Author: Jasveena R Prabhagaran

December 30, 2017

Author Interview: Rajeev Saxena

Media for author Rajeev Saxena

Rajeev Saxena Image Source: https://www.bloomsbury.com/author/rajeev-saxena

  • Where are you from?

It’s global world now. How do you decide where a person is from? I was born in a place about which I have no memories as moved out when I was six months old. My parents come from a place called Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh that I have visited only once in my life. I’ve spent my childhood in small towns of Uttar Pradesh such as Atrauli near Aligarh, Mainpuri and Orai. US has been my home too. I’ve been staying in US almost for one third of my age so far. I hope this gives you the idea.

  • Why do you write?

To express myself. I feel that you have the full control of the world when you have pen in your hand. It gives wings to my imagination.

  • What do you write about?

This is my first novel so it’s difficult to answer this question. I’ve got great feedback so far including from several celebrities that my book cannot be bound to a genre. This is a book about a scientist who wants to change the world through his inventions. The main theme is that I want to bring scientists to the mainstream, I want them to be the part of our daily lives the way we have politicians or film actors. So instead of working on pure science research which is difficult to understand by general public, my character solves day to day problems through innovation.

  • Do you have a specific writing style?

I don’t want to be bound with any style. I’d choose a different style for different scenarios. For this novel, I’ve tried to write in simple English with a lot of humor inside so that the book reaches the general public.

  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?

The biggest issue was to find a publisher. As a new author, I had to wait almost for a year to get a publisher. Finally I was really lucky that Bloomsbury is publishing my book, the same guys who have published Harry Potter.

  • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

Readers comments are coming in as the book was released just two weeks ago. ‘The book is simle and 90% of people will be able to relate to it,in a way.’

‘Pinto has an idea , can not be bound to a genre, that’s rare to come up with a book that is more like a life.’

I’m also honored to get great feedback from a few celebrities:

‘The moment I got the book, I could not resist finishing it in one go.
I hope the author writes a series based on Pinto.’
– SRIDEVI, Actress

A strong plot full of emotions, love, pragmatism and very importantly,
humour. The author has touched a genre which doesn’t exist in traditional
publishing in India. A must read, you shouldn’t miss it.’
– BONEY KAPOOR, Film Producer

‘Superb story. It brings you back to college days and soon takes you to your
professional journey. The humour is amazing.’
– MANU AGARWAL, CEO and Founder of Naaptol

‘Looks like the author is going to be a trendsetter.
It’s the first time I see romantic fiction raising social issues in a
highly entertaining and interesting fashion.’
– SANDEEP PANDEY, Social Activist and Magsaysay Award Winner

 

  • How long have you been writing?

It took almost two and a half years to complete the book. It’s not a simple story. It’s about innovative ideas which need a lot of thinking. Please also keep in mind that I was writing only during the week-ends as I am not a full time author.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

When I was eight-year-old, I wrote my first story. As there was no social media back then, the circulation of my work was very limited. Since then, it has been in the back of my mind that I have to write a book. God has been kind to me. Finally I got this opportunity, though after a couple of decades.

  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

For me writing should not follow any schedule. Mostly I used my week-end to write. At the same time, whenever a thought comes to my mind, I immediately note it down and expand it later on. It all depends on the mood and the topic. Sometimes in one hour I can write several pages but other times I hardly produce any output for the whole day if I get stuck on one para.

  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I keep on thinking passively whenever I’m doing some other regular activity such as driving, taking shower or just watching TV. Whenever a thought comes to my mind, I’d immediately note down on my mobile phone and will eventually use in my writing at appropriate time.

  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)

It depends on three things:

  1. What is the book about?
  2. Who is writing?
  3. What is the environment around the author?

Now, when I’m well-versed with the book writing process, I can probably write another one in one month. Ideally one can write a romantic novel where a lot of research is not needed, in six months. A book which I’ve written which is a novel as well as a little different novel i.e. talking about ideas and innovations, would take around one to one and half years.

