Rachel Ivan's Blog
December 29, 2022
2 day book sale on Amazon!
Hi there,
If you wanted to read my book it will be at a discount from 31st December to 2 January on Amazon. The lies we were promised has five star reviews and is a tense thriller set in the depths of South India. Don’t miss the chance, hope you enjoy it,
Love Rachel xx
If you wanted to read my book it will be at a discount from 31st December to 2 January on Amazon. The lies we were promised has five star reviews and is a tense thriller set in the depths of South India. Don’t miss the chance, hope you enjoy it,
Love Rachel xx
August 25, 2021
Thank you to all those who have read & enjoyed my new thriller!!
Hey there,
It's been 4 months since I released my new book and it's been a real roller-coaster!! Sales have been increasing steadily through word of mouth and it currently has a 4.9 star rating on Amazon US.
What did you think of the story? Did Kerensa’s plight move you to tears? Would you like to read a sequel?
Do let me know!
Have a great week, Rachel :)
It's been 4 months since I released my new book and it's been a real roller-coaster!! Sales have been increasing steadily through word of mouth and it currently has a 4.9 star rating on Amazon US.
What did you think of the story? Did Kerensa’s plight move you to tears? Would you like to read a sequel?
Do let me know!
Have a great week, Rachel :)
June 26, 2021
Latest review on Amazon....
Recent review of the lies we were Promised on Amazon UK...
Absolutely amazing!!! I cannot recommend this book enough ❤❤❤ I was totally blown away by the superb storyline. It had me jumping. Enthralling. Well done Rachel - Fantastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Absolutely amazing!!! I cannot recommend this book enough ❤❤❤ I was totally blown away by the superb storyline. It had me jumping. Enthralling. Well done Rachel - Fantastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 10, 2021
A taster of the book...
‘The trust of the innocent is
the liar’s most useful tool.’
— Stephen King
‘In India, a child is taken every eight minutes.’
— BBC News report, 2020
CHAPTER 1
Southern India, monsoon season.
It took just a few seconds on a sweltering afternoon for everything to
change for Preeti. A brief glimpse of a snake tattoo on the stranger’s arm
was the last thing she could see before a hessian covering was pulled
roughly over her head, plunging her into blackness.
“Please let me go.” she cried, desperately.
As the van door slammed shut with an almighty shudder, a damp
cloth pressed close caused everything to spin. Hearing the blaring wail
of police sirens as they raced past made the dazed child wonder why she
had been forgotten.
As Preeti clung desperately to the sides, the fast-moving van weaved
its way through the bustling traffic. The usual afternoon street noises
were coming from outside, somewhat muffled through her hood. An
eclectic mix of horn-honking from irritated car drivers and wobbling,
three-wheeled autorickshaws impatiently caught up in the traffic alongside the bellowing grunts of skinny cows, bony ribs protruding sharply
through translucent leathery hide as they wandered aimlessly from one
end of the road to another. The sounds came crashing through all at once,
a deafening crescendo to overwhelm her senses.
Suddenly, the van swerved sharply, and she found herself
thrown sideways.
‘Slow down idiot! You will get us all killed!’ an angry male voice
screamed, spewing a tirade of curses from somewhere in the back.
Preeti could hear frantic voices arguing loudly, but her whimpering
cries were ignored. The grainy coarseness of the hood material clung
too close, making it hard to breathe. Its rough texture and musky scent
reminded her of amma’s overflowing rice sack, bulging out of the narrow
the liar’s most useful tool.’
— Stephen King
‘In India, a child is taken every eight minutes.’
— BBC News report, 2020
CHAPTER 1
Southern India, monsoon season.
It took just a few seconds on a sweltering afternoon for everything to
change for Preeti. A brief glimpse of a snake tattoo on the stranger’s arm
was the last thing she could see before a hessian covering was pulled
roughly over her head, plunging her into blackness.
“Please let me go.” she cried, desperately.
As the van door slammed shut with an almighty shudder, a damp
cloth pressed close caused everything to spin. Hearing the blaring wail
of police sirens as they raced past made the dazed child wonder why she
had been forgotten.
As Preeti clung desperately to the sides, the fast-moving van weaved
its way through the bustling traffic. The usual afternoon street noises
were coming from outside, somewhat muffled through her hood. An
eclectic mix of horn-honking from irritated car drivers and wobbling,
three-wheeled autorickshaws impatiently caught up in the traffic alongside the bellowing grunts of skinny cows, bony ribs protruding sharply
through translucent leathery hide as they wandered aimlessly from one
end of the road to another. The sounds came crashing through all at once,
a deafening crescendo to overwhelm her senses.
