Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 52
April 5, 2018
My Mute Girlfriend by Himanshu Rai- Review
Book Name - My Mute Girlfriend Author - Himanshu Rai Publisher - Srishti PublicationsBuy books from Amazon
My ReviewRating : 3.5
The plot unveils with Rohan smitten with Navya, who had been her schoolmate and childhood sweetheart. In order to make himself eligible for her he concentrates on his studies and manages to get enrolled to an engineering college. While during the counselling, he meets a pretty girl, Vaidehi, who had come to get admission to electronics and telecommunications. Forgetting his desire to study computer science, Rohan too takes admission in the same college for the same subject as hers. So, did he forget Navya?
Once the college starts, Vaidehi, who is known for her egoistic attitude, becomes Rohan's friend. Rohan, who is smitten with Vaidehi forgets his own friends and even Navya who had been secretly waiting for him to propose her. While everything shrunk to the background, there is nothing that mattered to Rohan but Vaidehi. But Vaidehi always wanted to keep their relation under the wraps and takes a promise from Rohan that he wouldn't tell anyone that they are a couple. Rohan, fails to keep the promise and tells his friends about the relation. After the semester break, Rohan finds a different Vaidehi who is apathetic, distant and indifferent. She refuses to even talk to him and becomes his mute girlfriend. It takes years for Rohan to find out the real reason behind her muteness. What is the reason?
Author has crafted the story decently. For a teenager the book will be quite appealing. Rohan's infatuation towards Navya and finally how he forgets her is depicted naturally. We all would have gone through a similar silent crush which we forgets on being in love with another one. There would be such unsaid love in everyone's lives. Hence it seemed quite natural and nostalgic to me. The relation between Rohan and Vaidehi, was depicted without much dramatic sequences and unnecessary love making. It is difficult to see such relations in YA Romance these days. How Rohan forgot his friends is another matter that was handled with care. Rohan's reluctance to smoke is a refreshing change from the protagonists that use weed like chocolate. The climax is what disappointed me. Not only the climax but the whole storyline was quite predicitable. The lack of novelty is a major drawback of the book.
Overall I recommend the book to all teenagers who want to read a nice and good romance.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
April 3, 2018
My journey as a blogger
A fortnight back I got a Facebook notification that my page was mentioned by Feedspot.com. I presumed that it would be another blog tour as usual. But when I opened the link I was dumbstruck. Top 50 Indian book review blogs! I was exhilarated.
On a retrospect, I thought of my journey.
When I started my blog, I was completely disoriented and unfocused on what I should concentrate on and how I should promote the blog. It was one of the numerous unknown blogs beneath the sea of links. I still remember my first post which had nothing more than four lines.
"Reading had been a habit for quite a long time
Wanted to convey my heart feelings
Wanted to say what I like what not
Wanted to flourish my unassuaged phantasm"
Further I continued posting without much knowledge about how to write a blog and what is the relevance of key words, SEO, Crawling or anything of that sort.
My first book review was of Gone with the wind by Margaret Mitchell. I still cringe on reading this inadequate piece. Meanwhile I kept on writing my novel and started sourcing publishers for my book. It is from one such publisher that I got my first solicited review copy. The book was Ajaya-Roll of Dice by Anand Neelakantan. By then I had read a couple of blogs and had an idea about how these work. Nonetheless, coming to the forefront was far from my expectations. It was then that I started sourcing review copies from Goodreads. Through systematic and patient study, I slowly redesigned my blog and focused into book reviews. It took 1 year to get associated with the first established publisher- Rupa Publications.
Now, while dealing with publishers like Harper Collins, Pan Macmillan, Simon and Schuster, Rupa, Srishti, Jaico, Westland, Zorba, etc, I used to look back and see that lady who had confined herself to a corner of a sofa without any idea as to what to do with her life, thinking of which, I realize that, to achieve something, we have to actually start doing something with immense passion. Now I have my focus and hopefully through years, I would be able to reach where I dreamt of, provided, I continue getting the support of my followers. Thanks each and every beautiful soul who supported me unconditionally.
On a retrospect, I thought of my journey.
When I started my blog, I was completely disoriented and unfocused on what I should concentrate on and how I should promote the blog. It was one of the numerous unknown blogs beneath the sea of links. I still remember my first post which had nothing more than four lines.
