Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips
















The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips

From Goodreads:A dazzling novel of intrigue, passion, and royal secrets that shifts suspensefully between Restoration-era London and present-day Cambridge, England

My Take:  I really enjoyed this book.  I haven't read the first book by this author but I will definately be looking for it.  I really enjoyed the dual stories told in the book of Hannah in London dealing with the prejudices back them toward women in all walks of life and of Claire's story in modern day Cambridge deal with similar prejudices and dealing with the ruthless of the academic world ( I never thought of academics as being so ruthless until I read this book)

If you would like to get a feel for this book you can go here to read the first chapter.

 Revealing Questions answered by Christi Phillips

Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?

A. I can't say anything in only eight words--that's why I'm a novelist.

Q. What is your motto or maxim?

A. It never occurred to me to have one.

Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?

A. Swimming in the warm, clear South Pacific right outside my luxurious Bora Bora bungalow.

Q. With whom in history do you most identify?

A. Napoleon. Nah, just kidding.

Q. Which living person do you most admire?

A. Barack and Michelle Obama.

Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?

A. "Just." It sneaks into the first draft somehow, and I have to strike it out during revisions. It's just meaningless. See?

Q. What do you regret most?

A. That I didn't start writing novels sooner.

Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?

A. Musical talent. I'm learning to play the guitar, and it's quite obvious that I'm not naturally gifted. But I think it's important to balance work with play, to do something for fun that you don't necessarily have to be good at.

Q. What is your greatest achievement?

A. It's a dubious achievement, yet I'm still proud: I once watched one hundred Russian films (without subtitles) in less than a few months. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about gulags and Stalin. The concept of "comedy" hadn't caught on there yet.

Q. What’s your greatest flaw?

A. Impatience.

Q. What’s your best quality?

A. Curiosity. I'm not afraid of new things, because I love to learn.

Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?

A. I'm usually reading or talking.

Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?

A. I think I'd like to meet Virginia Woolf and Jane Austen. I'd tell them that their work is still loved and revered--more now than it was during their lifetimes, in fact. Perhaps knowing this would make the unhappiness in their lives a little easier to bear.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. My pet, actually. I have a 18 lb, white long-haired cat, Clarence, who apparently was Born to Shed. When he's happy, he drools. We're not certain that he has any redeeming qualities.

Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?

A. Reading. And spending time with my husband.

Q. What’s your fantasy profession?

A. Songwriter. I'm envious of anyone who can earn a living by writing something so short.

Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?

A. A sense of humor, an open mind, and a strong work ethic--I admire people who try to do their best, no matter what they're doing.

Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?

A. Sushi.

Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?

A. I would hate to limit it to five. See earlier entry, "Favorite Composers and Musical Artists."


I read this as a part of a blog tour.  Thanks to Sara from Gallery and Pocket books for the  review copy of this book.  I am an Amazon Associate so if you click to the book and buy it I will receive a small fee. 

Other on the tour are:

     Rundpinne: http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/


Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/

My Five Monkeys: http://www.tableforseven-julie.blogspot.com/

The Bibliophilic Book Blog: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/

A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net/

My Book Addiction and More:http://mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com/

Just Another New Blog: http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com/

The Book Girl: http://www.thebookgirl.net//

Just One More Paragraph: http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com/

Booktumbling: http://booktumbling.com/

Books Gardens & Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com//

Renee’s Reads: http://www.renees-reads.blogspot.com/

Taking Time For Mommy:http://takingtimeformommy.blogspot.com/

Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/

Star Shadow: http://www.starshadowblog.com/

My Book Views: http://my-book-views.blogspot.com/

Write For A Reader: http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com/

Bibliophile’s Retreat: http://bibliophilesretreat.com/

Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com/

Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/

Avid Reader: http://www.tarmyblogspot.blogspot.com/

Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks:http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com/

Lucky Rosie’s: http://www.luckyrosiescreations.blogspot.com/

Celtic Lady’s Reviews:http://www.celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/

Books Like Breathing: http://bibliophile23.wordpress.com/

Chrissy’s World of Books:http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/

DK’s Everything Books Blog: http://dkay401-challenges.blogspot.com/

A Musing Reviews: http://www.amusingreviews.blogspot.com/

Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com//

I Heart Book Gossip: http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/

That’s A Novel Idea: http://thatsanovelidea.blogspot.com//

Reading Extensively: http://reading-extensively.blogspot.com/

Knitting and Sundries: http://www.jewelknits.blogspot.com/

Thrifty and Frugal Living: http://www.thriftyandfrugalliving.com/

See Michelle Read: http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/

‘Til We Read Again: http://tilwereadagain.blogspot.com/

Reminder List: http://reminderlist.blogspot.com/

Loving Heart Mommy: http://www.lovingheartmommy.com/

Pam’s Private Reflections:http://hip2bhomeschooling.blogspot.com/

The Book Tree: http://thebooktree.blogspot.com/

The Down Home Diva:http://thestuffyouneedtoknow.blogspot.com/

Once Upon a Twilight: http://twilightsdance.blogspot.com/

2 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good read :) and congrats on your award!

    ReplyDelete
  2. All of the reviews I've read about this one are favorable. I'm kicking myself that I wasn't part of this tour. I'll have to pick it up.

    ReplyDelete

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