Rowena Dawn's Blog, page 6
June 9, 2017
INTERVIEW SERIES - INDUNIL MADHUSANKHA
INTERVIEW WITH INDUNIL MADHUSANKHA 
Indunil Madhusankha is an internationally published promising young poet from Sri Lanka. He is currently an undergraduate reading for a BSc (Hons) Special Degree in Mathematics in the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo and he takes a great interest in the subjects of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. In addition to Indunil’s involvement in the field of Physical Sciences, he also pursues a notable literary career. He achieved three gold medals and a silver medal from four All Island English Essay Competitions. Further, he presented several papers related to Education and English Language Studies at several national and international level conferences, and he contributed a few review articles to a couple of peer-reviewed international journals. He has undertaken several research projects pertaining to the areas of ELT, CLIL, and English Literature. Also, he completed the TKT examination and the three specialist modules YL, KAL, and CLIL. Indunil compiled his first collection of poetry entitled, Oasis when he was sixteen and he is currently working on his second collection, Reflections of Life and also on a book titled, A Rare Kind of Beauty, Yet Unexplored: A Selection of Modern Sri Lankan Sinhala Poetry featuring a translation of a set of select Sinhala poems written by some renowned Sri Lankan poets. He also enjoys interviewing fellow poets and practising the art of performance poetry. Moreover, his creative and academic works have been published in many international journals, magazines, websites and anthologies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa, Nigeria, India, Sri Lanka and some other countries. Welcome to Scarlet Leaf Review!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I am a simple person with an ardent passion for learning. I am basically a student of Mathematics and Statistics, and additionally I am involved in studies pertaining to such areas as Education, Psychology, and Language & Literary Studies. During my spare time, I read and work on poetry and several other forms of creative writing. My mother tongue is Sinhala. Also, I read works written in both English and Sinhala, but currently I write only in English.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact on your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Yes, of course. My school years have certainly had a tremendous impact on my writing career. Those days, I clinched many awards in several national and provincial level English essay competitions and creative writing contests. Also, I had many of my creative compositions published in some local newspapers when I was young. Besides that, during my school days, I used to write in Sinhala too, and even won awards for many such creations. I, therefore, believe that all these achievements have certainly influenced my writing career.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
Actually, I was good in my English since I was ten even though English is not my first language.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
Like every other writer, I also have the dream of publishing my own collection of poetry one day.
Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?
There is a lot, but to list a few, I have been inspired by such great poets as William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, W.B. Yeats and Wilfred Owen.
I also love the works of Sri Lankan English poets like Patrick Fernando, Lakdasa Wikkramasinha, Anne Ranasinghe, Yasmine Gooneratne and Jean Arasanayagam.
Apart from that, I highly appreciate the writings of Sri Lankan Sinhala poets such as Kumaratunga Munidasa, Gajaman Nona, Wimal Dissanayake, Parakrama Kodituwakku and Monika Ruwanpathirana.
I am marveled at the effective use of language and literary techniques, choice of thematic concerns and the universal appeal in the work of the above writers.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
Basically, I am a poet. But, I occasionally write essays and short stories too. I also like to translate well-known Sri Lankan Sinhala poems into the English language. Further, I have interviewed some of my fellow poets and I am also interested in authoring literary reviews. Moreover, I work on abstracts, research proposals and research papers.
Please see the attached documents for a list of my publications and some prominent awards that I have won.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
Please refer to the links mentioned at the end for some of my writings.
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about?
I am currently working as a reader/reviewer for the upcoming anthology,Dandelion in a Vase of Roses edited by the highly acclaimed poet, Michael Lee Johnson.
This anthology comes out as a book project by his large Facebook poetry group, Contemporary Poets, Their Works, Current Poetry Projects, News, Links the link for which is given below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/807679459328998/
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and started writing poems?
I decided to become a poet when I was about fourteen years old after reading and being inspired by some stunning literary texts that had been prescribed for my English Literature course.
Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?
In most cases, it is social injustices which drive me to write. In my viewpoint, poetry is a microscope which the writer can use in order to zoom out to a subtler view of the varied social realities. But any scenery, event or situation that influences or inspires me deserves some kind of poetic exploration from my end.
