Devika Fernando's Blog, page 36
October 13, 2016
Featured - Review & Spotlight for "No Safe Zone" by Adite Banerjie
My ReviewIâm a big fan of Adite Banerjieâs romance novels, especially of âTrouble Has A New Nameâ, so I had been waiting with bated breath for a new release. âNo Safe Zoneâ is a little different from her previous books, more suspenseful and overall written at a brisker pace with action and angst to mingle with the love story at its core.
Qiara wiggled her way into my heart stealthily instead of winning it immediately. Probably because there was such mayhem and I had the feeling she was a complete stranger at first. However, that didnât make me like her any less. On the contrary, it made me feel as I were somehow caught up in the whole mess too, not knowing left from right and up from down. A few chapters into the book, fiery Qiara with her fierce determination, her vulnerable core, her energy and her smart, sassy mouth was like a good friend to me, and I was cheering for her all along, biting my nails.
Kabir is an awesome hero. Unlike Qiara, he had me fall for him straight away, and I only grew to like him even more throughout the novel. He is just the right combination of irresistible looks, confidence, intelligence, genuine care and tragic past to leave a lasting impression. A man like him seemed like the ideal match for Qiara, and it was a huge relief to find out he had valid reasons for standing her up years ago.
The villains were not that well fleshed out, but they all had their moments to shine and they were captivating enough. I loved they ingenuous way they were all linked to each other on some level, it made the story even more intricate and intriguing. I just wish their immense potential had been tapped into even more. The author has cleverly used the settings and the history / past of everyone to control the present, which advanced the plot. The romantic suspense was fast paced yet never forced.
The title had me a bit flabbergasted at first, reminding me vaguely of terrorism, but later on, it made a lot of sense. I think if you read between the lines, what shines through is that nothing in life is safe, secure and certain, and that we should not take anything for granted. Learning about Qiaraâs dark past and Kabirâs fascinating secret as well the dynamics between the lead pair made me realize that. The background story of human trafficking underlined that, bringing to light the harsh and despicable reality in some countries. The use of the snakes was a wonderful idea, as were the other symbols in the novel like the tattoo.
I loved this book, but I felt it could have been a little longer and even more detailed, especially to let the evilness shine. However, there is plenty of struggle and a very satisfying happy ending, and the chemistry between Qiara and Kabir is positively explosive.
Rating: 4/5
âBook Club Spotlight
NO SAFE ZONE byADITE BANERJIE
Blurb
Qiara Rana will do anything to save her mentor and their non-government organization from ruin. Even if it means visiting the city she had vowed never to return to. But within a few hours of landing in New Delhi, she is being chased by a gunman and is a potential suspect in the murder of a high-profile businessman.
The only person she can turn to for help is Kabir Shorey, the man who stood her up ten years ago. Past and present collide in a deadly plot of crime and greed that moves from the cosmopolitan streets of Delhi to the bazaars and villages of Rajasthan.
Excerpt from #NSZ
Kabir couldnât take his eyes off the game in progress. The sight of the polo players astride their horses, moving as a seamless entity, while steering the ball away from their opponents made him restless. He hadnât ridden a horse or held a polo club in his hands for years. He had to use all his self-control to stop himself from rushing on to the field, pulling down one of the players and laying claim to his horse.The memories came galloping back from the deepest recesses of his mindâChetak with the brilliant white star in the middle of his forehead. What a dream team they had made. Chetak could anticipate his every move on the polo field even before he could think of it. They had never lost a game, making their perfectly matched combination the envy of every player in Rajasthan. If only they hadnât been such a success on the polo turfâ¦maybe things would have been different. Kabirâs heart burnt with longing and regret and the emotions bubbled within him like a dormant volcano beginning to stir up again.Taking a deep, self-sustaining breath he raised his telephoto-lens equipped camera to his eyes, more to hide the dampness in his eyes. He focused on the spectators stand as he tried to reorient himself to his mission. He was here to get information on Ranveer Khanna, a known polo aficionado. It was the final day of the annual championships hosted by the Army Polo Club and Khanna was bound to show up.Suddenly, two men appeared in the cameraâs view finder. One of them was definitely Khanna while the other was a taller, stockily built man in his mid-twenties.Kabir snapped a few pictures in quick succession. The younger man seemed to be agitated and was waving his finger threateningly at Khanna. He also didnât quite fit the typical characteristics of a polo enthusiast. His attire was a little shabbier than what the other patrons of the club sported at such an elite affair. Perhaps, he was a chauffeur or a helper? His attitude though was far from servile. In fact, Khanna looked a trifle intimidated. After a couple of minutes, Khanna said something and turned to go inside the club.Kabir took a few more random shots as he saw a waiter approach Khanna and say a few words to him.Just at that moment Kabirâs cell phone beeped in his shirt pocket. It was Zayedâhis new partner! Smirking at the thought, Kabir answered the call.âOur man is here. Found out from the concierge, Khanna has recently acquired two stallions and is also a patron of a polo team in Argentina. It seems like he is either partnering with some other loaded investors or is a front for them.âHe waited to hear out Zayedâs response and swallowed the oath that sprang to his lips. âZayed, if you already knew it, why you didnât tell me?â Seconds later Kabir burst out, âDonât give me that bullcrap. You and I are supposed to be on the same team, remember? If you had any doubts about my capabilities you should have spoken up at the meeting. If we have to work together, we share information, got it?âKabir felt his blood pressure rise up a notch as Zayed disgorged some more intel. Apparently, the NCA had informed him that Girls Rock! might be a money laundering front for Khanna.âSomeone from Girls Rock! is supposed to meetâhello? Are you there?âKabir cursed as he checked the screen of his phone to find the network signal had dropped. Moving away from the bleachers, he walked towards the club, trying to reach Zayed. He paced around a bit outside the entrance, waiting for the network signal to show up. Not even one blasted green light. He stormed into the club house in search of a landline phone. What else was Zayed not telling him? Clearly, Zayedâs reputation of not being a team player was quite accurate. It seemed like he needed to lay down some ground rules with his partner soon or else this investigation was doomed.Scanning the lounge area, he spotted Khanna talking to a woman whose back was turned to him. After a few seconds, he saw her get up and follow Khanna out.Kabirâs glance froze on the woman. She was petite, with the same china-doll-like figure, the same sexy gait, the same sway to her hips that made his heart pump harder. He raised the camera to his eyes, zooming in on her face to get a closer look but she was looking away. Nevertheless, he got a couple of shots before she disappeared down the corridor towards the inner sanctum of the club.Was it her? Watching a polo match after all these years had sent his mind into throwback mode. He must be hallucinating! Get real, Kabir!
Grab your copy @
Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk
Follow the Tour @ Pinterest
About the author
Adite Banerjie discovered the wonderful world of books at an early age which sparked her interest in writing. After a fulfilling and exciting career as a business journalist she turned her attention to fiction. Her latest book is a romantic-thriller No Safe Zone, published by Harper Collins India. She has penned two books for Mills & Boon (The Indian Tycoonâs Marriage Deal and Trouble Has a New Name) and written several screenplays. When she is not grappling with her current work-in-progress, she enjoys spending time with her writer husband and watching back-to-back movies.
Media Mentions:
Click Here to read the article in The Hindu Metroplus
Click Here to read a book review of No Safe Zone in Millennium Post
Click Here to read the article in The Big Thrill magazine
Win #GIFTHAMPER from Harper Collins and Amazon Gift Cards a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Tour is Hosted by
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We Promote So That You Can Write
Qiara wiggled her way into my heart stealthily instead of winning it immediately. Probably because there was such mayhem and I had the feeling she was a complete stranger at first. However, that didnât make me like her any less. On the contrary, it made me feel as I were somehow caught up in the whole mess too, not knowing left from right and up from down. A few chapters into the book, fiery Qiara with her fierce determination, her vulnerable core, her energy and her smart, sassy mouth was like a good friend to me, and I was cheering for her all along, biting my nails.
