** HOLIDAY PROMO **
He saved her life. She became his muse.
Transcending time, their love was absolute—and
always out of reach.
Is it too late, or do they have one more
chance?
"Rhapsody in Dreams" is a modern-day
love story with a slight mystical twist.
You can read the excerpt on my blog: https://stellamayauthor.home.blog/.../19/rhapsody-in-dreams/
An ebook is available now at any digital
bookseller of your choice:
My friend, Marina Sardarova who writes under the pen-name of Stella May, accepted my invitation to answer a few of my questions about her life and work. It is my great pleasure to introduce you to her on my blog today. Just let me say that if you are in the mood to be swept away by some really good books, I highly recommend that you find your way to her work. To help you in that effort, purchase links to her books are listed below. –Linda Lee Greene Author/Artist
In 50 words or fewer, please tell readers
what you want them to know about the personal you?
I was born in the sixties of the last century in a country that doesn’t exist anymore: the former Soviet Union. However, I am not Russian–I’m Armenian and proud of my heritage. My family and I immigrated to the USA in 1991. I live in Jacksonville, FL with my husband and son. Literature and music are my two great passions.
In 50 words or fewer, tell readers what you want them to know about the writer you?
I am a Gemini, so there are two of us. Literally. My name is Marina Sardarova. Stella May is my pen name. In many regards, we are very different, even though she is me. I am a shy person, introvert. She’s more daring, braver, and self-assured. I am no stranger to self-doubts. She knows exactly what she wants and goes for it. And she writes because she loves it and because she has stories inside of her.
What motivated you to begin writing?
A visceral need to tell a story brewing inside.
Do you shoot for a grand purpose and/or a message for readers in your work?
Frankly, I don’t think about a grand purpose while writing my books. But my main message is: love is everything.
Do you write in a specific genre, or in a range of genres?
My first trilogy ‘Once & Forever’ is a family saga, the story totally grounded in reality. My next book ‘Rhapsody in Dreams’ is a cross-genre between a real life romance and fantasy. My series ‘Upon A Time’ is a time-travel romance adventure. I always was drawn to the sprinkle of magic in a real life.
Tell readers about your latest book: Title, blurb, purchase link, jpeg of the cover.
What motivated you to write this book?
My latest book ‘Time& Again’ is book two of my time-travel series.
Blurb: Once the portal is closed, there’s no going back. Or forward. Or
is there?
Nika has been back in her own time for months, but with the
portal to 1909 closed, she fears Eli believes those terrible accusations.
Suddenly Eli appears, but in order to live out their destiny, there is more
than one emotional bridge to rebuild.
https://www.amazon.com/Time.../dp/B0B7ZKXHS3/ref=sr_1_1...
https://books2read.com/u/3n5lMK
https://play.google.com/.../details/Stella_May_Time_Again...
Do you have a work in progress (WIP)? If so, please give readers a sneak peak of it?
The third book in the Upon A Time Series is titled ‘No Other Time’, and is currently in the editing phase. I hope to introduce readers to it before Christmas. In this book, two of my secondary characters step forward, taking a center stage. I hope the readers will enjoy reading this story as much as I loved writing it.
In your best dream for your future, where would you like to be both in your personal and writing life?
Right here, in my beautiful sunny Florida, with my two best men, my husband of 34 years, and my wonderful son, and writing my heart out.
In 10 words or fewer, please share with readers your personal motto? In other words, what gets you up in the morning and keeps you up and going?
I have two mottoes I live by. First one-- be yourself, everybody else is already taken. And second-- seek magic everywhere.
What gets me up and running? My family and my writing.
How do you prefer readers to contact you directly?
Via my email stellamay1205@gmail.com, or via my website
www.stellamayauthor.com/contact
Is there anything else you want to share with readers?
Thank you for reading my books!
