Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Tour, Fiction, Young-Adult

“Being a writer is, knowing that your story may have a hundred other stories within it”, Robyn Bernstein on the process of writing and launching her debut novel, Songs From The Other Side

Today I’ll be hosting Robyn Bernstein on my blog. Her debut novel Songs From The Other Side is now available on Amazon.com

Robyn Bernstein is a Duke University graduate, currently living in Arizona with her husband and three children. Her fiction work is influenced by a decade of living in New York City, as she frequently highlights art, music and architecture as important aspects of her characters’ East Coast lives.

It is my pleasure to welcome Ms. Bernstein to this episode.

Me: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Robyn: I entered a writing contest for Seventeen magazine when I was fifteen. Out of thousands of entrants, my short story received honorable mention. Until then, I had never qualified myself as a writer because most of the work I did was either for academic purposes or journaling.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Robyn: I think I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve been able to pick up a pen and write, though the types of things I’ve enjoyed writing have changed dramatically. For a very long time, it was poetry or lyrics for songs. Despite early on, having won a lot of small poetry contests and even placing in that short story contest, I had always enjoyed writing as a very private thing. Most of my characters have strong elements of my own vulnerabilities and there was a sense of feeling exposed or revealed by sharing them.

Me: What inspired you to write Songs From The Other Side?

Robyn: After this past year, 2020, the confluence of hardship and loss for so many people, it seemed like Songs From The Other Side had tremendous relevance. It is is at the heart, a love story but one that taps into universal aspects of grief and how to honor and eventually overcome great loss. I wanted the writing style to be poetic, lyrical and to have the depictions and descriptions within the story be so beautiful at times that the words were comforting, even when the characters themselves were suffering.

You can now order paperback and Kindle version of Songs From The Other Side from  Amazon.com

Me: Are your characters created from scratch or are they based on people from your life?

Robyn: They came to life for me so clearly when I was writing that I can only assume they are parceled together parts of people I know. Jonah, for example, one of my absolute favorite characters has the dynamic energy and sense of humor of my husband, but also the joyful optimism of our three boys.

Me: Were there alternate endings you considered?

Robyn: I knew the ending before I knew the entire story leading my characters there. There was never another ending.

Me: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Robyn: I had a lot of trepidation about releasing my work to the public and I think that tapped into fears related to perfectionism. Not surprisingly, this theme shows up in some of the characters in the book but somehow they’re able to work it out in a much shorter time than me! Songs From The Other Side takes place over several months in 1985 and most of my characters are able to find some resolution before the end of that brief time.

Me: What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

Robyn: The book alludes to the magical realism we apply to our own lives when seeking out answers, the idea that if we are attune to it, maybe there is some pattern or purpose affixed to the coincidences in life. For me, it felt like some fun universal joke to write a romantic book about messages, meaning and healing only to have the wrong manuscript be distributed when my book was first released! Why, for a book that was delayed (by me) in being released because I had such fears about perfectionism did the most flawed thing I could have foreseen actually happen? I hated but also loved the joke of it, to think that this forced me to realize that something creatively upsetting happened and I didn’t die. I fixed it and recovered which is actually the most prevalent theme of this whole book. How do we get to the other side?

Me: Who is your favourite author and why?

Robyn: Oh there are so many. Jeanette Winterson for her shattering honesty. Mary Karr for combining beauty and sorrow in her words. Donna Tartt because of her genius structuring of stories.

Me: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Robyn: Mary Karr. I love her ideas on framing, that how you tell a story is based on the perception of what took place. Something can happen and yet two people see the same thing differently. She writes about her own life but not all of her family members have the exact same or choose to allow themselves to have the exact same memories. That to me is what being a writer is, knowing that your story may have a hundred other stories within it.

Me: What is the best piece of advice you received about writing?

Robyn: Write every day. Sometimes my daily writing doesn’t actually get written down though. Sometimes I simply run little scripts of ideas or thoughts in my head, small character sketches. I find it generates a creativity without scattering it too far so that when I actually do sit down to write, I always have a starting point. Sometimes my starting point is – why didn’t I write that down! But at least this way, I never feel writer’s block, something else maybe, but never writer’s block.

Me: What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Robyn: Excitement to see what’s going to happen next. And also my youngest two kids are still in the stage of high energy and constant creativity. So, I think curiosity about what they’ve done in the kitchen plays a role.

Me: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Robyn: Curious, Enthusiastic and Passionate

Me: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Robyn: Allow yourself the separation required to write, to really step back from the world when you need to go inward and be interior to put your thoughts on paper because in order to have topics to write about, you’ll have to eventually pick your head back up and be able to engage and interact again. I think this balance is easier if you fully live in each space when you need to.

Me: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

Robyn: Yes! I am almost done with my second book called Too Cold For Snow. I am so excited about this book about four wealthy sisters during the financial collapse of 2008. Each one has such an intriguing story line, all set in the desolate cold of a Connecticut winter.

You can follow my page @nycazwriter to keep up-to-date on the progress for this project!

