Blog Archives
Traveling Companions
When a mountain village is destroyed by a mudslide, the villagers must relocate to the bottom of the mountain. A young boy is injured in the mudslide and has a broken leg. He can not walk with the rest of the villagers, so he remains in what is left of the village with the old village elder and the blind blacksmith. They face the choice of waiting there with little water and food or trying to reach the valley on their own. Together they form a plan to try and reach safety relying on one another.
Traveling Companions by Tuula Pere is a beautiful children’s book about working together and realizing each person’s strengths and values in life. While each of the three companions has a significant physical challenge, they can work together and put their skills to use to survive.
I love how the weakest and most vulnerable are brought into focus for this story. It teaches compassion to those that need it and shows that even when old, sick, or disabled, people still have value and can contribute. Children will learn that everyone has value, even if you can not see it immediately. Each member of the traveling group has an important job. The young boy had food and water that the other two did not, as well as good eyesight, the blacksmith had strength that hey other two lacked, and the elder had knowledge of how to safely get down to the valley.
Traveling Companions is a heartwarming picturebook for classrooms and families that teaches children about diversity and acceptance and that everyone has value in society. The message of teamwork and persistence shines, though, and kids will see that when they work together, they can accomplish things they would not be able to on their own.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B07HYXSPYV
The Story Just Wanted To Be Told
Cuckoo Heartfully is a quirky and fun adventure book following a cast of intriguing characters. How did the idea behind this book start and change as you wrote?
This is really a “kind of sequel” to The Cuckoo Colloquium, though it can stand alone. I just wanted to take the characters farther because there’s so much more to do with it. Although I don’t think one needs to read these books in sequence, I’m actually writing the third book in the series now and it will be out next year.
I enjoy the way you develop and write your characters. Who was your favorite character to write for in this novel?
For this novel, my favorite was probably Titti Bingo, as she’s the one who endures the greatest changes as far as character arcs go, I believe. She appears in the third book, too, and even suffers worse (I fear). Pinky Bell is my guiding light, however; everything will always revolve around her.
What scene in the book was the most challenging for you to write?
Boy, that’s hard. Every chapter can be grueling, but I might go with one of the culminating chapters like the rescue of the cuckoo. I also suppose the script format for the Randy Vagabond chapter also presented unique challenges for me. On the whole, this one was easier to write than some others. The story just wanted to be told, I guess.
I enjoyed the humor embedded in the story. Was there anything in the book that made you laugh out loud?
As an introvert, I’m on the quiet side, unable to let loose with a real belly laugh. But I giggle a lot. Really, if a chapter does not make me giggle, it’s probably headed to the chopping block.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
Things pent-up inside the townspeople are coming out—the repressed longings, the resentments, the dread. They’re bursting forth in staggering admissions across the staid community, thanks to the magic of a small souvenir, a stuffed cuckoo shrike, that Pinky Bell has brought home from her academic colloquium in the jungle of Borneo.
The little bird has somehow come alive, provoking mass confessions and saturating Kyoto with the mayhem of unbottled inhibitions.
Maybe all this “heartfulness” is not such a good idea after all, and Pinky Bell realizes it’s up to her to return the cuckoo to the rain forest, which has dispatched its own dark agents to sniff out the thief.
The young Pinky Bell must also keep her teen virtue intact from scheming rascals, while at the same time a tremendous supernatural clash looms between the cuckoo shrike and Kyoto’s own contending powers.
In a featherbrained world of cross-dressing professors and accidental space orbit solos, the characters inside an electronic game become self-aware, and the Borneo jungle—now minus its cuckoo shrike mentor—adopts a whole new curriculum, that of Nihilism 101.
Welcome to a new colloquium—one with heart.
