Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Release Day! A Measure of Happiness by Lorrie Thomson and a Giveaway!

Happy Release Day!


A Measure of Happiness

A Measure of Happiness by Lorrie Thomson
Paperback and e-book, 320 pages
Published: August 25th 2015 by Kensington

Katherine Lamontagne isn't Celeste Barnes's mother, but ever since Celeste graduated high school and her parents abandoned Hidden Harbor, Maine, she's acted the part. At twenty-two, Celeste worked at Katherine’s bakery, and hoped to buy the business once Katherine took early retirement. But when Katherine reconsidered that decision, Celeste fled to culinary school in New York—only to return two months later, a shadow of the girl who’d stormed out the door.

Katherine knows the signs of secret heartbreak. Years ago, she gave up her baby son for adoption—a regret she’s never shared with either her ex-husband or Celeste. She longs for Celeste to confide in her now. But it will be a stranger in town—an engaging young wanderer named Zach Fitzgerald—who spurs them toward healing. As both women are drawn into Zach’s questioning heart, they also rediscover their own appetites for truth and for love—and gain the courage to face the past without being imprisoned by it.

Uplifting, emotionally rich, and deeply satisfying, A Measure of Happiness illuminates the nature of friendship, motherhood, hope—and the gifts of second chances.


My thoughts about A Measure of Happiness ~~ 

Once again, I was drawn to this book first by the cover. Isn't it beautiful? And then the synopsis grabbed my attention. I love stories like this, women who come to lean on each other to get through their tough times. 

And these two women have had it rough. Katherine's father was abusive and her mother wasn't strong enough to stand up to him. And then she finds herself pregnant. Celeste's parents take off right after her graduation and she is pretty much left on her own. Katherine and Celeste find each other and form a friendship of sorts, not really like mother and daughter, but close enough. 

Celeste leaves to go to culinary school but something happens to her while she's away and she runs back to the only place she can call home. Katherine wants to help, but Celeste won't open up to her. 
'Even when her chest convulsed, she squeezed her eyes shut and told herself to get over herself. She told herself to deal with it. Because she acted like a sex-crazed slut. Because she'd remembered who she was.'
Katherine has a secret of her own, something she hasn't ever shared with Celeste or even with her ex-husband. In fact, this secret is what is tearing them apart. 
'For twenty-seven years, Katherine had been focused in her father's word, the supposed harbinger of doom. You're going to be sorry. What if the past twenty-seven years, she'd focused on the wrong thing?'
Can the stranger who comes to town get the two women to open up and be honest with themselves and those around them? And is he keeping secrets of his own? 

I love all of the great characters who make up this small part of the Hidden Harbor community. They are all a bit flawed, but then who isn't? It's learning to get past those flaws and accept themselves and each other for what they are that will bring them true happiness. 

A Measure of Happiness is a wonderful story about relationships, love, acceptance, honesty, and forgiveness. This is exactly the kind of story that I love to get lost in. I wouldn't mind taking a trip back to Hidden Harbor someday to revisit everyone and to see how they all are doing.

What do you think, Lorrie? A sequel?

About the author


I grew up as an only child in the city of Boston and dreamed of living with a big family in an antique white New Englander, on a quiet street with neighbors who stopped for chats at the stonewall. I also dreamed of writing novels for a living. Let’s just say, if I’d known the power of visualization, I would’ve thrown in a mountain view. I’m working on it.

When my youngest child was three, I decided to pursue the writing dream for real, and got down to the hard work of putting words to paper. Three novels, and a mere ten years later, I got “the call” from my wonderful agent, telling me we had an offer for my debut novel and making my author dream come true.

I now live in New Hampshire with my husband and our three children. When I’m not reading, writing, or hunting for collectibles, they let me tag along for camping adventures, day-long paddles, and hikes up 4,000-footers, so I can get a taste of that coveted mountain view.

