30 November, 2015

November 30, 2015 0

#Interview with Madhumitha Murali



About the Author



Madhumitha Murali is passionate about writing, she begins her journey from writing for research and lands writing poetry and fiction in the process. A lover of nature and passionate subjects, she writes on stuff she feels for and her poetry also carries forward her passion to find subtle psychological feelings in a situation. Amidst job and study on finance, she exerts her love for fiction and poetry at life’s deepest movements writing by.


Check out the Author's Blog





Interview with the Author

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?
I love to express things, it all starts with conversational amplifiers, what I mean here is the Group discussions, and presentations I delivered during my college life. When people told me it was a wonderful thought, wonderful speech, an engaging snapshot of presentation, I gave myself the chance to write and when it was recognized by one of my teachers, I felt I needed to hone and improve.

What inspires you to write?
Mostly after a long wait. When feelings get pent up, the expression is vivid, and expressive that people tell me captures their attention. I write about things I feel for, around may be things I feel is good, bad, aesthetic, or plain lovely.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story?
These Short Story Collectives- Think Beyond, were written over a long span of 8-9 months. I wrote whenever there was a pressure to express my feelings, and then I write. Some stories were inspired to link poetry with a short story and see how it carves out, Another story was about a person who was from a village background and partly was influenced by auditing practices when I went around to assist on audit on remote locations, See these two had to be linked, a common problem many suffer with, but bring a positive light in it. Another story Rustic In Eyes- A wise Owl in life was written when I understood how old people feel on getting housed in a home, after children migrate to other countries. Morale Revolution 2025 is more about Modern Gandhi and bring in a contrast to the corruptive world. Likely, Simple Meet brings out a contrast between an independent unmarried woman and A married women who clash a meet after a quarter century, who were in a love triangle. Time Travel with twins is all about future technology and stuff that is a science fiction but has a thinking beyond in feelings of Scott who is a poet who is sucked into a  Car like Time Machine, and how he views the future and when going back, where does his story begin.

Tell us about your writing process.
I like writing as ideas cycle around, mostly on the system. I write when I feel creative and most energetic.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?
A few lines...From Novelette- Time Travel With Twins.
There were a peculiar clothing system there. Scott said had said lowest strata wear fig leaves. And the elite wear fabric according to social strata. Scott wore a toga which was made of low grade wool. We understood the king wore the best. Scott’s clothes were embroidered in purple lines.
Scott said, “Thee arranged clothes for all for stitching, thee will have to wait for two moon days.”
Lewis said, “Then what do we wear?”
Scott said, “The fig dress”
Kent asked, “Fig dress?”
Scott said, “A dress of fig leaves that is weaved with thread”
Lara exclaimed, “What!! Are we barbarians? Where are we landed to?”
Annie Smith said, “It is only temporary, till our dresses get stitched.”
“Hate it! No choice”, exclaimed Lara
I like this particular scene because it’s funny!!

If you were to be stranded on the famous deserted island, what three things would you carry?
I would carry a pen, paper, and water to add sound to the feelings in a deserted place.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
I love travelling, and penning my feelings when I travel. I feel most productive in a story after a long journey that inspires me to write.



About the Book

The book is a collection of Short Stories of Fiction genre. It discusses life's essentials with humor as engaging short stories. It is an everybody's book. The author engages readers in a pool of story and poetry. It makes one think and ponder about life with immersive stories that are sometimes sensitive but humorously put forward.






29 November, 2015

November 29, 2015 0

#SpecialFeature :: #Interview with Alica McKenna Johnson, #Author of Phoenix Child Series


*** Special Feature - November 2015 ***

Quick recap of this month's posts:


About the Author
Being told she was a horrible speller and would never learn to use a comma correctly, Alica never thought to write down the stories she constantly had running through her head. Doesn't everyone daydream about flying on a spaceship while walking to school? 
Not until she was thirty did Alica dare to write down any of the people living exciting lives in her head. The relief was instantaneous. By giving them life on the page they could be released from her mind and given greater adventures. 
As her books grew in size and the voices in her head learned to wait their turn, Alica found a loyal group to journey with. Women who would help her slay her commas, and use their magical gifts to traverse plot holes, transform words into their proper spelling, and release characters from any Mary Sue spells they might be under. 
In-between magical adventures, Alica is mom to two personal kids, five foster kids, has one exceptional hubby, a bunny she knows is plotting her death, and some fish, aka her daughter's minions. 

