28 December 2022

#BookReview The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity by Esther Perel

About The Book

Infidelity is the ultimate betrayal. But does it have to be? Relationship therapist Esther Perel examines why people cheat, and unpacks why affairs are so traumatic; because they threaten our emotional security. In infidelity, she sees something unexpected - an expression of longing and loss.

A must-read for anyone who has ever cheated by or been cheated on, or who simply wants a new framework for understanding relationships.

My Thoughts

This year around April, I was going through some personal dilemmas and discovered Esther Perel on YouTube. I started listening to her TED Talks and was hooked. Later, I brought this book.

This book literally changed my perspective on marriage.

She discussed infidelity in various types of marriages, namely conventional marriages, homosexual, and heterosexual partnerships, open relationships, and ones that insist on monogamy.

She discussed betrayal in detail, the pain of discovery of an affair, or the guilt of cheating on your partner. How affairs can both ruin or save marriages.

She never discredited monogamy but rather suggested ways to work through it.

An enlightening read.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author Esther Perel is recognized as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. Fluent in nine languages, she helms a therapy practice in New York City and serves as an organizational consultant for Fortune 500 companies around the world. 

Her celebrated TED Talks have garnered more than 20 million views and her international bestseller Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence became a global phenomenon translated into 25 languages.

Author on the Web

WebsiteInstagram| Facebook | Twitter 


21 December 2022

#BookReview An Interview with the Computer: A Dystopian Answer by Richard Blum

 About The Book

When shocking headlines of crime and violence become routine, is they're a way we can turn back the clock?

If our governments allow crimes to go unnoticed and unpunished while blaming lack of money to pay for policing or, worse, allowing crimes to take place by popular demand of a shadow overlord. Who or what do the people turn to for recourse?

My Thoughts

I am not a sci-fi genre fan. When I started reading this book, the first thing I notice is how beautifully the author has a complex concept.

Without giving any spoiler, though the computer actions may seem unorthodox, at times, this is what we need.

The only thing I didn’t like is the ending is very predictable. Otherwise, the book is really good.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

A disabled Military Veteran, Richard Blum was born in 1949 in Monterey Park, CA. Richard’s injury status has left him unable to conduct any heavy physical activity. However, most of us understand the most defined outcome from a permanent injury is that the human body sharpens its other senses to balance out the loss. 

Accordingly, he has developed different parts of his being with the ability to become an excellent situational observer. 

His stories are lifted from current headlines and events then imagined with futuristic outcomes.

Author on the Web

Website | Email 


20 December 2022

Bad Girl Gone Good by @AlishaKayAuthor #SecondChanceRomance #Contemporary @BookReviewTours

 



When Aisha Rajput, the queen of raves and celebrity after-parties, is asked to plan a hospital fundraiser, she's convinced the sun finally rose from the west. And yet, she is determined to blow this brief out of the water for it is her one chance at redemption.

Seven years ago, she shattered Dr Kabir Pradhan's heart with a deliberate, conscious act of betrayal. The least she can do to make up for it is to save his hospital.

Aisha is the woman who loved him and broke him. The last thing Kabir needs is for her to do it all over again with his hospital. He doesn't want her, he doesn't need her, and he certainly won't tolerate her. Or so he tells himself.

When the hospital board leaves them with no choice but to work together, the stage is set for fireworks.

When the heartache of the past collides with the irresistible desire of the present, the future looks to be in jeopardy. Unless the Bad Girl goes Good and saves the day.
But can she?
And does Kabir even want her to, for like it or not, his heart has always belonged to the Bad Girl, hasn't it?



