Video Book Review of My Life as a Banker: A Life worth Living

An Extract from Retirement is Fun - A new Chapter

Here is an extract from my book, 'Retirement is Fun - A New Chapter:

On Sunday night, the MDRT Welcome reception was held in the Stadium at the Invesco Field, which is the football field of the Denver Broncos. The Adam’s Mark Hotel was one of the hotels reserved by MDRT to be a meeting place, where members assembled to be transported to the Stadium for the welcome reception.The Million Dollar Round Table is the Premier Association for Financial Professionals and has nothing to do with your financial status.

Dozens of buses pulled up at the hotel to take us to our destination. When we arrived there, popular music bands entertained us. There were lots to eat and drink. It was remarkable to see agents from every part of the world having such a good time together. I met many of my other friends from other agencies and we enjoyed the night together.
At the MDRT Conference, on all three days, the speakers held our attention with their dynamic presentations. One of the speakers was a young teacher who won the Teacher of the Year award in America. He said that he wrote a book and sent it to Oprah Winfrey. She invited him on her show, spoke about the book and held the book close to her heart. The next day his book was Number One in America. He used the royalties to open a chain of schools in America. I wondered if I could be so lucky if I submitted my book to her.
Almost all of the speakers were afflicted with cancer and survived, or had a loved one who had it and died. Despite that, they were all highly successful.
In our spare time, we took bus tours of Denver City and the Rocky mountains. We visited Buffalo Bill’s grave and Red Rock Canyon. We met lots of friends from Trinidad and other parts of the world and had dinner with some of them. It was a remarkable and memorable trip.

Get a copy of the book at Amazon Universal Link

Adventures of Squeaky Doo - A Teddy Bear's Adventures has a new Cover

SYNOPSIS

Adventures of Squeaky Doo : A Teddy Bear's Adventures is a short story collection.
This book teaches children Geography, Cultures, and love for pets.
Children will fall in love with Squeaky Doo who relates each story himself.
1. Squeaky Doo on the Beach
2. Squeaky Doo in California
3. Squeaky Doo in Orlando
4.Squeaky Doo goes on a Cruise
5. Squeaky Doo in Trinidad


FIVE STAR REVIEW FROM A VERIFIED PURCHASER

Delightful and refreshing children's stories told from the point of view of a teddy bear, June 25, 2014
By Arabella Persaud
Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Adventures of Squeaky Doo (Paperback)
This collection consists of five stories narrated in the first person by Squeaky Doo, a teddy bear owned by a little girl named Marge. Marge lives with her younger brother and parents in Miami. However, except for the first story which takes place on a beach in Miami, all the other stories are set in different locations. The tales describe adventures in Los Angeles, Orlando, on a cruise trip, and in the author's native island, Trinidad. Squeaky Doo accompanies Marge as her family, including her grandparents, vacation in these different places. He gets lost in each story and, fortunately for him, is always rescued and reunited with Marge.

Squeaky Doo is an observant bear who never misses any detail of the family's activities. He gives vivid descriptions of a warm and loving family of which he is proud to be a part. Children will surely fall in love with this likable teddy bear and will want to read about all of his adventures. The perspective of the teddy bear makes the stories easy to read and will encourage youngsters of all ages to keep reading to find out what will happen next to Squeaky Doo.

Grab a copy at this link: Amazon Universal Link

The Book is available in Kindle and Paperback and at Barnes and Nobles and Create Space.

My Life as a Banker : A Life Worth Living - New Book Cover

My Life as a Banker: A Life worth Living has a new book cover designed by Kim Mc Dougall of Castellane.com

Synopsis:

Fascinating, Intriguing, Inspiring, Positive, Heartwarming, and Motivational Memoir.
My Life as a Banker - A Life worth Living" is a banker's memoir, in which the author describes changes in the banking system, and changes in the bank's attitude to its employees throughout her working years, in a Trinidad bank with ties in the United Kingdom.
It is the story of a pioneering female in a man's world.
The book also reveals personal details about the author's life.
It is a Memoir worth reading.


