Booktasters have started promoting my book, From Skopje to India. I love the design, simple yet telling a story all its own. Here's the link: https://x.com/booktasters/status/1894077636915159063?s=46Please read the sample on the Amazon link.
Please read the book, which will take you on a thrilling journey, From Skopje and follow the protagonist's trail to Calcutta in absolute charm and awe for the love, beauty and character the book invokes in the readers. Please read the sample on the Amazon link. https://x.com/booktasters/st
Whenever a story comes to mind, there is a reason. I write about the sufferings of the past while a little of history is repeated as reminders. Most of my books are written like that. The words turn into stories that captivate the mind and heart. I often feel a higher hand leading me to write the stories. I am surprised by the words that fill the books I have written thus far. This is why I say, the words flow like the river, smoothly as when the winds are calm and the waters rush forth with an ambition to reach the shores of the seas. The books are filled with beauty and love, compassion and understanding, and seek clarity where there is none. When you read my books, you are enlightened as well as empowered. I am not saying these things so you buy them, but to share the words written and led by God's hands. I want to show everyone the strength of the words that fill the books.
Read the sample to yet another epic story. Happy Reading!
Shobana
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From Skopje to India - the story of a remarkable woman's journey to Calcutta, India. The story is set in British India in 1929 when India was fighting to regain control of its land from the British colonial masters. This book is a must-read. You will love Majaorie Yakob and her unwavering pursuit of a mission she wanted to accomplish.
Free to Read on Kindle Unlimited. On Kindle for USD3.99. Paperback Edition is available.
Her days in Agra were coming to an end. On a reflective morning, Majaorie thought about how to reveal her decision to leave to Kincaid and the Smiths. It was a heartwrenching decision:
The soft rays from the morning sun filtered through the glass, illuminating my room and casting shadows on the floor. My love for Kincaid was immense, woven with laughter, and quiet moments that made our time spent together precious. He taught me what it truly meant to love and to be loved in return.
The Shah Jahan Park was a sanctuary which took us back in time. The time stood still for us there. We would sit side by side, and watch the lights illuminate the Taj Mahal in a display of breathtaking beauty. I loved how the marble structure stood out majestically against the night sky, its reflection dancing in the waters of the Yamuna River. Each time we visited, it felt like a pilgrimage to a shrine of desire, love and encapsulating beauty. The glances Kincaid and I exchanged were filled with unspoken promises.
However, our excursions outside became less frequent after Gandhi's visit. The atmosphere was thick with tension; the surface of our vibrant city simmered with unease. Frequent fights broke out in the streets, as protests fuelled by voices demanding change grew louder. Despite this, the police maintained order diligently amidst the chaos. At a time of uncertainty, we found solace in each other's company.
I wished to touch the readers with a story that gripped them from the start. I wanted to talk about the displaced and vulnerable, but instead, in writing this story, I learned about the wistful hearts of people who yearned to live life the same as everyone else - without encumbrances. The clear disparity lies between the lines of my story, and I only wish you could see them through my eyes - shobana
From the author of the award-winning story, Where the Rain Falls, comes another heartfelt epic, From Skopje to India.
A journey of love, culture, and discovery across continents unfolds.
'I flipped through the pages and noticed the magazine was a significant English news magazine in India. It began publication in 1880. The magazine featured prominent editors, articles about current affairs, art and literature, and displayed a section for comics.
I was struck by the historical content marked by political movements and cultural shifts leading to independence.
The advertisements inside reflected the aspirations and lifestyles of the people during the time. As I sat absorbed in the pages of the magazine, Sally and Richard made an appearance.
Excerpt: From Skopje to India.
The green-eyed beauty was on a journey to Acceptance to Change.
Majaorie Yakob listened to Baba's wise counsel: Learn to talk, dress, and act like the people of India. He gave her a place to stay when she first arrived in New Delhi. He taught her Hindi, the broadly spoken language of the locals there. She found beauty amongst the simplest.
Majaorie found awe, love, and spiritual enlightenment as she travelled across the vast land to reach Calcutta. There, in the poorest state of India, she found a way to teach the children of the poor.
