Synopsis:VERxanity is a conversational piece written by Shanquea M. Walker. She details what it is like to juggle her everyday responsibilities, including motherhood and her struggle with anxiety and depression.
My Thoughts:VERxanity is a quick and short read. I love how passionate and determined she is towards providing a better life for herself and her children despite her illnesses. Her loyalty to her friends and family is apparent, which I appreciate. Her desire to utilize this book to present a resource and help those dealing with similar sentiments is thoughtful.
While these things were wonderful, there were some issues I found while reading. I noticed that VERxanity reads more like a journal entry/blog post than a book with informative insight that readers can utilize. The conversational component is there, but the author doesn’t follow up with a call to action. Why would readers benefit from reading VERxanity?
I noticed punctuation and grammar errors throughout the book, and the chapters didn’t cohesively fit together. It seems as if the author starts one chapter after the next without providing the reader with a clear idea as to the focal point of each chapter.
I do think that the author’s story could resonate with readers, but it needs more work. VERxanity is available everywhere books are sold.
Synopsis courtesy of the Author: Lake’s brother Devlin was murdered right in front of him simply because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Or was he? Why, then, does Lake think Devlin knew he would die before they ever set foot in the gas station that night? As he obsesses over his brother’s death, Lake begins to uncover a hidden world full of forbidden magic and growing danger. Now he’s stuck, caught between the world that his brother was meant for and his own. Lake is beginning to realize that no one and nowhere is safe.
Nova Rathers may not be especially powerful in the Mage world, but she makes up for it with a magical bag of snacks and a body constructed by the Gods to slay. Desperate to be more than her lineage, she finds herself teamed up with a group of misfits and, in her mind, the weakest creature of all – a gida – a powerless human. Together, they start to unravel the lies that built their world and continue to hold it hostage. Nova’s last year at Breyburn Academe was never easy, but she had no idea that it could ever get this bad.
Lake, Nova, and their newfound friends are about to find the truth behind what has been hunting them. But knowing is only half the battle. Even if they survive, will the rest of the world remain standing?
My thoughts: After reading The Sigil, I immediately thought of the Harry Potter series or something like the movie The Craft. Authors Shakeil Kanish and Larissa Mandeville invite readers into the action with the first chapter. As the story continues, you become a part of this rollercoaster ride as the main characters work to uncover the truth of who killed Lake’s brother Devlin, and what’s going to happen to Breyburn Academe, and in doing so, reveal a dangerous secret affecting everyone involved.
I wasn’t expecting the ending, which was a plus and minus because I appreciate a cliffhanger, but I was confused a bit by this book’s conclusion. I also had to refer to clues within the text to figure out what some of the words meant, like mage, sigil, and gida. However, I liked the nonstop action and the powerful primary and secondary characters. Each had its voice, and it was nice seeing the representation of the LGBTQ+ community with one of the main characters.
The authors did a nice job of providing the reader with enough dialogue among the characters and attention to detail regarding scenes and character description. Overall, this was a pleasant read, and I’m sure part two of this book won’t disappoint. Part one of The Sigil will be out on March 4, 2021.
Synopsis: In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to concentration camps at Auschwitz – Birkenau. While there, he endures three traumatic years filled with horrendous living conditions and is a witness to numerous horrific deaths.
In July 1942, his life changed forever. He met and fell in love with Gita, who was forced to these concentration camps like him. The Tattoo of Auschwitz is one man’s story of how he found love amid unfortunate circumstances and his willingness to fight for that no matter the cost. The author, Heather Morris, states, “The Tattoo of Auschwitz is a story of two ordinary people living in an extraordinary time, deprived not only of their freedom but also of their dignity, their names, and their identities. It’s Lale’s account of what they needed to do to survive.”
