Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 71
December 23, 2016
Book Spotlight- The Woman at the Well by Rachel Tucker
BOOK SPOTLIGHT
The Woman At the Well: A 4-Week Spiritual Journey to FreedomBook Description:
Are you ready for a rigorous spiritual bootcamp? This 4-week intensive Bible Study is about a journey of self discovery. One that will incite and ignite something amazing and wonderful in you. This is the story of how one person's transformation can create a massive wave of change for Jesus Christ in the world.
Buy the Bible Study: AmazonBuy the Leader Guide: Amazon
Book Trailer:
Author's Bio:
Rachel was born in Dayton Ohio to a already large family of 5. She was the baby of the family, and literally about killed her Mother on her entrance into the world. Rachel was the 5th child to a school teacher and truck driver and soon found herself as a child of a single Mom of 5 who was forced to work 3 jobs to support her children. So Rachel is no stranger to seeing and living what it means to be a virtuous woman, as she watched her Mother do it, and continue to do it. Rachel is a devoted wife, Mother of 4 and Founder of Women at the Well Ministries. She is an author and currently writing her first in-depth Bible Study. She has been the keynote speaker at Mother’s of Israel conference, and several of her local church’s women’s events.
Her passion is studying scripture and then teaching those lessons to others, with the goal that they will then turn around and pay it forward. Her #each one #teach one philosophy is her mission. She is passionate about helping women by giving them tools to help them break strong holds so they can pursue whatever the Lord has for them. So, training them up for the call! That is what spurred her ministry.
She knows that God didn’t create women to just sit around and get pedicures and swap recipes and tackle the dust bunnies everyday, but to be side by side with the men in fighting the war against evil and taking as many people to heaven with them as possible.She now does life with her best friend, her husband Curt and will tell you, her children are the best kids on the earth. They love to do Bible studies together and love traveling with their family.
If she isn’t at home with her family, you will find her checking something off her bucket list! Her biggest so far would be competing in figure competitions, competing at the Arnold class in fitness, being in a beauty pageant representing her county as Mrs. Miami County in the Mrs. Ohio America pageant, and authoring a 30 day bible study devotional. And, she is only getting started.
She loves to weave her own personal stories in with her message, because she believes she is living her calling day by day, and sometimes it gets pretty funny!
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Giveaway:
Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card (open int'l / 1 winner)a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 21, 2016
Colorful Notions by Mohit Goyal- Review
Book Name - Colorful NotionsAuthor - Mohit GoyalPublisher - Srishti PublicationsNumber of Pages - 194Publishing Year -2016Edition -PaperbackPrice -175
Buy books from Amazon, Flipkart
Rating : 3.5
My Review
When I started reading the book, I had decided on the opening line- "Will you judge me if I say I love this book and give a five star."
I enjoyed the book till I was half way through the book. But thenceforth, the book became the clichéd romantic lit with the overused formulas of triangular friendship entangled tale.
Three youngsters Sashank, Abhay and Unnati set out on an extraordinary trip in Abhay's Ford Ecosport. Idea, conceived by Abhay, to accomplish an adventurous trip of 10000 kilometers around India, with a list of twenty five places which represent our country's culture, heritage and beauty. While Abhay brushes up his talent with camera, Unnati lends her voice and face. The final nail is the selfies they take at the twenty five places with the number placard.
The roadtrippers' experiences at different places are interesting to read. Author has provided several tips as what to do and what not but when the storyline took a romantic twist, the focus was shifted from the places and landmarks. With perspicuous narration, dexterous character craft and unique theme, author has succeed in hooking the readers to the book.
There were a few offensive statements, atleast that's what I felt. "It's difficult to see a man cry". Why man only? What about women?
The terms like potato, fatty etc could have been avoided in the narration at least.
The story ended in a good note. Nothing unexpected but simple and sweet anyways.
