Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Children's books, Young-Adult

“Having experienced the sting of being teased for my own name, I wanted to create something that would protect my son’s spirit”| Interview with author Paromita De

Today I’m hosting Paromita De, author of Paromita: The Value In a Name in my blog. It is my pleasure to welcome Ms. De to this episode of the author interview. 

Paromita De is a passionate children’s picture book author, dedicated high school teacher, loving wife, and mom who believes that every child has a story worth telling. With a deep commitment to nurturing creativity and curiosity in young minds, she blends her professional expertise in education with her creative passion for storytelling.

A proud graduate of the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine), Paromita brings a unique, academic, and nurturing perspective to her children’s literature, crafting narratives that are both engaging and educational.

When she is not in the classroom inspiring high school students or crafting new, magical worlds for her picture books, Paromita can likely be found indulging in her favorite ritual: enjoying a quiet, comforting lavender latte while brainstorming her next story. Her writing is largely inspired by the daily wonders of life, the innocence of childhood, and the joys of being a mom. Paromita resides in California with her family.

Q:For readers meeting you for the first time, could you tell us a little about yourself and what first inspired you to become a writer? 

My dream of becoming a writer and a teacher started when I was just five years old—it was a simple, childhood dream to teach and tell stories.

The real turning point for me was high school. I was lucky enough to be part of the Live Poet’s Society, a space that gave me the quiet confidence to explore my own voice through poetry. I owe so much to my teacher, Mr. Root. He saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself. His mentorship was a gift that truly shaped my heart and my career, teaching me that being an educator is about so much more than just a lesson plan—it’s about inspiration

Q:Your book Paromita: The Value in a Name seems deeply personal right from its title. What made you choose to build a story around identity and the meaning carried within a name?

Paromita is really a piece of my heart. The deepest inspiration behind it was my son. Like me, he has an East Indian name, and I wrote this story because I want him to carry it with absolute pride. Having experienced the sting of being teased for my own name, I wanted to create something that would protect my son’s spirit

Q: The idea of names often carries emotional, cultural, and even generational weight. What does the name “Paromita” personally represent to you? 

My name represents my culture, my heritage, my identity, and the love of my parents and ancestors   Our names are the very first gift we receive when we enter this world. They are a sacred link to our past, carrying the weight of our culture and the deep love of the ancestors who came before us.

Q: Children’s stories may look simple on the surface, but they often carry profound messages underneath. How did you balance simplicity with emotional depth while writing this book? 

Kids already possess an incredible capacity for deep emotion; they just don’t use complicated vocabulary to express it. The illustrations did a lot of the emotional weight for me, and I am very grateful for the way that my illustrator, Abdullah was able to pair the illustrations with the depth of emotion in the book.

Q: Many writers say that writing for children is more difficult than writing for adults because children immediately connect with honesty. Was that true in your experience as well? 

Writing this book taught me that children don’t need us to protect them from big feelings; they just need us to be as brave and honest in our storytelling as they are in their everyday lives.

Q: There is a quiet warmth in stories that help children feel seen and accepted. Was there a particular emotional experience or memory that shaped this story? 

Writing this book was a deeply humbling process of looking back at my younger self and remembering the exact weight of those childhood anxieties.

Q: Identity and belonging are themes that resonate across all ages. Did you consciously write the book for parents and adults too, beyond young readers? 

My primary focus was simply trying to be as honest and gentle with my younger self as possible. Since identity and belonging are lifelong human struggles, I think the book naturally ended up speaking to the shared experiences of both generations.

Q: In a world where children are constantly exposed to labels and comparisons, what message do you hope young readers take away from your book? 

 My hope is for it to foster a world that is a bit kinder and more respectful of the unique names and different backgrounds that make up who we are, and for children to embrace their culture and identity with pride.

Q: As a debut author, what surprised you the most about the journey from idea to publication?

 Hearing children and parents interpret Paromita in ways I never personally intended has been the most beautiful, unexpected reward. I am filled with gratitude for the editors, illustrator, and early readers who actually brought Paromita to life.

Q: Finally, what kind of stories do you hope to continue telling in the future, and what can readers look forward to next from you?

I am currently writing a second book, and I hope to create more stories about Paromita’s experiences in the future.

Visit Paromita on https://paromitadebooks.com/

About the Book

Some kids worry about homework. Paromita worries about her name. When her teacher twists her name into something that sounds like a sputtering car engine, the whole class laughs, and Paromita’s confidence hits the floor.

