Thursday, September 24, 2015

Book Review::'Bound In Love' by Neil D'Silva


Blurb:
Love.

This is the most abused four-letter word in the English dictionary.

Quite rarely do we mean ‘love’ when we say it. A young teenager who lusts for a girl says he loves her. A woman who has been forcefully married to a man says she loves her husband. A son whose father abuses him day and night says he loves his father. A boss says he loves his employees. A politician says he loves his people. But do they really mean what they say?

The truth is — we have forgotten what love really means. Pure, undiluted love is becoming increasingly rare to find. We know but we are scared to admit that the word ‘love’ has become a mere label to describe many relationships that we cannot free ourselves from.

These stories aren’t easy to read. You need to keep your rosy-tinted glasses of romance aside to be able to digest them. These are about love in its bleakest form. 

These aren’t stories of people who are bound by love; these are stories of people who are Bound In Love. 


My Review:
I have a confession--I have never given short stories much importance in comparison to novels. But slowly and steadily I am falling in love with this format of story telling. ‘Bound In love’ is a major contributing factor to my rising interest in short stories.

The stories in this collection are bound by a single theme, but each one of them has an identity of their own. Neil D’Silva has done immense justice to all in terms of their distinctive setting and subject, which includes—human relations, workplace, profession, religion, as well as era. Each of the story is like a single, precious pearl bound with the string of love.

The collection boasts of mother’s love for her son, a colleagues excessive attachment, a wife’s love for her husband; be it they are slum dwellers or rulers of a kingdom, as well as pure selfless love. Neil D’Silva has covered the complete spectrum of love and its consequences; starting from affection, adulation, fear, to obsession. 

If I have to choose which one I liked, I would list all of them. But still my personal favorites were ‘No Chocolate For you’, ‘No Greater Charm’, ‘At The Next Stop’, ‘A Song Without Music’, ‘New Wine, Old Bottle’, and ‘The Makeover’.

Mr. D’Silva is a master storyteller with firm grip over myriad human emotions. All the stories are narrated such that the settings came alive in front of my eyes. He made me think and marvel over each of the stories and the picture it invoked in my mind.

I highly recommend ‘Bound In Love’ for people looking for high entertainment quotient as well as  getting a peek into infinite complexities of human relations.







About the author:
Neil D’Silva is an author of three books. His first book, MAYA’S NEW HUSBAND, published by Authors’ Ink Publications, has been an Amazon India bestseller in the horror genre for several weeks after its release. This book was also the winner of the Literary Awards 2015 in The Entertainer category. His second book was THE EVIL EYE AND THE CHARM, which was a short-story collection about Indian superstitions. His third book, BOUND IN LOVE, which is his latest release, is a collection of seven short stories based on twisted human relationships.

Apart from that, Neil D’Silva is poised to be a part of two anthologies this year – one with WriMo India and another with Readomania. 

He is also a blogger and promoter of Indian literature. He is the founder and admin of the Facebook group of writers named For Writers, By Authors, which has reached 6000 members in just 7 months. He mentors people to write and bring their work in the public eye.

Other than his writing career, Neil D’Silva has been a teacher for 20 years, having taught English, Mathematics, and Science at his Mumbai-based coaching institute, Disha Educentre. He is also the co-founder of the online editing and writing services company Pen Paper Coffee.



Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No 99: 'Meghna' by Sundari Venkatraman






Name of the Book: MEGHNA

Author: Sundari Venkatraman



Read some reviews:

1. Rubina Ramesh

2. Inderpreet Kaur Uppal 

3. Meghan Duce 



The Story:


The young and dashing Rahul Sinha lives in England with his parents, Shyam and Rajni. He is an only son of the rich banker. Rahul is totally attached to his father but does not care for his mother. Read the book to find out why….

Rahul is exulted with his efforts at work paying off and plans a holiday with his best friend Sanjay Srivastav who lives in Mumbai with his wife Reema, kids Sanya and Rehaan and most importantly, his sister, Meghna. Rahul recalls meeting Meghna just before they parted six years ago.

Meghna works for a website and also teaches modern dance as she loves it. She’s thrown for a toss when Rahul comes visiting. She had thought he had forgotten them.

But how could Rahul do that? Sanjay’s his best friend and Rahul had always treated their home as his own. Sanjay’s mother had been more of a mother to Rahul than his own. Rahul had stayed away after moving to England or so Meghna believes.