Q: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
I write part-time and I do not stick to a particular time schedule when it comes to writing. I do write whenever the thoughts come to my mind, be it in a bus, at the lunch table or at a lecture hall.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
I think it is, in most cases, the spur of the moment.
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
To be short and sweet, I think that the two clichés, Reading maketh a full man and Try and try, one day you can fly would explain it better.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
To me, the hardest thing about writing is being adequately motivated.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
Well, the easiest thing about writing is, as I think, proofreading and editing.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
No. I try my best to finish things as quickly as possible because I find it irritating when some business remains unfinished for a long time without being attended to.
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
With my busy academic schedule and other obligations, presently I do not have a lot of time for reading books.
But whenever I get the time, I read Shakespeare, Jane Austen and a lot of other famous writers, both local and foreign.
I prefer traditional paperback books.
Q: What book are you reading at present?
At present, I am reading the novel, Waiting Earth by Punyakante Wijenaike who is a well-known Sri Lankan English author.
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
Usually, I myself proofread and edit my own writings.
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Self-publishing sounds nice because the book can be tailored to our own needs but the process is really hectic.
On the contrary, if we choose to get published by an editor or some publishing house, we have barely anything to do with the publishing process. That is good because we do not have to undertake any tedious tasks with regard to publishing, but sometimes it seems disadvantageous not to have any control over the process.
Q: How do you relax?
I read and write poetry in order to experience a sense of relaxation.
Q: What is your favorite motivational phrase? What is your favorite positive saying?
The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. – Buddha
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
It is really difficult to choose one when you have a personal library comprised of many enticing books belonging to various genres and cultures.
But to name a few, I love Shakespeare’s theatrical masterpiece, Macbeth, Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Alexander Pope’s mock heroic,The Rape of the Lock, Anita Desai’s novel for children, The Village by the Sea and Martin Wickramasinghe’s novel, Madol Doova.
These outstanding literary works have influenced me prodigiously throughout my writing career.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
Chief Seattle – Chief of Suquamish Indians in his letter to the American Government in 1854.
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
Most probably excelling in my postgraduate studies as a doctoral student in the United Kingdom or the United States.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
I would like to meet William Wordsworth and listen to the wonderful stories of how he derived such spectacular imagery from nature.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
As a beginner, it is quite important that an aspiring writer does an admirable amount of reading. Also, it is necessary to bear in mind that the harder we try, the more we reap. Therefore, try to evolve and improve your creative skill as you go on writing until some editor decides to accept your piece/s. Expert comments and reviews are also of paramount importance. It is thus better if you can get somebody to support you through the initial phase of your writing career. Further, it is vital that you refrain from being disheartened by negative feedback. Just take them as a source of inspiration.
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
With the burgeoning increase of internet platforms, we are presently witnessing an unprecedented flourishing of creativity on the web. This has hence led to a revolutionary development in the publishing industry. Thanks to the widespread availability of so-called digital platforms, at present, anyone from any part of the globe has the opportunity to showcase his/her literary talents to a massive international readership. So, I am of the belief that with the growing advancements in the sphere of information and communication technology, publishing industry will explore new dimensions and thus will surely thrive in the years to come.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Yes, I would like to take this opportunity to express my genuine gratitude to the team at Scarlet Leaf Review, especially Roxana Nastase, the Editor-in-Chief who has always been very supportive and kind-hearted to the readers and contributors.
Also, it is with a true sense of pride and happiness that I grab this moment to honestly thank my parents, brothers, teachers and colleagues for always being there for me in my journey through life.
Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indunil.madhusankha
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indunilmadhu
Google: https://plus.google.com/+IndunilMadhusankha/
Lnkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indunil-madhusankha-31858462
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AIndunil%20Madhusankha%20Bassa%20Hewayalage
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13561134.Indunil_Madhusankha_Bassa_Hewayalage
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Indunil Madhusankha is an internationally published promising young poet from Sri Lanka. He is currently an undergraduate reading for a BSc (Hons) Special Degree in Mathematics in the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo and he takes a great interest in the subjects of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. In addition to Indunil’s involvement in the field of Physical Sciences, he also pursues a notable literary career. He achieved three gold medals and a silver medal from four All Island English Essay Competitions. Further, he presented several papers related to Education and English Language Studies at several national and international level conferences, and he contributed a few review articles to a couple of peer-reviewed international journals. He has undertaken several research projects pertaining to the areas of ELT, CLIL, and English Literature. Also, he completed the TKT examination and the three specialist modules YL, KAL, and CLIL. Indunil compiled his first collection of poetry entitled, Oasis when he was sixteen and he is currently working on his second collection, Reflections of Life and also on a book titled, A Rare Kind of Beauty, Yet Unexplored: A Selection of Modern Sri Lankan Sinhala Poetry featuring a translation of a set of select Sinhala poems written by some renowned Sri Lankan poets. He also enjoys interviewing fellow poets and practising the art of performance poetry. Moreover, his creative and academic works have been published in many international journals, magazines, websites and anthologies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa, Nigeria, India, Sri Lanka and some other countries. Welcome to Scarlet Leaf Review!Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I am a simple person with an ardent passion for learning. I am basically a student of Mathematics and Statistics, and additionally I am involved in studies pertaining to such areas as Education, Psychology, and Language & Literary Studies. During my spare time, I read and work on poetry and several other forms of creative writing. My mother tongue is Sinhala. Also, I read works written in both English and Sinhala, but currently I write only in English.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact on your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Yes, of course. My school years have certainly had a tremendous impact on my writing career. Those days, I clinched many awards in several national and provincial level English essay competitions and creative writing contests. Also, I had many of my creative compositions published in some local newspapers when I was young. Besides that, during my school days, I used to write in Sinhala too, and even won awards for many such creations. I, therefore, believe that all these achievements have certainly influenced my writing career.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
Actually, I was good in my English since I was ten even though English is not my first language.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
Like every other writer, I also have the dream of publishing my own collection of poetry one day.
Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?
There is a lot, but to list a few, I have been inspired by such great poets as William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, W.B. Yeats and Wilfred Owen.
I also love the works of Sri Lankan English poets like Patrick Fernando, Lakdasa Wikkramasinha, Anne Ranasinghe, Yasmine Gooneratne and Jean Arasanayagam.
Apart from that, I highly appreciate the writings of Sri Lankan Sinhala poets such as Kumaratunga Munidasa, Gajaman Nona, Wimal Dissanayake, Parakrama Kodituwakku and Monika Ruwanpathirana.
I am marveled at the effective use of language and literary techniques, choice of thematic concerns and the universal appeal in the work of the above writers.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
Basically, I am a poet. But, I occasionally write essays and short stories too. I also like to translate well-known Sri Lankan Sinhala poems into the English language. Further, I have interviewed some of my fellow poets and I am also interested in authoring literary reviews. Moreover, I work on abstracts, research proposals and research papers.
Please see the attached documents for a list of my publications and some prominent awards that I have won.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
Please refer to the links mentioned at the end for some of my writings.
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about?
I am currently working as a reader/reviewer for the upcoming anthology,Dandelion in a Vase of Roses edited by the highly acclaimed poet, Michael Lee Johnson.
This anthology comes out as a book project by his large Facebook poetry group, Contemporary Poets, Their Works, Current Poetry Projects, News, Links the link for which is given below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/807679459328998/
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and started writing poems?
I decided to become a poet when I was about fourteen years old after reading and being inspired by some stunning literary texts that had been prescribed for my English Literature course.
Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?
In most cases, it is social injustices which drive me to write. In my viewpoint, poetry is a microscope which the writer can use in order to zoom out to a subtler view of the varied social realities. But any scenery, event or situation that influences or inspires me deserves some kind of poetic exploration from my end.
Q: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
I write part-time and I do not stick to a particular time schedule when it comes to writing. I do write whenever the thoughts come to my mind, be it in a bus, at the lunch table or at a lecture hall.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
I think it is, in most cases, the spur of the moment.
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
To be short and sweet, I think that the two clichés, Reading maketh a full man and Try and try, one day you can fly would explain it better.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
To me, the hardest thing about writing is being adequately motivated.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
Well, the easiest thing about writing is, as I think, proofreading and editing.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
No. I try my best to finish things as quickly as possible because I find it irritating when some business remains unfinished for a long time without being attended to.
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
With my busy academic schedule and other obligations, presently I do not have a lot of time for reading books.
