Review of Where the Secret Lies

Review of Malika Gandhi’s

Where the Secret Lies

Reviewed by Roy Murry

India is still a mysterious place to most people in the west even though its population is over one billion.  This ambiguous thinking on the part of us Americans and others is due to the lack of understanding of India’s culture which emanates from the Hindi and Muslim religions.

Ms. Malika Gandhi’s Where the Secret Lies, in a two story package, allows her reader into that culture.  One story is the romantic journey of a young lady vacationing in India from England with her Indian family, circa 2000.  The other is that of a young lady’s plight during the conflicts of the Indian and Pakistani partition in 1947.  The stories converge into an unlikely ending.

Ms. Gandhi’s stories are well thought out and detail so the reader will not get lost in cultural differences.  Love is the same in all cultures.  It’s only the norms set down by our elders that dictate how we are to love.  Here is where Malika has shined in her storytelling.

The romantic clashes make one think – how could this be?  In both stories the love triangles are full of emotional conflicts, because of the cultural miss understanding of the parties involved in a male dominated world vs. the new world order where women have their say in their destiny.

Ms. Gandhi’s two stories converge because of one common element.  That being, the young lady of present has a common spirit with the young lady of the past.  And that mysterious question is answered when a door that has been unopened for years, because of a murder, is opened by a spirit.

I enjoyed Ms. Malika Gandhi’s tale on two levels. One being the way she explains the culture of India through her prose and the other being the detail of that prose.

Ms. Gandhi’s links are below in her interview:  http://bit.ly/130CEiq

Interview with Malika Gandhi

Interview with Malika Gandhi

Author of Where the Secret Lies

Questions by R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I am a young author of one and bit years and I love it. I am also a wife, and a mother to two boys. 

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

Yes! I was in junior school then. My story was about a monkey called Manglu and a dried up watering hole! I had the book laminated and wrote Author: Malika Gandhi on the back. I knew then on that I wanted to be an author.

Were you inspired by someone or something?

I was (and still am) an avid reader. I used to read a lot of Roald Dahl and C.S Lewis books then. I think they were the ones who inspired me.

What do you like about writing a story?

I love how characters take over and tell their story themselves. I like to add a little drama and bring the characters to life.

Can you tell us about your book?
My second book which is Where the Secret Lies is about two women who share a connection. They are from two different eras but a secret binds them together. The eras are 1947, which is the start of India's partition and 2012, with a modern take on India.

What genre best fits for the book?
Paranormal Romance.

Are you working on something new at the moment?
Yes. I am writing a trilogy based on Fantastical creatures, witches and powerful spells. The story focuses on two worlds: Earth and another which is fictional. I am very excited about this project as it new territory for me!

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Be true to yourself. The thing about being an indie author is patience. Being indie is not just about writing the book but also marketing it. You are the creator from start to finish.

Where can people go to read your work?
My books are available on amazon, iTunes, Barnes and noble, Kobo and other leading book sellers.

Do you have anything to add?
Love your writing and don't ever let anything stop that. It is a unique treasure we hold.

Review Passion, Power & Sin

Review of Mike Wells’

Passion, Power & Sin

Books 1 & 2 of

A Series

Reviewed by R. Murry

A simple act of receiving an E-mail, which most people would consider spam, is the catalyst of these thrilling introductions into this five book series written by Mr. Wells.  His main character, Heather, is a resourceful intelligent red head, who has a stressful money problem. 

Because of her family’s financial turmoil, she opens a second E-mail because the first message came true to her amazement and made her angry she didn’t take advantage of its fruition.  This is when her adventure into the world of international monetary affairs turns into nerve raking events for her and the reader.  However, there are some pleasant moments she encounters.

Mike pulls his readers in and keeps them glued to the page hoping Heather will reach her goals.  Each endeavor seems strange at first glance.  Heather overcomes obstacles by wit, fate and luck.  Mr. Wells writes each event in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering if Heather’s world wind will come to an end, solving her problems. 