A Mysterious Relic
The Mystery Stone follows an archaeologist that heads to Ireland to look for her missing brother and instead finds a strange relic and love. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
A few things set the story in motion. The initial inspiration for The Mystery Stone began with an article I read in 2016 about a mysterious relic named the Mystery Stone, discovered in Meredith, NH, just as I describe in the book. If readers are interested, they can look it up online and read more about it. In 2018, I viewed the stone when it was on display in the historical society. I have a love for Ireland and the Irish, so I had always planned on writing about locations I visited. I also interweaved my Norwegian heritage into the story, based on a book a distant relative published about our family moving from Hardanger, Norway, to North America.
How much research did you undertake for this book and how much time did it take to put it all together?
There’s a lot of my personal experiences included in my stories since I write about places I’ve visited. I love to travel and it’s a ton of fun to revisit the locations when I start the writing process. Usually, a couple of years pass before a site, city or country ends up in one of my books. I also enjoy studying history, and there’s so much I’ve learned while traveling and visiting historical sites. For The Mystery Stone, I spent about six weeks researching and studying mysterious relics around the world and how stones fit into many cultures’ ancient rituals. At one point, I’d spend hours a day fascinated and disturbed by some civilizations’ sacrificial ceremonies.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
A couple of themes were personal and important for me to share. As a single parent, I wanted to reveal the challenges and feelings of inadequacy in a sole-parent household. The accident that created my character’s overprotective nature was based on a real-life incident that happened to my daughter when she was in my care. It’s therapeutic for me to work through the traumatic experience and come to terms with the fact she survived, and it happened over twenty years ago. Another theme that makes it into all my stories is the importance of family. In The Mystery Stone, I focus on exploring the dynamics of siblings and their differing perceptions, growing up in the same environment.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’ve scheduled my current novel for release in 2023. I can share that the story takes place in Italy. It’s based on my visit in 2019 and, like my other two novels, has plenty of action, adventure and romance! Readers can stay updated by subscribing to my monthly newsletter on my website victoriamarswell.com.
I also have a rom-com short story, Deadwood, available on August 2, 2022. My 2021 trip to the old historic town inspired the story.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Jeanette Hillestad receives news of her brother’s disappearance during his recent archaeological expedition and must travel to Kinsale, Ireland. She enlists the help of local Irishman Conlin Murphy, who’s adamant about staying out of her rescue mission for the safety of his teenage daughter.
But when relic hunters attack Jeanette, and Conlin discovers a map, they team up to search for her brother. The clues lead them on an international, life-threatening chase from Ireland to Old Quebec, and Montreal to New Hampshire.
While on the run, Jeanette and Conlin’s bond deepens with their undeniable attraction, which complicates matters.
Now, they need a greater force to survive the dangerous people willing to kill for the Mystery Stone. The consequences of her brother’s actions challenge their beliefs and may cost Jeanette to sacrifice everything.
The Book I Wanted to Read, But Couldn’t Find
Em’s Awful Good Fortune follows a “tagalong wife” ex-pat who travels the world with her husband and is on a journey of self-discovery to find her own voice in the world. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Em’s Awful Good Fortune is the book I wanted to read, but couldn’t find, when I was living overseas. Most expat books are travelogues that focus on cultural exchange, language mishaps and strange food. I’m more interested in women’s issues. Having been a “tagalong wife,” I was able to use the international lifestyle as a backdrop for a different kind of story—what happens in a modern marriage when dual careers collide? I’m particularly interested in the imbalance that still exists between men and women, where women tend to do more than their share of multi-tasking and compromise.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
Em’s story is grounded in lived experience, which is why the book has such an authentic, raw feel to it. That said, the characters are composites and extremes through which I explored Em’s basic dilemma: how can she make her marriage work if her own life doesn’t work.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Having lived in China during a catastrophic air pollution event, I initially set out to write about the real cost of rapid growth and industrialization on personal health and safety. But then, Em had a lot to say about marriage and compromise. And when I peeled back the layers to Em’s character, the issue of PTSD kept coming up. ParisTokyoShanghaiDetroit. The lasting impact that sexual assault has on a woman’s ability to live her fullest life without fear.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on a narrative non-fiction called Jew Girl. It’s about half done and I’ve got a 2024 pub date, so I need to finish it!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Healing Strings
Healing Strings by Manmohan Sadana is an extremely touching tale that follows Raj, an ex-pat from India, who is living away from his family in Tokyo. This is where we find him when a massive earthquake shakes the city, and he is forced to take shelter. But unfortunately, in the wake of one natural disaster comes another in the form of a tsunami, and those living in Japan must also deal with the threat coming from the nuclear reactors. Although, these are just the beginning of the issues that Raj must face, as he soon discovers he is very ill and in need of urgent medical attention.