  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

I think I’m too new to give this kind of suggestion. If my opinion really matters, I’d say the plot is extremely important in a story. It’s like the heart. Without the heart, the body does not have any meaning. Give enough time to conceptualize the plot.

  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

As a first time novelist, the biggest challenge is to avoid contaminating your characters from reality. A lot of things which happen around you make a space in your first book knowingly or unknowingly. When you write your second book, it doesn’t happen as you have already talked about it.

I’ve tried my best to make sure that my characters are 100% fictionalized. At the same time I’ve taken some liberty in using some of the locations and places which have been the part of my life. It’s my way of giving them respect.

  • What do you think makes a good story?

As I mentioned earlier, the plot is the most important. If you are a good author, you’d be able to craft characters and write dialogues. I have seen sometimes even very well-known authors have struggled with plots in some of their writings.

  • What does your family think of your writing?

They knew that I’ve been writing a little bit here and there. But I never produced anything significant which would put me in an official category of a writer. When my book was accepted by Bloomsbury, it came to them as a surprise. They are really proud of me.

  • Do you see writing as a career?

I’d be very frank. It’s not easy to decide writing as a career. Do I have willingness? Yes, of course. Readers will see more and more books from me. And If I get their blessings, yes, I’d love to switch to writing as a career.

  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

Good books are like your true friends. Keep reading. Keep motivating new authors. I’d love to get your feedback about my book. Happy reading.

 

Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read? (if so please include in your mail.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5a0f0465e4b0e6450602ea33

http://www.thecrazymind.com/2017/11/pinto-has-idea-interview-with-author.html

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=cQr6YmlloT4

https://rollingstonepictureproduction.wordpress.com/2017/12/26/interview-with-rajeev-saxena-author-of-pinto-has-an-idea/

Please feel free to connect me at Rajeev@RajeevSaxena.com or iAmRajeevSaxena@gmail.com or

just join me on my social media at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRajeevSaxena/ or at

https://twitter.com/iamrajeevsaxena . I’ll try to respond to you to the best of my ability.

Book Purchase… http://amzn.in/3BQ7NpA

and my website http://www.iamrajeevsaxena.com/

December 17, 2017

Author Interview: Roxanne Burkey & Charles Breakfield

 

