Devika Fernando's Blog, page 72

Featured - Author Carly Compass (Excerpt)

Today I'm doing something special: My amazing author friend Carly Compass is stopping by to share a chapter of her upcoming book. Yes, not just a teasing snippet, but 1 whole chapter. So read on and get sucked into Electric, Book 4!
Electric, The Aftermath, Book IV - Excerpt
CHAPTER CI
SOME EXPLAINING TO DO

Gina proceeded to make the coffee as she looked out the kitchen window at the police cars, thinking, this looks like a crime scene as she wondered how she was going to explain it to her neighbors. "I'm just so glad the kids aren't here," she murmured under her breath as she switched on the coffee maker.

"Seriously! What is going on?" Carlotta asked as she entered the kitchen.

"I wish I knew," Gina said as she grabbed a few mugs out of the cabinet. "I don't even have time to grieve with all this chaos."

"Oh, Give me a hug, sweetie," Carlotta mewed, as she opened her arms and embraced Gina in a hug.

"Now that you have someone with you, I am going to head home," Officer Casey said joining the women in the kitchen.

"Okay, thank you so much Officer Casey," Gina said, handing him, his coat.

"I'm just a phone call away if you need anything," he added as he slipped on his coat and went outside to speak with officer Reynolds.

"So, tell me what is going on already," Carlotta prodded as she removed her coat and hung it in the front hall closet.

"Please, coffee first."

"Damn he's hot. Did you sleep with him?" Carlotta asked, as she watched officer Casey walk to his squad car by the curb.

"Actually, I did just wake up in his arms. He gave me some sedatives last night. He said I was screaming in the night and asked him to stay with me. I don't remember any of it. At least I am still wearing my flannel pajamas!" Gina shuddered as she poured two cups of coffee. After adding the milk and sugar to her mug, Gina plodded into the sunroom and plopped down in a chair at the table and said, "I think I am still under the influence of those sedatives. Everything just seems like it is in a haze."

"Well you have been through a lot," Carlotta said as she joined her at the table.

"I can't believe he had cameras all over my house. He was watching all of us, in the bathroom, in the bedrooms."

"Wow, how did you find all this out?"

"Last night, I was alone in the house, really beside myself. I just started doing laundry, anything to keep me busy. I was upstairs when I heard this loud bang at the front of the house. I came down to find a car pulling out of the driveway. I called officer Casey immediately and I don't know how, but he was at Mikhail's house, probably watching me from all the cameras. I don't know. I seriously don't know. Was the pie poisoned?"

"What pie? What are you talking about?"

"I went outside and found the house covered in that hideous red paint. I called officer Casey and he came by and told me that Mikhail Vladimir was dead, sitting in front of the computer monitors with all different angles of my house. There was a piece of half eaten pie beside him. See, he gave me a fresh baked pie last Thursday and a poinsettia. He insisted in coming by my work and meeting me in the parking lot. I thanked him and got out of there quick. I was just going to throw the pie and poinsettia in the garbage when Brad pulled up and took it out of my hands and helped me carry it into the house. I just put the pie on top of the refrigerator and started to cook dinner. I got the kids to bed and went to bed myself. When I woke up Brad was dead in the chair. I thought he had a heart attack, but with this new information. When officer Casey told me about the pie, I ran to the refrigerator and grabbed the pie down to find apiece missing. Brad must have eaten it! Oh my God, Carlotta, was that his plan. Did Vladimir think that I would eat the pie and we would be, what, in heaven together?"

"That is a gruesome thought honey," Carlotta said as she sipped her coffee, "I just can't believe this all happened in such a short period of time. Where are your kids?"

"They're at my in-laws. Thank God, they didn't need to be here last night and see all this. God, I don't know what to do?"

"Look, I felt so bad yesterday that I called Don and told him about what happened. He sends his condolences and wants to help you in any way that he can. I told him we would meet him for dinner tonight at an exclusive restaurant above Redheads in Chicago, La Perla. How long will the kids be gone?"

"I don't know, I suppose I should call my in-laws and check in on the kids."

"Okay, you do that and see if they can keep the kids for a couple of days. We need to get organized and start making plans. Did Brad have life insurance? How are you financially?"

"No, we let the premium lapse so many times due to non-payment that I don't think there is anything there. My health insurance at my job doesn't kick in until I become a permanent employee; right now I am a temp working out of an agency. So I don't even have health insurance. I have bills, plenty of bills. It costs $60,000 plus just to survive, what with the kids, the mortgage, car payment and insurance. Oh God, I don't want to think about all this! Can't I just grieve my husband?"

"Look, why don't you jump in the shower, no better yet, let's run you a nice hot bath. I will raid your closet and find you something nice to wear and we will meet Don for dinner. He will be able to help you and after the stunt I pulled yesterday, I owe you that much. Don really likes you. He wants to help."

 

***

 

"You were known as Brad Parrot in your last regeneration I see," Binah said holding a clipboard in his hand. "You and I are in the physical form right now until we can reorient you."