My thoughts: Morris paints several pictures for the reader. Some are grim and hard to imagine, while others tug at your heartstrings. It is Lale’s account of what happened to him during his time at these concentration camps. He details how he survived and how he found love. For me, The Tattoo of Auschwitz is a story of strength – collectively and individually for both Gita and Lale. It’s a story meant to bring awareness. A bond so strong between two people that nothing and no one can tear it apart.
The Tattoo of Auschwitz is a story of hope, love, anger, disbelief, sadness, and opportunity. It is all these things to readers like myself who read this book. At some point, we’ve felt these different emotions as we’ve read along to Lale’s story. I love how he reunites with Gita in the end. He stops right in front of her and is on his knees, elated to see her again. He asks her to marry him, and they’re able to start life anew together after being deprived of that many years ago.
Even though this is one person’s story of what they endured, I still feel that by sharing his story, so many other individuals are getting the chance to read and visualize what it must’ve was like during that time for him and everyone else who was there. Some people could be learning about it for the first time by reading Morris’ novel. The Tattoo of Auschwitz was an engaging story from beginning to end. I appreciated Lale’s kind heart and fighting spirit, as well as Gita’s.
If you haven’t, I would encourage reading this book. It’s not just a romance story; it’s a life story. We’ve all had to endure hardships in this thing called love. Some situations were, unfortunately, more challenging than others. The Tattoo of Auschwitz is available everywhere books are sold.
A construction worker is working on a site, and discovers remains, and alerts the police. This discovery unlocks a secret causing a domino effect that will destroy several individual’s lives. Dave Munoz and Craig Walker reunite to work on the case.
Munoz and Walker work to identify the body and, in doing so, discover several individuals and their involvement regarding this cold case. Munoz and Walker uncover the truth, which results in someone’s death, prison time, and the starting of a friendship between two people who meet for the first time.
The Switch by Thomas Hall has an engaging storyline filled with twists and turns, solid characters, romance, and the reader will appreciate the story from start to finish. Each chapter has the reader discovering something new that adds to the story, which ultimately ends with a proposal. The only issue I noticed was a few punctuation errors.
Suppose you are into fictional detective stories filled with action, romance, and suspense. In that case, I suggest purchasing Thomas Hall’s The Switch. I’ve had the opportunity of reading and reviewing his books before, so I expected nothing less with Hall being able to deliver another fantastic read, and he did. The Switch is available everywhere books are sold.
Lydia Quixano Pérez seems to have the perfect life living in the Mexican city of Acapulco. Her husband’s a journalist, she has a son named Luca, and she is a bookstore owner. One day she meets a complex character named Javier. He enters her bookstore and changes her life forever.
Javier and Lydia began to bond over their love for books, which turns into further discussion of things they like, troubles they’re having, and there’s even discussion every so often about their families. Lydia appreciates Javier’s friendship that is until she learns about him being head of a drug cartel. Her husband’s been reporting about the unfortunate deaths and chaos Javier and his associates have been causing.
Lydia’s shocked. She can’t grasp the man who walked into her bookstore and the man committing these heinous acts to be the same person. Javier learns of Lydia’s husband’s reporting and sets a plan in motion.
Lydia and her family attend her niece’s quinceañera. However, they’re unable to enjoy the festivities because bullets rang out. As Lydia and Luca emerge from hiding, they find each one of her family members sprawled out dead, including her husband. She doesn’t have time to mourn or process what happened. Lydia must get her son and herself to safety. She leaves Javier and leaves behind everything she once had in Acapulco.
Along her journey, she meets some interesting characters and endures some tough times as she tries her best to head north to freedom, to the United States. Readers follow Lydia along on her journey from start to finish. There was a lot in this book, and as I read, I was able to picture how some of the scenes or the characters might look. I felt that the author could have shortened a lot of the content, but I understand why she didn’t.
Jeanine Cummins wanted the reader to visualize and, in some instances, feel what the characters were going through. It was essential to tell this story the way she did because thousands of individuals have done what Lydia did in their search for safety and freedom. I liked American Dirt because even though it was fiction, it opened my eyes to what some people endure just to come to the United States.
