Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

GIVEAWAY: Wench by Dolen Perkins -Valdez —Open Worldwide!

by


I’ve got a fantastic book to share with you all today called Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. I reviewed it earlier in the week (my review) and I just loved it! It’ll be a favorite of mine for the year. I know many have read this book but I bet there are still a lot who haven’t so I’m going to share the hardcover copy that I received for review.

About the Book (from Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s website)

In 1851, a lawyer named Elias P. Drake purchased a plot of land near Xenia, Ohio with the intent to establish a summer vacation resort where the country’s elite could relax and enjoy the mineral springs in the area. At the time, it was believed that natural water could cure illnesses and bring about good health. What made this resort unusual, however, was that it became a popular vacation destination for southern slaveholders and their enslaved mistresses. Ultimately, these flagrantly open relationships offended the northern abolitionists who also frequented the resort. After four years, the resort closed.

This part of the story has been confirmed by historians. I took this forgotten historical note and sketched in a fictional account of what it would have been like to be an enslaved woman traveling to this free state each summer. Why wouldn’t the women try to escape? What kinds of emotional attachments did they have with these men? Initially, I believed that it was entirely possible that they actually loved the men. Ultimately, I discovered that it was much more complicated than that.

Situated in the free state of Ohio, Tawawa House offers respite from the summer heat. A beautiful, inviting house surrounded by a dozen private cottages, the resort is favored by wealthy Southern white men who vacation there, accompanied by their enslaved mistresses.

Regular visitors Lizzie, Reenie, and Sweet have forged an enduring friendship. They look forward to their annual reunion and the opportunity it affords them to talk over the changes in their lives and their respective plantations. The subject of freedom is never spoken aloud until the red-maned, spirited Mawu arrives and voices her determination to escape. To run is to leave behind the friends and families trapped at home. For some, it also means tearing the strong emotional and psychological ties that bind them to their masters.

When a fire on the resort sets off a string of tragedies, Lizzie, Reenie, and Sweet soon learn tragic lessons,that triumph and dehumanization are inseparable and that love exists even in the cruelest circumstances as they bear witness to the end of an era.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 hardcover copy of Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you and let me know in your comment and the extra entry is yours as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

Since this is my own copy of Wench the giveaway will be open to all my readers worldwide! I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 12, 2011. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. We are followers, we have retweeted you and our email address is: thebookmemoirs [at] gmail [dot] com. 🙂

  3. – I would love to read this book, living in Ohio as I do.

    harvee44 at yahoo.com

    – I am also a follower

  4. What a strange piece of history.

    I would not have imagined such a resort could ever have existed.

    Sometimes fact truly is stranger than fiction.

    I would like to read this so please enter me.

    +1 for comment
    +1 I am a follower via GFC.

    Thanks.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

  5. +2. it is always fun to learn something new in history. I am a follower of your blog.

    ladybook21 at yahoo dot com

  6. Entering. I would like to read this one and see for myself that place and what the women felt.

    Old follower 🙂
    blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

  7. Love the cover of the book and it sounds intriguing too!

    +1 comment
    +1 Following on GFC

    danaan at gmx dot at

  10. AHHHHH! i can't believe it! This is on my wish list!!! Please enter me!

    I am a follower.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  14. Would love to own this one, as I have it out from the library now and it will probably have to go back unread (no more renews left).

    I'm a follower of your blog in Google Reader.

    peanutboo2 AT gmail DOT com

  17. You always have giveaways for the most interesting sounding books!!
    kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

    I'm a follower, and I'll make sure to tweet this!
    @kdaze10

  23. Fascinating – and unbelievable – which makes it a must read!

    +1 – comment
    +1 – GFC follower (and email subscriber)

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  24. I would love to win. I have read so many excellent reviews of this book.
    thanks.

    I am a follower +`1
    kaiminani at gmail dot com

  26. How horrible to realize that you try to escape from an intolerable situation that you can't take your children with you!

    Please enter me in this contest.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  28. This book looks great! Thanks for this international giveaway.

    I follow your blog. RSS
    I tweeted (retweeted your tweet – I'm @Leeswammes)

  41. I have this on my wish list. have seen so many great reviews for it. Thanks for hosting a great giveaway.

    I am a follower also.

    bthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com

  42. Thanks so much for giving this book to a very lucky winner.
    I follow your blog via GFC & Reader.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

  48. I would love to win this book and read it! I follow via RSS. nomadreaderblog at gmail dot come

  50. I've heard some great things about this book and would love to read it.

    veronicasbooks at gmail dot com

    also, i already follow your blog

  51. Please enter me in this contest. I read your earlier review only after being atrracted by the cover photo.

    Already a follower.

    heatherdpear at hotmail dot com

  57. Sounds like a really great book, one I would love to read. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  63. I bet WENCH is a powerful novel. I would love to read it.

    I'm a follower.
    thebookish96(at)gmail(dot)com

  64. Hi Dar, oh… thank you for hosting this giveaway! I'd like to enter it and I'm already a follower. 🙂

    teh(dot)alice(at)gmail(dot)com

  68. I have heard a lot of good things about this book, but haven't as yet read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  74. I would love a chance to win!

    I am a follower.
    I posted in my sidebar.

    msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com

  76. I'd love to read this, it looks very original and interesting! Thanks for the chance 🙂

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  80. I've heard a lot of good things about this book, so I'd love to be entered. I am a follower.

    diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

  81. I would love to read Wench! Please enter me in this giveaway.

    bookloversarah1 at yahoo dot com

    Sarah E