Kabir is an awesome hero. Unlike Qiara, he had me fall for him straight away, and I only grew to like him even more throughout the novel. He is just the right combination of irresistible looks, confidence, intelligence, genuine care and tragic past to leave a lasting impression. A man like him seemed like the ideal match for Qiara, and it was a huge relief to find out he had valid reasons for standing her up years ago.
The villains were not that well fleshed out, but they all had their moments to shine and they were captivating enough. I loved they ingenuous way they were all linked to each other on some level, it made the story even more intricate and intriguing. I just wish their immense potential had been tapped into even more. The author has cleverly used the settings and the history / past of everyone to control the present, which advanced the plot. The romantic suspense was fast paced yet never forced.
The title had me a bit flabbergasted at first, reminding me vaguely of terrorism, but later on, it made a lot of sense. I think if you read between the lines, what shines through is that nothing in life is safe, secure and certain, and that we should not take anything for granted. Learning about Qiaraâs dark past and Kabirâs fascinating secret as well the dynamics between the lead pair made me realize that. The background story of human trafficking underlined that, bringing to light the harsh and despicable reality in some countries. The use of the snakes was a wonderful idea, as were the other symbols in the novel like the tattoo.
I loved this book, but I felt it could have been a little longer and even more detailed, especially to let the evilness shine. However, there is plenty of struggle and a very satisfying happy ending, and the chemistry between Qiara and Kabir is positively explosive.
Rating: 4/5
âBook Club Spotlight
NO SAFE ZONE byADITE BANERJIE
Blurb
Qiara Rana will do anything to save her mentor and their non-government organization from ruin. Even if it means visiting the city she had vowed never to return to. But within a few hours of landing in New Delhi, she is being chased by a gunman and is a potential suspect in the murder of a high-profile businessman.
The only person she can turn to for help is Kabir Shorey, the man who stood her up ten years ago. Past and present collide in a deadly plot of crime and greed that moves from the cosmopolitan streets of Delhi to the bazaars and villages of Rajasthan.
Excerpt from #NSZ
Kabir couldnât take his eyes off the game in progress. The sight of the polo players astride their horses, moving as a seamless entity, while steering the ball away from their opponents made him restless. He hadnât ridden a horse or held a polo club in his hands for years. He had to use all his self-control to stop himself from rushing on to the field, pulling down one of the players and laying claim to his horse.The memories came galloping back from the deepest recesses of his mindâChetak with the brilliant white star in the middle of his forehead. What a dream team they had made. Chetak could anticipate his every move on the polo field even before he could think of it. They had never lost a game, making their perfectly matched combination the envy of every player in Rajasthan. If only they hadnât been such a success on the polo turfâ¦maybe things would have been different. Kabirâs heart burnt with longing and regret and the emotions bubbled within him like a dormant volcano beginning to stir up again.Taking a deep, self-sustaining breath he raised his telephoto-lens equipped camera to his eyes, more to hide the dampness in his eyes. He focused on the spectators stand as he tried to reorient himself to his mission. He was here to get information on Ranveer Khanna, a known polo aficionado. It was the final day of the annual championships hosted by the Army Polo Club and Khanna was bound to show up.Suddenly, two men appeared in the cameraâs view finder. One of them was definitely Khanna while the other was a taller, stockily built man in his mid-twenties.Kabir snapped a few pictures in quick succession. The younger man seemed to be agitated and was waving his finger threateningly at Khanna. He also didnât quite fit the typical characteristics of a polo enthusiast. His attire was a little shabbier than what the other patrons of the club sported at such an elite affair. Perhaps, he was a chauffeur or a helper? His attitude though was far from servile. In fact, Khanna looked a trifle intimidated. After a couple of minutes, Khanna said something and turned to go inside the club.Kabir took a few more random shots as he saw a waiter approach Khanna and say a few words to him.Just at that moment Kabirâs cell phone beeped in his shirt pocket. It was Zayedâhis new partner! Smirking at the thought, Kabir answered the call.âOur man is here. Found out from the concierge, Khanna has recently acquired two stallions and is also a patron of a polo team in Argentina. It seems like he is either partnering with some other loaded investors or is a front for them.âHe waited to hear out Zayedâs response and swallowed the oath that sprang to his lips. âZayed, if you already knew it, why you didnât tell me?â Seconds later Kabir burst out, âDonât give me that bullcrap. You and I are supposed to be on the same team, remember? If you had any doubts about my capabilities you should have spoken up at the meeting. If we have to work together, we share information, got it?âKabir felt his blood pressure rise up a notch as Zayed disgorged some more intel. Apparently, the NCA had informed him that Girls Rock! might be a money laundering front for Khanna.âSomeone from Girls Rock! is supposed to meetâhello? Are you there?âKabir cursed as he checked the screen of his phone to find the network signal had dropped. Moving away from the bleachers, he walked towards the club, trying to reach Zayed. He paced around a bit outside the entrance, waiting for the network signal to show up. Not even one blasted green light. He stormed into the club house in search of a landline phone. What else was Zayed not telling him? Clearly, Zayedâs reputation of not being a team player was quite accurate. It seemed like he needed to lay down some ground rules with his partner soon or else this investigation was doomed.Scanning the lounge area, he spotted Khanna talking to a woman whose back was turned to him. After a few seconds, he saw her get up and follow Khanna out.Kabirâs glance froze on the woman. She was petite, with the same china-doll-like figure, the same sexy gait, the same sway to her hips that made his heart pump harder. He raised the camera to his eyes, zooming in on her face to get a closer look but she was looking away. Nevertheless, he got a couple of shots before she disappeared down the corridor towards the inner sanctum of the club.Was it her? Watching a polo match after all these years had sent his mind into throwback mode. He must be hallucinating! Get real, Kabir!
Grab your copy @
Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk
Follow the Tour @ Pinterest
About the author
Adite Banerjie discovered the wonderful world of books at an early age which sparked her interest in writing. After a fulfilling and exciting career as a business journalist she turned her attention to fiction. Her latest book is a romantic-thriller No Safe Zone, published by Harper Collins India. She has penned two books for Mills & Boon (The Indian Tycoonâs Marriage Deal and Trouble Has a New Name) and written several screenplays. When she is not grappling with her current work-in-progress, she enjoys spending time with her writer husband and watching back-to-back movies.
Media Mentions:
Click Here to read the article in The Hindu Metroplus
Click Here to read a book review of No Safe Zone in Millennium Post
Click Here to read the article in The Big Thrill magazine
Win #GIFTHAMPER from Harper Collins and Amazon Gift Cards a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Tour is Hosted by
Facebook | Website | Blog Tours | Twitter | | Linkedin
We Promote So That You Can Write
Featured - Spotlight for "Watercolours in the Rain" by Jo Lambert
About the BookGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: October 2016
What happens to the future when past and present collide?
JESS: Six years ago Jess’s relationship with Talún Hansen was torn apart by one night of deception. He disappeared from Lynbrook village and she headed for university vowing never to let anyone break her heart again. Now a teacher, Jess returns from holiday to an unexpected phone call and life changing news which will eventually bring her back home once more.
TALUN: Six years on Talún Hawkeswood, as he is now known, is heir to his grandfather’s Norfolk farming empire. When he hears of trouble in the village due to Lynbrook Hall being put up for sale, going back is the last thing on his mind. But staying away is not an option either, not when someone he owes so much to is about to lose their home and their livelihood.
LILY: Splitting with her husband after her son Josh’s birth, Lily now works as part of an estate agency sales team. She has always held onto her dream of finding a wealthy husband and a life of self-indulgence. When the sale of an important property brings her face to face with Talún once more, she realises despite the risks involved, the night they spent together six years ago may be the key to making those dreams come true.