"What's going on?" Brad asked laying on table as he picked up his hand to look at it. The room he was in seemed to have no walls and everything was white.

"My name is Binah. I have been your spiritual guide throughout your entire life. There was some sort of accident that has brought you here. You will have time to readjust yourself so that we can hold a debriefing and an investigation."

"Gina, Where is Gina? And my kids? What is going on? Where am I?"

"All in good time Brad. You must rest now. You have been through a death in your mortal form. We will have all the answers for you in due time. Right now I want you to raise your hand in the air and swipe it from left to right."

Brad raised his hand and did as he was told as a screen of images appeared before his eyes.

"This is your life. You must review it before we can proceed. I will be back in a little while to check in on you. You must not try to get up. Just review the screen and rest for now."

Brad closed his eyes and rested.

***

Gina went upstairs to run a bath. As the water ran she grabbed some towels and a book and decided that she would just relax in the tub.

***

"Quiet, now Mikhail. You have just been through a very transformative experience. You need to rest."

"What? Where am I?"

"Just watch the screen and I will be back to check in on you," Haniel explained.

Mikhail closed his eyes and rested.

***

Carlotta grabbed her cell phone and put in a call to Don.

"Hi"

"How is she?"

"She just ran a bath."

"Okay good, do you think she will be able to join us this evening."

"Yes, I have explained that you want to help her so we will leave here at 6:00 p.m. to drive downtown.

"Okay, good. Very good, I will see you tonight."

"Okay bye."

"Bye."

Don, dialed a number, "everything is ready for 6:30 p.m. tonight, so be there."

"Okay boss," came the voice on the other end.

Don hung up and proceeded to make more calls.

About the Author
Carly Compass has been a writer all her life. She is pleased to announce that Electric, The Beginning, Book I is now available for free download! Electric, The Consummation, Book II and Electric, The Resolution, Book III are available on both Smashwords and Amazon! The Electric Series is her debut novel and her life's work! Electric, The Aftermath, Book IV, is due out on April 30th of this year. So get reading if you haven't already so you can catch up in time for her new release!

Become a fan on Goodreads! 
Like her author page!
Read short stories on Wattpad.
Check out her boards and follow on Pinterest.
Connect with her on Linkedin.
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Featured - Author Interview with Ayan Pal

It's been quite some time since I featured an author interview on my blog - then again, I was busy with my new release "Saved in Sri Lanka". I think the wait was worth it thought, because my interview with Indian author Ayan Pal is a treat to read.
10 Questions with Ayan Pal
1) What do you like most and least about being an author?

The power to influence readers with one’s thoughts, ideas, and visions. To plant a seed of imagination in someone’s mind, to resonate with someone’s heart – that’s what I love about being a writer the most! What I do not like (at least right now) is the inability of pursuing writing as a full time profession unless of course you achieve the kind of success a Chetan Bhagat has achieved for example. I wish I will be able to overcome this in the future someday!

2) Do you prefer a specific genre for reading and writing?

I am very choosy about reading and usually prefer young adult, fantasy, thrillers, and general literary when it comes to what I read. While writing however, I consciously try and strive to write in multiple genres. I guess I can compare it to eating and cooking (the reverse actually). I love eating various kinds of food, but prefer cooking only a few items.

3) In your opinion, is there something that characterizes Indian writing / literature?

It will be difficult to generalize, but Indian writing as far as I can see is clearly divided into the literary and not so literary, and unfortunately not spread evenly across different genres. It’s like having the upper class and lower class… I wish there was more of the middle class. We always need middle of the road writing. Take fantasy or young adult for example – while it is quite a rage internationally. However not too many people have taken it up in India.

4) Any favourite books and authors?

Currently it would be Rick Riordan for his ‘Heroes of Olympus’ series. A recent book which I absolutely loved was ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness, and of course in India the ‘Shiva Trilogy’ by Amish.

5) Use these 5 words to write a "mini-story": passion, compassion, think, money, knowledge

When Arjun shared his decision to pursue a career in writing with his friends, he was served with compassion. ‘Switch on the AC’ said someone. ‘Would you like to drink a glass of lemonade?’ asked another. Maybe it was the work pressure, thought one, or maybe even the scotch, reasoned another.

They were not wrong in their reasoning. After all, his knowledge about the craft he wished to pursue was inadequate. Instead of a master’s degree in Literature, Arjun held a bachelor’s degree in Engineering! Come to think of it, his 10+ years’ worth of experience as an IT Consultant would go for naught in his new profession! Could only passion replace years of experience?

When Arjun returned, a bit more drunk than usual, he was met at the doorstep by his mother. ‘What is more important Ma?’ he asked, his face a canvas full of possibilities, ‘is it money, or dreams?’

She did not immediately reply. Instead she pulled him away to the bedroom and tucked him into the bed. While planting a kiss on her grown up kid’s forehead she softly whispered ‘what is most important is a good night’s sleep. Only then can one follow one’s dreams! If your work cannot give you that, then it’s not worth it.’

