Sundari Venkatraman's Blog, page 57

Travel: DARSHAN @ AJMER DARGAH

Ajmer DargahWiki says: Dargah Sharif or Ajmer Sharif is a sufi shrine of sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti located at Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. The shrine has the grave (Maqbara) of the revered saint, Moinuddin Chisti.

The top of the tower is made of GoldHotel Anuraag Villa organised an AC Ambassador car with a Sardarji driver for Venkat and Yours truly to go to Ajmer and Pushkar for a day.

Auto-rickshaw on narrow streets - hair raising experienceWe had our breakfast at the hotel and left at around 9 am. The car set off at a steady pace and we travelled for about three and a half hours before reaching the city of Ajmer.

Walking to the Dargah. That's VenkatThe cab driver parked at a main part of the city near a Jain mandir (which was closed). An auto-wallah offered to take us to the Dargah which was about a kilometre away. The roads are too narrow after a point to accommodate a car. I wonder how the Bollywood actors manage to reach the Dargah. I am sure there is another route that we were not aware of. One must understand it’s all about packages and moneymaking in this place.

Chaddar, agarbatti, etcThe rate for the auto-wallah was fixed at Rs. 200 for taking us to a point where another guide would escort us to the Dargah (both inclusive). We had a hair-raising ride via the narrowest of streets that I have set my eyes on. The auto was quite wide and hence there was no chance of our elbows peeping out. But how that guy navigated the vehicle was a wonder indeed. He stopped at a point after 15 minutes or so and handed us over to our guide.

Inside the Dargah. The entrance is on the right where you can see people queuing upThe guide took us through even narrower streets with open drains raising a stink literally. We walked for over 5 minutes before reaching a flower shop. We were ordered (yes, that’s right) to leave our footwear behind and told (yes, not asked) to purchase a shawl, agarbatti and flowers. While they told us that purchasing a shawl for less than for Rs. 2000 could be the worst sin, we settled for one worth Rs. 300 plus the rest of the stuff and went along with him inside the Dargah.

The beautifully carved entrance. I wish I could read UrduThe place was crowded to the hilt. The guide insisted on taking us to a guy with a long notebook. We sat down in front of him. He first blessed us with a bunch of peacock feathers; then asked for money – no less than Rs. 2000. This was not even an official counter. He was sitting on a corridor with a notebook (not a receipt book). When we insisted on paying only Rs. 500, he took the money but refused to even make an entry in the notebook. Hoping that the money reaches the needy, Venkat and I went along with the guide to take the darshan.

VenkatThere was a long but fast moving queue. We walked in, gave the pooja items to the man in charge at the Maqbara (Samadhi) of Sufi Saint Moinuddin Chishti. He blessed us and sent us on our way from a side door. While a few more people insisted that we give money, we ignored everyone before stepping out. We went on our knees on the side for a few seconds to pray. I have heard that all prayers are answered at this Dargah. I am sure our prayers will also come true.

That's Ajmer Fort in the far background up the hillWe walked around to see a small pond where people were washing their hands and feet. There was too much of a crowd so we gave that a miss. Then there was a huge pot about 10 feet tall where people gave offerings in kind. One needs to climb about 10 steps to check it out. I didn’t go up, but Venkat did. I could not take too many photographs as it was frowned upon.

Trays of flowers. Aren't they lovely!On our way out, I asked our guide if he could take us through a main entrance. I was not too keen to walk the tiny street with drainage around. That’s when I realised that there was a main road leading to the shrine. We reached the auto faster than it took us to get to the Dargah. Now why would he have taken us by a roundabout dirty route? Only God knows.

Travel: HAWA MAHAL IS SIMPLY AMAZING

Hawa MahalFrom Birla Temple , the rickshawwala drove me to the old city of Jaipur known as Pink City which is where you will find Hawa Mahal .

In the compound; ticket counter is ahead on the rightAs the name suggests, the palace had been constructed especially for the Queens of yonder to receive maximum breeze. Read on to find out how and why.

Entrance to the palaceI walked through the arched entrance to the ticket counter and paid Rs. 20 as entrance fees. I asked the guy at the counter if it was possible to get a guide. He said that I could at a charge of Rs. 100 for a tour that will last a bit more than half an hour.