Contact Her
Website I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads

Interview with the Author

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller? 
For as long as I can remember I’ve had stories running through my head, but I didn’t think to write them down until I was in my thirties and found fanfiction. It was a safe creative place to explore writing. 

What inspires you to write? 
Everything. Things I overhear people say, places I see, TV, movies, books, and the crazy ‘what ifs’ that run through my head. 

What kind of research goes into your book? 
In the Children of Fire Series each book takes place in a different country, so I do quite a bit of research. I want to make it as authentic and real as possible, so I try and find people who have been to that country and harass them with questions. I read fiction books and watch movies about/from the country. I read children’s books, the ones they use for school reports, because they tend to have a lot of sensory information and fun facts to help create connections between kids from different countries. And I watch travel shows about the country, which is probably why I’m stalling on starting book 5 in the series. It takes place in India and, wow, such a huge diverse country I’m not sure where to start! 

What are you working on at the moment? 
Well, I’m doing NaNoWriMo and I’m working on a steampunk/demon hunting/ young adult novel called Kwan Yin’s Vessel. 

Please share three interesting facts about the characters in your book.  
1) I never know everything about them, and I am often surprised as they reveal their likes and dislikes. 
2) They are what I wish I could be.  
3) I cry when I write scenes where they are hurt. 

Name three things that you believe are important to character development.
1) They must be sympathetic; I have to care about a character to want to keep reading. 
2) They must have a fatal flaw, something that makes getting to their goal difficult.  
3) When creating a group of characters I want diversity: religions, race, sexuality, and physical ability. I want to see it and that’s what I create in my own books. 

Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so what helps you to get over it? 
Yes, usually it means I’ve done something wrong, I’ve forgotten a character, left out a plot point, or gone off in the wrong direction. I re-read that last chapter or so and go and do something mundane: clean, cook, go for a walk and my subconscious will usually sort it out. 

What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most? 
When I hit that creative flow and my fingers can’t type as fast as the story is coming to me.

Do you know the ending of your books before you finish writing them? 
Yes, I know the ending, a few highlights along the way, but the rest is a mystery. 

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?
Don’t be afraid to write crap. It sounds bad, right? But it’s true. You can’t edit a blank page and sometimes you just have to let go and write crap until the good stuff starts flowing again. 

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing? 
Join a writer’s group. The support and information can be amazing and more helpful than you realize. 

Anything else that you would like to share with your readers? 
I’m so excited to begin this journey with you! I’m not sure where the Children of Fire series is going to take us, in my head it’ll be seven books, but I’m excited to find out and have company along the way. 


About the Books

There should be a law, a Universal Rule, as to how much weirdness can happen to a person. 
Fifteen-year-old Sara walks into the San Francisco Center for the Circus Arts determined to ignore the freaky things happening to her. As powers she doesn't want and can't control overwhelm her, Sara must decide if she can trust the strangers who say they are her family ... descended from a common ancestor four thousand years ago.
Sara clings to her contented and well-planned life as a foster kid, successfully working the system, as dreams, powers, and magical creatures drag her towards her destiny. 
When the ancient evil that killed her parents comes to San Francisco, Sara is forced to choose between her fears and her desire to protect those she loves. 
Sometimes great things are thrust upon us. Sara wishes this supposed 'greatness' didn't include a new name, unicorns, and catching on fire. 



First an ancient Phoenix King and Queen and now a sleeping Mayan god, could Sapphire’s life get any weirder?
Sapphire. 15 years old, strong, intelligent, with newly acquired Phoenix powers. She travels through South America, with her recently-discovered family. Performing with Cirque de Feu Magique as a cover, the Children of Fire respond to the need of magical creatures to return home to Akasha. 
Powerful beings take a dangerous interest in the creatures they are called to save. The challenges of growing leadership and conflict with a Mayan god force Sapphire to realize she’s stronger than she thought.


Amazon I Smashwords I B&N 



Giveaway

-  $25 Amazon Gift Card
- DVD of Worlds Away by Cirque du Soleil
- Signed Copies of Phoenix Child and Legacy of the Feathered Serpent


a Rafflecopter giveaway

28 November, 2015

November 28, 2015 0

#BookReview :: Seeking Redemption by Madhu Vajpayee

Book Blurb:


Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It's her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay's sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It's also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self. 





My Review:

Seeking Redemption revolves around Meera, a middle class medical student and her journey. From what seems to be pretty normal life, she certainly finds herself in the world of caste based reservation and corruption. Besides her immediate family, Aman and Abhay are the two people who managed to touch her life closely. Thrust headfirst into situations that reek of trouble and problems, Meera must find her feet amongst all the uncertainties and make a path for herself. Will she be able to finally find her footing? And of course, would she find love amidst all the chaos?

