Posts about Novels

When I Remember Love by Trish Silver-A Book Review

March 26th, 2010

Imagine meeting, falling in love with, and marrying the biggest pop star in the world only days before he wins an American Idol-type singing contest. This is the story of Jenna Holden and Aidan Price in When I Remember Love by Trish Silver.

When I Remember Love is a modern love story, sizzling with passionate love scenes and a powerful emotional plot. The author captivates the reader immediately with a horrific car accident in the opening pages. We read on to learn how this couple overcomes numerous setbacks to become pop music royalty.

Still distraught over the passing of her mother, Jenna travels to California to visit her Aunt Vanessa. Vanessa is a music agent about to sign pop music’s biggest commodity, Aidan Price. Jenna had previously seen Price on the televised singing contest, American Star. The couple meet, and as the saying goes, the rest is history. Within a short time, Aidan proposes to Jenna and, against his agent’s and record producer’s advice, the couple wed only days before the finale of the competition. Once married, the couple tour the country while Aidan’s star grows, and soon they are blessed with children.

It’s not all glitz and glam, however. Jenna has a generous heart. She can’t pass a homeless person without stopping and offering help. Aidan decides to use his fame to help Jenna work to end homelessness in America. The couple seem to have it all, fame, money, love, beautiful children, and an unquenchable passion for one another. Their love is strong; however, the music business can be ruthless. With the stresses and pressures of fame comes a horrifying accident, threatening to end everything and testing the couple’s faith and commitment.

I only had a couple of minor problems with this book; one was with the recycling of descriptive narrative in the love scenes. The other was occasional abrupt time/setting changes without adequate transition. Aside from that, I believe this book would make a great movie, as readers will fall in love with Aidan and Jenna.

Author Trish Silver combines traditional romance, steamy erotica, and gripping drama in this memorable story. She has included well-developed supporting characters, fiery twists, and a satisfying ending. Highly recommended for fans of modern romance. Read it now as the sequel is in the works. 5 Stars

iUniverse.com (March 4, 2009)
978-1440119569
396 pages

Reviewed by William Potter for Reader’s Choice

When I Remember Love-Video Preview Trailer

About the Author.

I was inspired to write this book after closely following the journey of a real American Idol from his television debut to his realization of a life-changing career. This journey provided me insight into the characteristics of a phenomenal fan base, as well as an inside look at how someone can find the strength to stay grounded despite the unsettling impact of stardom. A long personal relationship with a musical performer, a prior job with Creative Management Agency and my attendance at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Journalism all helped me to lay the groundwork for the story, while my real-life experiences as a wife, mother and grandmother inspired the rest.

All songs in When I Remember Love will be recorded to a CD and included with the book.

Trish Silver

African Literary Fiction Novel Tells Nigeria’s Independence Story in Black History Month

October 6th, 2009

Kettering, England ( Prfriend ) October 6, 2009 – A heart-wrenching african literary fiction novel which chronicles Nigeria’s turbulent history and Independence from British rule has been published in commemoration of Nigeria’s 49th Independence Day Anniversary and Black History Month 2009. The suspense novel titled Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman (Priceless Books; ISBN 978-0-9560142-6-9; £9.99) adds to the annals of african literature and is the fiction debut of the multi talented Nigerian British author – Ogo Akubue-Ogbata.

Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman tells the story of two remarkable personalities who dare to defy all odds: Nkiru (a privileged young girl who is forced to learn the art of survival after tragedy strikes) and Nigeria (Black Africa’s most populous and controversial country). The story kicks off in the early 1950s when two orphan sisters are separated against their wish because their aunt cannot afford to feed two mouths. The first sister is weak and wilts but the protagonist, Nkiru, digs deep and keeps on walking. In the wake of her country’s independence from British rule, she meets an aspiring diplomat with radical political views and hopes that love will put her life back on course. However, love only complicates things. Her new husband asks for more than she knows how to give and the past is filled with shameful secrets that threaten to erupt.

