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Our books specialist, Jennifer Donovan, is here with a wonderful title suggestion for you and a giveaway. Samples and prizing were provided by St. Martin’s Press.
I’ve been an avid reader — well, since I could read. I’ve gone through stages and phases of reading, but one thing that has never changed is my ability to enjoy a light, fun read. I have never read a book by Barbara Delinsky, though I’ve seen her books everywhere over the years. Blueprints looked interesting, so I was excited to partner with St. Martin’s Press on this review and giveaway.
It’s just the kind of book I enjoy, focusing on family relationships, big changes and women figuring out who they really want to be.
Publisher’s Description:
Caroline MacAfee is a skilled carpenter, her daughter Jamie, a talented architect. Together they are the faces of Gut It!, a home renovation series on local public television. Caroline takes pride in her work, and in the way she connects with the show’s audience. But when she is told the network wants her daughter to replace her as host-the day after Caroline’s fifty-sixth birthday-she is devastated. The fallout couldn’t come at a worse time.
For Jamie, life changes overnight when, soon after learning of the host shift, her father and his new wife die in a car accident that orphans their two-year-old son. Accustomed to organization and planning, she is now grappling with a toddler who misses his parents, a fiancé who doesn’t want the child, a staggering new attraction, and a work challenge that, if botched, could undermine the future of both MacAfee Homes and Gut It!
For Caroline, hosting Gut It! is part of her identity. Facing its loss, she feels betrayed by her daughter and old in the eyes of the world. Her ex-husband’s death thrusts her into the role of caregiver to his aging father. And then there’s Dean, a long-time friend, whose efforts to seduce her awaken desires that have been dormant for so long that she feels foreign to herself.
Who am I? Both women ask, as the blueprints they’ve built their lives around suddenly need revising. While loyalties shift, decisions hover, and new relationships tempt, their challenge comes not only in remaking themselves, but in rebuilding their relationship with each other.
It was honestly just the kind of book to get lost in during the summer. It was sort of over-dramatic at times, but the issues of mother-daughter strife, major changes affecting other relationships are things that we all go through. I also enjoyed the rich setting — the world of a construction firm, including carpentry, architecture and interior design, and a TV show on top of it.
The characters were genuine and engaging and written in a way that made me care about them. I’m glad I picked it up, and will read more when I’m looking for light women’s fiction. It’s a genre I’ll never stop reading.
Learn more at BarbaraDelinsky.com
Follow Barbara on Twitter and Facebook
#Blueprints
Enter to win
You can win the book and awesome tool set pictured above (U.S. addresses only). Follow the instructions below to earn one or more entries.
Robert Arnold says
Maybe if we had this my wife would stop stealing my tools 🙂
Sarah L says
subscribe email: slehan at myway dot com
Sarah L says
Some painting, some electrical work. Nothing major.
Thanks for the contest.
Stephanie Larison says
Nothing major, no, but we put the kids’ bunk bed up recently. We have lots of plans and ideas, just need the time to do it all.
Ali celestino says
Yes we bought out home 2 years ago and are still making repairs and updating things to our liking. We have redid the kitchen, office and are going to be starting on the restroom.
Laurie Emerson says
We are still doing home repairs 10 years after Hurricane Katrina as there was so much damage to our home.
Sand says
Yes, I’m trying to reorganize the bedrooms and would like to paint them soon.
Beverly Metcalf says
I like doing home improvements. Right now I’m redoing an old outside bench for my garden area. Thanks!
liz l says
Not recently, but in December I helped husband build a storage unit
Laurie Nykaza says
We were painting a dresser for my daughters bedroom last week..
Candie L says
I hung a picture. Thank you
Melanie Comello says
Yes!! I had to replace my kitchen sink a couple of months ago…..it was no joy at all, however i felt super accomplished afterwards lol.
lanae says
We have done nothing but home repairs and upgrades!! Turned a pantry into a laundry room, built a fence, installed new light fixtures… haven’t stopped since we bought the house! :]
sarah ann dela cruz says
I’m currently re-finishing a dresser.
Cheri Oggy says
I have been painting my kitchen (almost done) and then I will be starting on my bedroom.
