White Swans: A Regency World by Annamaria Bazzi

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Kendíka’s second chance at life begins as a nightmare.

Will the eerie eyes always looking down from the sky reveal themselves?

Kendíka challenges the aliens no one has ever seen to bring about a better life for the humans trapped in the surreal Regency world she wakes up in. While getting to know her alien owner, she discovers the aliens aren’t so perfect and have much to learn about humans.

Will Kendíka survive or perish, attempting to make life better for the people living on Regency?





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Excerpt:

Startled by the lack of movement, Kendíka sat up in bed, scanning the shadows in the moonlit room. Perspiration beaded her forehead while her heart pounded against her ribs. The last thing she remembered was sitting in the limousine next to Mr. Vetrano, arguing about her future. He insisted the will mandated her future, not him. Did the pill knock her out? How dare he drug me!

She blinked and, holding her breath, glanced around the unfamiliar room. When her lungs screamed for air, she exhaled then took another deep inhale. What the hell? What happened to the limousine?

Butterflies unsettled her stomach. Her back stiffened. Her heart drummed. Oh, my God! When did I get out of the car or come to this room? Why would Mr. Vetrano bring me to such a freaky place? Fear and the thought of her parents’ death brought fresh tears to her eyes.

She slid out of bed and shuffled her bare feet along the stone floor, hands held out to make sure she didn’t bump into anything hidden by the shadows.

At the opposite end of the room, she could make out a dark blob, which she hoped might be the door. Somewhere along the wall near it, she would find a light switch. She advanced slowly, making sure not to stub her toes. Her fingertips ran along the smooth wood. The handle felt cold. She pulled on the knob, but it didn’t budge. Strange! Her heart missed a beat. Why is the door locked?

With all her strength, she pounded on the door. “Mr. Vetrano?” She paused. “Is anyone out there?” She beat her fists on it a few more times, but when no one came to investigate the commotion, she slid to the floor and buried her face in her hands. Think, girl, think. Standing again, she moved her hands along the smooth walls at the edge of the molding, feeling for a light switch. Why can’t I find it? She tried again…nothing but wall. Why is no one coming?


Fun Facts:

- One of the more challenging items I researched was how to address people. I had been under the impression that I could refer to a duke as ‘My Lord.’ Boy was I wrong! To do so is quite degrading. A duke is addressed as ‘Your Grace’, and he’s introduced as, for example, ‘Charles Emory, the Duke of Deverow.’ Yes, he is one of the leading characters in my book.

- What about the funny little hat maids wore that looked like a shower cap? Well, that’s called a mob hat, and no, it has nothing to do with mobsters and gangsters. It was an essential part of a maid’s uniform.

- Speaking of servants, I had to understand what a footman does versus a butler. A footman did a variety of indoor and outdoor jobs. Important to me were the indoor jobs. Learning that a footman laid out the table, served the meal and tea, and assisted the butler helped me determine what Wordsworth’s duties had to be in the book.

- During this research, I learned that the butler was responsible for household security and most important, the wine cellar. The butler didn’t wear a uniform, but he wore a black cravat instead of a white one so he would not be mistaken for a gentleman.

About the Author:

Although born in the United States, Annamaria Bazzi spent a great deal of her childhood in Sicily, Italy, in a town called Sciacca. Italian was the language spoken at home. Therefore, she had no problems when she found herself growing up in a strange country. Upon returning to the states, she promised herself she would speak without an accent. She attended Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computers with a minor in Spanish.

Annamaria spent twenty years programming systems for large corporations, creating innovative solution, and addressing customer problems. During those years, she raised four daughters and one husband. Annamaria lives in Richmond Virginia with her small family where she now dedicates a good part of her day writing.

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Antique Forgery (Alicia Trent #2) by Eileen Harris

This second book in the series takes the reader further into the life of Alicia Trent and her friends. Magic, forgery, betrayal, and fabulous jewels surround Alicia as she struggles to find the reason for her friend's death.








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Excerpt:

We were nearly halfway up the stairs when I heard Lawrence groan. I turned to see what had happened. He was deathly white, and while I watched, he sank down on the closest step. He was sweating heavily and clutching his stomach. He didn't seem coherent enough to answer any questions, so I ducked into my room and called for an ambulance. They only took about ten minutes to arrive, but it was horrible to wait. Lawrence was obviously in great pain, but couldn't tell me what was wrong.

The ride to the hospital took an eternity. They wouldn't let me ride in the ambulance, and I was so afraid of what would happen before he arrived. I was shaking and behind the wheel of a car was the last place I should have been, but as the ambulance tore through the streets with the siren blaring, I was right behind them.

I ran from the parking lot into the emergency room just in time to see them take Lawrence through a set of swinging doors where I couldn't follow. I slumped into a chair, and for the next two hours I sat in a waiting room with dull green walls and hard metal chairs. I never moved while I waited. My mind was busy begging Lawrence to hold on.

Since I was the only one waiting, when I saw an exhausted-looking man dressed in scrubs walk into the room, I took a deep breath and hurried to his side.

He said, “Are you the relative who brought Lawrence Hall in tonight?”

Afraid they wouldn't tell me anything if I confessed to not being a relative, I just nodded.

“Mr. Hall is a very sick man. He's been poisoned, and we think he must have eaten poisonous mushrooms. Our tests indicate they were probably green-spored lepiota.”

At this point I wanted to scream at him to just tell me his condition. He could explain the details after I knew how Lawrence was.

However, he wasn't finished explaining. “This particular mushroom doesn't normally cause death, but among its other symptoms it can dangerously lower blood pressure. Mr. Hall must be on some type of medication that has the same effect, or at least exacerbated the effect of the mushroom, because we nearly lost him. It's a good thing you got him here when you did. We have him stabilized now, and he should make a full recovery.”

