A precious present this Christmas.

Seeing this precious review from Mrs. Ruth Nathan Netto from Malaysia made me proud to have authored Christmas Tales & Wishes  She used to work for Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd. (a publishing press), so it meant a lot to know that she loved the stories in the book. She bought it as a gift for her granddaughter. This year she is celebrating Christmas in New York with her daughter and son-in-law, waiting for her granddaughter and family from New Zealand to arrive and has wrapped the gift and placed it under the Christmas tree. Christmas Tales & Wishes has found a home with them, and I couldn't be happier.  Thank you so much, Ruth, and Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family. Have a great time!

Ruth

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024

Verified Purchase

Christmas Tales & Wishes is a must-read.
The stories are touching and heartwarming.
They tell us there is still so much love to give and to receive.
The book brings out the true meaning of Christmas.
It was sheer joy reading this book.
I love it so much, I got a copy for my granddaughter.

What Does Christmas Mean To You?

Christmas embodies love, family, devotion, spirituality, joy, and peace. 

For Christians, Christmas holds a deep religious meaning as they celebrate the birth 

of Jesus Christ. 

It is a time for spiritual reflection and togetherness. 

Family dinners on Christmas Eve, after attending church services, are traditions 

that make the festive occasion more joyful and significant.

In addition to these cherished customs, the spirit of giving permeates the holiday season. 

Many families exchange thoughtful gifts that symbolize their appreciation for one another. 

Carolling and festive decorations enhance the sense of community, while acts of kindness 

towards those less fortunate remind us of the true essence of Christmas.

Ultimately, this season fosters a sense of hope and renewal, encouraging individuals to 

embrace love and compassion in their daily lives.

Merry Christmas Everyone. May this occasion be a treasured one with happy moments to

share with friends and family.

-shobana-

Trading Places with a Stranger

Would you trade places with a stranger? Yes/No?

What if he/she was better off than you? Or had a great personality or greater looks? How about a successful entrepreneur or an iconic figure? Would you like to be them even for a day?

Let me tell you that all of the above reasons, to trade places with a stranger are temporary pleasures in nature. 

You'll soon yearn for the privacy and the quiet life you once enjoyed. 

Mostly, too much attention will choke you - unless you are an attention-seeker and enjoy being in the limelight all the time. 

It is one of the topics I discuss in my next book. There were some bizarre reasons I have researched that gave rise to people trading places even for a night with a stranger!

Now, what shall I title the book? I am still mulling on that one.

Thank you for reading. Have a great weekend and happy holidays. I am dreaming of a White Christmas...

Another Place?

You can also purchase the E-book version of Christmas Tales & Wishes on Gumroad.

Whatever have we done to Friday the 13th?

Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in many cultures. The months of September and today, the 13th of December, have the privilege of hosting the day and date. I say privileged because, in many cultures, people avoid the day like a rash and the months have historical representation!

 In Norse Mythology, Loki the Trickster God, was the uninvited 13th guest at a banquet, which led to chaos and tragedy and established the day/number as unlucky. 

 In Christian Tradition, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. 

 

In medieval Europe, Fridays were chosen as execution days, since perceived as ill-fated days.

Anyway, it's terrible to be associated with bad luck. The superstition is hard to ignore since it was established centuries ago. 

Whatever have we done to Friday, the 13th.

 Wishing you much luck and joy always - shobana. 

The perfect reason to buy:

Have you got your gift yet? Christmas Tales & Wishes is discounted on Gumroad. Here's the link to purchase the E-book.

Once upon a time, in the land where the sunrises and sunsets created mystery and intrigue, lived a girl who wrote stories to capture hearts...Her stories were incredible, filled with vivid imagery and magical illusions. Then there were her tales and poetry...

Just Perfect for the Season!

Have you bought this book yet?

Gift it to a loved one, a child or a friend,

and share the joys of reading

meaningful, heartfelt stories this Christmas.

Press the Buy Me Button to get your copy in time for Christmas!

Have a blessed season of thanksgiving and love.

Just thoughts:

It's that wonderful time of the year when all you want to do is shop till you drop, meet friends for coffee, and chat about what the past year has been like. Not everywhere is the same I know.  Christmas makes things seem brighter and more hopeful. It just does. Those sprinkles from a fairy's wand or angels on harps of gold with Father Christmas giving away gifts to children is a marvellous thing to envision. I wish I was a kid again.

I love the decorations up in malls. They give the place a magical feel and ambience, and shoppers almost always walk around with a smile. Even strangers walk past with greetings. Happy Christmas, they say, and acknowledging the season with a stranger makes you feel good.

There is so much to be happy about this Christmas. Look deep into your hearts and find that reason to share that happiness with everyone around you. 

Regardless of how challenging the past year has been, you have the power to make the upcoming year better.

-shobana-

What Trend will have the Biggest Impact in 2025 - AI Takeover

#Bigideas2025 #LinkedInNewsAsia @AdrianTay

AI will have a greater impact on our lives in 2025. Right now it has found its way in every sphere of an ordinary man's life.

AI will be the change in our lives - a transformative tool if not used effectively, that will hinder critical thinking skills.

With the use of Quillbot, Grammarly and ChatGPT, educators and writers are impacted to produce quality content effectively and increase creativity in their texts and visuals.

I think 2025 will be an interesting year where technology will take over mind.

-shobana-

A Fabled Christmas with Christmas Tales & Wishes

 

Of Fabled Tales and the Magic that's Christmas

Christmas Tales & Wishes is featured on Its Write Now. Here's the link for your kind reading: 

https://itswritenow.com/christmas-tales-wishes. Until the 1-5th of December, its only $0.99 on Kindle.

The railroad looked fabled as the snow fell thicker. Siella was a place she had never been to. Andrew

would be waiting to meet her there. Who was he? It intrigued her that a stranger had written to her.

https://itswritenow.com/reading-lists/free-discount-recommended-kindle-poetry-reads

Free, Discount & Recommended Kindle Poetry Reads

Whether you’re interested in rhyming couplets, haikus or you just love the depths of emotions conveyed, poetry is for all lovers of words.  And to help you continue your love we’ve compiled a list of our top poetry recommendations.

Current Free & Discounted Books

• Christmas Tales & Wishes

Of Fabled Tales and the Magic that's Christmas

Christmas Tales & Wishes is featured on Its Write Now. Here's the link for your kind reading: 

https://itswritenow.com/christmas-tales-wishes. Until the 1-5th of December, its only $0.99 on Kindle.

The railroad looked fabled as the snow fell thicker. Siella was a place she had never been to. Andrew

would be waiting to meet her there. Who was he? It intrigued her that a stranger had written to her.

https://itswritenow.com/reading-lists/free-discount-recommended-kindle-poetry-reads

Free, Discount & Recommended Kindle Poetry Reads

Whether you’re interested in rhyming couplets, haikus or you just love the depths of emotions conveyed, poetry is for all lovers of words.  And to help you continue your love we’ve compiled a list of our top poetry recommendations.

Current Free & Discounted Books

• Christmas Tales & Wishes

Christmas Tales & Wishes - Kindle Promo (1-5th Dec, 2024)

This year I wanted to do something special for Christmas. I published Christmas Tales & Wishes which incorporates a tribute and three heartwarming stories to celebrate the season.

Christmas Tales & Wishes is a book for everyone. There is a love story amid a snowy backdrop, a child's wish come true and a priest with a plan to reveal the magic of Christmas.

You will simply love the magic and adventure in the stories. The poem, A Wish to End Wars, is a tribute to soldiers everywhere.

Right now, there is a Kindle Promotion on the book, from the 1st- 5th of December for only $0.99. Paperback copies are available on Amazon. Please don't miss out on this opportunity to read a heartwarming story or gift it to someone you love. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLL8V73M

I hope you enjoy the book. Have a great Thanksgiving and holiday season.

Best Wishes,

Shobana Gomes

https://shobanagomes.com (Book Blog)

Christmas Tales & Wishes, a Holiday Collection & Me Featured!

Ellwyn Autumn, M.Ed, recently featured 'Christmas Tales & Wishes' as a holiday collection on her blog. You can access her website here to learn more about her work: https://www.ellwynautumn.com.  

Here's the website link to the feature: https://www.ellwynautumn.com/christmas-tales-wishes-holiday-collection. 

Thank you for that lovely post, Ellwyn. I wish you much success in everything you do. 

 

What's inside Christmas Tales & Wishes:

This enchanting book includes a nostalgic poem and three uplifting stories, each beautifully illustrated. The narratives aim to rekindle the joy of Christmas through themes of heartfelt wishes: a tender love story set in snowy landscapes, an enriching tale about a chapel that draws visitors, and a child's heartfelt wish for a friend.

The collection is an ideal gift for readers of all ages, offering inspiration and a renewed appreciation for Christmas & the holiday season. 

For those interested in exploring this collection, it is available through BookBub.

Here's the website link to Ellwyn Autumn, M.Ed:

https://www.ellwynautumn.com/christmas-tales-wishes-holiday-collection

Happy Reading!

Shobana

The Struggles of Right and Wrong Assumptions

Humans frequently immerse themselves in a moral and ethical framework, grappling with the challenge of discerning right from wrong. This struggle is often complicated by egotistical tendencies, as no one wants to admit they are wrong. However, it raises an important question: Can someone be right all the time? 

There will inevitably be situations when we mistakenly form assumptions or create incorrect impressions—not just for ourselves, but for the world around us.

Human judgment involves ethical accountability for any adverse thoughts or actions. Take for example the reputation and honour of an innocent person; wrongful assumptions and judgments have created massive damage to their standing in the community, leading to social ostracism, emotional distress, and a loss of opportunities that may take years to rebuild. 

Such harm underscores the profound impact that misinformation and hasty conclusions can have on an individual's life, often resulting in irreversible consequences, beyond the immediate situation.

Have a great day everyone.

-shobana-

When My Cup Runneth Over

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Author Websites by BookBub <authorwebsites@bookbub.com>	Tue, Jul 30, 1:23 PM
to me

Submitted by shobanagomes@gmail.com on Tue, Jul 30, 2024

Hello Everyone,

A long time ago, when reading was introduced to the masses, 

storytellers and poets were discovered and revered for their narratives, 

though some wrote without the aim of ever being discovered. 

Until, one day, their pages were found post-humously, and they rose

to prominence.

Then, when schools began to inculcate the habit of reading, 

writers were born. 

The readers just had to write what they learned, and were soon drawn 

into the art of creating. 

(My cup runneth over).

There were the likes of Gretta, Hans, William, and Lucy, and many 

more who put pen to paper and were patrons of penmanship. 

They termed those pages that grew in size and in numbers on their 

writing desks, as books, to be bound and sold to bookstores. 

And the bookstores flourished!

Of course, today, we have online bookstores that teach us the meaning 

of versatility in selling and drawing book sales by reading 

without a physical copy of a book in hand.

Lucy had no clue that she had magic within her, until the day she imagined. 

Lucy can be anyone to you, including me.

My cup runneth over in these books that I have published,

and have now built a small online bookstore that is still growing. 

So join me in celebrating writers and poets everywhere.

Thank you for subscribing to my account in BookBub. 

I do my best to create great stories for you. Happy Reading.

Best wishes,
Shobana Gomes
Poet & Writer
Malaysia
Sent via the Shobana Gomes website contact form

Embracing Chance / A New Release to share with your friends.

# Embracing Chance #Lifehacks

Embracing Chance is a powerful philosophy that encourages us to welcome uncertainty and spontaneity in our lives. 

Life is inherently unpredictable, filled with unexpected twists and turns. 

We rediscover hidden strengths and talents when we embrace chance.  We open ourselves to new experiences, opportunities, and personal growth. This mindset allows us to break free from the confines of routine and comfort, inviting adventure into our everyday lives.

When we undertake risks and step outside our comfort zones, we find new avenues to learn from.  For example, trying a new hobby or pursuing an unfamiliar career can lead to unexpected passions and connections. Embracing chance also fosters resilience. When we face challenges or setbacks, we learn valuable lessons that shape our character and enhance our problem-solving abilities.

Moreover, embracing chance nurtures creativity. Many artistic breakthroughs occur when individuals allow themselves to explore without rigid expectations. This freedom can spark innovation and inspire new ideas that have not emerged within a structured environment.

Finally, embracing chance invites a sense of wonder into our lives. It reminds us that every moment holds the potential for something extraordinary to happen. By letting go of fear and welcoming the unknown, we can create a richer, more fulfilling life filled with memorable experiences and meaningful connections. 

Have a great week ahead. Take that risk and embrace chance. The road ahead might be rough, but at least, we had the will to try and find out where it leads us.

Something New:

Here's a new release to enjoy and share with your friends:

Legendary Mer-king Cyclone is dead. His corpse now nailed above the conquering Elven emperor's seat of power.

 Tetra, a Mermaid scavenger driven to make amends after her inaction caused the death of her previous pod, knows it will take a drastic act—like retrieving their beloved king's body—to inspire the Merfolk to revolt against their conquerors, and she'll need a team to do it. Each with their own reason to rebel, Tetra assembles a crew made up of a gruff Kraken arms dealer, a skilled Orc spy, a genius Goblin jeweller, and an unhinged Vampire spawn, whose fractured mind connects to Tetra's shattered heart. 

But as they prepare to pull off the heist of a lifetime, the emperor turns the country's diverse population against Tetra's people, forcing the crew into a dangerous race to prevent genocide as the emperor's lies continue to poison the public's opinion. With her plans in shambles, Tetra's past weaknesses come to light, and she must rally her disheartened team of misfits and murderers in time or else watch the Merfolk face extinction.

Brittany Tucker lives on an island off the coast of Washington state with her husband, daughter, a menagerie of furry and scaled children, and her imagination. She prefers generic cereal, collects tattoos and action figures, and was in the top 5% on the planet for ships sunk in Assassin’s Creed III.

Brittany also likes to write books from time to time. (Kidding, all the time.)

Link: https://amzn.to/4f7kzoc

Christmas Tales & Wishes featured on Speak-Up Talk Radio - Podcast

 

Have a listen to the podcast on BBOW, Authors on Fire, by Speak-Up Talk Radio shared by me

yesterday.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones or friends, Christmas Tales & Wishes is the ONE.

There's a story for everyone.

A Love Story, A Child's Wish & A Priest who had a plan!

There's magic, a poem and a renewed love for Christmas!

The Power of Words for a Writer

For a writer, the notion that "words are never enough" is a perpetual struggle between expression and limitation. Words serve as the primary tools for conveying thoughts, emotions, and narratives. However, they often fall short of fully capturing the complexity of human experience. 

This paradox drives writers to explore language's nuances, seeking the perfect combination of words to evoke feelings and paint vivid imagery.

Writers constantly grapple with language's inadequacy. A single word can carry multiple meanings, and context can dramatically shift interpretations. This inherent ambiguity can be both a challenge and a source of creativity. Writers learn to embrace this struggle, using it as fuel for their craft. They experiment with style, tone, and structure, pushing the boundaries of what words can achieve.

Moreover, the limitations of words inspire writers to delve deeper into subtext and symbolism. They understand that sometimes what is left unsaid can resonate more profoundly than explicit statements. In this way, the quest for meaning becomes a journey of discovery, where each word chosen is a step toward greater understanding.

Ultimately, while words may never fully encapsulate reality, they remain an invaluable medium through which writers can explore and express the intricacies of life.

-shobana-