About the book

Songs from the other side by Robyn Bernstein

Newly orphaned, Jayne reads her father’s physics notebook to comfort herself. The journal is filled with private lectures and hand written theories. These writings mirror the darkly restrictive circumstances unfolding in Jayne’s life, but also foresee the chance encounter with Jonah, another science nerd who may guide her through her grief. Despite the punishing judgment inflicted by Aunt Pauline, a religious zealot and Jayne’s new guardian, Jayne believes the contents of her father’s journal provide secret messages for her, encouraging her and Jonah to enroll together in a science contest that takes place in New York City. Jayne and Jonah’s friendship grows as they begin to plan their escape, hoping to win prize money for proving the science of salvation. But is Jayne willing to betray the lessons in the journal when they no longer align with what she and Jonah ultimately intend to do? Only Jayne can decide if new love is worth the risk of losing her last connection to her Mom and Dad.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

Connect with Robyn on Instagram

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Young-Adult

Truth or Love (Whispering Willows #9) by Diana Dawn| Review

After hundreds of years, the villagers have found Snow and Lily’s mother Liz in the mine, and she has made herself at home in the Willows. After the big “blowout”, Lily has left the Willows through the mirror, just missing her mother’s grand entrance. But unbeknownst to Lily, Thomas has gone after her. Will he be able to find her and reconcile their love? Snow has left her prince, Mitch, and moved in with ‘King’ Edward. But is it really Snow, or is something more sinister going on? ‘Truth or Love’ is the ninth book in the Whispering Willows series.

Title: Truth or Love (Whispering Willows #9)

Author: Diana Dawn

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 98

My review

A real page-turner in the Whispering Willows series!

Truth or love is undoubtedly the most exceptional book in this series. The ninth instalment is literally mindblowing. Diana Dawn has changed the course of the whole story in this one. She introduces some shocking revelation from the first chapter itself. Willows is under the magic spell and we cannot believe anyone or anything at all. Every character is under suspicion. The author has used this uncertainty to weave an element of mystery in the story. She introduced twists at unpredictable instances and they all made the story even more interesting.

The one character I look forward to meeting again was Liz. Her motherly affection added a refreshing touch to the life at Willows. The best feature of Book 9 is, the author gives equal space to all the characters. The strained relationships of Snow, Mitch, Edward, Lily and Thomas were explored with equal importance. The author even narrates the two stories, one in the Willows and one in the Kingdom, parallelly. The atmosphere in the Willows is much better now. Everyone is working towards a common goal, finding Margurite and save Willows from her evil tantrums.

The narration is at its absolute best here. The story never drags and it keeps a fast- pace from the beginning. So many things happen in each chapter and it is very hard to anticipate what will happen next.

As always, the story ends in a cliffhanger. But this time, the author introduced a novelty in that too. I was quite sad at the quick turn of events in the last chapter. But I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Memoirs, non-fiction, Travel memoir, Travelogue

My China Dream: What I learned from teaching in China by Scott A Morrill

A humorous story of a lawyer’s journey of discovery in the Middle Kingdom. Follow along with his and his wife’s experience teaching young, impressionable Chinese university students western ways as they learn about China and eastern ways. Pandas, certificates and Red Stamps are staples of Chinese society, but the people, food and culture is what won them over.

Title: My China Dream: What I learned from teaching in China

Author: Scott A Morrill

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 236

My review

My China Dream by Scott Morrill is an eloquent memoir reminiscing the time author and his wife spent in China. It all started when they got an unexpected offer to consider teaching positions at Zhejiang University in China. Accepting this offer means, leaving the comfort and safety of home and travel to an unknown country with zero knowledge in their language. Ultimately he decided to take a break from his soul-squishing law practice and bring a sense of novelty and adventurous spirit to his life. Moving to China, a country that has surrounded by a fair share of prejudices and speculations in the western world were not easy. But their experience in China proved them all wrong.

This is a unique blend of emotions. It is heartwarming and humorous at the same time. For someone who lived almost all of his life in the modernized western world, China offers quite a big cultural shock at the first instance. But soon they have accustomed to its ways, thanks to the people who welcomed them with big hearts. The Eastern world is completely different by all means. The government, law, ethics, educational system, culture, faith…everything has its difference. But I really liked the author’s perspective towards them. He looks into this new world with an open mind and enthusiasm. His positive outlook on life is quite evident from the beginning of the book. He keeps this attitude throughout the book.

One of the best features of this memoir, which I liked most is its impeccable narration. The author has narrated every bit of his experience with utmost honesty. It is flawless and captures the emotions behind the words very easily. He included his thoughts, beliefs, frustrations and everything else which made his China dream a blend of sweet and sour. This memoir will make you laugh, excited and sad at times. But, it will certainly leave you with a big smile in the end.

