Only Wheat Not White - Book Review

Title: Only Whet Not White 

Author: Varsha Dixit

Publisher: Penning Publishing

Type: eBook

ASIN: B00KQNNHVA

Number of Pages: 262

Price: 63 [INR]

Genre: Romance

The Blurb:

What if the one you completely love is the one you simply can't! Twenty-six-year-old Eila Sood moves to America to mend fences with her estranged older sister, Sheela. Eila and the rest of the family in India had cut off ties with Sheela after she married Steve Jacobs, 'out of caste, and out of color'. Elia soon realizes that Sheela's marriage is on the rocks. To help pay Sheela's household bills, Eila takes a second job at an afternoon strip club. When she crosses paths with the owner, the handsome Brett Wright or 'blue-eyed ogre' as Elia calls him, he both infuriates and fascinates her. Brett turns out to be her reluctant and unquestionably sarcastic knight in shining armor. As Eila and Brett spend more time together their desire for each other builds. However, when Brett discovers the true reason for Eila's refusal he storms out of her life, accusing her of being a prejudiced coward. Will Eila find the courage to break stereotypes and embrace her love? Will Brett find solace in the arms of his ex-girlfriend Cate? Will Sheela and Steve divorce? All of these questions and more are answered in Varsha Dixit's latest and humorous and steamy love story.

My Review:

       The title of the story made me curious. 'What might actually be the story behind it?' was what prompted me to pick up this book. And I am glad I did. It was such a wonderful and hilarious read.

      When Eila leaves India to work in New York, there is only one rule her mom sets for her - Only Wheat Not White. Eila agrees readily because she had never imagined meeting a handsome blue eyed ogre, who though irritates her to no end at first, later makes her go weak in the knees and make her want to stop time just so that she could be with him. While Eila set out to New York, it was only to mend the broken ties of her family. Sheela was outcasted for marrying Steve, a foreigner, against her family's wishes. After years when Eila comes to meet her sister, her only goal is to bring her family together. But things start to get complicated when she realizes Sheela's is not a happy marriage. When things get difficult, Eila goes an extra mile to support her sister but what will happen when she falls for Brett Wright? Will she be able to ignore her feelings for long and abide by her mother's rule or will love overpower her fears of suffering the same feat at Sheela?

       In a country where love marriages still raise eyebrows, marrying someone from a different country is out of questions. Love, quarrels, hatred, heart breaks, friendship, craziness - the story has it all. The NRI life style has been portrayed perfectly. The unexpected turn of events, the steaming hot love story between Eila and the handsome Brett, Steve's soft side, Eila's uncanny ability to fall into trouble all made the story all the more interesting. 

Things I Liked:

• I loved Brett Wright! The handsome, drool worthy male protagonist made sure I never lost interest in the story.
• It wasn't just Brett, the narration, the pace and the articulation, everything is mixed perfectly which makes the book a big success.
• I loved the subtle sense of humor which was sprinkled throughout the story.
• Eila's clumsiness, her bouts with the most embarrassing situations and her actions makes you laugh.
• Eila's habit of putting someone's happiness before her's, the way she helps her sister even though she had to step out of her comfort zone, made her an endearing person. (But when she refuses to see sense when it came to Brett, I wanted to shake her up)
• Even the side characters were sketched well. I loved Megan the most. Eila's role of cupid in Megan's love story and her tips were sometimes hilarious. 

Verdict:

       Pick up the book without second thoughts. It is a funny and fast paced read and definitely a page turner. It will leave you rolling with laughter and will make a good weekend read. Highly recommended.

My Rating:

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Starry Eyed Reader :)

Equinox - Book Review

Title: Equinox 

Author: Madhuri Maitra

Publisher: Partridge Publishing

ISBN: 978-1482816808

Number of Pages: 258

Price: 450 [INR]

The Blurb:

When Indus Publishers announces a short story competition, it affects the lives of the ensemble cast in unexpected ways. A jaded journalist, a bored housewife, a starry-eyed ambitious girl, an army colonel, an impoverished divorcee-all enter the competition for pressing reasons of their own. They emerge with only slightly deeper pockets than they had but far richer in experience. Social issues are explored in an engaging manner, entwined in the lives of the characters-this is indeed the way of life. The novel also promises an enchanting look at the diversity in India; the characters belong to different Indian states and embody the peculiarities of the people of that region. Equinox and its checkered characters step to music of their own; many readers will find that it resonates with their own inner music.

