Book Review: CHRONICLES OF URBAN NOMADS from Readomania

Pic courtesy: www.Goodreads.com

 ABOUT THE BOOK

Chronicles of Urban Nomads is a collection of 19 short stories by 19 authors, edited by Sutapa Basu and published by Readomania. While the first 9 of them have been classified under “Imagine”, the balance 10, go under the head “Musings”. 

“Imagine” is a batch of stories told from the viewpoint of an object such as a wedding sari; a personal diary; a wedding ring and even from the viewpoint of a nugget of fear. “Musings” are by people from many walks of life – their feelings and expressions.

MY PERCEPTION

The book has been perfectly edited. That goes a long way for me while reading Indian authors. It was a joy flipping page after page, finding all the stories well written in correct English. Congratulations Sutapa Basu! 

While all the stories are very good, I especially liked some of them. I would like to mention those here.

A Vicious Battle by Aravind Sampath touched my heart. It’s a battle between Karthik’s heart and mind told from the viewpoint of the heart. Excellent!

The Blue Slippers by Kirthi Jayakumar is another one that almost breaks the reader’s heart. The feelings of a little girl from the viewpoint of a camera! 

The Masterpiece by Rounak Nayak is a lovely story of Ayan and the love of his life, told from the perspective of a notebook or diary. Superb! 

A Little Nugget of Fear by Deepti Menon is extremely well written and shakes you up. It’s a story so typical of our country and its superstitions. 

I simply loved the concept of EFIL by Bhaswar Mukherjee. WMD is a completely believable character and it’s awesome how he becomes a hero in his son’s eyes. 

The Last Letter by Dipankar Mukherjee is probably the shortest story of the lot. And it’s the most hard hitting. It made me cry. Kudos!

Arranged Marriage by Japneet Boyal – it starts off very simply and you wonder how the story found its way into this collection. Then you get to the last page and whoa! You know why. 

Bachelor and Baby by Jagadish Nadanalli is another cute story that touches your heart. Very well written.

Hide and Seek by Niranjan Navalgund is one more story I enjoyed reading. Very quaint and interesting. 

I like the way Mandira found her calling, a beautiful story of betrayal and forgiveness written by Anupama Jain. 

Finding Mia by Roopa Raveendran Menon is another one that promises to shake the reader up. It did that to me. I have read Roopa’s romance novella called Pyar Aur Poetry and found it lovely. What struck me even then was her command over the Queen’s language. This short story is also superbly penned. 

While these 11 stories are close to my heart, I must say that all of them are well written and make for interesting reading. An excellent collection indeed!

I have to agree with the subtitle that the stories are unputdownable. Though I read the whole book over a period of three weeks, every time I started with one story, I realised that I could not but finish it. Kudos to Readomania for publishing such a collection from some brilliant authors! 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of Chronicles of Urban Nomads from the publisher in return for my honest review. 

Click Here to purchase your copy of Chronicles of Urban Nomads by Readomania. 

Book Blitz: METRO DIARIES by Namrata

I am proud to present my friend and author-editor Namrata's (Privy Trifles) Love Classics called METRO DIARIES via Book Blitz, a brand new venture of The Book Club. Congratulations Namrata & wish you all the best. Looking forward to reading your stories soon. 

Book Blitz 

Metro Diaries 
By 

Namrata

Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries - Love Classics are tales that will hold you from start till end.

Blurb 

Love is one of the most amazing feelings on this earth, one that makes you the most powerful person or the most helpless person in a split second. These stories capture those feelings of despair, longing, love, lust, desire, want, dejection and admiration to create deja vu. Hold onto your hearts as you flip through these pages and take a walk down the memory lane as "Metro Diaries" will revive your innermost feelings and imbibe in you the magic of love. Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries - Love Classics are tales that will hold you from start till end.

Grab Your Copy

Flipkart | Amazon.in 

About 
Namrata

Namrata is a prolific blogger known by the name Privy Trifles in the blogosphere who romances life through her writings and aspires to make love the universal language. She dons various hats between that of a contributing author to 6 anthologies a reviewer for leading publishing houses an editor to various books and a columnist. Apart from that she is also the editor for an online magazine called Writer's Ezine. Having mastered the nuances of finance till recently she also held the title of an investment banker closely to let it go to embrace her love for writing fully.

