Book Review #11: Trust - A New Beginning by Cristiane Serruya

Isn't it great when you just come across a book and it really peaks your interest and it happens to be completely out of the blue? For me, Trust - A New Beginning by Cristiane Serruya, was just like that.

I love thrillers, and this is a smart, savvy, sexy and brutal story that really is quite gripping from the off. Now I have no problem with stories that start slow so long as they build into something meaningful. 

With this story, there's no need to worry. And whilst time is taken to describe things accurately and with almost painstaking detail, it doesn't detract from the story, or slows things up.

If anything, you need this kind of literary diversion, so that you can catch your breath. Yes, the scenes are not just hot, they're boiling, and engaging to read. 

The other scenes that are quite intense refer to the Trust of the title....in many ways this book is about broken trust, and the aftermath of it, which leaves everyone shattered. As I approached the end of the book, I already knew there were additional books in the series.

That's great because I want a bit more back story on the main characters. Sophia is a great character whereas some of the male characters switch from protagonist to antagonist in a flash...though on further re-reads I understood why this is so.

As always, writing full reviews can spoil things. Suffice to say, Trust is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. Cristiane Serruya is an intelligent, exciting writer, and no doubt I will be reading more from her, and I suggest you do too.

Rating: On GoodReads I gave this five stars. Every single one was deserved!

Book Description

Buy on Amazon.com

They are beautiful and rich. They are strong willed and successful. They have everything, but love.

Sophia is a 25-year-old Brazilian and a widow. After a tragic incident, she flees from her own country. Despite her beauty and charm, she hides from everyone and everything and remains alone, torn between the love for a dead man, the torment of living without part of her memory and the fear of moving on.

Ethan is one of the most important tycoons in the steel industry. Traumatized by an awful event in his adolescence, he searches for an elusive woman whom he could love - and who would love him - as he never has in all his 35 years... Until he finds Sophia.

Alistair is a 34-year-old powerful banker, searching only for one–night stands. Devilish and ravishing, and also guilt-ridden and angry, he has no trouble finding women who will indulge him in his desire to physically punish them to abate his own tortured soul.

In Europe, in the months after October 2009, their paths will cross and clash. Who will win the prize of love?

About the Author

Cristiane Serruya lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with her husband and two teenage daughters. She majored in Fine Arts and Law, and has a Masters in Business Law. She is also specialized in cases of sexual abuse and violence against children and women. She has been working as a lawyer since 1991. She is widely traveled, having lived and studied in Brazil, England, France, Italy and Switzerland. After twenty-two years of practicing law, Cristiane decided to give writing a go. And - amazingly - it was just the piece that was missing in her life. Cristiane Serruya can be found online via her website ‘cristianeserruya.com.br’.

Biography (by Cristiane Serruya)

I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with my husband and two daughters. I'm a lawyer, with a Masters in Business Law and I have great interest in cases of abuse and violation of human rights of children and women, having two thesis on the subject. I also have a BA in Fine Arts. I've always loved to read, write and listen to music. I lived and studied in England, France, Italy, Switzerland and, of course, Brazil.

After twenty-two years of practicing law, I decided to give writing a go. And - amazingly - it was just the piece that was missing in my life.
You can get in touch with me on my website: http://cristianeserruya.com.br

Or like my Facebook author's page: https://www.facebook.com/cristianeserruyauthor
Or follow me on Twitter: @CrisSerruya

All my three books already published have been awarded Gold and bronze medals. 

Early Spring Update and New Book Announcement!

Hello all. It's been a hectic and challenging few weeks both on a personal and professional level, but I believe very strongly in setting goals in front of us. I believe it's one of the most powerful things a person can do. If you set a goal, you consciously move towards it. Even with all the on-line tools available to us, I still use a traditional diary, and in it, I'll be quite obsessive about what I list down. Because if I ink it, it has to happen. They have to be achievable goals and ones that are within your remit. For example 'I want to win the lottery' is great until you realise it really is out of your hands. For that reason alone, I have a go on the lottery every month, sometimes every two or three months. I have to stay practical.

 Writing wise, it has been going well. I haven't been blogging or reading as much, and that is the sacrifice you have to make if you want to get some serious writing down. So, where am I at? The Kindle version of The Essence of Martial Arts: Special Edition, is on Amazon now, with a print edition to follow. This is the version I really wanted to do, as the original publisher made me clip a lot of what is in here, from the original.