I barely heard anything the man said except the last statement. Lawrence was going to be all right! My knees weakened with relief and I sank into the nearest chair.

He continued, “He's awake, and we need to monitor him closely for a while. We want to keep him tonight and tomorrow for observation, but he can probably go home after that. If you want to see him, you can visit for a short time, but first, can you tell me what type of medication he's taking? He was still pretty confused when I talked to him and wasn't able to tell me.”

“I don't know the exact medication. Lawrence is bi-polar, so it has to be something for that. I'll see if I can find out the name for you.”

I got the room number and was practically running in my need to see for myself that he was alive and recovering. I burst into the room, nearly knocking over a nurse on her way out. She cautioned me the patient needed rest and, with a frown in my direction, left the room. I pulled a chair up next to the bed and took Lawrence's hand. “You look so much better already. You have some color back.”

He said, “You look terrible. You can relax. I'm going to be fine. I was a little worried in the beginning because the confusion felt the way some of my episodes used to begin. The confusion is gone now, and I really am fine. It's left me very tired, but they don't want me to sleep yet. Tell me exactly what happened. I'm sure the gory details will help keep me awake. The last thing I remember is starting up the stairs, and then brief moments in the ambulance.”

I wanted to answer in the same matter-of-fact way he'd asked the question. I tried, but before I could begin, tears were running down my face and I couldn't find my voice. I didn't sob or howl. Strangely, I didn't make any noise at all. I just stared at Lawrence, horrified because he might have died trying to help me. All the while the silent tears kept coming.

He said, “Ali, we can't have this. I've seen you go through some horrible times, but I've never seen you cry. There's no need for you to be so upset. I promise you I will be out of here tomorrow, and all will be well. Even the doctor says so.”

I gulped a few times trying to find my voice. It didn't sound good, but I managed to say, “I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you. When you get out of here, you're going right back to Scottsdale! I should never have involved you in any of this.”

“Whoa there, girl! In the first place, I'm a grown man and you can't involve me in anything I don't choose to be involved in. In the second place, you and your crazy mixed-up life are the main thing keeping me from getting old and bored. Bad things happen sometimes, but none of this is your fault. Now dry those tears and tell me how I got here.”

I hiccuped a few times but got myself under control. “Okay, I'm not trying to take the blame for what happened, but I was so scared. It seems you were poisoned. I wasn't in much shape to listen to the doctor, but it was some kind of mushroom. There were mushrooms in the food we ate at supper, but we both ate those. Someone targeted you specifically. At the moment, I have no idea why they did it, but I don't think whoever did this was trying to kill you. The doctor said the symptoms were severe but not normally fatal. The problem seemed to be a reaction between the poison and your medication. Whoever did this couldn't have known that you take anything, or at least not that your medicine would react with the mushrooms. The doctor asked me to find out the name of your prescription.”

“I vaguely remember him asking me, but I was pretty confused then and couldn't remember. It's Geodon. They tried dozens before, but nothing worked until this came along. I'm one of the lucky ones, because it not only keeps the problem in check, but I don't suffer from any severe side effects. This reaction with poison mushrooms is something I certainly never expected. I should have told you ages ago in case of a relapse or some bizarre circumstances like these.”

“I'll let the doctor know the name of the medicine. I don't know if your medication lowers your blood pressure, but it dropped dangerously low. That's what had the doctors worried.”

“I don't know either, but the doctors will figure it out. I understand I have to be in here until tomorrow evening, even though I tried to talk them into letting me go sooner. You need to promise me you won't do anything the least bit dangerous until I get back. One day isn't going to make any difference. Whoever did this may have planned it to separate us for some reason. So promise me you'll be careful and not spend time alone.”

The frowning nurse came back and warned me I needed to leave. Visiting hours were over and the patient needed rest.

I said, “Don't worry about me. I promise I will take every precaution until you're out of here. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon and will drive you to the house when they release you. Just get well!”

Outside the room, Detective Wilton was waiting for me.


About the Author:

From living off the grid in the Arizona desert, Eileen has moved to the woods of upstate New York. She has authored a standalone adventure novel called Desert Shadow. She is also the author of Alicia Trent Series. The Black Cane : Dowager Diaries Book 1 is her latest release.








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How to create a successful arc for your character by Johanna K. Pitcairn

About the Author

Johanna K. Pitcairn has dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood--authoring her first novel at the age of nine, and countless poems, stories, and screenplays by the age of seventeen. Later, rather than pursuing a career as a director and screenwriter, she decided to go to law school, driven by her father's opinion that "writing does not pay the bills."

Ten years later, she moved to New York City, which inspired her to go back to the excitement, wonder, and constant change of being a writer. Pitcairn is a huge fan of psychological-thriller novels and movies, and delves into her hopes, fears, friends, enemies, and everything in between in her own writing.

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How to create a successful arc for your character 

First and foremost, thanks for the opportunity to be featured on your blog. Every indie author needs all the support they can get, and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received and am receiving.

Every character has to be as realistic as possible to be believable. The psychology of a character plays a really huge role in the plot and the overall quality of the story. Many timeless tales have shed light on a character’s evolution throughout a perilous journey by diving into the character’s mind. His/her internal conflict, coupled with the external conflict, gives depth to the plot, and more room to play to create a beautiful arc.

The arc is your beginning and ending point. Each character has its own arc. The story itself has an arc too. The arc can be huge, if your protagonist is the main player, or it can be very small for secondary and tertiary characters. The size of the arc doesn’t matter. The arc will act as a measuring stick for the character’s evolution throughout the story.

Let’s take an example: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. There are many characters in this book with many arcs. Let’s focus on two of them, Javert and Jean Valjean.

