Battles never cease, and sparks fly, when Sonora and Connye, the two grand Divas of the Santa Fe Social Scene, strategize to best each other in a no-holds-barred look at adventures in social one-upsmanship. Auntie Mame meets Desperate Housewives.
Who says there are no civil wars in America? Santa Fe, New Mexico is the epicenter of epic battles fought between the two Queens of the local social scene. Told through a series of episodic tales, this satirical novel lurches back and forth between stories of the two Divas; tracing the rise and fall in the fortunes of Sonora and Connye, as they try to outdo each other and reign as Queen. But the battles are played out in the mostcivil of terms. Dinner parties, social events, and outside journeys to Puerto Vallarta, New Orleans and New York City carry the action through southwest style political intrigue; the search for buried treasure; battles to control visiting royalty; a Hollywood movie premiere, and the colorful exploits of an additional cast of sexually complex, supporting characters.
But it’s not all Champagne and acid. There are also many touching moments. Lost children reunited with a missing parent. Unexpected generosity. The care of aging parents. The gratitude of a good friend for help in starting a new business. And a Nativity scene mysteriously appearing in Sonora’s back yard on Christmas Day.
Finally the climax comes when a new competitor arrives on the scene, Amanda Beor-Bink, a world-class fashion designer, who actively conspires, using her celebrity and money, to claim the crown of ‘Queen of Santa Fe’ for herself. Sonora & Connye, constant competitors up until then, unite to oust this New York City interloper, who dares to challenge their social supremacy.
Excerpt
Santa Fe, New Mexico has been around as a Spanish village since even before the Pilgrims landed on the rock. Of course, the Native American population was around quite a bit before that. So there has been a lot going on here for a great many generations.
Santa Fe is situated in the high desert, right up against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at an altitude of seven thousand feet, so it has a temperate climate with four seasons, stunning sunsets, clean air, and still a few wild critters.
More recently it has added an opera, music festivals, far too many art galleries, a thriving film scene, classical and contemporary dance, folk art, four-star restaurants, museums…and, breathlessly, the list goes on and on. This, of course, attracts folks who have fled the more mundane habitats of nether America and settled in Santa Fe’s charming foothills and gated communities—so accommodating to conquistadores bringing gold, rather than seeking it.
The prevailing architectural styles are—as so often happens—examples of the invaders borrowing and “improving” on the basic designs of the invaded. The conquering Spanish co-opted the adobe pueblo style of the natives. Then the “Westward-Ho” Anglos arrived, adding Victorian touches to the architecture to create what has become known as the Territorial style. Finally, discriminating twentieth century moguls have discovered and invaded Santa Fe, claiming both styles for their mansions—each more the size of a village than a home—decorated with every quaint Santa Fe-style touch.
However, these invaders bring riches, culture, acute sensibilities, and gossip. Here are some of their stories…
Professional Reviews
These Ladies have Fangs and Claws
What a romp! These ladies pack a punch and get themselves into all kinds of delightful trouble. How they love to rumble. McDonald has crafted a story that moves, is full of surprises, and delights us with such fun characters - wonderfully witty, flawed, and self-confident - these ladies entertained me from start to finish. Anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a good tale should enjoy this very much.
Screwball Comedy
This book reminds me very much of the screwball comedies of the 1930's. Lots of style and wit with rich ladies at each other's throats. But it is also told with a lot of love. Even though the characters compete with each other there is a real regard underneath the surface. And what a wonderful villain in Beor-Bink, she really shook things up. It was such fun seeing how the ladies dealt with her. But won't spoil that for you folks. I highly recommend this book if you want a fun read and a great laugh.
Not titles
Not a book I would pick up and read, but I won it through a Goodreads giveaway so I gave it a try... and I loved it!
I gave it a 4 stars, it's more of a 4.5 but that's not an option on here. I really enjoyed it but it is by no means a "masterpiece" (then again, what is really?)
Things I enjoyed about this book; Each chapter was like a mini story within the overall story. I liked how, even though I was busy, I could lay this book down and in a couple of days I could pick it up and the next chapter started fresh while reminding me of the things that were already taking place. I've seen few books that do this effectively, this was one!
I enjoyed the drama. It was witty, sometimes clever. I found myself intrigued by what schemes these catty ladies were going to come up with next. To be honest, these types of upper class feuds between snobby women don't always interest me, this book did!
The thing I didn't like was the book was corny at times. That being said, books/movies/tv shows based on this time of drama I find extremely corny. The fact that this book was only mildly corny, that's a one up for this book! As I said, I enjoyed it.
Last thing, and I know this is being nit picky, but the cover of the book don't match the story. I never got the sense that Sonora or Connye resembled the girl on the cover. The cover seemed out of place. (like I said, nit picky!)
The Wholly Book of Doo-Doo-Rot-on-Me is adult satirical humor featuring adult language and adult content, and the work is a parody of the Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy.
