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Against The Tide: The King and The Concubine
Can a concubine fall in love? Lohana knows she cannot even dream of everlasting love. Trained to captivate men for their wealth and proficient in the required arts, a concubine like her is not meant to be a partner for life for anyone and most certainly not for the king. But King Jayatshatru has managed to steal her heart. In the politics of aristocracy, germs of intrigue flourish hidden behind the ornate doors of the palace. As love grows stronger, the plotting against her deepens. Will she be able to fight the forces against her? Does she even want to, when dreaming about happiness threatens to lead both the king and her to ultimate an complete ruin? Set in ancient India, Against The Tide follows the story of a concubine - a position of status yet with no rights. The life of a woman in such circumstances was worse than that of a lifelong slave. Can love survive in such circumstances? Also read A Twist of Fate, a historical romance written with the same theme.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2018
20 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Summerita Rhayne
25 books59 followersSummerita Rhayne writes sensual romance which is sheer escapism with lots of emotional conflict. She first got published in 2013 and has won contests with prestigious publishers such as Harlequin and Harper Collins India. Writing, she finds, is the only way to deal with the numerous story ideas bubbling in her brain which pop up more rapidly than her keyboard can do justice to. Her pet belief is that even when writing time is in short supply, if the inspiration is strong enough, the story characters get a life of their own and will find a way to make the writer pen them down. When cerebrally confronted with the sizzling interaction of two Alpha characters, the only way to get peace is write their book!
At heart, she's a family person and even though she loves her medical teaching profession, she happily becomes a homemaker when not at work. She loves winding down with music, movies, cricket (strictly watching only) and social networking.
At heart, she's a family person and even though she loves her medical teaching profession, she happily becomes a homemaker when not at work. She loves winding down with music, movies, cricket (strictly watching only) and social networking.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 8, 2018
Against the Tide: The King & the Concubine by Summerita Rhayne
Set in the post vedic ages in the Indian history, the book narrates a beautiful love story between a Raj-Ganika, Lohana & King Jayatshatru of Vidharbhakata.
Even though the story is a work of historical fiction, the vocation of Ganika was highly prevalent during early-middle ages in India.
Ganikas were women of education & accomplishments. They were masters of art, politics, culture & were symbolic to luxurious lives. They were not supposed to aspire to any form of respectability or a status of a wife. They were trained to keep their inner-self apart & heart intact, while captivating & holding attention of men.
Lohana was one such ganika, who was brought to Vidharbhakata as Rajmata Shashodhara’s attempt to ensure her son, King Jayatshatru doesn’t leave the kingdom onto her step-son’s hands. She was not only beautiful but also well versed in 64 art forms.
King Jayatshatru, on the other hand, had his own mind. When it came to select a bride for himself, he was very clear in his mind about what he was looking for. He needed his Queen to walk with him side-by-side & not one who follows him. He wanted his life partner to be his equal.
He had courted many princesses, educationists & other ganikas, yet, with Lohana it was something different.
They would spend hours discussing various subjects or would learn different subjects from one another. Soon, Lohana was no longer standing behind the King holding his fan, instead she was sitting next to him. Both had developed a strong bond for each other. However, when the King proposed, it was more of an external conflict which prevented Lohana from accepting it, even though she was dying inside to be the King’s Queen.
Summerita Rhayne’s mesmerizing story-telling would keep the readers intoxicated throughout, just the way it has done to me. But not having chapter titles all through, had indeed, put me off a bit.
Set in the post vedic ages in the Indian history, the book narrates a beautiful love story between a Raj-Ganika, Lohana & King Jayatshatru of Vidharbhakata.
Even though the story is a work of historical fiction, the vocation of Ganika was highly prevalent during early-middle ages in India.
Ganikas were women of education & accomplishments. They were masters of art, politics, culture & were symbolic to luxurious lives. They were not supposed to aspire to any form of respectability or a status of a wife. They were trained to keep their inner-self apart & heart intact, while captivating & holding attention of men.
Lohana was one such ganika, who was brought to Vidharbhakata as Rajmata Shashodhara’s attempt to ensure her son, King Jayatshatru doesn’t leave the kingdom onto her step-son’s hands. She was not only beautiful but also well versed in 64 art forms.
