Wednesday, 17 August 2016

Book Review : Boltu by Debaprasad Mukherjee

Book- Boltu

Author- Debaprasad Mukherjee

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Petals Publishers

Pages- 240

Price- Rs. 275



Blurb-

Boltu is surrounded by some not so great friends and family. He finds a bit of solace only when he meets Madhab and Poly. With a dangerous plan, Boltu is ready to take a leap in his life. But do things happen the way he thinks?

What happens when Dr. Mohapatra struggles for his life? How he is related to everything?

Mr. Kapoor, a senior Forest official is in a dilemma? Will he be able to come out of what is going on?

Boltu always thought of doing something big. When his quest will end?



Title and Cover-

The title and cover both has the main lead in major proportions. The front cover has a man looking ahead seeing the vast river body. This fact can only be understood after the completion of the book and I love when I discover hidden or important facts which tell things much more than what is decoded from the story. Similarly, the back cover has a man and a woman in close proximity. That too is an important part of the book, and the source of light which is ahead of them says a lot. I simply loved the cover.



Characters-

There were a lot of characters in the book which came in the front according to the different phases which the book contained. The characters were simple and highly apt. I loved the changes which came in them as the chapters progressed.

From the major characters I loved Boltu and after a long time I have loved the main lead. Boltu had everything which a lead needs to have, in order to outcast others.

And from the minor characters I loved Dr. Mohapatra, Madhab, Chirkut, Paltan, Paltan’s mother, Poly’s mother, Poltu, Baramdeo etc. I found the minor characters really helpful and creative. It was because of them that the book could reach different tangent.

I also loved Fotu-Babu because he was an ideal antagonist who took the book to another level.



Narration-

Third person narration worked well. But I was a little misguided in between because I felt the narration was done by Madhab but later I found that it was not the case. The chapters were divided well; different people ruling different situations and making a strong connect to finally reach the much awaited ending.



Review-

Boltu is a great book with a wonderful storyline. I was into the book from the first chapter itself. The author made himself very clear from the beginning and the characters and situations helped him a lot in making a wonderful start.

The first phase of the book is all about mischief of four boys who want to achieve something in their lives. I loved the way the author has showed their intimacy. Thank God it was not the same which we see in the films or other novels. Friendship isn’t the name of sharing same background or likeness it’s much beyond that. And the thin line was shown widely in the book.

First person narration used in the tale from time to time made things more understandable and easy to grasp. Because it gave a wider outlook to see things beyond what the narrator has in mind to offer.

Further, the story moved to Madhab and his college life. I loved the way things were connected but on second thoughts I was able to guess that a bit when the name of Madhab’s new friend was mentioned. I was hoping that what I am thinking mustn’t be implicated but sadly….

I liked the phase when Boltu and Poly were going ahead. What infatuation can turn into is shown well by the author.

The story edged ahead when “The Plan” was executed. I liked the changes in the story. I loved the variety shown in a person. I loved the atmosphere created by the author. But most of all I loved the way the kindness was shown in the further chapters in one form of the other.

A woman was shown at her best in the form of Dr. Mohapatra’s wife. Well, women are really hard to understand.

Then there was this incident about the roommate of Boltu who brought some light humour in the tale, which was going without any crests or troughs till then. A hilarious account can always provide a great break. But apart from being comic, the scene was sarcastic as well.

Finally the big bomb is dropped when Boltu and Poly advances. Well the way they met was a bit melodramatic for me or maybe a bit over the top for a decent story. But what stole the show was the ending. I loved how the concept of Boltu’s wish of doing something great was stretched and was used to create a great ending. Well, the showdown was stupendous.

Summing up- Boltu’s story was crafted in a very precise manner, while keeping in mind all the details that were needed to pen some different realities and lifestyles of characters. Everything came out as a great package and the book turned out to be a superb fictional tale which had all the elements, like friendship, love, want, honesty, sacrifice, lust etc.



Eye-catchers-

• “Our body is like a nuclear plant which can either make bombs or can make energy for the benefit of mankind.”

• “Strange is the world and stranger are women! You never know which chord will stroke the right note in them.”

• “If you don’t remember a problem, it is as heavy as iron; if you understand the same, it is as light as cotton.”



Turn-on’s-

• I loved the characters.

• Then I loved the way how the story ended.

• Perfect chapter length with proper breaks.



