Friday, December 23, 2016

Blog Tour: GUEST POST by Rubina Ramesh

Rubina Ramesh
I knew Rubina Ramesh first as a story teller and only later as a marketeer. Many people know her as the face of THE BOOK CLUB but first and foremost, Rubina can sure weave a tale that pulls the reader in with the way she builds her characters and sentences, many a time leaving the reader wondering what had hit them. Today, I bring you Rubina Ramesh, Indie author of Knitted Tales: A Collection of Emotions. This book is an anthology of short stories that bring you the varied shades of human thoughts and behaviours. Recently, she’s also published her first romance novel called Finding the Angel that would remind one of the Mills & Boons of the 70s & 80s – the best ever. Yes, I became her fan first and I am glad that today I am a friend too.

My question to the author is this:

There’s young Jaspreet who’s undergoing tremendous pressure in the exam hall. I found your description of her feelings so real and amazing. And then there’s the sexy siren Lolita of many layers. It can’t get more divergent than the two. It’s amazing that both were born from the same author’s pen. Can you throw some light on how these came about?

And here's Rubina Ramesh’s answer:

Dear Sundari,

Coming from you I will take that as a HUGE compliment for pleasing you is never easy. Thank you.

I have a few advantages over life.

1. I am a writer with an overactive imagination.
2. I am a woman writer with an overactive imagination.
3. I am a mother and a woman writer with an overactive imagination.

Now as you can see with every role my imagination is stretching a bit more. :D Knitted Tales was written over a period of time. The days I was happy, a peppy story popped up for the prompt put up in Wrimo India. Having a teenage daughter, whose mother has a hormonal imbalance, can be a catalyst to an overdriven imagination. Every examination after you give a pep talk to your daughter, you are left with an empty gaping hole of self-doubt about the way you are bringing up your kid in this rat race. We had it easy compared to our kids. But we cannot show it or they latch on to our weaknesses. My daughter is a wonderful artist but like every parent we dream of her becoming a doctor or an engineer. Movies like 3 Idiots scream about the injustice that we do to our kids. But such messages are appreciated when it happens to our neighbors or our friend's kid. Out of that feeling, Jaspreet was born.

Jia Khan's death left a very strong feeling of dread in me. A young life snuffed out so early and such a senseless death. Lolita, though not a takeoff from her life, but it’s more about the emotion that I felt when I read the news. What makes a person commit suicide at the peak of their lives? What did her soul come to learn? Did she depart once she had learned it? Such questions, as you know dear Sundari, always fascinate me. Lolita, which I am planning a full-fledged novel on, is my quest for those answers.

Thank you, Sundari for this opportunity to express myself. 

Click on the picture to buy Rubina Ramesh's books



Thursday, December 15, 2016

Blog Tour: KNITTED TALES: A COLLECTION OF EMOTIONS by Rubina Ramesh



KNITTED TALES:
A Collection of Emotions
by



Blurb

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.


Grab your copy @

Amazon India | Amazon USA
Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | Amazon Australia

Check out all the posts here 


 About the author


Rubina Ramesh is an avid reader, writer, blogger, book reviewer and marketer. She is the founder of The Book Club, an online book publicity group. Her first literary work was published in her school magazine. It gave her immense pride to see her own name at the bottom of the article. She was about 8 years old at that time.  She then went to complete her MBA and after her marriage to her childhood friend, her travel saga started. From The Netherlands to the British Isles she lived her life like an adventure. After a short stint in Malaysia, she finally settled down in the desert state of USA, Arizona.  Living with her DH and two human kids and one doggie kid, Rubina has finally started living the life she had always dreamed about – that of a writer. 

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.


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Sunday, December 11, 2016

Blog Tour: SHADOW IN THE MIRROR by Deepti Menon


Shadow In The Mirror 
by
Deepti Menon

Publisher: Readomania



MY REVIEW

I have read a number of short stories by Deepti Menon and am a fan of her writing and that’s the reason I was keen to read this full-fledged novel by her. After ensuring from the author herself that it’s not a horror but a psychological thriller, I got myself a copy. I must mention that the cover is awesome.

I found the opening chapter so fast and gripping and got pulled into the story. The author’s English is flawless and she sure can spin a story. 

The story begins with the death of a pregnant Nita. Nita has everything going for her. She’s the only daughter of a rich businessman, married to Krish, a man she’s in love with and she’s become pregnant after seven years of marriage. Then why would she commit suicide?