There is a love affair in the background of this nail biting suspense story.  It’s kept there, because Heather is doing her thing globe hopping to resolve her problem first, keeping her lover in the dark of its existence. The affair culminated to her satisfaction.

We all want an underdog story to come to a happy ending.  This one may because of the lead character’s ability to go with the flow of events and not get bogged down in self-pity. She moves on, knowing she has the strength inside her to handle what is thrown at her even to the doubts of her friends.

Mike Wells has me hooked into finishing this series.  If you are not prone to heart attacks, this series should be on your “Series to read list.”

Check him out: http://
amzn.to/1hjPrhk

Review of Something Great

Review of Something Great

Written by M. Clarke

Reviewed by R. Murry

Romantic stories are now geared to the young, because they are the only ones who fall in love?!  The one difference I see in Contemporary Romance vs. any other Romance novel is gadgets used to upscale the plot.  In Mary’s novel Something Great, that gadget is a Smart Phone, with people using texts to convey information.  I’m old school and don’t text. 

Mary has done an excellent job using this communication media to enhance the story of her two lover’s journey.  Using this new way to snappily deliver one’s thoughts brings different emotions into play which a face to face directness diffuses.  The author uses wisely the differences of those exchanges to develop the storytelling.

In M. Clarke’s version of a love story, there is playfulness, teasing, giggling, winking, and the old standby of kissing one’s lover in the place that drives them crazy.  Effortlessly she leads the reader on through a story made in heaven and we all know that when that happens, there is always the pit falls.

The main character armed with a family of three friends, who have a group text site to speed up communications between them, falls heads over heals for the perfect man, albeit some say he is a women magnet and has slept with many of them.  He, on the other hand, has emotions that he never had before, which impedes his directness.

Their affair is sometimes torrid but mostly cute and moves along smoothly.  He uses his position to show his affection and she uses her friends for advice to understand it.  M. Clarke does a fine job of writing an uncomplicated story that becomes complicated because of her intended character’s communication skill and style.

This novel is for the young and old romantics.  It resonates on all levels.  An enjoyable summer afternoon read

Interview with Mary Ting

Interview with Mary Ting

Author of Crossroads

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I’ve taught kindergarten for almost 20 years. When my grandmother passed away, I started writing a story based on a dream I had in high school. Writing helped me heal the loss of her. Never in my wildest dream did I ever thought about being an author.  Now I have five books saga--Crossroads Saga and a new adult—Something Great with more books coming real soon.

Do you remember the first story you wrote? 

I know this sounds strange from a person who loves to write now, but I didn’t enjoying writing before. So…nope. I don’t remember…lol!

Were you inspired by someone or something? 

One of my inspirations was Stephenie Meyers. She wrote her story based on a dream she had. I did the same for Crossroads Saga, but for Something Great, it was a request from my friends.

What do you like about writing a story? 

I get to write a story I enjoy reading. It takes me to a place where I escape from everyday life stress. The best part is sharing my story with readers. Hopefully they will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Can you tell us about your book? 

I have two series. Crossroads Saga is based on a dream I had. The main character mysterious goes to this place I called Crossroads through her dreams and comes across a group of nelephims, half human, half angel—romance and action based story. Book 1, Crossroads is currently free on Kindle and Nook.  Something Great is for 18 and over. Jeanna—a college graduate seeking a good job and steady boyfriend. This book is about friendship and finding true love, and not settling for second best. I’ve recently published a book called From Gods. It is about Greek Mythology in modern world.

What genre best fits for the book? 

Crossroads Saga and From Gods are YA and Something Great is New Adult/Contemporary Romance. Something Wonderful, book 2 of SG will be released 2/10/2014.

Are you working on something new at the moment? 

I have few projects. I’m working on sequel to From Gods and Something Great sequel—Something Wonderful, and another NA called My Clarity in May, 2014.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers? 

If you are really serious about writing, don’t give up. Don’t think about it, just do it. Reach out to authors and follow them. That way you get a feel for how to promote and what to do. Many indie authors help each other.

Where can people go to read your work? 

