A Love That Disturbs by Medeia Sharif, Being Thankful

I'm pleased to say I've read a number of Medeia Sharif's books. Her stories have given me a glimpse into Muslim families and their lives. What I have discovered is that they are no more different than any other family. Families that are Christian, Jewish, or agnostic (put any label on family that you want) also battle alcoholism, drug addiction, peer pressure, or a host of other issues.

Medeia simply tells these stores from a Muslim point of view, a point of view that in this day and age is strongly needed and, by this reader, appreciated.

Now, in her latest novel, A LOVE THAT DISTURBS, she is tackling another difficult issue, one I am sure that has touched many families.

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A LOVE THAT DISTURBS by Medeia Sharif
Evernight Teen, June 17, 2016
Purchase from Amazon (merchant sites will be updated on the author's site)

Maysa Mazari is alarmed by her mother’s talk about arranged marriage. As a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American, she wants to find love on her own. Her judgmental Muslim clique has protected her from racist taunts, although the leader is turning on her as Maysa strays from the group because of her attraction to Haydee.

Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.

Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

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Being Thankful

Today I'm thankful for
Sunsets.
Our house doesn't face west, so we don't see too many. But occasionally we're out and about at the right time of day and get so see some pretty nice colors. I don't have any pictures of these expansive Texas sunsets, but I do have some from the Virgin Islands.
For your viewing enjoyment, here are a few.

***

What are you thankful for? Have you read any of Medeia's books? Do you have any on your TBR list? Sunsets or sunrises: do you have a preference? 

Cover Reveal! I'm and Winner and Being Thankful

Today I'm happy to help author Medeia Sharif show off the cover for her latest book. 
I've enjoyed every book she's written. She brings a perspective to Muslim families and life that is both challenging and endearing -- depending on the subject she writes about -- and also brings home that not matter what our nationality, race, or creed, we are not so different from one another. We all have the same emotions, the same longings and needs. I'm sure A LOVE THAT DISTURBS will add another layer!

A LOVE THAT DISTURBS by Medeia Sharif
Evernight Teen, June 17, 2016

Maysa Mazari is alarmed by her mother’s talk about arranged marriage. Meanwhile, as a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American, she wants to find love on her own. Her judgmental Muslim clique has protected her from racist taunts, although the leader, Aamal, is turning on her as Maysa strays from the group because of her attraction to Haydee.

Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.

Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

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I'm a winner!

Back in the middle of April, in the middle of the A to Z Challenge (did you survive?), I visited the lovely Natalie Aguirre's blog, Literary Rambles and entered the Showers of Books Giveaway Hop she was participating in. Being busy with the challenge I completely forgot about it. Much to my delight and surprise, I won a $10 Amazon gift card! If you haven't been to Natalie's blog, I strongly suggest you do. She interviews agents and authors, and has regular giveaways.

***

Being Thankful

Today I'm thankful for
 the color GREEN!

Although we had a mild winter, seeing the trees all leafed out is soothing to the heart and eyes.

Plus, after so many years of drought we've had a wonderfully wet spring, and for the first time in at least six years we have... a lawn!

 And greenery is coming up everywhere, both planted and volunteers.

What a treat. In this bed alone there are irises, pavonia, horsemint, 

standing cypress, brown-eyed Susan and cone flowers. 

Our beds over-floweth with flowers!

***

What are you thankful for? Have you read any of Medeia's books? Do you follow Natalie's blog? Is spring busting out where you are?

Hot Pink in the City by Medeia Sharif

From one the writingest ladies around, here's ANOTHER release by our own Medeia Sharif.

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HOT PINK IN THE CITY, Prizm Books/Torquere Press, 
Release Date: August 19, 2015
Ebook
Purchase from Prizm, Amazon (vendor links will be updated on the author's site)

Asma Bashir wants two things: a summer fling and her favorite '80s songs. During a trip to New York City to stay with relatives, she messes up in her pursuit of both. She loses track of the hunk she met on her airplane ride, and she does the most terrible thing she could possibly do to her strict uncle... ruin his most prized possession, a rare cassette tape.

A wild goose chase around Manhattan and Brooklyn to find a replacement tape yields many adventures -- blackmail, theft, a chance to be a TV star, and so much more. Amid all this turmoil, Asma just might be able to find her crush in the busiest, most exciting city in the world.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

Enter the HPITC book blast giveaway!

