Guest Post : 1857 Dust of Ages by Vandana Shanker

I have been thinking lately about the changes in the reading trends of today's time. People tend to pick small books, with easy story to grasp so that they can achieve there Goodreads goals quickly and flaunt merrily. In the midst of so many books, do we actually miss the ones which deserve quite a lot of attention?

Well I have been a fan of Historic books only because of Mahabharata. Who doesn't want to read about that age? But when I discuss this with people they call me a high-class, over-the-top reader, and trust me they sound sarcastic.

So when this book came up in "The Book Club Group", this question popped up instantly. And the way the author has answered is quite fascinating.

Read what Vandana thinks on this:

How hard or enjoyable it is to write about historic things? How can it be made more refreshing for an impatient group of readers of this time?

It’s boring, irrelevant, too many dates – ask any student and you would hear these common complaints about History. But turn around to take a look at historical fiction. It captures attention with its juicy scandals, the gossip, a distant world of romance and heroism.

Here are some reasons why I love reading and writing historical

1.       Past depends mostly on the writer’s words.  Despite all the struggles and squalor, one can paint the picture in all its vibrant colors. The image that comes alive doesn’t have to jostle with reader’s first-hand experience as it would in a contemporary setting. So the writer is free to select the historic details to create an aura of romance and nostalgia.

2.      The characters already carry a hint of tragedy, especially in the historical fiction set in times of war and strife. One knows that they suffered and died. It is a given. Their existence during the turbulent times is enough for the heroism and tragedy.

3.      It is a different world, different time. And you can make your characters chart paths that they would never do in the contemporary setting.

4.      Research is fun, especially if you are interested in the period. And the stories surrounding 1857 uprising have always fascinated me.

5.      Make it interesting for the impatient readers by dividing your bulky historical fiction into a series. Let’s admit it – one of the main reasons a common reader does not pick up a historical is that it is thick. All that recreation of the past, the setting, the characters – it takes pages and pages scare away the impatient readers.

I divided 1857 Dust of Agesinto a 5 volume series. Due to this serialization, it doesn’t become a heavy dose of history. I was able to concentrate on the historical romance and current investigation and move between the time frames. 

Storytelling techniques like continuous narrative and cliff hangers became handy. So for the present generation readers with short attention spams, the serialization was the answer.

You can check the spotlight and interview for more details about the book and the author: Spotlight Interview

Interview : Vandana Shanker - Author of 1857 Dust of Ages

"In Conversation with Vandana Shanker"

1.       Tell us about your journey as a writer? The transitions, the movements and the present scenario.

- It is difficult to put down a specific moment or a time period when writing happened. I wrote poems and short stories in schools but being a writer was never a serious goal. It was during the time I was pursuing my research in literature, that I became familiar with this very interesting and dynamic field of fan writing and I dabbled there. From there on, it became a part of leisure activities. 1857 Dust of Ages was the first attempt at my own novel. I completed writing it and then it did the rounds of publishers. In the meantime, I wrote by formula romance, Don’t Fall in Love which was accepted and published within a few months.

But Dust of Ages, which is very close to my heart, found it difficult. It is a niche book – a historical, set in 1857. There were issues with length, inserting and deleting scenes and so on. So I took the decision that I would publish it on Amazon and here we are!

2. Don't Fall in Love and 1857 Dust of Ages? How was it? The difference in thinking? The difference in genres?

- Very different. To the extent that some of my friends feel that it isn’t the same writer. Don’t Fall in Lovefollows the romance formula to the hilt. It is a Mills and Boons set in Delhi.  I did not think. I just opened a file on the computer and sat down to enjoy writing it.

 1857 Dust of Ages was a completely different story. It also has a romance at its centre but it is about these two people caught in this great historical turmoil. And they belong to the opposite factions. It also has elements of mystery and suspense with two contemporary investigators unearthing this scandal from the past. So in that sense, 1857 Dust of Ages is more ambitious, required a great deal of research and commitment.

