Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 48

Kama by Jaya Misra- Review

Book Name          - Kama Author                 - Jaya Misra Publisher              - Om BooksBuy books from Amazon



Review

India has been called the land of Kamasutra and many Indians who went abroad have heard comments on the line that they will have exemplary carnal experiences since they have read the book. But little do we know the story of Vatsyayana who wrote the ultimate guide to fornication.

Vatsya's relationships with women have been depicted palpably. Nayantara's character has come out with most conviction. How she entices other men and got herself enchanted under the spell of Vatsya is the highlight of the whole book. Eventhough Vatsya's true love is said to be Kamli and later the Princess Ratnavati, for the readers, what completed Vatsyayana is his relationship with Nayantara.

Author has brilliantly conveyed the idea of feminism without prejudice. How the king Narasimha Gupta and his brother violated men and women alike and how shallow their relationship is portrayed without any undue drama. Often erotica is approached as a means of self pleasure but this book could not be tagged as a mere erotica. Author has used her satire in its most fierce form. The triangle between NarasimhaGupta, Ratnavati and Vatsyayana is spicy, touchy and timeless. The author has ensured a balanced narration and numerous subplots have not affected the overall book .


Verdict

Scenario:   4 /5Narration    :  4.5 /5Character   : 4 /5Entertainment Quotient: 4/5
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher  

My Feathered Friends and The Book of Poems by Sunil Bhatia -Review

Book Name   - My Feathered Friends and the Book of Poems. Autho - Sunil Bhatia Publisher              - Partridge Publications Buy books from Amazon



Review

Birds are human being's friends from time immemorial. We have all have witnessed people who had pet birds and how they were attached to the feathered mates. Sunil Bhatia has come forwards with a novella which depicts a man's close associations and communications between the birds around him.

We can see pigeons,sparrows,owls,parrots and many more varieties of birds that converse about the deepest secrets about their lives. Imagery of a bird being in a relation is portrayed in such a way that we will be engrossed in the tale time know what happens next. Most of the conversations are analogous to those that we humans have. Author has narrated the whole tale quite palpably.

Next week have a collection of poems by the author in the same. Practically it is two books in one. The poems are all simple yet deep. Most of the poems are Quatrains. Poems are divided into different categories like the mystical, love,fantasy-story, spiritual, humorous, futuristic etc. The fantasy story is a unique category and the whole idea is novel.

Verdict

Overall the books is an interesting read for the lovers of musing.

Scenario:   4 /5Narration    :   /5Character   :   /5Relevance   :   /5
Research     :/5
Entertainment Quotient: /5
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher  

Invisible Girlfriend by EKTA RENU CHANDNA - Review

Book Name          - Invisible Girlfriend Author                 - Ekta Renu Chandna Publisher              - Zorba BooksBuy books from Amazon



Review

The title 'Invisible Girlfriend' is sure to generate intrigue in the readers leaving them wondering how the girlfriend became invisible. Siddharth fall heads over heels in love with Angel on the first sight. To his surprise, he finds her in his class, sitting near him. They become friends soon and it doesn't take so long for the friendship to turn into love. Little did he know that his tryst with AJ, as he calls her, would make her invisible forever.
The plot has a lot of possibilities. Author has a base for a excellent Romantic Fantasy Thriller. 

Author has touched a  delicate topic of discrimination towards girl child. The sincere intention of the author is not lost on the readers. The relation between Sid and AJ has a lot of innocence. 

The style of narration is simple and innocent. Author has seemingly targeted the Teens for the style of narration suggests so. The plot needs a lot of development to come across as an engaging read. The book is an easy read and could be completed within an hour or two. Converging the vast possibilities of the plot to a novella was not a good idea. AJ's past as well as her being invisible and the further developments needed a thorough background work.

Verdict

An simple read for the Teens 

Scenario:   4 /5Narration    :  3 /5Character   :  3 /5Entertainment Quotient: 3/5
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher  

Trust me not by Ankita Verma Datta- Review

Book Name          - Trust me not Author                 - Ankita Verma Datta Publisher              - Jaico BooksBuy books from Amazon



Review

Political thrillers are often considered men's forté. Very rarely does a woman venture into the genre that too in an indepth fashion. Ankita Verma has crafted a tale so riveting that she has broken the barriers of prejudice against women writers.

