Review: Finding Compassion in China: A Bicycle Journey Into The Countryside

Title: Finding Compassion In China: A Bicycle Journey Into the Countryside

Author: Cindie Cohagan

Publisher: Drifting Sands Press

Published: June 25, 2012

Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir,

Format: Paperback

Pages: 242

Source: Received from author in

exchange for an  honest review.

Read: May 7-16th, 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads:  Add To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

By the time Tim and Cindie entered China, they had been traveling the globe by bicycle for three years. Cindie was ready to explore China’s interior, but what she wasn’t prepared for was the intense isolation that comes with not speaking the language, the scheming tactics of the Chinese government and the unexpected outpouring of kindness from the locals. Along the way the duo was arrested by the Chinese government, turned away from the only hotel in Siziwang Qui, thrown out of Internet cafes and called late at night by prostitutes. Yet whenever they needed food, shelter, or directions, the local people were there and willing to help—even if that “help” was scary at timesBy the time Tim and Cindie entered China, they had been traveling the globe by bicycle for three years. Cindie was ready to explore China’s interior, but what she wasn’t prepared for was the intense isolation that comes with not speaking the language, the scheming tactics of the Chinese government and the unexpected outpouring of kindness from the locals. Along the way the duo was arrested by the Chinese government, turned away from the only hotel in Siziwang Qui, thrown out of Internet cafes and called late at night by prostitutes. Yet whenever they needed food, shelter, or directions, the local people were there and willing to help—even if that “help” was scary at times.

Melissa's Musings:

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is very simplistic, much like I imagine the method of journeying around the world on bicycles must be. The writing style encompasses and demonstrates the author's desire for a simpler life. A life consumed with less "stuff" and more actual living, and enjoying the little things life has to offer.

The story flows easily from one road adventure to the next, with lots of personal stories and anecdotes thrown in. When the author started to speak of her loneliness and distance from her then husband, I really felt for her. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in a country where I didn't speak the language, and having my traveling partner, the one person who I could communicate with distance themselves from me, would be difficult. I'm very curious about personal details in stories like these, so I was wondering about what happened between Cindie and Tim during that time, but there wasn't much of the dialogue and goings on between them within the book. I completely understand this, because their personal relationship issues are between them, but I must admit I was curious about the nitty gritty of what drove such a wedge between them and had them ending up going their separate ways.

The book also showcases some of the wonderful historical and spiritual sites that areas of China and the nearby countries have to offer. I learned a great deal from reading through the author's experiences at these sites. Cohagan also talks about how she found what she had been missing in the form of Buddhism on her travels throughout China. It must be wonderful to have taken such a grand, once in a lifetime trip, and also have such profound personal spiritual growth as well.

The book also makes the reader stop and think about whether they really need all the things they have, and whether they could get by with less. It also makes you appreciate the freedoms we possess that others around the world don't necessarily get the chance to enjoy.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes books about travel and culture


*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not in any way compensated for this review.*

Author Interview: Leigh Hershkovich

Hello fellow readers!

Today I'm happy to welcome Leigh Hershkovich author of Shattered Illusions to Melissa's Midnight Musings. Read on to enjoy an interview with Leigh and learn a bit more about her and her new book.

About Shattered Illusions:

Publisher: Full Court Press

Buy the book: Amazon

Synopsis:

When Sam, the unassuming, salt-of-the-earth proprietor of a local cafe is shot dead on the street, four strangers become the unwitting witnesses to a seemingly inscrutable crime. As the investigation progresses, this quartet of accidental onlookers find themselves not only haunted by the homicide, but pursued by their own pasts.

The deeper into the death they delve, the further into their own personal histories they plummet, as each is forced to face the fact that the loss of Sam is far from their most devastating. As the case continues, inner anguish reaches crescendo points for Danny, Ella, Marco, and Sarah as the answers they want continue to elude them, and the evidence they want to escape refuses to retreat.

Interview:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you have any unusual talents or hobbies?

I am twenty one years old, and I grew up in California. I don't have any unusual talents, though I love to cook and play piano. I'm also a dancer, which is a great way to get my creative juices flowing whenever I have writers block.

 When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer? 

I've always been a story teller, but it was translating the stories to paper that became apparent to me when I was about twelve.

 Where did the inspiration for Shattered Illusions come from?

The inspiration for Shattered Illusions came from a number of things, most importantly, a novel that I read in high school called The Angels Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

What made you choose to write a book of this genre?

I wanted to really test my limits as a writer, and I felt that writing a murder mystery was going as far out of my comfort zone as physically possible. I am glad I did it, because it taught me about my potential as a writer.

This book deals with a murder and secrets. Did you have the answers to the murder and the secrets before writing the book, or did those answers change/fall in to place as you were writing?

I thought I had the answers before I began writing it, but as I weaved my way through writing it, I realized just how far off my original ideas were, so I changed the plot half way through.

 Who is your favorite author?

I have two: Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Roberto Bolano.

 Do you have writing routine? A special pen, a certain type of music, time limits?

That really depends on my mood. I usually write on paper, but when there are times that I have too much to say, I type out whatever I need to write. I generally try not to listen to music when I write because the music subconsciously becomes part of the writing, and I like to have my own, clean thoughts on paper.

 Do you enjoy edits/rewrites, or not?

I do enjoy edits and rewrites, because it allows me to come to terms when what I have written.

Do you do a lot of external research in the process of writing? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've uncovered in your research?

Yes, I did! That took a lot more time than expected. Shattered Illusions is set in Louisiana, so I got to dive head first into the history of the state, which was amazing.