For the first time in his life, Arjun finally had the answer to a question he had dreaded asking. As he finally went off to sleep, he had a serene smile upon his lips, and a plan that would see his life forever change the moment he would wake up the next morning.

6) Paperback or eBook?

Paperback. I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to reading. Sorry trees!

7) Is there a question you have always hoped somebody would ask you? (Feel free to answer it, too.)

I guess I have always wanted someone to ask me the kind of questions one gets asked in the final Q&A round of a beauty pageant. But I guess since I don’t look like a Miss Universe, no one would be interested in what I have to say (which by the way is obviously centered on maintaining world peace!)

8) Complete this sentence: A writer’s most important tool is…

A writer’s most important tool is his ability to use anything around him, and especially his imagination as a tool to carve out a story. The ability to see, hear, process, and then deliver. I guess that’s what matters the most to a writer!

9) What is your writing strength / what are you best at writing?

I feel I am strongest at descriptions and handling emotions, be it pain, fear, thrill, or passion. In terms of genres I would like to believe I am better at thrillers and fantasy. I also have a flair for any writing inspired by personal experiences and real events.

10) Please tell us more about your latest stories, book(s) and plans for the future.

‘Crossed and Knotted’, which also happens to be India’s first composite novel, has just released and is thankfully making the right noises. In April ‘Rudraksh’, where I have also written the title story is releasing. Both books are extremely special to me. While in the former I attempted my first thriller through the story chapter ‘The Diary of Joseph Varughese’ the second, I feel, contains my best short story so far in terms of range and literary value.

That apart, I am trying my best to meet the developmental editor’s vision for my debut novel – ‘What If…?’ It’s a novel set in India and England post the 2nd world war. It’s a part literary thriller and part fantasy adventure and has been in the making for over twelve years. I can’t wait for it to be published actually!

How it does will determine my next steps as a writer. Hoping for the best! The rest is of course for the readers to decide. My only aim right now is to find and reach my target audience, and even more importantly, to keep them hooked. And yes… I can’t wait to take up writing full time. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Author Ayan Pal About the Author
Ayan Pal is an IBM Accredited IT Consultant with almost 11 years of experience across IT Majors CISCO, WIPRO, and IBM in Problem Management, Incident Management, Learning Design & Development, Training & Facilitation, Communication, Marketing, Branding, and Social Networking.

He is also an author known for his acclaimed short stories in the #1 Amazon Bestseller ‘Chronicles of Urban Nomads’ and #2 Amazon Bestseller ‘21 Tales to Tell’. He has also contributed to India’s first composite novel – ‘Crossed and Knotted’, ‘Upper Cut’, and ‘Her Story’ respectively.

He is passionate about public speaking and leadership and has been an Area and Division Governor of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization headquartered in Santa Anna, California.

Ayan was the recipient of the highest honor from Toastmasters – “Distinguished Toastmaster” becoming the first person from Kolkata in 90 years to do so, and amongst the only two who received it from Eastern India. He has also received multiple service excellence awards from IBM and a Brandan Hall Silver Award, considered as the “Academy Awards” by Learning, Talent and Business Executives.

He loves reading, creative writing, and binge watching his favorite TV Shows. He is currently working on his debut novel – ‘What If…?’ that is expected to release later this year.

Book Club Blog Tour - Spotlight of Hidden Passion by Summerita Rhayne

Hidden Passion  by  Summerita Rhayne 


The Blurb

Rukmani, the youngest of her family, has always had her way and she thinks she would too when the question of her marriage arises. But when she expresses her wishes, her world comes crumbling down because aristocratic affairs seem to matter more than her heart. Who can she run to but the strongest ruler of the region, Deveshwaraya?

Devesh finds himself torn between duty and desire. He is drawn to her yet being with her jeopardizes everything he has worked for. When even protecting her invites trouble, how can he let his heart become involved? 

When the walls of monarchical politics rise high between them, will her passion prevail?

Hidden Passion – the story of a princess daring to reach out for her heart’s desire

Buy @
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Meet the Author



Summerita Rhayne writes sensual romance with emotional conflict. She took up writing when she was in her late thirties and hasn't looked back since. She first got published in 2013 and has won contests with Harlequin and Harper Collins India. Writing, she finds, is the only way to deal with the numerous story ideas bubbling in her brain which pop up more rapidly than her keyboard can do justice to. Especially when writing time is in short supply while juggling it with a job and the demands of a family. However, her pet belief is that a story and its characters have a life of their own and will find a way to make the writer pen them down. What else can one do when cerebrally confronted with the sizzling interaction of two Alpha characters?

She prefers to call her books sweet and sensual to denote the slowly deepening relationship between the characters.

She loves winding down with music, movies and social networking.

You can stalk her @

                              
         

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Featured - A Spell in Provence by Marie Laval - Author Interview

About the Book
With few roots in England and having just lost her job, Amy Carter decides to give up on home and start a new life in France, spending her redundancy package turning an overgrown Provençal farmhouse, Bellefontaine, into a successful hotel.

