Zaheera Walker's Blog, page 2
January 7, 2018
Desecrated
A fabulous start to 2018. In a matter of days, I will release my third novel – DESECRATED – since I took the self publishing route.
And what an awesome journey this has been. This latest work is a contemporary romance set in South Africa. It is about finding love in dark places and makes you feel all the feels.
Please help me take this story far and wide by liking and sharing as much as you possibly can.
BLURB:
Rosina Khan has scars on her heart – a secret from her past. Risking everything she makes a run for her life – fleeing Johannesburg for Durban. Welsh-born cardiologist Dylan Evans is in town for two reasons, to care for a patient and to heal his broken heart. Dinner is on his mind and he needs a date – nothing more. Just one fleeting moment under the moonlight is enough for Rosina to fall chin first for his propriety and charm.
Dylan can’t stop thinking about her once home in the UK and takes a chance at love again. They meet up for a getaway in Cape Town. Their flirtatious game of pretend comes to an end. This is real!
They were destined to be together by the Fates but one thing stands in the path of their happiness – Tradition. The family Rosina ran from insist she married her own kind. They desecrated her past and now they intend on destroying her future too. Rosina is in conflict, be a good daughter or stay true to her own heart.
It took a heart whisperer to heal her heart from all the trauma, the choice should be easy. The problem with life is the path to happiness is rarely obstacle free.
#desecrated #romance #novels #indieauthors #books #southafrica #self-published #blurb #interracial
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October 25, 2017
Somethings are better the second time round
May 22, 2017
Cut and blow, kinky or cosy?
So this South African author has just released her latest book…Cut&Blow…the first of five parts. Well, I have read Ashleigh Gianaccarro’s previous books and let me just say that this one if FAN. FUCKING. TASTIC!
The Italian Mafia, a hairsalon, an independent hairstylist and a gorgeous man. The trimmings of dangling cheese in front of a mouse hey. Rain (ooh I love the name, it makes me wet…oi…erase that dirty thought) marries the young Ailee, but he gives her the freedom to find herself. And boy does she take it to the hilt. Now imagine all the goings-on in a hair salon…the different people who come in for a colour, a snip, curls and all things that one can do with hair. You listen to their stories, you create a bond nd they become regulars. But..what happens when a sexy-as-fuck new client walks in to have his hair done. Damn, that is trouble because things could go awry. I mean, nobody messes with the mafia!
There are sweet moments, complicated ones too and it all boils down to winner takes it all. Guns blazing, hearts racing and one man is not prepared to lose. Love this story line, an absolute page turner. I know how it ends but I want you to read it to find out because it will blow you away. Available on Kindle.
P.S When I first came across the title, guess what went through my mind **the emphasis was on blow…LOL. 5/5 for this international bestselling author. Rock on Ashleigh…
April 20, 2017
#beautifulchaos..my journey
Early November 2016, a dull ache settled deep in my heart. I missed #beautifulchaos in ways I found difficult to describe.
I started posting on Instagram (follow me, you must @Zaheera Walker) but that wasn’t healing the longing I felt. Damn, I was distressed. Now imagine meeting someone for the first time…you spend two incredible evenings under a velvet sky, pinned up by beautiful stars. He is the perfect to your imperfect, he drinks cappuccino and you prefer lattes, he completes your sentences, your dreams are so real, so similar that it can be painted like a masterpiece. That is what love feels like…does it?
I needed help. Punched out a WhatsApp to my international bestselling author (yes, I know some famous people
April 11, 2017
Fighting fires and slaying dragons
Today I will be putting out fires, literally.
A few years ago, if I was told that I’d be appointed as a fire fighter as part of my OHAS (Occupational Health and Safety) duties I would have keeled over and played dead. No bloody ways man!
But I am embracing it with pride because so many people have faith in my abilities. I cannot let them down. More importantly, I cannot let myself down. I can do this, I will do this, I am doing this. Period.
Once, firefighting was a male dominated arena – today, that is fast changing. And I am all for empowering opportunities for women. Move over men, I too will look gorgeous in my gear. And as for the guard of honour..I will pass with flying colours. I am confident like that.
I have speed and agility to give the best of me. I own the game of strategy and I may cut a coy figure, but believe me when I say I am all braveheart. To top it all, I can and I WILL slay all fire breathing dragons..bring it, I am ready!
I am ready to be consumed by the flames but know that I will emerge from it burning brighter.
April 10, 2017
Shrouds of pride, volumes of confidence
Growing up, I hated wearing a head scarf. I hated it because it was forced on me. I mean what makes me different to the woman who covers up completely – does it make her heart more pure, are her prayers going to reach God because she is more sincere? I don’t think so. My Dad too wanted me to wear my scarf because I looked ‘lovely’..well, I was a rebel. I AM a rebel and I will only do things if it speaks to me.
I went to a Muslim school in Durban. The uniform was a black or white abayya and scarf. Well, I found it cooler to tie the scarf around my waist and boy did I get into trouble for that. I was sent to the principal’s office on occasions too many to mention. The colours were so boring in any case!
A few years ago, I was having a really bad hair day. I took cover under a scarf and was really surprised when my colleagues said I should wear one everyday. But that was not enough. It took me a lot of soul searching and only recently I am beginning to love the hijaab way of life – but don’t get me wrong, I will dress in whatever makes me comfortable because my Lord loves me for ME!
Recently, I have been having some deep conversations with my inspiration behind my contemporary romance, #beautifulchaos. I guess because I have a soft spot for him, I listened to his every word. He spoke about his journey and how close he felt to Allah. He does not listen to music and believes that God is his true constant. He told me he is in a better place now. I gave him a personalised copy of the book and when he looked at the back cover, he saw my author’s photo – I was in hijaab. He loved it and just to see him smile made me smile. And so my journey into the modern yet Islamically inclined grooming began.