This review is in return of a free book from author paradise
December 19, 2016
Book Spotlight- Silence interrupted by Sania Shaikh
Book Description:
Two months before Troye Saavedra’s senior year of high school, his father’s drinking problem skyrockets. When Troye’s parents make an impulsive move to Georgia in order to “help” him finish high school on a positive note, he is forced to leave behind everything he knows. Things couldn’t get worse for Troye. That is, until he meets three enigmatic teenagers: Adelaide, an independent violinist with radical ideas; Zaidan, fiercely loyal and always funny; and Arabella, a girl who harbors secret struggles. Together, the four friends try to pick up the jagged pieces of their lives without getting hurt themselves. An insightful tale of perseverance, Silence Interrupted is a young adult novel about the beauty and peril of traversing the world as a teenager.
Buy the Book: Amazon
Author's Bio:
Sania Shaikh is a junior at Cambridge High School. Inspired to write from a young age, she worked on Silence Interrupted, her debut novel, starting in eighth grade.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook
THC by Manoj.V.Jain-Review
Book Name - THCAuthor - Manoj.V.JainPublisher - Notion PressNumber of Pages - 204Publishing Year - 2016Edition - PaperbackPrice -844
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Rating : 3.5
THC, not the Tetrahydrocannabinol but the Total Holistic Center. As the name suggest, the institution provides holistic cure to the problems of their inhabitants or patients as they are called. With a different treatment method, the center is what every troubled person look forward to. The center is, as the author put forth, an Utopian idea but we never know one day we will get to hear about similar centers in the near future.
The story is about the three troubled souls- Samar, Sanjaneka and Varun. Samar's ailment is nicotine addiction and impotence, while Sanjaneka suffers from Genophobia and Arthritis/Osteoporosis. Varun is Insomniac and depressed. Everyone has to deal with the demons of their past Their acquaintance, friendship, quest for redemption is the core story.
The plot is interesting and engaging but the subplots were not as enchanting as the main plot. The main characters are processed and crafted beautifully. Author possess a lucid narrative which is the highlight of the book. The development and interweaving of the subplots to fulfill the main plots is commendable. The should not be judged by it's cover. The cover gives an impression of a YA Fantasy while the protagonists are far aged and matured than YA. Apart from the imaginary center, rest of the story is more or less reality, hence categorizing the book under contemporary fiction.
The climax came out as a surprising turn off, apparently. The way the story-line proceeded, I expected a better closure for the whole scenario but the way the story ended was amateurish and cliched. Major disadvantage is the price of the book. I couldn't find any reason to rate it for more than 300 or 350.
My Verdict : a different and imaginative tale, developed well but ended bad and overpriced.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
About the author
HTC by Manoj.V.Jain-Review
Book Name - THCAuthor - Manoj.V.JainPublisher - Notion PressNumber of Pages - 204Publishing Year - 2016Edition - PaperbackPrice -844
Buy books from Amazon, Flipkart
Rating : 3.5
THC, not the Tetrahydrocannabinol but the Total Holistic Center. As the name suggest, the institution provides holistic cure to the problems of their inhabitants or patients as they are called. With a different treatment method, the center is what every troubled person look forward to. The center is, as the author put forth, an Utopian idea but we never know one day we will get to hear about similar centers in the near future.
The story is about the three troubled souls- Samar, Sanjaneka and Varun. Samar's ailment is nicotine addiction and impotence, while Sanjaneka suffers from Genophobia and Arthritis/Osteoporosis. Varun is Insomniac and depressed. Everyone has to deal with the demons of their past Their acquaintance, friendship, quest for redemption is the core story.
The plot is interesting and engaging but the subplots were not as enchanting as the main plot. The main characters are processed and crafted beautifully. Author possess a lucid narrative which is the highlight of the book. The development and interweaving of the subplots to fulfill the main plots is commendable. The should not be judged by it's cover. The cover gives an impression of a YA Fantasy while the protagonists are far aged and matured than YA. Apart from the imaginary center, rest of the story is more or less reality, hence categorizing the book under contemporary fiction.