Beginning of the arc for Jean Valjean. A good man, trying to do the next right thing by stealing bread for his sister’s children during a time of economic depression, Valjean is sentenced to spend years in prison. He becomes this despicable character in the eyes of society. The world sees him as a bad person, unworthy of trust and love. Picture his arc growing from the ground up.

Javert is depicted as the ultra-self-righteous police officer who doesn’t believe in forgiveness, and redemption. His arc actually starts high and gradually goes down.

Valjean will mature, and evolve, to become this man everyone loves and respects, even when he tells the truth about his past acts and demands to be brought to justice.

Javert will turn into a bitter individual, bloodthirsty for revenge, becoming the super villain everyone will hate. Javert will realize that his sense of justice was wrong, and Valjean, despite being a criminal, was a better man than him all along. He ends up taking his own life because he cannot accept that truth.

Valjean and Javert represent the sides of the same coin, and their arcs certainly bear similarities. But as Valjean’s arc goes toward good/order, Javert’s arc goes toward bad/chaos, his sense of justice morphing into abuse of power and personal vendetta.

Readers will root for Valjean. Who doesn’t want the underdog to win? Javert could have earned some stripes if Hugo had decided to shift his arc upward toward good again. But he didn’t do that.
A well-executed arc will manage to draw the readers in and keep them glued to the pages like it’s crack-cocaine (it’s actually an expression I heard from fellow authors when talking about books they devoured in one sitting).

The arc offers thousands of possibilities, shapes and directions. There can be a million plot twists, which will shape the arc with multiple peaks and valleys. The arc can never be a straight line (because a straight line doesn’t show evolution). Ultimately, the arc will reach its high or bottom. However you want the character to evolve, a powerful arc will resonate with readers and make them addicted to the story and the character. Bear in mind that a character can evolve while not radically changing his/her point of view. The storytelling will guide the character to cross-roads (climax of the plot): change or remain the same but there must always be evolution.

About the Book

To the average onlooker, the city of Los Angeles represents glitz, glamour, and the celebrity lifestyle. But to seventeen-year-old Julie Jones, the city is a vast host of problems she’s longing to get away from. The latest? An unfortunate disagreement with her ex-boyfriend Mark—one that could land her in some serious hot water.
So rather than face the troubles that torment her, Julie decides to run away from her old life and start fresh somewhere new. But her parents aren’t on board with the plan, and she soon finds her bank accounts frozen and her wallet empty.
With just seventy-five dollars and a full tank of gas, the troubled teen is far too stubborn to turn around and head home. So what’s a girl to do?
What Julie doesn’t know is that her travels are about to take her somewhere unexpected—a place where she’ll be forced to come face to face with the ghosts of her past in order to secure her future.
A tale of redemption, hope, and freedom lost and found, 32 Seconds is a thought-provoking exploration into the human spirit and the nature of forgiveness.

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Blood Monarch by Drako

About the Book:

A king's duty never ends, even when his kingdom changes. Vladimir Dracula is one of the most famous and misunderstood figures in all of history. One thing is true, he is a king, and he is a vampire. He is the true king and enforcer of the vampire race. Feared by all of his own kind, he is perhaps the most lethal of the Black Dragon God's mortal born servants. At the same time, he personifies sex. None can resist his charms, save one.

Vax King is the Chosen of Hecate, the Heir of Mjolnir, and has no plans on a mate. When he's called on to enter Fae lands, he's surprised to find the legendary vampire there. Looking to aid the beautiful Fae, Anaya, and her soul mate, Galen, Vax must enter a world of sex of violence with only Vlad to accompany him. Here, there can be no denial, no hesitation. Only truth....and dominance.

A war is brewing in the Fae lands, as the fallen angels rise to lay claim to the power of their goddess, Verlaine and topple their higher brethren. Older than most, Vlad must accustom himself to having a soul mate, and use all his legendary power to stop the forces of darkness long believed to be controlled by him. A new kingdom is the prize, and none knows better than the famed Dracula that the secret to power lies in the blood.



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Meet the Characters:


Vladimir Dracula


AKA: Vlad, Vlad the Impaler, Dracula

Height: 6’10”

Weight: 315 pounds

Hair: shoulder length, brown

Origin: A human follower of Jarel, the Black Dragon god. He was caught in the crossfire of Jarel’s disagreement with a demon god and the result changed him into one of the first vampires. 

More info: Contrary to popular belief, he has never sired another vampire. The entire race descends from the married couple, Vacker and Deidre. He has functioned as the final enforcer of the race since its creation. He is lethal in battle, being one of those fortunate enough to have had Jarel’s favor in mortal life first. He is also extremely sexual, with an appeal that draws others to him. He should not be confused with the prince who became known as Vlad the Impaler. He’s far older and earned the name in a far different manner. 


Vax


Height: 6’4”

Weight: 220 pounds

Hair: long, red

Origin: A mortal born witch, servant to Hecate, the patron goddess of witches. He was chosen by the goddess himself to wield the legendary hammer Mjolnir to expel Lucifer from the mortal world.

More info: Vax originally had a bit of a self-confidence issue. Because he’s mortal born, he is not used to the strength and power gifted to him by the goddess. He’s a quick learner, and in fact, had a bit of conflict with Vlad in his first story. He’s the first person to resist Vlad’s charm when the vampire is really pouring it on. 


Anaya


Height: 5’3”

Hair: long, red

Origin: An orphaned Fae, she comes into contact with Brandon during his mortal life and the two have a son, Theo, who eventually becomes one of the Three Fates. She is actually the daughter of the Fae queen and the very first angel, Apollyon.

