Giveaway and Book Review of The Concubine Saga

Giveaway and Book Review of The Concubine Saga 

              Sponsored by Virtual Author Book Tours

 

The author has graciously allowed  me to giveaway a copy of "The Concubine Saga" in either paper or e-book format to one lucky person.  This giveaway is specific to this site.

  

Publisher: Three Clover Press
Category: Historical Fiction
Tour Dates: June, 2012
Available in Print and Kindle, 621 Pages

Blurb:

No Westerner has ever achieved Robert Hart’s status and level of power in China. Driven by a passion for his adopted country, Hart became the “godfather of China’s modernism”, inspector general of China’s Customs Service, and the builder of China’s railroads, postal and telegraph systems and schools.

However, his first real love is Ayaou, a young concubine. Sterling Seagrave, in Dragon Lady, calls her Hart’s sleep-in dictionary and says she was wise beyond her years.

Soon after arriving in China in 1854, Hart falls in love with Ayaou, but his feelings for her sister go against the teachings of his Christian upbringing and almost break him emotionally. To survive he must learn how to live and think like the Chinese. He also finds himself thrust into the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion, the bloodiest rebellion in human history, where he makes enemies of men such as the American soldier of fortune known as the Devil Soldier.

During his early years in China, Robert experiences a range of emotion from bliss to despair. Like Damascus steel, he learns to be both hard and flexible, which forges his character into the great man he becomes.

In time, an ancient empire will rely on him to survive, and he will become the only foreigner the Emperor of China trusts.

Full of humanity, passion, and moral honesty, The Concubine Saga is the deeply intimate story of Hart’s loyalty and love for his adopted land and the woman who captured his heart.

“My Splendid Concubine” was the love story Sir Robert Hart did not want the world to discover.

In the sequel, “Our Hart, Elegy for a Concubine”, he was the only foreigner the Emperor of China trusted.

Both novels have come together as one in “The Concubine Saga”.

The Concubine Saga Tour Schedule

Tour Host:                                           Date of review:                        (GP)Guest Post, (I)Interview,                                                                                                               or(G)Giveaway?                     

Teddy So Many Precious Books                      May 30 Mini Rev.        G

Patty Broken Teepee                                     June 1                                   G June 1

Alysia My Little Pocketbooks               June 4                          G & I June 7

Deborah Bookish Dame                                  June 6                          G & GP June 6 (GP Done)

Melissa Jayne's Books                         June 7                          G

J.A. Beard                                            None                            I  June 8

Ruth My Devotional Thoughts              June 8                          G & GP June 9 (GP Done)

Harvee Book Dilettante                                                June 11                                 GP June 12 (GP Done)

Joy Story                                             June 12                                    None

Mindy Books, Books, & More Books  June 13                                    G

Krystal Live to Read                            June 14                                    None

Darlene Peeking Between the Pages     None                            G & GP June 14(GP Done)

Col Reads                                            June 15                                    None

Kathleen Celtic Lady's Reviews                       June 18                                    None

Erica Ink Spots & Roses                      None                            G & GP June 18(GP Done)

Tilly The Readers Cafe                                    June 19                                    None

Julie Knitting and Sundries                    June 20                                    G

Valerie Sweeps 4 Bloggers                   June 21                                    G

Mel  The Reading Life                         June 22                                    I June 21

Marie Historical Fiction Connection    None                            GP June 22 (GP Done)

Stephanie Layered Pages                     June 25                                    I June 26

Teddy Historical Tapestry                    None                            GP June 25 (GP Done)

Amber Peaceful Wishing                     June 26                                    None

Marcie To Read or Not to Read                  June 27                                 G & GP June 28 (GP Done)

M Denise C.                                         June 28                                    None

Renee Succotash Reviews                   June 29                                    G        

Lucy Moonlight Gleam                                   None                                     G &GP June 29 (GP Done)

Author Information:

Lloyd Lofthouse is the author of My Splendid Concubine and Our Hart [combined in this single volume], which earned honorable mentions in general fiction at the 2008 London Book Festival, 2009 San Francisco Book Festival, 2009 Hollywood Book Festival, 2009 Los Angeles Book Festival, 2009 Nashville Book Festival and was a finalist in historical fiction for the National Best Books 2010 Awards. Lloyd Lofthouse grew up in Southern California, served in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Marine and lives near San Francisco with his wife and family with a second home in Shanghai, China.

Book Review:

            The fascinating thing about this book is the cultural experiences that the main character experiences.  Having traveled outside my home state and country I understand the cultural shock that you can experience when you travel to a country that is significantly different than your own.  In addition, I have hosted foreign exchange students who have had their own cultural shock.  What makes this especially interesting is the fact that he gains acceptance in a culture that has traditionally been closed to ‘Western’ people.

            That said, it was not a particularly easy read.  The adapting to this culture was uncomfortable for him and to read about.  In addition the story was not in my typical genera and was hard for me to get into.  This is probably not a book that I would have picked up on my own, but I am glad I read it.  I love the ability of books to expand our horizons and help up experience things we never would otherwise.

            I give this book 3 clouds out of 5.

This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

a Rafflecopter giveaway