#Storytelling

Unveiling Shadows of Deception: The Untold Story of the Silent Assassin

By Oscar J. Starr III

Oscar J. Starr III, the acclaimed author of "The GameChanger," returns with a gripping new ebook, "Shadows of Deception: The Untold Story of the Silent Assassin." This thrilling novel takes readers into a world of intrigue, espionage, and high-stakes action, where every shadow hides a secret and every move could be the last.

A Masterclass in Suspense

"Shadows of Deception" follows the enigmatic figure known as the Silent Assassin, a master of disguise and deception. Trained in the art of invisibility, the assassin operates in the murky underworld, executing missions that could alter the course of history. Starr's meticulous storytelling weaves a web of tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns.

A Character Unlike Any Other

The Silent Assassin is more than a shadowy figure; they are a complex character with a rich backstory. Starr delves into the psyche of the assassin, exploring their motivations, fears, and the moral dilemmas they face. This deep character development adds layers of nuance to the narrative, making it not just a tale of action, but a profound exploration of the human condition under extreme circumstances.

Immersive World-Building

From the bustling streets of international cities to secluded hideouts, Starr's vivid descriptions bring every setting to life. Readers will find themselves transported to a world where danger lurks at every corner, and trust is a rare commodity. The attention to detail in the locales adds authenticity and depth to the story, making it a truly immersive experience.

Critical Acclaim and Anticipation

Building on the success of "The GameChanger," which captivated audiences with its blend of strategic brilliance and emotional depth, "Shadows of Deception" is poised to become a must-read for fans of the genre. Early reviews praise Starr's ability to craft a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging.

Why You Should Read It

"Shadows of Deception" is not just another thriller; it is a masterfully crafted story that challenges readers to think and feel deeply. It's a journey through darkness, punctuated by moments of startling clarity and insight. For those who appreciate a good blend of action, suspense, and rich character development, this book promises to deliver on all fronts.

Dive into the shadows and uncover the deception. "Shadows of Deception: The Untold Story of the Silent Assassin" is available now on Kindle. Don’t miss out on what is sure to be one of the standout reads of the year!

I WROTE MY STORY ABOUT THE ABUSE I HAVE BEEN THOUGHT. I Dedicate My BOOK To Domestic Violence Survivor. This book means a lot to me.I want the women to know I feel you pain. Understan the fear in your heart.Just always remembe you not alone. We hear your cry and we know the tears. You dirse more then in life. I know lettin go is hard and scared.   

Gautam K. Mirchandani, the author of 'Yellamma: The Secret Of Azalea Village', brings you his next horror fiction novella, Hospur.

The story of a small town named Hospur and its legacy, where you can't confront evil, but it can confront you. Available at notionpress.com and Amazon. in and Flipkart

Bizarre Tales is a collection of twelve short stories that delve into the complexities of human nature and the world we inhabit. Available at notionpress.com and Amazon. in and Flipkart.com

"A Mother's Heart Shall Always Cry" (A Shattering Heart) is a book of poems and songs depicting human experiences during warfare. The work in the book is based on the harsh realities that, people face on the battlefield and within the confines of their own, homes. The book is available at notionpress.com site.

AT THE END OF THE LIFE

The tears in her eyes

Comes falling down

Like a stream of hot river

The red welts

On her bruised body

She doesn’t feel the pain

For she is just as dead

And dead never feel anything

They took away her pride

Killed her family

In front of her eyes

The war keeps going on

Greenland turns desolate

Blood and bodies, everywhere

Taking everything with it

Top powerful nations

Get richer and richer

Selling ammunition

One handshake in peace

One hand sales

Dead at Devil's Feast

Humans Beings

The most powerful ones

Burning their heart and minds

In the sea of greedy

Fighting for things

Which is nothing but dust?

At the end of the life.

$

After letting me pen over a score of articles, though my muse prompted me to enter into the arena of fiction, yet it made me struggle to come up with the opening lines of my maiden novel for over ten days or so before “That winter night in the mid-seventies, the Janata Express was racing rhythmically on its tracks towards the coast of Andhra Pradesh. As its headlight pierced the darkness of the fertile plains, the driver honked the horn as though to awake the sleepy environs to the spectacle of the speeding train. On that, in the S-3, were the Ramaiahs with their nine year-old daughter Roopa.”

But then “the train stopped at a village station, as though to disrupt Roopa’s daydreams of modeling herself on the lady doctor at the Christian Medical College Hospital, and as she peeped out, the ill-lit platform seemed to suggest that the chances of her being 
Dr. Roopa could be but dim.”