The climax came out as a surprising turn off, apparently. The way the story-line proceeded, I expected a better closure for the whole scenario but the way the story ended was amateurish and cliched. Major disadvantage is the price of the book. I couldn't find any reason to rate it for more than 300 or 350.
My Verdict : a different and imaginative tale, developed well but ended bad and overpriced.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
About the author
December 16, 2016
Subcontinental drift by Murray Laurence
Book Name - Subcontinental drift Author - Murray LaurencePublisher - Aleph Books (Rupa Publications)Number of Pages -228Publishing Year - 2016Edition - PaperbackPrice - 399Buy books from Amazon, Flipkart
Rating : 3.5
My Review
From Australia to India; Murray Laurence was apparently subjected to an unexpected, unprecedented experiments of patience. A new lesson of being unpunctual and unsystematic enlightened his brains. A different carefree world welcomed him. His trips to India in 1970s and 1980s were accentuated with the transformations he witnessed. He travelled in ramshackled buses, unreliable trains and unreasonable auto rickshaws. The first half is dedicated to his Indian trips in 1970s. The second half is his foray into the lives of the third world countries. China, Vietnam, Jakarta; author share his observations which were common in every third world country including India. Author put forth several geopolitical issues especially in Pakistan and Srilanka.The third half is his trip back to India in the 21st century. Author observes that other than the change in the mode of transport, the life in India was more or less the same.
Through the quirky rendition, author hooks the readers to the book. Author finds humour in everything that happens around him. Be it the fraudster who made him pay hotel bills, or meal ticket seller or delegates who accompanied him, everyone seems to exploit him but he tries to find humour in all these. A peculiar trait that I observed in the narration is that the author is critical about practically everything in the third world countries. The book is an account of overall experiences of the author during his travelling endeavours.I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review from the publisher
About the author
Murray Laurence is an Australian travel writer whose first overseas trip, to Indonesia, sparked a lifelong interest in Asia. His early journeys in India and subsequent writing, reveal a traveler who is curious and open to any experience, a writer who is funny and sharp and a country that is at once fascinating, baffling and unique. Laurence studied Asian politics and history at university; his further education was acquired on the road. He taught briefly in Australia, England and France before becoming involved in Australia’s international education sector in marketing, management and business development roles. He was one of the industry’s first marketers, taking Australian education throughout Asia and beyond and travelled often to India in this capacity. More recently he has worked as a consultant and teacher in a management college in Kathmandu. Murray Laurence’s articles have been published in newspapers and magazines and in two collections, High Times in the Middle of Nowhere and Accidentally in Transit, where several of the stories in Subcontinental Drift previously appeared. He lives in Sydney with his wife Maureen, a willing participant in those early Indian journeys. They have two adult sons, Daniel and Andrei.
December 15, 2016
Spotlight - Now and Forever by Simi K Rao
About the Book:
Can Shaan and Ruhi face their biggest fears and unite together?
Shaan and Ruhi Ahuja, very much in love Indian newlyweds, discover each other in Simi K. Rao’s Now and Forever—the sassy and sexy sequel to Inconvenient Relations. After getting the scare of their lives while traveling in the Grand Canyon, Shaan and Ruhi go back home to one dilemma after another. Shaan’s job is in jeopardy, and one of Ruhi’s closest friends, Sunshine, needs her. How will Shaan and Ruhi handle life’s hurdles, while still trying to get to know each other as husband and wife? Will they be able to forsake all others and consolidate their relationship?
Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon
Personality talks, it walks and rocks
This statement is absolutely true. At least it is for me. For example, how often have you come across someone who’s gorgeous to look at but then they start talking and you realize they aren’t so hot at all. You almost wish they hadn’t opened their mouths. The opposite also holds true. Its personality or character that makes or breaks a person. The same goes for a good novel too. What I’m getting at is character development. I may get drawn to a book by its attractive cover and plot summary but if the characters are insipid, if they don’t talk to me or get under my skin my interest quickly dissipates and I will usually dump the book.