The Royal BathI went in along with the guide who could speak comfortably in both Hindi and English. He insisted he knew French too. But since I don’t understand a word, I told him to stick to Hinglish. We entered an open courtyard with a large square tank with fountains. They kept switching on the fountains every five minutes or so. I believe the tank was used as a bath by the king and his queens.

The ramp that goes all the way up to the fifth floor Hawa Mahal was built by Raja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799. It has no less than 953 windows along the five-storey structure. For a minute there, I had a minor heart attack that I had committed myself to climb five floors as the staircase to the first level was quite steep. But lucky ole’ me! The way up was a ribbed ramp that could carry the Queens on a wheelchair all the way up. Poor slave women of those days!

The closed window looking out into the marketplaceThe queens’ clothes used to weigh about 9 kg with jewelled embellishments. Over that, they used to wear a minimum of 6 kg jewellery. This totalled to about 15 kg making it impossible for them to walk around. On some days, the clothes and jewellery used to weigh up to 40 kg (eye-popping) - hence the wheelchairs and ramp.

Yours trulyThe windows are built in such a fashion that it was convenient for the royal women to look out into the marketplace - it’s also a busy market today - while it is not possible for people to look within.

Along the ramp - the air changes temperature as it entersSmall rectangular holes are cut into the windows along the ramp. These are shaped in such a fashion that the outside rectangle is small while the inside one is large. The air passing through changes temperature. It gets cooled in summer while gets a chance to warm up during winters. Ingenious!

One of the upper floorsThe Hawa Mahal is built of limestone, incorporating both Hindu & Mughal architecture as was the norm in those days. It's painted the same colour as the Pink City. It has been designed in the form of Lord Krishna’s crown or so says Wikipedia. It does look like a crown.

View from the topI walked up to the fifth level. This is known as Chandni Chowk . Yeah, the forerunner to the many Chandni Chowks of North India. On Poornima (full-moon) nights, live musicals and dance programmes were held in this open space. The king used to party along with his queens in a true royal fashion.

Chandni Chowk - this is where the musicians played for the royaltyI climbed the last narrow batch of stairs to get to the topmost level to get a panoramic view of the city. It was amazing. I also got a couple of clicks. I will not say much about climbing down those stairs - just a dozen of them - it was hair-raising to say the least as my eyesight is not the best. But I am glad I made the full trip.

A view of Chandni Chowk on the fifth floor from aboveThey had an environmental friendly way of keeping termite away those days. A mixed paste of yoghurt and fenugreek seeds was applied to the walls. This kept all insects away. I was zapped!

This the balcony from which people could watch the live programmes below in Chandni ChowkWe came down the same ramp but got out of another door to the left of the fountain. When I gave the guide Rs. 100, he told me that I owed him Rs. 200. Huh! Lucky for me I had checked at the ticket counter in advance. I told him just that and gave him exactly Rs. 100.

A view of the old cityLoved the trip to the breezy Hawa Mahal !

Book Review: THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

When Indireads held their first short story competition, I was quite fascinated with the kind of stories that were shortlisted. I had my own opinion of the winners while I was surprised by the stories that actually won. Well, tastes are different I suppose. 

I have chosen to review the stories that made a mark on me. The stories fall under the genres of Drama, Paranormal and Romance. 

A Plate of Rice by Mohammed Musthafa Azeez (Drama) is a story that truly appealed to me. I have read Mohammed’s work before and have been impressed with his writing style as well as his story ideas. For such a young writer, the pieces Mohammed comes up with are very mature. This story is one such. Kudos! 

In Exile by Neha Puntambekar is a hard hitting story and truly shook me up. The author writes about something that happens with rich kids who get away with drunken driving. But I have never read a viewpoint from the kid’s side. Wonderfully penned! A must read. Congratulations! 

Let Me Go by Rubina Ramesh is another story in the Drama genre that I loved reading. It made me cry my heart out. A story that brings forth strong emotions in the reader is one that really works for me. Just awesome! The relationship between brother and sister touches your heart. Congrats!  (I was amazed that this one didn’t win a prize. I am just glad that this story is part of this anthology). 

