Uvi Poznansky's Blog, page 151

Women, writing

Author of War Songs, Grady Harp describes himself as being ever on the alert for the new and promising geniuses of tomorrow. He is an artist representative, gallery owner, writer of essays and articles on figurative and all Representational art for museum catalogues and for traveling exhibitions, and an Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer. We are honored that he has posted this five-star review for our boxed set, A Touch of Passion:

5.0 out of 5 stars Women, writingByGrady HarpHALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE VOICEon December 8, 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase Uvi Poznansky wears a coat of many colors. Originally from Israel where she studied Architecture and Town Planning then moving to the US where she studied Computer Science and became an expert in Software Engineering, Poznansky managed to combine the design elements of two studies into unique formats. And she has accomplished the same with the other side of her brain - making visual her ideas (she is an accomplished painter, drawer, and sculptor who has enjoyed exhibitions both in Israel and in California, her present base) and making words in poetry and in short stories and children's books.

Here she joins eleven other very fine women authors whose works embellish each other while standing very much on their own. The point is, knowing Uvi’s works makes the need to read the works of her colleagues stronger. There are no disappointments in this collection. The authors – Tamara Ferguson, Regina Puckett, Suzanne Jenkins, B.J. Robinson, Laura Taylor, Mimi Barbour, Lisa Gillis, Donna Fasano, Traci Hall, Elizabeth Marks, and Cynthia Woolf all have gifts to offer and in tandem they present a very fine collection of contemporary writing about Romance, suspense, fiction and a touch of history, Fine curl p by the fire reading. Grady Harp, December 15

I just couldn't stop reading it until finish. It deeply moved me

Born in Potsdam, Germany, Gisela Sedimayer has a love for the written word. Having moved to New Zealand and then to Austria, and having fought her cancer with the best weapon--creativity--she is the author of the Talon series, bringing the story and the characters to life over the course of several years. I am thrilled to find her review of my book, The Music of Us:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have read many books by the other and I have to say that one really moved me deeply since a family member suffers from the ter, December 6, 2015
By Gisela H. Sedlmayer, author of the Talon book seriesVerified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Music of Us (Still Life with Memories Book 3) (Kindle Edition)Another book by Uvi Poznansky.

I have read many books by the other and I have to say that one really moved me deeply since a family member suffers from the terrible disease Alzheimer. And still it is a love story between Lenny and Natasha.

Uvi amazes me with her writing and inside and intelligence to write books like that one. Masterly written.

I just couldn't stop reading it until finish. It deeply moved me.

Well done, and deserves the 5 stars. If there would be more stars to give I would give it to her.

This time it is the first book that can be classified as romance

I am grateful to Catalina Egan for posting my guest article on her blog. This is how it starts:
The way I view my writing projects is this: I see myself, standing on the shoulders of me (the way I was at the end of last project), standing on the shoulders of me (the way I was at the end of the project before that.) With every new book, I bring all the experience I have gained and take my new project to a higher place. So the newest release--The Music of Us--is based on a lot of research, the way I always do for my historical fiction books, but this time it is the first book that can be classified as romance.

What happened, you ask? What made me change course into a new genre? Well, too things: First, I always enjoy stretching the envelope of what I do, just like in my art, where I do bronze sculptures, oil paintings, watercolors, mixed media, paper engineering and anything beyond that... And second, I was compelled by my characters—

To read more click here: Guest Post by Uvi Poznansky

My interview with BJ Robinson about romance and A Touch of Passion

I was thrilled when BJ Robinson invited me to a chat on lovely blog. The first thing I said was, "For the longest time I avoided writing a romance novel. Why? Because unwittingly, I thought it was formulaic: All love stories are the same, are they not?" 

Check it out here: Interview with Uvi Poznansky

A Marine and Pianist meet~ lives will never be the same again

I feel truly honored that Rich Weatherly, the author of Closed Doors, has posted a review of my novel, The music of Us:


5.0 out of 5 stars A Marine and Pianist meet~ lives will never be the same again.ByRichard L. Weatherlyon November 28, 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase When I learned of Book Three of the family saga, Still Life with Memories by Uvi Poznansky I couldn’t wait to delve into, The Music of Us.