More info: Anaya was captured due to her softer and trusting nature in the second book, and the reasons are complicated. Her ties to the father of her child as well as her soul mate, in addition to her parentage, made her a target. But she’s certainly come into her own and is no damsel in distress


Galen


Height: 6’6”

Weight: 258 pounds

Eyes: blue

Hair: long, black

Origin: A warrior angel created by an ancient goddess, he has only known war and duty and has not adjusted to the idea of having a soul mate.

More info: Galen has loyalty that cannot be questioned, even falling from grace to aid in the fall of Lucifer. He’s powerful and ruthless in battle, but unfamiliar with the concept of love. It’s taken him a long time to accept Anaya.

About the Author:

Drako resides in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, which you may notice is part of the setting of this series. When he isn’t writing, he’s busy editing for other authors, reviewing books, working, going to college, and spending time with his friends and two nieces. He blogs often and is very active on Facebook while trying to readjust to activity on twitter. His subject matter varies as he likes to talk about more than just his writing. You can check out his posts at his website, drakosden.weebly.com







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HOPEBREAKER by Dean F Wilson

In the world of Altadas, there are no more human births. The Regime is replacing the unborn with demons, while the Resistance is trying to destroy a drug called Hope that the demons need to survive.

Between these two warring factions lies Jacob, a man who profits from smuggling contraceptive amulets into the city of Blackout. He cares little about the Great Iron War, but a chance capture, and an even more accidental rescue, embroils him in a plot to starve the Regime from power.

When Hope is an enemy, Jacob finds it harder than he thought to remain indifferent. When the Resistance opts to field its experimental landship, the Hopebreaker, the world may find that one victory does not win a war.

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Book Review:

Imagine a world where human births are a thing of the past. Instead demons are born. And the government in power actually manufactures a drug that the demons need to survive! Yes, you read it right… welcome to the world of Altadas, the world that Hopebreaker is all about. Now when you live in a world like that, there is bound to be some rebellion and the Resistance is fighting to change the world. Our protagonist, Jacob, gets entangled in the war between the Regime and the Resistance. But will he be able to bring any change into this odd world?

The world of Atladas is unique and intriguing as are the people who live in it. The regime and the resistance are the two faces of this world that are so very opposite that it helps us create a whole picture of it. The world building and the plot holds great promise and I personally would have loved to read more about its history and how it worked. More details would have been welcomed as I felt that the author often took some things for granted and did not give enough explanation about. Then again, when the character of Jacob pops up in the story, it gives us a complete new perspective of a person who has nothing to do with either the regime or the resistance. He is happy ignoring both and staying under the radar to carry on his illicit activities to earn his living. When a chance capture and an even more chance rescue brings him in contact with the resistance, his life changes forever. It was really interesting to see Jacob’s character change and develop over the period.  Also, the author certainly has some sense of humour because the drug that the demons need to survive is called ‘Hope’, isn’t that funny now?

This book has a lot to offer in terms of a new world, action and drama. A little more details/backstory would have made it even better – sometimes a little goes a long way. I would rate this book a 7/10 and recommend it to steampunk and dystopian lovers.

About the Author:

Dean F. Wilson was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1987. He started writing at age 11, when he began his first (unpublished) novel, entitled The Power Source. He won a TAP Educational Award from Trinity College Dublin for an early draft of The Call of Agon (then called Protos Mythos) in 2001.

He has published a number of poems and short stories over the years, while working on and reworking some of his novels. The Call of Agon is his first published novel.

Dean also works as a journalist, primarily in the field of technology. He has written for TechEye, Thinq, V3, VR-Zone, ITProPortal, TechRadar Pro and The Inquirer.



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Normal Days #40

Molly's Lips

I've been thinking about this song & wondering if I'd achieve Nirvana if I kiss your soft lips, pretty girl?

I wonder if Kurt Cobain got inspired by your sweet luscious lips when he was touring all around the world. Like I want to keep tasting you over and over again. Come to think of it, this rotation I've been very perverted. And I can't blame you once again as I already did before but something have to give.

Come here let me taste you, I've been living in this cold hard world for so long, I need to witness the other side. The side where there's no life no death, just we become part of God from where we have emerged. I wonder if kissing you will give me all that. What would we become when we'd make love? God?

But I don't want to be God. For the first time in my life I want to be enjoy you, carnal pleasure and everything. Being God will keep me busy and I can't lust after you. So I better be same human being that I'm today, thinking of your ripe, succulent body, as I'd trace it, you remember how I like it, right?

Blow,
Lick,
Bite

;)

So think of me making love to you, while all of Nirvana's classics would be playing or any other song for that matter as long as I'd be listening your moans and screams and whimpers on my mouth, devouring every sound you make, like music to me. And I'm lost, my eyes closed, concentrating on the sensation which is rumbling in my chest.
You're nirvana alright babe :D

Come to me
wearing nothing
but your smile
shy and blush
creeping on your neck
and heat spreading all over your breasts
and let me find where you're hot
and a lil wet
Let me make you scream
as you fall apart
Me underneath
and in your closed eyes
you see stars..

Let's become God

So, I don't think Kurt Cobain mind was so dirty when he wrote that. Mine is ;)
Clean me up a lil, yeah. I need your hand :P
Will you help me pretty girl? In your mind you can say, Damn, but I love you!

(To be Contd..)

My reading list for the first quarter of 2015 by Reshma K.Barshikar

Ayra always wanted to be an Art Historian. She saw herself flitting between galleries, talking Michelangelo and Dali with glamorous ease. At twenty–nine, life has decided to make her an underpaid investment banker juggling an eccentric family, a fading career and a long–distance relationship that is becoming a light-year one.

On a monsoon day in June, she is suddenly sent packing from Mumbai to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a star client. What should have been a four day trip turns into a two week treasure hunt that finds her in the middle of midnight wine deals, dodgy vintners, rolling Tuscan hills, a soap opera family and one playboy millionaire who is looking to taste more than just the wine. Towards the end she finds that the road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that perfect glass of Chianti.



