Devika Fernando's Blog, page 16
June 13, 2018
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Matsya" by Sundari Venkatraman
DASHAVATARMATSYA: The First AvatarbySundari Venkatraman
Blurb
Lord Brahma is highly disturbed when the four vedas are stolen from him the moment he goes to sleep at the end of the kalpa. It’s Asura Hayagriva who’s gotten away with the sacred scriptures.
Lord Vishnu offers to go to the creator’s rescue and takes the guise of Matsya, the fish.
King Satyavrath lands up with a tiny gold fish when he’s offering prayers to the Sun God one morning. Is the fish all that it appears to be?
How can Satyavrath help the fish?
Read more to find out the reason for Lord Vishnu taking the avatar on earth as Matsya.
*This is a straightforward story of the first avatar of Mahavishnu, retold in simple English just the way it’s written over the ages. The target audience is the youngsters, children, who don’t know all that much about Indian mythology. It’s also for those parents who are keen to read aloud stories to their children and are looking for suitable books on mythology.
Grab your copy @
Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk
About the author
Sundari Venkatraman is an indie author who has 16 titles to her name, all Top 100 Bestsellers on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.
Even as a kid, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome as she grew up reading all the fairy tales she could lay her hands on, Phantom comics, Mandrake comics and the like. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end.
Soon, into her teens, Sundari switched her attention from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to a local hero and heroine. Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years.
Then came the writing – a true bolt out of the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.
Click here to check out all the titles by the author...
Watch a video:
Media spotlight:
Amazon Newsroom The Hindu Media Infoline Tech Observer
You can stalk her @
Play the Rafflecopter to win Amazon Gift Cardsa Rafflecopter giveaway
This Tour is Hosted by
Facebook | Website | Blog Tours | Twitter | Linkedin
We Promote So That You Can Write
');
June 10, 2018
Featured - Book Spotlight for "The Women of Heachley Hall" by Rachel Walkley
About the BookAuthor name: Rachel WalkleyGenre: Women’s Fiction / Family Saga
Release Date: 4/5/2018
Miriam has one year to uncover an unimaginable past and a secret that only women can discover.
The life of a freelance illustrator will never rake in the millions so when twenty-eight year old Miriam discovers she’s the sole surviving heir to her great-aunt’s fortune, she can’t believe her luck. She dreams of selling her poky city flat and buying a studio.
But great fortune comes with an unbreakable contract. To earn her inheritance, Miriam must live a year and a day in the decaying Heachley Hall.
The fond memories of visiting the once grand Victorian mansion are all she has left of her parents and the million pound inheritance is enough of a temptation to encourage her to live there alone.
After all, a year’s not that long. So with the help of a local handyman, she begins to transform the house.
But the mystery remains. Why would loving Aunt Felicity do this to her?
Alone in the hall with her old life miles away, Miriam is desperate to discover the truth behind Felicity’s terms. Miriam believes the answer is hiding in her aunt’s last possession: a lost box. But delving into Felicity and Heachley’s long past is going to turn Miriam’s view of the world upside down.
Does she dare keep searching, and if she does, what if she finds something she wasn’t seeking?
Has something tragic happened at Heachley Hall?
EXTRACT
‘Are you sure you’re alright being here alone?’ Ruth asked for the umpteenth time, as I stood at the kitchen window: my favourite viewing spot. ‘We’re doing really well on the cleaning. There’s no need to unload anything in the dark, just leave it in the van until tomorrow. And don’t forget, I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to visit. Half-term.’ She put her arms around my shoulders and squeezed them.
‘Sure.’ There was no point lamenting the solitary nature of my occupation. It wouldn’t do me any good to paint myself as a failure before I’d spent one night in the house.
‘I can’t believe your aunt left it to you without explanation. Something has to be out there to explain it all. A missing letter? ’ Ruth picked up a dishcloth and scrubbed a mark on the worktop. Her boundless energy was infectious and I returned to wiping down the windowpanes.
‘I’ve been over it all countless times in my head, read the will over and over, and there isn’t a clue to her reasons why anywhere.’ I chased a smudge of something around the glass, never quite removing it.
‘Nothing in her personal effects in the nursing home?’
I shrugged. ‘Possibly, but according to Mr Porter it’s all gone.’
‘Do you trust him?’
