We're bringing something a bit different to Writing in the Modern Age today. Awhile back, I had an idea for a new feature so I reached out to some author colleagues to see if they'd like to participate. I thought it might be nice to show readers a few books that have inspired authors. You might find it enlightening, and at least be able to answer the age old question, "What the heck do authors read?"
Writers are readers too! Most authors love to collect books for their vast personal libraries. The written word is fascinating to us, and many newer authors as well as those in the past have helped to shape who we are today.
Without further ado, our guest today is Devika Fernando, a romance author. Won't it be interesting to hear about a few books that have inspired Devika on her writing and publishing journey?
Sounds pretty awesome to me. So, take it away, Devika!
I firmly believe that you can’t write if you don’t
read. I’ve always been a voracious reader, and my love for books led me to
wanting to tell stories too, from an early age on. Even now that I’m a busy
romance novelist – and even though some people say authors shouldn’t read
similar genres so as not to copy someone else’s style – I still read as much as
I can. Here’s a handful of my favorite books.
I firmly believe that you can’t write if you don’t
read. I’ve always been a voracious reader, and my love for books led me to
wanting to tell stories too, from an early age on. Even now that I’m a busy
romance novelist – and even though some people say authors shouldn’t read
similar genres so as not to copy someone else’s style – I still read as much as
I can. Here’s a handful of my favorite books.
1. The Tale of the Body Thief by Anne Rice
Blurb:
In a gripping feat of storytelling, Anne Rice continues the extraordinary Vampire Chronicles that began with the now-classic Interview with the Vampire.
For centuries, Lestat—vampire-hero, enchanter, seducer of mortals—has
been a courted prince in the dark and flourishing universe of the living
dead. Now he is alone. And in his overwhelming need to destroy his
doubts and his loneliness, Lestat embarks on the most dangerous
enterprise he has undertaken in all the years of his haunted existence.
Praise for The Tale of the Body Thief
“Tinged with mystery, full of drama . . . The story is involving, the twists surprising.”—People
“Rice is our modern messenger of the occult, whose nicely updated dark-side passion plays twist and turn in true Gothic form.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“Fast-paced . . . . mesmerizing . . . silkenly sensuous . . . No one writing today matches her deftness with the erotic.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Hypnotic . . . masterful.”—Cosmopolitan
Devika's Thoughts:
Anne Rice’s ‘Vampire Chronicles’ were the first books
that really made me itch to put pen to paper and create such fascinating
characters and worlds, too. I was a teenager in Germany those days, and I
absorbed her many vampire novels like a starving woman gobbles up food. My
all-time favorite was and is The Tale of the Body Thief because of its
intriguing premise of body switching, the spiritual, and exotic locations.
Anne Rice’s ‘Vampire Chronicles’ were the first books
that really made me itch to put pen to paper and create such fascinating
characters and worlds, too. I was a teenager in Germany those days, and I
absorbed her many vampire novels like a starving woman gobbles up food. My
all-time favorite was and is The Tale of the Body Thief because of its
intriguing premise of body switching, the spiritual, and exotic locations.
2. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Blurb:
Compared favorably to the works of Faulkner and Dickens, Arundhati Roy’s
debut novel is a modern classic that has been read and loved worldwide.
Equal parts powerful family saga, forbidden love story, and piercing
political drama, it is the story of an affluent Indian family forever
changed by one fateful day in 1969. The seven-year-old twins Estha and
Rahel see their world shaken irrevocably by the arrival of their
beautiful young cousin, Sophie. It is an event that will lead to an
illicit liaison and tragedies accidental and intentional, exposing “big
things [that] lurk unsaid” in a country drifting dangerously toward
unrest. Lush, lyrical, and unnerving, The God of Small Things is an
award-winning landmark that started for its author an esteemed career of
fiction and political commentary that continues unabated.
Devika's Thoughts:
A writer needs to master language, and I consider this
Indian author to be a word wizard. I fell in love with her clever, sometimes
poetic use of the English language. Also, The God of Small Things is a gem
filled with observations about human nature. The characters are flawed and
quirky, but so authentic that you think they are truly alive.
