LIFE AFTER YES by Aidan Donnelly Rowley (I love that name)

May 18, 2010


A long long(ish) time ago, in a cyber-land (exactly) like this one, two young(ish) mothers of two came to know one another through their words.

One is me, the other, Aidan Donnelly Rowley of Ivy League Insecurities. She left a comment or two, and I, in my usual eager curiosity to meet new friends, visited her space.

And I was intimidated.

(Aidan, stop laughing.) (It’s true. Your writing astounded me and also, you’re reeeaaal pretty.)

Later, I would come to find out, through an email, that she had felt “like a rock star had visited” when I left my first comment. (This made me laugh and say WHY?) We simply admired one another’s writing (and I could not be more humbled by the fact that a woman with such a writing gift as Aidan’s would find my words appealing at all.)

And today, friends, is a very good day. Because today is the day that I have the distinct honor to ask you to say YES to Aidan’s debut novel, Life After Yes. That’s right, this is release day and I get to tell you about it!

Aidan, this isn’t one bit forced…I loved your book. I got lost in your book, and it’s a true gift to me to tell my readers to run to the store on this very first day that the book is available and scoop it right up. I love your characters, the broken Quinn and all the rest. This book resonated with me, and will with anyone who has ever felt that nagging confusion after making a big change, a big decision in their lives. So, this book, will resonate with everyone. It speaks to the many layers of the human spirit with raw honesty, while grappling with issues of grief, humility, and love. Thank you for writing this book. Thank you for saying YES to your dream, you are a true inspiration to me. I really mean that.

Aidan was kind enough to send me an advanced copy of Life After Yes, and I promptly devoured it. Honestly, it’s been a long time since that’s happened. If a novel does not completely grab my attention in the first pages, I don’t finish it. This did not happen with this book. Not even close. And now I’m going to give it away! (No worries, I will promptly purchase more than one copy for myself and friends.)

To win Aidan’s book, all you have to do is leave me a comment. No commitment, no hoops to jump through, just a comment. I will choose a winner this coming Friday the 21st at 5pm through random.org. Easy peasy. (United States only, please.)

Good luck!

This post is part of the final installment of Five for Ten at Momalom.

And lastly, once you get your copy of Life After Yes, please join us for a discussion among friends at the Motherese book club! If you don’t know Aidan already, you want to, believe me. And then together, when this book hits the big time and everyone has heard of it, we’ll get to say, I know her!

{ 52 comments }

Heidi Ashworth May 18, 2010 at 10:02 am

I can't wait to read YOUR book (there will be one–this I know).

sara May 18, 2010 at 10:13 am

I would love to read this book…and how fun that a blogging friend wrote it!!!

Elizabeth@Romans8:15 May 18, 2010 at 10:19 am

I have a beach trip coming up and need a really great book to read!!!

OHmommy May 18, 2010 at 10:26 am

Yes, please. I would love a new book.

Brittani's Blog May 18, 2010 at 10:31 am

would love to read the book :) and love your blog! Thanks for keeping it real :)

Katie May 18, 2010 at 10:36 am

Can't wait to read it.

MidnightCafe May 18, 2010 at 10:39 am

I would, of course, love to win a copy. …though I may be pretty likely to go get one of my own if I don't, since you recommended it! I know I can trust your book recommends!

-Mike May 18, 2010 at 10:39 am

I would love to read YOUR copy, especially if you sign it. Because you're going to be famous also. :)

Mainly a midwife May 18, 2010 at 10:54 am

It's been a really long time since I got lost in a book. I look forward to reading it.

Jo@Mylestones May 18, 2010 at 11:10 am

Hurray for Aidan!!
And yes, you are a rock star, you know. I've heard, actually, that you rock the party.

mel May 18, 2010 at 11:17 am

even if I don't win, I plan on buying it.

mandiegirl May 18, 2010 at 11:21 am

I've been on quite a reading kick lately, and would LOVE to win a copy! :)

The Clines May 18, 2010 at 11:21 am

It sounds like a great book!
teresacline2001(at)yahoo(dot)com

alita May 18, 2010 at 12:22 pm

I read the blurb and intended on reading it. So either way there will be a copy in my eager hands. Also a book club? I'm in! Just the motivation to kick this condo sellin mama's a double s into book consumption mode.

Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama May 18, 2010 at 12:29 pm

This is the second mention of Aidan & her book that I've come across in just the past ten minutes, and now I'm really intrigued! I'd love to read this book…and there's a book club, too!? I've got to check out these links you shared!

LAUREN @ Embrace The Detour May 18, 2010 at 12:33 pm

I'm just leaving a comment to tell you I felt just as intimidated when I came to YOUR site for the first time!! I, too, believe I'll be buying your book some day.

As for Aidan's, no need to put me in the running. I already have five copies. :)

And I couldn't agree more about the book – it's SO GREAT.

Billy Coffey May 18, 2010 at 12:54 pm

Ooo! I'm in. I love me a good book. And you're gonna give away mine too, right?

Janet May 18, 2010 at 1:44 pm

Well, I love your writing, and I love to read, so I'm guessing I would love this book. If I don't win it, I'll go buy it. Thanks for the recommendation!

Kelly May 18, 2010 at 2:03 pm

I am anxiously awaiting my own copy of LIFE AFTER YES (which I'll be donating to my public library after I devour it) — so don't include me in the contest but I had to say WOOHOO for LAY day!

Tales of a Peanut May 18, 2010 at 2:10 pm

I would love to read LIFE AFTER YES!

Kristen @ Motherese May 18, 2010 at 2:21 pm

Well, you know I already devoured my copy, but I wanted to second all of the lovely things you said about Aidan's book – and to thank you for the linky love. I hope your readers will join our little book club!

