Edited to add on May 30th, 2011: The contest is now closed and no further entries are being accepted. Thanks to all who entered.
Hi Knitters,
Last spring break I read Rachael Herron's first knit-lit novel, How to Knit a Love Song. I loved it and asked Rachael if I could host a giveaway. What I didn't know at that time is that Rachael is writing a series of these books centered around the characters living in the beautiful, lush town of Cypress Hollow. When I caught wind that the second book was coming out I immediately contacted Rachael to see if I could host another giveaway for her.
To keep with my new spring break tradition I finished up Rachael's newly released second Cypress Hollow novel, How to Knit a Heart Back Home, and I wasn't disappointed. The story focuses on Lucy, a different lead character than the first novel. You could read these books separately and have a total understanding of the story but the characters do overlap between the books. I like this very much.
Lucy is a knitter and a bookshop owner. She is surrounded by knitters and the history of knitters. She rents out a tiny house that sits behind the bookshop to a man who happens to be an old high school crush. He has returned to Cypress Hollow to take care of his ailing and aging mother who is also a knitter. From here the story flies off the pages!
How to Knit a Heart Back Home has adventure, twists and turns, a little touch of mystery, and I love how knitting is naturally woven into the plot. This is also a romance novel and there are some steamy scenes so please be aware of that. This is a G-rated blog so I want to be sure to point out that this is a true romance novel and it is not rated G. I would give it an R rating.
How to Knit a Heart Back Home is a quick, fun and fast read. The pages flew by for me and I can't wait for the next installment. I am trying to guess which character will be the lead in the follow-up book. I hope there will be another one by next year for my spring break (that's a hint, Rachael!). I loved this book. I love the characters. I love the setting which is a quirky little town filled with quirky characters which makes for juicy stories and backgrounds.
One other point is that there is a really cute cardigan pattern at the end of the book. It is on my list to knit this summer. Lucy wears this sweater, which was her grandmother Ruby's, throughout the book which gives it an endearing quality. It is called, Ruby's Bookstore Sweater as Lucy's grandmother Ruby owned the bookstore before giving it over to Lucy. It looks like a fun and fairly quick knit. Click here to see the cardigan and Rachael wearing a version of the cardigan on Ravelry.
Rachael Herron (her fantastic blog is Yarnagogo) has generously offered to send a signed copy of her new book to the winner of the giveaway I am hosting today. If you would like to receive a copy of How to Knit a Heart Back Home please leave one comment on this post AND leave your email address or ravelry id. I will randomly select a winner in a couple of days.
Good luck if you enter!
best, susie