The Other Einstein-- Blog Tour and Giveaway

I received my copy of The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict from Net Galley some time ago while I was still working on my master's degree.  Then I had to catch up on review commitments I'd made to authors and publishers.  While in the midst of this process, I was invited to join The Other Einstein blog tour and tour wide giveaway.  So now I'm wading into the really interesting controversy surrounding Einstein's first wife with this honest review.


                             

Mileva Marić wanted to be a physicist when she was young. She was admitted to Zurich Polytechnic to study physics and mathematics with two strikes against her.  The first was being a woman in a very male world.  The second was being from Serbia which was considered a cultural backwater in Western Europe.   I am citing facts at this point. There is a Wikipedia article dealing with Mileva .   If you want to see how much about that article is in dispute look at the Talk section.  There has been an editing war over this article.   Both sides are absolutely certain about things that can't be known with absolute certainty.

This is what is not in dispute.  Mileva met Einstein at Zurich Polytechnic where they were both students.  They fell in love and she became pregnant.  She had to drop out of school without finishing her degree, and they married.   This is a sad story, and it has happened to a great many women.  She never realized her dreams.

Historical fiction deals with what isn't part of the historical record.   How did Einstein treat his wife when they weren't in public?   Did Mileva contribute to Einstein's scientific work?   These are questions that are open to speculation.   No one can really claim to know the truth about them.  Marie Benedict has as much right to an opinion as anyone else.   She did the research and came to a conclusion that isn't at all palatable for supporters of Albert Einstein.  Some sources say that he was verbally abusive toward Mileva in public, and that he called her ugly.  Below is a public domain photo of Mileva that I found on Wikipedia.  You be the judge.

                                  

  It's said that Einstein burned out early because he never did any great work after he developed the theory of relativity and published it in 1905.   Could his estrangement from Mileva be the reason why he no longer produced any other brilliant new theory?  I don't know, but I'm willing to entertain the possibility.

Benedict's version of Mileva isn't a feminist icon.   She made choices that I wouldn't have made in her circumstances.   In fact, Marie Curie appears briefly in this novel.   This great woman scientist tells Mileva that the only differences between them are the choices they made and the men they married.   Madame Curie's husband dedicated his life to supporting her career.   Benedict portrays Einstein as having deliberately undermined Mileva.  I wanted  her Mileva to be stronger.

A number of reviewers believe that  Benedict's Mileva was a product of her historical environment and the dominant culture.   The truth is that the 21st century isn't that much kinder to women.   Any woman who becomes involved in a relationship with a man in the same field may still face the same problems.   She may be ignored and her work may go uncredited. Then like Benedict's Mileva, she may be shoved out of her field while her significant other or husband is lionized.  This is why this book has significance even if the real Mileva wasn't a scientific genius.   It could be a wake up call to young woman readers who may be on the verge of making a terrible mistake that could destroy their future careers.

For me, the value of The Other Einstein is learning of Mileva Marić's existence.  Whatever the truth might be about her, she deserves to be known rather than buried in obscurity.   Now anyone who has read this book can examine what is known about her, and make their own decisions about what they believe concerning the issues that Benedict has raised.

                            THE OTHER EINSTEIN TOUR WIDE
                                                GIVEAWAY 

This a Rafflecopter giveaway available to all blogs participating in the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, readers.

Spotlight & #Giveaway: Clutch

Clutch: A Novel is the laugh-out-loud, chick lit romance chronicling the dating misadventures of Caroline Johnson, a single purse designer who compares her unsuccessful romantic relationships to styles of handbags – the “Hobo” starving artist, the “Diaper Bag” single dad, the “Briefcase” intense businessman, etc. With her best friend, bar owner Mike by her side, the overly-accommodating Caroline drinks a lot of Chardonnay, puts her heart on the line, endures her share of unworthy suitors and finds the courage to discover the “Clutch” or someone she wants to hold onto.

***

Excerpt:

Mimi Johnson was casually dressed in a brightly-colored blouse with enormous turquoise jewelry and equally-oversized glasses.  Despite that largesse, the only thing truly bigger than her personality (and her bosom) was her handbag.  It was always perfectly matched to her clothing, shoes, and jewelry.  She was like a walking Chico’s advertisement, if you added forty years, forty pounds, and a Virginia Slims cigarette.  From her Mary Poppins-like bag, she pulled out a box, impeccably-wrapped in glossy pink paper with a white grosgrain ribbon bow.  A cigarette teetered between her two fingers while she produced a lung-hacking cough.

“Open it… …sweetie.  Open it,” she said to her seven-year-old great niece, Caroline, a beautiful and vibrant girl with long blonde hair and oversized blue eyes.

Alive with anticipation, sweet young Caroline eagerly took the box and smiled up at Mimi.  She gingerly removed the ribbon, planning to save it for later.  The glossy paper was less of interest and she ripped through it quickly.  She opened the box and gently lifted out a hot pink purse, adorned with pale pink flowers and rhinestones.  An enormous smile overcame her.  Caroline nearly set her own hair on fire from Mimi’s cigarette as she bounded into her aunt’s arms.