Dark Winter, the first fiction novel I published, passed 1100 copies sold this week. I think sales are picking up again after I got the title removed from some high profile Torrent sites. Remember that Chrome has a 'flag' tool for illegal content, so it's worth flagging these torrent sites as and when you see them appear.

 The print edition is also out now, but you could win a copy by entering the Goodreads Giveaway here:- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20566064-dark-winter Over 700 people have entered so far. If you are one of them, good luck!

 I actually WON two books in a giveaway, Tom Reinhart's Saint Monolith amongst the books that are winging their way to me :) And in April, there will be the release of DUN DUN DUuuuuuuunNNN, a new story!

 It's called Stormling, and is a fantasy novel that has been in development for nearly three years. I am hoping I will do the genre justice. It's a far more complex story than Dark Winter, but lighter in tone, so I hope it will win more fans. I plan to release the e-book and print version closer together, if that will offset the piracy crew. We can but hope. The cover is being worked on right now, and the initial reveal will be given by Chanzie@MWYA! The edits on Stormling are what takes up most of my time at the moment, but heavy writing continues apace on Dark Winter (Book Two) and I'm 55,000 words in on what will probably bust another 90,000 words when it is done. So that's me. I will try and post more often. So what's been happening with you all? See you again soon.

Good Reads Giveaway: Dark Winter

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Dark Winter

by John Hennessy

Giveaway ends March 04, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Harry and Hermione? Whatever would Ginny Say? The Case for the Defence.

Reducto, probably. That's probably what Ginny Weasley would say to the reports that J.K. Rowling thinks that 'maybe' she erred by putting Ron and Hermione together at the story's end.

I remember watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with friends...some of whom had not read the books but watched some or all of the films. Actually I kind of remember, because I watched Part 1 with my other half, and Part 1 again the following day with friends, only this time, in 3D....I could hardly drive home afterwards!

Perhaps I should put my hand up and say right away that I love Ginny, and I was happy she got together with Harry. It's pretty obvious to me that Ginny always held a candle for Harry, but given all the pressure he was under, he probably didn't see love coming, and when it did...sort of....we got Cho Chang, who, amongst the many characters created by J.K. Rowling, I remember Cho for how bland and rather forgettable that she was. (See my post on Redundant Characters, here and please do....I think it's one of my better posts and yet Google says...no comments!!) Maybe, as an ex-girlfriend of mine used to say (happy she's my ex, I'm not bitter xD) 'you have to go through the bad, mad or plain ones to get to the good one.' I agree with that, so case closed.

In fact, while I always liked Hermione, in the first book (and in one of the most memorable scenes in any of the films) when she says to Ron 'It's Levi-OH-sar, not Leviosarrrr,' **Spell**perhaps gave a hint that Ron and Hermione might end up together, as they were already acting like an old married couple at times.

'She's a nightmare,' Ron would say, and he's right - Hermione was a big-head, a know-it-all....but she was brilliant too, and well...who wouldn't want her...especially how she comes of age in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (I hated the film, thought it was a mess, and that Mike Newell should never be allowed near a camera again - ever. If Mike Newell makes it to Heaven, I hope all the angels hide all the Nikon lenses). Hermione is really something in that film, and easy to see why any boy would be attracted to her.

So what was J.K. Rowling doing with her characters? She puts Ron with Lavender, Harry with Cho, and they had all the chemistry of seaweed. Some have said No No No...it's how she handled the Severus / Lily angle....

That's a whole other post. Back to Hermione. I thought the pace of them getting together was too quick, especially during the events of The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows. Even when we were watching the scene in the DH film of Harry and Hermione dancing, one friend 'They're going to kiss? Really?'

And it looks like they are...and then....nothing. Okay...I admit I've had dates like that in the past. The argument could be made, as in Friends, that Harry and Hermione had been too long in each other's company, and were now in the Friend Zone. **shudders**. I've been in The Friend Zone and it's a rather crushing place to be, when the girl of your affections sees you as a brother or a friend. She sees you as a fall back position in case The Boyfriend fails (and I realise what a bad friend I was sometimes, as you'd be wishing he would fail). Still, I did my best in the Friend Zone when I would be forcibly put there. So I'd like to think women and men can be friends, no matter what the other Harry (in When Harry Met Sally) says.

