The Fragments Universe reverberates with great change. As Gorbind Phalla exits and his daughter takes up his mantle with Chandni Rises. Someone else will have to rise to the challenge of overseeing The Fragments Universe.
Koby Anand has this challenge thrust upon him. Having been a leading man in his own book, Koby now has to manage not only his life but the contents of the whole Fragments Universe. There is a Transfer of Power from Gorbind Phalla with Koby having to work out what it means to take up the helm and lead the figments of The Fragments Universe.
A cast of familiar faces such as Devan Coultrie, Hades, the Lord of the Underworld and The Lady Aurelia all step into the breech to help Koby take on his new role. Not to mention a few new characters preparing for their own stories in this ever-evolving story telling universe.
A road map that details what Koby gets up to when he’s not tied up by his author’s pen and has to grapple with a whole new way of being a figment of an imagination.
As 2024 draws to a close, the book odyssey for this year also concludes. There has been travels and also book releases.
There were three books released this year. In a second, I might pick up a pen to start a project that is bustling to get done.
I have been to quite a few book signings this year, and each one has come with lessons learned and experiences gained. As an Indie, self-published author these are really instrumental and invaluable for a whole host of reasons. There is networking, finding new readers, gaining insight and of course, having an adventure of a sorts. Ultimately, I go to these events to reach new readers and share my work.
As a British Author of South Asian origin, going to these events has a broader purpose too. To share stories that otherwise might not be told. This helps improves representation of different communities and identities to form a richer tapestry of literature that readers can find. I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of going to events that really take this seriously.
Tales on Trent, Leek Book Fest, Dudly Book Con and Big Sky in Montana are probably, in my humble opinion, events that have been inclusive, diverse and organised for accessibility, for the love of books and helped build community.
There are still events that I miss out on, don’t qualify for and events that are so big, you have to be very well established to even get on the waiting list. I live in hope of having a readership and a fan club, where I do get a look in with these events. It may well be that as 2025 strikes ten years of being an Indie Author, I shall review the process of going to book signings. I still plan to write, don’t worry.
So far this year, I have been to the following events. I’ve learned loads, met lovely people and the experiences have been a really good adventure. Where I can, and where she is available, I try to bring Mama F along. She’s read the books, so that does help!
Dudley Book Con at the heritage archives was fabulous in meeting lots of horror authors. I know, how does a contemporary romance, mixed bag author like me, fit? Well, I did. Crystal organised a cracking good event and I was made to feel very welcome, very much part of the event and made loads of connections. This was such a lovely, successful experience that I’ve been invited back for next year. I was even inspired to write a horror. I have a plan, a cover that could possibly work. I am also standing by my atmospheric zombies in The Battle of Gravelly Hill Interchange.
Leek Book Festival was a first time event, carried out by Sam et al who are form an epic book club. There was a whole week of literary, art events and Mama F and I were invited along. A well organised event, that reached out to the community and had a diversity of authors. This was a cracking good event, and the book canon did well. I’m back next year, and I really hope this grows and grows. I may also get to meet the Mayor again. He came to my table and we had a lovely chat.
Liverpool saw a trip to rebels and outlaws, having been a late addition to proceedings. Not sure which character qualified me for that, but this was an another adventure for Mama F and I. Travelling was fun; possibly the longest distance yet in the United Kingdom for books.
Belfast is probably going to beat that to be honest, and Scotland features as well. I’ve yet to go to Cardiff for a book adventure. Can you imagine? I can then safely say, that I’ve tried to spread my work across the United Kingdom.
Montana saw a return visit to Billings for the Big Sky Book Event. Whilst this has fewer authors, this is by far my most successful book event by several country miles. My link to Montana is of course through the Peace series. Big Sky book event is very close to my heart. A well planned event, with diverse authors and great links to the community. I’m not returning to Montana for some time, but a fictional piece of me lives there. The Two Chandni’s had their international release there.
I endeavour to return at some point. Montana remains my portal to the US, and perhaps I need to consider how to capitalise on that better.