Purchase link: Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Review, Book Tour, Poems, poetry

“Creativity can never be killed but that doesn’t stop people from trying”, mokradi on the process of writing and launching his debut collection, The Personal Diary of Mr. Heartsleeve

Today I’ll be hosting mokradi on my blog. His debut collection The Personal Diary of Mr. Heartsleeve is now available on Amazon.com

mo-kra-di (he/him/his) is an Indian storyteller and chronicler who uses digital media as his primary platform for artistic expression. mokradi engages directly with readers through social platforms where he showcases his work and interacts with a thriving community of thousands. In the years to come, he hopes to continue his digital exploration of themes ranging in masculinity, migration to spirituality and self-identity.

It is my pleasure to welcome mokradi to this episode.

Me: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

mokradi: I am not too sure but now I am curious to know! I regularly post poems and prose, some even attempting to describe myself, on my instagram page @mokradi_ 

I think if you get to know me through my work you are welcome to try!

Me: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? How long have you been writing?

mokradi: I can still recall my tiny white eyes opening wide with unfettered excitement on opening one of my very first books: an illustrated poetry magazine by Sukumar Rai, a renowned Indian writer fondly remembered for his poems for children. I was maybe six or seven at the time.

As any child, I was captivated by the bright drawings of characters and scenes in this children’s book but for the first time I was drawn to the words. The effect words had in rhyming was so magical to me and how Rai effortlessly created these sonic worlds that told a story, all coming out from the nib of his pen!

I feel my artistic expression began very shortly after. I would pick up random crayons, red, blue or yellow and start scribbling over these very same pages with my own inspired rhymes. They probably didn’t make much sense, but the fact I could rhyme this word with that word and make a verse was an exhilarating affair. I don’t think I have stopped since.

Me: What inspired you to write The Personal Diary of Mr. Heartsleeve?

mokradi: Although this fascination for poetry continued throughout my childhood, it really started to take shape during my University days in Canada.

University is an ideal space to explore different forms of expression without worrying about it defining you. I started to take courses in writing and poetry even though I was pursuing a Science degree. Now looking back, I am beyond grateful for the tools these courses provided not only in writing but also in my day-to-day life.

On the other hand, University can also be quite a dark environment. During my four years, I saw many friends endure academic stress, financial hardship, break ups and other emotionally-draining experiences. These first-hand encounters sparked the image of a young adult in me: a boy trying to come to terms with a rapidly changing world, both from outside and from within.

Mr. Heartsleeve was born.

Based on these observations, I began creating these stories within stories you will read in the book. These stories explore the nature of sadness in young people, what it means to love, to lose, to consume and to grow up.

You can now order your official paperback of The Personal Diary of Mr. Heartsleeve across Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es or Amazon.co.jp.

Me: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process? Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

mokradi: This is a great question and the answer might already be embedded in there somewhere: The process is key I think. Trusting the process is the most difficult part.

Some days you come up with great material, other days you spend twice as much time, but nothing comes. This unreliability can be very frustrating, and you might stress and tell yourself you are no longer creative and that spontaneous part of you has died.

Creativity can never be killed but that doesn’t stop people from trying. Our minds are quick to self-sabotage and abandon the process. However in my experience, I feel we never really possessed this creativity to begin with, but it was something we tapped into, perhaps after having earned its trust first.

You have to trust the process, only then does creativity let you in, even if it’s for a short while. Once you are in, you just hold on and the rest it will do. It might then decide to suddenly leave you, don’t take it too personally, be grateful that when it left, it left you with all these gems in your hand that you can then reveal to others. Trust the process, have faith in it. 

Me: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing? Who is your favourite author and why?

mokradi: Ahh.. so many to name! I’m fortunate enough to have been surrounded by a diverse group of friends growing up who introduced me to many inspiring authors that have shaped my style.

Some that come to mind would be Roald Dahl, R.K Narayan, Franz Kafka, Murakami, George Orwell, Syliva Path, Sarojini Naidu, Miss Louise Bennett, Adichie Chimamanda and so on!

Fascinatingly enough my favourite author at the moment is one of the greatest painters the world has known, Vincent Van Gogh. I chanced upon a book of his in a dusty second-hand book store. It is a collection of intimate letters he wrote to this brother, ironically much like a personal diary! I find his writing to be so eloquent, maybe even slightly better than his paintings.

Me: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

mokradi: Yes, I am already working on my next poetry book which is rooted in themes of migration.

Each year, millions of people, now more so, begin an astounding journey to leave their homeland, in search of a new country to call home. Whether by choice or force, these travellers endure great adversities that they must overcome.

My next book will highlight these endeavours, as I too draw on my personal migration story, describing the challenges encountered in adapting to a new way of life, having moved from India to Canada almost a decade ago!

You can follow my page @mokradi_ to keep up-to-date on the progress for this project!

About the book

The Personal Diary of Mr. Heartsleeve is a collection of poetry and prose dedicated to the nature of sadness and the wisdom that emerges from its exploration. Through Mr. Heartsleeve’s Personal Diary, the reader probes answers to profound questions like: what is sadness made of?

Is the nature of suffering the same in everyone?
Is there an ending to attachment?