"Reading had been a habit for quite a long time
Wanted to convey my heart feelings
Wanted to say what I like what not
Wanted to flourish my unassuaged phantasm"
Further I continued posting without much knowledge about how to write a blog and what is the relevance of key words, SEO, Crawling or anything of that sort.
My first book review was of Gone with the wind by Margaret Mitchell. I still cringe on reading this inadequate piece. Meanwhile I kept on writing my novel and started sourcing publishers for my book. It is from one such publisher that I got my first solicited review copy. The book was Ajaya-Roll of Dice by Anand Neelakantan. By then I had read a couple of blogs and had an idea about how these work. Nonetheless, coming to the forefront was far from my expectations. It was then that I started sourcing review copies from Goodreads. Through systematic and patient study, I slowly redesigned my blog and focused into book reviews. It took 1 year to get associated with the first established publisher- Rupa Publications.
Now, while dealing with publishers like Harper Collins, Pan Macmillan, Simon and Schuster, Rupa, Srishti, Jaico, Westland, Zorba, etc, I used to look back and see that lady who had confined herself to a corner of a sofa without any idea as to what to do with her life, thinking of which, I realize that, to achieve something, we have to actually start doing something with immense passion. Now I have my focus and hopefully through years, I would be able to reach where I dreamt of, provided, I continue getting the support of my followers. Thanks each and every beautiful soul who supported me unconditionally.
March 23, 2018
Poonachi by Perumal Murugan-Review
Book Name - Poonachi Author - Perumal Murugan(N.Kalyana Raman-Translator) Publisher - WestlandBuy books from Amazon
My ReviewRating : 4.5
An old man gets a tiny lamb which is of the size of kitten. The man who gave the lamb claimed that it is of a breed that gives birth to seven kids. The old man comes home with it to his wife who names it Poonachi in memory of her kitten because the lamb was as small as a kitten. The old couple had to suffer a lot of hardships to look after the lamb without a mother. The wife of the old man tried all the recipes she could use to help the lamb regain strength. Poonachi grows and comes of age and falls in love with Poovan a male goat in the old man's daughters's house. Further unveils a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, hear-break, motherhood, prosperity, famine and poverty.
The book is not a uni-linear story of a goat. Author has tried to bring to light the heartless practice of castrating the male goats after mating as if they are just semen reservoir. Another heartless practice is sacrificing the goats to and eating their meat under the guise of offering. The sufferings of the poor and the discrimination of the authorities are also glimpsed in the book. Poonachi's attraction towards Poovan is depicted in such a way that the readers would forget that author is telling the love story of two goats.
Author has adopted a subtle style of narration wherein he has pointed out and criticized the injustices but without flagrantly hurting anyone's feelings or explicitly pointing out anyone's mistake. The book is truly enticing and enchanting. It stands closer to reality. What have been observed is that for translated books, the language of the translator used to be below average probably in order to preserve the originality of the book. N. Kalyana Raman has done an excellent work on that front and has translated the work pertaining to the craft.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
Willpower by Ros Taylor- Review
Book Name - Willpower Author - Ros Taylor Publisher - Capstone(A Wiley Brand)Buy books from Amazon
My ReviewRating : 4.0
The book takes off with the will power challenge to assess our level of willpower categorises them into learners of 4 styles. Authoress tells the readers how to have the willpower to attain a goal as well as get rid of a habit. The book gives us systematic and scientific analysis of our inability to attain the will power and at the same time provide the steps to attain the same. The book is educative and inspirational. It is more of an academic book than self-help book.
To attain willpower, achieving the willpower mindset is the most important. The chapter new habits for old is my favorite of which Ego states is the most relevant one. The three step model of habit formation is something that I could carry with me for years and generations ahead.
The book is a must have in your library for it would be helpful to everyone irrespective of their age, status or generation.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
March 22, 2018
Dressology by Nandita Pandey- Review
Book Name - Dressology Author - Nandita Pandey Publisher - Pan Macmillan IndiaBuy books from Amazon
My ReviewRating : 4.5
First impression is the best impression. So how will we make the best impression first? Nandita Pandey, through her book dressology tells readers how to dress according to occasion, how to dress smartly and how to dress to impress, appropriately, confidently, and successfully.
Through the points Discover, Define, Design, Deliver and Drive, authoress gives us a personal branding overview.
