Devika Fernando's Blog, page 13
November 7, 2018
A to Z of Writing: Epilogue
A few of my author friends and I have decided to join forces in a blogging challenge. Our A to Z of Writing posts will shine a light on various aspects of being an author. This week, we're focusing on the letters D and E. Please make sure to check out the other blogs. Click here for a list of all blog posts per letter.
Adite Banerjie | Paromita Goswami | Preethi Venugopala | Reet Singh | Ruchi Singh | Saiswaroopa Iyer | Sudesna Ghosh
E for Epilogue An epilogue comes at the very end of the book, usually after the writer has typed ‘the end’ and the actual story is finished. As an added final chapter or scene, it can serve several purposes in novels and is rather popular in the romance genre. It’s been used in many other genres as well, for centuries. Fables, for example, had their morale explained thus. Whereas a prologue often provides important background information or an initial dose of suspense and intrigue, an epilogue brings a sense of closure but doesn’t even have to be directly related to the main story.
Here are three common purposes of epilogues (with a main focus on the romance genre):
1) The Epilogue as a HEA
HEA stands for ‘Happily Ever After’ and is one of the most important aspects in a romance novel. Some authors choose to write an ending that is tightly connected to the climax and conflict resolution. Perhaps the hero saves the heroine, perhaps the couple meets again and resolves a misunderstanding, perhaps a journey or quest has ended. The reader knows that all will be well and that the protagonists are indeed in love and can live their feelings. Sometimes, that doesn’t feel quite enough. An author might want to offer their readers a glimpse of the couple’s future and end things on an even happier note.
This can be achieved with:A weddingA scene of blessed family life years later with a child, or a pregnancyAnother love scene, especially in erotic romanceAn event that shows the blissful couple together, e.g. a celebration/Christmas/a reunion of a circle of friends
2) The epilogue as coming full circle
Sometimes, an author will write the epilogue in much the same way as the prologue or the first chapter, with some crucial changes to reflect all that has happened throughout the course of the story. It serves to let the story arc and character development come full circle and summarize just how significant the happenings in the book were. I chose to do a similar thing in my first royal romance novel THE PRINCE’S SPECIAL BRIDE (currently available for free download here). In the beginning, the protagonist Marie watches a sunset in the Maldives, alone and somewhat brooding, only to be interrupted by a surprise encounter. In the epilogue months later, Marie watches another sunset in the Maldives – but the reader realizes it’s her honeymoon, she’s with the love of her life, and things have changed. This technique isn’t just used in romance novels but also in fantasy and dystopian stories where the world was either in chaos and is now mended, or the other way round but with hope for the future.
3) The epilogue as a teaser of more to come
This is a way to use an epilogue that I turn to very often. If you have books that are part of a series, this separate chapter is the perfect method to make sure readers know about the sequel(s) and are hooked enough to buy them. If the series features the same main characters or characters that were only briefly mentioned in this book, then a pivotal scene with them can be a successful tease. The author may set the scene by having a ‘girl meets boy’ scenario, and the next book takes it from this first encounter to tell their story. I have used a similar method to link my royal romances together. The couple are enjoying their HEA but then they receive news in one way or another that hints at the next book in the series.
To epilogue or not to epilogue?
Many writers ask themselves whether they should include an epilogue or not. Ultimately, they choice is theirs, and there’s no right or wrong. The following questions may help with the decision:Is there anything left to tell, maybe some loose ends to tie up?Would an ‘even happier ever after’ fit the writing style, story arc and characters?Is there a sequel to announce?Will I ever return to this story or does it deserve a final summary?
All in all, epilogues aren’t really necessary but can be the icing on the cake or the cherry on top of the icing. Often, readers will fall in love with the protagonists as much as the author and will gladly share a few more stolen moments with them – as long as these moments are not mundane, out of character or overshadow a somewhat flat-falling ending.
Adite Banerjie | Paromita Goswami | Preethi Venugopala | Reet Singh | Ruchi Singh | Saiswaroopa Iyer | Sudesna Ghosh
E for Epilogue An epilogue comes at the very end of the book, usually after the writer has typed ‘the end’ and the actual story is finished. As an added final chapter or scene, it can serve several purposes in novels and is rather popular in the romance genre. It’s been used in many other genres as well, for centuries. Fables, for example, had their morale explained thus. Whereas a prologue often provides important background information or an initial dose of suspense and intrigue, an epilogue brings a sense of closure but doesn’t even have to be directly related to the main story.Here are three common purposes of epilogues (with a main focus on the romance genre):
1) The Epilogue as a HEA
HEA stands for ‘Happily Ever After’ and is one of the most important aspects in a romance novel. Some authors choose to write an ending that is tightly connected to the climax and conflict resolution. Perhaps the hero saves the heroine, perhaps the couple meets again and resolves a misunderstanding, perhaps a journey or quest has ended. The reader knows that all will be well and that the protagonists are indeed in love and can live their feelings. Sometimes, that doesn’t feel quite enough. An author might want to offer their readers a glimpse of the couple’s future and end things on an even happier note.
