Monday, October 28, 2013

Monday: Mailbox/What Am I reading?/Musing

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. October host  is Gina @ Book Dragon's Lair.

I received the following novels, thanks to the authors/publicists: 
Click on the covers to know more. 










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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of BooksWe discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

I finished reading:

Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Refearn
Thunder Snow by Mimi Foster
The Teacher's Billionaire by Christina Tetreault
Cade by Liliana Hart
Daring Masquerade by Margaret Tanner
Never a Mistress, No longer a Maid by Maureen Driscoll
Shayla's Story by Beverly Preston

I am in the midst of reading:

The Ares Decision by Robert Ludlum and Kyle Mills
The Aryavarta Chronicles Book 1: Govinda by Krishna Udayasankar
Gifts Not Yet Given by Kergan Edwards-Stout 
The Edge of Normal by Carla Norton

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Musing Mondays asks you to muse about something related to books each week…

• Maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

Once upon a time I used to read palms. I have a HUGE collection of books pertaining to that. Lately, I am thinking of giving those away. I find that there are many takers. Even from those who never EVER read anything! Interesting!!

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Saturday Snapshot: October 26, 2013

As I am single, I do not have kids of my own. I love children and adore my nephews and nieces. But they have all grown up and we do not get to see each other that often. Here I am playing with a five year old son of a young friend of mine. Believe it or not, we also fight!!






Posting for Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn

Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn

We look like the perfect family, and I'm happy to pretend. 

Father Kimball looks down at his parish. “Welcome my brothers and sisters in Christ, beloved children of God…” 

Beside me, Drew squirms. Gordon’s firm squeeze of his knee stops the squiggling. I take Drew’s hand in mine to keep him still. No one in our small clan has an iron bladder. I slide my eyes in a sidelong glance at Gordon. His jaw is set tight. He won't be happy if Drew gets up in the middle of the sermon. Of course, he’ll be even less happy if Drew wets himself.

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After a very long time, I finished a novel at one go as I couldn't put it down. I read it in 4 hours straight finishing at 3 AM. It is a disturbing novel about domestic violence. Something which is as old as time itself. Domestic violence does not get reported much. People do not come out in the open. The victim feels it is always her fault. That she deserves the beatings and the insults. The children are the worst sufferers. 


Jillian Kane snaps out of it one day and finds herself locked out her home with her children out of bounds. Everyone, including her mom, thinks it is her fault as her husband can do no wrong. One day, she gets an opportunity to meet her children in the park. Taking them along, she runs for their life. With no money, no plan, she only has the determination to protect herself and her children. Along the way she finds some good people helping her. They do not know her but sense that she is in some kind of trouble. 

Finally Gordon catches up with her and takes away the kids. She is charged with kidnapping and cannot meet her children. Her lawyer friend, Connor advises her to fight back in the same dirty manner, as Gordon has done, to get custody of the children. By manipulation and sabotage. And she does. She can do anything to get back her kids. ANYTHING. Even kill.

I had mixed feelings about Jillian. Yes, she is a victim and loves her kids but there are some loose ends. At one point or the other, I did not like her. Gordon is a despicable character. He is manipulative. He hides his cruel facade with a nice demeanour. Yet for all his faults, he loves his children. That is the ONLY redeeming quality. But can a family survive in such an environment? 

I felt that the author was in a hurry to finish the novel. So the end chapter is pretty fast. It could have been elaborated a bit and could have hurried through the middle portion. 

But I highly recommend this novel. Read it for yourself, for your family and friends. AND reach out.....who knows, some one might be needing your help....

Monday, October 21, 2013

Monday: Mailbox/What Am I reading?/Musing

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. October host  is Gina @ Book Dragon's Lair.

I received the following novels, thanks to the authors/publicists: 

1) Tampa by Alissa Nutting

Celeste Price is an eighth-grade English teacher in suburban Tampa. She's undeniably attractive. She drives a red Corvette with tinted windows. Her husband, Ford, is rich, square-jawed, and devoted to her.