My Review:

       So many anthologies are announced these days. But do we stop and think that these anthologies have the power to change lives of so many people? When Indus publications announces an anthology with a hefty prize amount of 2 lakhs for the winner 20,000 for next 5 winners, a great stir happens in the world of writers. Many people pen down their stories with a hop of bagging the prize. Each one has their own reason, their own desperation to win the prize money. 

       The story focuses on the lives of 7 contestants, their lives, their priorities and motivations. Each one has something different to tell. Each one is from a different background. And also, the book deals with the hullabaloo that spreads at the publishing house when they announce this ambitious project. It gives an insight into the life of people who work hard to make a book successful.

       I liked the different angles each character had to present. I enjoyed some stories while some other made me sad. Though there were so many characters, the author has done justice to each of their stories. I liked the pace but sometimes I forgot the previous story of the character as the story is divided into many parts. One thing that disappointed me is the winning story (I can't tell the name and spoil the suspense for readers) but in my opinion, there were other contestants who deserved it. 

       All in all, it is a good and breezy read :)

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars!

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Scratched - Book Review

Title: Scratched 
Series: The Anderson Brothers Series, Book 2
Author: Marie Long
ISBN: 978-0-9863019-2-6
Number of Pages: 324
Price: $15.00
Genre: New Adult Romance

The Blurb:

Twenty-four year old Kevin Anderson lost the opportunity to end his senior year at the University of Washington as the Huskies' all-star point guard, and sought out one last opportunity to put his extraordinary basketball skills to use: by training for a chance at the pros.

But when he's not on the court, Kevin has only two things in his life that gives him happiness: spinning records at the local clubs, and Trinity Brown. 

Trinity attends almost every one of Kevin's deejay gigs, but Kevin is uncertain if her love for him is genuine or a fangirl's simple admiration. Kevin takes that chance and hopes that she will see beyond the celebrity persona. But when fall classes start up again, their busy schedules press their relationship. 

Kevin doesn't want to give up on her--on them. He hopes the happiness they had will rebound once more. 

But when he learns the truth about Trinity, Kevin must decide if it is worth everything--and everyone--he cares about to save her, or forfeit this exhausting game of love.

My Review:

       Meet Kevin, aka Deejay Kevitron, whom girls are crazy about. Deejay, basketball player, a caring elder brother and a troubled soul carrying the burden of the past mishaps. He wants someone who can look past his stardom and love him for who he is. And Trinity seems to be the person. He is strangely attracted to this girl who attends all his gigs and seems to be attracted to him. But there is a secret Trinity is hiding and she doesn't want anyone to find out.

       Will Kevin be just a celebrity to Trinity or will she look past Deejay Kevitron's mask and love the real Kevin? What will happen when Kevin finds about her secret? Will their love survive the odds?

Things I Liked:

       This book is the second in the Anderson Brothers series but can be read as a standalone novel too. Though it is better to read the first book before reading this as it will give you much clear idea about the story so far and also about Dom and Denise.

       I was intrigued by Kevin in Book 1 itself. The person who quit his studies to help his brother, the popular Deejay whom girls desire and someone who always seemed level headed. I absolutely loved reading this book where the whole story was about Kevin and his love. I also loved the fact how Trinity (from Book 1) was portrayed. 

       The narration is to the point and the story flows effortlessly. The secret Trinity hides, the past demons they each face and their love will make the story interesting to read. 

Things I Disliked:

       The only turn off factor for me was the language. Though I am not against use of slangs in the novel, the language could have been a little more polished. That would have made the book much better. Also the cover could have been better. It doesn't do justice to the chemistry Kevin and Trinity share.

Verdict:

       If you look past the language (no, it is not about grammars and typos. Just the way of expression) the book makes a good read. It was great to know more about Kevin and the Anderson family. The characterization is good and the book will keep the readers interested.

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars!

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Scarred - Book Review

Title: Scarred 
Series: The Anderson Brothers Series, Book 1
Author: Marie Long
Type: Ebook
ASIN: B00TY4ZMRE
Number of Pages: 315
Price: 61 [INR]
Genre: New Adult Romance

The Blurb:

Sometimes, love comes with a price… 

The past is always gonna try and bring you down, but you gotta fight. Fight hard for what you love. Fight to win is what twenty-two-year-old Dominick Anderson believes, but his life is a struggle. Growing up with an abusive father has made Dominick slow to love and trust, and he relies on his brother Kevin to keep him on a straight path. 

Dominick fights his demons every day, every night. Now a sophomore at the University of Washington and working a steady job at a mechanic’s shop, Dominick wants to create a better life and find the future his father never wanted him to have. 