The author has taken a great step to showcase one of the evils of the 21st century India – caste based reservation. It is a system that has been in place for years and even though it is now outdated, people still hold on to it. Politicians use it as a means to fill up their vote banks, officials use it as a means to earn some extra income and certain non-qualified people use it to gain employment. If you really think about it, the system is not helping those in need at all and at the same time causes a lot of people with merit to miss out on opportunities, which in turn is pulling the country back. I admit that I do not completely agree with the author about how she has treated the subject, but I cannot deny that it is one of the biggest problems of our present society. Thanks to the author for bringing it out in the open.

The characters in the story had some promise. Meera for instance, is a strong girl. She realizes that something wrong is happening and does what she can about it. But at the same time, this was in a way a journey of self-discovery for her and as such she did make some mistakes and then learnt from it – which made her more human and easier to relate to. I loved her parents more though. Her father is everything that a girl needs in her life; someone to count on for support and some to glean off some wisdom from. Her mother is what most mothers are like – loving, caring, overbearing, irritating and absolute darling, all wrapped up in one. As for Aman and Abhay, they are poles apart – yet they have an important role to play in Meera’s life. I do not think that Meera would be who she is at the end of the story without either one of them.

The book is not all doom and gloom and not all sunshine either. Like real life, it has a bit of both just like it has things that I liked and things I did not like about it. Here’s the deal – I liked that the author has taken up a serious issue as the base of her plot for her debut novel. I truly appreciate that. But then the love triangle was overdoing it. The relationships seemed very abrupt and as such the growth wasn’t captured well enough. The plot, like the characters, held some promise too. Only it was not cultivated to its complete potential. The pacing of the story could also have been better as it really lagged in the middle.

This is a book that can possibly be either a hit or a miss, depending upon the individual reading it. If you are someone who is tired of run off the mill campus love stories, you can surely take a chance with this.


Review Copy received from the Author


About the Author:
Dr.Madhu Vajpayee- the writer was born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture its enigma in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several scientific papers and chapters in books, this book is her first step in literary world.  
Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a consultant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.
When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and travelling.


Reviews for the Book:

It was a perfect book and can motivate one. ~ Nidhi Author on Goodreads

Wonder full book.Clearly highlights the current problems faced in India as a result of reservation! ~ Nikhil Dave on Goodreads

It is one of the amazing fiction I have read in the near past. Highly recommended. Cocktail of Corruption, politics and love. ~ Akshay_Tripathi on Amazon

What Madhu does well with this story is to highlight many factors that need change. She brings out facets like reservation. She talks about the more rigid mindset of an Indian family ~ Vinay Leo @ Booworm's Musings

Contact the Author:


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27 November, 2015

November 27, 2015 0

#BookReview :: Shanti & the Magic Mandala by F.T. Camargo

About the Book:




Shanti and the Magic Mandala is an adventure in which fantasy and reality are mingled. The book tells the story of six teenagers, from different religious and cultural origins and different parts of the world, who are mystically recruited to form two groups - one in the Northern Hemisphere, and one in the Southern. They eventually gather in Peru, and through a single alliance, begin a frantic chase for the sacred object that can stop the black magician's final plan.



My Review:

Shanti, Helena, Itai, Antonio, Tadao and Nasir are six teenagers from the different parts of the world. They each hail from different backgrounds, different cultures and have very different personalities. Yet they are brought together by a common thread of their past life and their shared destiny. Their ultimate goal is to stop the Black Magician and for that they have to come together to put the puzzle together and find the answer that can give them the edge that they need. Can teenagers from such varied backgrounds come together without clashing? And can six teenagers together beat the evil that threatens to take over the world once again?

The first thing that caught my attention was the multicultural aspect of the book. And of course the fact that Shanti, one of the protagonists, is an Indian also helped :) The author has done a magnificent job of developing six very different characters that are really the shining stars of the book. Each character retains their individuality and originality all the while making up a single unit with their rhythm. It was way too easy to like them and root for them. The plot in itself had some twists to offer along with some action, adventure and beautiful settings to its readers. While most of the twists were predictable for me, I enjoyed reading the parts about Atlantis. F.T. Camargo has an appealing style of storytelling which was perfect for my tastes. The only thing that I did not like so much was the fact how readily the teens accepted the whole thing. These days the kids are getting more and more inquisitive and tend to question everything. So it was a bit of a downer to see that most of them readily accepted their destinies. 