The author always delivers rich, multidimensional characters. Book 3 gives readers a fascinating prequel to a time when Lenny and Natasha first met, he a young Marine and she a virtuoso pianist.

Lenny met Natasha while she performed on base and fell head over heels for her.

The author takes us into the lives of these principal characters Lenny and Natasha. It drew me into the lives of both. Most of the story took place during WWII, a time my parents met and began their life together. The author did an excellent job researching events and history of the period.

Early in the story one of Lenny’s friends receives orders to Hawaii. Not long after that the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. The narrative weaves a tight interchange of scenes. I found myself wanting them to come together. Each has likable traits with obstacles to overcome. Uvi Poznansky writes with poetic artistry.

That generation has been called the Greatest Generation for the sacrifices they made and their amazing accomplishments in later years. If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of romance. If you enjoy believable, complex characters, this is a book for you.

The voice behind THE MUSIC OF US

Today I have the pleasure of presenting the narrator of my my novel The Music of Us: Don Warrick. He has many faces; but even without the flair, the costumes, and the makeup that helps actors step into their role, he has a wonderfully versatile expression in his voice.

For the audition script I chose three segments, on e in the voice of a 'mature' Lenny, one in his 'young' voice, and one in the voice of Natasha, writing a long letter. I wanted to know that the narrator I will choose can hold the illusion of voicing a woman, not just in a quick exchange of dialogue but also in an extended monologue, because Natasha is a very special heroine to me. And then, the moment I heard Don's audition, I knew he was the one. Correction: he was all three!
So stay tuned, I will share voice clips of his performance in future posts. Meanwhile, here is his short video, 'my life in five minutes:

Just released: A TOUCH OF PASSION is here!

So happy to announce: A Touch of Passion is here! Be among the first to read it:
A TOUCH OF PASSION (boxed set)
Lose yourself in a touch of passion. Whether it’s the beauty in a song or the magic of a kiss, the agony of heartbreak or the hunger of yearning, explore ecstasy and desire in these captivating full-length novels. Written by twelve bestselling, multiple award-winning, USA Today and NY Times authors, this boxed set has it all: Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Romance, Romantic Suspense, Victorian Romance, Western and Literary Fiction. These sensual tales of love will leave you with a smile on your lips and music in your heart.
The Music of Us by Uvi Poznansky (Bestselling Author) Lenny goes as far back as the moment he met Natasha during WWII, when he was a soldier and she—a star. Natasha was a riddle to him then, and with all the changes she has gone through, she still is. 
Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour (NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author) How could Anne return to Texas knowing that her son would be meeting a father who didn't know he existed? And how could she go back to face the only man she'd ever truly loved?
Just in Case by Elizabeth Marx (Bestselling Author) Revell’s been pining for her all these years. Scarlett’s never thought she was good enough for him. What if the love you thought would always be yours turns out to be forbidden? 
That Unforgettable Kiss by Tamara Ferguson (Top-10 Bestselling Author, Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Award Winner-New Adult)Since Kate Callahan will be running the family construction business someday, she doesn’t have time for love. Until fate steps in by way of an unforgettable kiss from architectural intern Michael Murphy.
Concealed in My Heart by Regina Puckett (Bestselling Author, Readers' Favorite Book Award Winner)Charity Fields is married to her childhood sweetheart and has the job of her dreams—until a terrible lie and a heartbreaking betrayal turns her life upside down.
The Belle and the Officer by B. J. Robinson (Top-100 Bestselling Author)Historical romance. A Mississippi plantation. A southern belle. A Union officer. Alice Caldwell is young and in love in when the raging war disrupts her world and destroys her plans to become engaged. Her beau marches off to fight.
Seduction by Laura Taylor (Bestselling Author, 6-Time Romantic Times Award Winner, RWA RITA Finalist, and 2-Time MAGGIE Award Winner)“A lovely translator, once betrayed under the worst possible circumstances, is seduced into love by a brilliant government consultant.” (Romantic Times Book Reviews)
Perfect for Him by Suzanne Jenkins (Bestselling Author)As they danced, Jason whispered words of love to Harley, while her oncologist’s terrifying diagnosis kept ricocheting in her skull. To ensure he’d be okay after she was gone, Harley would take matters of love into her own hands.
Nellie by Cynthia Woolf (Bestselling Author) Saloon owner Blake Malone is a bachelor and likes it that way. Nellie Wallace, a widow, needs a husband but never expected a man like him. Can Nellie and Blake make a marriage out of mutual need, without love being involved?
Jack Who? by Lisa Gillis (Bestselling Author)The mission, that fateful day? Pick herself up, dust the ex off, and get dirty with someone else. However, Marissa Duplei finds that sexy, inked-up, metal musician Jack Storm is no ordinary revenge fling.
Ambrosia by the Sea by Traci Hall (USA Today Bestselling Author) After a bitter betrayal by her late husband, self-taught chef Celia Langdon moved to the sea, where dive shop owner Dax Smith dared her to heal from the heart.
The Single Daddy Club: Derrick by Donna Fasano (USA Today Bestselling Author)Ex-military man Derrick is solitary and satisfied—until Timmy’s dropped into his lap and Derrick must become a daddy. Fate has denied Anna a family of her own, but she has plenty of love to give, if only someone would notice.