Donna Pyszk says
I recently helped fix the fence around our yard
Jessica Whitehouse says
We live in an apartment, so no major renovations for us, bit with 3 kids, I’m always needing to fix something.
Crystal K. says
Yes I have (such as painting my room bright neon green), hanging up cute decorations and fixing flaws in the fence so the dogs don’t get out. I would rather be doing in style with this pink set though!
eguiver Yol says
Added some storage space in the kitchen.
Michelle W says
I do things like hang pictures, paint and install new home products
Brandi says
I fix any & everything I possibly can & “if” I have the supplies & tools to do it with, like to consider myself unstoppable! I really don’t have much of a choice because being a single mother of two & on disability, I definitely can’t afford to hire someone so if I don’t, then it just won’t get done! It really doesn’t bother me though, in fact, really enjoy it & the feeling of accomplishment when it’s done!!!
Carrie Miyake says
I love to do projects like painting and other minor repairs. I fix minor issues and attempt to tackle larger ones with the assistance of my husband. I like to feel independent so that I can take care of things if he is traveling or away for business.
Lenora D says
I’ve done quite a few small repairs. Sadly, I’m usually going to do better than our maintenance crew.
rosemary says
wow
e michelle says
I have done tons my husband hates to paint. My step dad was a contractor so i had to help remodel both of our houses every summer!
Bridgett Wilbur says
We are putting in new windows in are living room right now..What a project.
kim keithline says
I have done lots of home improvements and repairs I love DIY
Leah Shumack says
We have just started to go through the house and redoing things. You never know how much stuff you can collect after 14 years. And my taste in decorating has definitely changed from 14 years ago!
Linda Bradshaw says
We have not started our repair work yet. We will be doing it this fall.
Kristi C says
We have been putting new tile in the bathrooms.
Rose Santuci-Sofranko says
Yep! Me and my husband just built some stairs!
Michele C. says
Thank you for the giveaway. I’ve tried doing a few DIY projects around our house. There are a few that I’d like to start working on. I want to repaint my daughters dresser, rearrange the picture frames, paint, etc.
Wanda McHenry says
No, we have been fortunate since we just bought this house last July (knock on wood).
laurie murley says
I’m constantly doing something to my home or yard, I enjoy doing thing to make my home look better
[email protected] says
YES! We bought a 120 year old brick 3-flat and it kind of needs EVERYTHING. We are working on it gradually (with tenants to help offset the expenses.) We’ve had to hire professionals for a lot of things (new roof, big electrical and plumbing jobs etc.) But we do what we can. I am big on the redecorating projects ~ but also assemble furniture, paint, tile floors, things like that…
Bettina Wellmaker says
Does a remodel count?
Lisa V. says
I have help the boyfriend with home projects. One that was tough was gutting a bathroom and installing a new one. I did learn a little, but would not set out to try something all by myself.
Mary Songer says
We’ve just finished putting in a second bathroom.
Anita k says
Yes I do little odds and ends when and where I can.every woman has to have her tools also.thanks so very much for sharing.
greg says
I’ve done a few since we moved into our house. Replace door, build workbench, paint some rooms.
Erica B. says
I usually do something about once a year.
Stacey b says
I took the pipes apart under the sink and unclogged it a couple weeks ago. Having 2 toddlers I’m always fixing things around the house though!
Tami Lewis says
No I dont do handiwork around the house……yet!
Jana says
Once in a while. Usually I dream up what I want done and then supervise. I have hung curtain rods by myself.
Paula Hafner says
Yes, I have. I’ve changed out door knobs, helped hang siding, helped repair the roof on our diningroom, and other projects. I would love my own set of tools.
Karen says
I just painted an old piece of furniture to use on our back porch!
Thanks,
Karen
Ally says
I’ll do little repairs like lubricating hinges and re-nailing down the threshold transition to my kitchen 🙂
Melissa A. says
I put in some new shelving in a closet.
Sarah Crothers says
We just moved into a new house, so the project list seems endless right now! But we are currently working on hanging all of our artwork and pictures!