Further readers are given a glimpse about the origin of power dressing as well as four levels of power dressing called the aupacharik, sadharan, peshawar and akasmik. The right illustrations provide us the right direction. Later the chapters working woman and working man delves deeper into the topic. Skin care and personal grooming tecchniques is the next chapter that provides us an overview about the right hairstyle, make up etc. Next we are introduced to the dressing culture in Germany, Japan, UAE, France, UK, Australia, China, Russia, and Italy.
Author has included the interviews with leaders like Dr.A Velumani, Satyakam Arya, Ambarish Dasgupta, Sameer Sinha, Yash Vasant, Jogendra Singh, Rajiv Talreja, Biju Chandran, Marion Gillich, Saurabh Jaggi, Murali Sundaram, Shankar Srinivasan, and Shiny Surendran about the the image management. Interviews with style icons of tomorrow Vikram Cotah, Dr. Indu Ballani, Preethi Pradhan, Richa Katiyar, Amitava Sinha, Rakhi Kishore, and Dr. Sudhakar Panchu.
The book enables us to dress the best and dress the right way. The reminders of using optimum make up is quite relevant these days when there is a make up revolution happening. We have come across situations wherein overdo of makeup and accessories have come across as eye sores in official meetings and conferences. The books is a requisite guide to dress right and dress powerfully because however philosophical we approach looks and impressions, we often judge people with how they dress
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
Making your own will by Rajesh Talwar- Review
Book Name - Making your own will Author - Rajesh Talwar Publisher - Vision BooksBuy books from Amazon
My ReviewRating : 4.5
The author gives a detailed account starting from the definition of the word will. Who can make a will?, Who can be a beneficiary under the will? Property which you can bequeath, Rights of the family etc are given in detail. Author gives an overall idea of how to make a will and also about the registration of the will and it pros and cons. The points to be avoided while making the will also is mentioned in the book. Revocation, alteration and revival of the will is the next point discussed in the book. Next two chapters Probate and Executor are two terms that I was personally not familiar with and hence it was an educating experience for me. Next time if someone talk to me about a probate, I would not have to sit clueless.
Further the author teaches us about drafting the bill and provides six specimen drafts. A small intro to the Muslim laws which is different from the rest is also provided. Author has crafted the book in such a way that any layperson can comprehend. Author has proved that it is not necessary to use complicated language to explain a legal term. In simple language author has conveyed the intricacies of drafting a will. However in complicated cases, like a will with too many confusing clauses, it is always advisable to approach an attorney before drafting your will.
This review is in return of a free book from the author.
March 18, 2018
My First Breakup- Dhruba.D.Roy- Book Spotlight
About the Book:
“Oh God, why me?”
This is perhaps what we think of when we go through a ‘breakup’.
This story is about Anirudh and Anvi.
Both of them have their own thinking which are not alike.
The story begins with Anirudh meeting with and accident. As he slowly succumbs to the pain, he starts reflecting about his bygone college days where he found his love for music. He loves Anvi dearly who is a long-lost friend of Anirudh.
The story reveals how Anirudh struggles as the hands of reality strikes him down.
Book Links:
Amazon * Goodreads
Read an Excerpt:
Just a Thought about Love'Love' is a strange feeling. My upcoming novel talks a lot about 'Love' and the silly things we tend to do when we are in 'Love'. So without any further ado let me talk a little about love and what you can expect from my novel - My First Breakup.
*********************************************************************
When we guys are in love with a girl, we tend to notice every minute details about our girl. We tend to notice everything, what makes her laugh? What makes her open her eyes wide in utter surprise? And what makes her angry? The little things that she does, catches our attention. Little things do matter a lot in ‘Love’.
They say it’s a hormonal thing that makes us to think about the other person. Well, science isn’t everything and although it might be correct, but I don’t want to be that scientific here.
What can ‘Love’ be according to you? Smiling when he or she smiles, crying when he or she cries or caring for each other through thick and thin. I know ‘Love’ includes all of these statements that I have mentioned. Well, as for me, I believe ‘Love’ has even more depth than one can imagine.
I feel ‘Love’always brings changes in someone's life. There are many changes that take place while we are in'love', but I will basically talk about the changes corresponding to a ‘Yes, I love you too’ reply and the changes corresponding to a ‘Sorry, I don’t feel the same way for you’ reply.
Let me talk about the ‘don’t love you’ situation first. These changes basically are in the way of thinking. We tend to suffer from a severe agony which is not physical, but emotional that is more likely to break our will. This is when we hit the depression zone, so how exactly can we get rid of it?? That’s totally up to us. Either we can think “Well, it’s a no…. so let’s move on” or else we can think….“It’s a no, but I believe that I can turn it in to a yes”.
