Monday, June 29, 2009

Guest Post And Giveaway - Mary Carter


A Bookworm's World is pleased to have Mary Carter guest posting today. Mary's latest book Sunnyside Blues releases tomorrow!


Summertime Blues
By Mary Carter

"I keep waiting for it to feel like summer, and I’ve been complaining about it a lot lately. My boyfriend’s taken to calling me Miss Moan-ie Boots. He’s Irish, and says things like that from time to time. Much nicer than, “Quit your bitching.” Part of the problem has been the rain, and between cheap umbrellas and the gusts of winds that have been whipping around here this summer, someone should really offer a course in umbrella-wrangling. Maybe even take the act to Vegas. Mine always end up flipped inside out with the spokes sticking straight out. Take that Mother Nature. I guess umbrellas don’t like the rain either. Every time I get a nice umbrella I leave it somewhere. The back of a cab, a coat hook in a pub, under my seat at the movies with the empty tub of popcorn that it turns out I could finish after all. I had a nice leopard-print umbrella once given to me by my mother who was forewarned I would lose it, and most recently a sleek black one that slid out with a touch of a button, and popped open like a parachute. The Jaguar Convertible of umbrellas. I was in love. I would’ve done a rain dance just to get the rush of power from pushing that button. I offered up wry smiles to the poor suckers trying to tame their wild discount beasts, being carried down the streets by their run-away umbrellas like the Mafia version of Mary Poppins. I found (my boyfriend says stole) my Jaguar Umbrella in my local pub. I had it for a glorious twenty-four hours before I accidentally left it in the same pub, on the same hook where I found it. In that case, I don’t think I can be blamed, obviously the umbrella, like a homing pigeon, just wanted to fly back to its local and roost.



The other thing I lose a lot is sunglasses. I’ve dropped them in lakes, cars, restaurants, plays, coffee shops, and left them on top of my head for days on end. It seems there’s some uncanny link between my accoutrements and the weather. If I have my sunglasses, it’s sure to rain. If I have my evil umbrella, the sun is shining. If I carry them both at the same time, a small fissure opens up in the middle of the street, wreaking havoc and inviting the occasional rainbow to my little section of Sunnyside Queens.



It’s very difficult to maneuver the streets of Manhattan with an umbrella. The other day I had a rather large one, an uber-umbrella, and drenched New Yorkers were going out of their way to bump into me. Umbrella envy? I’d say. In Seattle, where I used to live, only the tourists carried umbrellas. Look at those idiots with umbrellas, us locals would say. They must be Canadian. Then we’d pull up the hoods of our rain jackets and take a good pelting like God intended it. I guess the only bright side to all this rain is snuggling up with a good book. Although when the sun is shining, it’s great to lounge on a beach or in a park with a book too. I miss having a yard. I could have the best of both worlds. A little table with a large umbrella, and a bucket of sunglasses on ice. I could read come rain or shine. I guess until then, I’m just going to be Miss Moan-ie Boots. That reminds me. Where are my rain boots? Oh forget it. I’ll just get wet. If I had my way, the only umbrella I’d see the rest of the summer would be floating in a tropical drink."


Thanks Mary for stopping by. I'll take that Canadian comment with a grain of salt!


You can read my review tomorrow. I've got a copy of Sunnyside Blues to giveaway, courtesy of the author. Leave a comment to be entered. Open to US and Canada. Closes Sat. July 18/09 at 6pm EST.

138 comments:

  1. I would love to win a copy of Sunnyside Blues.
    Thanks for this giveaway.

    roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd love to read Sunnyside Blues.

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

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  3. Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
    jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

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  4. I've been getting more than a little annoyed with this summer too. The cold weather and gusting winds coupled with the rain and only the occasional day of sunshine has been rather depressing. I'd love to read this book to cheer me up!

    melacan at hotmail dot com

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  5. We can never hold on to umbrellas at our house either. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

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  6. Summer has taken all June to get to Ohio, I love the hot,sunny days. This sounds like a good read.

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  7. I can't wait to read your review on this book tomorrow!

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  8. I'd love a shot at this one! Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

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  9. Oh how I've been wanting to get my hands on this book...please enter me!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

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  10. I would love to read this!!

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. I would be happy for to get
    Sunnyside Blues
    pcollins@cajunnet.com

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  12. I think this book sounds like a good read, expectually since I'm alot alike the character LOL. Thanks for the chance.
    unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

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  13. Sounds like such a fun book. I'd love to win. Great guest post. I can relate to the sunglasses thing. My husband puts them in his back pocket and then sits on them! Dufus!

    florida982002[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  14. This sounds like a great beach read.

    mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  15. ooh, book sounds great! I'd love to win an read it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    email in blogger profile.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a wonderful post! Sound like a fun read! Please enter me in your giveaway!

    Thanks!
    Suzanne
    quzy at mac dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!!

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Actually, I am one of those people who detests the sun, and lives for the rainy, overcast, foggy days. But I would still love to read her book anyway!
    Alicia Webster
    5webs@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks, Luanne...I'd love to win Sunnyside Blues!

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  20. Id love this it seems hilarious!

    frogz60@hotmail.com

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  21. sounds like a good book for summer reading.......

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  22. everyone wants the same thing the book the book mverno@roadrunner.com

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  23. I would love a chance to win this book..its on my WL..thanks!

    belle2211@yahoo.com

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  24. I would love to win a copy of this book...I've had my eye on this one for awhile
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. This sounds like an interesting book that I'd like to read. Please enter me in your giveaway.

    abfantom (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would love to read this... it sounds like it would be really good. Thanks

    debbebennett at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I really would enjoy reading Sunnyside Blues. I would like to win it.

    May Schultz
    may041827@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. sounds like a good read!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. would love to read this, thanks

    lindapeters@rogers.com

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  30. This sounds like a winner!
    I'd love to be entered.
    fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. I would love to be entered in to your book drawing of Sunnyside Blues. Thank you for the opportunity.

    SamantharaeM at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'd love to read this. Thanks for sharing!

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

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  33. I really want to win this book.

    Love the discussion about umbrellas - here on the coast of NC the wind always turns them inside out so I gave up on them a long time ago.

    And don't get me started about sunglasses :) I can't keep a pair so I have reverted to buying the cheapest pairs I can since I will lose them.

    crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. It sounds like a great read and I'd love to read it!


    texas_heartland84[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I think this is my kind of book.
    Please enter me in the drawing.
    Thanks.





    jeanereads{at}sbcglobal(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sounds like a great book.. I'd love to win a copy!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Sounds like a great book.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

    Thanks

    sharon54220@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Count me in I would love to be entered! Love to win a copy!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great summer read! I'm always up for the next "must read" book!

    Tarah
    tarah716[at]ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Please enter me to win a copy of Sunnyside Blues. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'd love to read this - I've read great reviews of this book
    msboatgal at aol.com

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  43. This looks great! Please enter me!

    What a great post! I love the cover of the book too!

    BookcrossingKitten22 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Would love to win a copy of Sunnyside Blues.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I wonder if that's the same "sunnyside" I grew up in 50 years ago!

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  46. Further reserach reveals it is the same sunnyside I grew upin. I want this book!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sounds like a great book - I'd love to win!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Loved this guest post! It was very entertaining. My fave umbrella was taken out of a closet where I worked! It was really big and had cats all over it - so you can be sure that I would have spotted it had the thief ever used it to come in to work!!

    I would love to win this book.

    kherbrand at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  49. Somehow, I've ended up with about a dozen umbrellas - but I never have one handy when I need it!
    I'd love to read SUNNYSIDE BLUES. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Good summer days do seem rare, but they are worth the wait.

    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thank you for a chance to win this book!

    debbie
    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  52. Looks like a great book. Thanks for the chance

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Would love to win a copy of this novel. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I need a good book to read at the book.This looks like the one.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Please count me in - Thanks!

    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Looks like a good book! Would love to win...

    ReplyDelete
  57. Please enter me for this fun book!
    smchester at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Sounds like a good read.

    Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

    bloggyig at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I'd love to read this!
    oheeyore at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Please include me in your giveaway.

    Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. The interview with Mary & the cover of her book are telling me to read this book so please enter me in your giveaway!

    Thank you!
    Amy
    Aimala02@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I would love a chance to win. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I'd love to read this!