3. Face the Fire by Nora Roberts
Blurb:
In the conclusion to her acclaimed Three Sisters Island trilogy, #1 New York Times
bestselling author Nora Roberts masterfully evokes the quaint charm of
New England, weaving a spellbinding tale of true love—and sheer magic…
Mia
Devlin knows what it’s like to love with your whole heart—and then
watch your love walk away. Years ago, she and Sam Logan shared an
incredible bond built on passion, legend, and fate. But then one day he
fled Three Sisters Island, leaving her lost in memories of the magic
they shared—and determined to live on her own…
As the new owner
of the island’s only hotel, Sam has returned to Three Sisters with hopes
of winning back Mia’s affections. He is puzzled when she greets him
with icy indifference—for the chemistry between them is still sizzling
and true. Angry, hurt, and deeply confused, Mia refuses to admit that a
desire for Sam still burns in her heart. But she’ll need his help—and
his powers—to face her greatest, most terrifying challenge. And as the
deadline for breaking a centuries-old curse draws near, they must take
the first step toward destiny—and come together to turn back the dark…
Don’t miss the other books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Three Sisters Island trilogy…
Dance Upon the Air
Heaven and Earth
Devika's Thoughts:
How can I not include the goddess of romance novels,
Nora Roberts? I enjoy her romantic suspense novels as much as her paranormal
romance novels (if you can call them that), and her way of using witches and elemental
magic inspired me to write my Fire Trilogy. Plus, her heroes like Logan from Face the Fire are irresistible!
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Blurb:
In this historic romance, young Elizabeth Bennet strives for love,
independence and honesty in the vapid high society of 19th century
England.
Devika's Thoughts:
If there ever was a perfect novel, it’s this classic.
I read it only recently and fell head over heels in love with it. Reasons? You
don’t need any more reasons than Mr. Darcy! That being said, her style and the
way this work has influenced literature are admirable.
5. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Blurb:
Oryx and Crake is at once an unforgettable love story and a
compelling vision of the future. Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind
was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where
he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend,
Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In
search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey–with the help of the
green-eyed Children of Crake–through the lush wilderness that was so
recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an
uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. Margaret Atwood projects us into a
near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.
Devika's Thoughts:
I am a bit choosy when it comes to science fiction and/or dystopian novels, but Margaret Atwood’s books never fail to entertain me.
They make me think, question and want to write a dystopian (maybe Young Adult)
novel too. Oryx and Crake is my favorite, though I am a big fan of The
Handmaid’s Tale as well.
6. The English Patient by Michael Ondaajte
Blurb:
With ravishing beauty and unsettling intelligence, Michael Ondaatje's
Booker Prize-winning novel traces the intersection of four damaged lives
in an Italian villa at the end of World War II. Hana, the exhausted
nurse; the maimed thief, Caravaggio; the wary sapper, Kip: each is
haunted by the riddle of the English patient, the nameless, burned man
who lies in an upstairs room and whose memories of passion, betrayal, and
rescue illuminates this book like flashes of heat lightening.
Devika's Thoughts:
I love the unashamed and unique way Ondaatje uses the
language to his advantage to paint pictures in words. The effortless way in
which he brings settings to life until they become a protagonist. The
unrelenting wit and emotional sensitivity with which he shapes his characters.
I must have read The English Patient over ten times and I am still mesmerized
by it, although – or especially because – it deals with such taboo topics.
Thank you, Devika! And I especially agree with your assessments of Nora Roberts and Jane Austen! I just love the Three Sisters Island trilogy and numerous Austen novels. :)
A writer needs to master language, and I consider this
Indian author to be a word wizard. I fell in love with her clever, sometimes
poetic use of the English language. Also, The God of Small Things is a gem
filled with observations about human nature. The characters are flawed and
quirky, but so authentic that you think they are truly alive.
