• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peeking Between the Pages

Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

  • HOME
  • ARCHIVES
  • PAST READS
  • REVIEW POLICY
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME

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

February 19, 2011 by Darlene


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.

Share this post!
Share

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivienne says

    February 19, 2011 at 10:08 am

    OOh Dar, I am so excited. Already a follower and off to tweet about it.

    vivienne_dacosta@hotmail.com

  2. thebookmemoirs says

    February 19, 2011 at 10:30 am

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

  3. Book Bird Dog says

    February 19, 2011 at 10:59 am

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

    harvee44 at yahoo.com

    – I am also a follower

  4. buddyt says

    February 19, 2011 at 11:03 am

    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. Elisabeth says

    February 19, 2011 at 11:53 am

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

    ladybook21 at yahoo dot com

  6. Blodeuedd says

    February 19, 2011 at 11:55 am

    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. Birgit says

    February 19, 2011 at 12:01 pm

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

    +1 comment
    +1 Following on GFC

    danaan at gmx dot at

  8. Dizzy C says

    February 19, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Already a follower of your blog
    and would love to be entered into the draw for this book

    cb2ck @ hotmail dot co dot uk

    many thanks
    carol

    http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.com/

  9. Margie says

    February 19, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    Interesting review! Thanks for the giveway.
    -current follower
    (+2 entries)
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  10. Wall-to-wall books says

    February 19, 2011 at 12:55 pm

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

    I am a follower.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  11. rhapsodyinbooks says

    February 19, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    I would love to read this.

    +1 follower

    nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

  12. debbie says

    February 19, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    I had never heard that before. How terrible for those women. I would like to read this book, I bet it is really interesting.
    I am a gfc follower.
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  13. bermudaonion says

    February 19, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    Thanks for the generous giveaway!

    I subscribe in Google Reader.

    milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  14. Melissa says

    February 19, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    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

  15. naida says

    February 19, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    This sounds really interesting, and lovely cover!

  16. Bethie says

    February 19, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win this.
    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  17. KimberlySue says

    February 19, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    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

  18. PoCoKat says

    February 19, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Sounds like a very interesting book.

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

  19. PoCoKat says

    February 19, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    I follow on GFC

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

  20. Shannon says

    February 19, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    I would love to read this book. =)

    I'm a follower.
    tiredwkids at live dot com

  21. Colleen Turner says

    February 19, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Wow I cannot imagine what it must have been like for these women! I would love to win this book!

    Candc320@gmail.com

  22. Colleen Turner says

    February 19, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).

    Candc320@gmail.com

  23. Karen B says

    February 19, 2011 at 5:37 pm

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

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

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  24. Pricilla says

    February 19, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    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

  25. Elysium says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    This sounds good and I'd love to read it!

    old follower

    crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com

  26. Carol N Wong says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    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

  27. Carol N Wong says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:54 pm

    I follow your blog publicly with Google Friend Connect.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  28. leeswammes says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    This book looks great! Thanks for this international giveaway.

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

  29. Carol N Wong says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    I tweeted:

    https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2011/02/giveaway-wench-by-dolen-perkins-valdez.html Giveaway of 'The Wench'

    My Twitter name is Carolee888.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  30. pixie13 says

    February 19, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Sounds like a very interesting book. Please count me in. Thanks
    GFC Follower & tweeted ~ http://twitter.com/#!/pixie13sweeps/status/39047401989865472

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

  31. Lynn Irwin Stewart says

    February 19, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    I'd love to win this!! Thanks for the opportunity! I'm a follower.

    LIS859@gmail.com

  32. JHS. says

    February 19, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    Fabulous cover!

    GFC follower.

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

  33. Ladytink_534 says

    February 19, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    This sounds neat! I'd love to read it.

    Old follower

    Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

  34. Mona says

    February 20, 2011 at 3:54 am

    The cover is so beautiful and the story is intriguing. I am starting to enjoy historical fiction as a genre.

    +1 comment
    +1 GFC(Mona Garg) and email

    monagarg@yahoo.com

  35. Mystica says

    February 20, 2011 at 5:03 am

    I would love to win this book!

    I follow you on GFC

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

  36. RAnn says

    February 20, 2011 at 6:21 am

    I'd love to win
    ruthjoec at aoldotcom

    I follow on Google fc

  37. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    February 20, 2011 at 9:28 am

    I would love to read Wench 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

  38. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    February 20, 2011 at 9:28 am

    Already publicly following Peeking Between the Pages with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}]
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

  39. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    February 20, 2011 at 9:28 am

    Tweeted the giveaway
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

  40. JerseyGirl22 says

    February 20, 2011 at 10:42 am

    Hi! Thanks for the giveaway!
    petra_socaciu@yahoo.com
    http://bagofbutterflies.blogspot.com/2011/02/giveaway-6.html – blog post
    I'm also following.

  41. Beth(bookaholicmom) says

    February 20, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    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. Pamela Keener says

    February 20, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    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

  43. Brenda says

    February 20, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    Please enter me! I'm a follower GFC.
    Thanks!

