Preethi Venugopala's Blog, page 6

9 Things I Learned as an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Author

2019 is ending. Another glorious year as a self-published KDP author. I wish to share with my readers the things I have learned as an Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing author.

My debut novel 'Without You' came out in June 2015. The paperback had been published by Write India publishers. Then in September 2015, I self-published the eBook version on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Within a day, my book went live. I began to get readers from around the world within hours. What followed after that was an unforgettable journey. Over the last four years, I have published seven novels, two short stories and three children's books on Amazon. 

So, what are the lessons I learned via my journey as an amazon bestselling self-published author?


1) The myth that writers can't earn through writing is a myth

For my debut novel, I had invested a few thousand rupees in getting it edited, the paperback published and marketing. Overall, I didn't get back even 1% of what I had invested. The only perk was that it had won the hearts of most of the readers who read it. 
But once I published the eBook version, I began getting a regular income as royalty every month. I have earned manifolds of whatever I had invested initially in getting the paperback published from the sales of that book alone.
With every book I add to my published list, I gain more readers and earn more. A few months ago, I quit a well earning day job to concentrate more on what I enjoy doing best. Writing!
Many indie authors earn more than what traditionally published authors are paid as signing amount for a book in just a month. 

2) Readers will read your books in any format if they like what you are writing

Among the readers who have written to me, I have had staunch paperback fans who are slowly discovering the advantages of eBooks. Just because eBooks are relatively new, it is not true that you won't have readers. Going by the status of my own books, I am blessed to have many readers who have discovered the advantages of eBooks via my books.

3) Visibility via Kindle Direct Publishing is constant

You invest your time in writing a book, spend hours marketing it once it gets published as a paperback by a reputed publisher and then after a period, the book just disappears from the shelves of bookshops. Unless you are an established bestselling author, your paperback just vanishes from the market.
But via Kindle direct publishing, your books remain for purchase even years after it has been published. Amazon itself creates promotions for older, popular books and talks about it to readers across the world via their newsletters. 'Without You' my first book along with three of my other books are now part of Amazon Prime Reading, via which Amazon allows subscribers to read for free some selected books published on Amazon.

4) The taboo associated with self-publishing is slowly vanishing.

Initially, when I started publishing, none of the traditionally published authors was ready to even consider self-publishing via Amazon. Now I personally know at least six or seven authors who have successfully experimented with self-publishing. According to them, the plus points in self-publishing are the freedom, transparency in sale statistics and the higher royalty rates. 
In traditional publishing, even the top publishers often don't give you clear statistics about book sales. But via KDP, you get to know the sales and pages read instantly via the KDP author dashboard.
In traditional publishing, the max royalty for eBooks is 25%. On KDP, it is either 35% or 70% depending on how we price the book. To get 70% royalty, the price has to be Rs 99 or more. Anything less earns you 35% royalty.
Of course, there is this reality that a self-published author would never be invited to any literature festival. There the taboo still exists.

5) Readers are the gatekeepers of good literature

Be it traditional publishing or self-publishing, readers are the gatekeepers without a doubt. Many books rejected by reputed traditional publishers have won the hearts of readers via self-publishing whereas readers have rejected many traditionally published books. As a reader myself, I do not look at who the publisher is when I buy a book. Mostly it is the author. If it is a new writer, I often read through the blurb, sample etc before buying a book. I have never ever bought a book just because it is published by a reputed publisher. I guess it is the same logic that drives other readers.

6) Indie books undergo the same kind of publishing standards as traditional books.

When I publish my book on KDP, I use an editor, a proofreader and beta-readers to make sure it lives up to professional standards. Though I design my covers myself, many other indie authors use professional cover designers. 

7) Reviews matter but they don't drive sales

Initially, I used to think that the number of reviews affected sales. Some say that Amazon algorithm actually considers the number of reviews before promoting it. In my experience, that is not the case. The keywords, category, genre and popularity of the book matters. 

8) You decide the content, cover, title of your books.

Being an Indie author, I can decide what I want to include in my book. Even if an editor suggests a change, it is up to me to decide whether or not to accept the corrections. I don't think that is the case with traditional publishing. The editors have the upper hand. 
The case is similar for the cover layout, title, etc. Also, with self-publishing, we can change the content, cover photo and even title without much ado even after the book becomes available for purchase.

