#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 

#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

#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:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram 

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

#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

Website | Twitter 

#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

#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

#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 

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 

#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

#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.

Author on the Web

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