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Authenticity and Spirituality
Grand Illusion follows a gifted Balinese fabric artist who meets a wealthy heir from the Emirates, who introduces her to a world of opulence and power, far from her roots and heritage. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The setup began at the ending of Moroccan Sunset. Zayn Al Farooq was introduced as the youngest of Elena’s older brothers. We saw that he was into the privileges his family’s wealth provided. Yet he was fascinated by Mara’s ethereal beauty and creative talent.
When I began Mara’s book, I felt like I knew her character by now and could envision her unease in falling into Zayn’s lifestyle. Her cultural beginning was always about authenticity and spirituality. The cultural and religious barriers soon followed, making Zayn and Mara’s romantic connection next to impossible.
The entrance of Wayan, with a similar background, brought home the importance of her roots.
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
To allow Grand Illusion to be read as a standalone, I had to walk a balance between readers who knew the characters intimately and those who were first being introduced. That required just enough backstory for new readers to catch up.
Basically, I had to focus on speeding up the less important moments between the characters, yet slowing down the primary moments. A good example is with Annie and Mara on the sailing yacht. Throughout the series, readers learned how much Annie loved that moment when the sail is hoisted. I have written it multiple times, so it was easy for me to speed through it. However, in this case, my editor, who had not read the other books, told me to write it like it was the first time, but now seeing it through Mara’s eyes. It completely changed the scene.
Now that you have finished your Annie’s Journey series, have you discovered anything about yourself while researching and writing these women’s stories?
I have a wide circle of friends, many of whom have faced serious stumbling blocks in their lives. The same applies to me. Personally, I believe in the ‘angels among us’ theory. In my writing, there is always someone who comes along to impart wisdom or insight. It can come from typical sources like a relative or close friend. But sometimes it is from a stranger, like the little old woman in the Bali market who cryptically told Annie, “The time to be happy is now.” Or it could be a stone like the one Annie gave to Sarah before her first art exhibition, or the blue diamond ring that Ramone gave Annie.
I finish each of these books with a sense of hope and anticipation about the future. Hopefully, readers experience that as well.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can fans expect it to be released?
Grand Illusion is being referred to as the 5th and final book in the Annie’s Journey series. Currently, I am taking 2 months as an author-in-residence in Blueridge, GA, to find inspiration for a new series. Although there is much to draw from here, I have to admit there are two characters from the series who keep whispering in my ear that their story hasn’t been told. Would it be so horrible if there were a sixth book???
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The 5th and final book in the ANNIE’S JOURNEY series, Grand Illusion: Lesson of a Balinese Lotus, finds young Balinese fabric designer, Mara, at the pinnacle of the fashion world! Her success is bolstered by the charming and enigmatic Zayn, an Arab financier whose influence opens doors to a world of opulence and power. Yet, behind the glittering façade, Mara’s identity is lost in a labyrinth of illusions.
One fateful night, Mara meets Wayan, a fellow Balinese soul and costume designer to the legendary opera diva, Antonella Rossi. Both Wayan and Antonella are entangled in their own webs of deception, struggling to maintain authenticity amidst the pressures of fame and fortune.
As Mara and Wayan’s paths intertwine, the echoes of their homeland call them back to Bali, where the roots of their heritage await to ground them once more. But even if the wisdom and symbolism of their ancestors offer clarity, can they find the courage to redefine their paths?
Grand Illusion: Lesson of a Balinese Lotus
The story follows Mara, a gifted Balinese fabric artist who rises from her humble beginnings in rice paddies to the glamorous world of Milan Fashion Week. Her journey is one of contrasts. She moves between the quiet values of her homeland and the dizzying pace of high fashion, and she becomes entangled in a complicated romance with Zayn, a wealthy heir from the Emirates. Along the way, the book explores friendship, loyalty, cultural identity, and the fragile balance between authenticity and the grand façades people build around themselves.
What struck me most was how personal Mara’s journey felt. The writing is vivid, almost cinematic, when describing fabrics and runways, yet it softens into something warm and nostalgic when she recalls Bali. I felt caught between those worlds with her, sometimes seduced by the opulence and sometimes yearning for the quiet of the rice fields. The emotional pull is strong. The dialogue sometimes feels a little too polished, but that polished tone also matches the glittering, high-society backdrop.
I also found myself invested in the themes of love and ambition. Zayn fascinated me as a character because he embodied both desire and duty, but I often grew frustrated with his indecision. Mara’s longing for something deeper tugged at me, and I caught myself rooting for her to choose herself over him. The friendships with Sarah and Annie gave the novel a heartbeat, reminding me that sometimes chosen family anchors us more than romance ever could. The way those bonds were written gave me moments of real joy and comfort while reading.
