines and the other fun goodies included, please leave a comment on what you think it means to live outside the lines. I guess this might mean something different to each individual, and it could mean taking risks or chances. I am not sure I live outside the lines, but I like to think I live a very colorful fulfilled life! I hope you all do too!
**Please try to leave an email as well--a grand prize winner lost out on winning 25 books because she did NOT have an identifying way of me to reach her. If you're worried about getting spammed, just put some spaces or asterisks in between your email. I promise not to abuse your email in any way! It would be a shame for you to lose out because I wouldn't be able to find you!
Also, please note that in 2012, I will be bringing you a new book EACH WEEK in a feature called MaNiC’S WeeKLy ReaDS. I hope you’ll be looking forward to it! I’ve got fabulous authors lined up – some you already know and some I’m so excited to introduce you to!
Thank you to Amy for writing ANOTHER fabulous book in Outside the Lines. She has written Best Kept Secret, and that was an incredible book as well. Her other novels, which were published under another name, are going to be republished and I’m excited to read those too, and you can bet I’ll be sharing those with you too. She’s an amazing author and I’m so glad to be able to share her books with you here!
Thank you for taking the time to come over here to visit! Please come back to check out who has won this gift pack of Amy's book, Outside the Lines and some fun goodies. Also, check back at the beginning of the year, where the first book I'll be featuring is Sarah Jio's The Bungalow! And have a blessed holiday. Wishing you happiness, health, and loads of laughter, and love!
89 comments:
Living outside the lines to me is seeing people for who they are and not what they look like. It means accepting people regardless of their sex, race, religion, etc. It's stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something you never imagined you would. It's about embracing life and living it to it's fullest.
joelle dot cottrell @ gmail dot com
Living Outside The Lines is like stepping out of your comfort zone! Something we all need to do!
danisilvia223 at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines for me is believing I can do all the things I was convinced I couldn't. That includes writing my novel and eventually getting it published - even if it means only getting bound for one copy. If I push myself I find things I never knew existed in the world and in myself.
I think living outside the lines means being yourself... even if that's not what others want u to be!
Brannanflooring@aol.com
Everyone lives outside the lines at some point in time in their life, whether it be choosing a career path different from what was expected, walking away and starting over, looking at things through someone else's eyes....
Living outside the lines means not being afraid to do what you really want. Taking a risk every now and then without wondering, "what if I fail" or the outcome isn't the desirable one.
Crystal717
I think living outside the lines means not being afraid to go after what you want and not being afraid to do what is right no matter what others think. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
candc320@gmail.com
Living outside the lines to me is allowing your true inner spirit to soar. Not being afraid to show your colors and maybe be a little crazy or fun. Also not being concerned about what others opinions might be even if you do seem a little wacky. Thanks for the giveaway! Have a wonderful Xmas!
Margaret(singitm)
singitm(at)hotmail(com
I like to live by the motto: do one thing a day that scares you. Just like everyone said here, you're going out of your comfort zone. For me it was mustering the courage and energy to finally work on a novel. Also to quit my decent paying job to go to med school. Ahhh!
Amy.a.risner@gmail.com
Living outside the Lines means to me that you have your own voice, your own truth and arent afraid to live and speak it!
Thanks for the great giveaway . Love Amy Hatvanys work!
Lam430 at roadrunner.com
Living outside the lines to me means being comfortable with who I am whether people want to accept me or not.
This book sounds very good. My father-in-law has an illness that sometimes makes him a little hard to deal with, but you do the best you can.
Kristi
kgriffin1968@msn.com
Book sounds fabulous! Living outsides the lines -to me- means having an open heart and open mind. It sounds like such a simple concept but people struggle with it. Happy Holidays to you! erin713 at gmail dot com
For me living outside the lines means not listening to anyone when they told me I couldn't do or be what I wanted to because of my health problems. I have lived outside the lines everyday of my life. I also believe that living outside the lines means accepting people for who and what they are. Everyone is different and I respect that.
cata63@hotmail.com
Living outside the lines means following my passions even though people may think I am crazy.
brn2shop9 at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines to me means letting perfect love conquer my fears and turn the fear into faith.
sendsusanmail@gmail.com
I think living outside the lines means leaving your comfort zone at times, and not worrying about what others think.
erinaaron616 at bex dot net
Living outside the lines for me means to not be afraid of the unexpected and to try new things.
Happy Holidays, MaNiC MoMMy!!