I’d like to say the characters in my books have several dimensions (they aren’t necessarily schizophrenic), with subtleties that are revealed slowly or kept hidden like many people we all know and acquaint ourselves with. I cannot write my characters unless I know them or I am them. Often I also live and dream them. They are my friends; I talk to them. I ask them how they feel then jot down what they say.
Inconvenient Relations and its sequel Now and Forever have some interesting characters. Please note that it is vital to read Book 1 to enjoy Book 2 because essentially this story is a study of a relationship and its various phases.
An imperfect yet perfect couple---
Ruhi or my chile dulce (sweet chili pepper) as her spouse Shaan likes to call her, starts of like any young woman from a cherished background, with dreams of building a future with her one-in-a-million husband who has been carefully picked for her by her parents. But her hopes are challenged right from page one. She is coerced into taking on a role that is quite alien to her or maybe had been held back and didn’t have the chance to manifest thus far. It isn’t uncommon for certain personality traits to reveal themselves only under times of duress. Instead of bowing down and mutely accepting what destiny has doled out to her, Ruhi chooses to stand up to it. She shows her husband the mirror by turning the tables on him. She disguises her vulnerability in a bold and brazen avatar. She is a novice hence perhaps rash in her ways and often undiplomatic in her conversation yet she is also coy and secretive. All in all, she is a clever and maddening bundle of fun and mischief who adroitly twists her willing hubby around her little finger and exhibits no qualms about it. She loves him with a passion and won’t stop at anything to get him what is rightfully his. She is a woman to be reckoned with.
Sona munda Shaan Ahuja (heat factor to the power of infinity) is a gorgeous nerd who falls for the wrong woman and ends up paying for it dearly. He quashes the dreams of his new bride by announcing on their wedding night that he loves another and then surprise, surprise finds himself in a pickle. Shaan is a sensitive man with an arrogant streak who is devoted to his wife and his job. He is at once a jealous lover and a possessive husband. He falls for his wife at the outset and doesn’t recognize it or is kept from acknowledging it by his ego and maybe his insecurity. Regardless she drags his feelings out in the open after a cat and mouse game and they have a grand time until life tests him again. But then he has his trump card at his side.
I cannot conclude without talking about Sunshine, who happens to be my favorite character in the books. A frail septuagenarian, she is the catalyst in Ruhi and Shaan’s bonding. But don’t be deceived, this little old lady has a verve for life that is rare even among those a quarter her age. Enough said, I need to leave something for my books. Happy reading!
About the Author:
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in the United States with her family.
Contact the Author:
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads
Other Books in the Series:
Shaan Ahuja found himself bowing to tradition and agreeing to an arranged marriage to the beautiful Ruhi Sharma. He went through the motions but had no intention of carrying through on his vows. His last foray into matters of the heart with an American girl had left him scarred and unwilling to try again. Thoroughly disillusioned and disgruntled he wasted no time in making his intentions clear to Ruhi on their wedding night. But, he was completely unprepared for what his new wife had in mind.
This multi-cultural contemporary romance story of an arranged marriage is a beautiful blending of showing the Indian and American cultures. Readers will learn more about the Indian heritage and the romance that happens behind closed doors in an Indian relationship in Simi K. Rao's Inconvenient Relations. This coming of age story about true love explores multi-cultural issues.
Goodreads * Amazon
Giveaway: 1) A $10 Amazon gift card 2) A kindle copy each of Inconvenient relations and Now and Forever. Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway ');
Can Shaan and Ruhi face their biggest fears and unite together?