This can be achieved with:A weddingA scene of blessed family life years later with a child, or a pregnancyAnother love scene, especially in erotic romanceAn event that shows the blissful couple together, e.g. a celebration/Christmas/a reunion of a circle of friends
2) The epilogue as coming full circle
Sometimes, an author will write the epilogue in much the same way as the prologue or the first chapter, with some crucial changes to reflect all that has happened throughout the course of the story. It serves to let the story arc and character development come full circle and summarize just how significant the happenings in the book were. I chose to do a similar thing in my first royal romance novel THE PRINCE’S SPECIAL BRIDE (currently available for free download here). In the beginning, the protagonist Marie watches a sunset in the Maldives, alone and somewhat brooding, only to be interrupted by a surprise encounter. In the epilogue months later, Marie watches another sunset in the Maldives – but the reader realizes it’s her honeymoon, she’s with the love of her life, and things have changed. This technique isn’t just used in romance novels but also in fantasy and dystopian stories where the world was either in chaos and is now mended, or the other way round but with hope for the future.
3) The epilogue as a teaser of more to come
This is a way to use an epilogue that I turn to very often. If you have books that are part of a series, this separate chapter is the perfect method to make sure readers know about the sequel(s) and are hooked enough to buy them. If the series features the same main characters or characters that were only briefly mentioned in this book, then a pivotal scene with them can be a successful tease. The author may set the scene by having a ‘girl meets boy’ scenario, and the next book takes it from this first encounter to tell their story. I have used a similar method to link my royal romances together. The couple are enjoying their HEA but then they receive news in one way or another that hints at the next book in the series.
To epilogue or not to epilogue?
Many writers ask themselves whether they should include an epilogue or not. Ultimately, they choice is theirs, and there’s no right or wrong. The following questions may help with the decision:Is there anything left to tell, maybe some loose ends to tie up?Would an ‘even happier ever after’ fit the writing style, story arc and characters?Is there a sequel to announce?Will I ever return to this story or does it deserve a final summary?
All in all, epilogues aren’t really necessary but can be the icing on the cake or the cherry on top of the icing. Often, readers will fall in love with the protagonists as much as the author and will gladly share a few more stolen moments with them – as long as these moments are not mundane, out of character or overshadow a somewhat flat-falling ending.
October 17, 2018
A to Z of Writing: Coauthoring
A few of my author friends and I have decided to join forces in a blogging challenge. Our A to Z of Writing posts will shine a light on various aspects of being an author. This week, we're focusing on the letter C. Please make sure to check out the other blogs. Click here for a list of all blog posts per letter.
Adite Banerjie | Paromita Goswami | Preethi Venugopala | Reet Singh | Ruchi Singh | Saiswaroopa Iyer | Sudesna Ghosh
C for Coauthoring As some of you may know, so far I’ve coauthored six books with bestselling author Mike Wells. Coauthoring – writing a novel together with another author – was a totally new experience for me, thrilling and challenging all at once. To be honest, I was a bit – read, very – scared before embarking on this journey, but I’m glad I did so because it was a lot of fun too, and I learned many valuable things.
So what are the risks involved in coauthoring? There are a few, depending on how exactly you go about it. Some famous authors ask a less famous author to work with them. In the end, the latter is more a ghostwriter than a true coauthor. The lesser known authors might not receive a share of the royalties, their name might not be mentioned, or their style is overwritten to match the usual tune of the popular author’s books. Some might also end up doing almost all the work without hardly receiving anything in return. That’s not the way it should be, and luckily not at all how things turned out for me.
And what are the advantages of coauthoring? You should be able to expand your readership, venture into other sub-genres or genres, release more books faster and thus keep your readers entertained, hone your writing skills, and achieve more sales/higher royalties.
How to avoid the obvious pitfalls? The best way to go out this is to really (virtually) ‘sit down’ and talk about every single detail. You have to agree onwhose name is mentioned on the cover (usually the famous author’s or initiating author’s name is shown more prominently)who uploads the book (the author whose idea it was / project it is, but both profiles are linked to the result)who writes what, and how, and how fasta deadlinewhether both authors write separately and come together at the end or whether both work simultaneously and collaborate activelywho earns what share of the royalties who promotes the book, and how marketing is best handled; ideally both are involved, though not necessarily to the same extent or in the same way If you take care of all this, and – most importantly – if you agree on the story itself, then there isn’t much in the way of coauthoring successfully.
There are various famous examples of coauthored books (such as James Patterson or Laurelin Paige), and there’s a ton of advice to be found on the internet. Personally, I am excited about the outcome of my stint with coauthoring, and I want to do it again. “Forbidden”, the romantic thriller series I coauthored with Mike Wells, is available for download here (Book 1 is free): http://www.devikafernando.com/forbidden.html
Adite Banerjie | Paromita Goswami | Preethi Venugopala | Reet Singh | Ruchi Singh | Saiswaroopa Iyer | Sudesna Ghosh
C for Coauthoring As some of you may know, so far I’ve coauthored six books with bestselling author Mike Wells. Coauthoring – writing a novel together with another author – was a totally new experience for me, thrilling and challenging all at once. To be honest, I was a bit – read, very – scared before embarking on this journey, but I’m glad I did so because it was a lot of fun too, and I learned many valuable things.So what are the risks involved in coauthoring? There are a few, depending on how exactly you go about it. Some famous authors ask a less famous author to work with them. In the end, the latter is more a ghostwriter than a true coauthor. The lesser known authors might not receive a share of the royalties, their name might not be mentioned, or their style is overwritten to match the usual tune of the popular author’s books. Some might also end up doing almost all the work without hardly receiving anything in return. That’s not the way it should be, and luckily not at all how things turned out for me.
And what are the advantages of coauthoring? You should be able to expand your readership, venture into other sub-genres or genres, release more books faster and thus keep your readers entertained, hone your writing skills, and achieve more sales/higher royalties.
