Peeking Between the Pages

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Guest Post with Elle Newmark, author of The Sandalwood Tree & Giveaway

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I just finished The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark the other day and the novel is still so much on my mind (my review). It’s beautifully written and a story that captured my attention. It’s one of those novels that you regret finishing because you wished it would go on a little longer. Today Elle Newmark joins us at Peeking Between the Pages to talk about her travels for the novel and her visit to the Taj Mahal. Please enjoy Elle’s guest post entitled The Taj Mahal…

While in India, researching The Sandalwood Tree, I visited the Taj Mahal. My first surprise was that it only looks pure white from a distance. As you approach, you begin to see the subtle nuances in the marble, and up close you see delicate gemstones inlaid in floral motifs and passages from the Koran chiseled into the pillars. Like love, the Taj is much more complicated up close.

But what’s one more royal tomb without a story a good love story to give it gravitas? The story behind the Taj involves a queen who died at the age of thirty-nine while giving birth to her fourteenth child. On her deathbed she asked two things of her husband. First, that he build her a glorious tomb, and second, that he never marry again.

Am I the only one who senses world-class jealously in that request? Yes, I know I’m cynical. But still…

The Taj took twenty-two years to build and during its construction the king found a new love—architecture. He became so consumed by the project that when the Taj was finished he immediately began work on another for himself.

He never remarried during the thirty-five years he lived after the queen’s death, and so he kept both his vow. Of course, the rules of epic romance demand that, in the telling, this story must imply that the king lived the remainder of his life celibate, completely devoted to the memory of his lost queen.

But he was a relatively young man and I wanted to ask my guide whether the king ever had—what would you call them? Concubines? Girlfriends? After all, she only asked him not to marry. But to ask that question while standing on the steps of the Taj Mahal would have been like questioning the existence of God in a church.

If the king—who already had heirs aplenty, and no need for another queen—if, from time to time, the king needed a woman, well, he was the king, and, technically, he could have a whole harem as long as he didn’t marry anyone.

The king and his queen are buried side by side in twin sarcophagi, and as I gazed upon their eternal togetherness I understood that it didn’t matter whether she was jealous or what the king did after her death. How petty and dull of me to sully a perfectly good fairytale with such a realistic question. I might as well ask why Cinderella’s glass slippers didn’t break. You’re not supposed to go the Taj Mahal and zero in on details. You’re supposed to step back and be awed.

I looked up as a dove swooped through one arch and out another, and I understood. The Taj Mahal combines sublime architecture and epic romance to remind us of the heights to which human beings can aspire. The Taj Mahal is magic because it allows, even cynics like me, the opportunity to step back and be awed.
__________

Thank you so much for this wonderful guest post Elle! I’d love to visit the Taj Mahal someday – what an experience that would be!
__________

About the Book (from Amazon.com)

A sweeping novel that brings to life two love stories, ninety years apart, set against the rich backdrop of war-torn India.
In 1947, American historian and veteran of WWII, Martin Mitchell, wins a Fulbright Fellowship to document the end of British rule in India. His wife, Evie, convinces him to take her and their young son along, hoping a shared adventure will mend their marriage, which has been strained by war.

But other places, other wars. Martin and Evie find themselves stranded in a colonial bungalow in the Himalayas due to violence surrounding the partition of India between Hindus and Muslims. In that house, hidden behind a brick wall, Evie discovers a packet of old letters, which tell a strange and compelling story of love and war involving two young Englishwomen who lived in the same house in 1857.

Drawn to their story, Evie embarks on a mission to piece together her Victorian mystery. Her search leads her through the bazaars and temples of India as well as the dying society of the British Raj. Along the way, Martin’s dark secret is exposed, unleashing a new wedge between Evie and him. As India struggles toward Independence, Evie struggles to save her marriage, pursuing her Victorian ghosts for answers.

Bursting with lavish detail and vivid imagery of Calcutta and beyond, The Sandalwood Tree is a powerful story about betrayal, forgiveness, fate, and love.

Check out the Book Trailer…

About the Author (from Amazon.com)


Elle Newmark is an award-winning writer whose books are inspired by her travels. She and her husband, a retired physician, have two grown children and five grandchildren. They live in the hills north of San Diego.

Visit Elle Newmark’s website & blog.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Sandalwood Tree by Elle Newmark to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address to contact you in the event that you win.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass on the extra entry to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes). I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 21/11. Good luck to you all!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. As usual don't count me in as I am overseas. Just wanted to say the Taj Mahal also affected me deeply. I just stood there and gaped – I found it awe inspiring despite the heat, the crowds and the chatter.

  2. Elle Newmark's description of the Taj Mahal makes me want to go there now. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I also follow
    jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net

  3. Isn't it strange how different things appear up close. I cannot believe it took so long to build. I would love to see the Taj Mahal one day.