3. Face the Fire by Nora Roberts
Blurb:
In the conclusion to her acclaimed Three Sisters Island trilogy, #1 New York Times
bestselling author Nora Roberts masterfully evokes the quaint charm of
New England, weaving a spellbinding tale of true love—and sheer magic…
Mia Devlin knows what it’s like to love with your whole heart—and then watch your love walk away. Years ago, she and Sam Logan shared an incredible bond built on passion, legend, and fate. But then one day he fled Three Sisters Island, leaving her lost in memories of the magic they shared—and determined to live on her own…
As the new owner of the island’s only hotel, Sam has returned to Three Sisters with hopes of winning back Mia’s affections. He is puzzled when she greets him with icy indifference—for the chemistry between them is still sizzling and true. Angry, hurt, and deeply confused, Mia refuses to admit that a desire for Sam still burns in her heart. But she’ll need his help—and his powers—to face her greatest, most terrifying challenge. And as the deadline for breaking a centuries-old curse draws near, they must take the first step toward destiny—and come together to turn back the dark…
Don’t miss the other books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Three Sisters Island trilogy…
Dance Upon the Air
Heaven and Earth
Mia Devlin knows what it’s like to love with your whole heart—and then watch your love walk away. Years ago, she and Sam Logan shared an incredible bond built on passion, legend, and fate. But then one day he fled Three Sisters Island, leaving her lost in memories of the magic they shared—and determined to live on her own…
As the new owner of the island’s only hotel, Sam has returned to Three Sisters with hopes of winning back Mia’s affections. He is puzzled when she greets him with icy indifference—for the chemistry between them is still sizzling and true. Angry, hurt, and deeply confused, Mia refuses to admit that a desire for Sam still burns in her heart. But she’ll need his help—and his powers—to face her greatest, most terrifying challenge. And as the deadline for breaking a centuries-old curse draws near, they must take the first step toward destiny—and come together to turn back the dark…
Don’t miss the other books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Three Sisters Island trilogy…
Dance Upon the Air
Heaven and Earth
Devika's Thoughts:
How can I not include the goddess of romance novels,
Nora Roberts? I enjoy her romantic suspense novels as much as her paranormal
romance novels (if you can call them that), and her way of using witches and elemental
magic inspired me to write my Fire Trilogy. Plus, her heroes like Logan from Face the Fire are irresistible!
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Blurb:
In this historic romance, young Elizabeth Bennet strives for love,
independence and honesty in the vapid high society of 19th century
England.
Devika's Thoughts:
If there ever was a perfect novel, it’s this classic.
I read it only recently and fell head over heels in love with it. Reasons? You
don’t need any more reasons than Mr. Darcy! That being said, her style and the
way this work has influenced literature are admirable.
If there ever was a perfect novel, it’s this classic.
I read it only recently and fell head over heels in love with it. Reasons? You
don’t need any more reasons than Mr. Darcy! That being said, her style and the
way this work has influenced literature are admirable.
5. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
Blurb:
Oryx and Crake is at once an unforgettable love story and a
compelling vision of the future. Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind
was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where
he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend,
Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In
search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey–with the help of the
green-eyed Children of Crake–through the lush wilderness that was so
recently a great city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an
uncontrolled genetic engineering ride. Margaret Atwood projects us into a
near future that is both all too familiar and beyond our imagining.
Devika's Thoughts:
I am a bit choosy when it comes to science fiction and/or dystopian novels, but Margaret Atwood’s books never fail to entertain me.
They make me think, question and want to write a dystopian (maybe Young Adult)
novel too. Oryx and Crake is my favorite, though I am a big fan of The
Handmaid’s Tale as well.
6. The English Patient by Michael Ondaajte
Blurb:
With ravishing beauty and unsettling intelligence, Michael Ondaatje's
Booker Prize-winning novel traces the intersection of four damaged lives
in an Italian villa at the end of World War II. Hana, the exhausted
nurse; the maimed thief, Caravaggio; the wary sapper, Kip: each is
haunted by the riddle of the English patient, the nameless, burned man
who lies in an upstairs room and whose memories of passion, betrayal, and
rescue illuminates this book like flashes of heat lightening.
Devika's Thoughts:
I love the unashamed and unique way Ondaatje uses the
language to his advantage to paint pictures in words. The effortless way in
which he brings settings to life until they become a protagonist. The
unrelenting wit and emotional sensitivity with which he shapes his characters.
I must have read The English Patient over ten times and I am still mesmerized
by it, although – or especially because – it deals with such taboo topics.
6. The English Patient by Michael Ondaajte
Blurb:
With ravishing beauty and unsettling intelligence, Michael Ondaatje's
Booker Prize-winning novel traces the intersection of four damaged lives
in an Italian villa at the end of World War II. Hana, the exhausted
nurse; the maimed thief, Caravaggio; the wary sapper, Kip: each is
haunted by the riddle of the English patient, the nameless, burned man
who lies in an upstairs room and whose memories of passion, betrayal, and
rescue illuminates this book like flashes of heat lightening.
