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Cinnamon Gardens

Cinnamon Gardens is a historical fiction novel that intertwines personal and political struggles in colonial Ceylon, capturing the tensions within a privileged family against the backdrop of early 20th-century societal change.

The Haunting of Thomas Gardens

When Covid hits, the Thomas Family decided to pack up their lives in the city and move to Buttershire, to the family mansion on the hill. But there is a secret to the mansion, that no one told the family when they got the keys. Whilst the adults seem oblivious to what is happening around them, the teenage knows that the clock is ticking. What they discover is truly not for the faint of heart.

Not enough ratings

59 Chapters

A ROSE FROM THE MOB BOSS

Marrying Lucas Darken, son of the wealthiest IT company CEO in the city, was all Taya had dreamed about since their first meeting. But the pride and joy of marrying Lucas turned into a disaster, after Taya discovered the affair Lucas had been hiding. To her surprise, the girl Lucas had been having an affair with was none other than her so called best friend. Damaged, Taya tried hard to cover her unbearable pain, but deep inside, she swore that Lucas would suffer way worse than she did. Being drained mentally and emotionally, Taya eventually decided to leave her bitter life behind, moving away to a small town, hoping for a new adventure all her own. Her journey led to her meeting the attractively secretive Declan Mercer, a man with deep deep pocket, who changed Taya's life completely. Declan helped with her transformation from a meek, soft spoken, heart-broken girl, into a tough, blunt woman. However, as Taya got closer to Declan, she learned that he was in fact the most feared mob boss in history. Further, with Lucas' reappearance and Declan claiming Taya to be his one and only, along with Ella showing up that she dragged Taya through another level of hell, could Taya survive this time?

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7 Chapters

Winter Flower: Bloom for the Alpha

With his hair as white as snow, blue eyes carrying weight as deep as the ocean and porcelain skin that looks almost translucent under the sun, Gavin has become his pack's subject of ridicule and abuse. At first it was just because of his appearance, and then he presented as an omega, the lowest of ranks, and it just only became worse. On top of that, he’s the only one who couldn’t even shift, a disgrace of a shifter who cannot even embrace their wolf. Living his whole life like this, he has come to accept it, and acknowledged that maybe this is really just his fate.A news of a pack visiting to look for their pack alpha’s son’s mate spreads like wild fire and soon after, everyone in his pack prepared of it. Everyone waited with bated breaths only for them to be beyond disappointed when the alpha’s eyes landed on Gavin, eyes glinting gold. With both packs unhappy with the turn of events, how would Gavin’s life turn out now? If only they knew who he really is, if only he knew, would he have allowed them to look down on him like this?In between disapproving looks and attempts to get rid of him, Gavin finds love whom he had ever only heard of before, the kind of love that people wrote and sang about, cried for, and died for.“Has anyone ever told you that you resemble snow? Your voice reminds me of it, gentle, almost crooning, but still cold. Even your scent, cinnamon and a bit like molasses. You greatly remind me of winter.”“Really? That’s lovely to hear. I love winter.”He smiles.“So do I.”

9.9

73 Chapters

A Bear's Mirrored Romance

Reflections of life and love. Are not always what they are cracked up to be. What would you do if a long-buried family secret with mystical origins raises its ugly head? Gemma Conlin knows when she takes the position of caretaker of the Helencia Gardens Estate. Finding an old book and mirror from her childhood sparks everything up. Larin Vanis is in a spot. He can't find the replacement Mirror Guardian. They're on the wrong side of a portal he can't get through. He and his cousin Hugo Vanis are bear shifters in a world full of magic and war. The Guardians are the only thing that prevents that war from bleeding into other worlds. Can they come together, prevent the war from bleeding over into the mundane world.