Amy Hall says
Yes-moved from one 80 year old house to another that had never been updated either. Constnat stuff: removing wallpaper, painting old trim, cabinets
M C Johnson says
I’m currently upgrading a lot of areas in our house – painting, flooring, lighting, etc. Our houseis at the right age where everything needs to be upgraded!
JessicaT says
We built our basement – can’t say it is something I enjoy!
Jessica Girginis says
Yes I’ve done repairs/tasks/jobs in my house before from taking down wallpaper to painting to hanging up pictures.
heather kaufman says
Since my youngest son is crazy active, I am always repairing something…lol. My husband is deploying overseas in 3 weeks, so I am sure these tools would come in handy!
adriana says
Yes I have.
Jennifer Reed says
My husband does more of the home improvement projects but I always am his helper. I would love to feel more confident in my skills.
Laura J says
I recently had to repair our toilet tank! Never did anything like that before…but sure felt good when it was all done and working!
Wendy43 says
Lots! I recently hung a curtain rod and sheers on a window that gets harsh afternoon sun, installed a new towel bar in the restroom, and I bought a beautiful new rug and plants, flowers and herbs for my deck.
Karla Ryan says
Our latest project was creating our baby’s nursery.
laura ari says
We regularly tackle all the painting projects in our house.
brittani adams says
I have in the past but nothing recently and nothing major. Painting, building shelving units, etc.
The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia says
I have done quite a bit of home repair and projects, but my most recent was taking apart the kitchen pipes to clear a rather large clog.
Melissa B. says
We remodeled our last house. I did most of the painting.
Kimberly Hilbert says
My biggest home improvement project was painting my craft room. I’ll never do that again!
Stephanie Phelps says
Oh yes I love to do little projects around the house!
Jen H says
repairs? heck my husband and i built our house! its a little house and has a lot of blood sweat and tears in it!
Audra O'Hara says
Yes, I’ve done a lot of remodeling over the years. My last project was removing the popcorn ceiling from our bedroom, fixing the sheetrock walls and painting.
Morgan Watson says
I’m not sure if this counts or not, but my husband and I had a kitchen table and chairs given to us, that we fixed up and re stained. They ended up broken on our last move, but I really enjoyed working on them together.
JanD says
I’ve done minor improvements like replacing window blinds.
Jan P. says
The door to my apartment has “gaposis” (the door is noticeably smaller than the frame), so I’ve installed thick weather-stripping.
kathy d says
yes all the time
golden storm says
my step daughter just bought a mobile home and we are presently helping her redo it to her liking
kyla lockwood says
I have done home improvment but I also was alittle more lucky and was a tom boy working with my dad while growing up
fran says
helped decorate my daughter’s apt
Candace says
I’ve helped build a cabin and we are about to re-do our bathroom and kitchen!
Tabathia B says
We have mainly just painted, we painted the living room
jill rivera says
I put in a bathroom vanity.
sandra says
only very basic stuff
deana says
I have done painting and wallpapering
Vera S says
I have tightened loose faucets and replaced electrical plates. I would like to be more handy around the house. 🙂
Jeanna Massman says
I helped install a ceiling fan!
Sandra H. says
outdoor paint on metal railing was last diy job
DeAnna Keller says
There is always a project that needs to be done in our house!
Danette DW says
We recently put in a new ceiling fan. Three to go. Then need a roof and we will redo ceilings/drywall from rain damage.
Tara darity says
I recently did a remodel on the living room. Also love to restore old furniture!
Maria B says
No, I do not do home improvement projects.
Marie yoon says
nope not anything
Robin M says
We recently remodeled our kitchen.
JESSICA says
helped my husband with the dryer. I can’t do much I have a bad back.
Stefanie Gladden says
I have! we recently remodeled my bathroom!
Daniel Thornton says
I have not done any home improvement project or repairs yes.
Jamie Williams says
redecorating a craft room for me and my daughter.
Danielle Golden says
I can handle painting.
margaret peg m says
hi, i did remodel a tall bookshelf last summer and am currently working on restoring a wooden end table for my mom.
Kelly @ Mostly Homemade Mom says
I’ve been slowing repainting every room in the house!
Brittney House says
I have been remodeling the basement and getting it ready for a new tenant.
Wendy Caddy says
I’ve done a lot of painting and minor repairs over the years.