  • Where are you from? Breakfield is a Native Texan from Austin. Burkey moved to Texas from California and Breakfield bestowed the term ‘Naturalized Texas’ to her about 5 years ago, saying that she was more Texan than most Natives. It was a very moving ceremony of her touching the Texas flag and accepting citizenship in this state.
  • Why do you write? We write fictional stories because they are a lot more fun than stogie old technical documentation manuals. We simply like to convey a thoughtful and entertaining story.
  • What do you write about? With our over 25 years in the technology field we decided to focus on a combination of techno-thriller and science fiction. We take real technology and position it within relevant story lines to help spark the imagination of our readers.
  • Do you have a specific writing style? Storytelling for us is all about the personal interaction first, then the plot weaved in around the bad guys then the good guys. Taking today’s relevant technology and weaving the uses and misuses by the adversaries is our framework. From a co-authoring perspective, we rough out the direction of the story, not necessarily knowing where we actually expect it to end, and then rough out chapters. Chapters are reviewed by each of us to add elements we feel are needed or remove things deemed unnecessary upon review. It is a literary ping-pong match of sorts which in the end we assemble in to a story with one united voice. Polishing the chapters and the whole story is the writing exercise we feel is important to bring the best possible product to the literary market and our readers.
  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? As the phrase goes “Technology never sleeps”. Each of us have professional careers with separate companies. Breakfield is a renowned techno-geek who consistently works in the outer edges of technology for major companies. Burkey focuses on driving business value with optimizing technology and workflow practices to drive customer and workforce experience improvements. At times all that work and the demands of customers does cut into our writing time, but it provides great fodder for our stories.
  • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? There have been a comments and points of success we have really enjoyed. A review of our 1st book in the series, The Enigma Factor said in their review “Move over David Baldacci, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and Clive Cussler. Burkey and Breakfield have created a storyline for the new millennium”; or winning the Texas Authors 2017 Best of Texas Books award for the entire series; or the ABR Reviewer’s Choice Award Winner for our second audible The Enigma Rising; or being on Good Morning Texas. We have so many more goals we want to achieve.
  • How long have you been writing? Counting today? Probably more years than we’re willing to admit. Burkey’s been writing since high school with poetry as a start, so a while at the least. Breakfield actually began in high school as editor and writer for what turned into an underground newspaper much to the high school faculty consternation. Apparently, he has always been Avant-guard when it comes to writing/publishing. Breakfield has been at it a bit less than Burkey.
  • When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? Burkey was bit by the writing bug when she wrote technical white papers and suggested Breakfield do a few. They both wrote a couple of non-fiction technical documents which was the point where they decided that technical documentation was just not our best destiny. It was shortly after this that Burkey suggested writing for fun and Breakfield reluctantly agreed. Halfway through writing The Enigma Factor, Breakfield was totally hooked on the idea of fictional writing. The first clue was when he quoted Bette Davis “Hang on, it’s going to be bumpy night, or something like that.” Where else can you take apart people who have been negative in your life, personal or professional, and make them beg for mercy? It’s like a liberation and you simply change names to protect the innocent. After all, Technology is today’s weapon of choice!
  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing? We each write as time permits, outside of our professional work schedules. Sometimes early mornings or late evenings and the weekends. But always back and forth for that polishing effort.
  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? Even our editor cannot tell who wrote what in the book. For us, it is the co-author thing and sounding like a single voice. We want to make certain we sound in the end the way the story was envisioned and then some.
  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non) With 9 books in the series so far, we average two books a year. Recently we have worked a bit more on the marketing side so the latest released 8 months but we also won first place in Texas Authors with our short story
  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Writing like many other things, such as humor from Burkey, is a practiced item. The more time you spend at the craft, the better the results. We also find get early readers to review and make comments a great way to see if the stories are resonating. We are always looking for committed beta readers.
  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? It is a combination of choosing relevant technology and how we want to present it. Frankly, the biggest problem is trying to focus since there is so much relevant info to work with. Each of our stories has a theme. Though it means more research to prove our points it is totally exhilarating to make a plausible tale that makes our readers think.
  • What do you think makes a good story? A good story is a mixture of many elements. For our focus it’s a balance of character interaction, technology and situations with dashes of humor, romance, travel, and intrigue patterned after real people.
  • What does your family think of your writing? We both have very supportive families for writing. Breakfield’s wife is our editor and the time she spends is awesome. We get a lot of encouragement but frankly some of them want to know if they are in the will.
  • Do you see writing as a career? At some point down the road have writing and speaking be the full time effort and career would be a dream come true. Some of the folks who have reviewed the stories have asked about them being made into television shows or movies which would also be a blast.
  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? We want reviews from our readers. Of course, the highest review possible would be awesome, but mostly a respectful reviews posted on outlets such as Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible Reviews are appreciated. Reviews help us do better writing as well as sharing with others.
  • When did you first consider yourself writers? Honestly when we started receiving checks for Technical White Papers and were asked to put together our first non-fictional technology book. The jump-in-with-both-feet happened when The Enigma Factor hit Amazon.

 You can follow the authors via the following social media links.

www.enigmaseries.com

https://twitter.com/EnigmaSeries

https://www.facebook.com/TheEnigmaSeries/

 

 

 

November 25, 2017

Author Interview: Gianni Shamari

Gianni Shamari

Gianni Shamari

Gianni Shamari is a lifelong New Yorker that has had a passion for writing since the third grade. He describes his writing style as fast-paced hip-hop erotic music videos on paper that captures the energy and glamour of New York City. His Second novella, His Highness, the Philogynist does just that and more. Learn more about this talented writer in our interview with him.

Please tell our readers about yourself? 