9) You publish more.

I published three novels and one book set this year. I don't think any traditional publisher would publish more than one book by an author a year. It is just not viable for them. 
But with KDP, you can publish as many books as you can if you have the manuscripts ready. I know indie authors who publish a book a month. Especially authors in the West. 

I am grateful to have discovered Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and I hope it will bring light into the lives of many more authors in the coming years. 
Hope you found this article helpful.
Have you tried Amazon Kindle Direct publishing? 
How was your experience?

On Writing with Rajesh Konsam

Today on 'On Writing' we have Rajesh Konsam, a young software engineer and writer. A geek at heart, he loves programming and feel-good novels in equal measure. He also enjoys writing poems and occasionally dabbles in dance. Although Rajesh hails from Manipur, he works in Chennai after completing his B.E. in Coimbatore. Bittersweet is Rajesh’s debut novel, and he is working on his next.

Let's welcome Rajesh Konsam...



Website   Facebook Twitter  Instagram

Was becoming an author always your dream or was it a particular event or incident that gave birth to the author in you?


I guess the writer in me was dormant all along. I was never the voracious reader to begin with, but I was always creative and expressive as a kid. Despite maintaining a journal like most people do, the thought of completing a novel and then publishing it never occurred to me.It was on this one day, during a trip to Mysore with my college friends, that the idea behind my debut novel ‘Bittersweet’ germinated in my head. I discussed it with my boys, and they encouraged me to execute it. As an ambitious young man who was standing at a crossroad and still figuring out his life, there were noises in my head, and I just wanted to vent off my feelings somewhere. So, I picked up my pen and paper, typed my heart away and eventually began enjoying it to the fullest.
How important are the names of the characters in your books to you? Do you spend agonizing hours deciding on their names?
I do a lot of research while deciding the names of my characters. For starters, my male protagonist is soft at heart despite having rough exteriors.  Roshan was a meaningful name, and it didn’t sound too contemporary or traditional—just what I wanted.Secondly, I wanted to bring in a bohemian female lead, and for that, I created ‘Shanaya’. I wanted her to be half-Indian (despite not mentioning that fact explicitly in the book), so I looked up various surnames belonging to people living in Goa. That’s how I named her Shanaya Pinheiro, envisaging her as an Indo-Portuguese girl. It adds to her personality.
What is your writing process like? Do you write every day? Is there a favourite place to write?
I write only on the weekends or on national holidays as I zone out on weekdays with a job I equally love. Hence, it’s hard for me to come up with a new book. I do enjoy this slow process and try to remain consistent. I love writing in dimly lit rooms. Just me, my laptop and no one bothering me.

What is different about ‘Bittersweet’? 

I have been told by my readers that the story is very real and relatable.‘Bittersweet’ is about a group of young millennials, led by Roshan, who struggle to find footholds in the creative industries, as they tackle first jobs, financial independence, second relationships, compromises, loss of identity and fear of failure.Coming to the romance subplot of the book, I used the love story between Roshan and Shanaya to deepen their relationship. As two creative people looking for their big break, they share a common flair for creativity. The support system they have for each other during predicaments is what most of us yearn for in life.

While still being character-driven, it offers an exciting plot and is even packed with surprises.
Who is your favourite character in the book and why?
The protagonist Roshan is my favourite character in the book because he is real, headstrong, unapologetic, flawed and naïve but stands up for himself when he needs to. The kind of thoughts that cross his mind reminds me of the time when I was struggling in life.I created him at a time when I wasn’t even aware of the publishing industry and poured whatever I had in my mind.
Which do you prefer as a reader? EBook or Paperback?
I have a split personality while choosing books. I prefer reading half of my books on Kindle with the night light turned on because I read at night and I travel a lot. But with my most favourite books, I make sure I own the beautiful hardcover editions and nothing less.
How long did it take to finish writing ‘Bittersweet’? 
It took me two years, as I was straddling between the manuscript and my college projects.
How important do you think is marketing in today’s world for any book?
Marketing is pivotal for the success of any book because for the initial word-of-mouth which many authors rely on, the book must reach its first set of readers. Secondly, when people talk about marketing, I think about creativity. It’s important that we spin up unique marketing plans. When everyone else is doing the same thing, how would you make a difference? Quality over quantity, anytime!Another important thing is that, as authors, our writing should speak for ourselves. Come up with the best book titles, book covers, blurbs and first paragraphs. That’s marketing. Lastly, an author should not have any wrong notion about marketing, as it’s proven that it’s beneficial to any author. As someone who doesn’t like sharing his photos on social media unless there’s an important event in my life, it was a life-changing decision to come out and promote my book.
Please share a passage or quote from ‘Bittersweet’ for our readers.  