Shaan and Ruhi Ahuja, very much in love Indian newlyweds, discover each other in Simi K. Rao’s Now and Forever—the sassy and sexy sequel to Inconvenient Relations. After getting the scare of their lives while traveling in the Grand Canyon, Shaan and Ruhi go back home to one dilemma after another. Shaan’s job is in jeopardy, and one of Ruhi’s closest friends, Sunshine, needs her. How will Shaan and Ruhi handle life’s hurdles, while still trying to get to know each other as husband and wife? Will they be able to forsake all others and consolidate their relationship?
Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon
Personality talks, it walks and rocks
This statement is absolutely true. At least it is for me. For example, how often have you come across someone who’s gorgeous to look at but then they start talking and you realize they aren’t so hot at all. You almost wish they hadn’t opened their mouths. The opposite also holds true. Its personality or character that makes or breaks a person. The same goes for a good novel too. What I’m getting at is character development. I may get drawn to a book by its attractive cover and plot summary but if the characters are insipid, if they don’t talk to me or get under my skin my interest quickly dissipates and I will usually dump the book.
I’d like to say the characters in my books have several dimensions (they aren’t necessarily schizophrenic), with subtleties that are revealed slowly or kept hidden like many people we all know and acquaint ourselves with. I cannot write my characters unless I know them or I am them. Often I also live and dream them. They are my friends; I talk to them. I ask them how they feel then jot down what they say.
Inconvenient Relations and its sequel Now and Forever have some interesting characters. Please note that it is vital to read Book 1 to enjoy Book 2 because essentially this story is a study of a relationship and its various phases.
An imperfect yet perfect couple---
Ruhi or my chile dulce (sweet chili pepper) as her spouse Shaan likes to call her, starts of like any young woman from a cherished background, with dreams of building a future with her one-in-a-million husband who has been carefully picked for her by her parents. But her hopes are challenged right from page one. She is coerced into taking on a role that is quite alien to her or maybe had been held back and didn’t have the chance to manifest thus far. It isn’t uncommon for certain personality traits to reveal themselves only under times of duress. Instead of bowing down and mutely accepting what destiny has doled out to her, Ruhi chooses to stand up to it. She shows her husband the mirror by turning the tables on him. She disguises her vulnerability in a bold and brazen avatar. She is a novice hence perhaps rash in her ways and often undiplomatic in her conversation yet she is also coy and secretive. All in all, she is a clever and maddening bundle of fun and mischief who adroitly twists her willing hubby around her little finger and exhibits no qualms about it. She loves him with a passion and won’t stop at anything to get him what is rightfully his. She is a woman to be reckoned with.
Sona munda Shaan Ahuja (heat factor to the power of infinity) is a gorgeous nerd who falls for the wrong woman and ends up paying for it dearly. He quashes the dreams of his new bride by announcing on their wedding night that he loves another and then surprise, surprise finds himself in a pickle. Shaan is a sensitive man with an arrogant streak who is devoted to his wife and his job. He is at once a jealous lover and a possessive husband. He falls for his wife at the outset and doesn’t recognize it or is kept from acknowledging it by his ego and maybe his insecurity. Regardless she drags his feelings out in the open after a cat and mouse game and they have a grand time until life tests him again. But then he has his trump card at his side.
I cannot conclude without talking about Sunshine, who happens to be my favorite character in the books. A frail septuagenarian, she is the catalyst in Ruhi and Shaan’s bonding. But don’t be deceived, this little old lady has a verve for life that is rare even among those a quarter her age. Enough said, I need to leave something for my books. Happy reading!
About the Author:
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in the United States with her family.
Contact the Author:
Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads
Other Books in the Series:
Shaan Ahuja found himself bowing to tradition and agreeing to an arranged marriage to the beautiful Ruhi Sharma. He went through the motions but had no intention of carrying through on his vows. His last foray into matters of the heart with an American girl had left him scarred and unwilling to try again. Thoroughly disillusioned and disgruntled he wasted no time in making his intentions clear to Ruhi on their wedding night. But, he was completely unprepared for what his new wife had in mind.This multi-cultural contemporary romance story of an arranged marriage is a beautiful blending of showing the Indian and American cultures. Readers will learn more about the Indian heritage and the romance that happens behind closed doors in an Indian relationship in Simi K. Rao's Inconvenient Relations. This coming of age story about true love explores multi-cultural issues.