Paromita follows a young Indian girl who once loved her beautiful name and the kathak dances she learned from her grandma. But at school, her name becomes a target. Between “Parooometer” and “Parrot,” she decides that life might be easier if everyone just called her “Pat.” Spoiler alert: it isn’t.

What follows is a story about pride, identity, and a seven-yard sari. Paromita finds her voice again at the school talent show, where she performs her kathak dance and tells everyone exactly what her name means, where it comes from, and why mispronouncing it is more than a simple mistake. By the next day, her classmates see her differently, and she learns that being herself is far stronger than trying to fit in.

This story gives young readers a look into how cultural identity and confidence can grow from pain and pride in equal measure. It shows how a child’s voice can shift how others see difference.

Purchase here:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Amina Thajudeen Author Interview, Fiction, Thriller

“I try to understand my characters rather than judge them. Because no one sees themselves as the villain in their own story”| Interview with author Zina Becker

Today I’m hosting Zina Becker author of Mom Knows Best (The Knows Best Series) in my blog. It is my pleasure to welcome Ms. Becker to this episode of the author interview. 

Zina Becker is a psychological thriller author drawn to the darker layers of human nature.
With a background in poetry, she developed a strong focus on emotional depth and internal conflict elements that now define her thrillers.
Her work explores themes of perception, control, and the uncomfortable truth that no one is ever the villain in their own story.
She lives in Europe, where she continues to write stories that challenge the way we see people, trust, and reality itself.

Q: For readers who are just discovering you, could you tell us a little about
yourself and your journey into writing?
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, even before I consciously decided to become a writer. I started out with poetry, which allowed me to explore emotions in a very raw and personal way. Over time, I felt the need to go deeper — to not only express emotions, but to understand them. That’s what naturally led me to psychological thrillers. Today, I write stories that explore the hidden sides of human nature — the thoughts we don’t say out loud and the choices we try to justify.

Q: What drew you toward storytelling in the psychological and emotionally
intense space, as seen in Mom Knows Best: No one is a monster in their own
story?
What fascinates me most is not what people do, but why they do it. Psychological thrillers give me the space to explore that gray area — where right and wrong are not always clear.
In Mom Knows Best, I wanted to create a story where the reader constantly questions perception, truth, and trust — because in real life, those lines are often blurred.

Q: The emotional tension in your story seems to come from what is hidden
rather than what is revealed. How do you approach building suspense
through silence and secrecy?
I believe what’s not said is often more powerful than what is. Instead of revealing everything, I prefer to let tension build through small details — a thought, a hesitation, a contradiction. Silence creates space for the reader’s imagination, and that’s where suspense becomes personal.

Q: Your narrative touches upon control within familial relationships. Do you
see this as a reflection of broader societal dynamics as well?
Family relationships are often built on love — but also on control, expectations, and unspoken rules. I think these dynamics reflect broader patterns in society. In my writing, I explore how control can sometimes be disguised as care, and how difficult it is to recognize that from the inside.

Q: Without giving too much away, the protagonist’s journey feels deeply
internal. How important was emotional transformation compared to plot
progression in your writing?
For me, emotional transformation is just as important as the plot — sometimes even more. A twist only matters if the reader feels it. I focus on building an internal journey, so that when the story shifts, it resonates on a deeper level.

Q: Did writing this book change your own perceptions about trust, especially
within close relationships like family?
Writing this book definitely made me reflect more on trust and perception. It reminded me how easily we accept certain truths — especially within close relationships — without questioning them. And how dangerous that can be.

Q: As a writer, how do you balance empathy for your characters with the
darker choices they make?
I try to understand my characters rather than judge them. Because no one sees themselves as the villain in their own story. Even the darkest choices come from a place that, to them, makes sense — and that’s what makes them human.

Q: Looking back at your journey with Mom Knows Best, what part of the
writing process stayed with you the longest, even after the book was
finished?
The emotional weight of the characters stayed with me the longest. Even after finishing the book, I kept thinking about their choices — and whether they could have chosen differently. That lingering question is something I hope readers experience too.

Q: What would you say to readers who see parts of their own experiences
reflected in your story?
I think one of the most powerful things about stories is recognition. If readers see parts of themselves in the story, I hope it makes them reflect — not with fear, but with awareness. Because understanding is always the first step toward change.