Latest Five Star Review by John Hennessy

Inspiring and eminently interesting story, June 26, 2016

This review is from: My Life as a Banker: A Life worth Living (Paperback)
For those of us who are not in the banking industry, and for me, especially living in a country where the capital is the financial hub of the country (perhaps the world) you might think a story called My Life As A Banker would be too dry to enjoy.

Author Brenda Mohammed has written quite a few books across different genres. This book is a relatively quick read but readers can be taken along her life's journey as they turn the pages.

I found myself more interested in the 'Life Worth Living' elements of the book. I congratulate her hard work which allowed her to work in the banking industry and get promoted. But I was more interested in the personal side of things, for example how she met her husband (that's an excellent segment of the book) and also attaining her strict father's support for the marriage.

The author's approach to writing this memoir is direct and therefore one imagines this is how she would speak in real life. But the tale is told with such verve and energy, it is an enjoyable book that people will find much to like.

The real life stories contained within are things we can all relate to. Things such as ending up in a great city like Toronto, but being sick at the time and told 'you shouldn't go out then'. But this is not the author's approach to life. If you have read her Travel Memoir With Pictures, you will understand what an accomplished traveller this lady is.

There's some surprisingly gory scenes in the book, tempered by some poignant sadness around certain family members, as well as the central theme of how the author made her living in the banking sector.

It's an interesting and very readable memoir from one of the more creative authors out there.

The book is available in both Kindle and Paperback at Amazon

Stories people love: Short Stories of Crime, Adventure and Love

Dear Readers, this is a preview of the new book cover for Stories People Love.
It will be published very soon, so look out for it.

SYNOPSIS

Short Stories of Crime, Adventure and Love are contained in Stories People Love.
1. A Headmaster's Daughter - In the fifties, when little value was placed on education for girls, a passionate young girl finds true love with a brilliant scholar.
2. Travel Dreams of Yesterday - Two young adventurous girls take a trip across the world in the sixties.
3. The Dirtiest of all evils - A thrilling murder mystery that will keep you guessing as to how it will all end.
4. Age Difference - A Love Story - True love knows no bounds but can there be a limit to the age of your partner?



Five Star Review from a Reviewer

Great little collection that will make you think (especially if you are a travel fan like me!)
By Kato's Revenge on February 21, 2016
Format: Paperback
'The Moral of this story is: Never give up on your dreams. - Author Brenda Mohammed.

With a title like Stories People Love, this book already had a lot to live up to. As I read each of the four short stories in turn, the change from fiction to non-fiction made reading this collection all the more pleasurable.

As a bit of a travel fiend myself, the stand out story for me is Travel Dreams of Yesterday. The author writes this so well that you really feel you are journeying along with her.

Is it a spoiler to say each story is a heart warming one (a reference to one of the author's other works) ?

I don't think so. Each element of the collection's opener, A Headmaster's Daughter, twists and turns and demands that you keep reading.

The Dirtiest of All Evils is intriguing as a murder mystery and seems initially out of place. But reading the stories again, it feels a good fit.

This is a neat and extremely readable collection and shows an author who is able to write fiction and non-fiction elements seamlessly. It's not an easy combination and yet the author pulls it off admirably.



The book is available in Kindle Edition and Paperback at this link. Amazon Universal Link

You can also get it at Create Space and Barnes and Nobles.

Retirement gift ideas for women that are an inspiration

I just saw this on Google Search and was very happy that a retirement gift store is stocking my book, Retirement is Fun - A New Chapter, as a retirement gift for women. I am sharing an excerpt of their ad here.




'For the lady who loves to read books
Retirement comes with guaranteed hours of free-time, so what better way to fill them than sharing a good book? Retirement can be a challenging life change and for this female, there are a number of inspiring books. Scour the bookstores, or take a look online and give her one of the following:

101 Fun Things to do in Retirement: An Irreverent, Outrageous and Funny Guide to Life After Work by Stella Rheingold
Retirement is Fun: A New Chapter by Brenda Mohammed
Noah’s Compass by Anne Tyler
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
These are just a few examples. There are plenty more to choose from that will suit a wide variety of tastes.'

