Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Fantacy, Fiction, Thriller

Interview with Awakening Starseeds: Vol. 3, Dreaming into the Future Author and Curator, Radhaa Nilia

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

My mom always told me I would write books when I grew up, because I had a large collection of storybooks when I was a kid. I wrote these story books. They were so detailed, full of adventures, and even drew the pictures for the books. Later, I used poetry to work through my emotions. In High School, I wanted better writing classes and took College elective courses instead of my High School classes. It was far more interesting to be with 60-80 year women with exciting stories than with teens with no experiences. Later, when I lived in LA, I started to study screenwriting and wrote a few scripts as well. Writing is something I’ve always been drawn to. So, I’ve been writing since I was a kid! Just a lot more structured for the past few years since I’ve been running Radhaa Publishing House. A heart based publishing company that focuses on collaborative books. http://www.RadhaaPublishingHouse.com.

2. What inspired you to curate and write in the Awakening Starseeds series? 

The series started in 2019 and was an inspired download to create these collaborative books and invite other authors to share their spiritual, healing, and inspiring stories. I felt that many people were having these ‘awakenings’ worldwide, and I thought it would be amazing if they wrote about it. I was surprised by how many people related to these books and the series. It’s taken off a life of its own. We curate one Awakening Starseeds Book annually and open those spaces to authors. 

Awakening Starseeds: Vol. 1, Shattering Illusions back cover description: Welcome to the first and original Awakening Starseed book series in the world. We realized it’s time to come together with other Starseeds to journey into this historical time we live in. From this age of darkness, Kali Yuga, we are entering the age of truth and light, Satya Yuga. As we watch the crumbling of the old paradigm, we can choose to be fearful or decide to step into our divine power, purpose, and truth. This book series is a bridge to other Starseeds who are looking for inspiration and guidance. Each story contains Starseed messages, transmissions, and activations to inspire you. You can grab a copy HERE: https://bit.ly/3Q4FwU9.

Awakening Starseeds: Vol, 2, Stories Beyond the Stargate back cover description: Wisdom keepers spoke of prophecies of how life on our planet would be unrecognizable in the future. That time is now. We realized that the clarion call has come for us to journey into this historical time. The portals and Stargates are opening, and light codes are flooding in. Starseeds are here to capture those light codes towards transformation into new Earth. Join nineteen Starseeds as they share their experiences, awakenings and transformation. The awakening Starseeds book series is the first of its kind in the world. It is a mystical book that embodies Activations, storytelling, and healing. Grab a copy HERE: https://bit.ly/3vuadKD.

Awakening Starseeds: Vol. 3, Dreaming into the Future back cover description: As old paradigm structures are crumbling and millions of people are gripped by fear and despair, a wave of awakening Souls and Starseed spans the globe, spreading the message of freedom, renewal, and the promise of a great Neo-Renaissance for humanity. Chapter by chapter, readers find themselves inspired to think beyond their old, ingrained belief systems and reach into their hearts and minds to step into the future they’ve always dreamed of. You can grab a copy HERE: https://amzn.to/3PzmAwO.

4. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

I love storytelling, and I love hearing and reading others’ stories. I appreciate the raw and real voice of the Soul. We work with a team of people to help curate the books, and multiple authors at a time, so it’s a big process that requires about six months per book. It truly does take a village and aligned authors for the collaborative books. But we’ve been really lucky that these Collaborative Authors have found us from all over the World, just by word of mouth!

5.  What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

My first influence would be Louise Hay and her book, You Can Heal Your Life. I first read it in my teens because it positively influenced me. It’s a timeless book that planted powerful seeds within me that healing is possible and joyful. Later, those little seeds activated within me, and I studied Energy Healing and its many modalities. I became certified in over a dozen healing modalities and created my own called Goddess Activations™. I created a collaborative book called Energy Healing & Soul Medicine that came out earlier this year. I invited Healers worldwide to share their Healing Modalities and Gifts. It was so special to have collaborative authors come together, and I wrote about my modality Goddess Activations™. And that’s the power of books. They can make such a positive impact, and I hope that this book will also inspire people. Another author whose books influenced me is Dolores Cannon. Her book, The Three Waves of Volunteers and New Earth. I highly recommend both of these timeless books. 

Energy Healing & Soul Medicine back Cover Description: Discover the Power to Heal Yourself and Others. Experience firsthand holistic experts who will give you a taste of what they offer through various healing modalities and experiences. Learn and discover all types of Healers, Coaches, and Holistic Health Practitioners specializing in their powerful and unique offerings to assist you in your transformation and self-empowerment. Grab a copy HERE: https://amzn.to/3KlsY8e.

7. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Artistic, Empathic, Visionary.