With each diary entry, the sense of separation between the reader and Mr. Heartsleeve seems to collapse leading one to inquire whether Mr. Heartsleeve and his Personal Diary could’ve ever existed outside of us?

Purchase link: Amazon.com

Connect with mokradi here: Instagram

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Young-Adult

Courage Johnathan: An uplifting read set in Bali by Heather Nadine Lenz

Courage Johnathan by Heather Nadine Lenz

ARE YOU SURE JOHNATHAN?

Are you sure you’ll be the same man without all the trappings of your ego for love?

WHAT WILL IT BE JOHNATHAN? THE BILLIONS OR YOUR SOUL MATE?

The luxury lifestyle, your business, the attention, your reputation – will Johnathan be able to give it all up for the love of his life? And if he does, can he remain the type of man that Caroline deserves?

Title: Courage Johnathan

Author: Heather Nadine Lenz

Genre: Romantic fiction

Pages: 262

My review

How often you will get the chance to immerse yourself in a story which portrays the depth of human emotions? Courage Johnathan is one of a kind novel. It is a slice of real life. Not all of us are figured out everything we want in our life. We often step into emotional dilemmas that we are not ready to face. One way or another, we all want to run away from our problems. But it is never the solution. The real solution will come only when we decide what we really want by upholding our ethics, integrity and emotions. Courage Johnathan is a beautiful story that reflects this message.
Johnathan is going to marry Caroline at the picturesque Bali. But he is unsure of his feelings. His family has put on huge pressure on him to choose between his fiancé or his trust fund and business. He worked day and night to build his company and he enjoys his job. He is not ready to give it up. But what will it cost him? He knows money can’t buy love and love can’t make money either. He has to make a decision that is true to his
feelings and ethics.

Courage Johnathan is the second part of the Courage to Rise series by the author. I have read the first part of this series, Courage Caroline. It revolves around the life and decisions of Caroline. But in this part, the author has reversed the point of view. Here the whole story follows Johnathan and his strained relationships whether it is with his family or Caroline.

The author has used her exceptional storytelling skills to narrate this story with the right pace and concise dialogues. She has painted the emotional struggle of Johnathan and Caroline using very few words. We can literally feel their inner conflicts and indecisions. There is also a little bit of suspense and mystery in the middle, which makes the plot intriguing.

This realistic story is undoubtedly a perfect choice to uplift one’s soul. Highly recommended.

Rtaing:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Uncategorized

Awakening by Peter Gray | Review

When Ava Miller is offered a position as a part-time governess for the Riley household, she can hardly refuse such a kind offer, especially when it is made by a handsome gentleman that seems to have eyes only for her. Ignorant of the master of the house’s true intentions, Ava is soon caught up in a web of lies, passion, and undeniable lust. Will she be able to stop herself from giving into temptation, or will it be too late?

Title: Awakening

Author: Peter Gray

Pages: 404

Genre: Historical fiction, Romance

My review

A perfect slice of nineteenth-century art!

Awakening by Peter Gray is a historical romantic fiction that takes us to the depths of conflicting human emotions. Human emotions are very complex to interpret. We tend to begin relationships even though we know it is forbidden. We pursue our blind feelings. This often leads us to dangerous situations. The dilemma of choosing the right partner is unending. Ava is such an innocent character who is in this dilemma. She wants to do what is right with everyone around her. But people are not always what she seems off.

The centre of this long story is Ava Miller, a young, educated woman. She lives with her parents who own a book shop. When she was offered the position of a part-time governess by Mr Riley, who was recently relocated to their village, she can hardly refuse. She was thrilled to begin this new chapter in her life. But Mr Riley is not what he seems off. Ava is completely ignorant of his hidden motives and soon she was caught in the web of lies and betrayals. To find her way out, she must find the answers to her own feelings. She must choose which is right and which is wrong.

Ava is the central character of this story. Her transformation from an innocent woman to a strong-willed character is really amazing. The author has penned this character transformation very well.

The strongest trait of this novel is its narration. I was quite familiar with the author’s style of writing from his previous work, The tragic tale of Teddy Woven. Like that, he has added a flair of mystery and suspense in this story. All the characters are written as multi-layered. This way the author was able to explore the grey side of all characters. He also managed to end the story on a satisfying note, which I consider a strong feature of this drama.

A very good novel and I highly recommend this to other readers.

Rating: 5/5

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Review, Book Tour, Erotic fiction, Young-Adult

An Interview with Amercia Morris| The Quintessential Author And Content Creator Taking the World By Storm

Considered as a visionary by peers and audience, Author And Content Creator Amercia Morris’s strength lies in her ability to see the big picture

Amercia Morris is an author and content creator who was brought up in the city of Buffalo, New York. She graduated with a degree in Social Sciences from Erie Community College. Known as a talented lady with vision, Amercia Morris’s life mission is to inspire and encourage others to live the life of achievers, full of abundance and fulfilment by creating an inspiring environment.  This is because she has quite an influential aura and inspiring personality.