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My reading list for the first quarter of 2015

Is there a word for an addiction to books? And Flipkart and Amazon have only made it worse. Not only have they made it easier for me to buy everything I need at a click of a button – The Penguin book of witches, why not? They have also made the act of shopping in a bookstore so much more wonderful that I end up going more often than I used to and buying more than I should. 

This New Year I have therefore resolved to buy no more books until I finish at least three fourth of what has piled up. I can’t finish them all- what would happen in an emergency! God forbid I am left with nothing new to read. So here’s my reading list for 2015  

The young adult list- A big problem with writing a specific genre is that you feel that you can’t read anything other than that lest your voice get affected. I don’t want to sound like a psychotic wife in a crime noir – read Gone Girl, when I am trying very hard to sound like a sixteen-year-old teenager. You are thinking- ‘same difference’, aren’t you?  How I live Now is a wonderful book by Meg Rosoff and tells the story of one tumultuous summer in a girls life. The voice is wonderfully fresh and the book has almost no dialogue and is narrated solely as a monologue that never gets tiring. The other one is Hollow City by Ransom Riggs- the sequel to Miss Peregrine’s home for Peculiar Children. Alas, I have started that thrice and am yet to sink my teeth into it, a peculiar problem for sophomore efforts, says the writer who is writing her second book. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous is my third and possibly the one I am looking most forward to. Written as a series of diary entries, the book is about Alice’s unintentional drug addiction. 

Next I have a trio of Grown Up books to tackle. The first one is Alan Holllinghurt’s The Swimming Pool Library, the first major British novel to feature gay life in a modern context. I never finished Booker winning The Line of Beauty, perhaps I was much too distracted then. The plot line reminds me of Christopher Rice’s The Snow Garden, one of my favorite books of all time. The next is the classic Brideshead Revisited, that I am ashamed to say has been collecting dust on the bookshelf for two years following which I need to make a dent in my poetry collection and revisit the works of Edgar Allen Poe and crack open a lovely birthday gift, The Novel Cure, a series of essays on novels. Then there is the Penguin Book of Witches ofcourse, a collection of real life accounts of witches from the medieval period. Finally there’s Gone Girl. Yes, it begs to be read. I am just waiting for that vacation. 

About the Author:

After finishing her A Levels at Bridgine School, Windsor, and getting a BA (Hons) at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, Reshma started her career as a Journalist for India’s national newspaper The Hindu, Business Line but left mid-career to pursue an MBA at the Indian School of Business that led to a successful career in Investment Banking. After 5 years in Investment Banking she quit her job to travel for two years and visited Europe, China, and the US. She conceptualized the novel during her travels through the Tuscany wine country. She created the eccentric Ms Krishnamurthy, her precocious cat and her dog eat deal environment. Her deep appreciation for the south Indian family dynamic, experience as a freelance journalist and a passion for Italian wine helped create Fade Into Red.
Simultaneously she also honed her skills as a Travel Writer and has contributed to India Today Travel Plus, SilverKris, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, National Geographic Traveller and The Hindu Business Line. She is also co-founder of the literary blog, The Caterpillar Café.

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Normal Days #39

I'm With You

They say some aches are permanent, some pains live with you and become your breathes, the way you inhale & exhale there is this some fear which keep lurking behind the walls of your heart which keeps on reminding you this joyful time, your laughter, your carefree smile isn't for long.

I hope you see that fear in me, the fear of admission of reality, the way I'm falling for you, more everyday and I know you'll never be mine. I wish to hold you in my arms to feel that pain always in my heart, to know that once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a pretty girl who loved me. May be the cruel fate had it all wrong since the beginning but then I didn't even stop at the warnings sign before going down under to never to resurface and falling deeper in your love.

I'm with you always. I know ppl say some words just like that, I hope you know even though you're wishes apart from me, my heart still yearns for you. I still listen to your voice calling my name and when I sleep I curl around in hope in my dreams you'll be there. And when I wake up my heart breaks a lil more coz I know sometime wishes are just that, imagination of a world which doesn't exist.

I don't know when I'd be back you'd be waiting for me or not, I'm hoping that you won't be there but some part, some lil part of my heart, it believes that you'd be there and you'd say, "you were afraid, weren't you?"

And for that moment, for that smile pretty girl, I accept everything coz when I'm in that dream where you talk to me I'm happy. I talk to you sometimes when I'm watching the waves wondering what you'd say, bringing you out from my soul and watch you laughing and smiling at me. At me!

aaaahhh..the dreams and fantasies I've and realities which are too harsh for my make believe world.

Sing my name pretty girl, when I'd dream you tonight.

(To be Contd..)

55 Words Fiction

Unrequited Love


He saw up the sky to send a wish so that she'd know how much he love her, he saw Venus shining as sun was going down.

"May be you're far from me like this Venus but I'll always love you pretty girl", he said
"Unrequited love"

He smiled ruefully hoping it wasn't a dream.

Normal Days #38

A Sky Full of Stars

Y'day when I was out on the deck coz we had a vessel alongside, the sun was just set and I turned to west. I don't gaze into the west when sun is going down but I'm mighty glad that I did that y'day coz I saw Venus. All these 27 years of my existence I had not seen the beauty that it is. Also there was only one star to giver her company, the north star. The star which has been guiding ppl home since centuries & suddenly I thought of you.

I thought that is it possible that for me you're that star I can call home? Or I'm just some boy wishing for something that won't come true. Amidst the waves & the infinity and to the point where I gaze at the horizon I feel so infinitesimal I wonder how come I feel so proud of anything I have or own when I'm just a speck in this whole big universe. I've love but then there's nothing to be amazed about coz it is all you which makes me fall in love with love.

