Welcome to the "Sweet Life" blog tour!

To celebrate the release of Sweet Caroline, I'm hosting a blog tour and a Scrumptious Baking Basket give away!


Fun! All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter here and you'll be entered to win the gift basket stuffed with a super cool apron, a signed copy of Pat Conroy's Low-Country cookbook, a pie plate, rolling pin, and oven mit. The contest ends 6/3 and the winner will be announced 6/5!



I'm super excited to be visiting these AWESOME blogs! What a blessing. Here is the schedule of blogs I'll be making stops at! Make sure to leave a comment on their blogs, because I'll be randomly selecting two people (who leave comments on these blogs during the tour) to receive a copy of Sweet Caroline.

5/19
Karla at Looking Towards Heaven
http://karlascrazylife.blogspot.com/2008/05/look-book-and-contest.html

Martha at Our Familys Adventures
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha/534484/
I enjoyed this book! It had great humor, a lively story line with great characters.

Trish at Books For Mom
http://booksformoms.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline.html
Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck is all that and more! In fact, I have had to wrestle my own copy of Sweet Caroline out of the hands of my almost thirteen year old daughter's hands to even read it! She is addicted to it now, and I can't get it away from her!

Kathy at Sumballo
http://sunballo.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-novel-sweet-caroline.html

5/20
Angie at God Uses Broken Vessels
http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-by-rachel-hauck.html

Deborah at A Cup of Joy
http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/sweet-caroline-by-rachel-hauck-contest/
I loved this book! Such an enjoyable read. Of all the books I have read in my lifetime, some have made me cry…some have made me laugh…some have sent a chill down my spine…this one made me hungry!

Lena at A Christian Writers World
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2008/05/blog-tour-rachel-hauck-sweet-caroline.html

Amy at Random Thoughts
http://amychristopher.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-book-tour-and-review-and.html Just have to tell you that the character of Caroline is soooo me. Her thought processes are just like mine. I loved this book. I loved the story. I loved that the author focused on how the character felt, dreamed and just lived.

5/21
Miralee at Coming Home
http://miraleesdesk.blogspot.com/2008/05/rachel-haucks-sweet-caroline-blog-tour.html

Melody at Kids, Cakes, Dishes, Laundry, In that order
http://kidscakesdisheslaundry.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline.html
The thing I loved most about this book was the cast of characters. Rachel Hauck has assembled a group of characters that are diverse, interesting, and highly entertaining. I fell in love with the staff of the Frogmore Café immediately, and when the book ended, I found myself wanting more. I didn’t want to let go of my new friends quite so soon, and I really wanted to know “what happened next”! To me, that’s always a sign of a good book…that it leaves me wanting to keep reading.

Laura at Texas Okie
http://texasokie.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-by-rachel-hauck.html
The ending is not what you think. I thought this book kept the reader interested in the story line and kept you wanting more.

5/22
Tasra at Lessons From the Scrapbook Page
http://realwomenscrap.typepad.com/scrapbook_lessons/2008/05/bubbas-buttery-biscuits.html
I will say this is now my favorite Rachel Hauck book. It was effortless to read and the story drew me in subtly yet strongly. I actually took my time reading it because I knew if I read it in one night, it would be over and I'd miss it. I actually practiced restraint in reading if you can believe that.

Margaret at The Cappuccino Life
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cappuccinosmom/535825/
I was very interested to note that one of the hard choices was the decision whether or not to sleep with a very persuasive boyfriend--and choosing not to. It's not often that a romantic heroine holds out for a better man and marriage. Even in "Christian romance" I've noticed heroines regularly make "mistakes".

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee
http://2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-win-baking-basket-full.html
That special menu touch is one way that author Rachel Hauck draws the reader in and makes her care about what's happening to the characters and how Caroline will make out in the end.

Deborah at Papcuts
http://www.tscpl.org/papercuts/comments/spotlight_on_rachel_haucks_sweet_caroline/
After reading Rachel Hauck's new book Sweet Caroline, I imagined what it would be like if her main character Caroline visited a library.