“You acquire taste. You soak them in little by little. A soul that has appreciation for art continuously expands itself to new dimensions. Enjoy the natural learning process. Just because some critics ask you to ‘learn the craft’ you shouldn’t force everything down your throat. Every successful man we know initially started off with the dumbest ideas. And when you feel you’ve learnt to some extent, break free. You will surely find your forte, your unique voice. You’ll do well, young heart. Now, go and flourish.” 
What are the three tips you have for readers of this interview who are aspiring writers?
1) Read a lot. Go out of your comfort zone and read books from different genres. One might teach you how to write a satisfying plot twist, and another might inspire you to write beautiful prose—all of which are important to surviving in the industry. Learn from different authors and aggregate all qualities into your book. 2) Spend time developing your characters and focus on both the internal growth and the external goal. Characters are the driving forces of your story.3) Write what you love, not what people insist you to read or write. 

Thank you, Rajesh. Wishing you the very best in all that you do.
Get the book here: Click here to purchase from Amazon Click here to purchase from Flipkart

~ Cover Reveal ~ Saved by Love by Shilpa Suraj

About the Book:

They meet under impossible circumstances.
She is kidnapped by terrorists blackmailing her father, a Supreme Court Judge. He leads the team sent to rescue her. 
Trekking to safety through Ladakh... They are in danger of falling in love. But, Lt. Col. Arjun Rathod knows that Naina Ahuja, engaged to politics' rising star, is not meant for him.
Forever changed by her trauma, Naina walks out of her controlling family and forges a new life.
And then, she meets Arjun again. But this time, he is engaged to someone else.
Can they save their love or is it too late?

About the Author:
Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler and author.An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.






Contact the Author: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Book Spotlight: My Love, A Liar by Ruchi Singh

Blurb

They never had anything in common and tolerated each other for their best friends’ sake. Thrown together due to circumstances beyond their control, Cupid strikes. 

Aditi is a modern girl working in Delhi brought up in a sheltered atmosphere with high traditional family values.

Rahul is a free thinker with no regard or patience for archaic social norms.

Will Rahul be able to break the barrier of Aditi’s social conditioning? Will he go to any length to convince her of his philosophy? 

Can Aditi hope to make Rahul believe in happily-ever-after? Will she risk losing her independence for a person who cannot give her any emotional security?


Excerpt

There he was, standing tall with aviators shielding him from the bright sun filtering through the glass wall near the gates. She had purposely asked him to meet after security was done, thereby reducing the possibility of someone spotting them together. Her heart swelled with pride when she saw other women checking him out as he waved at her, but his attention was focused only on her. Her pulse accelerated and a warm flush rose on her face. 
“All set?” Rahul smiled as she came closer and she knew everything would be alright. He took her cabin bag from her and shepherded her towards the boarding gates—the hand on her waist proprietary and reassuring.
He had done the web-check in, so their seats were together. 
“Tomorrow, when we reach, we are going to see the dolphins, then there is a cultural program at the resort in the evening.” He handed her the program that he had customized for them. His perfume swirled around her, making her giddy and a bit shy.
“Sounds wonderful.” She took the sheet of paper and pretended to read.
“The next two days, we have a packed schedule that includes parasailing and snorkelling.” 
“Awesome.” She took a deep breath and buried her head in the in-flight magazine. Why was she conscious? That night with Priya and Abhimanyu, she was extremely comfortable with him. That night, she was confident about asserting her independence, but today, everything had changed. They were together and they were alone.
“What’s so interesting in the magazine?” he asked after a few minutes.
“They have this article on Jodhpur, it’s so picturesque.” She tilted the magazine and showed him the page. 
“Shall we fix Jodhpur as our next destination?” 
‘Next destination!’ Her head jerked towards him. It was a mistake. He had leaned towards her to look at the article. His chin was at a hair’s breadth from her lips. Involuntarily, her gaze went to his lips.
“You shouldn’t do that, Addy,” he whispered.
“What?”
“Excite me.”
“But I haven’t done anything,” she muttered, dropping her gaze to the magazine.
“I know you haven’t, not literally. But I’ll admit, you are the only one who can make my pulse go high just by giving me that look.”
“I don’t give you looks,” she said and bit her cheek to hide the pleasure at his admission.


