March 2, 2009 | Published in * Feature Columns, 5 Minutes for Books, Books, Giveaways

5 Minutes for Books: The Laws of Harmony

The Laws of Harmony by Judith Ryan Hendricks is the kind of novel that defies a simple description. It opens as a simple life drama, but quickly turns into a suspenseful mystery, but almost as quickly settles back into a novel of self-discovery.

Sunny Cooper is this story. But who is she? In the year that this novel covers, she works as a dog walker, voice-over actress, baker and waitress. She lives in three different places in two different states. Is she a resentful daughter, a mourning lover, a friend, or a maverick? Is she a lone wolf or does she simply need to start over?

This novel has a number of interesting backdrops as well:

a commune in New Mexico where Sunny grew up
a beautiful island in the Pacific Northwest
a small-town bookstore
a local hang-out restaurant
and throughout, the food that Sunny loves to cook and eat

Even though all the story lines are not neatly tied up (which is not a bad thing in my mind), by the end of the novel, we have a little bit of an idea about where she’s going, and as a reader I had become interested enough to care.

Do you ever wonder where authors get the ideas for the stories they write? Click over to 5 Minutes for Books for some of the inside scoop from author Judith Hendricks. You can also read 20% of the novel online at HarperCollins by using the Browse Inside feature.

Leave a comment for your chance to win one of five copies (U.S. or Canadian shipping addresses). We will announce the winners in next week’s column.

This giveaway is CLOSED.

The winner of the gift package from Mother of the Year is #33 MomstheWord. If you didn’t receive my notification email, please send your shipping info to 5MinutesforBooksATgmail(DOT)com.

Email Author | Website About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

View all articles by Jennifer Donovan

{ 124 comments }

1 lifeasamama March 2, 2009 at 12:13 am: huh – sounds interesting!
2 Renee Garcia March 2, 2009 at 12:14 am: I would love to win this book! I’m always looking for a good read!
3 Angela C. March 2, 2009 at 12:25 am: I’d love to win. Thanks for another giveaway.

accoupons at gmail dot com
4 Carrie K. March 2, 2009 at 12:49 am: I’ve been seeing so many good reviews of this – I would love to win a copy!

nnjmom at yahoo dot com
5 Noreen March 2, 2009 at 12:51 am: love to read
6 IE Mommy March 2, 2009 at 6:42 am: Love books. Reading takes you somewhere different that where you really are! Wish me luck!
7 Lorri S March 2, 2009 at 7:12 am: Sounds like my kind of book!
8 Mama Zen March 2, 2009 at 7:59 am: This sounds really interesting!
9 Alexia March 2, 2009 at 9:48 am: I’d love to win – it sounds like a great book and a little off the beaten path.
10 Jen Thomas March 2, 2009 at 10:20 am: I love reading new books, and would love to win this one. Sounds very interesting.
11 shannon Baas March 2, 2009 at 10:28 am: Looks like a good book.
12 Christine Jensen March 2, 2009 at 10:39 am: This sounds like a great read! I would love to win a copy!
13 Becky March 2, 2009 at 10:47 am: This sounds like a very interesting book. Please enter me into the drawing.

Thanks so much!

dbkagrayson2002 at gmail dot com
14 Mary Ward March 2, 2009 at 10:55 am: I have this on my list of books to buy. I would love it.
15 Cindi March 2, 2009 at 11:01 am: Sounds like a very interesting concept for a book that reads like an everyday drama and then turns into to a suspense story! The main character sounds colorful. Please add my name to your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
16 randi oaklief March 2, 2009 at 11:15 am: I’ve read everything she’s written & have really enjoyed her books! This one sounds very good as well, I’d love to read it.
17 alycep March 2, 2009 at 11:49 am: Sounds good and I am always looking for a good read, especially mysteries.
18 mindy March 2, 2009 at 12:03 pm: sounds intriguing thanks for the giveaway
19 Andria March 2, 2009 at 12:14 pm: It sounds like a really good book. I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
20 SANDY March 2, 2009 at 12:40 pm: sounds interesting
21 SANDY March 2, 2009 at 12:40 pm: subscriber
22 C. clemens March 2, 2009 at 12:46 pm: i want to win, im entered
23 Debbie March 2, 2009 at 12:52 pm: This looks like a great read! I’m in!
24 jayne March 2, 2009 at 1:02 pm: Sounds like a great book! Thanks!
25 Loraine March 2, 2009 at 1:11 pm: This book sounds really good. I am always looking for new authours to read. Thanks for the contest.
26 Anita Yancey March 2, 2009 at 1:12 pm: Sounds like a book I’d really enjoy reading. Please enter me.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
27 hotpants4979 March 2, 2009 at 1:18 pm: Sounds like a great book.
28 edj March 2, 2009 at 2:01 pm: Ok, I’m intrigued. Sign me up! Thanks.
29 Linz March 2, 2009 at 2:28 pm: Reads as if its my kind of book.
30 Ann Fantom March 2, 2009 at 2:41 pm: I would like to read this book. Please enter me in your giveaway.
31 Marilyn March 2, 2009 at 2:43 pm: This soulds like a fine book
32 Angela March 2, 2009 at 2:52 pm: This sounds like an amazing book to read!
33 Deanna March 2, 2009 at 2:56 pm: I would love to win this book.