As Jess, Talún and Lily return to Lynbrook and the truth about what happened that summer is gradually revealed, Talun finds himself in an impossible situation. Still in love with Jess he is tied into to a trade off with Lily: his name and the lifestyle she craves in exchange for his son. And when a child is involved there is only one choice he can make…
AMAZON UK
AMAZON.COM
About the AuthorBorn and raised in rural Wiltshire, Jo Lambert grew up with a love of books and a vivid imagination. As a child she enjoyed creating her own adventure stories similar to Enid Blyton's Famous Five. Writing always stayed with her, but college, work and eventually marriage found it was kept very much in the background. However in 2009 she finally had her first novel - When Tomorrow Comes - published. Three other connected books - Love Lies and Promises, The Ghost of You and Me and Between Today and Yesterday followed. They became collectively known as the Little Court Series. In 2013 she decided to give up full time work to concentrate fully on her writing. Two other books have been written since - The Other Side of Morning which is the final book of the Little Court Series and Summer Moved On, a love story set in South Devon. Jo is about to publish, Watercolours in the Rain, and plans to begin work on her new book in early November 2016. She describes her writing style as drama driven romance.
Jo is married and lives in a village on the eastern edge of Bath with her husband, one small grey feline called Mollie and a green MGB GT. She loves travel, red wine, rock music and has a passion for dark chocolate…
e-mail: taurusgirl185@gmail.com
googleplus: google.com/+JoLambert
twitter: @jolambertwriter
website: http://jolambertbooks.com
blog: http://jolambertwriter.wordpress.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jo-Lambert-Author-Page/288274811277692?fref=ts
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October 12, 2016
Featured - Spotlight for "The Viscount's Bride" by Lindsay Downs
About the Book Blurb - The Viscount’s BrideMatthew, Viscount Rathbourne, is dispatched to Cornwall to design a gazebo for his uncle. There, little does he realize how his life will change. Caught poaching ducal trout he meets Lady Kathleen.
What has him wondering, why is she hiding out here and not in London searching out a husband? Not that he wished to complain as he found her not only beautiful but his intellectual equal.
After two bodies turn up Matthew quickly learns Kathleen is stronger than any young lady of the ton he’d ever met.
As the mystery of who the murdered victims are is uncovered Matthew learns of a hidden, albeit interesting, fact about Kathleen. Should he allow her to continue with these late night excursions or put a halt to them?
When all the truths come out Matthew and Kathleen, now married are happy at who helped bring the murderers to justice.
Excerpt
As he got closer he slowed, not wishing to frighten them, and Matthew heard one say, “Do you believe he will accept your invitation to dine with us this eve?”
He cursed silently, suspecting the speaker was referring to him. Slowing his horse to a walk, Matthew spied them. Even from behind he could tell they were ladies as their dresses were of fine quality. Even more interesting was that they both had fishing poles in their hands and were casting flies out upon the river.
“I don’t know, daughter. From what I understand in the letter from Serena, Viscount Rathbourne is here under the direction of the Duke of Kettering to design a gazebo.”
Matthew was aware he was in trouble if this lady and his mother knew each other. He was about to announce his presence when—
“Then I’m sure we won’t as, from what I understand the duke can be a harsh task master. At least that’s the rumors I heard in the village.”
Matthew quickly decided the lady to his right was the daughter while the other the mother. This was going to be a very interesting meeting. Bringing Devil to a stop, he smiled to himself and took in a breath.
“Ladies, my uncle is a fair gentleman unless you cross him or disobey an order while under his command in the Guards.”
Their reaction was exactly what he’d expected. They dropped their poles and spun about. He’d been correct in his assumption. The lady on his right was the daughter, and never before had he seen such a beautiful lady. Not even the duchess could hold a candle to her.
“Ah, so the illusive viscount is for real. I’m Lady Elsie, Countess of Ashburn, and this is my daughter, Lady Kathleen.”
“M’ ladies, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I do hope you enjoy fishing on Radcliffe Hall property,” he politely informed them, all the while trying not to be firm in tone.
“Yes, m’ lord, we are as where the river crosses our estate is all rapids, thusly dangerous to get near,” Kathleen announced.
The sound of her voice sent warmth racing through him like no other lady had ever done. But it wasn’t just hearing her speak but the way the sun glinted off her sandy brown hair turning it cinnamon in color which had him spellbound. Then there was her heart-shaped face, soft full lips, and petite nose that helped in entrancing him.
“Then, by all means continue,” he said giving them a bow.
“Thank you, m’ lord, for we shall in the hopes of catching several more trout for this evening’s meal, to which I hope you will be joining us?” Elsie said.
“It will be my pleasure to sup with you and enjoy the duke’s fish, under one condition,” he replied with a smile.
“And what might that be, m’ lord?” Kathleen uttered.
“Please call me Matthew when no staff is present. Even at Radcliffe Hall I take care of my meals, except breakfast, as I never could cook an egg to satisfaction. I also don’t travel with a valet, only a tiger to handle my horses.”
Buy Links
US-http://tinyurl.com/h27cbqw
UK-http://tinyurl.com/zo4vk73
AU-http://tinyurl.com/zemrnmd
CA-http://tinyurl.com/jythyw8
About the Author I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was old enough to hold a red leather bound first edition copy of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake in my lap.So it only seemed natural at some point in my life I take up pen and paper to start writing. Over time my skills slightly improved which I attribute to my English teachers.
My breakthrough came about in the mid 1970’s when I read a historical romance written by Sergeanne Golon, Angelique. This French husband and wife team opened my eyes to the real world of fiction. Stories about romance, beautiful damsels, handsome heroes and plots which kept me hooked. Of course, being a man, I had to keep my reading hidden from others as that wasn’t appropriate reading for men.
With this new found appreciation of the written word I took up other books and devoured them as a starving person would a plate of food. I them attempted to write again. I still wasn’t satisfied so I put it aside for years as other events entered my life.
Finally, in the early years of the new millennium I tried again to write and once again met with limited success. At least now I was able to get past the first page or two. Then, in 2006 a life changing event brought me back to my love, I took a job as a security officer. This allowed me plenty of time to read different genres.
My favourite was regency. As I poured through everyone I could get my hands on I knew this could be something I wanted to attempt.
Since 2012 when my debut regency romantic suspense released I was hooked and have, except for a few contemporaries, focused on this genre.
Since 2012 I’ve lived in central Texas. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and their local chapter.
Where to find the author
Facebook- http://tinyurl.com/pgq8vzz
Facebook Pages- http://tinyurl.com/nresq5j
Twitter- @ldowns2966
LinkedIn- http://tinyurl.com/e8t56
Goodreads- http://tinyurl.com/prcdmml
Lindsay Downs-Romance Author- http://tinyurl.com/kvfz468
Amazon- http://tinyurl.com/ktem76c
October 9, 2016
Review of "A Scavenger's Mission" by Liza O'Connor
My Review I’m a huge fan of Liza O’Connor’s books, regardless of the genre she tempts me with, so of course I wouldn’t want to miss this spectacular start of a new Science Fiction / Romance series. “A Scavenger’s Mission” (aptly titled on more than one level) has everything I’ve come to expect and love about the author’s novels.Firstly, it’s brilliantly researched. The way of flying constantly had me gaping in awe, trying to figure out whether it would be doable in real life, and imagining things in my head and gaping in even more awe. It reminded me of a few sports, mainly of paragliding and kite surfing. It boggles the mind how much the author must have researched the whole topic to make it tiptoe the line between the possible and the impossible so fascinatingly.
Secondly, the characters are so complex and authentic that I fully expect them to actually exist somewhere on this planet. I actually found myself thinking “Alisha would be a huge help” when I watched the news last evening and the usual terrorism flickered on the screen. And those are the best books, wouldn’t you say? The ones that make you ponder and treat the protagonists like real people. I have a girl crush on Alisha, she’s just so amazing. Fearless, confident, independent, kind, smart and sassy, but with a vulnerable, feminine edge to her and with hopes and dreams that keep her from becoming a stereotypical superhero.