Love Romance? Get this amazing collectionKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords

Release day: A TOUCH OF PASSION is here!

So happy to announce: A Touch of Passion is here! Be among the first to read it:
A TOUCH OF PASSION (boxed set)
Lose yourself in a touch of passion. Whether it’s the beauty in a song or the magic of a kiss, the agony of heartbreak or the hunger of yearning, explore ecstasy and desire in these captivating full-length novels. Written by twelve bestselling, multiple award-winning, USA Today and NY Times authors, this boxed set has it all: Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Romance, Romantic Suspense, Victorian Romance, Western and Literary Fiction. These sensual tales of love will leave you with a smile on your lips and music in your heart.
The Music of Us by Uvi Poznansky (Bestselling Author) Lenny goes as far back as the moment he met Natasha during WWII, when he was a soldier and she—a star. Natasha was a riddle to him then, and with all the changes she has gone through, she still is. 
Love Me Tender by Mimi Barbour (NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author) How could Anne return to Texas knowing that her son would be meeting a father who didn't know he existed? And how could she go back to face the only man she'd ever truly loved?
Just in Case by Elizabeth Marx (Bestselling Author) Revell’s been pining for her all these years. Scarlett’s never thought she was good enough for him. What if the love you thought would always be yours turns out to be forbidden? 
That Unforgettable Kiss by Tamara Ferguson (Top-10 Bestselling Author, Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Award Winner-New Adult)Since Kate Callahan will be running the family construction business someday, she doesn’t have time for love. Until fate steps in by way of an unforgettable kiss from architectural intern Michael Murphy.
Concealed in My Heart by Regina Puckett (Bestselling Author, Readers' Favorite Book Award Winner)Charity Fields is married to her childhood sweetheart and has the job of her dreams—until a terrible lie and a heartbreaking betrayal turns her life upside down.
The Belle and the Officer by B. J. Robinson (Top-100 Bestselling Author)Historical romance. A Mississippi plantation. A southern belle. A Union officer. Alice Caldwell is young and in love in when the raging war disrupts her world and destroys her plans to become engaged. Her beau marches off to fight.
Seduction by Laura Taylor (Bestselling Author, 6-Time Romantic Times Award Winner, RWA RITA Finalist, and 2-Time MAGGIE Award Winner)“A lovely translator, once betrayed under the worst possible circumstances, is seduced into love by a brilliant government consultant.” (Romantic Times Book Reviews)
Perfect for Him by Suzanne Jenkins (Bestselling Author)As they danced, Jason whispered words of love to Harley, while her oncologist’s terrifying diagnosis kept ricocheting in her skull. To ensure he’d be okay after she was gone, Harley would take matters of love into her own hands.
Nellie by Cynthia Woolf (Bestselling Author) Saloon owner Blake Malone is a bachelor and likes it that way. Nellie Wallace, a widow, needs a husband but never expected a man like him. Can Nellie and Blake make a marriage out of mutual need, without love being involved?
Jack Who? by Lisa Gillis (Bestselling Author)The mission, that fateful day? Pick herself up, dust the ex off, and get dirty with someone else. However, Marissa Duplei finds that sexy, inked-up, metal musician Jack Storm is no ordinary revenge fling.
Ambrosia by the Sea by Traci Hall (USA Today Bestselling Author) After a bitter betrayal by her late husband, self-taught chef Celia Langdon moved to the sea, where dive shop owner Dax Smith dared her to heal from the heart.
The Single Daddy Club: Derrick by Donna Fasano (USA Today Bestselling Author) Ex-military man Derrick is solitary and satisfied—until Timmy’s dropped into his lap and Derrick must become a daddy. Fate has denied Anna a family of her own, but she has plenty of love to give, if only someone would notice.