You hear the stories, you might even discuss what you’ve read in a newspaper with someone else, but reading it in a work of fiction takes on a different meaning. It’s another way of bringing an individual(s) story to life. And this is what Cummins did. Even though the narrative was long, it was powerful. The plot was engaging, the characters were strong, and there was enough dialogue to keep me engaged in the story.
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins is available everywhere books are sold.
Childhood trauma is real. Often, when we see or hear about these senseless and heartbreaking killings happening within the world, there’s an underlying issue hidden beneath the surface, and sometimes it’s childhood trauma. So innocent lives are lost, and loved ones are left to mourn. Author M.M. Chouinard tackles this in her book The Dancing Girls.
Martin Scherer didn’t have the nicest childhood growing up. His father left him and his mother after she cheated on him, he was sexually abused, so he felt as if it was his mission to eradicate women who chose to cheat on their spouses. Depending on the circumstances, one must be careful what they wish for because what you do onto others might come back to cause you harm.
In pursuit of his next victim, Scherer comes across Diana. Diana’s got her baggage, and she’s hell-bent on seeking revenge for what she’s endured. Can Scherer outsmart Diana and claim her as his next victim, or will she be the one to put an end to the death-defying terror just as police are closing in on him?
The Dancing Girls is full of suspense, action, and has a shocking ending that I didn’t see coming. The story is well-written. I appreciated the short chapters, the twists and turns, and the grit that each of her characters had, especially the females. M.M. Chouinard’s The Dancing Girls is available everywhere books are sold.
A couple of days ago, I had the opportunity to read and review Best Selling author Jessica Lauryn’s novel, A Passionate Play. It’s a whodunit mystery filled with twists and turns and romance. What you have before you is a look into Jessica Lauryn’s work as an author, so without further ado, I give you Jessica Lauryn.
“I always loved books as a child, and when I was six, watching soap operas with my mother, I fell in love with romance. I kept the idea of one day writing for the soaps in the back of my mind for years. But along the way, I discovered romance novels and realized that writing a full-length novel was something I had to try for myself. When I graduated from college and was looking for my first job, I spent a lot of time asking myself what I’d do with my life if I could do anything at all. Writing kept coming into my mind, and I perused several non-fiction books regarding how to get started with a career in writing. I remember reading in one of the books that writers spend their entire lives in basements doing nothing but writing. I believe the comment was intended to discourage people, but I remember thinking that being left alone to use your imagination and write for hours on end sounded more fun than anything I could imagine!”
MLR: What advice would you have for someone interested in becoming an author?
JL:Write what you know and what you love! I would also take that statement a bit further and say that you need to fall in love with your hero with regard to writing romance. Write, write, and write some more! Be yourself, own your voice; let your imagination take you wherever it will!
And this is what Lauryn has continued to do writing both The Pinnacles of Power Series and her work in progress, The Rabourn Theater Series. “
“I am the #1 bestselling author of two Romantic Suspense Series, The Pinnacles of Power Series and The Rabourn Theater Series, a work in progress. In The Pinnacles of Power Series, amidst diamond heists and deadly secrets, five determined young men struggle against all the odds to get what—and who—they want. In The Rabourn Theater Series, as the Rabourn and Nathanson families battle for control of the world they love, five unlikely couples come together and discover a different sort of passion.