In the matter of the last week or so, I attended Authors behind bars Shrewsbury. A novel event, I had my own cell!
So what happens next. Well.
Next years events-at the moment! These could change depending on availability, and whether I end up waiting lists. Still a cracking good, rather extensive list and who knows what could happen in the next 12 months.
Book Bonanza Leeds 2nd February 2025
Book lovers Birmingham 26th April 2025
Leek Book Festival 7th June 2025
Belfast Books and ballgowns 28th June 2025
Wonderland in Nottingham 26th July 2025
-August watch this space, Scotland is on the list-
This series follows all that happens to Gorbind Phalla and his family beyond ‘Kangana’ and with ‘The Battle of Gravelly Hill Interchange’. We start with the Battle of Gravelly Hill as Gorbind and his family face a different life. Their experiences mean that that the world as they know it, will never be the same again.
Chandni Rises sees the family battle new and growing challenges. The saga concludes with Chandni Chirag as the family faces a new future after the Carnage at Coppice Mayhew.
ON ITS WAY!! CHANDNI RISES
A sequel to the Battle of Gravelly Hill Interchange.
As the battle concludes, a new dawn breaks over Birmingham. The city has changed. The city walls vibrate with what happened and what is to come.
As Lord of the Manor of Birmingham, Gorbind rode into battle, with Chandni and Armaan. Padmi had waved them off, with nothing but hope to hang onto. From having survived zombies, to hatching dragons and a dash of vampires.
Delia Entwhistle has earned her stripes and The Lady Aurelia arrives to take her place alongside the Lord of the Manor of Birmingham. Plus, there is Akaash. As he comes to grips with his place in this tale of a family pulling together in the face of adversity.
A story of change as Chandni, Armaan and Padmi do their best to keep each other standing whilst managing the new threats to the City of Birmingham.
Secrets will come out into the open as Chandni Rises.
THE FINAL PART
CHANDNI CHIRAG BEYOND KANGANA
The final instalment of The Beyond Kangana Series is the herald of change to follow Chandni Rises.
The immediate aftermath of the Carnage at Coppice Mayhew has devastating loss. Padmi, Armaan and Chandni have to reconcile themselves with that they have lost as well as what they have gained.
Akaash joins them as they walk a path of loss towards healing, love and a different sense of family.
Chandni is now Lord of the Manor of Birmingham and sees the duties of the job stretch out before her. Padmi has the job of nurturing her daughter in her new job. Armaan grows into the role of being her Lieutenant. Birmingham will never be the same again.
From being a romantic lead in ‘Kangana’ and getting involved with Padmi, to finding Zombies in ‘The Battle of Gravelly Hill Interchange’, he’s been a bit busy. Beyond all of that, Gorbind has a life.
Find out what he gets up when he’s not worried about Zombies and fall out from the world nearly ending. A series of short stories that show us what Gorbind gets up to when he’s not tied up by his author’s pen.
Gorbind is supported by a cast of familiar characters from his author’s pen. Why does Devan Coultrie keep turning up in his kitchen. Where does he stand in relation to Koby Anand. What happens when he goes on holiday and what has Hades, Lord of the Underworld got to do with anything?
And we can’t forget Padmi. See how their relationship has evolved.
What started with Devan Coultrie moves on with Gorbind Phalla
(Gorbind is my favourite. Please don’t tell Devan)
I’ve not come across many romance books with characters of South Asian Origin. I felt that there was something missing. In all the mills and boon’s that I would walk past in the library, there was something missing.
As with Devan. I decided to do something about it.
This is a sweet romance between Gorbind Phalla and Padmi. A romance that integrates family dynamics and cultural experiences.
Yes, Gorbind is my favourite.
I might date a Devan-get my heart broken in the process-but I’d marry a Gorbind. Or try to, at least.
He is also my attempt to broaden out books, add characters from diverse backgrounds. Tell stories that might not otherwise get told. He like Devan is a slightly different male lead for a romance.
He started off a bit-part character in Fragments, and he continues to grow.
You’ll see how, in the rest of the book breakdown.
There are three books, and a movie currently in editing that help us understand who he is.