How to avoid the obvious pitfalls? The best way to go out this is to really (virtually) ‘sit down’ and talk about every single detail. You have to agree onwhose name is mentioned on the cover (usually the famous author’s or initiating author’s name is shown more prominently)who uploads the book (the author whose idea it was / project it is, but both profiles are linked to the result)who writes what, and how, and how fasta deadlinewhether both authors write separately and come together at the end or whether both work simultaneously and collaborate activelywho earns what share of the royalties who promotes the book, and how marketing is best handled; ideally both are involved, though not necessarily to the same extent or in the same way If you take care of all this, and – most importantly – if you agree on the story itself, then there isn’t much in the way of coauthoring successfully.
There are various famous examples of coauthored books (such as James Patterson or Laurelin Paige), and there’s a ton of advice to be found on the internet. Personally, I am excited about the outcome of my stint with coauthoring, and I want to do it again. “Forbidden”, the romantic thriller series I coauthored with Mike Wells, is available for download here (Book 1 is free): http://www.devikafernando.com/forbidden.html
October 15, 2018
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "The Girl Child" by De.B. Dubois
The Girl ChildbyDe. B. Dubois
Blurb Growing up as a strong-headed single child with a privileged upbringing in Calcutta, Devi has learned much from her surroundings. Her childhood memories are filled with mixed emotions – especially as she remains angry with her mother and the hypocrisy of women in India. On an unexpected journey home, she encounters reality – new stories and experiences of strangers, as well as friends. It has been years since she left Calcutta, yet the city’s untold stories haunt her. This time Devi is back in town to solve issues and above all, through some painful and hard revelations, to make peace with those she can.Grab your copy @Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.ukAbout the author
De.B. is an ordinary person with her daily struggles of being fun and peppy; as all those heavy readings on sociology, philosophy, history, art and culture have done her sombre. – Not that she is complaining, – however when things do get too hectic, her escape solutions are: long walks through nature trails with her adopted Maltese, a good glass of absinthe from Val-de-Travers, and creating visual arts. Her friends best describe De.B. Dubois as, – ‘the hermit’.You can stalk her @
This Tour is Hosted by The Schedule of The Girl Child Your NameType of PostDate of PostingAnkitaReview10/11/2018Arti MetroreaderSpotlight10/11/2018Meenakshi JReview10/11/2018Nilima MohiteSpotlight10/11/2018Aparna nayakReview10/12/2018Chitra IyerSpotlight10/12/2018romilaSpotlight10/12/2018Ruchira KhannaReview10/12/2018Arti MetroreaderReview10/13/2018Chittajit MitraSpotlight10/13/2018Shruti ShankarReview10/13/2018D. R. DownerReview10/14/2018Debraj MoulickSpotlight10/14/2018Shruti ShankarSpotlight10/14/2018Sunita SaldhanaReview10/14/2018Devika FernandoSpotlight10/15/2018Geeta NairReview10/15/2018Rubina RameshReview10/15/2018Sundari VenkatramanSpotlight10/15/2018Geeta NairSpotlight10/16/2018Inderpreet UppalReview10/16/2018Surbhi SareenSpotlight10/16/2018Kavita RajeshReview10/17/2018Lata SunilSpotlight10/17/2018Vasudha RaoSpotlight10/17/2018
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October 14, 2018
Canada or England? New Release & Sale!
A year after Book 1 of the Inn Love series hit the stores, Book 2 has been published. Readers told me they loved it that Tantalizing Temptations transported them to England and sometimes felt like a virtual vacation. So I've tried to do the same with Hidden Hopes. Here's a look at my latest 'book baby' that features a country I've always wanted to travel to: Canada.
New Release A teacher on vacation in the Rockies –
A movie star hiding from the world –
Forbidden attraction that blooms into more
The last thing famous Hollywood actor Colby Williams needs is another personal tragedy splattered all over the media. To lie low and find himself again, he stays incognito at a cozy bed & breakfast in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. But the solitude is broken by another guest: an intriguing woman who sees beyond his brooding surface and makes him feel alive again. Should he really open his heart and his life to her?
Hope Parker has come to Pleasant View to meet one of her best friends, not to fall in love with a mysterious stranger whose mood changes are infuriating. But something about this man on a quest for a second chance touches her. Can she handle the baggage he comes with?
BUY LINKS
Amazon: http://mybook.to/innlove2
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2NFsewG
Apple iBooks: https://apple.co/2RKUe5m
GooglePlay: goo.gl/sWpRPn
B&N Nook: https://bit.ly/2pRIeST
Book on Sale To celebrate the release of the second book in the series, the first book is on sale on Amazon for a limited time.
Download it now for only 99 cents!
Click on the link to grab your copy and be whisked away to a charming English cottage where a sexy hotel manager will take care of all your needs.
New Release A teacher on vacation in the Rockies –A movie star hiding from the world –
Forbidden attraction that blooms into more
The last thing famous Hollywood actor Colby Williams needs is another personal tragedy splattered all over the media. To lie low and find himself again, he stays incognito at a cozy bed & breakfast in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. But the solitude is broken by another guest: an intriguing woman who sees beyond his brooding surface and makes him feel alive again. Should he really open his heart and his life to her?
Hope Parker has come to Pleasant View to meet one of her best friends, not to fall in love with a mysterious stranger whose mood changes are infuriating. But something about this man on a quest for a second chance touches her. Can she handle the baggage he comes with?