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Cover Reveal: SANGITA'S DILEMMA by Sundari Venkatraman

Cover Reveal:

SANGITA'S DILEMMA

by 

Sundari Venkatraman

Sneak Peek

Sangita Sinclair was not always this successful & passionate lady heading the NGO “Penn Urimai” for downtrodden, abused and homeless women….
   
When Sangita catches the eye of Gautam Sinclair she is a simple, homely girl; utterly unaware of her charms & capabilities. She has the devil’s own time in overcoming her inhibitions, hesitation, and her family’s orthodox and outdated rules before recognising her love for Gautam.
   
Will Gautam be able to solve Sangita’s Dilemma or will she be forever trapped in her past?

About the author

Sundari Venkatraman has four novels and a short story collection to her name. Sangita’s Dilemma is her sixth book. Her books are self-published under the banner Flaming Sun and are often found on Amazon’s Top 100 Bestsellers’ Contemporary Romances list. 

A great fan of Mills & Boon romances over the past four decades, Sundari has always believed in ‘Happily Ever Afters’ and all her books promise joyous endings. 

Sangita’s Dilemma tells the story of Sangita, a young widow from a conservative family in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her parents wouldn’t hear of widow remarriage and all hell breaks loose when a half-American falls in love with her and proposes marriage. Sundari deals with different issues in society in her books without preaching anyone. The characters speak for themselves. 

The author says, “I wrote this book with a lot of love and passion; I hope you enjoy reading it.” 

Sundari Venkatraman would love to hear from you @

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Other books by the author

Double Jeopardy
The Malhotra Bride
Meghna
The Runaway Bridegroom
Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set)
Matches Made In Heaven

Are you ready?????????

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Cover Reveal: TAKE 2: SECOND CHANCE AT HAPPINESS by Ruchi Singh

Cover Reveal

Take 2
Second Chance At Happiness
by 

Ruchi Singh

"Happily ever after has become a myth for Priya and trying to keep the relationship platonic is becoming more and more difficult for Abhimanyu"

Blurb 

Priya’s idyllic world turns upside down when she realizes her husband considers her dead weight after stripping her off her inheritance for his ambitions and lavish lifestyle.

Abhimanyu is instantly attracted to Priya when life throws them together. He knows getting involved with a married woman is inviting trouble. But despite common sense, cautions and hesitations, he is drawn to help her.

Happily ever after has become a myth for Priya and trying to keep the relationship platonic is becoming more and more difficult for Abhimanyu.

In the tussle between ethics, fears and desires... will Priya embrace a second chance at happiness?

About 
Ruchi Singh 

Ruchi Singh has a degree in Engineering and has been working in IT industry as a Consultant. She began her writing career writing short stories and articles, which have been published on various online forums. Her story ‘Boomerang’ in crime genre, won the Indireads Short Story competition in 2014, and is part of the Anthology ‘Voices Old & New‘. Her, another, short story ‘Debt of Kheer’ is part of Author’s Ink anthology ‘The Turning Point of Life', both available on Amazon. 'Take 2' is her debut novel.
A voracious reader, her favourite genres is 'romantic thriller'. Besides writing and reading, her other interests include dabbling with Indian classical dance forms.

Stalk her @

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Picture Prompt 2: THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER

Pic Courtesy: The Book Club

Cinderella stepped into the coach drawn by six white horses, feeling beautiful. She was a princess for the night, all thanks to the Fairy Godmother. She lifted the hand mirror that was on the cushion beside her and checked her face once more. She couldn’t help but be fascinated by how lovely she appeared. There wasn’t a streak of coal on her rosy cheeks. Her lips appeared luscious while her eyes shone in excitement. Prince Charming will definitely notice her, wouldn’t he? 

She looked at her feet encased in dainty slippers made of glass. She was used to running around in threadbare socks. But the transformation was just incredible. Cinderella couldn’t take her eyes off her feet as she stepped out of her grand coach. A footman gave her his arm and escorted her into the palace’s ballroom. She walked in, confident, quite thrilled to be the cynosure of all eyes. Her red ball gown caught everyone’s eye in the light of the chandeliers; her slippers tap-tapping as she walked on the marble floor. 

Prince Charming came forward to greet the beautiful woman who had arrived late for the dance. He had never noticed her before. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as he lifted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and went to greet her. Taking the glass in his left hand, he lifted her small white hand to his lips in greeting, his eyes holding hers steadily. Cinderella’s left hand went to her fluttering heart, drawing his attention to her bare shoulders. Without a word, Charming pulled her into his arms as they began to dance. Champagne glass in hand, Cinderella danced with the Prince, completely unaware of the jealous glances from the other women – young and old. 