The book sure offers a lot of hope to its readers. At a time when people are still discriminating each other on the basis of race, culture, skin tone, caste and mostly RELIGION, this book offers us hope. If those kids could come together, surely we all can? Or maybe that is the difference between fiction and reality – Hope!


Review Copy Received from the Author


Read an Excerpt:

Shanti was the first to smell the smoke. She paused in her frantic packing. “Do you smell something burning?”

“Yes, I do,” Lelê said, worried.
It was getting noticeably hotter in the room. “Look, there’s smoke coming in under the door!” Antônio cried. Black smoke was slowly seeping beneath the door and into the room. Lelê ran to the window.
“The door won’t open,” Shanti said, struggling with the lock.
“Neither will the window.” Lelê was close to tears.
“Let me try, Shanti.” Antônio grasped the doorknob, applying his strength to it. Even as he fought with the lock, the smoke and the heat were rising.”
“They did it. We're stuck in here,” Helena said, coughing.
Antônio hammered on the wall. “Nasir! Itai! Tadao! Help us!”
“They want to kill us,” Lelê cried, shaking with fear.
Looking intently at Helena, her voice ringing with determination, Shanti declared, “But we’re not going to let them succeed!”
“Get away from the door,” Antônio said, kicking at it.
Hearing Antônio's call for help, Nasir and Itai had rushed to the door, only to find it locked. Tadao tried the window. “It won’t open,” he said, fearful. “The window's locked.”
“We can’t get out. What’s happening?” Nasir said, with an edge of panic.
“It’s black magic,” Itai said, trying to help Nasir break down the door.
Just then, an image of the book came into his mind. He ran over to his backpack, still on top of his bed and upended it shaking everything out.
Suddenly there was a loud noise, like an explosion — the door swung open. Flames and gouts of heavy, black smoke poured into the room. The whole hallway was on fire.
Tadao pushed at the window again, but it defied his efforts to open it.
Itai reached for his book. It was illuminated once again. He stood up and held the book with both hands, opening it. A bright light shone forth from the page it had opened on and he saw another name, formed with three Hebrew letters. Seitel, another of the 72 names of God. Itai knew that the Angel Seitel was able to create a protective shield. He closed his eyes, forming an urgent prayer, reaching out to connect with the angel, shutting out the mayhem around him for a few moments. Opening his eyes he gazed at the three letters from right to left for a few more precious seconds. Then he closed the book, replaced everything else in the backpack and hoisted it on his back. He picked up the book, holding it in his right hand. “Grab your backpacks and follow me.”
Nasir stared at him with an expression that clearly showed concern for his sanity “Itai?”
“Follow me,” Itai repeated with certainty.
“What? What do you mean?” Tadao almost shouted.
Nasir took his backpack and positioned himself behind Itai. “May Allah protect us!”
Watching Nasir, Tadao did the same. Itai took the closed book in both hands, pointing it towards the fire, as they approached the door. The book emitted an increasingly intense light. Gradually, a large shield began to form, surrounding the three boys.
“Wow! It's a light vehicle, a merkaba!” Nasir said, reverently, his gaze locked on the intense white light of the forming shield.
“Incredible!” Tadao said, forming his own silent prayer, Thank you, Lord Buddha.
Steadfastly Itai moved towards the door now engulfed by large flames. He advanced out of the room, into the hallway, the light shield in front of him, and as he moved, he created a clear path, the shield pushing away the flames, heat and smoke. He stopped in front of Shanti’s bedroom door. The wood was charred and blackened and the ancient lock had popped free, leaving the door swinging brokenly. Their friends had crowded at the back of the room, near the window, trying to get away from the thick, choking smoke. “Grab your backpacks! Get behind Nasir and Tadao!” Itai shouted.
“We’re coming!” Antônio said, grabbing his backpack and walking swiftly towards the door.
Lord Ganesha, please open those paths, Shanti prayed, putting all of her faith into the prayer.
Within moments, the three were in place. The light shield began to grow sideways, eventually forming a large cube of light, protecting all of them. They crossed the hall, safe from the flames. As they went down the stairs, they heard the roof collapsing behind them. The reception area had been completely destroyed by fire, but again they passed through the devastation completely shielded from the heat and flames. They reached the door leading to the outside. Itai wasted no time in pulling it open and they poured out of the burning building.
As soon as the last one of them stepped onto the street, the old pension began to collapse, turning into a huge bonfire.