Thirdly, the author has woven a lot of real-life issues and criticism into the novel. It’s something that always strikes me when I read her books. This one reminded me a little of “The Gods of Probabilities”, dealing with environmental issues, social dynamics, crime and discrimination against women. But as usual, it was all interconnected with the plot and characters and made perfect sense without being too ‘in your face’.
Not only did I fall in love with Alisha, but her Colonel Logan was amazing too. Even the others, like Jack, wiggled their way into my heart and managed to surprise me all the time while still acting in character. Over all, there was a lot of suspense, many emotions all over the place, a tender love story at the core, and a grand finale which doesn’t exactly leave the reader hanging but isn’t a standard ‘happily ever after’ either.
Rating: 5/5
Buy link
October 6, 2016
Featured - Book Club Cover Reveal for "Knitted Tales" by Rubina Ramesh
RELEASING ON THE 10TH OF OCTOBER Knitted Tales: A Collection of Emotions
By
Rubina Ramesh
Every tale has a path to follow to reach its destination.. but it may not exactly be the one we should follow.
WHAT IS THE ANTHOLOGY ALL ABOUT?
What forces an innocent girl to become a sex symbol? Her desires? Or cruel fate?
Is a lifetime enough—for avenging a betrayal? How do you hide secrets that never stopped haunting you?
Can vengeance and secrets of your past devastate your present? How can long-buried crimes of yours suddenly raise their head? Can sinning be saving?
Is your spouse your soulmate? What if they never understood your feelings? Can you still live with them?
Lastly, does life give only two options? Live or die? What if there is a third?
In her debut anthology, Rubina Ramesh tries to find answers to these questions that are often from the heart and yet makes the mind ponder over the solution. Or is it the other way round? Either way, Knitted Tales is a bouquet of emotions that is bound to touch both your head and your heart.
WHAT INSPIRED ME TO WRITE THIS ANTHOLOGY...
Dear Friends and Aspiring Writers,
My journey as a writer started after I joined Wrimo India. It’s a group of aspiring authors where all members are challenged to write, by the NaNoWriMo ML for India region and the Founder/Admin of Wrimo India, Sonia Rao. Along with the other admins, Neel Ina and Dola Basu Singh, she made our lives pretty tough if we did not submit on time.
Our work was critiqued, broken to pieces and then mended again by all the Wrimo members. I laugh now, whenever I reminisce about those days. We writers are so passionate about our work that even a little bit of criticism makes us want to hide our baby. But in this group, we trained ourselves to accept all types of honest criticism. We sculpted our stories and life continued. This happened around 2 years ago.
Then, one fine day I found that I had gathered around 17 stories and forgotten all about them. As I dusted away the layers of neglect, I fell in love with my own stories. I am a narcissist. :) But then, all writers are, aren’t they? I do hope what I have written from my heart, touches you. Here are the stories of a writer who aspires to always write from her heart. With NaNoWriMo just around the corner, here’s raising a toast to inspiration!
Releasing on 10th of October 2016Add The Cover of Knitted Tales:
a collection of emotions
by
Rubina Ramesh
to your
Edited by Inderpreet Kaur UppalProofread by Nikita Jhanglani Cover Designed by Sachin VenkateshAbout Rubina Ramesh
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.
Her other published works include'Home is where Love is’ a short story in the anthology Writings from the Heart. Ed. by Beth Ann Masarik. ‘You Stole My Heart’ and ‘Let me Go’. Short stories as a part of the anthology ‘Long and Short of It’ by Indireads.'Wake Me Up' as a part of the anthology ‘Marijuana Diaries’ by Fablery Publishers.
You can stalk her @ Facebook | Twitter | Website
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October 5, 2016
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Cabbing All The Way" by Jatin Kuberkar
CABBING ALL THE WAYbyJatin Kuberkar
Blurb
Twelve people agree to an idea of running a shared transport service from a common residential locality to their out-of-civilisation office campus. Twelve different minds with equally diverse personalities gel with each other to fulfil a common need. At first, the members collide on mutual interests, timings, priorities and personal discipline, but in the course of their journey, they become best friends, make long-lasting relationships, mentor and help each other on various mundane matters. The journey goes on fine until one day some members try to dictate terms over the group. The rift widens with each passing day, the tension surmounts and finally all hell breaks loose... Will the journey continue? Fasten your seatbelts for the journey is about to begin...
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About the author
Take an ounce full of imagination and a scoop of humour. Mix them well. Now put a few teaspoons of feelings and emotions and simmer until it smells good. Add spices for taste. Put the mixture on the platter of dreams and garnish it with a few peanuts of desires and some herbs of passion â thatâs all it takes to be Jatin Kuberkar. Jatin is a software engineer by day and a passionate writer by night. When not tangled in software codes, Jatin likes to express his inspirations in the form of poetry, short stories, novels and essays.
He lives in Hyderabad and adorns polymorphic forms in his personal life as a son, a husband, a father, a friend, a mentor, an observer, a criticand the list goes on⦠He is an ardent lover of Hyderabadi biryani and is a worshipper of chaai. If granted a boon, Jatin would love to learn magic from Hogwarts and fly around on a broom stick.
Jatin is the author of two other books. Rainbow Dreams, a collection of poetry and While I Was Waiting, a collection of short stories. This is Jatinâs third book.
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September 29, 2016
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "Fighting for Tara" by Sunanda J. Chatterjee
FIGHTING FOR TARAbySunanda J. Chatterjee
BlurbHow far will a mother go to save her child?âI have no use for a baby girl. Get rid of her tonight!â He towered over her as she cringed in fear.But Hansa, a thirteen-year-old child-bride in rural India, refuses to remain a victim of the oppressive society where a female child is an unwanted burden. Instead of drowning her baby, Hansa escapes from her village with three-month-old Tara.Hansa soon discovers that life as a teenage mother is fraught with danger. But a single lie opens the door to a promising opportunity far from home.Just seven years later, Hansa finds herself fighting for Taraâs life once more, this time in an American court, with a woman she calls âMother.âWill the lie upon which Hansa built her life, defeat its own purpose? How can she succeed when no one believes the truth? A story of two mothers, two daughters and a fight to save a child, Fighting for Tara explores the depth of love and motherhood.Read an excerpt of #FFT here:
The soft light of the lantern flickered, casting a dim golden glow in the tiny hut, as shadows danced on its windowless mud walls. Thirteen-year-old Hansa squatted on the floor beside a metal bucket and stared at the glimmering water, dreading the task before her. Her baby whimpered on the floor, struggling in the hand-sewn cloth blanket. Beside the door stood the terracotta urn that held the ashes of her husband.Hansa heard the grating snores of her drunken brother-in-law Baldev, soon to be her husband, as he slept outside on the wood-framed coir cot in the moonless night. She shuddered.Just an hour ago, Baldev had yelled at her. âI have no use for a baby girl. Get rid of her tonight!â He towered over her as she cringed in fear.Sheâd begged him. âI canât do it!âThatâs when heâd slapped her. No one had ever hit her before⦠not even her elderly husband.Hansa touched her cheek, which still stung from the humiliation and fear.She doubted her courage to extinguish the babyâs life. Squeezing her eyes shut, she took a deep breath, hoping that dawn would bring her luck.Tomorrow morning Hansa would travel with Baldev and all the goats they could load into his bullock-cart, and leave the village forever. She would go to a distant land, become Baldevâs second wife, learn the household chores from his first wife, and bear him male heirs⦠Hansa shivered, apprehensive about her future.But before her new life could begin, she and Baldev would take a detour to the river to disperse her husbandâs ashes and discard her beautiful daughterâs body.Somewhere deep in her heart, Hansa knew none of this was fair. It wasnât fair that in a country with a rich heritage of brave queens, young girls were still forced into marriage, sometimes to men older than their grandfathers. It wasnât fair that sheâd been born to poor parents in rural Rajasthan, a state rife with archaic traditions. It wasnât fair that she had matured early and was given to sixty-year old Gyanchand Rathore from the neighboring village of Dharni, whose first wife and child had died in a fire.She turned her face away from the bucket, her heart refusing to carry out Baldevâs orders just yet. A shiver ran through her body as she tried not to imagine life without her baby. Think of something else! Think about Gyani!Gyaniâs absence filled Hansa with a dark desolation, a sense of doom, as