Read an Excerpt from Bad Girl Gone Good


KABIR

The Rajmata of Bannor looked positively hunted as she stared at me.
“She said she’s on her way, beta. I’m sure she will be here soon.”
My brow creased in confusion.
“Who is on her way? I thought we were meeting to discuss how to raise money for the new NICU.”
“We are! But you can’t raise funds without a proper fundraiser. And if anyone can organise a superhit, blockbuster event for you, it is she,” declared Her Highness.
What was the old lady smoking? We weren’t a Bollywood production house. Usha Kiran was a hospital with a reputation for quality healthcare. The manic gleam in her eyes made me very nervous, especially when she started throwing around words like superhit and blockbuster.
“She?” I asked carefully.
“Kabir, you can’t pull off such a big event all by yourself. You need an event manager.”
No. What I needed was for these old farts to get their heads out of their asses and come up with a plan to counter Her Highness’s schemes.
“Your Highness, we’re trying to collect funds, and I’m not sure how blowing up a huge chunk of money on a grand party is going to help us do that.”
The other members of the board nodded in agreement. The very thought of wasting money on a fundraiser made them turn ashen.
She shook her head in disappointment.
“Beta, sometimes you have to spend money to earn more.”
“Well, we don’t have much, to begin with, and I don’t think I can authorise such an expense when I could use the money to buy new ventilators,” I said apologetically.
I knew she meant well, but she needed a dose of reality. There was nothing glamorous about what we were trying to do here. We needed state-of-the-art incubators, ventilators with CPAP machines, as well as a well-trained NICU staff, all of which cost money.
“What if the board doesn’t have to spend a single penny? I will donate the money you need to organise the event,” she replied craftily.
“With due respect, Your Highness, why would you do that?"
She banged on the floor with the end of her walking stick.
“Because it is time to try something new. The world is full of people who have more money than they can spend in this lifetime. And some of them are even willing to share that wealth. You just need to know how to approach them. As for the ones that don’t want to part with their wealth, you need to know exactly how to lure and skin them,” said Her Highness, with relish.
Were we still talking about raising money? I had a feeling there was a ruthless serial killer lurking under that silk-clad grandmotherly exterior. I sighed as I resigned myself to an uncomfortable meeting with the event manager. But I would hear her out before I showed her the door. It was the least I could do.
I looked at my watch pointedly and nodded.
“Fine. Let’s see what this wizard of yours has in mind.”
There was a sharp knock at the door, and it swung open.
“I hope I’m not too old for one of your lollipops, Doctor Uncle,” called a voice that I hadn’t heard for years.
And yet, it hit me with the same force as it had seven years ago.
Her Highness rose to welcome her, but I stayed frozen in my seat, unable to do anything but stare at that familiar face. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What the fuck was Aisha Rajput doing here?
She walked into the room and greeted Her Highness with a warm hug.
“Now, where’s my favourite man?” she cooed, pulling away from the Rajmata of Bannor.
I clenched my jaw and stood up slowly to my full height as she turned towards me. When she spotted me, she swayed in place as if she had been dealt a body blow. I shot her a frosty smile that made her turn pale.
“Well, if it isn’t the OG Bad Girl,” I drawled.”


About the Author:
Alisha Kay writes funny, exciting and steamy stories, with spunky heroines who can rescue themselves, and hot, woke heroes who find such independence irresistible.
The first book in The Devgarh Royals series, The Maharaja’s Fake Fiancée, won the grand prize at the Amazon KDP Pen to Publish Contest 2020.

Alisha on the Web:
Instagram * Twitter 










17 December 2022

Love Bait by Varun Pancholi - #Mystery #Contemporary #Politics @author_channel

 



Pranay Oza is excited about his life’s new phase - COLLEGE. And soon enough, life offers him much more than he imagined. Falling in live with a college senior and the love being reciprocated through anonymous love notes was like a dreamy sequence from a romantic movie come true.

But then was this love or bait?

It is college election time too and stakes are high for all the aspirants for the President’s post. It is the last chance for all of them to prove themselves capable of moving into pro- fessional politics.

But can a fresher Pranay Oza be critical to the elections?

At this age, decisions are driven by passion and consequences can be life changing 


Book Links:
Amazon.in | Amazon.com

Read an Excerpt from Love Bait


Prologue

It was four minutes to midnight. Pranay climbed up the wall with the support of the tree trunk and took a pause to look around. There was no one to be seen, it was all silent and so he jumped on the other side as quietly as he could. He steadied himself and looked around again. Finding no sign of any movement, he quickly rushed towards the narrow pathway leading to the stairs, the one he had seen Amrita take the other night.

He quietly started climbing up the stairs. For once, he was happy the hostels rarely replaced a fused bulb on the stairways. It was not a dark night and the half-moon brightened the stairs enough for a cautious climb. His heart was racing fast, not knowing what to expect. He wanted to be quick but silent. “Why am I here? What do I want? Well, it’s a bit too late to think about it now.” But he firmly believed he was expected to be here at this hour.

As he reached the foyer, half way up to the first floor, he heard a creak. He froze in fear and almost stopped breathing to maintain absolute silence. The creak sounded like a door or window closed or maybe opened. He waited and tried to listen hard. But it was all very quiet apart from his drumming heart and his soft breath. The music from the common room remained faint. He concluded it should be one of the windows moving due to the wind.

He climbed up further and reached another small foyer.

There are two doors now, one to his left and one to his right. “It should be the one on the left,” he thought. It was a guess based on what he had seen the other night. He looked for room number but there was none, neither on the other door.

‘Left it is’ he decided. He took a deep breath and steadied himself. Still not sure what to expect, he took a step forward to lightly knock on the door. But as his knuckle touched the door for the first tap, the door creaked.

The door was open. Indeed! He was expected! His breath was still shallow, his anxiety level still high and his heart still pounding. He slowly pushed the door open. It was dark inside and his eyes took a few moments to adjust. The window on the wall to his right was open, the curtains were drawn and the moonlight was filtering in from the borders. There was another glass window on the opposite wall the room which was closed. The light coming in from this window was just enough to create an outline of the bed underneath. It seemed there was no one on the bed. The rest of the room was dark.