About the Author:
F. T. Camargo is an Italian Brazilian living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. An award winning architect and author, he also studied Arts and Media and has a post degree in Economics and MBA in e-commerce. He is a vegetarian because of his love for all animals and has been deeply involved in causes for their protection and freedom. He is a world traveler adventurer, outdoor sports lover, speaks 4 languages and has published a travel book “Rio, Maravilha!”
For many years he has been practicing yoga and meditation and studying the Kabbalah. His exploration of spiritual teachings motivated a commitment to self-development which in turn created a new path and goal in life. Shanti and the Magic Mandala was born from his inner journey.


Contact the Author:


Awards & Recognition for the Book:
- Winner of 2014 London Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2014 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards: Bronze Medal at “Young Adult Fiction – Spirituality” category
- 2014 New England Book Festival in Boston:  Honorable Mention in the category “Young Adult”.
- Winner of 2015 Paris Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.
- Winner of 2015 International Book Awards in the category “Fiction / Young Adult”.
- Winner of 2015 New York Book Festival in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2015 Los Angeles Book Festival – Runner-up in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2015 San Francisco Book Festival – Runner-up in the category “Young Adult”.
- 2015 DIY Book Festival in Los Angeles: Honorable Mention in the category “Young Adult”.


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26 November, 2015

November 26, 2015 1

#Spotlight :: Michael's Mystery by Linze Brandon

*** BOOK  TOUR ***

It was time for the Lords of the High Council to step in when the Grandmaster of Kryane is accused of murdering his own people. They had little choice but to prevent the collapse of the whole magicians order, so they sent Michael to investigate the allegations.
The people of the desert planet were an enigma, but none more than Andesine, the healer assigned to assist Michael. Why did she report the Grandmaster? Was she involved, or was there something more sinister going on?
The more people they interrogated the more they suspected that nothing was as it seemed. Not the murders, nor the Grandmasters' motive as everyone thought.
Unable to resist the growing attraction between them, Michael and Andesine learn that they had to trust each other with their own secrets, and risking any future they might have.
Time and again the High Lords had to step in to prevent chaos on Kryane, but time was running out for Michael and Andesine. They had to get a new Grandmaster in place before the Kryane Order collapsed completely. And they had to find the who the true culprit was.
Fortunate to escape an attack from this monster once, they were risking the lives of many others in the process. Before the High Lords could formulate a plan, Michael and Andesine were captured, leaving the High Lords helpless to prevent it.
Kidnapped and imprisoned, Andesine was confronted with the realisation that if they were to survive their ordeal, it was up to her and her long suppressed powers. But as a healer she saved lives, would she be able to destroy the monster before he forces her to unleash her power to destroy the future of mankind?


About the Author:
Teaching herself to read before she went to school, it was the start of her life long love affair with books. Trained as an engineer, Linzé has worked as an export consultant and is presently a project manager. Although she still loves to read, she also enjoys counted stitch embroidery, archery, tai chi, fly fishing, painting, her husband's medal winning photographs and watching Manchester United play.

She counts both novels and short stories to her publishing credit. Her fourth novel, Waiting for Adrian, is planned for publication early in 2016. Her story, The Vernal Equinox, was a finalist in a sci-fi flash-fiction competition in 2015.

Linzé Brandon lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her engineer husband and German Shepherds who are convinced that the world revolves only around them.




Follow Linzé Online:



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24 November, 2015

November 24, 2015 0

#BookReview :: UnCommon Bodies by Various Authors



Step right up to the modern freakshow — We have mermaids, monsters, and more. You won't be disappointed, but you may not get out alive. 

UnCommon Bodies presents a collection of 20 beautifully irreverent stories which blend the surreal and the mundane. Together, the authors explore the lives of the odd, the unbelievable, and the impossible. Imagine a world where magic exists, where the physical form has the power to heal or repulse, where a deal with the devil means losing so much more than your soul.


Goodreads I Amazon




The Ruby Iyer Universe has provided me with hours of entertainment already. So, when I heard that Author Laxmi Hariharan has come up with a short story set in the same universe, albeit a different timeline, I jumped up at the chance of getting my hands on an ARC. And Laxmi doesn’t disappoint her fans.

Untamed is the story of Leana Iyeroy trying to come to terms with who she is. She is a half wolf - half human hybrid with has blood on her hands. In order to try discovering her true self and finding her path - her place in this new world, Leana travels to meet the legendary Hugging Saint. Does she find the answer she is looking for? 