One character I kept thinking about was Wayan. His presence felt like a quiet anchor in the storm of Mara’s conflicting worlds. I admired his sincerity and the way he carried his past with such openness, sharing childhood memories of his father’s silverwork and his grandmother’s cooking as if they were gifts. He wasn’t flawless, but that made him feel real. His willingness to fit into Mara’s family life, to get his hands dirty in the rice fields, and to prove his intentions gave the story a sense of groundedness. Through him, I felt the pull of tradition, the comfort of roots, and the reminder that sometimes love shows itself most in the willingness to stay and to try.
Grand Illusion is a book for readers who love a blend of romance, cultural richness, and the spectacle of fashion. It is heartfelt and dramatic, with enough tension to keep you turning the pages. If you enjoy stories about women navigating identity in the face of dazzling but fragile worlds, this one will speak to you. For me, it was a reminder that no matter how grand the illusions of life may seem, the truth of who we are always waits to be chosen.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0FLVPHNND
Painting Zebras
Finding Sarah follows a young woman who navigates the complexities of her life after the traumatic loss of her mother and subsequent abandonment by her father. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Sarah Wilkinson appeared in the first book of the series when she met Annie while she was painting her zebras, living in a tent in East Africa. I actually met a woman in Tanzania doing exactly that! I was on a safari with my family and our guide introduced us to her and her sculptor companion who became the inspiration for the character Sam Bartow.
At the end of Book 2, with the emergence of Hans Schuman as a past love interest of Sarah’s, I was intrigued with what their back story might be.
So far, it is the only book I have written first person. I tried to have her write it, tell it, remember it…but somehow the only way it worked was her feeling the pain and the loss and the hurt.
I have a 10-year-old granddaughter and I found myself stepping into her shoes to experience things I hope she never has to in real life. When she put the paint set in the back of the closet after the birthday gift, I wasn’t sure how it would play into it. But it felt so natural with the young social worker asked her to find something from a happier time with her parents.
The entire art process Sarah went through was an inspiration to research and write. Finding two authentic women painters who played right into the story for real gave Sarah an authenticity and I let her lead me as she faced challenges, disappointments, confusion, and success.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Certainly, the artist I met in Tanzania and my granddaughter had a significant impact on the character of Sarah. I am fortunate to have had creative success over the year, but I have also had my share of hard knocks. Sarah has to pick herself up again and again, but there were always angels close by with Camille, Tara, and Patrice. I believe that there are people in our lives that can provide that support when needed if you just allow yourself to let them in.
I tried to convey that when Sarah was heart broken and hiding away at Yvette’s family home in the south of France. When she made that conscious decision to buy dinner and open up to Patrice, she allowed that support that was right there in to help her.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Angels Among Us, Resilience, Women’s Empowerment, Artistic Discipline and Road to Success, Second Chances
What is the next story that you’re writing and when will it be published?
I have just published Moroccan Sunset: Dawn of a New Beginning in which Sarah is a key character. It is her perseverance and sense of adventure, as well as her romantic relationship with Hans, that gives our new character, Elena Al Farooq, inspiration to find what Sarah has in her own life.
I envision two more books in this series and have just begun to write the story of Mara, the Balinese artist who was also introduced in the first book. She has become a highly successful fashion designer in Milan, Italy, caught up in the glitz and glamour of the high fashion world of fashionistas and celebrities around the world. However, she can’t shake the fear of losing touch with her humble Balinese roots and values that defined her upbringing.
These characters that represent such different cultures and traditions are fascinating to me and give me so many possibilities to explore. I am hoping to have Mara’s book released in late Spring 2025.
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Sarah Wilkinson has found passion as a painter whose skillful talent was shaped and influenced by many, including two past female artists who came from different worlds and different centuries, yet both defied the odds against women becoming successful artists.
Evolved from the Annie’s Journey series, Sarah was living in a tent painting the wild animals of the Serengeti in East Africa when Annie met her. They quickly became close friends, but what Annie was unaware of is the heartbreaking childhood Sarah experienced before she struggled to find her way into the competitive art world. As a result, it was Annie who would force Sarah to confront her destiny and make a choice that would forever change her life.
Her father, in a letter written just before his death, referred to Sarah as a phoenix that rises from the ashes to new heights. Follow along as Sarah surpasses one pitfall after the other, painstakingly getting closer to finding her sense of purpose.
Can artistic success help Sarah escape the ashes of her childhood to believe in second chances and allow her inner phoenix to soar?