There is constant mirroring of the two storylines, Japan trying to recover from natural disasters while in constant worry that a nuclear reactor will explode, and Raj’s personal battle with his disease and the concern that his blood vessels may burst at any moment. This is excellently portrayed as we follow Raj, who learns about what is happening everywhere else through news stories and from his friends.
This story is a potent reminder that while all of these things are happening in the larger picture, life still continues as individuals as well. From battling his illness to trying to learn a new skill of playing the mandolin, it is an excellent theme to have filtered through the main text. This book also shows readers how Music Therapy can be used to cure ailments, and that music is truly a powerful part of our lives.
There are so many varying cultural references throughout as well. The reader gets a glimpse into Raj’s culture through references to ‘Shiva-the Hindu God’ or his mantra taught him by his ‘spiritual adept.’ But they also get to see the Japanese culture witnessed by Raj. For example, when he first meets Ayana, the music teacher and Japan’s treasured musician, she is described as wearing a ‘silk kimono with sakura imprints.’ These visual representations of the culture allow the reader to honestly imagine what is happening.
There are a few places I thought metaphor and suggestion rather than telling would have given the story more depth. However, the story is truly heart-warming and enlightening, definitely an original tale that I have not had the pleasure of hearing anything similar before.
Pages: 162 | ISBN: 9356206465
Nyam Thyme
If you are relatively new to exotic cooking, Nyam Thyme is the book for you. Author chef Jacqui Francis provides the reader with primarily healthy recipes that are easy and quick to prepare.
Author Jacqui eloquently describes foods and drinks in her cookbook which transported me to a tropical oasis with rum and jerk ribs. I enjoyed the Jamaican traditions that the author shares with us in her book making this a personable read.
I appreciated that the author included images of the spices so that I can easily purchase these items either in-store or online. Chef Jacqui also provides images of the recipe itself as well as an image of the finished product making this a colorful read that is sure to make you hungry.
The author provides recipes for soups, salads, meats, drinks, and much more. I felt like I was in the kitchen with my mother learning her recipes. I love salt, but Jacqui recommends no salt on several recipes, and she is absolutely correct, no salt is necessary as there is already so much flavor.
The drinks section is a fun chapter because the author provides dishes to pair with the dishes which is great if you are hosting a dinner party. My favorite section, of course, is the desserts! The bread pudding recipe looks and sounds delicious. I also must point out that Chef Jacqui adds her personal touch to each recipe down to the name of the recipes.
I highly recommend Nyam Thyme as chef Jacqui Francis provides you with all the tools necessary to serve dinner, drinks, and desserts. I enjoyed the fun facts about Jamaica at the end of the book as I was able to learn more about people and places. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who is on the lookout for some new recipes to impress their friends with! Have fun trying some great new dishes!
Pages: 100 | ASIN : B09GPFHG3N
Ecuador Bursts With Brilliance
Stories from Ecuador provides readers with wonderful details about Ecuador and your time spent there. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Moving to Ecuador was life-changing. It was the biggest leap I’d taken at that point, and I sought to capture as much of my time abroad as possible. So I constantly wrote about my adventures in the country. I also composed the pieces almost immediately after they occurred—while everything was still fresh in my head. I didn’t want to lose perspective.
