Devika Fernando's Blog, page 91
May 18, 2014
Book Review: 'The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal' by Adite Banerjie
I fell in love with Bollywood movies some years before leaving Germany, and I got to know a lot about Indian daily soaps after living in Sri Lanka. That’s why the title and blurb—and of course that tempting excerpt—immediately caught my attention. “The Indian Tycoon’s Marriage Deal” by Adite Banerjie sounded like something I’d enjoy… and enjoy it I did, a lot!
Whether that is thanks to my partly Asian roots or not, I do like stories that are impossibly big and drip emotion and tragedy from every page. This book promises exactly that, but delivers much more, too. One of the things I loved most about the story is the strong-willed, independent heroine. Maya isn’t just beautiful, but also successful in her job and aware of what she wants from her life. If you scratch the shiny surface, you’ll find wounds and scars, but also tons of strength and intelligence. This is no meek heroine that gets thrown around like a ball, although her enemies are powerful and crafty. Sure, she falls for the handsome hero who inevitably steals her heart, but she never loses her head or herself in the process.
At first I was a little skeptical that it might turn out to be a stereotypical read, because the idea of the tycoon’s son, his devil of a father and the instant fire of attraction between the protagonists is nothing new—however, I like the details that give the story depth and show how much the author is a master of her writing. You’ll find that the hunky hero Krish is more than charm, wealth, power and confidence. Look out for the bond he shares with his mother, and for his very own environmental projects. Then there’s the heroine’s unusual job, her painful past—and let’s not forget the entertaining, well thought-out supporting cast.
This book has played out in my mind much like the Bollywood movies and Hindi dramas mentioned before, which shouldn’t surprise me because the author is also a screenwriter. Adite Banerjie manages to focus on great themes like revenge, marriage, love, guilt, regret, greed and hunger for power, yet still leave room for personal development. I was satisfied with the transformation undergone by both protagonists, and of course the Happily Ever After has left me with a glowing satisfaction.
These two lessons I took away from the book: Forgiveness is the key your happiness. Love will find a way.
The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal - Adite Banerjie
Today, I want to add a video to my review: As I have said, I can totally imagine the story as a movie. I was picturing heartthrob Hrithik Roshan as Krish all along, and in one scene, Maya's party outfit reminds me of a scene with Karina Kapoor and him in the box-office hit "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Sad) - which also happens to be one of my favourite Bollywood movies.
Whether that is thanks to my partly Asian roots or not, I do like stories that are impossibly big and drip emotion and tragedy from every page. This book promises exactly that, but delivers much more, too. One of the things I loved most about the story is the strong-willed, independent heroine. Maya isn’t just beautiful, but also successful in her job and aware of what she wants from her life. If you scratch the shiny surface, you’ll find wounds and scars, but also tons of strength and intelligence. This is no meek heroine that gets thrown around like a ball, although her enemies are powerful and crafty. Sure, she falls for the handsome hero who inevitably steals her heart, but she never loses her head or herself in the process.
At first I was a little skeptical that it might turn out to be a stereotypical read, because the idea of the tycoon’s son, his devil of a father and the instant fire of attraction between the protagonists is nothing new—however, I like the details that give the story depth and show how much the author is a master of her writing. You’ll find that the hunky hero Krish is more than charm, wealth, power and confidence. Look out for the bond he shares with his mother, and for his very own environmental projects. Then there’s the heroine’s unusual job, her painful past—and let’s not forget the entertaining, well thought-out supporting cast.
This book has played out in my mind much like the Bollywood movies and Hindi dramas mentioned before, which shouldn’t surprise me because the author is also a screenwriter. Adite Banerjie manages to focus on great themes like revenge, marriage, love, guilt, regret, greed and hunger for power, yet still leave room for personal development. I was satisfied with the transformation undergone by both protagonists, and of course the Happily Ever After has left me with a glowing satisfaction.
These two lessons I took away from the book: Forgiveness is the key your happiness. Love will find a way.
The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal - Adite Banerjie Today, I want to add a video to my review: As I have said, I can totally imagine the story as a movie. I was picturing heartthrob Hrithik Roshan as Krish all along, and in one scene, Maya's party outfit reminds me of a scene with Karina Kapoor and him in the box-office hit "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Sad) - which also happens to be one of my favourite Bollywood movies.
May 17, 2014
Sneak Peek Sunday: 'Playing with Fire' Teasers
For this Sneak Peek Sunday, I want to present you with a teaser, the blurb and a character picture for my upcoming paranormal romance novel "Playing with Fire". I'm currently doing editing round 1, and planning my cover release. The book will probably be published next month.
If you play with fire, prepare to get burned - or to fall in love.
Sparks fly when Felicia and Joshua meet. Discovering her inner fire and unleashing unimaginable powers makes her realize that all her life, she has been hiding her true self. When buildings burn and people are in danger, the tempting game of playing with fire becomes serious. Will their love and desperate struggle for control save her life, or will the fire magic turn itself against its mistress?
Felicia, the main character of "Playing with Fire" - Art by LJ Holloway Photography (click link)
If you play with fire, prepare to get burned - or to fall in love.
Sparks fly when Felicia and Joshua meet. Discovering her inner fire and unleashing unimaginable powers makes her realize that all her life, she has been hiding her true self. When buildings burn and people are in danger, the tempting game of playing with fire becomes serious. Will their love and desperate struggle for control save her life, or will the fire magic turn itself against its mistress?
Felicia, the main character of "Playing with Fire" - Art by LJ Holloway Photography (click link)
May 15, 2014
Featured: Guest Post by R.L. Morgan
I love hearing about other authors and their way to success, their writing tips and what makes them special. Thank you, Robin Leigh Morgan, for this insightful guest post on changing genres! Can't wait to hear about your upcoming books.
Guest Post: Changing Genres
Some of us who have chosen to write fiction come from a variety of places. And by “a variety of places,” I’m not referring to a physical location; I’m referring to our writing experiences.
There are some of us who have enjoyed writing since we were children, and each year, by writing something in school, it improved. For some of us, it continued until we graduated college and began working. Some of us entered the work force taking jobs, which required us to write, whether it was procedures, handbooks/manuals, or news stories. But all of these are non-fiction, and each one has a set of “rules” that need to be followed to write something well enough to be acceptable.
As for myself, while my regular job did not require me to write, for eleven years I wrote articles [commentaries/viewpoints] of what was happening in my community and my feelings about it. When I started to write these items, my writing skills were not honed. I didn’t have my ideas organized in a tight manner, although my writing had been informative. By the time I’d written my last item, I’d become quite adept at it.
When I started to write fiction, I somehow drifted to writing a contemporary romance story with a paranormal element running through the storyline, but after almost 9 years I still hadn’t completed it. That is, until someone suggested I should write for a much younger audience, which is what I did, culminating in my first YA Paranormal/Time Travel/First Kiss romance novel entitled I Kissed a Ghost.
