Happy Book Birthday to These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen.
Three unique young women each stand on the brink of success in life but all carry a secret that threatens to consume them and destroy any chance they may have at the achievement of their most treasured goals including the ability to be open up and forge meaningful friendships with the women around them.
In her newest novel Sarah Pekkanen explores the bonds we create with those truly special women in our lives. The ones who help make and shape who we are and who we will become, those that will catch us when we falter and play leading parts in the moments that define our lives. These are the women who become our deepest confidantes and true chosen sisters in life.
The ever ambitious Cate seems to have all she could dream of as she ascends to the position of Features Editor at Gloss magazine but a secret from her past threatens to expose what she views as her unworthiness for this highly coveted position. Other complications arise when her boss begins to make advances towards her which not only cause office gossip but also make Cate wonder what got her her position in the first place. Will her past catch up with her or will her constant vigilance to cover her tracks allow her to keep her dream job even at the highest of costs?
Renee is a woman on a mission to not only attain her personal weight goals for her seemingly always resistant body but to also achieve what she views as an acceptable image of a woman in the New York magazine world. As an out of this world motivation she seeks to also ascend to the newly opened position of Beauty Editor at Gloss. While attractive with a voluptuous figure that many women would covet, Renee feels the undeniable pressure to lose weight and decides no price is too high to achieve her goals and possibly attract the man of her dreams. As the numbers on the scale begin to fall so do Renee’s ability to keep a hold of reality. Who will catch her when she literally falls?
Abby is a girl on the run from her past. Deeply distraught, confused and about to completely collapse from an emotional experience of gigantic proportions, she seeks out her journalist brother Trey whom she has always found comfort with to help make things better. However this time big brother may not be able to offer the solace or compassion Abby needs. Family secrets, a lost love and a deep depression all threaten to tear Abby apart and leave her destitute without a confidante in the world. Can she truly open up to the two women who come to her rescue or will her silence keep her locked in a prison of her own making forever?
As each women battles her own past, present and future, friendship rears it’s inspirational head and bonds are formed that may rescue all if only the women can put down their barriers and trust in one another and the support that surrounds them. Powerful, moving and inspiring These Girls offers a look into the world of true female friendships allowing readers to see the power and love that can be contained within.
Sarah Pekkanen has once again created characters that are not only relatable but real in every sense of the word. These women have faults, secrets and fears that many women may share. These women represent the average reader and allow for an absolutely intimate personal reading experience. Cate, Renee and Abby all represent a type of woman a reader might be or one they most definitely know.
Fresh, surprising and as always innovative These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen is a novel to be shared with best friends and talked over late into the night. It is a work that can strengthen bonds already formed and encourage women to take that leap of faith and discover the undeniably sacred benefits of true friendship among women. Well though out and beautifully written it is a novel of meaning and encouragement within which each woman can find not only themselves but each other.
Book Giveaway
In celebration of the release of These Girls Stiletto Storytime is excited to be able to offer a giveaway of one copy to one very lucky reader. This giveaway will end midnight EST April 24, 2012. US/Canada addresses only please. Winner will be contacted by e-mail.
Friendship plays such a central role in These Girls. The novel really demonstrates how another person can not only support and be there for you through thick and thin but also maybe even save you at times. To enter simply share what friendship means to you or share a special friendship that you cherish in your life. Was there a time when that one amazing person or group of friends truly changed your life like Cate, Renee and Abby? Perhaps you’re lucky enough to have a special friend who is always there, someone who not only is a support system but truly a person who holds a piece of your heart? Someone you feel maybe even makes you a better person when all is said and done.
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Tweet or Blog about this “Book Birthday” Giveaway (Please leave link in comments)
Stiletto Storytime 
I cannot wait to read this book because I love Pekkanen’s work! No need to enter me.
I adore her work as well too! And it seems to only get better with time…I really truly enjoyed “These Girls”. I know you will love it!
I lived in Mammoth and got kicked out of my place for having a raging party. There were some girls at the party and one of them said, “Come and live with us, Doll.” And I did. I made a best friend that evening. Later that summer I would lose her in a tragic accident. But I will never forget how she gave me a place to live when I didn’t have one.
Best,
Greg Gutierrez
a dude who reads all books
Greg- I am so sorry for your loss. I too have friends who have left their mark on my life who are no longer here. I treasure their memories as I am sure you do as well. Thanks so much for sharing and reminding us all to cherish each moment we do have with the friends that surround us!
I do have a best friend from my high school days. We are still very close in spirit although we live very far apart now. We have an agreement to get together for a celebration when we are both 70 based on the old Simon
and Garfunkel song ‘Old Friends’
I am a follower of this blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
I also follow on twitter: @carlrscott
I also follow this author on twitter: @carlrscott
I tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/carlrscott/status/189795321256226817
That’s my 5 alotted entries. Thanks!