58 Chapters

Italy With A Duke

The urge to protect begins with desire... A widowed researcher, Caitlyn Maddox, opts to take her second honeymoon trip with a hired escort, a mysterious man paired with her through an exhaustive agency matching process. Unbeknownst to her, the handsome stranger, Duke Carter, who her meets her at the airport isn’t the man she hired. Along the twisting channels of romantic Venice and the intimate eateries of sophisticated Florence, sparks fly between the duo. But the agency isn’t the only group looking for the spellbound scholar and her charming companion. Amid the narrow cobblestone streets, spectacular gardens and vitrine art galleries, dangerous secrets from both her late husband’s past and Duke’s present are swiftly encroaching on Caitlyn’s blissful fantasy. Against a firestorm of half-truths and flying bullets, Duke struggles to bring Caitlyn through safely. Not merely because it’s his job to protect her, but because no one is going to hurt what’s his.

78 Chapters

The CEO's Secret

A powerful CEO will cross paths with a single mother, a "tough nut to crack," as he calls her. She's afraid of getting into a romantic relationship since she was abandoned by her boyfriend. Ever since, whenever a man approaches her, she scares him away with a brusque attitude. That man with sea-green eyes and cinnamon skin who is her new boss will be her downfall. Their worlds are different, filled with lies, secrets, and a love triangle; accompanied by a passionately charged romance, it will lead them to the abyss. Will Katia be able to stay with him after discovering the secret that the stone-faced man holds? Will the CEO be able to reach Katia's heart?

Not enough ratings

107 Chapters

What Awards Has 'Cinnamon Gardens' Won?

4 Answers2025-06-17 10:26:18

'Cinnamon Gardens' has garnered quite the reputation in literary circles. It snagged the prestigious National Book Award for Fiction, a testament to its rich storytelling and vivid portrayal of colonial Sri Lanka. The novel also claimed the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Book, highlighting its cross-cultural appeal and masterful narrative. Critics praised its lush prose and intricate character dynamics, earning it a spot on the New York Times Notable Books list. Its blend of historical depth and emotional resonance makes it a standout, securing its place as a modern classic.

The book’s accolades don’t stop there. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, a nod to its literary excellence. The Asian Literary Prize also honored it, recognizing its authentic depiction of Southeast Asian heritage. These awards reflect how 'Cinnamon Gardens' transcends genres, merging history, romance, and social commentary into a work that resonates globally. It’s rare for a novel to balance awards and reader adoration so seamlessly, but this one nails it.

What Is The Main Conflict In 'Cinnamon Gardens'?

4 Answers2025-06-17 16:38:36

The central conflict in 'Cinnamon Gardens' revolves around the tension between tradition and personal freedom in a tightly knit Sri Lankan community. The protagonist, a young woman named Nayomi, is caught between her family's expectations to marry for status and her own desire to pursue an education abroad. Her rebellion isn't just about love—it's a quiet revolution against generations of gendered sacrifice. The spice-scented lanes of Colombo become battlegrounds where colonial-era class systems clash with post-independence aspirations.

Meanwhile, her aunt Kamala embodies the cost of conformity, trapped in a loveless marriage yet upholding the very traditions that suffocate her. The novel weaves their parallel struggles with subtlety, showing how silence can be as oppressive as outright defiance. The real antagonist isn't a person but the weight of collective expectation, rendered so vividly you can almost taste the cinnamon in the air.

Who Wrote 'Cinnamon Gardens' And What Inspired It?

4 Answers2025-06-17 08:55:51

I recently dove into 'Cinnamon Gardens' and was struck by its rich cultural tapestry. The novel was penned by Shyam Selvadurai, a Sri Lankan-Canadian writer renowned for weaving personal and political histories into his narratives. Inspired by Colombo's elite society in the 1920s, Selvadurai drew from his own family’s past and Sri Lanka’s colonial legacy. The book mirrors the tensions of a fading aristocracy, blending queer themes with the rigid social norms of the era. Selvadurai’s meticulous research and emotional depth make the setting almost tactile—you can smell the cinnamon and feel the monsoon rains. His inspiration wasn’t just historical; it was deeply personal, reflecting his fascination with identity and displacement.

