A read that I enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa during the cool September evenings with just a touch of magic… that seems to me, to always be found in Minnesota! ~ Sheila
The last thing that Cassandra Higgins expects out of her Sunday is to be
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mesmerized at a collectors’ convention by a snow globe. She’s enjoying some mommy time, with husband Ken at home tending their brood of four young boys, when she’s utterly charmed by the one-of-a kind globe containing figures of three dogs and a little girl with hair the color of her own. She can’t resist taking the unique globe home — even if means wrestling another shopper for it!
The beautiful snowglobe sparks long-dormant memories for Cassie, of her beloved Grandpa Wonky, the stray she rescued as a child, and the painful roots of her combative relationship with her mother, “Bad Betty” Kamrowski. Life in Wanonishaw, Minnesota is never dull, though, and Cassie keeps the recollections at bay, busy balancing her boys, her home daycare operation, and being a good friend to best pal Margret. But after a strange — “flurrious”, as Cassie deems it — moment happens with the remarkable snow globe, Cassie and the people she loves are swirled into a tumultuous, yet grace-filled, and life-changing journey.
I found Stray Affections to be an easy read set in my home state – which for some reason I still get a kick out of reading books centered in Minnesota. Within the first few pages of this book you are introduced to the strain in the relationship between our main character Cassandra (daycare provider and mother of four) and her mother Betty. IE. Bad Betty.
Stray Affections deals with betrayal (Cassandra has memories of when she felt she had let down her family pet, Toby, as a child). This book is centered around a snow globe – and unresolved memories that bubble to the surface as Cassandra learns the power of forgiveness all wrapped into a book that is a bit quirky and fun – ending with an event that not only includes the whole community but with a volunteer effort that made my heart leap!
I read this book while at our cabin in Finland, Minnesota. I found that an appropriate place to sit back over Labor day weekend and sink into this book. I found the book a quick, lite read and loved the “Burt’s Durve’s Recipes in the back of the book. I will be trying these out at the October Bookies Book Club potluck at my home!
Charlene Ann Baumbich is a popular author and speaker and an award-winning journalist. In addition to her Dearest Dorothy series of novels, she has written seven nonfiction books of humor and inspiration. A bungee-jumping, once motorcycle-owning grandma and unabashed dog lover, Charlene lives with her husband and rescued dog Kornflake in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She loves telling stories, laughing whenever possible, and considers herself a Wild Child of God.
Ashley has generously offered me an additional copy of this book to give away to one lucky reader! Here’s how to enter:
1 Entry – leave a comment here on something you do in your own community as a volunteer or to better our world
BONUS Entry (ahhh… the coveted bonus entry!) Tweet about this giveaway or blog on it for an extra entry
Remember US entrys only – no po box numbers. Giveaway will close on September 30
I received this book, and an additional copy to give away from Ashley Boyer of Multnomah Books
I work on volunteer projects through my church like putting together Thanksgiving baskets, Feed My Starving Children and Midwife Kits for Tanzania. Thanks for the giveaway!
+1 We always give to the Community Kitchen. We mainly give canned goods. We also always pick names off of Christmas trees for the eldery shut-ins and children. We like to give a part of ourselves to the community.
I would love to win Stray affections. I would love to read it too.
You could always help out in a soup kitchen. They need all the help they can get, and sometimes doing it will help you see out of someone else’s eyes. The other thing is a thing my school does called PC pals. It pairs a student with a kid, and it’s a sort of mentor program. Great for the kids.
I went to the recycle post and helped sort out different trash. People don’t do recycle much. That’s a sad thing. I also think that we should gather leftover and make it into organic fertilizer. Many people waste food. : (
The last thing that Cassandra Higgins expects out of her Sunday is to be
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Thanks for stopping by and linking up!
I spend a lot of time in community gardens and really do enjoy it. It’s nice to put things back where they belong –flowers and trees in this case 🙂
I work on volunteer projects through my church like putting together Thanksgiving baskets, Feed My Starving Children and Midwife Kits for Tanzania. Thanks for the giveaway!
+1 We always give to the Community Kitchen. We mainly give canned goods. We also always pick names off of Christmas trees for the eldery shut-ins and children. We like to give a part of ourselves to the community.
I would love to win Stray affections. I would love to read it too.
teakettle58atyahoodotcom
Hi Sheila,
I have linked to you from my blog.
teakettle58atyahoodotcom
Please redirect mail to the above address. Thank you.
This is the link.
I volunteer in my kids schools (library, book store, family resource center, and wherever else I am needed)
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Tweet! Tweet!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I volunteer at the school I used to work at as well as work with our local HOSPICE. Thanks for the giveaway chance
I run errand etc. for those who are unable to drive or are limited physically.
lelou2 AT ymail DOT com
TWEET
I donate blood regularly!
I should do that….
I help out w/ our high school sporting events.
would love to read this book…thanks.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I help clean up local schools and parks.
You could always help out in a soup kitchen. They need all the help they can get, and sometimes doing it will help you see out of someone else’s eyes. The other thing is a thing my school does called PC pals. It pairs a student with a kid, and it’s a sort of mentor program. Great for the kids.
I tweeted!
I do help out in soup kitchens from time to time =) I’m also a musician and I try to play music that would make people happy.
Soup Kitchen is a wonderful place to volunteer – I have for years!
I am an active volunteer with a local pet rescue agency. So far, I have fostered 31 kittens and transported 23 dogs from high kill shelters to rescue.
Please include me in the giveaway.
heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com
I went to the recycle post and helped sort out different trash. People don’t do recycle much. That’s a sad thing. I also think that we should gather leftover and make it into organic fertilizer. Many people waste food. : (
linna.hsu at gmail dot com