I listened to the author speak about how she came to the idea of this story. It was very interesting to her speak about the idea and where it originated from. A sad story from 1979. After listening to her…I am even more interested in reading the story.
34 Susan March 2, 2009 at 3:10 pm: This so sounds like the kind of book I’d love. Thanks.
35 Sherry March 2, 2009 at 3:31 pm: Sounds like a great read, thanks for the chance to win and a great review!
36 Denise March 2, 2009 at 3:49 pm: I’d love to read and learn from this.
37 Delores March 2, 2009 at 4:05 pm: please enter me!
38 romero March 2, 2009 at 4:06 pm: would love to be entered.
39 Adrienne Gordon March 2, 2009 at 4:43 pm: i’d love to win
40 Gina Stratos March 2, 2009 at 6:03 pm: I’d love to read this
gkstratos@yahoo.com
41 Wendy Wallach March 2, 2009 at 6:14 pm: sounds like a different sort of read.

madamerkf at aol dot com
42 Wendy Wallach March 2, 2009 at 6:14 pm: sounds like a different sort of read.

madamerkf at aol dot com
43 Stacy March 2, 2009 at 6:33 pm: Sounds interesting. I’d like to read it!
44 Renee Concolino March 2, 2009 at 6:34 pm: I love following the path of someone who is on a journal: whether is be emotional, spiritual, or one of trying to find oneself—it is generally interesting and helps us all to learn about ourselves and humans as a whole.
45 Stacy March 2, 2009 at 6:35 pm: I subscribe through Google Reader.
46 susan varney March 2, 2009 at 6:41 pm: i like to read these sort of books
47 momstheword March 2, 2009 at 6:54 pm: Wow. I can’t believe I won the Mom book! That’s awesome, thank you! I will send my mailing information to you asap.
48 Baba March 2, 2009 at 7:08 pm: Avid reader who shares with others. Please count me in.
49 ellen cunningham March 2, 2009 at 7:14 pm: This looks like a real good read. Thanks for the cahnce.
50 Gail March 2, 2009 at 7:22 pm: That sounds like a good one to read…the author video was interesting!
51 Susan Smith March 2, 2009 at 8:14 pm: Sounds like a good book
52 Leann S March 2, 2009 at 9:46 pm: Sign me up!
53 Petula March 2, 2009 at 10:43 pm: I think about authors’ creative thoughts all the time. Sounds like a great read.
54 Meredith Rogen March 2, 2009 at 11:19 pm: This looks like a good read. I like books that are set in the Northwest.
55 Mozi Esmes Mommy March 3, 2009 at 12:26 am: Looks wonderful! Would love to read it!
56 Paige March 3, 2009 at 12:41 am: I always love new books to read.
57 Christy Gold March 3, 2009 at 1:34 am: Sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
58 Shelly T. March 3, 2009 at 4:16 am: The books sounds like a very good read thanks for sharing and the chance to win!
59 Carol Lawrence March 3, 2009 at 5:03 am: Thanks for the chance to win and read this interesting novel.
60 david basile March 3, 2009 at 9:27 am: good one thanks
61 Tara March 3, 2009 at 10:17 am: Sounds interesting!! I am always looking for something new to read!!
62 Susan C March 3, 2009 at 11:07 am: I like that there is food and cooking in this book-my favorite type.
63 michelel anne March 3, 2009 at 2:00 pm: oh, another great giveaway……….
64 Angela J March 3, 2009 at 3:24 pm: Sounds interesting.
65 Dan March 3, 2009 at 3:39 pm: please enter me
66 Jennifer Barr March 3, 2009 at 3:41 pm: would love to win a copy
67 Vicky Boackle March 3, 2009 at 4:19 pm: this looks like a great book.
68 Leslie D. March 3, 2009 at 4:23 pm: Great description of the book. Sunny sounds like a great character that I want to know more about. Thanks for the giveaway.
69 Mike Weisberg March 3, 2009 at 6:11 pm: I want to win
70 Linda Moeller March 3, 2009 at 8:34 pm: I could use this! Big time!
71 Sarah Stern March 3, 2009 at 8:39 pm: Sounds like an interesting read!
72 J Chaborek March 3, 2009 at 9:19 pm: Sounds like a great read!
73 Deborah Wellenstein March 3, 2009 at 9:23 pm: I would love to read this book. Thank you!
74 Gabriel J. March 3, 2009 at 10:47 pm: Please, enter me, great prize!!!
75 Linda Chaput March 3, 2009 at 10:55 pm: I would love to win this book.I am a subscriber.
76 Marlene V March 3, 2009 at 11:10 pm: Count me in!!! Thanks for the giveaway:)
77 beth shepherd March 4, 2009 at 10:36 am: Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win and be able to read this book. Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