Romance is my favourite genre. While I liked A Tiara for Seher and The Blind Date , I was totally impressed by You Stole My Heart . What surprised me was that this one was also penned by Rubina Ramesh, the author of Let Me Go. While the Drama made me cry, this romance made me dance. I simply adore the royal background to the story and fell in love with Prince Armaan. Enjoyed every juicy bit of it, to be truthful! “Like a porcelain doll maker who feared that his masterpiece would shatter with his own breath” - what a simile! 

I am not fond of paranormal but have a kind of morbid fascination to it. I read Together Forever by SS Kuruganti and felt quite revolted. Nothing wrong with the writing and probably the author has achieved what she set out to do. But the story made me sick. So, I didn’t read the rest of the stories in that genre.

CLICK HERE to purchase your own copy of The Long & Short of it by Indireads

Tornado Giveaway: LOVE'S LABOR by Andy Paula

<---Visit Lily's Leap by Téa Cooper
23rd July, 2014

Renita D'Silva is the 23rd Author in the Tornado Giveaway.She has decided to give 10 copies of her book to 10 lucky winners. To enter the Giveaway, see the bottom of this post. To see all the books that are part of the Tornado Giveaway -  Click Here

WHAT IS THIS STORY ALL ABOUT ?
Click HerePiali Roy has run away from home and the two stubborn men who love her. One is her beloved Baba; a rigid traditionalist, he refuses to accept anyone from outside her caste and community. And then there is Sathya, the unsuitable outsider. He loves her truly, madly, deeply and has even called off his marriage for her sake. Neither man will budge, and the small town of Jampot, where everyone knows everything, is not big enough for the two of them.
Away from their unreasonable demands, Piali strives to find peace in the mountains. But within six months, her lover tracks her down. Once again, she betrays the one by trusting the other.
Will her labor in the name of love be in vain, or will love transcend all differences?



GET TO KNOW HER 


Andy Paula is a corporate trainer by profession and a writer by vocation. After the innumerable essays, poems, articles, editorials, congratulations & condolence letters she wrote for herself and others refused to satiate her writer's Self, she finally put herself seriously to the task and wrote Love's Labor, a romance novella that is now on Goodreads.







To know more about her :  Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Check out the First Book of Tornado Giveaway: 
Tornado Giveaway: 1st of July 2014 Scarlet Revenge by Ann McGinnis

Click Here  to buy your copy of DOUBLE JEOPARDY by Sundari Venkatraman
Click Here  to buy your copy of THE MALHOTRA BRIDE by Sundari Venkatraman Click Here  to buy your copy of MEGHNA by Sundari Venkatraman

Festival: EXQUISITE GANESHA IDOLS for CHATURTHI 2014

Durva Creations for Exclusive Ganesha IdolsI usually take a walk from my house to Gokul Mandir in Sion East. I walk through the back roads and return from the main road. 

Baby GaneshOn Saturday, I surprised upon a huge pandal at Jagger Niwas. Thinking that it’s too early for Ganesh Chaturthi , I peeped in to see hundreds of colourful and decorative Ganesh Idols sitting on the shelves and some on the floor, awaiting buyers.

Lord Ganpati
As I went in to check them out, I was met by Mrs. Jagger with a smiling face. She wanted to know what kind of idol I preferred. I explained to her that I am a blogger and would like to know about the kind of Ganesh Murtis they had to offer. 

On a swan
After taking a round of the pandal, I promised to go back the next day armed with my camera and notebook. 

Maharaja
I went back on Sunday afternoon to meet Mrs. Jagger. She let me take pictures to my heart’s content while the assistant helpfully removed tags and dust-covers to give me access to some of the most beautiful idols that I have seen on my many such ventures. 

One more Maharaja
Click Here to read about how the Idols are made in the villages of Maharashtra and brought to Mumbai. 

Beautiful!
Both Navin and Diya Jagger have been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with a specially purchased idol every year over the past 25 years. In fact, 2014 is their silver jubilee year. 

In the lines of Lord KrishnaNavin Jagger takes great interest in visiting a number of vendors each year to choose the perfect idol for their home. His final order generally was a combination of one particular face, another posture and different colours - put together as per his taste and made to order. Incidentally, Mr. Jagger says he never bargains with the vendors as he feels that art is priceless. 