But Celeste's devotion lies elsewhere. She has a singular sexual obsession—fourteen-year-old boys. Celeste pursues her craving with sociopathic meticulousness and forethought; her sole purpose in becoming a teacher is to fulfill her passion and provide her access to her compulsion. As the novel opens, fall semester at Jefferson Jr. High is beginning.

In mere weeks, Celeste has chosen and lured the lusciously naive Jack Patrick into her web. Jack is enthralled and in awe of his teacher, and, most important, willing to accept Celeste's terms for a secret relationship—car rides after school; rendezvous at Jack's house while his single father works late; body-slamming encounters in Celeste's empty classroom between periods.

2) Isle of the Dead by Alex Connor

In 15th century Venice it is a dangerous time to be alive. A permanent winter has rolled in over the canals and bodies keep washing up on the banks of the city. These bodies are especially hard to identify, since they have been skinned.

In the present day, a famous portrait by Titian has been discovered. Its subject: the 15th century suspected murderer Angelico Vespucci. The skins of Vespucci's victims were never found, so his guilt was never proven. Although it is rumoured that when the portrait arises, so will the man. And when flayed bodies start turning up all over the world, it looks like this is more than just a superstition. A murderer has been called back to life, and he is hungry for revenge.

3) This is Rage by Ken Goldstein

This is the story of Investors, Bankers, and Operators in Silicon Valley and the variation on real they’re creating for our consumption.

This is the story of a disgraced shock jock turned Internet radio phenomenon and how he becomes the catalyst he never imagined being.

This is the story of two entrepreneurs-turned kidnappers-turned anti-heroes.

This is business in the Twenty-first Century.

This is the unpredictability of the human element.

This is rage.

4) No Dawn for Men by James LePore and Carlos Davis

In 1938, Nazi Germany prepares to extend its reach far beyond its borders. The key to domination lies in a secret that would make their army not only unbeatable, but un-killable.

MI-6, knowing that something potentially devastating is developing, recruits scholar and novelist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien to travel to Germany to find out what this might be, using the German popularity of his children’s novel THE HOBBIT as cover. Joining him there is MI-6 agent Ian Fleming, still years away from his own writing career but posing as a Reuters journalist. Together, Tolkien and Fleming will get to the heart of the secret and they will face a fury greater than even their prodigious imaginations considered possible.

5) Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn

If I stay, he will kill me. If I leave, he'll destroy Addie and Drew. 

Jillian Kane appears to have it all - a successful career, a gorgeous home, a loving husband, and two wonderful children. The reality behind closed doors is something else entirely. For nine years, she has hid the bruises and the truth of her abusive marriage in order to protect Addie and Drew, knowing, if she left, Gordon would destroy her-destroy them.

When, in an act of desperation, she flees, her worst nightmare is realized, and she finds herself on the run with her two young children, no money, and no plan. With Gordon in hot pursuit, there is only one inescapable certainty: No matter where she goes, he will find her. Kill her. And take her children.

A riveting page-turner, HUSH LITTLE BABY exposes the shame and terror of domestic violence as well as the disturbing role manipulation and sabotage can play in the high-stakes game of child custody. Suspenseful and unforgettably moving, it's a novel about the unbreakable bonds of family and the astounding, terrifying devotion of a mother's love.

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of BooksWe discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

I finished reading:

A Stranger in Wynnedower by Grace Green
The Other Sister by Leanne Davis


I am in the midst of reading:

The Ares Decision by Robert Ludlum and Kyle Mills

The Aryavarta Chronicles Book 1: Govinda by Krishna Udayasankar

Gifts Not Yet Given by Kergan Edwards-Stout 

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Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!
I found a few sites which keep us updated about free e-books. I thought I should post those links for all those interested to download free books! Here I go:

http://www.bookgorilla.com
http://www.bookbub.com/ebook-deals
http://www.free-ebooks.net
https://www.facebook.com/LoveRomanceNovels

Hope it helps all those who love freebies! Happy downloading!!

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Saturday Snapshot: October 19, 2013

It is from the archives. I used to go to poetry readings. I am posting pictures from one of those meetings.

As she reads out, we listen enthralled!!