He took a step into the room and straightened himself up.

The room was eerily quiet and he could not see Amrita around. Was she shy and hiding from him? On second thoughts he wondered ‘Am I even in the correct room?’







Varun holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering from MS university, Baroda. Additionally, he holds double Masters in Business from Symbiosis, Pune and HEC Paris.
After working in India & France, Varun currently lives in Bahrain with his wife and two daughters. He loves reading and this is his first rendezvous with writing.






14 December 2022

#BookReview The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri


About The Book

The Namesake depicts the struggles of Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli, first-generation immigrants from West Bengal to the United States, and their American-born children Gogol and Sonia.

The story begins as Ashoke and Ashima leave Calcutta and settle in New York City. Through a series of miscues, their son's nickname, Gogol (named after Russian author Nikolai Gogol), becomes his official birth name, an event that will shape many aspects of his life. The story chronicles Gogol's cross-cultural experiences and his exploration of his Indian heritage, as the story shifts between the United States and India.

My Thoughts

This is one of the best book about our hope for a better life, human pain, joy, love, adventure, and all in one.

The story is simple yet so complicated. All the characters in this novel are so brilliantly written. With her writing, Lahiri is able to create an atmosphere, where you relate to all the characters, not just one, and became empathic about their desire, motivation, pain, and selfishness.

I found myself, laughing, crying, and feeling for them. I was barely able to put this novel down.

Overall, please give this book a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Jhumpa Lahiri was born in London and raised in Rhode Island. Her debut, internationally-bestselling collection, Interpreter of Maladies, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, the PEN/Hemingway Award, The New Yorker Debut of the Year award, an American Academy of Arts and Letters Addison Metcalf Award, and a nomination for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. It was translated into twenty-nine languages. 

Her first novel, The Namesake, was a New York Times Notable Book, a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, and was selected as one of the best books of the year by USA Today and Entertainment Weekly, among other publications.

Author on the Web

Website | Email |Facebook


07 December 2022

#BookReview World War 1: A History From Beginning to End by Henry Freeman


About The Book

World War One was one of the bloodiest wars in modern history. At its end, it had claimed over seventeen million lives. It led to the collapse of nations, monarchies’ abdication, and ended empires.

Entire divisions of men perished in the pursuit of mere miles of uninhabitable wasteland––towns were pulverized and millions displaced. It became a horrendous war of attrition, each side competing to kill as many of their foe as possible.

My Thoughts

I am really fascinated by World One II and especially what follows, the cold war between Russia and America. To have a much clearer idea, I thought reading about world war I would be a good idea. I picked up this book from Amazon and started reading it.

This book provides a good and brief account of the great war that lasted 4 years, involving 32 countries. As a result, it changed the face of Europe forever.

The book recounts the events in chronological order. It all started with a diplomatic feud sparked by the assassination of Austria's monarch – Hungary erupted into the conflict, which spread like an inferno throughout Europe and the surrounding continents.

Overall, it is easy to read, and follow, especially for people who are reading it just as a hobby to gather brief knowledge.

This book doesn’t go into many details; hence it is not for students or history enthusiasts.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Henry Freeman is an author and archaeologist. He has a passion for history and loves to travel the world exploring various historical sites. Henry graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double major in History and Archaeology and shortly after that started his career as an archaeologist. After traveling the world and getting first-hand experience with history, Henry was determined to take up his dream of becoming a best-selling author.

Author on the Web

GoodReads

30 November 2022

#BookReview One and a Half Moon by Ishita Banik

 

About The Book

Divided into three parts, 'One and a Half Moon' is a collection of poetries to take you on a journey of pain to healing. Life is not always fair, but what's more unfair is, not being able to find your hidden blessings in an entire lifetime. Let's start your beautiful journey of self-realization and self-discovery. Because you deserve it.

My Thoughts

Someone pinged me some time back on my Instagram to let me know this book is free on Amazon kindle and I should buy it and review it. I did buy the book and totally forgot about it.

I even forgot who pinged me, and I am eternally sorry because I am thankful to you from the bottom of my heart for suggesting this book.

This book is a treat for poetry lovers, I simply love the book. My favorite poem from the book is…

when you crave for
the touch of warmth
in the coldest days of the year
remember the hatred you found
in your own eyes
as the sultry summer
burnt you in the assurance of
wrapping you with its care
your fingers slipped from my
like a fistful of sand,
I stood with the sea in my eyes
On my shattered dreamland

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Ishita Banik carves out a place for herself in the world of creative writing. Ishita is also the proud owner of her own clothing brand. True to her reputation as a beauty with brains, she was also crowned Miss Nation India 2020.

