Behind Picket Fences
Author: Hend Hegazi
Genre: Fiction - contemporary
Book Description:
Behind Picket Fences exposes four families from behind their comfortable lifestyles and smiling faces. Sharing the same neighborhood, even spending time together, no family knows the truth about the difficulties the others face.
On the outside, Sidra and Farris have the biggest house and the most expensive cars. What no one sees is their struggle to accept an unfulfilled dream. If they do not adapt to the blows of fate, their malcontent may give birth to deception.
Mariam and Morgan’s modest home exudes the rich scent of family. With children playing in the yard, they seem picture perfect. But financial struggle is their continuous battle, and their only solution may produce an envy which is more destructive than hunger.
Summer and Porter enjoy youth and the freedom of self-employment. But discontentment and mental instability linger between them. If they are not able to bridge the gap, their search for happiness may have a fatal end.
May and Hasan enjoy peace and true happiness. Illness cares not, however, of letting them relish in their blessings. Only patience and time will prove if this unwelcome visitor is simply passing by, or if it will tear their world apart.
An honest portrayal of love and family, Behind Picket Fences opens our eyes to the difficult truths hidden behind each happy facade.
Book Description:
Behind Picket Fences exposes four families from behind their comfortable lifestyles and smiling faces. Sharing the same neighborhood, even spending time together, no family knows the truth about the difficulties the others face.
On the outside, Sidra and Farris have the biggest house and the most expensive cars. What no one sees is their struggle to accept an unfulfilled dream. If they do not adapt to the blows of fate, their malcontent may give birth to deception.
Mariam and Morgan’s modest home exudes the rich scent of family. With children playing in the yard, they seem picture perfect. But financial struggle is their continuous battle, and their only solution may produce an envy which is more destructive than hunger.
Summer and Porter enjoy youth and the freedom of self-employment. But discontentment and mental instability linger between them. If they are not able to bridge the gap, their search for happiness may have a fatal end.
May and Hasan enjoy peace and true happiness. Illness cares not, however, of letting them relish in their blessings. Only patience and time will prove if this unwelcome visitor is simply passing by, or if it will tear their world apart.
An honest portrayal of love and family, Behind Picket Fences opens our eyes to the difficult truths hidden behind each happy facade.
Buy Links:
Amazon US ¦ UK
Author Interview
1. What inspired you to want to become a writer?
When I was about eight or nine years old, I used to enjoy telling my younger brother stories. He was enraptured by them. The love for story telling remained with me and it is what drives me to continue to write.
2. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Holding my book for the first time—the one I’d dreamt about, spent hours writing, spent more hours editing, the one with my name on the cover—was an almost magical experience. It’s topped, however, whenever I read a review (by people I don’t know!) that attests to the value of my work.
3. If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
‘The Kite Runner,’ by Khaled Hosseini. I’ve enjoyed all of his books, but The Kite Runner remains my favorite. He is so talented, painting scenes of destruction and war in a way that elicits love and compassion from his readers. I would love to meet him and ask for advice about how he nurtures his creativity.
4. If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I love this question! There are so many wonderful powers to choose from: seeing into the future, reading people’s minds, time manipulation, age manipulation, domestic wizardry (that’s the ability to cook a meal, clean the house or do the laundry with the snap of a finger). And while domestic wizardry appeals greatly to me (being a full-time mother of four), the power that I desire over any other—because it is the one we are most in need of—is the ability to spread peace. I wish I could think of a people or a place and grant them peace.
5. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Behind Picket Fences forces readers to look at blessings and hardships in a different manner and in so doing, encourages gratitude, love, and forgiveness.
6. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I’m currently working on my third novel, a story about a Muslim Asperger’s woman navigating life through her career and crumbling marriage. I have a great deal of research to do, but am close to wrapping up a crappy first draft. Once that project is complete, I hope to start work on a memoir, which will likely also be about the importance of getting up after life knocks you down while retaining a forgiving heart.
7. Do you write as you go or do you have the book planned before you start the first draft?
I do not outline or use any other structured plan. But as I write, I make notes and comments that help to direct the progress of the story.
8. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?