Suddenly, the van swerved sharply, and she found herself
thrown sideways.
‘Slow down idiot! You will get us all killed!’ an angry male voice
screamed, spewing a tirade of curses from somewhere in the back.
Preeti could hear frantic voices arguing loudly, but her whimpering
cries were ignored. The grainy coarseness of the hood material clung
too close, making it hard to breathe. Its rough texture and musky scent
reminded her of amma’s overflowing rice sack, bulging out of the narrow
May 30, 2021
How I wrote my book
The lies we were Promised took a year to write, edit and publish, give or take a few weeks.
It started with a skeletal outline of a girl (Kerensa) who was yearning to find her father, who had abandoned her when she was just five years old. She was comfortable in her suburban London life, but something was missing. A suicide attempt from her mother spurs Kerensa to venture to India in a last bid to find him before it becomes too late.
Watching a BBC news report about stolen children in India inspired me to write the stories of Maya, Preeti and Mano who all had sad experiences and backstories in the hands of adults who should have protected them.
Kerensa finds more than she bargained for when she stumbles on details of trafficked children and finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into a perilous web of lies and deceit.
Does Kerensa find her father and get the answers she so desperately needs? Read the book to find out!
I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the book :)
have a great week, Rachel
It started with a skeletal outline of a girl (Kerensa) who was yearning to find her father, who had abandoned her when she was just five years old. She was comfortable in her suburban London life, but something was missing. A suicide attempt from her mother spurs Kerensa to venture to India in a last bid to find him before it becomes too late.
Watching a BBC news report about stolen children in India inspired me to write the stories of Maya, Preeti and Mano who all had sad experiences and backstories in the hands of adults who should have protected them.
Kerensa finds more than she bargained for when she stumbles on details of trafficked children and finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into a perilous web of lies and deceit.
Does Kerensa find her father and get the answers she so desperately needs? Read the book to find out!
I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the book :)
have a great week, Rachel
May 27, 2021
review on Amazon US....
Impactful
Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2021
by Allyn
Written with a haunting skill, the author takes us on a journey with Karensa to discover her lost father, only to immerse in a culture and country that distracts from her goal and ultimately trips her into a widespread web that could spell her doom... as it has for many.
The Lies We Were Promised is captivating, slipping from one point of view to the next, it shows how all to easy it is to lose our children; taken to be sold on a worldwide market. And Kerensa has stumbled into the thick of it.
With tension that builds and keeps the pages turning, we follow her as well as many other characters as this horrible human market is revealed. There is heart here, suspense, and a deep look into a country where children simply disapear, never to be found.
Relevant and timely, this is a story that needs to be read and talked about.
I highly recommend.
Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2021
by Allyn
Written with a haunting skill, the author takes us on a journey with Karensa to discover her lost father, only to immerse in a culture and country that distracts from her goal and ultimately trips her into a widespread web that could spell her doom... as it has for many.
The Lies We Were Promised is captivating, slipping from one point of view to the next, it shows how all to easy it is to lose our children; taken to be sold on a worldwide market. And Kerensa has stumbled into the thick of it.
With tension that builds and keeps the pages turning, we follow her as well as many other characters as this horrible human market is revealed. There is heart here, suspense, and a deep look into a country where children simply disapear, never to be found.
Relevant and timely, this is a story that needs to be read and talked about.
I highly recommend.
May 26, 2021
child trafficking in India - the sad reality
A 2016 report conducted by the United States Department of State designates India as a Tier 2 nation with regards to trafficking – which means that although there are systems in place to combat the issue, comprehensive and efficacious care is not taken to completely resolve the matter. With regards to trafficking, India has also been defined as a transit country for primarily forced labour – where children are made to work in mills, fields and factories for no wages.
A 2015 report on registered crimes committed against children in India further shows that there are gaps in the systems that protect children’s rights. For instance, the report showed that in 2015 there were 41,890 cases of kidnapping and abduction of children and 3087 cases of the “procuration of minor girls”. However, only 221 instances of child trafficking were registered that year, with the buying of minors for prostitution at a low of 11 cases (National Crime Records Bureau 2015).
There are many causes of human trafficking in India, for which poverty and desperation are the foundation.
Most families in India have higher numbers of children than are financially viable, and this is only compounded by pre-existing conditions of low income and weak family planning that makes selling daughters “in the prime of their youth” seem to be a practical solution.