For years, Dangerous Proposal [The Pinnacles of Power Series # 2] was my favorite story for various reasons, not the least of which is that I fashioned the hero, Alec, to be like the sort of man I dreamed of meeting myself. Years later, having found my real-life hero, a man who reminds me of Alec in so many ways, I decided to expand my horizons. An Amorous Dance [The Rabourn Theater Series # 2] took me by surprise. In this second-chance romance, theater owner Hannah Rabourn battles for control of the world she loves against her greatest rival and former lover, Evan Masters. Evan wishes to have revenge for an injustice done to him long ago, and he plots to take control of Rabourn Theater by way of persuasion…and seduction. I worked with a slightly older heroine and hero than I typically have, and I was amazed by the way these two characters and their story took off as they battled in the boardroom and the bedroom! Their feistiness and determination blow my mind. As I was reading An Amorous Dance for the hundredth time during the final edit, I found myself still laughing out loud at the nervy things Evan says to Hannah throughout the story. I’m currently with my editor on book 4 in the series, An Intoxicating Interlude, and writing book 5, An Enchanting Song.”
Lauryn is determined more than ever and has worked tirelessly to see her dream come to fruition.“No matter what life throws my way, I always keep going. This year hasn’t been easy for any of us. But I try always to look at things positively and stay focused on my goals, of which I have many.” It hasn’t always been easy for her, however. She talked about some of her struggles and how she dealt with them.
“When my publisher cut their Mainstream line, it caused a major disruption for me as I was right in the middle of producing the Rabourn Theater Series. I attempted to find a new home, but few publishers are keen on publishing the final few books of a series that another publisher already has rights to. So I decided to self-publish the final three stories. There was a bit of a learning curve involved, but I found I liked having more control over the publication process, especially creative aspects like formatting and cover design. In the end, I became such a fan of what I was doing that I asked my publisher if they would reverse the rights to my previous titles. They agreed, and I’ve been working steadily to rerelease them all. Dangerous Magic [The Pinnacles of Power # 5] and An Amorous Dance [The Rabourn Theater Series #2] will release later this year!
When asked what advice she’s received either professionally or personally that’s been beneficial to her life, Lauryn stated, “Let me say that the single piece of advice that made me a strong writer was, show vs. tell. A fan of older publications, I have a natural tendency to narrate everything, and I fight this every time I write a new story. This is “telling,” essentially, whereas “showing” engages the five senses through dialogue, description, and action taking place in the here and now. It makes our stories move faster, and it brings them to life in a rich, colorful way. One of the most effective ways I’ve found for getting this accomplished is to write the story as I would instinctively (for me, this means just getting my thoughts out, and doing so by “telling”) and then adding the “showing” later on, as I edit. I do the best I can with a rough draft, but I work a lot faster by just getting my ideas down on paper. I do what works for me. But my stories definitely came to life (and I was published for the first time!) when I mastered the art of “showing.”
MLR: What or who inspires your writing style and the type of books you publish?
JL: One of my favorite things to do when I’m writing is to reform a former villain, a man or woman who’s lost their way for a time, having committed any wrong from white-collar crime to murder. I’m greatly inspired by characters and people who fit that bill, because, let’s face it, we all make mistakes, and it is incredibly uplifting to see another person bring themselves back from their lowest point—it reminds us that we all possess the same ability. It demonstrates just how powerful the phenomenon of love is, as love is always at play somehow when a villain turns his life around. And let’s face it guys when you take a former villain and place him in the role of hero you get to satisfy your dream of kissing him and even meeting them between the sheets!
Suspense inspires me (nothing too graphic or violent for my taste, I’m not one of those romantic suspense authors!), but I definitely want to see my characters in danger, perhaps several times leading up to the climax, or beyond it. Characters are often highly motivated to act on their desires when they fear their lives are in danger, and passion is what my readers and I want to see the most! That said, I’m also inspired by the amazing stories some of my closest author friends tell, and real-life scenarios and quite often, whatever crazy ideas find some other way inside the well of my imagination.
When she’s not creating best-selling books, you can find Lauryn with her husband in their newly purchased home or painting a room, or in her garden, which she joyfully admits that she loves flowers. As for what people can take away from this interview, Lauryn states, “I hope, no matter what your favorite genre is, you’ll always take the time to read for pleasure because we all deserve that no matter how busy we think we are!Books are such a wonderful part of life.”