Goodreads * Amazon
Giveaway: 1) A $10 Amazon gift card 2) A kindle copy each of Inconvenient relations and Now and Forever. Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway ');
December 13, 2016
The Patient Patient by Tushar Rishi - Review
Book Name - The Patient PatientAuthor - Tushar RishiPublisher - Westland Number of Pages - 228Publishing Year -2016Edition - Paperback Price - 250
Buy books from Amazon, Flipkart
Rating : 4.0
My Review
Sixteen year old Sameer's happy and content life goes topsy turvy when he is diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. With a famiky history of cancer, Sameer decides to face the demons. When given the responsibility to be decisive of his hospital choice, Sameer decides to go for AIIMS. Despite being in a better financial condition, what forced Sameer to go for a government hospital is the credibility and sincerity of the doctors. Meanwhile love knocks his door through Aditi, his childhood friend. Slowly but with tremendous will power and wiith the support of his family, and friends whom he made before and after his chemo and surgery, Sameer recuperates.
Sameer's experiences at AIIMS is depicted in detail, and without prejudice. Author reinforces that however delayed the process be, AIIMS doctors are the best and never make mistakes. Another factor which he tries to throw light is the difficulty in getting dates for surgery and the price that many patients had to pay because of this. Those with connections can have an earlier date. The question arises why doctors hold no role in deciding the date of surgery. In a scenario when delaying the surgery can be detrimental, author subtly brings forth the necessity to facilitate a better service.
It's incredible to see that Sameer,who was quite upset about the ugly scars on his leg, finds himself lucky when he sees kids of his age with amputed limbs. Sameer finds consolation by sharing his feelings through his poems in his blog. The poems are in fact beautiful.
The story also shows another part of Sameer's life. His parents. How parents with expectations affect their kids life? How kids perceive freedom and apathy? Lot of nuances of relationships could be seen. The book is a tale of optimism, will power, and fighting spirit and moreover patience. A lot of kids out there who are diagnosed with cancer would relate with Sameer. The boom will surely inspire them. I appreciate the effort taken by the author to show the world his journey through Chemo sessions and Surgery.
My verdict:- A true sincere autobiographical
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
About the author
Tushar Rishi was born in Patna and brought up in Ranchi. He is currently studying at Delhi Public School, Ranchi. Tushar was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2014 and The Patient Patient—his first novel—is based on his own experiences at AIIMS Delhi, where he spent a year fighting the disease.
Apart from reading and writing, he likes watching movies and TV series.
December 12, 2016
Teabox- Kashmiri Kahwa Chai Review
About Teabox
Teabox brings you the freshest teas straight from tea gardens of India and Nepal so you enjoy the most authentic, delicious tea there is. Each tea is sourced within 7 days of its production and carefully vacuum packed to protect its inherent freshness.Buy it from Amazon
Rating : 4.5
Kashmiri Kahwa chai is one of the flavors of several varieties of tea provided by Teabox.
Packing
The packing is simple. A white color sealed paper box is all that it took to pack the product. There is not MAP, ingredients, MFG, or dietary contents any such details. Presumably the product is purely targeted on providing online services. Even though these details ought to be there.
Nevertheless, the tea leaves are packed airtight. Also a zip pouch is provided along with the product.
The zip pouch contains the details of ingredients, aroma, palate, instructions per cup etc.
Appearance
On opening we can see dried almonds,cloves, saffron and cinnamon along with tea leaves. On boiling it takes a golden yellow color.