The problem with short stories is that… well, it is short. But Laxmi has packed in so much within those 7000 words that it delivers a lot more than one would expect. The world is changing from what we know so far and the changes intrigue me. But do not worry if you are a stranger to the Ruby Iyer Universe, you can read this as a standalone short story and it would still be equally interesting. I loved the way the author has set up the world, introduced the protagonist, put across the struggles of the character and delivered the bottom line of the story in so very few words. The narration style is something that is easy to understand yet has a feeling of grandeur about it.

This anthology also contains 19 other stories and while each story brings in a different flavor to the collection, they have the common thread of stories that are told beautifully. From monsters to mermaids and cyborgs, from performing twins to serial killers, this anthology has a lot to offer. My other favourites from this anthology would be ‘We is We by Michael Harris Cohen’ and ‘Daedalus' Daughter by P.K. Tyler’


Review Copy received from the Author


23 November, 2015

November 23, 2015 0

#BookReview :: Doctor Who: The Drosten's Curse by A.L. Kennedy

“I shall make you the jewel at the heart of the universe.”

Something distinctly odd is going on in Arbroath. It could be to do with golfers being dragged down into the bunkers at the Fetch Brothers’ Golf Spa Hotel, never to be seen again. It might be related to the strange twin grandchildren of the equally strange Mrs Fetch--owner of the hotel and fascinated with octopuses. It could be the fact that people in the surrounding area suddenly know what others are thinking, without anyone saying a word.



Goodreads I Amazon





It is really painful for a bookworm like me to admit it, but this was my first experience of Doctor Who! I have not read a Doctor Who Novel before and neither have I watched a single episode of the series. Okay, now that the band-aid is off, I also have to admit that my first experience wasn’t that good either. Perhaps I chose the wrong book for my first experience or perhaps this boo was not as good as the others… I absolutely have no idea what is the problem here exactly. But yeah, the experience wasn’t what I expected it to be.

In this book, the Doctor sets off to investigate the weird disappearances of golfers at the Fetch Brothers’ Golf Spa & Hotel.  The Doctor is quite convinced that the owner of the hotel and her twin grandchildren have something to do with the disappearances. In this installment, he finds Bryony and Putta and they lend their helping hand to the Doctor. What exactly is going on and how will the Doctor deal with it.

I found the character of Doctor Who to be quite eccentric. There was no build up for me and as such I could not really identify with the character. As a result it was really difficult for me to get into the groove of things. Bryony turned out to be the character that I liked the most and felt that she carried the story for me. The plot had quite a bit to offer as well. I liked the way telepathy was infused in the story. The element of humour was scattered through the novel making it easier to get into.

While I wouldn’t suggest Doctor Who newbies to start with this novel, it might bring more for the people who have read and enjoyed the series in the past.


I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

November 23, 2015 1

#CoverReveal :: More Than Just Desire by Summerita Rhayne


★.•**•.★ Cover Reveal ★.•**•.★


MORE THAN JUST DESIRE

Blurb

The Bollywood diva who regrets nothing...
Piya walked out of an explosive situation three years ago. Now she's back in Bollywood and wants to regain the crown that she left behind when she ran away from Arfaaz. It seems everyone who used to idolize her has forgotten her. In the competitive world of starry glamour, the only way she can restart her career is trash the past and make some waves.

The man who wants her atonement
Arfaaz is determined to get his revenge on Piya for making a farce of their marriage and then leaving him to face the mudslinging. He forces her to keep up the appearances and stay with him so she can play the loving wife and repent on her sins. But he finds Piya isn't so easy to handle. She drives him crazy with her antics. On the top of that the attraction between them sizzles and threatens to make him forget reason.

Conflict clashes with desire
No matter how intense the passion between them gets, their ways are bound to diverge. Piya knows she cannot let this man find a way into her heart. There is too much to risk and she cannot afford to forget the real reason she has come back. Success is the only mantra she knows and really, all Arfaaz wants is revenge…

Link for Preorder: AMAZON

About the Author

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!