Look at the velvety texture of the dhoti. Isn't it amazing!
This eye for detailing and colours gave forth to an urge to do something different this year and Durva Creations was born. Mr. & Mrs. Jagger hold 9-5 routine jobs that are quite ordinary. They so wanted to bring some art and colour into their lives. That’s how they hit upon the idea of going into business of getting together some exclusive Ganesha Idols for this year’s Chaturthi. 

This gorgeous Ganesha is sold with stone embellishments completeNavin Jagger has been visiting a cluster of villages around Pen in Maharashtra since four months. He’s been checking out many idol-makers and bringing together ideas for the kind of idols he wished to sell at his stall. 

Royal Lord Ganesh
While idol-makers were taken from one village, painters of the idols were chosen from elsewhere, ensuring that the idols at Durva Creations are exclusive enough. 

Doesn't He look cute! Hugs!Different faces, various poses and vaahans were put together with brilliant colour combinations to suit his exclusive taste as 300 plus idols found their way to Durva Creations at Jagger Niwas. 

This flaming red Ganesh Idol caught my eye for sureA visitor will find a maximum of three idols that look the same; even those have been made different with separate colour combinations. 

Baby Krishna-Lord Ganesh. Mwah!All the idols have been prepared and painted in the village and brought here with extreme care, ensuring that there is no damage. 

The King is waiting to find a homeThe sizes of the Ganesh Idols measure thus: 12”, 15”, 18”, 22”, 24”, 30”, 3’, 4’ and 5’. While I got to see all sizes, the 5-foot ones were yet to arrive. Costs range from Rs. 1500-8500. Prices are negotiable. 

Look at that decorative trunk. Awesome!What’s special about the Ganesh Idols sold at Durva Creations?

They have a provision for embellishing the idols with coloured stones. Believe me, the result is extremely beautiful. It must take a lot of time and patience to do this artwork and this responsibility has been given to artist Siddharth Patil who is adept at multi-tasking, it seems. Mr. Patil is still studying while holding a day job. He still finds time to spare for this creative work from 8 pm to 1 am when he’s available at Jagger Niwas. Anyone who’s buying Ganesh Idols from here can meet the artist personally after 8 pm and discuss exactly what they want done on their idol. The cost for embellishing your Ganesha will be separate depending on the number of stones used and the level of ornamentation required. The artist takes 1-2 days to complete work on each idol. The sooner you place the order, the faster you are ensured of a well-decorated Ganesha for the festival. 

Completely ready with stone work in red, blue, green and whiteWhat impressed me about the Ganesh Idols I found at Durva Creations:

• I have never seen such beautiful clay idols of Lord Ganesh ever before on the many visits I have made to sale outlets as well as Ganesh pandals during the festival.
• The faces of Ganpatis look absolutely divine, making one want to pray when in front of them.
• The eyes of the idols are very expressive.
• The velvety texture to the dhotis worn by the idols, painted in shades of colours, looks very attractive.
• The variety is amazing.

Ganpati Bappa Morya! Click Here to LIKE Durva Creations on facebook


Durva Creations,214, Jagger Niwas, Opp. Sion Hospital,Sion East, Mumbai – 400022+91 98202 49404
All of 4 feet, squatting on a conch shell. Don't miss the li'l dolphin
I sincerely pray to the Elephant-headed Lord that Durva Creations does great business this Ganesh Chaturthi . All the best to Mr. & Mrs. Jagger on their divine and colourful venture! 

Any takers?

Tornado Giveaway: LILY'S LEAP by Téa Cooper

 

<---Visit India Was One by An Indian
22nd July, 2014

Téa Cooper is the 22nd Author in the Tornado Giveaway.She has decided to give 5 copies of her book to 5 lucky winners. To enter the Giveaway, see the bottom of this post. To see all the books that are part of the Tornado Giveaway - Click Here


WHAT IS THIS STORY ALL ABOUT ?


Click HereFrom Escape's Queen of Australian historical romance comes a story about a privileged member of Australian's squattocracy, a bushranger, and a very special horse.

Born into the rough, but privileged society of the Australian colonial landowners, Lilibeth Dungarven finds herself married, widowed, and, much to her distress, back under her father’s thumb, all before her twenty-first birthday. Determined not to forgo her dream of breeding the perfect racehorse, Lilibeth ignores propriety and sets out to restore the family’s flagging fortunes.

