Cover Reveal & Karma -- A Tale of Two Djinns


I believe in karma. I believe in paying it forward. And I believe in thank yous. Because of all these, I have pledged fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of A Tale of Two Djinns to UNICEF’s new Schools for Asia initiative.

One of the best gifts my parents have given me is my education. Thanks to it, I discovered my love of reading and writing, pursued an adventurous journalism career, and became a published author.

Growing up in Bangladesh, I have seen the poorest of poor. I have seen children forced to work instead of attending school. I have also seen education make a difference —lead to job opportunities, raise the quality of life for entire families, and allow individual new possibilities.

Unfortunately, many don’t get this precious education. According to unicef, 67 million children are currently not enrolled in school worldwide, and 26 million of them live in the Asia-Pacific Region. How much potential is the world losing out on? How many Einsteins, Joyce Carol Oateses, and more remain undiscovered because they were born in bad circumstances?

My mother never finished high school. Back in the early 1950s, in traditional Bangladesh where arranged marriages were the norm and good proposals a blessing, my mother was married to a handsome young sailor. She was seventeen and he was nineteen. Her father, who had great hopes for his clever eldest child, agreed to the marriage only after the groom’s father promised to let her continue her studies. This promise was not kept.


Many years later, older and wiser, my mother insisted on her daughters being educated, finishing college. Her favorite saying is “No one can take knowledge away from you.” My late father, who knew a thing or two about raising daughters, made our education a family priority.



(They were married 53 years: 1958 to 2011)




To honor my parents, to give thanks for my blessings, I’m passing forward the gift of education through UNICEF’s Schools for Asia, which will work in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

I need your help. I hope you will consider picking up A Tale of Two Djinns, and if you enjoy the read, I hope you will tell others about it. Meanwhile, every RT and share helps & is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance! I hope together we will make a difference.

20 comments:

  1. Wow Rashda,
    What a wonderful peek into your life. Your mom sounds like a wonderful person, and your dad must have been a really special guy. Congrats on your new release and for sharing the proceeds with an important charity. I'm off to buy my copy of A TALE OF TWO DJINNS now. Best wishes for big sales. :)

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    1. Thank you Joya! I appreciate your warm words & your purchase! I hope you enjoy the story :)

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  2. Hey Rashda, I'm so looking forward to this! It's already downloaded on my Nook at it will be my treat for finishing the writing I have been avoiding. BTW, your dad was really very handsome! I think you look like your mom!

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    1. Thank you! And good luck with the writing! I hope you enjoy Shay & Maya's story :)

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  3. Rashda:
    Wonder pictures. Your Mom and Dad are beautiful. I have a friend who has just applied for a job with UNICEF as a teacher. She's hoping to get the job.
    I've already downloaded A Tale Of Two DJInns.
    Teresa R.

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    1. Thanks Teresa! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your friend :)

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  4. I loved the first one. I am so excited another one to read. I remember my only complaint was it was long enough. But an awesome story.

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    1. Good news Mary, this one's longer :) I hope you enjoy Shay & Maya's story!

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  5. Rashda,

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful parents' story and how they inspired you! Education and awareness is crucial for the next generation. Bravo for making a pledge to such a worthy endeavor!

    Your book sounds wonderful! Wishing you all the best,

    Sophia Knightly

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    1. Thanks Sophia! We all do what we can and in the end it all adds up. I loved what you did with Smile Train :). So here's to making a difference one book at a time!

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  6. Hi Mina,
    What a thought-provoking blog post and a deep insight into your thoughts. It's wonderful, what you are doing, and I hope your support goes a long way to helping those children who you have pledged to support. Will try to get to both your books asap and read!

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  7. This is such a beautiful thing to do, Mina. Someday I hope to either put funds from the sale of my book into either education or orphans in Asia. Haven't decided yet. In some ways, education will still help orphans and future orphans. I'll keep thinking on it, but thank you for leading on this! Now I need to go get my copy.... ;D

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    1. Thanks Victoria! When you're ready, listen to what your heart says and go from there. I'm sure you'll make a difference whichever path you follow :)

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  8. Sounds intriguing. I'm very new at all this online stuff even though I'm epubbed, but I'm going to try to follow your directions to get the book and tag it. Jackie

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  9. Forgive my tardiness, but I'm on this now. Loved the personal explanation of why Unicef; I will post on FB and head off to Amazon to buy my copy of the new book. XO -- Sue

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  10. Thanks Sue! I hope you enjoy Shay & Maya's story :) Late or not, it's always good to hear from you!

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  11. Wow, what beatiful parents both in and out. Just bought a copy:)

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  12. Thank you! And love what you're doing with The Swirl Awards to support romance books with no color barriers!

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