Devika's Thoughts:
I love the unashamed and unique way Ondaatje uses the
language to his advantage to paint pictures in words. The effortless way in
which he brings settings to life until they become a protagonist. The
unrelenting wit and emotional sensitivity with which he shapes his characters.
I must have read The English Patient over ten times and I am still mesmerized
by it, although – or especially because – it deals with such taboo topics.
Thank you, Devika! And I especially agree with your assessments of Nora Roberts and Jane Austen! I just love the Three Sisters Island trilogy and numerous Austen novels. :)
Readers, here is a little about Devika's new book, The Prince's Special Bride, book one of the Royal Romance Series!
Book Blurb:
Marie doesn’t believe in fairytales and needs no handsome
prince to rescue her from misery – but everything changes when she falls in
love with Crown Prince Christian of Taragonia. When his sister invites Marie to
the palace, their lives collide and leave them both fighting their forbidden
attraction.
Prince Christian has no place in his life for love or
for a woman who doesn’t fit into the royal scheme of things. But vivacious
Marie steals his heart and puts all he has lived for at stake. When the media
gets wind of their affair, he has to make a difficult decision.
Will the unlikely couple have a chance at a happy
ending?
Marie doesn’t believe in fairytales and needs no handsome
prince to rescue her from misery – but everything changes when she falls in
love with Crown Prince Christian of Taragonia. When his sister invites Marie to
the palace, their lives collide and leave them both fighting their forbidden
attraction.
Prince Christian has no place in his life for love or
for a woman who doesn’t fit into the royal scheme of things. But vivacious
Marie steals his heart and puts all he has lived for at stake. When the media
gets wind of their affair, he has to make a difficult decision.
Will the unlikely couple have a chance at a happy
ending?
Here is an excerpt.
Marie blinked some more, her feet automatically
carrying her close. “What…what are you doing here?” Belatedly, she curtsied and
added a weak “Your Highness”, remembering that they were not alone.
His smile widened. For a moment, he seemed to be
drinking her in, his gaze roving appreciatively over her body clad in turquoise
capris and a white polo shirt. She felt his gaze like a physical caress,
driving her out of her mind, increasing the heat.
“This is my family’s property. Surely I have a right
to be here,” he joked mildly. For a moment, it looked like he wanted to touch
her, but his hand fell back down to his side, clenching into a fist once.
“Yes,” she replied, still dazed. “But you’re a crown
prince, not a winemaker.”
He laughed, and the sound traveled straight to her
heart. “That is correct, but I do know a thing or two about wine. My duties
encompass everything concerned with my kingdom.”
She nodded. Of course. And wasn’t that what made him
the perfect regent? His interest in anything and everything, his willingness to
learn and his readiness get his hands dirty?
He ushered her into the building, her entourage
trailing behind and exchanging looks.
“I came here this morning with the dignitaries from
England and Germany to give them a private tour.” Christian raked his hands
through his hair, as if the time spent with them hadn’t exactly been fun. “My
sister told me you’d end up here sooner or later, otherwise I’d have traveled
through the region, visiting some other vineyards and villages.”
Marie swallowed. So he’d stayed behind because of her.
She felt thrilled and anxious at the same time. As keen as she was on every
minute spent with him, this would lead nowhere and should not even get a chance
to bloom. Why nurture something that was doomed to be cut off at the stem
before it could blossom?
* * *
Damn, why had he come here?
The expression on Marie’s face seemed to ask the same
question. After the initial shock at seeing him, she took a few involuntary
steps back and her arms rose to fold across her breasts. It pulled the hem of
her knee-length nightshirt up, and his throat was suddenly as dry as a desert.
“I…” Christian faltered, feeling like a teenager who’d
snuck out in the middle of the night to meet his girlfriend. Only he wasn’t,
and he had never done that.
“Why are you wearing this?”
Way to go, spoken like a true prince. He wanted to
bang his head against the wall, he wanted to bolt. What was it about her that
made normal reactions and rational thought impossible?
Her eyebrows rose sky-high. For a moment, she
spluttered, then she crossed her arms even tighter, drawing his gaze to where
it shouldn’t linger.