The URL for the site is at this link - Retirement Gifts for Women

Or get the book at my Amazon Universal Link

Celebration Time - Ten years since I am Cancer Free

Come celebrate with me. It is now ten years since I am Cancer Free.
I am offering my story of my battle with Ovarian Cancer FREE with a Kindle Free Book Promotion from Sunday 22nd May to Wednesday 25th May 2016.





Read one of the latest Five-star Reviews below:

John Hennessy - Goodreads

Thoughtful and detailed account of defeating the most terrible of diseases

I am Cancer Free is an extremely positive title for something that is so terrifying to pretty much all of us, were we to be diagnosed with it.

No illness is pleasant, but surely cancer is one of the very worst, and although survival rates are increasing all the time depending on the type of cancer concerned, it is good to know that the author, who thankfully defeated this terrible disease, overcome it in order to pen this extremely good read.

From a carefree life, visiting friends and relatives, through to the initial concerns and then onto the diagnosis, the author takes us on a journey in this book. But potential readers shouldn't be put off by the subject matter. The author has bravely chose to share her experience with the reader. It is never negative, although some of it is very harrowing to read.

The description of the subsequent and very necessary operation which resulted in the author regaining her full health is a case of just enough information. There's no need for gory details and we don't get them. In essence, the author has the balance right between info-dumping and info-giving.

Again, it's a book that educates and informs.

Thank goodness for medical insurance. In the UK, we are fortunate that the NHS provides many life saving treatments. I do hope the government (s) wake up and spend money on research to defeat this terrible disease in all its forms.

Well done to the author on the beating of this disease and in the creation of this book.

Interview with Author Brenda Mohammed by Quotesrain.

Short bio or SYNOPSIS here on writing as your passion

Brenda, a multi-genre author, lives in the beautiful tropical island of Trinidad in the Caribbean. A former Bank Manager and Insurance Professional, she turned to writing after she retired from the corporate world. Brenda loves to travel and enjoys a game of Scrabble when she is not writing, or reading books by other authors.
She has written thirteen books: - five memoirs[one on her travels], one children's book, three short story collections, three kindle short reads, and one book on spirituality.
One of her short story collections is a zombie mystery trilogy.
“My Life as a Banker – A Life worth Living,” is her own autobiography. “Retirement is Fun – A New Chapter,” is a sequel to My Life as a Banker and describes the author’s new travels and experiences after she left the job at the bank.



How long have you been writing and what inspired you to do it seriously?

I wrote my first book, ‘Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan” while I was still employed at the Bank. I did that book out of love for my deceased father who was a Great Educator. I thought that his life was worthy of recording. However, I did not publish the book. I revised it in November 2014 and published it in both kindle and paperback.
I started writing seriously in the year 2013. My first book was a children’s story, “Adventures of Squeaky Doo.”
It was about the adventures of a teddy bear with a wonderful family.
I was inspired to write this book in the hope that if I had grandchildren they would read it and remember me.
This is what one reviewer said, "It makes exciting reading for children and teaches the value of love even for inanimate things.”
Another said, “It should definitely be on the reading list for children.This book will enchant both adults and children."

When choosing a name for your characters, what do you consider about them that determines what you finally call them?

I think about the role I have planned for my characters before I name them. For instance, in my latest book, Revenge of Zeeka – A Trilogy, I introduced a female robot, and named her Miranda. One reviewer could not help but refer to her in his review.“The highlight is Miranda (oh, Miranda!), whose presence gives a lot of weight and realism to the futuristic theme and setting of 2036.”

Did you have a collection in mind when you were writing them?

I wrote three collections of short stories. “Heart- Warming Tales,” “Stories People Love,” and “Revenge of Zeeka – A Trilogy,”
At first I wrote several stories as kindle short reads, but later on I put all the stories into the above books.

How did you choose which stories to include and in what order?