Anyway, making the transition from non-fiction to fiction, I’ve had to learn a new set of rules on how to write. Most of these involved dialogue, showing not telling, where before I just told. I now had to learn about the use of tags. I had to learn not to be overly descriptive of something, but allow my reader to create the image for themselves in their minds. In the beginning I found it hard to break my old writing habits. Now I’m finding myself with these habits essentially gone. The biggest issue I still have and am trying to get a good handle on, is POV [Point of View]. Regardless of what’s happening or being said it has to be in one character’s perspective, and you can’t flip-flop between two characters within a scene. There needs to be a transition from one character to another.
All these things have helped me mold myself into the author I’m today. I’ve also learned there are additional rules within a genre, depending on the sub-genre you’ve decided to write in. These rules apply to the dialogue spoken, which needs to be true to the time period you’re writing in, as well as how your characters are dressed, and their titles, if any, as is the case with the regencies sub-genre of romance novels.
I’m now in the midst of finishing the manuscript for my second romance novel, an adult Contemporary romance with a paranormal element running through parts of the storyline, with a working title of “His Darkest Secret.”
The third novel I’m writing in earnest is a YA Urban Fantasy entitled “The Secret of the Well,” which will be a sequel to “I Kissed a Ghost.”
Each week I endeavor to write a Five Sentence Flash Fiction in response to the prompt word given by Lillie McFerrin her website: http://www.lilliemcferrin.com. Seven of these Flash Fictions [with a little tweaking] are now scheduled to be published in an anthology of short stories involving HIV/AIDS as its theme.
So as you can see, writing is not merely a string of words you put together. There are rules that need to be followed if you’re to be well received by your readers.
If you have any questions regarding the above, I’d love hearing from you.
I Kissed a Ghost - Robin Leigh Morgan About the Author
I’m a retired NYC civil servant who has been married for 20 years with no children. I’m now looking at writing novels, etc to become my second career.
I Kissed a Ghost is available on Amazon at:
KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CRQ9SC6
PAPERBACK: http://www.amazon.com/Kissed-Ghost-Robin-Leigh-Morgan/dp/1480030031
If anyone would like to read several UNEDITED SNIPPETS from the book you can find under the category of “GHOSTLY WHISPERS” on any my blog sites:
BLOGSPOT BLOG: WORDPRESS BLOG:
You can also find me on the following sites:
Facebook: Facebook Fan Page: http://tinyurl.com/klxypyu
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/RobinLeighMorgan
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/robin-leigh-morgan/1b/b19/b12/
Twitter:
Guest Post: Changing Genres
Some of us who have chosen to write fiction come from a variety of places. And by “a variety of places,” I’m not referring to a physical location; I’m referring to our writing experiences.
There are some of us who have enjoyed writing since we were children, and each year, by writing something in school, it improved. For some of us, it continued until we graduated college and began working. Some of us entered the work force taking jobs, which required us to write, whether it was procedures, handbooks/manuals, or news stories. But all of these are non-fiction, and each one has a set of “rules” that need to be followed to write something well enough to be acceptable.
As for myself, while my regular job did not require me to write, for eleven years I wrote articles [commentaries/viewpoints] of what was happening in my community and my feelings about it. When I started to write these items, my writing skills were not honed. I didn’t have my ideas organized in a tight manner, although my writing had been informative. By the time I’d written my last item, I’d become quite adept at it.
When I started to write fiction, I somehow drifted to writing a contemporary romance story with a paranormal element running through the storyline, but after almost 9 years I still hadn’t completed it. That is, until someone suggested I should write for a much younger audience, which is what I did, culminating in my first YA Paranormal/Time Travel/First Kiss romance novel entitled I Kissed a Ghost.
Anyway, making the transition from non-fiction to fiction, I’ve had to learn a new set of rules on how to write. Most of these involved dialogue, showing not telling, where before I just told. I now had to learn about the use of tags. I had to learn not to be overly descriptive of something, but allow my reader to create the image for themselves in their minds. In the beginning I found it hard to break my old writing habits. Now I’m finding myself with these habits essentially gone. The biggest issue I still have and am trying to get a good handle on, is POV [Point of View]. Regardless of what’s happening or being said it has to be in one character’s perspective, and you can’t flip-flop between two characters within a scene. There needs to be a transition from one character to another.
All these things have helped me mold myself into the author I’m today. I’ve also learned there are additional rules within a genre, depending on the sub-genre you’ve decided to write in. These rules apply to the dialogue spoken, which needs to be true to the time period you’re writing in, as well as how your characters are dressed, and their titles, if any, as is the case with the regencies sub-genre of romance novels.
I’m now in the midst of finishing the manuscript for my second romance novel, an adult Contemporary romance with a paranormal element running through parts of the storyline, with a working title of “His Darkest Secret.”
The third novel I’m writing in earnest is a YA Urban Fantasy entitled “The Secret of the Well,” which will be a sequel to “I Kissed a Ghost.”
Each week I endeavor to write a Five Sentence Flash Fiction in response to the prompt word given by Lillie McFerrin her website: http://www.lilliemcferrin.com. Seven of these Flash Fictions [with a little tweaking] are now scheduled to be published in an anthology of short stories involving HIV/AIDS as its theme.
So as you can see, writing is not merely a string of words you put together. There are rules that need to be followed if you’re to be well received by your readers.
If you have any questions regarding the above, I’d love hearing from you.
I Kissed a Ghost - Robin Leigh Morgan About the AuthorI’m a retired NYC civil servant who has been married for 20 years with no children. I’m now looking at writing novels, etc to become my second career.
I Kissed a Ghost is available on Amazon at:
KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CRQ9SC6
PAPERBACK: http://www.amazon.com/Kissed-Ghost-Robin-Leigh-Morgan/dp/1480030031
If anyone would like to read several UNEDITED SNIPPETS from the book you can find under the category of “GHOSTLY WHISPERS” on any my blog sites:
BLOGSPOT BLOG: WORDPRESS BLOG:
You can also find me on the following sites:
Facebook: Facebook Fan Page: http://tinyurl.com/klxypyu
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/RobinLeighMorgan
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/robin-leigh-morgan/1b/b19/b12/
Twitter:
May 14, 2014
Featured: 'Upon Your Honor' by Marie Lavender
It's wonderful to get the chance of featuring so many incredibly talented writers all the time. Here's a drum roll for Marie Lavender's promising latest release, Upon Your Honor. Do check out 'Upon your Return' too.
Upon Your Honor - Marie Lavender Blurb
Deception is a dangerous path…
New York City, August, 1891 – Orphaned after the death of her father, Chloe Waverly stows away on La Voyageur to escape the clutches of her cruel fiancé, Lamonte Beckett. Gabriel Hill, a strange and compelling gentleman, comes upon Chloe and promises to protect her without knowing the true circumstances of why she is running away. During their journey, Gabriel doesn’t bargain on being distracted by her fair beauty or succumbing to her many charms. As their attraction to each other grows, so does the danger, and Gabriel suspects things are not as they should be.
Both are determined to get to New Orleans, where she can start a new life. But, once they reach their destination, events spin out of their control and Chloe is captured by the fiancé she escaped. Gabriel is left wondering if he can overlook her betrayal. Soon he finds himself in a race against time, to reach her before Beckett can exact revenge.