BUY LINKS
AMAZON UK: https://goo.gl/Q4cSGC
AMAZON US: https://goo.gl/gU3FAF
About the AuthorBorn in the Midlands, Rachel Walkley grew up in East Anglia and is now firmly lodged in the North West of England. Her first writing achievement was her Brownie badge and after that she never let go of the dream of becoming of an author. Once a librarian and caretaker of books, she’s now a teller of tales and wants to share with you the secrets that hide in the pages of her books.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelJWalkley
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelJWalkley
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17766384.Rachel_Walkley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raejcreations/
Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/103714165043075415680
Blog: https://rachelwalkley.com/blog/
Website: https://rachelwalkley.com/
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway
Featured - Book Spotlight for "Slammed Again" by Liza O'Connor
What is Luck and why does it affect people differently?Davy appears to have both horrible and fabulous luck. However, almost all the horrible luck has come from other people who are being paid off by the Bellemonte family, (his mother’s family, whom she ran away from).
These uber rich Cretans having nothing better to do than constantly try to ruin Davy’s bull-riding career by either trying to kill him, ruin his reputation, or bribe someone to kick him off the bull-riding circuit.
Yet, taking down the best bull rider in the world is not so easy. Davy rides for the joy of those eight seconds. And while he has enemies, his generosity, kindness, and amazing ability to stay on the bulls, makes him far stronger than his rich enemies.
About the Book SLAMMED AGAIN!ByLiza O’Connor
Davy’s Saga, Book 2
∞
Contemporary Suspense
Country Western/ Bull Riding
Blurb
Davy Hill is now married to his beloved, Laurel, and they have a baby on the way. He should be the happiest man on earth, only the slams keep coming. Despite riding like a seasoned pro, once he pays the WBR their share, pays his taxes, his health insurance, and his traveling costs, there’s little left to pay his mortgage on the farm and have food to eat.
When he hurts his hand while shingling the roof of his barn, he and Laurel both are frightened by how close to the edge they are, despite their largess from earlier. Being a bull-rider is a risky career, but it’s all he ever wanted to do. So, despite all the problems, and all the times he gets knocked down, Davy always gets back up, because that’s what a cowboy does!
Never has there been a bull-rider who has more bad and good luck than Davy Hill.
EXCERPT
A Letter from his Deceased Great Grandmother
The document was bound in a soft, brown-leather cover with the words ‘The Wishes of Claire Hamilton’ written on the cover in gold letterings.
Claire. His mother must have been named after her.
Laurel snuggled beside him on the couch as he opened the cover and looked at a better dressed, more old-fashioned version of his mother.
“She’s so beautiful!” Laurel said. “Can we frame this?”
Davy nodded. “I’d like to do that. She looks like my mother. And I don’t have any pictures of ma. The bill collectors took everything. We will definitely keep and frame this picture.”
The first page was a handwritten letter from Claire Hamilton.
I am writing to you before you are born and by the time you read it, it shall be a letter from the grave.
I know nothing about you. We’ve never met, but you are my hope for the future. I pray you have grown up strong, yet kind, generous to those who have less, and thoughtful as to how you can make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate.
I was born with a platinum spoon in my mouth, and I know all too well the dangers of wealth. If you remember anything in this letter, let it be this observation:
Our time on Earth will not be judged by the money we make, nor the assets we acquire, but the way we treat the people around us.
And I do not mean just the people at the Polo Club. Every day you pass by a hundred people. Servants, drivers, baggage handlers, doormen, shop girls, and beggars. These people are all important. They have dreams and hopes just like you. Treat them with respect and help them when you can. These are the deeds in which one day your life will be judged.
Davy smiled and caressed the page. “She was just like my mother.”
Laurel leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad she wrote this letter. This gives you a person in your mother’s family you can love.”
Davy nodded and turned the page.
I have instructed my lawyers to allocate my trust among my great-grandchildren. I have no idea how many of you there are or whether you need my money or not.
However, I know too much money is detrimental to a person’s character. I have seen that with my own grandchildren. All but one has been permanently harmed by greed. And I’ve no idea what happened to the one who escaped her gilded cage, but I pray with all my heart she lived and flourished, and her children read this letter.
“She’s talking about your mother,” Laurel said pointing to the line.
Tears welled in Davy’s eyes. Always to the rescue, Laurel pulled out a tissue and dabbed his eyes.