I can't write to you coz of stupid net but I hope you know that amidst all those amazing stars in the sky you're the Venus for me. All shining up in the sky, making me believe that if ghosts of my past will haunt me you'll always be there, calling me home. Or may be I'm dreaming.

Once upon a time
When I thought
You were mine
& I'm not alone anymore
Coz your love is the light
Darkness took over one day
I thought how long will it take
For you to walk away
Coz you'd think
waiting for me
is waste of your time

I sent a prayer
up in the sky
that you'd always be happy
For a spell
You were mine
& I'd never be alone
Coz even if you're gone
Your love will always be the light

So darling, I know I don't deserve you, you're all pretty, with a very amazing soul & here I'm, epitome of all sins. No I don't want you to say that I'm all good and everything coz I know I'm not. And trust me watching you walk away from me it sure will break my heart but I'd understand.

I love the heartache anyway :)

I'll always think of you when I'd look up above the sky, be with me in my dreams.

(To be Contd..)

#CoverReveal :: Garden by Jane Yates

Inspired by the classic novel The Secret Garden, Jane Yates introduces us to a steampunk world of bio-domes, robots and mysteries. Eleven-year-old Aberdeen is so used to being by herself that all she has to fill her thoughts are stories of mighty dragons and grand castles. Aberdeen’s world is soon thrown into disarray however; her parents murdered.

Having no choice, Aberdeen is sent to live with her uncle back on Earth where her fascination into her new surroundings begin to take hold. Untrusting of new people at first, it isn’t long before Aberdeen comes across 3 other children, and taking a risk, befriends them as she tries to adjust to her new home. And yet, along with Maisy, Peter and Lenard, Aberdeen comes across a riddle – a set of clues to reveal the hiding place of a lost manuscript. A manuscript that forces more questions than answers.

Oh, and there’s Frank too, Peter’s robot dog, who completes this special circle of friendship.

Garden is a journey of self-discovery, of trials and friendship. With adventure boundless, Jane Yates follows up her acclaimed Paradox Child trilogy with a new tale for young fans of steampunk and science fiction. 

Amazon Kindle UK I Amazon Kindle US I Smashwords

Book Trailer

About the Author

Jane lives in the historic city of Oxford, England with her two spaniels. She works at the Pitt Rivers museum there too and is amazed and inspired by its wondrous array of objects. Being a museum of anthropology and world archaeology, Jane often finds herself influenced by its exhibitions. And indeed it has helped Jane write a trilogy for children – the Paradox Child series.

Jane is not only a mother, artist and storyteller, but dyslexic too, which only highlights her success even more. Jane refuses to allow the disorder to halt her dreams and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies. Jane is a lover of steampunk, adventure and children’s stories, which often play a huge role in her own books.

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Normal Days #37

You shook me all night long

So I'm feeling a lil naughty like this song ;) And I'm blaming you.
You know I've been thinking about your enticing scent, your luscious lips, your eyes..god I can't get out of your eyes. No matter how hard I try. And I don't mind being venturing in the depth of those soulful eyes. Also I wish to trace your sweet skin and feel your pulse under my lips. There's so much more but I don't think this is the place where I should be telling the world my perverted thought about you.

This is all I wish to whisper in your ears when you're standing close to me and we are in company, you in some social gathering and all. When every body is looking at your enchanting smile & I'm watching the effect you've on everybody and feeling so damn lucky that you love me. So, I'd whisper all that what I wish to do in your ear and watch you blush. I do love pink on you, you know. It doesn't matter if it is the clothing or other pink things ;)

I should stop, shouldn't I? Well, if I did how would you know what I'd do when I'd pull you away from everyone and take you with me somewhere private and kiss you, devouring every lil moan and then come back in that silly function again acting everything is so calm. Would you punish me later for this? When we'd be home? Alone? Or you'd take my hand and let me know how do you feel about all this and make suck my finger to taste you on me?

I should seriously stop. But again I'm blaming it all on you pretty girl. You do smell intoxicating, you know. And I'm gonna say damn again, so don't mind it
But damn I wanna feel you on me, everything.

Come close
very close
Like under my skin
Like even this isn't enough burnin

Rake my back
with your nails
write your name
as you draw a blood trail
to your heart
with all the passion and all the love
make me yours
tonight

Or you can just walk away and I'd dream and smile like I'm doing right now, a cocky one ;)
Write to me what you'll do..to me.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #36

Almost like being in love

So, here I'm, amidst the vast oceans & endless skies with almost no internet access and back again with my books. I'm missing you. And I'm happy in that missing. You know why? Coz I know you love me and I'm in love with you pretty girl. I hope you'd read it and realize how much I think of you.

Sometimes all I've to do is pick a book, get lost from all that's real and picture you and me together and when I'm doing that we aren't talking, no ma'am, we are not. Instead we are lying down on our back, under a tree with a book in your hands, your head resting in my lap and my fingers brushing your hairs while the other hand is tucked away under yours resting just above your breasts so that I can feel your heart beat pulsating under my palm. You're reading to me all the love spilled in those pages while I watch your mouth forming those words and wonder what you'd do if I kiss 'em, softly.

See, I told you I'm a dreamer.

Let me love you, like I always do. Like I do when I'm lost in stories spilled in ink on paper of a love story and let me believe that for you I'm real like you're to me. Because I've known reality up very close and personal & when we are faced to it we don't like it much, I didn't. But then I'm not a ppl person. You know what I think? I think that when you'd know that I'm real not some guys oceans apart from you, you'd not love me. so, when I'm in those words I let go of reality and almost, almost feel your love on the wind that blows tracing my face. My chest expands with all that love and somehow I know you must be feeling it too.

