Today is a busy day for online publicity. Cheryl Malandrinos of the famous book blog, The Book Connection, posted this fantastic review of Saffron Dreams:
“If ever there was a book more eloquently written than Saffron Dreams, I would like to see it. The words simply fly off the page and float into your consciousness; their power touching you in a way like no other book might ever touch you again. The struggles of being a 9/11 widow and a Muslim, come together in a moving story that will find you filled with every emotion ever experienced by a human being. Abdullah’s masterful storytelling draws you in from the very first moment and does not release you until you’ve turned the very last page. Anyone who has ever loved and lost will be touched by this heartrending, yet triumphant story of one woman’s difficult journey to pick up the pieces of her shattered life in a country that has suddenly put her and an entire race under a microscope in order to make sense of a monumental tragedy. The descriptions and details put you right alongside Arissa so that you are totally captivated by her world, her dreams, her struggles, and her triumphs.”
Read the complete review online
Rebecca Camarena of Paperback Writer interviewed me and we discussed the making of Saffron Dreams and the message behind the novel. Here is an excerpt:
What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your novel?
SA: I want the readers to discover that the best way to avert discrimination is to look it straight in the eye and do something about it. Remember to take the outstretched hand of those who want to help when life throws you off balance. Only then will you find your equilibrium. Know that certain choices we make in our lives are driven by our own individual circumstances; therefore, there is no point in defending them to the rest of the world. Don’t rush to condemn a community because of the acts of a few misguided souls. Last, but not the least, know that happiness comes in unexpected forms, sometimes not packaged to our specification but ultimately containing the perfect ingredients to make life worth living.
Read the entire interview online
That was a great interview. The tour seems to be going well.
Richard Warren
Cheryl nailed the strengths of this book. Nice review that is sure to help the book.
Thanks for making mention of my review at your blog, Shaila. You’ve written an excellent book and deserve multitudes of praise.
Count me in when your next book is ready.
All my best,
Cheryl
You are most welcome, Cheryl. Thanks Richard and Forrester for stopping by.
Shaila Abdullah