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

I would say to find a writing group that keeps you accountable to stay on track. Work with a writing coach that can work with you throughout your entire project, build your confidence and see you through completion. If you don’t want to spend a year or two writing your own book, you can always join a collaborative book so you can write a chapter and it’s not as hard and time-consuming as having to write an entire book yourself. Because yes, writing an entire book is a LOT of work. We always have Collaborative Author opportunities, writing courses and 1-1 coaching available at Radhaa Publishing House to make the whole process easier and even more fun.

10. Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers? Yes! I am always working on something. I have quite a few collaborative projects that I am working on. The next book will be Awakening Starseeds: Vol. 4, Solutions for a Better Future. And a Collaborative Poetry Book, Poems From the Heart. Followed by Stories of the Goddess. These are all collaborative books set to be released in 2023 and open for other contributing authors to join. You can apply by emailing: radhaapublishing@gmail.com.

BIO: Radhaa Nilia: Radhaa is an intuitive teacher, international coach, healer, and forward-thinking speaker on feminine empowerment and leadership. Radhaa is also the Modality Creatrix of Goddess Activations™. This healing method is used to Awaken and Activate Goddess Codes™, which helps clear negative beliefs, blockages, and lineage wounds and awakens the long-dormant codes of the Divine within which she teaches atwww.GoddessCodeAcademy.com. With a deep love for Healing, and Storytelling, Radhaa’s otherworldly gifts have guided her into creating Radhaa Publishing House. A heart-centred Publishing company focusing on collaborative books. RPH offers creative writing programs and one-to-one coaching for up-and-coming authors.  Join our mailing list to receive upcoming information about our books and programs: 

www.RadhaaPublishingHouse.com, or https://linktr.ee/RadhaaPublishingHouse.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radhaanilia/

website www.RadhaaNilia.net

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Tour, Fiction, Self-Help

“Evil has no sense of humour, neither understanding it nor comprehending the power it has over darkness, decay and death”

Christopher Griffith

Today I’ll be hosting Christopher Griffith author of Rick With A (Bipolar) View in my blog. He is an accomplished author with 8 novels in his credit other than Rick With A (Bipolar) View. Christopher loves television, electronic music, Matthew, poetry, rip-roaring conspiracies, supermarkets, fantasy fiction from The Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter, and anything Shakespeare. He writes upon these subjects that in the study of them he will hopefully interest others, and learn thereby himself!

It is my pleasure to welcome Mr Griffith to this episode of the author interview.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I was 21 years old and having a torrid time on a teacher training course at the University of Reading; I absolutely loved the friends I was making these but the experience of teaching was just dire, and although I didn’t know it at the time I was also suffering from undiagnosed mental illness, bipolar disorder. Fighting this sickness was taking up much of my energy, and in fact, my whole body and soul was crying out for a change of direction in my life. I’d flirted with creative writing in my second year as an undergraduate, starting to write the book previous to this one but eventually getting bogged back down in the academic study of the time, and so one day, when I was sitting in my accommodation at Reading the memory of that venture, presented itself to me again and I thought, ‘Let’s finish writing that book.’

  •  How long have you been writing?

I’m 45 now, so 24 years. Wow, it doesn’t feel that long!

  • What inspired you to write Rick With A (Bipolar) View?

As mentioned above, I was struggling with the condition bipolar disorder and in fact, had only just recently been diagnosed in April 1998; I finished writing my first book, Temples of a Fantasy Revenge that winter and was determined to start a different subject than fantasy for my next book. I also wanted it to be a stream-of-consciousness effort in which the narrator ‘talks’ to the audience of the book. Once I’d made that decision, and then further decided I’d put much of my then present self into the main protagonist, it became an easy final decision to populate the rest of the book with versions of my good friends at the time, friends with whom I’d shared great experiences back at school. I wanted to keep on record that kind of easy, lazy even lifestyle you have as a student when the only worries are really who you’re dating and when is the next party. I hope I’ve captured that sense in my book.

You can now purchase Kindle and Paperback versions of Rick With A (Bipolar) View from Amazon.co.uk

  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Getting it right! I mean that and what I mean is that there are so many permutations needed to make a book work – you’ve got to get the characters right, the story, plot lines, dialogue, description, style, tone, rhythm, pace, spelling(!), and at the end of the day it’s really simple, the best books you read are the ones where all these things come together harmoniously, in equal measure. Have I achieved it? Well of course I hope so but you must be the judge of that! All I can say is that I bring my best effort to every composition I undertake and I really try to respect that bond between author and reader. There’s one last thing of course to the artistic process – inspiration. Mine doesn’t come from the clouds or a Muse but from everyday life in which an item on the news or an experience I have that day can inspire me to examine that situation, that story, in more detail. Once I’ve found inspiration, all those elements I’ve mentioned above then come to bear on the subsequent output; blending them together is the difficult part.