Though she has big plans for her new home, none of them involves falling in love – least of all with Fabien Coste, the handsome but arrogant owner of a nearby château.  As romance blossoms, eerie and strange happenings in Bellefontaine hint at a dark mystery of the Provençal countryside which dates back many centuries and holds an entanglement between the ladies of Bellefontaine and the ducs de Coste at its centre. As Amy works to unravel the mystery, she begins to wonder if it may not just be her heart at risk, but her life too. 

See more at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spell-Provence-Marie-Laval-ebook/dp/B00RVQO8RM/ref=sr_1_9?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1420915312&sr=1-9&keywords=accent+press

http://www.accentpress.co.uk/Book/13421/A-Spell-in-Provence.html#sthash.X8MLryS5.dpuf

Author Interview
1) What do you like most and least about being a writer?

I love the fact that it takes me to faraway places and gives me the chance to live different experiences through my characters. It's the best form of escapism ever. I'm not so keen on getting stuck on a particular scene or on having to backtrack because I went completely the wrong way and should have planned better!   

2) Your book “A Spell in Provence” is set in France. What do you associate with Provence and France in general?

For me, Provence is summer and sunshine, scents of lavender and wild herbs, and the singing of cicadas. France is where I was born and where I grew up, and there are times when I miss it terribly, and not only the cheese and pastries - éclairs au chocolat, tartes aux pommes, petits choux and the like - which are my guilty pleasures! Every time I return to France, I love meeting up with my family and friends at the terrace of a café or a quiet restaurant, and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch. I also love listening to lots of French music from the eighties and watch French films with all my favourite actors in!


3) What inspired the story?

It was a family holiday in the South of France a few years ago. We visited many towns and villages with very old fountains, and I started thinking of a plot with a 'fountain trail' leading to a treasure or an ancient site...

4) Did you have to do a lot of research for your new book? How did you do it?

I did lots of research about the Salyens, the native Celtic tribes who lived in Provence before the Romans and who had very important settlements in Glanum, for example. Reading about the archeological evidence from their various sites was fascinating and helped me shape the story.

5) Any hidden talents or crazy facts about you?

Let's see...It's a boring and a completely useless skill, but I can take dictation in shorthand in French, English and German. Of course, no one uses shorthand these days!  

6) What is your favourite genre (to read and / or write)?

I love to read romance, but that's not surprising, isn't it? I also love poetry, travel guides and non-fiction books about history and architecture.

7) Tell us about the one thing you can’t write without.

Three things: coffee, tea...and my laptop!

8) Do you have any advice for (aspiring) authors?

Keep writing, don't give up no matter what people tell you, and how many rejection letters you receive. It's your dream. It's worth it.

9) What was the hardest part about writing your historical romance “The Lion’s Embrace”?

There was nothing hard about writing THE LION'S EMBRACE. I wrote the novel in six months, which is an achievement for me, and I enjoyed every minute of it, from the research to the final edits.

10) What are you currently working on?

I have two ongoing projects. I am in the last stages of completing the first draft of a contemporary romance set in Scotland, and I have just started writing and researching a historical romance set in Corsica. Although I have never been there, everything about the island is fascinating and incredibly romantic. What's more, I think I have just the right hero in mind for the story! But I won't say anymore for now... 

Author Marie Laval About the Author
Originally from Lyon in France, Marie studied History and Law at university there before moving to Lancashire in England where she worked in a variety of jobs, from PA in a busy university department to teacher of French in schools and colleges. Writing, however, was always her passion, and she spends what little free time she has dreaming and making up stories. Her historical romances ANGEL HEART and THE LION'S EMBRACE are published by MuseItUp Publishing. A SPELL IN PROVENCE is her first contemporary romance. It is published by Áccent Press.

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Happy Women's Day

March 8th is International Women's Day. Though I think that we should honour women every day of the year, I want to use this opportunity to spread some love. A few days ago, I asked my Facebook friends to submit quotes, poems and saying circling around women, and here's what they came up with.

But first, a quote I really like:

“A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” - Eleanor Roosevelt -

Words For It

I wish I could take language
And fold it like cool, moist rags.
I would lay words on your forehead.
I would wrap words on your wrists.
“There, there,” my words would say–
Or something better.
I would murmur,
“Hush” and “Shh, shhh, it’s all right.”
I would ask them to hold you all night.
I wish I could take language
And daub and soothe and cool
Where fever blisters and burns,
Where fever turns yourself against you.
I wish I could take language
And heal the words that were the wounds
You have no names for.
- Julia Cameron -
(submitted by Adisha Kariyawasam)


A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself. - Maya Angelou -
(submitted by Mia Epsilon)



Woman

Lipstick and handbags with matching heels Your colossal kajal from Maybelline; Ruffling hair all over your face, Oh! That's a charming woman's grace!

You are independent,you are strong You can fight your battles alone; From office to home you manage with ease, Shopping and splurging keeps you all pleased!