“Why am I wearing this? Because I intend to sleep my
jetlag off, that’s why. Or is there a rule that one has to lie in the palace
beds naked?”
Her comment made his blood boil. He should have been
affronted at her tone, her daring to speak like that to the crown prince of
Taragonia. But all he was able to do was block out indecent fantasies about a
naked, honey-colored woman with her wild curls all over the pillow and her skin
begging for his touch.
Christian gritted his teeth.
“You sound offended,” he said softly, fighting to keep
a clear head and pull this off. Before she could comment, he went ahead, “And
you have every right to be offended. It was wrong of me to…admonish you.”
She closed her mouth and regarded him, her expression
unfathomable. He wanted her to say something, anything that would keep him from
ogling her and losing the battle with his suddenly raging libido.
“I appreciate what you’re doing for my sister,” he
said, somewhat lamely.
Now she was frowning, and that didn’t help either
because his hand twitched to reach out and smooth the wrinkles away. What in
the world was wrong with him?
“Do you really? And here I’d always thought you worry
that I’ll ruin your nice plan or tarnish your sister’s reputation.”
He winced. Well, she couldn’t be blamed for that
remark. Running a hand through his hair, he sought for the right words. “I may
not think it was a good idea that Olivia ran away and bonded with you, but
ultimately, I want only the best for her. I do want to see her happy, believe
it or not.”
Her expression softened. She threaded a hand through
her dark curls, and his body tightened with need.
“So you don’t think it’s a bad idea that I’m here?”
There was a strange pleading look in her eyes, as if she wanted him to reassure
her or as if she herself thought it was wrong to be here.
He acted on instinct, helpless to do anything else.
Taking a step closer, he said softly, “I think it’s a very bad idea. But I also
thought it’s a bad idea to kiss you and did it anyway.”
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Family Saga
Purchase Links:
Amazon Universal link: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01HOH9HH8
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/294wS44
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/293cd24
Kobo: http://bit.ly/296VtZO
iTunes: http://apple.co/29mWWrS
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/292tfvV
This looks like a fun romantic adventure! And thank you for stopping by to give us a glimpse of your bookshelf, Devika! :)
Readers, don't forget to pick up your copy of The Prince's Special Bride, which just released today!
About the Author:
Almost as
soon as Devika Fernando could write, she imagined stories and poems. After
finishing her education in Germany and returning to her roots in Sri Lanka, she
got a chance to turn her passion into her profession. Having lived in Germany and
in Sri Lanka with her husband has made her experience the best (and the worst)
of two totally different worlds - something that influences her writing. Her
trademark is writing sweet and sensual, deeply emotional romance stories where
the characters actually fall in love instead of merely falling in lust.
What she
loves most about being an author is the chance to create new worlds and send
her protagonists on a journey full of ups and downs that will leave them
changed. She draws inspiration from everyone and everything in life. Besides
being a romance novel author, Devika is a faithful servant to all the cats and
dogs she has adopted. When she's not writing, she's reading or thinking about
writing.
Almost as
soon as Devika Fernando could write, she imagined stories and poems. After
finishing her education in Germany and returning to her roots in Sri Lanka, she
got a chance to turn her passion into her profession. Having lived in Germany and
in Sri Lanka with her husband has made her experience the best (and the worst)
of two totally different worlds - something that influences her writing. Her
trademark is writing sweet and sensual, deeply emotional romance stories where
the characters actually fall in love instead of merely falling in lust.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.devikafernando.com
Blog: http://www.devikafernando.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devikafernandoauthor
Author Links:
Website: http://www.devikafernando.com
Blog: http://www.devikafernando.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devikafernandoauthor
http://www.facebook.com/devika.fernando.18
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_Devika
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Devika-Fernando/e/B00ISH0RD2/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Devika-Fernando/e/B00ISH0RD2/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DevikaFernando
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+DevikaFernando
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7980006.Devika_Fernando
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7980006.Devika_Fernando
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/devika-fernando/9b/a44/95b
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/devika-fernando/9b/a44/95b
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/devikafernando
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/devikafernando
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/devikafernando1/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/devikafernando1/
WattPad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/devikafernando
WattPad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/devikafernando
Devika's Books:
Devika's Books:
Once again, let's thank Devika Fernando for allowing us to see her cool author's bookshelf! :)
