Book Review/ Giveaway: When a Woman takes an Axe to the Wall by Allegra Bennett

** this giveaway is closed *** 

Synopsis:

WARNING!!! Women in this book are not afraid.  They’ll snatch off their sling-backs, shimmy out of their couture, slip into overalls, and strap on tool belts in the making of their perfect space and, in that, the renovation of their state of mind.

When a Woman Takes an Axe to a Wall explores the synergy between a woman and the four walls she calls her own.  Through anecdotes and incidents, it shows us that a woman, or indeed all women who take on their own home repairs, embark on more than just superficial fix-it-jobs--they dip into the reconstruction of their own spirits.

Hear do-it-Herself stories, told through Allegra, from actress LaTanya Richardson (wife to actor Samuel L. Jackson); actress Anna Maria Horsford; Dolores Ellis, the original owner of the elegant Georgetown Inn; Peggy, a breast cancer survivor; Amelia and Lena, survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and many more.

Author Info: Bennett says:  I am no home repair expert. I am merely a writer, observer, former journalist and curious soul who circumstances turned into a serial home improver and accidental repair maven. I feel compelled to share what I learn to help my sister sisters out (and you poor guys who are conditioned to believe you have to know it all. Such pressure!). I am a mother of an adult son and daughter, and grandmom of a girl and two boys. I roller skate, bike, row, dance and do the couch potato. One of the most empowering moments in my life occurred when I took my own advice, pushed past a concrete block of fear and launched the Renovating Woman website.

Allegra has been featured in newspaper and magazine articles and on home repair segments on local and national television shows, including Home Made Easy, on the DIY Network.
In March 2005 Allegra launched Renovating Woman Magazine, a quarterly home improvement publication for women. This is her third book. She even has her own neophrene tool belts for sale on her site!

Review: This is a small volume that packs a punch! Here it from Allegra: "I got the house in the divorce. It was not the best part of the deal.The house was a half-century old Victorian. What I didn't know as a wife, I discovered as a divorcee. the house was a hypochondriac. There was always something mechanically or physically amiss."  If you've ever owned an older home, you know what that quote means in it's entirity! 

Of all households headed by women, 54% are homeowners. Bennett's premise for the book is a very good- when a woman takes on a house, be it thru divorce, widowhood or buying it on her own, it empowers her to step out of her comfort zone (where males tend to be Mr.Fix It, not her), and through renovation and ownership she becomes stronger and can take on anything. Just like when you remodel, you never know what is on the other side of the wall, but taking that step to see, is a leap of faith. Taking the reins of a house is the same-it opens doors to your inner self that you may not have known you had!


This is a great little book and I would recommend it for all women who are buying a house, or are now Mrs. Fix It. Buy it for yourself, or for your friends and family!

The Giveaway

One Winner will win this review copy of When a Woman Takes an Axe to the Wall !!

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Contest will end on June 17th, at midnight. Winner will be picked by Random Number (random.org) on June18th, and emailed. As soon as winner's info is received, I will get the book in the mail to them during the following week.

Disclosure / Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. from Writer's Lair Books. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. I was not told how to review it either. This post reflects my personal opinion which may differ from yours.