Indeed, as Roopa’s father couldn't help her become a doctor, she marries Sathyam, hoping that he would help her cause, but when he fails her, feeling used by him, she insensibly seeks lesbian solace in her friend Sandhya’s embrace. Later, losing her heart to Raja Rao, Sandhya’s husband, she finds herself in a dilemma of love, even as Sathyam’s friend Prasad woos her to distraction. Unfolding the compelling saga of Roopa’s love and loss, governed by the vicissitudes of life, this 'novel' endeavor nuances man-woman chemistry on one hand, and portrays woman-woman empathy on the other.

When, in an absorbing story, these and other inimitable characters began to come alive in an intricate plot, I could sense that my maiden novel was turning out into a work of art on the Indian literary stage, and so I was desperate to live up to its completion in its poetic prose. Oh, how I feared death then, and what a relief it was as I lived to keep up with the muse to complete 'Benign Flame'! 

But what a poetic justice it was that the publishers’ apathy, for my literary foray into an uncharted fictional arena, pushed me into Roopa’s despondent shoes, leg for leg! So to say, to atone for myself, and to earn for her the empathy, at least, of a few discerning readers, I self-published it, in which some have found freshness - “it’s a refreshing surprise to discover that the story will not trace a fall into disaster for Roopa, given that many writers might have habitually followed that course with a wife who strays into extramarital affairs” – for, after all, Raja Rao famously goads the deviant Roopa to love Sathyam too to make him happy.

Who said the novel is dead; 'Benign Flame' raises the bar as vouched for by -

The author has convinced the readers that love is something far beyond the marriage tie and the fulfillment in love can be attained without marriage bondage. The author has achieved a minor revolution without any paraphernalia of revolution in the fourth part of the novel – The Quest, India.

The author makes free use of – not interior monologue as such, but – interior dialogue of the character with the self, almost resembling the dramatic monologue of Browning. Roopa, Sandhya, Raja Rao and Prasad to a considerable extent and Tara and Sathyam to a limited degree indulge in rationalization, trying to analyse their drives and impulses – The Journal of Indian Writing in English.

Overall, Benign Flame is a unique attempt at exploring adult relationships and sexuality in the contemporary middle-class. All the characters come alive with their cravings and failings, their love and their lust. Benign Flame blurs the lines and emphasizes that life is not all black and white - it encompasses the full spectrum of living - Indian Book Chronicle.

Later, after enriching it further, I’ve placed this enchanting novel in the public domain as a free ebook to more acclaim that is even as ‘publishing’ remains the Domain of the Devil, as captured in the eponymous chapter of my second novel, Jewel-less Crown: Saga of Love, also in the public domain  

Loved it! 😍

Join two twins on an unusual journey of discovery in this lithe and lively read set in the Shetland Islands.

Living at the edge of the world is… “different,” as two twelve year-old siblings find out in this heartwarming story of adventure, courage, friendship, and self-discovery.

When Tabitha and her brother Timothy arrive on the remote Shetland Islands of Scotland while their parents go on a world cruise, the twelve year-old twins aren’t exactly turning cartwheels. The prospect of spending the winter with a great uncle they’ve never met isn’t exactly spinning their fins, either.

Tabitha is out of sorts because the island’s remote location means limited WIFI. It’s a place where hashtags, TikSnap and social media aren’t really a thing. But Timothy is delighted to uncover the island’s natural secrets. When they start school on the island, the twins soon realize they are not the only newcomers.

This a well-written, sturdy story with solid writing and an engaging plot. You can almost feel the chill wind and taste the Atlantic sea spray. The action skims along briskly as readers join twins Tabitha and Timothy for explorations into the history, culture, customs, and language of Shetland. Readers are also introduced to the local dialect as well as the history of Shetland and Scotland dating back to the 15th century. Tucked into the story are fascinating tidbits about the island’s customs, culture, terrain, food, festivals, flora and fauna. Much more.

Perhaps the best part of this lithe and supple read is watching Tabitha grow. She slowly sheds her self-absorbed, prima donna persona like a wizened old snakeskin and becomes a more nature and sensitive person. Whereas prior to her arrival on the island Tabitha was all about herself and her TikSnap account, she slowly learns to broaden her horizons, especially after meeting another new kid at school, Omar. When Tabitha's videos of life on the remote island start gaining traction on social media, Tabitha uses her camera to foil…. Oh, wait. You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out what happens next.

Maps of the island drawn by both Tabitha and Timothy are included. So is a glossary of Useful Shetland Vocabulary so you don’t get lost.

This is a lively story that will appeal to its target audience of children ages nine to twelve. Cheers enoo!

