I am delighted to see another good review of my second novel. This was posted almost on the eve of the first Book Signing event that takes place on Saturday October 20th at COLES book store in Mississauga. For an author, the sign that the novel is read and well received is so empowering. Thank you for reading it!
Here is the review: "A great book for a lazy afternoon..., October 18, 2012 By Alin Bugeag (Toronto) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Blind Luck (Paperback) What a great book to read. It's like a delicious smoothie or fruit...It's full of all kind of feelings...It conducts you from a moment of happiness to one full of tension, than you want to put the book down because you have something to do, but you come back because you really want to know what Lisa Orsen will do next. It also describes beautifully some points of attraction from Ontario, like the wonderful Wasaga Beach and it's surroundings. But the most surprising part of the book is it's ending, which i will let the reader to discover...Good job, Diana! Waiting now for your next book. Alina " The very first review of my new novel “The Blind Luck” has been written on Amazon!
It has been less than a week since the launch but the feedback is very positive. This is every author‘s dream -- to see that the manuscript turns into a real book, and the book into a meaningful reading. I am happy to post this first review for everyone to see it, and to raise the interest in the novel. It belongs to Adriana Renescu - a well regarded American writer, author of two powerful historical novels: “The Wolves of Pavlava” and “The Death of Rafael“ available also at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Adriana-Renescu/e/B003ZZWLMM/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1346101628&sr=1-2-ent Here are her thoughts about “The Blind Luck”. Every life is extraordinary when well told, August 26, 2012 By Adriana Renescu "ar"(California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME) Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: The Blind Luck (Paperback) "Having read Diana Branisteanu's debut novel "Life Under the Dark Sky", I watched for the release of this second novel, "The Blind Luck", knowing that if her first novel was any indication, this one would both delight and provoke. Indeed it has. Branisteanu has the ability to take an ordinary life that is filled and moved by events that are common to most of us, take a slice of life, and make it a moving and challenging story. In "The Blind Luck" Lisa, the protagonist, faces many of the choices, decisions and consequences that we all do in our lives, in one form or another. She also, like everyone else, struggles and deals with the hand life has dealt her. She is almost defeated by the 'luck' fate gives her, but she's also victorious in vanquishing the obstacles thrown in her way by the same fate. At the end, Branisteanu tells us a beautiful story that draws you in and makes one understand, and even feel, the emotions, the hurts and the joys of her protagonists. At times it feels as if she's telling us a parable, from which we must gather our own answers and conclusions, reflected off our own lives and experiences. There were times when I wanted to hug the characters (some of them...) and there were a couple of them that I really wanted to slap, and deservedly so. They so reminded me of people I knew... It is an uplifting story, something I would read on the deck of a ship while cruising the seven seas. It put a smile on my face. And I couldn't put it down--once I started to read it, I did so until 3 am." On June 5th, 2012 between 6:15pm and 11pm EST Venus crossed in front of the Sun. It was an event that happens once in more than a hundred years. My husband captured it beautifully just outside or our City of Mississauga ON, Canada. The little dot is Venus! Here it is for everyone to enjoy!
I miss my Mother. She went to Heaven a few years ago. I treasure the memories of her and her love.
My Mother-in-law is still with us, and here are my husband’s thoughts for this special day: “My Mother gave me the most precious thing ever. After carrying me for 9 months, she gave me life. She loved me as a baby when I wouldn't let her sleep. She loved me when I was sick and she couldn't get work. She loved me when I was being bad and probably driving her crazy. She loved me in my teenage years when I thought I knew best. She loved me when I left home to start my own life. She loved me... through all my mistakes I made throughout the years. Today she loves me because I'm her son. A mother’s love is something very special. We only ever have one mother and she should be treasured. On Sunday May 13th it is Mother's Day. I just want to thank you Mom, for everything you've ever done for me. The love you have shown me has shown me the way. I Love you so much and just want you to have a fantastic Mother’s Day!” Writing a book is a labor of love. The process is so complex, that sometimes challenges me to a point where I question myself if is still worth doing it. Creation is something that is fuelled by a variety of sentiments and feelings which interact and blend together like a tide coming to the shore. It can be an easy encounter when the wave brushes a sandy warm beach, or a hard crush splashed into millions of sparkling droplets when the wave hits the rocky wall of a dungeon. I wrote Life Under The Dark Sky being aware that beside the creation process I had to deal with the historic factor and the biographic factor, both being equally important.
As I said before the life story that inspired me was the starting point, but the book had to be much more than that. It had to have a message and to transport the reader in a time and place where the story had a life on its own. Most of the reviews I received said about the veridical atmosphere the story took the reader to, and the defined characters that lived through their actions and feelings during a period of time which my generation and the younger one, learned about only in school, and was lucky enough not to live it. I am happy that most of the people found the reading interesting and captivating. This is what keeps me motivated, and makes me proud. I cannot thank enough to all the well wishers and readers that really made my days with their words and attention I've received since I published the novel. I was advised to promote the book in larger circles, to go and reach the schools’ libraries and community centers along with the book stores. I’m slowly doing just that. However recently I received a request from a passionate reader that made me think deeper about the impact the book has. The reader wished to meet the main heroine of the novel personally, and have the book signed by Heidi. I was so honored and impressed by the request, and I invited the reader into my home to meet my family and my Mother-in -law. She came with her husband and we all spent a couple of hours sharing memories and scenes from the book. It was so empowering for me to see the result of my writing materializing into a new friendship, the fact that it brings people together,it has people talking, and in one way or another is stirring and drawing attention to an era that the humanity should not allow to be repeated. If only for those people who have read the book and were touched by what they had read, the challenge of writing it was worth taking. Thank you to all of you for reading the novel and for visiting my website. Bellow is a picture of my Mother-in-law and the reader who wanted to meet her personally. It is not coincidental that this is my first blog. Life Under The Dark Sky is a novel about a courageous and wise young woman and her journey through the war.
The International Women’s Day observed mostly in Europe, celebrates the women of every avenue of life and their achievements. I remember years ago when in my home country, March 8th was a day full of good wishes and flowers. Children celebrated their mothers offering them self made cards decorated with dry pressed flowers, sparkling colorful paper and red and white silk strings, they diligently worked on for days at school in complete secrecy from the recipients. As a child that was the most emotional moment when I was giving my mom a kiss and a hug along with the card I was so proud of. My mother would have opened the envelope and looked in awe at the masterpiece I produced. Years later, long after my mother was gone I found the collection of March 8th cards she received from me over my school years. Memories that brought me tears and made me miss her even more, and perhaps dear memories for her in the years I was away on another continent and she was alone! When I became a mother myself, I received my share of cards and affection in celebrating this day also known as Mother’s Day. Delicate bouquets of tiny spring flowers were sold at every street corner by peasants, and at work the companies organized festive lunches and dinners for the female employees and their spouses. It was one of the few days when one could be happy and the society allowed the tradition to manifest itself freely. In North America the day is associated with the syndicalism movement and has lost the symbol of spring and re-creation that once meant for me. But nevertheless I enjoy knowing that it is March 8th and I smile at the memories I have about the significance of the day, and the joy that brought me in the past. To all the women out there: Cheers and Happy International Women’s Day! Let Spring come and bring sunshine and warmth into our hearts! Hello Everyone,
This is to inform you that eventually I will start blogging and as any beginning it is a bit nerve wracking. I use this message as a test. Stay tuned for the next one. |
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