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

The most surprising thing is that I was able to find any humour in the situation of having bipolar disorder. For all those who suffer from the condition, or know someone who does, the thought that you might be able to laugh at/with it is simply untenable. This is a horrid mental illness that invades the sufferer and tries to turn them against themselves. It can be stopped by medication of course, but also by the affection and love of those closest to us. When we’re in late adolescence and early adulthood that kind of support can come to us as much from friends as family, and so I went for an examination of the former realising along the way, particularly in the central chapter when Jimmy takes on Rick’s illness, that actually likes everything evil in the world, and bipolar disorder is that insidious, laughing at it can diminish and even expel its horror. Evil has no sense of humour, neither understanding it nor comprehending the power it has over darkness, decay and death. Sorry for getting a bit deep here, but along with suffering the tragedy of mental illness, try also to laugh at it too.

  • Who is your favourite author and why?

My favourite author is Willard Price; I have favourite books of course but I have rarely read through an author’s entire output as I did with Willard’s books when I was in childhood. For those not in the know, these were a series of adventure stories in which two brothers found themselves tackling a variety of what could loosely be called ‘dangers’. The thing is, I learnt so much from these tales, that a person who is in a starving state can’t just be fed lots of food to fill them up and get their weight back, it has to be a much longer, drawn-out process. Much like when the brothers dive deep underwater and have to come up slowly or they get what can be called ‘the bends’. What I took on board the most here was the patience you have to have with life, surely a tremendous lesson given our society’s current infatuation with immediacy and having every craving satisfied straightaway. Favourite authors teach us life lessons, and I have never forgotten the importance of waiting patiently for the desired outcome.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

All of them. Every author I have read has had an impact on me and my writing, but if I had to be more determined it would be the great minds that have put pen to paper, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Milton right at the top. Then there were novels by authors like Henry Fielding, William Godwin, Mary Shelley whose style was a revelation for me, but then getting back down to earth there have also been a tremendous science fiction and fantasy authors, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Philip K Dick, Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks whose work has developed and expanded my mind in entirely different ways to the Classics I’ve mentioned. I’ll also spare a word for all ‘normal’ reading material too, newspapers, magazines, anything in print or on-screen really which contains words. The English Language isn’t my forte, and I have no skills in that department, but I love words in any shape or form, always seeking to learn more about how to fit them together to make more effect.

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

Inquisitive, Ireful, Indefatigable

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

Yes, I completely agree, and it can actually be dangerous to your health; I wrote a now-lost novel once which made me a thousand times more ill mentally than I had been before. The problem was, I lost control of the narrative. Sometimes that can be good when for example character takes on greater life than you thought and alters the plot accordingly, but you as the author still need to be in overall control of the story. If you feel it is running away from you, stop, read back and more often than not you’ll realise that at some point in the past you’ve let the plot slide into areas that don’t gel with where the story was going until that point. And that’s the most important tip I can give you because the writer’s hunch, just like the detective’s, must be acute at all times, and more importantly must be listened to and thereby acted upon. If you’re emotionally drained and stressed with your pursuit, recognise it early and put stop to it by recollecting your thoughts. Stop, go back, see where you turned left in your narrative rather than right, and then off you go again. Writing should never be laboursome, sometimes intense, yes, sometimes hard going, but not a chore, enjoyable.

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

Yes, I’ve posted all the poetry I’ve written over twenty or so years on a blog which can be found at https://christophergriffith50.blogspot.com/ and whose last few poems I have only just been working on very recently. I’m also determined to write a thriller like the Da Vinci Code and have started planning that; lastly, I still keep my hand into the literature I first studied as an undergraduate and am working on a translation of a medieval poem called Piers Plowman by William Langland. This amazing writer worked on this single poem throughout his entire life and it really does offer the most amazing insight into the fourteenth century, a century often likened to our recent twentieth for how dreadful it was for the human race to sometimes live through and suffer. But we’re resilient, humankind, and we tend to get back to our feet when we’ve been cast on our behinds! Resilience, there’s my final word for being a writer. Don’t let anyone tell you how to or you can’t or what are you doing etc. if you want to write then sit down, take a piece of paper and cast your thoughts upon it…  

Visit Christopher on https://www.williamottowaysutopia.com/   and do check out his books on Amazon.com

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Young-Adult

Rick With A (Bipolar) View by Christopher Griffith| Review

Rick is wracked by the ravages of mental illness. Bipolar disorder, to be exact, although being just a twentysomething he still has enough optimism to see himself through the vagaries of depression and anxiety. His friendships help him, and his love for Lucy, and then there’s his passion for electronic music: Rick doesn’t want a job behind some desk, he wants to be a superstar DJ.