Recommendation-

Well Boltu is a genre less story. A fictional tale at its best. But yes to some readers it can sound a little heard but there is no harm in giving it a try. Entertainment guaranteed.



About the author-

Originally from Rourkela, Debaprasad Mukherjee is a doctor by profession. His first book, Pearl Oysters, a collection of short stories was published in 2011. His second book Familiar Faces also a collection of short stories was published in 2014. Boltu is author’s first novel. He is an avid follower of writers like Anton Chekov, RK Narayan, PG Wodehouse and Agatha Christie.



Connect with the author-

dpmsmailbox@rediffmail.com



Buy the book-

• Amazon Link-
http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9385440039/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471430868&sr=8-1π=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=boltu+by+debaprasad+Mukherjee

Book Review : Go Clown #AccheDin for Comedy! by Shatrugna Vadwlas

Book- Go Clown #AccheDin for Comedy!

Author- Shatrugna Vadwlas

Genre- Fiction (Comedy)

Pages- 325

Price- Rs.189



Blurb-

The clown is always up for some mischief but not always he can come up with the notorious activities, building up in his mind. What happens when few friends move ahead and experience some different sides of life?



Title-

I liked the title because it is catchy and just the name is enough to guess what the book is all about. I loved the sub-title too.



Cover-

The cover had some important elements, like a man with a cigar in hand, the game and a clown which is made from the smoke coming out from the cigar. Everything gelled nicely but I felt that the theme was dispersed just like the book. The elements didn’t come up together as a whole showing the theme in a wider sense.



Narration-

Third person narrative was going well with the humorous tale. But I felt that more work was needed to be done while crafting the chapters. I liked the name of the chapters because they give a larger insight but the author failed to provide a proper proportion, which made some chapters extra-ordinarily exciting while some chapters were bland making one lose interest in the tale.



Review-

Go clown is a comedy book and I was happy to see that the genre was handled beautifully throughout the book. The book revolves around the life of Kiriti. The incidents were so crafted that they showed the different sides with perfection. But what went wrong was the secrecy that was maintained for long. That made me a bit confused when I reached the middle portion of the book.

I loved the way the book started. There were many subtle incidents which matched nicely with the grounded aspects. But in the race of writing a comic book the author lost his track of narrating a fictional tale. I found different incidents here and there but I felt that the way he narrated the story was not helping the book. A lot of homework was needed to be done on the way the things were lined up.

Further, the normal vocabulary was helping the comedy in larger terms. The extra explanations which the author made in the brackets made the read more ecstatic. Every Indian can relate to some incidents which the author has mentioned in the book. Some punches were really great but some really felt a little below the belt and they didn’t seem comic at all.

Summing up- The book came out as a great break from the usual tales. With not even a hint of normal emotions, Go Clown became a wonderful read to rejuvenate one’s mood. The idea was really interesting but a little more work could have made the book a great package of comedy, sarcasm, friendship and what not.



Eye-catchers-

• “…competing and achieving in India is far more difficult than in a rich country where there are less people, more opportunities and less competition.”

• “Everything is bound to happen at the appropriate time. No amount of worrying can change the order of things, which they ought to be in.”



Turn-on’s-

• The relatable comic elements.

• The vivid variety brought together.

• Loved the sentiments, were pure and didn’t seem made up.



Turn-off’s-

• Lot of things happening but it didn’t come up as a whole.



About the author-

Shatrugna Vadwlas, is a software architect based in the U.S. he has contributed to the times of India besides other Indian online portals like Faking News etc. He has completed a Writer’s course at the writers center, Bethesda in Washington DC.



Buy the book-

• Amazon link-
http://www.amazon.in/Go-Clown-AccheDin-Shatrugna-Vadwlas/dp/9384439835

Thursday, 11 August 2016

Cover Reveal : Second Chance at Forever by Summerita Rhayne








SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER

BY

SUMMERITA RHAYNE





Blurb




What happens when the terrible twos come in threes? 

Stuti loves being a mother to her triplets, but it can be a harrowing routine. She's even more submerged in the craziness when she takes them and her mom-in-law for a trip to Rajasthan, the land of the erstwhile Thar desert royals and their palaces. After the passing away of her husband, she feels she owes it to her mil to take her to her favourite holiday. In the Amber Palace, her reckless toddler rushes onto a modelling shoot. As she picks up her daughter who has tripped over a gorgeous zardozi sari, her gaze clashes with that of the man she'd hoped never to set eyes on again in her life. 