The plot could not be elucidated in a unilinear fashion. There are a lot of subplots that develop simultaneously. There is an advertising firm where the female protagonist Reeva works and she is a star performer of the firm. She is introduced to a dashing business tycoon Kunaal Kabi at a marriage funation and they fall in love with each other but Kunaal's mysterious life makes Reeva ambivalent about the relation. The two parties JBP and NPP which are analogous to the two political giants in India, Arunabh Roy a media shark whose unilinear shows create ruckus in Indian politics, an advertising firm which works for JBP during the elections are all fictional adaptation of real life scenarios. Author has seamlessly connected the subplots without creating any confusions. 

The characters are sketched with conviction and the idiosyncrasies of even the minor characters have come across well. Author has deftly maneuvered the plot to finally fall back in place. Reeva's unsure mental state regarding her relationship with Kunaal and the consequent repercussions are interesting read. In order to pull of a high end drama author has unduly filled the sumptuous details which came out as a desperate attempt to show Kunaal Kabi as a character that women would die for. Like an Indian version of Christian Grey. The fact that gives greatest comfort is that author has spared the readers of unwanted love making scene. The suspense around the 'Fixer' is a debacle as any regular readers could guess it.

Verdict
Overall the book is a well crafted political thriller.

Scenario:   4 /5Narration    : 4  /5Character   :  3.5 /5Entertainment Quotient:4 /5
This review is in return of a free book from WritersMelon   

Book Blitz- Mind Body and Soul by Shree

Print Length: 30 pagesPublisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published) Publication Date: February 11, 2018Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLCLanguage: EnglishAvailable on Kindle UnlimitedGenre: LGBT, Short Story 
Vanyaa, obsessed with an Indian television star gets the chance to meet her idol and get to know him—but the secret he hides may tear them both apart, and reality offers a sharp contrast to the glamour of the onscreen world.
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR






Shree is an IT Pro turned author since 2015. Her works include short stories collection 'Secret Expressions: Two Stories', novella 'Silent Invaders', which has entered the quarter finals of Screencraft Cinematic Story (for Hollywood) Contest 2017, and Bengali poetry book 'Onuronon', released in International Kolkata Book Fair 2018. Shree is a contributing author of 'Flock-The Journey' and 'Different Strokes'. Her upcoming anthology of love poems is 'Petals of Love'. She is a regular writer on several writing platforms, portals and magazines. She is currently working on some stories and poetries for an American and a Commonwealth journal.
You can stalk her @                
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A Cage of Desires by Suchi Singh Kalra- Review

Book Name          - Author cage of desires Author                 - Suchi Singh Kalra  Publisher              - Penguin BooksBuy books from Amazon

Review

Desire is dangerous. We should always be careful about what we wish for. Suchi Singh Kalra has played with the deepest desires of the protagonist Renu ,  through her words. 

Renu a quintessential house wife, who, despite being a postgraduate, had to sacrifice her career to take care of her husband, kids and an ailing father-in-law. Approaching a midlife crisis, she realises her husband's disinterest in her. Like a godsent angel or someone who knowingly chose to give her respite from the clolorless life, Arjun enters her life. Renu's life changes forever. A mysterious writer Maya, who writes erotic romance is the pointer of Renu's life. The crux of the tale unfolds with the revelation about Maya and also the relationship between Arjun and Renu. 

Author has a talent to play with words and emotions. Never have I read add book that depicts an extramarital affairs with so much conviction. While the so called YA romance books stuff in unwanted making out sequences to add spice to the book, Suchi has termed her book as an erotic romance but did not unnecessarily stuff sleazy sex. Author has distinguished the lovemaking sequences such that the thin line between erotica and porn has been maintained.

Only glitch in the whole tale was that the sequences with Renu's husband and Kamini comes at the wrong point. It could have shown to the readers in the beginning before Maya's introduction so that it would not have looked like it was stuffed in a hurry.