They are similar too in the sense that I have tried to draw strong heroines, sensitive and supporting heroes and then of course they are set in my city, my Delhi.

3.      What are you expecting from readers with this book? And what readers can expect?

- First of all, I want the readers to read the complete series and enjoy it; I have tried to present the events of 1857 through the story of Princess Meera and Captain Smith.  These two people are attracted to each other and forge a relationship at a time when the enmity between their respective sides, the Indians and the British, is reaching its peak and the changing times test their relationship. The story is unearthed in 2016 by a team of an Indian researcher, Shiv Sahai and a British scholar, Ruth. So in a way time comes a full circle. 

It is not a regular romance; it is nuanced, there are lot of themes and trends. There is a lot of drama and suspense as the scandal is revealed layer by layer and we learn what happened to Meera and Richard. Dust of Ages is about conflict and war effect everyday lives of the people. I hope that readers are able to pick those subtle themes.

Readers can expect subtle and fulfilling romance as we journey to one of the defining moments of India’s freedom struggle.

4. Do you wish to throw light on your favorite parts from the book? Share some quotes.

- Difficult to pick up a few. As mentioned earlier, the book is close to my heart. One such moment is there right at the end of the prologue as Richard Smith thinks of his wife:

‘Every evening, I try to escape this madness by thinking about her, Princess Meera of Navgarh, a rebel soldier and my wife. The news that the sepoys in Meerut had rebelled spurred both of us. Did I expect Meera to be a dutiful wife when all her beliefs, her convictions pulled her in the opposite direction? Was I surprised on knowing that she was in Delhi, amongst the rebels? Would she be surprised on knowing that I have followed her as an enemy… a British officer? '

Another favourite part of mine is when in the initial moments of attraction, Meera tells Richard that for her, her land would always be her first love:

‘Meera’s dark eyes met Richard’s brown ones with uncommon seriousness. ‘It’s harsh. But I haven’t known anywhere else. This place, this way of life, we know only this.’ Meera took in a deep breath as if drinking in the scene in front of her. ‘All I do know, Captain Smith, for me Navgarh is… jaan se badkar.’

And then there is turning point in their relationship at the end of Volume 2. What happens before and after it is the crux of the story

‘As Richard turned to face Meera, he caught a glimpse of her raised arm before it crashed behind his neck and he slipped to the ground.’

5. What were the challenges you faced in writing this book? How you overcame them?

- The first challenge for any writer, especially a first time writer is to write a book till the end and finish it.  It is difficult, especially if you have a full time job and then you are mother too.

Dust of ages required a year of disciplined writing. I had written the prologue and the letters exchanged with John Smith and Thomas Metcalfe years ago and forgotten. But now I sat down and wrote every day, sometimes getting up at 4 in the morning, till the story ended.

I read numerous fictional and non-fictional books on 1857 to create the setting, get the tone and style of letter writing and diary writing and so on.  This kind of research is important for a historical.

A major challenge was the choice between traditional publishing and self-publishing. I went for self publishing for Dust of Ages because I wanted freedom and control over the way it reaches the readers.

Wishing her All the very best for her new book.

You can find more about the book in the spotlight of the book: Spotlight

Have A Great Day 😃

Book Blitz : A Way Back Into Love (Love, #1) by Veronica Thatcher

Blurb

Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes, uncertain. People, irrational. But love…well, that makes everything complicated. And when you are caught in a tangled web of secrets, lies, and complex affairs, someone is bound to get burned. 

Emily Stevens is a spunky, spirited college girl whose life gets turned upside-down when she realizes she's in love with her best friend of fifteen years, Derek Thorpe. As Emily prepares to confess her feelings to Derek, something happens one night which changes her life forever. Five years later, Emily finds herself in Boston, alone and heartbroken. Will she ever be able to forget the past? And what will she find when she returns home...to the man she left behind? 

