Tuesday, October 27, 2009

THE SARI SHOP WIDOW: PREVIEW, INTERVIEW, AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE SARI SHOP WIDOW

BY SHOBHAN BANTWAL

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Pungent curry, sweet fried onions, incense, colorful beads, and lush fabrics – THE SARI SHOP WIDOW is a novel set on the streets of Edison, New Jersey’s Little India, where a young businesswoman rediscovers the magic of love and family.

When Anjali Kapadia’s posh sari boutique in New Jersey is on the verge of financial ruin, her wealthy uncle from India comes to her rescue.

But the wily, dictatorial uncle arrives with some unpleasant surprises—a young Indo-British partner named Rishi Shah for one — and a startling secret that disturbs Anjali.

Falling in love with the mysterious Shah only adds to Anjali’s burgeoning list of complications. Torn between her loyalty to her family and her business on the one hand and her growing attraction for a man who could never fit into her life on the other, Anjali turns to her family and cultural roots to make a life-altering decision.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shobhan Bantwal was born and raised in a small town in India and came to the U.S. as a young bride in an arranged marriage 35 years ago. She took up fiction writing after becoming an empty nester. She calls her writing “Bollywood in a Book,” romantic, colorful, action-packed tales, rich with elements of Indian culture. THE SARI SHOP WIDOW is her third book. By day Shobhan works for the government. Evenings and weekends are when she flies off to Authorland.

Shobhan's articles and short stories have appeared in a variety of publications including
The Writer magazine, Romantic Times, India Abroad, Little India, U.S. 1, India Currents, and New Woman. Her short stories have won honors and awards in fiction contests sponsored by Writer's Digest, New York Stories and New Woman magazines. To read her short stories, articles, favorite recipes, and more, go to her website: www.shobhanbantwal.com

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

Welcome to BOOKIN' WITH BINGO and thank you for a lovely book and for agreeing to do this interview. Here are a few questions my readers might be interested in.
  1. What have you just finished reading?

I just finished reading Mary Monroe’s “God Ain’t Blind,” a tender and funny story that is part of a series which has made the New York Times bestselling list.

  1. What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out?

Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel “The Kite Runner” made a tremendous impression on me. I was just beginning to write full-length fiction when I read his touching story of friendship and betrayal intricately woven around the Russian occupation of Afghanistan and later followed by the repressive Taliban regime. In fact, the book made such an impact on me that when I started querying agents, I queried Hosseini’s, and to my great delight she signed me on. Now an associate agent at that agency handles my contracts and has successfully sold four of my books to Kensington Publishing.

  1. What gets you started on a new book? A character or story idea or….?

For me a new book always starts with a germ of an idea. Once that gels in my mind, I start to create the characters and mold them to that plot. My own Indian culture provides plenty of fodder for story ideas.

  1. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?

Despite my old-fashioned Hindu upbringing in small-town India and my 35-year-old arranged marriage, I’m a rebel and feminist at heart. As a child growing up with four sisters, I was the only hellion amongst the little angels. As a grownup I’m still doing things my way. Going against the stereotypical South Asian writer who writes serious literary novels of high intellectual merit, I took the gamble of writing mainstream fiction with romantic elements. I also took up creative writing in my middle age, and as a challenging hobby at first. Later my ambitions grew and I seriously pursued becoming a published author.

  1. What is your best advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?

My best advice would be to understand that there is a lot more to writing than creating a compelling story. Promoting one’s book requires a strong commitment in terms of time, money, and effort. I am beginning to realize that aspect of being an author more and more each day. Also, as someone who puts their work out there for public consumption, one needs to grow a skin as thick as an alligator’s hide. Agents and editors can be brutally honest. Reviewers can at times be harshly critical, and one has to take all that in stride and still keep going. But if writing is what a young or novice writer wants to do, I would tell them to keep doing it and stay with it.

  1. What is something you would like to share with us about writing your favorite genre in general?

It has been a unique journey to getting published. I always wanted to read the kind of books I craft, so I began to write what I knew and what I would enjoy. My books don’t belong in any particular genre. They could be labeled mainstream, popular fiction, multicultural women’s fiction, romance, sometimes bordering on mystery, and perhaps even a touch of the literary. But creating them is very gratifying.

