Category Archives: Home

Welcome To My Fluid World!

Posted on January 9, 2022 by jfkaufmann

A few years ago, I discovered a painting technique perfect for someone who doesn’t know how to draw yet still feels a need to express oneself through colours and shapes. Fluid art isn’t new; it goes back to the 1930s, … Continue reading →

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Instead of… and Happy New Year!

Posted on December 31, 2021 by jfkaufmann

The year is nearing its end; it’s a natural time for reflections and recollections. Not that I’m eager for such a summary: this year was horrible. I won’t say I’m looking forward to its end for one reason only: I’m … Continue reading →

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When Supernatural is Believable and Vice Versa

Posted on December 4, 2021 by jfkaufmann

Last week I read two books: Crimson Frost, a Christmas novella by JP Mclean, and Adèle by Leila Slimani. No common denominators between them (fortunately!), except that they were both short reads. For those who like Christmas stories with a … Continue reading →

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A Heart-pounding Tale with Urban Rhythm

Posted on November 14, 2021 by jfkaufmann

Being a great admirer of JP McLean’s Gift Legacy, I was eager to read her newest book, Blood Mark. She didn’t disappoint: once again, I was impressed with her rich imagination, her storytelling skills and her ability to build tension. … Continue reading →

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From NaNo to Ninny: Downsizing Expectations

Posted on November 9, 2021 by jfkaufmann

I made quite a strong statement a while ago saying that participating in NaNoWriMo was my worst writing decision. It was four or five years ago. At the end of that agonizing November, I had the required number of words. … Continue reading →

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How to Fall in Love With a Dragon

Posted on November 2, 2021 by jfkaufmann

You’ve probably heard about this series. Perhaps you read it. It’s been around for a while; the first book was published back in 2006, the final instalment ten years later. At one point Peter Jackson had obtained the movie rights … Continue reading →

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Writing Backwards

Posted on July 6, 2021 by jfkaufmann

My contemporary love story collection has an unusual history, and I’m not talking here about three covers and two republishings. The writing order was mixed up a bit: I wrote the second story first, then the first, then the third. … Continue reading →

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The Bridge over the Drina

Posted on June 25, 2021 by jfkaufmann

In my last post I mentioned devşirme, or “blood tax”, the practice the Ottomans used for centuries to recruit future soldiers — janissaries — and bureaucrats from their Christian subjects. For two centuries, from the 1400s to 1600s, the blood … Continue reading →

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Wings of Courage

Posted on June 16, 2021 by jfkaufmann

I’ve always been drawn to fictional battles, brave fighters, heroic deeds, swords, banners, armors, horses… The Battle of Helm’s Deep from the LOTR trilogy never ceases to give me goosebumps (“Theoden king stands alone.” “Not Alone! Rohirrim! To the king!”), … Continue reading →

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Book Release – Guardian of the Realm

Posted on May 27, 2021 by jfkaufmann

Guardian of the Realm, the second book of the Red Cliffs Chronicles, has been released on KISS. Out of my three books, this one is my favourite. At first, I didn’t plan to do two Red Cliffs sagas, but as … Continue reading →

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