Stuggling to Find Their Way
Moroccan Sunset: Dawn of a New Beginning follows a Moroccan businessman with traditional views who falls for a woman from Western culture and lets her go, only to regret his decision. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In the Annie’s Journey series, I write about intriguing young women who struggle to find their way in life. Annie and Sarah stand out in the series in that way, but Meghan and Sabine offer a more stable strength that Annie and Sarah draw from. Therefore, in El Amir’s story, I needed an intriguing young woman to grow and expand her horizons. With Elena Al-Farooq, I got my young woman in spades! As a spoiled and sheltered Arab heiress, she feels over-protected and rather petulant about it. Meeting Sarah, and then Annie, she begins to see the power of the women that still allow the love of a man as an equal partner become something she aspires to.
On the other hand, El Amir remained an enigma throughout books one and two. Clearly, he and Annie had an intense attraction for each other, but it was his honor to his Arab tradition that he could not be with a Western woman. I do not think he regretted his decision, just questioned whether he could find that same passion with what he thought would be a dull, obedient, dutiful wife.
El Amir’s back story unfolds revealing his innate sense of honor, love of art, and passionate support of conservation in East Africa. He refers to pealing back layer by layer of Elena’s character, but that is exactly what I tried to do with him. One of the major impacts he has is with the reaction and growth of Elena’s father, resulting in how he sees his daughter.
To fully understand Moroccan Sunset, the “new beginning” for Elena could not happen without the influence of Sarah and Annie. She will become another woman of inspiration for our next girls who follow in subsequent books.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
Unfortunately, we see people of different cultures and traditions clash into bigotry, competition, and even hatred. I have a cast of characters covering many cultures and traditions. What I tend to do is soften the edges somewhat to enable them to get along. One of my favorite scenes describing this was in Crossing Paths, when Annie and her family went to the church of the minister who was going to marry her and Ramone. This is what he said:
“Brethren, you have all joined us on this beautiful summer day. I want to say welcome. I also want you to take a minute and look around you. Every person in this church made a choice to come here today. For this moment in time, they are your neighbors. Look around, say hello, shake a hand.” There was a warmth inside this old traditional church. Greetings flowed in every direction. They saw Paulo in the front pew and waved. Marguerite’s eyes caught his, and he smiled.
“Here you all are on your own individual life journey. Many of you might be strangers, but your paths brought you here together. Paths cross. You just took a moment to say hello to a perfect stranger. Once you connected in some way, you were no longer strangers. Pay attention. There is a person’s path that might be running parallel to yours. When those paths intersect, there is a reason. Don’t miss it. Be aware of those around you and be amazed at new connections.”
Meghan and Annie are fascinated by communities that embrace their culture and tradition. My mantra is to encourage getting along with others who might not believe things as we do. Here we are in the USA deeply divided and refusing to work together for the common good. I am trying to drop a cool drop of water on a boiling plate…
I also touch on the subject of wealth. Different cultures sometimes have a different way of expressing their rise to success and/or wealth. I grew up in Georgia where the spending habits were referred to as “Old Money” and “New Money.” In Moroccan Sunset, there is a strong dichotomy between Don Marco from Spain and Bajir Al-Farooq in how they express their wealth. What I wanted to convey is that neither are right or wrong, just different.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
- Cultural Identity
- Slow Burn Love
- Honor
- Tradition
- Opulence
- Political Intrigue
What next book are you working on and when will it be available?
My next two females to dig into are Mara from Bali in book 5 and Amari, the East African school teacher from Finding Sarah. I can’t wait to explore these women and the men they encounter, but mostly the women they grow into.
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A mysterious Moroccan businessman with mesmerizing golden eyes, El Amir Al-Mansoor is a patron of the arts, advocate of conservation in East Africa, and a man who honors the cultural traditions of his heritage. However, those traditions forbid him from marrying Annie, his first love, and his heart still yearns for the headstrong western beauty even as he considers finding a partner of his own.
Elena Al-Farouq is arranged to be married. But the beautiful Arab heiress is stubbornly determined to break free of the societal traditions that bind her, longing instead for a life of adventure and wanderlust to feed her wild spirit. When she first meets El Amir, she senses the alluring stranger with the soulful eyes could be the answer to her prayers – but could he ever feel the same way about her?
Can El Amir honor the traditions of the past, even while fashioning a future that embraces the love and passion he craves? Or will he reject Elena’s defiant spirit – and possibly lose the love of his life forever?
Moroccan Sunset: Dawn of a New Beginning
Moroccan Sunset: Dawn of a New Beginning is the fourth installment in Nina Purtee’s Annie’s Journey Series. At its heart, this romance novel follows El Amir Al-Mansoor, a Moroccan businessman who once shared a deep connection with Annie Harrison. However, their cultural differences ultimately drove him to step aside, encouraging her to rekindle her relationship with Ramone. Now, Annie and Ramone are happily married and expecting their first child, while El Amir embarks on a new romantic journey with Elena Al-Farouq. Elena, an Arab heiress, shares El Amir’s cultural background but yearns to break free from those traditions to seek a life filled with adventure.