Dominick suppresses his identity and feelings until he meets Denise Ramsey. Smart, stunningly gorgeous, and sharing his love for motorcycles, Denise is everything Dominick longs for in a girl but knows he can never have. When a past love threatens her life and brings out Dominick’s suppressed dark side, he must decide if she’s worth the risk. 

My Review:

       Meet Dominick who is struggling to escape the clutches of a horrible memory from the past. But no matter what he does, the memory keeps flashing in front of his eyes, making him weak and angry all at the same time. At 22, Dominick is working as a mechanic after college. He is single and he doesn't want a fling. What he wants is a long term relationship and his dreams come true when he meets Denise. Or does it? When Denise's high school sweetheart returns, does Dom stand a chance? When the time comes to face his demons, will he be ready or will he escape? Will Denise be able to see Dom's love for her?

Things I Liked:

       This is the first book in the Anderson Brothers series but the best part is there is no cliffhanger ending! This is a standalone novel in itself. I liked Dominick's character as it is described by the author. He is fighting with brutal past memories and trying his best to move on with life. His struggles and emotions are handled beautifully by the author. The plot is interesting and keeps the readers engaged. Also the supporting characters are displayed with an aptness that makes the story more lively.

Things I Disliked:

      I didn't like the language or the way of expression. That was the only 'OOPS' factor for me in this novel.

Verdict:

       This book makes an interesting read if you are not so particular about the language.

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars!

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The Seventh Cup - Book Review

Name: The Seventh Cup 

Author: Nitesh Jai

Publisher: Cyberwit.net

Type: E-book

ASIN: B00S9WRDIS

Number of Pages: 302

Price: 186 [INR]

Genre: Mystery

The Blurb:

       A man drinks exactly seven cups of coffee everyday in the same restaurant and believes in Mind Transportation. Two newly married Swiss detective agents arrive and begin a shocking tale of love, friendship, betrayal and death. From the colorful coasts of Goa, India to the enchanting backdrop of Zurich,Switzerland, the mystery of Verona Schmidt baffles everyone. With shocking twits and turns in every chapter, The Seventh Cup might just have the addictive flavor to stir the readers mind...may be forever !!!

My Review:

Plot:

       Verona Schmidt, a history student, suddenly disappears from Switzerland without any trace. It has been 8 months since her disappearance but the CIDS has no clue about what happened to her. When detective Susanne and her husband Thomas takes up the case, slowly the mystery begins to unravel as one by one the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place. But watch out! Because the final clue of this mystery will leave you completely shocked!

Things that Worked:

       I liked the set up; the way the story has another story within. Avinash's book, the story set in Goa, the clues that lead the detectives towards the criminal and then the climax which was even more shocking! The author has cooked up a perfect mystery to keep the reader engaged. The language used is simple and easy to read. The pace is normal and the narration enticing.

       I also liked the theory of 'Attraction' and the way it has been explained in this book. It does make a lot of sense. The amount of research that has been done is impressive. 

Things that didn't Work:

       The beginning!! I had to put some effort to keep reading. The story takes a lot of time to build up and there are chances that the reader might not continue with it. The story picks up pace only once it reaches the middle and I felt it was a little late! But once the reader reaches this part, the book becomes unputdownable.

Verdict:

       If you like reading mystery novels, this book might prove as an interesting red. Just have the patience in the beginning and let the story develop and you will enjoy the rest.

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars!

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Mr. Imperfect Series - Book Review

Title: Mr. Imperfect Series (Complete Collection) 

Author: Aditi Chopra

Publisher: Createspace Independent

                 Publishing Platform

Type: E-book

ASIN: B00PMH4750

Number of Pages: 190

Price: 250 [INR]

The Blurb:

Three intriguing women, Three Imperfect men, Three fascinating stories! 

House of Love 

Real estate agent Nikki Desai has a rule of not dating her clients. When she hosts an open house on a cold Dallas afternoon, she didn’t know what was in store for her. Much like Dallas’ unexpected weather, Karan Malhotra, a business consultant, walks into her life and challenges every belief she holds close to her heart. Karan manages to cajole Nikki, but is she making a mistake in breaking her rule by dating Karan? 

Arranged Marriage 

Arranged marriage - where love happens after marriage or does it? 

Ishan, a NRI from Dallas, Texas visits his home country, India and gets entangled in his parents’ plan to get him married. Sonali is a simple girl from a small town called Meerut and has no desire to leave India. However, she reluctantly agrees to marry Ishan. But when she settles with him in a foreign country, she is completely lost and homesick. 