Coaxing the little girl to recite a poem for us!
Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy now. It was started by Alyce of At Home With books

Monday, October 14, 2013

Monday: Mailbox/What Am I reading?/Musing

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. October host  is Gina @ Book Dragon's Lair.

I received the following two novels from hachette India. I had received the Book 2: Kaurava of The Aryavarta Chronicles and requested for the book 1, which was sent to me in within two days.

1) The Aryavarta Chronicles Book 1: Govinda by Krishna Udayasankar


HONOUR. DESIRE. VENGEANCE.

Aryavarta – the ancient realm of the noble.

For generations, the Firstborn dynasty of scholar-sages, descendants of Vasishta Varuni and protectors of the Divine Order on earth, has dominated here. For just as long, the Angirasa family of Firewrights, weapon-makers to the kings and master inventors, has defied them. In the aftermath of the centuries-long conflict between the two orders, the once-united empire of Aryavarta lies splintered, a shadow of its former glorious self.

Now, the last Secret Keeper of the Firewrights is dead, killed by a violent hand, and the battle for supreme power in the empire is about to begin.

As mighty powers hurtle towards a bloody conflict, Govinda Shauri, cowherd-turned-prince and now Commander of the armies of Dwaraka, must use all his cunning to counter deception and treachery if he is to protect his people and those whom he loves.

But who holds the key to the fantastic and startling knowledge of the Firewrights, which in the wrong hands will bring doom upon the empire? And does Govinda have it in him to confront the dark secrets of his past and discover the true meaning of being Arya, of being noble?

2) End of Story? by Arjun Shekhar

Is someone out there tinkering with our minds? Shukrat Ali, a news anchor at Khulasa, the

‘tabloid’ current affairs channel, is out of a job.TV channels across the country have closed down as a consequence of a Supreme Court ban on electronic advertising. An inquiry is on regarding the emergence of a sinister new form of ads the media has dubbed ‘propagandads’, which uses compelling subliminal messages to subtly rewire people’s minds and influence their actions.Even as Shukrat grapples with the question: ‘How does an anchor move on?’ he is summoned to testify in the trial concerning the killing of his ex-boss, Satya Saachi Sengupta, the mysterious and towering figure in his life, whose connections with this insidious mind manipulation scheme can no longer be denied.Being a key witness present at the scene of the crime, Shukrat must prepare to bare all before the court and tread carefully lest his testimony boomerangs on him.Gripping and darkly humorous, End of Story? is an intriguing and intelligent thriller about the dystopian possibilities of everyday advertising.

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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of BooksWe discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

I am in the midst of reading:


The Ares Decision by Robert Ludlum and Kyle Mills

The Aryavarta Chronicles Book 1: Govinda by Krishna Udayasankar

Gifts Not Yet Given by Kergan Edwards-Stout 

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Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!
I am NOT musing about anything from the above. I will talk about one of my least known DIY thingy! I am fond of pouches. I used to buy all kinds of the same. But now I am making those out scraps. You can see four of those in my Saturday Snapshot post. But I made another one and posting pictures of the same here: 



Saturday, October 12, 2013

Dewey’s 24-hour Read-a-Thon: Hour 4 and my start point!!



This is NOT good. It is hour 4 and I have not started reading as yet. Not my fault. Of all day, today I had to go out for various reason. I just couldn't avoid that. But as they say, better late than never. So here I am starting NOW.

And read what? I will read a novel based on one of our Epics. The Aryavarta Chronicles Book 1: Govinda by Krishna Udayasankar

HONOUR. DESIRE. VENGEANCE.

Aryavarta - the ancient realm of the noble.

For generations, the Firstborn dynasty of scholar-sages, descendants of Vasishta Varuni and protectors of the Divine Order on earth, has dominated here. For just as long, the Angirasa family of Firewrights, weapon-makers to the kings and master inventors, has defied them. In the aftermath of the centuries-long conflict between the two orders, the once-united empire of Aryavarta lies splintered, a shadow of its former glorious self.

Now, the last Secret Keeper of the Firewrights is dead, killed by a violent hand, and the battle for supreme power in the empire is about to begin.