A former hedge fund manager from Rugby, UK who flies off to Montana, USA to start a new life.
He sticks a pin a map, and off he goes.
Devan Coultrie was my first foray into Contemporary Romance. I grew frustrated with the lack of South Asian Characters in books that I was reading. There were also so many not so savoury tropes in these books. So I decided, with the help of the Peace Novella Series Authors to create one.
Start with Retreating to Peace, where we meet Devan. He’s about settle in the fictional town of Peace in Montana. He’s all for a new beginning, and has a bruised heart.
He then settles, his life get busy with Postcards from Peace. It all seems okay, with the odd bit of drama thrown in,
Then, things take a turn, and we have Peace Betrayed. Devan does things that might stretch our love for him.
Now, I mentioned a movie!!
Yes, a short film is in the works. Devan Coultrie is Unwell is currently in Editing. The exact mid-point of the Devan Coultrie Saga was shot and developed last summer/autumn.
WE HAVE A VERY REAL DEVAN COULTRIE!
There is also a real Aditi Rao.
More news on that later. In the mean time, go read the books!
The writing journey started with this blog. Recording my journey on the allotment was about learning from mistakes, about sharing the experiences with others and generally to keep developing myself.
This was a learning curve. How to write a book, taking the photos. Making a start on something, where I had no idea where it might go.
The first book was Playing with Plant Pots; Tales from the Allotment. Or, The Yellow one! This has bits pulled together about what I had grown on the allotment and then recipes based upon that produce.
The second is Sow, Grow and Eat. Whilst there is still some allotment and growing information in there. This concentrates on jams, jellies, preserves and chutneys. I mean, when you have that many courgettes. You have to work out what to do with them!
These books were written to demystify gardening, debunk some myths. Above all, they aren’t perfect. These are books to start gently with the gardening and to have a support hand guiding you. That, and you can also eat what you grow.
Five years, ago, about tea-time, I pressed publish. My book was out there. The first book, that I would write. I didn’t know what was about to happen.
No, it wasn’t perfect. No, I didn’t know, at that point, what I should have done, or how.
But man, was I about to learn.
I have continued to do so, too. Over the course of five years, I’ve learned a great deal, and will hopefully continue to learn. Learning, is never over; as teacher, as counsellor, I know that is true. The journey has been pretty interesting so far.
This blog, was the basis for the first book. Without this blog, without the support of the gardening world, both here in Britain and beyond, the book, probably would still be a pipe dream, Worse still, it would probably be a page of inky jottings that were going nowhere fast.
This book, has moved. It has flown to the US. As a paperback, it was stocked in an Indie bookstore; it was on a bookstand! In fact, a few of the books were. At least 3, of what is growing-oh, there’s an unintended pun-catalogue.
A few of the books. The yellow book, paved the way for the rest. There was green book, what with the chutney making. A blue book-not the content, but the cover-that was based upon a grief model. I made a foray into writing contemporary romance.
All because of this blog, because I carried out an experiment with chilli plants.
Today, I am proud. I am happy, to acknowledge that the yellow book, paved a way. Oh, there’s another reference. I get butterflies-not intentional-when the book is downloaded; when someone orders a paperback copy. When someone, decides to take risk, and engage with something that I have written. It’s magic, but altogether nerve wracking
That yellow book is special, it placed me on an interesting, ever developing journey. It is also a little bit of my soul.
It is the last two days of the various books being free on kindle.
In keeping indoors, we are going to need something to read, to keep us occupied and perhaps even talk about to others.
It’s been really heartening actually, to see the downloads. Especially seeing nearly 130 downloads of the yellow gardening book, and in the United States of America!
Don’t forget that most of the fiction books are also available during this brief window.
Fragments comes before the romance novel that is Kagana. That’s where you can initially find Gorbind. In Kangana, you get to read the start of his story.
We can’t forget the Peace Novella Series, and my contributions which contain Devan Coultrie. The Devan Story starts with Retreating to Peace and continues with Postcards from Peace.
You can find the links on the side bar or head to the links page.
horticultural 'obbit 