A passion that threatens to set fire to more than just her senses 

Revath was everything she wanted in a man, but six years ago he chose to walk away from her. Now he wants to be back in her life. When she knows he doesn't want the same things in life that she does, would she be wise to let anything rekindle between them? Is it already too late for rethinks? 



Desire that has to be denied 

Revath knew the moment he met Stuti again that he couldn't just let her go. But Stuti is absolutely the wrong woman for him. It was proved six years ago when they chose diametrically opposite ways for themselves. He doesn't believe in forever, so what's he doing asking her for a second chance? 

>>>>>> 


Can three little miracles be a barrier to two people finding love?



     Pre-order your copy here: 





Amazon.com 

About the author







Summerita Rhayne writes contemporary and historical romance 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. Her pet belief is, if the inspiration is strong enough, the story characters will find a way to make the writer pen them down, even when writing time is in short supply. 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, romcoms, cricket (strictly watching only) and social networking. 



You can stalk her @

           
  

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Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Book Review : 2 Peg Ke Baad by Nikita Lalwani

Book- 2 Peg Ke Baad

Author- Nikita Lalwani

Genre- Fiction (Short Stories)

Publisher- Srishti Publishers


Blurb-

What happens when you are two pegs down and all your memories are a little hazy?

14 stories, 14 drunkards and 14 instances of rage, negligence, comedy, realization and many more.



Title and Cover-

Well thought of, actually it seems the first point of the book in real terms. It indicates the start-up or an idea in a more glorified way. A well suited name of course.

On the other hand, with a simplistic name the author could have added more images to the cover related to what one is about to see in the book. Still a large glass of alcohol wasn’t much depressing too. Overall a nice effort.


Characters-

All the stories had one common element, the 2 pegs down characters who were ruling the book like hell. I loved the characters of some stories because of their unique characteristics and usage of voice in a very perfect and proper way.

From all the people casted in the book I liked, Rosita, Laxmi, Satpute, Ayesha and Kiara. They were magnificently crafted.


Review-

“2 peg ke baad” is a nice collection of stories ranging from one genre to other. The beauty lies in the concept which is used very smartly by the author. The stories in the book show colours of various orders and thus it saves the reader from the boredom which the discontinuity of short stories can cause.

“My last painting” is a normal story but what I liked about it is the fact that how the transitions were shown in one’s life and in the characters, with the help of just one simple paragraph. It was a powerful one and it brought the essence of serenity. I was disheartened by the ending, and that can be seen as a good sign or a bad one too.

Next in queue is “When all that mattered was a gun”. The story didn’t end the way I was thinking and that is why I loved it. It was nice to see the bonding, friendship and the aura of younger and chirpy days. The story had enough amount of suspense to blow your mind and a lot of comic elements to lighten you completely.

“Drive in-sanity” is another hilarious tale of two girls who are out to enjoy but somehow the 2 pegs that they have gulped down have made things a bit awkwardly funny. The changes in the tales are the best parts because it suits the theme in a very prominent way.

Further I loved “Rosita in the bar” because I found the main lead very dark and mysterious and it is because of her character that the story turned out to be a bit spooky in a nicer way. I loved how the narrator was telling the story and how things progressed. Was I expecting a little different end, umm, yeah.

Then all the stories which were lined up in the end were superb because they were wide in their aspect. “It’s not a love story” is not a love story (chuckles). It’s a story about a weird bond which two people share and what roles they play in each other’s life. The concept was mingled well with the book because a person is more open and exuberant once he/she is a little down. The story was a great encounter.

“Euphobia” on the other hand was comic fantasy, executed well with some right amount of gestures and fear used here and there to bring out the best. I couldn’t believe the end and that is why the story topped the list.

I thought the author was at her best in the story “Epilogue” because she showed a lot in a very few pages. It is the best story of the book, followed by “What happens in Banaras....” and “Euphobia”, then I can line up “Drive in-sanity” and “It’s not a love story”.

Summing up- The 14 short stories were great in one way or the other. But sadly not all the stories were up to that mark. When you are reading a collection then one expects the next story in the line to be better than the previous one. Here some stories were less shiny and thus only around half of the total stories could leave an impression and they were definitely extravagant.