Flowers and diamonds are your best friends Chocolates and teddies are always a game; From capries to drapes you manage so well, That smile of yours casts a magical spell.

You can make noodles taste good in your creative way As I wonder in my heart what more can I say; With pouting lips and that cuddled way, Am I beautiful?You whisper and say.

From house to the heart you hold the key You can change the world and the cosmic theory; You push the doors which are to be pulled, The gait of yours makes the heart drool.

You sleep so peacefully with that noodle strap on Seeing your face half the worries are gone; Soft and sensual goes well with you, With contours and ridges where interest accrue!

You can tie your hair in a rounded bun And put a pencil across it for fun; Yet it looks so amazingly well, The scent of a woman is so alluring I tell!

Tilting your head for a selfie or a mirror shot And tag it on facebok saying is that hot? You look so sweet with your dreamy morning eyes, You can ruin the trust with your sweet little lies!

You can surpass all torture and surpass all pains To be a woman is not a child's game; Powerful you are as powerful will be, Oh! Amazing woman I bow to thee.

The heart of a woman can only a woman tell She's left with no choice when up on a sale; With these thoughts and respect to you, To the glorious Woman I bid adieu! ~ Ronald.

(written and submitted by Ronald Tuhin D'Rozario)


A woman is a giver of life. She is also a sister, a daughter, a mother, a caring aunt. She can be a fountain of happiness, but at the same time, she can be a destroyer. She can be a manifestation of Kali and holding a trident, is quite capable of punishing. She cleans the house so it remains dust free, but when the sin reaches its limits, she can also be the one who cleans the society of its illnesses. A woman can be patient and understanding, but she can also be angered and ruthless. She can be competitive and aggressive; she is a highly misunderstood gender, so feared that the other gender does everything they can to subdue her.
(submitted by Varun Prabhu)
Submitted by Deepti Menon (click on picture for link)
"I will not be triumphed over"--Cleopatra, Egyptian Queen, 69 BC-30 BC
(submitted by Ishabelle Tory)

Submitted by Christina Cole (click picture for link) No one can make you feel inferior but yourself - Eleanor Roosevelt
(submitted by Aarti V. Raman)


"A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction" - Virginia Woolf
(submitted by Vineetha Mokkil)


Women empowerment

It’s not a race to beat men,
It’s not a show to stand dolled up,
It’s not a game to test one’s luck,
It’s not even a debate to strive and win.
Women empowerment is the tenderness, the receipt of the pinks, to embrace the compassion and coexist with men who see the world in the eye’s of the women.
Let’s build a better world, where there is no obstacle, no show stops or speed breakers that say “you can’t because you’re a woman.”
That marks women empowerment. It’s not equality demand, it’s the
acceptance and just that.
(written and submitted by Kavipriya Moorthy)

Submitted by Dhara Kothari (click picture for link)

Book Club Blog Tour - Breach by Amrita Chowdhury

Breach  by  Amrita Chowdhury

The Blurb

How secure are your secrets in the virtual world?  Weeks before pharma-giant Acel is ready to file a global patent application for cancer wonder-drug Colare, its offshore data centre in Mumbai is hacked. The charismatic, young leader of its Indian business, Dr Udai Vir Dhingra, finds himself being blamed for negligence and breach of security. Battling market pressures, media scrutiny, livid American bosses and crumbling relationships, Vir must find the perpetrators, or see his career – and his life – spiral downwards. But the deeper he gets dragged into the shadowy world of masked online identities and muddied digital footprints, the more Vir discovers that nothing is easy or obvious, and everything has a price. Set across Mumbai, Washington and Guangzhou, Breach is a compelling and edgy cyber thriller that explores the dark and dangerous underbelly of our increasingly virtual existence

Buy @
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Meet the Author



Amrita Verma Chowdhury is the author of Faking It, an art crime thriller about fake modern and contemporary Indian art. She holds engineering degrees from IIT Kanpur and UC Berkeley, where she was a Jane Lewis Fellow, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon (Tepper Business School). Her work as an engineer in Silicon Valley led to seven US patents for semi-conductor fabrication – something to show for those bad-haired days. She has done Strategy Consulting and Board Effectiveness work in the US and Australia and has spent long nights fitting five-syllable words inside two-by-two squares. She has worked in the rarefied bastions of Ivy League education bringing together ideas and people. She currently works in publishing. She lives in Mumbai with her husband Sumit, their two children Shoumik and Aishani, and an assortment of pets including a cocker spaniel, a guinea pig and two turtles. She loves travelling, baking cupcakes with her daughter and hearing from her readers.


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My 1st Publishing Anniversary

This #Throwback Thursday is dedicated to what happened roughly a year ago: I’ll be celebrating my 1st publishing anniversary next week, and I’m excited about it.

