BRENDA BOOKS TOP SPOT- ARTICLE BY TRINIDAD NEWSDAY

TRINIDAD NEWSDAY ARTICLE 7th NOVEMBER 2018

Trinidadian author Brenda Mohammed is making her mark on the literary landscape, both here and abroad.

On October 24, Mohammed was made an honorary member of the World Higher Literary/Academic Council of the World Nations Writers' Union, Kazakhstan.
The author of 18 books, with the 19th in progress, Mohammed said she is the first Trinidadian to achieve such an honour.

She is also slated to receive two awards from the Readers' Favourite International Book Awards 2018, at a gala scheduled to be held at the Regency Hotel, Miami, on November 17. .
The Vistabella mother of two and grandmother of four said she is thrilled by the accolades for her literary works, fiction and non-fiction, written and published over the past six years.
As she is a former bank manager who delved into the insurance industry after her retirement, becoming an author was not on her itinerary. Her plans changed drastically when in 2005 she was faced with a life-changing situation.
Diagnosed with cancer and living to tell her story inspired Mohammed to help others afflicted with the disease to cope.
With no writing experience, apart from work-related documents, Mohammed began documenting her heart-breaking experience of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer and her long and painful journey to overcoming the death sentence.

In time, the essays transitioned into a book, I am Cancer Free: A Memoir, that tells the true story of a cancer survivor, and was published in 2013.

Pretty soon the book, published and available on Amazon, had been read by so many people that it won the McGrath House Indie Book Awards 2016 in the non-fiction category. It also earned a five-star review and five-star seal in February 2017 from Readers' Favorite and is up for the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards 2018 in the health and fitness category.
Encouraged by the rave reviews, the multi-genre writer went on to write six fascinating memoirs, a five-book science fiction series, two children's books, four books of short stories, and one self-help book, How to Write for Success.

The science-fiction futuristic thriller series Zeeka Chronicles: Revenge of Zeeka also won an award for Best Science Fiction in September 2017 from Metamorph Publishing Summer Indie Book Awards, a five-star rating and five-star seal from Readers' Favorite, the gold award in the category science fiction in Emagazine Readers’ Choice Awards 2018 and placed in the top ten for the Author Academy Awards.
It also won the young adult thriller category in the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards 2018.

Of her other books, My Life as a Banker, was awarded for Best Bio/Memoir in Metamorph Publishing Summer Indie Awards 2016 and

Your Time is Now, which contains a section of inspirational poems, received the IHIBRP 5 Star Recommended Read Award Badge.

Mohammed runs a writer empowerment programme called Brenda’s Book Reviews in the How To Write For Success Group endorsed by Motivational Strips.

All Brenda's Books are available on AMAZON. CLICK HERE.

Today I just want to Count my Blessings.

Last night before I went to bed I was feeling discouraged.
It was for something very minor I may add.
I felt I was not getting enough reviews for my books although I have given away many books FREE.
I was thinking of quitting writing.
And then I thought I had no reason to be discouraged.
My life has been blessed with many wonderful opportunities.
My career in banking, though difficult at times, was a total success.
After retiring from Banking I moved into the Insurance arena and that too was a total success.
Four years ago I started writing books.
So far I have written eighteen books and they are all on AMAZON.
Some have won awards.
My life has been good but what has made it better is my family.
When I count my blessings, I count my husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, relatives, and friends.

I cherish the memories we shared and I have referred to many wonderful times we spent together in my memoirs.
To me, Success is not what I have achieved.
Success is what my offspring have achieved.
And they have achieved much that I am proud of.
Today I just want to count my many blessings.

What better way than to share this song with my readers.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Cancer does not have to be a death sentence.

Book Description:
Winner of Mc Grath House Indie Book Awards 2016 in the category Best Non-Fiction.
I am Cancer Free - A Memoir, is a touching and emotional true story of a woman's battle with Ovarian Cancer.
The killer disease threatened her life and financial well- being.
Her strong faith in God saw her through all the trials she had to undergo.

Readers Favorite Five-Star Review of ‘I am Cancer Free’ by Brenda Mohammed.

“I Am Cancer Free by Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed is the poignant memoir of the author’s personal battle with cancer. Her faith in God and proving that ovarian cancer need not be a death sentence are what make this memoir a heartrending read. The author’s 'never say die' attitude, the decision not to give up in life, and finally being cancer-free will encourage everyone who has been diagnosed with the disease or who has suffered from cancer. The memoir recounts from the time of diagnosis the experiences the author went through during the treatment, her emotions, fears, finances, until the successful treatment of the disease.
It is a courageous story of survival, faith, and strength.
The author chronicles every step of her journey methodically, without leaving anything out, making the narration very personal, honest, and palpable to readers. The presence of God in everyone’s life, a positive attitude, and the power of prayers run through the memoir. The author reiterates the fact that faith in God removes all obstacles in life. The conversational style of writing connects well with readers, making it easy for them to understand her journey. The author has also shared the poems she wrote during that phase in her life, where she again speaks about her story, faith in the Lord, and a Higher Power. For all those who are suffering from cancer and are battling the disease, this book is a must-read as it will give them hope, strength, and courage to fight the disease."
The book is available at Amazon Universal Link.


Biography

Brenda Mohammed, a former banker, is an award-winning, multi-genre writer and a cancer survivor.
In 2013, Brenda wrote her first book, “I am Cancer Free”, after her near death experience with cancer.
She wanted to tell the world that cancer is not a death sentence, but a battle that you have to fight and win.
Her travel opportunities, thanks to her banking job, has helped Brenda with the creative process of an author.
Her book "Travel Memoirs with Pictures: Exploring the world" is a travelogue compiling all her picturesque travels around the globe.
Brenda is blessed with a supportive family and acknowledging friends who have encouraged her throughout her life and her writing career.

Follow her on Facebook.

Follow her on Twitter.

I am Cancer Free won Mc Grath House Indie Book Awards 2016 in the category Non-Fiction

In early October I AM CANCER FREE - A MEMOIR was selected as a Finalist from a list of Nominees for the Mc Grath House Indie Book Awards 2016 in the Category Non-Fiction.
Voting was open until 14th November 2016.
On 15th November 2016, it was announced by Mc Grath House that I AM CANCER FREE -A MEMOIR was the winner in the category non-fiction.

SYNOPSIS FOR BOOK

I am Cancer Free - A Memoir, is a most touching and emotional true story of the author's battle with Ovarian cancer. The Author relates events when her life and financial well-being were threatened by this killer disease.
Her strong faith in God saw her through all the trials she had to undergo during her several months of chemotherapy sessions and cancer surgery in a foreign country.
Writing this book gives her the opportunity to demonstrate to others the meaning of prayer and family unity.
The book serves as an inspiration for those in a similar situation to not give up, trust in god, and continue fighting.
Ovarian Cancer does not have to be a death sentence.
Ten years hence she is Cancer Free.
A must read for anyone with or without an illness!
The author has included her thoughts on The True Value of Insurance.

The book is available at Amazon Universal Link

AND
Books2Read Universal Link which comprises of Nook, Kobo, Page Foundry, Apple, Scribd, 24 Symbols, and Tolino.