Morgan Lee Reviews would like to thank Jessica Lauryn for this opportunity and wish her much success with her endeavors. Links to Lauryn’s social media will be available below, and as promised, here is a sneak peek of Lauryn’s newly released novel, Dangerous Ally! Enjoy!
Dangerous Ally Excerpt:
Feeling the warmth of tears in her eyes, Lilah rose from the table. She never became so emotional over nothing. What in God’s name was wrong with her?
Lucas’s strong hand came against her shoulder. She didn’t pull away. In fact, she had the strangest urge to just lean into him, like somehow, he would take away all her doubts.
“Lena’s happy in her life with her children, and with Alec Westwood. I’d never begrudge her that. All I ever wanted was her happiness.”
The way he said the words, she almost believed them. He seemed to care, or at least, maybe was trying to be a better person.
“You’re trembling.” He reached in before she could stop him. His finger brushed her quivering lip. Her instinct was to smack his hand. But the tingling sensation racing from mouth to spine kept her in place. Lucas’s touch was so soft. It made her crazy. She was consumed by the strongest desire for his lips to be where his finger was now.
He took her wine glass and held it out to her. “Here,” he said. “This’ll calm your nerves.”
Senses returning with a bang, Lilah held up two hands in protest. “Are you trying to get me drunk?” she snapped, not entirely sure whether it was him she was angrier at or herself.
“Am I that obvious?” Lucas laughed as if the whole thing was funny and set the glass back down.
She enjoyed being in the company of a monster—there was nothing lighthearted about it!
“I’m guessing you’ve probably been down this road too many times, hmm?” Lucas replaced his hand on her shoulder.
“What road would that be, exactly?”
His eyes looked into hers. “I’m sure I’m not the first man who’s tried to get you into a relaxed state, Lilah.”
“Actually—” Lilah hesitated, not wanting to get so personal yet feeling she could probably tell him anything and he’d somehow understand. “It’s been a long time, longer than you’d imagine. After I finished college, I had every intention of becoming a journalist, meaning I’d be out most of the time chasing a story despite whatever danger came with it. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, for as long as I can remember.”
Lucas nodded, coming closer. “You must have been very persistent. It takes a good deal of perseverance and sacrifice to become a success at such a young age.”
Lilah sure knew that. While her friends had been enjoying their last semester of college, she’d been frantically gathering writing samples, sending them out to every newspaper who would give her the time of day. But had her father noticed? Even when she became one of the youngest reporters at the New York Times, he’d barely raised a brow.
Deep down, she knew this was why she’d accepted Raphael’s offer, even in spite of the danger that came with it. A story about Raphael Ramone’s family laundry wasn’t going to impress Blake Benson. But exposing Lucas’s diamond smuggling operation would be a print-worthy unearthing that would win her father’s admiration as well as her first Pulitzer.
She lowered her gaze. “I haven’t given up anything so wonderful.”
Lucas lifted her chin. “But if it came to that, do you think you’d be willing to make that sacrifice, give up something you want—maybe something you want more than anything—to attain some ultimate level of self-victory?”
A chill came over her at his words. Lilah stepped back, unsure of what had just happened but wanting desperately to pretend it hadn’t.
Lucas cleared his throat. “Let’s get some air, shall we?”
Something she needed desperately. She followed him to the balcony, welcoming the cool night breeze as it caressed her hot skin.
“It’s beautiful here,” she said, hoping very much to steer the conversation in a new direction.
“It is.” Lucas came beside her, bracing the rail with one hand. He slipped an arm around her back.
His body was warm, like a furnace, and he felt strong, as if he spent his days loading lumber instead of dabbling away at a computer.
Lilah shivered, goose bumps forming along her arms. It felt so nice being close to Lucas, too nice. Maybe she’d just stay there with him a few minutes longer. They weren’t exactly hurting anyone by being in each other’s company.
Lucas leaned into her, speaking in a tone she could only describe as husky. “Those men you never met,” he said, “that was their loss.”