if his death itself was a living, breathing, overbearing entity.She thought of his kind eyes, his missing teeth and graying beard, the massive orange turban which sheâd tied for him every morning, and the long kurta he wore, which never looked clean no matter how many times she washed itâ¦But Gyani was gone. Two nights ago, his heart had stopped beating in his sleep, while she slept under the same blanket, her baby right beside her. When she awoke at dawn to the roosterâs call, she had found his cold still body. She shuddered to think she had slept with a corpse, oblivious, in the comfort of her own youthful warmth. Her first encounter with death. And if she did as Baldev asked, there would be another. Tonight.Gyaniâs death had stunned her, and grief hadnât sunk in. She had not wept for his departed soul, and her neighbor warned her that if she didnât mourn his passing, she would never move on. But did Hansa really want to move on into a future that included Baldev but excluded her baby?According to the custom of karewa, Hansa knew that a young widow would be married off to her brother-in-law, so that the money remained in the family. Her neighbor had told her it was her kismet, her fate.Hansa was brought up not to challenge the norms of society, but to follow them. If the combined wisdom of her ancestors had determined that she should move to Baldevâs village and begin a new life, who was she to argue? She had no family left, no other place to go.Baldev choked on his spit and coughed outside, jarring the stillness of the night, reminding her of the task ahead.But while it was her duty to follow Baldevâs orders, she would trade the impending task for eternal damnation.Her neighbor had said that killing a baby was an unforgivable sin, even though sheâd herself drowned two of her daughters the day they were born. Women are the form of Goddess, sheâd said, crying at the fate of her own rotten soul.But it was a matter of survival. Produce a male heir or be turned out on the streets to beg. A female child was a burden. Even Hansa knew that; her father had reminded her of that every day of her life.That prejudice was her reality.Hansa was terrified for her own soul, but Baldev said, âA mother canât be a sinner if she takes a life she brought into this world.â And then he had gone and got drunk on tharra.Gyani had been unlike most men in the village. He had allowed her to keep the baby, to give her a name. The babyâs eyes glittered like stars on a moonless night.She called her Tara. Star.Hansa looked at her baby with pride and with remorse, as every fiber of her being protested, and her stomach turned and her throat tightened.Outside, Baldev stirred.Time was running out.Tara whimpered again, and Hansa turned to look at her chubby fists cycling in the still air, throwing outsized shadows on the walls. Hansaâs hands shook and her mouth turned dry. She bit her lip, forcing herself to focus on the imminent task.The water in the bucket shimmered black and gold, reflecting the dancing flame of the lantern, mesmerizing, inviting. Water, the giver of lifeâ¦
She made up her mind. It was now or never.
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About the author
Freelance author, blogger, and ex-Indian Air Force physician Sunanda Joshi Chatterjee completed her graduate studies in Los Angeles, where she is a practicing pathologist. While medicine is her profession, writing is her passion. When sheâs not at the microscope making diagnoses, she loves to write fiction. Her life experiences have taught her that no matter how different people are, their desires, fears, and challenges remain the same.
Her themes include romantic sagas, family dramas, immigrant experience, womenâs issues, medicine, and spirituality. She loves extraordinary love stories and heartwarming tales of duty and passion. Her short stories have appeared in short-story.net and induswomanwriting.com.
She grew up in Bhilai, India, and lives in Arcadia, California with her husband and two wonderful children. In her free time, she paints, reads, sings, goes on long walks, and binge-watches TV crime dramas.
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September 26, 2016
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "The Smitten Husband" by Sundari Venkatraman & Review
My ReviewAlthough this is Book 1 in the 5-novella series âMarriages Made in Indiaâ, I actually happened to read Book 2 (His Drunken Wife) first and really enjoyed it. Needless to say that I had to grab myself âThe Smitten Husbandâ too.
This is a breezy, quick read which I devoured in a couple of hours, like a refreshing drink and a spicy snack mixed into one because of its fluent style and its steamy undertones. Ram sounded like a hero Iâd fall in love with, being so mischievous on the one hand and so kind and quiet on the other hand. I think he found a perfect match in the vivacious yet slightly insecure Sapna with her apt name (it means âdreamâ). I found it interesting that the author chose to make him a very masculine sort of hero but with softer, deeper sides to him â especially as he designs and sells jewellery. As for the heroine Sapna, she struck me as a little stubborn but smart and sassy too. I was somewhat reminded of the heroine in âThe Madras Affairâ by the same author (which happens to be my favourite of her novels). She had no tragic past holding her back, though, so Ram managed to win her over eventually.
The title of the book is pretty perfect. I liked its simple style, fast pace and sizzling scenes. As with the other book in the series by Sundari Venkatraman, it gave me a glimpse of previously encountered characters from another book (The Runaway Bridegroom, to be specific) and further endeared itself to me with that. Also, it took me on a short trip to an exotic location (Madurai), and thatâs always a treat.
If you like short reads that donât lack some tension and have nicely fleshed-out characters but no unnecessary clutter, then youâll like this Indian novella. I just wish the story had been a bit longer.
Rating: 4/5
âSpotlight
Marriages Made in IndiaBook #1THE SMITTEN HUSBANDbySundari Venkatraman
Blurb
Ram Maheshwari is a successful jewellery designer who has a huge showroom on MI Road, Jaipur. Heâs tall, dark, handsome and a billionaire to boot. Heâs twenty-nine and falls in with his parentsâ wishes when they try to arrange his marriage.
The lovely, stormy-eyed Sapna Purohit is from Pushkar. Sheâs managed to finish school and makes a living by doing mehendi designs during weddings. Sheâs always dreamt of a Prince on a white horse, sweeping her off her feet.
One look into Sapnaâs grey eyes and Ram is lost. Only, Sapnaâs unable to see her Prince in Ram. Being from a poor family, she has no choice but to go along with the tide when the Maheshwaris offer to bear all expenses of the wedding.
Does that mean that the feisty Sapna is all set to accept Ram as her husband? She puts forth a condition, after the wedding. Will The Smitten Husband agree to it?
*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.
Read an excerpt...
âGood morning!â said a sleepy voice. âWhat are you doing so far away?â called out Ram, before reaching out with a long arm to pull her to him.A startled Sapna gave him a shocked look that was lost on her husband, whose eyes were still closed. His arms went around her waist like steel bands, his breath hot against her cheek. âSapna...â he whispered in her ear as his hard lips pressed into her petal soft cheek.Sapna tried to pull out of his arms, only to have them pull her closer. Her breasts were flattened against his solid chest. Her traitorous body seemed to enjoy the pressure as her nipples perked up. She did her best to hold on to the control that was slipping fast.âRam,â she called out loudly, hoping to wake him up. She couldnât free her arms that were trapped against her own body, as he held her in a crushing grip. His mouth was busy exploring her face, moving inexorably towards her lips. His eyes continued to remain closed, while his hands moved restlessly at her waist. âRam...â her voice came out in a whisper, as she felt his tongue trace the edge of her lips. Tortured, she made the final move to capture his roving lips, breaking free her hands to hold his face steady.âSapna...â sighed Ram, kissing her gently, his tongue first tracing her upper lip and then her lower one. He gently bit the luscious curve. Sapna instinctively opened her mouth to let him explore the velvety cavern with his tongue. Shyly, her tongue reached out to mate with his, making Ram groan with need.His hands moved restlessly on her body, her nightie bunching up. His muscular legs tangled with her slim ones, making her sigh with pleasure as his hard and hairy skin brushed against her soft and silky one. His hands cupped her lush bottom, caressing it lovingly.Sapna suddenly became aware of his hardness pressed against her belly. Coming to her senses, she turned her face away, breaking the kiss. âNo Ram.âHis wet lips continued to caress her, his tongue exploring her shell-like ear. Even as her heart thudded loudly, Sapna pushed against him. âRam, please, will you stop it?âHis black eyes opened a slit, desire and slumber at war in them. âSapna?â If he hadnât been fully awake before, he was now, as he stared at her lovely face that was so close to his. He slowly recalled what had been occurring over the past few minutes. He had at first thought he was dreaming about kissing the luscious woman in his arms. How had she landed there in the first place?