Author on the Web

Email | Instagram| Facebook | Twitter 


23 November 2022

#BookReview The Maharaja’s Fake Fiancée by Alisha Kay

About The Book

Nivy Sharma knows what she needs - the freedom to be herself and follow her passion. She definitely doesn’t need a husband. Unfortunately, that what she got.

His Highness Veerendra Singh can recognize a pain-in-the-ass when he sees it. Especially when it falls into his arms. But, when the marriage-minded princess of Tejpur sets her sights on him, Veer runs back into Nivy’s arms to propose a fake engagement.

When 'fake' starts to feel very real, Nivy and Veer have to decide what is important.

My Thoughts

I have outgrown romantic stories. One of my friend suggested this book, and I started reading it just to kill time.

The best thing about the book is how fast pace and fun it is. The conversations between the two main characters are funky and the back and forth is brilliantly written, the language is simple and easy to understand.

Now, what I didn’t like about the book is, it is so predictable. The characters are shallow.

Overall, this book is for teenagers.

If you like romantic books and want to kill some time, this book is perfect.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Alisha Kay writes funny and passionate Indian romances novels.

She doesn’t hold with the concept of damsel-in-distress, which is why her heroines are spunky women with a sharp tongue and the ability to rescue themselves.

Her heroes are hot men who are woke enough to find that independence irresistible.

Author on the Web

Website | Instagram| Facebook | Twitter

18 November 2022

#Spotlight Me No Pause, Me Play by @ManojSharmma #ContemporaryFiction @BookReviewTours

 



This story revolves around Woman and Womanhood through lenses of Social Kaleidoscope.

The essence of this story is overcoming the intricacy and complicacy of Womanhood through innovative measures with calculated risks.
Though since ages wise men never ever denied the unique importance of Women in their lives, but, at the same time couldn’t restrain from autocratic patriarchy and disguised misogyny.
Even Nature’s unworded Laws cruelly dumped Women after manipulating them to the fullest.
How long Woman will have to continue bearing the ongoing sufferings?
Nobody knows, even Woman herself…
But, there are exceptions as well sometimes…
One key protagonist takes the Woman sufferings as challenge, and, not only resolves the physical health and mental agony, but, unexpectedly raises the bar to the next level of inspirational excellences…
After all its own belief system, which can create anything anywhere anytime…
Let incommunicado with our Ethos & Egos… 
Let the status quo of our Women should not PAUSE…
Let our Women PLAY ever and ever and ever and ever… for ever…

Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon.in * Amazon.com

Book Trailer:





About the Author:
MIRRRO fame self-styled author Manoj Kumar Sharma has brought his next Novel from a different genre altogether ‘Woman Fiction’.
Delighted by the Best Seller status of MIRRRO in specific multiple timelines, Awards from renowned Literature Houses, moral boosting reviews by book lovers, and, guiding critics, the Author do feel more responsibility for continual inclusive excellences to next levels.
Feel blessed as ‘MIRRRO’ been adjudged for prestigious Awards from renowned Literary Houses…..
1. Best Debut Author Award 2020 from ‘ICMDR’
2. Best Debut Novel Award 2020 among Top 100 Debut Novels from ‘CRITICSPACE’.
3. Best Fiction (Thriller) Award 2020 from ‘The Indian Awaz Foundation’
4. Best Thriller Book of the Year 2020 by ‘Literary Mirror’ 
5. Best Fiction Book of the Year 2020 by ‘AIY AGHAAZ’
6. Best Writer Award 2020 by ‘Yashassvi Awards’
The Story “Me No Pause Me Play” born out of day-to-day life in our society, where every now and then our Women are made to feel the pinch of Nature’s Laws and of Society’s hypocritical Patriarchy and Misogyny. 
We talk a lot and even do a lot for Gender equality, Woman Liberation, Woman Empowerment…but, the practical realities are far far away from the truth and still painful. 
Author is right now working on the sequel of MIRRRO and parallely working on few more Books of varied genres on various known issues of our day-to-day lives…but, in ways beyond innovativeness… 
As an overview the Author believes that Writing is a Soulful Act, blessed by Maa Sarasvatiji & Muse... not by the Author.

Author on the Web:

Giveaway:
1 Paperback Copy of Me No Pause, Me Play by Manoj Kumar Sharma (for Indian Residents)
1 Kindle Copy of Me No Pause, Me Play by Manoj Kumar Sharma (for International Residents)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

16 November 2022

#BookReview 5 Minute Tales - Bedtime Stories by Elizabeth Dale

About The Book

This wonderful collection of snoozy stories is ideal for a quick read before bedtime.

Meet a sheep who can't sleep, a lonely night owl, and some naughty aliens who just want to play.

Full of fun and adventure, these short and sweet tales are ideal to snuggle up with!

My Thoughts

This cute little book is for my daughter.

The stories are very good with moral messages. The pictures are colorful and very attractive.

I and my daughter, we both love the book.

