Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman & GIVEAWAY

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Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman has been around the blogasphere for a while and many have raved about it and in my opinion, for good reason. I really, really enjoyed this step into the South for a while and into CeeCee’s life. For me, this novel was filled with interesting and quirky characters that managed to fill a place in my heart just when I needed it most.

CeeCee Honeycutt is twelve years old and up to this point has certainly not had an easy life. She’s grown up with a mentally ill mother and has unfortunately been left on her own the majority of the time to take care of her. Her father is a travelling salesman who took the job to mainly get away from home – how unfair to leave young CeeCee to try and make sense out of what was happening to her mother when there was really no way too.

CeeCee’s mother Camille lives in her past when she was young, beautiful and the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. She spends lots of money at the goodwill store buying up party dresses and shoes and then dresses up in them at home and to CeeCee’s horror goes out in public in them as well. Of course the town thinks that Camille is completely crazy as she gives them plenty of reason too and unfair as it is, this has rubbed off on CeeCee. She is laughed and snickered at and has never had a friend other than her old neighbor Mrs. Odell.

Then tragedy strikes and CeeCee has nobody. Her father certainly has no idea what to do with a young girl and fully realizes that he has been a horrible father to her. Soon enough, CeeCee’s great aunt Tootie shows up from Savannah to rescue her and take her home with her. CeeCee is introduced into a wonderful world she never thought possible with a beautiful home, wonderful clothes and most importantly, people who love her.

What a great story. From here CeeCee meets those quirky characters that I was talking about like Miz Goodpepper and Violene Hobbs – both these characters had me laughing out loud at times. Then there is Oletta Jones, the housekeeper/surrogate mother that I just loved. She just warmed my heart with how, in her own way, she helps CeeCee heal from all that has happened to her. My favorite characters were definitely CeeCee and Oletta – CeeCee for her resilience to make it even after all the horrors she’s seen and Oletta for being the kind of woman who knew what CeeCee needed and made sure to give it to her.

This is a beautifully written story that captured my heart. I really loved it and the only bad thing I could possibly say about it is that I wished it had been longer. I would have loved to spend more time in Savannah with everyone! There are many passages that I loved as Beth Hoffman most certainly has a way with words but I’ll just share a few of them…

  • ‘A cool breeze ruffled the hem of my nightgown, the birds began to chirp and sing, and the first sparks of sunlight brought the dew-drops to life.’ (page 44)
  • ‘I sat quietly and listened as their chatter lifted into the air, gilding all four corners of the kitchen. And as the sweet aroma of the fresh peaches mingled with the sound of their voices, I folded the memory into myself, feeling a peace I’d never known before.’ (page 272)

—Now that passage I like because it evoked memories of my own from back when I was younger and would lay in bed and listen to my Aunt Tally (now passed away) and my mom chattering at the kitchen table. I remember feeling so secure hearing their voices lull me to sleep.

My favorite quote is this one because it’s so true to life for all of us and it really hits home for me right now…

  • ‘It’s how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and gives us our beauty.’ (page 302)

I read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman for her book tour with Inkwell Management. You can buy your very own copy of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman here in the US and here in Canada. Be sure to visit Beth Hoffman’s website and blog as well!

My thanks…to Allie with Inkwell Management and Shannon with Penguin for my review copy of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Guess what? I have 3 copies of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman courtesy of Allie and Shannon (thank you!) up for grabs. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will be drawing for the winners on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Good luck to all!

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Comments

  1. Oh Yay! I have been trying to win this book, maybe this will be the one! Hope hope hope.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

    I am a follower

    I will post about it on Mon.

  2. Great review, Dar. No need to enter me in the giveaway as I read it and really liked it.

  4. Please enter me for this one…I've been wanting to read it for such a long time!

    ksg_amg(@)yahoo.com

    Already a follower

    Thanks for the great Giveaway!

  5. Hi Darlene…

    I have been reading great reviews for this book by all the book bloggers… I would love to win this book.

    archanaskorner(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks
    Arch

  6. This one line causes me to want to read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. 'It's how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and gives us our beauty.'
    Thanks for the interview.

    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

  8. I'm anxious to read this book. I love quirky characters, I enjoy southern fiction, and a good friend recently recommended this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    +2 I follow through Google Reader.