But whenever I get the time, I read Shakespeare, Jane Austen and a lot of other famous writers, both local and foreign.
I prefer traditional paperback books.
Q: What book are you reading at present?
At present, I am reading the novel, Waiting Earth by Punyakante Wijenaike who is a well-known Sri Lankan English author.
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
Usually, I myself proofread and edit my own writings.
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Self-publishing sounds nice because the book can be tailored to our own needs but the process is really hectic.
On the contrary, if we choose to get published by an editor or some publishing house, we have barely anything to do with the publishing process. That is good because we do not have to undertake any tedious tasks with regard to publishing, but sometimes it seems disadvantageous not to have any control over the process.
Q: How do you relax?
I read and write poetry in order to experience a sense of relaxation.
Q: What is your favorite motivational phrase? What is your favorite positive saying?
The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.
The mind is everything. What you think you become. – Buddha
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
It is really difficult to choose one when you have a personal library comprised of many enticing books belonging to various genres and cultures.
But to name a few, I love Shakespeare’s theatrical masterpiece, Macbeth, Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice, Alexander Pope’s mock heroic,The Rape of the Lock, Anita Desai’s novel for children, The Village by the Sea and Martin Wickramasinghe’s novel, Madol Doova.
These outstanding literary works have influenced me prodigiously throughout my writing career.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
Chief Seattle – Chief of Suquamish Indians in his letter to the American Government in 1854.
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
Most probably excelling in my postgraduate studies as a doctoral student in the United Kingdom or the United States.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
I would like to meet William Wordsworth and listen to the wonderful stories of how he derived such spectacular imagery from nature.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
As a beginner, it is quite important that an aspiring writer does an admirable amount of reading. Also, it is necessary to bear in mind that the harder we try, the more we reap. Therefore, try to evolve and improve your creative skill as you go on writing until some editor decides to accept your piece/s. Expert comments and reviews are also of paramount importance. It is thus better if you can get somebody to support you through the initial phase of your writing career. Further, it is vital that you refrain from being disheartened by negative feedback. Just take them as a source of inspiration.
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
With the burgeoning increase of internet platforms, we are presently witnessing an unprecedented flourishing of creativity on the web. This has hence led to a revolutionary development in the publishing industry. Thanks to the widespread availability of so-called digital platforms, at present, anyone from any part of the globe has the opportunity to showcase his/her literary talents to a massive international readership. So, I am of the belief that with the growing advancements in the sphere of information and communication technology, publishing industry will explore new dimensions and thus will surely thrive in the years to come.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Yes, I would like to take this opportunity to express my genuine gratitude to the team at Scarlet Leaf Review, especially Roxana Nastase, the Editor-in-Chief who has always been very supportive and kind-hearted to the readers and contributors.
Also, it is with a true sense of pride and happiness that I grab this moment to honestly thank my parents, brothers, teachers and colleagues for always being there for me in my journey through life.
Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indunil.madhusankha
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indunilmadhu
Google: https://plus.google.com/+IndunilMadhusankha/
Lnkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indunil-madhusankha-31858462
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AIndunil%20Madhusankha%20Bassa%20Hewayalage
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13561134.Indunil_Madhusankha_Bassa_Hewayalage
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
May 26, 2017
A SUITABLE EPITAPH - FREE PROMO
A SUITABLE EPITAPH
NEW RELEASE - ACCEPTED IN STORY TELLER 2017 COMPETITION
FREE PROMO BETWEEN MAY 27 - MAY 31
IF YOU DO READ IT, PLEASE, LEAVE AN HONEST REVIEW ON:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0714GBMJD
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0714GBMJD
Klavdiya dreamed of money and love. Her dreams died with her under a merciless rain.
Leah, a Canadian detective with empathetic skills, and her team engage in a tedious race to find the culprit.
Leah is able to read people's minds and sense their feelings and she makes good use of her skills. However, when she encounters Axel, her abilities are blocked and she doesn't know if she found her killer or merely a witness to the murder.
If you like a detective story with compelling characters, then this is the book for you.