Our favorite story is “The King who couldn’t Sleep”.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Elizabeth Dale started her career writing magazine fiction and has sold thousands of stories all over the world. When her daughters were born and she started reading to them, she was reminded of just how wonderful children's books are and decided to try writing them herself. They are the most fun of all and She has had over eighty books published from picture books up to novels for up to age 12.

Author on the Web

WebsiteTwitter 


09 November 2022

#BookLove Animal Farm by George Orwell

 

About The Book

A farm is taken over by its overworked, mistreated animals.

With flaming idealism and stirring slogans, they set out to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality.

Thus, the stage is set for one of the most telling satiric fables ever penned –a razor-edged fairy tale for grown-ups that records the evolution from revolution against tyranny to a totalitarianism just as terrible.

My Thoughts

If there is a story that was relevant yesterday, is relevant today, and will remain a force of Social satirical allegorical novella, is Animal Farm.

The book is so brilliant that it is s still banned in some counties.

There is a saying in Bengali, it goes like “Everyone is a Ravan in their own Kingdom.” This is what is reflected in this story. A bunch of animals rebels against their human farmer, hoping for a society that is equal, free, and happy.

However, ultimately, the farm ends up in a state as bad as it was before, under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon.

A book published in 1945 is still relevant today and speaks for its own brilliance.

I highly recommend this book.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

George Orwell is one of England's most famous writers and social commentators. Among his works are the classic political satire Animal Farm and the dystopian nightmare vision Nineteen Eighty-Four. Orwell was also a prolific essayist, and it is for these works that he was perhaps best known during his lifetime. They include Why I Write and Politics and the English Language. His writing is at once insightful, poignant, and entertaining, and continues to be read widely all over the world.

Author on the Web

Wikipedia

02 November 2022

#BookLove Shanku Samagra by Satyajit Ray

About The Book

Shanku Samagra, brings together all the Shanku series published over a period of time and is read by all age groups. The hero of the book, Shanku, portrays the character of a Bengali scientist, who is driven by an insatiable appetite for scientific adventures. He undertakes several journeys, including one to Mars.

His travels have adventure, mystery, and science all with extraordinary stories. He seems to have the uncanny ability to land himself in all types of dangerous situations, from which he comes out eventually.

Satyajit Ray had got inspired to write the series on Shanku by Arthur Conan Doyle’s book Professor Challenger.

My Thoughts

This book is the adventure of a kid. Like many others, I wanted to just accompany Shanku in his journey to Egypt, Moon, under the sea, and many more.

I don’t have words to express my love for this book. I have read it multiple times and will continue to read them again and again.

This book is an adventure that I was never able to take.

My favorite stories are:

• Professor Shonku o Egypshio Atonko

• Professor Shonku o Golok Rahasya

• Professor Shonku o Bhoot

• Professor Shonku o Roktomatshya Rahasya and many more.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Satyajit Ray (2 May 1921 – 23 April 1992) was an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, author, essayist, lyricist, magazine editor, illustrator, calligrapher, and music composer. 

Widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Ray is celebrated for works including but not limited to The Apu Trilogy (1955–1959), The Music Room
(1958), The Big City (1963), and Charulata (1964).

Author on the Web

Website | Wikipedia



26 October 2022

#BookReview Of Fireflies and Love!: A Collection of Poems By Sadhana Wadhwa

About The Book

Poetry - a magic created when raw emotions get words to be expressed in.

If you let them, they have this power to weave this magic around you, cloaking you in the depths of their meanings and transporting you to another place, even if for a very short time.

"Of Fireflies and Love!" is one such expression of emotions - some raw, some refined, many hurtful but also blissful.

My Thoughts

I am a Bengali, Poetry is literally in my blood. I have grown up reading both classic and modern poetry. I still do read them a lot.

Most of the poems in the books reflect our life. My favourite from the book is Epiphany. I can’t tell you how much I can relate to the poem. It’s like it is written for me, speaking my truth. Simply love this one.

Apart from this I really loved Fairy Tale, Good-byes, Kiss of the Breeze and many more.

Overall it is a great read and I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to all poetry lovers.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Sadhana is the author of “Unspoken ~ A Bouquet of Short Stories”, a collection of stories that has been garnering praise from all the readers.

A bookworm to the core, Sadhana’s tryst with words started at a very young age and there has been no looking back ever since. She has always been intrigued by the dynamics of relationships and bases her stories on what she observes or goes through herself. It was an urge to share it with the greater audience that gave birth to the idea of bringing out her debut book – Unspoken – which is a collection of seven short stories.