“Oh, thank you, Aunt Mimi.  It’s lovely.”

And that was when Caroline’s love of handbags began.  From big and loud ones that would make Mimi proud to unimposing wristlets, from bowler bags to satchels; it didn’t matter if they were made of canvas or calf-skin leather, were distressed or embellished with metal studs.  Hell, she didn’t care if you called them pocketbooks or purses.   She just loved them all – almost as much as she loved Mimi.

By the time she was a junior in high school and well on her way to being class valedictorian, it was the hundreds of bags Caroline owned that helped her conceptualize her ticket out of her suffocating small Georgian town. She would design handbags.  And it was Mimi who was her steadfast cheerleader.

“Caroline, sweetie… …you find something you love and you just hold onto it.”  It had never mattered if Caroline was asking Mimi’s advice about a friend, lover, or career.  The advice was always the same: “Find something you love and hold onto it.”

Mimi’s words ever-present in her mind, Caroline headed to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and spent four years in Los Angeles learning everything there was to know to pursue her passion. Then, right out of college, she spent three years working in the design and marketing departments of two of the world’s leading high-end handbag designers.

She was schooled in beauty and how to accessorize the perfectly-coiffed women on the way to their Botox appointments. But Caroline was pulled by the nagging feeling that the very person who had inspired her career, Mimi, could never afford the bags she designed, even if Caroline used her generous employee discount on Mimi’s behalf.  And God forbid Mimi would ever accept one as a gift, always preferring to give rather than receive.   But Caroline believed there was no reason for anyone to be denied the ultimate in accessories. She saw an untapped market of designing beautiful and affordable bags, but she just wasn’t sure she was start-up potential. Again, it was Mimi who nudged her to learn the business side of things and apply to MBA programs. When Caroline was accepted to Harvard Business School, Mimi of course encouraged her.

“You’ve got this, sweetie. ,” she said.  “It’s in the bag.”

***

Caroline was sitting in Financial Reporting and Control on her first day of Harvard classes (and yes, the class turned out to be as boring as it sounded).  That’s when she first eyed Mike, who was wearing a faded pair of Levi jeans, a washed-out vintage Rolling Stones T-shirt, and Converse sneakers.  He oozed charisma.  Turning her head away from him and back toward the front of the lecture hall, Caroline thought that if he were a handbag, he would be a grey leather tote – confident and dependable, but not trying too hard.

Mike surveyed the large lecture hall as he walked in, a Starbucks coffee cup in each hand.  After descending the steps slowly, he took a seat next to Caroline and planted one of the white and green cups on her desk.

Flashing a wide, dimpled smile, which she mused he reserved for getting girls to drop their panties, he said, “Here.  You look like you’re going to need this.”

“Thanks,” she replied in a suspicious tone, turning her head sideways to look at him and raising an eyebrow.

“I’m Mike,” he said, again flashing a smile and reaching out for a handshake.

“I’m Caroline.  Thanks for the…”

“Latte.”

“Latte,” she confirmed.  “Thanks.  But just so you know, I’m not gonna sleep with you,” she said in an apparent attempt to establish up front she wasn’t taken in by his obvious charm.

“I know,” he replied matter-of-factly.

Before she could respond, Professor Beauregard, a stout man with excessive eyebrows, spoke up.

“Please take note of where you are seated.  I will send around a seating chart for you to mark your spot.  This will be your seat for the remainder of the semester.”

“Looks like we’ll be seatmates,” Mike said, grinning at her.

“Looks like it,” she replied.

***

About three months into the first semester, Caroline learned that her fun-loving, easy-going new best buddy Mike wasn’t exactly who he appeared to be.

A blanket of white snow dusted the Harvard grounds and it was a particularly slow day in another mutual class, LEAD – Leadership and Organizational Behavior.  Professor Moss, a frail man who weighed less than his years, was droning on and on about establishing productive relationships with subordinates or something to that effect.  He initiated a discussion about what works better – the carrot or stick approach.

“Mr. Barnsworth,” he called, referring to his seating chart and scanning the room until he found Mike in the fifth row.  “What are your thoughts?”

“Well, it seems to me that good management is all about empathy and being able to enthuse and inspire your staff.  You know, appreciating them and respecting them.  Showing you care,” he said, placing his hand over his heart in a gesture of true compassion and concern.  “And if they can’t get that through their thick skulls, you fire ‘em,” he continued, drawing his finger across his throat.

Several students sitting around them started to chuckle while Caroline stifled a laugh.  Mike looked around the room and nodded his head, soaking in the appreciation of his sense of humor.

“Mr. Barnsworth,” said Professor Moss in a menacing tone, “I would have expected a better answer from you, considering your family history.”