These days, I'm settled and I have women friends along with the crazy male nutcases I will go and wreck town with on occasion. I'm still recovering from Friday night but it was a total win.

I'm sure J.K. Rowling needs no advice from a fledgling writer like myself, but I too have struggled with what characters do and how they interact with each other.

So let me lay out the case for the defence first as to why J.K Rowling was right first time.

• Harry never fancied Hermione. Ever. He respected her, and considered her a friend, but romance? No. She was never in his sights.
• No relationship is ever smooth....and the bickering, nagging, sniping, fault finding is all part of the process. It's like weeding a garden. Ever spent time doing that? For sure, the garden looks better....but it's only for a while...and then they come back. Harry and Hermione were too forthright and headstrong as characters to ever really face a future together.
• That does not imply Ron was weak. Actually he grew into a good character, and by the time of Deathly Hallows, I suppose he had to anchor somewhere, and 'who better than our Hermione,' as Hagrid would say.
• Hermione never fancied Harry, and often showed indifference when Harry was with Cho, and later, Ginny.
• If you don't believe Ron and Hermione are the correct match, just add fifty years to them...they will be acting just the same.

Ginny was way cooler and more eye catching than Hermione. This is not a dig at Hermione, but how she was written, in the same way that Luna was very cool, eye catching, but understated. When Ginny walked in, you noticed her. Or it could just be this - and it's where my defence may fall apart....I love redheaded girls.

Ginny never acted like a 'friend' to Harry, there was always 'something' there, and it was rather subtle. Critics will say that the author didn't know what to do with Ginny, that she was just a random sister amongst the Weasley boys. I'll have none of that.

Hermione may have better spells, but would you want to get in the way once Ginny points her wand in your direction? She's cool, explosive, and yes...she's attractive. I think a long term relationship between Harry and Hermione might make him wish he hadn't broken the Elder Wand.

So in summary, Hermione, I love you but you would drive me crazy, and not in a good way. Luna, you're quirky and weird and I could think of few people who would make me laugh more than you. Ginny - you're perfect. Just put the wand down. Now.

J.K. Rowling got it right.

Has anyone got a view defending the report that she didn't get it right? I would love to know your thoughts!

Forever Scary - The Shining Twins

Warning - this post is a bit scary and rather gory.

Still here? Great. Please read on :)

Following on from my book review of Doctor Sleep (The Shining, Book 2) I thought I'd share with you a picture of the twins from the very famous film of The Shining. Don't they look like perfectly nice ladies, which I'm sure they are.

However, I will always see them like this.

What images remain with you, long after you have read them in books, or viewed them in films? Many say the scene of Jack looking at the window whilst Danny and Wendy play in the Overlook's maze is truly scary. It is - you see a man having a mental breakdown on screen. It is amazing cinema.

When I was writing my own horror, Dark Winter, I wanted to feature a demonic ghost girl too, and my 'Dana' looks like this. (Thanks to OS for this image). Dana is not just a ghost, she's a witch, a succubus, a demon, a vampire. Basically not girl-friend material, unless having your guts ripped out are your kind of thing.

Going back to the Twins for a moment, I wonder why it scares me so much. I can recall every detail of seeing them....the wallpaper design around them, the colour of their dresses, the dead eyed look of the one twin, and the half-smile of the other. My take on the scene was the the girl on our right was genuinely scared, and the other girl was thinking 'oh, that's a play-axe...Daddy wouldn't really kill us!'

Regardless of how Dana is, I admire her as a character and I think the story would have been weaker without her. That said...I was in a Subway the other day grabbing a sandwich, and the server was called Dana.

A bit too close to comfort for me. I paid for the sandwich and left. Quickly.

I promise to get back to less gory posts next time! So long as Dana leaves me alone....

Book Review: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

People fall into two camps when the conversation turns to Stephen King. Some find his writing a bore, self-indulgent, a mess. Others find his descriptive style and narrative tone engrossing. For me, I find myself sometimes in group one, at other times, in group two. As a youngster, I would buy one book after another of Stephen King's, placing me firmly in group two.

It's not hard to know why. Carrie, The Shining, Salem's Lot, Pet Semetary et cetera were all brilliant books in my view. How can an author strike gold three times with his first three novels? It cannot be all down to luck, can it?

However, I will admit to having seen the film version of The Shining before I read the book, and here's where I encountered a problem. You see, I thought the film was brilliant and utterly terrifying. I can watch it again and again and still feel very scared. It fails to date, even though it should.

