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.
Maybe if we had this my wife would stop stealing my tools 🙂
subscribe email: slehan at myway dot com
Some painting, some electrical work. Nothing major.
Thanks for the contest.
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.
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.
We are still doing home repairs 10 years after Hurricane Katrina as there was so much damage to our home.
Yes, I’m trying to reorganize the bedrooms and would like to paint them soon.
I like doing home improvements. Right now I’m redoing an old outside bench for my garden area. Thanks!
Not recently, but in December I helped husband build a storage unit
We were painting a dresser for my daughters bedroom last week..
I hung a picture. Thank you
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.
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! :]
I’m currently re-finishing a dresser.
I have been painting my kitchen (almost done) and then I will be starting on my bedroom.
I recently helped fix the fence around our yard
We live in an apartment, so no major renovations for us, bit with 3 kids, I’m always needing to fix something.
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!
Added some storage space in the kitchen.
I do things like hang pictures, paint and install new home products
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!!!
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.
I’ve done quite a few small repairs. Sadly, I’m usually going to do better than our maintenance crew.
wow
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!
We are putting in new windows in are living room right now..What a project.
I have done lots of home improvements and repairs I love DIY
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!
We have not started our repair work yet. We will be doing it this fall.
We have been putting new tile in the bathrooms.
Yep! Me and my husband just built some stairs!
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.
No, we have been fortunate since we just bought this house last July (knock on wood).
I’m constantly doing something to my home or yard, I enjoy doing thing to make my home look better
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…
Does a remodel count?
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.
We’ve just finished putting in a second bathroom.
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.
I’ve done a few since we moved into our house. Replace door, build workbench, paint some rooms.
I usually do something about once a year.
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!
No I dont do handiwork around the house……yet!
Once in a while. Usually I dream up what I want done and then supervise. I have hung curtain rods by myself.
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.
I just painted an old piece of furniture to use on our back porch!
Thanks,
Karen
I’ll do little repairs like lubricating hinges and re-nailing down the threshold transition to my kitchen 🙂
I put in some new shelving in a closet.
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!
Yes-moved from one 80 year old house to another that had never been updated either. Constnat stuff: removing wallpaper, painting old trim, cabinets
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!
We built our basement – can’t say it is something I enjoy!
Yes I’ve done repairs/tasks/jobs in my house before from taking down wallpaper to painting to hanging up pictures.
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!
Yes I have.
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.
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!
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.
Our latest project was creating our baby’s nursery.
We regularly tackle all the painting projects in our house.
I have in the past but nothing recently and nothing major. Painting, building shelving units, etc.
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.
We remodeled our last house. I did most of the painting.
My biggest home improvement project was painting my craft room. I’ll never do that again!
Oh yes I love to do little projects around the house!
repairs? heck my husband and i built our house! its a little house and has a lot of blood sweat and tears in it!
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.
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.
I’ve done minor improvements like replacing window blinds.
The door to my apartment has “gaposis” (the door is noticeably smaller than the frame), so I’ve installed thick weather-stripping.
yes all the time
my step daughter just bought a mobile home and we are presently helping her redo it to her liking
I have done home improvment but I also was alittle more lucky and was a tom boy working with my dad while growing up
helped decorate my daughter’s apt
I’ve helped build a cabin and we are about to re-do our bathroom and kitchen!
We have mainly just painted, we painted the living room
I put in a bathroom vanity.
only very basic stuff
I have done painting and wallpapering
I have tightened loose faucets and replaced electrical plates. I would like to be more handy around the house. 🙂
I helped install a ceiling fan!
outdoor paint on metal railing was last diy job
There is always a project that needs to be done in our house!
We recently put in a new ceiling fan. Three to go. Then need a roof and we will redo ceilings/drywall from rain damage.
I recently did a remodel on the living room. Also love to restore old furniture!
No, I do not do home improvement projects.
nope not anything
We recently remodeled our kitchen.
helped my husband with the dryer. I can’t do much I have a bad back.
I have! we recently remodeled my bathroom!
