Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 68

Ponytail by Pradip Chauhan-Review

Book Name         - PonytailAuthor                  - Pradip ChauhanPublisher              - Self published Number of Pages - 172Publishing Year   -2016Edition                  -PaperbackPrice                     -79
Buy books from Amazon
Rating : 3.0

My Review
Prabudh lost his parents at a very young age. With unrelenting determination and hard work, he studies, grabs the qualifications and starts his own business, which flourishes to ascend him as a successful businessman. His life changes when he meets Tapasya and Kaumudi. While Tapasya is to become a part of his life Kaumudi becomes a part of his business. Twist in the tale occurs when Tapasya suspects Prabudhand leaves him. The second half of the tale is full of twists and suspense.

Well, that much is about the summary of the story. Being a self published book, I'm not dwelling much into the technicalities of proofreading and typesetting except that a few chapters are repeated in the print copy. The narration is simple. The book is perfect for first time readers. Storyline cannot offer much uniqueness. A third person narration could have been a better choice because when someone says I'm good looking with good body, girls were behind me and things like that it sounds like bragging. The revenge story too was not convincing. I liked the way, the word ponytail becomes an important part of the story.

Overall the book is simple and an easy read for the beginners. A round of developmental edit would have taken it to another level. I appreciate the author's effort in doing everything alone

This review is in return of a free book from the author 

The Magicians workshop by Christopher Hansen and J.R.Fehr

About the Books:

The Magician’s Workshop, Volume One

Authors: Christopher Hansen, J.R. Fehr
Published by: Wondertale, California
Publication Date: November 8, 2016
ISBN: 1-945353-11-2
ASIN: B01MQGHGBH
Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy, Magic
Ages: 12 and up.
Length: 85,000 words / 290 pages


Book Links:
Amazon * Goodreads

 
Synopsis:
Everyone in the islands of O’Ceea has a magical ability: whatever they imagine can be brought into existence. Whoever becomes a master over these powers is granted the title of magician and is given fame, power, riches, and glory. This volume of books follows the journey of a group of kids as they strive to rise to the top and become members of the Magician’s Workshop.

Layauna desperately wants to create beautiful things with her magical powers, but all she can seem to do is make horrible, savage monsters. For years she has tried to hide her creations, but when her power is at last discovered by a great magician, she realizes that what she’s tried to hide might actually be of tremendous value.

Kai just wants to use his powers to have fun and play with his friends. Unfortunately, nearly everyone on his island sees him as a bad influence, so he’s forced to meet them in secret. When one of the creatures they create gets out of control and starts flinging fireballs at their town, Kai is tempted to believe that he is as nefarious as people say. However, his prospects change when two mysterious visitors arrive, praising his ability and making extraordinary promises about his future.

Follow the adventures of Kai, Layauna, and a boatload of other characters as they struggle to grow up well in this fantastical world.



The Magician’s Workshop, Volume Two

Authors: Christopher Hansen, J.R. Fehr
Print Length: 273 pages
Publisher: Wondertale
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
ASIN: B01N988TW7
Genre: Coming of Age, Fantasy, Magic
Ages: 12 and up.


Book Links:
Amazon * Goodreads


Synopsis:
Return to the world of The Magician’s Workshop: Where Dreams Become Reality.

In Volume Two, the Festival of Stars has finally arrived, and the Color Ceremony is about to commence. As children from all over the islands gather to stand before a puller, one question remains: who will have a Color, and who will be found void?

Rejoin your favorite characters as they step forward and receive a label that will have the power to dramatically alter the course of their lives forever.

About the Authors:

Christopher Hansen

The first glimmering Chris Hansen had that there was far more to reality than he had ever imagined occurred six days after his ninth birthday. “Christopher!” cried a wise, old sage. “Life is full of deep magic. Miraculous things happen all the time and all around us, if you know where to look for them.” Full of expectation and childlike optimism, Chris began searching for this magic, prepared to be surprised and amazed by it. And he was: he found Wonder! Now he’s chosen to write stories about it.