Because of my concerns, I provide you with several options.
You may have your portion of my estate in cash;
You may donate your portion to a charity of your choosing or
You may create a new charity to touch the lives of people who need help. Although this latter option will take more time and effort on your part, I hope some of you will choose to do this. I believe this option will give you the most joy. This is how you change people’s lives for the best.
Davy knew which one he wanted to choose. He looked at Laurel.
She smiled. “Let’s choose the third one.”
He leaned in and kissed her.
BUY THEM BOTH NOW!
SLAMMED
Davy’s Saga, Book 1
AMAZON
99 cents from June 1-7
SLAMMED AGAIN!
Davy’s Saga, Book 2
Releases June 8th
Pre-order is available
AMAZON
About the Author Liza O’Connor lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. They hike in fabulous woods every day, rain or shine, sleet or snow. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels.FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
LIZA O'CONNOR
Investigate these sites:
Liza's Blog and Website Facebook Twitter
And check out Liza’s
40+ books
June 6, 2018
Featured - Book Spotlight for "A Woman's Lot" by Carolyn Hughes
About the BookRelease Date: 4th June 2018Genre: Historical fiction
Series: Book 2 of The Meonbridge Chronicles
Publisher: SilverWood Books
How can mere women resist the misogyny of men?
When a resentful peasant rages against a woman’s efforts to build up her flock of sheep.
…or a husband, grown melancholy and ill-tempered, succumbs to idle talk that his wife’s a scold.
…or a priest, fearful of women’s “unnatural” power, determines to keep them in their place.
The devastation wrought two years ago by the Black Death changed the balance of society, and gave women a chance to break free from the yoke of chatteldom, to learn a trade, build a business, be more than just men’s wives.
But many men still hold fast to the teachings of the Church, and fear the havoc the daughters of Eve might wreak if they’re allowed to usurp men’s roles, and gain control over their own lives.
Not all men resist women’s quest for change – indeed, they want change for themselves.
Yet it takes only one or two misogynists to unleash the hounds of hostility and hatred…
A Woman’s Lot is the second Meonbridge Chronicle, the sequel to Fortune’s Wheel.
BUY LINKS
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2L5v0uv
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2xBCm6S
EXTRACT
At that moment, the constable knocked on Emma’s door. ‘Is Mistress Titherige with you, Mistress Ward?’
Emma invited him inside and he bowed to Eleanor. ‘Your sheep are found, mistress.’
She blanched at the gloomy expression on the constable’s face. ‘Are they dead?’ she asked, in a whisper.
He shuffled his feet and, when he spoke, his voice was quiet too. ‘Two dead, mistress. The third, nearly so––’
Eleanor cried out. ‘Dead! My lovely ewes. And their unborn lambs.’
Emma put her arm around Eleanor’s shoulders. ‘It’s wicked, that’s what it is. Those poor innocent creatures…’
Eleanor got to her feet. ‘Take me to them, master constable.’
But Geoffrey demurred. ‘No, no, Mistress Titherige, there’s no need—’
She tossed her head. ‘Yes, there is. I want to see them. Please lead me, master constable.’ And she swept from Emma’s house and strode down the lane behind Geoffrey, who was still trying, but failing, to dissuade her from her mission.
But if Eleanor had been determined to see what had happened to her sheep, when she did so, she wished she had not come after all.
The derelict barn was cold and damp, its roof partly fallen in, and the ancient hay piled up in the stall where her sheep were penned was giving off a foul and musty stink. As Geoffrey had already said, two of the sheep were dead, lying close together in the rotten hay, their tongues lolling from their mouths, their lovely fleeces all filthy and reeking. One had dried blood around her tail and, when she saw it, Eleanor’s hand flew to her mouth.
‘Had she already birthed?’ she said, a choke rising in her throat. She cast about her, looking for a lamb. Then Geoffrey hurried forward and scrabbled in the hay, one of his men holding a lantern high.
Shortly, Geoffrey stood up. ‘It’s here, mistress. Don’t look––’
But, refusing his advice, Eleanor went forward too. He pointed, and she pressed both hands to her face, as she stared down on the pitiful little body, dark and bloodied, nestled in the foul hay a short distance from its dam.
‘Where’s the third?’ she said, her voice a whisper.
‘Over ’ere, missus,’ said the constable’s man.