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Cover Reveal for HOT PINK IN THE CITY by Medeia Sharif

Cover Reveal

HOT PINK IN THE CITY, Prizm Books
Author: Medeia Sharif

Release date: August 19, 2015

Asma Bashir wants two things: a summer fling and her favorite '80s songs. During a trip to New York City to stay with relatives, she messes up in her pursuit of both. She loses track of the hunk she met on her airplane ride, and she does the most terrible thing she could possibly do to her strict uncle…ruin his most prized possession, a rare cassette tape. A wild goose chase around Manhattan and Brooklyn to find a replacement tape yields many adventures—blackmail, theft, a chance to be a TV star, and so much more. Amid all this turmoil, Asma just might be able to find her crush in the busiest, most exciting city in the world.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

52 LIKES, Titles to Write By, The Monday Muse and Being Thankful

Medeia Sharif's 52 LIKES is 99 cents on Amazon for a limited time. This edgy, paranormal YA title has been receiving rave reviews. Important issues such as rape, bullying, and social media abuse are tackled in this novel. You can connect with Medeia through her blog, Twitter account, Goodreads page, and Instagram to learn more about this book and her other titles.

52 LIKES, Evernight Teen, 2015: After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. She’s plagued by not knowing the identity of her rapist and by the nasty rumors in school about that night. Valerie follows clues from ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site—why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.

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Titles to Write By: In which we play with a single word and turn it into, what else, titles! Afterwards the object is to pick one of them and write a little something.

It was Ray Bradbury, in his book ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING, who taught me about making lists of words and turning them into titles. If you haven't read it I highly recommend it.

For no particular reason today's word is: 
STONE

Stone Mountain

The Stony Road

House Made of Stone

How to Identify a Stone

Stoned Silence

How to Act Stoned So You Won't Be Bullied by Stoners

Eyes of Stone

Stone Cairn

This exercise leads write (right) into The Monday Muse

***

I gather stones
to build a cairn.
Certain ones call,
"Pick me! Pick me!"
Out of a nondescript pile
something is formed:
a guidepost to show the way,
a balancing act,
a fairy house under the elms,
each is as ephemeral
as life.

***

Being Thankful
Today I'm thankful for cairns and their ever changing variety. They remind me that nothing lasts forever and that it is useless/needless to stay attached to anything. For it is in the letting go that we truly live.

Cairn for my mother

Cairn for Gene

Buddhist Cairn

Coral cairns

 Woodland Elf Home

Ocean side cairn

Cairn with arch

None of these cairns still exists. Like life, they have a beginning, middle and end. Sometimes the stones are rearranged to form something new, sometimes the stones are never used again.

Please pray for  dear friend of mine, a young woman who is dying. Today she is having experimental/exploratory surgery. It will not save her life, but may prolong it. It may also shorten what time she has left. She is brave and ready for whatever is to come. My prayer for her is that she not suffer. No matter what, she has been and is, for me, a kind of cairn. She is a guidepost marking the way, she is balancing between life and death, she is, like each of us, as ephemeral as a sand castle, a baby's laugh, a mockingbird's song, the wind in our hair.

52 Likes by Medeia Sharif and An Award!

You still have a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card and a free Kindle copy of 52 LIKES. Click on the Rafflecopter link below to sign up!

52 LIKES, Evernight Teen, 2015
Purchase from Amazon, Evernight Teen (vendor links will be updated on the author's site)

After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. She’s plagued by not knowing the identity of her rapist and by the nasty rumors in school about that night. Valerie follows clues from ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site—why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

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The Very Inspiring Blogger Award

It's been ages, an aeon! since someone has given me an award. Thank you Susan Drazic! What a treat.

The rules for accepting this award are as follows:

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.

2. Display the award logo. 

3. Nominate at least 15 other blogs (more or less) and provide 

a link where they may be found.

4. Then, go to their blog, leave a comment to let them know they have been nominated, and where to find the information they need to accept (rules).

5. Mention three things that inspired you the most during the past few weeks.


My 15 nominations are, in no particular order...

Robyn Campbell for her ever enthusiastic support
C. Lee McKenzie for helping me believe in my abilities
Alex Cavenaugh for being the Ninja, of course
Anne Gallegher for answering every question I can think up
DLHammons for helping lots of people feel good
Liza Salerno for her beautiful words and photos
Manzanita because she's an inspiration to us youngins
Angela Ackerman for being an incredible teacher
Joy Campbell for seeming to be everywhere and sharing what she's learned/learning
Marcia Hoehne for turning me on to kid books I haven't read
Vijaya Bodach for being my first virtual friend and mentor
Medeia Sharif for showing the rest of us how much we can get done in a day/week/month/year
Susan Kane for her wonderful vignettes on life.
Jessica Height for her whimsical riddles. I get the feeling we're kindred spirits
Carol Kilgore for being a supportive near neighbor whom I hope to meet SOON

Okay 3 things that have inspired me in the past few weeks.