Author on the Web

Website | Email | Instagram| Facebook | Twitter 

25 October 2022

The Prince & The Runaway Bride by @alishakayauthor #DevgarhRoyals #Romance #NewReleas

 




Faced with a loveless marriage, Ananya Rajput does what she always does when faced with a tough situation - she runs away!
Except, this time she runs right into the arms of the man she’s dreamed about for years - okay, fantasised about, to be completely honest.
His Highness Yashvardhan Rathore, Yuvarajkumar of Bannor, is so going to burn in hell.
Not only did he help his dead friend’s sister run away from her wedding mandap, he now has terribly inappropriate feelings for her.
All his life he’s lived by one truth - no one has ever loved him enough to stay. And he doesn’t think a known flight risk like Ananya will be the first.
As her restless feet get calmer, the walls around his heart get higher.
Will Yash ever come to trust in love?
And will Ananya let her reluctant Prince Charming claim a runaway bride?

To find out read the third book in the Devgarh Royal series.

Book Links:
Amazon.com | Amazon.in


Excerpts from The Prince and the Runaway Bride


An astrologer once told my grandmother that a girl would be my downfall.

      As I stared at the girl in a bridal outfit shimmying down a rope made of bedsheets tied together, I had to admit that he might have been on to something.

      “Are you sure you want to do this, Ananya?” I asked for the third time.

      She turned around to glare at me.

      “Ask me that one more time. I dare you,” she snarled, as she tried to hold her veil in place while hanging on to said rope desperately.

      It was all very well for her to get testy, but I deserved some answers. When I had ducked around the side of Rajput House in response to her sister’s phone call, the last thing I expected was to be coerced into being the bride’s getaway driver.”

* * *

I wanted to throw my notebook at his head.
      I wanted to smack that smirk off his pretty face. Hard. I wanted to grab him by the collar, pull him closer and kiss that damn smirk off. Wait, what?
      No! Not kiss it off! Wipe it off. Slap it off. Punch it off? Maybe that was too harsh. But I definitely didn’t want to kiss it off. I mean, I wanted to, but I wasn’t going to.
      My face was getting hot and flushed just thinking about it. I wondered what Yash would do if I emptied the bottle of Himalayan water on my bedside table over my head. But I would do it if I had to. I would do whatever it took to keep Prince Charming at arm’s length.
“I’ll keep my panties to myself, thank you very much,” I said icily.
      Aargh! Why the hell was I even talking about my panties? Yash was the most gorgeous man that ever walked off the pages of a fairy tale and into my personal horror story. And here I was, embarrassing myself every time I opened my mouth. Where was a roll of duct tape when you needed it?
      


About the Author:
Alisha Kay writes funny, exciting and steamy stories, with spunky heroines who can rescue themselves, and hot, woke heroes who find such independence irresistible.
The first book in The Devgarh Royals series, The Maharaja’s Fake Fiancée, won the grand prize at the Amazon KDP Pen to Publish Contest 2020.

Alisha on the Web:
Instagram * Twitter 

19 October 2022

#BookLove Chander Pahar by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay

About The Book

Chander Pahar is a Bengali adventure novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay and published in 1937. The novel follows the adventures of a young Bengali man in the forests of Africa.

This novel tells the story of an ordinary young Bengali man, Shankar Ray Choudhuri, as he adventures in Africa between 1909 and 1910.

My Thoughts

I am sure there is not a single Bengali who hasn’t read this book. This book is the adventure of every child.

The first and most fascinating things are the job Shankar got in the small railway station. It was the dream job of a child's imagination. Well, it is still my dream job.

Like Shankar, I also want to go treasure hunting, not for the treasure, just for the sheer adventure.

This is not a book; it is an emotion of a child who thought life could be what we can make of it.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay was an Indian writer in the Bengali language. His best-known works are the autobiographical novel, Pather Panchali, Chander Pahar, and Aranyak. 

Bandyopadhyay studied at Bongaon High School, one of the oldest institutions in British India, and was considered as a talented student. Following a first division placement in the Entrance and Intermediate Arts examinations, Bandyopadhyay completed his undergraduate degree in economics, history, and Sanskrit at the Surendranath College (then Ripon College) in Kolkata. 

Author on the Web

Wikipedia

12 October 2022

#BookReview The Devil's Prayer by Luke Gracias

About The Book

A nun commits suicide in front of thousands in Spain. In Australia, Siobhan Russo recognizes that nun as her mother, Denise Russo, who disappeared six years ago.

In search of answers, Siobhan travels to the isolated convent where her mother once lived. Here she discovers Denise’s final confession, a book that details a heinous betrayal that left her crippled and mute, and Denise’s subsequent deal with the Devil to take revenge. In Denise's desperate bargain with the Prince of Darkness, she wagered Siobhan’s soul.

As Siobhan discovers the fate of her soul, she learns that hidden within the pages of her mother’s confession is part of The Devil’s Prayer, an ancient text with the power to unleash apocalyptic horrors.

My Thoughts

Well, let’s start with that it is a good book.

I really like how a daughter searches for the truth for her mother. That mother-daughter part is really close to my heart.