BUY LINKS
Amazon: http://mybook.to/innlove2
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2NFsewG
Apple iBooks: https://apple.co/2RKUe5m
GooglePlay: goo.gl/sWpRPn
B&N Nook: https://bit.ly/2pRIeST
Book on Sale To celebrate the release of the second book in the series, the first book is on sale on Amazon for a limited time.
Download it now for only 99 cents!
Click on the link to grab your copy and be whisked away to a charming English cottage where a sexy hotel manager will take care of all your needs.
October 3, 2018
A to Z of Writing: Authorpreneur
A few of my author friends and I have decided to join forces in a blogging challenge. Our A to Z of Writing posts will shine a light on various aspects of being an author. We're kicking this series off with the letter A this week. Please make sure to check out the other blogs for topics such as Authenticity and Anti-Hero:
Adite Banerjie | Paromita Goswami | Preethi Venugopala | Reet Singh | Ruchi Singh | Saiswaroopa Iyer | Sudesna Ghosh
A for Authorpreneur For many, writing immediately conjures up a form of art, something people might do as a creative hobby. That’s only half of the truth though. If you want to do it right – and if you want to make money from your writing – then there’s more than the artistic side to it, more than the actual writing. You will need to be an authorpreneur and take care of marketing, among other things.
What does authorpreneur mean?
In short, it stands for an author who also does a lot of things an entrepreneur would do. Authorpreneurs view their books not just as art but also as products. Thus, they promote their sale, act professionally, and tackle marketing. An authorpreneur (to some extent) is business-minded, publishes more than one book, and diligently cultivates an online presence. Authorpreneurship is closely linked to being aware of one’s author brand.
What is an author brand?
Like with a product brand, it is something people (customers/readers) automatically associate with your name; it makes you stand out. In much the same way that Lindt stands for expensive, sinfully tasty chocolate or Nike stands for trendy, sporty fashion, your author name will stand for a certain type of books. Famous authors like Nora Roberts, J. K. Rowling, Nicholas Sparks or Stephen King are all considered as brands because you immediate recognize their name and know what types of books they stand for. In much the same way, successful author branding will mean that your name causes a certain emotional resonance, conjures up certain images and hopefully acts as a buying impulse. Achieving this is key in authorpreneurship.
Why is it necessary?
The stronger your presence, the more fine-tuned to your readership and the more convincing your marketing, the better your sales. And as an authorpreneur, sales are as important to you as exposure and expressing yourself, as well as relying on self-publishing (or going the traditional route). If seeing a cover of yours or hearing a title of yours is a ‘light bulb’ moment for readers and is tied to certain emotional reactions, it might cause a buying impulse. As an authorpreneur, by the way, you should keep informed about latest trends, about your competitors, about readers’ demands and publishing opportunities. If you’re informed, you can act professionally and proactively.
The graphic aspects
Some people think it’s enough to have a beautiful logo or write your name on the cover in a certain way. While this is certainly beneficial to your visibility and credibility as an author, it is only one aspect of many. That being said, the visual presentation does play an important role. Just like a company has a corporate image that will be reflected in all advertising and to which all marketing campaigns are tailored, your author brand should reflect in your covers and social media posts. Keep the style the same, evoke the same emotions. Do you write fun, lighthearted, sweet romance? Do you focus on witches? Do you excel at fast-paced thrillers set in exotic locations? Pick one aspect (or one per series). This aspect should come across in your covers and images used on blogs and social media too. It can also be condensed into a tagline (romance with a heart, for example) and mentioned in your author bio. If people come to associate black and white graphics with a certain colourful font or a woman with a weapon with your books, then they will automatically think of you when they see them online, and make the connection to your books. Like entrepreneurs, authorpreneurs need to see their venture into the publishing world as a start-up, build a reader base, do some networking, etc.
How to be a successful authorpreneur
Ideally, you identify your (potential) readers, analyze your writing, and create an author persona that takes both these aspects into consideration. Be consistent once you’ve established what works. Even if you write in various genres, remember your USP (unique selling point) and highlight it in all your works and promotions. Stick to the same branding on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, website, etc. Even on printed matter if you have it, like posters, business cards or bookmarks.
Being an authorpreneur is about recognition, and about making a promise to a customer, and that message needs to be delivered. Even if you don’t deliberately think of your author behaviour, you’re leaving an impression just by posting online and publishing your books. So why not sit down and think of exactly what you want to stand for and how to attract readers? Find your author personality, make it yours, and in turn make readers and bloggers connect with you. We all know from experience how brand loyalty can lead to buying products in all other aspects of life… For additional advice, you might want to check out this blog post.
Adite Banerjie | Paromita Goswami | Preethi Venugopala | Reet Singh | Ruchi Singh | Saiswaroopa Iyer | Sudesna Ghosh
A for Authorpreneur For many, writing immediately conjures up a form of art, something people might do as a creative hobby. That’s only half of the truth though. If you want to do it right – and if you want to make money from your writing – then there’s more than the artistic side to it, more than the actual writing. You will need to be an authorpreneur and take care of marketing, among other things.What does authorpreneur mean?
In short, it stands for an author who also does a lot of things an entrepreneur would do. Authorpreneurs view their books not just as art but also as products. Thus, they promote their sale, act professionally, and tackle marketing. An authorpreneur (to some extent) is business-minded, publishes more than one book, and diligently cultivates an online presence. Authorpreneurship is closely linked to being aware of one’s author brand.
What is an author brand?