As mighty powers hurtle towards a bloody conflict, Govinda Shauri, cowherd-turned-prince and now Commander of the armies of Dwaraka, must use all his cunning to counter deception and treachery if he is to protect his people and those whom he loves.
But who holds the key to the fantastic and startling knowledge of the Firewrights, which in the wrong hands will bring doom upon the empire? And does Govinda have it in him to confront the dark secrets of his past and discover the true meaning of being Arya, of being noble?

Saturday Snapshot: October 12, 2013

Pouches made from scraps. The first one is made by my mom. The other three are made by me. I do have interests other than reading. I can sew well. Not as good as my mom but decent enough....



Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy now. It was started by Alyce of At Home With books

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Monday: Mailbox/What am I Reading?/Musings

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. October host  is Gina @ Book Dragon's Lair.

I received the following two novels from hachette India:

1) The Book of Why by Nicholas Montemarano:

Eric Newborn is used to dealing with people whose lives are in crisis; he's the bestselling author of several motivational books, and an inspirational speaker. When Eric's wife dies, he finds that grief renders him helpless. There is no easy cure, no platitude to comfort him, no replacement with which to fill the deep trough of his loss. So he retreats, with his female dog, Ralph, to his isolated home on Martha's Vineyard. Five years later, on a wild, storm-wracked night, a car crashes at the end of Eric's lane and a woman turns up at his door, seeking help. Sam is a fan who has tracked him down, convinced that Eric will sort out the co-incidences that have both destroyed and coloured her life. As Eric and Sam spin around one another like constellations in a greater universe, they set out to search for answers to their questions, and to find some meaning in the signs that we all see. A powerful love story and an evocative exploration of the mechanics of the soul, THE BOOK OF WHY is a tender, thought-provoking novel which also addresses intricate questions about the nature of human joy.

2) The Aryavarta Chronicles Book 2: Kaurava by Krishna Udayasankar:


Nothing left to fight for is nothing left to lose...


Emperor Dharma Yudhisthir of the Kauravas and Empress Panchali Draupadi rule over a unified Aryavarta, an empire built for them by Govinda Shauri with the blessings of the Firstborn and by the might of those whom everyone believes long gone – the Firewrights.
Now the Firewrights rise from the ashes of the past, divided as before in purpose and allegiance, and no one, it seems, can stand in the way of the chaos about to be unleashed on the land – not the Firstborn, not the kings of Aryavarta, and not Govinda Shauri.

As sinister plans are put in play and treacherous alliances emerge, Aryavarta transforms into its own worst enemy. Dharma Yudhisthir gambles away his empire, the tormented empress is forced into a terrifying exile and the many nations of the realm begin to take up arms in a bid to fight, conquer and destroy each other.

His every dream shattered, Govinda is left a broken man. The only way he can protect Aryavarta and the woman in whose trusted hands he had left it is by playing a dangerous game. But can he bring himself to reveal the terrible secrets that the Vyasa has protected all his life – secrets that may well destroy the Firstborn, and the Firewrights with them?

The Book of Why seems like a self help book. I do not think I will read it. Kaurava is based on Mahabharata, one of our Sanskrit Epics. It sounds interesting but I need to read the Book 1 first. I have requested the same from the publicist!
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Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of BooksWe discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

I am in the midst of reading:

The Ares Decision by Robert Ludlum and Kyle Mills

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…
• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! 
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!
All of you are aware that I am not reading much. So I have been refusing reviews copies and also had stopped soliciting for the same. There are a few publicist who continue to send me copies. After a gap, I have again started to accept offers of reviewing and have been asking for interesting novels to read/review. Wot say folks? Am I doing good?!

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Saturday Snapshot: October 5, 2013

One of my favourite temples in Delhi. I visited this on September 30.


Saturday Snapshot, hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy now. It was started by Alyce of At Home With books

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Booking Through Pointed

btt button

Which is better (or preferred) … stories with multiple character points of view? Or stories that stick to just one or two at most? And, why?

I prefer stories with just one or two at most point(s) of view. That way, there is less confusion. When there are multiple points of view, I tend to get sidetracked and have to go back. Two many points of view sometimes create unnecessary diversions or leave too many loose ends.