Thus begins the story between Rahul and Meghna, the teasing, the flirting, the anger, the tears… …will they find love?


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About The Author 



Sundari Venkatraman 

Even as a kid, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome as she grew up reading all the fairy tales she could lay her hands on, Phantom comics, Mandrake comics and the like. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end.

Soon, into her teens, Sundari switched her attention from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to a local hero and heroine. Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years.

Then came the writing – a true bolt out of the blue! She could never string two sentences together. While her spoken English had always been excellent – thanks to her Grandpa – she couldn’t write to save her life.

All this changed suddenly one fine day in the year 2000. She had just quit her job as a school admin and didn’t know what to do with her life. She was saturated with simply reading books. That’s when she returned home one evening after her walk, took some sheets of paper and began writing. It was like watching a movie that was running in her head – all those years of visualising Indian heroes and heroines needed an outlet and had to be put into words. That’s how her first novel, The Malhotra Bride, took shape. While she felt discouraged when publishing didn’t happen, it was her husband who kept encouraging her not to give up.

In the meanwhile, she landed a job as Copy Editor with Mumbai Mirror. After working there for two years, she moved to the Network 18 Group and worked with two of their websites over the next six years, as Content Editor.

Despite her work schedule, she continued to write novels and then short stories and had them published in her blogs. She also blogs voraciously, writing on many different topics – travel, book reviews, film reviews, restaurant reviews, spirituality, alternative health and more.

Her first eBook Double Jeopardy – a romance novella – was published by Indireads and has been very well received by readers of romance.

In 2014, Sundari self-published The Malhotra Bride (2nd Edition); Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom; Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set) and Matches Made In Heaven (a collection of romantic short stories).

2015 brought yet another opportunity. Readomania came forward to traditionally publish this book – The Madras Affair – a mature romance set in Madras.


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Sunday, September 20, 2015

Book Review :: 'Milan' by Simi K Rao

This review is part of B00k R3vi3ws Tours

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Young Adult
Blurb:
When a daughter turns marriageable age, what should a responsible father do? 

Easy—wed her to the most suitable boy who comes knocking on their door. 

Jai Bharadwaj, Mili's father and owner of The Serenity Tea Estate in the idyllic Nilgiris would've probably liked to do the same, but being who he was, he had to ask her first. 
What would Mili say?


My Review:

Milan is a journey of a girl from the time she reluctantly agrees to an arranged match till she get married—truly a wedding story. The author explores the insecurities, doubts, desires, longing of a would-be-bride who wants everything but is scared of things to come. She knows her life would change irrevocably but still desires to be with someone who will cherish and love her forever.

Mili is a twenty-something, who has finished her education and is ready to embark on the life’s journey of excelling in the field of music, but her parents want her to get married and settle down as is the case in most of Indian families. In comes handsome Ahaan, her childhood mate, who has set his eyes on Mili the moment he saw her again after years. Instantly attracted to Ahaan, Mili agrees. And then battles the eternal struggle between her ambitious dreams and desire for Ahaan.

The novella is set in a Tea plantation on Coonoor and the author has done an excellent work in describing the setting of a small, beautiful hill-town. It is as if one is right in the middle of the action.

Mili is a simple girl, sheltered and pampered by a loving family. One is able to relate to her jitters and fears about stepping into a new life. But for 21st century girl I found her to be too childish and immature, a person who flies off the handle every time someone utters something which is not to her liking. At times it became a tad unrealistic. 

Ahaan is perfect in his character of a loving fiancĂ© and a mature bureaucrat in the External affairs ministry. His job profile added to the character’s sophisticated persona. Mili’s parents figured quite a lot in the story. It was a little odd that they were practically privy to all their (main characters') thoughts and rendezvous.

There are certain things with didn’t sit well with me. One is about Mili’s mother asking her to sort out her room, and take whatever she wants back to her husband’s house so that the room could be vacated. Why? The girl is anyway emotional about leaving her parent’s house and instead of consoling her that everything would be alright, her mother was uprooting her childhood room as well. Second thing was Mili forgetting about her Sagai date. Can someone forget the very date they have been preparing for weeks? Leaving aside these few oopsies, I liked the story.

Ms Rao has a way with words and it was entertaining to read the simple happenings in a family when a girl is about to get married. Language and narration is tasteful.

The cover is simply fantastic, it attracts the readers attention and makes a person curious about the story. The story does justice to the expectations.

‘Milan’ is a simple, breezy read, I would recommend it to people who are looking for a clean romance and a glimpse into Indian wedding scenario.









About the Author:
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances. 

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life. Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world. A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.

You can connect with the author and read more of her work on her website at www.SimiKRao.comFind her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SimiKRao and Twitter @SimiKRao




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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No 89 '28 Years A Bachelor' by Rasana Atreya




Name of the Book: 28 YEARS A BACHELOR
Author: Rasana Atreya



Read some reviews:

1. Rachel Boling 

2. Patricia Velapanur

3. Suneetha 



The Story:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an Indian woman in possession of a son with an engineering degree, must be in want of a daughter-in-law with an outsized dowry.

Which can be a problem when said son is vehemently opposed to dowry. He is also opposed to city living, to meddlesome neighbours, to wacky grandfathers and to caustic grandmothers. But when he’s blessed with all of the above, what’s man to do?

From the author of 'Tell A Thousand Lies'. Shortlisted for the '2012 Tibor Jones South Asia prize'. UK's Glam magazine calls this novel one of their 'five favourite tales from India.'

Also, author of 'The Temple Is Not My Father.'


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About The Author 



Rasana Atreya 

Rasana is the author of Amazon bestseller 'Tell A Thousand Lies', which was also shortlisted for the 2012 Tibor Jones South Asia award. UK’s Glam magazine calls this novel one of their five favourite tales from India (June 2014). Her other works are 'The Temple Is Not My Father' and '28 Years A Bachelor'.

Now on to more personal stuff – Rasana would like to be able to tell her readers that she once stopped a robbery single-handedly, except she’s terrified of robbers. And geckos. And two-year-olds who throw tantrums. When she’s not running scared, she’s mother to a girl and a boy who were respectively six and eleven years-old when they wrote and illustrated 'The Mosquito and the Teapot'. She lives with her husband and children in Hyderabad, India, where a lot of her stories are set.


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Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No 88 'The Other End Of The Corridor' by Sujata Rajpal





Name of the Book: THE OTHER END OF THE CORRIDOR
Author: Sujata Rajpal



Read some reviews:

1. Privy Trifles 
2. Aditi 
3. Neelam Chandra 



The Story:

When your dreams are tainted with lies and deceit, you have no other choice but to walk to the other end of the corridor

Leela has nothing extraordinary about her except the dream to become famous. Her desires take wings when she gets married to a handsome boy from a respectable family in Delhi. But her dreams are shattered even before they have a chance to take flight.

She happens to meet two friends from a long forgotten past, which infuses hope and opens new avenues to realize her dormant aspirations.

Leela delves into previously unexplored paths of deception and forbidden passions that only make her stronger.

In an attempt to rediscover herself, she falls in love with life and with herself but her life takes a sudden turn again…

No matter what, Leela will continue to chase her dreams.

Where does this journey take her?


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About The Author 



Sujata Rajpal 

Sujata Rajpal gave up her rewarding career as a Corporate Communication & PR professional in an IT MNC to become a full-time author – so far the best decision of her life. Sujata holds an MPhil degree in Economics and has studied Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. She also writes articles and short stories for publications and journals, such as Femina, Deccan Herald, Star of Mysore. Her short stories have been published in E Fiction India and Women’s Web. She is a yoga enthusiast and enjoys being a Toastmaster. She currently lives in Mysore.




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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2: Book 80 'The Dove's Lament' by Kirti Jayakumar







Name of the Book: THE DOVE'S LAMENT

Author: Kirthi Jayakumar


Read some reviews:

1. Rubina Ramesh 

2. Usha Narayanan 

3. Arpita Banerjee 



The Story:

The Dove's Lament is a journey that takes you around the world, bringing to life the human side of conflicts that tear people apart. From the genocide in Rwanda, to war-stricken Bosnia, from child marriages in India to prostitution and drug trafficking in Colombia, these stories traverse a microcosm of reality. Be it the manifestation of Bacha Baazi in Afghanistan, or the fight for paradise on Earth, Kashmir, the repertoire of stories lend a soul to what otherwise remain a muddle of news reports and statistics. Through these stories, Kirthi embroiders a tapestry of the unvanquished human spirit in varied shades, and shakes you up to the reality that surrounds you.



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About The Author 



Kirthi Jayakumar 

Kirthi Jayakumar is a Lawyer, specialised in Public International Law and Human Rights. She has diversified into Research and Writing in Public International Law, Arbitration and Human Rights, besides Freelance Journalism. Working as a UN Volunteer, specializing in Human Rights issues in Africa, India and Central Asia and the Middle East, Kirthi has worked extensively with grass root organizations that focus on women's rights, and also run a journal, academy and consultancy that focuses on International Law, called A38. Kirthi is also the founder of the Red Elephant Foundation, an organisation that works for the empowerment of women.


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Monday, September 14, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2:Book 79 'Too Hard To Handle' by Anamika Mishra






Name of the Book: TOO HARD TO HANDLE

Author: Anamika Mishra



Read some reviews:

1. Harshit Srivastava 

2. Veena 

3. Suchit 



The Story:


'Too Hard To Handle' is a blend of Fact and Fiction which is enhanced by the essence of Philosophy. It tries to find out the answers for certain questions like what happens if you mess with the flow of life. What matters above all in a relationship ? Is it past, present or Future? What if you come to know something about your fiance/spouse which you thought never existed? And above all, Can you really trust your best friend?

'Too Hard To Handle' is story of Love, Friendship, Victory, Fate and LIFE.





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About The Author 



Anamika Mishra 

Anamika Mishra is an Indian Author.

Her debut novel Too hard to handle was released in Sept 2013. Her new novel with Jaico is all set to release.

She is also a blogger and occasionally delivers motivational talks. Writing is her first passion. Second is travelling and photography.

Anamika holds a degree of Masters in Journalism & Mass Communication. She is known for strong opinions and passionate defense for her beliefs. Her witty, cheerful & humorous persona has made her popular amongst the youth. She has a 'think positive & keep patience' perception towards life. Her articles on life and relationships have inspired many people from all across the world.

She is a member of Indian Speakers Bureau and People For Animals NGO.




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Thursday, September 3, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2: Book 71 'All Aboard' by Kiran Manral




Name of the Book: ALL ABOARD

Author: Kiran Manral





The Story:

When Rhea Khanna is dumped just days before her wedding, by her boyfriend of four years, the only thing she wants to do is to get out of the city to clear her head.  The opportunity presents itself immediately when her aunt, a retired school headmistress, invites her to accompany her on a Mediterranean cruise.

As Rhea struggles to cope with her grief of being dumped at the altar, she finds herself getting attracted to the seemingly unavailable Kamal Shahani—the infuriatingly attractive ex-student of her aunt and a hot shot entrepreneur.  To add to the confusion, Sonia, Kamal’s very attractive ex-girlfriend boards the ship in a bid to win him back.

Will Rhea heal her broken heart, or will she end up even more shattered than she was when she got on this cruise? Read, to find out.




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About The Author 



Kiran Manral

Kiran Manral worked as a journalist with The Asian Age and The Times of India before she quit full time work to be a full time mommy. One of the leading bloggers in India, her blogs were listed in Labnol's list of India's top blogs, and her parenting blog was ranked among the top five parenting blogs in India by Blogadda. She was also a Tehelka blogger columnist on gender issues.

She was listed among the 10 non-celebrity 'social media stars' on twitter by the TOI and IBN Live named her as among the 30 most interesting Indian women to follow on twitter and among the top 10 Indian moms to follow on twitter in 2013. Fashion 101.in named her as amongst the most stylish authors in India. Womensweb.in listed her as one of the 20 women authors from India to be followed on twitter.

Post the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, she founded India Helps, a volunteer network to help disaster victims post 26/11 and has worked on long term rehabilitation of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack victims and 13/7 Mumbai bomb blast victims, amongst others. She was part of core founding team behind Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Month (www.csaawarenessmonth.com) and Violence Against Women Awareness Month (www.vawawareness.wordpress.com), two very well received social media awareness initiatives.

Her debut novel, The Reluctant Detective, was published by Westland in 2012 and her second novel Once Upon A Crush, was published by Leadstart in May 2014. She has three books due for release in 2015, the first of these being All Aboard! from Penguin Random House.

She is on the planning board of the Kumaon Literary Festival, an advisor on the Board of Literature Studio, Delhi, an Author Mentor at sheroes.in and a columnist at iDiva.com. She was awarded the Women Achievers award by Young Environmentalists Group in 2013.



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