Monday, November 18, 2013

#AuthorInterview Simi K. Rao talks about Writing


I read a lot of books and every so often, one book stands out and speaks to me. Simi K. Rao's An Incurable Insanity is fresh, vibrant, slightly crazy, and every bit joyful. I reviewed it here a few days ago.
Today, I'm happy to interview Simi and find out about her writing and her life.


1. Tell us about your background. What was the initial spark for writing your book?
I was born in India and have been living in the United States for several years. I am a practising physician by career. I’ve always wanted to become a doctor for as long as I can remember but over the years the stress of the demanding job got to me. I sought an outlet that would help me escape as well as channel my creativity which I knew was hidden somewhere inside. Thus I began to write.
The ‘spark’ for writing this book came from the need to create positivity and hope amidst all the depression and despair.
2. How did you come up with Ruhi’s character? Is she like someone you knew or someone you wished you knew?
Ruhi is the crux of my book. She is the one who changes the flow of the story and drives it to its positive conclusion. She is quite the antithesis of the  ‘Ideal Indian woman or wife’ as traditionally depicted in movies and literature (meek, subdued, who considers her  husband as lord and master despite all the abuse he heaps on her and who suffers in silence). Ruhi is bold, feisty, independent, outspoken, courageous yet also vulnerable, unsure and impulsive. I share a few of her traits particularly the unpleasant ones, hence she is very real to me. But I’m sure all of us women would identify with her in some way or other.
3. Have members of your family or friends read your book? What did they think about it?
Yes, a few friends and family have read my book. Their reaction has all been very positive. But almost uniformly they were surprised that I had written a book on a non medical subject.
4. Why did you set your story in Los Angeles? Tell us about some of your favorite places in the metropolitan area.
When I first came to the United States, I landed in Los Angeles and immediately fell in love. All the places that I have mentioned in my book happen to be some of my favorite spots such as the Griffith Observatory where one can see some amazing scientific displays and a spectacular view of downtown LA, Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean; the Hollywood Star Walk of Fame; and particularly the Venice Beach Boardwalk which to me is like a virtual circus.
5. How do you balance your work and family with your writing? What are you planning on writing about next?
It is very tough but I try whenever I can. Therefore I’m never without my little notebook or IPad so I can jot down my thoughts when and where I get them. I dream of disappearing  into a remote log cabin for 6 months and writing to my heart’s content. :) Someday.
My next writing venture is still in limbo- it could be a sequel or a brand new tale.
Simi, it's great talking to you. I would love for you to disappear into a log cabin and come back with another book. But in the meantime one of our lucky winners will receive a copy of An Incurable Insanity. Thanks for dropping by!


Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several years. An Incurable Insanity is her first foray into writing. The inspiration for the story came from what she has seen transpire among and within the immigrant community.Some of the experiences included are her own; some have been garnered from friends and casual conversations with acquaintances. She also writes poetry, is an avid photographer, loves to travel, and is a practicing physician. She currently lives in Denver with her family.
You can connect with the author and read more of her work on her website at www.simikrao.com

Simi recently did an interview on the Romance Radio Network.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 15, 2013

Get Stuffed in November with #Free #Ebooks every Friday at Free PAR-TAY!!!


Check out the Great Deals, er... what could be better than free? Every Friday at http://www.freeebookpartay.com/ [Click on the Turkey and see]

Hurry, some books expire at Noon Pacific Time. [They'll still be 99c Friday afternoon and all day Saturday]

This weeks's Titles:
Down & Dirty By Carolyn McCray               

The Surrogate's Secret By Mimi Barbour      

Logan's Lead By Nolan Radke                      

Knowing Vera By Rachelle Ayala                

Paradise Valley Mysteries Boxed Set  By Debra Burroughs  

The Law of Three: A New Wasteland (The Portal Arcane Series - Book II)   By J. Thorn                

In Bad Spirits By Chris Marie Green             

Voodoo or Die By Stephanie Bond    

The Protectors Christmas Box Set By Dorothy McFalls   

Safe in His Arms By Rita Herron       
             
The Unexpected Storm By Lorhainne Eckhart  

Nightfall By Rebecca York   

Red Rock Rises By Taylor Lee   

Resistance: Dark Realm Series, Volume 1 By Patricia Mason    

CLICK the TURKEY to download. 

#BookChat BOBBY'S TRIALS #memoir #truestory


SYNOPSIS:
A real-life, true crime, memoir about the incredible story of a poor teenage Oklahoma farm boy who was charged with murdering his mother and sister in cold blood and then burning down the family home in a supposed attempt to cover up his crimes and his ten-year court battle to clear his name.

In the early morning hours of June 19, 1963, just four days before he was to leave for basic training, Bobby Wilson was awakened by his mother.

She held a loaded gun to his head and had a crazy, yet familiar, look in her eyes. Alongside his sister, Bobby had suffered her rants for years, but tonight was different. Bobby knew without a doubt that the demons that his mother had struggled with for years had their sights on him.