Confused by the conversation unfolding before her, Caroline leaned over and whispered to Mike, “What is he talkin’ about?”   Mike put up a hand to quiet her.

“Later,” he hissed.

Twenty minutes later, the two shared a bench outside Baker Library, the chill of winter causing Caroline to pull her scarf closer around her neck.

“What was that all about?” she asked, scrunching up her nose in confusion.

Reluctantly, Mike began to speak.  “My full name is Michael Frederick Barnsworth the Third.  

About Lisa Becker

In addition to her new book, clutch: a novel, Lisa Becker is the author of the Click Trilogy, a contemporary romance series comprised of Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click and Right Click. She’s written bylined articles about dating and relationships for “Cupid’s Pulse,” “The Perfect Soulmate,” “GalTime,” “Single Edition,” “Healthy B Daily” and “Chick Lit Central” among others. She lives in Manhattan Beach, California with her husband and two daughters. To learn more, visit www.lisawbecker.com.

Books: Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click, Right Click and clutch: a novel

Find Lisa: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Web | YouTube

Giveaway

One commenter of this post will win an ebook copy of Clutch. Giveaway lasts for two weeks. Please be sure to leave your email address in the comment so you can be contacted. And DO answer this question: what was your funniest date ever?

Ten Questions from Tara: Interview with @DrKimFoster #giveaway

Welcome. You’re here to promote A BRILLIANT DECEPTION, a heist caper. Tell me, please, what was the inspiration behind this story (or series)? How did it come to you?

When I first got the idea for the Agency of Burglary & Theft series (of which A Brilliant Deception is the third book) many years ago, I was reading books like Bridget Jones and watching Sex & The City and I thought those stories were fun…but I thought: how much MORE fun would it be to read about a girl-next-door type who isn’t quite so innocent and well-intentioned? What about a story about a young woman who is a career criminal? But that story wasn’t out there. So I decided to write it. I came up with the idea that being a crook could simply be my protagonist’s job—she works for an agency that hires people for high-stakes heists—but she has a whole life otherwise. Friends, family, a disastrous love life, etc…

We focus a lot on heroines here on Book Babe. Tell me what makes your heroine strong. 

My heroine, Cat Montgomery, does happen to be physically strong—she’s a jewel thief, so a lot of her job is very physical, and depends on her agility and strength.

But her other strength is a mental toughness. She frequently has to go into dangerous situations, and that takes a lot of courage. She has to problem-solve her way out of sticky spots.

And in this third book of the series, she faces the moral implications of what she’s doing more than ever. She has to confront the ethics, the right and wrong, and decide what kind of person she is going to be—which may mean turning her back on people who want certain things from her, and people who expect her to be a certain way…and letting go of what has worked for her in the past.

Do you see any of yourself in her?

Mostly, no. I am such a chicken and I could never do the things my protagonist does. I have a major problem with heights, for example, which would pretty much kill the career of a jewel thief. But to be honest I think that’s one of the reasons I had so much fun writing about her. She’s in extreme peril, dangling from a tall building, and I’m safely at my desk with a steaming cup of coffee, wondering how on earth she’s going to get out of this one…

Was there any particular part of this story that was the hardest for you to write? Tell me why.

Choosing between her love interests. She has a deep connection with both men in this story—one is a cop, and the other is a fellow thief. One is a classic warrior/hero type and the other a bit of a rogue—although, interestingly, they swap sides in this third instalment. They have both helped her at different times in the series, and they have both hindered her at other times…and in this book she has to figure out where her future lies.

It was tough for me because I am genuinely attached to both men also, and I hadn’t predetermined which way this was going to go. But I knew she had to make a decision to let one love go…and I felt like I went through that heart-wrenching struggle along with Cat.

What kind of research did you do when you penned this novel? Did anything surprising come up in your search? (Perhaps something you had no need to put in the book but stayed in your mind nevertheless?)

I did lots of research for these books. Location-wise, I have been lucky enough to have traveled a lot in recent years, so I was able to draw on first-hand experience for the settings (like Paris for book two, and Venice for book three). As far as research into how to be a jewel thief—that’s a challenge! I’ve needed to research high-tech security systems and biometrics (and how to bypass them), organized crime, the history of famous diamonds, parkour, rappelling, and scuba diving…all super fun stuff. But given my subject matter, particularly the stuff about how to break into places, it’s sometimes difficult to get all the details I need. Some of my google searches are ridiculous—I must be on a watch-list somewhere. But I research as much as I can, and when I get to the point that requires a higher national security clearance than I possess, I splice in a little imagination. The beauty of fiction!

What would you like readers to gain from reading your book? Is there a strong moral? Do you hope they will laugh, learn something about a particular subject/person, ponder a point?

In this book, even more than the first two in the series, my protagonist struggles with choosing a path in life. She wrestles with the dichotomy of good and bad, and living an honorable life. I’m not sure I’d call it a “moral” because I don’t exactly provide answers, and I would never want to be preachy.