J.R. Fehr
When J.R. Fehr popped out of the womb, he knew there was more to the world than the four boring hospital walls that he was seeing. “Zango!” his newborn mind exclaimed as he saw people appear and disappear through a mysterious portal in the wall. As a child he found life wowtazzling, but as he grew older the cold water of reality hit him, and the magic he once knew vanished. After spending some wet and shivering years lost in a joyless wasteland, he once again began to see magic in the world. He writes because the Wonder of true life is far grander than anything he ever thought possible.



Contact the Authors:
Website * Facebook


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In conversation with Radhika Nathan

It's been a while since I did author interviews. But the break seemed worth since I am coming back with an excellent writer. In conversation with Radhika Nathan.


When did you decide to become a writer ?
It wasn’t a conscious decision for me and I feel like I have always believed in the power of the written word and have always enjoyed writing. I used to write short stories back in college until I discovered the carefree world of blogging. From there I graduated to writing full-length novels.
How was the publishing journey?
Mostly I share my blogs & other works only with my friends and family. My first short story got published only because one of my friends took the pains of sending it to a magazine. My husband sent the second one. When I finished writing my first novel I did bring myself to send it to a set of agents, all of whom politely declined.  I decided to try sending it directly to the publishers instead. Westland accepted submissions by email, so I sent it only to them. Folks at Westland were absolutely fantastic in supporting a first-time author.
How did you coin the title Time to Burnish?
It is inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:2 from the Holy Bible. The verse talks about how there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to kill, a time to heal and so on. The book is about a Chola bronze at one level but also about getting bronzed or burnished at another level. That is, the protagonist gets exposed to circumstances out of his comfort zone and thereby grows as a person. So I felt despite being unusual it is a fitting title.Normally writers go through a linear path when it comes to the genre of their books. But your two books have a stark contrast. Was it intentional?
It might feel like the genres are different because the first novel ‘The Mute Anklet’ is a historical and the second one is contemporary fiction. But both have elements of mystery and romance and both have an underlying theme.  Also, in ‘A Time To Burnish’ you do see the shadow of history being cast throughout the narrative.  So honestly, I didn’t realize the books had a stark contrast, though some readers may feel that way.
Did you do a special research on the Chola Dynasty and their art forms?
Yes, I did do a lot of research. I visited the places and the museums I describe, I read quite a few historical accounts and I even read a paper on metallurgy. But the important material came from newspaper stories and blogs that specialize in the theft of Chola bronzes. What I have described in the book is quite plausible.
Do you believe that the thefts of the kind has actually happened or was that your pure imagination?
The core idea for the book came from a real life incident.  Sadly, there have been quite a few such art heists involving Chola bronzes, some still open. I’d think of the book more as my take on such thefts than pure imagination. It is not just Chola bronzes but many other artifacts from all over India have been smuggled out of the country and sold to private collections and museums around the world.What is your advice to the aspiring writers?
Find your voice. While it is important to consider the audience, ultimately your voice is what will drive your creativity for the long term.
How can the readers reach you?
They could write to me through my websitewww.radhikanathan.com 

A Time to Burnish by Radhika Nathan-Review

Book Name         - A Time to BurnishAuthor                  - Radhika NathanPublisher              - Kiwi BooksNumber of Pages - 282Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - Paperback Price                     - 300
Buy books from Amazon
Rating : 3.5

My Review

What will we expect from a book dealing with South Indian Iconography and Chola Dynasty? Boring long texts on history and archaeology? Then, that notion is a stark departure from the theme of the book . A time to burnish, though based on the historical foundation, is more of a contemporary fiction with a twist of romance and mystery.