D.Johnson says
I painted the doors in my apartment.
Lindsey L says
I’ve done a ton! Bought a foreclosure, so I had to.
Hargow Wong says
I haven’t done any major project. Just hanging photos and touch up paint.
Liberty J says
Redoing the bathroom wall!
Ellie Wright says
I have helped do a lot of home repairs. My husband and I do all of it ourselves.
Layne Austin says
I have done a lot of minor home improvement projects like hanging curtains and pictures as well as fixing my central air conditioner. I wish I had more money to make bigger changes, especially to our back yard!
Daniel M says
yes constantly, everything always is in need of constant fixing or fixing up
Linda Lansford says
I have not done any
Gabrielle V says
Yes, I just recently had to do some repairs in my bedroom!
Holly E says
We are currently working on building a new deck.
Jennifer Monteiro says
I have only painted, hung pictures and spackled. I would love to get more involved in repairs.
Summ says
I’m in the mist of redoing my basement.
Darlene Carbajal says
No home improvements yet.
Janice Cafarelli says
Not only do I love this author and love to read.. I try to do most everything around the house . My last project was putting together furniture!!
Stephanie MacDonald says
redid all the bathroom tile myself!
Dana Rodriguez says
Yes! I am in the process of updating the master bath!
April Gray says
I just bought my first house, so I see many improvement projects in my future!!
Sara says
I have not done anything major. Just painting and replacing light fixtures, but hope to continue to learn new skills as I grow as a homeowner.
Abby Barge says
I’ve painted nearly my whole house!
James Robert says
Yes, I am in process of hanging dry wall now and mudding/taping.My oldesgt girls wants to help me with home improvements.
MaryM123 says
I would love the pink toolset!
Jan Hammersmith says
I am doing some work on my kitchen.
Emily V says
I have done some home improvement, such as painting, building furniture, and hanging things on the walls. Since I’ll be moving out of my apartment and into a house at the end of the summer, having this toolbox around would be really handy.
pu ye says
Light home decorating here another
Suzanne says
We had done lots of home renovations. Our first home was stuck in the 1970s and needed quite a bit of work done. Our current house is pretty perfect, but needed a new kitchen.
Marissa M says
Yes we are constantly doing them!
Rebecca Peters says
I have built entertainment centers and whatnot.. nothing huge
heather s says
Painted bedroom
Eva says
I installed mini-blinds last week.
Tammy Horn says
We are always busy doing something it seems. currently we are in the process of redoing my cat room for my feral cats. Painting, redoing the floors, hanging new cat walks around the walls and such. Lots of work, but well worth it.
Leila says
I haven’t done any yet, but I want to lay new tile in my entry way and then add a back splash to my stove top!
Alexandra W. says
I have put together furniture, hung curtains and the hardware for them, currently I am refinishing antique metal garden chairs.
jennifer stone says
no but we are getting ready to replace some floors in our house.
Seth @ Giveaway Guy says
I fixed a couple of floor fans, which may or may not be considered home improvement.
patricia kiser says
I’m always doing some kind of wood working around the house.I always wanted a barn so I built one myself.
Sarah Hall says
Absolutely, I’ve done home repairs. You have to if you own a home. This Saturday, we had to repair a gutter that was stopped up and loose. It’s always something.
Suzanne Bastien says
When I was a single mom I was the only one doing home improvement, now that I am remarried I do small things, but most of the bigger projects my husband does.
Robin W says
Yes, I have done, helped to do, numerous repairs around the house.
Annmarie W. says
I usually defer to my hubby for most of our repairs/home improvement…but we did spend last weekend priming & re-painting our deck. It was actually sort of fun…and I like how it came out!
Julie Murphy says
yes all the time but my tools disappear. They wouldn’t if they were pink.
Susan Wernle says
We have worked on a shed. getting ready to build a pole barn
Linda Kish says
We are getting ready to do some yard changes thanks to the drought.
Julie Bickham says
Recently I did a little work in my bathroom. I put in a new faucet and showerhead.
rajee says
Need to decor my bedroom
riTa says
I’m embarrassed to say that I have not been involved in home repairs or remodeling. But, I do not need to be.