But mostly? I hope to take my readers on a really fun ride. Cat is off on a wild adventure that takes her across different continents—there’s excitement, action, and romance—and I hope to give readers that vicarious experience. That’s my main goal.

Your book takes place in Venice (among other places). If I were a tourist, what would you recommend I see in this town/country? 

I just got back from a trip to Italy with my family, actually…so I have lots of thoughts on what to see and do in Venice! (See our photos on my Instagram account https://instagram.com/drkimfoster/ )

In Rome, Florence, and other parts of Italy, there are so many sights to see – the Colosseum, the Vatican, and all the fabulous art galleries and museums. But to do Venice well, in my opinion, it’s more about experiencing the atmosphere than checking off the sights. You should stroll along the canals, ride in a gondola, taste gelato, sip a cappuccino while listening to beautiful, live music in Piazza San Marco…

Moving on to personal things...if you could time travel to absolute any time and place in history, where and when would you go and what is it that draws you to this time period? What would you do whilst there?

I have a fascination for Victorian London (it’s where my next book is set—the new project I’m working on right now!). I find it such an intriguing and exciting historical era, with new discoveries and lots of world-changing events. There was a fascinating juxtaposition between all the glamour and the gritty hardship of the Industrial Revolution—a fantastic backdrop for stories…although maybe not so great to live through. But it was also an age of exploration, and the dawn of much of modern science—I’d love to travel in time and experience it all firsthand. Plus the fashions were fabulous!

Oooh. Do I smell a historical? You'll have to query me on that one, Kim.

There are so many books out there nowadays... What makes your book stand out from them?

I like to think my particular combination of action, romance, and humor is what sets this series apart. My protagonist is somewhat atypical, also, in that she’s a career criminal. She’s definitely an anti-heroine (which is what I wrote about the last time I visited Book Babe).

I’m a dog mom, so I always ask this. Do you have pets? If so, tell me about them and do provide pictures.

We have rabbits! They live in a converted playhouse in our backyard (our winters are very mild here in Victoria so they can live out there all year round). Sodapop and Darry (yes, my husband is an Outsiders fan). Here’s a pic of Darry (Sodapop is quicker…and more camera shy).

***

Kim Foster is the author of the Agency of Burglary & Theft Series, a series of novels about a professional female jewel thief. Kim has a typical background for someone who writes thrillers about thieves and spies and criminals: she has a degree in medicine and is a practising family doctor. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t make much sense to her friends and family, either.) She’s addicted to yoga, loves to travel, and has a clinical weakness for dark chocolate with sea salt. Kim lives with her husband and their two young sons in Victoria, BC, where she's hard at work on her next book. And drinking a ridiculous amount of coffee.

And Kim is offering digital copies one all three books in the series to one lucky winner! Leave a comment with your email address and at the end of two weeks, we'll pick one of you. Contest ends August 6th.

More about A Brilliant Deception:

Fresh from pulling off her latest heist, Cat Montgomery believes she’s ready to leave her thieving lifestyle behind. But old habits die hard. When she’s recruited to retrieve the Lionheart, a legendary medieval ring made from the finest gold and excavated from the grave of Robin Hood, Cat’s determined to end her career with a bang.

Or so she thinks…until the Caliga Rapio, a mysterious brotherhood of thieves, beats her to the punch. Now she has to high tail it to Venice to swipe it back. With two old flames thrown into the mix and an Interpol agent hot on her tail, things are about to get a lot trickier. Cat’s troubles only worsen as she realizes the legend of the Lionheart runs deeper than she could have possibly imagined…

The Yin and Yang of Fictional Sleuthing By @DelynnRoyer #Giveaway

It started with Nancy Drew.

My mother was a yard sale enthusiast. Between those sales and flea market used books, I snagged every Nancy Drew mystery from The Secret of the Old Clock to The Secret of Mirror Bay.

That’s a long time ago, but here’s what I remember. I wanted to be Nancy. (Oh, yes, I did.) I wanted Nancy’s hair (shoulder-length blond flippy-do), I wanted that smokin’ hot blue roadster, but most of all...

I wanted that smokin’ hot Ned Nickerson. Although...

Even at ten, I suspected there was something missing from Nancy and Ned’s romantic subplot. Like maybe the smokin’ hot part. Or maybe it’s better to call it the romantic conflict part.

The Romantic Conflict Part

There are several reasons why romance is always present in my stories. Writing strong heroines is the best of it. But another reason is the built-in conflict.

Call it Yin and Yang. Mars and Venus. Attraction of opposites. It’s that built-in male-female conflict that’s a gift to romance writers.

 It can be deceiving, though. It may seem to be about forces that are at odds, but, in reality, it’s about forces that complement. (Light and shadow, push and pull.) In the end, the two will add up to be more than the sum of their parts. It’s a dynamic that can enrich any human relationship.

It also plays well with solving mysteries.