1. My husband, for researching alternatives to the medication my doctor wants to put me on.

2. Life... it's everywhere and just doesn't seem to give up.

3. All of you wonderful bloggers!

***

Only 6 days left to win a copy of one of my books! Stop by Carol Kilgore's web page. 2 people will win!

Vitamins and Death

Today I'm helping spread the word about Medeia Sharif's latest book, Vitamins and Death.

The subject is one that has intrigued me since I first read about it. And the cover... well, it expresses so much emotion. 

Be sure to sign up at the bottom for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card AND copy of her book!

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VITAMINS AND DEATH, Prizm Books/Torquere Press, December 10, 2014
Purchase from Prizm, Amazon – Vendor sites will be updated on the author’s site.

Deidra Battle wants nothing more than to be invisible. After her mother, a public school teacher, engages in an embarrassing teacher-student affair at Lincoln High, they relocate to a different neighborhood and school. Being her mother's briefcase, Deidra joins her mother at her new workplace, Hodge High. Since her mother has reverted to her maiden name and changed her appearance, she thinks no one will figure out they're the Battles from recent news and that they're safe. Neither of them is. Hodge brings a fresh set of bullies who discover details about the scandal that changed Deidra's life. Feeling trapped at home with an emotionally abusive, pill-addicted mother and at school with hostile classmates who attempt to assault and blackmail her, Deidra yearns for freedom, even if she has to act out of character and hurt others in the process. Freedom comes at a price.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

Book Blast Giveaway

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Vitamins and Death Cover Reveal

I know I'm not the only one giving Medeia a little face time this week. Look at her awesome new cover! And the story... This sounds like something ripped from national news headlines.

VITAMINS AND DEATH by Medeia Sharif

YA Contemporary, Prizm Books

Release Date December 10, 2014

Deidra Battle wants nothing more than to be invisible. After her mother, a public school teacher, engages in an embarrassing teacher-student affair at Lincoln High, they relocate to a different neighborhood and school. Being her mother’s briefcase, Deidra joins her mother at her new workplace, Hodge High.

Since her mother has reverted to her maiden name and changed her appearance, Deidra thinks no one will figure out they’re the Battles from recent news and that they’re safe. Neither of them is. Hodge brings a fresh set of bullies who discover details about the scandal that changed her life.

Feeling trapped at home with an emotionally abusive, pill-addicted mother and at school with hostile classmates who attempt to assault and blackmail her, Deidra yearns for freedom, even if she has to act out of character and hurt others in the process. Freedom comes at a price.

Find Medeia

Blog   |   Instagram   |   Twitter   |   Add VITAMINS AND DEATH on Goodreads

International Potluck Blogfest

It's the International Potluck Blogfest!

Hosted by Beth Fred, Medeia Sharif and Lexa Cain 
Here are the rules:
~ Put the bloghop badge on your post.
~ Post the cover of a book you love (it can be your own) with a food and/or recipe from the book, or a food from the MC's region, or a food you just like!
~ Link back to Beth, Media, and Lexa. All three of us.
~ A copy of Beth's Finding Hope, Medeia's Snip, Snip, Revenge, and Lexa's Soul Cutter, plus a $10 Amazon gift card will be given away via Rafflecopter!

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This should be fun! And who better to share a favorite recipe than the Trickster of Caribbean, Anansi the Spider, who loves ANYthing that has to do with food. One of the dishes mentioned in my book, Anansi and Company, is classic.

Kallaloo 

(There are as many ways to cook Kalaloo, Callaloo as there are to spell it. Kallaloo is a leafy green, a West Indian spinach.)

1/2 lb - Pig's tail*

1/2 lb - Salt beef*

1 - Ham bone

5 cups - water

1/2 lb - Snapper, cleaned and boned

1/2 lb - Grouper or goatfish, cleaned and boned

1-1/2 lbs - Kallaloo or fresh spinach, washed and torn

1/2 lb - Okra, frozen, thawed, drained, chopped

1 - Onion, chopped

1 tbsp - Thyme, fresh, finely chopped

1/2 tsp - Allspice

2 - Hot peppers, seeded, finely chopped

1 lb - Lump crab meat, finely chopped

2 tsp - Vinegar

*Note: Substitute 1 lb boneless ham for the pig's tail and salt beef and omit the overnight soaking.