I do not think that anyone can point out which of the either thought is correct, letting things go or holding on to it. Don’t you think both the thoughts are correct on their own grounds? ‘Letting go’, it’s very easy to say, but the reality is, sometimes 'letting someone go' can be even more difficult than holding on to someone.
This brings me to the next change, the changes corresponding to a ‘Yes, I love you too’ reply.
Seriously, are there any changes at all happening for a ‘Yes, I love you too’ reply??
Yes, there are many changes that we won’t even realize, but are already happening within us… and what exactly are these changes again? Well, we become used to each other. It’s not a bad thing to get used to someone, just that things become more of a ‘we’ from an ‘I’. It always feels good if there is someone who would care for us, ask us every night about “How our day was? And if we had our dinner?” and if the answers to these questions were negative, he or she would cheer us up and at the same time get angry and deliver a big lecture regarding meals and their importance. We grow used to these small little things and if by any chance we don’t get these little tender feels, we tend to miss it dearly.
‘Love’ has many definitions and all are perfect in their perspective, eternal love, never ending love, true love…all are correct. But, what I feel is… a relationship can be built only when there are two other important factors present and contributing…. ‘Hope’ and ‘Trust’.
Hope in the sense that:
“If I would come to know that I would die tomorrow, a look at her beautiful face and the melody of her smile would give me enough ‘Hope’ to come back to life after dying tomorrow”.
Trust has its own flavor in ‘Love’. Trust in the sense that:
“Wait a second, God…. Are you serious…. She is never ever an option. She is my ‘choice’…. I 'Trust' in her decision that even I am her 'choice' and not just an option”.
Yes, we do get hurt in love many a times, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not true or it’s just a legendary word that can only be found in books. No…. We might 'love' someone and yet our love might fail just because we had either 'hope' or 'trust' missing in it. But, that shouldn't pull us down, we should just open up and have ‘Hope’ and ‘Trust’ that we will find our love someday no matter how many hardships we have to go through and when we do find that perfect one, we will never let go.
"My First Breakup" is a story about how hard hitting 'Love' can be at times. 'Love' indeed is a beautiful thing.
#Dhruba D Roy
About the Author:
Dhruba Das Roy is a freelance writer, a musician by passion, and a software engineer by profession. He is from Assam, but born in a small town of Meghalaya, where he finished his schooling. He then obtained his degree in engineering from the esteemed college of National Institute of Technology. He discovered his love for music there and was the lead vocalist of his band, “The Rozarts”.
He loves rock and roll and is a great fan of the pioneers of rock and roll-(Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen and the list goes on).Unfortunately, as engineering life came to an end, the band had to split. Recently, he moved to Kolkata where he is working in one of leading software service based companies in India.
Not everyone can put their thoughts into words. Dhruba had never tried his hand in writing; but he had an experience, an experience which changed his life for the better. Being a vocalist, his only way of expression was through the creative way. He decided to pen down his thoughts and he discovered that writing came naturally to him. His thought process in the novel relates to the general mass in many ways. He decided to stretch his limits and ended up voicing his thoughts in a different way this time.
Contact the Author:
Website * Facebook * Twitter
');
“Oh God, why me?”
This is perhaps what we think of when we go through a ‘breakup’.
This story is about Anirudh and Anvi.
Both of them have their own thinking which are not alike.
The story begins with Anirudh meeting with and accident. As he slowly succumbs to the pain, he starts reflecting about his bygone college days where he found his love for music. He loves Anvi dearly who is a long-lost friend of Anirudh.
The story reveals how Anirudh struggles as the hands of reality strikes him down.
Book Links:
Amazon * Goodreads
Read an Excerpt:
Just a Thought about Love'Love' is a strange feeling. My upcoming novel talks a lot about 'Love' and the silly things we tend to do when we are in 'Love'. So without any further ado let me talk a little about love and what you can expect from my novel - My First Breakup.
*********************************************************************
When we guys are in love with a girl, we tend to notice every minute details about our girl. We tend to notice everything, what makes her laugh? What makes her open her eyes wide in utter surprise? And what makes her angry? The little things that she does, catches our attention. Little things do matter a lot in ‘Love’.
They say it’s a hormonal thing that makes us to think about the other person. Well, science isn’t everything and although it might be correct, but I don’t want to be that scientific here.