While the book showcases many strengths, the numerous intertwined storylines at times presented a challenge. Alongside the central narrative of El Amir and Elena, the novel also revisits characters from earlier installments, such as Annie and Ramone and Sarah and Hans, as well as introduces additional secondary characters. This rich array of subplots adds depth to the world, though the frequent shifts between these arcs occasionally made it hard to maintain focus on the main storyline. At times, the number of secondary characters felt a bit overwhelming, drawing attention away from the central themes. That said, Elena’s character development stood out. Her headstrong nature and refusal to let others dictate her path were compelling, making her journey one of the highlights of the novel. The romance between El Amir and Elena culminated in a dramatic, heartwarming conclusion. The resolution of the novel felt satisfying, and the various storylines found closure. Yet, Purtee left just enough intrigue to suggest the possibility of another chapter in the series.
Moroccan Sunset would appeal to readers who enjoy richly detailed settings and character-driven stories. The novel delves into deep cultural themes and offers a window into Moroccan life, making it a good choice for fans of romance with a strong international backdrop. The emotional weight and cultural richness make it a rewarding read. If you enjoy stories about love, tradition, and the push and pull of cultural expectations, this book will be right up your alley.
Pages: 333 | ASIN : B0D9SVZQ5P
Finding Sarah: A Phoenix to Behold
Finding Sarah follows the journey of Sarah, a young woman who navigates the complexities of her life after the traumatic loss of her mother and subsequent abandonment by her father. The novel paints an intimate portrait of Sarah’s inner turmoil, her artistic evolution, and her personal relationships as she grows from a shy, uncertain girl into a woman ready to embrace her talents and dreams. Set against the backdrop of Sarah’s passion for painting and her love for animals, the story weaves in themes of resilience, grief, and finding one’s place in the world.
What struck me immediately about Finding Sarah was how vividly Sarah’s emotional journey is portrayed. Her struggle with grief and abandonment felt so real and relatable. From the early chapters, we see her turning to art as a way to process her pain, especially after her mother’s tragic death. The scene where she shares her first painting with her grandmother felt particularly poignant, as it not only reveals Sarah’s growing talent but also shows the quiet way she and her grandmother bonded over their shared grief. Author Nina Purtee does a beautiful job of giving these moments emotional weight without over-explaining.
The plot itself is strong, and Sarah’s growth from the shy girl hiding behind her art to the confident artist ready to take on the world kept me invested throughout. One of my favorite parts of the book was the detailed depiction of Sarah’s artistic process. There is this wonderful scene where she becomes inspired by a book on falconry, visualizing the majestic flight of falcons and translating it onto canvas. This moment highlights her creativity and her ability to draw meaning from unexpected sources, which I found inspiring. The way Purtee ties in the idea of the phoenix symbolizing Sarah’s rebirth and growth was a clever touch that added a layer of symbolism to the story.
I’d recommend Finding Sarah to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction with strong emotional depth and a focus on personal growth. It’s a story for anyone who has ever felt lost or unsure of their place in the world but found solace in their passions.
Pages: 300 | ASIN : B0CTJ8FH5S
Crossing Paths: The Road to Destiny
In Crossing Paths, the second novel in Nina Purtee’s series, we revisit Annie’s evolving tale as she embarks on a new chapter of her life in Spain. Engaged to the illustrious matador Ramone and expecting their child, Annie’s journey is marked by her resilience and ambition. However, her visionary aspirations often become a source of stress and indecision, leading her to seek solace and guidance from her family, friends, and particularly Ramone as she adjusts to her changing circumstances.
The narrative is primarily character-driven, unfolding at a measured pace that allows for an in-depth exploration of the complexities and dynamics within Annie’s support network. The novel opens with a surge of drama: Ramone’s abduction and subsequent release and an abrupt tragedy linked to a Chinese crime syndicate. Intriguingly, after this initial flurry of activity, the threat posed by the crime organization recedes, resurfacing only briefly toward the novel’s conclusion. The central focus of the narrative shifts to the intricacies of Annie’s wedding preparations. These segments, aiming to capture significant life events’ emotional and logistical complexities, offer a consistent focus that underscores the theme. However, they may benefit from additional variety and depth. The dialogue in the novel, with its soap opera-like flair, is rich in grand statements, offering a dramatic tone that complements the storyline. While it sometimes simplifies the characters’ deeper complexities, this approach contributes to making Purtee’s characters broadly appealing and accessible, though they might benefit from further depth. The author’s strengths lie in her vivid descriptions of diverse international settings, showcasing her keen understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
Crossing Paths strikes a balance with its gentle pace and accessible depth, making it an ideal choice for readers searching for a light, escapist journey through the charming narrative of Annie’s story and the vivid world crafted by Purtee.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B0CVZ13J69
LITERARY TITAN 