Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The Debt of Tamar by Nicole Dweck ~ Review & Giveaway

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 4th February 2013
Pages: 332
Book Source: Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours

Synopsis: During the second half of the 16th century, a wealthy widow by the name of Doña Antonia Nissim is arrested and charged with being a secret Jew. The punishment? Death by burning. Enter Suleiman the Magnificent, an Ottoman "Schindler," and the most celebrated sultan in all of Turkish history. With the help of the Sultan, the widow and her children manage their escape to Istanbul. Life is seemingly idyllic for the family in their new home, that is, until the Sultan's son meets and falls in love with Tamar, Doña Antonia's beautiful and free-spirited granddaughter. A quiet love affair ensues until one day, the girl vanishes. 

Over four centuries later, thirty-two year old Selim Osman, a playboy prince with a thriving real estate empire, is suddenly diagnosed with a life-theatening condition. Abandoning the mother of his unborn child, he vanishes from Istanbul without an explanation. In a Manhattan hospital, he meets Hannah, a talented artist and the daughter of a French Holocaust survivor. As their story intertwines with that of their ancestors, readers are taken back to Nazi-occupied Paris, and to a seaside village in the Holy Land where a world of secrets is illuminated. 

Theirs is a love that has been dormant for centuries, spanning continents, generations, oceans, and religions. Bound by a debt that has lingered through time, they must right the wrongs of the past if they're ever to break the shackles of their future.

My Thoughts:
It was the cover of The Debt of Tamar that caught my attention. Isn't it beautiful? Thankfully it doesn't end with the cover, this debut novel is also beautifully written.  It's a story of love and loss, redemption, culture and faith.  

Spanning centuries; from 16th century Portugal and the Ottoman Empire, to Nazi occupied Paris in the 1940's and present day Turkey and US. I've read quite a bit about The Edict of Expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal and find this period in history both horrifying and fascinating.

Beginning with the execution by burning of unrepentant Jews, Doña Antonia Nissim her daughter Reyna and nephew Jose escape to Turkey with the help of Sultan Sulieman the Magnificent. When Reyna and Jose's daughter Tamar falls in love with the sultan's son, Murat, a decision by Jose sparks the debt, and so begins The Sultan's Curse. This part of the story I was most captivated by, I didn't want to leave. 

Fast forward to present day and we follow Selim Osman, last living descendant of the Ottoman Sultans, then to Paris 1941 and the Herzikovas ... sounds confusing but as the story progresses common threads are slowly revealed and the tapestry is pieced together. 

The Debt of Tamar has a haunting beauty, it's quite outside the realm of traditional, continuing the central love story of Tamar and Murat through other characters ... thwarted love, eternal love, beautifully entwined.

I understand why Nicole Dweck presented Debt of Tamar in such a way, but it didn't stop me wanting more. The characters felt elusive, fleeting, just a sense of them before they slip into the shadows. It's a story you need to be fully present for as confusion can easily override pleasure ... but maybe that was just me. 

All up, a story I'm glad I had the opportunity to read and I look forward to more from Nicole Dweck. 

Tour Hashtag: #DebtofTamarVirtualTour


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Giveaway:
I'm thrilled to offer readers the chance to win a paperback copy of THE DEBT OF TAMAR. Just leave a relevant comment or question along with your email address. US only sorry

Extra Entries: 
+ 2 tweet giveaway and leave a link

Giveaway ends 25th March and winner will be announced on my blog. Good luck everyone!



16 comments:

  1. I've enjoyed reading about this novel. Your review intrigues me. I love stories that span centuries. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  2. I ain't gonna lie -- I was taken aback by the synopsis that stated he flees the mother of his unborn child ... do they touch on that again ... or at least resolve it?? That would bother me I believe ...

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    Replies
    1. takes a little time Julie, but it is resolved :)

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  3. I am captivated with this wonderful novel. Being Jewish and knowing about the historical background interests me greatly. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. thanks for this memorable feature. What a fascinating and unforgettable story. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. I love historical fiction. This novel has intrigued me.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  6. Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/443439731393572864?screen_name=lag32583

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  7. Your review is indeed intriguing…not sure if this is one I want to read or not, I love historical novels but it sounds like something I might get lost in. Yet your review leads me to believe the story flows beautifully.

    Thanks for the great review.

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  8. I've been hearing a lot about this book and its story that reaches across centuries. It sounds like one that my wife and I would both enjoy. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

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  9. I also tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/443610777627283456 Thanks again.

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  10. I can't wait to read this!! Thank you for the giveaway!
    I also tweeted about the giveaway.
    kim_cree@yahoo.com

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  11. I fell in love with the cover as well...your review has me wanting more. I love historical novels that span through time and intertwine relationships.

    I tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/Lisamarie5825/status/445730596556259328

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  12. The cover totally caught my eye too. Love it! With your warning about being totally present when reading I thin kI could handle this :) I know little to nothing about the Spain and Portugal stance on Jews as well as the Turkey link.
    stacybooks at yahoo

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  13. Sounds like a great Historical read! Thanks for the giveaway!

    sandy.mccarthy@yahoo.com
    Phoenix, AZ USA

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  14. The cover caught my eye but the description makes this even more intriguing. Thanks for sharing review and the givewaway.
    mesreads AT gmail.com

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