The Yin and Yang of Detective Duos

Fictional detective duos are nothing new. Holmes and Watson were there from the start, although Watson was more of a sidekick. With Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, the sidekick began to emerge as yang to that armchair detective’s yin.

Dashielle Hammett mixed the sexes to create a new trope—married sleuths—in his 1934 mystery, The Thin Man. That was the cake. The icing? Myrna Loy and William Powell. Their romantic chemistry knocked it out of the park in the movie, and my favorite snooping couple was born.

Nick and Nora Charles

Nick is a glib, hard-drinking former Pinkerton detective who spent his working life mingling among New York’s shady 1920s underworld. Nora is a Nob Hill heiress, a gin-tippling society girl with a spicy sense of humor and a taste for adventure.

If that’s not a lovely, bubbling mix of opposites, I don’t know what is.

Sean and Trixie: My Own Snooping Couple

In my first 1920s romantic mystery—It Had to Be You—I created my own snooping couple. Were there shades of Nick and Nora? Some. But as characters always do, my leads took on their own personalities.

Sean Costigan knows New York’s shady underworld all too well. He’s a deep-thinking homicide cop with a Philip Marlowe, seen-it-all attitude. The last thing he needs is a perky, bright-eyed Long Island debutante who dreams of becoming the next Nellie Bly.

Or so he thinks.

Trixie Frank is indeed a perky, bright-eyed society girl. She’ll inherit her family’s five and dime store fortune someday. But she’s also got ambition. She’s a tabloid reporter with her sights set on the crime beat.

When these two meet, it’s a lovely, bubbling mix of opposites. At least, it has been for me. I’m now at work on their third mystery case.

Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of my second Trixie Frank – Sean Costigan mystery—Goodbye, Tootsie—I’d be happy to gift one of my romantic mystery ebooks for Kindle to a Book Babe reader.

•           It Had to Be You (Book 1)

An ambitious tabloid reporter stumbles on the story of her career when she joins up with a jaded homicide detective to solve the Central Park murder of a notorious bootlegger.

•           Goodbye, Tootsie (Book 2)

A homicide detective and a tabloid reporter are on the road to romance but at cross-purposes at work when they investigate the New Year’s Eve murder of a young heiress after she comes into control of a family fortune.

(This gift is available via U.S. Amazon in the Amazon Kindle version only.)

To throw your name in the hat, leave a comment no later than July 21st with the book title you’d like and your email address. Winner will be chosen at random on July 22nd.

So, tell. Who are your favorite fictional detective duos and why?

To get started, here are more of my favorites.

•           Thomas and Charlotte Pitt (Historical mysteries by Anne Perry)

Why? Wonderful romantic chemistry between married sleuths.

•           Laura Holt and Remington Steele. (Old TV series Remington Steele)

Why? Smart and stylish. No one looked better in a fedora than Laura Holt.

•           Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson (TV series Elementary)

Why? Clever with complex characters.

Happy armchair sleuthing!

Delynn Royer writes historical romantic fiction for the light of heart. Aside from the research that inspires her novels, she enjoys classic movies and yoga. She lives with her husband in Pennsylvania.

Follow Delynn on her blog, Twitter and Pinterest.

Links to Blog, Twitter and Pinterest:

https://delynnroyer.wordpress.com/news-stuff/

https://twitter.com/delynnroyer

https://www.pinterest.com/delynnroyer/

Amazon Book Links:

Balm: A Post Civil War Novel of Healing Review and Giveaway

About Balm

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (May 26, 2015)

The New York Times bestselling author of Wench—called "a fascinating and tragic story" by NPR.org, "deeply moving" by USA Today, and "lyrical and devastatingly beautiful" by People magazine—returns to the Civil War era to explore history's next chapter in this powerful story of love and healing.

The Civil War has ended, and Madge, Sadie, and Hemp have each come to Chicago in search of a new life.

Born with magical hands, Madge has the power to discern others' suffering and ease it, but she cannot heal her own damaged heart. To mend herself and continue to help those in need, she must return to Tennessee to face the women healers who rejected her as a child.

Sadie can commune with the dead, but until she makes peace with her father, she, too, cannot fully engage her gift.

Searching for his missing family, Hemp arrives in this northern city that shimmers with possibility. But redemption cannot be possible until he is reunited with those taken from him.

In the bitter aftermath of a terrible, bloody war, as a divided nation tries to come together once again, Madge, Sadie, and Hemp will be caught up in an unexpected battle for survival in a community desperate to lay the pain of the past to rest.

Beautiful in its historical atmosphere and emotional depth, Balm is a stirring novel of love, loss, hope, and reconciliation set during one of the most critical periods in American history.

REVIEW

I’ve read books dealing with slavery and the emancipation of the slaves after the American Civil War.  I’ve read books dealing with traditional herbalists from a variety of cultures. I’ve also read books that deal with trance mediums who can contact the spirits of the dead. Yet I’ve never read a book that focused on all three of these themes.  Balm by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is that book.  I received two copies of this book for free in return for this review. They are a paperback ARC directly from the publisher, and a digital ARC via Edelweiss. 