The film was criticised by Stephen King, who said it was more Stanley Kubrick's version than his own, and on reading the book, I understood why Stephen King felt that this was not a book-to-screen adaptation.

Too many things are different between the two, but I appreciated the book for what it is, and also the film.

Inbetween the release of the follow-up, Doctor Sleep, there was a Stephen King approved TV movie version of The Shining, but I didn't like it at all,sorry to say.

So I had this book on order for a while, but kept from reading it because I was a bit in Group One regarding his books in recent years. Yes, he could still do it....books like Desperation, and Misery, were high points....others, like Gerald's Game and Hearts in Atlantis were poor offerings indeed.

So I opened the book up and it reminded me of a post I saw recently about FEAR (Forget Everything and Run / Face Everything and Rise), because it says FEAR stands for F*** everything and run!

Typical King. He uses a LOT of profanity, but sometimes, it's really funny when kept in context.

People who have seen the film of The Shining but have not read the book, will be most confused by reading Doctor Sleep, so you really have to read Book One, and that book did set a standard for scares (although I do believe Pet Semetary is the book SK should be remembered for).

I even re-read The Shining prior to finally reading this one and I am glad I did.

The pace is reasonable at the start, and I wondered how Danny would fair as an adult, given all he had gone through as a kid. Two parts of Book One stood out for me - the woman in the bath tub (which scared me more in the book than in the film....if that doesn't seem possible I assure that it is) and the twin sisters who would appear asking Danny to play with them - forever.

Doctor Sleep makes more of an impact through our emotional connection to Danny, Wendy and Dick, although I kind of miss Jack (John) Torrance as a principle character, and it is something I wrestled with when writing my own take on the horror genre.

It starts well, but kicks into high gear about mid-way through the book. Stephen King is back to his best in this story, and it's the best book of his that I have read since 1997's Desperation. I hope he keeps going now. It's very brave to revisit a story so well known, but I think he's just about pulled it off. It is not as good as The Shining, but Dan the adult is an interesting, well rounded character, though there is a generous homage paid to him as a child from the first book.

In a world where writers feel pressured to write trilogies relatively quickly, it's refreshing that Stephen King can take his time to craft a wonderful sequel. The two books are best read together.

I suppose he has the luxury of being an established writer, so much so that there was great excitement about the title of the book, long before it was released.

Where the book failed a bit, was to put the Jack Torrance template, to a large degree, onto Dan as an adult. I felt it was a bit of cop-out to make him an alcoholic, just like his father. It's like SK is saying 'you've got your daddie's genes, so if he downs a litre of bourbon a day, you will too son!'

So I think it was an opportunity missed, because Danny as an adult should have come to terms with the events he had as a child. Of course, we have all had experiences as children that may shape us as an adult, but we should not let those dark elements win. They must know their place - and we should put them in their place.

It's like the adult Dan totally gave into it, and in this regard, Doctor Sleep fails in the scare factor, whereas The Shining hit them out of the park time and again.

It's a good to almost great book. If The Shining didn't exist, in a weird way, this book would be higher rated in my view.

So it's good - very good - and worth reading. Just forget (to some extent) all about The Shining and you'll enjoy the ride!

What Happens When A Second-Hand Book-Store Is Supported by the Local Community

As much as I have grown to like e-books, there's clearly a slightly dark side to it. As I reported earlier, books can be pirated all too easily, which is a disgusting practise. Fortunately, many decent people still buy through legal channels and support writers, many of whom struggle to make it as a career.

What of the more traditional outlets then? In the news story below, the shop owner let people know of his dwindling profits, and via Facebook no less! It shows that the local communities do play a big part in keeping shops like these open.

Perhaps he needs to become a more up to date shop, but it is difficult when there are so many titles out there, and yes...the internet makes it easy to buy.

But I must say that my own shopping experience showed that the internet and how we buy things now was just waiting to happen. I could often go in any bookstore, record shop, and so on, only to ask for a given item, only to be told 'oh, we don't have that in stock.'

It's lazy at best, poor customer service at worst. Amazon have just simplified the supply-chain process.

All the same, I'm happy for this shop owner, as nothing beats browsing through books...the internet just doesn't have the same charm for me!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2539862/Struggling-second-hand-bookshop-owner-shocked-dozens-customers-descend-store-posting-dwindling-profits-FACEBOOK.html