Every review Casablanca, My Heart has received since its launch on 6 June 2012 went through the roof but the sales remained modest. My publisher is convinced it’s the title and the cover, so both are going to change. And that’s where you may come in. Suggest a new title and win a lot of goodies at the same time. How? Check out here:
Are you creative? Got what it takes to make a blockbuster?
This month we’re giving you a chance to flex your creative muscles.
Taylor Street Publishing are offering an exciting opportunity to come up with a new title for one of their books.
‘Casablanca – My Heart’ by Hannah Warren is a spellbinding romance set against the glorious backdrop of Morroco. Kathleen Hewtson, Managing Director explains:
“Occasionally a book doesn’t take off as we were expecting. In this case we feel that the title may be failing to excite the target audience and as we have such faith in the writing, we’ve decided to take the unusual step of re-branding and re-launching the book. We are sourcing some beautiful new artwork but we’d like some help with the most important change – the title!”
How do you enter?
“You can download the book with its current name – Casablanca-My Heart – from here for 77 pence, or for a similarly low price from your region’s Amazon site. We have also put some of the reviews below, which we feel may help give a feel of the book. Simply suggest a name by commenting on the below post and on Thursday 23rd August, well announce the one we like best!! The winner will receive an acknowledgement in the front of the book, a paperback copy of the book and an Amazon gift voucher for £15.”*
Fancy a go? Better get reading – you’ve only got a week!!
REVIEWS for ‘Casablanca – My Heart’
I confess that the title of this book made me think it would be a pleasant but unedifying Mills and Boon style of story. And it is written in present tense throughout, another of my peeves. But Hannah Warren handles this style of writing so skilfully that it felt natural and not intrusive in any way. This is not her first language but, my goodness, she writes far better than many an English native. She employs simple elegant sentences, brings to life places and people, colour, atmosphere and beauty. Even the minor characters feel so real they are there before your eyes, the mark of a truly good writer.
The main character Heather, a successful writer of romance novels, is a woman torn by guilt and pain. She feels it is her fault that her beloved husband, Luuk, lies in a coma after a terrible motor accident. In an effort to get away for a while, she books a cruise to Casablanca and meets there a handsome Persian who, while appearing a bit of a playboy, is very attractive. (Yes, I see Omar Sharif too!) He in turn is determined to meet her and seems to know all about her life and loves. The mystery intrigues and terrifies her.
The characters with their complexities, their needs, their feelings are beautifully fleshed out. It’s truly a story with a soul, not a mere amusing romance. In some places reminiscent of a Francoise Sagan novel.
English is not Hannah Warren’s first language but this book is written to perfection. Editors play their part of course but they cannot capture the soul of a book. This comes from the author and Hannah has left her soul in this book in my humble opinion.
Just say the name Casablanca and it conjures up the feeling of romance, exotic spices, and hot nights in the Casbah.
As the story opens from Heather’s perspective she looks across the dining table on board ship and is aware of Ghalib a Moroccan Prince. A modern day Omah Sharif if you will. So begins the love story.
As the story twists and turns through the years from Ghalib’s prospective and then Heather’s, we discover how their lives become entwined and how fate finally takes a hand in their lives.
This is not just a wonderful romantic story it has depth of soul and eventually all soul mates come together regardless of where they are in the world.
I loved every moment and was disappointed when I finally read the last page as this reader wanted more.
I thoroughly recommend this captivating story.
Suggestions below – good luck!!
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How about ‘Thorn In My Heart’?