Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Spotlight: Menaka's Choice by Kavita Kane



The Story:


We make love and leave. That is our motto. Live by it, Menaka or you shall suffer untold, unnecessary grief.

Born during the churning of the ocean, Menaka is the most beautiful of all the apsaras in the world, with quick intelligence and innate talent. However, she craves for the one thing she can never have – family. Elsewhere, after severe austerities, a man, now blessed with the name Vishwamitra, challenges the gods and dares to create another heaven. Fearing his growing powers, Indra, the king of gods, decides to put a stop to his ambitions by making Menaka seduce him.

What will happen when Menaka and Vishwamitra meet each other? Will Menaka finally find what she really wished for? Or will she again be forced to surrender to her destiny? Find out in this fascinating portrait of one of the most enduring mythological figures.

Read Some Reviews:

3. Anu

What interests me?

The Genre (my newly developed interest in mythology), the character.

About the author



A senior journalist with a career of over two decades, which includes working for Magna publication and DNA, she quit her job as Assistant Editor of Times of India to devote herself as a full time author. A self-styled aficionado of cinema and theatre and sufficiently armed with a post-graduate degree in English Literature and Mass Communication from the University of Pune, the only skill she knows, she candidly confesses, is writing. 

Karna’s Wife her debut novel, (2013)was a bestseller. Her second novel – Sita’s Sister (2014) also deals with another enigmatic personality – Urmila, probably the most overlooked character in the Ramayan. Menaka’s Choice(2015) ,another best-seller, is about the famous apsara and her infamous liaison with Vishwamitra the man she was sent to destroy. Lanka’s Princess (2016) is her fourth book based on Ravan’s sister, Surpanakha, the Princess of Lanka who was also its destroyer…

Born in Mumbai, a childhood spent largely in Patna and Delhi , Kavita currently lives in Pune with her mariner husband Prakash and two daughters Kimaya and Amiya with Chic the black cocker spaniel and Cotton the white, curious cat. 

Stalk her on Facebook & Twitter

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Monday, November 28, 2016

Spotlight: No Safe Zone by Adite Banerjie



The Story


Qiara Rana will do anything to save her mentor and their non-government organization from ruin. Even if it means visiting the city she had vowed never to return to. But within a few hours of landing in New Delhi, she is being chased by a gunman and is a potential suspect in the murder of a high-profile businessman. 

The only person she can turn to for help is KabirShorey, the man who stood her up ten years ago. Past and present collide in a deadly plot of crime and greed that moves from the cosmopolitan streets of Delhi to the bazaars and villages of Rajasthan. 

Read Some Reviews:




What interests me?

The genre, blurb, characters & their names, and the author!



Adite Banerjie discovered the wonderful world of books at an early age which sparked her interest in writing. After a fulfilling and exciting career as a business journalist she turned her attention to fiction. 

Her latest book is a romantic-thriller, No Safe Zone, published by Harper Collins India. She has penned two books for Mills & Boon (The Indian Tycoon’s Marriage Dealand Trouble Has a New Name) and written several screenplays. 

When she is not grappling with her current work-in-progress, she enjoys spending time with her husband and watching back-to-back movies. 

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Tornado Giveaway 3 is being conducted by The Book Club
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Monday, November 21, 2016

Those who care...






                                                                        Image Link



“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” – Bernard M. Baruch.

That's true! Those who matter don't mind. They don't mind because they care. They don't judge, they understand. They help you flourish yet they love you the way you are. Those who care, care for your dreams. They give you space to take your flight and inhale freedom, and sometimes try to be your wings. Those who care don't expect you to change, but they can be a sliver of light that may lead you to the right path. With whom you can be yourself, speak without measuring your words. Because they know the real you, and they won't mind.

Those who care are very special and they deserve your time, attention and care.

                       Poetry Pantry
                       Haiku My Heart

If you like delightful stories based on relationships, if you like relatable characters & convincing situations, and if you like my writing, you will like my book, We Will Meet Again...

You can buy the paperback @ a fab discount from Pustak Mandi 
 Buy from Amazon India   Amazon.com  Amazon uk (It's free for Kindle Unlimited users)




Friday, November 18, 2016

Spotlight: Knitted Tales - A Collection of Emotions by Rubina Ramesh




The Story:

What forces an innocent girl to become a sex symbol? Her desires? Or cruel fate? 

Is a lifetime enough—for avenging a betrayal? How do you hide secrets that never stopped haunting you? 