Q: As you move forward, what kind of stories are calling you next and what
can your readers look forward to from you?
In the beginning, I honestly believed that Mom Knows Best would be a stand-alone thriller. But then one night, I came up with a great idea for how the story can continue. Now “Dad Knows Best” is available for pre-order, and it’s coming soon. I’m continuing to explore psychological tension and complex characters — stories where nothing is entirely what it seems. Readers can expect darker themes, deeper emotional layers, and twists that challenge perception. I’m especially interested in pushing the boundaries between reality and the mind

Visit Zina Becker on www.zinabecker.com

About the Book

She trusted her mother with everything.
Until she started asking questions.

Mom Knows Best is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the fragile line between love and control, truth and perception. In a world shaped by secrets and quiet manipulation, nothing is ever exactly what it seems — and some truths are too dangerous to be uncovered. Because sometimes, the people we trust the most are the ones hiding the darkest truths

Purchase here:

Amazon (US)

Amazon (DE)

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Children's books, Travelogue

The Excellent Adventures of Hubie and Honey by T. J. Mueller : A Lesson in Courage and Connection

​We all have grand aspirations, but it’s often our own inner voice of fear that becomes the biggest discouragement. “The Excellent Adventures of Hubie and Honey” illustrates this meaningful concept perfectly. In just thirty-nine perfectly written pages, this small book imparts timeless wisdom to budding minds, crafting a beautiful narrative about overcoming one’s own insecurities and fears through meaningful and supportive relationships. 

This is far more than a simple story; it’s a guide to believing in oneself and understanding that every dream is achievable.​The book excels in its ability to present these profound life lessons within a well-paced and engaging narrative. The literary structure is certainly one of its greatest strengths; the author has skillfully organized the tale from beginning to end, using correct, evocative words that never hinder the story’s flow. The incidents are introduced at regular intervals, maintaining an even pace that keeps young readers thoroughly engrossed. It’s rare to find such a perfectly constructed piece of children’s literature that feels both effortless and meticulously crafted.

​The story centers on the unlikely duo in the Walker’s garden: Honey, the Italian greyhound dog, and Hubie, the worldly pond frog. Their friendship is founded on the thrill of adventure, fueled by Hubie’s incredible tales of his travels outside the garden’s boundaries. Honey’s great desire to see the outside world becomes a powerful illustration of dreaming big, but it is Hubie’s presence that provides the crucial spark of right guidance. This scenario beautifully conveys how important it is to circle yourself with friends who uplift your mindset and give you the courage to take the first step.

​The ensuing journey is an eventful trek that teaches children the necessity of helping each other in need and the pure joy of having fun together. No matter how daunting the world outside the garden may seem, the duo shows that if you are perseverant enough, nothing can stop you from reaching your goals. 

​Apart from the compelling narrative and its inherent moral value, the book is a visual delight. The vivid and beautiful illustrations certainly add another layer of depth, making the journey resonate even more strongly with the reader. 

Overall, “The Excellent Adventures of Hubie and Honey” is a well-written and well-meant book, a must-read for children and adults alike who need a reminder that adventure awaits just beyond their comfort zone.

Rating: 5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors, Indian Mythology

Queen of Hearts by P.G. Van

51M8+o4J2oL.jpg

  • Title: Queen of Hearts
  • Author: P.G. Van
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • Print Length: 223 pages
  • Buy now: Amazon

Blurb

Waking up in a strange place and not remembering anything, not even her name, she remembers him, not as her husband as she is told, but something about him seems familiar!

Why does her mind remember only him and nothing else?

In an unexpected change of circumstances, he has to bring her home as his wife. She becomes vital for him to close a deal, and he needs to make her believe she is his wife until the contract is finalized on his dream project.

What happens when the temporary set-up starts to seem real for him?

When she realizes what he had done, will he still be able to hold on to her?

My review

“Queen of Hearts: An Indian billionaire romance” by P.G Van is a typical romance story with the pinch of suspense throughout. From the title of the book, it is evident that, the story will be something filled with cheesy and steamy romance. But the blurb truly excites me to dive right into the book. It is because they’ve given a good blurb with a hint of suspense. I really liked it. The strength of this story is it is woven on the strong plot. The plot is somewhat seen in typical Bollywood films but I felt this plot is strong. The characters are framed well for a romance story. The usual anti-hero image at the beginning for the protagonist. His character changes to a good one because of the influence of female lead so and so. Every romance novel is filled with a turn and twist towards the end of the story and here also no escape from that. But overall, this novel gives a good reading experience. Altogether it is an easy to read and recommended for all romance lovers.