Grab your copy @

Amazon.in

About the author

Veronica Thatcher is an exciting new contemporary romance author. Ever since she was very young, she’s dreamed of becoming a doctor when she grew up. While still forging ahead with that, majoring in pre-med in college, she unwittingly stumbled upon a new dream—becoming a published author. Some may call her an introvert or a wallflower, but she has always found she could express herself better in written, rather than spoken, words. However, never in her wildest dreams had she envisioned she would pursue writing as a prospective career, not just a hobby. Her love for writing goes hand-in-hand with her love for a good romance novel—whether it be a feel-good, sweet romance or a dark, suspenseful one. 

When she’s not studying, reading, or writing, she is usually found blasting her favourite songs, sometimes singing and dancing along to them. She dabbles in a number of activities, including painting, karate, singing and dancing. She is a huge chocoholic – probably the biggest – and she is an ice-cream junkie too. She considers herself technologically handicapped forever and has no shame in admitting that. She also deems chocolates her boyfriend, Patrick Dempsey the love of her life, and Friends her life!

Her first book, A Way Back Into Love, is slated for release in February 2017, and she hopes readers will enjoy it as much as she enjoyed writing it. 

You can stalk her @      

               

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Book Review : Another Tale of Two Cities by Ezhuth Aani

Book - Another Tale of Two Cities

Author - Ezhuth Aani

Genre - Fiction

Publisher - Inspire India Publishers

Pages - 303

Price - 245

Blurb -

Fourteen thirty one is the year remembered for the martyrdom of Joan of Arc. But another landmark event was unfolding in a future French colony. Cambodia was a cultural cauldron of Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. The largest metropolis of the pre industrial era was also facing a climate change calamity. The story unfolds in fifteenth century Cambodia and travels to China, Sri Lanka, India and the Middle East, as Princes Adithya and Mahendra set out to seek help for their beleaguered country. Will the splendid twin cities of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom survive? Who wins the heart of Mandagini, the warrior princess?

Review -

Another Tale of Two Cities is a very nice, elaborative and well groomed book. No one can guess from the simple blurb or the cover that the book glorifies all the incidents and related places and happenings in such a very shimmery way.

When I started reading the book, I found the starting few pages a little tough to grasp because it had a lot of intricate details which doesn’t go well with the reader who has sat down with a mind-set of reading a fiction book. There were a lot of names, lot of data that the author passed, which made things hard.

Lady charm was helpful for me. As soon as Mandagini entered the story, things flipped almost immediately. There was a certain aura of her that made me imagine and praise her heroic stunts when she dealt with Adithya; it just swayed my heart towards her. When historical books shows such women in their true forms, it becomes much likely to enjoy them; at least for me.

The story was slow as the Saint arrived in the story. He was fine for me, nothing special I found in him or in his appearance. I thought that something extra could have been mentioned about him that presented him to be a little more attractive. I don’t like when characters just speak their minds out, I like when the realizations of same are done in one way or the other.

One fact that I loved about the book is that author gave chance to every character. There were important scenes containing different characters in limelight. It was not always the main protagonist. It gave me some fresh air and I was able to explore more characters.

There was a little difference in the love affairs in the book. They were not plain and boring. They were realistic. The passion was unfolded in a very genuine manner and love was not decorated by extra paragraphs. It was much needed in a book like this. Some readers might find it not up to mark because I agree that things moved fast. But this is what happens in real life, isn’t it. Love is meant to happen, no matter when, no matter sooner or later.

The story then moved from different dimensions and at a lot of places I inspected something great and majestic. No matter how many people came later on in the tale, I only longed for Adithya and Mandagini.

Tale becomes a little over the top somewhere in the middle for me. But that feeling goes as soon as I completed some more pages. The story came out to be clean and crisp, with a lot of things said in one form or the other, lot of emotions showcased and many gaps filled. Another Tale of Two Cities surely impressed me.