Josh is coerced by his brother Tom, who is confined to wheel chair, to unsnarl the obscurity of the origin of a Chola Bronze in his possession. Disinterested as he is with India and it's culture, the software professional of American origin realizes that he is in the sea on reaching the humid Chennai. Tom's friend Vidya comes to guide Josh, who pretends to be a tourist. Chemistry fails to workout between the two of them while Josh tries to conveniently get rid of this intrusion. On Tom's interference, Vidya accompanies Josh in his quest for truth which in turn becomes a trip of romance, mystery and thrill.

The events are linked sequentially. The amount of research invested by the author is evident through the book. Radhika has spared the readers of boring monologues on the Chola bronzes. Art theft is an unreaped subject in Indian literature, and hence there are unending possibilities, which author has utilized amply.

The Tamil words used in the book warranted a translation which was lacking. I have always cited that I personally don't fancy a romantic angle in mystery thrillers. It's been a hackneyed formula that the protagonists who are in pursuit of truth end up falling in love. Making me want to cut the slack is another cliche of an uncle who is commissioner or superintendent. 

The steep curve in the beginning of the book gradually adopts a stagnancy and drops towards the end. Nevertheless the hard work and dedication invested by the author should not be overlooked and hence the plot serves as the refreshing game changer


This review is in return of a free book from the publisher  
About the author

Radhika Nathan believes in the miracle of words and the rain. Her favorite pastimes include reading, listening to podcasts, and gazing at monsoon clouds.Writing forces her to think and re-examine a point of view or a preconceived notion. Post her debut novel The Mute Anklet, a historical romance with a dash of mystery, Radhika examines the intersection of art, romance, and mystery in A Time To Burnish

~ Release Day Blitz ~A Way Back Into Love by Veronica Tha...

~ Release Day Blitz ~A Way Back Into Love by Veronica Thatcher21st February, 2017


About the Book:

Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes, uncertain. People, irrational. But love… Well, that makes complicates everything complicated. When you are caught in a tangled web of secrets, lies, and complex affairs, someone is bound to get burned.
Emily Stevens is a spunky, spirited college girl whose life is turned upside-down when she realizes she's in love with her best friend of fifteen years, Derek Thorpe. As Emily prepares to confess her feelings to Derek, something happens one night which changes her life forever. Five years later, Emily finds herself in Boston, alone and heartbroken. Will she ever be able to forget the past? And what will she find when she returns home... to the man she left behind?



Book Links:
Goodreads * Paperback * eBook

Read an Excerpt:

Emily stepped back from him and shook her head. “Oh, you know damn well what I mean. You know what, Derek? I’m done having this conversation with you. I’m so done with this conversation and I’m so done with you,” Emily spat out angrily before brushing past him.

“Emily, wait,” Derek said, catching her by her arm. “Where are you going?”

Emily spun around and gave him a bitter look before looking down at his hand gripping her arm. “Leave my arm,” she said in a low yet threatening voice, “And why do you care where I’m going? It’s none of your business.”

Derek didn’t leave her arm in spite of her warning and said, “Em, you’ve had too many drinks. You can’t drive in this condition. I’ll drop you home.”

Emily jerked her arm free from his grasp and replied in a bitter voice, “Thank you, but no. I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home on my own. I don’t need you to drop me home. Do you get it, Derek Thorpe? I DON’T NEED YOU!” Emily yelled the last words, causing a few people to look their way.


About the Author:
Veronica Thatcher is an exciting new contemporary romance author. Ever since she was very young, she’s dreamed of becoming a doctor when she grew up. While still forging ahead with that, majoring in pre-med in college, she unwittingly stumbled upon a new dream—becoming a published author. Some may call her an introvert or a wallflower, but she has always found she could express herself better in written, rather than spoken, words. However, never in her wildest dreams had she envisioned she would pursue writing as a prospective career, not just a hobby. Her love for writing goes hand-in-hand with her love for a good romance novel—whether it be a feel-good, sweet romance or a dark, suspenseful one. When she’s not studying, reading, or writing, she is usually found blasting her favourite songs, sometimes singing and dancing along to them.  She dabbles in a number of activities, including painting, karate, singing and dancing. She is a huge chocoholic – probably the biggest – and she is an ice-cream junkie too. She considers herself technologically handicapped forever and has no shame in admitting that. She also deems chocolates her boyfriend, Patrick Dempsey the love of her life, and Friends her life!
Her first book, A Way Back Into Love, is slated for release in February 2017, and she hopes readers will enjoy it as much as she enjoyed writing it. You can reach Veronica through Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Wattpad and Gmail.

