Conchie Fernandez's Blog - Posts Tagged "novel"
Wanna preview my novel?
One of the freakiest things I've done as an author is create a preview that people can read and review. It's a good barometer for your thoughts on the book, and for a book that just came out on Createspace (https://www.createspace.com/3528323) and will be on Amazon within the next couple of days, it helps me to have my own preview of my readers' opinions.
If you'd like to preview my book today, just click here:
https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1...
I hope you'll come back for more on my road to publication!
Undrawn
If you'd like to preview my book today, just click here:
https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1...
I hope you'll come back for more on my road to publication!
Undrawn
"Undrawn" is out on Kindle
What a great way to start my day. I don't think I hold the exclusivity of having Monday blues, but I was jarred out of them when I looked into my Amazon account this morning.
My novel, "Undrawn", is finally out on Kindle, which is one of the best gadgets I have ever known. If you own a Kindle, I'm sure you'll agree.
Take a look at my book, or get it today!
http://www.amazon.com/Undrawn-ebook/d...
Hope your day is as blissful as mine.
Conchie
My novel, "Undrawn", is finally out on Kindle, which is one of the best gadgets I have ever known. If you own a Kindle, I'm sure you'll agree.
Take a look at my book, or get it today!
http://www.amazon.com/Undrawn-ebook/d...
Hope your day is as blissful as mine.
Conchie
Clarion ForeWord official review: 4/5 Stars for "Undrawn"
Excerpt from Clarion ForeWord official review, Apr. 23, 2011. By Jill Allen: **** (4/5 Star Rating)
In “Undrawn”, the imminent death of his tyrannical father Brandon forces frail, thirty-six-year-old painter Kyle to return to his boyhood home after a self-imposed exile. While there, the past catches up to the son, and he finds himself facing old family rifts, former girlfriends, crimes of passion, and, most of all, the overwhelming urge to be loved and accepted. Conchie Fernandez’s debut novel shifts between the past and present as Kyle seeks absolution in a world where many factors are unknown.
The protagonist’s struggles are witnessed by his sneering brother Stuart, who has secrets of his own, his affectionate brother Troy, and his selfless mother, Norma, who possesses more concern about Kyle’s diabetes than about her own emotional well-being in the wake of Brandon’s death. Also populating the story are Kyle’s contacts in the art world, as well as past and present lovers, all with distinct traits.
As a former newspaper editor and present-day creative writing teacher, Fernandez eloquently captures the subtleties of human relationships. Readers clearly see the protagonist hurting because of his father’s control, even as he holds out hope that Brandon will someday acknowledge his art.
Art isn’t the only thing about Kyle that Brandon fails to accept; he does not believe that his son is truly ill. To hear Brandon accuse Kyle, a diabetic, of trying to manipulate his father’s emotions by having an attack is truly horrifying. When juxtaposed against Norma and Troy’s caring attitude toward the sickly Kyle, Brandon’s indifference becomes all the more cruel. Kyle and Troy behave like real brothers. Beneath their profanity-laced dialogue brims love and protectiveness. In a novel loaded with machismo, it is refreshing to see Troy and Kyle hug, both in the past and the present.
“Undrawn” refreshes the trope of the tortured artist. Readers see how Kyle is haunted by his past while he suffers from occasional diabetic attacks. Kyle’s physical and mental suffering is poignantly
rendered, although occasionally his diabetic attacks seem like convenient plot devices.
Fernandez masterfully immerses readers in the world of Kyle’s canvas, so that they paint right along with the artist. On the whole, though, “Undrawn” is a well-realized portrait of conflict and forgiveness.
In “Undrawn”, the imminent death of his tyrannical father Brandon forces frail, thirty-six-year-old painter Kyle to return to his boyhood home after a self-imposed exile. While there, the past catches up to the son, and he finds himself facing old family rifts, former girlfriends, crimes of passion, and, most of all, the overwhelming urge to be loved and accepted. Conchie Fernandez’s debut novel shifts between the past and present as Kyle seeks absolution in a world where many factors are unknown.
The protagonist’s struggles are witnessed by his sneering brother Stuart, who has secrets of his own, his affectionate brother Troy, and his selfless mother, Norma, who possesses more concern about Kyle’s diabetes than about her own emotional well-being in the wake of Brandon’s death. Also populating the story are Kyle’s contacts in the art world, as well as past and present lovers, all with distinct traits.
As a former newspaper editor and present-day creative writing teacher, Fernandez eloquently captures the subtleties of human relationships. Readers clearly see the protagonist hurting because of his father’s control, even as he holds out hope that Brandon will someday acknowledge his art.
Art isn’t the only thing about Kyle that Brandon fails to accept; he does not believe that his son is truly ill. To hear Brandon accuse Kyle, a diabetic, of trying to manipulate his father’s emotions by having an attack is truly horrifying. When juxtaposed against Norma and Troy’s caring attitude toward the sickly Kyle, Brandon’s indifference becomes all the more cruel. Kyle and Troy behave like real brothers. Beneath their profanity-laced dialogue brims love and protectiveness. In a novel loaded with machismo, it is refreshing to see Troy and Kyle hug, both in the past and the present.