As he plied her with more champagne, Cinderella got rather tipsy and forgot all about her promise to get back home by midnight. When the clock began striking twelve, she came to her senses and started running towards the entrance or tried to. Her feet refused to co-operate with her in her drunken state while her glass slippers kept sliding off her feet. In a hurry, she bent down to remove them off her feet, to help her run better. The slipper on her right foot flew out of her hand and landed afar on a cushioned chair while the left slipper stayed with her. Did Cinderella wait to find out what happened? Of course not!

She rushed out of the door and reached the garden, only to be snarled at by a couple of footmen. Where did this ragged urchin spring from? The King would have their hides if he found out. Without making a noise, they lifted Cinderella bodily and dumped her outside the ornate gates. It took her all of four hours to walk back home. 

Mind and body bruised, Cinderella wept over her loss. Why did she have to go to the palace that night? It only made her crave for the life of a princess that could never be hers. She recalled the pretty picture they had made – Prince Charming in his princely attire and herself in the red ball gown, holding a glass of champagne, dancing to live music. Sigh! She looked down at the glass slipper that she had carried back with her. 

Alas, it had turned back into a ragged sock! 

Note: I wrote this story for the Writing Prompt from The Book Club. Click Here to know more and take part in Picture Prompt 2 that's open till March 5, 2015. 

Cover Reveal: UNEXPECTED VALENTINES by Summerita Rhayne

Cover Reveal

Unexpected Valentines
by 

Summerita Rhayne

"Love can be found at the most unexpected places, with unlikely people. Your heart might be searching for love but when love finally hits, it shies away from committing."

Blurb 

Love can be found at the most unexpected places, with unlikely people. Your heart might be searching for love but when love finally hits, it shies away from committing.
What are the barriers that keep two people away, even when perfect love is just within reach?
Explore the ways love can be discovered. Celebrate romance with this quick read ideal for romance fiction lovers.

Stories in this collection

Unexpected Valentine

The Magic Within

Love at loggerheads

Chained to Shadows

Right or Wrong

Coffee and Clashes

Hooded Desire

Preorder now at:

Amazon

About 
Summerita Rhayne

Summerita Rhayne loves to write sensual and emotional romance. There's no knowing when some quirky - or sometimes even not so quirky - happening in daily life might trigger her right brain and then she's off craving a new story. She loves writing characters who learn and grow and find their way out of their troubles and emotional hang-ups. Hot, sensual heroes and sassy but sweet heroines mostly fit the bill in her stories. She also believes that a touch of humor never goes amiss in a book.

She divides her time between family, job and writing - and loves winding down with music, movies and the internet!

Keep up with her  news @

Website | Twitter |

Her Other Works...

Against All Rules

Hidden Passion

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Book Review: WRONG, FOR THE RIGHT REASONS by Ritu Lalit

THE STORY

Shyamoli Verma’s timing is wrong. In her late twenties, she finds that her marriage is irrevocably broken. She comes back to her parents with her pre-teen son and an infant daughter, only to find that she is unwelcome. 

Independent and brash, she decides to bring up her children and also get a divorce without any support from friends and family. 

Written with wry self deprecating humour, this is the story of a divorced woman's quest for love and security.

MY TAKE ON IT

The beginning was a mite slow and had me worried. But after a few pages the story picked up speed. We can loosely describe the book as a Family Drama.

It’s in first person and is from Shyamoli’s point of view. She leaves her husband Manav because he is having an affair with his childhood sweetheart Nimmi. Shyamoli goes back to her parents along with her young son Samar and baby daughter Ketaki aka Kitty. But her mother Malati Malhotra is dead set against a divorce to the point of burying her head deep in the sand and believing that it’s just a matter of time before her daughter goes back to her husband. Malati feels that divorce will bring shame on their family name and Shyamoli should just sweep her husband’s infidelity under the carpet and go back to live with him. 

Despite her father being a retired Judge, Shyamoli is stuck with finding her own lawyer to go ahead with the divorce proceedings.

The story is all about family relationships that have been beautifully portrayed. It’s about Malati’s lack of love for her girl child; Manav not giving a damn about paying for his kids’ upkeep; Uma’s betrayal and more. Shyamoli, despite her fear and timid nature, bounces back again and yet again. 