One year ago

On March 4th 2014 I took the plunge and self-published my first novel, When I See Your Face. I had started the journey mid-2013 already when I had free time on my hands and finally decided to make my biggest dream come true: I’d become an author instead of just being a (technical / content) writer. To say I was terrified is putting it mildly, but I tried my luck anyway. Weeks were spent researching self-publishing, market(ing) trends and much more, and reading – no, devouring – a dozen romance novels to get a better feel for things. To cut the long story short, I had a story idea, worked on the concept, used NaNoWriMo to boost myself, and finished writing my first romance novel (technically a novella) by the end of the year. It took me until March 2014 to publish because there was just so much to do and learn.

From that time on, my life took a new turn. It started filling with new friends from around the world, with hours spent on social media, with tons more of writing, with bright moments of happiness and quite some frustration, with an added source of income, and above all with a million lessons.

One year later

Now one year has come and gone, and much has changed. "When I See Your Face" is available as a free download and has become an Amazon bestseller. You can find out more about the book here and here, and download it in any desired eBook format here.

To celebrate my 1st anniversary as a romance novelist, I’ll be releasing “ Saved in Sri Lanka ” on March 4th, exactly a year after my debut. It’s my 4th book – no wait, it’s actually my 5th book because apart from my own romance novels I have coauthored the romantic thriller " Forbidden ” with bestselling author Mike Wells.

So, THANK YOU for being a part of this experience, and stay tuned for an exotic island romance a week from today when “Saved in Sri Lanka” hits the online stores to woo you with a dose of Asia.

Book Club Book Blitz - Metro Diaries by Namrata

Book Blitz 
Metro Diaries 
By  Namrata
Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries - Love Classics are tales that will hold you from start till end.





Blurb 


Love is one of the most amazing feelings on this earth, one that makes you the most powerful person or the most helpless person in a split second. These stories capture those feelings of despair, longing, love, lust, desire, want, dejection and admiration to create deja vu. Hold onto your hearts as you flip through these pages and take a walk down the memory lane as "Metro Diaries" will revive your innermost feelings and imbibe in you the magic of love. Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries - Love Classics are tales that will hold you from start till end.

Grab Your Copy Flipkart | Amazon.in 

About 
Namrata
Namrata is a prolific blogger known by the name Privy Trifles in the blogosphere who romances life through her writings and aspires to make love the universal language. She dons various hats between that of a contributing author to 6 anthologies a reviewer for leading publishing houses an editor to various books and a columnist. Apart from that she is also the editor for an online magazine called Writer's Ezine. Having mastered the nuances of finance till recently she also held the title of an investment banker closely to let it go to embrace her love for writing fully.


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Featured - Release Day Blitz - Honor by Rachel Rossano

Honor by Rachel Rossano Series: Novels of Rhynan, #2 Genre: Medieval Clean Romance Release Date: February 23, 2015


The Earl of Dentin excels in his position as Securer of the Realm. But the king’s order to pluck an orphaned child from a loving home unsettles Dentin. When a dark-eyed woman challenges his honor regarding the mission, Dentin finds himself unable to justify his actions or get her out of his mind. Something about her lack of fear intrigues him.

Lady Elsa Reeve attempts to avoid the marriage of convenience her brother and mother demand of her. She understands the need to pay off her brother's massive debt. She only wants her family to consider her wishes in the process.

As Elsa becomes further entangled in a snare of her brother’s creating, only one man defends her. But can she trust Dentin, her unlikely champion, and his motives? With a murderer on the loose, Elsa’s fate in jeopardy, and a traitor plotting against the king, Dentin finds his priorities shifting in an unexpected direction.



A smattering of raindrops cut my ruminations short. I studied the angry gray clouds just as thunder rumbled. I decided running for the keep would be better than waiting the storm out in the shelter of the maze tower. I gathered my skirts up and ran for the opening in the nearest hedge. Even running so hard my lungs burned and my legs ached, the downpour beat me to the shelter of the vargar keep.

Normally safe footing became treacherous in the sudden rush of water. Puddles and slick slate pavers slowed me more. Once gaining the half-open undercroft door, I plunged into the underbelly of the castle and pushed the heavy door closed behind me. Not bothering to check the corridor, I began wringing out my heavy rain-soaked skirt.

“Greetings, Lady Elsa?”

I jumped. It took all of my control not to cry out in surprise at the sound of the male voice. I lifted my head to find Lord Dentin standing not three feet away. He looked like he had just returned from a swim. Water coursed down his face and dripped from his clothes into a growing puddle on the stone floor. A partially dry wool blanket draped his shoulders. His hair, black with moisture, stuck out from his head at odd angles as though he had paused mid rub.

Yet, his eyes were bright and a twitch pulled at his mouth. “It is good to know I wasn't the only one caught in the sudden downpour.”

Suddenly realizing I was holding my dress up and exposing quite a bit of leg, I dropped my skirts. The slap of them hitting the wet floor echoed down the corridor. I flinched.

His eyebrows rose and an actual smile pulled at his mouth. It took years off his face, revealing the remnants of the mischievous rascal he must have been in boyhood.

“Don’t look so frightened. I won’t tell on you.”

Anger gripped my chest and my chin rose instinctively. “I doubt my mother would care, my lord. She has grown calloused in her despair of me. I beg pardon. I didn't see you there.”