Eye-catchers-

“...that is how it happens in most of our Indian families. Education to please relatives, marriage to please more unpleased relatives, then kids to please relatives who have suffered all the other pleasures of life.”

“I would like to marry a person who can speak up at the right time and not just over beer.”

“It is advisable that to overcome a break up one must get engaged to something and not someone.”

“...the world inside of me is much prettier and it comes up only once the rest of the world fades away.”


Turn-on’s-

• Different emotions brought from the same background.


Turn-off’s-

• Stories like “A walk with...”, “How we...”, “Apology...” etc had portions which were heard. Some things seemed to be picked from a movie to be very frank.

• In some stories the predictions building up in my mind worked, making the stories sober, less interesting and below the mark.


Recommendation-

Missing light humour, 2 peg ke baad can be your pick for a light read.


About the author-

Dr. Nikita Lalwani considers to be married to writing and is very happy with that. Swimming, spiritualistic, reading, learning new languages are her other girlfriends. She authored her first non-fiction work Live Life... Stop Analysing It when she was 16. Nikita believes that destiny happened to be destiny, but writing is where she truly finds herself.


Connect with the author-

• "http://www.2pegkebaad.com"

•"https://www.facebook.com/2pegkebaad"

• Twitter - @2pegKeBaad


Buy the book-

• Amazon link-
http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/938266565X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470758039&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=2+peg+ke+baad+by+nikita+lalwani

Friday, 29 July 2016

Book Blitz : Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right by Varsha Dixit.







#askvarsha contest
Ask Author Varsha Dixit a question on your blog and she will answer you in her own unique way. Watch out this space for more. Only the best questions will be selected.

My Question for #askvarsha is..
More efforts are needed in - creating a strong lady character or making the tale sound a little less feministic?


RIGHTFULLY WRONG, WRONGFULLY RIGHT

by

Varsha Dixit











Blurb



Love is in the air again…this time it’s steamy, bold and manipulative!



Gayatri and Viraj both are products of childhood trauma. Yet they were able to survive, one because of her shrewdness and the other because of his genius. Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right, the final part in the best selling ‘Right and Wrong’ love trilogy is the story of these two damaged souls.



Gayatri Dutta, the poster child for rich spoiled diva is fighting to escape a life of servitude her tyrant father is hell bent on pushing her into. Her past string of failures have her backed against a wall. Lonely and desperate!



Viraj is a con who uses his genius to perpetuate his isolation. His life once of violence and abuse has left him cynical and cold. He shuns the society and its hypocrisies. 



And then Gayatri and Viraj cross paths. She needs him and he despises her.



To Viraj, Gayatri, is the epitome of all that he despises, shallow, manipulative and the kind who uses her beauty as a weapon. Or is she?



Gayatri sees Viraj only as a means to an end. She is sure that Viraj with his nerdy demeanor, owlish glasses and crude behavior will be easy to manipulate and walk over. Only he isn’t!



Grab your copy @



Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk



Excerpt from #RWWR





‘I can do this, I can do this, I can...’ Gayatri wound her fingers tightly around her cellphone as she made her way to the cubbyhole Viraj called his office. I did not expect a freaking hug, but a polite ‘how are you’ wouldn’t kill that man. She rapped her knuckles on the door.

Viraj swung the door open. ‘What?’ His brows were furrowed and his lips, pursed.

Gayatri remembered what Nikhil had said to her once. Dr Viraj owns and runs this lab. He was the only one you needed to impress! ‘It’s my first day here!’ Gayatri could hear her voice shake. ‘Could you tell me...

Gayatri scuttled out of Viraj’s way as he leaned out. ‘Find an empty room, do your work there. You are free to leave any time you want. You are free to come or to not come.’ The door shut on her face.

Flabbergasted, Gayatri kept staring at the door. What just happened? She cleared her throat. I should not piss him off anymore. ‘Thank you for this…this job.’ Her voice was as uncertain as the look on her face.

Viraj tugged the door open again. Gayatri flashed a smile at him and opened her mouth to speak but he stopped her short. ‘I don’t like talking. Find a room and stay there.’ He shut the door on her again.

 Asshole! Gayatri fisted her hands and retreated. I can do this! I am doing this! Bigger picture, please! Gayatri paused and peeped inside the first lab that she stumbled upon. The place was quiet except for a low hum of machines. Gayatri pushed the doors open and walked inside the lab. It was empty. ‘Does anyone else work here besides the mad scientist?’ She leaned against one of the steel racks. The door flew open behind her. With a big grin she turned to greet the person coming in. ‘Hi! I’ she froze. It was the mad scientist with a bunch of papers in his hand.