The third sheep lay apart from the others, on its side, panting, its eyes sunken.
‘She’s been deprived of water,’ said Eleanor, kneeling by the animal’s side. ‘How cruel…’
‘Or mebbe just ignorant?’ said the constable. He bent down and picked up some hay. ‘The hay’s all rotten, mistress. It’s been here years. Won’t ’ave done them no good.’
She looked up at him. ‘Bad hay and no water?’ She stroked the sheep’s muzzle, and tears filled her eyes. ‘The poor, poor creatures.’
Eleanor wiped away the tears on the sleeve of her kirtle. ‘Anyway, she’s past saving. So please, master constable, arrange for her to be freed from her suffering.’
Geoffrey bowed his head. ‘Will Cole’ll do it.’
About the AuthorCarolyn Hughes was born in London, but has lived most of her life in Hampshire. After a first degree in Classics and English, she started her working life as a computer programmer, in those days a very new profession. It was fun for a few years, but she left to become a school careers officer in Dorset. But it was when she discovered technical authoring that she knew she had found her vocation. She spent the next few decades writing and editing all sorts of material, some fascinating, some dull, for a wide variety of clients, including an international hotel group, medical instrument manufacturers and the Government. She has written creatively for most of her adult life, but it was not until her children grew up and flew the nest, several years ago, that creative writing and, especially, writing historical fiction, took centre stage in her life. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from Portsmouth University and a PhD from the University of Southampton.A Woman’s Lot is the second of the Meonbridge Chronicles, her series of historical novels set in fourteenth century England. The first, Fortune’s Wheel, was published in 2016. The third in the series is well under way.
Facebook: CarolynHughesAuthor
Twitter: @writingcalliope
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2hs2rrX
Blog: https://carolynhughesauthor.com/blog/
Also at http://the-history-girls.blogspot.com (20th of every month)
Website: https://carolynhughesauthor.com
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway
May 30, 2018
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Rising from the Ashes" by Rubina Ramesh
RISING FROM THE ASHES: A Short Story: Prequel to Knitted Tales 2 by Rubina Ramesh
BLURB
She was one of the most beautiful woman Asura Sambara had laid his eyes on.
Possessing a beauty of this magnitude became his passion. Sambara kidnapped her and whisked her off to his palace.
Mayavati knows she has no option but to bow down to his wishes. But what about the young man who always haunts her dreams? She had no clue why she was in this palace but after speaking to the mischief making Sage Narada, it all started making sense to her.
Who was Mayavati and what was she doing in Asura’s palace?
Was Sambara her destiny?
Disclaimer: This short story is a mythological fiction and should be treated as such. The author does not claim it to be a retelling of the Puranas. This piece is a product of her unbridled imagination.
Grab your copy @
Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk
About the author
Rubina Ramesh is an avid reader, writer, blogger, book reviewer and marketer. She is the founder of The Book Club, an online book publicity group. Her first literary work was published in her school magazine. It gave her immense pride to see her own name at the bottom of the article. She was about 8 years old at that time. She then went to complete her MBA and after her marriage to her childhood friend, her travel saga started. From The Netherlands to the British Isles she lived her life like an adventure. After a short stint in Malaysia, she finally settled down in the desert state of USA, Arizona. Living with her DH and two human kids and one doggie kid, Rubina has finally started living the life she had always dreamed about – that of a writer.
Click here to check out all the titles by the author...
You can stalk her @
This Tour is Hosted by
Facebook | Website | Blog Tours | Twitter | Linkedin
We Promote So That You Can Write
');
May 28, 2018
Featured - Book Spotlight for "After the Sun" by Katharine E. Smith
About the Book Release Date: 28th May 2018Series: Coming Back to Cornwall #2 (can be read as a standalone)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
When things seem too good to be true, they usually are.
Alice is finding her feet managing the Sail Loft Hotel when Sam is presented with an offer he can’t refuse. The bad news is, if he says yes, he will have to leave Cornwall.
Sam’s visits home see him split in his loyalties between his daughter Sophie, and spending time with Alice. Sophie’s mother, Kate, seems to be doing her best to make things difficult.
Meanwhile, Alice’s friend Julie is also facing a long-distance relationship as her new partner, and Sam’s best friend, Luke, is working in London. With no children to think of, and plenty of disposable income (on Luke’s part at least), life should be more simple but Julie has yet to find a long-term job and Luke is still getting over the recent death of his mother.