Contact the Author:
FB Page * FB Profile * Twitter * Wattpad




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Managing the memories with Symphony

For writing a book or product review, I maintain a strict format. But this the first unique form of review posted in my blog. These days starting from Naming ceremony and baptism to international events, we depend on event management firms. Sometimes we will be in the sea thinking where I am, after seeing the overdo of decorations and other paraphernalia. Sometime we will be awestruck to see the exemplary arrangements done. 

Elegance doesn't always need overdo of anything. It lies in pulling off an event with simplicity. Going with the symphony.  
Their range of events vary from Birthday parties, wedding, to corporate events & star shows. 
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They have arranged four record holding events;Largest and Fastest Pookalam on the Occasion of the 99th Celebration of Whirl Pool of India Ltd, 

Santha Sangamam on the Occasion of Xmas, Newyear and 


Maveli Sangamam


Versatility is the USP of the firm. They are not reserved to any particular genre or industry.A lot of systematic and unique events have been conducted till date and I have been lucky to be a part a few of them. The events are rich an Innovation and professionalism. You can check more about their work here. Website and  Facebook page

M.S.Subbulakshmi- A definitive biography by T.J.S.George :-Reviewq

Book Name         - M.S.Subbulakshmi: a definitive biography Author                  - T.J.S GeorgePublisher              - Aleph Book Company Number of Pages - 280Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - Paperback Price                     -381
Buy books from Amazon
Rating : 5.0

My Review

If you need to get a precise review of this book, read the blurb. After the blurb, there is nothing more that a reviewer can point out. The book is as perfect as the blurb.

There has been a lot of interest in the lives of celebrities especially their personal affairs and related controversies. The biographies published lately comply with this demand and try to squeeze in as much controversies as possible. But this book is about substance and information. An account of the controversies is there but to an extend that the tale of the singer rightfully demands. With a detailed chronological account of the evolution of Carnatic music, author provided a strong foundation to the information about the evolution of music. Author has given a strong, individualized opinion on everything in the history of music. An interesting observation is that the Brahmin domination in the musical revolution that helps in promoting Carnatic music. The observation is in stark contrast to the general notion that Brahmins took the rights of lower caste in music, which was their arena. Had this art form reserved for the devdasis, it wouldn't have gotten the level of acceptance that we witness now. This observation by the author is unconventional 

Biography of Subbulakshmi is incomplete without Sadasivam. Author has analysed every action by Sadasivam without a tinge of prejudice. Author observes how Subbulakshmi, who was a devdasi, was upgraded to a Brahmin wife, or Iyer wife to be precise. Sadasivam's insecurity during the shooting of Shakuntalai , regarding the colour of the relation between M.S. and GNB is narrated lucidly. Change in the relations between M.S and her mother is depicted with an unbiased account.

How M.S. enchanted the listeners all over the world, seems like a fairy tale. The books is a fantastic analytic guide of the singer's life. How M.S arose to a sacred position is meticulously cited. Notwithstanding Sadasivam's efforts to maintain the confidentiality of M.S's life and career, author, with his perseverance and determination, managed to compile this fantastic book. 
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher  
About the author

T. J. S. George is a journalist who began his career at the Free Press Journal in 1950 and was the founding editor of Asia week. He established himself as a serious political author and biographer with a series of major books, including Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, the Life and Times of Nargis and Krishna Menon: A Biography. He is editorial adviser to the New Indian Express and lives in Bangalore with his wife, Ammu.