    Dancealert at aol dot com

  44. Charleydog says

    February 20, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    What a beautiful cover – evokes memories of summer.

  45. Charleydog says

    February 20, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    I am a follower on Google Reader.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

  46. oriana says

    February 21, 2011 at 4:29 am

    following you , thanks so much!
    i really like your blog I have so much fun here

  47. Sharli says

    February 21, 2011 at 4:51 am

    I'd love to read this!
    I'm already a follower and I tweeted here http://twitter.com/#!/Entre_Libros/status/39547544992227328

    Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂
    entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

  48. nomadreader (Carrie) says

    February 21, 2011 at 5:17 pm

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

  49. carolsnotebook says

    February 21, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    I would love to be entered. I'm already a follower.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  50. Veronica says

    February 22, 2011 at 5:37 am

    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. Heather says

    February 22, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    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

  52. Lady K says

    February 22, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    The plot sounds awesome !
    I'm a follower now 🙂
    anais.styling/a/orange.fr

  53. Anonymous says

    February 22, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    I love books in this era.
    RJB
    loki304(at)tds(dot)net

  54. Susan says

    February 24, 2011 at 5:17 am

    This book looks so good.

    susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

  55. Susan says

    February 24, 2011 at 5:18 am

    1. I follow by gfc.
    susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

  56. Susan says

    February 24, 2011 at 5:19 am

    2. I follow by gfc.
    susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

  57. Anita Yancey says

    February 24, 2011 at 5:08 pm

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

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  58. Anita Yancey says

    February 24, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    I follow on GFC!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  59. EVA SB says

    February 25, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    I love books based on historical 'trivia'.

    I follow
    I tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/EVA_n_essence/status/41132429955694592

    eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

  60. mamabunny13 says

    February 25, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    I love the front cover of this book. I can't wait to read it.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  61. mamabunny13 says

    February 25, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    I follow you via gfc
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  62. mamabunny13 says

    February 25, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    tweet @mamabunny13
    http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/41215958412431360
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  63. Natasha Areena says

    February 26, 2011 at 12:06 am

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

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

  64. Alice Teh says

    February 27, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    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

  65. nfmgirl says

    February 28, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    This sounds like an interesting one! Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail dOT com

  66. nfmgirl says

    February 28, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    I follow

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  67. nfmgirl says

    February 28, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    Blogged:
    http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-02-26-11.html

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  68. Margie says

    March 3, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    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

  69. Margie says

    March 3, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    follower of your blog via GFC
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  70. laceyinthesky says

    March 5, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    Please enter me in the giveaway 🙂

    Laceyinthesky(AT)live(DOT)com

  71. Linda Kish says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:52 am

    I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  72. Linda Kish says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:52 am

    I am a GFC follower
    1
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  73. Linda Kish says

    March 7, 2011 at 1:52 am

    I am a GFC follower
    2
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  74. Jess - A Book Hoarder says

    March 7, 2011 at 6:33 am

    I would love a chance to win!

    I am a follower.
    I posted in my sidebar.

    msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com

  75. Melanie L says

    March 9, 2011 at 5:08 am

    I would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance.

    +1 GFC follower (Melanie L)

    +1 Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/Melanie_2006/status/45348202320367616

    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Total: 3

  76. Tiffany Drew says

    March 10, 2011 at 10:42 pm

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

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  77. Tiffany Drew says

    March 10, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    I'm a GFC follower 🙂

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  78. Tiffany Drew says

    March 10, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    Tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/45977583766089728

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  79. Rachel C says

    March 11, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    Sounds interesting – I'd love to read it.
    rach62803 at yahoo dot com

  80. Anna says

    March 12, 2011 at 4:52 am

    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. Sarah E says

    March 13, 2011 at 4:35 am

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

    bookloversarah1 at yahoo dot com

    Sarah E

  82. Sarah E says

    March 13, 2011 at 4:35 am

    Follow via GFC.

    bookloversarah1 at yahoo dot com

    Sarah E

  83. Sarah E says

    March 13, 2011 at 4:37 am

    Tweet:

    http://twitter.com/BookLoverSarah/status/46791901755604992

    bookloversarah1 at yahoo dot com

    Sarah E

  84. Madison says

    March 18, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    This book sounds amazing!!

    chitchatqueen2005@hotmail.com

Primary Sidebar



Follow Me!

 

Grab My Button


Search

Recently Shared

  • When You Disappeared by John Marrs (Audiobook)
  • Sunday Ramblings
  • He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly (Audiobook)
  • A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo (Audiobook)
  • The Closer You Get by Mary Torjussen (Audiobook)

My Reading Pal Sammy

Remembering Buddy

Buddy
• May 25, 2002 - Oct 22, 2010 •
Forever in my heart

Currently Reading

Orhan's Inheritance
Dear Carolina
The Mapmaker's Children
   

.

© 2019  Peeking Between the Pages