The first collection, “Heart-Warming Tales,” are four stories based on real life events.
One reviewer had this to say about the book,“Heart Warming Tales is a short book of stories with intriguing plots and pleasant characters. Although each story is set within the real world, there seems to be a fantastical quality to each. The style of the writing is satisfyingly simple and easy to follow.”
The second collection, “Stories People Love,”contains four short stories of crime, adventure, and love.
One reviewer referred to this book as “a collection of stories all connected by the common theme of hope.”
Another said, "This is a neat and extremely readable collection and shows an author who is able to write fiction and non-fiction elements seamlessly. It's not an easy combination and yet the author pulls it off admirably."
The third collection, “Revenge of Zeeka – A Trilogy,” was only released on 4th May 2016.
The story, which is set in the year 2036, is told in three parts, which are also available as Kindle short reads.
It is all about Zeeka, and his intent on revenge for something that occurred twenty years before.
Zeeka and the Zombies is an intriguing introduction to this multi - layered zombie story, which leaves you wondering what will happen next. In Zeeka's Child, the plot gets more complicated, and after many twists and turns, Zeeka is revealed.
In the final episode, Zeeka Returns, this very exciting three part series concludes in a most surprising way.

Do you have a “reader” in mind when you write stories?

I write for young adults but my books are suitable for all audiences.

What do you do to get book reviews? What is the best review you ever got?

I depend on purchasers of my books to do reviews, but that does not always happen. I had several Free promotions on Amazon Kindle Publishing, and had thousands of downloads, but I received no reviews from these promotions.
I received Five Star reviews for most of my books from verified purchasers, and it is hard to say which is the best review I ever got.
However, I liked the following review of Revenge of Zeeka – A Trilogy by Kato’s Revenge very much:

“Zombies. A mad scientist. A cool detective. Cool brains (and brains all around) and a cool head needed for the enjoyable trilogy By Kato's Revenge on May 5, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition
This is a solid collection of zombie stories from author Brenda Mohammed. I have read each of the three stories in turn, so for potential readers looking at this, I offer a capsule review of each tale, followed by a summary of the series as a whole.
I: Revenge of Zeeka Who is Zeeka? Why is he revenge-ing? What would your government’s response be to zombies waddling around, mixing with the locals? It’s all here in the first book. I love the author’s descriptions.
The dialogue can be a little weighty at times, but it’s all part of the set-up. It’s an intriguing horror that slowly pulls you in. ‘These different plot lines keep you reading, and keep you guessing.
Despite its length, I did not read this book in one sitting.
I wanted to absorb the cleverly interlinked plot lines. In fact, there's not a lot of the mysterious Zeeka of the title in this first story, and I think that's a clever decision by the author.’ Summary: Here is an author stepping out onto a new genre and scoring high. It’s not the best in the series, but it sets up an intriguing premise.
When read back along with parts II and III, I think it is a story that gets better with successive re-reads.

II: Zeeka's Child Oh. It had to happen, didn’t it? It’s not enough to have adult size flesh eating zombies running amok on a small island…we have to have kiddie sized versions too? Or do we?
‘When book one ended, there was what I would call a 'soft' cliffhanger, in that readers would not be annoyed that there was a cliffhanger in itself, because it was a complete tale in itself.
Now with Zeeka's Child, the plot revolves around Raynor and Janet, and the serious nature of having to raise a child that is not his own. This is an interesting concept to feature in a zombie story, which would at first appear to be nothing more than a skin bursting sideshow, and I was a little (just a little) put off by the initial chapter because it seemed more like a romantic interlude than anything else.
This is actually a very clever piece of writing by the author, because it is like she is saying, 'hey, you know this is a zombie tale, I know it's a zombie tale, but let's confuse the hell out of the readers by focusing on contemporary romance for a while.' This could be the first ever zom-contemp-rom, unless you know of another story like it.’
Summary: The best thing about Zeeka’s Child for me was the beefed-up story re the two cops, Wildy and Cole (hey, give these two their own spin-off series!). The author doesn’t drop the threads of book one.
They are skillfully integrated into this story, and it works. It’s a much more deeper and complex story than book one, some achievement in such a short story.
III: Zeeka's Return Oops. Zeeka is returning, and the island of Gosh is not happy about it. He is also revealed to be, as everyone knew, as Brian Cameron (of course, he isn’t, I made the name up because you don’t want the reveal spoiled, do you?)
I expected mayhem in this final third and we do get it. The highlight is Miranda (oh, Miranda!) whose presence gives a lot of weight and realism to the futuristic theme and setting of 2036. The ending is unexpected but enjoyable.
'Zeeka Returns is the pleasing third installment in the Zeeka and the Zombies series. What I have observed through reading each tale in sequence is a significant level up in terms of writing style and character development. That is no easy task in a short story format, and given Zeeka Returns is the longest of the three, it should be noted that it is still a short story. One wonders how our antagonist from book one is going to prevail - or not, as the case may be.'
Summary: Zeeka is a series that could have run on, on…, and into self-absorbed oblivion. A good author knows when to wrap a story up. Zeeka is a trilogy that is done, dusted, and edited well. There are few multi-layered zombie stories out there, so this is a gem readers will enjoy.”