I’m usually very behind with learning about new releases or those coming soon, so all the movies I’m looking forward to were released late last year. ‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘Collateral Beauty,’ and ‘Moana’ are at the top of my list.
9. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
This is another great question. There are so many positives about the health care and maternity services in countries like Canada and France. I love the structure of education in Finland. But I don’t like the cold! And I don’t like being far from family either, and that is really the most important factor. For that reason, I’ll have to say, wherever my family is. Being close to those I love is more important to me than my geographical location.
10. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
Each of my main women characters take something from me, but it isn’t always a tangible trait. I’m probably a mix of May (with faith and forgiveness at her core) and Mariam (enduring but allowing no room for impudence). If you’d like to learn more about the women of Behind Picket Fences, their character interviews are available when you join my email list.
When I was about eight or nine years old, I used to enjoy telling my younger brother stories. He was enraptured by them. The love for story telling remained with me and it is what drives me to continue to write.
2. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Holding my book for the first time—the one I’d dreamt about, spent hours writing, spent more hours editing, the one with my name on the cover—was an almost magical experience. It’s topped, however, whenever I read a review (by people I don’t know!) that attests to the value of my work.
3. If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
‘The Kite Runner,’ by Khaled Hosseini. I’ve enjoyed all of his books, but The Kite Runner remains my favorite. He is so talented, painting scenes of destruction and war in a way that elicits love and compassion from his readers. I would love to meet him and ask for advice about how he nurtures his creativity.
4. If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I love this question! There are so many wonderful powers to choose from: seeing into the future, reading people’s minds, time manipulation, age manipulation, domestic wizardry (that’s the ability to cook a meal, clean the house or do the laundry with the snap of a finger). And while domestic wizardry appeals greatly to me (being a full-time mother of four), the power that I desire over any other—because it is the one we are most in need of—is the ability to spread peace. I wish I could think of a people or a place and grant them peace.
5. Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Behind Picket Fences forces readers to look at blessings and hardships in a different manner and in so doing, encourages gratitude, love, and forgiveness.
6. Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I’m currently working on my third novel, a story about a Muslim Asperger’s woman navigating life through her career and crumbling marriage. I have a great deal of research to do, but am close to wrapping up a crappy first draft. Once that project is complete, I hope to start work on a memoir, which will likely also be about the importance of getting up after life knocks you down while retaining a forgiving heart.
7. Do you write as you go or do you have the book planned before you start the first draft?
I do not outline or use any other structured plan. But as I write, I make notes and comments that help to direct the progress of the story.
8. What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?
I’m usually very behind with learning about new releases or those coming soon, so all the movies I’m looking forward to were released late last year. ‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘Collateral Beauty,’ and ‘Moana’ are at the top of my list.
9. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
This is another great question. There are so many positives about the health care and maternity services in countries like Canada and France. I love the structure of education in Finland. But I don’t like the cold! And I don’t like being far from family either, and that is really the most important factor. For that reason, I’ll have to say, wherever my family is. Being close to those I love is more important to me than my geographical location.
10. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
Each of my main women characters take something from me, but it isn’t always a tangible trait. I’m probably a mix of May (with faith and forgiveness at her core) and Mariam (enduring but allowing no room for impudence). If you’d like to learn more about the women of Behind Picket Fences, their character interviews are available when you join my email list.
EXCERPT
“Actually,” Farris interrupted, “I’m just going to call it a night.” Farris began to walk away without saying goodbye or even recognizing the women. Faruq stood there for a second, jaw open, utterly embarrassed by his brother’s anti-social behavior. “I’ll be right back, ladies. Don’t go anywhere.”
He ran after his brother and quickly caught up with him. “Man, what are you doing?! This is the best thing for you right now.”
“I don’t want this. This has never been my scene, Faruq, and you know that. I’m just going to…”
But the sight of something beyond Farris made his brother interrupt, grabbing him by the shoulder. “That’s him! Farris, man, that’s him!” Faruq shouted, pointing in the direction he was looking.
Turning around so he could see what Faruq was pointing to, Farris narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about, Faruq? That’s who?”