Grab Your CopyAmazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | Amazon.ca
#TSH #1 Bestseller on Amazon.in
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About The Author
The Smitten Husband is the eighth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This is a hot romance and is Book #1 of the 5-novella series titled Marriages Made in India. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjaliâall romances. She also has a collection of romantic short stories called Matches Made in Heaven; and a collection of human interest stories called Tales of Sunshine. All of Sundari Venkatramanâs books have been on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK & Australia many times over.
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Other Books By Sundari Venkatraman
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This is a breezy, quick read which I devoured in a couple of hours, like a refreshing drink and a spicy snack mixed into one because of its fluent style and its steamy undertones. Ram sounded like a hero Iâd fall in love with, being so mischievous on the one hand and so kind and quiet on the other hand. I think he found a perfect match in the vivacious yet slightly insecure Sapna with her apt name (it means âdreamâ). I found it interesting that the author chose to make him a very masculine sort of hero but with softer, deeper sides to him â especially as he designs and sells jewellery. As for the heroine Sapna, she struck me as a little stubborn but smart and sassy too. I was somewhat reminded of the heroine in âThe Madras Affairâ by the same author (which happens to be my favourite of her novels). She had no tragic past holding her back, though, so Ram managed to win her over eventually.
The title of the book is pretty perfect. I liked its simple style, fast pace and sizzling scenes. As with the other book in the series by Sundari Venkatraman, it gave me a glimpse of previously encountered characters from another book (The Runaway Bridegroom, to be specific) and further endeared itself to me with that. Also, it took me on a short trip to an exotic location (Madurai), and thatâs always a treat.
If you like short reads that donât lack some tension and have nicely fleshed-out characters but no unnecessary clutter, then youâll like this Indian novella. I just wish the story had been a bit longer.
Rating: 4/5
âSpotlight
Marriages Made in IndiaBook #1THE SMITTEN HUSBANDbySundari Venkatraman
Blurb
Ram Maheshwari is a successful jewellery designer who has a huge showroom on MI Road, Jaipur. Heâs tall, dark, handsome and a billionaire to boot. Heâs twenty-nine and falls in with his parentsâ wishes when they try to arrange his marriage.
The lovely, stormy-eyed Sapna Purohit is from Pushkar. Sheâs managed to finish school and makes a living by doing mehendi designs during weddings. Sheâs always dreamt of a Prince on a white horse, sweeping her off her feet.
One look into Sapnaâs grey eyes and Ram is lost. Only, Sapnaâs unable to see her Prince in Ram. Being from a poor family, she has no choice but to go along with the tide when the Maheshwaris offer to bear all expenses of the wedding.
Does that mean that the feisty Sapna is all set to accept Ram as her husband? She puts forth a condition, after the wedding. Will The Smitten Husband agree to it?
*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.
Read an excerpt...
âGood morning!â said a sleepy voice. âWhat are you doing so far away?â called out Ram, before reaching out with a long arm to pull her to him.A startled Sapna gave him a shocked look that was lost on her husband, whose eyes were still closed. His arms went around her waist like steel bands, his breath hot against her cheek. âSapna...â he whispered in her ear as his hard lips pressed into her petal soft cheek.Sapna tried to pull out of his arms, only to have them pull her closer. Her breasts were flattened against his solid chest. Her traitorous body seemed to enjoy the pressure as her nipples perked up. She did her best to hold on to the control that was slipping fast.âRam,â she called out loudly, hoping to wake him up. She couldnât free her arms that were trapped against her own body, as he held her in a crushing grip. His mouth was busy exploring her face, moving inexorably towards her lips. His eyes continued to remain closed, while his hands moved restlessly at her waist. âRam...â her voice came out in a whisper, as she felt his tongue trace the edge of her lips. Tortured, she made the final move to capture his roving lips, breaking free her hands to hold his face steady.âSapna...â sighed Ram, kissing her gently, his tongue first tracing her upper lip and then her lower one. He gently bit the luscious curve. Sapna instinctively opened her mouth to let him explore the velvety cavern with his tongue. Shyly, her tongue reached out to mate with his, making Ram groan with need.His hands moved restlessly on her body, her nightie bunching up. His muscular legs tangled with her slim ones, making her sigh with pleasure as his hard and hairy skin brushed against her soft and silky one. His hands cupped her lush bottom, caressing it lovingly.Sapna suddenly became aware of his hardness pressed against her belly. Coming to her senses, she turned her face away, breaking the kiss. âNo Ram.âHis wet lips continued to caress her, his tongue exploring her shell-like ear. Even as her heart thudded loudly, Sapna pushed against him. âRam, please, will you stop it?âHis black eyes opened a slit, desire and slumber at war in them. âSapna?â If he hadnât been fully awake before, he was now, as he stared at her lovely face that was so close to his. He slowly recalled what had been occurring over the past few minutes. He had at first thought he was dreaming about kissing the luscious woman in his arms. How had she landed there in the first place?
Grab Your CopyAmazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | Amazon.ca
#TSH #1 Bestseller on Amazon.in
Follow the tour in Pinterest
About The Author
The Smitten Husband is the eighth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This is a hot romance and is Book #1 of the 5-novella series titled Marriages Made in India. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjaliâall romances. She also has a collection of romantic short stories called Matches Made in Heaven; and a collection of human interest stories called Tales of Sunshine. All of Sundari Venkatramanâs books have been on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK & Australia many times over.
Play the game of #Rafflecopter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Other Books By Sundari Venkatraman
Stalk her @
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September 24, 2016
The Heroes of my Royal Romance Novels
When you read (or write) a book, do you imagine the characters as real people? Do you close your eyes and picture how they would look according to the descriptions? Do you compare them to actors, singers or other famous people?
I sometimes do, especially if I need a bit of inspiration or during editing when the story comes alive again in a different way. To date, my favourite hero was Daniel the Irishman from my multicultural romance novel SAVED IN SRI LANKA (inspired by Tom Hiddleston and Michael Fassbender), though I’m really fond of Alejandro from SEDUCED IN SPAIN too. And now that I’m deep into my new Royal Romance series, the charming princes have stolen my heart.
Here’s a quick look at how I imagine Prince Christian from THE PRINCE’S SPECIAL BRIDE (Book 1, already released), Prince Sebastian from THE PRINCE’S STUBBORN BRIDE (Book 2, available for pre-order) and Prince Erik from THE PRINCE’S SURPRISE BRIDE (Book 3, coming soon).
Prince Christian of Taragonia I see my first prince as a charmer once he has let his guard down, caring and honest, confident in a quiet way. Full of sophistication, grace and royalty as well as loyalty. It takes him some time to realize that rules and decorum aren’t everything, but once he accepts that he’s in love with Marie, he stays true to his feelings. He’s tall and slender, with just a bit of fine-toned muscles. Brown-haired and green-eyed, he isn’t overly alpha but can sometimes be compared to Mr. Darcy. All his life, Prince Christian put duty first and closed himself off, but once his sister and her friend get to him, he shows his true self – without losing his responsibility.