What does the word “story” mean to you?

A story is an account of real or fictitious events. The plot and characters must be appealing to readers.
When I write, I bear this in mind.

What are you working on now?

I have started a new story, “Zeeka’s Ghost.” I have already written four chapters and hope to complete it within a month or two.

Do you have a special time to write, or, how is your day structured?

I write between the hours of 8.00 pm to 11.00pm. It is a quiet time for writing,after all the day’s chores are completed.

How do you promote your work? How does Quotesrain help you in your book promotions and sales, would you like to refer this platform to your author friends?

I advertise my books on My Facebook Author Page, Twitter, My website, Blog, and on other platforms such as Readers Gazette, Quotesrain, Goodreads, and Ask David. I also promote them on several Author and Reader Groups.
I recently became a pro-member of Quotesrain and I am very impressed with their promotion of my books.
I have a fantastic website, which displays all of my books, and I can create impressive book teasers to promote on Twitter.
I can also schedule tweets to be displayed on Twitter.
I definitely would like to refer this platform to my author friends. I recommend it to all of them.
I am constantly donating books to the National Library in Trinidad, and to my church, when they need to raise funds for charitable purposes. I also sell some of my paperback books printed by Create Space, privately in Trinidad.
My paperback books are available on both Amazon and Create Space.

Would you like to share something with your Readers and Fans?

I want to encourage my readers and fans to continue to read my books and do reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Your reviews will help me to be a better writer. Please follow me on Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and visit my website at Quotesrain for continuous updates. Without readers, there is no point in my writing. I need every one of you. I do not only promote my books. I promote those of other authors as well.
You will read reviews and post of books by other popular authors when you visit my pages.

Revenge of Zeeka - A Trilogy

Follow Revenge of Zeeka : A Trilogy on The IF List.... https://t.co/N3m3Oj66DM pic.twitter.com/D4Nwosolrg

— Brenda Mohammed (@mirroe) May 20, 2016

Revenge of Zeeka - A Trilogy, is now available.





The book contains the three stories as follows:

Zeeka and the Zombies

Zeeka's Child

Zeeka's Return

Each book received favourable reviews by readers.


Here is an extract from each review.

Zeeka and the Zombies
A great short Five Stars
By Shazzie on March 1, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Brenda Mohammed has produced a great short story in Revenge of Zeeka. The plot isn't complex but it has been delivered in a way the reader is kept interested as the pages are turned. The plot is driven forward by dialogue which is I feel for this length of story is good.

Character detail is good and romance and intrigued are played out in this well written zombie story. Everything is not as it seems and the author keeps you guessing. Among the characters is a detective, Jack Wilby. He is likeable and believable. Hopefully, Mohammed will allow us to meet him again in another story?



Zeeka's Child

Twists and turns galore Five Stars
By Mom R. on March 28, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I was caught off guard and my mind was twisted and turned a few times by the much stronger plot in book 2. Many of the first book's questions are revealed here and I'm itching for more.

Zeeka's Return


A gloriously gory end to the Zeeka legend... Five Stars
By Kato's Revenge on April 24, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Zeeka Returns is the pleasing third installment in the Zeeka and the Zombies series. What I have observed through reading each tale in sequence is a significant level up in terms of writing style and character development. That is no easy task in a short story format, and given Zeeka Returns is the longest of the three, it should be noted that it is still a short story. One wonders how our antagonist from book one is going to prevail - or not, as the case may be.