In this coming of age novel, we follow Rick through a week of his life, a week in which he must as ever work through and with his mental illness, treading the tightrope between sanity and bipolar disorder, stability and depression, peace and anxiety, and all whilst he’s dealing with the fluctuating love of friendships for his mates, his sister and his girlfriend.

As the climax of the week approaches, two paths lie open for Rick – an interview on Thursday with the possibility of seeing his twentysomething years morph into mundane, calamitous thirties, or a DJ gig on Friday when electronic music could win the day and see his coming of age crowned by a possible cure for his mental illness, the melody of the music overcoming bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety alike.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

My review

What an amazing story this was! This is a slice of life served with the very taste and spice.

Rick With a (Bipolar) View by Christopher Griffith is a heartwarming story of a person with mental illness. Rick has been suffering from depression and bipolar disease. He has to row past his overwhelming thoughts to find the thin line between sanity and instability. We get a glimpse of his life in a week. How he tries to overcome each day through the help of his sister, girlfriend and mates.

What makes this book a unique work is its realistic take on life. The author never attempts to exaggerate Rick’s life. He is an ordinary guy with a normal life and aspirations. Through the ever-changing thoughts of Rick, the author tries to incorporate the daily struggles everyone has to bear. Life is a race for the next big thing. You can’t sit ideal. It is all about decisions. Life is hard for even a sane human being. It will be too hard for someone with a mental illness. To find the meaning of life amidst all the restlessness and instability is the hardest part.


I loved the central theme of this story. Author Christopher Griffith deserves a huge applause for bringing this theme into his work. Bipolar and depression are often two less talked topics in literature. You can rarely find a protagonist struggling with mental illness in stories. Representation matters and this should snowball to a much greater discussion on this subject. It is already too late to normalize these conversations. The community support system is a major factor for the survival of persons with mental illnesses. They have the same right to live a life like us.


A story will not be complete without a good climax. I loved how Rick managed to find his passion and a breakthrough in life at the end. Hope cures most of our problems. Without hope, we are truly helpless. Rick’s story is an example of this. Overall, this was a well written and skillfully narrated story.

Rating:5/5

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

‘Read as often, and as many different books, as you can’: 10 Questions with Kayleigh Hughes

Today I’ll be hosting author Kayleigh Hughes on my blog. Her debut novel Meanwhile…  is available on Amazon.com

Kayleigh Hughes first discovered her passion for writing stories in her teens, them being
mainly drama, thriller, with the occasional bit of comedy. She is the author of the first part of the Meanwhile… series, with the second and third currently in the works. When not immersed in her characters and their worlds, she is absorbing yet another piece of film or television trivia, or jamming on the guitar and bass.

It is my pleasure to welcome the author Kayleigh Hughes  to this episode.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In my teens.

  • How long have you been writing?

Since I was about fifteen.

  • What inspired you to write Meanwhile…?

I had been reading Good As Dead by Mark Billingham, which depicts a hostage situation in a newsagent. The whole hostage situation type of story has always interested me, and whilst reading that book, I realized I wanted to write one of my own. I just didn’t plan on it developing into the story it did.

You can now order paperback and Kindle version of Meanwhile… from  Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk
  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

At times, finding motivation.

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

In all honestly, that it seemed to be as good as others have said.

  • Who is your favorite author and why?

I don’t have just one – I couldn’t. Among my favorites are Ann Cleaves, Mark Billingham, and more recently, I have taken a liking to Richard Osman’s work (and am quite looking forward to his upcoming book). I just like their styles.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Well, whilst writing Meanwhile…, I binged a lot of Stephen King’s books, so possibly The Stand and 11.22.63 . Also, Mark Billingham.

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

Analytical. Diligent. Procrastinating.

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

Keep practicing. Don’t give up. Read as often, and as many different books, as you can, so as to familiarize yourself with different writing styles. Make sure you have your main plot points outlined. Take on board any (and I mean any) feedback you receive – get at least one other set of eyes to read your work, regardless of what number draft it is, because it will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses as a writer – be it dialogue or characterization – and help you to hone your craft. Try not to edit as you go along. The biggest one: just write.

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

The next book in the Meanwhile… series

You can follow me on Instagram @kayleighhughesauthor and Facebook @kayhughes  to keep up-to-date on the progress of this project

About Meanwhile…

It’s one bad day for Samuel Manson and Caroline Cleaver – Samuel’s running late with a train to catch, while Caroline has a score to settle. Placed together in a compromising situation, how long will it be before either one cracks?

First in a three part series. The next will follow in due course.