And no, it doesn’t read like she’s a sorry character and the world’s worst things happen to her. Not at all! She’s just caught up in a society that frowns upon the woman taking the first step towards a divorce. Luckily for her, her father Gopal is a strong and silent support. The best thing that can happen to her is the appearance of Mamman Bozorg. No, I am not going to say anything else about this lady. Read the book to find out more.

The characters have been etched beautifully; so real; with a lot of white; black and many shades of grey in-between. 

I loved the way Shyamoli gets her back on Uma and Roop’s betrayal. Kudos! It couldn’t have been better. Her relationship with Subodh is again so natural and realistic - two human beings coming together without any constraints. I did feel pity for Uma at the end of it all and it just goes to show the expertise in the author’s writing skills. 

The turnabout by Shyamoli’s brother Varun was a complete shock. But I suppose it’s the truth in many homes in a country like India where Patriarchy reigns. 

A definite THUMBS UP for the characterisation and story! I must congratulate Ritu Lalit on writing a wonderful family drama that made me laugh, cry, rejoice and sigh. At the end of it all, I can’t but admire Shyamoli for being a mother to her two children despite everything. 

Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of the book from the author in return for my honest review as part of the Blog Tour organised by The Book Club. 

Blog Tour: MATCHES MADE IN HEAVEN by Sundari Venkatraman

MATCHES MADE IN HEAVEN

by

Sundari Venkatraman

Sneak Peek

A collection of 13 romantic short stories based in India; a culture rich country steeped in tradition. Inspiration struck me from newspaper articles, TV shows and hearing people talk. The short stories are based on that fact that arranged marriages thrive right alongside love matches in India.

1. Groomnapped is Ameya-Surekha’s story as a light romantic take on the serious issue of groom kidnappings. 

2. Dark skin on a woman puts off men in general or so says the society. Beauty Is But Skin Deep is Nitin-Simran’s story that proves it wrong!

3. Ritu is twenty-five and wants to wait for her Prince Charming but her parents are desperate to arrange her wedding. Does she find her prince in An Arranged Match?

4. Dating Agencies are doing their best to get young people together to tie the knot. My friend Diti runs an informal one; inspiring the Red Rose Dating Agency. 

5. A guy’s complaint about his fiancée of a few years dumping him after becoming successful in her film career felt like a rant to me. Chahti Hoon Tumhe is an ode to the successful actress. 

6. Soumya actually lives life like Soul Mates but how many have the guts to? This, incidentally, is the first short story that I ever wrote.

7. Does Madeinheaven.com help bring Menka & Jeetu together with technology driven Matchmaking website? 

8. I originally wrote Rahat Mili for an anthology; Rahat means ‘relief’ and is a name too. Read the story with the word in mind and it will fall in place.  

9. Reema’s Matchmakers brings Arjun and Prisha together at a get-together through a matchmaking network. But will they get married?

10. Nikita wants Krish for a friend and not her husband. As The Reluctant Bride she manages to have her cake and eat it too.

11. Shweta Ka Swayamvar is inspired by the practice of Swayamwar in ancient India of choosing a husband, from among a list of suitors, by a girl of marriageable age. 

12. Pappa’s Girl is about daughters of Industrialists taking over fathers’ businesses.  

13. Mythology romances intrigue me; Love Match For Velan is my take on Lord Murugan falling in love with his consort Valli. 

Buy @

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The Story told in visual

Meet the Author

Sundari Venkatraman has authored four novels and a short story anthology till now, Matches Made In Heaven (anthology) being the latest. The Malhotra Bride; Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom; Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set) and Matches Made In Heaven have all been self-published on Amazon under the banner of Flaming Sun. The three novels are regularly seen on Amazon’s Top 100 Bestsellers’ Contemporary Romances list. The Box Set and Anthology are bound to catch up soon. 

A great fan of Mills & Boon romances over the past four decades, Sundari has always believed in ‘Happily Ever Afters’ and all her books promise happy endings. 

Matches Made In Heaven is a compilation of thirteen short stories – all romantic – based on many situations anyone can come upon in their day-to-day lives. The stories revolve around the different ways a couple can get to meet and tie the knot in a culture rich country like India. Those reading the stories will definitely be able to connect realising that one of the situations has definitely been a part of their lives. 

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