May 3, 2017
BOOK REVIEW - WATERSHED BY COLIN DODD
Colin Dodd is the author of Another Broken Wizard, WINDFALL and The Last Bad Job, which Norman Mailer touted as showing “something that very few writers have; a species of inner talent that owes very little to other people.” His writing has appeared in more than two hundred publications, and been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Best of the Net Anthology. Poet and songwriter David Berman (Silver Jews, Actual Air) said of Dodds’ work: “These are very good poems. For moments I could even feel the old feelings when I read them.” Colin’s book-length poem That Happy Captive was a finalist for the Trio House Press Louise Bogan Award as well as the 42 Miles Press Poetry Award in 2015. And his screenplay, Refreshment, was named a semi-finalist in the 2010 American Zoetrope Contest. Colin lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and daughter. See more of his work at thecolindodds.com. WATERSHED BY COLIN DODD5 STARS
*****
BLURB::“(O)ne of the most interesting books you’ll read this year,” (IndieReader Reviews - 4.7 of 5 Stars) WATERSHED is a dystopian thriller about a troubled, pregnant woman, and the two men—a snake dealer with a sideline in secret messages and a billionaire living under a false name—who vie for her. Their struggle leads them through a near-future America of anti-technology neighborhoods and illegal hospitals, where stockbrokers moonlight as assassins, nurses procure obscure pleasures, and the powers that be blow up the new World Trade Center to goose tourism. As the mystery deepens, one thing becomes clear – the future's about to be born… but who will change the diapers?
A book recommended for readers who love intricate plots
I was given an ARC and it proved to be quite a page turner. I read this book in one day.
The plot is convoluted and it is a good thing that the writing style is so good that it keeps the reader’s attention focused on the evolution of the story. Otherwise, I’m afraid, one could get lost in the ramifications of the plot. At first, I was thinking that the book might rate only four stars and a half because of that but I changed my mind. It seemed too unfair considering that the novel is indeed a good one.
The narrative flows without any hiccups. I enjoyed the style and the associations the writer made right from the beginning. Colin Dodd seemed to be well versed in playing with words and use them to create arresting images in the reader’s mind. The language is striking and clearly not for the faint-hearted. There’s verbal and physical violence and people who dislike such things should stir away from the book.
Colin Dodd develops an interesting world, marred with the most poignant negative human traits. The story evolves in the States and in a way, there’s a lot of the real America in this book.
His characters are far from being positive in any way, and yet, most of them are likable and one can relate to them. Both Norwood and Raquel are believable and pleasant, although both show weaknesses and are the antithesis of real heroes.
Most of Dodd’s characters are well rounded but the most fleshed-out are Norwood and Raquel as well as their Nemesis, Hurley and his opponent Seth. The background stories sound real and are far from being far-fetched.
I found that this book is a good read, full of imagination and surprises. I would recommend it to anyone who likes this type of books.
March 17, 2017
REVIEW - THE SLEEPING SERPENT
Review - The Sleeping Serpent: A woman's struggle to break an obsessive bond with her yoga master
by Luna Saint Claire, Virginia Bowen
5 stars out of 5
This novel was more than I expected when I heard the description. I appreciated the authors’ style and the flow of the narrative, although there have been a lot of details provided here and there at times. The change in POV helped to see the action from more than one perspective and, in my opinion, that’s one of the best characteristics of this novel.
The story might seem shocking, however it is highly believable and an eye-opener. Unfortunately, the action of the book is repeated over and over again in real life with probably very few deviations.
The story develops around a yoga instructor, Nico, and follows his many relationships with different women, who, of course, are the subject of his manipulation and narcissism. Nico seems to have the charisma and magnetism to enslave these women who would do anything for his attention and would accept his verbal and physical abuse most of the time, just to be around him. The only character that evolves somewhat during this story is Luna, although she’s far for becoming whole again. That being said, I do think that Nico and the women he seduced are very well portrayed. All these characters are rounded.
I cannot say that I liked any of the characters. There was very little to like about them and they made me feel mostly pity or outrage towards them. I definitely disliked the main character. The writers created the perfect narcissist and, along the narrative, they showed a good understanding of the human nature. I am pretty sure they have strong connections with the psychological profession but I didn’t verify their accreditations.