His smile disappeared and his expression grew thoughtful. “I am a bit hard to miss.”

“True, my lord. I need to proceed to my rooms now and change.”

“By all means. I would not wish you to grow ill. I anticipate an animated conversation at the evening meal.” He stepped back a bit, offering half the narrow hall for me to pass.

I gathered my skirts, keeping the edge just above the floor this time, and stepped through the gap. Then straightening my back and shoulders, I strode down the corridor to the servant’s staircase.

“Wait.”

I paused instinctively, but I didn't turn around. He approached, his boots making squelching sounds on the stone.

“Have this.” He wrapped the wool blanket around my shoulders without actually touching me. It smelled of smoke, rain, and dog, but his residual warmth radiated from it. The heat felt heavenly on my chilled skin. “You need it more than I do.”

Then before I could voice my gratitude, he strode toward the kitchen calling for someone named Reginald.

“Thank you,” I whispered. Clutching the fabric to me, I dropped the pretense of dignity and ran for the stairs. If I was caught in this state of dress, my mother would never let me out of her sight again.




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Book 1: Duty: First Novel of Rhynan Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords

Rachel Rossano is a happily married mother of three children. She spends her days teaching, mothering, and keeping the chaos at bay. After the little ones are in bed, she immerses herself in the fantasy worlds of her books. Tales of romance, adventure, and virtue set in a medieval fantasy world are her preference, but she also writes speculative fantasy and a bit of science fiction.


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1000 Voices Speak for Compassion - My Contribution

Today I am part of something special. On February 20th, 2015, hundreds of bloggers from all over the world have pledged to share a post on compassion. Many have written about this very important topic before already. You can check out the blog and Facebook as well as the Twitter hashtag #1000Speak.
I have decided to write a short story:
Short Story: I will call you Hope
Karuna kicked a pebble out of her way and sighed. Another day of loneliness. Her mother was too busy cleaning the house and preparing food for her and her two younger siblings to care much for her. Her father was away on a different continent, working from morning until evening under back-breaking conditions to support his family back in Sri Lanka.

How she wished she had someone to play with! But her chuti nangi was four months old, and her malli, seven years old, was only interested in playing cricket with his friends or hunting the neighborhood for fruit trees to climb.

Lifting her eyes from the dusty pavement, Karuna scanned her surroundings for anything that might hold her interest today. She loved looking at beautiful flowers, but most houses were surrounded by high stone walls with glass shards on top, so she was left with the trees lining the road and the drains spilling mossy greens onto the pavement. She had made up her mind to walk toward the city center and look at the toys in the shops, hoping her father would bring her one on his next visit, when noise from the other lane drew her attention.

Karuna rounded the corner and walked towards the commotion. She heard raucous shouting and thumping noises, intermingled with high-pitched wailing that sounded inhuman and pierced her heart. Automatically she broke into a run although her pulse was hammering in instinctive fear.

What was going on?

When she came closer, she saw a group of boys, most of them a couple of years older than her and still dressed in their white school uniform. The tallest and thinnest of them was holding a stick in his hand while some of the boys were armed with stones and others were jeering and clapping.

Karuna slowed down and edged closer, her heart in her throat. What she saw made her scream an involuntary NO, and the boys all froze in mid-action.

On the dusty ground close to a garbage dumping site lay the lifeless, impossibly tiny, skeleton-thin body of a mud-colored puppy, its fur caked in its own blood. A few feet away, another puppy was cowering, shivering and whining. The tall boy had evidently been hitting it, trying to kill it too, for one of the sand-colored puppy’s legs lay at a strange angle, and blood was trickling down its small face.

“No!” Karuna screamed again. “What are you doing? Don’t kill it!”

The leader of the gang scowled at her before grinning. He elbowed the fat, dark boy next to him in the ribs.

“Look who’s come to watch. Now this will be even more fun. Let’s see whether the puppy or the girl screams louder.”

At his signal, two other boys advanced and grabbed Karuna’s arms to drag her forward into the circle. Another boy seized the puppy by its tail and lifted it high into the air, and they all laughed at its desperate yowling. The tall one lifted his arm to land another hit at the creature he considered worthless, and Karuna saw red.

She didn’t know what possessed her, but from somewhere she found the strength to fight the strong hold the boys had on her. She yanked one arm free and flailed and kicked until the other boy let go of her with a curse. Flinging herself forward and raising one arm to protect her head, she snatched up the puppy that had been dropped in surprise. Hugging it close to her trembling body, she said, “You will not hit him. He’s mine. You can’t hurt him. If you want to get him, you have to hit me first.”

Karuna didn’t feel half as brave as she would have wished it, and her voice was wobbly with terror, but her black eyes burned with determination. The boys took one long look at her, frowning and muttering to themselves.

“Spoilsport, you’ll pay for this,” their leader shouted. He spat on the huddled form and dropped the stick. “He’s useless, just as you are useless. Filth associating with filth. He’ll die even if we don’t kill him.”