-tmd636
Living outside the lines can be dangerous and frightening until you understand and reject the strictures of the boundaries others have set forth. Many of us walk that outside the path because we have no choice or know no other option. Once we get it, embrace it and can finally hold our heads up in self pride, it becomes freedom at its most personal.
I love Amy's work and in a way, her literary integrity has been more than just a good read....it has been been a bit of salvation.
I can wait to read the book because waiting for it wonderful. I honestly love her work. Anticipating is wonderful.
i think living outside the lines means saying or doing things that make you happy but others might think of as weird.
estherhatkoff@gmail.com
Living outside the lines means doing things your way, not just the way people think it should be done. Be who you are, even if it may earn you a few "what the heck is wrong with her?" looks!
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
Living outside the lines means taking risks when its easier to just let things stay the same. It's hard for me to live outside the lines, but I try!
Qweska8402
For me, living outside the lines means not living within the boundries 'they' place upon me; I set my own limits, because when others do, I can't live up to my full potential.
jcsites2002 at hotmail dot com
Living outside the lines means not letting others set limits for how you live your life.
Colbey J
Shopping@paulandcolbey.com
I can't wait to read this. My husband is mentally ill and we have two small daughters. I can only say living outside the lines is what we do every day. Id love a life where we didnt worry about meds or moods and whatnots but we do it and so far it works
Living outside the lines: being a teacher. Nothing ever stays in the lines in that profession. It's just the way I like it.
mellsimons at gmail dot com
Living Outside the Lines means living in a dangerous place, having broken boundaries. Making choices you may not want others to know or realize about you. Not staying true to yourself, but making personal and moral sacrifices. We tend to break rules and make risks that ultimately hurt us or someone else, which in turn, remind of the boundaries we have crossed. If we live within our boundaries and make choices that are "inside the lines", our personal and moral values are protected, keeping an eye on our integrity and self preservation.
It looks as though I am posted as Unknown above.
Email address is: tandchugo at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines is going your own way, while others may be following the other way..
Merry Christmas to you!
keodell AT centurytel DOT net
I think it means not always giving in to expectations. I feel like as a SAHM I am expected to have a clean house, but living outside the lines means I'd rather have happy children that I played with.
I live outside my lines everyday. My job is really not a reflection of who I am. I love my job and the people I work with but I must not be full-on, crazy liberal Tara when at work. Sacredcraneyoga (at) yahoo (dot) com
Living outside the lines means not conforming to what "everyone" thinks is the proper way to live. It means following your own drummer, even if the beat is "off" to others. And not being afraid of that different beat. Living your way and not worrying about what other people think!
shaggy552 at gmail dot com
living outside the line means living your life the way YOU choose to and not my the lines others draw for you.
Ok first off, you are going to be giving away The Bungalow. ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION: IF you don't win this book you need to go buy it. I won Violets of March and it was one of the best books I have ever read. I am hoping someone pre-orders The Bungalow as a Christmas gift for me. It is on my wish list! Ok on to this book, it sounds fantastic. As a psychologist I am very interested in it. I guess living outside the lines is being my sister. She truly does not care what people think about her and she does what she wants. I wish I had just a little of that in me. She is vegan and always late among other things and totally unapologetic. I love that about her! She is truly her own person. Happy Holiday to you Manic! Can't wait for the weekly reads.
ncsuloges@yahoo.com
Living outside of the lines to me is living your life to make yourself happy regardless of what others may think.
jordanweber at live dot com
for me it's all about living unexpectedly. the people here at work think that i'm a lonely 47 year old "spinster" who lives in a condo when in reality i live with my boyfriend, who i've been with for 4.5 years, in a house that we bought together. i also love to take "the road less traveled" and to see where it takes me! i've had some stellar adventures that way!
absolutahnie at gmail dot com
living outside the lines to me means not being a sheep. or, at least, being a black sheep.
julietDOTfarmerATattDOTnet
Living outside the lines is like thinking outside the box -thinking differently than the norm.
-Donna W.
I think it is going against the grain and not just doing things because you're supposed to. Not having a "cookie cutter" life, so to speak.
Melissa A from CLC
mbamster0720 at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines to me is living your life the way you want to, not the way people think you should.