Buy links:
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender-ebook/dp/B00JTKTODG/
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender/dp/1625260423/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-honor-marie-lavender/1119268362
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/430789
https://www.createspace.com/4762748
http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-honor/ Excerpt
On deck, he saw her standing at the railing. His heart tripped. God, she was lovely in a pale blue gown with her corn silk hair falling down her back. He wanted to go to her, draw her into his arms and kiss her until they both could no longer breathe. He shook his head. It was impossible.
Then he caught the change in the air. It was subtle at first, then heavy. He started towards her, but didn’t expect to be thrown back full force by the wind. Debris was thrown around. He squinted through the onslaught, and then saw her turn to him.
“What’s going on?” she called.
The wind blew across the ship, and Chloe’s hair was picked up, blowing into her face. “A storm’s coming on!” he yelled to her. “Grab onto something!”
She must not have heard him. The wind was blowing so hard it worked against him as he made his way towards her. Lightning and thunder struck nearby, and rain suddenly plowed down onto the hard wooden surface of the deck. Soon, Gabe was soaked and he could barely see Chloe through the onslaught.
With a curse, he kept moving until he saw her shape by the guardrail. Fear sliced through him. Afraid she would pitch over the side, he pushed forward. He was a few feet behind her when a wave came up over the edge of the ship. He shouted in warning, but it hit her anyway. The breath was briefly knocked out of him as she flew back against him. He caught her, but went down.
He lowered her to the deck and leaned over her. She was too pale. Her lashes lay like feathers on her cheeks. The rainwater spattered over them, catching on her face with the appearance of tears. “Chloe!”
There was no way of knowing if she was all right. Not in this weather. He had to get her out of it. He managed to pick her up despite the pressure of the storm, made his way across the deck, and down the steps. He kicked his cabin door open and moved her inside. He set her on the bed and leaned over her again. “Chloe, wake up!” He shook her, but she was motionless. He leaned down to listen to her breathing. Nothing.
He sucked in a breath. He forced himself to focus. Gabriel swept her hair out of her face, breathed into her mouth and started compressions on her chest. It was a technique he’d seen someone use in London after they’d pulled a man from the drink. It had worked then, but it was not helping now. Gabe kept at it for a while, but it did no good. She didn’t respond at all. In a final attempt, he ripped open her dress as well as her corset, then started again. When he was about to do it once more, she sputtered, coughed out some water onto the bed. She fought to breathe. He joined her on the bed, embracing her gently, muttering words of comfort.
When her breathing finally eased, she looked at him, then looked at her state of dishabille. Her eyes widened. She was afraid. Of course she was.
He shook his head, his breathing still labored, and he spoke in short, choppy sentences. “I had to. You weren’t breathing. Forgive me. The storm was horrendous.”
She nodded. “No, I…I understand.”
He sighed into her hair, then pulled away. “Mon Dieu,” he whispered. He had to force himself to forget the fact that he had almost lost her. “You must be freezing.”
Her teeth were chattering. “A little.”
Gabe left the room and returned with fresh clothing and blankets. He set the clothes to the side for even though he wanted to help her out of her wet clothes, it wasn’t possible. He spread the blankets over her, then touched her forehead briefly. “Please stay in here for a while. The storm will go on for some time. We wouldn’t want you to catch a fever.”
Chloe nodded. “Thank you.”
He nodded, but couldn’t manage a better reply. With clenched fists, he left the cabin, unable to control the shudder of leftover nerves that went over him. He could have lost her, he thought. She could have pitched over the side. The water she’d taken in could have drowned her. He shuddered again, closed his eyes.
He cursed. The woman was trouble, just trouble. He would have to keep a closer eye on her, that was all, despite the detriment to his sanity.
Bestselling author Marie Lavender About the Author
Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 18 other books. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. In college, she published two works in a university publication, and was a copy editor on the staff of an online student journal. Marie has published nineteen books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry.
http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/104926404745289477307/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
Upon Your Honor - Marie Lavender BlurbDeception is a dangerous path…
New York City, August, 1891 – Orphaned after the death of her father, Chloe Waverly stows away on La Voyageur to escape the clutches of her cruel fiancé, Lamonte Beckett. Gabriel Hill, a strange and compelling gentleman, comes upon Chloe and promises to protect her without knowing the true circumstances of why she is running away. During their journey, Gabriel doesn’t bargain on being distracted by her fair beauty or succumbing to her many charms. As their attraction to each other grows, so does the danger, and Gabriel suspects things are not as they should be.
Both are determined to get to New Orleans, where she can start a new life. But, once they reach their destination, events spin out of their control and Chloe is captured by the fiancé she escaped. Gabriel is left wondering if he can overlook her betrayal. Soon he finds himself in a race against time, to reach her before Beckett can exact revenge.
Buy links:
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender-ebook/dp/B00JTKTODG/
http://www.amazon.com/Upon-Your-Honor-Marie-Lavender/dp/1625260423/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/upon-your-honor-marie-lavender/1119268362
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/430789
https://www.createspace.com/4762748
http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-honor/ Excerpt
On deck, he saw her standing at the railing. His heart tripped. God, she was lovely in a pale blue gown with her corn silk hair falling down her back. He wanted to go to her, draw her into his arms and kiss her until they both could no longer breathe. He shook his head. It was impossible.
Then he caught the change in the air. It was subtle at first, then heavy. He started towards her, but didn’t expect to be thrown back full force by the wind. Debris was thrown around. He squinted through the onslaught, and then saw her turn to him.
“What’s going on?” she called.
The wind blew across the ship, and Chloe’s hair was picked up, blowing into her face. “A storm’s coming on!” he yelled to her. “Grab onto something!”
She must not have heard him. The wind was blowing so hard it worked against him as he made his way towards her. Lightning and thunder struck nearby, and rain suddenly plowed down onto the hard wooden surface of the deck. Soon, Gabe was soaked and he could barely see Chloe through the onslaught.
With a curse, he kept moving until he saw her shape by the guardrail. Fear sliced through him. Afraid she would pitch over the side, he pushed forward. He was a few feet behind her when a wave came up over the edge of the ship. He shouted in warning, but it hit her anyway. The breath was briefly knocked out of him as she flew back against him. He caught her, but went down.
He lowered her to the deck and leaned over her. She was too pale. Her lashes lay like feathers on her cheeks. The rainwater spattered over them, catching on her face with the appearance of tears. “Chloe!”
There was no way of knowing if she was all right. Not in this weather. He had to get her out of it. He managed to pick her up despite the pressure of the storm, made his way across the deck, and down the steps. He kicked his cabin door open and moved her inside. He set her on the bed and leaned over her again. “Chloe, wake up!” He shook her, but she was motionless. He leaned down to listen to her breathing. Nothing.