“That’s him!” Faruq repeated, excitedly grabbing Farris’ shirt at the shoulder. “That’s the man I saw with Sidra!”
The words forced Farris’ eyes into focus. He saw the tall, brown haired white man so vividly, as if he were the only one in the parking lot. He didn’t hesitate for even a split second; Faruq barely blinked, and suddenly Farris was sprinting toward James. He lunged at him, punching him square in the face. The man fell to the ground as the woman who was with him let out a gasp and crouched to the floor beside him.
Looking up at the attacker she screamed, “What the hell is wrong with you?! Why did you punch my husband?!”
Farris hovered over the couple, breathing heavily, rubbing his throbbing knuckles. Faruq, now standing beside his brother, held Farris’ arm back and spoke out, “Your husband is having an affair with his wife. Isn’t that right, James?”
“James?!” the woman yelled. “He’s not James!”
He ran after his brother and quickly caught up with him. “Man, what are you doing?! This is the best thing for you right now.”
“I don’t want this. This has never been my scene, Faruq, and you know that. I’m just going to…”
But the sight of something beyond Farris made his brother interrupt, grabbing him by the shoulder. “That’s him! Farris, man, that’s him!” Faruq shouted, pointing in the direction he was looking.
Turning around so he could see what Faruq was pointing to, Farris narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about, Faruq? That’s who?”
“That’s him!” Faruq repeated, excitedly grabbing Farris’ shirt at the shoulder. “That’s the man I saw with Sidra!”
The words forced Farris’ eyes into focus. He saw the tall, brown haired white man so vividly, as if he were the only one in the parking lot. He didn’t hesitate for even a split second; Faruq barely blinked, and suddenly Farris was sprinting toward James. He lunged at him, punching him square in the face. The man fell to the ground as the woman who was with him let out a gasp and crouched to the floor beside him.
Looking up at the attacker she screamed, “What the hell is wrong with you?! Why did you punch my husband?!”
Farris hovered over the couple, breathing heavily, rubbing his throbbing knuckles. Faruq, now standing beside his brother, held Farris’ arm back and spoke out, “Your husband is having an affair with his wife. Isn’t that right, James?”
“James?!” the woman yelled. “He’s not James!”
About the Author
Hend Hegazi was born and raised in Southeastern Massachusetts. Despite her desire to pursue writing as a profession, she graduated from Smith College with a degree in biology and a minor in religion. Shortly thereafter, the winds of life and love blew her to Egypt where she has been living for the past 14 years. She is a full time mother of four as well as a freelance writer and editor. Some of her work has been featured in SISTERS Magazine. Her fiction and poetry focus on the human condition, often shedding light on the Muslim American experience. Hend strives to be God-conscious and aims to raise that awareness in her readers. As a common theme in her pieces, the intimate relationship between God-consciousness and love is often explored. Hend’s debut novel, Normal Calm, was published in January 2014.
You can read her poetry and blog posts on her website, www.hendhegazi.com, and follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorHendHegazi. For updates on giveaways and special offers, kindly opt-in to her free newsletter at this link http://eepurl.com/bZa7fH.
Both of her novels are available through most major book distributors, or click here to purchase through Amazon: Normal Calm, Behind Picket Fences.
You can read her poetry and blog posts on her website, www.hendhegazi.com, and follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorHendHegazi. For updates on giveaways and special offers, kindly opt-in to her free newsletter at this link http://eepurl.com/bZa7fH.
Both of her novels are available through most major book distributors, or click here to purchase through Amazon: Normal Calm, Behind Picket Fences.
***GIVEAWAY***
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This seems so good, thank you for the chance. fingers crossed!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteThank you so much for allowing me to share my book with your audience.
ReplyDeleteIf your book was to be made into a movie, which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead characters?
ReplyDeleteI love your question, Solange! But I'm kind of picky...no one gets in without an audition!! There are so many talented actors/actresses out there, and it would be an honor to work with so many, but because the story plays like a movie in my own mind, I would really want to make sure the actors fit the role perfectly.
DeleteThank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your support. Hope you'll read it and leave a review.
DeleteThanks for the giveaway.
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Good luck!
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