Review: Mad Blood Stirring: The Inner Lives of Violent Men

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Review: The Boat People

The Boat People by Sharon Bala
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

*Please note I won a copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaways*

This book was difficult for me to engage with. I felt no emotional connection to the characters. Their story was told with a detached blandness, that made it hard to relate.

I could relate on a minor level, given that I immigrated to Canada, myself. But, I was not a refugee, so my experience was quite different.

I was also a little irked that it seemed the characters felt they should automatically be allowed to stay because they took a chance coming to Canada.

Now, I understand that these characters were escaping dire conditions. And I have absolutely no problem with people seeking asylum, let me be very clear on that. But, there are means and ways of doing that, which involve more than just paying and seeking passage on a ship.

I went through the proper process. I completed a medical exam, 2 sets of background checks (US and Canadian,) filled out a variety of forms, and even had to write a personal statement of my 12 year relationship with my husband. At final submission, my file was 102 pages. And I was still afraid that I would be turned down, for one reason or another. It's scary to think that a government can hold the fate of your life, your marriage, in their hands.

And, equally as scary, my own file was closed because of an error in the paperwork. An incorrect email address on file, and a missed communication about paying my right to permanent residence fee.

Luckily I had an excellent lawyer who fought to get my file reopened. And, almost 2 years ago, I became a permanent resident of Canada and was able to properly start my life with my husband.

So, I can relate to the characters impatience with the waiting, and the bureaucracy of the process. But, at the same time I understand the necessity of it. So impatience of the characters grated on me a bit.

I appreciated the familiarity of the setting, Burnaby, New West, and Richmond. I live on the edge of Burnaby and Coquitlam, so could visualize the physical settings of BC well when they were mentioned.

I also enjoyed the brief scenes with Sellian. He brought some color to the greyness of this story. It was refreshing to see Canada through his eyes.

Another reason I had a difficult time engaging with this story is the writing style. The jumping back and forth between three families, plus time shifts between past and present was too jarring. I also felt that the stories of the refugees were entirely too bland and detached for me to feel any emotion.

I also really felt that the chapters with Grace's perspective were uneccessary. And even Priya's for that matter. I understand the author is trying to bring multiple perspectives onto important social issues. But the intermixing of these three different stories made it feel unfocused, as though she were trying entirely too hard to make a point that just didn't come across well.

Guest Post: The Curse of the Overactive Imagination by Gwen Knight

Hello Fellow readers!

Welcome to my stop on the tour for A Hunter's Passion a paranormal romance by Gwen Knight, hosted by Pump Up Your Book. Read on to find out more about the author, the book and some of the downfalls to having an overactive imagination.

The Curse of the Overactive Imagination

By Gwen Knight

Writing is my life, but there are certainly some downfalls with this particular pastime. The first that comes to mind is ‘the curse of the overactive imagination’.
There have been many nights that I have frightened myself while reading. My particular genre of choice is the paranormal. I love the mystery and that magic, but more so, I love the danger and excitement. Anything can happen from the summoning of a demon to being savaged by a werewolf. I have read books that have had me cowering under the blankets in my bedroom, afraid to so much as breathe. My overactive imagination runs rampant. Is there something hiding under my bed? Or in my closet? I attempt to reassure myself that my two manly dogs would risk life and limb to protect me. But then my imagination takes me even further...what if they are scared, and when that dreaded monster pops out of my closet, take off running?

Recently, I read a story about a demon possession, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I was afraid to enter my bedroom because, well, what if there was a demon in there right now, just waiting to get me alone?

Right now, you might be wondering what this has to do with being a writer. For me, I’ve found that even writing about these scary situations can work me up. One memory comes to mind. It was late at night and I was writing a chilling scene with a vampire and a demon, and my black-as-night cat jumped into my lap. So engrossed by the scene, I screamed. Poor beast blinked his green eyes up at me and I could just see him thinking that his owner was insane. I feel bad for anyone that lives with me.

What about you? If you’re a writer, do you find your imagination as active as mine? Does reading have such a powerful hold on you? I’d love to hear some funny anecdotes from your own life.

About the Book:

Title: A Hunter’s PassionAuthor: Gwen KnightPublisher: HarlequinPages: 55
Genre: Paranormal RomanceFormat: Paperback & eBook

Synopsis:

Ryker Bennett has dedicated his life to hunting down—and eliminating—creatures of the dark. But his latest assignment has him questioning everything he's ever believed in. Jenna Sinclair may be a witch, but she's also the only woman Ryker has ever loved

Jenna thought leaving Ryker two years ago would save him from having to choose between their forbidden love and his sworn duty. But when he tracks her down, it's clear the desire between them burns as hot as ever—and that they'll have to walk through the flames to be together….

Purchase your copy at AMAZON

About The Author: 

Canadian girl Gwen Knight first began to delve into the realm of the paranormal at the age of ten, when she wrote her first horror starring a clawed monster that hid beneath her bed. Since then, her tastes have expanded into many genres. Though addicted to reading and writing, she managed to achieve a degree in archaeology, geography, and mapping. Currently, she lives in the Great White North with her husband, two collies, and black cat. She loves meeting new people and you can visit her website at www.gwenknight.ca, facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GwenKnightx, or twitter https://twitter.com/GwenKnightx.