Excerpt from the book:

‘You’ll divorce me?’ The sense of anticlimax she felt annoyed her. Why wouldn’t he, for God’s sake? She’d been far from an ideal partner. No man wanted a three year estranged wife surely? Or why would he allow her to remain away for so long?
For no logical reason, the knowledge had a sharp edge, stabbing her insides deeply.
 Arfaaz’s gaze was fixed on the flush deepening on her cheeks. The colour of anger...or joy at getting her freedom?
It had been a mistake to pick her up in his arms, to give in to the urge to subdue that stubborn defiance. Three years since he’d touched her, yet her bones felt as delicate under his hands as the night he’d gripped her shoulders in anger. Evoking the same remorse one might feel for handling a bird badly.
She had worn a metal colored dress that night. He could still feel the slithery fabric beneath his fingers. Another of her risqué dresses, with deceptively demure full sleeves while the shocker was the back. Which was missing. He had never objected to what she wore, though primitive instincts protested. She had a media image to maintain. He hadn’t wanted to act the possessive husband.
A mistake, he thought again. Even the brief brush of her body against his had lit a spark that reminded him of how possessive he’d wanted to be.
She had taken enough advantage of him. The grim thought rose from a host of emotions. He’d suffered, he’d been fooled, he’d been dumped. Was he going to take it all and let her go as easy as pie?
‘If you want a divorce, you’ll have to do a small favour for me first,’ he told her.
‘Favour?’
‘Something which is important to me. Then you’ll be free to go.’
‘I will?’
He shrugged, letting her make what she could out of it.
‘Anyway, we can’t stand here and talk it out. Come inside. We’ll discuss it over dinner.’
‘Yes, divorce must be one of the prime discussable topics for dinnertime conversation,’ she said waspishly. 
‘For everything spectacular Piya the topnotch actress has done, this must be the downslide indeed. To tamely sit across her husband and rationally chat over the break-up of her marriage,’ he jibed harshly. ‘However, I think it’s time for you to take a step down from the pedestal.’

Preorder at reduced price of 99 cents only : AMAZON



22 November, 2015

November 22, 2015 1

#SpecialFeature :: #CoverReveal of Kayin’s Fire: A Children of Fire Novella


*** Special Feature - November 2015 ***

Kayin’s Fire: A Children of Fire Novella 
Children of Fire come into their Phoenix powers on their fifteenth birthday. For some the change is celebrated. Kayin wakes to a nightmare. His black curls have turned bright red, and fire dances in his eyes.  His mother, convinced that he’s become a demon, casts him out of his village in Zimbabwe. Feeling confused, scared, and abandoned, Kayin is saved by other Children of Fire, who take him into their family. He learns to control his power, adjusts to the energy and excitement of New York City, and copes with his desire to return to the home he loves.

About the Author
Being told she was a horrible speller and would never learn to use a comma correctly, Alica never thought to write down the stories she constantly had running through her head. Doesn't everyone daydream about flying on a spaceship while walking to school? 
Not until she was thirty did Alica dare to write down any of the people living exciting lives in her head. The relief was instantaneous. By giving them life on the page they could be released from her mind and given greater adventures. 
As her books grew in size and the voices in her head learned to wait their turn, Alica found a loyal group to journey with. Women who would help her slay her commas, and use their magical gifts to traverse plot holes, transform words into their proper spelling, and release characters from any Mary Sue spells they might be under. 
In-between magical adventures, Alica is mom to two personal kids, five foster kids, has one exceptional hubby, a bunny she knows is plotting her death, and some fish, aka her daughter's minions. 

Contact Her

About the Books

 There should be a law, a Universal Rule, as to how much weirdness can happen to a person. 
Fifteen-year-old Sara walks into the San Francisco Center for the Circus Arts determined to ignore the freaky things happening to her. As powers she doesn't want and can't control overwhelm her, Sara must decide if she can trust the strangers who say they are her family ... descended from a common ancestor four thousand years ago.
Sara clings to her contented and well-planned life as a foster kid, successfully working the system, as dreams, powers, and magical creatures drag her towards her destiny. 
When the ancient evil that killed her parents comes to San Francisco, Sara is forced to choose between her fears and her desire to protect those she loves. 
Sometimes great things are thrust upon us. Sara wishes this supposed 'greatness' didn't include a new name, unicorns, and catching on fire. 



First an ancient Phoenix King and Queen and now a sleeping Mayan god, could Sapphire’s life get any weirder?
Sapphire. 15 years old, strong, intelligent, with newly acquired Phoenix powers. She travels through South America, with her recently-discovered family. Performing with Cirque de Feu Magique as a cover, the Children of Fire respond to the need of magical creatures to return home to Akasha. 
Powerful beings take a dangerous interest in the creatures they are called to save. The challenges of growing leadership and conflict with a Mayan god force Sapphire to realize she’s stronger than she thought.


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Giveaway

-  $25 Amazon Gift Card
- DVD of Worlds Away by Cirque du Soleil
- Signed Copies of Phoenix Child and Legacy of the Feathered Serpent


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21 November, 2015

November 21, 2015 0

#BookReview :: The Glass Girl by Sandy Hogarth


Say thank you to your sister for me. 