“Undrawn” refreshes the trope of the tortured artist. Readers see how Kyle is haunted by his past while he suffers from occasional diabetic attacks. Kyle’s physical and mental suffering is poignantly
rendered, although occasionally his diabetic attacks seem like convenient plot devices.
Fernandez masterfully immerses readers in the world of Kyle’s canvas, so that they paint right along with the artist. On the whole, though, “Undrawn” is a well-realized portrait of conflict and forgiveness.
Download an excerpt of "Undrawn" for free!
Feel free to download, read and comment on this excerpt from Chapter One.
Please note that the excerpt contains adult language.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...
Enjoy!
Please note that the excerpt contains adult language.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...
Enjoy!
A Review of Brandi Lei Morrison's "A Southern Tale of Forgiveness"
A Southern Tale of Forgiveness
Brandi Lei Morrison's "A Southern Tale of Forgiveness" is one of the most touching, inspiring and elevating novels I've read in a very long time. The author's debut novel opens as a deceivingly simple story of female fraternal twins, Tessandra and Jewels, born to a birracial couple of humble means at the dawn of the last century. The subtle twists of Ms. Morrison's novel begin just there, in the opening pages, as the author describes the birth of the twins. Tessandra emerges from her mother's womb, her skin as dark as her father's, followed by the surprising arrival of her twin, Jewels, who is as fair-skinned as their mother. That Tessandra is the firstborn is indicative of her brave, somewhat brash, confident and ever-loving personality. She's a protagonist I am reluctant to let go of, and will remember for a very long time. In contrast, Ms. Morrison paints Jewels as a frail, vulnerable and light reflection of her twin. These differences are an interesting literary choice, and the delicate issues of race, attitudes, faith, duty and familial bonds will push and pull against the sisters throughout the novel.
"A Southern Tale of Forgiveness" moves elegantly through the turbulent history of race in Louisiana in the mid-1920s, WWII and later through the Civil Rights Movement of the early 1960s. The book strays far from any racial cliche and doesn't paint the characters as victims -in spite of the racial divides of the eras- which would have done a terrible disservice to a plot and character development that are flawlessly executed.
The book moves between a present set in the mid-60s to a series of family tragedies in the late 1920s and '40s. These events both bonded and almost serrated the relationship between the sisters. Jewels' reaction to their shared pain and her heartbreaking decisions clash against Tessandra's unending perseverance, drive and optimism. The book never moves slowly, the story and plot are extremely well paced, and yet I always got the feeling that a soft female voice with a slight Louisiana accent was reading the story to me, from the front porch of Tessandra's carefully tended house or the bedroom that Jewels often hid inside, whether as a child or a grown-up. As a storyteller, Ms. Morrison has a firm, confident, gentle voice and she has created a world where, as it often happens in real life, pain can either help us discover our inner strength and faith...or it can drive us to bitterness and depression. In the end, her characters must make their choices, and as a reader, I was profoundly moved by the choices they made. Congratulations to Ms. Morrison for a superb novel, and I look forward to many more!
Brandi Lei Morrison's "A Southern Tale of Forgiveness" is one of the most touching, inspiring and elevating novels I've read in a very long time. The author's debut novel opens as a deceivingly simple story of female fraternal twins, Tessandra and Jewels, born to a birracial couple of humble means at the dawn of the last century. The subtle twists of Ms. Morrison's novel begin just there, in the opening pages, as the author describes the birth of the twins. Tessandra emerges from her mother's womb, her skin as dark as her father's, followed by the surprising arrival of her twin, Jewels, who is as fair-skinned as their mother. That Tessandra is the firstborn is indicative of her brave, somewhat brash, confident and ever-loving personality. She's a protagonist I am reluctant to let go of, and will remember for a very long time. In contrast, Ms. Morrison paints Jewels as a frail, vulnerable and light reflection of her twin. These differences are an interesting literary choice, and the delicate issues of race, attitudes, faith, duty and familial bonds will push and pull against the sisters throughout the novel.
"A Southern Tale of Forgiveness" moves elegantly through the turbulent history of race in Louisiana in the mid-1920s, WWII and later through the Civil Rights Movement of the early 1960s. The book strays far from any racial cliche and doesn't paint the characters as victims -in spite of the racial divides of the eras- which would have done a terrible disservice to a plot and character development that are flawlessly executed.
The book moves between a present set in the mid-60s to a series of family tragedies in the late 1920s and '40s. These events both bonded and almost serrated the relationship between the sisters. Jewels' reaction to their shared pain and her heartbreaking decisions clash against Tessandra's unending perseverance, drive and optimism. The book never moves slowly, the story and plot are extremely well paced, and yet I always got the feeling that a soft female voice with a slight Louisiana accent was reading the story to me, from the front porch of Tessandra's carefully tended house or the bedroom that Jewels often hid inside, whether as a child or a grown-up. As a storyteller, Ms. Morrison has a firm, confident, gentle voice and she has created a world where, as it often happens in real life, pain can either help us discover our inner strength and faith...or it can drive us to bitterness and depression. In the end, her characters must make their choices, and as a reader, I was profoundly moved by the choices they made. Congratulations to Ms. Morrison for a superb novel, and I look forward to many more!