When Captain Tom and his mismatched band of bushrangers stumble across a mob of the best horses they’ve ever seen, and the daughter of the famed Dungarven horse stud, they know their fortunes have changed. Their catch is worth a king’s ransom. All they have to do is hold her for seven days. How hard can it be to control the pampered daughter of a colonial upstart?


GET TO KNOW HER 


Téa Cooper lives in a stone cottage on one hundred acres of bushland, in the Hunter Valley. When she isn't writing, Téa can be found haunting the local museum or chatting to the locals, who provide her with a never-ending source of inspiration. The settings for her stories range from the glittering beachside city of Sydney to small country towns and the harsh outback.

Take a ride from the ocean to the outback and discover pure Australian romance.




To know more about her :  Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Next Giveaway on 23rd July 2014: Love's Labor by Andy Paula
Click Here  to buy your copy of DOUBLE JEOPARDY by Sundari Venkatraman
Click Here  to buy your copy of THE MALHOTRA BRIDE by Sundari Venkatraman Click Here  to buy your copy of MEGHNA by Sundari Venkatraman

Tornado Giveaway: INDIA WAS ONE by An Indian

<---Visit Crossing The Line by Nicola Marsh 
21st July, 2014

An Indian is the 21st Author in the Tornado Giveaway. He has decided to give 10 copies of his book to 10 lucky winners. To enter the Giveaway, see the bottom of this post. To see all the books that are part of the Tornado Giveaway - Click Here


WHAT IS THIS STORY ALL ABOUT ?


Click Here
…Suddenly, he saw something shiny at the bottom of the abyss. He squinted his eyes to see what it was. He ran back to his binoculars and turned them to see what it was. Sharp barbed wires that separated the two mountains came into focus. He had come as far as he could in his country. But she was standing in another country.

He was in South India and she was in North India…

Have you ever imagined India being divided into two countries? What happens to the millions of Indians who are from South India but are now residing in North India? Kaahi & Jai were two such people who got trapped in this situation. Everything was going smoothly for them and suddenly, their world turned upside down.

How will they get together? Will India become one again?

Take an exciting journey with them from their college days in Mumbai to their life in the US and back to India when they find out that India is divided.

GET TO KNOW HIM 

The author was born and raised in Mumbai, India. He came to the US in 1989 and lived in New York. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.
The Author calls himself An Indian. We have no pics of him. But the Author does have something to say to every Indian out there....

Dear Readers,

I wanted to tell a story peppering it with Indian languages and narrating my experiences, inter-weaving them with some imaginary tale. When I mentioned this idea to my wife, her very first question was, "who is your target-audience?" That made me "think outside the box". After reading the book, you'll agree that there is no target-audience. I'd say - 10+, any sex, from any country, any ethnicity, any religion - is the intended audience.

When I wanted to tell a story, I wanted to "lull" the reader into thinking that they are just reading a travelogue. Making them wonder where (if at all anywhere) the story is going. Is it just another boring experience written by a NRI? AND THEN BOOM. It hits you. Suddenly, along with the characters, the reader's dream-world shatters.

This book is broken up in 3 parts. And it is intentional. Let me explain why.

The first part is about the Indian culture. Most Indians (in India) already know it. But what about NRIs? They may find it nostalgic. And what about their kids. They may have a better understanding about their roots and culture. And the non-Indian find it very fascinating. 

The second part is about life in the US. Readers who are in the US may find it a bit like a travelogue. However, others may find it very interesting. Those who can't be here get a glimpse into the US life of an Indian (and the US life in general).

The third part is for everyone. 

Hence, you'll notice that different people react differently to this book. There is something for everyone.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you,
An Indian   

The author was born and raised in Mumbai, India. He came to the US in 1989 and lived in New York.  This book is for those who like travel, history, romance, culture, cuisine, sports, political-thriller, etc. It’s dubbed as a realistic-fiction. A fiction based on some real events.  He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.




To know more about him:  Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Next Giveaway on 22nd July 2014: Lily's Leap by Téa Cooper

Click Here  to buy your copy of DOUBLE JEOPARDY by Sundari Venkatraman
Click Here  to buy your copy of THE MALHOTRA BRIDE by Sundari Venkatraman Click Here  to buy your copy of MEGHNA by Sundari Venkatraman

Tornado Giveaway: CROSSING THE LINE by Nicola Marsh

<---Visit Kingdom Come by Aarti V. Raman
20th July, 2014

Nicola Marsh is the 20th Author in the Tornado Giveaway.She has decided to give 5 copies of her book to 5 lucky winners. To enter the Giveaway, see the bottom of this post. To see all the books that are part of the Tornado Giveaway - Click Here



WHAT IS THIS STORY ALL ABOUT ?