Hence I do the best. I read and I read & then read some more coz that's where there's love which is love for me, all heart breaking & hauntingly b'ful. Just within my reach & yet I don't reach out for it coz I know how cruel the reality is & how fragile my hope is.
 I don't want to stop now, coz all what I'm feeling will never cease to stop and make me wonder about all that is love, so I close my eyes, remember your eyes, your sparkling mischievous, pretty eyes and I smile.


I'm reading, reading, reading & reading
And somewhere b'ween all that I'm dreaming
Of you
With me

Smile for me, there, oceans apart and I will see it in the waves calling out for me seductively.
Say my name, like a prayer, redeeming me, freeing me of my ghosts and making my soul eternally bound to you.
Smile, like you want to cry in my arms and say "Damn, but I love you" & let me dream, oh let me dream about this when I'd sleep tonight.

(To be Contd..)

32 Seconds by Johanna K. Pitcairn

To the average onlooker, the city of Los Angeles represents glitz, glamour, and the celebrity lifestyle. But to seventeen-year-old Julie Jones, the city is a vast host of problems she’s longing to get away from. The latest? An unfortunate disagreement with her ex-boyfriend Mark—one that could land her in some serious hot water.

So rather than face the troubles that torment her, Julie decides to run away from her old life and start fresh somewhere new. But her parents aren’t on board with the plan, and she soon finds her bank accounts frozen and her wallet empty.

With just seventy-five dollars and a full tank of gas, the troubled teen is far too stubborn to turn around and head home. So what’s a girl to do?

What Julie doesn’t know is that her travels are about to take her somewhere unexpected—a place where she’ll be forced to come face to face with the ghosts of her past in order to secure her future.

A tale of redemption, hope, and freedom lost and found, 32 Seconds is a thought-provoking exploration into the human spirit and the nature of forgiveness.

Available on Amazon

Random Fun Facts:

1) To trigger my inspiration, I binge on Netflix. I pick shows from any genre, and study the dialog and the plot. I also watch video game walkthroughs on YouTube. It's a great help to develop my characters.

2) I can't remember the last time I've had a bad case of writer's block. Plotting helps eliminate that issue. 

3) My biggest pet peeves: misspellings, grammatical errors, and inconsistent formatting. 

4) Julie Jones has named her car "Bubble", and when she swears, she says things like "shizzle", "shizzle nizzle" or "crapola in a peanut butter jar".

5) The original title for the first draft of the story, before it became 32 Seconds, was Death by Chocolate. 

6) Julie Jones loves In&Out burgers, and strawberry milkshakes. 

7) Julie is also a surfer. Her favorite beach is the one in Oceanside, CA. 

8) I'm a cat lover. I have four cats, and they all distract me from writing by taking turns and lying on top of my laptop.

About the Author:

Johanna K. Pitcairn has dreamed of becoming a writer since childhood--authoring her first novel at the age of nine, and countless poems, stories, and screenplays by the age of seventeen. Later, rather than pursuing a career as a director and screenwriter, she decided to go to law school, driven by her father's opinion that "writing does not pay the bills."

Ten years later, she moved to New York City, which inspired her to go back to the excitement, wonder, and constant change of being a writer. Pitcairn is a huge fan of psychological-thriller novels and movies, and delves into her hopes, fears, friends, enemies, and everything in between in her own writing.

Contact the Author:

Website I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads I The Independent Author Network 

Normal Days #35

Keep me in your heart for a while

What was I thinking? I'm not the guy with whom reality will be friendly. I'm the guy who is happy reading the books, dreaming of the love which is always unattainable but in my fantasies always true and with me. I'm the guy who lives in the fictional world & believes ppl mean what they say. I don't know how many more lessons I'd need to understand that I'm not normal & frequency of my thinking is way lower than the most intelligent ppl out there. Here I believe miracles happen, double rainbows shine across the horizon, unicorns exist and there's still love among the hearts of others. That some souls are there who love unconditionally, without any restraints and complications. Just love.

What was I thinking?!

So here I'm, not playing the innocent victim just mad at myself that how much of a bigger liar I'm. I say I don't expect anything and yet I hope others will give up their time for me. They'd not lie to me & when I'd want 'em to lie to me they'd tell me the truth. They sure have so many rules about everything. Thanks to the Almighty I'd leaving behind all this on Saturday. And I know they all will forget about me. I'm sure that won't be a problem for I'm not worth remembering anyway. I'm also ready for all the blames and names which they'd toss at me. This ain't the first time but I'll make sure this is the last. I don't like confrontations and trust me I seriously loathe the word "sorry". I'm sick and tired of hearing it when ppl hurt others just for fun. Well I did say I'd make 'em smile. May be this is the way it is done where they are.

Hence I'll return back to the books, I'll be heart broken for sure but nothing a few great historical romances and Bryan Adams, Dido & all great music won't fix. When in doubt stick to the basics, don't they say that. So, the prodigal sun returns where there he feels most at home. A world where he dreams and cherish the fantasies coz the world is too cruel for him. And while the world admires the reality I avoid that b'ful lady like a mirage, ironic isn't it?

I'm hurt and good thing is as I'd be gone this Saturday and when I'd be back I'll be nothing just a name in ppl memory.


Though I've to admit it was good while it lasted
do svidaniya :)

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #34

Mama I'm coming Home

Today I was listening to a song in Hindi about mothers & suddenly I realised my mums won't be with me always & that thought left me with fear. I'm scared. For my whole life I've known only one person who has been a constant in my life, my mother. I mean every mother is great. Though some might differ from my point of view and blame their mothers for something but as my mama use to say, it is enough that she has brought us into this world, given us a life. We shouldn't be asking for more.

