Veil of Roses

Hi everyone, I read a sweet romance title, A Veil of Roses, a debut novel from Bantam books by Laura Fitzgerald. Veil of Roses Tamila is a young Iranian woman who comes to America, ostensibly to visit her sister on a ninety-day visa, but in reality she is on a mission (with help from her sister and brother-in-law,) to find a husband. Not just any husband, but a US citizen. Then she can remain in America. A family requirement is that he be Muslim and preferably Iranian. This makes for a couple of humorously interesting scenarios. One prospect is a fanatic about cleanliness and hallucinates about bugs, another is a gay man who proposes a sham marriage to please his aging parents. Walking in Tucson, to her first English class at the U of A she meets a young man she's attracted to and vice versa at one of the ubiquitous Starbucks. He is an American, although "not suitable." Nevertheless, she allows him to remain in her life, though trying to keep their relationship at arms length. Conclusion Fitzgerald, a fellow Arizonan, writes in a fresh, light, smooth, easily understandable style. I enjoyed Fitzgerald's comparison of the rigid Iranian society with our own, through the wondrous eyes of our awed visitor and wondered if it was so with all new visitors. It is an interesting way to learn about another culture, through the detailed contrast with our own. The story is well paced, an easy and fun read. This is the kind of book you'll have trouble putting down and may find yourself reading in one sitting and more than once. I should probably point out that this is Fitzgerald's debut novel, though, upon reading it you would likely assume she had authored many books. In reviewing this book I would certainly give it a top rating and a hearty recommendation. Two thumbs up!

What an amazing read! If you are getting a little bored with the predictable chick-lit, this is an excellent alternative. It's fun to read, but educational at the same time. Check it out--you won't be disappointed!

This author has a genuine voice that helps her characters be felt and understood. It takes a real talent for an author to allow her characters to be deep and fully formed. I appreciated reading a book with depth! The romance was an unexpected and fun twist. The details on the lifestyle and thinking of an Iranian woman was very enlightening to me as an American woman. I read this book quickly as it captured my attention and I needed to know what was going to happen with the characters. :)

Veil of Roses was one of the best books I've read recently. The story flows like an autobiography or chick-lit. It's hard to believe it's fiction. I became engrossed in this story as my eyes were opened to the differences between the freedoms American woman have compared to the lack of those for Tami, the main character, compared to when she was living in Iran. In Veil of Roses, we see Phoenix, Arizona through Tami's eyes. She's just arrived for a 3 month stay from Iran. Back home, she had been depressed by rules and fear for her safety. In Arizona, Tami enjoys photographing simple rebelious things... things that would be dangerous or rebelious in Iran. Those include wearing a mini skirt or sitting at the same table as a man at a coffee shop. Tami must marry an American citizen within 3 months or she must return to Iran. Tami is willing to marry just for her green card, regardless of love. Along the way to finding a Persian husband, Tami must fight growing feelings for a kind, blond, American man. I love the way the author weaved romance into this story. After reading Veil of Roses, I've found myself scouring bookstores, newspapers, and the Internet for more information about women in the Middle East, especially Iran. Veil of Roses is a great read! You won't be disappointed!

I bought this book because it looked interesting. I had no idea what a powerful read it would be. I bought it and finished it in one day. It makes us as women really look at all the freedoms we have and how easy it is to take it all for granted. It is written in a way that just grabs you and wraps you into the story, you can feel Tami's emotions her terror, her excitement and her sadness. I would recomend this book to anyone who wants a better understanding of a cultrue that most americans know nothing about. It sheds light on some traditions that we would find horrible and opressive and helps us better understand why these women deal with them and how. This book was great!