Click HereLaying it all on the line for love… 
Mia Cresswell is tired of being good. Achieving geek status at college doesn’t equate with fun. So when she heads home to her dad’s tennis academy in Santa Monica on spring break, she’s determined to be bad. And hot Aussie tennis star Kye Sheldon is just the guy to help her do it. 
However, Kye’s troubled past continues to dog him and attending the Cresswell Tennis Academy is his last chance at the big time. He can’t afford to screw up…by screwing the boss’s daughter. 
But Mia and Kye’s relationship is much more than a vacation fling. Will it be game, set, match, when the truth is revealed? 
Or will Mia and Kye have a real shot at love all? 

GET TO KNOW HER 

USA TODAY bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flair for adults and spooky, supernatural fiction for young adults.
She has published 45 books with Harlequin, Entangled Publishing and indie, and sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
Her first mainstream contemporary romance, BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD (Entangled Publishing) released to rave reviews, including a nomination for RWA's RBY, Romantic Book of the Year 2012.
Her first indie-pubbed contemporary romance CRAZY LOVE released September 2012, is a Barnes & Noble bestseller, and was nominated for a 2012 ARRA award.
Her young adult debut, BANISH, a supernatural thriller featuring Wicca, spirits and murder, released August 2013 with Harlequin Teen.
Her young adult fantasy series with Month9Books launched November 2013 with SCION OF THE SUN.
Her debut adult novel BEFORE released December 2013.
She's also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY and National Readers' Choice Award winner, is a multiple finalist for awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers' Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Awards.
To know more about her :  Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Next Giveaway on 21st of July, 2014: India Was One by An Indian

Click Here  to buy your copy of DOUBLE JEOPARDY by Sundari Venkatraman
Click Here  to buy your copy of THE MALHOTRA BRIDE by Sundari Venkatraman Click Here  to buy your copy of MEGHNA by Sundari Venkatraman

Tornado Giveaway: KINGDOM COME by Aarti V. Raman

<---Visit Rapid Fall by Adiana Ray
19th July, 2014

Adite Banerjie is the 19th Author in the Tornado Giveaway.She has decided to give 10 copies of her book to 10 lucky winners. To enter the Giveaway, see the bottom of this post. To see all the books that are part of the Tornado Giveaway - Click Here



WHAT IS THIS STORY ALL ABOUT ?

Click HereHow do you kill a man with no Achilles heel? You cut off his foot. -Tom Jones
Set against the serene beauty of Kashmir, Ladakh and Tibet, Kingdom Come is a gripping story of death and loss, vengeance and retribution, love and life. Krivi Iyer is an embittered former spy and bomb defusal expert with only one regret. That he couldn't catch The Woodpecker, a dangerous, mentally unstable bomber who ended his partner's family. He has a second chance to go after his arch enemy with the arrival of Ziya Maarten, the manager of 'Goonj Business Enterprises' in Srinagar, Kashmir, who is alleged to be The Woodpecker's sister. Except, Ziya is a beautiful distraction and not a terrorist's sister. When a tragedy in London tears Ziya's life apart, she can only rely on Krivi to give her the absolution and vengeance she needs to move on. Between training to be an anti-terrorist squad member and finding The Woodpecker, Ziya uncovers the secrets of Krivi's tormented past. But will two tortured souls find the courage to love?