LinksAmazon US Amazon In Amazon UK 
About the Author

Author of the bestselling romantic thriller ‘The Bodyguard’, Ruchi Singh is an IT professional turned novelist. Her other published novels are ‘Take 2’ and ‘Jugnu (Firefly)’. Winner of TOI Write India Season 1, Ruchi has also published short stories under ‘Hearts and Hots’ series, besides being a contributing author to many anthologies. 

For more visit www.ruchisingh.com

~ Cover Reveal ~ The Mahāsiddha Field by Dwai Lahiri

About the Book:
The world of Asuras and Dévas is considered mythological. Indian mythology is replete with tales of Dévas battling the Asuras constantly. The interesting thing to note is that whether it is a God or an incarnation of a deity in human form, aka an Avatār, there was also a human element involved in these stories. The teachers of the Dévas (gods) and the Asuras were human sages, known as Rishis.

Find out what happens when seemingly unconnected individuals get drawn into a world of suspense and action, as mythology collides with their world in the book 'The Mahāsiddha Field', the first in a new sci-fi/fantasy series!

An elderly wandering mendicant in South India, two young Indian-American men, two soldiers from the Indian Army and a mysterious sage from high up in the Himalayas are thrown together in an adventure unlike any other; as a most unlikely adversary leaps out of the world of Indian Mythology to challenge their beliefs, their sanity and their courage.


About the Author:
Dwai is a long-time practitioner of the Daoist internal arts with a focus on Taijiquan. He is also an eager student and practitioner of Advaita Vedānta, Kashmir Shaivism and Yoga. He enjoys being part of the artistic process in various forms - as a writer, musician and a martial artist. The Arts are an excellent medium for spiritual practice and he has dedicated more than two decades of his life in the quest for spiritual clarity.

He started writing in the early 2000s in the public domain, under the pen name ‘Rudra’ for ‘sulekha.com’, which then was the preeminent online literary portal for the Indian Diaspora.  In 2007 he started the online journal ‘The Medha Journal’ where over 1000 articles---the compiled work of 96 authors including himself are available for readers today, on various topics ranging from Indic studies, philosophy to poetry and fiction.

In the worldly domain, he is a software engineer for a Silicon Valley software company, and an engineer by training. He likes to think of himself as humble bridge between many disparate worlds-- science and spirituality, art and technology, Eastern and Western cultures.

 He lives in the suburbs of Chicago in Illinois, USA with his wife, daughter and two dogs.

Contact the Author:
Blog * Twitter * LinkedIn * Quora

Cover Reveal: The Pearl of Immortality by Nishi Chandermun

A world exists that is dominated by the forces of Light and Dark magic. A world where The Sands of Time comes to life, a unique and compelling fantasy.
Xerxes discovers an ancient golden Lamp in a shop of magical artefacts and his simple life is immediately altered, propelling him into a brand-new world inhabited by powerful alien races.
On this strange and distant planet, a world so unlike Earth, Xerxes soon discovers his new identity, one that names him Dragonheart.
Presented with his ancient dragon of more than five thousand years old, a dragon with indescribable magical abilities, he is compelled to accept his destiny as Dragon Rider. A destiny that drives him into the heart of threats shadowed over by the evil Naga race.
Can Xerxes shoulder the responsibilities of a true Dragonheart? When the significance of the Lamp comes to the fore, it becomes evident that the fate of the planet lies entirely in his strength.
Goodreads
About the Author: I was born and raised in the city of Durban, one of the sunniest places of South Africa, where I live with my husband and three kids. However, home away from home is the magnificent Cape Town, a serene laidback city where the heart and spirit of the ancient Table Mountain beckons one to return again and again.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree, cum laude and went on to study psychology thereafter, both careers which held my avid interest. However, my greatest passion was always in writing, something I have been doing for as long as I can recall. So, it’s no wonder that I finally surrendered all else to become a professional writer.