He sucked in a breath. He forced himself to focus. Gabriel swept her hair out of her face, breathed into her mouth and started compressions on her chest. It was a technique he’d seen someone use in London after they’d pulled a man from the drink. It had worked then, but it was not helping now. Gabe kept at it for a while, but it did no good. She didn’t respond at all. In a final attempt, he ripped open her dress as well as her corset, then started again. When he was about to do it once more, she sputtered, coughed out some water onto the bed. She fought to breathe. He joined her on the bed, embracing her gently, muttering words of comfort.
When her breathing finally eased, she looked at him, then looked at her state of dishabille. Her eyes widened. She was afraid. Of course she was.
He shook his head, his breathing still labored, and he spoke in short, choppy sentences. “I had to. You weren’t breathing. Forgive me. The storm was horrendous.”
She nodded. “No, I…I understand.”
He sighed into her hair, then pulled away. “Mon Dieu,” he whispered. He had to force himself to forget the fact that he had almost lost her. “You must be freezing.”
Her teeth were chattering. “A little.”
Gabe left the room and returned with fresh clothing and blankets. He set the clothes to the side for even though he wanted to help her out of her wet clothes, it wasn’t possible. He spread the blankets over her, then touched her forehead briefly. “Please stay in here for a while. The storm will go on for some time. We wouldn’t want you to catch a fever.”
Chloe nodded. “Thank you.”
He nodded, but couldn’t manage a better reply. With clenched fists, he left the cabin, unable to control the shudder of leftover nerves that went over him. He could have lost her, he thought. She could have pitched over the side. The water she’d taken in could have drowned her. He shuddered again, closed his eyes.
He cursed. The woman was trouble, just trouble. He would have to keep a closer eye on her, that was all, despite the detriment to his sanity.
Bestselling author Marie Lavender About the AuthorBestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 18 other books. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. In college, she published two works in a university publication, and was a copy editor on the staff of an online student journal. Marie has published nineteen books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry.
http://www.marielavender.webs.com/
http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
http://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58
https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
https://twitter.com/marielavender1
https://plus.google.com/u/0/104926404745289477307/posts
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender
http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
May 13, 2014
Ask the Author - Interview with Lindsay Downs
Prepare yourself for an interesting read: Author Lindsay Downs spills the beans on life and writing. Thanks for accepting my interview request!
10 questions with Lindsay Downs
Tell us a little about yourself and any hidden talents that are totally worth mentioning.
In 2008 when I got two books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.
More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rules, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.
Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.
After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other died unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.
For me, as a multipublished author, it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.
I’m also a member of the Published Authors Network (PAN) by the Romance Writers of America (RWA).
What do you like most about being a writer?
I love creating a world where my readers can escape into. With me it’s Regency England where gentlemen were, for the most part, gentlemen and ladies delicate flowers. Yeah right, my heroines can keep up with my hero and sometimes is smarter than they are.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Thinking about it there isn’t a book I’d want to be the original author to. I love them exactly the way they’re written.
Is there anything (drink, food, writing tools etc.) that you can’t write without?
I need my Starbuck’s half-café coffee with non-fat milk. I can’t function without it.
Do you prefer a specific genre for reading and writing?
For reading either contemporary or regency romance. When writing I love regency romantic suspense even though I will, on the rare occasion, write regency romance.
Paperback or eBook?
If you’re asking which I prefer to read, eBooks. For writing I also like to see them in that same format as they tend to be a little cheaper and easier to carry around.
Any favourite books and authors? Sorry if choosing is a difficult task…
Since I have so many favorite authors and books it wouldn’t be fair for me to attempt to list them as I might leave some off the list.
If you were sent away to a deserted island, what 5 things (yes, 5 instead of 3) would you take with you?
1- unlimited supply of paper and pens since there won’t be any electricity to power my computer
2- unlimited supply of my Starbuck’s coffee
3- sun tan lotion so I don’t burn
4- some way to either catch or grow my food
5- some way to be able to start fires to cook the food
What inspired you to write your latest book?
My latest, The Guilty Countess, came from the first book in the series Markson Regency Mystery. Frequently, I’ll get an idea for a follow-up book from the one I’m currently writing. Right now I’ve ideas for two more in the series along with titles. I’ll be releasing them every three to four months. They will all be in eBook format and available at either Amazon or Smashwords.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up, and treat writing as a job not a hobby. Even if you can only write for 15 minutes a day, that’s a start. Do it at the same time every day and let the family know you’re going to be busy.
If you can, take workshops either online or in person to learn the craft and join a writers group.
Finally, never give up your dream to be published.
The Masked Lady and the Murder - Lindsay Downs 
To Love a Lady - Lindsay Downs
Connect with the Author
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.downs.7
Facebook Pages: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindsay-Downs-Author/325132754200597?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Regency-by-Lindsay-Downs/421654731286944
Twitter: @ldowns2966
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3210224-lindsay Lindsay Downs-Romance Author: http://lindsaydowns-romanceauthor.weebly.com/
10 questions with Lindsay Downs
Tell us a little about yourself and any hidden talents that are totally worth mentioning.
In 2008 when I got two books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.
More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rules, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.
Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.
After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other died unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.
For me, as a multipublished author, it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.
I’m also a member of the Published Authors Network (PAN) by the Romance Writers of America (RWA).
What do you like most about being a writer?
I love creating a world where my readers can escape into. With me it’s Regency England where gentlemen were, for the most part, gentlemen and ladies delicate flowers. Yeah right, my heroines can keep up with my hero and sometimes is smarter than they are.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Thinking about it there isn’t a book I’d want to be the original author to. I love them exactly the way they’re written.
Is there anything (drink, food, writing tools etc.) that you can’t write without?
I need my Starbuck’s half-café coffee with non-fat milk. I can’t function without it.
Do you prefer a specific genre for reading and writing?
For reading either contemporary or regency romance. When writing I love regency romantic suspense even though I will, on the rare occasion, write regency romance.
Paperback or eBook?
If you’re asking which I prefer to read, eBooks. For writing I also like to see them in that same format as they tend to be a little cheaper and easier to carry around.
Any favourite books and authors? Sorry if choosing is a difficult task…
Since I have so many favorite authors and books it wouldn’t be fair for me to attempt to list them as I might leave some off the list.
If you were sent away to a deserted island, what 5 things (yes, 5 instead of 3) would you take with you?
1- unlimited supply of paper and pens since there won’t be any electricity to power my computer
2- unlimited supply of my Starbuck’s coffee
3- sun tan lotion so I don’t burn
4- some way to either catch or grow my food
5- some way to be able to start fires to cook the food
What inspired you to write your latest book?
My latest, The Guilty Countess, came from the first book in the series Markson Regency Mystery. Frequently, I’ll get an idea for a follow-up book from the one I’m currently writing. Right now I’ve ideas for two more in the series along with titles. I’ll be releasing them every three to four months. They will all be in eBook format and available at either Amazon or Smashwords.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up, and treat writing as a job not a hobby. Even if you can only write for 15 minutes a day, that’s a start. Do it at the same time every day and let the family know you’re going to be busy.
If you can, take workshops either online or in person to learn the craft and join a writers group.
Finally, never give up your dream to be published.
