Set in Lille, France, in the years leading up to the second world war, Of Silence tells the story of a boy, Charles, and six other people - a baker, a teacher, a tailor, a hostage, an actress, and a soldier. The plot follows Charles from the day he's found on the streets of Lille as a young boy, as he grows and learns to love, and finally, as he's caught in a series of tragic events that shatter into dire consequences. Filled with prose, growth, and a little bit of romance, Of Silence is a compelling read that draws the reader in and doesn't let them go until it's all over. highest rank: #1 in historical fiction || wattpad featured 250516 || yourstoryindia finalist || cc2k15 honorable mention

In a world where jugglers entertain on the street, a boy loses his parents in a factory fire. Taken from the Lower East Side to New England, Harry is abandoned at The Elizabeth Home for Destitute Children. In Theda Bara’s Tent follows the spirited boy’s quest for love and prosperity. He finds comfort at the movies and is befriended by the young theater owner, Louie, who will one day become a Hollywood legend. The orphanage closing is the beginning of Harry’s adventures in a wider world. He encounters screen stars, Tin Pan Alley song pluggers, bootleggers, dare-devil cameramen, movie moguls, and a young gossip columnist who steals his heart. Rich in historical context, with a cast of characters real and imagined from the movies’ early days, this page-turner follows Harry Sirkus as he makes a mark in the flourishing film industry and goes on to become a famous news broadcaster. Harry’s personality is so captivating and vivid readers will be hard-pressed to remember that the author made him up.