Historical Review: The Debt of Tamar

I had the pleasure of reading Nicole Dweck's debut novel, The Debt of Tamar, and it blew me away.

About the Book

Publication Date: February 4, 2013

Devon House Press

Paperback; 332p

ISBN-10: 061558361X

Amazon Rating: 4.8 stars / 20 reviews

Goodreads Rating: 4.17 stars / 18 reviews

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 sea-side 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.

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My Review

The Debt of Tamar is an emotionally riveting tale that spans several centuries and connects dozens of people together, linking them back in time. It was fascinating how chains of events exploded on each other, from the 16th century until present day. I was literally floored.

Ms. Dweck, writes beautifully, with vivid and evocative descriptions. Her words flow with such talent that I was surprised this was her debut. 

I read this book in one day, only putting it down to take a deep breath, and walk away for a moment. The Debt of Tamar, will challenge you, it will rock you to the core, and you'll come back for more.

The story opens with Jose and Reyna, both raised by Doña Antonia, and they are fleeing Portugal where they've lived all their lives. Having been raised Catholic, they find out that they are actually Jewish, and the Inquisition is murdering Jews daily. With the help of the Sultan, they flee to Istanbul where they are free to be who they were meant to be. But on the way, Jose and Reyna fall in love. And so begins a chain of events that will forever change, curse and torment the characters in the book.

Jose and Reyna birth a single child, Tamar--and it is her debt (actually her family's debt) to the Sultan who falls in love with her that unleashes madness and misfortune on both their lines. The only way to break the curse is for Tamar and Murat to come together again in some other life.

We watch as Tamar and Murat's lines cross, tragically, centuries from their lifetime. How those who come in contact with them are affected and how a centuries old curse is finally laid to rest--the debt is paid.

The Debt of Tamar, is fast-paced, wonderfully written, and will leave you emotionally rocked. Definitely worth a read, whether you like historical or not. Its a beautiful blend of eras and how our past, and the past of our ancestors, truly define who we are. Tissue warning! You will probably cry.

Well, done, Ms. Dweck! I look forward to reading more works from you in the future!

About the Author

Nicole Dweck is a writer whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country.

The Debt of Tamar, her debut novel, was a two-time finalist in the UK's Cinnamon Press Novel Award Competition. It has also received an honorable award mention in the category of Mainstream/Literary Fiction from Writers Digest and was the highest rated book for two weeks running on the Harper Collin's "Authonomy" website.

Nicole lives in New York City with her husband and son. 

Connect with Nicole on Goodreads.

Visit more sites hosting Ms. Dweck! Link to Tour Page: http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thedebtoftamartour

Anna Bentley Tremaine's Guest Historical Review of The Braham's Deception by Louise Marley

ABOUT THE BOOK: The Braham’s Deception by Louise Marley

Music scholar Frederica Bannister is thrilled when she beats her bitter rival, Kristian North, for the chance to be transferred back to 1861 Tuscany to observe firsthand the brilliant Johannes Brahms. Frederica will not only get to see Brahms in his prime; she’ll also try to solve a mystery that has baffled music experts for years.

But once in Tuscany, Frederica’s grip on reality quickly unravels. She instantly falls under Brahms’ spell—and finds herself envious of his secret paramour, the beautiful, celebrated concert pianist Clara Schumann. In a single move, Frederica makes a bold and shocking decision that changes everything…

When Frederica fails to return home, it is Kristian North who is sent back in time to Tuscany to find her. There, Kristian discovers that Frederica indeed holds the key to unraveling Brahms’ greatest secret. But now, Frederica has a dark secret of her own—one that puts everyone around her in devastating peril...

Kensington Books, Trade Paperback

ISBN: 978-0-7582-6567-8 

Anna Bentley Tremaine's Guest Historical Review:

This book is first and foremost a cautionary tale about interfering with the past. It is a story of disappointed hopes and abusing power in an attempt to get ahead. Kristian, the hero, who's just left the ivory tower without completing his PhD, is asked to step back in time to find out what happened to his rival when she didn't return as scheduled. The story centers strongly around music, but the author is careful not to overwhelm lay readers with terminology that might prevent them from enjoying or understanding the writing.

Unfortunately, the book did not work for me. The characters felt constructed and cliched rather than real. The author made almost all the "bad" people ugly, rich, and controlling while the "good" people were beautiful, poor, and noble. I did not care for the fact that the hero kept a very important secret for as long as he did. Most of all, I didn't care for the idea that we could go back to witness the past as ghostly spirits who could not be perceived by anyone around us. While one of the concerns of the story was preservation of the established timeline, it did not once touch on on the ethics of going back in time to watch people who could not give their consent to being watched.

Historical Fiction Review: Holy Warrior by Angus Donald

This is the first Angus Donald book I've read, and I found it exhilarating! An adventure in reading, I felt as though I were within the pages, holding my brief, reaching out with my sword to block an assault. I cannot wait to get my hands on the first in this Robin Hood series, OUTLAW and the third, THE KING'S MAN when it releases.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After the events ofOutlaw, Robin of Locksley—and his sidekick and narrator, Alan Dale—finds himself in a very different England and a very changed world.
In 1190 A.D. Richard the Lionheart, the new King of England, has launched his epic crusade to seize Jerusalem from the Saracens. Marching with the vast royal army is Britain’s most famous, most feared, most ferocious warrior: the Outlaw of Nottingham, the Earl of Locksley—Robin Hood himself. With his band of loyal men at his side, Robin cuts a bloody swath on the brutal journey east. Daring and dangerous, he can outwit and outlast any foe—but the battlefields of the Holy Land are the ultimate proving ground. And within Robin’s camp lurks a traitor—a hidden enemy determined to assassinate England’s most dangerous rogue.

Richly imagined and furiously paced, featuring a cast of unforgettable characters, Holy Warrior is adventure, history and legend at its finest.

St. Martin's Griffin, August 2011

ISBN: 978-0-312-67837-1, ISBN10: 0-312-67837-1,
Ebook, Hard Cover, Trade Paperback / 400 pages

MY REVIEW

From the opening pages you are pulled into a dramatic, vivid, violent medieval tale, told from the first person point-of-view of Alan Dale, one of Robin Hood's men. All our favorite Robin Hood legendary men are within the tale, but while this is a novel of Robin Hood, it is a tale never told before, and it is this once band of outlaws charging into the fray that was the Holy War, in search of spreading Christianity and saving the Holy Land. Except that Robin Hood was not especially Christian... And deceit, greed, pillaging and fighting take precedence.

Young Alan Dale, sees many things that change him--violance, love, greed, treachery--and through it all, he comes out on top, strong for having learned his lesson and staying true to his honor.

Mr. Donald, did a fabulous job on his research and should be applauded for his authentic historical details. I cringed, I gasped, I exclaimed loudly, I was sad, I was happy. Holy Warrior, is definitely a book that moved me through many emotions! The author truly immersed himself in the tale and it comes through. He knew Robin Hood and his band, he knew about the events of the Holy War and the events of the time period in England. Because of this, Angus Donald was able to pen a brilliant tale that combined actual historical events with legend. I believed this story. I believed it could have taken place. It was real within those pages.

And I must say, I looked forward to what curses Little John was going to come up with next! "God's hairy bollocks!" Hilarious!

Be warned, this is not a tale for the faint of heart. Be prepared and travel on with shield in place, for this brutal tale awaits your reading pleasure. A recommended read for history and Robin Hood fans!