Thank you so much for interviewing me on “Bookin’ with Bingo.”


GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Jaime and
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK VIRTUAL TOUR,
I have one copy of this book to give away.


RULES:
--SORRY, U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P.O. BOXES PLEASE
--YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE IN YOUR COMMENT
--ALL ANSWERS IN SEPARATE COMMENTS OR
THEY ONLY COUNT ONE TIME

HOW TO ENTER:
This time is easy!

+1 ENTRY ONLY: JUST GO TO SHOBHAN BANTWAL'S WEBSITE HERE AND LOOK AT THE REVIEWS FOR THIS BOOK, THE SARI SHOP WIDOW, AND NAME ONE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION THAT WROTE A REVIEW ABOUT THE BOOK.

+2 BONUS ENTRIES: ALSO AT THE SAME WEBSITE, FIND THE RECIPE SECTION. PICK ONE RECIPE AND GIVE THE TITLE AND NAME THE INGREDIENTS! AMOUNTS AREN'T IMPORTANT, JUST WHAT GOES INTO THE RECIPE.

ALL ENTRIES ARE DUE BY
6 PM, EST, NOVEMBER 9

GOOD LUCK!


48 comments:

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Please enter me for this one!

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

+1 Book review from author website: Book Illuminations

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

+2 Website recipe:
Kheema Palak

1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
1/4 tsp crushed fennel seeds
1 tsp each grated fresh ginger & garlic
1 small onion, minced
1 tsp each ground coriander and cumin
1/8 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
2 tbsps veg or corn oil
1 10 oz pkg frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red hot chili powder (adjust to taste)
2 tbsps tomato paste

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

Please count me in for this great sounding book!
Book Reporter is one of the organizations that has reviewed it.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

+2 Boy, those recipes all looked very good and interesting. I thought the dressing recipe was interesting, because of the cucumber. Here it is!

Cucumber Raita (yogurt dressing)

1 medium cucumber peeled and grated
1 cup plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt, beaten to smooth consistency
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tbsps fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
Small piece of finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)
1 tsp salt

Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Rebecca Orr said...

Huntress Reviews reviewed the book! bekki1820cb@gmail.com

Rebecca Orr said...

entry1
Cucumber Raita (yogurt dressing)
1 medium cucumber
1 cup plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt
1 small onion
2 tbsps fresh cilantro
jalapeno pepper
1 tsp salt

I would love to try this out at home. I am so glad this was an extra entry! bekki1820cb@gmail.com

Rebecca Orr said...

entry2
entry1
Cucumber Raita (yogurt dressing)
1 medium cucumber
1 cup plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt
1 small onion
2 tbsps fresh cilantro
jalapeno pepper
1 tsp salt

I would love to try this out at home. I am so glad this was an extra entry! bekki1820cb@gmail.com

LoveMyCoffee said...

Please enter me for this one.
Fresh Fiction gave a review, or commented on the book.

Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

Carol W. said...

Ms. Bantwal's book was reviewed by Book Illuminations.
Please enter me in the giveaway.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

Mango Lassie uses plain lowfat or nonfat yogurt, water, canned mango pulp, sugar, and salt. Sounds tasty!

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Book Pleasures wrote one of the reviews.

jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Poori (Deep-fried puffed bread)

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsps vegetable or corn oil
Water
Vegetable or corn oil
Flour for dusting

Yum! Fried bread :)

jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

g.g. said...

This sounds like an interesting book to learn more about another culture for me.

anjamie4 (at) gmail (dot) com

g.g. said...

there was a book review by Book Illuminations among others

anjamie4 (at) gmail (dot) com

g.g. said...

there were several but I chose the cucumber raita dressing.

It had in it:
cucumber,plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt, onion, fresh cilantro, jalapeno pepper and salt

anjamie4 (at) gmail (dot) com

Shobhan Bantwal said...

Thank you, Bingo, for hosting me on your wonderful and popular blog.

Good luck to the winner of my book and hope she/he enjoys it.

Shobhan Bantwal
Author of THE SARI SHOP WIDOW
wwww.shobhanbantwal.com

Sandra K321 said...

Book Illuminations reviewed this.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

Jolynn said...

+1 one of the book reviews was
Book Pleasures
Jolynn_Reads atyahoo.com

Jolynn said...

