Belinda’s Book Nook Review: Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald

July 16, 2014 by Leave a Comment

veilofroses

 

Title: Veil of Roses
Author: Laura Fitgerald
Copyright: December 26, 2006
Genre: fiction
Format: paperback

Synopsis (from publisher):

This compelling debut follows one spirited young woman from the confines of Iran to the intoxicating freedom of America—where she discovers not only an enticing new country but the roots of her own independence. . . .

Tamila Soroush wanted it all. But in the Islamic Republic of Iran, dreams are a dangerous thing for a girl. Knowing they can never come true, Tami abandons them. . . . Until her twenty-fifth birthday, when her parents give her a one-way ticket to America, hoping she will “go and wake up her luck.” If they have their way, Tami will never return to Iran . . . which means she has three months to find a husband in America. Three months before  she’s sent back for good.


From her first Victoria’s Secret bra to her first ride on a motor scooter to her first country line-dance, Tami drinks in the freedom of an American girl. Inspired to pursue her passion for photography, she even captures her adventures on film. But looming over her is the fact that she must find an Iranian-born husband before her visa expires. To complicate matters, her friendship with Ike, a young American man, has grown stronger. And it is becoming harder for Tami to ignore the forbidden feelings she has for him.

It’s in her English as a second language classes that Tami finds a support system. With the encouragement of headstrong Eva, loyal Nadia, and Agata and Josef, who are carving out a love story of their own, perhaps Tami can keep dreaming—and find a way to stay in America.

My Review:

Ok, so I am a sucker for pretty shoes and a book cover with shoes and the pretty colors caught my eye when I was at my local library with my boys.  So I picked up this book and then read the back of the book. I never read anything by this author and I also haven’t read much about Iran. So I checked it out. I didn’t look it up online on my phone to see reviews, I just took it out on impulse.

I got home and I read some pretty mean reviews. Some people were critical about the author who is non-Iranian, writing about an aspect of Iranian women’s experience.  I understand, being a minority myself, I find that I am more critical of people writing about the African American experience. But I didn’t let this detour me because I knew this is one aspect and one perspective, it is not the whole and I think that is the best way to approach such writings.

I enjoyed the book. It was about a girl who’s family was forced to stay in Iran and the oldest daughter immigrated back to the US. The family made it possible for Tami to travel to the US to stay with her sister to find a husband so she could stay in the US. Some of the cultural blunders included (like the Starbucks incident) in the  book were fun to read and it was fun to read the many characters along Tami’s journey.

I found myself routing for a certain outcome while reading the book so it kept me reading. I also tried reading the book without judgement of the Iranian ways. I knew this book was a work of fiction and received it in that way.

I gave this book 3 butterflies:

3rating

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Belinda’s Book Nook Review: Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

January 23, 2014 by 4 Comments
Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

 

In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.

Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write.

But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth-the ultimate betrayal-that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her…

This is my third book I have read by Susanna Kearsley and it did not disappoint. Like both Marianna and The Shadowy Horses, Ms. Kearsley conducted a lot of historical research to help create her stories.

This book slipped back and forth through time every chapter but again she has a great way of tying the times together even though they are at complete different times. She always has a very tasteful romantic aspect in her books surrounded by historical facts. She always piques my interest in aspects of history that I am clearly unaware.  Which is one of the reasons I gravitate to a lot of historical fictions.

The main character is a writer and the way this book is written gave me a chance to see the writing process from a writer’s perspective.  It explores the concept of ‘ancestral memory’,  the process in which a memory is passed down through the generations without the individual having any firsthand experience.  This,  I found fascinating and wonder if it is possible.  As usual, I did find myself swept up in the romance in the story and cheering for a certain outcome.  So if you are looking for a great read, I think this is one.

Happy Reading!

Belinda

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Belinda’s Book Nook Review – The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley

Verity Grey is thrilled to be asked to join archaeologist Peter Quinnell’s dig in the Scottish borders, but after her first day she isn’t so sure. Quinnell, having spent his whole life searching for the resting place of the lost Ninth Roman Legion, is convinced he’s finally found it – not because of any scientific evidence, but because a local boy has seen a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel who guards the bodies of his long-dead comrades. The worst thing is that Verity believes in Peter, and the boy, and even in the Sentinel, who seems determined to become her own protector…but from what?

This is my second book by Susanna Kearsley and again another enjoyable read. I really gravitate to historical fictions because they take me away on an adventure and allow me to have fun while learning bits of history. This book allowed me to explore a bit about the field of archeology and a bit about the Ninth Roman Legion. Something I don’t recall reading about in history classes.

What I enjoyed most about the book is the building up of the main characters and the setting for the dig. I felt the characters were all fully developed. Verity Grey (the main character) is another strong female character that the is an archaeologist by profession who is originally from London.   It was fun learning they frequently used Scottish words the local characters used throughout the book.

And what would a good historical fiction be without a  little romance in there to keep the story moving. The book went at a nice pace to keep you engaged with the story while sprinkling in some history.

I would give this book 4 stars.

Next on my list from Kearsley is ” The Rose Garden” which I will definitely will be looking forward to read.

Happy Reading!

Belinda

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Belinda’s Book Nook – Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

March 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I am having so much fun using Overdrive to check out ebook out of public libraries to read on my Nook HD.  You don’t always find the latest books but the process always puts me on the doorstep of a new author or story that I have not been blessed to have read.

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

Marianna by Susanna Kearsley

I stumbled across this book, Marianna in one of my searches and boy am I happy I did.

The new owner of a 16th-century Wiltshire farmhouse, Julia finds herself transported back and forth in time to the life of a woman named Mariana. Enthralled with the long-ago world, in love with a man who lived centuries before, Julia must lay the past to rest if she is to find love in the present.”  –

I enjoy when a book can take me somewhere else. I like when I feel attachment to the characters. Well I felt this way with this book.  I would read it during pick-up for the boys and  at night before I go to sleep.  Each time, I felt drawn in and wanting to find out more when I had to put the book down. (It wouldn’t go over well if I were late for school pick up!)

Again one of my favorite things about historical fictions is that it allows you to learn more about history without the stuffiness of a history text book.  I don’t know much English history so this was a little peek into some history.  The characters were rich and the details allowed me to really be there while I was reading it. It also had some light romance in it too. Without spoiling the book, I will say there is a major twist in the book that knocked me off my seat and I felt good with it once I read a few reading guide questions that helped me to process my reaction better.  Are  you curious now? Go ahead and read it and tell me what you think.

I am on the hunt for a new book now and will be back to share my thoughts with you soon.

Happy Reading!!

Belinda

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