He realizes he has nowhere to turn and nowhere to run, but he has no idea that the nightmare has just begun. It is a nightmare that changes the course of his life. It is a nightmare that will ultimately take Bobby ten years to wake up from.

PURCHASE THE BOOK:

EXCERPT:
Butch was barking like crazy and trying to lick my face. Every dog within a mile was barking. I looked around and could see dawn was breaking and our house was blazing, totally in flames, and so was my pickup parked nearby. It was a surreal scene.

Suddenly with a loud crash, our brick chimney collapsed onto the top of the burning house, causing the entire structure to become a roaring fire pit.

The neighbor helped me to my feet, and I leaned on a fence post for support. I was shaking badly and confused about everything. I was not sure if I was just having a terrible nightmare and I would soon wake up. I don’t remember how it happened, but the next thing I knew, I was here.

Fire trucks and ambulances arrived, and I was taken away to the hospital where I was treated for smoke inhalation, cuts, and burns on my face and back. The doctor told the deputy sheriff that I was in shock and very confused. The deputy offered to drive me back home, and he questioned me about what happened.

I told him I really did not know what had happened. He told me matter-of-factly that my mother and sister were dead and their bodies had been removed from the fire debris and were being taken to Oklahoma City for autopsies. He watched me closely for a reaction. There was none. The deputy could have just as well told me it was Thursday morning, June 19, 1963, and my response would have been the same: nothing. I was totally numb and confused. One thing I did remember that would bother me for years was a very strange odor in my nostrils that I could not identify, and my clothes still reeked of that unknown odor.


AUTHOR BIO
Bobby was born in San Francisco, CA, on September 3, 1944, to a waitress mother and mysterious father.  His younger years were years of endless relocations until his mother and younger sister, Judy, ended their sojourn in Hugo, Oklahoma, the area of his mother’s upbringing, Indian country in Southeastern Oklahoma.

Intent on a military career, Bobby enlisted in the National Guard while beginning his high school senior year.  His plans for the future were suddenly cut short when he was jailed and criminally charged with his family’s deaths.

After his release from jail, Bobby had to rebuild his life from scratch and worked his way through the University of Texas and Texas Tech School of Law, all the while supporting a wife and daughter.

Bobby graduated from Law School in 1973 having already passed the State Bar exam.  He was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980.

He soon established himself as a fearless trial lawyer in the State of Texas, unafraid to take on the establishment or its leaders in civil and criminal litigation.  He made enemies in the legal profession, but his clients worshipped him.

In the early 1990’s Bobby quit the law business to become a professor of law.  He moved to Arizona and became certified to teach law and political science and was named Outstanding Business Faculty Instructor at Rio Salado College in 1999.

In 2001 he was retained by the disgraced Arthur Anderson and Company to write an Ethics guide for their employees in Arizona.

Bobby continues to write and teach law and paralegal courses for colleges in Arizona. Currently, Bobby is busy writing a series of books under his "Bobby Trials" banner as well as Murder Mysteries/Legal Thrillers. Bobby is married and currently living in Arizona.





Wednesday, November 6, 2013

KNOWING VERA is on Tour - See the Schedule #romanticsuspense #bookreview


Vera has a busy tour schedule this November with three fabulous Tour Promoters. Here are the stops [reviews and features]. I'll keep this list updated as the tours progress. Thanks!

Book R3v3iw Tours by DDS - Giveaway ended
Heaven's Garden (Review)
The Romance Vault (Review)
Shelf Full of Books (Review)
Sheila Deeth (Guest Post - Mixing Controversy and Entertainment in Fiction)
My Addiction for Books and Coffee (Review)
Christa Reads and Writes (Review)
NJ Kinny's World of Books (Review)

Beck Valley Books by Sharon Martin - Giveaway ends tonight (12/8)
Life at Leels (Review)
Living at the Whitehead's Zoo (Review)
Deal Sharing Aunt (Review)
Manic Mama of 2 (Review)
Book Worm and More (Review)
Racho's Nail Love (Review)
Leah Say's Views (Review)
Writer's with Books (Review)
Recommended Romance (Review)
Miki's Hope (Review)
A Day in the Tangled Skeins of My Life (Review)
With God I Can (Review)
A Gluten Free Journey (Review)
Sleepless Gal (Review)
Our Wolves Den (Review)
Optimistic Mommy (Review)
31 days early I rise (Review)

Tasty Book Tours by Lisa Filipe - Giveaway ends Dec 21
Renee Entress's Blog (Review)
abookandalattee (Interview)
I'm a Book Addict (Review)
Paperbacks and Pastries (Excerpt)
Escaping Reality One Book At A Time (Review)
Booklover Sue (Exclusive Excerpt)
Romance Bookworm's Reviews (Review)
A Generous Helping of Romance (Review)
Literary Chanteuse (Exclusive Excerpt)
Book Suburbia (Exclusive Excerpt)
Stories About Love "Boots on the Ground in Australia" (Guest Post)
Rumpled Sheets Blog (Review)
Angie Derek (Q&A Interview)
Sylv Jenkins (Excerpt)
Illustrious Illusions (Review)
I am, Indeed (Review)