Lilah blinked, keeping her eyes on the night sky. “Please. A man’s the last thing I need in my life.”
“Are you sure about that?” Lucas asked, his warm breath coming against her ear. “Or is it possible you’ve been hiding behind your work for so long, you don’t even know how things could be?” His palm brushed her bare shoulder as he turned her to face him. “No one knows what it’s like to be hidden from the world more than I do, Lilah. You can trust me on this. I think we’re more alike than you realize. And it’s possible we’re both missing out on something incredible.”
She didn’t push his hand away as it cupped her cheek, or his arm as it encompassed her waist. No, she let him do what he wanted. She wanted him to touch her.
No amount of sex can make me stay in a relationship, no matter how good it is. Readers are introduced to two new characters from The Kismet Series, Jolene, and Troy. Jolene is a single mother who’s recently left an appalling relationship with her ex-husband and her child’s father, Brian.
Brian is relentless in his pursuit to get his daughter back and punish Jolene for being the reason he served time in prison. Fearful for their lives, she moves from Kentucky to Nashville. There she meets long lost love, Troy Young. Young, a solider, back in Nashville until his next deployment, welcomes the familiarity of a woman he’s loved since their first meeting ten years ago.
It seems if this chance meeting would ignite things between them again, right? Jolene, her daughter, and Troy. The man she gave her heart to all those years ago. Unfortunately, Jolene and Troy have some things they must work out in order to have their happy ending. Troy faces demons from his past during his time in Iraq,and Jolene is fearful of Brian as he lurks in the shadows.
Entangling the situation more is their sexual attraction to one another. They give in to temptation releasing those feelings of love, lust, pain, and a history that has both of them questioning if they could make things work. Jolene’s willing to open her heart and let Troy back in. However, Troy is stubborn and unwilling to open up for fear he will disappoint Jolene and her daughter by having to deploy again. Not to mention the backlash he’ll receive from Jolene’s family and friends if he breaks her heart.
I didn’t realize that Deliverance was connected to Reckless and Evelyn Montgomery’s first two novels,Indecisionand Devotion. I saw some familiar names and went back and looked at both of her first two books. What made this story different from her other two novels was the importance of family. This was a major theme and had a significant impact throughout the book. Very few men would be open to a relationship when they know there’s a child involved,and it’s not theirs.
The fact that Troy does gives me hope that there are still kind and hardworking people in this world. What I also liked was the author’s use of providing the reader with a backstory for each character, the use of imagery, descriptiveness, dialogue, and of course the sex scenes. LOL. But, I have to reiterate that no amount of sex could make me stay in a relationship if I am pouring my heart out/giving my heart to someone and they’re stubborn and unwilling to do the same.
There were a few grammatical errors.But overall, I thought this was a solid story that could stand alone and didn’t have to be apart of a series necessarily. Montgomery even gives readers an exclusive look into part five of this series. Not sure when that will be available, but keep a lookout for it. Part one through four is available on Amazon.
**Coming soon… One on one interviewwith author Evelyn Montgomery. We’ll discuss her Kismet Series, what she’s currently working on, and what advice she has for aspiring and fellow authors.
Born and raised in the Himalayan town of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim,one of Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang’s favorite quotes is from French philosopher and Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Dr. Tamang’s love for words provided her the opportunity to share her gift on an international scale. Ivory Gleam is a book of poetry and prose that addresses subjects including love, self and society, death, and life.
Morgan Lee Reviews had the chance to speak with Dr. Tamang about the inspiration behind Ivory Gleam and why she wants the children from her area to fight for their dreams.
Morgan Lee Reviews: Dr. Tamang, would you mind telling the readers about yourself?
Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang: I am, first and foremost, God’s child. I feel utterly blessed to occupy this worldly space with other creations of Divine. Biographically, I was born and bred in the tiny Himalayan town of Gangtok. My ethnic roots are tribal Nepalese. We follow Buddhism by virtue of birth. I am deeply invested in Hinduism as well.