#StellaMay, #MarinaSardarova, #TimeTravelStories, #Romance, #UponATimeSeries,
#NoOtherTime, #Once&Forever, #RhapsodyInDreams, #LindaLeeGreene,
#AuthorArtist
I can think of a no more delightful way of opening 2022 than to share with my readers the charming story of my friend and brilliant author Marina Sardarova’s memories of the New Year Celebration in the USSR of her childhood. Marina writes under the penname of Stella May. Featured below is the link to her web site at which readers can access her excellent time-travel fantasy and romance novels. –Linda Lee Greene, Author/Artist
Author Stella May’s Childhood and New
Year’s Celebration in the USSR
From Stella
May/Marina Sardarova
When I
was a child, December 31st was the happiest and most anticipated day of the
year. You see, in my old country, we didn’t celebrate Christmas. As a matter of
fact, we didn’t even know what Christmas was. Instead, we celebrated New Year.
How come? Well, I was born in the former USSR, the communist country, where
Christmas as a religious holiday was banned since 1928. (I think they
reinstated it in 1991, but I am not positive.) But, back to my story. As sad as
it may seem to you, our New Years were
festive,
and happy.
We
decorated our flats with an abandon. A fresh pine tree was a must. I still
remember how it smelled—fresh and green like hope. And, oh God, the
decorations! Hand-made, or store bought, and the garlands… We had our own
version of Santa Claus—Ded Moroz, who had his lovely
granddaughter, Snegurochka. Oh, the New Years of my childhood! It
was pure joy, and expectation of something wonderful, and magic rolled into
one. The smell of tangerines permeated the air. Those little orange delights were
an absolute necessary attribute of any New Year’s celebration–- even more than
champagne. My mom slaved in the kitchen for days to put the biggest and most
scrumptious meal on the table. And the most favorite dish of all? Olivier
Salad, of course. (Look for the recipe in December on Marina’s blog.) It was,
and still is, a synonym of New Year. Then, on the big day, we would put our
best china and gather around the table for dinner. For children, it was the
biggest thrill, because only on New Year’s Eve we were allowed to stay up all
night, eat sweets, and watch TV until we dropped. And only the children
received presents. Mostly, it was sweets, fruit, books, and an occasional toy—
nothing the modern children would consider a ‘present’, especially a Christmas
present. But we were waiting for those special presents all year and treasured
them immensely. To us, they were precious. They represented something
special–New Year. No one wrapped our presents simply because we didn’t have any
wrapping paper. I remember my mom used cellophane and some ribbons to make our
presents a little more festive. I remember how she would hide these
funny-looking bundles from us, and how happy she was when she’d manage to
transfer them in the middle of the night under the tree, and then looked
surprised when we find them in the morning. But most of all, I remember the
feeling of absolute and total happiness. Oh, what a joy it was, that magical
New Year’s night! The exhilaration, anticipation, celebration! I remember
everything so vividly like it was yesterday, and my heart breaks a little each
and every time. In my family we keep the tradition and celebrate New Year’s in
a big way. Now I am slaving in the kitchen, using my mother’s recipes to put on
a celebratory dinner. And every year, there are tangerines, champagne, and
Olivier Salad. And presents? There will be plenty of presents for everyone— not
only for children. And they will be wrapped in a pretty paper, and adorned with
festive ribbons and bows. We will sit around the table, and raise our glasses
to toast 2022, wishing for health and happiness, peace and prosperity. May this
coming year be kind to everybody. Stay safe and healthy, love each other, care
for your loved ones, and always keep a positive attitude. Happy New Year, or as
we said in Russia, с Новым Годом! Stella
Stella
May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who
has a fascinating history you should read on her website.
Stella
writes fantasy romance as well as time travel romance. She is the author
of ‘Till Time Do Us Part, Book 1 in her Upon a Time series, and the
stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two
cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book
and paperback through all major vendors. When not writing, Stella enjoys
classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean with her husband. She
lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 25 years and their son
George. They are her two best friends and are partners in their family
business.
Follow
Stella on her website and blog. Stay
connected on Facebook, Twitter,
and Pinterest.
#NewYearCelebrations, #USSR, #MarinaSardarova, #StellaMay, #TillTimeDoUsPart, #RhapsodyInDreams