The Masked Lady and the Murder - Lindsay Downs To Love a Lady - Lindsay Downs Connect with the Author
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lindsay.downs.7
Facebook Pages: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lindsay-Downs-Author/325132754200597?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Regency-by-Lindsay-Downs/421654731286944
Twitter: @ldowns2966
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/home
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3210224-lindsay Lindsay Downs-Romance Author: http://lindsaydowns-romanceauthor.weebly.com/
May 12, 2014
Book Review: 'India was One' by An Indian
I’ve always been fascinated by the way a country like India can be so full of innumerable states and languages and ethnicities and different cultures, and yet be “one” – so this book sounded very promising. Considering the background and its conflicts, the concept of the country being divided into South India and North India, much like South Korea and North Korea, doesn’t seem far-fetched at all and is portrayed in a shocking way that makes it even more credible.
“India was One” by An Indian is a book that makes you think and that is filled with interesting information. The latter is provided in sentences or whole paragraphs in italic that follow the introduction of a word, food, custom or traditional concept. This sort of interrupts the reading flow, but is also a good way of learning more about India and of emphasizing how different yet unquestionably Indian all of it is. Whether you know most of it—like me—or not, these side notes are well-written and help to paint the bigger picture.
To me, the story is divided into three parts. The first third is reserved for introducing the two protagonists Jai and Kaahi and getting to know them. They meet at campus, fall in love, spend joyful days with friends and family and get married. All of it reads almost too good to be true. There’s no conflict at all, not even lying dormant. That, however, is just as well, because it will highlight the contrast between the rosy life before and the terrors after the division of the country. The author also uses this part to establish a cast of people who come from all corners of India, always illustrating their background. Everything is part of the puzzle that seems impossible to piece together after the separation of the two Indias.
The second third focuses on the happy couple’s life after they migrate to the United States of America. Being half Asian and half European, I could relate to or at least imagine a lot of what they went through. They are still happy, but now they have to face new experiences and the reader can sense a storm cloud looming. Some chapters deal with Jai and Kaahi traveling to Europe, which was fun to read for me and portrayed as credibly and well-researched as the rest of the book.
The last third hits you hard. From one moment to the other, smiles and success and affection turn to tears and fear and separation. You can hardly believe that you’re reading the same book. The author shocks you with his all too real description of a country and its people torn apart cruelly. Husband and wife are left stranded in the two halves of India, fighting a losing battle to be reunited. Everybody’s suffering is palpable and you are gripped by the story, racing toward the end that is uncertain until it swoops down upon you. This last part of the book is the one where the writing is most powerful.
There are some nice little touches to “India was One” that had me like it even more. First, there are the sketches that are full of life and details and fit the exotic image of the book. Second, you’re treated to some Hindi words spelled out in the Devanagari script, including phonetic translation and English meaning. Third—if my basic Hindi skills don’t fail me—the hero’s name means “victory” (Jai) and the heroine’s name means “story” (Kahaani), which is just perfect considering their story and role.
Due to the unusual writing style and the conflict occurring so late, this might not be a read for everybody. I, however, really enjoyed it and would recommend it especially to everybody who wants to get to know more about India. Asians / Indians will also find a lot to treasure and ponder. I understand why the author prefers to remain anonymous.
India was One - An Indian
More recommended reads:
Beauty is for Suckers - M.A. Carson
Entangled Moments - Dori Lavelle
Kingdom Come - Aarti V. Raman
“India was One” by An Indian is a book that makes you think and that is filled with interesting information. The latter is provided in sentences or whole paragraphs in italic that follow the introduction of a word, food, custom or traditional concept. This sort of interrupts the reading flow, but is also a good way of learning more about India and of emphasizing how different yet unquestionably Indian all of it is. Whether you know most of it—like me—or not, these side notes are well-written and help to paint the bigger picture.
To me, the story is divided into three parts. The first third is reserved for introducing the two protagonists Jai and Kaahi and getting to know them. They meet at campus, fall in love, spend joyful days with friends and family and get married. All of it reads almost too good to be true. There’s no conflict at all, not even lying dormant. That, however, is just as well, because it will highlight the contrast between the rosy life before and the terrors after the division of the country. The author also uses this part to establish a cast of people who come from all corners of India, always illustrating their background. Everything is part of the puzzle that seems impossible to piece together after the separation of the two Indias.
The second third focuses on the happy couple’s life after they migrate to the United States of America. Being half Asian and half European, I could relate to or at least imagine a lot of what they went through. They are still happy, but now they have to face new experiences and the reader can sense a storm cloud looming. Some chapters deal with Jai and Kaahi traveling to Europe, which was fun to read for me and portrayed as credibly and well-researched as the rest of the book.
The last third hits you hard. From one moment to the other, smiles and success and affection turn to tears and fear and separation. You can hardly believe that you’re reading the same book. The author shocks you with his all too real description of a country and its people torn apart cruelly. Husband and wife are left stranded in the two halves of India, fighting a losing battle to be reunited. Everybody’s suffering is palpable and you are gripped by the story, racing toward the end that is uncertain until it swoops down upon you. This last part of the book is the one where the writing is most powerful.
There are some nice little touches to “India was One” that had me like it even more. First, there are the sketches that are full of life and details and fit the exotic image of the book. Second, you’re treated to some Hindi words spelled out in the Devanagari script, including phonetic translation and English meaning. Third—if my basic Hindi skills don’t fail me—the hero’s name means “victory” (Jai) and the heroine’s name means “story” (Kahaani), which is just perfect considering their story and role.
Due to the unusual writing style and the conflict occurring so late, this might not be a read for everybody. I, however, really enjoyed it and would recommend it especially to everybody who wants to get to know more about India. Asians / Indians will also find a lot to treasure and ponder. I understand why the author prefers to remain anonymous.
India was One - An Indian
More recommended reads:
Beauty is for Suckers - M.A. Carson
Entangled Moments - Dori Lavelle
Kingdom Come - Aarti V. Raman
May 11, 2014
Book Blast for "Bittersweet Moments"
I'm excited to be part of Dori Lavelle's Blog Tour for celebrating the release of Book 3 in the Moments in Time Series, "Bittersweet Moments". I have just finished reading the first book, "Entangled Moments", and really enjoyed it. You can download the novella for FREE for a limited time. For a hint at what awaits you, read my Goodreads review here.
Blurb
Can the embers of an old life ignite the flames of a new love?
Six years ago, Melisa Bergfeld’s husband died. As the grief of losing him tore into her, she lost his last gift to her—their unborn child—and her hopes and dreams turned to ashes.
Left with a life she no longer wants, she seeks salvation in a homeless shelter. For a while, that’s more than enough.
But when a fire breaks out, in walks the man who will try to save her life—if she’ll let him.
Florian “Heat” Dane has left behind a trail of broken hearts in his wake, including pieces of his own. For all the girls he’s used to fill the hole in his heart, there has been just one he could never erase from his memories. But when Melisa married his best friend Scott Bergfeld, he knew she would never be his the way she’d been the one unforgettable night they spent together. Now that she’s back in his life, he will do anything to recapture her heart, even if it means giving away his own.
