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Book Review: The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen & Giveaway (2 copies – 1 Int’l)

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What can be better than the beauty of a brand new Sarah Addison Allen novel? Well, for me, not much. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen is her fourth novel and another book full of the wonderful magic I’ve come to expect from her. The Peach Keeper is a novel full of the traditions we hold close, the family we love, and the bonds of friendship we value.

Welcome to Walls of Water, North Carolina known for it’s beautiful waterfalls and dense fog that they even go as far as to bottle up for tourists. Walls of Water is the home to socialite Paxton Osgood and thirty year old Willa Jackson. Both come from families who have deep roots in Walls of Water but they come from very different worlds. While Paxton has been brought up with a silver spoon in her mouth, Willa has not. However it was not always like that. Willa comes from a fine Southern family that unfortunately was ruined financially way back in the 1930’s. So, how exactly do these two women come to know each other then, you ask?

It all comes down to the restoration of The Blue Ridge Madam which at one time was one of the town’s grandest homes. However, as does happen, scandal and financial ruin hit and The Blue Ridge Madam has been sitting empty for years. Paxton has restored it to its former beauty and is planning a big gala to celebrate and honor the formation in 1936 of Women’s Society Club. The grandmothers of both Paxton and Willa were members of this club and best friends; yet somehow that friendship was shaken to the core and broken, or was it?

Back in 1936 the town was visited by a strange man who smelled of peaches. He promised many things but failed to deliver on most. What he did manage to do was wreak havoc on the town and it is after he finally disappeared that things fell apart. Willa’s family lost their all their money and standing in the community and the girl’s grandmothers drifted apart. Was this mysterious man, who was said to have some kind of strange powers, the cause? Worse yet, a skeleton is found on the property under the lone peach tree. Who is it? Long kept secrets begin to emerge and two girls, Paxton and Willa, who were never friends before find they have more in common than they thought.

I loved both Paxton and Willa. To be honest when I first started reading I thought for sure Paxton would just be a snob but was pleasantly surprised to find that she was a very real person who has been expected her whole life to do good and not fail. Consequently there is way too much pressure on Paxton because she spends her time trying to make everyone happy when really the only person she should be concerned about is herself. Willa too is a great character. She’s come back to town and takes care of her grandmother while running her sports shop. She’s busy running from any emotional ties and trying to make up for a past where she was anything but innocent, but sometimes you just have no control over who comes into your life and stays there. Along the way these two women realize that the bonds of friendship formed by their grandmothers so many years ago may also extend to them.

As usual, Sarah Addison Allen weaves a tale full of vivid descriptions that excite all of your senses leaving you with one wish – to visit Walls of Water yourself and meet all these wonderful people. This story is another from this author that will touch your heart and leave you wanting more. As always, I will be anxiously awaiting another lovely, magical tale from Sarah Addison Allen.

I read The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can see what others on the tour thought of this wonderful novel here. You can purchase your own copy of The Peach Keeper here in the US and here in Canada. You can also find more at the following links:

Sarah’s website
Book Club discussion questions
Recipe for Rachel’s Coffee Snacks (from the book)
Read an excerpt
Sarah on Facebook
Sarah on Twitter

Check out the Book Trailer…

I’d like to add a short note to this review. Sarah is undergoing treatment for breast cancer right now and I’d like to offer my thoughts and prayers to her for a speedy recovery.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have two copies of The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen to share with my readers and one of the copies is open to international entrants. To enter…

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

One copy of The Peach Keeper is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) as it is coming from the publisher. The other copy though is an extra I have – a paperback ARC copy that I am going to make available everyone, including international entries. I will draw for the winners on Saturday, May 7/11. 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.
My copy of The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher.

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Comments

  1. I've heard so much rave reviews on this book. I'd love to win a paperback ARC copy, Dar. And yes, I'm a follower of your blog. 🙂

    melreadingcorner (AT) gmail (DOT) com

  2. Oh YAY! I've heard so much about this book! I've been wanting to try one of her books.

    I am a follower

    I've added it to my sidebar

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  3. Yay from me too as I've also heard a lot good about the book! I'm international, so I'm only in for the ARC (yay, again)!
    Following you on GFC!

    danaan at gmx dot at

  5. Dar, thanks for letting us know that SAA is going through treatment for breast cancer. I'll keep her in my prayers.

    I'm a GFC follower

    meah56 [at] gmail [dot] com

  6. love, love, loce Allen's books. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow

    jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

  9. I read the author's Garden Spells some time ago, and would love to read this novel. It's neat how she includes a bit of magic in her novels.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow through Google

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  10. Every review I've read of this book has been good. I can't wait to read it and find out for myself.

    dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

  14. Love the setting of the book and would love to win it.

    I am a follower.

    harvee44 at yahoo.com

  16. This is the first review of this book I have seen so far, and I am so relieved that you loved it! I really want to get the chance to read it, so please do enter me in your giveaway, and thanks!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

    I also follow through google reader.