The plot thickens as Nkiru climbs the ladder of life, fearing the sudden loss of all that she has toiled for (her children’s love, her husband’s trust and the successful business she built out of nothing) all because of a single fatal mistake. Meanwhile, Nigeria descends further into conflict and corruption as a foundational flaw leads to a brutal war and lingering mistrust. Eventually Nkiru finds the courage to confront the past and seek forgiveness for an unpardonable sin. This is the only path to peace – both for Nkiru and her motherland, Nigeria Africa.

“Historically, Nigeria, Africa, is famous for great literary fiction books however, many Nigerian novels have mainly got a tribal agenda.” Says book author, Akubue-Ogbata. “Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman is unique because it speaks to the collective yearning of the Nigerian people, in essence the African people, yet tackles universal themes like love, forgiveness, domestic violence, entrepreneurship and woman empowerment. There has been a lack of strong women characters in African literature of late, so I was inspired to create a fictional character who’s not only beautiful but also a woman of substance – defying all odds economically, emotionally and socially. Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman is thought provoking, inspirational and aspirational.”

About the Author:
Ogo Akubue-Ogbata is a multi-talented writer, speaker and consultant who is very passionate about helping individuals, businesses and communities make the most of their talents. Visit her personal and business development website at: www.creativityandsense.com

Inspired by Black History Month, Ogo has also launched an online community where Africans and supporters of Africa/African literature can discuss topical issues with a view to defying the odds in their own lives and communities – economically, emotionally and socially. Find out more at: www.ogoogbata.com/blog

Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman is currently available via the author’s website as well as leading online bookstores like amazon and barnesandnoble.

Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman
Ogo Akubue-Ogbata
Priceless Books
Literary Fiction: £9.99 UK; ISBN 978-0-9560142-6-9
On sale from October 1st, 2009
www.ogoogbata.com/books

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Novelist Blames Greed for Congo Humanitarian Crisis

September 2nd, 2008

Unadulterated greed created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the author of Heart of Diamonds, a novel about the Congo.

West Harrison, NY, September 02, 2008 — Unadulterated greed created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the author of Heart of Diamonds, a newly-released novel about the endless violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Author Dave Donelson says his fictional treatment of the Congo’s ongoing strife points to lust for the nation’s riches as the cause of over five million deaths since 1998.

“We shouldn’t even pretend that conflicting ideologies or ethnic rivalries are the causes of this crisis,” Donelson says. “Those are nothing more than convenient excuses for the looting and pillaging that threatens to destroy the DRC.”

In his novel, Donelson uses a diamond smuggling scheme to represent the fight for control of the DRC’s gold, timber, uranium, copper, coltan, and other natural resources. An intricate plot involving an American televangelist, the President of the DRC, and the White House reflects the convoluted relationships of the factions involved in the struggle. His heroine, Valerie Grey, is a TV journalist who uncovers the scheme and fights to expose it to the world.

Donelson believes that ethnic conflicts like those between the Tsutis and Hutus that spilled over from Rwanda and between the Hema and Lindu are fronts for war lords looking to control territory in the DRC where they can exploit natural resources. Many of those militias receive support—sometimes openly—from governments or rebel factions in neighboring countries.

“Heart of Diamonds is a work of fiction,” Donelson avers, “But it is based on actual events in the most deadly conflict since World War II.” The author says he drew heavily on news accounts of rape as a weapon of terror, child soldiers, widespread corruption at all levels of government, and the very sad plight of the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the violence that continues to wrack the nation.

Donelson is a freelance writer and photographer. Heart of Diamonds is his third book, but the West Harrison, NY, author’s first foray into the thriller genre. “I wanted to write something that captures the vibrancy and complexity of Africa, and a suspenseful adventure framed against the endless war in the DRC seemed like the perfect approach,” he says.

“Since I started writing the book, there have been glimmers of hope in the situation,” he points out. “But violence continues and hundreds of thousands of people are still suffering as refugees. Peace and prosperity are still a long way away.” He adds, “I hope Heart of Diamonds will help draw attention to the crisis.”

Heart of Diamonds was published by Kunati Books, named Independent Publisher of the Year at the 2008 Book Expo America.
Press release Submission by PressReleasePoint

Contact:

Dave Donelson
Heart of Diamonds
44 Park Lane
West Harrison, NY 10604
914-949-7483
[email protected]
http://www.heartofdiamonds.com