(Oh, and Heather, I was beyond psyched when you left your first comment at Motherese. A rock star. Yes, that's you!)

Aging Mommy May 18, 2010 at 2:24 pm

That would be my dream, to write and have something published, but I fear I will never be good enough. I admire anyone who has the ability and also the determination to make that dream come true, so hats off to your friend and I hope her book becomes a roaring success.

By the way, you my friend certainly have the ability so when is your first novel coming out :-)

Samantha May 18, 2010 at 5:04 pm

I can't wait to read it! Hopefully, my own book will have a happy ending too, just like hers!

Penelope May 18, 2010 at 5:21 pm

I would love to win this book! :)

MoziEsmé May 18, 2010 at 5:47 pm

You've sold me on this one!

And I'm joining the clamor for YOUR book, too!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

MamaBear May 18, 2010 at 6:11 pm

I'm always on the look out for a great book and this one sounds like it fits the bill. Thanks for doing a give-a-way Heather!

Ronda's Rants May 18, 2010 at 6:57 pm

I can't wait to read it…I will suggest it to All Girls Book Club!
If she is near as good as you are…I will be thrilled!

wendy May 18, 2010 at 7:22 pm

I am kinda in agreement with Heidi on above comment. I believe you would be able to write a book or your "journey" through life and sobriety and raising kids and just life and struggles in general. Yuppers.
It is amazing to me that people have such a talent for writing. How do you put all those thoughts and feelings onto paper and have it make sense.
what a gift.

Adventures In Babywearing May 18, 2010 at 7:53 pm

I want!

I have loved you since I first read you. You know that. :)

Steph

Amy Whitley May 18, 2010 at 8:02 pm

I'm already happily reading Life After Yes, so I won't take a giveaway entry away from someone else, but wanted to comment anyway, to encourage everyone to say YES to Life After Yes! I'm halfway through, and couldn't agree more with what you say here.

warmchocmilk May 18, 2010 at 8:16 pm

I'm looking forward to reading YOUR book too :) vThis one of your freinds does sound interesting!

Boy Crazy May 18, 2010 at 8:47 pm

I already ordered a copy, but why not enter to win one for a friend, right? :) I remember thinking you were some sort of mythological siren at one point, too. ;) Heh. And then I *met* you! (and loved you even more, of course.) xoxo e.

One Crafty Mother May 18, 2010 at 9:09 pm

Ohhhh … I'd love to win. You've never let me down with your book recommendations, so if I don't I'm running out to buy it. I LOVE HER BLOG! I haven't commented yet (I'm a bit intimidated… *cough*) but I really enjoy her writing!

-Ellie

michelle May 18, 2010 at 9:40 pm

i'd love to snag a copy…

Kim May 18, 2010 at 11:45 pm

Ooh I am always up for a good novel. Plus, if I win, you can save the shipping and bring it out here NEXT WEEK!!!!

Kazzy May 19, 2010 at 12:18 am

Don't you just love these online connections? See you soon, I hope!

Meredith May 19, 2010 at 7:56 am

I love that just by participating in Five for Ten (although I skipped the Lust post for various reasons), I have heard SO much about this book. I definitely want to read it!

Launa May 19, 2010 at 8:44 am

Heidi and Wendy are right. You're good, and you have a story to tell.

Don't you love it when your friends inspire you to do great things?

Becca May 19, 2010 at 9:41 am

Books! Books! Yea! I want to read this one.

Christine May 19, 2010 at 11:06 am

This is truly an amazing place, what you've done for Aidan here is amazing. The friendships, the support they inspire me.

I'm anxiously awaiting for my won copy to land on Canadian soil. We are, and probably forever will be, the land of the far behind. All these reviews are making me terribly excited!

kate May 19, 2010 at 11:30 am

oooh, let it be me!

Jodie Mac May 19, 2010 at 11:32 am

I would like to read this book please. I just re-discovered how much I love reading books while on vacation this past week and I got through one WHOLE one.

Denise May 19, 2010 at 1:32 pm

Hey Maverick. Just sayin' Hi…and telling you that I, too, was so happy when you came to visit my humble spot in cyberworld.

(Don't need to enter me in the drawing…it's on my buy-it-next list.)

The mad woman behind the blog May 19, 2010 at 2:27 pm

ME WANT TOO!!!
I have a very good friend that is also a published author and blogger and yea! my neighbor! I so admire her and her writing and I think I embarass her w/ my adoration. SO I totally see where you're coming from.
Now, give me some book love already!

Gale at TDT May 19, 2010 at 2:55 pm

Thanks for this lovely review, Heather. Don't count me in for the drawing, as I already have two copies. Just wanted to leave my words and thank you for echoing what so many other bloggers have also said. I will dig in this weekend!

~beautyandjoy~ May 19, 2010 at 6:07 pm

Oh yes, yes, please!!

Erin May 19, 2010 at 8:59 pm

I love Aidan's blog :) I was really intrigued when I heard about her book.

Tooj May 19, 2010 at 9:18 pm

It's always a compliment when someone YOU admire, admires you. It's not hard, though, to see her point. You are so preeeeeetty too! Hee hee.

Elena May 19, 2010 at 9:21 pm

OOOH! Fun. Looking forward to reading the book.

http://LaReinaElena.wordpress.com

Bennance May 20, 2010 at 5:46 pm

Hi, Heather. I certainly love your writing, so I would be eager to read anything you suggest. Thanks for the giveaway!

April H May 21, 2010 at 11:38 am

Sounds like this is just what I might need right now….

Jen May 21, 2010 at 9:48 pm

I am officially in an after Life After Yes place, as I've finished the book. And I'm LOVING seeing it all over our little bloggy village. You can take me out of the running for the giveaway!

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: