Booktasters offered to promote a book for FREE.

A kind gesture from Booktasters has me trying to finish an epic story early. For years they have been sending me promotional packages for my books to be reviewed by their community of more than 50, 000 readers. And each time, I have not been able to since I found it too expensive due to the exchange rate. 

They graciously accepted my reason and never gave up, and I soon became familiar with their X messages. They have a warm way of interacting with authors. They made me feel that I was good enough to pursue. How wonderful!

Then, at the start of the New Year, they offered to promote a book for free on my behalf. Such a lovely gesture, and I am still halfway through completing the book. I want to give them the first option to promote that book. It is a very special story. 

The story is inspired by the life of Mother Teresa. Please note that it is fiction. However, I write about a girl from Skopje and describe the scenes and landscape of North Macedonia, the land of the Great Ottomans. She disguises herself as a boy so she can travel safely across to the other side of the world. 

She reaches the culturally diverse Indian continent and travels to Calcutta. But first, her life story in India begins in a Buddhist temple in New Delhi...

Booktasters

                                                       https://booktasters.net

A short overview:

Booktasters.net is an innovative platform designed for avid readers and aspiring reviewers. It transforms the reading experience into an engaging effort, allowing users to read and review books for free. 

Booktasters provide opportunities for readers to connect with authors by offering honest and unbiased feedback on their works. The process is straightforward: readers can select a book from their extensive catalogue, request a free e-copy via X, and then share their reviews on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads. This not only helps authors improve their writing but also assists other readers in discovering new titles.

Authors find their readers quickly and Booktasters offers a good promotional gateway to pursue their dreams of becoming renowned in their writing.

You can read more on Booktasters here.

Something Else:

Ponggal will be celebrated from January 14 to January 17. Ponggal is a thanksgiving festival marking gratitude, community spirit, and renewal; celebrated by the South Indian diaspora (Tamils) in India, Sri Lanka, and the world. The harvest festival spans four days, each with its own significance:

- Bhogi Pongal: January 14, 2025 (Tuesday) - A day for cleansing and new beginnings.

- Thai Pongal: January 15, 2025 (Wednesday) - The main day dedicated to the Sun God, marked by cooking the traditional Pongal dish. 

- Mattu Pongal: January 16, 2025 (Thursday) - Celebrates cattle, honouring their contribution to agriculture.

- Kaanum Pongal: January 17, 2025 (Friday) - Focuses on family gatherings and community ties.

Happy Ponggal! May the year ahead bring bountiful blessings!

Something New:

On Shobana: While Beauty Around Us Withers: https://shobanagomes.blogspot.com/2025/01/while-beauty-around-us-withers.html

-shobana-

What kind of wings would you like to spread so you can fly this year?

Aren't writers like the doves, restricted, until they accomplish their task to write and spread the word they wish to? Would you fly with a new mission this year?

The past year brought about another kind of enlightenment. I am sure it wasn't only to me but to you as well.

There is beauty when there are no restrictions. Like the birds who have no worry, they fly free up in the air, we have our own wings to spread and to fly just the same, if only...

What kind of wings would you like to spread so you can fly? Would it be as the doves do, with a message attached to their feet, flying with a mission - to deliver their purpose and gain redemption to freedom? Or how else would they be free of their master's grasp, his grip on their feet chaining the bird until his task is done?

Aren't writers like the doves, restricted, until they accomplish their task to write and spread the message they wish to?

I learned much as a writer. However, the books I have written painstakingly have fallen into the hands of those who wish to squash my will to survive as a writer.  Unless I pay for my books to be read, and even then, the meticulously written books are drowned out before they make the impact they deserve. Of course, some love them, and I adore them in return. The books have touched them in some way. These readers take away the sting of those with nothing good to say about my writing. I have been ridiculed as an author and so have my books. 

But then, I did overcome the travails of a writer. I live with the courage and strength I get through my faith. My faith teaches me to be resilient, believe in the goodness of being and love everything that makes life beautiful. I write as if I am part of all things good and beautiful; if at least, to partake in imagination and creativity and hide from the harsh realities of life.

The books I write are meant to inspire, they talk of peace and clarity, and the real struggles one faces in life. 

There is that certain beauty that can't be feigned or realized without an explanation, and the minds of my readers I fill with imagery, fun, laughter, awe, illusion, fantasy and the intricacy of surviving the downside of life and love. Nature has a big influence on my life ekphrastically. 

I am led by a higher hand when I write, though I don't write scriptures or quote them. I write stories to create adulation for beauty, love, nature and life. I pray every day since I realized how powerful prayers have a part in my life, especially when subjected to numerous persecutions, tortures and strains.  It is an abomination to reduce a writer to nothing. Who else but a writer writes the stories you love to read? Who else is gifted with the immense task of talking through their words and indeed making them universal?

The past year was a revelation. As a writer, I learned to be stronger than ever to address uncalled-for criticisms. 

Here are a few pictures to share with you:

I was happy that I placed a Christmas gift under the tree in church on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. It was a gift to Ruth and she wanted it gifted to a child. Everyone left a message on the branches, and I left a book. I hope the child who gets the gift is happy with it.

I wrote this message on the gift card: To a child who loves to read,
Merry Christmas!! Love, Ruth & Family
(I was a child who loved to read)

Marissa finished her Master's in Law and moved back home with Tobie. They are an amazing duo.
Made me so happy! I missed her terribly when she was away.

Sasha & Family were down for a holiday. I had the most amazing time with them, especially, Aarav.

Part of my Christmas Revelry.

I loved decorating my home. Home is where the heart is, they say.

The piano shop decorations caught my eye at the Mall

A holiday to remember!

Thank you for reading and I wish you a very Happy, Peaceful, and Prosperous New Year!

-shobana-

Here's my New Year's wish for you on YouTube.

You can read the poem here.