The novel’s layered conflicts—between tradition and desire, British rule and local pride—echo Selvadurai’s broader works like 'Funny Boy.' He often explores how societal expectations crush individuality, and 'Cinnamon Gardens' is no exception. The way he captures the protagonist’s quiet rebellion against arranged marriage feels achingly authentic. It’s clear Selvadurai didn’t just write a period piece; he resurrected a world where every whispered conversation carries the weight of history.

Where Can I Buy 'Cinnamon Gardens' Online?

4 Answers2025-06-17 18:47:38

If you're hunting for 'Cinnamon Gardens', the usual suspects like Amazon and Barnes & Noble have it in stock—both paperback and e-book formats. For indie lovers, Bookshop.org supports local bookstores while shipping to your doorstep. Don’t overlook AbeBooks for rare or used copies, especially if you want an older edition with that vintage charm.

Digital readers can grab it on Kindle or Kobo, and audiobook fans might find it on Audible. Check the publisher’s website for direct sales or signed copies, and libraries often lend e-books via apps like Libby. Always compare prices; sometimes smaller shops run surprise deals.

Is 'Cinnamon Gardens' Based On A True Story?

4 Answers2025-06-17 10:54:23

I’ve dug into 'Cinnamon Gardens' quite a bit, and while it isn’t a direct retelling of real events, it’s steeped in historical authenticity. The novel mirrors the social tensions and colonial dynamics of early 20th-century Sri Lanka, particularly the clashes between tradition and modernity in elite circles. The author, Shyam Selvadurai, weaves fictional characters into a meticulously researched backdrop—think tea plantations, rigid class hierarchies, and the suffocating expectations of the era. The setting feels so vivid because it’s anchored in real places like Colombo’s affluent Cinnamon Gardens neighborhood, where colonial mansions still stand. The emotional truths—forbidden love, familial duty—are universal, but the story’s power lies in how it channels the whispers of history into something deeply personal.

What’s brilliant is how Selvadurai blurs the line between fact and fiction. The characters’ struggles—like navigating arranged marriages or suppressed queer identities—reflect documented societal pressures of the time. You won’t find a real-life analog for every plot twist, but the novel’s heartbeat is undeniably tied to Sri Lanka’s colonial past. It’s historical fiction at its best: imagined lives that illuminate real-world shadows.

How Does 'Cinnamon Gardens' Portray Colonial Sri Lanka?

4 Answers2025-06-17 09:21:32

'Cinnamon Gardens' paints colonial Sri Lanka as a land caught between tradition and the tides of change. The novel meticulously captures the oppressive weight of British rule—how it reshaped social hierarchies, turning local elites into collaborators while the masses struggled under economic exploitation. The cinnamon estates symbolize this duality: lush and profitable for colonizers, yet sites of backbreaking labor for Sri Lankans. The book doesn’t shy from depicting cultural erosion, like Westernized elites dismissing native customs, or the quiet resistance simmering in villages.

Yet it’s also a story of resilience. Through characters like the rebellious daughter defying arranged marriages or the servant secretly preserving folklore, the narrative reveals how Sri Lankans negotiated identity under colonialism. The prose lingers on sensory details—the scent of spices clashing with English perfume, or the stifling heat of Colombo’s parlors where power was brokered. It’s a vivid, unflinching portrait of a society fraying at the seams but stitching itself back together with threads of memory and defiance.

How To Draw Cinnamon Roll

4 Answers2025-02-17 15:20:22

I have almost 20 years of experience in comics, and I assure you that drawing has everything to do with practice and learning to see. To draw a cinnamon bun, start off with the basic spiral shape to capture the dough's floppy tangle.

Then, add in details: dots of cinnamon, icing pour on down off a swirled surface and various places to make 3D illusion shafts appear. Try to capture the texture of the gently fluffy dough, the sticky sugar-sweetness; this is where your observation ability really comes into play.

After you've got form down, it's time to add shading and texture. Practice, practice, practice; the more you draw it the better you seem to do draws! In short, have fun.

How Does 'Gardens Of Stone' End?