I have previously written middle-grade fiction as well as illustrated books for little children. The Sands of Time series is my first venture for young adults, a project that I have been arduously researching and working on for several years. If there’s a single belief I live by, it would be this:

Masterpieces are not created overnight. All that is truly remarkable requires a magical moment of growth.


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The Girl at the Wedding : Chapter 1

Puvattur, March 17, 2007
Kishore woke up to the persistent chirping of a single sparrow at his balcony window. Unlike the pigeons that daily created ruckus outside his window in Sharjah, this little songbird didn’t annoy him. Its song served as a reminder that this morning was different. One of leisure. Today he wouldn’t encounter ready-mix concrete trucks or concrete pumps or rebars. Nor would the unforgiving desert sun scorch him. Kishore pulled the cotton blanket over his head and sank back into the bed. He would sleep a little more. Heck, he had earned it. For the last two years he had been forced to cancel his vacation in favour of work. His company had rewarded him with a three-month break this time. He would enjoy it to the fullest.Hours later, the scent of hot coffee wafted into his room along with the familiar smell of neer dosa and kadala curry. His stomach growled and his eyes flew open. His mother knew exactly how to wake him up. He dragged himself up and plodded into the bathroom to shower. After thirty minutes, Kishore was wolfing down neer dosas in the kitchen. He hadn’t even waited for his father and brother to join him, or bothered to sit at the dining table. Instead, he sat on a low wooden stool next to the wood-burning stove where his mother stood making the dosas. Exactly the way he used to during his school days. The position had two advantages. One, he could chit-chat with his mother as she worked. Two, he could get piping hot neer dosaserved right onto his plate without any delay. Wrong move. He shouldn’t have.He realized it only after the damage was done. “You are eating like you haven’t seen neerdosa in years,” said Uma, his mother, as she served him yet another hot dosa.“I haven’t. Who has the patience to make neerdosa? I mostly ate burgers for breakfast.”“But you said there were good Malayalee restaurants in Sharjah and Dubai. You could have eaten from there.”“I could have. But who has the time?”His mother had no idea how hectic his days were. When the company vehicle came to pick him up at six in the morning, breakfast was the last thing on his mind. He would have attended at least ten phone calls by then, consulting with the night-shift engineers or dealing with their clients. By the time he reached the site office, there would be papers to sign and emails to send. That would be followed by visits to their construction sites. Mid-morning, his office boy would pop in to ask if he needed breakfast. On his nod, he would fetch a burger from the nearby cafeteria, and place it on his desk along with some hot tea. That was the only breakfast he had been accustomed to in Dubai. On Friday, his off day, he would sleep till afternoon. Then he would end up at a friend’s or colleague’s home for a pre-arranged brunch. Being a workaholic, he hadn’t truly missed the noisy and sumptuous breakfasts at home. “That is why I said you should get married,” Uma said and then wiped her eyes with the loose end of her saree. God! How could she jump from food to marriage so fast? Time to flee. But the prospect of eating a few more neerdosas prompted him to talk his way out of the situation. “Please, Mom. I told you. I can’t get married now. Not at this phase in my career. It would be difficult for the girl as well. I leave at six in the morning and arrive back at ten at night.”“That is perfectly fine. Your father is never at home. Have you seen me complaining? We, women, are resilient. We adapt to any situation, unlike you men!”“Mom, what if my wife couldn’t cook?”“It’s okay even if she doesn’t know. You need a companion to make you eat on time.”“But Mom—” Kishore began, but Uma cut him off. “I don’t want to hear anything. You’re not going back this time without getting married. Do you hear that?”Kishore knew it was prudent not to argue further, especially as she might stop making the dosas if she got upset. So, he sat there and allowed her to nag him. Once his stomach was full, he fled from the kitchen.He found his brother Vishal in the living room, engrossed in the replay of a cricket match. They were discussing India’s chances in the ongoing cricket world cup when their mother ambushed their peaceful get-together.“Knock some sense into his head. Unless he gets married, you won’t be able to marry,” said Uma, addressing Vishal. Clever! She knew exactly which button to push. Vishal immediately changed his allegiance and joined his mother’s side. The cheater.“Yeah. Get married. Clear the way.”“You can’t get married for another two years. Who will marry you? You will need to complete your MD for any girl to consider you as a prospective husband. You get that?” said Kishore. Vishal was doing his MD in paediatrics at the nearby medical college.“Want to bet? If I put my mind to it, I can find a willing girl tomorrow. You don’t know your brother’s star value,” challenged Vishal.“Enough. Not another word,” said Uma, swatting Vishal on his upper arm. Perhaps she was scared her younger son might bring a girl home, just to prove his point. Then she turned to glower at Kishore. “You are getting married this time. That’s it. I will tell Amma to look into the matter. She has already shortlisted a few good girls.”A groan escaped Kishore. Her Amma, their grandmother or Ammamma as they called her, was Cupid himself in disguise. She was the mastermind behind every arranged marriage in their family. Once she took it upon herself to take away the freedom of some hapless chap, she rested only after the guy had given up every ounce of his freedom. But Kishore loved his Ammamma. She was an award-winning poet and writer. All his friends adored her because of the love she showered on them. He didn’t want to be deprived of her company just because his mother wished her to be his marriage-broker.“Mom, I promise. Give me a few weeks to enjoy my vacation. After that, you may drag me to any number of houses in search of a wife,” said Kishore. Uma beamed at him. After two weeks, he was going on a backpacking trip to Europe. He wasn’t going to tell her that. Vishal cleared his throat as he knew Kishore’s plan. Would the traitor give him away? Kishore narrowed his eyes at him. Vishal extended his left palm towards him and then smacked his upturned right fist on it twice. He was signing discreetly for money.  Kishore mouthed “Okay.” Vishal went back to watching the cricket match.  “Okay. Don’t think we are going to sit idle till then. Let me go and call Latha. She might know some girls,” Uma declared and then walked away. His mother had two sisters and all three were close. If his mother declared her mission to them, they would jump in without blinking an eye. Kishore let out a long sigh. “Give me my money. Or…”“Go tell, loafer,” Kishore snapped. He wasn’t in a mood to fight. So, he picked up the car key and walked out of his home.His classmate Anil was getting married the next day. To Kishore’s neighbour, Lena. One more deluded young man was getting sacrificed at the altar of love.
Time to visit him.