Book Spotlight - Grow up Messy

Title of the book: Grow Up Messy!(A Hilarious Coming of Age Series Book1)Author: Paromita GoswamiGenre:  Middle School, Teen and YAPublisher:  Ficus India










The Blurb:  Childhood is considered to be the best time of one’s life. What if you get a chance to live it once more with a five-year-old? Misry, a naughty five-year-old girl, lives with her parents in a B.S.F border outpost near Indo-Bangladesh border. But with no schools and friends she feels very lonely. She tries to befriend some local village kids. But they find her incompetent in their rural antics. They nickname her Messy as most of the time she messes up their plan. Can Misry really be a part of the gang? Set in the early eighties, join Misry in the adventures of her life.
Buy Links: Amazon * Nook * Kobo
Teasers:

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Short Excerpts: 1. The smell of chocolate was making Bheeru drool but he maintained his indifferent straight look. “You can test me now,” he said. Misry looked up and down the dirt road. Something was going on in her mind. She gave a wicked smile at Bheeru and said, “Okay! Shut your eyes.”2. “Misry. Keep the toys back in the box and come for lunch.” No response. “Misry. Did you hear what I said?” Still no response. “Are you coming or should I come there?” “I am coming, Ma.”3. With all the time in her hand, she sat down on the stool, closed her eyes and licked the toothpaste from her index finger. The peppermint flavor transported her to a different world. “Mashi see, Misry is eating toothpaste again!” Raju shouted, having caught her red- handed. “Misry!!” Before Madhavi appeared from her room, Misry ran out of the house.4. Once lunch was over, both of them went for an afternoon nap. Misry closed her eyes pretending to sleep as Madhavi crooned a lullaby, patting her gently. Five minutes. No sleep. Ten minutes. No sleep. Twenty minutes. The crooning stopped and eventually the gentle patting stopped too. Misry was sure Ma was fast asleep now. She peeped through her left eye. Madhavi was asleep beside her. Misry opened both her eyes.

About the Author: Paromita Goswami is a writer and storyteller by passion and a rebel by choice. She says the world is full of stories and as a writer she loves to pen them down. Her work is not genre specific. From literary fiction to children book to upcoming paranormal thriller and women fiction, Paromita Goswami‘s books offer the variety of life to her readers. Grow Up Messy! is her second book. She debuted in 2015 with Shamsuddin’s Grave, a literary fiction. Besides writing, she is also the founder of reading club that enhances book reading habit in children. She lives in central India with her family.

Follow Author: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads





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Harlet and the one eyed monster by Siddharth- Review

Book Name         - Harlet and the one-eyed monster Author                  - SiddharthPublisher              - Frog booksNumber of Pages -254Publishing Year   -2016Edition                  - PaperbackPrice                     -275
Buy books from Amazon
Rating : 3.5

My Review

The plot begins with a beautiful introduction of a woman who is standing waist deep in water. The way author portrayed the scene is exemplary. Once the plot unveils readers experience a quite different scenario from the boy meets girl love stories. The book belongs to a multiplicity of genres. It has romance, history, art, mythology, fantasy; Everything that interests the readers can be seen in the book.
The real story starts with Aysu's life. Aysu, a little girl belonging to low caste, who was brutally beaten for the crime of sitting on a Brahmin's boundary wall. Aysu, who had been subjected to caste discrimination, revives when she ties the knot to the man whom she admired, a soldier. While keeping herself busy with making beds and other products out of hay to ward off the loneliness when her husband goes to serve the nation, Aysu confronts a special person-a one eyed monster as the local folks called him. Aysu realizes that this person is not what the mobs claim him to be.
The discussions between Aysu and the one-eyed monster is informative and enlightening. The narration  is the highlight of the book. The poetic and literarily rich narration hooks the readers who are looking forward to a substantial work. Nevertheless at some points, the tale is unduly dragged. The book is all about Aysu and her friend. As the title suggests - The harlet and the one eyed monster. The cover image is reflective of the mood of the book. The book is definitely not an easy read. Author has subtley portray gruesome reality of life. 