Having graduated with a degree in medicine, I went on to serve as a Registered Medical Practitioner. It was much later in life that I rediscovered my love for words. The desire was dormant but existent. Art has also been quintessential in my growth as a person, aiding in spiritual advancement and alternative methods of healing. Despite English not being my first language and the likelihood of conversational setbacks, I have succeeded in delivering my ideas to a global audience.
MLR: Describe yourself in one word, and why?
PDT: Transparent. I am very open and honest about almost everything. At times, this may come across as crude or lack of sophistication, but I’d rather be spontaneous than pretentious. I am impulsive to a fault, and it will not be very difficult for anybody to read me. There are no agendas to my actions, no vendettas in my virtues.
MLR: What was your inspiration behind Ivory Gleam, and what was the thought process behind the titles for your poetry and prose?
PDT: My house is located at an astounding altitude. We are perpetually covered in clouds. There have been pensive moments when I’d stare into the vast expanse of shiny white clouds and rethink realities of life. Nature is a pure portal of connectivity to the source. My book, “Ivory Gleam,” was mostly written as episodic musings during such times of inner reflection. The clouds, ivory white in colour, were gleaming bright to play a pivotal role in my creative expression.
As far as the segments of the book go, there are three chapters of learning, longing, and loving, respectively. I wrote them at different phases of my life and in the same frame of mind as the titles justify. “Colloquial Delicacy” deals with insights on the various challenges that we face as social creatures. My opinions from encounters have been captured in crisp mindbenders. It is an assessment of generic human nature by an individual standard. “Soliloquy” talks of pain, hard-hitting and explosive. Betrayal and brokenness. The longing, the loss, and the melancholy. We conclude to complete a full circle with “Chivalry.” It is about love and the strength to love after all of the above. Romance is the highlight of the ending part.
MLR: Wow. What was the process like for you writing Ivory Gleam?
PDT: I wrote the isolated pieces over two years. Each piece was a result of some stimuli, be it inter or intrapersonal. They were not written for publication. They were mere pages of my journal; some posted on social media. I did not intend to have a book. However, with time and demand, my intentions evolved. I wanted something physical to hold for all the hours that were spent overthinking. I compiled those random rants into a manuscript and started publisher hunting. Leadstart Publishers, Mumbai, India, were the first to show interest. My work went through the mandatory phases of preliminary sample scrutiny, final manuscript approval, editing, proofreading, typesetting, cover design, ebook creation, printing, marketing, and distribution, in that order. I am glad that the book was taken up by the acquisition editor and could see the light of the day.
MLR: Congratulations! Are you planning on writing another book?
PDT: The title of my second book is “My Sonder Sky.” It is a dedication to someone close to my heart. This book is a continuation of my first, with better-framed poetry and prose. I reckon that my poetic skills have improved over the years. I have come a long way from “Ivory Gleam” and “My Sonder Sky” should be an appropriate closure.
MLR: Any advice for fellow authors, poets, and prose writers?
PDT: My only advice would be for you to stay true to your craft. Do not bend your natural tendencies to fit into somebody else’s small box. Your art should be a free-flowing conduit of love, light, compassion, and the power to heal. Every book is special. Every expression is a masterpiece if it comes straight from your heart. Your creation is your identity. It is not for anyone to identify you as superior or inferior. We are only different.
For a genre like poetry, it is important to discover a niche audience. Poetry is not everybody’s cup of tea. Each poem is a story in itself. The characters, the plot, and the climax are hidden between layers of metaphors. To decode this story from implied imagery, apt alliteration, rhyme schemes, and calculated meter, takes an active mind. There are open-ended interpretations to abstract literature. The readers should be ready to challenge themselves and see what they make of it. This speaks volumes of your psyche. What you take from any given written composition, is what your mind has elucidated. This is your personal revelation.