If you’re looking for an easy read just to kill a few hours and relax, then don’t read this book. It’s not for you. The narrative and characters are too complex and will make you think for days after you finish reading the novel.
by Luna Saint Claire, Virginia Bowen
5 stars out of 5
This novel was more than I expected when I heard the description. I appreciated the authors’ style and the flow of the narrative, although there have been a lot of details provided here and there at times. The change in POV helped to see the action from more than one perspective and, in my opinion, that’s one of the best characteristics of this novel.
The story might seem shocking, however it is highly believable and an eye-opener. Unfortunately, the action of the book is repeated over and over again in real life with probably very few deviations.
The story develops around a yoga instructor, Nico, and follows his many relationships with different women, who, of course, are the subject of his manipulation and narcissism. Nico seems to have the charisma and magnetism to enslave these women who would do anything for his attention and would accept his verbal and physical abuse most of the time, just to be around him. The only character that evolves somewhat during this story is Luna, although she’s far for becoming whole again. That being said, I do think that Nico and the women he seduced are very well portrayed. All these characters are rounded.
I cannot say that I liked any of the characters. There was very little to like about them and they made me feel mostly pity or outrage towards them. I definitely disliked the main character. The writers created the perfect narcissist and, along the narrative, they showed a good understanding of the human nature. I am pretty sure they have strong connections with the psychological profession but I didn’t verify their accreditations.
If you’re looking for an easy read just to kill a few hours and relax, then don’t read this book. It’s not for you. The narrative and characters are too complex and will make you think for days after you finish reading the novel.
February 18, 2017
CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH KHRISTINA ATKINSON
Character Interview with Khristina Atkinson
Character Name: I’m Katherine Hollingsworth-Collins, but my parents shortened my name to Kate when I was a baby.Role in your story (protagonist, antagonist, side character, etc.): I’m definitely the protagonist. How to Capture Kate follows me from my birth to January, 2016. Obsession of Mine picks up my story where the prequel left off and ends in 2017.Age: I turned thirty on October 11, 2016.Description: I’m a former FBI employee and sole heir to my grandfather’s fortune until my children are born. I believe I find my soulmate and one true love with Special Agent Nathan until he’s unfaithful, and our marriage falls apart. I become engaged to Leo Kensington, partially for revenge. He’s the grandson to my grandfather’s best friend. Of course, Grandfather believes Leo’s better suited for me. I eventually reunite with Nathan, but trouble ensues from the beginning of our reconciliation with both of our exes. Nickname: Nathan began referring to me as Angel before we were even officially a couple. He claimed I remind him of an angel when I’m sleeping. Leo’s nickname for me is Princess. This started out as joke, because I was shocked at the early hour he wanted me to run with him.Occupation: I quit my job as an intelligence analyst at the FBI to be a stay-at-home mom when I realized I was pregnant. At the time, I falsely believed I’d botched my first field assignment. I hated returning to my desk job. After I left Nathan, my grandfather started training me to be the future CEO of Hollingsworth Enterprises.Location: My grandfather’s mansion is located in the gated community of Prominence, where only the rich and elite reside, near the town of Jaeger Cove, Connecticut.Goal in life: I’d like to say a calm existence, free from danger, but I kind of crave excitement.Motto: I’ll steal this one from Grandfather. “Impossible isn’t a word that exists in the vocabulary of a Hollingsworth.”Family: My parents, Julia and Travis Collins, were killed in a tragic accident when I was eleven. I had to live with my grandparents, Elizabeth and Edward Hollingsworth, who I’d never met. I lost my dear, sweet grandmother after she suffered a heart attack shortly before I turned eighteen. My oldest son, Julian Travis Reed, is named after my parents. My youngest son, Cameron Thomas Reed, is named after Nathan’s father and grandfather. Elizabeth Violet Reed is my baby daughter, but Nathan isn’t her biological father. Best friend: I met Clay Carlisle when I accosted him with a kiss in the hallway of a hotel to keep my cover from being blown. I married him to dupe a Russian mobster and protect his life. He’d do anything for me. He was the one I called when I needed a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to listen to me.Current conflict: Nathan swore there was nothing going on between him and Melanie Wilson again, but I followed them to a hotel.Favorite Food: Spaghetti and meatballs even though our personal chef, Marcel, prepares the finest meals for my family.Addictions: Danger, and I have to add Nathan. No matter how hard I try to resist him, he has a way of getting to me.Pet Peeve: LiesFavorite Hobby: I still like to keep up with my martial arts training.What do you do for fun? Spend time on the beach.Favorite childhood memory: The special dance with my father the evening he died. My mother helped me put on make-up and let me borrow her jewelry, so I’d look pretty for him.Dream job: I wanted to be a spy after my parents died. Before that, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer. I could present a very compelling case to my parents even as a small child.Favorite part of your day: Playtime with the kids after dinner that leads up to reading them bedtime stories and tucking them into bed safely.Pessimist, Optimist, or Realist: I consider myself a pessimist because of the traumatic events in my life. I wanted so badly for my mother to survive after the accident, but she died on me when I needed her the most in my life. My grandmother left me too. Nathan swore he loved me, and then had an affair with another woman while I was having difficulties with the pregnancy of our second child. Bad things always seem to happen to me.Beverage of choice: Thanks to Nathan’s influence, Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1999. I’d never tasted alcohol until I met him.Most annoying person in your life: Nathan’s mother, Meredith Carlisle,Taken or single? Any love interests? Taken at the moment. I can’t say who he is. I can narrow it down to Nathan Reed, Leo Kensington, or Howard Kensington if that helps.Pets: None, but I’d love a dog for the kids.Biggest Fear: Losing another child. I had a miscarriage that greatly affected me when Julian was around five months old.Guilty Pleasure: Watching old black and white movies with Leo in his home theater, even though I know he’s not the man I truly love. He’s so damned romantic. Most embarrassing moment: I launched into self-defense mode and threw Nathan to the floor when he tried to kiss me the first time. Greatest Strength: My courage. I’m not really afraid of anything. My training over the years has enabled me to be capable of handling pretty much any situation. Greatest Weakness: Love has let me down over the years. I lose the people I love the most, or they betray me.Who do you most admire? I never believed I’d say this when I moved into his home nineteen years ago, but my grandfather. It took some effort on my part, but I finally found a heart under his gruff exterior. He’s a man of morals and integrity, a pillar of the community, and has never let me down.Are you keeping any secrets? Yes. I’d tell you, but I’d have to kill you. By the way, that’s a joke.Where do you see yourself in ten years? I don’t want to ever lose Grandfather, so I’ll say helping him run Hollingsworth Enterprises.Advice for the reader as they follow you through your journey? Try to keep up. The story of my life is fast-paced. One reader described it as having “so many unexpected twists and turns.”
INTERVIEW WITH ALISON GOLDEN
INTERVIEW WITH ALISON GOLDEN
Alison Golden was born and raised in Bedfordshire, England. She writes cozy mysteries and suspense novels, along with the occasional witty blog post, all of which are designed to entertain, amuse, and calm. Her approach is to combine creative ideas with excellent writing and edit, edit, edit. Alison is the creator of the Reverend Annabelle Dixon cozy mysteries, a charming, fun series featuring a female vicar ministering in the beautiful county of Cornwall, England. She also produces a Jersey-based detective series featuring Inspector David Graham and the Diana Hunter series, set in Vancouver.
Her books' themes range from the humorous and sweet to harder hitting suspense. They are recommended for readers who like to relax and unwind with their books, who enjoy getting to know the characters, and who prefer the tougher side of life implied.
Alison is based in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and twin sons. She splits her time traveling between London and San Francisco.
To receive three free books, updates about new releases, exclusive promotions, and other insider information, sign up for the Cozy Mysteries Insider mailing list at: http://www.cozymysteries.com.
Welcome to Roxana’s blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I am originally from England. I moved to the US in my early thirties to get married. I now live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband and twin sons. I travel to the UK anywhere between two and six times a year. I started writing fiction two years ago and am now obsessed with it. Our boys are now 16 and nearly independent so I get to spend a lot of time on it.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
No, in fact I think it delayed it. At 12, I wanted to write stories for magazines. I thought I could do better than the ones I read in my mother’s weeklies. I was a fanatical reader until the age of 13 when I went to high school. Suddenly, I went from being able to read whatever I wanted to having to read assigned texts. They were books I’d never read out of choice! Although I learned a lot, this forced approach killed my love for reading and writing. I forgot all about writing magazines stories or any kind of stories and went into the corporate world when I left school. It wasn’t until three decades later that I finally had had enough good feedback to try my hand at writing stories again.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
I was good at English. It came naturally to me. I never worried about being “good enough” in that subject. I simply wrote to a prompt, handed it in and never really thought about it again. Because it came so easily to me, I didn’t value it as a skill. Skills are what you slave over, right? J
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
To write more and more books, keep pushing my boundaries, and get better at my craft. I want to delight my readers.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
I write three series:
The Reverend Annabelle Dixon cozy mystery series about an apparently ditzy, but really rather smart lady vicar from a Cornish village in England.