Can vengeance and secrets of your past devastate your present? How can long-buried crimes of yours suddenly raise their head? Can sinning be saving?

Is your spouse your soulmate? What if they never understood your feelings? Can you still live with them?

Lastly, does life give only two options? Live or die? What if there is a third?

In her anthology, Knitted Tales: A collection of emotions, Rubina Ramesh tries to find answers to these questions that are often from the heart and yet make the mind ponder over the solution. Or is it the other way round? Either way, Knitted Tales is a bouquet of emotions that is bound to touch both your head and your heart.

Read Some Reviews:


What interests me?

The Genre & intriguing cover.

About The Author




Rubina Ramesh is an avid reader, writer, blogger, book reviewer and marketer. She is the founder of The Book Club, an online book publicity group. Her first literary work was published in her school magazine. It gave her immense pride to see her own name at the bottom of the article. She was about 8 years old at that time. She then went to complete her MBA and after her marriage to her childhood friend, her travel saga started. From The Netherlands to the British Isles she lived her life like an adventure. After a short stint in Malaysia, she finally settled down in the desert state of USA, Arizona. Living with her DH and two human kids and one doggie kid, Rubina has finally started living the life she had always dreamed about – that of a writer.

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The Tornado Giveaway 3 is being conducted by The Book Club. 

Check out many interesting books HERE. 





Monday, November 14, 2016

Spotlight: An Autograph for Anjali by Sundari Venkatraman




The Story:


Jayant Mathur is found murdered in his bed, shot at point-blank range with his own revolver. Though she’s extremely disturbed by his death, Jayant’s wife Anjali is way more upset about something else. Who stands to gain by killing the multi-millionaire businessman?

Parth Bhardwaj is a friend and neighbour of the Mathurs. Parth is an author who goes by a pseudonym. He appears more than a friend to Anjali; while he’s also on good terms with her son Arjun who lives and studies in the UK. What role does he play in Anjali’s life? Jayant’s relatives are curious to know.

Jayant’s brother-in-law Rana is convinced that Parth and Anjali are the murderers. But Inspector Phadke has his own doubts about this theory. In comes Samrat, the private detective who appears as quiet as a mouse. Will he be able to find the murderer?

Will Anjali find happiness and peace?

Read some reviews:

What interests me?

The intriguing plot and a character being an author.

About the Author



Sundari Venkatraman is an indie author who has 11 books to her name, all Top 100 Bestsellers on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month each.

An Autograph For Anjali is the sixth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. #AAFA is a mature, hot romance with a shade of suspense.

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Tornado Giveaway 3 is being conducted by The Book Club





Saturday, November 12, 2016

Spotlight: Voyagers Into the Unknown by Ruchira Khanna



Read Some Reviews:



Book Blurb:

In the historic Indian town of Agra, you can find a very unusual tour company, which is owned by a charming young man named Raj. Although Raj's official job is to show off the historical landmarks of Agra, including the legendary Taj-Mahal, his true mission is to heal the souls of his broken "birds," as he affectionately refers to his tour participants. His business operates purely upon word-of-mouth referrals, ensuring that all of his tour members arrive in Agra with their hearts in their hands, ready for the spiritual growth and cleansing that Raj is known to provide. Healing the hearts of the spiritually damaged can be a difficult job, and in this particular tale, Raj finds himself faced with his most challenging tour group yet. First, there is Ira, a stunningly gorgeous but fragile young woman on the brink of suicide. Next, we meet Darci and Lennard, a couple on the verge of divorce.

Then there is Carl, an irritable, antisocial workaholic who has burned all of his bridges. Lastly, we meet Asha, an elderly widow who still yearns for the company and comfort of her late husband. When disaster strikes the tour group, everything is thrown into jeopardy, including lives, relationships, and Raj's very reputation as a tour guide. Raj must find a way to lift the spirits of these five special travelers, even in the face of death and despair. Venture into the unknown and discover how Raj Touristry heals the brokenhearted, one soul at a time. "

Jaya Padmanabhan Editor, India Currents, says about this book:


Voyagers into the Unknown" is a vibrant story of transformation through an unlikely source: a local tour guide of historical Agra, India where the Taj Majal still sways those who behold it. Seeped in cultural philosophy, this novel is an uplifting read from Ruchira Khanna." - Charli Mills, Writer & Lead Buckaroo of Carrot Ranch Communications Voyagers into the Unknown is a delightful tale that interrogates the emotional connection between strangers and between races. With a cast of vivid characters, Ruchira Khanna draws the reader into a captivating emotional drama. Agra, the city, stands as both an alluring character and a magnificent setting that directs the diverse experiences, which are woven deftly into the fabric of the plot. The book is a wonderful compilation of encounters, both unexpected and unfamiliar. 

What interests me?

It involves travel and talks about 'healing'

About the author




Ruchira Khanna is a Reiki Master where she passes out information about channeling universal energy and conducts sessions. The author of “Choices”, “The Adventures of Alex and Angelo” but just another soul trying to make a difference in this lifetime.

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This tornado giveaway is being conducted by The Book Club





Thursday, November 10, 2016

4 Productive Things To Do When You Don't Feel Like Writing






"Don't Feel Like Writing" not "Writer's Block"!

Yes. I don't believe in Writer's Block. I think it's pure laziness. It's a phase when we don't want to write, and it's okay. We are never short of ideas. We just don't want to think about them intently in that phase. Writing should come naturally with a sense of joy and fulfillment. When you can be the best version of you, uber creative! You can never deliver your best when your writing is forced.

However, you can still be productive (writing-wise) when not writing. Here are four things you should do when you don't feel like writing. These things may create certain circumstances that will prompt you to write.

Read Voraciously!

Reading is sheer pleasure and a learning experience. Yes. Don't read just for entertainment. Read to learn. Focus on your preferred genre but don't hesitate to try different genres. I have tried this, and it has surprised me pleasantly. I had never thought I would enjoy mythology or psychological thrillers, but now they are two of my favourite genres!

Don't push yourself to finish every book you pick even though you don't like it. I leave the book unfinished if it doesn't hook me in first 40-50 pages. and I don't feel guilty about it.

Think About Writing.

When we are not writing, we are thinking about writing. You know this, don't you? You can't help this random whirling in your mind. Just work on it. Try to make this whirling a little more productive.

Collect your thoughts and ideas. You can organize later. Jot down your ideas/beautiful lines that flash in your mind. No. Never trust your memory. Ideas often strike at odd hours and are ephemeral. Jot down immediately.

If you are a freelance writer, shape up your ideas and pitch them to different publications. Don't think about rejection. You won't get selected until you pitch. You will start writing zealously once you get an assignment!

Research.

Watch Movies.

As a writer, you can learn a lot from movies. Watch good movies. Watch. The expressions. The way a character reacts. The way the characters deliver their dialogues. The settings. For me, Star Movies Select is a beautiful discovery. It shows different movies. Book adaptations. Unreleased. It says, '365 days, 365 stories'. You don't have to watch this particular channel. Choose what works best for you.

Travel

I don't travel much but I know it boosts your creativity and imagination. It refreshes your thinking process and enthusiasm. So, if possible, travel.


So, I have shared my views. Now it's your turn. Add/remove. But share your views. Do you write daily? What do you do when not writing? How do you try to improve your creativity?





Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Spotlight: The Prince's Special Bride by Devika Fernando



Read some reviews:



The Story:

Marie doesn’t believe in fairytales and needs no handsome prince to rescue her from misery – but everything changes when she falls in love with Crown Prince Christian of Taragonia.

When his sister invites Marie to the palace, their lives collide and leave them both fighting their forbidden attraction.

Prince Christian has no place in his life for love or for a woman who doesn’t fit into the royal scheme of things. But vivacious Marie steals his heart and puts all he has lived for at stake. When the media gets wind of their affair, he has to make a difficult decision. 

Will the unlikely couple have a chance at a happy ending?

What interests me?

The genre - Romance - one of my favourite!


About The Author




Almost as soon as Devika Fernando could write, she imagined stories and poems. After finishing her education in Germany and returning to her roots in Sri Lanka, she got a chance to turn her passion into her profession. Having lived in Germany and in Sri Lanka with her husband has made her experience the best (and the worst) of two totally different worlds – something that influences her writing. Her trademark are sweet, yet deeply emotional romance stories where the characters actually fall in love instead of merely falling in lust. She draws inspiration from everyone and everything in life. Besides being a romance novel author, she works as a self-employed German web content writer, as a translator, and as a faithful servant to all the cats, dogs, fish and birds in her home. What she loves most about being an author is the chance to create new worlds and send her protagonists on a journey full of ups and downs that will leave them changed. When she’s not writing, she’s reading or thinking about writing.

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This tornado giveaway is being conducted by The Book Club






Saturday, November 5, 2016

Spotlight: The Face At The Window by Kiran Manral


Book Blurb:

What if at the end of one’s life, one realises that one has lived out a lie?

