Wednesday, April 16, 2014

THE IDEA OF HIM by Holly Peterson Guest Post and Review


Publisher: William Morrow  (April 1, 2014)
Category: Contemporary Fiction/ Women’s Fiction
ISBN: 978-0062283108
Tour Date: April/May, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 384 Pages

In the fabulous and intrigue-packed new novel from Holly Peterson, the New York Times bestselling author of THE MANNY, THE IDEA OF HIM explores the dangers of falling for the idea of a person, and why facing reality is more liberating than we ever dreamed it could be. For anyone who’s let the fear of being alone keep them from seeing who someone really is, THE IDEA OF HIM is an inspiring, action-packed story of what happens when we embrace our own power and allow the truth to finally set us free.
Allie Crawford has the life she always dreamed of—she’s number two at a high-profile P.R. firm; she has two kids she adores; and her husband is a blend of handsome and heroic. Wade is everything she thought a man was supposed to be—he’s running a successful newsmagazine and, best of all, he provides the stable yet exciting New York City life Allie believes she needs in order to feel secure and happy.
But when Allie finds Wade locked in their laundry room with a stunning blonde in snakeskin sandals, a scandal ensues that flips her life on its head. And when the woman wants to befriend Allie, an old flame calls, and a new guy gets a little too close for comfort, she starts to think her marriage is more of a facade than something real. Maybe she’s fallen in love not with Wade—but with the idea of him.
Captivating and seductive, told in the whip-smart voice of a woman who is working hard to keep her parenting and career on track, The Idea of Him is a novel of conspiracy, intrigue, and intense passion—and discovering your greatest strength through your deepest fears.
Advance Praise for The Idea of Him:
“The Idea of Him is a coming-of-age book for grown ups. It’s fast-paced and intriguing, glamorous and real — not only a great, great read but a tutorial in how to be your own best friend.”-Elin Hilderbrand, author of BEAUTIFUL DAY
“Holly Peterson has written a gripping, sophisticated story of high life suspense that kept me riveted till I’d finished.  The Idea of Him is hugely enjoyable and vividly satisfying.”-Tina Brown of Tina Brown Live Media
“Holly Peterson’s THE IDEA OF HIM is the perfect novel if you want to plunge into great dialogue, a twisting and unexpected plot, shady Wall Street schemes, betrayal, girl friends.. and sex.  It is unputdownable.”-Lesley Stahl, CBS News 60 Minutes Anchor 
“THE IDEA OF HIM takes off like a rocket and doesn’t stop until the last page. In this day and age where we are all so distracted, I relished a book that held my attention with laser focus on sexy topics that we all relate to: why we obsess over love, why we can’t leave when we should, and how we find our strength through friendship and characters we can’t help but adore. “-Katie Lee, TV Host, The Kitchen and Author of Groundswell
“The idea of him is a deeply intriguing book filled with hilarious social satire and sexy longing. This book explores falling in love with the idea of someone rather than the person themselves…and how we cope with reality once we wake up!”-Kelly Bensimon, Author and Television Personality 
About Holly Peterson:Holly Peterson
Holly Peterson is the author of the New York Timesand international best seller, The Manny. She was a Contributing Editor for Newsweek and editor-at-large for Tina Brown’s Talk magazine. She was also an Emmy Award–winning producer for ABC News for more than a decade, where she cov­ered global politics. Her writing has been published in the New York Times, Newsweek, Talk, the Daily Beast, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and other publications.



Guest Post
HOW TO CREATE A GREAT WORK AREA FOR INSPIRATION
By Holly Peterson


I imagine that all prolific writers have glorious rooms in which to write: circular libraries wood-lined in books with mahogany ladders resting on high brass bars, windows that open on to Walden Pond type water scenes or forests creaking and hooting with only the calls of nature.  

But who actually lives in a huge enough home to have “a room of one’s own”? How many among us even want to live so far away from civilization where there would actually be peace and quiet and no neighborhood honking, sirens, or kick-the-can games at the nearby cul-de-sac?

