Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Book Giveaway

I am an avid reader. Actually, we all are. The first thing we did when we found out that we were expecting our first child was go to the book store and buy children's books. They looked so funny sitting on the new oak bookshelf in the nursery, but it wasn't long before that bookshelf overflowed and a larger one took its place. A trip to town was never made without visiting a library or bookstore...or both. :)

My MIL was helping us pack to move one time and I told her that she could pack books. She packed all the books in one room and moved into another and I heard her exclaim, "More books!". That phrase was repeated several times. We have bookshelves in just about every room in the house. I'm known as the Book Aunt in our family - I give books for every occasion.

I have a Kindle that I love, but there is just nothing compared to a real book. I love well written books. A good story line. Sentences that are beautifully crafted. Words that have been thoughtfully chosen.

Really talented writers are rare. I shared this book

                                      

written by one of those talented writers, who also happens to be a friend, here. Its a must read. Amy's writing will draw you in. She has an incredible talent for drawing beautiful pictures with her words. You can find her book here or you can order an autographed copy directly from her website here. She is the 2012 winner of the Willa Award which honors women authors who write about the West. I met Amy in 1998 at the Western Heritage Classic in Abilene and it was through her writing that I first became acquainted with her. She had written an article in Western Horseman that spoke to me and her writing still has that quality today. Many of you contacted me and said that you ordered a copy. I hope y'all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Today I have another recommendation and a giveaway. This is a collection of stories written by a veterinarian, Dr. Bo Brock. He lives and practices in Lamesa, Texas and its his clinic that DH and I took horses to a few months back.
                                                        


This book is also what I was editing when I mentioned my second job. Dr. Bo has been writing for years and he shares many of his stories via his FB page. I had never met him., but when we made the trip with the horses, we kind of hit it off.

Dr. Michelle was tending to our horses and the horse barn was busy. I heard a familiar tune being whistled...one of my favorites: "If I Only Had a Brain" from the wizard of Oz. :) I glanced across the barn and saw that the notes were coming from a scrub wearing man, what I assumed was a Dr., crouched down, surveying a horses leg. When he stood up and turned to scrub his hands at the sink, I approached him and commended him on his song of choice. He looked up, surprised, and grinned, saying that no one ever recognized it and we began to visit.

As we later turned to lead the horses out of the barn, he approached us and told us goodbye and how he enjoyed meeting and visiting with us. Out of the blue, I piped up, "And whenever you get around to writing that book - holler at me - I'd love to edit it." It just came out. I never expected anything to come of it and as we drove away, I kicked myself for saying it and wondered what had come over me.

We settled up in the office and were about to pull out when he walked and asked for our email address and when we arrived back home, I had a note from him asking whether I was serious about editing his book. I let him know that I was not a professional editor, but just an avid fan of his stories and that I appreciated his talent for crafting a good story , but that evening I had a copy of his manuscript on my laptop and the fun began. Dr. Bo is a hoot. He is a weaver of good tales and has a talent for drawing you into his stories. His book is a fun, engaging read that will evoke laughter, tears, make you blush a little, as well as make you shake your head in utter amazement at the human race and the way their brains work...or more aptly... not work.

I spent a couple of weeks glued to the computer, reading, laughing, crying, editing, and making notes - all the while texting back and forth with Dr. Bo. He had asked me for feedback and to keep this under my hat as his family and friends did not know that he was having his stories published. Thus, the secrecy on my end. It was not easy. I didn't even tell our girl who often mentioned the things that he wrote. His name came up frequently in our circle of friends and at the sale barn as many folks from these parts haul their horses to him, but I was true to my word.

Truth be told, I'm sure he had 'real' editors from the publisher's tend to things, but he said he wanted an editor that spoke his language. I was honored and completely thrilled.

Then suddenly, his stories were in book form and he shipped a couple of boxes to me. I went to town and peddled them at the Farm Store, the Vet Supply Store, and the Sale Barn, and today I'm giving one away to you...well, one of you. :) All the books he sent me are sold and he's sending me more. I think they make great Christmas gifts.

Just leave me a comment, make sure I have a way of contacting you if you happen to be a non-reply blogger, and let me know if you would like to be entered in the giveaway.

Dr. Bo is not only a respected vet, and talented writer, but he is quick witted and clever in real life and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity. Our girl worked for him as an extern this summer ( the timing was a complete fluke as she contacted him a few days before we drove to Lamesa) and I told her to be very careful or she may end up in one of his stories! :)

I'll keep this open until Friday, August 15th and I'll draw the winner on Saturday.

29 comments:

Mara said...