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  11. I would love to read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt it sounds like an interesting read.

    nancysoffice at gmail dot com

  12. No need to enter me. I just wanted to say that I loved this book and your review. Nicely done.

  13. Oh please enter me in this one! Thanks so much!
    poolplayer712 (at) yahoo (dot) com

  16. This book is on my wish list and I would really like to win it.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

    I follow by google reader.

  18. I so want to read this book, so please do enter me in your giveaway!! I loved your review as well, and am glad that the book came at the right time for you!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

    I am also a follower of your blog!!

  19. No need to enter me Dar, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your review and also just LOVED this book. I will post the giveaway for you though.

  24. I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  26. I've been looking forward to reading this – would love a chance to enter your contest.

    I am also a blog follower.

    lisa.2713 at gmail dot com

  27. I've heard/read so many good things about this book.

    I'm a follower.

    tiredwkids at live dot com

  35. I keep hearing good things about this book. Please enter me.

    I'm a follower.

    jen at delux dot com

  44. I'd love to win this book.
    I am also a follower of your blog.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

  45. This one interests me after seeing so many favorable reviews. Please enter me:
    theroundfile at live dot com

  47. Awesome! I would definitely want to read this! Btw I love your page.

    behapppppppy(at)hotmail(dot)com

  49. I won a copy of this so please don't enter me. Loved your review and I must make time to read this one!

  50. I have this book on my wish list. I would love to win. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

  54. This sounds like an amazing journey into what mental illness can do to a family and children… I *really* need to read this. Thanks for making me aware of the story.

    courtney AT kindasassy DOT com

  60. I have wanted this one so long! Pick me! Please! LOL!

    Thanks

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

  65. I've read nothing but great reviews of this book. Thanks for the chance
    msboatgal at aol.com

  67. New to the blog, am looking forward to reading Saving Cee Cee, it looks to be a perfect summer read. I am pretty new to blogs and find them so much fun to read.

    ladybook21@yahoo.com

  68. Lovely review! I enjoyed the quotes you chose. I'd love to read this book.

    I am a follower. 🙂

    I will post this in my blog's sidebar.

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  71. Another great review of a great book! I felt like I've read the book after reading so many reviews of it. Haha!

    No need to enter me for the giveaway as I'm not eligible…

  72. I have heard so many great things about this book! Thanks for the chance to win!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  78. No need to enter me in the giveaway, Darlene. I have a copy that I am looking forward to reading. I am so glad you enjoyed this one. It sounds so good.

  79. This book sounds so interesting.
    Please enter me….{hope I win}
    RJB
    loki304[at]tds[dot]net

  80. Great review! I have been wanting to read this for some time! It's on the top of my wishlist! Please enter me!

    * I am a "forever" follower! 🙂

    * I posted about this giveaway on my blog's sidebar!
    (http://chickwithbooks.blogspot.com)

    *quzy at mac dot com

    Thanks for hosting!
    Suzanne

  81. I've wanted this book forEVER! Thanks for the chance to win.

    moellermom5 AT yahoo DOT com

    I'm a Follower

  86. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you! I am a new follower thur Google Reader.

    debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

  88. I've heard lots of good things about this book. Enter me in the contest please.

    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

  90. No need to enter me in the giveaway. I just loved this book! It was such a great read!

  104. I've heard a lot of great comments about this book. Add my name to the drawing.

    luann (at) gpcom (dot) net

    Blog follower – Annie

    Tweeted giveaway @luannschindler

  107. need some summer reading,please enter me & thx for the contest..
    thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

  110. I would love to win this one!

    I'm already a follower.

    crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

  112. I would love to be entered in this contest!! Thanks for hosting!

    I am a follower through Google Reader.

    isaacson.holly at gmail dot com

  113. I found your review to be intriguing and one that I think I would take pleasure in reading.

    Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

  116. This book is set in the South and during an interesting time period!
    Please count me in…Thanks,Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  117. I am a follower of your delightful book blog…
    Again, many thanks!
    Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

  119. Would love the chance to read this. Count me in, please! :0)

    I follow.

    Thanks!
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

  121. Another book with great comments everywhere on the net. Would love to read it.
    polo-puppy-fluffy[at]hotmail[dot]com

  123. I would love to win one of the 3 copies of this book. Thank you for offering them.

    terrymac1a at hotmail dot com

  125. I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  132. i'd love to read this – i have a weakness for books that take place in the south….

    k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com