And even after 27 years of my life I still ask my mother everything. Does that make you to judge me? Please do, go ahead. I'm not ashamed that I seek advise from my mums about almost every thing & I think mothers are above God even, so I don't mind asking for her help every now and then. She knows me better than me. And may be coz I've the best mums in this universe I respect all the mothers and girls for that matter. I've always said that I'm in favour of career oriented girls and all but when you're a mother that trumps all other career.

Being the only one beside God who can give birth to a life this word alone is enough to make every single soul in this universe to bow down for you. What satisfaction any career can give you other than listening to a sound of a voice calling you 'ma'. I respect every independent girl out there but when you think of your career and everything else but your family, I must say it feels like you're settling for, I can't even say second best coz being a mother is a blessing, you can't put anything on the same level ever.

I do wish that every girl in this world is blessed with b'ful kids in her life coz no love in this world is as selfless as mother and child.

To all the mothers out there **bows down**

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #33

My Paper Heart

Everyday when I open my eyes, even before I'm up I hold on to the dreams of you. That time when you're here with me even in my fantasy I believe that we are together. The moment when I open my eyes I still have a smile on my face & I wonder what it'd have been like to wake up next to you everyday for rest of my life. But then as they say you can't always get what you want, so I do the next best thing. I try to memorise you, to remember you.

Memories have a funny way to vanish, don't they? One day you remember every thing in a vivid detail and the next you start losing fragments of it a lil day by day shredding some of it someday then losing a big chunk the next. No matter how hard you try to hold on to 'em they slip away like sand. But when you wish to let 'em go, somehow they get stuck on your palm, like ocean sand & they travel with you no matter where you go.

I stand still when I look at someone looking like you, my heart beating fast and I pray it better not be you but when I realise that ain't you it breaks my heart lil more. So, I'm here amidst words, hoping one day you'd read 'em, finding me that some part of me will never let you go and I'll keep screwing up every good thing. One of these days I'll find a way to get out of this blackhole. Or become more of it, wallowing in self pity and self loathing.

One of these days

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #32

Weight of the World

I don't know why but I think whenever I start writing on my blog my thought processes always start when I'm in shower. Strange, right? And when I come out half of my thoughts are just vanished like steam. My thoughts there are running a mile and may be that's the only place I think of the real problems / difficulties. The things which I run away from generally.

Reality always has been a different dimension for me. People I know say pretty words to each other on face and words seem like spilling out like they don't weigh anything. This might be one of the most incoherent write for me as like always I've no idea what's going on around me. Too much is happening and I just wanna sit down lay my head in your lap and feel the warmth of your touch as you run your fingers in my hair. I want you to tell me everything is going to be fine coz I don't have much confidence in myself but your confidence in me is all my power. But if you will look in my eyes, my face cradled in your palms and a sweet kiss there's nothing I won't do.

And I'd no idea here also I'd dream of you. You're always with me, haunting me, captivating me with the memories which are the only thing I've left of you and then there's this yearning which never goes away. And suddenly the weight on my shoulders has nothing to do with the problem of realities. It has always been my made believe world in dreams where you're still with me. I tried to let go of you but I think what I would have if not them? Better to be incomplete than hollow, right?

Bring back me to life

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #31

I want you to want me

Today, I'm feeling a lil low. Hence the urge to look up the heavens and smile. Today if someone will make empty promises I'll believe those too. It has been one of those days when I'd believe in all lies. The materialistic world, as much as I want to live in dreams, comes crushing all my hopes. And then I stand alone amidst faces which once I knew looking at me like I'm stranger and I wish if there's anyone whom I can call mine but then toughen up saying at least I've myself. No matter what I won't give upon me and love is still an enigma which is always just out of reach.

I've always believed in love but somehow the emptiness of these words isn't unknown to me either. I'm actually aware of my indecision about this fickle emotion and may be I've been looking for love in all the wrong places. So, instead of letting ppl use that to their advantage I'd rather stay aloof from that for a while. But some promises I've made to myself I'll see 'em through & let all of the feelings go away. It is better to live in dreams where everything is good, there's love without any exchange and there are smiles.

So, here I'm, believing that you love me even when I know that you don't but it hurts a lil less when I dream that you do. And please let me dream. I think I'm more in love with the idea of love than the love itself.

Once again I've succeeded in making this another one of my blabbering write. Where's the substance?

May be tomorrow is a better day.

(To be Contd..)

Normal Days #30

Fade to Black

So what, I just show up after 6 months & start writing/venting out again. Well, I guess it is better to write here than scare away the friends. I was thinking to do it more often but when you stay away from someone or something for a lil long you start avoiding them, start dreading what you'd say when you'd meet & hence one day you become strangers. The good thing about these blogs or journals or any other things like these is they don't leave you. They don't avoid you.

I know I've no idea what am i writing but I need to write this coz I want to say whatever things I want to coz being in social atmosphere for long I might be behaving like some normal ppl but I know general population doesn't like me much & the feeling is mutual. I'd rather be alone, with books on some island than amidst the crowd & try to mix with 'em. I've been trying to do that for last 6 months but I've known since long it was futile & in the end it was the same. I'm still socially awkward.

But I've learned a lot these past six months actually. I've learned how to detach myself from a asocial gathering, if not physically then mentally. I might sound like a I'm all over the place with these random blabbering and this is what I exactly want. I want to express everything which is on my mind. I should have done it sooner though. Fading to black amidst the crowd isn't the way to get accepted & I'm done being that way. Let the alter ego of me take over & I can watch the destruction from afar, as an innocent bystander.

Feels good to write after all these days. I won't promise but I'll try to be a regular here. This is me & anyone I wanna be here, amidst the white of the paper & black of the ink (in this case typed word on screen). Wait for me :)

(To be Contd..)