What can ‘Love’ be according to you? Smiling when he or she smiles, crying when he or she cries or caring for each other through thick and thin. I know ‘Love’ includes all of these statements that I have mentioned. Well, as for me, I believe ‘Love’ has even more depth than one can imagine.
I feel ‘Love’always brings changes in someone's life. There are many changes that take place while we are in'love', but I will basically talk about the changes corresponding to a ‘Yes, I love you too’ reply and the changes corresponding to a ‘Sorry, I don’t feel the same way for you’ reply.
Let me talk about the ‘don’t love you’ situation first. These changes basically are in the way of thinking. We tend to suffer from a severe agony which is not physical, but emotional that is more likely to break our will. This is when we hit the depression zone, so how exactly can we get rid of it?? That’s totally up to us. Either we can think “Well, it’s a no…. so let’s move on” or else we can think….“It’s a no, but I believe that I can turn it in to a yes”.
I do not think that anyone can point out which of the either thought is correct, letting things go or holding on to it. Don’t you think both the thoughts are correct on their own grounds? ‘Letting go’, it’s very easy to say, but the reality is, sometimes 'letting someone go' can be even more difficult than holding on to someone.
This brings me to the next change, the changes corresponding to a ‘Yes, I love you too’ reply.
Seriously, are there any changes at all happening for a ‘Yes, I love you too’ reply??
Yes, there are many changes that we won’t even realize, but are already happening within us… and what exactly are these changes again? Well, we become used to each other. It’s not a bad thing to get used to someone, just that things become more of a ‘we’ from an ‘I’. It always feels good if there is someone who would care for us, ask us every night about “How our day was? And if we had our dinner?” and if the answers to these questions were negative, he or she would cheer us up and at the same time get angry and deliver a big lecture regarding meals and their importance. We grow used to these small little things and if by any chance we don’t get these little tender feels, we tend to miss it dearly.
‘Love’ has many definitions and all are perfect in their perspective, eternal love, never ending love, true love…all are correct. But, what I feel is… a relationship can be built only when there are two other important factors present and contributing…. ‘Hope’ and ‘Trust’.
Hope in the sense that:
“If I would come to know that I would die tomorrow, a look at her beautiful face and the melody of her smile would give me enough ‘Hope’ to come back to life after dying tomorrow”.
Trust has its own flavor in ‘Love’. Trust in the sense that:
“Wait a second, God…. Are you serious…. She is never ever an option. She is my ‘choice’…. I 'Trust' in her decision that even I am her 'choice' and not just an option”.
Yes, we do get hurt in love many a times, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not true or it’s just a legendary word that can only be found in books. No…. We might 'love' someone and yet our love might fail just because we had either 'hope' or 'trust' missing in it. But, that shouldn't pull us down, we should just open up and have ‘Hope’ and ‘Trust’ that we will find our love someday no matter how many hardships we have to go through and when we do find that perfect one, we will never let go.
"My First Breakup" is a story about how hard hitting 'Love' can be at times. 'Love' indeed is a beautiful thing.
#Dhruba D Roy
About the Author:
Dhruba Das Roy is a freelance writer, a musician by passion, and a software engineer by profession. He is from Assam, but born in a small town of Meghalaya, where he finished his schooling. He then obtained his degree in engineering from the esteemed college of National Institute of Technology. He discovered his love for music there and was the lead vocalist of his band, “The Rozarts”.
He loves rock and roll and is a great fan of the pioneers of rock and roll-(Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen and the list goes on).Unfortunately, as engineering life came to an end, the band had to split. Recently, he moved to Kolkata where he is working in one of leading software service based companies in India.
Not everyone can put their thoughts into words. Dhruba had never tried his hand in writing; but he had an experience, an experience which changed his life for the better. Being a vocalist, his only way of expression was through the creative way. He decided to pen down his thoughts and he discovered that writing came naturally to him. His thought process in the novel relates to the general mass in many ways. He decided to stretch his limits and ended up voicing his thoughts in a different way this time.
Contact the Author:
Website * Facebook * Twitter
');
March 16, 2018
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda- Review
Book Name - Autobiography of a YOGI Author - Paramhansa Yogananda Publisher - Rupa PublicationsBuy books from Amazon
My ReviewRating : 5.0
Author's childhood, mother's demise, encounter with tiger swami, Gand Swami, Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Yukteswara and his unrelenting journey promoting Kriya Yoga are all enchanting, enlightening and opens a new spiritual path for the readers. Had the author lived in this era, he would have been the king of the social media because with the level of knowledge and development that he showed in those days, he woud have been a tecchy monk who can influence anyone and everyone.