Because I have two copies, I decided to give away the copy of the print version to a lucky reader. Scroll down for the Rafflecopter Giveaway.   

The slavery and emancipation theme was movingly portrayed through the perspective of Hemp Harrison.   Since he found his slave name demeaning, he decided to name himself after the crop at the plantation where he was a slave followed by the surname of his former owner.  I have often wondered why emancipated slaves chose to identify with slave owners.   Hemp actually had an important reason.  He was trying to reunite with his wife who had been sold away. He had no idea where he would find her.  Hemp thought that his name might be a way for his wife to recognize that it was him searching for her.  A great many slaves were in his situation after the Civil War.  Dolen Perkins-Valdez depicts the affliction of separated African-American families through Hemp’s story. 

Madge, an African American woman who was born free, was the herbalist.  She was brought up in a family of rootworkers who made their living as healers.  Herbalists were often suspected of practicing witchcraft.  Madge did have a paranormal gift that facilitated her diagnosis of the conditions of her patients.  She wanted independence and a successful career, and she was confident that she could achieve these goals.  Yet something was missing in her life, and it took her some time to discover what that was. 

The medium who heard the voices of the dead was Sadie, a white Civil War widow.   I was particularly impressed by the fact that Sadie’s talent was genuine.  I’ve read many books dealing with fraudulent mediums who are eventually exposed.  I find that story line predictable and formulaic.  Sadie had to deal with the voice of a dead man who sometimes came to her involuntarily without being summoned.   She had to struggle to reclaim her freedom from that voice.  She was in a state of inner conflict about her mediumship.  I appreciated the complexity of Sadie’s characterization.

 Sadie decided to employ Madge as a servant.  The relationship between the two women was unsentimental and honestly portrayed.  So if you’re looking for a novel about a heartwarming friendship that transcends the post-slavery rift between the races, Balm is not that book.  I'm glad it isn't that sort of book since I don't subscribe to the delusion that two women could somehow cut through centuries of prejudice within a single generation. 

This is a book that is primarily about healing.  It's about the slow process of healing from the wounds of slavery, divided families and the mental anguish that resulted from these experiences.  I am grateful for the artistry of this author that allowed her to shape a tale of three individuals that is also the story of the beginning of America's emergence from a terrible time in its history.  

                                            

                                                    

Purchase Links

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IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

About Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Wench. Her fiction has appeared in the Kenyon Review, StoryQuarterly, StorySouth, and elsewhere. In 2011 she was a finalist for two NAACP Image Awards and the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award for fiction. She was also awarded the First Novelist Award by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. She teaches in the Stonecoast MFA program in Maine. A graduate of Harvard and a former University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow at UCLA, Dolen Perkins-Valdez lives in Washington, D.C., with her family.

Find out more about Dolen at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Ryder: Bird of Prey #Giveaway

Blurb:
Fans of Steve Berry and James Rollins will devour Ryder: Bird of Prey, the latest white-knuckle thriller featuring Palestinian-born, British-educated adventurer Ayesha Ryder. She’s one of fiction’s boldest heroines—and now she’s rewriting royal history.

According to the last words of a dying man, the Maltese Falcon was no mere legend: The fabulously jeweled golden bird really existed—still exists, in fact. And Ayesha Ryder is hot on its trail. Rumor says the Falcon conceals clues to the burial place of Harold II, the conquered Anglo-Saxon King of England—and to an artifact of astonishing significance that few besides Ryder would understand.

Hunted by Scotland Yard, MI5, and those who seek the Falcon to break up the United Kingdom, Ryder joins forces with Joram Tate, a mysterious librarian with a reputation for turning up things that don’t want to be found. Soon Ryder and her handsome, erudite new companion are venturing through lost tombs and ancient abbeys, following a trail left ages ago by the Knights Templar.

Ryder knows she’s close to a game-changing secret, hidden for a thousand years beneath an English castle. But with ruthless killers waiting in the wings, Ryder must go medieval—to defend her life, her country, and the world as we know it.

Review:

What appealed to me about this book was that it had a kick ass heroine. Ryder was a great character and I enjoyed following her through this tale as she finds the Maltese Bird and the mystery around it. When I started this book, I felt like I was mid-story in something. The characters already knew one another (or so it felt to me as a reader for the first time in this series) and so much had already happened. It was then I discovered this was book 3 in a series and it doesn't feel as though I could read this one as a stand alone. I still did read this because I found the plot interesting and the writing good, but to anyone reading this review, make sure you read the first two books or you'll find yourself very lost in the beginning.

There are several point of views in this book with different angles. It took me a good few chapters before I had a grasp on each character and looked forward to their next section. It was nice to see how people reacted to this Ryder did to them in the book.

