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The Fixer Upper Book Review & Giveaway

July 31, 2010 By Rhoda 82 Comments

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{Giveaway is Closed}

Back at the beginning of 2009, I had the pleasure of meeting in Atlanta,  Mary Kay Andrews, the sassy Southern author of several witty and fun to read books.   Light-hearted reads and set in the South.  What’s not to love about that?

We met up again this year at the Eddie Ross event in Atlanta and had our pic made together.  She’s a fun lady!

I hate to admit that I had not actually read any of Mary Kay’s books until now, but they were on my list of books to check out soon.

So, when I got an email asking if I’d like to read and review her newest, The Fixer Upper, all about a young lawyer who finds herself embroiled in a scandal when her boss, a shady lobbyist, tries to pin the blame on her for a corrupt Congressman’s actions.  Upon getting fired, she gets out of DC and lands in a small town in South Georgia, where she has been recruitedby her dad to get his family’s run-down Southern mansion all fixed up for resale….well, of course I was all over that one.  Sounded like a good read to me and I’m always up for a good read.

It’s a really cute book.  The main character, Dempsey Killebrew, is a young 20’s big-city girl, who manages to learn some DIY skills along the way as she’s fixing up this old house in a small Southern town, falls in love, and tries to dodge the FBI.  Lots of fun characters and antics going on, it was a fun read.  The only teensy-tiny little thing that I didn’t like was the dropping of the F-bomb a few times.  I think any book could do without that and it wouldn’t change it a bit, but otherwise, I really enjoyed it.  That’s just my 2 cents 🙂

If you enjoy Sue Grafton’s books (Kinsey Milhone and A-Z!), which I do, you will probably enjoy Mary Kay’s.  I read on Mary Kay’s blog that Sue was one of the writers she considered a mentor in her early years of writing.

A few weeks ago, I shared about Mary Kay’s beach cottage at Tybee Island, when it was featured in Better Homes and Gardens.  I loved the article about Mary Kay and her family and her cottage, The Breeze Inn, is just adorable.

Another thing I love about Mary Kay is her love of junking.  Yes, maam, she loves it as much as I do.  I think we could have some fun junking together and I would love to do that sometime.  Just look at that spray painted aqua yardsale dresser.  She’s a girl after my own heart, for sure! 🙂

There’s also a sweepstakes going on over at Little Pink Tools and 25 books and pretty pink tools will be given away to 25 lucky winners!  All you have to do is go over there and sign up for it.   Oooooh, would you look at that pink cuteness!  I have a pink laptop and I’d love to have some pink tools too.

All you have to do to win a copy of the book here is leave a comment right here on this post.

Have you read any of Mary Kay’s books before?   Let me know that or just tell me that you’d love to read The Fixer Upper too!

************************************************

Don’t miss out on the Arise Shine giveaway, today’s the last day to sign up if you haven’t already!

Attn: Birmingham girls! I’m going to have another yardsale, maybe in September.  Let me know if you are interested and I’ll keep you all posted.  I’ve got to clean out my stash, once again.  🙂

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Filed Under: Book review, Giveaway

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. KJ says

    July 31, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    I just ordered the audio book of this. Hopefully, the reader will have a southern accent. As a Californian, I can’t get enough southern in my daily endeavors. Audio book are so fun to listen to!

    Thanks so much for sharing,
    KJ

  2. Dianna says

    July 31, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    I am always looking for new books to read and Mary Kays, The Fixer Upper sounds great!

  3. Jennifer says

    July 31, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    I just finished her first book SAVANNAH BLUES while on vacation and I hated to see it end! I loved all the details of the estate sales combined with the mystery. It was a great read.

    I would love to win a copy of FIXER UPPER as many of her books aren’t available at our library because of the darling magazine article. I will be reading them all when I can!

  4. Jan Colligan says

    July 31, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    I’ve never read her books but am definitely intrigued by your description of her latest!

  5. JuLee Martin says

    August 1, 2010 at 8:16 am

    I love to read and would love to win.

  6. Yvette Adams says

    August 1, 2010 at 9:00 am

    I have not read Mary Kay’s books yet. With her being a Georgia writer and me living outside of Atlanta, I need to put this on my list. Maybe I will win the first one of many to be read!!!
    Yvette
    Also, love to know about your garage sale!

  7. Andi W says

    August 1, 2010 at 9:31 am

    I would love to read this book, I saw the article in Better Homes and Gardens about her divine beach house!

  8. shawn voltz says

    August 1, 2010 at 10:22 am

    This sound like a great book. I would love to have a copy.

  9. Theresa N says

    August 1, 2010 at 11:40 am

    I read Savannah Breeze and loved it.

  10. Linh C says

    August 1, 2010 at 11:44 am

    I’ve enjoyed all of Mary Kay Andrew’s books.

    Please keep me informed about your yard sales.

    Thanks!

  11. Carmen says

    August 1, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    The book sounds great! I think I read Savannah Blues awhile ago but can’t be sure. The description on her website sounds very familiar. I’d like to read this book too.

  12. Heidiopia says

    August 1, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    I ADORE Mary Kay Andrews’ books and I loved The Fixer-Upper. The first one of hers I read was Itty Bitty Lies and she had me at “hello” with that one– I’ve got all of hers and enjoy sharing them with friends! She’s a good go-to beach read if you like what I call “Southern girls with gumption tales”… 🙂
    Thanks, Rhoda!

  13. Cumby Hammock-Cobb says

    August 1, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I read Hissy Fit in a weekend and I’m looking forward to another Mary Kay adventure for another Girl’s Trip to the Beach! I would love to read The Fixer Upper…..I’ve been there and done that with several houses and can certainly relate!

  14. Barb Boyack says

    August 1, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    Hi Rhoda, I would love to win and read Mary Kay’s book..sounds like a fun read!

    Barb

  15. Philicia Martin says

    August 2, 2010 at 12:58 am

    I would LOVE to win the book! I am in the middle of reading her book, “Savannah Blues” right now! LOVE IT!

  16. Cherish says

    August 2, 2010 at 6:21 am

    Love MKA’s books. Haven’t read the Fixer Upper yet but hope to soon.

  17. Tammy Sprinkle says

    August 2, 2010 at 8:28 am

    Hi there! I have been wanting to buy “The Fixer Upper” by Mary Kay Andrews. I read her “Savannah Breeze” and loved it. I would very much love to own this one. I cannot wait to get back to the south. We are in the midst of getting our house ready for the market and I could use a reprieve. We are headed to Charleston, SC!

    I loved that article on Mary Kay’s home, also. It is a beautiful home. Thank you for the chance to win her book.

  18. Carolyn H. says

    August 2, 2010 at 11:37 am

    I have not read Mary Hay’s books but I am a young southern lawyer, so I think it would be right up my alley!

  19. Jessica says

    August 2, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    I haven’t read any of Mary Kay’s books but The Fixer Upper sounds like the perfect read for vacation! Thanks for suggesting a new author for me to check out–I’ll be hitting the used book store before we leave town on Friday 🙂

  20. ellen c says

    August 2, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Love her books! I have read them all, but this one!!

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Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me?

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