His blissful experience with god sucks in the readers like a black hole. The major point that should be highlighted is that his experience with god is not personalised with any deity and not customised with any religious definition and because of that this book and the author's messages are timeless, ageless and cosmopolitan.
This is the first book wherein I am all about I, me, myself because after the first chapter I forgot that the book is a review copy and I started reading it for myself and hence I could not detach myself as I did with other books. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who can read. If you are a voracious reader, well and good and if you are a yoga practitioner, perfect.
This is the best book I have ever read and replaces Gone with the wind as my most favorite book.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
March 14, 2018
Forsaken Heart by Elise Whyles
About the Book:
Punished for sins not her own, can a mortal claim her vampire mate?
The world of immortals must unite to save both themselves and the mortals they co-exist with from an ancient evil.
For Bede MacTaggert this means trusting in the warrior sent for her sister—a man of mystery, of power, and one who could easily sweep her into a world she's destined to be part of.
An imperial guard to the king of vampires, Gawain has always tuned out the needs of the flesh. Dedicating himself to the service of the royals, he's lived on the fringes of his people for centuries. Now he's forced from the shadows and into the arms of a woman who will awaken his heart and body to a passion unequaled.
Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon
Read an Excerpt:
"Frails are not to be toyed with," Gawain ground out and grabbed the girl, spinning her away, his sword at the ready as the man heaved upward, a dagger clutched in his hand. Gawain's sword rested easy on his palm, ready, the surface slicked with blood as he faced the coward.
"She's mine to do with as I choose." He gurgled, collapsing to the ground, his weapon falling from pudgy fingers. "Paid ten pieces of gold for 'em both, and I aim to get a might of use out 'em."
"Now she's mine," Gawain declared. Raising his sword, he drove it through the man's chest, pinning his twitching frame to the ground. He stepped back, his gaze sweeping the clearing. Males such as this did not travel alone, his cohorts would be close. He'd need to find and kill them…
Searing pain lanced through him, splitting his chest. Gawain glanced down. The thin, sharp tip of a blade stuck from his chest. He touched the blade and snarled. The metal was warm, when it should have been cold. Shock slammed into him as the blade began to glow, turning a searing red before changing back to normal, or as normal as it could be with blood racing down the weapon.
Whirling, his hand already scrabbling for the dagger's hilt in his back, he grabbed his assailant by the throat and lifted. Grunting as he pulled the weapon free, his lips curled upward. "You'd do well, wench, to know your place."
"If you think I mean to let you do her harm…" Sputtering, her nails digging into his wrists, the girl's brown eyes stared into his. Fear lay within the depths but something else stirred. Something dark, dangerous, easily recognized if one knew what they were looking for.
His fingers moved, tightening, loosening as he pulled her against him. Inhaling, he caught the faint scent of blood, fear, sweat, fire, and something sultry, sweet, and light on his tongue. Drawing the scent deep, he wallowed in it, his body responding to the aroma he'd dreamed of but never found.
Gawain inhaled slowly, his muscles tightening, burning. Using the tip of her dagger, he pushed the material of her shift aside. The scrolling marks of a serpent flared before his eyes. It coiled and danced beneath the girl's flesh.
About the Author:
Born in Northern British Columbia, Elise is a small-town girl. She writes in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary suspense, m/m in various lengths. Currently, she lives in British Columbia with her husband and son, one dog, one cat, and a gecko. Elise enjoys reading as much as she does writing, with some of her favorite books being read until they fall apart.
She is currently working on the next book in the Forsaken Series, Burning Rain. As well she has a new contemporary she’s working on. For more information on Elise, or to check out her books you can find her on Facebook, twitter, and her website.
Contact the Author: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads
');
Punished for sins not her own, can a mortal claim her vampire mate?
The world of immortals must unite to save both themselves and the mortals they co-exist with from an ancient evil.
For Bede MacTaggert this means trusting in the warrior sent for her sister—a man of mystery, of power, and one who could easily sweep her into a world she's destined to be part of.
An imperial guard to the king of vampires, Gawain has always tuned out the needs of the flesh. Dedicating himself to the service of the royals, he's lived on the fringes of his people for centuries. Now he's forced from the shadows and into the arms of a woman who will awaken his heart and body to a passion unequaled.
Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon
Read an Excerpt:
"Frails are not to be toyed with," Gawain ground out and grabbed the girl, spinning her away, his sword at the ready as the man heaved upward, a dagger clutched in his hand. Gawain's sword rested easy on his palm, ready, the surface slicked with blood as he faced the coward.
"She's mine to do with as I choose." He gurgled, collapsing to the ground, his weapon falling from pudgy fingers. "Paid ten pieces of gold for 'em both, and I aim to get a might of use out 'em."
"Now she's mine," Gawain declared. Raising his sword, he drove it through the man's chest, pinning his twitching frame to the ground. He stepped back, his gaze sweeping the clearing. Males such as this did not travel alone, his cohorts would be close. He'd need to find and kill them…
Searing pain lanced through him, splitting his chest. Gawain glanced down. The thin, sharp tip of a blade stuck from his chest. He touched the blade and snarled. The metal was warm, when it should have been cold. Shock slammed into him as the blade began to glow, turning a searing red before changing back to normal, or as normal as it could be with blood racing down the weapon.
Whirling, his hand already scrabbling for the dagger's hilt in his back, he grabbed his assailant by the throat and lifted. Grunting as he pulled the weapon free, his lips curled upward. "You'd do well, wench, to know your place."
"If you think I mean to let you do her harm…" Sputtering, her nails digging into his wrists, the girl's brown eyes stared into his. Fear lay within the depths but something else stirred. Something dark, dangerous, easily recognized if one knew what they were looking for.
His fingers moved, tightening, loosening as he pulled her against him. Inhaling, he caught the faint scent of blood, fear, sweat, fire, and something sultry, sweet, and light on his tongue. Drawing the scent deep, he wallowed in it, his body responding to the aroma he'd dreamed of but never found.
Gawain inhaled slowly, his muscles tightening, burning. Using the tip of her dagger, he pushed the material of her shift aside. The scrolling marks of a serpent flared before his eyes. It coiled and danced beneath the girl's flesh.
About the Author:
Born in Northern British Columbia, Elise is a small-town girl. She writes in a variety of genres including paranormal, contemporary suspense, m/m in various lengths. Currently, she lives in British Columbia with her husband and son, one dog, one cat, and a gecko. Elise enjoys reading as much as she does writing, with some of her favorite books being read until they fall apart. She is currently working on the next book in the Forsaken Series, Burning Rain. As well she has a new contemporary she’s working on. For more information on Elise, or to check out her books you can find her on Facebook, twitter, and her website.
Contact the Author: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads
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March 9, 2018
Tree Bears Witness by Sharath Komarraju- Review
Book Name - Tree Bears Witness Author - Sharath Komarraju Publisher - WestlandBuy books from Amazon
My ReviewRating : 4.0
Whether inspired from the earlier stories or a new creation from the author, I was pretty impressed with the work. To recreate an era which we have only read about is not an easy job. It doesn't give the liberty of imaginations while writing a mythological fiction as well.
The plot begins when Akbar marries Rajput princess Hira Kuwari and while the bride's family lives in Akbar's palace, Hira's cousin is murdered in the orchard of Akbar in front of two palace guards but there is no murderer. Right in front of the guards, Sujammal, whom the queen considered her own brother falls down dead with a knife sticking out of his chest. No murderer, no evidence, it is as if Sujammal killed himself or someone has shot a knife from a crossbow. Sujammal had numerous enemies one among whom is Hira's father himself. Nevertheless the arrow of suspicion is pointed towards Akbar. Hence he summons Birbal his trusted courtier to do an investigation on the murder so that he can prove his innocence in front of his new wife.
The title tree bears the witness reminds us of the Birbal story wherein the mango tree is called in as a witness. While we were of the impression that it is something that happened during the reign of Akbar, the discussion wherein the story if cited, suggests that it happened before the Mughal era. Well, now only the history bears the witness.
The twists and truns in the plot is pulled off naturally and with conviction. There is not a single instance where the readers might feel that ' it was not necessary'. Nonetheless, it could not be counted among an impeccable cliffhanger. For a regular reader of thrillers, the pattern of the story would be familiar. This is the best book to gift to someone who has started the reading habit so that they would have a base to start off. Lack of character craft is the major drawback of the book. Though Akbar and Birbal are known to everyone, others like Mansingh, Sujammal,etc could have been introduced in a better light.
Overall the book is a thriller that would be perfect to start with and a perfect one for the Birbal story lovers.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