    My email is in my blog profile.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I'd love to read this! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Please include me, thanks!
    dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Sunnyside Blues sounds very good. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  67. Please include me!
    gotts567[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I would love to win a copy of this book. It seems like a good read

    jen4777[at]hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I really would enjoy reading Sunnyside Blues. Enter me in the giveaway.
    jelly15301@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'd love to read Sunny side Blues this summer.

    bgcchs@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. This sounds great. I work in Queens very close to Sunnyside.
    cornwallst59(at)hotmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  72. Please count me in, thanks!
    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway...this book sounds really amusing!
    Aimee
    sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Looks like a great book to read while sitting around the pool

    ReplyDelete
  76. Love to have this.

    Thanks,

    darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I would love to be able to read this book. Thank you for having this gvieaway.
    litefoot873 (@) hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Based on her comments, I like Mary a lot and I'm sure I'd enjoy reading her book.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I would love to read this book, thanks for the giveaway!

    luckymegs1981 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I need a good summer book and this would be a great win.


    rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  81. Sounds like a delightful read, please count me in, I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  82. I'd love to win a copy of this book!

    lelou2(at)ymail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  83. Book fan here! I love to curl up with a good book. I'd love to win a copy of sunnysided blues

    ReplyDelete
  84. This sounds like the kind of book I would like

    ReplyDelete
  85. I would love to win!

    egreca (At) hotmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  86. looks like a good one sign me up - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

    ReplyDelete
  87. please enter me!
    tashiluvsu@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Thanks for the chance to win. This sounds like a good summer read.

    ReplyDelete
  89. sounds like a great read thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

    ReplyDelete
  90. I would love to read this, it sounds great!

    marielay@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. Need! This looks like a good read. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Good luck to all that enter.
    dontaskme22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I want to read this book!

    kngmckellar@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. More books in the house is never a bad thing

    ReplyDelete
  94. Thanks for this giveaway and please count me in. I'd love to read Sunnyside Blues

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  95. I would love to win this.
    erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  96. I would love to win a copy of this book.

    ReplyDelete
  97. I would love to read this, please enter me

    ReplyDelete
  98. looks like a great read
    thanks

    flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  99. Love to read, thanks for the chance to win this

    ReplyDelete
  100. It's my birthday! Hope you pick me so I can really celebrate!
    ceimusic@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  101. I would like a chance to win, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  102. I am in need of a new read and this sounds great.

    ReplyDelete
  103. this looks like a great read

    thanks for the opportunity to win sunnyside blues

    ReplyDelete
  104. I would love to win this! It looks like a great read!

    countrygirl1823@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. I'd really enjoy reading this while on vacation.








    Bshaw75015@aol.com

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  106. Happy Summer!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I want to read this lezanac@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  108. I am looking for a good new book to read! Thanks for the chance!

    sherri419 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. I'd love to read this one please enter me!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Would love to read this.

    rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  111. I would love to win a copy of this - thanks!

    nov231973 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  112. Sunnyside Blues sounds like a great book. I would love to win it. garrettsambo@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  113. I would just love to win this, Miss Moanie-boots!
    doot65[at]comcast{dot}net

    ReplyDelete
  114. Never read this 1
    Thanks 4 the chance 2
    pkbailey@charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  115. I would love to read this, thanks for the chance!! hawkgirl_16 {at} hotmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  116. This sounds like the perfect read for a hot summer day, sitting under a shade tree. Thanks.

    Barbara Rawe
    tykelly1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  117. Sounds great! aewalls425@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  118. Love the reading just think the perfect beach and pool side entertainment. Thanks; raymondw345@AOl.com

    ReplyDelete
  119. Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in :)

    ReplyDelete
  120. Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  121. This looks like a good book. Please include me in the giveaway.
    heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  122. I would love to read Sunnyside Blues!!

    ReplyDelete
  123. I'm looking for a good book to read!

    ReplyDelete
  124. I'd love to have a copy of Sunnyside Blues. Please enter me.

    ReplyDelete
  125. I actually have the same problem with umbrellas the character does.


    ladycat713@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  126. This book sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  127. interesting guest post-
    Diane Baum
    dianesmb@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  128. thx for the contest..need a good summer read..
    thehighflyer3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  129. I seriously need a book for the 3rd week of august when we go camping and this would be the perfect novel to read

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by - your comments are much appreciated!