Can these fledgling relationships pass the long-distance test, and can Julie and Alice make life in Cornwall work for them now that the summer sun has gone?
EXTRACT
“Oh.” I feel like my stomach has dropped to the floor. I try to look happy. “But that is brilliant, isn’t it? It’s an amazing opportunity, it’s perfect for you.”
“Alice,” Sam says quietly and I look at him. “It’s not perfect, is it? Because it would mean being away from you.”
He’s been offered sponsorship through university, including a year’s practical experience partway through the course, and guaranteed employment afterwards. His exam results were some of the best in the country for his chosen course, Applied Marine Biology, and he’s actually been head-hunted by a brilliant conservation society. It’s more wonderful news, on top of everything else. Only the course they want him to do isn’t at Plymouth, it’s at Bangor, in North Wales.
414 miles away via the quickest route (seven hours, ten minutes). 389 miles via the A30 (seven hours, thirty-two minutes), five changes on the train (eight hours, fifty-eight minutes).
“You have to do it,” I say, “you have to. It’s too good an opportunity to turn down.”
I am saying the right words but I am willing him to say no, he won’t, he doesn’t want to. We have been apart for ten years, and back together again for a matter of weeks. I can’t bear the thought that we will be separated again. But I know that this decision needs to be his. He looks at me, his blue eyes serious and holding my gaze. I look away first, scared that I might cry.
“I don’t know,” he says. “I don’t know.”
“Number fifty-three!” The lady behind the counter calls out cheerfully.
“This is us,” I say, “I’ll go and get it.” I am grateful for the opportunity to break this moment. “Do you want any sauce?” I ask, trying to match the cafe lady’s tone.
“Alice…” Sam says but I am on my feet, walking towards the counter with a smile on my face while inside my heart is breaking. I know that he has to go.
BUY LINKS
AMAZON UK - https://goo.gl/neeV9A
AMAZON US - https://goo.gl/9YkSC8
About the Author Katharine E. Smith is a writer, editor and publisher. An avid reader of contemporary writers such as Kate Atkinson, David Nicholls and Anne Tyler, Katharine’s aim is to write books she would like to read herself. She has three novels to her name, and one non-fiction guide, written with fellow indie authors in mind.Katharine runs Heddon Publishing from her home in Shropshire, which she shares with her husband and their two children.
Facebook: http://facebook.com/smithkatharinee
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/KatharineESmtih
Website: www.katharineesmith.com
May 27, 2018
About the Book Mauri, the second book of Abhaya collection by Saiswaroopa Iyer is set to release on 9th June 2018 on Amazon Kindle Store. Set in the times of Mahabharata, the books explore lesser known stories of the timeless epic of India from the perspectives of strong female protagonists. The opening Title, May 24, 2018
Featured - Book Spotlight for "Murder Most Welcome" by Nicola Slade
About the BookSeries: The Charlotte Richmond Mysteries Book 1Genre: Historical cosy mystery
Release Date: This edition Feb 2018 First Ed:2008
Publisher: Williams & Whiting Publishing
Outwardly a grieving young Victorian widow, Charlotte Richmond is concealing some scandalous secrets when she arrives at Finchbourne Manor to start a new life with her husband's family. The wealthy Richmonds must never discover that her husband's recent death in the Indian Mutiny came as a great relief. Nor must they hear about the rumors circulating in the army regarding his scandalous behavior. His death has also been the subject of speculation and Charlotte must take care not to spill any secrets. Above all she must make certain that nobody in her new life hears of her own adventurous upbringing in Australia. When the past catches up with Charlotte, she begins to fear for her own life.
Extract: MURDER MOST WELCOME
LATE SPRING 1858 - in the South of England
Chapter 1
As she laid out the body, Charlotte Richmond made two surprising discoveries.
The first of these led her to suspect that the man on the bed had been murdered. By whom, she had not the slightest notion. To whom she was profoundly grateful.
The second discovery confirmed what she had known all along, that the deceased - late and far from lamented - had not possessed the habits of a gentleman.
As this was the second time in less than a year that he had apparently been murdered Charlotte felt she might be forgiven for not falling into a paroxysm of grief; indeed, strong hysterics might, she considered, be a more appropriate reaction.