Purchase here: Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Book Review, Book Tour, Fiction, Self-Help, Young-Adult

“Jealousy destroys creativity, and I have to constantly remind myself to move beyond it and just write!” Ruth Rotkowitz on the process of writing and launching her novels

Today I’ll be hosting author Ruth Rotkowitz on my blog. Her novels, Escaping the Whale and The Whale Surfaces are available on Amazon.com

Ruth Rotkowitz is the author of two novels: Escaping the Whale and the prequel, The Whale Surfaces. Both novels feature a daughter of Holocaust survivors who struggles with a legacy of inherited trauma. Readers’ interest in the background of the adult protagonist in Escaping the Whale, which was published first, inspired the creation of the prequel, which describes the woman’s childhood and adolescence. As a daughter of survivors herself, Rotkowitz has experienced, observed, and researched inherited trauma. In the talks she has conducted via Zoom this past year, she has been heartened by the reactions of many types of readers of varied backgrounds who relate to her protagonist’s struggles.

Rotkowitz has published fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in various literary journals and has been a staff writer and member of the editorial board of the (now defunct) Woman’s Newspaper of Princeton, where several of her feature articles garnered awards. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in English and has taught English on both the college and high school levels. She currently conducts book talks for the Phoenix Holocaust Association in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she resides.

It is my pleasure to welcome Ms. Rotkowitz to this interview.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I always knew. I felt the “calling,” so to speak, as a little girl, because I always loved reading and marveled at the power and beauty of the written word.

  • How long have you been writing?

I was always writing. I got serious about trying to get my work published in the seventies, when I left teaching and was home with a child.  I started with small pieces – fiction, nonfiction, poetry. I began framing ideas for novels a few years later, and began working at novel-writing in the eighties.

  • What inspired you to write these books?

 I was visited by the idea of a troubled young woman as a protagonist. As I began writing of this woman’s life and her attempt to conceal her fears and delusions in order to appear normal, I connected her problems with the problems of children of Holocaust survivors as well as the struggles of women to be taken seriously, in their relationships and careers. I was inspired to set the first novel, Escaping the Whale, in 1980 because women were just beginning to break out of the passive role set for them, and because I vividly remember the fascination that year with the Iran hostage crisis. I saw a connection between that situation and my protagonist’s.

 The creation of the second book, The Whale Surfaces was inspired by the questions readers of the first book asked. They were curious about the protagonist’s upbringing and wanted a picture of how she became this woman haunted by demons, trying desperately to banish them herself. Thus, during the lockdown, I wrote the prequel, a novella, which fleshes out this character’s story.

You can now order Hardcover, Paperback, eBook and Audible version of Escaping the Whale from Amazon.com and Hardcover and Paperback version from Barnes & Noble, The Whale Surfaces is available on paperback and eBook version from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

  • What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The most difficult part is getting away from the artistic process. When I become obsessed with what I perceive as the success of other writers who have also published late in life with small presses, I become discouraged. How did they get that review? How did they get on that show?  Etcetera etcetera. That is the kiss of death, leaving me angry and discouraged. I have to remember that I must not compare myself to anyone else. Just do my work, enjoy what I do, and feel pride in what I have achieved. Jealousy destroys creativity, and I have to constantly remind myself to move beyond it and just write!

  • What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your books?

What surprised me, and still surprises me, is the total immersion I experience in my character’s life. I become her. Her problems, fears, obsessions, and joys become mine. I actually dream about her. I think, in those dreams, I am working out some parts of the story.

  • Who is your favorite author and why?

There are many authors I adore, but Alice Hoffman is by far one of my favorites. I love the way she weaves myth, legend, and the supernatural into her tales of human characters. As you might surmise from the titles of my novels, I feel a connection with the Biblical story of Jonah and the whale, and I employed that as a metaphor for my character’s dilemma. Myths from all cultures have so much to teach us, and I am inspired by Hoffman’s ability to create a smooth flow between that world and the real world.

  • What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

As a young girl, I was enamored of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I loved how the book drew me in so that I truly cared about the characters. The emotional connection I felt with Jo, the main character, and the pain I felt at Beth’s death, made me realize that writing has the power to connect with readers on an emotional level.

As an adult, I devour novels that portray a female character struggling with mental illness and/or butting heads with others who do not understand her. How To Be A Good Wife by Emma Chapman, The Pleasing Hour by Lily King, Beloved by Toni Morrison, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, Illumination Night and The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare, and Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver are some of the books that have inspired me to explore the stories that reside in my head.

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

Sensitive, creative, searching

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

If you love your character or your story, focus on that. Let it come to life on the page. Don’t be distracted by other worries about what you are creating. Enjoy the writing itself!

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

I have begun two other novels. One deals with a woman who has inherited a castle in which she grew up and that she has spent her adult years trying to maintain. At some point, she will begin to question why she is doing that, since it has prevented her from having a life of her own. The other novel I have begun features an installation artist who teaches art in high school to pay her bills. She meets a charismatic, dysfunctional couple who fascinate her.  They are both successful actors and they worm their way into her life, helping her but also controlling her.