Aroma
On opening the packet a woody aroma dominates . On boiling, cooked leaves, almonds, cloves, and cardamom joins the journey to the olfactory system
Taste
It is recommended to have plain green tea without any add ons. This in itself gives a filling though with practically no calories or 1 calorie to be precise.Quite refreshing and stimulating
Price
100gm of the product costs Rs.650. But. I wouldn't say that it is overpriced. I don't mind spending that much for this particular tea.
Teabox brings you the freshest teas straight from tea gardens of India and Nepal so you enjoy the most authentic, delicious tea there is. Each tea is sourced within 7 days of its production and carefully vacuum packed to protect its inherent freshness.Buy it from Amazon
Rating : 4.5
Kashmiri Kahwa chai is one of the flavors of several varieties of tea provided by Teabox.
Packing
The packing is simple. A white color sealed paper box is all that it took to pack the product. There is not MAP, ingredients, MFG, or dietary contents any such details. Presumably the product is purely targeted on providing online services. Even though these details ought to be there.
Nevertheless, the tea leaves are packed airtight. Also a zip pouch is provided along with the product. 
The zip pouch contains the details of ingredients, aroma, palate, instructions per cup etc.
Appearance
On opening we can see dried almonds,cloves, saffron and cinnamon along with tea leaves. On boiling it takes a golden yellow color.
Aroma
On opening the packet a woody aroma dominates . On boiling, cooked leaves, almonds, cloves, and cardamom joins the journey to the olfactory system
Taste
It is recommended to have plain green tea without any add ons. This in itself gives a filling though with practically no calories or 1 calorie to be precise.Quite refreshing and stimulating
Price
100gm of the product costs Rs.650. But. I wouldn't say that it is overpriced. I don't mind spending that much for this particular tea.
December 11, 2016
Review - Blood in the Paradise by Madhav Mahidhar
Book Name - Blood in the Paradise Author - Madhav MahidharPublisher - Frog BooksNumber of Pages - 282Publishing Year - 2016Edition - PaperbackPrice -
Buy books from Amazon, Flipkart
Rating : 3.5
Thirty two year old Madhumati,a resident of Bangalore, decides to end her pathetic life with her twin girls. The moment she consumes the poison, she confronts her husband Vikas, who rushes her to the hospital. On another part of Bangalore , an investigation is going on about stolen Potassium cyanide. Hospital authorities find out that Madhumita, along with her husband is fighting for life, her husband's chances of survival being meagre. When Vikas succumbs to the poison, Madhumita recuperates. Police get suspicious of Madhumita's intentions and start an investigation on that front. Further a cascade of events take the readers for rollercoaster ride of suspense, mystery and violence.
The plot is intriguing and fast paced. From the beginning itself author tried to hook the readers to the suspense. The mind game is indeed well thought out and constructed. The plot is developed with finesse. Apart from the unilateral storyline, author has incorporated the external factors like media, NHRC etc. Author has made a valid point that feminism means equality of men and women, not hatred from men. Author has done a good level of research for the book. Readers will be forced to hook on to the book because of the narration. With a copy edit, the book has got all the qualities to become a bestseller.
The characters are well crafted and incite the imaginations of the readers. Other than the main characters Madhumita, Anupriya and DCP Viswaroop, minor characters are also crafted such a way that their idiosyncrasies will strike the reader's mind.
It's always good to see more dialogues in a story but too much dialogues kills the fun. The same happened in the story as well. Nevertheless the suspense is enough to hook the readers. Madhimita's diary is a major drawback in the narration. The language, unnecessary annotations and quotations affected the whole story. The climax was pretty obvious, hence there was nothing to offer for the readers. The book is like that student who does all the calculations in the working column of the answer sheet but writes the wrong answer in the main column. Author has done a great ground work, plot has been developed systematically but towards the last part lack of homework or experience, the whole suspense was spoiled.
My verdict: A Bestseller material which requires another round of copy edit.
This review is in return of a free book from Tales Pensive