Will Sonali find love in a conventionally arranged marriage? 

Love Tango 

Maya Sarin is sensuous and enterprising. She runs a dance school in the suburb of Dallas. Tahir Ali is an aspiring author who owns a Mediterranean restaurant in the area. When his regular dancer bails out on him, he rushes in Maya as a replacement. Maya is the inspiration that he had been longing for; she feeds his creative soul. 

Do they have any future together? Explore their passion and intrigue in Love Tango.

My Review:

       Mr. Imperfect Series by Aditi Chopra is a romance novel consisting of three different yet connected stories. The stories are set in Dallas, Texas. The stories, though independent, are linked together through the characters, which gives a sense of continuation to each story.

       The first story in this series is 'House of Love'. It is a story of a real estate agent who is an ambitious, career oriented woman - Nikki Desai. She is a real estate agent. She works day and night, climbing the ladder of success but what she really wants to hear is her dad's words of appreciation. Her world suddenly starts changing when Karan enters her life. He is the perfect partner every girl dreams of having. With his charms, he is sure to win every reader's and of course Nikki's heart. The way this story started was something I liked very much :D 

       The second story, 'Arranged Marriage', is about a simple Indian girl Sonali, who finds herself married to the NRI guy Ishan. Everything happened so soon and before she knows, she is in an unknown country with her husband, whom she barely knows. Ishan's little gestures to win Sonali's heart and his sweet nature are again something that will win over reader's heart. I liked the turn of events as Sonali slowly tries to adjust to the new life, shedding her insecurities, emerging as a confident woman. The emotions of a bride in a foreign land are expressed so aptly by the author.

       The final story, 'Love Tango' is about Maya, who is suffering from loneliness. She is a friend of Nikki and Sonali and as much as she loves their company, she can't help but feel lonely when she sees them with their husbands. I loved Maya from the start who runs a dance school. And it was a treat when she found that someone special in Tahir. But Maya is hurt from a troubled past and it is difficult for her to let go of it and trust Tahir completely. How will Tahir convince her? You have to read this novel to find out more about it.

       Though it says 'Mr. Imperfect' series, I did find all the three male protagonists perfect in their own imperfect ways. The language used is simple and easy to read. I liked the little glimpse of Dallas that I got through this book. But the stories ended too soon. I wish there was more to read! This book is recommended for those who are looking for light romance.

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

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Scion of Ikshvaku - Spotlight

Read the first chapter Here 

RAM RAJYA. THE PERFECT LAND.BUT PERFECTION HAS A PRICE. HE PAID THAT PRICE.

Scion of Ikshvaku 
by 
Amish Tripathi 

Preorder @
Amazon.in

Blurb 

3400 BCE. INDIA
Ayodhya is weakened by divisions. A terrible war has taken its toll. The damage runs deep. The demon King of Lanka, Raavan, does not impose his rule on the defeated. He, instead, imposes his trade. Money is sucked out of the empire. The Sapt Sindhu people descend into poverty, despondency and corruption. They cry for a leader to lead them out of the morass. Little do they appreciate that the leader is among them. One whom they know. A tortured and ostracised prince. A prince they tried to break. A prince called Ram.

He loves his country, even when his countrymen torment him. He stands alone for the law. His band of brothers, his Sita, and he, against the darkness of chaos.

Will Ram rise above the taint that others heap on him? Will his love for Sita sustain him through his struggle? Will he defeat the demon Lord Raavan who destroyed his childhood? Will he fulfil the destiny of the Vishnu?

Begin an epic journey with Amish’s latest: the Ram Chandra Series.

Watch the trailer

Excerpt

Nilanjana sighed. She wasn’t even sure if the child would be a boy. But she wouldn’t risk the merest flagging of her mistress’ spirits. She administered some herbal pain relievers to the queen and bided her time. Ideally, the doctor wanted the birth to take place before midday. The royal astrologer had warned her that if the child was born later, he would suffer great hardships throughout his life. On the other hand, if the child was born before the sun reached its zenith, he would be remembered as one of the greatest among men and would be celebrated for millennia.

Nilanjana cast a quick glance at the prahar lamp, which measured time in six-hour intervals. The sun had already risen and it was the third hour of the second prahar. In another three hours it would be midday. Nilanjana had decided to wait till a half hour before noon and, if the baby was still not born,

she would go ahead with the surgery.

 Kaushalya was stricken with another bout of dilatory pain. She pursed her lips together and began chanting in her mind the name she had chosen for her child. This gave her strength for it wasn’t an ordinary name. The name she had picked was that of the sixth Vishnu.