You can follow me on Instagram @ruthrotkowitz to keep up-to-date on the progress for this project.

For more information on author Ruth Rotkowitz, visit her website

About Escaping the Whale

To everyone who knows her, 28-year-old Marcia Gold leads the perfect life. A high school guidance counselor in 1980 Brooklyn, New York who specializes in helping pregnant teens, Marcia thrives in her work. She also has a handsome, successful boyfriend who has won the approval of her Jewish, Holocaust-survivor family – no easy feat.

However, beneath the shiny surface lurks another reality. Plagued by frightening and debilitating panic attacks brought on by her family’s wartime legacy and exacerbated by the Iranian hostage crisis in the news, Marcia becomes convinced that “demons” are occupying her closet and her mind. Determined to keep her terrifying secret life a secret, Marcia is pushed closer and closer to a breaking point.

A series of crises finally forces the explosion Marcia can no longer contain. Determined to rid herself of her “demons,” she concocts a plan, desperate to be reborn as a new person. Unfortunately, she discovers that her plan creates its own problems. Can she find another path out of her psychic pain, one that will lead her to true normalcy?

Purchase here: Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Apple Books

About The Whale Surfaces

Marcia Gold is the daughter of Holocaust survivors whose lives have been defined by their painful experiences in Europe. A sensitive child, Marcia has absorbed this history as her own, and the Holocaust looms over her childhood like an ever-present cloud. Despite caring parents and a safe life, Marcia’s childhood is filled with panic and delusions.

Marcia realizes early on that her fearful imaginings are upsetting to others. Yet demons are haunting her and she feels them infiltrating her life, making her ‘different.’ No one can understand her sense of alienation and her frightening ‘visions.’ Mortified by them herself, she believes her only hope lies in escaping the scene of her childhood and beginning an independent life. Only then, she concludes, will she vanquish those demons whose tentacles seem to be sliding relentlessly through the inside of her brain, poisoning all that they touch. Marcia’s search for independence is really a search for mental health.

Read after Escaping the Whale, the prequel explains Marcia’s journey to adulthood. Read as a stand-alone, it provides a picture of a child struggling to be ‘normal.’ Marcia Gold, in both books, is waiting to be understood.

Purchase here: Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

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

Songs From The Other Side by Robyn Bernstein | Review

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

Title: Songs From The Other Side

Author: Robyn Bernstein

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 254

My review

What a story this is! A heartwarming young-adult romantic drama. But, I must not tag this as a cliche romantic drama. It will be an injustice to the story and the beautiful storytelling efforts of the author. This tale is more about the depth of emotional bonds between parents and children.

Jayne is a newly orphaned teenager who is trying to find solace. She tries to find some peace by reading her father’s journal. A chance encounter with a fellow science nerd, Jonah opens a new realm of aspirations for her. Will she able to find hope and meaning, once again in her life?

Death is always an uninvited guest in our life. Its unexpected visit shatters our deep-seated bonds beyond repair. Grief is one of the hardest emotion to surpass. Especially when someone walks away without saying goodbye. Then the people who are left behind with the curse of memories has to find the answers to thousands of questions by themselves. Even then we can’t know anything for sure. The author has conveyed these raw emotions perfectly through words. It is not easy to pour these complex emotions into words. But we can clearly feel the pain Jayne is having, as we read through. This clearly shows the talent and craft of the author.

I really liked Jayne’s character. She finds her comfort in music and science. She shows maturity beyond her ages. Her hopeful outlook is one of the best element in the story. Because of that, I really loved the climax. I like the warriors who never bows to their circumstances. She is an ordinary character with extraordinary grit.

Every scene is scripted flawlessly. The author explains every minute detail with utmost clarity. Her vivid description paints the exact picture of every scene. She only introduces characters or their interactions after this description. Reading this tale is like watching a steady paced movie by frame-to-frame.

The strength of this story lies in its originality. The plot is really unique. We can easily relate to this story. But telling a relatable story without being overdramatic is another level of the game. The author has proved her abilities beyond doubts here.

Overall, this is a very well-written story. I highly recommend this one.

Rating:5/5

Purchase here: Amazon.com

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

‘A pen gives me a voice in the world’: 13 Questions with Peter Gray

Peter Gray was born in Toronto, Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Education but has always felt the lure of classic English literature. Peter published his first story in 2020; a paranormal romance called “Cursed.” His first full length novel “The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven” was released in the month of September 2020. As a self-published author, Peter specializes in the genres of Gothic horror, paranormal romance, and historical fiction. His first historical romance novel “Awakening” debuted in the month of March 2021; he plans to continue writing in this genre for his upcoming novels “At Peace” and “Far from Home” series which will premiere later this year.