Those looking for an easy read or an interesting story to pass the night may not relish your concoction. This doesn’t mean that your work is below standard. It only means that they are not ready for what you have to offer, just yet.
MLR: What do you want people to take away from this interview?
PDT: Poetry is magical. Creativity is a gift. It does not matter to which corner of the world you belong, the language of souls is the language spoken by art. I want to encourage the readers to pursue their passion and allow that fire to feed them.
My presence as a writer and mild recognition on various fora ought to encourage children from my geographical area to fight for their dreams and develop enough confidence in representing their talent internationally.
Morgan Lee Reviews thanks Dr. Tamang for this interview. Ivory Gleam is available on Amazon and wherever else books are sold. If you haven’t, be sure to check out my previous interview with author Skylar Nightingale.
I don’t recall how I first learned of Julie Yip-Williams’ story. I’m sure it had to be during one of my searches on Amazon to try and find a book to read. The title intrigued me for two reasons: The fact that this woman was brave enough to share all of what she was dealing with health-wise, and because a couple of months ago, my aunt passed away.
The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life Death, and Everything That Comes After chronicles Yip-Williams’ journey as she battled with Stage IV cancer. Her story begins at the end with her holding her readers’ hands as she welcomes them into her world. She states, “Hello, welcome. My name is Julie Yip-Williams. I am grateful and deeply honored that you are here. This story begins at the ending. Which means that if you are here, then I am not. But it’s okay.” I felt immense sadness for her, her family, friends, and those of who she touched with her story. I also commended her for being tough and courageous in sharing her story with others to enlighten them about the brutal, honest truth when dealing with everyday obstacles no matter how hard and often times devastating they may be.
Julie’s story is one filled with love, anger, pain, forgiveness, understanding, hope, and insight into what a person with Stage IV cancer goes through. She shares memorable moments with her family, times with friends, and takes the reader along even during the difficult times as she endures gut-wrenching update after update regarding her diagnosis. “I flounder through the journey that is living with cancer – the rage, jealousy, bitterness, terror, and sorrow. While I write and share the ugliest parts of this journey in a way that I could never verbalize accurately or completely for my own cathartic reasons (among others), I share also because I know that such brute honesty validates the dark emotions of those who feel as I do as they stumble through their own trials, whether they be cancer-related or not. And in that validation, you and I, we, regardless of whether we’ve met in person, find a connection, a oneness in our suffering that speaks to the universal human experience, which transcends class, race, culture, time, and space,” she writes.
Yip-Williams shares her fears, how she’s prepared herself and her family for the inevitable, and even leaves a letter to her two daughters and her husband, which I found to be heartfelt. Life is precious and shouldn’t be taken for granted. We all have an expiration date. Seeing that this is so, we should cherish the people and things that we have while we have them. From time to time, I’d think about how I wanted to be remembered, and after reading Yip-Williams’ story, I once again thought about it. I’d like to be recognized as a tough, courageous, and caring individual who refused to let having Cerebral palsy deter me from living out my God-given purpose on earth.
Every so often they’re stories that come along and have a lasting impact. This is one of those stories. It makes you think, feel, and want to discuss what you’ve read and the effect it has. It’s also important to keep an open mind while reading this book due to its brutal honesty, vulnerability, and insight. This book is not for the faint of heart. This is also one person’s account of what they endured and doesn’t dictate that others in a similar situation may encounter the same fate.
“And so I started writing in search of my truth, to gain that understanding and wisdom of what it means to live and die, of what it is to live fully and unwind our individual miracles consciously. I want to be remembered as a courageous person, one who, instead of running from cancer and death and begging for my life like a wild, crazed animal, stood there and stared them down, all the while acknowledging and embracing the reality and my fear, anger, and sadness, a stance reflective of an aspirational inner strength, dignity, grace, and beauty,” she states.
Morgan Lee Reviews 