5 Answers2025-06-20 17:31:52

The ending of 'Gardens of Stone' is both poignant and reflective, capturing the essence of sacrifice and duty. The film follows a group of soldiers in the Old Guard who perform ceremonial duties at Arlington National Cemetery while grappling with the realities of the Vietnam War. In the final scenes, Clell Hazard, the protagonist, loses his young protege Jackie Willow in combat. This death deeply affects Hazard, reinforcing the futility he feels about the war.

The film concludes with Hazard and his fellow soldiers burying Willow in Arlington, a stark reminder of the cycle of loss and honor. The somber ceremony underscores the emotional toll on those left behind, blending personal grief with national duty. The ending doesn’t offer resolutions but lingers on the quiet resilience of soldiers who continue their solemn work, honoring the dead while questioning the cost of war.

Who Wrote 'The Incredible Adventures Of Cinnamon Girl'?

1 Answers2025-06-23 17:53:18

I’ve been obsessed with 'The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl' ever since I stumbled upon it at a local bookstore. The author, Melissa Keil, has this knack for blending humor and heart in a way that feels so genuine. She’s an Australian writer who’s carved out a space for herself in the YA scene with stories that feel both whimsical and deeply relatable. 'Cinnamon Girl' is one of those books where you can tell the author poured a piece of herself into the protagonist, Alba. The way Keil writes about small-town life, existential dread, and the chaos of growing up is just chef’s kiss. It’s like she took all the awkward, messy parts of adolescence and turned them into something magical.

What I love about Keil’s writing is how she doesn’t shy away from heavy themes but still keeps the tone light enough that it never feels oppressive. Alba’s obsession with comic books, her fear of the future, and her chaotic friendships are all handled with this delicate balance of sincerity and wit. Keil’s background in screenwriting probably plays into how cinematic her scenes feel—you can practically see the quirky Australian town and its residents coming to life. The book’s title alone hooked me, but it’s Keil’s voice that made me stay. She’s got this uncanny ability to make you laugh on one page and punch you in the feels on the next. If you haven’t read her other works, like 'Life in Outer Space,' you’re missing out. Her characters are always this perfect mix of flawed and lovable, and 'Cinnamon Girl' is no exception.

Fun fact: Keil’s writing process involves a lot of music playlists and random bursts of inspiration, which makes sense because the book has this rhythm to it—like a playlist for the end of the world. Alba’s journey is messy and nonlinear, just like real life, and Keil captures that chaos without ever losing control of the narrative. It’s rare to find an author who can make you care this much about a girl who’s literally waiting for the apocalypse in her pajamas. Melissa Keil deserves way more recognition for how she’s redefining YA with her sharp, heartfelt storytelling.

What Genre Is 'The Incredible Adventures Of Cinnamon Girl'?

1 Answers2025-06-23 01:40:23

I’ve been obsessed with 'The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl' since I first picked it up, and genre-wise, it’s this brilliant mash-up that defies easy labels. At its core, it’s a coming-of-age story, but with this delightful layer of magical realism that makes everything feel just a little bit surreal. The protagonist, Alba, is stuck in this small Australian town where the end of the world might be happening, and her journey is equal parts personal growth and bizarre, almost dreamlike encounters. It’s not quite fantasy—there are no dragons or spells—but the way reality bends around her makes it feel like anything could happen. The comic book elements woven into the narrative give it this playful, meta quality, like the story is aware of its own absurdity but still takes its emotional beats deadly seriously.

What really sets it apart is how it balances humor and heart. The tone is lighthearted, almost whimsical at times, but the themes are anything but shallow. It’s about friendship, identity, and the fear of the future, all wrapped up in this quirky package where the apocalypse might just be a metaphor for growing up. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the supporting cast feels like they’ve walked straight out of a indie film—eccentric, endearing, and painfully real. If I had to pin it down, I’d call it a contemporary YA novel with a twist of surrealism, but honestly, half the fun is how it keeps you guessing. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh out loud one minute and tear up the next, and that’s a rare magic all its own.