My mom changed my life more than anyone I can think of friendwise. edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
GFC Krystal Larson
email subscribed
Twitter Icecream1891
To me, friendship means being there for a friend when they need your support, as well as someone to hang out with and have fun times. I follow Stiletto by email, follow Stilleto and Sarah on Twitter. Here’s the link to the tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/greenurlifenow/status/189937189973524480
I won this book through another contest, so I will withdraw my name from this contest. 🙂
^krystallarson, where did you find the GFC widget anyway?
Admittedly, I only have two friends that I completely confide in (these friends are hard to find and make!) But I often think I am incredibly lucky to have met the friends I have. They are the nicest people I have ever met, with a load of patience for my random spazzing and rants. Sometimes I think I must’ve done something really right in my past life to be blessed with them.
email/wordpress follower.
twitter follower: @lilboxism
followed Sarah with @lilboxism
tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/lilboxism/status/189982073182892032
I have a very good friend is always there for me. we’ve known each other forever and no matter what time has passed we seem to just pick up where we left off.
-blog follower
-twitter follower
-follow author on twitter
-tweeted Margaret @LiteraryChanteu
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
Margaret- I personally think being able to be apart both through time and distance and then get together and feel like nothing has changed and not a moment has passed…well that’s the mark of true friendship. Growing up a military child, my most treasured friends are spread around the globe but there are some (and they know who they are) that when we get together it all just clicks! Those are some of my closest friends and neither time nor distance could ever possibly change that!
I like stories that explore friendships because there are so many ways a person can be shaped by them. Sarah Pekkanen is a new author for me and this book sounds like a good story to start with.
I follow the blog via email: simplyreading(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow on twitter (@fieryna)
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/FieryNa/status/190701371903840256
I have two best friends that I’ve had since Junior High. They are like my sisters. We fight like sisters sometimes do, but have unconditional love for each other.
Tara- I think no real friendship is complete without those ups and downs…it’s what you do with them that determines the quality of the friendship! Like you said…you fight like “sisters”. Sarah talks a lot about that…how our friends are sometimes our sisters by choice. What an honor we bestow upon each other in that decision. Thanks for sharing!
I’m a Stiletto Storytime Follower!
I follow you on twitter!
@taralin
Friendship to me means being there no matter what. I had two good friends that flew out to be with me after two of my chemo treatments. That, to me, is REAL friendship. These two friends offered to drop everything and be there with me during that very difficult time (even though one of them had three small children at home!), and I will always cherish their friendship.
I am a follower of this blog.
I am a follower of Stiletto Storytime on twitter (bridgetoneill1)
I am a follower of Sarah Pekkanen on twitter
That’s true friendship Bridget. It’s the hard times that really show you who your real friends are. I’ve found that the friends who have really reached out to me after my son’s autism diagnosis have really gone above and beyond in their friendship. They accept and love my son for who he is without question because of their love for me. Their friendship has really gotten me through some tough moments. It really means the world.
Friendship means being there for the other person and supporting them.
one of my closest friends from college stood by me when I was having some health issues and had completely isolated myself. Despite my best efforts, she fought her way back in and supported me – she knew better than I did what I needed!
I follow the blog
I follow Stiletto Storytime on twitter (booksnyc)
I follow Sarah on twitter
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Booksncity (at) gmail (dot) com
I had a similar experience with close friends when my son was diagnosed with autism. After his diagnosis I became very withdrawn from anything but him and his treatment…but I had close friends who just simply refused to let me isolate myself. They fought their way in even though we all live in different states. They knew I needed them even if I didn’t. I think it just hurt to say out loud what we as a family were going through but once I did and I got their unwavering support and love…I felt better and stronger.
Friendship is long conversations and unconditional acceptance, laughs and inside jokes.
I follow Sarah on Twitter.
My mother. As simple as that 🙂
I want this book so badly! I had a friend for about 20 years who was like a sister to me. I could tell her anything. Sadly we had a falling out about 7 years ago and that was that – but I know what it is like to have that tye of friend in your life. It is pretty amazing.
I follow you and Sarah Pekkanen on twitter, love Sarah, hung out with her the last two years ar BEA. She is so awesome!
My best friend lives in another state now, but I love the fact that we pick up exactly where we left off even if we haven’t had the chance to speak in weeks.
I love these stories of friendship… thank you all!
Thanks for all the memories and sharing of special moments that everyone offered for this giveaway. Now down to the lucky winner of Sarah Pekkanen’s newest novel….the winner of a copy of “These Girls” is Greg Guitierrez! Congrats Greg! I know you will enjoy it!