To me, it means living outside social norms or doing things others think are crazy. Living in the moment and not being held down by what others may think.
lynnbelo at yahoo dot com
Living outside the lines to me is doing things the way you want to and not following conformity just because it is right.
adkat2009 at gmail dot com
For me, it means stepping outside of my comfort zone, whether it is new food, fashion, or friends...and possibly a career?? I am trying to live outside my lines everyday!
boxer_grl21(at)yahoo(dot)com
Living outside the lines means making your own rules to live by.
I think living outside of the lines can mean a couple of different things. It can mean pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone or it can mean going overboard or taking things too far to the point of things getting dangerous or out of hand.
To me living outside the lines means, pushing yourself to go above the limits you set. I believe we all limit ourselves in one way or another and if you push yourself better things may come! =)
email: lizett34@yahoo.com
I think that living outside the lines would be to go outside of your comfort zone.
Merry Christmas!
kndyer
krystalndyer at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines to me is going outside of my comfort zone. Right now I'm moving back to Florida in hopes of finding better employment and also to pursue a relationship that started last year.
My head is telling me to stay here with my family where it's safe and just find a job here - but my heart and my soul are telling me to take the chance. So what if I fail - at least I tried.
We will see....
Whoops! I forgot my email address:
shopgirl1013@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Living outside of the lines means being your individual self. I don't think many of us do that, and I wish we did.
Sticking with those you love during their extreme struggles. When others and this world tells. you to just leave them by the wayside.
Wow...Having lost two friends in the last few years do to mental illness this book has my attention. I think living outside the lines means being outside what is considered the norm/acceptable. Its being that person that others dont quite understand, and maybe dont want to. I really hope I win an ARC of this book, because I cant wait to read it.
jmndowning@gmail.com
Living outside the lines to me means you live a fun, exciting life. Like others have said, stepping outside of your comfort zone is true too.
kyfaithw at aol dot com
Merry Christmas to all
Living outside the lines to me means not conforming to societal pressures - not always so easy for me, but I'll try live outside a bit more in 2012. :) T
jtshilling at wi.rr.com
Living outside of the lines to me, means trying something outside your comfort zone. New things, new food. I try to often.. Most of the time, with good results..
Amanda
Byacourt at g mail dot com
I think living outside the lines is about challenging yourself and your thoughts. It's about sometimes leaping before you look, though we are all taught to do just the opposite. Taking chances on things and people, you might ordinarily overlook. Not being afraid of your own opinions and beliefs, and trying to embrace the ability to share those things with others!
Happy holidays!! :)
gnatley7@gmail.com
To me living outside the lines means going against the "norm" but I definitely don't do that!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Living outside the lines for me is going above and beyond what is expected.
Kristen
kly(dot)327(at)gmail.com
Living outside the lines to me means that I can live the life I want to live, even though it may not be the way others think I should. I am not living a cookie cutter life (inside the lines of the cookie cutter mold) that everyone is expecting me too. I am living and doing what makes me happy, so there!
And I LOVED Sarah Jio's first book - I can't wait to read The Bungalow!
Living outside the lines means not trying to fit in. I often feel out of place but I don't mind it. I strive to be a good elementary school teacher while getting hidden tattoos whenever possible and going on vacations on the back of my husband's motorcycle. Not drinking and not being religious often puts me outside of the lines of others. It fun to be me.
LuckiStar222@gmail.com
Living outside the lines, to me, is doing anything that others would not expect of you.
Living outside the lines for me, means going against what your family,friends, society or yourself defines a "normal".
That's a good question. I think Living Outside the Lines is just being spontaneous and not planning too much. It's taking life each day at a time and only thinking about the present, not the past or the future.
Thank you!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com
To me living outside the lines means not being too afraid to try and experience new things, but being just afraid enough that it can be an eye opening experience..I'm going to seek out this book whether I win or not, it sounds thought provoking and heart wrenching
kristinrose28 @ hotmail dot com
Hi Manic! Thanks so much for another chance to win an awesome book!! Anyway, living outside the lines?? Hmmmm...I would say following your heart and going against what others might think you should do. Or, taking risks to follow your dream no matter what. It's not easy by any means and most of us probably don't take the opportunity to do just that. Something to think about. :) Happy Holidays! Nan
nan.newell@gci.net
Living outside of the lines to me means being true to yourself--follow your dreams and take chances--and if you fall get up and keep going--try new things --living in the lines is taking the safe route but so many end up unhappy doing this and that is why you need to be tru to yourself and be happy--you are the only one who can make yourself happy!
slbercu@msn.com
Living outside the lines to me means I get to indulge in something just for myself and just for the hell of it. Could be traveling somewhere exotic or as easy as cooking something new. It's important to remember the little things and not get stuck in the rut of work sleep repeat!
girllovestoread@gmail.com
Living outside the lines for me means doing what is right for me, not what is expected. I struggle with always wanting to do what is expected and wanting to live this "perfect life." But I've found that whenever my husband and I have chosen our own path and not the layed out one, we usually end up very happy with the results.