Love Romance? Get this amazing collectionKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords

The Bittersweet Side of Endless Love

I am so thrilled to discover such an eloquent review, written by a Top 500 Amazon Reviewer! Here is what Dii wrote, on her great review blog and on Amazon, for my novel, The Music of Us:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bittersweet Side of Endless LoveByDiiTOP 500 REVIEWERon November 27, 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase Life is like a symphony, it has its slow and lilting moments, the staccato notes of adventure or fear, the crescendo of joy and the minuet of lifelong partners and soulmates. As we head toward the last stanza, sometimes life hits discordant notes or fails to flow smoothly along, with notes forgotten or misplayed.

Lenny and Natasha’s love story has spanned decades, with highs and lows, as well as tumultuous times, but the beautiful and gifted concert pianist has changed, is changing and her grasp on reality is painfully slipping away. As Lenny continues to care for his fading love, he takes his own fortifying journey into their past, how fate brought them together during war and kept taunting them with the inevitable, they were made for each other. An awestruck and smitten young soldier has found his heart’s desire in the eyes and heart of a star. He knows they didn’t’ have a fairytale romance, reality isn’t like that, they are both flawed and have done brutal things to each other, but the love was always there, sometimes in need of a good polishing. How will Lenny go on when Alzheimer’s is snuffing out the light in Natasha’s eyes? Will the memories only he will know be enough? Love knows no bounds, but neither does pain.

The Music of Us by the very gifted Uvi Poznansky is like dark, rich, bittersweet chocolate, hard to savor on its own, but when fortified with the sweetness of memories it becomes a robust sensation that excites the mental tastebuds. Two young lovers, once strangers, have been lovers, a family, parents, friends and are now coming full circle as one becomes a stranger to the other, once again.

Uvi Poznansky draws from a deep emotional well, as she details a love story that has withstood the tests of time, been battered and bruised, yet never ends. Her ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere within her tale is spellbinding. She touches my soul with her words.

That was when at last, the dream found me

Contrary to popular belief, I see the brain working together, undivided between its left and right sides. It is overlaying its creative and analytical functions in every task. There are compositional problems to resolve, and color combination methods to gauge when you are painting a picture, at the same time that you are chasing your muse. The same is true for writing a story or composing a piece of music, with the added effect of time: a painting is perceived at once, more or less, while music and story unfold for the listener one note at a time.  