Journalist Vinny goes snooping. And she comes across a note that says that Nita has been murdered. Vinny goes to talk to Nita’s businessman father. 

I will not give more details to avoid spoilers.

The one major plus I found in the book is the way the murderer's character has been built. That's the only strong thread to the story. 

When I read a story, I would like to connect with at least one of the protagonists. What I got here is a number of characters flitting in and out of the story at different timelines, not making an impact. For example, what was Roma’s role? Or Meghna’s and Rohit’s for that matter? 

As I understood the story, Nita is a few years younger than Roma, who’s the same age as Vinny. If that were the case, how did the story end the way it did?

At one point, the story takes a leap from one chapter to another without connection. I was thrown as I didn’t understand why the story moved to that timeline. There should have been a connection for sure. It was missing.

There are at least three sets of deaths by accidents. In a psychological thriller, one would presume that they are connected. But no, it’s just random accidents going on happening in the lives of the characters. 

I could understand why Meghna ran away. But how did Vinny find her? There’s no explanation in the story for that. If an explanation is not required, then we didn’t need the character at all. 

The book could have been improved with better editing, maybe chopping off unnecessary characters, making the story flow smoother. Also, most of the story was narration. It was all telling and no showing. 




Blurb

It all begins with a death. Nita, a pregnant woman falling from her balcony becomes the string that unravels the plot. Her death casts a shadow over many lives; her heartbroken father, her husband and Vinny, a young journalist, drawn in by the whiff of foul play and murder.

What follows are stories within stories, eras and worlds colliding with each other, leaving behind splintered relationships and mesmerizing slices of lives that appear to be drawn together and driven apart by the whimsical threads of destiny.
As events cast their shadows ahead to link the stories of Vinny, Kavita, Roma, Krish and Nita in an unrelenting knot, a journey starts to uncover the truth. What is the secret that links Nita’s death to the other characters? Will Vinny be able to unravel the mystery of Nita’s death?

From intimate diary entries and letters, to bantering over a meal and sharing memories while spring cleaning, this novel de-familiarizes the ordinary, presenting a kaleidoscope of our own pasts, broken edges and pulsating hearts. 

Grab your copy @


Also Available on #KindleUnlimited 

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About the Author



Deepti Menon has always believed in the power of the pen. Having done her post graduation in English Literature and her B.Ed. in English, she had the option of teaching and writing, and did both with great enjoyment. She started writing at the age of ten, long before she acquired a Diploma in Journalism. She also had the advantage of being an Army kid, and later an Army wife, and loved the idea of travelling around India, meeting new people and acquiring new skills. She firmly believes that much of her personality was honed during those travels.

In 2002, her light hearted book, ‘Arms and the Woman’, depicting life as seen through the eyes of an Army wife, was published by Rupa Publishers, Delhi. This was written mainly to reveal the warmth and camaraderie within the great institution. She is now working on her second book that is a work of fiction, and not- to-be divulged yet! 




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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Blog Tour: HIS DRUNKEN WIFE (Marriages Made in India, Book #2) by Sundari Venkatraman




HIS DRUNKEN WIFE
(Marriages Made in India Book #2)
by
Sundari Venkatraman



Blurb

The badass Shikha is startled when the nerdy Abhimanyu proposes marriage. She loves... herself, and Abhimanyu doesn't figure on her list anywhere. For Abhimanyu, however, it was love at first sight when Shikha walked into RS Software, where the two of them work. 

When Abhimanyu shows her that he just might be rich enough for her, a pleasantly surprised Shikha accepts his marriage proposal and moves into his swanky apartment. 

But it looks like the love is all from only Abhi’s side as Shikha continues to drink herself crazy. Yeah, even at their wedding party. 

And then Abhi sets out on a honeymoon to Thailand with His Drunken Wife... 

*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.


Read an excerpt from #HDW

It was at least another half an hour before Shikha returned to the party. She directly walked up to her husband and kissed him on his masculine lips. “Forgive me?” 

Abhi pulled her close, kissing her deeply. “Always.”

“Did I tell you that you’re the best thing that’s happened to me?” she whispered in his ear, nipping at his earlobe. 

“Shikha,” growled Abhi, “Are you even aware of what you’re doing to me? Position yourself in front of me till I gain control or I won’t be responsible for the consequences.”

Shikha gave a tinkling laugh, her hand on his fly, tracing his shape delightedly. “How did I ever imagine you were a staid guy?”