I have not done any home improvement project or repairs yes.
redecorating a craft room for me and my daughter.
I can handle painting.
hi, i did remodel a tall bookshelf last summer and am currently working on restoring a wooden end table for my mom.
I’ve been slowing repainting every room in the house!
I have been remodeling the basement and getting it ready for a new tenant.
I’ve done a lot of painting and minor repairs over the years.
I painted the doors in my apartment.
I’ve done a ton! Bought a foreclosure, so I had to.
I haven’t done any major project. Just hanging photos and touch up paint.
Redoing the bathroom wall!
I have helped do a lot of home repairs. My husband and I do all of it ourselves.
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!
yes constantly, everything always is in need of constant fixing or fixing up
I have not done any
Yes, I just recently had to do some repairs in my bedroom!
We are currently working on building a new deck.
I have only painted, hung pictures and spackled. I would love to get more involved in repairs.
I’m in the mist of redoing my basement.
No home improvements yet.
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!!
redid all the bathroom tile myself!
Yes! I am in the process of updating the master bath!
I just bought my first house, so I see many improvement projects in my future!!
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.
I’ve painted nearly my whole house!
Yes, I am in process of hanging dry wall now and mudding/taping.My oldesgt girls wants to help me with home improvements.
I would love the pink toolset!
I am doing some work on my kitchen.
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.
Light home decorating here another
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.
Yes we are constantly doing them!
I have built entertainment centers and whatnot.. nothing huge
Painted bedroom
I installed mini-blinds last week.
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.
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!
I have put together furniture, hung curtains and the hardware for them, currently I am refinishing antique metal garden chairs.
no but we are getting ready to replace some floors in our house.
I fixed a couple of floor fans, which may or may not be considered home improvement.
I’m always doing some kind of wood working around the house.I always wanted a barn so I built one myself.
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.
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.
Yes, I have done, helped to do, numerous repairs around the house.
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!
yes all the time but my tools disappear. They wouldn’t if they were pink.
We have worked on a shed. getting ready to build a pole barn
We are getting ready to do some yard changes thanks to the drought.
Recently I did a little work in my bathroom. I put in a new faucet and showerhead.
Need to decor my bedroom
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.
My husband and I put down hardwood floors in our living room this winter.
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.
not really but I need to patch a couple of holes!
We just painted our kitchen and put wood flooring in the bathroom.
I have done many home improvement projects.
Not by myself… but yes, kitchen and bathroom floors replaced!
Yes! Lately it’s been painting, painting, and more painting.
I have done small projects like painting.
Did a new vent return with wood trim and a doormat we saw on Pinterest
I haven’t done many but my hubby does. He made the kids desks!
Yes, we completely remodeled our house after we bought it. I painted every room.
I have been remodeling my master bedroom
I did some faux painting in our bedroom and bathrooms.
We have done lots of home repairs. We bought an old farm house and it has needed lots of work. Thank you
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.
we are working on getting new front porch posts
I have painted, hung shelves, put up shades, stained a deck, put furniture together, and more. I like being handy.
yes, but not lately
yes i have,,i rehung a door after repairing it,,and put up a clothes line ,fixed a broken railing
I usually do the simple things…like change a light bulb 🙂
I’ve done minor improvements and repairs, but let my husband handle the major stuff. Thanks.
We are finishing our basement….lots of work!
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.
I’ve helped with painting and some repairs, but my husband does most of the work.
We have been getting our house ready to put on the market. Lots of cleaning, repairing and painting going on here.
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!
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.
I have done repairs that needed to be done like a recent cabinet needed fixing.
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)!
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! 🙂
I don’t usually do any home improvements or repairs, but my husband does!
I have not done any.
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
We’ve done some home repairs but need to do a lot more!
We redid the guest bedroom and are pleased with the improvement.
we replaced some panels on our patio roof and painted some inside our house.
Light home decorating here another
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.
Just some home decorating, we just moved into our new place so I have been hanging photos and things.
I have been painting my bathroom.
me too.