Like with a product brand, it is something people (customers/readers) automatically associate with your name; it makes you stand out. In much the same way that Lindt stands for expensive, sinfully tasty chocolate or Nike stands for trendy, sporty fashion, your author name will stand for a certain type of books. Famous authors like Nora Roberts, J. K. Rowling, Nicholas Sparks or Stephen King are all considered as brands because you immediate recognize their name and know what types of books they stand for. In much the same way, successful author branding will mean that your name causes a certain emotional resonance, conjures up certain images and hopefully acts as a buying impulse. Achieving this is key in authorpreneurship.
Why is it necessary?
The stronger your presence, the more fine-tuned to your readership and the more convincing your marketing, the better your sales. And as an authorpreneur, sales are as important to you as exposure and expressing yourself, as well as relying on self-publishing (or going the traditional route). If seeing a cover of yours or hearing a title of yours is a ‘light bulb’ moment for readers and is tied to certain emotional reactions, it might cause a buying impulse. As an authorpreneur, by the way, you should keep informed about latest trends, about your competitors, about readers’ demands and publishing opportunities. If you’re informed, you can act professionally and proactively.
The graphic aspects
Some people think it’s enough to have a beautiful logo or write your name on the cover in a certain way. While this is certainly beneficial to your visibility and credibility as an author, it is only one aspect of many. That being said, the visual presentation does play an important role. Just like a company has a corporate image that will be reflected in all advertising and to which all marketing campaigns are tailored, your author brand should reflect in your covers and social media posts. Keep the style the same, evoke the same emotions. Do you write fun, lighthearted, sweet romance? Do you focus on witches? Do you excel at fast-paced thrillers set in exotic locations? Pick one aspect (or one per series). This aspect should come across in your covers and images used on blogs and social media too. It can also be condensed into a tagline (romance with a heart, for example) and mentioned in your author bio. If people come to associate black and white graphics with a certain colourful font or a woman with a weapon with your books, then they will automatically think of you when they see them online, and make the connection to your books. Like entrepreneurs, authorpreneurs need to see their venture into the publishing world as a start-up, build a reader base, do some networking, etc.
How to be a successful authorpreneur
Ideally, you identify your (potential) readers, analyze your writing, and create an author persona that takes both these aspects into consideration. Be consistent once you’ve established what works. Even if you write in various genres, remember your USP (unique selling point) and highlight it in all your works and promotions. Stick to the same branding on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, website, etc. Even on printed matter if you have it, like posters, business cards or bookmarks.
Being an authorpreneur is about recognition, and about making a promise to a customer, and that message needs to be delivered. Even if you don’t deliberately think of your author behaviour, you’re leaving an impression just by posting online and publishing your books. So why not sit down and think of exactly what you want to stand for and how to attract readers? Find your author personality, make it yours, and in turn make readers and bloggers connect with you. We all know from experience how brand loyalty can lead to buying products in all other aspects of life… For additional advice, you might want to check out this blog post.
September 18, 2018
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Killer Moves" by Varsha Dixit
Killer MovesbyVarsha Dixit
BlurbEveryone has a secret. Aisha Khatri has many! Aisha’s life is seemingly mundane on the surface-she writes for television and takes care of her niece Kiara and her retired father. But when Kiara’s life is threatened during a modeling assignment for the famous Kabir Rana, once a suspect for his wife’s murder, the only way Aisha can save Kiara is by accepting the unique ability she has aggressively resisted all her life. But Aisha is not the only one with secrets. There are others who have secrets and will kill to keep them. Aisha is determined to protect Kiara even if it means placing herself in the crosshairs of a depraved killer who butchers beautiful girls and leaves them as grotesque displays. Is Kiara a target of a serial killer or is the killer closer to home-and Aisha’s heart? Who is Kabir Rana? An elusive and moody fashion photographer burdened with a dark past or a murderer who got away? How will Aisha save Kiara from a killer who is several steps ahead of an entire city’s police force? When the dead come calling, will Aisha answer? From the bustling streets of Goa to the beautiful palaces of Sirsa, Killer Moves is a fast-paced, gripping, romantic suspense tale with strong thriller and supernatural elements. Grab your copy @Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.ukAbout the author
Varsha Dixit, the best selling author of six successful contemporary romance books. Her debut book, Right Fit Wrong Shoe was a national bestseller for the year 2010. Varsha was a part of the Indian Television Industry and worked as an assistant director and online editor. She considers herself a dreamer who thinks deep but writes light. Even though creativity is gender free,Varsha feels blessed and enriched to be a woman.Currently, with her family, Varsha resides in CA, USA.You can stalk her @
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September 17, 2018
Featured - Book Spotlight for "A Despicable Crime" by Liza O'Connor
Troubles & Crimes to be solvedXavier’s dead great-grandmother wants Vic to solve a crime
A Despicable Crime
(The Attempted Abduction of Xavier’s Mother)
A Painful Conclusion
The Improvement of Crime Lords
A Gift Returned
The Adventures of Xavier and Vic #9: A Despicable CrimeBy Liza O’Connor
Family contacts that Xavier Thorn has long ago hidden from his life suddenly return. His beloved great-grandmother, which his father had declared dead when Xavier was six, turns out to be alive and annoyed that his father is stealing money from her bank account and the bank won’t stop him.
As matters escalate from theft to murder to a most despicable crime, Xavier learns more about his father who has hated him all his life and discovers some good news. However, first, he must secure his great-grandmother and his mother, since the connection between the two ladies and Xavier has become known to several Crime Lords. As the man responsible for keeping all Crime Lords in line, the two ladies are now in danger of becoming hostages.