Heat still has the power to ignite passion in Melisa, something she both desires and rejects. He’s a known heart-breaker, and if there is one thing Melisa doesn’t need, it’s another crack in her heart. But when he confesses his love for her, she fears her secrets from the past will surface. And she might be the one to break his heart this time.
About the Author
Dori Lavelle, is a mother, wife, and lover of happy endings and mint chocolate. She thinks love and chocolate make such a perfect pair. Give her a great romance novel with a hint of suspense and a mug of hot chocolate and she'd be one happy woman.
Growing up, Dori read a lot, and when she wasn't happy with a particular ending, she wrote a different one, just for herself. Before long, she was writing stories when she should have been doing homework. The time has come for her to share the stories she cooks up in her head.
Website : http://www.dorilavelle.com/
Newsletter : http://ymlp.com/xgbbwwbwgmgj
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dori-Lavelle/1423314904547560
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7348559.Dori_Lavelle
Blog: http://dori-lavelle.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoriLavelle
Email: Dori_lavelle@yahoo.com
Moments in Time
Entangled Moments (Moments in Time #1): **FREE for a Limited Time**
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kvOKCC
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1iL8Ehi
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1kiPwmi
Rekindled Moments (Moments in Time #2):
Amazon: http://authl.it/B00I9JLGWU
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1e5mkeU
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1b1VJor
Apple: http://bit.ly/1g42CmB
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1iqs6wm
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
BlurbCan the embers of an old life ignite the flames of a new love?
Six years ago, Melisa Bergfeld’s husband died. As the grief of losing him tore into her, she lost his last gift to her—their unborn child—and her hopes and dreams turned to ashes.
Left with a life she no longer wants, she seeks salvation in a homeless shelter. For a while, that’s more than enough.
But when a fire breaks out, in walks the man who will try to save her life—if she’ll let him.
Florian “Heat” Dane has left behind a trail of broken hearts in his wake, including pieces of his own. For all the girls he’s used to fill the hole in his heart, there has been just one he could never erase from his memories. But when Melisa married his best friend Scott Bergfeld, he knew she would never be his the way she’d been the one unforgettable night they spent together. Now that she’s back in his life, he will do anything to recapture her heart, even if it means giving away his own.
Heat still has the power to ignite passion in Melisa, something she both desires and rejects. He’s a known heart-breaker, and if there is one thing Melisa doesn’t need, it’s another crack in her heart. But when he confesses his love for her, she fears her secrets from the past will surface. And she might be the one to break his heart this time.
About the Author
Dori Lavelle, is a mother, wife, and lover of happy endings and mint chocolate. She thinks love and chocolate make such a perfect pair. Give her a great romance novel with a hint of suspense and a mug of hot chocolate and she'd be one happy woman.
Growing up, Dori read a lot, and when she wasn't happy with a particular ending, she wrote a different one, just for herself. Before long, she was writing stories when she should have been doing homework. The time has come for her to share the stories she cooks up in her head.
Website : http://www.dorilavelle.com/
Newsletter : http://ymlp.com/xgbbwwbwgmgj
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dori-Lavelle/1423314904547560
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7348559.Dori_Lavelle
Blog: http://dori-lavelle.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoriLavelle
Email: Dori_lavelle@yahoo.com
Moments in TimeEntangled Moments (Moments in Time #1): **FREE for a Limited Time**
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1kvOKCC
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1iL8Ehi
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1kiPwmi
Rekindled Moments (Moments in Time #2):
Amazon: http://authl.it/B00I9JLGWU
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1e5mkeU
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1b1VJor
Apple: http://bit.ly/1g42CmB
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1iqs6wm
Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 9, 2014
The meaning of light in literature
Buddhists in Sri Lanka celebrate the festival of Vesak to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. According to the Buddhist calendar, it falls on the full moon day in May, this year on the 14th. To honour Buddha’s teaching, people are encouraged to keep to the Five Precepts, to cook free meals and give alms, to go to the temple and to make donations as well as spend time with their family and sing devotional songs. It is customary to decorate house and garden with beautiful lanterns crafted from reeds, string and paper. Huge pandals with dozens of coloured lights depict scenes from Buddha’s life. Strings of lights are seen on balconies and roofes, in gardens and on walls, a little like during Christmas. You can find some photos here, but they don’t do the magical beauty justice.
As so much during the Vesak festival revolves around light—as a sign for enlightenment—I want to dedicate today’s article to the symbolism of light in literature.
Going into the Light A symbol of hope
The many phrases and idioms we use make it clear that we can use light in writing to create a sense of hope. From the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” to the “beacon of light” shining bright, there is a sense of coming home, of feeling safe and of finding a solution. We can feel cleansed by light because it symbolizes purity.
No life without light
Only with enough light is growth and life possible, so it can be understood as a life-giving power. When a new day dawns, the light brings possibilities and prospects or news with it.
Light against dark
In many novels, the heroine / hero will have fair skin, wear light-coloured clothes and be associated with light rather than darkness. There are exceptions, of course, such as in paranormal romance, but in general, good = light and bad = dark. Darkness and evil forces are overcome by the main character in a story, by “shining light” on a hidden truth or by reestablishing goodness and calm. He / she can serve as a “guiding light” for others, be “the light of life” for a significant other or help to “see things in a different light”.
Light means enlightenment
Not only in Buddhism and Christianity—Let there be light, Bible—but in almost all religions will you find that light plays a pivotal role. It stands for transcendence, faith and innocence. We associate it with wisdom, intelligence and learning, as a counterpart to “being kept in the dark”. That explains the ceremonial use of lights.
How to use light symbols when writing fiction
- Let a protagonist in a book light a candle… to pray, to let it shine through the window and lead somebody to them, to feel at ease and chase the demons away, to remember.
- Lighthouses carry a powerful meaning, especially if your story revolves around traveling, people gone to sea or somebody returning home.
- Use the contrast between light and dark to characterize people or to create a certain atmosphere. Describe how sunlight looks on a certain plant, how moonlight effects the night, how the light cast by a torch slowly reveals something.
- Remember that light can also have a negative effect on some, e. g. sunlight as a destructive force for vampires. This very avoidance of something usually viewed positively lends depth to the topic.
- Emphasize how important somebody is to a character by comparing him to the sun and by using words associated with light, fire, sparks etc. to describe love and attraction.
As so much during the Vesak festival revolves around light—as a sign for enlightenment—I want to dedicate today’s article to the symbolism of light in literature.
Going into the Light A symbol of hopeThe many phrases and idioms we use make it clear that we can use light in writing to create a sense of hope. From the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” to the “beacon of light” shining bright, there is a sense of coming home, of feeling safe and of finding a solution. We can feel cleansed by light because it symbolizes purity.
No life without light
Only with enough light is growth and life possible, so it can be understood as a life-giving power. When a new day dawns, the light brings possibilities and prospects or news with it.
Light against dark
In many novels, the heroine / hero will have fair skin, wear light-coloured clothes and be associated with light rather than darkness. There are exceptions, of course, such as in paranormal romance, but in general, good = light and bad = dark. Darkness and evil forces are overcome by the main character in a story, by “shining light” on a hidden truth or by reestablishing goodness and calm. He / she can serve as a “guiding light” for others, be “the light of life” for a significant other or help to “see things in a different light”.