Ayesha was a character I enjoyed getting to know. I felt like the author did a good job with character development and letting us learn new things about them as the story went on, instead of a lot of back story in the beginning.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. I did have times my mind went off wandering and thinking about my daily activities. This isn't a genre I usually read, so it was nice stepping out of my comfort zone.

Rating:

About Nick Pengelley

Nick Pengelley is the author of the political thrillers Ryder, Ryder: American Treasure, and Ryder: Bird of Prey. Australian by birth, he’s had careers in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom as a law professor, legal consultant, and analyst on Middle East politics, which is his passion. Pengelley lives in Toronto with his family.

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Nick Pengelley’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, May 4th: A Fantastical Librarian

Monday, May 4th: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Tuesday, May 5th: Vic’s Media Room

Wednesday, May 6th: My Book Retreat

Thursday, May 7th: Bell, Book & Candle

Friday, May 8th: Joyfully Retired

Monday, May 11th: Reading Reality

Wednesday, May 13th: Brooke Blogs

Thursday, May 14th: Read Love Blog

Monday, May 18th: Reading to Distraction

Monday, May 18th: Queen of All She Reads

Tuesday, May 19th: Book Nerd

Wednesday, May 20th: Dwell in Possibility

Thursday, May 21st: Patricia’s Wisdom

Tuesday, May 26th: 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews

Thursday, May 28th: Book Babe


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Ten Questions from Tara: Interview with @DianeStingley #giveaway

Welcome. You’re here to promote The Case of the Invisible Dog, a cozy mystery. Tell me, please, what was the inspiration behind this story (or series)? How did it come to you? Readers, here's a blurb:

In the start of a charmingly imaginative cozy series sure to delight fans of Carolyn Hart and Diane Mott Davidson, Diane Stingley introduces a blundering detective who believes herself to be the great-great-granddaughter of the legendary Sherlock Holmes.

After failing to launch her career as a Hollywood actress, Tammy Norman returns home to North Carolina, desperate for a regular paycheck and a new lease on life. So she accepts a position assisting Shirley Homes, an exceptionally odd personage who styles herself after her celebrated “ancestor”–right down to the ridiculous hat. Tammy isn’t sure how long she can go on indulging the delusional Shirley (who honestly believes Sherlock Holmes was a real person!), but with the prospect of unemployment looming, she decides to give it a shot.

Tammy’s impression of her eccentric boss does not improve when their first case involves midnight romps through strangers’ yards in pursuit of a phantom dog—that only their client can hear. But when the case takes a sudden and sinister turn, Tammy has to admit that Shirley Homes might actually be on to something. . . .

When I was growing up in southern California, a local television station featured the old Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies every Sunday afternoon for a while. That became my family’s “after church” ritual for the run of the series and was my first introduction to Sherlock. When I read the stories later on I loved the atmosphere that Conan Doyle created, and I still love reading those stories on a rainy afternoon. I also love how the mystery genre has evolved over the years, with great, quirky heroines featuring such a wide range of personalities, and decided that I wanted to challenge myself to see what I might be able to create. I didn’t initially set out to make my series with any sort of Sherlock Holmes tie-in. I wanted a unique character and began toying with the idea of creating a modern female detective with some Sherlock Holmes character traits. But as soon as I gave her a name—Shirley Homes—she quickly took on a life of her own. Her relationship with her assistant, Tammy Norman, was evident from the first second I put them on a page together. (Let’s just say that Tammy does not share Dr. Watson’s worshipful attitude towards Shirley that he had towards Sherlock). Within a few days their characters and relationship were as familiar to me as if I’d known them for years. I get to have fun with the Sherlock Holmes mystique and tradition, but behind the spoof is a great deal of genuine heartfelt affection.

We focus a lot on heroines here on Book Babe. Tell me what makes your heroine(s) strong.

In my series, it is Tammy Norman, Shirley’s assistant, who is the lead character. Shirley’s unshakeable belief that she is the great-great-granddaughter of Sherlock Holmes is, unfortunately, not matched by his celebrated intelligence or deductive skills. Tammy narrates the book, as Dr. Watson did, but she is also the one who actually solves the case. Not that this bothers Shirley who remains remains blissfully unaware of her personal shortcomings, absolutely convinced that she is a private detecting genius, and has no problem rewriting history as it happens in order to make sure that she receives all the credit.

Tammy has suffered a series of devastating setbacks in her professional and personal life. She moved to Los Angeles to become an actress, and has now returned home to Springville to try and put her life back together after losing both her career and the man she thought was her soul mate. Tammy has great doubts about her future and finding a place for herself. Acting was her lifelong dream, and without it she isn’t sure if she will ever find a place to belong. Some days it is a struggle for her simply to keep going. But in spite of her doubts, she keeps hanging in there, never losing her sense of humor or her ability to laugh at herself. And when Shirley puts them in awkward and/or dangerous situations (which happens quite frequently), it is Tammy who has to figure out how to get them back out. As the case progresses, she becomes more and more intrigued with the Mystery of the Invisible Dog, and discovers she has a natural ability to sort through clues and solve puzzles. Still not quite steady on her feet, she keeps walking, one step at a time, until the case is solved. Having to keep going when she isn’t sure where she even wants to be takes a lot of strength on Tammy’s part, although she still doesn’t give herself enough credit.