+2 Mango Lassie Drink
yogurt, water , canned mango,sugar,
salt if needed
Jolynn_Reads at yahoo.com

Margie said...

"Book Pleasures" said the book was highly entertaining and informative. I would like to read it!

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I too found the recipe for "Mango Lassi" interesting. Ingredients are yogurt, water, mango pulp, sugar and salt. I think I would like this with strawberries, one of the fruit alternatives mentioned in the recipe.

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Sarah E said...

Huntress Reviews reviewed this book.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Sarah E said...

Recipe ingredients from the author's website:

Carrots & Peas Pulao (Pilaf)

1 cup Basmati or any long grain rice
2 small cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup peeled and julienned carrots
2 cloves
1/2 cup frozen or fresh green peas 1 clove garlic, minced
1 hot green chili pepper, sliced (optional)
2 cups boiling water
1/4 inch piece ginger, minced
1 small onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tbsps butter
Salt to taste

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Libby's Library said...

Please enter me...Thanks!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

Harriet Klausner was one of the reviewers.

Thanks

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

Cucumber Raita

1 medium cucumber peeled and grated
1 cup plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt, beaten to smooth consistency
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tbsps fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
Small piece of finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)
1 tsp salt

Thanks for the giveaway.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Madwoman-doing-cartwheels said...

Fresh Fiction says:

"I gladly recommend THE SARI SHOP WIDOW, an endearing story of romance between two people from different cultures who regain their faith in the possibility of lifelong love."

bookcat1010 at gmail dot com

Madwoman-doing-cartwheels said...

This sounds delicious!

Cucumber Raita

cucumber
plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt
onion
fresh cilantro
jalapeno pepper
salt

entry 1 of 2

bookcat1010 at gmail dot com

Madwoman-doing-cartwheels said...

Cucumber Raita

cucumber
plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt
onion
fresh cilantro
jalapeno pepper
salt

entry 2 of 2

bookcat1010 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Book Reporter wrote a review.

bgcchs9at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

+2 - Cucumber Raita- Cucumber, yogurt, onion, cilantro, pepper and salt. It sounds great. I'm going to make it.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

please enter me for this one!

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I follow through google reader!

dancealert at aol dot com

Jaime said...

Book Illuminations
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Oregon Kimm said...

For +1 entry:

Huntress Reviews is one reviewer in the list.

Kimm

oregonkimm(at)gmail(dot)com

Oregon Kimm said...

For +2 entries:

Ingredients in recipe for Poori:

Whole Wheat Flour
Vegetable Oil
Salt
Water
More Flour

Kimm
oregonkimm(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm definitely going to try the Mango Lassi -it's easy enough to remember: 1 cup low fat yogurt-1 cup fruit such as mango or strawberries then add 2 cups water, ice if you like, sugar if desired and a pinch of salt - if you really must.

Sounds good : D

BevE
merryweatherbookblog (at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

There were a number of reviews - two of them were written by Book Pleasures and Fresh Fiction.

BevE
merryweatherbookblog (at)gmail(dot)com

nfmgirl said...

There's a review by Harriet Klausner

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I like the Mango Cream with Fruit

2 cups mixed fresh fruit, diced or 1 large can fruit cocktail (drained)
1 cup sweetened mango pulp (available in Indian stores)
1 banana, diced (only with canned fruit)
1 apple, diced (only with canned fruit)
1 8 oz container whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

brokenteepee said...

Please enter me.
thank you
kaiminani@gmail.com

brokenteepee said...

Book Reporter
thank you
kaiminani@gmail.com

CherylS22 said...

Fresh Fiction wrote a review
Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

+2 - Recipe

Cucumber Raita (yogurt dressing)

cucumber peeled and grated
plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt, beaten to smooth consistency
onion, finely chopped
fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)
1 tsp salt

megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Nancye said...

Fresh Fiction reviewed this book

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Mango Lassi
1 cup plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt
2 cups water
1 cup canned mango pulp ( sold in Indian & Oriental stores)
Sugar if needed
Pinch of salt

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

#1

Nancye said...

Mango Lassi
1 cup plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt
2 cups water
1 cup canned mango pulp ( sold in Indian & Oriental stores)
Sugar if needed
Pinch of salt

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

#2

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