Waheed Rabbani

Waheed Rabbani

About

About the Author

Waheed Rabbani was born in India, close to Delhi, and was introduced to Victorian and other English novels, at a very young age, in his father’s library. Most of the large number of volumes, in the library, had been purchased by his father at ‘garage sales’ held, by departing British civil service officers and their families, in the last days of the Raj.

 

Waheed graduated from Loughborough University, Leicestershire, England, and received a Master’s degree from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. While an engineer by profession, Waheed’s other love is reading and writing English literature. He also obtained a Certificate in Creative Writing from the McMaster University.

 

Waheed’s historical fiction novel, The Azadi Trilogy, Book I: Doctor Margaret’s Sea Chest, published by Youwriteon-Legend Press UK, is available at all Amazon, McNally Robinson, B&N and other Bookstores.

 

Waheed and his wife, Alexandra, are now settled on the shores of Lake Ontario in the historic town of Grimsby. More information is available on his website:

http://home.cogeco.ca/~wrabbani

Size Zero (Visage Book 1)

Size Zero (Visage Book 1)

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Description

<p style="margin:0px 0px 14px;padding:0px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><strong>&quot;A somber, disturbing mystery fused with a scathing look at the fashion industry. </strong><strong>Mangin writes in a confident, razor-edged style.&quot;</strong><strong> - Kirkus Reviews</strong></p><p style="margin:-4px 0px 14px;padding:0px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><strong>Condom dresses and space helmets have debuted on fashion runways.</strong></p><p style="margin:-4px 0px 14px;padding:0px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">A dead body becomes the trend when a coat made of human skin saunters down fashion's biggest stage. The body is identified as Annabelle Leigh, the teenager who famously disappeared over a decade ago from her boyfriend's New York City mansion.</p><p style="margin:-4px 0px 14px;padding:0px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">This new evidence casts suspicion back on the former boyfriend, Cecil LeClaire. Now a monk, he is forced to return to his dark and absurd childhood home to clear his name. He teams up with Ava Germaine, a renegade ex-model. And together, they investigate the depraved and lawless modeling industry behind Cecil's family fortune.</p><p style="margin:-4px 0px 14px;padding:0px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">They find erotic canes, pet rats living in crystal castles, and dresses made of crushed butterfly wings. But Cecil finds more truth in the luxury goods than in the people themselves. Everyone he meets seems to be wearing a person-suit. Terrified of showing their true selves, the glitterati put on flamboyant public personas to make money and friends. Can Cecil find truth in a world built on lies?</p><p style="margin:-4px 0px 0px;padding:0px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><strong>In high fashion modeling, selling bodies is organized crime.</strong></p>

Story Behind The Book

Reviews

<p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3">What the Beta Readers of <em>Dr. Margaret’s Sea Chest</em> have said …</font></span></span></strong></p><p></p> <p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"></font></span></span></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><em><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">&quot;Very impressive intriguing novel, filled with mysterious circumstances and suspense.  The story unfolds combining interesting historic facts to the present with descriptive vivid imagination.  The characters surrounding Doctor Margaret's Sea Chest are alive and introduced to us in a gripping way, colourfully taking us back in time.  I commend this book to be a very enjoyable read ... my interest was captivated to the very end ... &quot;</span></span></em><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"></span></em></font><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><br /><font size="3">—</font></span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"><strong><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Micheline Beniusis</span></strong><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">,  English Teacher</span></font></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><br /><span style="background:#ffffff;"><br /><br /></span></span><em><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">&quot;The story takes one on an adventurous trip with a compelling mission to discover a life lived through different continents, warfare, joys and sorrows.    Portrays lives in 19th century, exposes the reader to understand our diverse societies and cultures considering history and changing times.  The captivating story often kept me up way after the midnight hours till the end ...&quot;</span></span></em><font size="3"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"> <br /></span></em><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Al Beniusis,  Accountant</span></strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"></span></span></font></p><p></p> <p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></p><p></p> <p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3">“I can see this story as a ‘Masterpiece Theatre’ movie—just thinking of the costumes and the dramas is exciting. You set each side of the border in such picturesque settings, in Grimsby, Niagara-on-the-Lake and New Jersey. We all see some of the Persian and Indian settings on a regular basis on the news today. Most of the costumes are available already…”</font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><font size="3"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Diana Stevens-Guille<em>, </em></span></span></strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">School Principal<em></em></span></span></font></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3">“The basic story I did enjoy. The plot was developed in such a way that I did want to find out more about Margaret and how her life is linked to the contemporary story…”</font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><font size="3"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Dr. Janette MacDonald<em>, </em></span></span></strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto</span></span></font></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><font size="3"><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">“<em>Story was very intriguing and enjoyable and kept me wanting to read and know more—it grabbed me right from the beginning … enjoyed the jumping from past to present and the history/period descriptions it provides …”</em> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Dr. Josie Marciello<em>, </em></span></strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Toronto<em></em></span></span></font></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></strong></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3">“I like the idea of the dream at the beginning of the novel … The plot is not only captivating, there is an aura of mystery—and the conflict between Margaret and her family fuels the fire as there is tension on all fronts. The setting that you have chosen is the beautiful 1960s, in stark contrast with the 1850s. You have described them beautifully … the first person narration is very effective…”</font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><font size="3"><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><strong><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Sheila Abedin<em>, </em></span></strong><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Human Resources Professional<em></em></span></span></font></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span style="color:#000000;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3">“The first person, first Doctor Wallidad, then the grandfather and Margaret, is an effective approach … the story is good, weaving the past and present dramas. You have included so much detail on Margaret’s life that is really interesting. It held my interest throughout … I believe that the historical element of this story enhances its interest. The details of the underground railroad and the Crimean War are great. Adding Florence Nightingale also adds interest. The promised detail about the rebellion also sustained my interest. You have included much rich detail …” </font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><font size="3"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Margaret Smith<em>,</em></span></span></strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"> Senior Advisor, Socio-Economic Assessment<strong><em></em></strong></span></span></font></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></strong></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3"> </font></span></span></em></strong></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font size="3">“The frame story? Yes, it works ... Although I must admit I prefer Margaret's story. Partly because it's historical and partly because of her personality … I like your descriptions of settings. They're evocative. Well done. I also like how Dr. Walli notices gardens wherever he goes. This is one memorable aspect of his personality …”</font></span></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><font size="3"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Guylaine Spencer<em>, </em></span></span></strong><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">Hamilton, Ontario<em></em></span></span></font></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><font size="3"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"> </span></font></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><font size="3"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"> </span></font></span></em></p><p></p> <p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoBodyText"><em><span lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb"><font size="3"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">“Two plot frames? I like it. Adds richness and depth to the story … It was a very effective opening. It definitely gives incentive to wade into the introductory section of the story. Also really enjoyed how we kept coming back to that dream, the woman on horseback, hair streaming. It helped tie Walli’s story together and tie him to Margaret as well. Was it an enjoyable read? It usually takes me a month to read a novella. I read your novel in 2½ weeks. You decide.”<strong></strong></span></font></span></em></p><p></p><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">—</span><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12pt;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">Stephanie Hill</span></strong><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:12pt;" lang="en-gb" xml:lang="en-gb">, Dress Designer<em>.</em></span>