Amercia has always loved writing and has freelanced for various online magazines and blogs. She is currently operating her own web blog Nooky life. Her first novella, Planet Nooky has already been published. Also a fiction novel Blooms of Nooky following that and many more promised to come.

It is my pleasure to welcome Ms. Amercia Morris to this episode.

Me: What inspired you to write Blooms of Nooky?

Ms. Morris:  I wrote Blooms of Nooky, to shed light on Kinks and fetishes mainly in the African American community and promoting sex in a light where we can be free and respected as individuals. It has been a constant fetishization of black women and we see women being degraded a lot in the media. When it comes to sexuality, men as well. But here, I wrote this book where a beautiful intelligent young black woman who is introduced into this depiction of a secret society and is happy and respected and not degrades or demeaned or shamed for merely being herself intimately. And it says being kinky is ok.

Amazon.com

Me: Are your characters created from scratch or are they based on people from your life?

Ms. Morris: These characters are completely new and fresh. Of course as a writer we were given the advice to write what we know of. So Ebony’s personality is taken from myself and some of my favorites like Betsey Johnson. I absolutely love Betsey Johnson and everything she designs. That was Ebony’s inspiration as a fashion designer along with Gi Gi and Nathan. They all have pieces of me in their development but the events are all created by me. Some may stem from real life experiences like hooking up with the wrong guy but none of the same. When I write or create something, I like it to be original as possible as that leaves mystery and suspense. I will be coming out with a memoir very soon which will help people as well. I researched a lot while writing my books. Because I try to make accurate descriptions and give solid information that can be fact checked. So that my readers can actually dive into my work and relating to the things which is happening.

Me: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?        

Ms. Morris: Since my childhood, I had a fascination of words, especially with the English language. Because most words in the American English language have several meanings and tenses. Which is why I choose the word Nooky. Because, even though there is a mainstream meaning for nooky, it can really mean anything you want it to be. So with that base, I started writing using the new words I learned and fell in love with. I continued to write here and there, mostly in a way to express myself clearly. Once I was introduced to poetry, that’s when I fell in love and realized that I enjoyed it and was good at it.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Ms. Morris: I have been writing for entertainment purposes since I was 15/16 as a sophomore in High school.

Me: What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Ms. Morris: The most difficult part is making sure your message is clear within a length of time you believe is suitable. I myself like to get straight into the point in a sense I like to give as much punch as possible. I want my readers to want more. That is why I leave each writing ready for a sequel.

Me: What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book?

Ms. Morris: Hmm… good question. I think it must be that I discovered more of myself. Meaning, I never know where my imagination will take me to. For each book I published, I started with an outline of idea and characters. But I keep surprising myself as to where it actually takes me.

Me: Who is your favourite author and why?

Ms. Morris: I would say Toni cade Bambara. Bambara used her writing to inspire and ignite change. Her stories were entertaining and also educating. She wrote short stories which I love and there is not a lot of black women who write short stories. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and touch on an array of different subjects. She did not box herself into a certain genre or field. She was an author, activist and a teacher. She also pursued many other interests like arts.

Me: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Ms. Morris: Donald Goines is an inspiring author. Unlike Bambara, he was not formally educated. Meaning he wrote without having a college degree. He was actually an ex-con and started writing in jail. From there, he was able to produce amazing content that is still respected today. He broke barriers and beat the odds and stereotypes of a black man of his history, during his time.

Me: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Ms. Morris: Yes I would say, to  be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to start over. When I was writing my first book, I was literally a couple hundred words away from finishing it and I lost the whole of what I wrote, and I had to start over. I cried and cried. I lost a lot of my work prior to that as well. They were destroyed some way or other like my broken laptop or my notebooks being literally eaten by my dog, which is so ironic. But never give up on what you love and your gift.

Me: What is the best piece of advice you received about writing?

Ms. Morris: I actually didn’t received any advice. I actually wish, I would have been given the gift of a mentor. I am actually still searching for one. Ha ha… so if anyone is out there, seasoned and listening, please contact me.

Connect with Ms. Amercia Morris here Instagram: @Planet_nooky and: @Nookyis Email: mercy@nooky.life

Me: What inspires you to get out of bed each day? 

Ms. Morris: Knowing that I have a new chance to achieve my goals, and move beyond of what is expected of me. Literally one day can be the worse day and in the next, you will be ready to faint at what has been presented to you. All we need is an opportunity in life and perseverance. We will succeed because we, who strive will find a way for each interaction and each encounter as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Me: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Ms. Morris: Bold, Fierce and Honest

Me: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

Ms. Morris: I Have a website dedicated to assist those who are in the process of healing from trauma. It is not intended to replace the traditional medicine but aid in the process by allowing you to read different articles and link with peers. It is also a way to explore kinks and fetishes from people who actually experienced those and not just researched. I want to connect with people in the most organic and honest way. I also am going to release a part 2 of Planet Nooky and Blooms of nooky. I have more than ten works that have not been published. So I have lots of content and fresh ideas that come to me consistently. So please stay tuned and you will be surprised.