Hysterics not being in her nature she merely veiled his face decently with a linen cloth and wondered what to do with the object she had so surprisingly encountered. ‘Well, well,
well,’ she murmured. 'Here you are, dead again, I see. I wonder what is to become of me now?'
A few short weeks previously, Charlotte, who was waiting with some trepidation in the entrance hall at Finchbourne Manor and trying to overcome her anxiety by observing the
ancient, dark oak of the panelling, the extreme chill of the flagstone floor, and the picturesquely leaded windows that let in so little light, had overheard her mother-in-law express a similar sentiment.
'Oh, that dreadful Mutiny, what will become of that unfortunate child, poor, dear Charlotte?' she had enquired, allowing an artistic sob to colour her voice.
'Well, Mama,' answered a prosaic female voice. 'I understand that Charlotte is even now on her way home from India to Finchbourne. If you recollect it was your own suggestion, when we heard of dear Frampton's sad death, that she should make her home here with us. And after all there is no reason to believe that Charlotte is a child; remember, dearest Frampton was thirty-seven and his letters made no mention that his bride was much younger than he was himself.’
'Oh do hush, Agnes dear!'
In spite of the nervous tension that had her sitting ramrod straight on an uncomfortable oak settle, blackened by age, Charlotte listened, with wry amusement, to this conversation. Shifting very slightly in her seat she felt a twinge of guilt as she recollected how differently Frampton Richmond’s ‘sad’ death had been viewed by her military acquaintances in India.
I must say nothing, she thought, shaking her head. I have seen the damage caused by a stray shell fired into the midst of the market place, who am I to lob a shell of my own and destroy their illusions about their lost hero - and for what? Rumour? Speculation?
No, not I, my part is to play the grieving widow and ingratiate myself into their home and into their affections, to make a settled home for myself at last. Besides, she reminded herself, I dare not raise any spectres from the past, what if they found out about me?
BUY LINK MURDER MOST WELCOME
http://amzn.to/2HDLVlZ
CHECK OUT THE OTHER 2 BOOKS IN THE SERIES
https://goo.gl/333Mj4
About the AuthorNicola Slade has been a Brown Owl, an antiques dealer, and once lived in Cairo for a year. Her published novels include a romantic comedy, Scuba Dancing, three Victorian mysteries featuring a young widow, The Charlotte Richmond Mysteries, and three contemporary mysteries featuring recently-retired headmistress, Harriet Quigley, and her clergyman cousin, the Reverend Sam Hathaway. The Harriet Quigley Mysteries. Her eighth novel, a mystery romance, The House at Ladywell, was published in late 2017.Nicola’s family is now grown up and she and her husband live near Winchester.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolasladeuk/
Twitter: @nicolasladeuk
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17100459.Nicola_Slade
Blog: www.nicolaslade.wordpress.com
Website: www.nicolaslade.com
Giveawaya Rafflecopter giveaway
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "If You Only Knew Me" by Divyata Rajaram
Check out the schedule here
IF YOU ONLY KNEW MEbyDivyata Rajaram
BLURB
If You Only Knew Me is a story of friendship, passion and intrigue set in Dubai, arguably one of the world’s most exciting cities to live in.
Rupali, Anjali, Dipika, Sakina and Monica are five NRI women whose lives are glitzy and exciting as they flirt with high society within the charmed social circles frequented by the Dubai expat community. Beautiful homes, designer clothes, shoes, fast cars and a lifestyle that is envied by all, there is very little these women have not attained. Together they have also woven the closest of friendships and must rely on each other to stay on top.
Appearances are deceptive, though, and often the people you think you know the best, harbor secrets too dangerous to be shared. When tragedy befalls, the investigation that follows opens an ugly box of secrets that will test their friendship and find them struggling to make sense of the madness and deception surrounding them.
Who can they really trust anymore? How far must they go in their fight for survival?
How long will their friendship last once the masks have dropped and none can pretend any longer?
Read an excerpt from the book...
Dipika’s head was swimming as she sat in Tim Horton’s, Mall of the Emirates, waiting for Rupali to join her. The only reason she had even fixed up to meet her was that she knew her mother had called up Anjali who would have informed Rupali.
“Ha … I’ve crossed over to the dark side, Ma. Too late to return home again,” she thought. The black coffee she sipped did nothing to clear the confusion in her head.