  19. Please include me. It sounds wonderful. I'll keep Sarah in my prayers.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

  22. Thanks for the giveaway, this books sounds wonderful! Best wishes to Sarah for a speedy recovery.
    I'm in England.
    I have RT'd your tweet – my twitter id is CarolesBkCorner.

    Purplecards at gmail.com

  23. You know how much I love Sarah's books. Please enter me!

    +1 I am a Follower. 🙂

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  28. Sorry to hear that Sarah Allen Addison has breast cancer. Sending her prayers and hugs.

    Think that she has written a wonderful story.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  31. I can't wait to read this book…I've already read her first two!

    +1 mk261274 at gmail dot com
    +2 I am already a GFC follower mk261274

  32. How lovely. Yes I want to take part in the Intl part 🙂
    blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

    Old follower

  33. Sarah is one of my favorites! Great review.
    I'm also a follower.
    Lizallrich2(at)gmail(dot)com

  40. Sounds like a wonderful story. I'd lvoe to be entered.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  42. This sounds like a wonderful read according to all the reviews I've read!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  47. I've read all of this author's other books and liked them, so I'd love to win a copy of this one Dar.

    thanks for the giveaway

    bibliophilebythesea at GMAIL dot COM

  48. I'm in love with the cover! But from your review,this also sounds like a wonderful MUST-READ! Thanks for introducing us to another wonderful book, Darlene!

    Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com

    P.S. I'm praying for Sarah Addison Allen.

  55. First of all, my thoughts/prayers/healing vibes go out to Sarah Edison Allen. I recently got a scare when I had to undergo a mammogram because they found a huge lump in my left breast, the uncertainty alone was agonizing, I can only imagine what Ms. Allen must be going through. May she have a healthy and speedy recovery, and may she be alleviated of any discomfort and pain.

    That being said, I've had my eye on this book for a while now – the premise of the book is AMAZING. Mysterious, incorporating the history of a family into the story…simply amazing. Also, I love books that have a Southern setting like this, such as "Catfish Alley".

    Thank you for this AWESOME giveaway! 😀

    ~Hira~

    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

  56. I'm a GFC Follower: Enamored Soul
    Confirmed Email Subscriber: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter Follower: @inluvwithbookz

    ~Hira~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

  59. I love this author too and enjoyed this story. The sad part is now we have to wait once again for another book!!! Great review as always Dar!

    *** Glad to see your blog is back!!!
    P.S. Don't enter me!

  64. I've got this on on hold at my library, but I'd LOVE to win it!! Thanks for the give!!

    I also follow!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  68. A lot of my blogging friends have been recommending this book. I haven't read any Sarah Addison books yet, so I'm eager to check this out.

    I'm a new follower of your blog.
    ReadingOnARainyDay AT gmail DOT com

  69. I'd love to win a copy. Thanks for offering.
    I'm a follower.
    kimbaldwin74 at yahoo dot com

  70. I'm not entering the giveaway because my library has it in epub format for my Kobo. It sounds like a wonderful book! My thoughts go out to Sarah!

  73. No need to enter me. Sounds like a wonderful read. Great review and sending good thoughts Sarah's way.

  76. I've heard great things about The Peach Keeper.

    coffeebooksandlaundry(at)gmail.com

    I'm an old follower.

  82. What a wonderful review!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I'm a big fan, too! Thank you so much for being on the tour!

  85. This book is actually on my wish list I've wanted it for some time now but I just cant seem to get my hands on a copy lol. I first fell for the covers is so beautiful but the synopsis just completely drew me in anyways thanks for giveaway

    as always ♥, Carol
    GFC follower
    caroespejel15@yahoo(dot)com

  86. Nice book cover! Thanks for opening the giveaway to international participants like me!

    email address: aloveforbooks at gmail dot com

    +1 gfc follower: aloveforbooks

  87. I love "southern" fiction. and this sounds like a good one. I follow on Google reader/FC, and I've posted your giveaways in the sidebar on Tutu's Two Cents

    tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

  90. This book is on my to-read list. Looks really interesting! I love books about the South.

    dana dot huff at gmail dot com

    Twitter: @danamhuff

  96. I've adored all of her previous books, and I can't wait to grab this one! I'm also a blog follower 🙂

    -Lizzy
    Cornucopiaofreviews(at)gmail(dot)com

  98. Loved the review. This sounds like a really cool book. I would love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  100. Oh no I almost missed signing up to win this book. Its one I would like to read.
    amhengstATverizonDOTnet