Writing quietly in a nice space is not an activity we can automatically do, so, yes; we have to “create” one.  Americans work hard. We help our communities, we are involved with our neighbors, and many of us adults have either kids or elderly parents we are tending to.  In this post-crash economic environment, so many are working several shifts or cobbling together several part-time gigs to make ends meet.

Even if we do find peace and quiet to write our novels, the Internet YELLS at us all day to solve work crises, the cable TV man finally showing up and no one home, or the travel agent telling us we have five minutes to decide or we’ll lost the good fare.  My kids and my boyfriend often don’t understand when I’m on email, I’m not dishing with girlfriends, but handling my insanely busy Manhattan working mom with three needy kids and a divorce lifestyle.

So let’s discuss the writing environment. In order to mine your soul for your deepest thoughts and search for that adjective so hard that your brain aches…yes that happens to me…you need quiet with no Internet. 

I write far from my bills and “TO DO!!!” and “TO PAY!!!” files…even files yell at me I find.  I sit in a calm place and curl up with a blanket and my tea…two things I cannot write without. I do not sit at a desk and I don’t recommend it. Desks connote homework or bills or studying…writing fiction means digging inside yourself. I write most often after the kids are asleep or early before they wake. Any couch corner or side chair will do for me. During the day, the public library is the only haven for me.


I can’t have any files, bills, or televisions near me, or even Internet on.  I have to sit still. I have to make physical and mental barriers to noise and distractions. Don’t forget the little things that are so important: make sure you are fed and watered properly at all times. I need protein shakes and tea when I wake up at 5am because I know protein makes brain synapses snap better. At night, I grab my special “Elvis cocktail”…and little upper/downer mix of a glass of white wine to loosen me up to write sexy sexual tension scenes and a little diet coke to keep me buzzing along and a little wired to keep the plot rushing along like a locomotive. Most of all, when I do find the proper creative environment, I hope I’m writing energetic, tension-filled scenes that move so fast, the reader, on her couch, with her tea, won’t even know the cable TV man is ringing the front doorbell!
Buy The Idea of Him:
Follow the Tour:
Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Apr 3 Spotlight & Giveaway
Manic Mama of 2 Apr 4 Review (Postponed)
Suko’s Notebook Apr 7 Guest Post & Giveaway
Housewife Blues & Chihuahua Apr 9 Guest Post
JeanzBookReadNReview Apr  11 Interview
My Life. One Story at a Time Apr 14 Guest Post & Giveaway
Vicky Deal Sharing Aunt Apr 15 Review
Vicky Deal Sharing Aunt Apr 16 Guest Post & Giveaway
Romance & Inspiration Apr 17 Review
Open Book Society Apr 22 Review & Giveaway
A Bookish Girl Apr 23 Review
Books à la Mode Apr 24 Guest Post  & Giveaway
A Casual Reader’s Blog Apr  25 Review & Giveaway
Every Free Chance Apr 28 Review
Books and Bindings Apr 29 Review
Genuine Jenn Apr 30 Review
Mina’s Bookshelf May 1 Review
Mina’s Bookshelf May  7 Interview
Book Lover’s Journal May  2 Review
Jersey Girl Book Reviews May 5 Guest Post
Back Porchervations May 7 Review
CelticLady’s Reviews May 8 Review
Cassandra M’s Place May 9 Review
From the TBR Pile May 9 Review
Giveaways & Glitter May  12 Review
Book Fan May  14 Review & Giveaway
Room With Books May 16 Interview
Book Dilettante May 19 Review
As I Turn the Pages May 20 Review

My Review:
Life is never what you expect and that is what I thought of as I read this book. The ideas that we have in our head may, or may not, be reality. How we react to the truth is what determines our fate. I liked this book, and I enjoyed Allie getting control of her life! This is not the kind of book to read intently, the sub plots and supporting characters did not keep me that interested. However the book is about Allie, and the main plot was engaging, enjoyable, and it made me admire her spunk. I am giving this book a 3/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

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1 comment:

  1. Teddy RoseApril 16, 2014 at 8:07 PM

    Thanks for taking part in the tour. I'm glad you enjoyed 'The Idea of Him'

    ReplyDelete

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