Perhaps it is a testament to the author that her main characters are not necessarily the most important ones for me. Book two introduced us to cop duo Wildy and Cole, and their dynamic worked well in Zeeka's Child, it is far better and more realised here. I enjoyed these two and would read on if they were to appear in another series.

The island of Gosh, once such a pleasant idyllic place to live, is now little short of a terror zone, where the threat of a zombie attack has the residents looking like they are going about their normal business, but in truth, they are not - they are scared, and rightly so.

Away from the police manhunt (zombie hunt?) Steve, Raynor and other friends reminisce about old times with hopes that there will be new times ahead for them to enjoy.

Perhaps the best innovation for the story - and befitting one set in the not too distant future, is the very welcome introduction of robot Miranda. Oh I'm sure by 2036 we'll all have one in our homes, but I like this design far better than Paulie's Bot in Rocky IV (1985 seems a very long time ago when I revisit that film). She's introduced as a home help but this is just one layer to her character design, and it's a joy to see her develop.

Ultimately Zeeka Returns answers the considerable set up given to us in books one and two. Will the now not so mysterious Zeeka pay for his crimes? Will he come willingly, and what will happen to the rogue group of zombies now free to unless carnage on the island? That's the main question to be answered and readers won't be disappointed with the story's end.

The key characters remain strong with the secondary ones providing functional support to the narrative whilst not overloading the story with
an unnecessary plot diversion. If anything, Zeeka's Return is the lightest of the the books in terms of script, so reader won't lose the thread of the story even if they put it down for a while.

Get a copy at Amazon Universal Link

Also available in Paperback

Retirement is Fun - A new Chapter

This book was described by a reviewer as a travelogue, because it is filled with lots of travel, adventure, and excitement, notwithstanding bouts of illness,an accident, a devastating hurricane, and death of loved ones.

Retirement is Fun: A New Chapter @mirroe https://t.co/Hs5WKVA06d Retirement is Fun is a sequel to "My Li #novels 2 pic.twitter.com/oVrCBnwIgV

— Readers Gazette (@ReadersGazette) April 16, 2016

Ovarian cancer is not a death sentence.

Ovarian Cancer is not a Death Sentence. Read a Survivor's story.

I am Cancer Free: A Memoir @mirroe https://t.co/9lLsOqNBOJ I am Cancer Free is a most touching and emoti #novels 4 pic.twitter.com/nppOpLPa0C

— Readers Gazette (@ReadersGazette) April 12, 2016

Amazon Universal Link

Five Star Review for Memoirs of Dr Andrew Moonir Khan - A Great Educator in Trinidad and Tobago.

Genuinely Interesting and useful
By p.rajkumar on March 31, 2016
Format: Paperback
There is a need for books like this one- books which document the struggle of the first generations of immigrants and their children to carve a place in their society , and then provide the foundation for the next generation to achieve even greater success. In broad terms this is general knowledge. What is valuable in this book is the step by step description detailing the road map by which one successful educator did so. What is also appreciated is the incidental description of day to day life in pre independence Trinidad. Congratulations - post humous though they have to be- to Dr. Khan for the foresight in documenting his memoirs for the benefit of those who -generations later - are curious about the journey. Congratulations also to the biographer -his daughter -Brenda - for identifying the need for these memoirs to be published - and to receive a wider audience than just his family, as well as undertaking the task of bringing the book into being. I would recommend this book for its insights into the secret of success and its transmission to later generations.

Amazon Universal Link

Stories People Love by Brenda Mohammed

Stories people love: Short Stories of Crime, Adventure and Love Brenda Mohammed https://t.co/1mG82jUsLz #books via @ReadersGazette,@mirroe

— Brenda Mohammed (@mirroe) March 14, 2016

Amazon Universal Link

Video Book Trailer for Book Publications by an Indie Author

AMAZON UNIVERSAL LINK

Video Book Trailer for Retirement is Fun

Retirement is Fun Video Book Trailer

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Video Book Trailer for My Life as a Banker

AMAZON UNIVERSAL LINK