When I think of Prince Christian, Tom Hiddleston and Jude Law come to my mind. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark isn’t far off the mark either.
a still of Tom Hiddleston playing Jonathan Pine in 'The Night Manager' 
taken from Pinterest (click on picture for link) Prince Sebastian of Visteria Although I have a really soft spot for Prince Christian, I think I love Prince Sebastian even more. Maybe that’s because I’ve just finished the manuscript for the book and enjoyed writing him and Princess Olivia so much. He’s an alpha male, exuding confidence and power with a slightly roguish edge despite his inherently regal demeanour. As a rebel of sorts who doesn’t want to be a prince and who spends most of his time with adventure across the globe, Prince Sebastian has a very masculine air to him. On most days, he ditches formal attire in favour of jeans and dark, casual clothes, but he can wear the hell out of a suit if necessary. Dark-haired and dark-eyed, with almost always a stubble or scruff, he loves to tease and please and he’s one of my sexiest heroes.
When I think of Prince Sebastian, David Gandy and Henry Cavill come to my mind. Incidentally, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden fits the bill too.
taken from Pinterest 
taken from Pinterest Prince Erik of Eirik I wanted something different yet again for my third royal romance, and this idea practically jumped into my head. I can’t wait to write about Prince Erik, who is from a kingdom in the north of Europe and looks like a modern-day Norse god. Tall, blond and blue-eyed, he’s an intriguing mix of boyish charm and strong will, confidence and wry humour. He comes from a country where the women are in power – his twin sister is the ruler – and he knows how to treat women with respect. He’s kind and intelligent, and because he’s got such a sunshine smile, people tend to underestimate him. But if you anger him, he’ll unleash a fury you wouldn’t expect. What I love about him is that he pays such attention to detail and wants to protect and care for the one woman who captures his heart – which just so happens to be a German journalist who is kidnapped alongside him.
When I think of Prince Erik, Alexander Skarsgård and Bradley Cooper (dyed blonde) come to my mind. Also, any model with a Norse look.
taken from Pinterest 
taken from Pinterest
I sometimes do, especially if I need a bit of inspiration or during editing when the story comes alive again in a different way. To date, my favourite hero was Daniel the Irishman from my multicultural romance novel SAVED IN SRI LANKA (inspired by Tom Hiddleston and Michael Fassbender), though I’m really fond of Alejandro from SEDUCED IN SPAIN too. And now that I’m deep into my new Royal Romance series, the charming princes have stolen my heart.
Here’s a quick look at how I imagine Prince Christian from THE PRINCE’S SPECIAL BRIDE (Book 1, already released), Prince Sebastian from THE PRINCE’S STUBBORN BRIDE (Book 2, available for pre-order) and Prince Erik from THE PRINCE’S SURPRISE BRIDE (Book 3, coming soon).
Prince Christian of Taragonia I see my first prince as a charmer once he has let his guard down, caring and honest, confident in a quiet way. Full of sophistication, grace and royalty as well as loyalty. It takes him some time to realize that rules and decorum aren’t everything, but once he accepts that he’s in love with Marie, he stays true to his feelings. He’s tall and slender, with just a bit of fine-toned muscles. Brown-haired and green-eyed, he isn’t overly alpha but can sometimes be compared to Mr. Darcy. All his life, Prince Christian put duty first and closed himself off, but once his sister and her friend get to him, he shows his true self – without losing his responsibility.
When I think of Prince Christian, Tom Hiddleston and Jude Law come to my mind. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark isn’t far off the mark either.
a still of Tom Hiddleston playing Jonathan Pine in 'The Night Manager' taken from Pinterest (click on picture for link) Prince Sebastian of Visteria Although I have a really soft spot for Prince Christian, I think I love Prince Sebastian even more. Maybe that’s because I’ve just finished the manuscript for the book and enjoyed writing him and Princess Olivia so much. He’s an alpha male, exuding confidence and power with a slightly roguish edge despite his inherently regal demeanour. As a rebel of sorts who doesn’t want to be a prince and who spends most of his time with adventure across the globe, Prince Sebastian has a very masculine air to him. On most days, he ditches formal attire in favour of jeans and dark, casual clothes, but he can wear the hell out of a suit if necessary. Dark-haired and dark-eyed, with almost always a stubble or scruff, he loves to tease and please and he’s one of my sexiest heroes.When I think of Prince Sebastian, David Gandy and Henry Cavill come to my mind. Incidentally, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden fits the bill too.
taken from Pinterest taken from Pinterest Prince Erik of Eirik I wanted something different yet again for my third royal romance, and this idea practically jumped into my head. I can’t wait to write about Prince Erik, who is from a kingdom in the north of Europe and looks like a modern-day Norse god. Tall, blond and blue-eyed, he’s an intriguing mix of boyish charm and strong will, confidence and wry humour. He comes from a country where the women are in power – his twin sister is the ruler – and he knows how to treat women with respect. He’s kind and intelligent, and because he’s got such a sunshine smile, people tend to underestimate him. But if you anger him, he’ll unleash a fury you wouldn’t expect. What I love about him is that he pays such attention to detail and wants to protect and care for the one woman who captures his heart – which just so happens to be a German journalist who is kidnapped alongside him.When I think of Prince Erik, Alexander Skarsgård and Bradley Cooper (dyed blonde) come to my mind. Also, any model with a Norse look.
taken from Pinterest taken from Pinterest
September 22, 2016
Featured - Book Club Spotlight for "The Smitten Husband" & Guest Post by Sundari Venkatraman
Guest PostâWhat prompted you to write a series of novellas, and are they easier to write for you than full novels?
Hi Devika,
I can say to some extent that you were one of those people who made me want to write the Marriages Made in India series. So, let me first say âThank youâ. You might recall asking me if I plan to write Abhimanyu-Shikha story after reading my novel, The Runaway Bridegroom. :D
At that point, I wasnât too convinced as I knew there wasnât enough of a story for a full-fledged novel. Later, one fine day, as I spent many hours by myself while travelling alone, it struck me that I could create stories for Chandaâs brothers and Abhi. Thatâs how the idea for the MMII series was born, beginning with her eldest brother Ram, in The Smitten Husband.
As for writing novellas, novels or short stories for that matter â I find that only the length is different. And hence probably the time spent writing them will vary. Otherwise, the effort is the same. Rather than my telling the story, I realise it is the story that wants to be told through me. It forms itself into a novella or novel or short story as I ideate it. This is also what convinces me that I donât have anything more to say in the story even when my readers think otherwise.
The only one that I curtailed from its longer structure was Double Jeopardy. I felt the characters wanted to say way more. Only, my editor thought differently. This is one story that I plan to rewrite and you may expect the second edition to hit the e-stands by end of 2016 or beginning 2017.
In conclusion, Iâd say that whatever be the size of the book, the effort is the same. Of course, if itâs a series, a lot more concentration is required to ensure the characters who reappear in the next books, donât change their personalities. ;)
Thank you for that lovely question. I hope I have answered it to your satisfaction.
â
Spotlight
Marriages Made in IndiaBook #1THE SMITTEN HUSBANDbySundari Venkatraman
Blurb
Ram Maheshwari is a successful jewellery designer who has a huge showroom on MI Road, Jaipur. Heâs tall, dark, handsome and a billionaire to boot. Heâs twenty-nine and falls in with his parentsâ wishes when they try to arrange his marriage.
The lovely, stormy-eyed Sapna Purohit is from Pushkar. Sheâs managed to finish school and makes a living by doing mehendi designs during weddings. Sheâs always dreamt of a Prince on a white horse, sweeping her off her feet.
One look into Sapnaâs grey eyes and Ram is lost. Only, Sapnaâs unable to see her Prince in Ram. Being from a poor family, she has no choice but to go along with the tide when the Maheshwaris offer to bear all expenses of the wedding.
Does that mean that the feisty Sapna is all set to accept Ram as her husband? She puts forth a condition, after the wedding. Will The Smitten Husband agree to it?