Amazon allows readers to read about 4 chapters. When you click on the ebook cover, it will open up. You can also read teasers on my blog. www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com

Do you have anything to add? 

Thanks for this opportunity. Here are my links to follow.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMClarke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryTing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsBook

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryTing

Website: http://www.authormaryting

Blog: http://www.marytingbooks.blogspot.com

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7181038.M_Clarke

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4388953.Mary_Ting

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mting888/boards/

Review of Soul Destruction: Unforgivable

Review of

Soul Destruction:

         Unforgivable

Written by Ruth Jacobs

Reviewed by R. Murry

Forgiveness is a hard concept for many to grasp. There are many quotes on forgiving oneself and others that could fill a book.  I won’t give you one.  All I’ll say is that the world would be better off if people would forgive and forget, including one’s own stupid actions.

Ruth Jacobs’ novel is a crime against forgiveness.  There isn’t a character in this tale of sex, drugs, and crime that has the capacity to forgive, because each of the main characters is wrapped up in their own self-pity.  This,

Ms. Jacobs has well developed.  The three prostitutes, Shelly (Main Character,) Nicole, and Tara, have all not forgiven or forgotten their pasts and have used their individual pasts as a reasons for being where they are in the present.

This character driven story delves into the minds of intelligent individuals whose minds are altered by drugs and the life style they have chosen. Their decision making has been so impaired that they go over the edge, committing an unforgivable crime stemmed from the fact that no one in the group of three can forgive, forget, and move on, which might have stopped the crime.

Ruth’s writing moves the reader to peaks of disbelief that can only be described as horrific.  You feel the compassion in what she has portrayed as the life of a prostitute in the UK and feel the distress in how her characters come to their conclusions.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your reading chair, this is a crime novel that will keep your attention.

Ms. Jacobs’s links are There’s the Soul Destruction website at www.soul-destruction.com and my author website www.ruthjacobs.co.uk.

Interview with Ruth Jacobs

Interview with Ruth Jacobs

Author of

Soul Destruction: Unforgivable

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

I’m a mother of twin sons; we have two rescue cats and a rescue Lurcher and live out in the countryside about an hour from London. My life is very different now to how it was until my mid-twenties and my past provides much material for my stories.   

Do you remember the first story you wrote?

No idea at all. But I do remember a story I wrote when I was sixteen. It was for my English GCSE exam and the title I had chosen (or perhaps there was only one) was something along the lines of “The Best Day of My Life”. I had taken some drugs before the exam - I am pretty sure it was either magic mushrooms or acid, though possibly I could have just been very stoned, but I think it was a trip that day. Anyway, my story about the best day of my life was a very long description of what happened when my protagonist got run over and he (or possibly she, I can’t recall) was up in the air. I remember the clouds looking like teddy bears. I expect the reason for remembering that story is because I was shocked, and delighted, to achieve a ‘B’ in English, as I was not that regular at attending school, and when I was, I wasn’t always present in mind.  

Were you inspired by someone or something?

My grandmother was a writer and I am sure she inspired me to start writing.

What do you like about writing a story?

I like being in the characters’ world. It’s a form of escapism for me. Though not as powerful as shooting heroin and crack (as I did in my younger years), it’s generally safer - you don’t often see a writer in the gutter with a story sticking out her arm.

Can you tell us about your book?

Soul Destruction: Unforgivable follows Shelley Hansard, a heroin addicted and crack psychotic London call girl who gets the opportunity to take revenge on a client who raped her and her friends.

What genre best fits for the book?

Crime.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

I am going to be writing the second book in the Soul Destruction series very soon, but currently most of my time is taken up with activism in anti-sexual exploitation and anti-human trafficking.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

Keep writing.

Where can people go to read your work?

There’s the Soul Destruction website at www.soul-destruction.com and my author website www.ruthjacobs.co.uk.

Do you have anything to add?

A short story of mine, Life, about a man facing a life sentence for a crime he can’t remember committing, is free right now along with other short stories from more Caffeine Nights writers here http://www.caffeine-nights.com/free-short-shots.html.