Author bio

Amercia Morris is not the type of person who can be easily categorized in a few written notes. She can be best described as a multi-talented go-getter who identifies numerous opportunities and successfully grabs them immediately. Her education and life journey have provided her with a unique set of skills that led to the establishment and hosting of Planet Nooky, a TV show and podcast that is a spinoff of her first Urban Erotic Science Fiction. She Also Co-Hosts and creates content for NookyAfter Dark, which is both dedicated to a sex-positive environment.

Amercia has always loved writing and has freelanced for various online magazines and blogs. She is currently operating her own web blog Nooky life and her first novella, Planet Nooky has already been published. Also a fiction novel Blooms of Nooky following that and more promised to come.

In her free time, Amercia likes gardening, visiting museums, going to outdoor parties, traveling, swimming and exploring the world around her. She loves playing games of all sorts and when the time comes for relaxing it is often with a glass of her favorite wine. Previously she was a supporter of and volunteer for The Restore Program, RAINN, and The Geva Theatre. Today, she spends her time between her home in Buffalo and Atlanta Ga.

She is also exploring a career as a Certified Sex Coach in the hope that she can help other women, and men, who may have reservations or fears about sex because of past traumas and hopefully to aid in their healing and ability to have a healthy and happy sex life.

With the iconic success, Amercia Morris has garnered much respect and recognition at such a young age. An epic axiom ‘hard work pays off’ has been an inspiration. Yet, she aspires to achieve more. It is her wish to create a community where we see the true value in our bodies and relationships and use what we have been given to heal each other and not to hurt. She is hopeful that this will enable her to expand nationwide/worldwide and have hubs of little Planet Nooky in all corners of the globe.

For more information about Amercia Morris, her personal story, and her businesses, You can contact or follow her on:

Instagram: @Planet_nooky and: @Nookyis

Facebook: Exquisitemercyllc

Email: mercy@nooky.life

Planet Nooky Amazon.com

Blooms of Nooky Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Erotic fiction, Fantacy, Fiction, Young-Adult

Blooms of Nooky by Amercia Morris | Review

Meet Ebony “Duchess” Brown A beautiful young lady who’s ambitions take her from Buffalo, New York to New York, New York to pursue her dreams of becoming the next top fashion designer. During Ebony’s pursuit to have it all she meets Keith who unexpectedly forces her world to take a turn for the worse and interrupts her plans. Through this upset, she meets Nathan ‘Mr. Daddy” Stern whom she feels rescues her and places her back on track, part of her Journey leads her to work part-time at “Blooms of Nooky” which is a Flower Shop run by Gigi who is responsible for giving her an internship at a World recognized Fashion Magazine.
Blooms of Nooky is not your average flower shop in the Big Apple, and once you find out why you may be questioning your spouse’s intentions and allow you to have a new passionate pleasure for Nooky the next time they bring you home a Bouquet of Flowers

Title: Blooms of Nooky

Author: Amercia Morris

Pages: 145

My review

Blooms of Nooky by Amercia Morris is a perfect slice of creativity that invites you to experience a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Meet Ebony, an ambitious girl who aspires to be a top fashion designer. She moves to New York to pursue her dream. But certainly, life has some other plans for her. She has to overcome many hurdles on the way to make her dreams a reality.

I was quite familiar with the style of writing of the author through her previous work ‘Planet Nooky’. Although both stories are entirely different from one another, they possess one single most common feature- a strong female lead which drives the story. Ebony undergoes a full transformation in this book. Her naive and innocent nature transforms into a more polished, intelligent and strong charismatic personality. The author never fails to surprise her readers with an original plot. Blooms of Nooky is the best testimony to this fact.

If you are too innocent in the world of greed, you will certainly become a puppet in unknown hands. But once you realised your true power, it will only a matter of time, you can turn the tables. Ebony realised this by experiencing the hardest struggles and unknown emotions. But the path to self-discovery is essentially liberating. Since the climax offers the scope for a sequel, I hope we can visit a new set of adventures sometime soon.

One of the strongest features of this book is its storyline. The author added an element of mystery and suspense to it. This creates different shades in the main characters. We don’t know who is right or wrong. We can only see things from the viewpoint of Ebony. So the layers of this story yet to be unveiled. Looking forward to reading more books from the author.

Rating: 5/5

Purchase link: Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Review, Book Tour, Fiction, Thriller

An Interview with Ronald S. Barak| Author of JK’s Code

Today I’ll be hosting  author Ronald S. Barak on my blog. His book “JK’s Code” is available on Amazon.com

Ronald S. Barak

Ronald S. Barak, bestselling author, Olympic athlete, law school honors graduate, and experienced courtroom lawyer, is uniquely qualified to write his novels that appeal to all political and legal thriller fans.

Described by his readers as a cross between Agatha Christie, Lee Child, and John Lescroart, bestselling author Barak keeps his readers flipping the pages into the wee hours of the night. While he mostly lets his characters tell his stories, he manages to get his licks in too.