BOOKSPOTLIGHT: Sweet Surprises ( Inn Love) by Devika Fernando

BLURB
A fiercely independent interior designer from America - A charming Italian man with a secret identity - An old villa with its own secrets

Italy has always fascinated Victoria. Now that the interior designer from America is there to help convert a grand old villa into an inn, it feels like a dream come true – even more so when she falls head over heels in love with the handsome gardener. The few precious days she shares with Riccardo make her rethink every decision she’s ever made in life. But just when Victoria is ready to take a leap of faith, she learns that her irresistible Italian isn’t who she thinks.

Riccardo Moretti is the heir to a marble empire fortune and definitely not relationship material. But when the fascinating American woman overseeing the villa’s transformation mistakes him for someone else, he seizes the opportunity. With her, he can truly be himself, removed from scandals and from his family’s claws. He’s lost his closed-off heart to the talented, outspoken foreigner - but will their love be enough to overcome all the obstacles and secrets in their way?
BUY LINK AMAZON: mybook.to/innlove3


EXCERPT 
Riccardo glanced at the woman walking next to him, wondering why he felt this strong pull towards her. It wasn’t merely attraction, though he found her utterly beautiful. His body was reacting way too powerfully to her nearness. That moment when he’d had his arm around her and her curves pressed close, he had felt such longing that it was almost a physical ache. Another second of her in his embrace and he’d have done something as foolish as kissing her.Idiota, he mentally scolded himself, sei spazzo. It was crazy to think she would welcome such advances. They were basically strangers, and she had no idea about his true identity. And yet, he yearned with every fiber of his being to get to know her better.“Careful.”He grabbed her hand to stop her in her tracks. His short cut had taken them through a small thicket of trees that loomed like ghostly shapes in the moonlit semi-darkness.“There’s a small stream running through here,” he explained and saw her lean forward to check why he had stopped her from strolling on.“Oh, you’re right!”Acutely aware that he was still holding her hand, Riccardo had to push himself to focus on the here and now.“It’s very narrow here, just a few meters. There are stones you can step on to cross it, but you have to know where to set your foot.” He turned to her, feeling her fingers tremble in his hold. “I’m sorry, it was stupid to lead you this way but it’s the short cut I am used to. We can either walk back a bit and take the normal route or you can let me help you across.”She peered at the inky expanse of water, trickling slowly rather than rushing like a proper stream. “Ah well, what’s a night stroll without a bit of a risk?” With a chuckle, Victoria shrugged. Was she aware that she hadn’t pulled her fingers out of his grip yet? “Let’s do this. But I have a feeling you did this on purpose, so you can be a gallant knight in shining armor without seeming chauvinistic.”Yet again, she surprised him. Riccardo laughed, giving her fingers a squeeze. “No, I swear. I took this familiar path automatically, I wasn’t thinking.” And how could he think straight when being near her scrambled all his brain cells? “Shall we?”“Lead the way, fearless knight.”With another laugh, Riccardo oriented himself and then pointed at a dark shape by their feet. “Here, see. This is the first stone. They’re all big enough to get a grip but they might be a bit slippery. Just follow in my footsteps.”At her nod, he took the first step and led her cautiously across the few meters of water. She let go of his hand as soon as they had crossed the brook, and he felt oddly bereft.“Only five more minutes, then we’re there.” He nodded ahead, at where the lights were much brighter and closer now.“Great.” She gave a single shiver, hugging herself.