Gianni Shamari: I’m a lifelong New Yorker that loves taking long walks around Manhattan and creating something fresh. A winner at all costs, I strive to be the best in my field. I’m competitive and not afraid of challenges. I enjoyed sharing my stories with the world and inspiring people to live their dreams.

When did you first realize that writing was your passion and how did you start writing? 

Gianni Shamari: I first realize that writing was my passion in the third grade. I had journals filled with stories about my friends, favorite superheroes and my own characters. Writing helped me to create my own reality on paper.

What do you like to write about and what is your writing style? 

Gianni Shamari: I like to write erotica. My writing style is fast-paced hip-hop erotic music videos on paper that captures the energy and glamour of New York City. I call it “champagne erotica”.

What challenges have you come across when creating characters and story lines? 

Gianni Shamari: The challenges I have come across when creating characters and story lines are making them feel real and believable. I try my best to put the right emotions in the story so the readers can relate and connect with the characters, and also feel like they are part of that reality.

How does your family feel about you writing stories, especially erotic stories?

Gianni Shamari: My family supports me one hundred percent. They know I’m a gentleman and not a pervert. I get my writing ability from my mother. She loves writing.

Can you tell our readers about your novella? And how did you come up with the idea for the main character Maré?

Gianni Shamari: “His Highness, the Philogynist” is about a New York billionaire named Maré who is a ladies man and has a reputation of being the King of New York. His lifestyle is like a moving motion picture with all the VIP treatment, fast cars and epic sexual encounters with gorgeous women. Maré is a combination of Shemar Moore, Ric Flair, Hugh Hefner, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z and me.

Are you like any of the characters that you write about?

Gianni Shamari: Yes, there are aspects of me in my characters. Maré has my personality and fashion style.

What do you see for your writing career in the next five to ten years?

Gianni Shamari: I see myself taking my writing career to the next level, my books hitting The New York Bestsellers list and becoming film adaptations. Also, I want to be recognized by my peers as one of the greatest writers ever.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

Gianni Shamari: Iceberg Slim and Donald Goines are some of my favorite authors because their books read like urban action movies. The street tales they wrote about felt completely real. It is hard for me to put down their books.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers?

Gianni Shamari: Thanks for the support. I greatly appreciate it! And I just completed my third novella, “Maré & Monica: The Best of Both Worlds” that should be out soon.

 

Urban Erotic Author: Gianni Shamari
Amazon Author/bio Page: https://www.amazon.com/Gianni-Shamari/e/B01MT4QWWW/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1510942840&sr=1-2-ent

BOOK TO PROMOTE LINK at https://www.amazon.com/Gianni-Shamari/e/B01MT4QWWW/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1510942840&sr=1-2-ent

He is also a contributing writer at Bare Back Magazine at www.barebackmag.com

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Billionaire playboy Maré is the creator of GoodFellas magazine and owner of Genisys, the hottest gentlemen’s club in New York City. Nicknamed Nature Boy, his extravagant lifestyle is a moving motion picture when it comes to VIP treatment, exclusive parties, exotic trips around the world, fast cars and trysts. Women love him and he lives for giving women maximum pleasure. Maré truly is the King of New York!

This novella takes you into the world of the King of New York where you feel like you’re in a hip-hop erotic movie and celebrating a lifestyle that very few can brag about. These erotic tales are perfect for your erotic fantasies and sexual desires.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776LMRKF

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0776LMRKF

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0776LMRKF

The release date for the book is November 27, 2017

Author Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Gianni-Shamari/e/B01MT4QWWW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1511376031&sr=1-1

Check out the book trailer @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZapK61Qeokg

November 22, 2017

Book Review: Making Peace with Suicide by Adele Ryan McDowell, PhD

Making Peace with Suicide by Adele Ryan McDowell, Ph.D.