Barak derives great satisfaction from knowing that his books not only entertain but also stimulate others to think about how things might be, how people can actually resolve real-world problems. In particular, Barak tackles the country’s dysfunctional government representatives–not just back-seat driving criticism for the sake of being a back-seat driver, but truly framing practical remedies to the political abuse and corruption adversely affecting too many people’s lives today. Barak’s extensive legal background and insight allow him to cleverly pollinate his fiction and today’s sad state of political reality.

Barak resides in Pacific Palisades, California, where he is hard at work on his next novel, JK’s Code.

Me: What inspired you to transition from lawyer to fiction writer? 

Ronald: I wrote my first novel on a dare from some friends while I was still practicing law full time. I had so much fun writing that first novel that the transition from lawyer to fiction writer became a no brainer.

Me: How did practicing law help with being a writer?

Ronald: My novels are legal and political thrillers. I was already a political junkie and knew from every day reading what was current. My legal background helped me write my novels without having to do much research. My first novel, The Amendment Killer, took me the better part of a year to write. Practice makes better if not perfect; I wrote JK’s Code in six weeks. This would not have been as easy for me or as timely if I didn’t have the law practice background that I do.

Me: How would you describe your writing process (plotter versus pantser)?

Ronald: I am definitely a pantser. I typically have only one or two thoughts in my head about the plot and the possible outcome when I begin writing. Each day, I review what I wrote the prior day (and clean it up) and then keep going from there. The story often turns out quite a bit different than I originally anticipated. In the case of JK’s Code, I originally thought I was going to write a story about crypto currency crime and, given what was going on in the world, I completely changed that to cybersecurity crime.

Me: I see in your bio that you were an Olympic athlete. How does preparing and competing compare to writing a novel?

Ronald: I was an Olympic gymnast. Writing a novel is kind of like mental gymnastics. One is physical and the other is mental, but they are remarkably similar in terms of practice and focus. The more you practice and focus, the better athlete you can become (assuming a certain amount of innate ability in your genes). The more you practice and focus, the better writer you can become. I think my earlier discipline as an athlete has definitely helped me as a writer.

Me: Tell us a little about the Brooks/Lotello series.

Ronald: When I was dared by some friends to write a novel, and dared to rise to the challenge, I figured out I should write what I liked reading, political and legal suspense and mysteries. I also figured I should write what I know. I had extensive experience as a trial lawyer and to a lesser extent as a trial judge. From there, I created my primary protagonist, Cyrus Brooks, a retired U.S. District Court judge, who kind of thinks and looks like I do, and has a personality and sense of humor similar to mine. I love Constitutional Law (it take all kinds of law and it takes all kinds of people, what can I say?). So, I dreamed up the issue of whether amending the Constitution requires Congressional participation. I needed a victim. I created a precocious 11 year old granddaughter of a Supreme Court Justice. I forced him to choose between saving the country and saving the life of his granddaughter, who was kidnapped by a psychopath wanting to control the outcome of a Supreme Court case about whether an amendment to the Constitution opposed by Congress could still be valid. Because I am diabetic and know the subject, I made the kidnapped youngster diabetic to add considerable complication and tension to the story. Because I’m a pantser, these complications arose as I wrote and not at all neatly in advance. I called that first novel The Amendment Killer because the bad guy, a government spook wanted to kill that Constitutional amendment. In my next novel, The Puppet Master, Cyrus Brooks and his colleague Frank Lotello, a homicide detective, are tasked with finding a vigilante serial killer, a puppet master you might say, assassinating corrupt government officials because he feels they had stripped him of everything he had, his family, his business, his dignity and—maybe—even his sanity. The third novel in my Brooks/Lotello series, Payback, was about a psychopathic serial killer at an international writing conference killing prominent writing personalities because he believed they were not paying him the proper respect as a writer. Some think this killer reflects how I feel as a writer. (You do have to be able to laugh at yourself!) Brooks just happened to be at the conference studying to write a novel of his own. In my latest Brooks/Lotello novel, JK’s Code, a young college technology genius who happens to be the brother-in-law of Frank Lotello stumbles across the plot of a U.S. president to assure his continuing control of the country, right down to the events of January 6. However did I imagine such a story in mid-2020?

Me: JK’s Code is your 4th book in the series. What is it about?

Ronald: In my latest Brooks/Lotello novel, JK’s Code, a young college technology genius who happens to be the brother-in-law of Frank Lotello, one of the two protagonists in the Brooks/Lotello series, stumbles across the plot of a U.S. president to assure his continuing control of the country, right down to the events of January 6. However did I imagine such a story in mid-2020?

Me: What are some of the challenges when writing about real-time issues?

Ronald: Keeping them timely, often referred to as “ripped from the headlines.” In my opinion, to really be “timely,” it is necessary to do your writing before the headlines happen. In The Puppet Master, the second in my Brooks/Lotello series, the killer asserts a legal defense to murder that had never been tried in the real-world courts. Two years later, a real-world serial killer asserted that very defense, which went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. In my latest in the series, JK’s Code, the fictional U.S. president attempted a coup to take over the government. I wrote that seven months before it happened on January 6. I refer to the challenge of writing about real-time issues as having to be creative, to have an imagination on steroids one might say, and to dream up things that might happen before they do in the real world. I might have liked JK’s Code to be traditionally published, but that would have taken another year to come to market and by then it would not have been as timely as when it was released, before many of the events I imagined came to pass.