“You are cold. I’m sorry. It can cool down rapidly here at night.”He had no idea why he was apologizing for something clearly out of his control and not his fault. Reacting on instinct, he slipped out of his leather jacket and draped it around her shoulders. His hands lingered on her arms for a precious second or two, feeling her lean into the touch before he stepped away.“Thank you,” she mumbled, her voice quiet and wobbly. Was she as impacted by their closeness and the tension shimmering around them as he was?Calling himself a fool again, Riccardo lengthened his stride. The sooner he got her home, the better, or he would really do something stupid and invite her for dinner and a glass of wine.

SERIES
This small-town romance series features novels that each revolve around a bed & breakfast in a different country. The books are sweet romances, set in countries like England, Canada, and Italy. They can be read separately as stand-alones with a happy ending and are great for fans of Nora Roberts. No cliffhangers, no cheating, but some mild swearing.

Book 1: Tantalizing Temptations (England) | mybook.to/innlove1
Book 2: Hidden Hopes (Canada) | mybook.to/innlove2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Almost as soon as Devika Fernandocould write, she imagined stories and poems. After finishing her education in Germany and returning to her roots in Sri Lanka, she got a chance to turn her passion into her profession. Having lived in Germany and in Sri Lanka with her husband has made her experience the best (and the worst) of two totally different worlds - something that influences her writing. Her trademark is writing sweet and sensual, deeply emotional romance stories where the characters actually fall in love instead of merely falling in lust.
What she loves most about being an author is the chance to create new worlds and send her protagonists on a journey full of ups and downs that will leave them changed. She draws inspiration from everyone and everything in life. Besides being a romance novel author, Devika is a faithful servant to all the cats and dogs she has adopted. When she's not writing, she's reading or thinking about writing.

Of Uncles and Aunts- Part 2 Our Santa Claus : Kamalachettan

Did you write letters to Santa in childhood asking for gifts? 

When I was small, I would write letters to one person who made my wishes come true. Once in a while, in our little village, in our home, a handsome man with a mesmerizing smile would arrive carrying the gifts I had asked for. He didn't wear red nor did he come from the North Pole. 



The gift-bearer was my uncle, who worked in Saudi Arabia then and would be home on vacation once in two or three years. Even if he didn't come every year, he would send gifts to us through friends who were coming to Kerala. My father's ancestral home would smell divine during the days he came home. His arrival was nothing less than a celebration for us all. For sure, we would get new dresses, chocolates, and fascinating toys. 

The doll who would start crying when the pacifier was taken away, the plane which almost took off, Penguins that climbed stairs and jumped into slides, scented notepads, butterfly stickers... the things he brought were some of my most cherished toys. I would keep them safe and secure inside the cupboard to save them from my naughty, younger cousins who were experts at breaking my treasures. 
Seeing off Kamalachettan...A trip for us kids to see Aeroplane. At Mangalore Airport in 1983
Because of him, I tasted the best chocolates in the world, used expensive perfumes, wore dreamy princess-like-dresses and also became acquainted with the latest technologies in the world. Karaoke cassette player with mike awakened the singers in us, VCRs and Hindi movie cassettes made us cousins fans of Bollywood movies. Then there was his vast audio cassette collection. I was introduced to songs by Pankaj Udhas, Lata Mangeshkar, Rafi and Kishore Kumar thanks to him. 