5/23
Jamie at Surviving the Chaos
http://survivingthechaos.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-by-rachel-hauck.html
I put this book away like a pint of Dove Unconditional Chocolate Ice Cream. I just ate. it. up.

Dena at Mother Inferior
http://denadyer.typepad.com/
...I'm rarely taken in by a book like I was with the one I'm promoting today. Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck is a fun, summery chick-lit novel, but it's more than that. It's also a well-crafted, lighthearted-but-not lighweight literary representation of the delicious grace of God, served up with lots of laughter. Simply put, I loved it!

AnneMarie at Not Just a Mom
http://afriedrick.blogspot.com/
I just finished this great novel about a woman who always tries to do right by everyone. Shes the kind of girl who never wants to let anyone down. Caroline has put her life on hold so many times; she’s not sure where to begin. But God has a plan.

5/24
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
http://cwahmjill.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-by-rachel-hauck.html

Joy at the Five Js
http://fivejs.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/a-sweet-book-sweet-caroline/
I also appreciate a well-written book, and Sweet Caroline is definitely that—a well-written book. Rachel Hauck didn’t write a predictable, “I-gotta-fulfill-my-contract”, Christian romance novel. No, Rachel crafted an original story that kept me turning the pages to read more, even at one in the morning—when I really should have been sleeping.

Laura at Lighthouse Academy
http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-review-give-away-and.html
The faith message isn’t preachy, but expertly woven in. The setting is so developed, it is almost a character. And the secondary cast is strong, each with their own voice. The writing is impeccable. Don’t miss SWEET CAROLINE.

Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author
http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-blog-tourplus-my-review.html
I wasn't sure what to expect with this story. At first I thought it would be a straight chick lit, and in some ways it was. However, Sweet Caroline touched me in a deeper place than most lits do. I actually got choked up a few times. I rarely do these days. There were some very funny moments, some truly enjoyable girl times, and some romantic interludes that sizzled and popped. Best of all, though, was a spiritual awakening and a discovery of one's place in this world that was breathtaking and yes, sweet.


5/25
Billie at Hearing the Music Amongst the Noise
http://lifelaughterchaos.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-blog-tour.html
I've only begun to read this book. And it's the perfect under the shade tree book!

Barb at A New Chelsea Morning
http://anewchelseamorning.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-great-book-contest-and.htmlI will tell you simply, I loved this book. Reading about Caroline and her quirky friends and how she always puts them first, herself last and does what it takes to help them made me want to be a better person. I couldn't put this one down and the Christian theme running throughout the book makes it even more special. You know I wouldn't lead you astray - trust me when I tell you, you'll love this book.

Amy My Friend Amy
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/05/blog-tour-sweet-caroline-by-rachel.html
I really loved this book. It's sweet, authentic, and real. It isn't really your typical chick lit novel, it's very charming and a joy to read.

5/26
Melody at Slurping Life
http://slurpinglife.typepad.com/slurping_life/2008/05/the-sweet-lifet.html
Living in the south, the real south, I identified and fell in love with each of Rachel's characters and settings. I know all about buttery biscuits, low country cuisine and South Carolina beaches. I have even been to Gay Fish Company while vacationing on the South Carolina isles. Immediately after beginning to read the book I became absorbed in Caroline's life, her kind spirit and her faithfulness to friends and family.

Audra at Penning Prose
http://www.audrasilva.com/blog/?p=66
and
http://www.audrasilva.com/blog/?p=71
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and Rachel Hauck’s delightful story-telling style. This is the second book I’ve read of hers (Georgia On My Mind being the first) and I look forward to reading more of her books. Add this one to your summer reading list!

Jennifer at Snaphots
http://www.5minutesformom.com/3484/sweet-caroline/
I always find my mouth watering when reading stories that have food as a subplot. The descriptions of the food at the Frogmore Cafe definitely provoked that response–Frogmore Stew with shrimp and corn, moist cake with buttercream frosting, coffee lightened with half and half, and most importantly, Bubba’s Buttery Biscuits.