His parting words cause sixteen year old Ruth to flee to Australia in shame and fear, telling her mother, it's just a year mum, then I'll be home. But even there her secret drives her to the isolation of the outback. 
Seven years later the death of her mother brings Ruth home to England. Now she must confront her sister, Alexis. But there are darker secrets that threaten to tear apart the family she thought she knew and Alexis' betrayals are not over. 
Sometimes you can't keep running. In a world of lies and betrayal by the people she loved, is Ruth strong enough? 


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The Glass Girl is the story of Ruth, a girl who flees from England to Australia in hopes of avoiding shame. It was the death of her mother that finally brings her back home and to face the past she had been running from. Had things changed over the years? Had the people changed?

The story is told from the point of view of our protagonist Ruth. I love it when the narrative is in the first person; it makes it so much easier to get into the character’s mind. Our Ruth is a girl who will make you feel and experience every little detail of her life. As such it was really easy to get into the story and rally experience her life. She is one strong girl with the kind of grit that makes me proud of her. There are quite a few other characters in the story and each play their roles perfectly. Like Ruth, it is easy to get a feel of each of these characters and it is impossible not to feel strongly about some of them. I think it is safe to say that the perfect development of each character is the strongest point of this book.

The plot of the story was interesting and different from what I have read so far. The secrets and the betrayals – they can easily surprise a reader. The narration and dialogue delivery has been handled very well by the author. The language is simple and easy to get into. I enjoyed the way the author has described small details to make everything feel more real. I just wish that the author had taken more care in selecting the cover though. It does absolutely no justice to the wonderful story inside.



Review Copy received from the Author



20 November, 2015

November 20, 2015 0

#BookReview :: The Outlander: Rise and Fall of an Empire by Abhijit Haldar

"I am from a war. I will either end in one, or live it to fight another. It, keeps me going."

17 years after the Battle of Dert, a war had been waged by Wale over Dorin. The vengeance of Dercallume threatens the whole kingdom as he orders for a dragon-fire. The perished hopes of the outnumbered men of Dorin are revived when Roin Avon comes to the war with an oblivious sword, the Stalwart. Thought to be forged with a soul by alchemy, it is the mightiest weapon in the whole of Darthé that helps them to evade the war and run into exile. They head to the Frozen Kingdom for the Frozen Games, which if won, would let them the strongest weapon of the kingdom.

"Who am I? I am an Outlander. This is not what I should be."

Supposed to be the last Outlander of the Outlandish race who are people with half souls, Roin’s existence will prove threat to the rule. And with the unfulfilled vengeance of the mad-man, evil forces are allying and preparing for a war somewhere in the West. 
Roin must confront the truth and find answers to his questions, and lead the comradeship of his fellowmen to the other kingdoms, while the darker minds are prevailing and aiming for a crown much craved for. 


Roin Avon, our protagonist, had started off as a ‘nobody’. Orphaned at a young age, he is used to taking care of himself and surviving against the odds. This has made him confident and he aspires to be known as ‘someone’ instead of the ‘nobody’ that he has been all his life. The book starts with The Battle of Dert giving us a glimpse of Roin. The book is then further divided into two parts – The Battle of the Two Realms and The City of Kurmime. From powerful swords to mythical creatures, Roin’s journey introduces us to a fantastic new world.

The best part about the book is perhaps its premise and plot. The young and debutant author, Abhijit Haldar, has successfully built a brand new world for us readers to delve into. It is nothing like anything that I have ever read, yet it has bits and pieces of every fantasy novel I have ever enjoyed. The plot takes you through one hell of a journey that almost gives wings to your imagination (No red bull needed :P). The author has given enough details for the readers to start understanding the world and the setting. At certain points it feels like the author has held back something – intentionally or unintentionally, and while that may irritate some readers; I found that it gave a free reign to my imagination – which I undoubtedly enjoyed. The story has so many things going on in term of sub-plots and action that the pages flew by. As for the characters in the story, there are quite a few and only handful of them made any impression on me. Our protagonist, Roin, is someone who was easy to like even though it was difficult to get into his head completely.

The narration style is where the author failed to engage me. I was restless throughout the book even though the plot intrigued me. The language and the narration style needs working on in order to get the readers at ease while reading the story. Brushing up on these two along with better editing would certainly help the author in the long run. But seeing that this is the debut work of a very young mind, I have to say that I am pretty impressed.


Review Copy received from the Author