Which character  was your favorite to write and why?

Danny Michaels. I was the same age that he is in the novel when I began writing it (seventeen), so I felt the most connected to him. He also changes the most over the course of the novel, and I am most proud of him out of all of the characters.

How do you come up with your character names?

A lot of the names were names that I had liked as a child, either of people that I knew, or people that I liked. I am yet to name any of my characters after friends and family members, but I am sure it would be interesting if I did.

Please tell us a little bit about your journey to publication

My journey to publication began three months after I completed Shattered Illusions and took about a year and a half. It was a very interesting journey, and I grew so much as a person during the course of the year, that when I look back at who I was at the beginning of the process, I can hardly believe that it was the same person.

What is the hardest part of being a writer?

The hardest part of being a writer is learning to deal with criticism. I really had to grow some thick skin to get past the harsh comments and nasty things that people said to me about my work.

Are there any common themes that you feel are particularly important to write about?

Not really. I sort of go with whatever comes to mind, and stick to those themes as they come.


When you're not writing, what are your other hobbies/passions?

I love to cook. I think that if I hadn't chosen writing as a career, I would have gone to culinary school and become a chef.

 Are you working on any new projects?

Yes, I am! I have a couple of projects lined up, which I hope will begin to come to life in the next year or so.

Quick Fire round:

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

Rainy winter days or blazing hot summer days? Rainy winter days!

Hard Copy or e-book? Definitely hard copy

Favorite book? 2666 by Roberto Bolano

Last book you read? Blindness by Jose Saramago

What's a quote that inspires you? Any quotes by Dr. Seuss.

What's your favorite comfort food? Sheperds Pie

Connect With Leigh:

Leigh Hershkovich’s writing career began almost at infancy. Born and raised in The City by the Bay, Leigh was never seen without a pen and paper by her side, and was never without a story to share. With her vivid imagination and sharp writing tactics, she has taken the world by storm twice over. Now, with her debut novel Shattered Illusions, readers will get a first time glimpse into her first full fiction attempt.

An avid reader, accomplished pianist, passionate scholar of the language and the arts, Leigh currently resides in New York with her imagination. 

You can learn more about Leigh and the world of Shattered Illusions by visiting her website (http://www.leighhershkovich.com), her blog (http://www.leighhershkovich.blogspot.com) or by following her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LeighHershkovich). Shattered Illusions can also be found on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16104490-shattered-illusions).

Review: Montana Wildfire

Title: Montana Wildfire

Author: Rebecca Sinclair

Publisher: E Publishing Works!

Published:  June 9, 2011

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Historical Romance

Pages: 436

Source: Received in exchange for an honest review

Read: April 13-May 6, 2013

My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads: Add This To Your TBR Shelf

Goodreads Synopsis:

After her father's sudden death, lovely Amanda Lennox had no money for the long trip from Boston to the ranch she inherited in faraway Seattle. When she saw the advertisement for a wilderness expert to escort eleven-year-old Roger Bannister,III to Montana, the adventure-loving woman jumped at the chance, never guessing she'd end up lost in the wilds of Idaho with a twisted ankle. Then an arrogant halfbreed on a palomino stallion came to her rescue and comforted her with is healing touch. Rugged ranch hand Jacob Blackhawk Chandler knew from experience that prissy white princesses meant trouble. He'd seen Amanda Lennox's type before, haughty and citified and utterly unequipped to survive in the wide open country. He couldn't just ride off and leave the lovely minx alone and hurt but he sure wouldn't be taken in by that sweet smile, either!

Melissa's Musings:

Historical Romance isn't a genre I have read much of, I'll admit. But, I've been trying to expand my reading horizons, so when the author's assistant reached out to me to review this book, I was a little skeptical, but I'm glad that I decided to read and review it. 

The characters in this book are well fleshed out and somewhat complex. There's Amanda, a proper Bostonian lady, who's taken a job of chaperoning a young boy back to his father's home, to make some extra money to get home to her inherited ranch in Seattle. 

Then there's Roger, Amanda's willful, insolent charge, who ends up being kidnapped early in the story.

And there's also Jacob Blackhawk Chandler. A man who walks between two worlds, the white world and the Native American world as he is half white, half Native American.

Each of these characters goes through a great deal of growth and maturity throughout the novel, which is nice to see. I like to read multidimensional characters who are constantly changing for the better. They make for much more interesting characters than those who are too dense to have any real change or growth.

The author expressed Amanda's dislike for Roger so well that I grew to dislike him too, and was actually somewhat glad when he got kidnapped and the story switched focus to Amanda and Jacob. I was worried that when they finally found out what happened to Roger and caught up with him again, I wouldn't like the story as much because of Roger's personality, but he too, became more mature and changed his ways over the course of the novel.

As for Amanda, she learns to break free from the hold of proper societal norms (although you can sense a willingness to do this in her character from the very beginning.) She also manages to teach Jake a lot about himself and the way he carries himself, and how that makes him look to the rest of the outside world.

I have to note that amongst all this change, growth and racial tension, there is also a lot of sexual tension between Jake and Amanda. There are some racy sex scenes between Jake and Amanda, so if those make you uncomfortable, be forewarned. They are tastefully written, even the most heated ones.

The only thing that really bothered me about this book is that some of the language and phrasing got extremely repetitive. I understand the need for it, to keep the language consistent with the historical theme, but I would have really liked it if the author could have varied some of the phrases a little more. The same phrases every few pages just got old after a while.

That fact aside, if you're looking for a tension filled historical romance to read, this would be it.

Have any of you read this? Or are there any other historical romances you can recommend that I try out?