 ‘Vishnu’ was a title given to the greatest of leaders who were remembered as the Propagators of Good. The sixth man to have achieved this title was Lord Parshu Ram. That is how he was remembered by the common folk. Parshu means axe, and the word had been added to the name of the sixth Vishnu because the mighty battle axe had been his favourite weapon. His birth name was Ram. That was the name that reverberated in Kaushalya’s mind.

Ram… Ram… Ram… Ram… 

Read the First Chapter @

About 
Amish Tripathi

Amish is an IIM (Kolkata)educated, boring banker turned happy author. The success of his debut book, The Immortals of Meluha (Book 1 of the Shiva Trilogy), encouraged him to give up a fourteen-year-old career in financial services to focus on writing. He is passionate about history, mythology and philosophy, finding beauty and meaning in all world religions.

Amish has most recently written the Shiva Trilogy (The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas & The Oath of the Vayuputras), which have sold over a million copies in the Indian subcontinent since 2010. The books that he plans to write in the future are also in the areas of mythology & history.

Amish lives in Mumbai with his wife, Preeti and son, Neel.

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Siren's Call - Book Review

Title: Siren's Call 

Author: Debbie Herbert

Publisher: Harlequin

Type: eBook

ASIN: B00UATVF3W

Number of Pages: 297

Price: 243.88 [INR]

Genre: Paranormal Romance

The Blurb:

Mermaid mythology meets Native American lore. 

She was irresistible to every man…except one 

Lily Borsage is the ultimate siren: gorgeous, aloof and irresistible to all the men in Bayou La Siryna. All of them, that is, until Nashoba Bowman comes back to town. The Native American kid whose innocent first kiss Lily remembers fondly is now all grown-up, hot as an Alabama summer—and immune to Lily's charms. What self-respecting mermaid could resist finding out more?

But Nash has a dark history that puts any woman he loves in grave danger, and a heritage of power he isn't ready to accept. And Lily has a secret that no mortal man can ever know. When a mysterious enemy starts menacing Lily, they will both have to risk everything—and embrace their deepest destinies—if they want to survive.

My Review:

       I read the review of this book on Goodreads and it instantly piqued my interest. I just HAD to read it! So happy that I could be a part of this tour. 

Characters:

       Meet Lily Borsage, the beautiful Mermaid, whose Siren's voice makes every man lose his heart to her. But Lily isn't just beautiful; as they say, she is beauty with brain. Talented but insecure and the one in search of true love among human men - that is Lily for starters.

       Meet Nash - the irresistible man whom every woman fancy. Mysterious, powerful, confident and go-getter Nash has a secret which can change his life.

Plot:

       Lily can get any man she want but her heart beats for the one whom she cannot have - Nash. When Lily meets her childhood friend Nash, she couldn't help but fall head over heels for him. Never been the one to face rejection, it isn't easy for Lily to cope up when  Nash refuses to show any interest in her.

       Nash on the other hand has a troubled past which holds him back from getting into a relationship. But when the beautiful Lily makes advances towards him constantly, it is difficult for him to stay aloof. 

       Sparks fly soon and Lily and Nash realize they cannot live without each other. But a happy ending is a far call. With a killer who singles out every woman who gets involved with Nash, with a mother who forces Lily to return to the Mer world and find a match there, with Lily's little secret hidden from Nash and then Nash's own secret that he is struggling to expect, their love is anything but cake walk. How long will they go to keep this love alive? Read the novel to find out.

Things that Worked:

       The way the story is built around various factors is something that I liked a lot. Though beautiful, Lily has an insecurity when it comes to her talent. Though gifted, Nash isn't sure he wants to accept his abilities. Then their love - which fights all the odds. The part of Opal adds an interesting dimension to the brewing love story, always making the reader curious as to what might happen next. 

       I loved reading about Sam and his stories. The native American legends are new to me and though it took just a small part in this book, I enjoyed reading them. The narration was also gripping and I just couldn't stop reading until I completed the whole book (which was around 3 am!) The story is narrated from different characters' viewpoint and I liked it as it gave me an insight to the thoughts of more than one person.

Things that didn't Work:

       Apart from a very few typos, there wasn't anything that I didn't like about this book!

Verdict:

      An awesome novel with a lot of romance with a mix of thrill and mystery. Paranormal romance being my favorite genre, I absolutely love reading this one. Being the third in the series, this book can be read without reading the first two books but having read this one, I am definitely looking forward to reading the other two. If you love paranormal romance novels, then you will definitely love this book.

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

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