It’s a hard month for Vic. Due to saying too much while teaching the Scotland Yard officers on how to stop forgeries, Vic believes she has lost Xavier’s love. Also, her crazy sister Claire burns down the house Claire lives in simply because it cannot be put into her name. Then she arrives at Xavier and Vic’s house with the intention of killing them all.
Family can be so difficult!
AMAZON 
Vivian laughed. “You are such a delightful young man. No wonder my great-grandson thinks so highly of you!”Xavier’s forehead wrinkled. “I’ve thought you dead since I was six, and you’ve never met Victor before today, so how could you possibly conclude that I think highly of the fellow?”
“Let me first say I am glad I am not dead and that we have reconnected, Xavier. For you have always been dear to my heart. However, to your objection, I’ll have you know I have an excellent sense of smell. And like you and Victor, I have excellent deduction skills. You not only think well of Victor, but I dare say you love her.” She then turned to Vic. “Living one’s life as a man definitely has its advantages. But it must be a difficult secret to keep from the world.”
Vic contemplated denying her true gender, but she could not lie to this dear woman. “Not as hard as you might expect,” Vic admitted. “I have a very loyal staff. “We even have two sons, one that nearly killed me during his birth, and the other I rescued from a baby farmer.”
“May I meet them?” Vivian asked.
“Of course! Our home is right across the street,” Vic assured her.
Xavier hugged his great-grandmother. “Thank you, Vivian, for being the same tolerant, loving woman I treasured as a child.”
Book 9
A Despicable Crime
Free for KU Readers
Need to catch up?
Book 1
The Troublesome Apprentice
Book 2
The Missing Partner
Book 2.5
A Right to Love
Book 3
The Mesmerist
Book 4
Well Kept Secrets
Book 5
Pack of Trouble
Book 6
The Darkest Days
Book 7
The CrimeLords’ War
Book 8
Toxic Diamonds
All Xavier & Vic books are Free with Amazon Unlimited
Liza O’Connor was raised badly by feral cats, left the South/Midwest and wandered off to find nicer people on the east coast. There she worked for the meanest man on Wall Street, while her psychotic husband tried to kill her three times. (So much for finding nicer people.) Then one day she declared enough, got a better job, divorced her husband, and fell in love with her new life where people behaved nicely. But all those bad behaviors has given her lots of fodder for her humorous books. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.You have been warned.
The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Sleuth series: (Late Victorian/Mystery/Romance)
The Troublesome Apprentice — The greatest sleuth in Victorian England hires a young man who turns out to be a young woman.
The Missing Partner — Opps! The greatest sleuth in Victorian England goes missing, leaving Vic to rescue him, a suffragette, and about 100 servants. Not to mention an eviscerating cat. Yes, let’s not mention the cat.
A Right to Love — A romantic detour for Jacko. Want to see how amply rewarded Jacko was when he & Vic save an old woman from Bedlam?
The Mesmerist — The Mesmerist can control people from afar and make them murder for her. Worse yet, Xavier Thorn has fallen under her spell.
Well Kept Secrets — The problems with secrets is that they always come to light, no matter how you wish to silence them.
Pack of Trouble — Changes are a part of life, but these changes almost kill Vic.
The Darkest Days — Muddled cases make Vic very grumpy.
The CrimeLords’ War — Vic is almost killed twice as she tries to prevent a CrimeLords’ War, stop a female Russian spy, and locate Xavier.
Toxic Diamonds -- The Queen’s Diamonds have been stolen, Director Stone of Scotland Yard is missing, and there is a toxic gas that may kill hundreds of Londoners.
A Despicable Crime — Just when you think Crime Lords cannot behave worse, they step up their game, and I’m sorry to report that Xavier’s father caused this debacle.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUTLIZA O'CONNOR’S MANY BOOKS
Investigate these sites:
Liza's Blog and Website Facebook Twitter
September 3, 2018
Featured - Book Spotlight for "Finding Rose" by Julie Ryan
About the BookGenre: Women’s fiction/historical/romanceApproximate number of pages: 295
Release Date: 3RD September 2018
When three sisters, Ginny, Sally and Molly are brought together at their father’s hospital bed, they are forced to confront not only the prospect of a future without him but also the secrets of the past that have kept them apart.
Their father, Eddie Matthews, drugged up on morphine, seems to be rambling but could he in fact be reliving previous lives as a Tudor monk and as a soldier on the Front in WW1? Struggling to speak he reveals that he has a secret and urges his daughters to ‘Find Rose’. Can the sisters put aside their differences to fulfil his last wish?
EXTRACT
“So, how is he today?” Sally asked the nurse.
“Bit of a rough night but as you can see, he’s quite comfortable now. He might be out of it a bit when he wakes up because of the morphine. Oh, and he keeps asking for his brother, William. Do you know if he would be able to visit?”
Sally looked at the nurse, confused, “Oh he hasn’t got a brother.”
“Probably the effects of the morphine then; nothing to worry about. You’ll find a lot of what they say at this stage doesn’t always make a lot of sense.”
The nurse was busy so Sally took the opportunity to grab a coffee whilst her dad dozed.
She made her way up to the top floor where there was a very nice café. As she nursed her cappuccino, the nurse’s words kept ringing in her ears. How odd that dad was asking after a brother. As far as she knew, the only William in the family was her grandfather, her dad’s dad, and he’d died when she was a baby so she had no recollection of him at all. What if there’d been an older brother though, named after him? That would make sense as people often named the first son after the father. Odd that nobody had ever mentioned it before if there was a brother. She finished her drink and put it to the back of her mind. The nurse was probably right and the drugs were making his mind wander. He was no doubt thinking about his own dad.