Place pig's tail and salt beef in a large bowl with enough cold water to cover. Soak overnight. Drain water. Boil meat in 5 cups of fresh water, until tender. Remove and keep stock. Cut meat from bones and finely chop using a food processor. Return to stock.

In another pot boil snapper and grouper for 5 minutes, drain, cool, debone and finely chop. In a separate pot cook kallaloo or spinach; add chopped okra, onion, thyme, allspice, and hot peppers. Mix together then add to the pot with the meat. Add Crab and vinegar; boil/simmer all ingredients together over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Anansi says, "Enjoy!"

***

Traditionally, Kallaloo is served on Old Year's Night (New Year's Eve) for good luck.

Think you'll try cooking up a batch of Kallaloo? Have you visited other participating blogs and found an interesting recipe?

Snip, Snip Revenge

It's here, Medeia's latest book! Enter  the Rafflecopter give-away TODAY and TOMORROW to win a copy! 


SNIP, SNIP REVENGE by Medeia Sharif

YA Contemporary, Evernight Teen
Release Date April 25, 2014

Beautiful, confident Tabby Karim has plans for the winter: nab a role in her school’s dramatic production, make the new boy Michael hers, and keep bigoted Heather—with her relentless Ay-rab comments—at bay. When a teacher’s lie and her father’s hastiness rob her of her beautiful hair, her dreams are dashed. The fastest barber in Miami Beach has made her look practically bald. 

With all her pretty hair gone, Tabby doesn’t believe she fits the feminine role she’s auditioning for. Michael is still interested in her, but he’s playing it cool. Heather has taken to bullying her online, which is easier to do with Tabby’s ugly haircut. Tabby spearheads Operation Revenge, which proves satisfying until all of her problems deepen. After messing up, she sets to make things right.

Author Bio

I’m a Kurdish-American author who was born in New York City, and I presently call Miami my home. I received my master’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University. After becoming a voracious reader in high school and a relentless writer dabbling in many genres in college, I found my niche writing for young people. Today I'm a MG and YA writer published through various presses. In addition to being a writer, I'm a middle school English teacher. My memberships include Mensa, ALAN, and SCBWI.

Find Medeia

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon

Join Medeia's giveaway to celebrate the release of her latest novel.

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Bestest. Ramadan. Ever.

Why did it take me so long to read Medeia's book? 30 lashes with a wet noodle!

About Bestest. Ramadan. Ever.

Okay, so during Ramadan, we're not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset. For one whole month. My family does this every year, even though I've been to a mosque exactly twice in my life. And it's true, I could stand to lose a few pounds. (Sadly, my mom's hotness skipped a generation.) But is starvation really an acceptable method? I think not.Even worse, my oppressive parents forbid me to date. This is just cruel and wrong. Especially since Peter, a cute and crushable artist, might be my soul mate. Figures my bestest friend Lisa likes him, too. To top it off, there's a new Muslim girl in school who struts around in super-short skirts, commanding every boy's attention--including Peter's. How can I get him to notice me? And will I ever figure out how to be Muslim and American?

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My review.

I totally enjoyed this book. I liked learning a little about the Muslim faith and the meaning of Ramadan. I can easily believe that the issues Almira has to deal with are real. They are both trivial, humorous and serious. Almira seems like a pretty normal American girl. Her emotions and fantasies are all over the place, but what 15 year old girl isn't a kind of emotional whirlpool? She has so many things to deal with. She's Muslim trying valiantly to fast during the month of Ramada even when well meaning friends try to sabotage her. She wants very much to fit in and I haven't met too many teens who don't. She has a crush on a boy but it's the same boy her best friend likes. Then she has her wisdom teeth removed and braces put on which makes her feel awkward. She's also taking driving lessons from her grandfather who is, himself, a terrible driver. She is trying to live as a modern American girl while having to deal with generational issues within her Muslim family. 

The bottom line is Almira is a good girl who wants to please. She wants to do what's right, both with her friends and with her family. The problem is finding the balance between old and new ways and not having to lie her way through it.

You can find it on Amazon.

***

Anansi is continuing his visit through the rest of this week, with Jess and Stephanie at The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow.

He's getting so comfortable over there, and the girls are feeding him 
so well, he told me (through the web of course) that he's not sure if 
he wants to come home!

Be on the lookout for  an interview and GIVE-AWAY. 

My first! 

Anansi's first!