I also believe that God’s plan is definite and He placed me in the right place at the right time. Today, I am honoured to live the #Arabics brand. It is also a welcome opportunity to be the face for them at the #HijaabFashionWeekSA on the 13th and 14th May 2017 at Image Lifestyle. If you don’t know it yet, Arabics manufactures modest, Islamic wear at a fraction of the cost. With our ever diminishing rand, gorgeous outfits from Dubai is fast becoming out of reach but Arabics is ready to groom you all the same. I love their colours – a vast change from the dead beat black and white of yesteryear, I love their designs too. The fabric is light and alive. This quaint family business is situated in Roshnee, Vereeniging and if it is too far then just go online and place your order.
Now that I have shared this, let it show that this is MY journey and I choose to travel at a pace that is comfortable for me.
April 6, 2017
Badabing…bada…Book launch…Baby
In the winter of 2016, I sat frozen across Deborah Du Plooy. I wanted her guidance on how to go about securing a book launch at Skoobs, Montecasino. I had just published my debut novel, DEADLINE.
I guess she sensed my fears and tried to allay them. She pointed out my strengths and weaknesses on that evening. I sat there nodding away. She shared pearls of wisdom but nothing registered. Not on that night anyway. When I left her, I lost hope. I didn’t believe in myself enough.
A few months later, I scripted my second book – Beautiful Chaos. Both books are close to my heart but Beautiful Chaos is my baby for so many reasons.
Along the way, I met several people who promised the promises. Like an idiot, I swallowed everything – hook, line and sinker. Every single one of them let me down in ways I don’t wish to get into. But I harbour no ill-feelings – these experiences served to make me stronger. It taught me that I will meet losers who disguise themselves as winners, there will be the sad and depressed souls too. And then, you will meet the fraudsters who fleece you and pretend they were doing you the world of good. Well, in this book journey, I met all types.
The best is I did not fold in and lose sight of my dream. I found incredible souls who shared their stories with me. When the chips were down, they picked me up with their words and wiped away my tears. Ashleigh Giannaccaro, Jann Weeratunga, Soraya Hendriks, Tamsyn Bester, Kathy Bosman I thank you. Ladies, you urged my charges – I am forever indebted to you.
My dream is coming together – twenty days from today I will step into my stilletos, my hair will be on point, my dress is all beaded and black. On that magical evening I will be ready to take the world by storm. Thank you for believing in me darling Deborah.
Emerging authors, the best advice I can give you today: Do not fret about how they will receive your book, just buckle down and write it!. The Universe has it all mapped out.
Come celebrate romance with me at the Champagne Bar, SKOOBS, Montecasino. 26th April 2017, 6.30pm for 7pm.
February 19, 2017
Historical Division: How Mysteries have Changed Over the years by Zaheera Walker
Mysteries, I love the thrills.
From as early as the Charles Dickens of the 19th Century to the modern day Jeffrey Archer, mystery writers are swimming well in the mainstream.
Today these writers can choose any direction they please because the market is increasing. No matter which era you find yourself in it is clearly evident that people love the roller coaster thrill of mysteries. It is a safe adventure that allows them to visit exotic or interesting places. They get to experience the dark side of some characters but they take comfort in knowing that justice prevails in the end. The Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell, Dan Brown, James Patterson, Stephen King and Jodi Picoult (my favourite mystery authors) allow us to relate to their characters. Through their expertly woven words, the reader is given a platform to play amateur detective and be part of the solution. Cool hey? This puts them on the…
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February 16, 2017
Day 5: Romance; Zaheera Walker
Thank you for hosting me Rae and MTW2017. This has been an awesome venture.
Meet Zaheera Walker.
Guest Post & Bio – It pays to love
Hello all the way from South Africa everyone. My name is Zaheera and I am hot on the trail of a serial killer. Now that is some serious investigation but the adrenalin drives me. Now don’t go judging a book by its cover because this author is a force to be reckoned with. Petite but driven is what I am so bring on the danger because I am ready to solve it.
I hold degrees in Journalism and Communication Science. I blog about my adventures, life and all things that go on www.daretobedifferentsite.wordpress.com. Follow me. I love how the criminal mind works and I remember sitting glued to the television when Murder, She Wrote was on. Do you remember Angela Lansbury? Well I so wanted to be her. You have to follow the clues if you want…
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February 10, 2017
Beautiful Chaos
[image error]Well I did it!
My dream was to write one book to encourage women – but I just published my second. A contemporary romance with all the feels – laughter, tears, heartbreak, anger and love. Today I am sitting here in my hotel room feeling so proud of myself – well this is more of an escape from the crazy, hectic life I live these days. God is good to me – all the time!
Beautiful Chaos…aaah, that title gives me goosebumps. Who thought I’d meet a guy, feel the feels and then sit down to write a book? Not his story, not my story, but our story. So, you want to know the who, why and what…LOL!! That’s okay.
You see I have never really been lucky in love. But Beautiful Chaos gave me the platform to imagine what is would feel like to be loved – I am talking about real love.
Beautiful Chaos is based on a guy – he really does exist, in a different province. I am here, in another part. He was my calm, my heartbeat, my ideal love but I didn’t have the courage to tell him what was happening in my heart. Silly me! Considering this is the month of love I was hoping to spill the beans but it’s okay. I will keep my silence. Maybe he knows how I feel, maybe he doesn’t feel the same. It’s cool.
I have done my bit. I loved him on the pages of the book and I will continue to love him in my heart.