Hearing her phone ring, she checked to see who was calling. They didn’t seem to mind you having phones on in this hospital, as long as they didn’t need to use any sensitive equipment. Even the nurses used them on the quiet. She glanced at the handset, pleased to see her husband Damian’s name flash up. With three kids and her father in hospital, she really needed his support now more than ever.
“Hi babe,” she began.
“Hiya.”
There was a pause before he continued, “How’s your dad?”
“Not much change to be honest. They don’t know if he’s got days or weeks …look, about last night, I’m sorry if I snapped.”
“I’m not ringing about last night.”
“Oh?”
“Things are just not working out between us , babe.”
“I know I’ve been a bit short-tempered lately but I’ve apologized for that. I’m on edge all the time because my dad is bloody dying..”
“I think we need a bit of time apart. Time to take stock.”
“What, you mean a kind of trial separation?’
“I’m sorry babe but I’m moving out. In fact, I’ve taken most of my stuff this morning.”
Sally felt her stomach turn to ice as he dropped the bombshell. It was clear that it wasn’t a spur of the moment decision. If he’d taken his stuff then he already had a place to stay.
“Could we at least talk about this? What about the kids?”
“I’ll come round at teatime, okay?”
Before she had time to reply, he’d hung up. It seemed as if he’d moved on as well as moved out she thought. He hadn’t said he’d be home at tea time, rather he’d come round.
Admittedly she’d been distant of late. It was the only way she could cope but she had had no idea that things were quite so bad. She crossed her fingers hoping that he’d come to his senses and this was just a temporary blip in their marriage.
As she went back onto the ward, she saw that both her sisters were in attendance, one at each side of dad. Neither of them looked at the other and the hostility between them was palpable. She took up her usual position at the foot of the bed as she tried to put a brave face on things and pretend that everything was alright.. She knew that if Ginny mentioned one more time that she shouldn’t cry in front of dad, she would end up doing just that. Whereas she was emotional, Ginny was detached and totally in control. Molly was the dark horse. You never quite knew where you were with her.
“He’s been rambling again, Molly said, “something about the bin men being early.”
“The nurse did say that might happen after the drugs they gave him if you remember,” Sally replied.
“Right well, how about we grab a coffee?” Ginny said.
“You two go if you like, I’ve just had one.”
“I’m ok too.” Molly replied somewhat abruptly, then added, “I’m off to the loo,”
“As the two of them left, a sense of peacefulness came over the room, broken only by the raspy sound of dad breathing and the electronic hum from the machines. Sally settled down with a book. So far, she’d read the same page three times, unable to really focus on the words. She put the book down and gazed out of the window over the rooftops of the different hospital buildings. Just then the hydraulic bed gave a hiss of escaping air,
“Bloody bin men,” dad muttered in his sleep.
Sally couldn’t help smiling to herself. Dad still had all his marbles it seemed. No doubt the morphine did mean he was a bit out of it but she could see now that the hydraulics used on the bed to prevent bed sores did sound just like the bin men lifting the bins up on the hydraulic lift. She held his hand, stroking the back of it lightly, wondering for just how much longer she’d be able to do that.
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZZPYQX/
About the AuthorJulie Ryan’s roots are in a small mining village in South Yorkshire. After a degree in French Language and Literature, wanderlust kicked in and she lived and worked in France, Poland, Thailand and Greece. Her spirit enriched, her imagination fired, Julie started a series of mystery romances, thrillers set in the Greek Isles. In a new venture, Julie's latest book is a contemporary novel with a strong historical element encompassing both the Tudor Court and the battlefields of WW1. ‘Finding Rose’ was inspired by her grandfather’s story and by losing her own father.
A prolific and well-known book review blogger, Julie does her writing and reviewing from rural Gloucestershire, where she lives with her husband, son and dippy cat. An absolute bookaholic, she will soon be looking to relocate to a mansion on the scale of Buckingham Palace.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Julieryanauthor
Twitter: @julieryan18
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/458168.Julie_Ryan
Instagram: Julie2253
Blog: http://www.allthingsbookie.blogspot.com
Website: http://www.julieryanbooks.blogspot.com
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August 30, 2018
Featured - Release Day Blitz for 'Take One Fake Fiance' by Reet Singh
Introducing Mita – the spirited female lead in Reet Singh’s "Take One Fake Fiancé"
'I won't do it, Mama.' Mita glared at her mother through eyes as black as thunder clouds. 'You'll have to be the one to tell Uncle Raja. I refuse to speak to your interfering brother.'
She fled the room before her mother could get a word in, and left behind a faint bouquet of jasmine, a strong whiff of displeasure, and a distraught mother. The front door banged loudly, its old timber creaking in protest at such ill-treatment and Radhika sank into the nearest chair.
Would her only child shun marriage forever? It wasn't fair to blame Mita's father, Deepak, but if he hadn't died so young, his daughter would have had a firm hand to tame her temper.
Flouncing off like that, when all my brother wants is for her to meet up with a boy from a nice family.
Sighing deeply, Radhika waited, knowing that her daughter would be back to apologize for her tantrum. She was too hot-headed for her own good, but her heart was in the right place. In that she was just like her father…
About the Book Mita Ramphul is single and fancy-free – and she wants to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Living and working on the idyllic island of Mauritius is the stuff dreams are made of – until she bumps into a man who threatens to destroy it all.
Tanay Devkumar is cynical and shuttered – events in his past have cast a long and deep shadow. Convinced that Mita Ramphul represents a threat to his sister’s happiness, he seeks her out, determined to block her nefarious plans.