Light means enlightenment
Not only in Buddhism and Christianity—Let there be light, Bible—but in almost all religions will you find that light plays a pivotal role. It stands for transcendence, faith and innocence. We associate it with wisdom, intelligence and learning, as a counterpart to “being kept in the dark”. That explains the ceremonial use of lights.
How to use light symbols when writing fiction
- Let a protagonist in a book light a candle… to pray, to let it shine through the window and lead somebody to them, to feel at ease and chase the demons away, to remember.
- Lighthouses carry a powerful meaning, especially if your story revolves around traveling, people gone to sea or somebody returning home.
- Use the contrast between light and dark to characterize people or to create a certain atmosphere. Describe how sunlight looks on a certain plant, how moonlight effects the night, how the light cast by a torch slowly reveals something.
- Remember that light can also have a negative effect on some, e. g. sunlight as a destructive force for vampires. This very avoidance of something usually viewed positively lends depth to the topic.
- Emphasize how important somebody is to a character by comparing him to the sun and by using words associated with light, fire, sparks etc. to describe love and attraction.
May 7, 2014
5 things to learn from CATS
Remember my recent blog post where I suggested there’s a lot to learn from animals. I started with lessons that dogs teach us: to be loyal and thankful, to be confident, to live simply and not to worry too much. Today, I want to share my thoughts on 5 things to learn from cats.
Tabby & Timmy when they were cuddly kittens 1) Don’t give up
If a cat wants something, she’ll damn well get it, whatever it may cost. Whether it means jumping to record heights, squeezing under the slit of a closed door, begging their human or waiting stealthily for the perfect time to pounce – cats know that giving up won’t get them anywhere. We can learn perseverance from them, something that is paramount to reach your goals. If you think you have the right to something, demand it or come up with a plan that will eventually lead to the desired reward.
2) Relax
Okay, this one is obvious. Cats definitely know how to take the chill pill. They spend up to three quarters of their day sleeping or snoozing. They’ll sleep in any position, on any surface, and for as long as they want. If you own cats, you’ll know the dilemma of not being able to shift your position, get up or use your hands because your kitty looks so comfy while she’s deep in dreamland. We people, on the other hand, are filled with stress and go, go, go until the battery is dead and we need a recharge. How much better it would be to use whatever time we have—or better yet, make time—to relax and soak up new energy.
3) Cleanliness is next to godliness
Whatever part of the day is not spent with sleeping or eating is reserved for grooming. Cats will lick themselves after waking up, after feeding time, after their trip to the litter box (or the garden), after a fight, for comfort and socializing… if there’s so much as a hair not its place, they’ll start grooming. To me, cats are very clean animals and we could use a good dose of cleanliness. Body hygiene is important. That may be a given, but apparently some people need that drilled into them.
4) Don’t worry about what others think of you
A cat is confident and content enough not to worry about the opinions and expectations of others. Be it the family dog or their human, cats have mastered the art of ignoring others if they don’t matter. We, on the contrary, put way too much value into what other people might think of us. How much happier it makes us if we forget about the rest and do our thing, live our life and stand up for what we believe in. Nobody actually walks in our shoes, and nobody has the right to judge us. If we stop fretting about public opinion, self-realization is that much easier.
5) Be independent
This is closely related to #4. Cats can be affectionate and loyal, but mostly, they fend for themselves and hate being dependent on anyone or anything. They value their independence because it means less worries and more freedom, even though they won’t hesitate to form bonds if they will benefit from it. I’m not saying we should all be hermits and introverts or lonely sociopaths – what I mean is that it drags us down if we connect ourselves too tightly to somebody. As nothing is permanent, we might lose what we have tied ourselves to, which means disappointment, pain and problems. Love and friendship and family are important, but being dependent is not the key. Don’t lose yourself in the process!
The rulers of the household
Tabby & Timmy when they were cuddly kittens 1) Don’t give upIf a cat wants something, she’ll damn well get it, whatever it may cost. Whether it means jumping to record heights, squeezing under the slit of a closed door, begging their human or waiting stealthily for the perfect time to pounce – cats know that giving up won’t get them anywhere. We can learn perseverance from them, something that is paramount to reach your goals. If you think you have the right to something, demand it or come up with a plan that will eventually lead to the desired reward.
2) Relax
Okay, this one is obvious. Cats definitely know how to take the chill pill. They spend up to three quarters of their day sleeping or snoozing. They’ll sleep in any position, on any surface, and for as long as they want. If you own cats, you’ll know the dilemma of not being able to shift your position, get up or use your hands because your kitty looks so comfy while she’s deep in dreamland. We people, on the other hand, are filled with stress and go, go, go until the battery is dead and we need a recharge. How much better it would be to use whatever time we have—or better yet, make time—to relax and soak up new energy.
3) Cleanliness is next to godliness
Whatever part of the day is not spent with sleeping or eating is reserved for grooming. Cats will lick themselves after waking up, after feeding time, after their trip to the litter box (or the garden), after a fight, for comfort and socializing… if there’s so much as a hair not its place, they’ll start grooming. To me, cats are very clean animals and we could use a good dose of cleanliness. Body hygiene is important. That may be a given, but apparently some people need that drilled into them.
4) Don’t worry about what others think of you
A cat is confident and content enough not to worry about the opinions and expectations of others. Be it the family dog or their human, cats have mastered the art of ignoring others if they don’t matter. We, on the contrary, put way too much value into what other people might think of us. How much happier it makes us if we forget about the rest and do our thing, live our life and stand up for what we believe in. Nobody actually walks in our shoes, and nobody has the right to judge us. If we stop fretting about public opinion, self-realization is that much easier.
5) Be independent
This is closely related to #4. Cats can be affectionate and loyal, but mostly, they fend for themselves and hate being dependent on anyone or anything. They value their independence because it means less worries and more freedom, even though they won’t hesitate to form bonds if they will benefit from it. I’m not saying we should all be hermits and introverts or lonely sociopaths – what I mean is that it drags us down if we connect ourselves too tightly to somebody. As nothing is permanent, we might lose what we have tied ourselves to, which means disappointment, pain and problems. Love and friendship and family are important, but being dependent is not the key. Don’t lose yourself in the process!
The rulers of the household
May 5, 2014
Liebster Award Nomination
Thank you, Marie Lavender, for nominating my website for the Liebster Blog Award! This looks like fun, and I love it when authors / bloggers support each other.
The Rules
1. Link back and thank the blogger who nominated you in your post.
2. List 11 facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
4. Pick 5 - 10 new bloggers (must have less than 300 followers) to nominate and ask them 11 new questions. Do not re-nominate the blogger that nominated you.
5. Go to each new blogger’s site and inform them of their nomination.
To learn more about the Liebster Award, check out this post by Lorraine Reguly.