I paint with a pen, write with a paintbrush. My art strives to tell a story, and my stories strive to bring you into the scene being painted! Here is a good example of the mutual influences between art and writing. I painted this oil painting a few years ago, driven to do so by a recurrent nightmare. A few months later I brought it to life in words, and weaved it into my novel, My Own Voice:

Just yesterday—when I laid there in bed, bleeding all day, not even knowing where I was—that was when at last, the dream found me. 
In it, I find myself in a public place, which is strange to me—even though I know, somehow, that I’ve already been here. I’ve visited this place, perhaps the night before. It’s raised like a stage, and flooded with light: a harsh glare, which blinds me. For a minute I can’t see nothing in the dark, beyond that ledge—but I know that them faces are out there, blank and blurry. They’re all there, hushing each other, gazing at me. I see myself standing there in front of them, naked.Red-faced, I hunch up as tight as I can. I fold over my thighs, trying to hide, to cover my body, my shame—but my hands, they’re way too small, so my nipple slips out of my fingers. And there it is, circled by light, for all to see, and to jeer at me, and to lick their lips, which is like, glistening out there, tiny sparks hissing in the distance. For a little while, my sleep is light. And so—even as I’m looking straight into that spotlight, or like, reaching down to touch the ledge of that stage—I can tell that all this is false, it’s nothing more than a dream. But then I fall deeper, even deeper into it, and now I really believe what I see: Some thread is crawling on my skin. Laying across my knees is a strap of fabric, which is frayed and stained, here and there, with my blood. When I pull it in, trying to drape it around me, or use it for a blanket, it resists. It don’t hardly give in, ‘cause it’s tied to something—no, somebody—standing right here, directly over my bare back. Me, I don’t want to turn, but I take a peek over my shoulder. Wrapped in layers of rags and straps and loose ends, all of which is tattered and like, drenched in reds and browns, the figure seemed shaky. He lifts one leg, and tries to balance himself, teetering—this way and that—on one foot. His hand tries to touch the back of my neck—and misses it, grabbing a handful of air, instead. And his blood-red lips, they’re curled up, in something that looks an awful lot like a smile. A mocking smile, one that don’t change. In my dream, my feet must have frozen. I can’t move, can’t run away from him, or even climb off the stage, because at that point I’m weak, and too scared to even breathe, and because of that thread, which binds us. And so, rooted to that spot, I look up at him. At this close range, our eyes meet, and my heart skips a beat, ‘cause at that second, his are empty. Suddenly I catch sight of someone else, someone standing way over there, in the distance, behind him; behind the curtains, even. Except for her hand, which is caught in the light, it’s hard to even notice her, ‘cause at first she’s like, real shy, even modest, and keeps herself in the shadows, out of the spotlight. But then, she changes. Her long fingers, they’re gathered, one by one, into a fist. And twisted around her little finger, you can find—if you focus—the ends of the rags, and the straps, and the thread, all of which extend from there to here, where he stands; all the way, to the joints of his wrists and his elbows, tying them like, real tight. And from backstage, she’s pulling him—raising, dropping, tightening, loosening—making the puppet move, shake, jiggle, even dance on the tip of his toe, and like, bringing him, somehow, to life. I gasp, thinking: she can twist him around her little finger, if she wants to.Me, I cringe as he puffs, breathing something in my ear. “Go, go back home, go,” says the puppet, in a voice that is not really his. “Go to the place, the place where you came from, you came from. Go back to your ma, ma, your mama.”
Anita in My Own Voice

★ Love reading? Get this series ★Still Life with Memories
Volume I & II, woven together: Apart from LoveEbook: Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ SmashwordsPaperback: Amazon ★ Barnes&NobleAudiobook: iTunes ★ Amazon ★ Audible
Volume I: My Own VoiceFREE Ebook: Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
Paperback: Amazon ★ Barnes&NobleAudiobook: iTunes ★ Amazon ★ Audible
Volume II: The White PianoEbook: Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ SmashwordsPaperback: Amazon ★ Barnes&NobleAudiobook: iTunes ★ Amazon ★ Audible
Volume III: The Music of UsEbook: Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ SmashwordsPaperback: Amazon ★ Barnes&NobleAudiobook coming soon...
“Liberally salted with buttery smooth prose & fascinating insights”