Me: Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

Ronald: The short answer is “I don’t know.” Sometimes they come to me in my sleep. I just wake up with a thought, jot it down on a post-it note and go back to sleep. Sometimes it comes to me when I’m playing golf or exercising. Sometimes it comes to me when I’m watching or reading the news or a movie and I say “What if . . . ?” The key is to jot down a few words before you forget the idea.

Me: Are your characters created from scratch or are they based on people from your life?

Ronald: Most of the time, they are based on people that I observe in real life. Brooks is very similar to . . . me. Lotello is quite similar to our son. The president in JK’s Code bears a remarkable similarity in personality to Donald Trump. In fact, I’m quite apolitical. I picked on Trump because he was there and people would see who I was mimicking. My next novel might very well pick on Biden. The 11 year old kidnapped granddaughter of a U.S. Supreme Court justice in The Amendment Killer has diabetes. So do I. I used that trait because I know the subject well and could write about it without having to do much research. I also think it’s a subject that can benefit from more attention. Payback involves a novelist who is a psychopathic serial killer and thought he deserves more recognition. Was I thinking of me? Hardly, but it always helps to be able to laugh at yourself.

Me: What is the most challenging part of the writing process for you?

Ronald: If by “process,” you mean the art of writing, I don’t have an answer. If you enjoy writing as much as I do and you are patient, the process will come to you. If you include in process everything that goes with a writing career, then the most challenging part of the writing business is, hands down, building a market and a brand. If you’re an athlete, as I have been, then all you have to do is be talented and work hard. If you’re a lawyer, as I am, then all you have to do is be talented and work hard. If you’re a writer, as I strive to be, it is not enough to be talented and work hard. There are many talented novelists who have worked very hard who you’ve never heard of. You need a little bit of luck to go with the talent and effort.

Me: What is the best piece of advice you received about writing?

Ronald: Write what you know and what you love.

Me: What is the worst piece of advice you received about writing?

Ronald: Write a good story and the readers will come.

Synopsis

Genre(s): Political Thriller; Contemporary Fiction

“Twenty year old computer genius Jake Klein, known to his friends as JK, drops out of college to pursue fortune and fame in the field of cybersecurity. Discovering and upending a conspiracy between the presidents of Russia and America to manipulate the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, JK finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the heads of state of two of the world’s most powerful countries—with the emphasis on deadly. Revealing the truth to the world definitely comes with a price. The fourth in the bestselling Brooks/Lotello novels, JK’s Code, is a political thriller teeming with real-time events, satire, suspense, and just a hint of romance that couldn’t come any closer to the realities of 2020 if JK were covertly dividing his time between the White House and the Kremlin—which he may just be.”

Purchase here: Amazon.com

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Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Young-Adult

The Mine’s Eye (Whispering Willows #8) by Diana Dawn| Review

It appears that Lily’s secret is out. How will Thomas react, especially after the horrifying truth that Ben revealed about Rumple? Plus, the villagers’ plan to trap Margurite has failed. Will they be able to use their newfound discovery in Margurite’s spellbook to their advantage? Perhaps the answer lies deep in the mine. And can Mitch and Snow move past their recent tragedy and find the happiness they so desperately seek? ‘The Mine’s Eye’ is the eighth book in the Whispering Willows series.

My Review

Title: The Mine’s Eye (Whispering Willows #8)

Author: Diana Dawn

Pages: 92

Genre: Fantasy

The Mine’s Eye is the eighth instalment of the fairytale retelling, Whispering Willows series. The story continues from where it was left in the book 7, Deceptions. This series is turning to be one of the best ones, I ever read. Because I thought it will end in book 7. But the author skillfully crafted and diverted the whole story to a new direction. One of the best feature of this series is, each book offers something new. Novelty is the key that turns the wheels of the Whispering Willows series.

Book 8 is entirely different from the previous ones, both in the sense of story and storytelling. Mitch and Snow are in an emotional turmoil that might cost their happiness entirely. They were a perfect couple, but not anymore. They have to face a mountain of tragedy and the strength of their relationship is truly put to the test. The same goes with Lily and Thomas. They don’t know whom to trust. The Willows is not a peaceful place anymore. People with hidden motives are ruining the happiness there. They will not stop until they get what they want.

I loved the way the author is turning the story. Because she is crafting a meaningful and in-depth relationship between the protagonists. Also, these twists brings new chapters to the main story too. The deceptive and evil nature of people always creates problems. But only then, the true character will get exposed. The author has now separated Lily and Snow’s story. Because they both have their own destinies to fulfil.

There are many questions left to be answered. I’m eagerly waiting to read the next part.

Rating:5/5