King Jayatshatru, on the other hand, had his own mind. When it came to select a bride for himself, he was very clear in his mind about what he was looking for. He needed his Queen to walk with him side-by-side & not one who follows him. He wanted his life partner to be his equal.
He had courted many princesses, educationists & other ganikas, yet, with Lohana it was something different.
They would spend hours discussing various subjects or would learn different subjects from one another. Soon, Lohana was no longer standing behind the King holding his fan, instead she was sitting next to him. Both had developed a strong bond for each other. However, when the King proposed, it was more of an external conflict which prevented Lohana from accepting it, even though she was dying inside to be the King’s Queen.
Summerita Rhayne’s mesmerizing story-telling would keep the readers intoxicated throughout, just the way it has done to me. But not having chapter titles all through, had indeed, put me off a bit.
May 24, 2018
I always enjoy this author's work and this story does not disappoint. Forbidden love, palaces, exotic climates and baddies. What's not to love?
May 24, 2018
As an avid fan of this author’s historical fiction, I was all too eager to give her latest a read. This novella is not tied to the historical romance novels I had read previously, which are not only longer but also more sensual and even more vivid in detail.
I enjoyed ‘Against the Tide’ as a short, thoroughly entertaining read that was at times sumptuous, at times fast-paced and at times surprisingly philosophical. Lohana was captivating, an irresistible combination of beauty, intelligence and will power. As such, the King seemed her perfect match. It was interesting to have his mother the ill-wishing Queen as well as Lohana’s sister added into the mix – and I have a feeling the author might write her story next.
I enjoyed ‘Against the Tide’ as a short, thoroughly entertaining read that was at times sumptuous, at times fast-paced and at times surprisingly philosophical. Lohana was captivating, an irresistible combination of beauty, intelligence and will power. As such, the King seemed her perfect match. It was interesting to have his mother the ill-wishing Queen as well as Lohana’s sister added into the mix – and I have a feeling the author might write her story next.
July 29, 2018
Lohana holds you captive from the start. The author took me into this beautiful historical world of royalty, kingdoms, spies, sibling rivalry, treason, love, passion, and romance.
The King, an ultimate gentleman, takes a part of your heart as finish reading the book.
This book is one of my first Indian historical romance, and now I am wondering how I have missed trying this genre.
Summerita Rhayne has certainly made look forward to reading her other historical romances and root for Yashita in her next.
I loved the narration. Not to forget the cover of the book had me completely awestruck.
It is going to be hard waiting for Summerita Rhayne's next.
The King, an ultimate gentleman, takes a part of your heart as finish reading the book.
This book is one of my first Indian historical romance, and now I am wondering how I have missed trying this genre.
Summerita Rhayne has certainly made look forward to reading her other historical romances and root for Yashita in her next.
I loved the narration. Not to forget the cover of the book had me completely awestruck.
It is going to be hard waiting for Summerita Rhayne's next.
June 1, 2018
A very beautiful love story between two people that were not supposed to get married but that fought for their love against everything and everyone. One more star in Summerita Rhayne's growing repertoir. A must read.
June 9, 2018
The book is awesome to read .
The characters like King Hitaksha and lochna are meant to be fallen in love for real .
Loved the story .
It's very sweet love story
The characters like King Hitaksha and lochna are meant to be fallen in love for real .
Loved the story .
It's very sweet love story
June 22, 2018
Cute
I did struggle a little with the names because I’m not used to them but the story was cute. Thanks
I did struggle a little with the names because I’m not used to them but the story was cute. Thanks
December 3, 2018
Great story
I love this author.
I love indian historical romance.
Will read more books by this author.
More books please.
Wonderful.
I love this author.
I love indian historical romance.
Will read more books by this author.
More books please.
Wonderful.
October 23, 2019
A great light read
Touching upon ancient India, customs and social order, this book on romance is a beautiful light read!
You'll enjoy reading it.
Touching upon ancient India, customs and social order, this book on romance is a beautiful light read!
You'll enjoy reading it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews