Blog Tour & Review: The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published April 5th 2011 by Atria (first published February 17th 2011)

ISBN 1416590595 (ISBN13: 9781416590590)

primary language English

It's 1947,  post WWII in Chicago, where Martin, Evie and their five year old son, Billy, are on their way to India in order for Martin, who has won a Fullbright scholarship, to finish his P.H.D. on the politics of modern India and the end of the British Raj.  While Martin is still suffering from his service in the war, Evie feels this is a large part of their marital woes but she hopes that the mystique and romance of India will help. Unfortunately, it doesn't, especially when the end comes quicker than anyone thought after Mountbatten pushes up the date of Partition. Evie and her family find themselves embroiled in some of the area's increasingly dangerous strife and tension.

  Evie finds some old letters in their rental home that belonged to two women who also lived in the bungalow almost ninety years ago. Evie becomes fascinated, almost to the point of obsession, with the story of Adela and Felicity; two very strong minded and unconventional women whose tales of society, love and life from the Victorian era intrigued me from the very start. I loved their stories told from Adela's point of view and I could understand Evie's need to find out what truly happened to them. The finding of the letters leads to more extensive searchs where one clue leads to another. Newmark does a wonderful job of seamlessly segueing between the centuries and the two different view points.

  For most of the book I felt like I had been put into a time machine and plunked down into India in 1947. Newmark made India come vividly alive; so much so that I could see the sights and sense the sounds and smells of India right along with the the characters. The historical parts of the book, whether it was 1857 or 1947, were easily woven into the plot and had me engaged right from the start.   Amanda and Felicity's story tied up neatly at the end, although,  almost a little too neatly. A bit of it felt contrived but it didn't stop my enjoyment in the story. This book has it all; history, romance, family, relationships and a little mystery replete with colorfully drawn characters and exotic atmosphere. I loved it! 4.5****

More info on Elle Newmark can be found at her website.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by the author, Elle Newmark, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Not quite a swan yet

Holiday today

Besides being my brother's birthday, today is a world-wide holiday near and dear to my heart. Oh, yeah, so happy birthday big bro. Now. . . .  on to the important celebration.

It's not too late to start making some holiday plans for the day because today.. . . . .yes,  this very day  is International Penguin Day. No, not just just here in Podunk (actually, every day in my little corner of Podunk is penguin day) but in the WORLD! So, Kaye, what can we do to celebrate this wonderful day, you ask?

Here are a few suggestions; first off, you could put on your favorite black and white outfit complete with assorted penguin jewelry. What? You don't have penguin jewelry? C'mon over, I'll lend you some. Brew a nice pot of tea in your favorite penguin teapot and pour into your favorite penguin mug. What? Again? You don't have a penguin mug? Good grief, peeps! Am I celebrating by myself? ** Snicker**

Okay, so maybe you don't have some of the accoutrements of the true penguin lover, it's okay, it's okay (she says soothingly). You could start by watching the movie clip that started my life long obsession admiration of the noble bird that is called penguin! Yep, this is the movie TBG took me to when we were first dating. After the fiasco first date movie of I Saw What You Did Last Summer that almost scared me to death, he must have thought this was a tamer follow-up.




Wasn't that fun? Did you watch it like a gazillion times? No? Alright, so once is probably enough for you.

 On to celebrating the day with books like Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater or Do Penguins Have Knees? by David Feldman.

Another fun site for a lot of penguin information is the New England Aquarium. They have one of the best penguin habitats I've seen. (Trust me, I've seen plenty! I've dragged gladly accompanied TBG to many penguin exhibits.) The aquarium's  website has pictures of baby penguins, videos on the African and Rockhopper penguins and live webcam to watch the penguins plus several lists of books if you really want to read more.

 That should give you a little start to celebrating International Penguin Day. Enjoy!

Mini review: Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West

Teeny Templeton is engaged to Bing but when she comes home early and finds him in the buff  playing badminton with two equally naked women she has a hissy fit and starts lobbing peaches at the naughty trio.

Bing gets overly angry and calls the cops who end up arresting Teeny for assault. Needless to say; the wedding is OFF!

Things go from bad to worse when Teeny gets a text message purportedly from Bing to come home for a reconciliation. When she gets there, it's only to find Bing on the floor and he's decidedly dead. Of course, Teeny is arrested but gets out on bail and just happens to run into Attorney Coop O'Malley whom Teeny dated over ten years ago and he agrees to represent her. Running into him a little too coincidental for my taste.

 Who's cunning enough to text Teeny from Bing's phone and then erase the message? Sometimes Teeny seemed just too naive to be real. There could be lots of suspects as Bing had left a string of women behind him. Coop and Teeny with a little help from friends try to prove her innocence.

For fans of a light and frothy mystery with some very quirky characters and a great southern setting, this one will suit to a tea. The ending was a total surprise for me and the cliffhanger leads me to believe a sequel is not too far off. Despite some implausible scenarios, the book was still a pleasant read. 3***

Recipes included at end of book

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Minotaur Books through LT's early reviewer program in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme begun by Marcia at The Printed Page where we share what arrived in our mailboxes for the past week. MM  is currently on tour. April's host is Amy at Passages to the Past.  Caveat: MM can cause your TBR list to explode exponentially. Here's what showed up chez moi last week.

Hardcover, 288 pages
Published March 1st 2011 by Harper (first published February 25th 2011)
ISBN0061732370 (ISBN13: 9780061732379)

From Goodreads:

The life Kamila Sidiqi had known changed overnight when the Taliban seized control of the city of Kabul. After receiving a teaching degree during the civil war—a rare achievement for any Afghan woman—Kamila was subsequently banned from school and confined to her home. When her father and brother were forced to flee the city, Kamila became the sole breadwinner for her five siblings. Armed only with grit and determination, she picked up a needle and thread and created a thriving business of her own.

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana tells the incredible true story of this unlikely entrepreneur who mobilized her community under the Taliban. Former ABC News reporter Gayle Tzemach Lemmon spent years on the ground reporting Kamila's story, and the result is an unusually intimate and unsanitized look at the daily lives of women in Afghanistan. These women are not victims; they are the glue that holds families together; they are the backbone and the heart of their nation.

Afghanistan's future remains uncertain as debates over withdrawal timelines dominate the news. The Dressmaker of Khair Khana moves beyond the headlines to transport you to an Afghanistan you have never seen before. This is a story of war, but it is also a story of sisterhood and resilience in the face of despair. Kamila Sidiqi's journey will inspire you, but it will also change the way you think about one of the most important political and humanitarian issues of our time.

Harper Collins is allowing me to hold a giveaway in May of The Dressmaker of Khair Khana for up to 5 copies of the book.

Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: August 23rd 2011 by Ballantine Books (first published March 14th 2011)
ISBN034552554X (ISBN13: 9780345525543)

From Goodreads:

The Victorian language of flowers was used to express emotions: honeysuckle for devotion, azaleas for passion, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it has been more useful in communicating feelings like grief, mistrust and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings. Now eighteen, Victoria has nowhere to go, and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. When her talent is discovered by a local florist, she discovers her gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But it takes meeting a mysterious vendor at the flower market for her to realise what's been missing in her own life, and as she starts to fall for him, she's forced to confront a painful secret from her past, and decide whether it's worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness. "The Language of Flowers" is a heartbreaking and redemptive novel about the meaning of flowers, the meaning of family, and the meaning of love.

Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: May 3rd 2011 by NAL Hardcover
ISBN0451233190 (ISBN13: 9780451233196)

From Goodreads:

Izzy Chambers is about to get married, but much remains to be done. Then the wedding plans get complicated when the wedding party's hair stylist begins missing appointments. When she's found dead, things really begin to unravel. Rumors circulate about the stylist's past and her connection to an unsolved murder years ago.

All the Seaside Knitters really know is they must rally to find some answers, so Izzy can don the wedding shawl they're surprising her with- and replace the whispers about town with wedding bells.

Penguin Group (USA) is allowing me to hold a giveaway in May for  one copy of The Wedding Shawl.

Hardcover, 272 pages
Expected publication: May 3rd 2011 by NAL Hardcover
more details...
ISBN0451233204 (ISBN13: 9780451233202)

From Goodreads:
Helen Hawthorne and her new hubby Phil have opened their own P.I. agency and their very first client is Shelby, who thinks her husband is developing a killer body for another woman.

To keep track of the suspected cheater, Helen gets a dead-end job at Fantastic Fitness, where she has to pump iron to stay employed. Then the budding agency takes on a murder case, and Helen has to move her workouts to the early morning just to keep up. With so much weight on her aching shoulders, will Helen catch a killer-or just drop dead from exhaustion?

Penguin Group (USA) is allowing me to hold a giveaway in May for  one copy of  Pumped for Murder.

What exciting books made their way to your home this week? Feel free to leave a link to your MM to make it easier for me to visit. Happy Monday!

When Elvis came to Podunk!

Fifty years ago Elvis came to town. Yep!  Elvis.  THE ELVIS!  The king of rock n' roll came to Podunk in 1961 to film the movie, Follow That Dream. Yesterday, we attended the "Elvis" festival. I use that term loosely because it was the sorriest display I've ever seen.

There were only a few people dressed up as Elvis. The two pictures below are the worst and the best Elvis. I'll let you decide which is which.

Local singers regaled the crowd with karaoake

. 

Even the blow-up Elvis ( a travesty in itself) gave it up after this guy.

If I had to make a caption for that, it would be "Lawdy, lawdy, is this what it has come down to?"

Anyway, since this is Podunk and the other big thing here is the Cooter festival, (that's another embarrassing story!)  a lively crowd showed up to celebrate the 6 weeks Elvis spent here. We gave up before the peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich eating contest was over. Oh, I almost forgot, the last time we saw big doings at the courthouse was when Ted Williams died and his son had his head cryogenically frozen and his kids were wrangling over it.

But, below is a nice little video of our county's time with the King. Enjoy!

Winner is announced!

I've been sent to announce who won Mourning Gloria.

Has anyone seen the winner?

I'm told it's a sweet young lady from Michigan.

Something about thumbs????

I don't know . . . anyway, is there a Staci in the house? 

Calling . . . Staci . . . yoohoo, Tootsie, send in your mailing info to Kaye, will ya. I got stuff to do. Bye, bye!!

* Groan* Geez, it's hard to get good help these days! Congrats, Staci,  from Kaye and all the gang here at PPP!

Didn't win this one? May will be here before you know it and I think there are at least 4 giveaways. One of them alone could be up to 5 books! Intrigued? Be sure to come back for a visit!

Mini reveiw: The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Oh, I'm afraid this one was a yawnfest for me. A recitation of Ernest Hemingway, his first wife Hadley and the "lost generation" of writers and artists who hung out mostly in Paris during the 1920's. The list of writers was probably the most interesting part of the book. It is definitely a "tell me" not a "show me" book. In no part of the story did I get invested in any of the characters and frankly I could not care how many times they got drunk or who slept with whom. It seems all they did was drink.

The story, and I use that term loosely, is coldly told from Hadley's perspective. She is just an adjunct to Ernest having almost no interests of her own other than playing the piano. I got no feelings of emotion from her even when her husband was playing around with Pauline who would become his second wife. Hadley always took the path of least resistance.

If you think you're going to read great descriptions of Paris, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed in this one. 2**

Note: I posted this review on LT last year but when I saw a review of the book yesterday by Deb at Book Magic and we had a little discussion about Hadley, I thought I'd post my review here.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Ballantine Books through LibraryThing's early reviewer program.

Wordless Wednesday: Buds

                                  Fuzzy magnolia buds

                                            Rose buds

                                                     Day lily buds

                                                 Ear buds

                                                     Best buds!

For more wordless Wednesday please visit here.

Monday Mailbox

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme begun by Marcia at The Printed Page where we share what arrived in our mailboxes for the past week. MM  is currently on tour. April's host is Amy at Passages to the Past.  Caveat: MM can cause your TBR list to explode exponentially. Here's what showed up chez moi last week.

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (August 9, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062037676
ISBN-13: 978-0062037671






Hardcover, 256 pages
Expected publication: November 5th 2011 by Permanent Press (first published May 1st 2011)
ISBN157962216X (ISBN13: 9781579622169)
series Sam Acquillo Hamptons Mystery #5

From Goodreads:
Sailing back from Maine, Sam Acquillo, the hero of four Sam Acquillo Hamptons Mysteries from Permanent Press, his girlfriend Amanda Anselma and screwball mutt Eddie Van Halen get blown off course by a dangerous gale. With damaged boat and frayed nerves, they limp into the closest harbor, which happens to be on Fishers Island, NY, a distant and altogether disassociated scrap of Long Island.
A summer preserve for the oldest old money in America, and defended by year-round denizens who safeguard their island's insularity with xenophobic fervor, Sam and Amanda are hardly welcomed with open arms. Unless they're the arms of the young and beautiful Anika Fey, daughter of the owner of the Black Swan, the island's only hotel, who's only too eager to fold Sam into her embrace.
But feminine wiles aren't the only hazard faced by Sam and his crew. They're soon swept up in big-money intrigue, dark conspiracy, brutality, murder and the machinations of high-tech millionaires, to say nothing of the autumn storms that lash the island with wind and wave.
In the years since losing everything, Sam has fought his way back, to an existence that even he believes is worth preserving. And now, bad timing and a broken rudder could result in the greatest loss of all-his life.

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: May 3rd 2011 by Berkley Hardcover

ISBN0425240991 (ISBN13: 9780425240991)

From Goodreads:

Aaron Elkins has been hailed as "a master" (The Dallas Morning News) for his Edgar(r) Award-winning Gideon Oliver mysteries. Now, in an original new novel, he illustrates how quickly everything can go wrong when you ask: What's the worst that can happen?

For Bryan Bennett, designing hostage negotiation programs is the perfect job-as long as he keeps a safe, theoretical distance. What he can't do is deal directly with kidnappers or their victims, as a result of his own abduction and imprisonment as a small boy. Thirty-some years later, intense nightmares still plague his sleep, and a fear of enclosed spaces prevents him from attempting to travel.
So when Bryan's boss asks him to fly to Reykjavik, Iceland, to teach his corporate-level kidnapping and extortion seminar, he automatically says no. But the CEO of GlobalSeas Fisheries, Inc. has specifically requested Bryan-or no one else. Bryan finally relents...
For decades he's treaded gingerly around the edges of his deepest terrors. Now, on this trip, Bryan's taken hostage again and must face his fears full-on. Will he realize that in this battle of will and nerve, he is his own greatest enemy? Or has this fight already been lost, years and years ago?

 What exciting books made their way to your house last week?

Review: Good Night, Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann

It's almost bedtime in the kelp forest but litte sea otter is not quite ready for sleep. Like any youngster, he's trying to put off bedtime by a few more minutes. He tells his mama he forgot to say good night to all the harbor seals. All along the rocky shore, the seals snort back a good night wish to little sea otter.

Not only did he have to say good night to the seals but also to the sea lions, both mamas and babies, but he also wishes a good night to the seagull and to all the fish in the sea; long ones, short ones, purple, orange and yellow ones too. Mama otter points out the other creatures in the sea to be wished a good night. Little sea otter does not want to leave anyone out. His last good night wish is to the moon and the stars and then to his mama as she wraps them in seaweed for the night.

Good night little sea otter! Good night!

Throughout the book, children can point out the different creatures in the sea with all the different colors and shapes. With vivid illustrations by Wish Williams and appealing story lines, Janet's books are so adorable and educational at the same time.  I think that is one of the reasons they appeal to me so much. Every book I have read has taught me something interesting. What child would not want this book for a good night story?

Janet Halfmann is the author of numerous award winning children's books and can be found at her website. Other books of Janet's that I have reviewed are: Little Skink's Tail,  Little Black Ant on Park Street and Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by the publisher, Star Bright Books, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Trees may grow in Brooklyn but they fall down in Florida!

A few weeks ago the weather radio started squawking and tornado warnings were announced for Podunk and the surrounding areas. Generally, it's just noise and a little rain and wind. This time even on the t.v. weather channel, it said we could be in for some strong gusts of wind. No sooner than the announcer said that, I heard a large thump. Oh, oh, hope it's not that big dead pine tree just about on the lot line on the neighbor's vacant lot .

It was! Landed in our front yard. Sheesh, it figures! . . but thankfully it didn't hit the house or my holly tree!

TBG went out and measured the tree which turned out to be 65 feet long. That's a lotta tree!! If it went the other way it would have taken out my master bath. Phew! One less thing to worry about now that it's gone although it seems as though it's always something, isn't it?

Review and Giveaway: Mourning Gloria by Susan Wittig Albert

Pecan Springs, Texas,  in springtime is a busy place especially for China Bayles, owner of Thyme and Seasons.  Her herb shop and garden is a time consuming enterprise now that she and her partner Ruby, owner of adjacent shop, Crystal Cave, have opened a tea room. China's personal life has become fuller in the last year too as her eleven year old niece, Caitlyn, has come to live with her and her husband, McQuaid and his teenage son Brian.

One night on her way home from the shop, China spots a trailer on fire and stops to call 911. When she hears screams for help coming from inside, China tries to help but the trailer explodes. After the sheriff investigates, it is ranked an arson homicide case seeing that the victim was bound and shot before the trailer was set on fire.