Without any spoiler, I have to say that The book has some dark parts that are not for everyone, especially for the weak-hearted.

One thing, it’s not a criticism, just something I felt, the book really heave on the information. There are times; it feels like too much explanation on everything. Overall, the narration is good.

Definitely a good read.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Luke Gracias was born in Mumbai. He works in the field of Environmental Engineering since migrating to Australia in 1992. He also has a love for films & runs a small company – Instinct India which produces infomercials and corporate videos. It has also produced the Australian shoot of the Bollywood movie “Singh is King”. An avid photographer, he travelled to Europe & documented the 13th-century conspiracy between the Mongols and the Papal Inquisition which is the main backdrop of this story.

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05 October 2022

#BookReview White Psychology by Frederick Donatone III

About The Book

Whether you're looking to free yourself from anxiety and external conditioning, improve your relationship with your partner, navigate difficult conversations with your colleagues, or connect on a deeper level with friends and family, this book delivers simple, practical, proven techniques for improving any relationship in your life - even with yourself.

My Thoughts

This book is like a pop culture self-help book. Though the name of the book is White Psychology, it not only uses psychological concepts, it also involved many Philosophical theories also.

The author explains the "White Psychology" (he himself termed it as white psychology, refers to positivity) in the backdrop of the prevailing Dark Psychology (according to the author it is the negative aspects of human behaviour).

This book talks about various concepts like manipulation gaslighting etc; however, they are not discussed in detail. The book also involved Jung’s personality types, however, it is extremely brief.

However, this book is ideal for a beginner who wants to divulge into the field of psychology for self-learning purposes. Like how not being misused or manipulated, prevention of gaslighting etc.

Overall good read, however, the psychology graduate me, is not satisfied.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Frederick III is a young man who created his own philosophy of well-being.

His three fundamental principles are the Self, the Other and the Place; the balance of which leads to completeness. He promotes an overall and systemic vision of human beings and their relationships: the inner ones, between the plurality of the "Self " and the social ones.

Frederick has spent the last 5 years investigating the spectrum of the human mind, graduating in philosophy, living in every part of the world, and learning 5 languages. After 5 years, he is ready to put together the most active personalities in the world of change.

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28 September 2022

#BookLove Wings of Fire by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Arun Tiwari

About The Book

The 'Wings of Fire' is an autobiography by visionary scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who from very humble beginnings rose to be the President of India.

The book is full of insights, personal moments and life experiences of Dr Kalam. It gives us an understanding of his journey to success.

My Thoughts

This is book about Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and his humble life.

It gives the readers a glimpse of his early life, education, and career as a scientist in HAL, DRDO, and ISRO.

One of the greatest learning from the book is that that no matter how you begin your journey (humble or privileged), the times you fail don’t matter. If you have the spirit and belief in yourself and your cause, you will eventually see a bright ending.

The book also focuses on the moral values that should be curated from a young age.

Overall, this is a great read.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Arun Tiwari rose to fame as an author with his book Wings of Fire, which he co-authored with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He's a missile scientist who worked under the guidance of Kalam. Tiwari contributed to the design of the missiles, Akash and Trishul and is the first Indian who designed a titanium bottle to power missiles. Apart from this, Tiwari has been the director at the Cardiovascular Technology Institute in Hyderabad. He received the Defense Technology Spin-Off Award for developing the Kalam-Raju stent.

Authors on the Web

Arun Tiwari| A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

21 September 2022

#BookReview Rewriting Your Mental Script by Khadijah Adams

 

About The Book

Success is only a habit that’s achieved when you have the right mindset. If you attempt to force new patterns or routines into your life while hanging on to your old way of thinking, the new patterns won’t be effective and you will eventually end up back where you started.

This book is meant to teach you how to reprogram your mind for success by implementing 8 key mindsets so that you can have the success you desire in all areas of your life.

My Thoughts

I am not a big fan of self-help books. Somehow I find the suggestions are too generic and don’t sit with me well. Hence I read very few such books.

After finishing this book, one thing I have to say, the concepts are discussed in brief but to the point. The book doesn’t give any quick fix to the problems, rather suggests taking your time to deal with things.

Overall, this is a good book to read and rediscover oneself.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Cassondra Khadijah Adams is an Entrepreneur, Investor and Motivational Speaker originally from Sugar Land, Texas and now resides in Chandler, AZ. She is a single mother of 4 amazing sons, a grandmother of 10, and has successfully started three businesses in different industries proving that she has the mindset to succeed. 

Ms Adams' mission is to help women in business across the country and as the founder of "Girl Get That Money", Ms Adams seeks to empower women to become their best; by reaching beyond what is normal, to accomplish what is great. Her philosophy is that "Girls Compete but Women Empower!"