  4. Sounds like a beautiful book. When I was a kid, we had a teeny little "secret" attic and I always hoped that I'd find a stash of letters hidden away.

    dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

  6. This book looks amazing. I have seen many reviews for it online and they were all positive. Win or lose, I will definitely be reading this one. Thank you for the excellent giveaway!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  9. Sounds wonderful. Only recently I've read some historical fiction set in India and realized what a great setting it makes for a novel.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    I'm a GFC follower.

  12. I've been to the Taj Mahal and when I saw it my jaw just dropped. Its absolutely gorgeous!!! A sad fact about it though is that once its construction was completed, Sharjahan – the Maharaja or King – ordered that the hands of his architect be cut off so that nothing so beautiful could ever be built ever again. When the architect heard about this plan, it is said that he wept and went and made a tiny hole somewhere in the tomb where water leaks. Till today nobody is able to detect this hole and the dripping sounds like someone is crying. Kinda selfish and sad.. I know but this is one of the things that make it part of our history.

    I've been to Calcutta as well and its a very lively and busy city. till today you can see a lot of influences the British left behind – right from their building to their mode of transportation. Plus the food there is out of this world. 😀

    I'm international so I can't enter the contest but I just wanted to comment. Thanks.

  13. I would love to win this book-I am an old follower thanks for offering this

    rereadinglives (at) gmail.com

  16. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway which would be a memorable book. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

  17. The review was great and this book sounds compelling and fascinating. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  18. Loved this guest post! I have read a few books about the construction of the Taj Mahal, but I had no idea that the stones were inlaid with precious gems that you could actually see! That is amazing and wonderful, and I am hoping one day to see it for myself! Thanks Dar, for sharing this with us!

  19. Great guestpost 😀
    I would love to visit India, though I fear with my bad tummy I would not survive the food long

  29. No need to enter me in the giveaway. Her guest post makes me want to visit the Taj Mahal.

  30. I'd love to read this! I loved the Book of Unholy Mischief, so I'm excited about this one!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  33. I missed the tour for this one and after reading the reviews, I'm bummed! I'd love to win it.

    And, I follow in google reader!

    je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com
    2 Kids and Tired Books

  34. Elle's discription of the Taj Mahal was so lovely. I wish I could see it for myself one day.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  37. Great post! I probably would have wondered the same thing about the king. My husband always says I think about things too much. 😉

    I'm a follower through Google Reader, and I put the giveaway in my sidebar.

    diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

  38. Wow…I would love to visit the Taj Mahal! It's on my must see list for sure. I'd like to be entered for this story, sounds great.

    savvyverseandwit at gmail

    and yes, I follow

  39. I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  41. The Sandalwood Tree sounds like a beautiful and captivating story. I love that there is a mystery within the story and some major secrets too!

    I enjoyed Elle's guest post about visiting the Taj Mahal. Her description of the tomb gives me a good idea of how stunning it looks in person. I agree with Elle that the Queen's request of the King speaks of terrible jealousy and is also so selfish. She gives no consideration to how lonely he would be!

    Elle's guest post makes me want to read her book even more! Please enter me in your giveaay, Dar!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  43. Sounds like a book that I would truly enjoy. Thanks for the chance to win
    tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

  45. I think "The Sandalwood Tree" sounds like an amazingly poignant book – even the title evokes a certain aroma. Plus, the book seems to marry contemporary fiction with historical fiction, and I absolutely love that about it. Winning this book would be absolutely AMAZING! 🙂

    ~Hira~
    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

  46. Thank you for the amazing giveaway opportunity.

    I'm a GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~

    ~Hira~
    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
    Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

  51. As MM Kaye is one of my favorite authors, I've always loved stories concerning the British Raj. Please enter me in this drawing.

    nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com

  55. Lovely post! Darlene, thanks for hosting this great giveaway. I'm a follower and I just posted this giveaway in my blog's sidebar.

    I'd love to experience seeing the Taj Mahal some day.

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  56. Having been to India I have enjoyed every book that I have read that was set in India.

    thank you

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

  58. I never knew the story behind the Taj Mahal. That is a beautiful story in itself. I have been wanting to read The Sandalwood Tree. I does sound like a wonderful read. Thanks for offering such a great giveaway.

    bthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com

  60. Wow, that book trailer really adds a keen sense of intrigue! Count me in for a chance to win, please.

    I follow and will post here.

    wanda_waiting[@]hotmail.com

  62. I have read many positive reviews of this book and would love to read it. Would also love to see the Taj Mahal one day. (Bucket list)

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

  65. Hello! I would love to receive a copy of this book. I have an East Indian friend of many years who has told me about the beauty of India, and I'm always interested to learn more. Thank you!

    sahara5150@hotmail.com

  68. Thank you for this giveaway. I'm following on GFC via @headlessfowl.

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

  72. Please enter me in the giveaway!
    I'm also a follower 🙂

    bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com

  75. I would like to read this book. Sounds really good. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net