REVIEWED BY  Kristine L.

Gratitude is a powerful and transformative attitude that can have a profound impact on our lives. Teaching children the importance of gratitude from a young age not only helps them develop a positive outlook on life but also equips them with essential skills for building strong relationships, enhancing empathy, and fostering resilience. This article will explore the significant benefits of cultivating gratitude in children and provide practical tips for fostering this essential virtue.

The Importance of Gratitude:
Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you" – it is a mindset that allows us to appreciate the good in our lives, no matter how small. For children, learning to be grateful involves acknowledging the kindness of others, recognizing their own blessings, and expressing appreciation for the simple joys that surround them. By cultivating gratitude, children can develop a sense of contentment, perspective, and empathy that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Benefits of Gratitude for Children:
1. Improved Mental Health: Gratitude has been linked to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. By focusing on the positive aspects of their lives, children can cultivate a sense of well-being and resilience that helps them navigate challenges with a more positive attitude.
2. Stronger Relationships: Grateful children are more likely to exhibit empathy, kindness, and generosity towards others. By teaching children to be thankful for the support and love they receive, we can help them build stronger and more meaningful relationships with family, friends, and peers.
3. Enhanced Academic Performance: Research has shown that grateful children tend to have a more positive attitude towards learning and are better able to persevere through challenges. By fostering gratitude, parents and educators can help children develop a growth mindset that promotes academic success.

Practical Tips for Fostering Gratitude in Children:
1. Lead by Example: Children learn best through observation, so make gratitude a regular part of your daily routine. Express appreciation for the little things in life and model a positive attitude towards challenges and setbacks.
2. Encourage Gratitude Practices: Encourage children to keep a gratitude journal where they can write down three things they are thankful for each day. This simple practice can help children focus on the positive aspects of their lives and cultivate a thankful mindset.
3. Practice Acts of Kindness: Teach children the joy of giving by engaging in acts of kindness together, such as volunteering at a local charity or helping a neighbor in need. 

By showing children the impact of their actions on others, we can help them develop a sense of empathy and gratitude. Publications like my newly published, Gratitude Grace, available at http://www.louisamastro.com, can also be used to inspire young minds to be grateful for all that they experience. 

Gratitude is a powerful virtue that has the potential to transform the way children perceive the world around them. By teaching children to be grateful for the blessings in their lives, we can help them develop a positive attitude, build stronger relationships, and navigate life's challenges with resilience and empathy. By fostering gratitude in children, we are not only equipping them with essential life skills but also nurturing their emotional well-being and overall happiness. Let us empower our children to embrace the power of gratitude and cultivate a mindset of thankfulness that will enrich their lives for years to come.

TO INCULCATE THE HABIT AS GOOD LISTNER

Another important prerequisite to become highly successful and win the excellent good relationship is to be a good listener.

If you observe the people around you, most of them would take up the role of speakers, but not the listeners. If you are giving any chance for the person to talk, he will talk to you more and more about the problem, his life adventures and goes on and on, because in reality, there is a huge shortage of listeners.

If you are a good listener, you will understand the other persons personality trades, which were in turn help you to detail him accordingly.  You will come to know for example, about your priorities, hobbies, his positive and negative points and lot of other aspects about which you will stimulate some kind of emotional interest in him and get the job done. 

On the other hand, if you are a speaker you will not be able to gain anything much because you are giving more and more about information to other persons and you are not getting anything from him. So, the exchange is imbalance.

Hence, in life, please try to cultivate the habit as good listener than speaker. Whenever asks for any suggestion at that tie you can give him in a subtle way and positive way, that is again using the technique ‘Agee to Disagree” or ‘Yes But No’ technique. This way, it is very easy to understand other human being as a very good listener.

A person who talks very less and gets the jobs done is the real creative sales person according to most successful managers of a highly reputable firm.

We were having a very light dinner at one Restaurant. This manager whose name was Mr. Gopalakrishnan was very well known and very much experienced in a multinational company.  Casually we were discussing and when I asked him, according to him, who was the best person in sales, he told me a person, who talks less and gets more, would be the best and is a matured sales person.

This is what he told me. Never interrupt any person who has been telling about himself on any subject, never, never and ever try to interrupt. One should do it so out of some curiosity or some hastiness or may be to impress the other person; you would have lost the track. Never interrupt when somebody is talking to you particularly in official life.

In personal life, if you are finding the subject very boring, you can break it up. But, in real life, when you talking to an elderly person with whom you had some proposal or some official work, never interrupt and never impose your ideas or impressions without asking for, on him.