78 Renita March 4, 2009 at 12:27 pm: Please enter me. Thanks.
79 Djp March 4, 2009 at 1:07 pm: i need this
80 Tarah March 4, 2009 at 2:15 pm: This sounds like an interesting book!
81 lori w. March 4, 2009 at 2:56 pm: this sounds good
82 Jason Nickolay March 4, 2009 at 6:51 pm: This sounds like a great book. I have been in the market for some new reading material
83 Rhonda Struthers March 4, 2009 at 7:24 pm: This looks like a book with a great plot. I would like to read it. Please enter me.
84 Molly Capel March 5, 2009 at 4:15 am: Sounds like a great book.
85 leslie March 5, 2009 at 10:17 am: Terrific
86 Karen Gonyea March 5, 2009 at 11:54 am: Looks wonderful.
87 Heather B March 5, 2009 at 1:58 pm: Always on the lookout for a great book!
88 Steve Scott March 5, 2009 at 9:49 pm: Please and thank you
89 Stephanie March 5, 2009 at 10:43 pm: I actually heard about this book!
90 Kayce C March 5, 2009 at 11:16 pm: I need some harmony.
91 Jennifer Hedden March 6, 2009 at 10:24 am: enter me
92 Sarah March 6, 2009 at 10:25 am: enter me!
93 Carrie Baird March 6, 2009 at 11:08 am: Sounds like a good book – thanks for the chance to win! wgbc1446@yahoo[dot]com
94 Marie March 6, 2009 at 4:03 pm: Sounds fascinating, I’d love to read it!
95 Candie L March 7, 2009 at 10:54 am: I am always looking for new books to read. Thank you
96 ky2here March 7, 2009 at 12:04 pm: I’d love to know where writers get their ideas. I’m interested in this book. Please include me.
97 Connie A Rowe March 7, 2009 at 12:32 pm: Love to win this for my daughter
98 Stephanie Johnston March 7, 2009 at 1:49 pm: Would love to win this book
99 shawna f March 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm: Sounds like a great book!
100 sherri March 7, 2009 at 2:41 pm: sounds like a fun read
101 Lisa Taylor March 7, 2009 at 3:37 pm: I would love the chance to read the book
102 Ed Nemmers March 7, 2009 at 4:25 pm: Happy Weekend!
103 christopher h March 7, 2009 at 6:13 pm: sounds good
104 Janea C March 7, 2009 at 7:22 pm: Please enter me in the giveaway.
105 Patti D March 7, 2009 at 7:40 pm: This is my year of reading, anything and everything. This looks very interesting and I would love to win!
106 Jean F March 7, 2009 at 8:43 pm: A heroine that actually eats, now there is a pleasant change!
107 Brenda S. March 7, 2009 at 9:21 pm: sounds interesting!
108 Ellie W March 7, 2009 at 10:55 pm: Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.
109 Kelly Blackwell March 8, 2009 at 12:02 am: I have never heard of this book. Thanks for the Harper link! I am convinced I would love this book! Thank you for the giveaway!
110 Donna C. March 8, 2009 at 12:16 am: I love to read!
111 Esther March 8, 2009 at 1:11 am: Sounds very interesting!
112 Martha J March 8, 2009 at 2:13 am: Sounds interesting!
113 Adrian Lamont March 8, 2009 at 3:05 am: This is great, count me in.
114 Laura C March 8, 2009 at 5:05 am: Thanks for this giveaway and yes it’s a wonder where the authors get their ideas. llchacko(at)hotmail.com
115 JoAnn L. March 8, 2009 at 7:57 am: It looks very good, please enter me.
116 Linda Howard March 8, 2009 at 8:19 am: I love to read. Please enter me. Thanks!
117 Rose Fisher March 8, 2009 at 9:04 am: Books are wonderful and this one sounds very interesting. Definitely one that you can’t put down. Please enter me for a chance to win!

Thanks!
~~Rose~~
118 Veronica Garrett March 8, 2009 at 9:52 am: I would love to win this book. It sounds very interesting.
119 kathy March 8, 2009 at 10:15 am: The setting (Pacific Northwest) sounds great and so does the mystery and food!
120 Lily Kwan March 8, 2009 at 11:03 am: Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
121 Kathy H. March 8, 2009 at 11:39 am: I love to read and this book looks interesting!
122 Denise March 8, 2009 at 12:27 pm: I so would love to read this one!
123 Jeanine P March 8, 2009 at 4:58 pm: Nice prize! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
124 Marcy Strahan March 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm: THIS SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL BOOK!
THROWING MY NAME IN THE HAT FOR THIS ONE!

THANKS!

ZESTYWONDERLAND@GMAIL.COM