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Monday, October 23, 2017

Blog Tour for ALL INCLUSIVE by Farzana Doctor Author Interview and Giveaway







All Inclusive
by Farzana Doctor
GENRE  Literary Fiction, LGBT, magical realism, multicultural



A story about an all-inclusive resort, the ghost of an unknown father, and the tragedies we can’t forget.


What’s it like when everyone’s dream vacation is your job? Ameera works at a Mexican all-inclusive resort, where every day is paradise — if “paradise” means endless paperwork, quotas to meet, and entitled tourists. But it’s not all bad: Ameera’s pastime of choice is the swingers scene, and the resort is the perfect place to hook up with like-minded couples without all the hassle of having to see them again.



Despite Ameera’s best efforts to keep her sideline a secret, someone is spreading scandalous rumours about her around the resort, and her job might be at stake. Meanwhile, she’s being plagued by her other secret, the big unknown of her existence: the identity of her father and why he disappeared. Unbeknownst to Ameera, her father, Azeez, is looking for her, and they both must come to terms with the reason why he abandoned her.



A moving new work from award-winning author Farzana Doctor, All Inclusive blurs the lines between the real world and paradise, and life and death, and reminds us that love is neither easily lost nor found.





March 27, 2015, Huatulco, Mexico



A DC8 droned above.

“Here they come,” I announced. Friday was our departure-arrival day. One sunburned and
grouchy group left for their northern homes, and another cohort, ecstatic and pale, touched down and took their place.

Roberto grabbed a plastic file-box and gestured for me to sit beside him. I lowered myself
onto the makeshift seat and wiped away a slick of perspiration from the creases behind my
knees.

“Ameera, you hear about that tour rep getting fired over at Waves?” Roberto stroked his
thin moustache.

“Nancy? Yeah, I’m still in shock.” I hadn’t known her well, but I’d gone clubbing with her
and the other tour reps from our sister resorts a few times. She’d seemed all right to me.
The airplane circled closer, and, in unison, we clapped our hands over our ears and tilted
our chins to the sky. After it had rolled across the tarmac and quieted its engines, we resumed our gossip.

“What I don’t get is why someone in their late twenties would want to have sex with a fifteen-year-old.” Roberto shook his head, as though trying to dislodge the idea.

“But didn’t the kid lie about his age? He told her he was eighteen, right?” While I’d never
in a million years sleep with a teenager, I could imagine how booze and loneliness could have
led Nancy to her mistake.


What would you have done differently if you were the main character of your book? 

When it comes to work, I’m a much more cautious person that my protagonist, Ameera. She takes some chances when she decides to have sex with her tour company’s clients. But this part of what makes interesting characters—questionable decisions and messy mistakes!

Why did you become a writer?

I don’t think (like many writers) that I ever “decided” to become a writer. I have always written. It feels like an essential part of me, and when I don’t do it, I feel like something is “missing”. It’s a career that has many frustrations (low pay, for one) but it offers me much joy and the ability to explore and write the world around me.

What kinds of books do you like to read in your spare time? 

I mostly read literary fiction, but from time to time I also read poetry, YA, and magical realism. I like novels that teach me about experiences I haven’t had myself. I think books have a potential to expand our empathy.


As a reader and writer I think it is important to get to know your fans and make a connection with them as an author who takes the extra step to hear what their fans think and want in their continued writing is continued success and key to selling more books .Do you agree with that? 

I love connecting with readers and hearing what they think. I Skype into book clubs and reply to every e-mail. I listen to feedback, and often will tweak future writing based on it. I do think that it can help sell more books, because readers don’t just develop relationships with books, but with authors.

Do you cry when writing sad scenes? 

Yes, I have. I often feel very deeply for my characters.

If you were able to dine and have a one on one with your favorite writer/author who would it be? 

I’d love to have dinner with Zadie Smith. Her first novel, White Teeth is still one of my favourite books. Would you ask her for me? 

Do just re-read your favorite books? 

No, because there are just too many good books waiting on my bedside table, my coffee table, my kitchen table…








Farzana Doctor is the author of three novels: Stealing Nasreen, Six Metres of Pavement (which was a 2012 Lambda Literary Award and the 2017 One Book One Brampton winner) and the recently released All Inclusive which was a Kobo and National Post Best Book of the Year. Farzana was named one of CBC Books’ “Ten Canadian Women Writers You Need to Read Now”. She is also a Registered Social Worker with a part-time psychotherapy practice. She curates the Brockton Writers Series.


Twitter: @farzanadoctor
Instagram: @farzanadoctor

Buy links:




Farzana Doctor will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner and a print copy of the book to 10 randomly drawn winners (US Only) via rafflecopter during the tour.









5 comments:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting

Farzana Doctor said...

Thanks for hosting! I'll check in later to answer any questions your readers might have.

Victoria Alexander said...

Happy Monday, great post! Thanks for sharing :)

Bernie Wallace said...

What is your favorite book of all time. Thanks for the giveaway. I hope that I win. Bernie W BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com

Unknown said...

congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)