It is my pleasure to welcome the author Peter Gray to this episode.

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

Peter Gray: Unfortunately, I cannot recall an exact time that I wanted to be a writer. I was always a daydreamer, ever since I was a little girl. As I grew older, I began to write these stories down on paper. They were short drabbles at first, but by the time I was in University they began to expand in scale. It is only recently that I decided to publish my stories under a male pen name and share it with the rest of the world. The accessibility of self-publishing through platforms like Amazon or Google Play was the main motivator for me to put my work out there.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Peter Gray: I have been writing all my life, it started with journal entries after school, and then poetry in my teenager years. Once I was in University, I stumbled into the wonderful world of fanfiction, and I think that is where I was able to explore writing stories in different genres. Being heavily immersed in the fanfiction world also allowed me to network with fellow artists and writers, so it gave me an opportunity to meet people that shared the same interests as me. It wasn’t until Covid-19 spread across the world and left my life at a standstill, that I sat down one day and took a serious look at all the stories I had written so far. This period of reflection gave me the confidence I needed to research the advantages of self-publishing, create a pen name, and eventually publishing my novels on Amazon.  

Me: What inspired you to write your first book?

Peter Gray: There were several motivations for me to write “Cursed.” It was Halloween season at the time, and I promised my friends that I would write a short horror story for them. I have always had this strange fascination with werewolves, so it was easy for me to pen “Cursed.” The story was originally a fanfiction, but I liked the storyline so much that I decided to change it up and publish the story on Amazon to reach a wider audience. I am aware that there are a lot of werewolf stories out there, but I believe “Cursed” is significantly different because it mixes elements of comedy and horror to give it a more light-hearted feel. I believe the classic 1981 film “An American Werewolf in London,” was another motivator for me to write this novel. I had the pleasure of watching it after I published “Cursed,” and it gave me some sense of pride to see that my book shared the same vibe as that insanely comedic eighties film.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

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

Peter Gray: Thus far, all the characters that I have written have been created from scratch or vaguely inspired by other fictional characters. One of my future published works “At Peace,” is autobiographical in a way, which is both intimidating and unnerving for me. I believe that is the reason I have been repeatedly pushing back the dates so far, but I know for certain it will be published at the end of this year. This historical romance focusses on a budding romance between two teachers. A lot of the scenes in the first few chapters are a dim reflection of my own life, so it is an eerie experience to see my life suddenly penned upon a page. I think it is the best story that I have produced so far, probably because it correlates with that age old saying: “Write what you know.” I work in the education profession, so detailing the daily lives of a teacher’s duties and their classroom expectations was incredibly easy to do. This story is romantic and emotional evocative, and I believe it will be a favourite for many of my fans.

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

Peter Gray: The hardest part of writing during a pandemic is finding a quiet, isolated place to work. I currently live at home with my family. Lately it has been difficult to find a place to write new stories or market my published works. This inconvenience has made me wake up in the early hours of the morning, in the hopes of writing a chapter or two. Afterwards, I go out for a long walk among nature to clear my mind and allow my creative thoughts to wander. It is through these tranquil-like moments that I generate more ideas for a story. When I return home, my mind is full to the brim with new ideas, and then I am off, typing at my keyboard like a madman. My work habits, however strange they might appear, have allowed me to produce multiple novels within a short period.

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

Peter Gray: I discovered that I like to integrate social justice issues into my novels. I never want to shy away from issues such as racism, environmental issues, or social injustice. A pen gives me a voice in the world, a vocal piece for me to fight for the rights of others.

Purchase here: Amazon.com

The philosophical topic of existentialism heavily influenced the “Far from Home” book series. The main characters in these novella’s often question their religious beliefs in a time when the Protestant faith was sacred, and the church heavily aligned with the British Monarchy. We see a lot of philosophical questions that plague the character’s mind, such as: “Why am I here?” or “Where will I go when I die?” In this book series, vampires’ chips away at the once firmly held religious beliefs of the Reeds’ family. It is apparent that the sudden emergence of vampires, those demonic creatures that possess the power to live beyond the grave, have a significant advantage over those people that cherish the Enlightened period and refuse to believe in the fact that vampires are free to roam throughout London, England. When penning “Far from Home” I was heavily influenced by Bram Stocker’s “Dracula,” and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” novels, as well as John William Polidori “The Vampyre.” The book series, “Far from Home” starts off as a black noir, detective styled novella, but over the time the story evolves to focus on the tragically dark romances between the vampire, Aodhan McVeigh, and the woman he has chosen to be his lover.

Me: Who is your favourite author and why?