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15 September 2022

All Kinds of Wrong by Shilpa Suraj @shilpaauthor @bookreviewtours #AllKindsOfWrong #RomanticSuspense


What does a lifestyle guru do when her life starts to fall apart?


Alia Dubey is being stalked. The problem is no one believes her. Not the cops, not her family…and well, she doesn’t really have any friends.
Until the day her sister calls in a favour and asks her friend from the Intelligence Bureau to check on Alia and the gifts she’s been receiving.
Officer Avinash Rathore has better things to do than babysit a spoilt socialite with delusions of danger. Until he walks in to find her home broken into and an innocuous bouquet of red roses placed there. While everything points to an obsessed lover, Avinash’s instincts are screaming that there is more at play.
The gifts keep arriving, escalating from roses to far more sinister things…each with an intimate note hinting at a personal agenda. But whose?
The police have a primary suspect – Alia herself. They’re convinced she’s mentally ill and the one planting the evidence that points to a stalker.
But Avinash knows there is more. Far from mentally ill, the ditzy socialite he’d expected to meet is incisively intelligent, staggeringly attractive and devastatingly dangerous to his otherwise sensible mind.
They find themselves in a race against an unknown opponent who has only one thing in their mind – to destroy Alia’s life and leave her standing in the ruins.
And then Alia goes missing. And Avinash realizes that he stands to lose not just the race but, everything. For the ditzy socialite, the one who is All Kinds of Wrong for him is suddenly the only one who can make his world Right again.


Read an Excerpt from All Kinds of Wrong


“Why?” she asked her big sister, bewildered. “Why is this happening? I’m really not the sort to inspire grand passion.” 

“Oh you inspire tons of passion, sweetheart,” Avinash said, humorously. “Just not the sort that you’d normally expect.” 

She glared at him. He smiled back, blandly. 

“I’m going to go meet the cops I know in the evening, but it would help if I had a little more to give them to go on.” 

“Like what?” she asked, numbly. 
“Why don’t you give me a little information on the neighbours you’ve interacted with?” 

She stared at him, blankly. 

“Right,” he muttered. “I forgot. You don’t do relationships.” 

“She does acquaintances though,” Aria butted in. “Don’t you, Als?” 

Alia stared at her. “What does that even mean?” 

“What do you know about your neighbours, Als?” Aria sighed. 

“Well, there is dog guy on the second floor. He walks all four of his dogs every morning when I’m going for a jog,” Alia said. “Two Labradors, one Poodle and a mongrel.” 

“Great,” Avinash sat down in front of her, nodding encouragingly. “What else did you notice?”

“He looks a lot like his mongrel.” 

Avinash blinked. “Jeez, you’re a piece of work,” he said with a soft laugh. 

“He does,” Alia insisted. “I’ll show you.” 

“Okay.” He held his hands up in a gesture of peace. “Who else did you notice?” 

“The old lady who lives two doors down always smells of cheese.” Alia muttered. “Stinks up the lift every time. I think she lives alone because I’ve never seen anyone else come out of that flat.” 

Avinash was scribbling on a little notepad he’d produced out of thin air. 

“Oh and then there is the serial killer,” she said, snapping her fingers in the air. 

Avinash froze. “Excuse me?” 

“Gotcha,” Alia giggled. “Sorry. Couldn’t resist.” 

“There is a big, burly man with tattoos and dreadlocks who lives on the third floor. He uses the gym sometimes at the same time as I do. He’s very sweet and considerate. Always wipes his sweat off any equipment he uses.” 

“A real gem,” Avinash agreed drily. 

“Then there is the girl who always wants to be my friend, no matter how many times I tell her I’m not interested. She lives on this floor too. Oh and the couple on the first floor who invited me for dinner but I didn’t go because I think they’re swingers and I wasn’t looking forward to being proven right that night.” 

Aria stifled a smile when Avinash shot her a look. 

“Then, of course, there is the couple on the floor below us. They have a toddler who sounds like he’s being murdered most of the time. But, of course, that isn’t true. He’s clearly alive because I see him eating sand in the playground when I go for my jog.” 

“A very good clue,” Avinash said. 

“And then there is the eighty-year-old man in the wheelchair who forced himself on me in the elevator.” 

“What?” Avinash snapped to attention. 

“Well,” Alia said, frowning. “He said he wanted to tell me something and when I leaned down to hear him more clearly, he kissed me on my lips. The dirty, old goat.” 

“And what did you do?” Aria asked, aghast.

“Well, I pressed the button to stop the elevator and then I deflated the tyres of his wheelchair while he squawked at me. Once I got the elevator moving, I got off and left without helping him. From what I heard on the building whatsapp group, he was stuck there for the better part of an hour before someone found him.” 

Aria and Avinash just stared at her. 

“What?” she demanded. 

“Nothing,” Avinash said, faintly. “I just finally understand why you don’t do relationships.” 


About the Author:


Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.


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