Kamalachettan with my sonIt was only later in life that I realised that the gifts he lavished on us were bought with his hard-earned money which he could have saved for his own future. But for him, our happiness was uppermost. 
When he brought a wife home, our new aunty became our new favourite. While growing up, I always made a pit-stop at uncle's home on the way from the school where I would binge watch songs on VCR, eat snacks and play with my cousins. By the time I was in my teens, Uncle quit his job and settled back home. There were no more letters written, but our Santa Claus still remained the same benevolent man.

Still, he insists I eat lunch/dinner whenever I go there. When my father fell ill, he along with my elder uncle became our pillars of support. He was forever at our home talking to my father who had by then lost his memory. 

Whenever I feel down, I recollect those happy childhood days and my heart fills with gratitude.
Thank you, Kamalachetta for all that you have given me. Thanks for a million sweet memories.

Book Spotlight on The Mohanbari Murders

Blurb
Simran, the swashbuckling, no-nonsense new ASP of the Mohanbari District is baffled when a nine-year-old is found dead in a busy market lane. Determined to crack her first heinous crime, she doesn’t leave any stone unturned. While trying to figure out the case her path crosses with Major Imran. Sparks fly, but she is determinedto hate him. As the matter gets more complicated, Simran begins to trust Imran.
Running through the nooks and alleys of dingy Mohanbari and the mysterious forest nearby, Simran must solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again.
Excerpt
Simran mulled over her third cup of lal chai in the SHOs chamber. It was a typical police office. Portraits of Gandhi ji and Baba Saheb lurked in opposite corners, on the wall with the honour board, behind the wooden chair. A big whiteboard with details about court cases for the week and important investigations graced the south wall. The north wall was reserved for DKBasu's Guidelines on Arrest. The west wall in front of the chair was a glass partition from where the entrance and the duty officer's room were visible.
Deeply craving a cigarette, Simran involuntarily put her pen in her mouth as placebo. Investigation in a murder case, that too of a child, is urgent and should take precedence over everything. A police officer's life, however, is not that simple. Her small red notebook was filled with all that she had to do and an important page in that was dog eared and labelled "Murder: 9 years old". Her meticulous note-making skills while helping her in complying to all the orders passed by the seniors, were also a bane, because she never forgot anything.  Another page which was foldedinto half bore the name of Major Imran surrounded by multiple circles doodled in anger. A small devil caricature also graced the page.
Two months since her joining as Assistant Superintendent of Police, Simran had run into Major Imran on two occasions. Imran had tried hard to impress her in the first meeting, at the evening gathering at the Mess. Dressed in his best formals, Imran had paid attention to Simran all evening and cracked stupid jokes to make her laugh. All Simran could think about was how short he was. She had been kind to him, but there was no attraction. None whatsoever. Imran followed it up with a message next morning.
"Morning Ma'am! Shall we catch up on coffee in the evening?- Imran"Aghast at his forwardness, she replied a curt no. "Morning…not possible...I am busy-Simran""L Imran"Simran wanted to make a sighing smiley but held back. She was distracted the whole day and cursed Imran for making her uncomfortable.
The second meeting was more eventful. They met at a high-profile intelligence meeting, where Imran completely ignored her. A curt nod in acknowledgement of her existence was all she got from the Major, who looked dapper that morning in his Olive Greens. He was not that short after all. Simran's ego had been bruised by Imran's neglect.

About the author

Esha Pandey Esha Pandey, is an author and a police officer. She made her debut as an author with her book Kiss of Life and Other Stories, a collection of short stories. Esha currently lives in New Delhi. She is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 2010 batch.

Esha has a Masters in International Relations and Masters of Philosophy in American Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Before becoming a civil servant, she dabbled with the idea of being a journalist and worked with Times of India as a copyeditor. She has won a United Nations FPA Award for Excellence for the “Best Short Story”. Esha has kept her passion for writing alive through her tough assignments in policing because writing is music for her soul. Her TDH hero is her partner for life, her husband Rajiv, who supports her in all her endeavors. When she is not doing either, policing or writing, she is busy dealing with her two bundles of naughtiness, her sons.  She can be reached at twitter.com/PandeyEsha and https://www.facebook.com/EshaPandeyAuthor/ .

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