However, the biggest causal factor behind trafficking is that the children themselves are not fully aware of their rights and are incapable of seeking out help. Rotoed in Indian culture is an operant conditioning that always promotes parents as best decision-makers for their children, leaving young minds completely dependent on the influence that their parents have.
Furthermore, since most trafficking occurs in remote regions that are largely disconnected from the world, victims themselves are unaware that there exist local organizations that work tirelessly to rid society of such crimes against humanity.
(courtesy: Humanium)
A 2015 report on registered crimes committed against children in India further shows that there are gaps in the systems that protect children’s rights. For instance, the report showed that in 2015 there were 41,890 cases of kidnapping and abduction of children and 3087 cases of the “procuration of minor girls”. However, only 221 instances of child trafficking were registered that year, with the buying of minors for prostitution at a low of 11 cases (National Crime Records Bureau 2015).
There are many causes of human trafficking in India, for which poverty and desperation are the foundation.
Most families in India have higher numbers of children than are financially viable, and this is only compounded by pre-existing conditions of low income and weak family planning that makes selling daughters “in the prime of their youth” seem to be a practical solution.
However, the biggest causal factor behind trafficking is that the children themselves are not fully aware of their rights and are incapable of seeking out help. Rotoed in Indian culture is an operant conditioning that always promotes parents as best decision-makers for their children, leaving young minds completely dependent on the influence that their parents have.
Furthermore, since most trafficking occurs in remote regions that are largely disconnected from the world, victims themselves are unaware that there exist local organizations that work tirelessly to rid society of such crimes against humanity.
(courtesy: Humanium)
May 18, 2021
Review of The Lies we were Promised by the Asian Chronicle newspaper
BOOK REVIEW-The lies we were promised
by Nagini Cambampaty
Rarely does a story grip me to such an extent I actually miss my train stop on my daily boring commute! Immersive, exciting, and heart-wrenching, Lies We Were Promised is the debut novel from Rachel Ivan. Set amidst the murky world of child trafficking, the author deals with a difficult subject matter with ease and finesse, tackling the almost unthinkable fear of every parent on the planet.
The story is centered around Kerensa Oldfield, a 27 yr old accountant who lives a quiet life in London with her mother and younger brother embarking on a quest to find her estranged father, Kaian. A missing lineage that haunts her recurring dreams she is driven to find him. Long in the planning with meticulous research from a newspaper advert, she embarks on her mission.
Kerensa arrives in Chennai en route to Nagercoil, her father's native place. The sights and sounds of India enthrall her. Eager to absorb all that is around her we follow her journey with page-turning anticipation. We find Kerensa’s maiden voyage to Nagercoil filled with tribulations from the very first journey onwards. Upon arriving at Amma's guest house she encounters Vivien the owner and her son Samuel both intriguing characters with intriguing back stories. From here onwards all is not what it seems.
An enigmatic character called Aruna befriends her, and the plot deepens. We are witness to brave Kerensa befriending enthralling characters along her journey who subsequently lead her into the murky world of locally trafficked children. Chance encounters with locals who hold very closely dark secrets grip the reader with force. After a futile trip to Chennai Kernesa finds herself battling the trauma of a short spate in Pulyam Prison. Here we find our protagonist bonding with fellow women, also wrongly imprisoned. The evocative descriptions of the prison transport the reader to another unimaginable situation.
Wrongly accused of a crime she had not committed, Kerensa desperately seeks a way out.The reader can empathize with the earnest quest of Kerensa to search for her father through the author's eloquent depiction of her thoughts and fears. Rachel uses descriptions so vivid that we can easily feel Kerensa’s plight from the very get-go. Kerensa displays her intuition and emotional warmth to draw the reader in. The author's characterization is so well-rounded and the prose is beautifully written. In addition, what touched me more was the full description of the sights and sounds of South India, an elixir for the soul at a time where none of us can travel evoking such beautiful memories for me so vividly. She weaves skillfully between scenes and characters seamlessly. Each chapter is from the viewpoint of different characters which hastens the pace of the plot. The interwoven stories are entrancing and carry the reader along a torrent culminating in an explosive crescendo. The story is so multi-layered and intricate, it is compelling reading.
I have loved reading this enthralling story of intrigue and social injustice and can highly recommend reading this.Now I am avidly awaiting a sequel. Enjoy this unputdownable debut novel.