Abhi groaned. “Take your hand off, woman. Please!”

Shikha laughed again, kissing him. “How I love to hear you beg.” She winked at him. 

She turned right around and got a waiter to get her another drink, much to Abhi’s chagrin. “Will you lay off the drink, Shikha?” he frowned. 

“Why? You can’t afford it or what?” she challenged him, a shapely eyebrow up in query, sherry brown eyes dancing. 

“You’ve already had four large pegs.”

“You’ve been counting.” The smile left her face.

“Do you plan to get drunk?”

“Arre yaar, Abhi! It’s our wedding, a once-in-a-lifetime event. I’m only celebrating. Give me a break,” she protested. 

“The way you’ve been knocking down the drinks, anyone would think that you’re in pain rather than celebrating.”


Grab your copy @

Amazon.com | Amazon.in | 
Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | 
Amazon.ca

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About the author



Sundari Venkatraman

His Drunken Wife is the ninth book authored by Sundari Venkatraman. This is a hot romance and is Book #2 of the 5-novella series titled Marriages Made in India; Book #1 being The Smitten Husband. Other published novels by the author are The Malhotra Bride, Meghna, The Runaway Bridegroom, The Madras Affair and An Autograph for Anjali—all 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 Venkatraman’s books are on Amazon Top 100 Bestsellers in India, USA, UK, Canada & Australia under both #romance & #drama categories.

Books by the author




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Monday, December 5, 2016

Tornado Giveaway 3: HEARTS & HOTS by Ruchi Singh





Name of the book: Hearts & Hots
Author: Ruchi Singh
Read some reviews:

1. Arti
2. Summerita Rhayne 
3. Shashi Kadapa 

The Story:


Love, what is it? 
A casual glance, and the heart skips a beat… 
Or A chance meet and that tug of an inexplicable connection…

Love… a baffling attraction so potent that one becomes blind to entire world, or is it that unbridled passion which threatens to drown every time you see the one, or a protective urge which forces you to realize that life is not worth living without that special someone…

‘Hearts and Hots’ a collection of five short stories riding on first love, passion, and romance.





You can buy the book @

About The Author 


Winner of TOI WriteIndia story contest, Ruchi Singh is a novelist, and writes in two genres; romance and romantic thriller. She has a degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as Quality Consultant in the IT field. She began her writing career writing short stories and articles, which have been published on various online forums. She has been a contributing author to many anthologies and has published her first book Take 2, which is a contemporary romance with a spice of social drama.

A voracious reader, she loves everything—from classics to memoirs to editorials to chick-lit, but her favourite genre is 'romantic thriller'. Besides writing and reading, her other interests include dabbling with Indian classical dance forms.






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Go to Book No. 79 >> God & His Girlfriend by Priyank 

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Tornado Giveaway 3: Book No. 75: DIRTY MARTINI by Kavipriya Moorthy





Name of the book: Dirty Martini
Author: Kavipriya Moorthy
The Story:


Life was all rainbows and daisies for the old-school, demure Preethi.

But an expensive mistake made her the oddball in the flashy world she chose. With her very survival threatened, an escape from the label the society had slapped on her seemed impossible.

When faced with a 'why not?' moment, Preethi found solace where she least expected it. Raghu walks into her life like a whiff of fresh air on a dewy morning. The elusive happiness he brought had the potential to heal the wounds life had inflicted on her. She could envision a future with him, provided he never discovers her past. However, fate played its favorite game, unraveling secrets she had brushed under the carpet, causing a rupture in their relation.

Preethi’s relentless pursuit to live to the fullest leads her on a different road to redemption, at a penalty. The sojourn costs her, her identity.

With her journey fueled by a need for companionship, will Preethi finally be at peace with what she had chosen for her life?

Dirty Martini dissects the judgmental, opinionated notions of the society. As Preethi treads on an arguably unconventional path, the journey evolves her threshold to understand the world better.






About The Author 


Kavipriya Moorthy was born in Chennai, India. She did her Engineering and MBA, and is now working as a business analyst at GAVS technologies. "I don't wear sunscreen" is her first published novella, and she runs her own blogs. www.yoursprofessionally.com is her micro-niche blog and www.kavipriyamoorthy.wordpress.com is her personal blog where she shares about her works, reviews other books, and writes about the process of publishing.



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Check out all the books of Tornado here 

Go to Book No. 76 >> Fighting for Tara by Sunanda J. Chatterjee 

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