This review is in return of a free book from the publisher  
About the author
To my readers, I feel hard to put down some words here and that feels pretty strange, especially after writing this book. What I mean is that I was able to write a whole story but still find it difficult to introduce myself. Probably it's the anonymity factor. We mutually don't know each other and that is the only common point. And therefore, I feel it's a good start to tell something about me, this book and what I mean to say in it. I am a resident of Mumbai and I done my Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. After that, I have worked in the engineering profession for almost 8 years. I took a sabbatical to write this book from my full time job. I am happy the way it has turned out with the help of my friends and editors. I had an inclination towards writing from a very young age; but I was too shy to voice it or present it for publication. I had this idea to write or just scribble some thoughts when I was working for an engineering firm in UAE. Staying away from Mumbai, where I was born and bought up was difficult. I missed my friends and the usual hangout points where we used to jam on weekends. International phone calls were expensive, so I was obviously disciplined to make a few calls in a month. In my leisure time, when I used to stroll inside a beautiful garden near my residence, my mind would be filled with a lot of thoughts - about life, future and the world in general. Soon I started scribbling things down - some random thoughts; like we sit down to chat with our friends and usually end up having a good time. There, in UAE, in that garden, my note pad was my good friend. Soon after a year when I reached the last pages of my book, I had become pretty comfortable in writing. What initially started as few lines had now became pages of written material. I felt that these thoughts could be put into a book or something but that was just a feeble thought; I did not have enough motivation to leave a good salary and pursue an unknown field or to write along with a job. Work was demanding and I have very little time to sit and focus on a book. Another year passed and I was part of an interesting engineering project in my firm, which was drawing to a successful end. After that success for my company, the management decided to lay off the majority of the project team as they did not have any further projects in the pipeline. Many were given their final pay cheques, including a good colleague with whom I shared a very good rapport

Book Spotlight - A way back into love by Veronica Thatcher

Blurb
Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes, uncertain. People, irrational. But love…well, that makes everything complicated. And when you are caught in a tangled web of secrets, lies, and complex affairs, someone is bound to get burned. 
Emily Stevens is a spunky, spirited college girl whose life gets turned upside-down when she realizes she's in love with her best friend of fifteen years, Derek Thorpe. As Emily prepares to confess her feelings to Derek, something happens one night which changes her life forever. Five years later, Emily finds herself in Boston, alone and heartbroken. Will she ever be able to forget the past? And what will she find when she returns home...to the man she left behind? 
Grab your copy @ Amazon.in
About the author

Veronica Thatcher is an exciting new contemporary romance author. Ever since she was very young, she’s dreamed of becoming a doctor when she grew up. While still forging ahead with that, majoring in pre-med in college, she unwittingly stumbled upon a new dream—becoming a published author. Some may call her an introvert or a wallflower, but she has always found she could express herself better in written, rather than spoken, words. However, never in her wildest dreams had she envisioned she would pursue writing as a prospective career, not just a hobby. Her love for writing goes hand-in-hand with her love for a good romance novel—whether it be a feel-good, sweet romance or a dark, suspenseful one. 
When she’s not studying, reading, or writing, she is usually found blasting her favourite songs, sometimes singing and dancing along to them. She dabbles in a number of activities, including painting, karate, singing and dancing. She is a huge chocoholic – probably the biggest – and she is an ice-cream junkie too. She considers herself technologically handicapped forever and has no shame in admitting that. She also deems chocolates her boyfriend, Patrick Dempsey the love of her life, and Friends her life!
Her first book, A Way Back Into Love, is slated for release in February 2017, and she hopes readers will enjoy it as much as she enjoyed writing it. 
You can stalk her @      
                  
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