Verdict

An erotica with decent making out sequences.

Scenario:   3.5 /5Narration    :   4/5Character   :   4/5Entertainment Quotient: 3.5/5
This review is in return of a free book from the author  

The Last Attractor of Chaos by Abhinav Singh -Review

Book Name          - The Last Attractor of Chaos  Author                 - Abhinav Singh  Publisher              - Notion Press Buy books from Amazon



Review

Indian writing has seen several fantasy novels. While many of them concentrated purely on the technical know how and core science, some concentrated on the protagonists and their life. Very rarely have we come across books that balance both. 'The Last Attractor of Chaos' is one of that sort.

The plot opens with the murder Ashwin Rathore, a particle physicist who is a part of construction of a strategically important weapon. Ashwin succumbs to the bullets in an attempt to save his wife Sruthi, who has a plethora of secrets around her life that Ashwin himself is unaware of. Further we see that Sruthi is being hunted down on charges of treason and we see the 6 months pregnant lady on the run to secure an important information that, if not secured, will make the wrong people privy to the national secrets. Sruthi calls whatever happening in her life, providence, and the readers themselves witness the same.

The cascade of events that happen after Ashwin’s demise makes a perfect cliffhanger. The major part of the book is in first person narration by Ashwin. Author has crafted the tale in such a way that readers would be able to have a 3D view of each scenario. The introduction of sruthi in the beginning, when the lovers met for the first time as well as the past proves the finesse of the author. 

Sruthy's past is a deviation from the mood of the whole book and did affect the pace. Nonetheless, considering the level of interest generated by the rest of the book, it is negligible. Quite often Sci fi books and movies consider the readers/viewers as imbeciles and stuff silly terms unnecessarily but Abhinav Singh has maintained a balance of the same.

On a personal note, I loved this book. It was in Jan 2016 that I rated a five star for a book called Kashmir House. After that there was 'An autobiography of a Yogi' but it was a classic and hence I would not count it. So after two and a half years here is another book which grabbed 5 stars from me. I wonder why the author had to self-publish the book. I can vouch for the fact that here was have yet another bestselling author in the making.

Verdict

I simply love this book.

Scenario:   5 /5Narration    :  5 /5Character   : 5  /5Entertainment Quotient: 5/5
This review is in return of a free book from the author.   

"Happiness is simple if you know where to look for it", Author of 3 Peaks of Happiness, AiR joins us.

This week gave me the chance to interview quite a few authors.  While most of them were fiction authors, I got to meet a unique personality who helps the masses about spiritual journey. The authors of the book 'Three Peaks of Happiness' , Air

What is happiness in a simple sentence?

Happiness is a state of joy, peace and bliss experienceddifferently by different people.
Often the spirituality and philosophy based books depict thespiritual journey of the people who are settled in life. Isn'tspirituality and eternal happiness unattainable to the workingclass as they won't be able to meet the basic needs and henceunhappy throughout?

Spirituality is all about self realization and has nothing to doabout one’s financial status.
Why did you chose to change your path from business?

I chose a new path because I believe that you must evolvewhen you reach the end of the road. You don’t stop, insteadyou take a bend from one peak to another.
When did you decide to pen down your thoughts?

When you have profound thoughts that can touch, trigger andtransform people, how can you let those thoughts go down thedrain.
How was your publishing experience since the genre isniche?

Very few people understand spirituality and experience taughtme not to talk to the masses.
What is your advice to those who are seeking happiness?

Happiness is very simple if you know where to look for it.
How can readers reach you?

I am happy to respond to any queries of readers and spiritualseekers on Whatsapp at 9845155555.