Eye-Catchers -

• “Not only kings but even Emperors die. And their big schemes die along with them.”

Recommendation -

The book is not for people who want to just add one book as “Read” in their goodreads profile. This book needs patience and concentration. I recommend this book to all those who need to read a well detailed and structured book.

About the Author -

Ezhuth Aani (Dr Ananthakumarasamy Ramanathan) is a specialist vascular and general surgeon in Australasia. He has trained or worked in 6 countries across four continents, meeting people from over a hundred nations. Drawing on his rich experiences from exposure to various cultures the author has a uniquely inclusive world view. He has patents for an antifog mask and a syringe holder. He has also published a new method of calculating dates. He has had the privilege of naming an operation after his birth place Yarl. Writing under the pennames Aani or Ezhuth Aani (pen), Dr Ramanathan has written two novels and an anthology of poems in Tamil.

He has published an English novel I am the Lord earlier. Another Tale of Two Cities is his second novel in English.

Buy the Book -

• Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.in/Another-tale-cities-Ezhuth-Aani/dp/9385783866
  

The book is provided by Arudha Club in exchange for a genuine review

Interview : Rubina Ramesh - Author of Knitted Tales

I always wondered about sending some questions to any random author for whom we were doing a Blog Tour on TBC but not a single question ever came to my mind. But then we  had "Knitted Tales" and I was sad because I was asked to send only five questions for Rubina Ramesh.

"Some people are not extremely close but still they pour some warmth."

In conversation with Rubina Ramesh.
Writer, Reviewer, Second name of TBC.

1. How were you pushed in the world of books?

With your Grand-dad a writer and your mom swimming in the world of books, how can you not? I can't remember when I started reading. It was always there with me. My dad would get transferred every 3 years. So books had to become my best friend. Same thing happened after marriage. So with wheels on my heels, books have been my life partner always :)

2. Managing a book club, reviewing books and now writing one. How were the three phases?

Never thought of this one. Writing came first. I wrote a sci-fi for an anthology much before the Book Club was formed. Book Club has gone through many phases. People have left me and rejoined or unfriended me. Hah hah.. but I am stuck with TBC. There are days I am fed up, want to give up and then a cute letter drops in my mailbox saying that a new author wants to be promoted. I get hooked. I love promoting new authors, aspiring one. The one's that have the drive and zeal to face any reviewer, however, harsh they might be –so every time a new author turns up the wheels start rolling again. 

Reviewing is the toughest job for me. I hate criticizing any writer. Yet I cannot praise always. Most of my reviews are private. I am not looking to be acknowledged as a reviewer for this is one of the toughest jobs in the literary world. A job that does not get you money but costs you many relationships. 

3. What inspired you to write the book?

Knitted Tales was based on prompt writing in Wrimo India Group. We had such fun during those days. We fought over good writing, were passionate over our viewpoints and it was simply about the art of writing. The Knitted Tales were kicked, abused and then loved in Wrimo India. 

Most of the stories are taken from life or incidents I have heard. But the endings and the sequences are mine. You know those small things that you hear and you go in a 'mungeri lal' mode? I often do that. And Knitted Tales does prove that I have a very wrapped sense of imagination. :P

4. Do you think short stories are easy or hard to pen then a complete tale? What was your experience?

I cannot consciously sit and write a short story. I cannot plan a short story. It has to happen. Something bursting inside me to be told. It comes very naturally and I will not change a single event after I write it. But novels are planned. Characters are built and events are plotted. It has to have a depth which should suck in a reader. It took me four years to write Finding the Angel and a few hours to write each story of Knitted Tales.

5. If you want to change one thing in your book what would it be?

Not one thing. I am very stubborn that way :D As I said, each story has to come out naturally. I never plan them. So how can I change them? :D

It's really fun to know some people. :)

You can read my review of Knitted Tales here.