With that, he signaled to the group and they walked off, chorusing “filth, filth, filth”.

Karuna realized she was crying in big, snotty sobs. She didn’t bother wiping the boy’s spit from her arm but looked down at the puppy. It was pressing itself to her, huddling into her safe embrace and shaking like a leaf.

“You’re not filthy, you’re the sweetest thing on earth,” she whispered to it soothingly. “I will call you Hope, and you’ll become my best friend.”

Once she felt stable enough to walk, she got up and carried the puppy home, pressing her blouse over the bleeding wound on his face.

Eleven years later

Karuna turned the key in the lock of her apartment door, smiling brightly at the ruckus her dog was making on the other side of it. As soon as she had opened the door, he came bounding toward her on his short legs and leapt up to place his paws on her stomach and lick her hands.

She dropped her handbag and squatted down to hug him.

“Hey there, Hope. How has my sweetheart been? Did you miss me?”

The dog whined softly before barking in joy again and licking her face with his big, wet tongue. She giggled and pried him away with greatest difficulty. Walking into the kitchen with him nipping at her heels, she poured him a bowl of milk and watched him lap it up within seconds.

Hope was one of the ugliest dogs she had ever seen, and she had seen many mangy mongrels on the roadside. While his body was rather big—though not fat—his legs were much too short, and one the front legs bent awkwardly a little away from his body. His sandy fur was short everywhere but in his face where it was a mass of shaggy, grey curls. His tail was as long and as bald as a rat’s tail, and he had lost one eye the day she had rescued him.

Still, he was her most precious possession and the best friend she had. The pitiable puppy had grown into a fiercely loyal and utterly kind-hearted furry beast that was the light of her life.

Karuna patted Hope’s head and went into her room to undress and have a shower. She lived alone, barely able to pay the rent for the tiny apartment with her meager secretary’s salary. Her mother lived at Karuna’s brother’s house, and both had become estranged to her because Karuna refused to agree to an arranged marriage. Karuna’s baby sister was working abroad just like their father.

As during childhood and adolescence, Karuna was too shy and quiet to make real friends, be it at her workplace or elsewhere. She avoided social gatherings, couldn’t afford anything nice in her life, and preferred staying at home with her dog.

That night, Karuna awoke with a start when Hope leapt off her bed and started barking loud enough to wake the whole town.

“Sweetie, what’s the matter?” she asked groggily, groping for the torch on the nightstand.

By now the dog was growling and barking at the same time, his hackles raised. What on earth had gotten into her calm pooch that was too loving and lazy to get so worked up?

Loud crashing and banging noises from the living room alerted her. Despite the warning voice in her head, Karuna grabbed the torch and opened the room door to find out what was going on. With a hand on the furious dog’s neck, she approached the living and gasped when she saw the reason for his behavior.

Two dark figures with cloth wound around their heads and torches in their hands were rummaging through her belongings. The moment Hope saw them, he tore himself from her grasp and ran towards them, yapping and growling and barking, trying to bite the intruders. The men cursed and yelled, and one of them yelped when the dog sank his sharp teeth into his calf. The other man didn’t lose his calm that easily, unfortunately. In an instant he was at Karuna’s side and held a knife to her throat.

“Call that bloody dog back or I’ll kill you,” he commanded.

Trembling with terror, Karuna tried calling her dog back, but Hope wouldn’t listen. He kept avoiding the other man’s weapon while biting him all over his legs repeatedly. Karuna felt the blade of the knife pressed so tightly against her throat that it was cutting into the skin, and she shouted at her dog to come to her side and be good. It was no use.

Just when she thought they’d both die, there was another loud crash that had them all freeze. She saw the glass of the living-room window burst into a million shards, and a figure looming in the half-light from the roadside lamps.

“Stop whatever you’re doing, right now. I have called the police, resistance is futile,” a deep and surprisingly calm and commanding voice spoke. Her mysterious savior held up his mobile phone to emphasize his threat.

When Hope used the burglar’s surprise to sink his teeth into a hand, things took a turn. Cursing in the harshest filth she had ever heard, the two men scampered off through the half-open front door they had broken into some minutes ago.

There was eerie silence after they had vanished into the dark. Karuna sank to the floor as the shock finally registered, and Hope was by her side in a second, nuzzling her face and sniffing her all over to make sure she was fine. His face was covered in blood, but this time it wasn’t his own.

A voice from the window broke her trance.

“You have a really wonderful dog, you know. I think he just saved your life.”

She watched as the man gingerly climbed into the room, avoiding all the broken glass. In a corner of her mind she wondered dimly why her dog didn’t bark at this stranger. The man slowly walked closer and bent down to them, and Hope still did nothing but watch him, one of his paws on Karuna’s knee.

“Are you alright?” the stranger asked, and she looked into the kindest eyes she had ever seen, her dog’s eyes not counted.


Author’s note: Karuna is the Pali (and Sanskrit) term for compassion, and part of the spiritual path of Buddhism.