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River of Dust by Virginia Pye: Book Spotlight & Giveaway (US/Canada)

Today’s spotlight is for a debut novel called River of Dust by Virginia Pye which releases today by Unbridled Books and even better it is a May Indie Next Pick!  First of all I have to say how much I love this cover.  There is absolutely no way I could walk by this one without picking it up to see what it was about.  Secondly, and even more importantly, it sounds fantastic!  I wish I had time to read it right now but unfortunately I don’t.  It is however on my ‘to read soon’ list and I can’t wait.  So take a look at what the book is about and check out the giveaway at the end of the post for your chance to win a copy.

 

river

 

About River of Dust (from Unbridled Books)

On the windswept plains of northwestern China not long after the Boxer Rebellion, Mongol bandits swoop down upon an American missionary couple and kidnap their small child. As the Reverend sets out in search of the boy, he quickly loses himself in the rugged, corrupt, drought-stricken countryside populated by opium dens, sly nomadic warlords and traveling circuses. Grace, his young wife, pregnant with their second child, takes to her sick bed in the mission compound, where visions of her stolen child and lost husband begin to beckon to her from across the plains.

The foreign couple’s capable and dedicated Chinese servants, Ahcho and Mai Lin, accompany and eventually lead them through dangerous territory to find one another again. With their Christian beliefs sorely tested, their concept of fate expanded, and their physical health rapidly deteriorating, the Reverend and Grace may finally discover an understanding between them that is greater than the vast distance they have come.

Inspired in part by journals of her grandfather, who was himself an early missionary in China, Virginia Pye delivers a hypnotic, emotionally powerful, spiritually resonant debut that is at once both lyrical and dynamic.

 

Buy at: Unbridled Books, Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N, and IndieBound

 

About Virginia Pye

virginiapyeMs. Pye holds an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College and has taught writing at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University. A three-term president of James River Writers, a literary non-profit in Richmond, Virginia, she writes award-winning short stories that have appeared in numerous literary magazines, including The North American Review, Tampa Review and The Baltimore Review. She lives in Richmond, Virginia and blogs at virginiapye.com.

This novel was in part inspired by the missionary work of Ms. Pye’s grandparents. Her grandfather, Watts O. Pye, was a leader in both the Oberlin College and Carleton College programs in Shansi Province which took him and his wife, Gertrude, to China as some of the first returning missionaries after the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. Her father, Lucian W. Pye, was born and raised in China and became an eminent political scientist and sinologist.

Virginia’s website
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GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of River of Dust by Virginia Pye to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog.  If you already do just let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • Tweet, like on Facebook, or blog for 3 entries.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents (no PO boxes) and I w ill draw for the winner on Saturday, May 28/13.  Good luck!

 

Comments

  1. This sounds an amazing read. I love these pioneer like stories – the courage to face everything that was unknown is immense and so to be admired.

  2. Sounds like a fascinating book. I’ve only recently become interested in books with a setting in Asia. Thanks for the giveaway.

  3. I am captivated with this wonderful book. Sounds fascinating. Many thanks. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  4. What a beautiful story which interests me very much. Thanks for this feature. I subscribe via e-mail.

  7. Sounds like an emotional read; love an exotic setting. Thanks for the giveaway. I’m an email follower.

  8. The trailer was beautiful. I would love to read.
    Judie McD
    I follow via email

  11. I’d love to win this book, Darlene. I love the song in the trailer. I’ll post this giveaway in my blog’s sidebar.

    Thanks for hosting this! I’m a follower. 🙂

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  12. Wow this sounds like a great book. Would love to win this one. Have Tweet this and follow you on facebook and posted it to my facebook.

  16. To have been in China around the time of the Boxer revolution is amazing. To think of having a child abducted in any circumstances is awful but in a foreign country is unthinkable.
    I follow with email.
    I tweeted
    River of Dust by Virginia Pye: Book Spotlight & Giveaway (US/Canada)
    kathleen.bianchi@ymail.com

  17. Recently read Pearl Buck in China: Journey to The Good Earth by Hilary Spurling. What a fascinating era.

  18. I love the storyline of this novel. I am a huge fan of Lisa See and the stories she tells of what it was like to live in China in the early 1900.

  22. Sounds intriguing. I always enjoy books taking place in other cultures. Thanks for the giveaway.
    -email subscriber, GFC follower

  24. What a fascinating, action-packed synopsis! The cover is absolutely gorgeous–one of the best I’ve seen in a while.

    I’m an email subscriber. Thanks for the giveaway!

  25. I follow via email: mestith at gmail dot com
    Wow! I can’t WAIT to read this! I love that cover, too ; )
    I’m definitely adding this to my TBR list immediately!
    I wonder what kind of events or people in the author’s life inspired them to write this book!?
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mestith at gmail dot com

  26. Thanks so much for this great post. I’m thrilled to be on your blog. And thanks to all those who entered to win a copy.I really appreciate the interest in RIVER OF DUST and hope that the winners–and others–enjoy it! With great appreciation, Virginia