Connect with Lorrie



Lorrie has graciously offered one copy of A Measure of Happiness for one lucky commenter so I am going to run this giveaway a little bit differently from my other giveaways. I want to get some conversation going between you all and Lorrie. Leave a meaningful comment or a question for Lorrie and she'll stop by periodically to respond. I can't wait to see what everyone has to say!  



Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

24 comments:

  1. I love the title and the excerpt and I am anxious to learn if Zack will figure into both of these women's lives. I also wondered if their story might be continued?
    Thanks for this giveaway!
    Connie

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Connie! Yes, Zach will urge both women toward healing, BUT each woman will ultimately find your own way to make peace with the past. You're interested in a continued story? Done! While not technically a prequel-sequel, my 2014 release, What's Left Behind takes place in the same fictional town of Hidden Harbor, Maine, and features connected characters. I'm so glad that you asked--and that I could oblige!

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    2. oooooo - I am going to have to check it out. I love it when authors weave characters into their different stories, it's like reconnecting with old friends.

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    3. In What's Left Behind, single mom and innkeeper Abby Stone is still grieving the loss of her eighteen-year-old son, Luke, when Luke's pregnant girlfriend lands on her doorstep to offer her a second chance at motherhood.

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    4. I'm like you Susan, I love to reconnect with characters. I also want to read What's Left Behind!

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    5. Thank you, Connie. I'm delighted to provide the stories! I like also enjoy reconnecting with fictional characters throughout an author's work,

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  2. Thank you for having me at The Book Bag, Susan. I'm delighted you enjoyed A Measure of Happiness!

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    1. Thanks for stoping by, Lorrie. Congrats on your release day! Hope it's a wonderful day for you.

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  3. Where is your favorite place to vacation?

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    1. Phippsburg, Maine is my favorite place to vacation, and featured alongside fictional Hidden Harbor in both A Measure of Happiness and What's Left Behind. My family and I were there last month. My favorite memory? Paddling the Morse River to the open ocean and hanging out with the seals!

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  4. It's said you should write about what you know, so what in this book is true of your experiences?

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    1. Well, the location is certainly something I've experienced. (See above.) And I do A LOT of research. For the adoption piece, I interviewed my oldest friend, who happens to have been adopted. I spent a day at a bakery interviewing the baker, another day at a shooting range. And--a huge help--I interviewed my niece. You'll have to read the book to understand why. :)

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful book. I can't wait to read it.

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    1. Thank you, Rita! My greatest pleasure is sharing my stories AND getting feedback from readers. Please let me know what you think.

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  6. Could it be that Zach is the son that Katherine gave up for adoption? I guess I'll have to read the book to find out :) The description of the book is intriguing.

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    1. Thanks so much! It's a fine balance to intrigue yet not give away all the secrets! I hope you enjoy discovering the story on your own.

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  7. I thought what most of you all did. That Zach is closer to them than we realize. I just love the review. I am officially hooked, and really want to read this book. Good job Lorrie.

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    1. Thanks for dropping in, Misty! Please share your thoughts after you've read A Measure of Happiness.Reading is so interactive and personal. Everyone gets something slightly different from a story.

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  8. Is it hard to find time to write with your busy family life?

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    1. Absolutely! When my kids were small I'd write at night. Now I find that challenging. They're older now and I can write during the day, but I still need to be careful about time management. And even big kids--they're 22, 20, and 16--need their parents.

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  9. Hi, Lorrie. I'm wondering how much creative input you had with that beautiful cover? I'm happy Susan was able to feature your book here. I'm a new reader to your books and can't wait to dive into one of them. xo Jennifer

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    1. I am asked for input, but the credit goes to Kristine Noble, the cover designer/goddess at Kensington Books. I've love all three covers she's done for my books. I'm always amazed that she finds and image that express both the plots and the character arcs/themes.

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  10. Thanks for this most captivating feature and giveaway. What a talented and creative author. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for dropping by, Traveler. My greatest wish is for my stories to make readers feel the gamut of emotions. Happy reading!

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