They meet in circumstances that can only be described as hostile – suspicions abound and resentments flare on both sides, even as attraction simmers beneath the surface. A series of disastrous events follow and they are compelled to pretend that they are in love and wish to marry.
It is meant to be a temporary engagement – but will Mita be able to resist her fake fiancé or will his scorching kisses make her yearn for something more permanent?
BUY LINKS:
India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07GYL6GS9
USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GYL6GS9
Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07GYL6GS9
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07GYL6GS9
Originally published as “Scorched by His Fire” by Harlequin/Mills & Boon in 2014 | Take One Fake Fiancé is a refurbished, revamped, remodelled, updated version of Scorched and is available on Kindle.
BY THE WAY: That’s Mita and Tanay on the cover.
Want to meet Tanay?
Paromita Goswami is hosting him in all his sexiness!
How do Mita and Tanay meet?
Find out on Ruchi Singh’s blog
What do Tanay and Mita do when they think their creator - Reet Singh - isn’t watching?
Visit Adite Banerjie’s blog for a shocker!
Mita and Tanay manage to share a stolen kiss
on Preethi Venugopala’s blog
The strangest thing happens: Mita from ‘Take One Fake Fiancé’ meets Mohini from ‘No Escape from Love’ on Saiswaroopa Iyer’s blog
About the Author Finally, here’s Reet Singh - she’s in party mode because her cover’s done and she loves it!
Look her up – she usually hangs out on her website, on twitter, or on facebook
'I won't do it, Mama.' Mita glared at her mother through eyes as black as thunder clouds. 'You'll have to be the one to tell Uncle Raja. I refuse to speak to your interfering brother.'
She fled the room before her mother could get a word in, and left behind a faint bouquet of jasmine, a strong whiff of displeasure, and a distraught mother. The front door banged loudly, its old timber creaking in protest at such ill-treatment and Radhika sank into the nearest chair.
Would her only child shun marriage forever? It wasn't fair to blame Mita's father, Deepak, but if he hadn't died so young, his daughter would have had a firm hand to tame her temper.
Flouncing off like that, when all my brother wants is for her to meet up with a boy from a nice family.
Sighing deeply, Radhika waited, knowing that her daughter would be back to apologize for her tantrum. She was too hot-headed for her own good, but her heart was in the right place. In that she was just like her father…
About the Book Mita Ramphul is single and fancy-free – and she wants to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Living and working on the idyllic island of Mauritius is the stuff dreams are made of – until she bumps into a man who threatens to destroy it all.Tanay Devkumar is cynical and shuttered – events in his past have cast a long and deep shadow. Convinced that Mita Ramphul represents a threat to his sister’s happiness, he seeks her out, determined to block her nefarious plans.
They meet in circumstances that can only be described as hostile – suspicions abound and resentments flare on both sides, even as attraction simmers beneath the surface. A series of disastrous events follow and they are compelled to pretend that they are in love and wish to marry.
It is meant to be a temporary engagement – but will Mita be able to resist her fake fiancé or will his scorching kisses make her yearn for something more permanent?
BUY LINKS:
India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07GYL6GS9
USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GYL6GS9
Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07GYL6GS9
Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07GYL6GS9
Originally published as “Scorched by His Fire” by Harlequin/Mills & Boon in 2014 | Take One Fake Fiancé is a refurbished, revamped, remodelled, updated version of Scorched and is available on Kindle.
BY THE WAY: That’s Mita and Tanay on the cover.
Want to meet Tanay?
Paromita Goswami is hosting him in all his sexiness!
How do Mita and Tanay meet?
Find out on Ruchi Singh’s blog
What do Tanay and Mita do when they think their creator - Reet Singh - isn’t watching?
Visit Adite Banerjie’s blog for a shocker!
Mita and Tanay manage to share a stolen kiss
on Preethi Venugopala’s blog
The strangest thing happens: Mita from ‘Take One Fake Fiancé’ meets Mohini from ‘No Escape from Love’ on Saiswaroopa Iyer’s blog
About the Author Finally, here’s Reet Singh - she’s in party mode because her cover’s done and she loves it!Look her up – she usually hangs out on her website, on twitter, or on facebook
August 29, 2018
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Groomnapped" by Sundari Venkatraman
GROOMNAPPED(The Groom Series #1)bySundari Venkatraman
BLURB
The lovely and feisty Surekha is the eldest of three daughters of a carpenter from the wrong side of the tracks. She teaches science and maths in the Bihar Public School.
Ameya is the only son of a millionaire farmer-cum-builder and over and above that, he’s educated too.
They meet and fall in love quite easily, the drawback being the dowry system prevalent in Bihar. With Ameya’s parents expecting a huge dowry and Surekha’s parents having a tough time eking a living out of their humble income, it seems like the match between the two lovers is one made in hell.
Ameya isn’t one to take things lying on his back. But when the parents who adore him otherwise are so set against the marriage, will he be able to make Surekha his?
Grab your copy @
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.in
About the author
Sundari Venkatraman is an indie author who has 31 titles (27 books & 4 collections) to her name, all Top 100 Bestsellers on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.
Even as a kid, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome as she grew up reading all the fairy tales she could lay her hands on, Phantom comics, Mandrake comics and the like. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end.
Soon, into her teens, Sundari switched her attention from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to a local hero and heroine. Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years.
Then came the writing – a true bolt out of the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.
Click here to check out all the titles by the author...
You can stalk her @
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