Making Peace with Suicide

Blurb:

Insightful, provocative, and compassionate, Making Peace with Suicide: A Book of Hope, Understanding, and Comfort takes a good hard look at the world-wide phenomena of suicide. This book is designed for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide and felt that sucker punch of grief; for anyone who is in pain, walking unsteadily, and considering suicide as an option; and for anyone who works with, guides, or counsels those feeling suicidal and/or suffering the profound grief from a suicidal loss. Making Peace with Suicide includes stories of courage, vulnerability, and steadfastness from both the survivors of suicidal loss as well as the unique perspective of the formerly suicidal. It offers shared wisdom and coping strategies from those who have walked before you. It explores the factors leading to suicide and the reasons why some do and some don’t leave suicide notes. Making Peace with Suicide sheds light on the phenomena of suicide vis-à-vis our teens, the military, new mothers, as an end-of-life choice, and asks if addiction is a form of slow suicide. It provides a seven-step healing process and opens the door to consider suicide and the soul, the heart lesson of suicide, and the energies of suicide. If suicidality has impacted your life, Making Peace with Suicide is a must-read. You will be guided through the unknown territory, given insights to allow understanding, stories to help you heal, and ways to make peace with a heart wide-open. Making Peace with Suicide is good medicine for the body, mind, and soul.

Review:

Lots of research involved in this book and you can tell this from the way they book was written. It is a bit like a work of academic and it helps you to actually understand coping mechanisms and how to embrace the fact that someone who had been a great part of your life had taken away his or her life. I’ve personally lost a friend who took her own life and I can relate to this book. The first part of the book was solid. However, as the approaches the mid section, some of the parts sound more like the author’s opinion. Therefore, I think this book is a mixture of both academic and non-fiction work.

I will give this book a 4-star !

Get it on Amazon now!

November 16, 2017

Book Review: Santa’s Little Helper by Ronald Destra

Santa's Little Helper by [Destra, Ronald]

Santa’s Little Helper

Blurb:

In the quiet town, snowflakes lightly fall. Though the road to town is not well-travelled, a special visitor is to appear.

It is Daniel’s first Christmas and he eagerly awaits him. Who is Santa Claus? Daniel wants to find out and see for himself!

When his parents are fast asleep, the sound of a Christmas carol makes him stir. His eyes slowly open, and the rumbling singing halts not. He must be here!

Running to the living room, his joyful gaze of anticipation meets that of the one and only Santa Claus, and does he have a job for Daniel!

This year, a Christmas wish is made come true! Being Santa’s little helper, Daniel finds out this is the season of love, joy, and giving!

Review:

I think this book makes a good Christmas gift for kids. A simple yet entertaining story. Great illustrations. The story could have been made more interesting as I thought it sounds like a normal Santa’s story.

A 3 star for this book

November 16, 2017

Book Review: ON THE OPEN ROAD: Three Lives. Five Cities. One Startup. by Stuti Changle

ON THE OPEN ROAD: Three Lives. Five Cities. One Startup. by [Changle, Stuti]

On the Open Road

Blurb:

Myra wishes to break free of her cubicle.
Kabir wonders what life would be to build on his own.
Sandy drops out of college to work on the next big startup idea.
Ramy inspires millions of his generation on his travel blog – on the open road.

On the Open Road revolves around the lives of these restless and dreamy 20-somethings as they battle their inner demons and the societal taboos to live life on their terms. It is an emotional journey of following one’s heart. The tale speaks of friendship, love and loss, happiness and depression, fear and conquest, dreaming and achieving.

Will they be able to embark on the journey to embrace their true selves? Or succumb to the hardships on their road to freedom?

Review:

This book is definitely worth reading as we all could relate to the characters very much. If you are in your twenties or if you struggling to find the purpose in life and facing challenges from the society you live in, this book will assure you that you are not alone.

I can personally relate to this book as I was dabbling into entrepreneurship at a very young age and this story relates to me very much. I like how the author has crafted a story that portrays the way the new generation looks at life.

A 4 star for this book!

November 16, 2017

Book Review: The Birthday Party by Ronald Destra

The Birthday Party by [Destra, Ronald, Destra, Juanita]

The Birthday Party

Blurb:

This is a great story for young readers, a delightfully fanciful picture book that appeals to kids and adults alike.