Dipika pushed her limp, dank hair out of her eyes, struggling to make sense of the menu in front of her.
That bastard was stringing her along, she knew it. All his false promises meant nothing, she thought wearily while gazing at the menu.
She looked up to find Rupali rushing over to the table.
“Dips, darling, so good to see you,” said Rupali, trying to sound upbeat and cheerful. She almost recoiled as she hugged Dipika.
The stench of body odor and some other strange pungent aroma permeated the air around her.
Dipika looked awful; her usual dark circles worse than ever, hair dank and limp, and lips cracked and blistered. She never used makeup, but this was truly the worst Rupali had ever seen her look in a long while.
“Are you okay, babe?” she asked in a soft whisper. The answer seemed apparent - she was not.
Dipika made a superhuman effort to sound and act normal.
“I haven’t been too well, Rupa. That’s what I had called mom about. Hope she didn’t worry you girls. I’m sure it’s nothing serious. I just haven’t been sleeping much lately and it’s telling on my health.”
Rupali was sure that Dipika was depressed about her father’s upcoming death anniversary.
“Listen, baby … you are going through a tough emotional phase right now. It will get better, I promise. Meanwhile, we are all there for you, okay?” She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt.
Dipika nodded listlessly. Poor Rupali, such a good friend, always looking out for her. Dipika felt a million miles away from her right now.
They finished their coffee and made their way over to a few shops. Rupali could tell Dipika was having trouble walking and put it down to her mystery illness. Psychosomatic symptoms, probably, given her bouts of depression. All she could hope for was that whatever it was, it would clear up and her friend would get back to normal.
Dior, Valentino, Lanvin; there was truly no dearth of high-end brands in the latest styles in the Dubai malls. The girls finally agreed on a stunning Chanel dress, stark and beautiful, in black and white. When Rupali tried it on with the blue turquoise earrings the shop assistant provided, she loved what she saw in the mirror. The hunt for matching shoes took them to the Shoe District where even Dipika was seemingly revived by the stunning collection of Christian Louboutin. Rupa convinced her to pick up a pair of strappy stilettos in hot pink with a gold trim.
Rupali hesitated for a few seconds before charging her card. Sometimes she felt guilty about spending Rohit’s money. However, he had always told her that appearance meant everything - sleek, sophisticated and expensive clothes were his natural choice and, now, hers as well.
Finally, exhausted with their shopping, the girls headed to the parking lot where Rupali’s driver was waiting for them. She asked him to first drop Dipika off at her apartment on Sheikh Zayed Road before heading to her own home.
On her way home, she quickly called up Anjali.
Grab your copy @
Amazon.in | Flipkart
About the author
Divyata Rajaram has been living and working in Dubai for the past fifteen years. An experienced financial service professional, she is also an accomplished singer of Hindustani classical as well as western music. If You Only Knew Me is her first novel based on NRI women living in the UAE, and offers a glimpse into their lives and the challenges they face in a foreign land.
An avid reader of crime fiction, Divyata lives with her husband, their daughter and a beautiful dog in Dubai.
This Tour is Hosted by
Facebook | Website | Blog Tours | Twitter | | Linkedin
We Promote So That You Can Write
');
May 21, 2018
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Bollywood Fiancé for a Day" by Ruchi Vasudeva
Print Length: 172 pagesPublisher: Indie published Publication Date: May 6, 2018Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLCLanguage: EnglishAvailable on Kindle UnlimitedGenre: Romance
Studious Dr. Vishakha never dreamed that winning a date with Bollywood heartthrob Zaheer Saxena would land her in an unusual deal to benefit both of them. Zaheer wants to ward off unwanted attention from his leading lady and agrees to help her save her face. It's just like a business arrangement for Vishakha - except that she hadn't factored in the unwanted, yet extremely potent attraction this movie star would hold for her. But she has to keep in mind that make believe is his talent - before she begins to wish this were a dream that would come true...
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR
Ruchi Vasudeva is a doctor by profession, a teacher by vocation and an author by destiny. After debuting by publishing with Harlequin, she now writes emotional and amusing stories for Amazon.
You can stalk her @
Grab Your Copy From
This Tour is Hosted by
Facebook | Website | Blog Tours | Twitter | Linkedin
We Promote So That You Can Write
');