Cover reveal- RAFINA by SHANDANA MINHAS

Brilliantly observed, delightful and heartbreaking,this is the story of seventeen-year-oldRAFINAand her big dreams and misadventures
by SHANDANA MINHAS
Fiction > Literary> Contemporary Fiction - Novella | Picador India Hardback | Rs 450 ǀ 172 pp
Rafina looks at the glamorous girl on the billboard outside her window in Karachi and thinks, It won’t be long before I’m up there. Too poor for college and dismissive of marriage, the clear-eyed young woman cajoles her mother’s friend and Radiance beauty parlour masseuse, Rosie khala, into taking her on as an apprentice.
Thus begin her brave misadventures – from clumsy parlour assistant, to mostly dependable tea girl, till in a stroke of serendipity, she is ‘discovered’.[image error]Poised to have everything she thought she wanted, the only thing standing between Rafina and that billboard are the people who think she should still be using the service entrance.
PRAISE FOR SHANDANA MINHAS‘Heartbreaking and hilarious,Daddy’s Boy is a seriously fun read.’ Mohammed Haniffor Daddy’s Boy
‘This touching and spunky story of a young Pakistani woman’s rejection of imposed and stereotyped “feminities” is honest, brutal and timely.’Namita Gokhale for Tunnel Vision

SHANDANA MINHAS is the award-winning Pakistani author of the novels Tunnel Vision, Survival Tips for Lunatics and Daddy’s Boy.

"Learn to take rejection in their stride" Tanushree Podder gets candid with Outset.

It has been a while since I have come up with a proper interview. But the wait was worth it. We have today the celebrated author Tanushree Podder with us.

Hi Tanushree. Thanks for joining us.
Without further ado, we will start with an account of yourbackground.I was born in New Delhi into a family of creative people. My mother, who was an avid reader and a Hindustani classical singer, had a strong influence in my life.My grandmother was a freedom fighter and my aunt kathak dancer and a tabla player. They were all liberated women, who transcended the shackles of their era. My parents encouraged all formsof art and freedom. It was my mother, a post graduate in literature, who inspired me to write. At that time, I had no idea that I would take up writing one day.
 How did you end up writing a thriller? How is the experiencedifferent from that of other genres?I hate being tied to a specific genre of writing, or being slotted. That, perhaps, is the reason I have written books in different genres. For a long  time, I have wanted to write a murder mystery because, for me, the idea of curling up with a good mystery is immensely satisfying. Just imagine, a cup of hot tea or coffee, a cosy nook, and a book that grips your attention; it is the ultimate luxury. Besides, I love challenges and writing A Closetful of Skeletons was a challenge. I was stepping out of mycomfort zone and that is always challenging. Also, the book required substantial research, clever plotting and a deft handling of the subject. In that extent, it was a different experience from my previous books.

You had given a subtle account on the clandestine affairs ofBollywood. Was it purely fictional or do you know someoneclosely?It is purely fictional, but one hears of clandestine affairs.Bollywood is full of them. :)

 Are you writing another book?

I have signed up two more books in the same genre withHarper Collins. Currently, however, I am in the process offinishing a book in a different genre.

You seem to do a lot. How do you manage your time?

Time management is something one learns with experience.Over a period of time, I have learnt to cut off time-wasters from my scheduel. We often find ourselves trapped in avoidable activities. I call them time wasters. It is these activities that require to be curtailed.As an army wife, who had to juggle different roles, I learnt toslot my activities and allot time frames to them. An importantthing is to keep social media at bay, while working on a book.Also, one has to learn to say 'No'. It's very difficult, of course.

How was your publishing experience?I have published with quite a few publishers and enjoyedworking with all of them. Each book has been a novelexperience. Holding a book with your name on the cover is animmensely satisfying experience. One that erases all thehardships one suffers during the course of working on thebook.

What is your advice to the aspiring authors?Writing is an exhausting business. It takes the wind out of your sails and is often a disheartening effort. Aspiring authors should learn to take rejection in their stride. There are many ups and downs. Sometimes more downs than ups. One has to learn not to get disheartened and keep working towards one's goal.It is important to read a lot before one begins the process of writing. Set aside a part of the day for writing and begin writing. You have to be disciplined and consistent.
How can the readers connect with you?I am there on the social media for readers to connect with me.
www.tanushreepodder.comhttps://www.facebook.com/tpodder@tanushreepodder on Twitterpoddertanushree on Instagram

This was Tanushree Podder for you. If you want to know more about her, you can follow her on the social media handles. You can buy her latest book 'A Closetful of Skeletons ' from Amazon. You can also check my review of the book for more details.