The Birthday Party is a book about a young Hebrew boy who turns twelve, but he believes everyone has forgotten his birthday including his parents and friends. He is disheartened by his friends and family not caring about his birthday, having to go through a hectic day while his friends are avoiding him in school not knowing they are planning to throw him the best surprise party ever!

Can his parents, Johnny and other friends pull off the best birthday party ever! Or will their surprise party turn to disaster?

Find out in this stunning story with an unforgettable reading experience that readers will want to pass on to others.

Pick up your copy today!

Review:

I thought that this book beautifully explained some of the things a child may go through as they grow up to become teenagers and how their emotions change along the way when their family or friends treat them differently. This book is about a boy who is turning twelve and his expectations for a birthday party. Although this book has colourful illustrations and may seem like a good read for children, adults like us too can relate to the story.

A 4.5 star for this short book

November 15, 2017

Book Review:Who Are We: Seeing Ourselves through the Eyes of One Another by Dr. Hussam Atef Elkhatib

Who Are We: Seeing Ourselves through the Eyes of One Another by [Elkhatib, Dr. Hussam Atef]

Who Are We: Seeing Ourselves through the Eyes of One Another

Blurb:

Understanding who we are is a concern that entails seeing ourselves through the eyes one another. It is a philosophy that involves thoughtfulness of the full picture, an empathetic vision that incorporates the nature of our awareness. That perception leads to how we react and interact with our surroundings. There, we’d utilize not only our rationale but also how we reason a variety of basics. Those fundamentals are foundations that incorporate our backgrounds, beliefs, affiliations, the level of our knowledge, and whom we believe we are, to name a few. We could accomplish an appropriate vision via a correct observation that considers all the elements. It is a foresight that requires a thorough analysis, and that’s what this book is all about.

Review:

This book walks us through the process of understanding how perspectives vary with our upbringings and the many factors that contribute to influence our perspectives. Reading this book will help you look beyond your very own upbringing to look at the world from a different lense. Some of the topics written in this book may be something we all are familiar with. However, the author had written them from a fresh point of view, which makes the whole thing interesting.

November 15, 2017

Book Review: Tom Durwood’s Historical Adventures

7C_cover_AA

King James’ Seventh Company by Tom Durwood

Blurb:

“Too many!” cried Tarran, as she let blast the flintlock —

Yes, the obstacles are many, and time is short for the six young members of King James’ Seventh Company. To save Six Companies of scholars, this fellowship of teenagers must cross a most dangerous landscape.

It begins as the simplest of stories: a young book-keeper (Matthias Sykes) is loaned out to one of his firm’s clients. It seems there is some confusion in the client’s ledgers.

Matthias soon finds that the client is the King of England, and there is far more amiss in his kingdom than the ledgers. Dark and deadly forces swirl within Westminster Abbey, where eminent scholars are assembled to produce the world’s greatest book: The King James Bible.

Within these pages, readers will find revenge and heartbreak, anguish and love, secret identities, brave deeds in the face of overwhelming odds — and a new perspective on one of history’s great tales.

Review:

If you love books that have elements of historical fiction cutting across religion and Christianity, this book is for you! This book brings you to the point of time where the world awaits the release of a New Bible. The story revolves around Matthias who goes to work at one of his company’s client’s place. He then finds out truth about who the client really is. The plot thickens as he finds out further about the connection between the New Bible and the client. 

This story is just not a work of fiction. Beneath the story, lies the story of Apostle Paul and the actual mission of his travel across different places around the world. 

I wouldn’t want to further give away the essential aspects of this book as anyone interested in this genre should definitely grab a copy to enjoy the story on their own. A 5-star review. 