Would love a good book! I keep begging my Dad to write one, he would write such awesome stories. Glad to see you back up and running, I haven't had kidney stones but I had gallbladder stones all through out my fist pregnancy and the doctor kept telling me it was just the kid pushing at my ribs, so painful. And all of the delicious recipes you tried with your girl, yummy!

Lou said...

So is this is the New James Herriot? I love animal stories! I do only have cats but love all animals:) Found it on Amazon in case I don't win a copy:)

Dot Moore said...

Thank you for the book reviews. I would love to win this book as I am an avid reader and think I would enjoy the doctors book. Enjoy your blog very much.

Karen said...

Sounds like fun! Lucky you to have such great and talented friends. Thanks for the chance to win.

Nancy said...

Please throw my name in the hat for this book. It sounds like something I'd love to read.

Gretchen said...

Sounds like a wonderful book! I read every veterinarian/biologist/animal-related book I can get my hands on. From your review, this one sounds like a charming winner. Thanks for the chance :)

Paula Lemos said...

I would love to be entered in the giveaway! I too am an avid reader and like you my house is full of books. Thank you for the chance!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me!!! I would love to win it!

Rebecca said...

Nothing can replace a book in hand for me. I have an IPad and I guess I have several hundred free eBooks and a dozen I bought.... But I do not get even a smidgen of the pleasure I get from a "real book" in my hand. I want to hold it and read it and hand it over to a friend to read and when I get it back pass it on to someone else... you can't do that with an EBook.
And you don't want to get me started about the anguish of an ECookbook .

Ella and Nesta said...

You've made me so curious. As a child I was always reading James Herriot and any books about animals I could get my hands on! My parents would always say yes if I wanted a book as a present and so our house has books everywhere too! Would love to read this book!

Shelly said...

I would LOVE to win that! There are two of us around here who would love to read it.

Sandy O said...

Sounds like a book I would love to have from your great comments. How exciting for you to be involved with it. Thanks for doing this. Love reading your blog.

Kathy H said...

I love animal stories. How exciting for you to know the author. Sounds like it will be a fun book to read.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

That is awesome!! I did not know you were an editor ;-) So perfect for you really!!!

Doniene said...

Dearest Ranch Wife!! Would love a copy of this book! Mikkie reads me his stories all the time - she worked with a vet that interned under Dr. Brock - and he is in some of the stories!!!

How fun for you!! What an honor!

I've thought of you often - sure have missed our little on-line chats - but I know you're very busy!

Blessings and hugs!

Anonymous said...

Would love to be entered in to get this book. Love to read and read and read. Enjoy your blog once I found it. Karen.clark2012@comcast.net

Joyce said...

I love to read a good book especially one written by a working person. Loved reading James Herriot growing up So please throw my name in the hat. You should be writing a book I really look forward to your post. Joyce

Debby said...

Glad you're back and feeling better. I do enjoy reading your blog and seeing what book your reading. I'd love to win this book as it sounds like a winner. How lucky you are to have been included in the editing. Thanks for sharing this story.

Happy Room Diana said...

This writer sounds just my cup of tea, I would love to read his book so thanks for offering a free one.

Pauline said...

That sounds like an interesting, fun book, please add my name to the hat, or jar, or whatever you're drawing from.

Michigan Gal said...

I'm always ready to read a recommended book! Thanks for offering a giveaway. Unfortunately, today, I can totally relate to the Wizard of Oz song!

Sarah said...

Thanks for sharing the good books you've read! sarah@forrussia.org

Merritt said...

I would love to win the book. My daughter hopes to be a large animal vet, specifically equine. Thanks for the opportunity to win it.

Lisa said...

Wow!! Your reviews of these books are outstanding! They sound so interesting and since I've taken your advice on a book before and LOVED that one, I know I will love these also. Thank you for steering me to books not necessarily found in the normal "Must Read" forums.

Glenda in Florida said...

I would love to win this book! I've often thought that my dream job would be proof reading good books before they are published.

Gwynette in NW Arkansas said...

Girl, your résumé gets more impressive all the time. I've been buying books, reading them and then donating to our teeny, tiny library. Will have to consider those two, especially the Vet's book!!

hoff said...

I love reading your blog. As a Wisconsin farmer, our live are so different and yet the same. We both love the natural state of things, the sound of rain drops, sunrise and sunsets etc. Love animals and Western stories all my life. I feel like I know you and would love to receive a book full of interesting stories and knowing that you edited it. Keep up your interesting writings too. dian at gdavidhoffman@yahoo.com

Shelljo said...

I'm not concerned with the give-away, but I would like to know how to buy a copy. I think my Dad (old rancher that he is) would love it!

Nancy said...

I imagine this would be a very fun book to ready, especially for people who love animals and good stories about them. Lucky you to get to edit it, Karin!

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