Happy Holidays Manic!! I'm looking forward to the New Year... 2012 is gonna be a good one (I just know I'll eventualy win one of your books!)
Kristi Hooke
kristi dot hooke at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines for me is "breaking the law! breaking the law!" LOL I don't live a normal life...so I couldn't say I even know what it is to live inside the lines. Thanks for blogging! Love to read you! :)
living outside the lines means living by your own rules and what works for you and your family and not worry about what others think.
Carie
carie_linn@yahoo.com
I think it means going past your comfort zone once in awhile. Nothing to huge but going a little further then you normally would. I try to do this once a day and I"m amazing at what I can achieve.
betsy underscore blixt @excite.com
I'm not sure I live outside the lines when given the choice. Life however has had different plans for me lately and I've for sure been out of my comfort zone. It turns out living outside the lines (or in my case, my comfort zone) isn't such a bad thing.
Living outside the lines to me is living in such a fashion that at the end, you are happy with every choice you made. You would feel you stood up when you needed to, didn't take life for granted, and didn't let any of it pass you by. I am still trying to be more like this.
Terri M.
tmajor421 at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines is getting out of your comfort zone and doing what you want or need to make you happy. I know I need to gt out of my comfort zone more often!! Happy holidays!!
Kconley1215 (at) msn (dot) com
I have become more comfortable with living outside the lines lately. For me, it is sometimes putting me (my desires, hopes, and dreams) first instead of always doing what others think I should do just because I am the mom, wife, daughter, etc. I am learning that some "me" things make me a happier person which benefits everyone in turn. Plus doing something slightly crazy and unexpected is just plain fun! carmack844@charter.net
For me living out side the lines is taking chances, like when I read about successful lawyers who decide to open up a bakery and make cakes. That's crazy and risky. Unfortunately, that is not me. barrios_brenda@att.**net
To me living outside the lines means doing more than is required. Do the best you can and always strive for more. Thanks for the fun giveaway.
mtakaal1 AT yahoo DOT com
Living outside the lines means to me that you don't follow the norm. Doing something that most people dream off but don't follow thru with. I wish I did more of it!
kgrady75 @ gmail dot com
living outside the lines to me means...sometimes taking chances...for the benefit of the good...for yourself and/or others.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
To me, living outside the lines means not to be like everyone else. Not to go along with the crowd and to make your own decisions based on your own values.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Living outside the lines to me would mean that you are living life on your own terms and for yourself not anyone else.
For me, living outside the lines means to take some risks and make the most out of life that you can. I'm not the best at the risk thing but I do try to live the best I know how.
Nicole
Living outside the lines may vary from person to person, but it's very hard to do. Leaving your comfort zone behind, and daring to do what is right is a start.
laura at laurameehan dot com
For me, living "outside the lines" is a very simple concept. It's following your dreams and not doing what is expected of you, just because it is "expected" of you. It's living your life in a way that is satisfying for yourself, not just pleasing someone else.
It's a simple concept but not always so easy to follow.
Dyzee (dbrown37@sympatico.ca)
I think living outside the lines is living as if nothing matters but the moment, not being afraid to stretch your mind and body to do things you might not normally do.
Emily116
emilyelizabethwhalen at gmail dot com
Living outside the lines means: living life to the fullest for yourself and others. Enjoy, breathe, reach and succeed at everything you can be and do with your life! Shake it up and enjoy
caryngabryshak at hotmail dot com
Living the life you want rather than the life others think you should be living. Thanks for another great giveaway!
Lesleydavis922@yahoo.com
I live out side the lines by moving away from all family and friends to Australia . It may not sound do exceptional however,we were pen pals you know the old fashioned kind who wrote on paper . We wrote to each other for about 12 months long 21 page letters telling each other everything not expecting to meet. Then came phone calls and hundreds of dollars of phone bills. We finally meet when he visited the USA on my suggestion 18 years later three kids and a continent away from what I called home we still I've outside the lines
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