Viraj noticed Gayatri at the same time. A familiar irritation flashed in his eyes. ‘Not this room. Not my lab! Find another room!’ He spoke with cool authority.

‘I was just looking!’ Gayatri smoothed her ponytail trying to mask her nervousness. He had her in knots.

Giving an indifferent shrug, Viraj walked past her. Gayatri got a whiff of his aftershave; it smelled clean and crisp, like water with a twist of lemon. At least he doesn’t stink like his manners! Gayatri stood there quiet and confused.

A loose paper slipped from Viraj’s hand and landed on the floor.

‘You dropped some paper!’ Gayatri said, her voice friendly.

‘Ignore it. Like you, it is not going anywhere.’ Viraj pulled a portable stool and took a seat in front of an electronic panel fixed to a bigger panel.

Gayatri gritted her teeth and grinned with the ferocity of a wild animal that could pounce any moment.

Unknown to her, Viraj gave a similar smile except his was more like the wild animal that had pounced and won.

‘I’ll go and find a room. Thank you!’ Swiveling on her heel, Gayatri headed for the door.

Something stopped herher father’s face and the realization that two weeks ago she had physically fought for herself, and now she had to fight again but with her mind instead of hands. I have to win over Mr Madness. Maybe I could wear a beaker over my head and tattoo the periodic table on my arms!

‘If you are trying to open the door telepathically, let me be the first to tell you it is not working!’

Gayatri exhaled noisily. Scathing and sarcastic, what more could a woman ask for? Taking a few calming breaths, she slowly pivoted to face Viraj, specifically his back as he sat hunched fiddling with the panel in front of him.

 ‘I’m sorry if I have offended you somehow. I really need this job. And also, I’m qualified for it. I can show you my degrees. I can really make a difference here.’

Hearing Gayatri’s words and her apologetic tone, something melted inside Viraj...again. But to keep up appearances, he turned rude. ‘I’m busy!’ he barked.

 ‘Please Mr Viraj, give me’ Just then, without warning, someone swung the door open. Gayatri wasn’t prepared for the push. ‘Ouch!’ She toppled. Her desperate hands grabbed the first thing in the vicinitya steel rack. The rack shuddered violently and some of its contents landed on the floor.

‘What the hell!’ Viraj bellowed jumping to his feet.

Gayatri winced. A large electrical component had crashed into her hand ‘The door just opened, pushing me in,’ she said shaking her arm in pain.

 Viraj glared at the door. He instantly lost the frown and his mouth eased at the ends. ‘Oh it’s you! Come inside!’

Huh, Hyde turns Jekyll! Gayatri spun around.

A timid, bespectacled, five-foot-nothing girl, her long hair in a tight braid, clad in a pastel-coloured salwaar kameez, stood at the door. Her skin was smooth and her hands kept tugging at the dupatta around her neck ‘Sorry to interrupt! Dr Kalra wanted to show you some tests he is about to run in lab 2.’ She then glanced at Gayatri. ‘I’m sorry if I hurt you. It was an accident.’

Gayatri was about to speak but Viraj cut her off. ‘She’s fine. Let’s go!’

Viraj went out with the girl, not even sparing a glance at Gayatri.

Astounded, Gayatri watched them leave.


Urghh…the shit-faced scientist actually smiled and that too at that girl! Gayatri kicked the steel rack. It shuddered again! Shoot! Before anything else would fall on her, Gayatri went after the scientist and the simpleton.









Did you like the excerpt? Author Varsha Dixit offers you four of her chapters free.

Read the First Four Chapters Free!!



About the author







Varsha Dixit



Varsha Dixit, the bestselling author of four successful contemporary romance books. Her debut book, Right Fit Wrong Shoe was a national bestseller for the year 2010. Varsha was a part of the Indian Television Industry and worked as an assistant director and online editor. She considers herself a dreamer who thinks deep but writes light. Even though creativity is gender free,Varsha feels blessed and enriched to be a woman. Currently, with her family, Varsha resides in CA, USA.



You can stalk her @




                   

  



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Only If

If I ever get a chance I would love to fall in love with someone who has never been in love. It would be so easy to make him see things thr...