Nagini Cambampaty
by Nagini Cambampaty
Rarely does a story grip me to such an extent I actually miss my train stop on my daily boring commute! Immersive, exciting, and heart-wrenching, Lies We Were Promised is the debut novel from Rachel Ivan. Set amidst the murky world of child trafficking, the author deals with a difficult subject matter with ease and finesse, tackling the almost unthinkable fear of every parent on the planet.
The story is centered around Kerensa Oldfield, a 27 yr old accountant who lives a quiet life in London with her mother and younger brother embarking on a quest to find her estranged father, Kaian. A missing lineage that haunts her recurring dreams she is driven to find him. Long in the planning with meticulous research from a newspaper advert, she embarks on her mission.
Kerensa arrives in Chennai en route to Nagercoil, her father's native place. The sights and sounds of India enthrall her. Eager to absorb all that is around her we follow her journey with page-turning anticipation. We find Kerensa’s maiden voyage to Nagercoil filled with tribulations from the very first journey onwards. Upon arriving at Amma's guest house she encounters Vivien the owner and her son Samuel both intriguing characters with intriguing back stories. From here onwards all is not what it seems.
An enigmatic character called Aruna befriends her, and the plot deepens. We are witness to brave Kerensa befriending enthralling characters along her journey who subsequently lead her into the murky world of locally trafficked children. Chance encounters with locals who hold very closely dark secrets grip the reader with force. After a futile trip to Chennai Kernesa finds herself battling the trauma of a short spate in Pulyam Prison. Here we find our protagonist bonding with fellow women, also wrongly imprisoned. The evocative descriptions of the prison transport the reader to another unimaginable situation.
Wrongly accused of a crime she had not committed, Kerensa desperately seeks a way out.The reader can empathize with the earnest quest of Kerensa to search for her father through the author's eloquent depiction of her thoughts and fears. Rachel uses descriptions so vivid that we can easily feel Kerensa’s plight from the very get-go. Kerensa displays her intuition and emotional warmth to draw the reader in. The author's characterization is so well-rounded and the prose is beautifully written. In addition, what touched me more was the full description of the sights and sounds of South India, an elixir for the soul at a time where none of us can travel evoking such beautiful memories for me so vividly. She weaves skillfully between scenes and characters seamlessly. Each chapter is from the viewpoint of different characters which hastens the pace of the plot. The interwoven stories are entrancing and carry the reader along a torrent culminating in an explosive crescendo. The story is so multi-layered and intricate, it is compelling reading.
I have loved reading this enthralling story of intrigue and social injustice and can highly recommend reading this.Now I am avidly awaiting a sequel. Enjoy this unputdownable debut novel.
Nagini Cambampaty
May 4, 2021
How it all started....
I always wanted to write-when my daughters were small, I cobbled together a few pages of a story that went nowhere, so I filed it away, never to see the light of day again.
The idea for the Lies we were Promised came to me over a year ago whilst watching a harrowing BBC news report about children who have been stolen from their families in India. Trafficking is a universal problem that sadly affects everyone, in every corner of the world. I remember a story my husband Rubin had once told me about his cousin Chris, who was coerced into a car by two strange men on his way home from school one afternoon in Chennai, India. He was just eight years old at the time. A chance to escape only came when the men unexpectedly stopped for petrol at a gas station and he managed to quickly sneak out of the back seat and get help. The story has a happy ending - Chris is now a bank manager in the US and is married with three beautiful children.
The Lies we were Promised highlights the story of Kerensa Oldfield who travels to India to search for her missing father Kaian, however is shocked to find herself captured by an underground trafficking gang. Thrown into a squalid Indian jail, she loses all hope. Read the book to find out what happens next!
The idea for the Lies we were Promised came to me over a year ago whilst watching a harrowing BBC news report about children who have been stolen from their families in India. Trafficking is a universal problem that sadly affects everyone, in every corner of the world. I remember a story my husband Rubin had once told me about his cousin Chris, who was coerced into a car by two strange men on his way home from school one afternoon in Chennai, India. He was just eight years old at the time. A chance to escape only came when the men unexpectedly stopped for petrol at a gas station and he managed to quickly sneak out of the back seat and get help. The story has a happy ending - Chris is now a bank manager in the US and is married with three beautiful children.
The Lies we were Promised highlights the story of Kerensa Oldfield who travels to India to search for her missing father Kaian, however is shocked to find herself captured by an underground trafficking gang. Thrown into a squalid Indian jail, she loses all hope. Read the book to find out what happens next!