Peter Gray: An incredibly difficult question, but if I had to choose a single author it would be Charlotte Brontë. Her books influenced me in my late adolescence, and it helped me go through some difficult times in high school. Only when I entered University and began to study English literature, that I began to truly appreciate her writing style. There are a lot of similarities that I share with her life, such as writing under a male pseudonym or working in the education profession. When it was time to choose a pen name, I thought about all the female authors that influenced my life growing up and the hardships they faced to get their work published because they are a woman. It was the lives of the Brontë sisters during the nineteenth century that influenced me to write under a fictional male pen name, in the hopes of echoing the troubling time period for female authors because of their sex. 

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

Peter Gray: Edgar Allan Poe’s “Ligeia” and “The House of Usher” are two major influences for me when I decided to partake in the Gothic horror genre. I also absolutely adore dark romanticism literature! I love stories with an ill-fated heroine being preyed upon by a sinister villain; dark moors, haunted houses, vengeful ghosts, those are the things that continually spark my imagination. In terms of light literature, I am highly inspired by the Romanticism period and the famous poets that wrote about sublime scenery and landscapes in England, Italy, and other parts of Europe that had not succumbed to the wave of the Industrial revolution. Another writer that has influenced my writing style is the lyrical poet, John Keats. He is my hero! I worship the very ground he walks upon, and he is one of the main reasons I fell in love with poetry at an early age. Recently, I have been enjoying Gothic novels by Renee Ross, a fellow indie writer with a penchant for all things dark and maniacal. I would suggest “The Ghost of Emily Grey,” a short horror novel I binge read in two days. I could go on for days, of course, but those are the writers that have influenced me the most so far.

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

Peter Gray: I don’t remember a time when anyone gave me writing advice. I am quite headstrong, incredibly so, and I think that is the reason I went into the self-publishing business instead of falling into the long line of writers waiting to be noticed by big publishing companies. The best piece of writing advice I saw online was by Charles Bukowski. He is so raw with his words, so much grit and frankness that he knocks the reader over with the truth. I find his life inspiring too, it was just a few months ago that I watched a documentary detailing his daily writing habits. It just proves that you have to live everyday like it’s your last and make no excuses when it comes to writing. Bukowski’s writing philosophy is seen in this quote, when he says: “There’s nothing to stop a man from writing unless that man stops himself. If a man truly desires to write, then he will.” As a writer we have a choice; we can settle and write down stories that society dictates as acceptable or popular at this time, or we can listen to our intuition and tell a story that is deeply meaningful to you. When I first started to write stories it was to cater to a certain audience, but now I am at the point in my life where I think “How much longer will I be here? What legacy am I going to leave in the world?” and it is those types of questions that makes me want to put my best work out there.

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

Peter Gray: That’s an easy one! To write!!!

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

Peter Gray: Bold, emphatic and a leader.

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

Peter Gray: Have a network of people that you can rely on. They can be fellow writers or people that know you intimately and will call you out if the story can be improved upon. Writing is a lonely process, but it does not always have to be that way. Social media allows me to connect with fellow writers and ask them for advice. I am still new here, and yes, I have published four novels in less than two years, but I am still learning the intricacies of this business. When you are an indie writer it is essential to get your name out there. The books won’t sell by themselves! It requires work, patience, and a little bit of luck. The best advice I can give to an aspiring writer is to network with fellow artists and believe in yourself.

Visit the author’s website https://www.gray-blog.com/

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

Peter Gray: I am in the middle of rewriting “Far from Home: Book Two,” since it was penned over two years ago. My writing style has drastically changed, so I am basically rewriting the entire story from scratch. I want to add more foreshadowing this time, especially when it comes to the dark, twisted relationship between Aodhan McVeigh and the woman he cleverly seduced, the young Victoria Reeds. I believe the first edition had a lot of Hades and Persephone vibes to it, but their storyline begins to change, and the reader starts to see the consequences of their actions after Victoria abandons her home and turns into a blood-thirsty vampire.

My romance historical novel “At Peace” is completed, so it is currently waiting to be published in the winter of 2021. I am still debating whether I want to submit it to a publisher or take the normal route and self-publish online.

“Far from Home: Book Three” was completed two months ago, during a burly Canadian winter with lots of snow and extremely frigid temperatures. Book three is hands down my favourite, and I am extremely impatient when it comes to publishing it next year. This story will generate a wide array of reactions from the audience. “Far from Home: Book Three” deals with issues of human morality, our spirituality, possibilities of reincarnations, and existentialism themes, which will clash with a lot of people’s worldview. Aodhan McVeigh also becomes very desperate in the final adaption of this book, and I believe more dangerous than ever before, especially with the supernatural powers he possesses since he is a century old vampyre with a single-minded purpose to destroy anyone that stands in his way.

You can follow my page @petergray_writer to keep up-to-date on the progress for my projects!

Other Books by Peter Gray

Visit the Amazon page of Awakening &The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

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, 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