*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.
Read an excerpt...
âGood morning!â said a sleepy voice. âWhat are you doing so far away?â called out Ram, before reaching out with a long arm to pull her to him.A startled Sapna gave him a shocked look that was lost on her husband, whose eyes were still closed. His arms went around her waist like steel bands, his breath hot against her cheek. âSapna...â he whispered in her ear as his hard lips pressed into her petal soft cheek.Sapna tried to pull out of his arms, only to have them pull her closer. Her breasts were flattened against his solid chest. Her traitorous body seemed to enjoy the pressure as her nipples perked up. She did her best to hold on to the control that was slipping fast.âRam,â she called out loudly, hoping to wake him up. She couldnât free her arms that were trapped against her own body, as he held her in a crushing grip. His mouth was busy exploring her face, moving inexorably towards her lips. His eyes continued to remain closed, while his hands moved restlessly at her waist. âRam...â her voice came out in a whisper, as she felt his tongue trace the edge of her lips. Tortured, she made the final move to capture his roving lips, breaking free her hands to hold his face steady.âSapna...â sighed Ram, kissing her gently, his tongue first tracing her upper lip and then her lower one. He gently bit the luscious curve. Sapna instinctively opened her mouth to let him explore the velvety cavern with his tongue. Shyly, her tongue reached out to mate with his, making Ram groan with need.His hands moved restlessly on her body, her nightie bunching up. His muscular legs tangled with her slim ones, making her sigh with pleasure as his hard and hairy skin brushed against her soft and silky one. His hands cupped her lush bottom, caressing it lovingly.Sapna suddenly became aware of his hardness pressed against her belly. Coming to her senses, she turned her face away, breaking the kiss. âNo Ram.âHis wet lips continued to caress her, his tongue exploring her shell-like ear. Even as her heart thudded loudly, Sapna pushed against him. âRam, please, will you stop it?âHis black eyes opened a slit, desire and slumber at war in them. âSapna?â If he hadnât been fully awake before, he was now, as he stared at her lovely face that was so close to his. He slowly recalled what had been occurring over the past few minutes. He had at first thought he was dreaming about kissing the luscious woman in his arms. How had she landed there in the first place?
Grab Your CopyAmazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | Amazon.ca
#TSH #1 Bestseller on Amazon.in
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About The Author
The Smitten Husband is the eighth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This is a hot romance and is Book #1 of the 5-novella series titled Marriages Made in India. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjaliâall romances. She also has a collection of romantic short stories called Matches Made in Heaven; and a collection of human interest stories called Tales of Sunshine. All of Sundari Venkatramanâs books have been on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK & Australia many times over.
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Hi Devika,
I can say to some extent that you were one of those people who made me want to write the Marriages Made in India series. So, let me first say âThank youâ. You might recall asking me if I plan to write Abhimanyu-Shikha story after reading my novel, The Runaway Bridegroom. :D
At that point, I wasnât too convinced as I knew there wasnât enough of a story for a full-fledged novel. Later, one fine day, as I spent many hours by myself while travelling alone, it struck me that I could create stories for Chandaâs brothers and Abhi. Thatâs how the idea for the MMII series was born, beginning with her eldest brother Ram, in The Smitten Husband.
As for writing novellas, novels or short stories for that matter â I find that only the length is different. And hence probably the time spent writing them will vary. Otherwise, the effort is the same. Rather than my telling the story, I realise it is the story that wants to be told through me. It forms itself into a novella or novel or short story as I ideate it. This is also what convinces me that I donât have anything more to say in the story even when my readers think otherwise.
The only one that I curtailed from its longer structure was Double Jeopardy. I felt the characters wanted to say way more. Only, my editor thought differently. This is one story that I plan to rewrite and you may expect the second edition to hit the e-stands by end of 2016 or beginning 2017.
In conclusion, Iâd say that whatever be the size of the book, the effort is the same. Of course, if itâs a series, a lot more concentration is required to ensure the characters who reappear in the next books, donât change their personalities. ;)
Thank you for that lovely question. I hope I have answered it to your satisfaction.
â
Spotlight
Marriages Made in IndiaBook #1THE SMITTEN HUSBANDbySundari Venkatraman
Blurb
Ram Maheshwari is a successful jewellery designer who has a huge showroom on MI Road, Jaipur. Heâs tall, dark, handsome and a billionaire to boot. Heâs twenty-nine and falls in with his parentsâ wishes when they try to arrange his marriage.
The lovely, stormy-eyed Sapna Purohit is from Pushkar. Sheâs managed to finish school and makes a living by doing mehendi designs during weddings. Sheâs always dreamt of a Prince on a white horse, sweeping her off her feet.
One look into Sapnaâs grey eyes and Ram is lost. Only, Sapnaâs unable to see her Prince in Ram. Being from a poor family, she has no choice but to go along with the tide when the Maheshwaris offer to bear all expenses of the wedding.
Does that mean that the feisty Sapna is all set to accept Ram as her husband? She puts forth a condition, after the wedding. Will The Smitten Husband agree to it?
*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.
Read an excerpt...
âGood morning!â said a sleepy voice. âWhat are you doing so far away?â called out Ram, before reaching out with a long arm to pull her to him.A startled Sapna gave him a shocked look that was lost on her husband, whose eyes were still closed. His arms went around her waist like steel bands, his breath hot against her cheek. âSapna...â he whispered in her ear as his hard lips pressed into her petal soft cheek.Sapna tried to pull out of his arms, only to have them pull her closer. Her breasts were flattened against his solid chest. Her traitorous body seemed to enjoy the pressure as her nipples perked up. She did her best to hold on to the control that was slipping fast.âRam,â she called out loudly, hoping to wake him up. She couldnât free her arms that were trapped against her own body, as he held her in a crushing grip. His mouth was busy exploring her face, moving inexorably towards her lips. His eyes continued to remain closed, while his hands moved restlessly at her waist. âRam...â her voice came out in a whisper, as she felt his tongue trace the edge of her lips. Tortured, she made the final move to capture his roving lips, breaking free her hands to hold his face steady.âSapna...â sighed Ram, kissing her gently, his tongue first tracing her upper lip and then her lower one. He gently bit the luscious curve. Sapna instinctively opened her mouth to let him explore the velvety cavern with his tongue. Shyly, her tongue reached out to mate with his, making Ram groan with need.His hands moved restlessly on her body, her nightie bunching up. His muscular legs tangled with her slim ones, making her sigh with pleasure as his hard and hairy skin brushed against her soft and silky one. His hands cupped her lush bottom, caressing it lovingly.Sapna suddenly became aware of his hardness pressed against her belly. Coming to her senses, she turned her face away, breaking the kiss. âNo Ram.âHis wet lips continued to caress her, his tongue exploring her shell-like ear. Even as her heart thudded loudly, Sapna pushed against him. âRam, please, will you stop it?âHis black eyes opened a slit, desire and slumber at war in them. âSapna?â If he hadnât been fully awake before, he was now, as he stared at her lovely face that was so close to his. He slowly recalled what had been occurring over the past few minutes. He had at first thought he was dreaming about kissing the luscious woman in his arms. How had she landed there in the first place?
Grab Your CopyAmazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | Amazon.ca
#TSH #1 Bestseller on Amazon.in
Follow the tour in Pinterest
About The Author
The Smitten Husband is the eighth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This is a hot romance and is Book #1 of the 5-novella series titled Marriages Made in India. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjaliâall romances. She also has a collection of romantic short stories called Matches Made in Heaven; and a collection of human interest stories called Tales of Sunshine. All of Sundari Venkatramanâs books have been on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK & Australia many times over.
Play the game of #Rafflecopter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Other Books By Sundari Venkatraman
Stalk her @
This Tour is Hosted by
Facebook | Website | Blog Tours | Twitter | | Linkedin
We Promote So That You Can Write
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