Betsy at Writer At Large
http://betsy-ann.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-by-rachel-hauck.html
This was a fantastic novel! I laughed, squealed, gasped, cried, and yelled right along with Caroline as I read her moving, heartfelt story. Talk about relatable characters! Anyone who has ever felt the need to please others at their own expense will find themselves shaking their fist full of Kleenex right alongside Caroline.

I truly couldn't get enough of the town, the diner, the people...it was all so real. My only advice when you read this story is to read it slowly - you'll be so disappointed when it's over!

5/27
Revka at Our Family Porch
http://ourfamilyporch.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-blog-tour-and-contest.html
Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck is a fun read.

Lauren at Baseball and Bows
http://baseballsandbows.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline.html
Sweet Caroline, by Rachel Hauck, is an enjoyable book. I appreciated that the characters seemed very real to me. Their lives were far from perfect, and their problems did not always work out nicely and neatly. The characters did, however, learn that they could trust in God, regardless of how messy their lives might be. That is a great lesson for all of us!

Cindy at Notes in the Key of Life
http://cindyswanslife.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline.html
You'll enjoy finding out. Rachel Haucks writing is fresh, breezy and contemporary, and this book is as refreshing as an ice-cold root beer on a hot summer day.

Beth at The Writing Road
http://thewritingroad.blogspot.com/2008/05/blog-tour-your-chance-to-win-copy-of.html
Rachel Hauck weaves an engaging story about the consequences of choices. The ending left me a bit surprised--but life has a way of doing that, doesn't it? Sometimes I think Hauck ended the book just right. Sometimes I wish she'd written a different ending. Hhhhmm. That's also a bit like real life, isnt it?


5/28
Joanna at Becoming His
http://joannaweaver.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-by-rachel-hauck.html
I was sent a copy of Rachel Haucks latest release, Sweet Caroline...and I loved it! If youre looking for a novel to fill a little "me" time this summer, choose this one. As its title suggests, it is a "sweet" story. A lighthearted tale that isn't so light on the spiritual goods!

Patty at Girlfriends in God
http://patty-girlfriendsingod.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-book-tour-and-win.html
I really liked this book. It is the type of book you dont want to put down. It had a great message on salvation, new beginnings and how much God loves us. The characters in this book are eccentric and fun to read about. This is summer time and what a great time to read some new books and this one will not disappoint.

Pam at Without Fear
http://withoutfear08.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline-review.html
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's an easy read, because it quickly draws you into the lives of its characters and helps you to put yourself into their shoes without much effort. I can fully recommend this as a summer read for poolside or relaxing on the beach. You'll come away charmed by Caroline and her off beat friends at Frogmore Cafe...


5/29
DeeDee at Fiddledeedee
http://fiddledeedee.net/2008/05/29/sweet-caroline-a-giveaway-bonanza/
Recently, I received a copy of Rachel Haucks Sweet Caroline. I immediately fell in love with the small town that Rachels heroine, Caroline, calls home. The characters are vivid, and the story makes for a wonderful summertime read.

Lynetta at Open Book
http://lynetta.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline.html
Rachel Hauck tells such an engrossing, true to life story with all the Southern charm and wit one would expect in a chick lit novel. Caroline is an endearing character from page one—we are captivated by her dilemma—a sense of obligation and the desire for something big and exciting in her life. Hauck employs the present-tense, first person point of view typical in the genre, with seemingly little effort. As readers we are actually there with Caroline, watching her every move and hearing her every thought. This is by far the best chick lit I've read in a long, long time.

Tricia at Its Real Life
http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2008/05/bubbas-buttery-biscuits.html
I loved the book! Make sure you add it to your summer reading list...if you can only read one--make it this one! You won't be disappointed.

Mindy at Ponderings of the Heart
http://philippians4verse8.blogspot.com/2008/05/sweet-caroline.html
This book delivered in all areas. It is love story in more than one way I think, and was all around an enjoyable read!!! The plot drew me in and the character's could have been friends of mine! I loved this book.