Read her travelling journal and the incredible people she met on the way, not forgetting the gorgeous culture, landscape and beliefs of a diversely populated land. Read about the immersive love of her life, Kincaid Roberts.
This story will never let you forget how it made you feel.
From the author of the award-winning Where the Rain Falls is another heartfelt epic: From Skopje to India.
A journey of love, culture, and discovery across continents unfolds.
Shobana Gomes is an award-winning author and poet from Malaysia, renowned for her profound exploration of the intricate connections between art and humanity. Her literary works often delve into themes of truth in fiction, weaving narratives that evoke intrigue and passion. Her latest work, 'From Skopje to India', promises to captivate with its rich storytelling and emotional depth.
I hope you enjoy the book and look forward to hearing your comments. It took a long time to finish this story, as I tried as best as possible to impart fiction based on actual events of the time.
Since February is all about love, and tomorrow is Valentine's Day, please allow me to share a passage from Skopje to India. Majaorie Yakob falls headlong in love with her tutor, Kincaid Roberts. He takes her on a date to a Christmas Ball at the Imperial Hotel to confess his love for her.
Excerpt from Chapter Seven, Agra.
Kincaid couldn’t help stealing kisses on Maja’s head as they danced.
She smiled radiantly, and an overwhelming sense of happiness washed over him.
He had been waiting long for a time like this.
He agreed that he was indeed a lucky man since she loved him in return.
Her beautiful hair smelled divine and he got lost in her fragrance as he held her close.
“I never expected that taking English lessons would be so rewarding. I not only
learned English but fell in love with the teacher too,” she said cheekily.
Kincaid laughed at her teasing. “Neither did I think that I'd fall in love with my student.
But, I’m glad we found each other while doing something we loved together.”
She moved closer to him, and he hugged her tight.
The music shifted to a more upbeat style, prompting others to join them on the
dance floor for some lively dancing.
Laughter erupted around them, and the celebrations heated up as the time neared to
usher in Christmas.
Kincaid felt proud to have her by his side. Her charm and her infectious laughter
captivated everyone.
As the night wore on, they waited with their wine glasses for the clock to strike twelve.
The countdown was almost upon them. “What are you wishing for, Maja,”
Kincaid whispered softly in her ear.
“You,” she said simply, her eyes full of love for him.
The two of them would wish for love and happiness to shine bright in their lives
from now on.
There was so much promise in the future, and they couldn’t wait to see where the
relationship would take them.
At the stroke of twelve, they cheered and drank up the wine in their glasses.
Maja felt heady with love and wine. She looked up tenderly at Kincaid and said,
“I love you, Kincaid.
Thank you for tonight. I have had the most awesome time of my life.”
If you are looking for a great Valentine's Day gift for your loved one, here's a poetry book that will endear you further to your loved one.
Soulful Rhapsody is on Kindle, and free to read on Kindle Unlimited. Read ten amazing love poems to your Valentine and have a wonderful time. Please press the link on the right to take you to the Kindle page or the link below:
Yesterday, 11.02.2025, was Our Lady of Lourdes Feast. I recalled the peaceful and
miraculous time I had in Lourdes, France, in 2022.
The tiny candle that burned a small flame in the votive stand was almost dying. It was still burning overnight there for a reason. It was so I could light my candle in the wee hours of the morning at the Grotto when no one was around.
Our Lady shone her light on me when I was six. The bright light illuminated her statue and beautiful, beautiful face, filling me with awe. The light from the statue covered me that day and throughout my life because I had to endure tragic and fearsome times to stay alive. Maybe she kept me alive so I could tell my story one day.
Here's my story from France:
Happy Feast Day to Catholics everywhere.
You can read my part memoir, Raised by God, here. It's free with Kindle Unlimited, USD2.99 on Kindle, and the paperback edition is available on Amazon. Thank you for reading and listening.
A Bientot
-shobana-
My book, From Skopje to India, is in the final stages of editi,ng and I am hoping to have it
published in the next few days.
Booktasters Offered to Promote A Book For FREE!
A kind gesture from Booktasters has me trying to finish an epic story early. For y,ears 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.
This is a book that will bring clarity to the lives of people seeking to learn through historical events of the past. Often, history is ignored and repeated. Wars are fought for the same reasons over and over with even more advanced weapons of destruction. Once peace is compromised, have you thought about how and when you will have it back to lead normal lives again? What about our children?
In the story, The British Rule was ending in India. A young girl from Skopje was on a destined journey. Her final destination in India is Calcutta. Civil unrest was predicted among the different factions of the Indian National Congress. It was a time when the British living in Agra feared for their safety. People were killed for so many reasons, and mostly money was their main criterion. Why? Why do they think that it is okay to kill for money? Who gave them the right to kill another human?
Here's an excerpt.
Majaorie Yakob had the shock of her life earlier in the day. Sally was nearly robbed of her handbag while walking to the car. She and I had just finished shopping at the Kinari Bazaar. Sally fell on the road and hurt herself.
Thank you for reading and listening. Skopje to India will be published soon. Don't miss out on
getting a copy.
A Bientot, Shobana
(Parts of Chapter Nine)
The Bentley in the garage gleamed under the evening sun.
I wondered if they often used it when I spotted Rahul polishing the car with a soft cloth.
He was unaware that I was watching him.
He was deep in his task and whistled while he worked.
The Bentley cars are synonymous with luxury and sophistication. Only the super-rich
could afford one.
I thought of Richard’s words the other evening. He didn’t want to return to England
at the end of British rule.
Here, he was considered a super-rich elite and enjoyed massive wealth
in the poor nation. He lived prosperously here.
At this time of political change, there was rising unrest in India.
I wondered if he was making a wise decision not to go back.
The incident with Sally felt like a warning to me. The whites were not safe here
anymore.
I only wish that peaceful transitions were the norm when change took place.
It is a far cry from that as people were discriminative even among their own races.
Religion was a source of fighting among the people.
I don’t know how to call it a religion anymore if it invoked so much disharmony
and hate for other faiths.
Religion is a guide, especially in bringing about peace to nations.
It was not something to be fought over,
Most of the time ridiculous and trivial matters were used as reasons to start a quarrel,
which almost always fanned the sentiments of the people and resulted in war.
Rahul waved when he saw me. He called out, “Hey, Maja. I am almost done.
I will be with you shortly.”
-end of the excerpt-
Skopje to India will be published soon. Please get a copy and share this with friends
and family.
Thank you for reading and listening.
-shobana-
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.
The Year was 1929 when Majaorie Yakob pursued a destined journey...
One day, I pondered about the works of Mother Teresa. I didn’t want to write her story, so I crafted one designed by a life she led, not in entirety, but in which I showed how she pursued the lives of the people she wished to save, the destitute - my way. To save them, she lived amongst them.
Home is where the heart is, and Mother Teresa found her way to a place where her heart could someday be at peace, as she accomplished her call to mission. She was born in Skopje but called Calcutta her home. She lived a life of love and compassion, chose an incredible journey of service, and, found fulfilment. Although this book is a work of fiction, the values Mother Teresa embodied motivated me to write this beautiful story, and as I explored deeper, I found clarity in other teachings.
From Skopje to India tells the story of a girl’s remarkable journey from her birthplace to the other side of the world. It is a story of a young girl’s strength, grit and perseverance in acceptance of change, to become one with the people she eventually learned to live with.
FROM SKOPJE TO INDIA
Prelude
Skopje was the land of wildflower honey and sirenje. I spent seventeen of my years there. Yet, I only found love in the streets of Calcutta.
The damaged streets are cluttered with rubbish. Heavy use has worn down the tarmac. The poor farmers' broken cattle carts plying the road have had an enormous wear and tear effect. Not even the municipality cares to fix the roads around these parts. As with clearing the rubbish, the plight of the people in the area is largely ignored.
Soon to be published. The date will be revealed in the coming days. Don't forget to get a copy. You'll love Majaoeri Yakob and her journey from the land of the Great Ottomans to the other side of the world, India.
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.