My husband built our house entirely on his own over a period of three years. Twenty years later a house fire took most of it. That was four years ago. This time he had it rebuilt by someone else overseeing the reconstruction daily. I am very blessed to have a talented handyman as my husband. He is also an artist in ceramics and bronze and has helped our son in a few ice carving competitions.
Kelly D says
My husband and I put down hardwood floors in our living room this winter.
Angela Cash says
We live in an older home and have a long list of upgrades that we plan to tackle. We have recently renovated the kitchen and are now focused on exterior & landscaping improvements.
Angie says
not really but I need to patch a couple of holes!
Dawn Monroe says
We just painted our kitchen and put wood flooring in the bathroom.
Erika Chilton says
I have done many home improvement projects.
mrsshukra says
Not by myself… but yes, kitchen and bathroom floors replaced!
Holly says
Yes! Lately it’s been painting, painting, and more painting.
Jessica To says
I have done small projects like painting.
Ken C says
Did a new vent return with wood trim and a doormat we saw on Pinterest
Julie L says
I haven’t done many but my hubby does. He made the kids desks!
DEBIJOT says
Yes, we completely remodeled our house after we bought it. I painted every room.
nickie says
I have been remodeling my master bedroom
Debbi Wellenstein says
I did some faux painting in our bedroom and bathrooms.
beth shepherd says
We have done lots of home repairs. We bought an old farm house and it has needed lots of work. Thank you
Deborah W. says
I have done a lot of home improvement projects while my husband was deployed. It would be nice to have tools of my own to use.
LaTanya says
we are working on getting new front porch posts
Noreen says
I have painted, hung shelves, put up shades, stained a deck, put furniture together, and more. I like being handy.
Barbara Platt says
yes, but not lately
vickie Couturier says
yes i have,,i rehung a door after repairing it,,and put up a clothes line ,fixed a broken railing
Kristie says
I usually do the simple things…like change a light bulb 🙂
Terra Heck says
I’ve done minor improvements and repairs, but let my husband handle the major stuff. Thanks.
Leilani says
We are finishing our basement….lots of work!
Petula says
The last project I did was quite some time ago. Me and my oldest daughter painted the bathroom and replaced the floor tiles. We also tried our hand at spackling and repairing a part of the wall.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I’ve helped with painting and some repairs, but my husband does most of the work.
amyc says
We have been getting our house ready to put on the market. Lots of cleaning, repairing and painting going on here.
Melanie F says
Oh why yes we sure do… we are just starting the process of painting our (fake/aka not real) wood cabinets white & putting new counter tops on! It’s a process let me tell ya!
Thanks for the sweet giveaway!
Marty C. says
Sure, I’ve done tons of stuff, from building shelves and customized closets to basic plumbing. The only thing I am afraid to touch are those involving wiring and electricity.
Amyconcafe says
I have done repairs that needed to be done like a recent cabinet needed fixing.
Mike Bratek says
I would love to win this for my wife because she goes around trying to fix things (succeeds most of the time, better than myself)!
Lanay R. says
I re-painted some ugly planters to add fresh new color to my deck. I’m most excited about my next project with my husband, which will be building a murphy bed to make room in our tiny space for our first baby, arriving in October! These tools could be very useful for that! 🙂
McKim says
I don’t usually do any home improvements or repairs, but my husband does!
Shannon Baas says
I have not done any.
Sandy Klocinski says
We just moved into a newly built house in December so there are no repairs or improvement projects to do. What repairs there are are still under builders warranty
Liz says
We’ve done some home repairs but need to do a lot more!
Anne says
We redid the guest bedroom and are pleased with the improvement.
meagan bs says
we replaced some panels on our patio roof and painted some inside our house.
Emily says
Light home decorating here another
Kara says
We remodeled our kitchen, and did a lot of the work ourselves. Our contractor was a friend, so we were able to be very involved in the process. It was a huge project, but it was a huge improvement over our old kitchen. It probably helped us sell our house as well.
Kayla Bowe says
Just some home decorating, we just moved into our new place so I have been hanging photos and things.
Lisa says
I have been painting my bathroom.
jim zahorian says
me too.