The Inspector David Graham mysteries about a small group of small town police officers headed up by Inspector Graham on the island of Jersey in the English Channel.
The Diana Hunter mystery series. Diana is an ex-spy who is working as a consultant to Vancouver Police Department. Together with her partner Detective Peter Hopkinson, she solves crimes and hopes to find out who killed her parents.
The first two are cozy mysteries, Diana is more suspense.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
You can sign up to my mailing list at http://cozymysteries.com and get the first books in each series for free. Subsequent books are at all Amazon stores.
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about? (*if relevant)
I’m working on Books 4 and 5 in the Diana Hunter series. It is very exciting. I am quite exhausted working on it. I have to limit myself to four hours a day or I’m too beat to do anything else!
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
Annabelle and Graham are cozy mysteries, Diana is suspense.
Q: What was the name of your last book? Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special? What’s it about?
My most recent book was Book 4 in the Inspector Graham series. David Graham is an ex-Metropolitan police detective who relocate to the small island of Jersey after the death of his daughter and the breakdown of his marriage. When he gets there, he finds the team he is in charge of to be a raggle-taggle group of questionable commitment and skill. The series follows them all as they grow as characters and police officers, facing their demons and developing their detective skills.
Q: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I like to have 80% of the outline worked out before I start although I actually prefer to just start writing. I don’t have much patience, but I have learned from experience that winging it isn’t the best way to write a book, not a mystery at least.
I do, however, rely a lot on intuition in terms of the pacing of the book. I can tell when a book needs to pop, when it needs to move along quicker or slower and when a character needs more development. I write for my internal reader and that works well for me.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
Plotting, unquestionably. I am always so relieved when it is done. I find it very hard work.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
Doing the very final edits. I’m excited at this point. Also publishing is very, very exciting. I find it addicting.
Website: http://cozymysteries.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/cozymysterybks
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cozy_mysteries
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/alisongolden
Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)
Reverend Annabelle Dixon series:
Death at the Café: http://cozymysteries.com/death-at-the-cafe
Death at the Café (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/death-at-the-café-uk
Murder at the Mansion: http://cozymysteries.com/murder-at-the-mansion
Murder at the Mansion (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/murder-at-the-mansion-uk
Body in the Woods: http://cozymysteries.com/body-in-the-woods
Body in the Woods (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/body-in-the-woods-uk
Grave in the Garage: http://cozymysteries.com/grave-in-the-garage
Grave in the Garage (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/grave-in-the-garage-uk
Inspector David Graham series:
The Case of the Screaming Beauty: http://cozymysteries.com/screaming-beauty
The Case of the Screaming Beauty (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/screaming-beauty-uk
The Case of the Hidden Flame: http://cozymysteries.com/hidden-flame
The Case of the Hidden Flame (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/hidden-flame-uk
The Case of the Fallen Hero: http://cozymysteries.com/fallen-hero
The Case of the Fallen Hero (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/hidden-flame-uk
The Case of the Broken Doll: http://cozymysteries.com/broken-doll
The Case of the Broken Doll (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/broken-doll-uk
The Diana Hunter series:
Hunted: http://cozymysteries.com/hunted
Hunted (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/hunted-uk
Snatched: http://cozymysteries.com/snatched
Snatched (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/snatched-uk
Stolen: http://cozymysteries.com/stolen
Stolen (UK): http://cozymysteries.com/stolen-uk
February 11, 2017
V-DAY ROMANCE SALE
A Romance Book Sale You Don’t Want to Miss!The day is here, lovelies! Feb 11-12, 2017, hop on over to https://romancebooks.blog to load your Kindle or e-reader with lots of FREE and $0.99 romance books!
February 7, 2017
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Rowena Dawn's Blog
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