As for Shirley, she is like a force of nature: unstoppable. And she has absolutely no concern about what other people think of her (their opinion is seldom positive). Nothing and no one can change her mind. On the surface she may appear to be the stronger character of the two, but as the series progresses that may start to change . . .

Do you see any of yourself in your heroine?

I do. I had started this series and was just getting into it when a chain of events made it impossible for me to have any free time to write. My mom also became seriously ill around then, and after she died, I was so drained from the challenges of the previous years that I didn’t think I had the heart or the energy to go back to writing. I went through a whole process of making peace with that when a friend I hadn’t spoken to in years called me out of the blue, and after a lengthy “catching-up-on-things” conversation, called me back a couple of days later and offered me an opportunity to stay at his home so that I could finish the book. It was completely unexpected, so I understand what Tammy is going through, trying to figure out what to do with her life now that her dream appears to be out of reach.

Was there any particular part of this story that was the hardest for you to write? Tell me why.

This book was really fun to write. The only scene that was difficult turned out to be the golf club scene. My agent is an avid golfer and we went through many, many revisions before he was able to give it his final approval!

What kind of research did you do when you penned this novel? Did anything surprising come up in your search?

I didn’t really do a lot of research for the novel. I was just inspired by my love of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and let Shirley and Tammy lead me along for the ride.

What would you like readers to gain from reading your book? Is there a strong moral? Do you hope they will laugh, learn something about a particular subject/person, ponder a point?

I definitely hope they laugh. And I hope that they will sympathize with Tammy’s struggles and gain some insight into how hard it can feel when you have to rebuild your life. Her conversations with Phil McGuire, her therapist, are mined for humor, but underneath is the pain of the depression she is battling.

I would also like to think that some readers who have only heard about Sherlock Holmes but never read any of the original stories might be intrigued enough after reading The Case of the Invisible Dog to check them out.

Your book takes place in Springville, North Carolina. If I were a tourist, what would you recommend I see in this town/country? 

My novel is set in the fictional town of Springville, North Carolina. North Carolina is a beautiful state—I personally love the mountains in the western part of the state. The small towns that I based Springville on don’t really have tourist attractions. What I would recommend, instead, is to come for a day or two and walk around. Eat at the local restaurants, shop in the local outlets, visit the library, the park, etc., talk to the people, and get a feel for that town’s unique flavor.

Moving on to personal things...if you could time travel to absolute any time and place in history, where and when would you go and what is it that draws you to this time period? What would you do whilst there?

I think I would like to go to New York City in the early 1960’s. There was so much great music and energy and ideas coming out of there at that time. I think the world was a lot younger then, and I get the sense that people thought anything was possible. I would love to hear some of those voices live and in person—like seeing Dylan playing at a coffee house before he made it big.

There are so many books out there nowadays... What makes your book stand out from them?

I think having the Sherlock Holmes character told from a female point of view is a fresh approach. Readers have the fun of following a Holmesian mystery in the style of Conan Doyle, which has attracted readers from his first appearance, but updated to reflect all that has changed since Conan Doyle first put pen to paper. I particularly liked tweaking Sherlock’s misogyny and arrogance, and turning them upside down.

I’m a dog mom, so I always ask this. Do you have pets? If so, tell me about them and do provide pictures.

Sadly, I don’t currently have any pets. I hope to change that as my circumstances change, and want to adopt at least one rescue dog and cat. My dream would be to buy some land and fill it up with rescue animals!

Stephen and Barbara Kozma graciously offered to let me stay at their beautiful home near the Gulf of Mexico in Southwestern Florida while I finished The Case of the Invisible Dog. Along with the sunshine, tropical breezes, and dips in the pool, I also enjoyed the company of their two delightful cats, who quickly became my writing buddies: Catsonova on the left and Diablo on the right. Their mom and dad didn’t break the news that my book was about an invisible dog until I returned to North Carolina. Neither of them took the news well, and a solemn promise has been made that book four in the series will feature a feline in the title (unfortunately book two and three in the series have already been named, an explanation both cats greeted with absolute disdain before resuming their naps).

As I mentioned earlier, a friend graciously offered me his home to stay in while I wrote the book. He and his wife were the parents of two delightful cats, who quickly became my writing buddies. I’ve included their photos and a little bit about them below. Since I have returned to North Carolina, I have been adopted by my neighbor’s two dogs next door—Bella and Scrappy. We take periodic breaks together on our back porches, and if I’m ever stuck in my writing, a few minutes in their company clears out the cobwebs in my mind!

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