                                                                                         ----------------------

THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE 
OF
EXCHANGE OF ENERGY

The Universe is full of exchange of energies. There is a standard and universal principle in the nature and there is always exchange of energies. When we say exchange, this exchange takes place between two or more number of people. We are living in the society and we are not alone in the society. All of us are contributing something to the society and hence there is always exchange of energies. This is the guiding principle in the famous proverb which says “What you sow so shall you reap.” To make it very simple if you sow the seed of love, in return or in exchange you will get many folds of energy of love.

Just as when you are sowing a seed, when you are offering water, when you are preparing the salt and you are taking care that the plant is receiving proper sunlight if you nurture the seed regularly it means that you are spending some energy of love, care. And as a result of spending the energy a small sapling comes out and grows into a plant or tree and against one seed you will get plenty of fruits, vegetables, flowers, fruits and also oxygen. A plant takes carbon-di-oxide and gives out Oxygen. Therefore, you cannot expect anything in return without giving anything from your side.

There is a deepest urge in all the human beings to get appreciation, attention, recognition and feeling of importance, honor etc. If you want people to appreciate, in return you need to appreciate others, if you want attention from the other people or the society; you need to give attention to the people or the society. If you want to get name and fame you also have to give name and fame to others. Like this we can give plenty of examples. On the contrary if you are giving the negative energy, you will get or you will receive negative energy only in many folds just like if you are planting a seed of thorny plant which gives a plant or a tree only with thorns. If you are doing a misdeed or harm and this misdeed or harm will manifest by many folds in the form of thorns and poisonous seeds. Hence, we need to remember that there is always an exchange of energies. If you are giving out the negative energy, in return you will receive the negative energy by many folds as we have illustrated in the above example. This is how the nature awards us.

If you want to be successful in your life, if you want to be well acceptable by the society first of all, you have to learn to give out something useful for the society. Even if you do not expect also you will be rewarded. Most of the people complain that they were not rewarded properly in spite of the fact that they have put forth lot of hard work. But this is not true. Nature is never biased. Everything is guarded by the standard well set rules by the nature. Nature does not have any discrimination. Hence, we need to be very careful in what we say and in what we do. In most of the spiritual books the wise men have confirmed that the most powerful energy is the energy of the love. This energy of love can change the atmosphere around you. And only thing is this energy has to be pure without any selfish desires. This is how the nature responds and awards. Hence whatever you want from the society because it is the society first gives you. You need to give the same kind of energy to the society unconditionally. Now let us examine the pre-requisites of a successful and a happy human being who is very well accepted by the society. First let us discuss about the physical appearance. As a person you need to interact with the other person or persons in your day-to-day activities. The people will not see your personality and most of the people they misunderstand by the word personality. They think that physical characters or the physical attitudes are the personality. But personality is nothing but the sum of physical and mental attitudes. More so, the mental attitudes as they reflect in the physical attitudes. Mental attitudes cannot be seen. When you are meeting any person or persons in your life for the first time may be if you are attending the interview, playing a game or any sports, attending a social function for the first time the people will not see your inner personality, your mental attitudes. What they see is your physical appearance. Hence the physical appearance is very important when you are meeting the people on different occasions. The dress code is very important. If you are attending an interview wearing sober colored dress, polished shoes and properly trimmed hair cut with a smiling face, the interviewer will be impressed and will give a positive response. Neat dress need not be costly one but simple one light colored and neatly pressed without any folds as wise people long time back told that “The first appearance is the best appearance”. Hence, we need to give definitely a lot of importance to our physical appearance. Then why only these sober colors why not dark colors? The Light colors have a very soothing effect on the other person as colors have their own vibratory levels. They have their own vibrations and these vibrations are very magnetic. These vibrations are the manifestation of your inner personality which is your mental attitude. This magnetic field around you will affect the other person in a positive way. When you are alert, disciplined, self-confident, thorough in the subject and you know how to behave will be reflected through your physical attributes. Therefore, the dress code is very important. If you are wearing dark colors definitely these dark colors distract the attention of the other person and you will not get a positive response in most of the cases. A lot of research has been done on the effect of colors and many giant organizations pay huge amount of money to the experts. Experts have done lot of research on the colors. Even though you are highly educated, a very knowledgeable person, but your dress code is not proper and imagine you are facing the interview for the first time there are chances that the interviewer will not be having a positive impression about you. Once an impression is made it is very difficult for him to change the impression on you. Hence the physical and the mental attitudes they have to match perfectly.

Most of the time even the odor or the smell of the sweat disturbs other person. And hence If you have the tendency of too much perspiration you can spray mild perfume which will give out pleasant response from the other people

----------------