 

cover_USG_AA

Ulysses S. Grant in China and other stories by Tom Durwood

Blurb:

Ulysses S. Grant in China and Other Stories “Gong Ji, Mister President!” cried Holcombe — Ulysses S. Grant’s little-heralded trip around the world is the setting for the title story in Tom Durwood’s collection of old-fashioned adventure fiction. Young protagonists take on all manner of obstacles in a wide range of historical eras. In these pages, you will take part in a violent battle over succession in the Benin kingdoms, meet a young clerk who gets pulled into a murderous plot in 17th century Amsterdam, witness revenge in a cowboy saloon, and much more. Readers of Johnny Tremain and Octavian Nothing will find themselves in familiar territory.

rough_Chinese_girl

Review:

This book revolves around a a girl and her group of friends who battle against some of the issues surrounding the completion of Suez Canal, which offers a new perspective to the old history we are all familiar with. The drama is mainly on betrayal, friendship and struggles the characters face to rise against all odds in their endevour. I personally feel that this book would be a good fit for younger teenage readers who find books like the Famous Five interesting as the story gives a similar feel to one of those. 

The plot is somewhat interesting with fewer suspense elements when compared to the author’s King James’ Seventh Company book.

A 3.5 star for this book.

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The Colonials by Tom Durwood

Blurb:

“War is not what you think it is,” warned the rifleman …

Especially the war of the American Revolution. Six rich kids, students at an unusual boarding school in the year 1775, admire the American Colonials from afar. They read all the Bostonians’ pamphlets, follow their battles, and collect souvenirs of the American rebellion.

One by one, each of the students is pulled into the global war for equality and liberty — with unexpected results. Each find that the struggle for human dignity is not quite what they had imagined.

The Colonials is an old-fashioned adventure story complete with swashbuckling fights, treachery, hidden identities and assassins.

horses_down_hill_7C

Review:

I love the author’s idea of bringing students into the war of American Revolution. These rich kids were somehow forced by their circumstances to go into the war for human rights and that is when they actually come to understand that the struggle is not something that they had thought about before. I like how the author worked meticulously on the struggles the kids face in the story and this pulls readers directly into the story. The kids journeyed together as they find their own paths. Along the process, they provide a new perspective to history of American Revolution. 

A 4-star for this book. 

November 15, 2017

Book Review: Walking the Labyrinth of My Heart by Dianna Vagianos Armentrout

Breaking the lonely, silent suffering of bereaved mothers facing infant and pregnancy loss

Blurb:

Walking the Labyrinth of My Heart: A Journey of Pregnancy, Grief and Infant Death breaks the lonely, silent suffering of bereaved mothers facing infant and pregnancy loss. Dianna Vagianos Armentrout details her pregnancy journey with her daughter, Mary Rose, who died an hour after birth of trisomy 18, a random genetic illness described as “incompatible with life.” For five long months of pregnancy, she knew that her baby would not live and thrive, planning a funeral and seeking hospice for her unborn daughter. The heaviness of this grief, which most women bear alone, is shared here and will comfort mothers who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death. Through journal entries, essays and poetry, Dianna invites the reader to process grief and honor the life of the child, no matter how brief. In addition, readers will learn how to support the bereaved by remembering the baby and pregnancy. With eloquent language, fierce honesty and a record of the rawness of grief, readers in the midst of their own suffering will recognize the path that bereaved parents walk. Dianna’s experiences with infertility, motherhood, infant loss and miscarriage infuse her writing with compassion for all women. Finally there is a book to honor the pregnancy, baby and loss, loving the children past their death, loving the wombs that nurtured them and accepting the sacred path of mothering children whose bodies are broken, but whose souls are intact and perfectly whole. This book shines with love and the knowledge that even the briefest life is holy. Read it. Share it. Spread the word. We no longer have to grieve our infants and pregnancies alone.

Review:

This is a very emotionally intense story to read. If you have gone through the pain of losing a child, this book will comfort you as you will join Dianna while she recalls her painful journey of miscarriages and infant loss. I have personally seen friends losing their children as soon as they were born and some also suffered multiple miscarriages. This book would teach them all how to honour their kids even after their death and how to gracefully overcome the loss while still remembering them for the rest of your lives. I must say the author is indeed a very strong woman and this book deserves a 5-star for sharing her story with the rest of the world.

Get it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Labyrinth-My-Heart-Pregnancy/dp/0982117647/ref