China is haunted by not having been able to save the young woman inside and her cries for help keep reverberating in China's mind. She begins some investigations of her own but the danger ratchets up when Jessica Nelson, young intern for the local newspaper, begins her own investigation. The fact that Jessica's family had perished in a house fire makes her more dertermined than ever to find justice for the victim. Unfortunately, Jessica gets a little to close to the truth and puts herself in a precarious position.

When China gets a frantic message from Jessica for help, China ramps up her own investigation and just by a stroke of luck being in the right place at the right time, she is able to help close the case.

Any fan of cozy mysteries or suspense will find this a riveting fast-paced read. There is a lot going on in this story with multiple viable suspects and motives. The dialogue in Ms. Albert's books rings true and the characters are very well drawn. I've read numerous books in this series and have enjoyed them all. 4****

Mourning Gloria is the 19th book in the series but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Ms. Albert gives enough background snippets throughout the book for any new-to-the series reader but not overwhelmingly to make it sound repetitious to readers who have followed the series right along. At the end of the book are quite a few recipes. Each chapter is prefaced with some interesting info about herbs.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley Prime Crime in exchange for my honest opinion.

To celebrate this month's release of Mourning Gloria, Berkley is allowing me to give away one hardcover copy of the book, US address only. Deadline to enter is April 15th at 5 PM (est0. Be sure to include an e mail address in your comment.

As always bonus entries available:

+2 for being a follower (new or old) just remind me how you follow and under what name
+3 for tweeting or posting about contest and leave me a link

Good luck!

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme begun by Marcia at The Printed Page where we share what arrived in our mailboxes for the past week. MM  is currently on tour. April's host is Amy at Passages to the Past.  Caveat: MM can cause your TBR list to explode exponentially. Here's what showed up chez moi last week.

Dreams of Joy by Lisa See was received from SA/ Random House

From Goodreads:

In her beloved New York Times bestsellers Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and, most recently, Shanghai Girls, Lisa See has brilliantly illuminated the potent bonds of mother love, romantic love, and love of country. Now, in her most powerful novel yet, she returns to these timeless themes, continuing the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s strong-willed nineteen-year-old daughter, Joy.

Reeling from newly uncovered family secrets, and anger at her mother and aunt for keeping them from her, Joy runs away to Shanghai in early 1957 to find her birth father—the artist Z.G. Li, with whom both May and Pearl were once in love. Dazzled by him, and blinded by idealism and defiance, Joy throws herself into the New Society of Red China, heedless of the dangers in the communist regime.

Devastated by Joy’s flight and terrified for her safety, Pearl is determined to save her daughter, no matter the personal cost. From the crowded city to remote villages, Pearl confronts old demons and almost insurmountable challenges as she follows Joy, hoping for reconciliation. Yet even as Joy’s and Pearl’s separate journeys converge, one of the most tragic episodes in China’s history threatens their very lives.

Acclaimed for her richly drawn characters and vivid storytelling, Lisa See once again renders a family challenged by tragedy and time, yet ultimately united by the resilience of love.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: May 31st 2011 by Random House

ISBN:140006712X (ISBN13: 9781400067121)

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Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda was received from SA/William Morrow

From Goodreads:

On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter's life is to give her away. It is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son.
Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby with the gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles.
Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and the child that binds both of their destinies, Secret Daughter poignantly explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss, identity, and love, as witnessed through the lives of two families-one Indian, one American-and the child that indelibly connects them.

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published March 9th 2010 by William Morrow

ISBN:0061922315 (ISBN13: 9780061922312)







 Mr. Funny Pants by Michael Showalter was a win from Kim at D.C. Metroreader.

 From Goodreads:

 

Michael Showalter is the Princeton-born son of two venerable scholars, but he apparently refused to follow his parents' professorial footsteps as a literary historian or a critical theorist. Instead, he turned to improv and composing comedy video shorts for Jon Stewart and MTV. His Mr. Funny Pants qualifies as a brainy comic memoir that veers from the whimsical to the satirical to the playfully observant. Button-down and buoyant, sassy and smart, this hysterical self-exposure helps explain why Showalter has become a internet cult favorite.

Hardcover, 288 pages

 Published February 24th 2011 by Grand Central Publishing (first published February 22nd 2011) ISBN: 0446542105 (ISBN13: 9780446542104)