Upon returning to Minnesota, I read the vignettes to reflect on my year in South America. But as I scrolled through the pages, the concept of turning my collection of narratives into a book took shape. I went for it after discussing it with my dad. He was even the person who created the title.
“Stop overthinking it,” he insisted. “Call it ‘Stories from Ecuador’ and move on.”
When I committed to this undertaking, finishing it became more and more important to me. Not only did I wish to achieve the goal of writing a book—something I had never done—but I further wanted to tip my Twins cap to the individuals who enriched my experience along the way.
Is there one location in Ecuador that you highly recommend people visit?
Ecuador bursts with brilliance from the torrid flats flanking the Pacific coast to the lush rainforests dominating the eastern third of the Republic. Although my preference was to explore the tranquil municipalities tucked within its central mountain range, I highly recommend getting off the mainland. People must visit the Galapagos if they can afford the costliness of the archipelago. The exotic wildlife and vibrant colors on the islands are without equal, while the volcanic landscapes take tourists back to prehistoric times.
What is one thing you learned from your time in Cuenca?
I learned how to be a teacher. Aside from the 130-hour TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) workshop in Quito before my arrival in Cuenca, I had no classroom training. I’ll never forget how a teenager capped off one of my first classes at the Centro de Estudios Interamericanos.
“¡Por fin!” he yelled. Finally!
And I couldn’t blame him. I didn’t know how to conduct effective lessons during those early days, so I’m sure the 120 minutes ticked by sluggishly.
Yet after I got some sessions under my belt, I figured things out. I made a lot of mistakes and eventually learned from them. In fact, during my final teaching cycle, a dozen students treated me to dinner at a local restaurant to say thanks. Despite my growing pains in Cuenca, I developed several useful activities (especially group exercises), which I continue to carry out in my Spanish courses in the Twin Cities.
What do you hope is something that readers take away from your book?
I want my book to entertain readers and inspire them to visit Ecuador as well. The country left an enduring impression on me, and I hope the same happens to others.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Cuckoo Heartfully
Michael Greco’s Cuckoo Heartfully is a mystical and beautiful book. It tells the story of Pinky Bell, Windy, Moonch, Puso, and Nini after they leave a colloquium in a Malaysian rain forest. After their encounter with supernatural entities in the forest, they hope that they can get back to their usual lives. However, this proves difficult, especially since Pinky Bell carries something from the forest with her back to her home in Kyoto, Japan.
This triggers a multitude of strange events that affect everyone in the town. Eventually, Pinky Bell has to find a way to return what she stole and deal with the consequences of what happened in the Malaysian rainforest. On the other hand, Moonch tries to find stability in her chaotic life while Windy tries to explore a love interest. Ultimately, all the characters in this book are struggling with handling the changes in their lives, some of which are being caused by mystical forces.
If there’s one thing that makes this book unique it’s the writing style the author employs. It’s witty, fun, and playful. This makes the book a joy to read, especially since doing so makes you feel like you are solving a puzzle. Clearly, the author is adept at leaving readers yearning for more and generally wondering where the story is headed. However, this can sometimes make a reader feel like the different storylines are unrelated, but don’t be fooled. In fact, the first chapters of the book can lead you to believe that you’re reading a compilation of different short stories. Eventually everything is woven together into an intriguing story.
The different supernatural beings and occurrences in this book are fascinating and I wish we could have been given more explanations about them because I thought they were intriguing. As a reviewer I was wondering whether to categorize this book as science fiction or fantasy, but I put that aside and decided it is a wonderful blend of both genres.
It’s undeniable that the plot of this book was fully conceptualized and expertly executed. Also, it’s clear that the author has done a lot of research into Asian culture, which is a central focus of the book. Cuckoo Heartfully is an imaginative and fun adventure book that I heartily enjoyed.
Pages: 217 | ASIN: B09YNMLDT9
LITERARY TITAN 