GET TO KNOW HER 

Aarti always wanted to be either a lawyer. Or a writer. So she tossed a coin and picked writer. Or rather, it picked her. Since then, she has valiantly struggled to put words to paper and bring characters and stories alive that make people sigh and laugh and enjoy every moment of. She has studied Journalism from Mumbai University, Creative Writing at Deakin, and considers herself a student of life. Her three favorite words are, Happy-Ever-After. She has written one romantic thriller already "White Knight" under Aarti V and has a historical series "The Lords of Devil Manor" debuting in June 2014. You can talk to her on kingdomcomethebook@gmail.com



To know more about her :  Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next Giveaway on 20th of July, 2014: Crossing The Line by Nicola Marsh

Click Here  to buy your copy of DOUBLE JEOPARDY by Sundari Venkatraman
Click Here  to buy your copy of THE MALHOTRA BRIDE by Sundari Venkatraman Click Here  to buy your copy of MEGHNA by Sundari Venkatraman

Blog Tour: SCARLET REVENGE by Ann McGinnis

Scarlet Revenge by Ann McGinnis




MY REVIEW


Caycee Scarlet is an FBI analyst. She’s excellent at her job and she proves it even on Day One on the Omega Killer case. But it does not work well with her boss Tony Wilkes who wants all the credit to himself. Does that stop her from telling him off? Not at all. She’s saved from losing her job by Special Agent Gil Graham who takes her under his wing and gets her transferred as his assistant. 
The relationship between Caycee and Gil is hot. But neither of them is sure about the other. They work four days at a stretch at the interrogation facility and have four days off. Caycee proves again and again that she’s an able analyst. Soon, Omega is after her as she had been the cause of saving his latest victim. 
Omega’s a crazy psychopath and has the wherewithal to penetrate the secret FBI facility. Can he be stopped as he goes on a killing rampage? And then there is the bombing suspect who plays on Caycee’s sympathies. He’s handsome to boot. You have to read the book to know what happens in the end.
I loved Caycee’s character. She’s very smart and a go-getter. She does not suffer fools gladly. The author has done a lot of research on the running of the FBI and it shows in the well presented story. 
The end sequence with Omega on the rampage has been superbly sketched and causes a lot of nail-biting. Hicks, the bombing suspect, is a character to reckon with. The reader is not sure what he will do next and Caycee’s morbid fascination with him is so naturally brought out. 
All the characters have been well etched and interesting except for Gil Graham. Being the hero of the story, I would have liked him to be more impactful; especially him being a Special Agent in the FBI. But there wasn’t much of Gil in the story.
But for that, Scarlet Revenge is an interesting novel that gets you hooked from the word go.



Disclaimer: I received the PDF version of this book from the author in return for my honest review as part of the blog tour conducted by The Book Club. 


The Blurb
The FBI doesn't know what to do with Analyst Caycee Scarlet. She's brash, brilliant & brutally relentless when tracking a serial killer. But she also has a temper, problems with authority figures and recognizing the chain of command. Things go sideways for Caycee when she uncovers a lead that saves the Omega Killer's latest victim. Rather than working the system and making nice with her pompous boss, sparks fly and she gets into an altercation with the lead Special Agent on the case, resulting in a transfer to another assignment. Caycee finds herself transferred to an FBI interrogation facility where she assesses the most dangerous of criminals in custody. She struggles to get over the loss of her dream job, but her new boss, handsome Special Agent Gil Graham, may soften the blow. Sparks, of a different variety, fly between the Special Agent and his new Analyst, as they work together to crack the most difficult cases. Just when Caycee's wounds are healing from her expulsion on the Omega Killer team, she is dragged back into the thick of it. Caycee and her new team are front and center, focused on an interview of a bombing suspect, when Omega comes looking for revenge. His attack wounds her team, leaving Caycee with only one option for help-the devastatingly handsome bombing suspect. It will take all of Caycee's wits, and a kiss for luck, to stop Omega and save her co-workers.
Buy @   Amazon.com | Barnes and Noble |              Watch it



Meet the Author

Ann McGinnis writes about characters that let their egos and sense of justice rule their lives, while they protect the public from serial killers and unthinkable crimes. Of course, Ann's characters always find a way to blow off steam -- romantically!
As a writer, Ann comes from the world of action/thrillers and screenwriting. She has two scripts currently in development. A third script, about a spunky FBI analyst, is the basis of "Scarlet Revenge" and the main character Caycee Scarlet. It is the first book in a series, with Book 2 “Scarlet Envy” coming out in September 2014.


Stalk her @
        



Click Here  to buy your copy of DOUBLE JEOPARDY by Sundari Venkatraman
Click Here  to buy your copy of THE MALHOTRA BRIDE by Sundari Venkatraman Click Here  to buy your copy of MEGHNA by Sundari Venkatraman