My Review of "Notes from the Lightning God" by John W. Schouten
John W. Schouten created a perfectly plausible story of a young American student of anthropology, Sam Young, caught in the midst of a perilous leftist revolution in Peru. Sam, out of sorts in his hometown in Oregon, is searching (as many of us are in our twenties and beyond) for some sort of hinge and meaning to his life after his father's death. Sam drops out of med school and his volunteer work in a small clinic catering to Central and South American migrant workers inspires him to uproot his entire existence and move to a small town in Peru. What is certain is that Sam gets much more than he could ever imagine once he lands in Lima, and later in smaller mountain villages, and begins to peel away at the complex layers of politics and society in 1980s Peru.
Schouten describes the ravages of the local guerrilla, a Communist group called Camino Rojo or Red Road (loosely translated) which is, I think, based on the very real Sendero Luminoso that terrorized the South American nation for years in the late 70s through the 90s. As Sam meets the different and mesmerizing secondary characters of "Notes from the Lightning God", the reader is pulled into the bloody fight for social equality and one wonders, more than once, who the 'bad' guys are in Schouten's tale. Is it the rich upper class, shrouded in corruption and opportunity, the two elusive women Sam is attracted to, the Peruvian army, or the idealistic and brutal Camino Rojo? Sam is at times a demi-god, a not-so-innocent gringo observer, a logger of local history, a student of real life in Latin America in the mid-80s and a very compelling character that, in spite of the hardships of his situations, moves the story along with bewitching naivete, bravery and compassion.
As a Latina, I really appreciated the flawless depiction of life in Peru in a markedly difficult period in history, and the perfect insertion of Spanish into the English narrative. The book is a poetic, genial thriller. Mr. Schouten has written an amazing novel, and I can only hope he graces his readers with many, many other books to come. Bravo, Senor Schouten!Notes from the Lightning God
Schouten describes the ravages of the local guerrilla, a Communist group called Camino Rojo or Red Road (loosely translated) which is, I think, based on the very real Sendero Luminoso that terrorized the South American nation for years in the late 70s through the 90s. As Sam meets the different and mesmerizing secondary characters of "Notes from the Lightning God", the reader is pulled into the bloody fight for social equality and one wonders, more than once, who the 'bad' guys are in Schouten's tale. Is it the rich upper class, shrouded in corruption and opportunity, the two elusive women Sam is attracted to, the Peruvian army, or the idealistic and brutal Camino Rojo? Sam is at times a demi-god, a not-so-innocent gringo observer, a logger of local history, a student of real life in Latin America in the mid-80s and a very compelling character that, in spite of the hardships of his situations, moves the story along with bewitching naivete, bravery and compassion.
As a Latina, I really appreciated the flawless depiction of life in Peru in a markedly difficult period in history, and the perfect insertion of Spanish into the English narrative. The book is a poetic, genial thriller. Mr. Schouten has written an amazing novel, and I can only hope he graces his readers with many, many other books to come. Bravo, Senor Schouten!Notes from the Lightning God
"Undrawn" ebook version free today on Amazon!
No, it's not an April Fool's prank. It really is free today! Enjoy and spread the word!
http://www.amazon.com/Undrawn-ebook/d...
http://www.amazon.com/Undrawn-ebook/d...
Happy 4th of July - "Undrawn" free for Kindle on Amazon worldwide!
http://tinyurl.com/bvte8t4
Undrawn
From the author:
"'Undrawn' is about self-forgiveness, about the love that surrounds us and that we often fail to recognize. Ultimately, it's about the intricate brushstrokes that make up familial ties and intimate relationships."
Highlighted reviews:
"Fernandez masterfully immerses readers in the world of Kyle's canvas, so that they paint right along with the artist." Jill Allen, Clarion ForeWord.
"The writing is wonderful, the pace is pitch perfect, and the characters are rich and convincing." Gadi Wolfsfeld, Author.
"Conchie Fernandez's novel, Undrawn, offers that Indy-e-Pub rarity, a well-written, expertly edited, bona fide page-turner." Jack A. Urquhart, Author.
Enjoy it today for free!!
Undrawn
From the author:
"'Undrawn' is about self-forgiveness, about the love that surrounds us and that we often fail to recognize. Ultimately, it's about the intricate brushstrokes that make up familial ties and intimate relationships."
Highlighted reviews:
"Fernandez masterfully immerses readers in the world of Kyle's canvas, so that they paint right along with the artist." Jill Allen, Clarion ForeWord.
"The writing is wonderful, the pace is pitch perfect, and the characters are rich and convincing." Gadi Wolfsfeld, Author.
"Conchie Fernandez's novel, Undrawn, offers that Indy-e-Pub rarity, a well-written, expertly edited, bona fide page-turner." Jack A. Urquhart, Author.
Enjoy it today for free!!
