Getting Muslims and Maldives Memoir Published (2 January 2013)

Posted on January 2, 2013

http://islandchicimport.wordpress.com/category/tourism/

Two of the latest reviews of the memoir:

“I have read chapters one, four, and seven of your book and am very glad that I did. It is just so very different from the other things that I have been reading on this website. Very refreshing! The book starts well. I immediately know what to expect (or think I do)- it is about the difficulties of a western woman living in a place that practices Sharia Law, but is also going to be self-deprecating and humorous. Great! I like this beginning a lot!

I am glad that you shared your age and condition (alcoholism) right off the bat. I am forty-nine, myself, and a former drinker, and immediately find it easy to relate to a person that has some experience. That you are able to honestly admit such things also encourages me to trust what you have to say.

http://oursurprisingworld.com/traveling-in-maldives/

(continued from above) I like the way you assertively describe your environment. The dialogue is a riot. I find myself uncontrollably chuckling. I also like the news articles leading off each chapter. This excellent technique provides testimony about the environment from third-party sources that substantiates much of what you are sharing with the reader. Very good.

The journal format is interesting. It keeps things moving along, certainly, even to the point of becoming tiresome. I guess what I am trying to say is that the pacing is almost too much for me. I want a story to develop. Is it Sharia? Alcoholism? A woman having the adventure of her life or just a woman having a mid-life crisis? Maybe it is all of these things and I just need to hold on for the ride? Are you going to be able to keep this up for the entire book? Should you?” (SJ Bell)

http://islandchicimport.wordpress.com/category/tourism/

“I’ve read the first few chapters and am in complete awe. I normally try to stay away from autobiographies as I either can’t connect, don’t care for the content, or it’s just so heart-wrenching that it breaks me apart to read further… Your book though, holy wow… I had no idea to the extent of these laws – flogging for sex, no alcohol, etc; basically it’s a crime to do anything that we take for granted. Your writing style is excellent too; I laughed at the fishing scene in chapter two, and that was immediately after another jaw dropping fact of the police station being bigger than the hospital… Kudos, well written, high stars.” (Jaclyn Aurore)