11 random facts about myself
1. I used to draw a lot during my teenage years.
2. My favourite food is pizza.
3. I am a Buddhist.
4. I wear a nose stud, but my ears aren’t even pierced.
5. I’ve got a German and a Sri Lankan middle name: Gisela Sarangie.
6. I love all animals (apart from cockroaches, mosquitoes and of course spiders).
7. I love singing along to songs although I don’t exactly have a singer’s voice.
8. If I could, I’d have a huge house and garden and share it with dozens of cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, farm animals and more.
9. I don’t like talking on the phone.
10. My husband is my life.
11. I’m an only child.
Questions asked by Marie
1. Name three secrets that you never told anyone.
1) I wanted to become a brain surgeon when I was a child.
2) I don’t know how to ride a bicycle.
3) I love strawberries but I don’t like food with strawberry flavour (ice-cream, yoghurt, sweets etc).
2. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?
I would fly to Germany and buy a nice house somewhere close to Munich, so we could spend our summers there and the winters in Sri Lanka. I'd also donate to charity and animal welfare.
3. Looking over the last ten years, what is one goal you have achieved and one that you have not achieved?
Achieved: becoming my own boss by starting a business. Not achieved: travelling abroad.
4. What are your plans for retirement? And will you travel, if so where and why?
I don’t think I want to change much. I work from home and love what I’m doing, and I can’t see myself ever stopping to write. It wouldn’t really make sense to 'retire'. And though I love learning languages and getting to know about different countries and cultures, I’m not really a travelling person.
5. Favorite drink on a Friday night?
I don’t drink alcohol. If I had to choose something, fresh fruit juice – mango or passion fruit, for example – would be lovely.
6. What do you think the secret is to a good marriage or relationship with a significant other is?
Being honest, being loyal, making compromises, and being yourself. Love is important, too.
7. Name three words that describe your personality.
Creative, caring, honest
8. Home-cooked meal or take-out?
Well, home-cooked is much healthier, but I get that all the time, and I tire of it. So, let’s have some pizza, pasta, French fries or short eats. ;-)
9. When was the last time you blogged and what was the topic?
A few days ago on my author page. Check out "5 things we can learn from dogs".
10. What do you think the key is to happiness?
It depends on the kind of happiness you seek (job, private, general, marriage) and what makes you happy. All in all, I think it’s important to be true to yourself, to have patience, and to work for it instead of waiting for it to happen – because it won’t.
11. Who is your favorite poet and why?
I don’t really have a favourite poet. There are many whose work I treasure, although I mostly just know a couple of poems per writer. My current favourite poem is "She walks in beauty" by Lord Byron because I love the way he uses language to create a magical atmosphere.
Questions asked by Devika
I’ll be lazy and keep the ones I was asked (see above "Questions asked by Marie"). If you don’t feel like answering one or some of these 11 questions, do come up with your own ones.
My Liebster Nominations
1. Priyanka Batra Harjai http://booksnewsindia.wordpress.com
2. Aarti V Raman http://www.aartivraman.blogspot.in/
3. Prachi Percy Sharma http://www.thecrimocopoiea.blogspot.in/
4. Reet Singh http://www.reetsingh.in/
5. Deepti Menon http://deepties.blogspot.in/
6. Summerita Rhayne http://summeritarhayne.wordpress.com/
7. Corinne Schwenk http://disabledandproud.net/
Special mention:
Acharya Swaroop would also like to participate.
The Rules1. Link back and thank the blogger who nominated you in your post.
2. List 11 facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
4. Pick 5 - 10 new bloggers (must have less than 300 followers) to nominate and ask them 11 new questions. Do not re-nominate the blogger that nominated you.
5. Go to each new blogger’s site and inform them of their nomination.
To learn more about the Liebster Award, check out this post by Lorraine Reguly.
11 random facts about myself1. I used to draw a lot during my teenage years.
2. My favourite food is pizza.
3. I am a Buddhist.
4. I wear a nose stud, but my ears aren’t even pierced.
5. I’ve got a German and a Sri Lankan middle name: Gisela Sarangie.
6. I love all animals (apart from cockroaches, mosquitoes and of course spiders).
7. I love singing along to songs although I don’t exactly have a singer’s voice.
8. If I could, I’d have a huge house and garden and share it with dozens of cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, farm animals and more.
9. I don’t like talking on the phone.
10. My husband is my life.
11. I’m an only child.
Questions asked by Marie
1. Name three secrets that you never told anyone.
1) I wanted to become a brain surgeon when I was a child.
2) I don’t know how to ride a bicycle.
3) I love strawberries but I don’t like food with strawberry flavour (ice-cream, yoghurt, sweets etc).
2. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?
I would fly to Germany and buy a nice house somewhere close to Munich, so we could spend our summers there and the winters in Sri Lanka. I'd also donate to charity and animal welfare.
3. Looking over the last ten years, what is one goal you have achieved and one that you have not achieved?
Achieved: becoming my own boss by starting a business. Not achieved: travelling abroad.
4. What are your plans for retirement? And will you travel, if so where and why?
I don’t think I want to change much. I work from home and love what I’m doing, and I can’t see myself ever stopping to write. It wouldn’t really make sense to 'retire'. And though I love learning languages and getting to know about different countries and cultures, I’m not really a travelling person.
5. Favorite drink on a Friday night?
I don’t drink alcohol. If I had to choose something, fresh fruit juice – mango or passion fruit, for example – would be lovely.
6. What do you think the secret is to a good marriage or relationship with a significant other is?
Being honest, being loyal, making compromises, and being yourself. Love is important, too.
7. Name three words that describe your personality.
Creative, caring, honest
8. Home-cooked meal or take-out?
Well, home-cooked is much healthier, but I get that all the time, and I tire of it. So, let’s have some pizza, pasta, French fries or short eats. ;-)
9. When was the last time you blogged and what was the topic?
A few days ago on my author page. Check out "5 things we can learn from dogs".
10. What do you think the key is to happiness?
It depends on the kind of happiness you seek (job, private, general, marriage) and what makes you happy. All in all, I think it’s important to be true to yourself, to have patience, and to work for it instead of waiting for it to happen – because it won’t.
11. Who is your favorite poet and why?
I don’t really have a favourite poet. There are many whose work I treasure, although I mostly just know a couple of poems per writer. My current favourite poem is "She walks in beauty" by Lord Byron because I love the way he uses language to create a magical atmosphere.
Questions asked by Devika
I’ll be lazy and keep the ones I was asked (see above "Questions asked by Marie"). If you don’t feel like answering one or some of these 11 questions, do come up with your own ones.
My Liebster Nominations1. Priyanka Batra Harjai http://booksnewsindia.wordpress.com
2. Aarti V Raman http://www.aartivraman.blogspot.in/
3. Prachi Percy Sharma http://www.thecrimocopoiea.blogspot.in/
4. Reet Singh http://www.reetsingh.in/
5. Deepti Menon http://deepties.blogspot.in/
6. Summerita Rhayne http://summeritarhayne.wordpress.com/
7. Corinne Schwenk http://disabledandproud.net/
Special mention:
Acharya Swaroop would also like to participate.