Mrs. McNally, a retired school teacher, living alone in a cottage at the foothills of the Himalayas, has secrets that if revealed could shatter the two people she cares about the most, her daughter Millie and her grand daughter Nina.


Torn by her desire to reveal the truth that could change Millie’s life, and the need to let things continue as they are, Mrs. McNally grapples not just with ghosts from her past, but also a strange, vicious presence in her house that seems to want something from her. Will she ever find the peace that eludes her, will she be rid of this entity haunting her house and, more importantly, will she find closure? A gently nuanced, layered story that deals with the lack of identity and an eternal finding of self, The Face at the Window holds a mirror to the fears we are all afraid to voice, the fear of ageing, the fear of not belonging, and above all, the fear of having no one to love you at the end of your life.


What interests me?

It's a spooky tale. And, the cover is intriguing, apt for this genre!


READ SOME REVIEWS​

About Kiran Manral




I went from full time journalist to full time mommy to blogger to author. My blogs, www.thirtysixandcounting.wordpress.com and www.karmickids.blogspot.com, are both in Labnol's list of India's top blogs, but are sadly languishing neglected now. I was a blogger columnist with Tehelka Blogs on gender issues. I was also, professionally, India Cultural Lead and Trendspotter with CEB Iconoculture US and am currently Senior consultant with Vector Insights LLP.  Because I spend more time than is healthy on twitter, I got listed a non celebrity 'social media star' on twitter by the Times of India and IBN Live named me as among the 30 interesting Indian women to follow on twitter and among the top 10 Indian moms to follow on twitter for 2013. Sheroes also listed me as among the top 20 women influencers on twitter in 2014. (http://sheroes.in/articles/must-follo...) 

I am on the Planning Board of the Kumaon Literary Festival, Chair of the Women Unlimited Series of the Taj Colloquium, Mentor with Sheroes.in and Qween and on the Advisory Board of Literature Studio. My debut novel, The Reluctant Detective, was published by Westland in 2011. My second novel, Once Upon A Crush,published by Leadstart, was released in May 2014. My third book, All Aboard, was published by Penguin in 2015, as was Karmic Kids, my first non fiction book, published by Hay House in 2015 as well. My fourth fiction work, The Face At the Window, was published by Amaryllis in March 2016.  Most importantly, I have recently declared my body a 100% Nutella free zone. 




This book tour is conducted by The Book Club. Check out all the Books for #TornadoGiveaway 3 HERE



Friday, November 4, 2016

Book Review: A Pound of Flesh by Mukul Deva



Image result for pound of flesh mukul deva


Finished "Pound of Flesh" by Mukul Deva (Westland Books). It's my first book by the author and my new experiment with the genre that's crime fiction.

Pamela Stewart, a young american lawyer vanishes from the airport without any trace, while her friends, Jasmine and Rekha, are frantically looking for her. Retired Inspector General of Police Ravinder Singh Gill knows that he has only hours to track down and recover the missing girl, Pamela, his daughter Jasmine’s college-mate and friend. As he digs deeper he realizes that Pamela is not the only girl who is missing.

The book is a chase against kidnapping, human trafficking and organ harvesting racket. This dark and dangerous world belongs to Harpal Singh and skillfully executed by SK who hates Ravinder for killing his father. The battle becomes intensely personal for SK aka The Hammer, when he realizes that Pamela is the friend of Ravinder’s daughter. Also, can Mandeep, a surgeon, Ravinder Gill's future son-in-law and Harpal's son, be involved in this murky web of crime?

The story line is strong (a little filmy). Mukul Deva is a well known experienced author so writing is obviously neat but it's not very tricky as I had expected for a crime fiction. From the very first chapter we know who is Pamela and who kidnapped her and why. The book is written in multiple Point of View, so it didn't create intrigue that was required for this genre. Also, I thought the pace was a little slow, however, it picks up as the story goes deeper, and the chase gets exciting and tense.

There are so many characters as a crime fiction demands perhaps. Characters are well defined. SK is one spontaneous character, moves of SHO Chetan creates intrigue. The anxiety of characters (For their different reasons) is expressed well.

There is a light touch of romance (Jasmine and Mandeep) and family drama too as sub-plots. As I said the pace is slow; seems like a long read as some unnecessary descriptions fill the pages which was not required for this genre.

Overall, for me, it was an average read. You may like it if you enjoy reading crime fiction.


I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.