Review- The Isapuram Tales by Anita Satyajit

Book 1- The Chameleon Effects and Other Stories

Book 2- Lights, Camera, Action and Other Stories 

  BOOK SUMMARY:

Book 2- 

"Opposite game?" asked Diya. This sounded interesting. She was always interested in new games. So much fun!

Diya loves her family and friends, hates home-work, has a vivid imagination, gets into trouble, and thinks elders don't understand children! She is also super curious about everything. When her head and heart start buzzing with doubts or confusions, Diya heads straight to Baba for answers. After all, Baba is a spiritual teacher, the most respected man in Isapuram.

Lights, Camera, Action and other stories is a book about intuition, emotions, friendships, life and death. These short stories are based on the everyday lives of Diya, her friends, and their interactions with Baba.

What are the invisible ears? What happens when Diya misunderstands Biju? Can Diya understand how to deal with anger? Read the book to know more!

Release date: July 15th 2020 and January 31st 2020

REVIEW: 

What a joy it is to read children’s books!

Author Anita Satyajit has truly created something heartwarming and enjoyable with her Isapuram Tales, stories packed with fun and some important life lessons. The kind of wisdom shared in this wonderful collection of short stories is something that takes years and years to understand. To have put it in a manner that is comfortable, easy and interesting for children is something Anita has excelled at. Even for adults like me, the two books in Isapuram Tales were a walk down memory lane, providing me a good couple of hours of escape from reality but in its beautiful way, telling me all about reality itself. Not a dull moment even once, the stories in this collection are packed with love, laughter, wisdom, lessons and friendship.

Diya, like any kid, is a curious cat and wants to know all about the world. Luckily for her, the mystic Baba is her neighbour and is more than happy to impart his wisdom to the young minds. Baba’s character really stood out and was well done, in the sense that he seemed like someone we would all like to meet and know. Diya herself was a spark of positive and hopeful energy. With lessons about almost all the important things in life, explained in a way that is not only easy to understand, but also intriguing to read about, packed with some teasing and an easygoing adult-child friendship, Diya and Baba made for an amazing duo.

The best part about buying these books is that the proceeds will go to charity, which speaks volumes about the author. I would highly recommend these books not just for the cause which is resin enough honestly, but these stories are gems that I see children cherishing and finding a home in.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Anita Satyajit in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- The People Tree by Beetashok Chatterjee

  BOOK SUMMARY:

Do you want to read stories that will take you to places all over this country and to faraway lands? Do you also want to read stories that will take you back in time—decades, even centuries? Then you must taste the fruit of The People Tree. Here are fourteen stories for you, a veritable potpourri of tales, each different from the other in style and substance. From the Khalistan insurgency in Punjab to a glimpse of the Mumbai underworld. From a doomed love affair in Hyderabad to a mature gay relationship. From a lifelong friendship formed in unusual circumstances to the pangs of a schoolboy crush to robbing an art museum there is something in this collection for everybody. And more. Love, loss, survival, lust, deception, greed Beetashok Chatterjee has covered them all. And more. 

Release date: July 1st 2021

Published by: Readomania

Page numbers: 192

REVIEW: 

Author Beetashok Chatterjee’s second book, The People Tree - the first being Driftwood - is a collection of fourteen short stories. Firstly, the title of this collection is so apt and creative, just like it’s cover. For a book to have a catchy title and an attractive cover is already a huge plus. To add to it, however, the contents of this book are also brilliant, which is the cherry on the cake, making The People Tree a must read.

While one story talks about a mature homosexual relationship, another talks about the relation between parents and children. Then there are stories about the Khalistan insurgence in Punjab and the 9/11 tragedy. Then there’s a story about heartbreak, one about gambling and another about a love that ended too soon. And these are only few of them. There are many more brilliant stories that are bound to keep the reader engrossed, escaping reality for a while.

All the stories in this collection take the reader on a journey that explores the entire plethora of human emotions in a manner that is relatable, simple and heartwarming. Written in a language that is crisp, easygoing and flawless makes the book even better. The only drawback with this collection is that it is too short. Author Beetashok Chatterjee’s storytelling and writing are such that they make the reader want more. There’s something truly captivating about them.

Overall, The People Tree is a lovely and brilliant collection that I see myself going back to at some point and highly recommend to all readers.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Readomania in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- Beautiful Mess by Yuktha Asrani

  BOOK SUMMARY:

Whoever said you can’t have your cake and eat it too, had yet to meet Chirag Malhotra. Born into wealth and fame, Chirag has a life many could only dream of. Constantly on a winning streak with the ladies, Chirag is the most sought-after bachelor in Delhi. The unexpected strikes and Chirag is smitten from the moment a curly-haired hot mess steps out of a plane. Kajol is completely off-limits, but the sparks between them can melt glaciers.

Kajol Kapoor is down in the dumps, living a hard life in New York City. But a surprise thrown her way turns her life topsy-turvy. It just so happens that Kajol needs a favour and Chirag is more than happy to oblige. Chirag is her best friend’s brother. He is the one-man Kajol truly wants but knows she can’t have. She hopes to mask her insane attraction for him just like she had been doing in the past. As Kajol gets to know the real Chirag, she discovers there is more to the man behind the fat bank account and the Casanova image.

Would she complete her project with her heart intact, or would she give into temptation?

Release date: July 16th 2021

Published by: Self-published

Page numbers: 306

REVIEW: 

After reading and enjoying author Yuktha Asrani’s first novel, Handcuffed to Love, the sweet story of Saanvi and Sean, I was pretty excited to read her new one, Beautiful Mess. This book is the love story of Kajol and Chirag, Saanvi’s best friend and brother. The two obviously made an appearance in the first book, which- when I look back now- was just the right amount of tease for readers to be intrigued by their chemistry.

Kajol is going through a rough patch when the news of her grandmother leaving her all property hits here out of nowhere. Keen on making something of this situation, she decides to travel to Delhi from New York to work on turning the house into a BnB, with the help of her best friend’s Saanvi’s brother, Chirag. From the sweet to the sizzling scenes, Kajol ans Chirag are an instant hit. Their story is full of everything that makes a romance novel work.

Not as good as Handcuffed to Love, Beautiful Mess, in its own way, is a beautiful story of two wonderful people who take us through their amazing journey. While the book was slightly slow paced, all that was happening kind of made up for it by keeping the reader curious about what would follow. Not the biggest fan of romances, this one took me a while to finish and managed to keep me entertained. It was a good escape from reality!

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Yuktha Asrani in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review: That's True, I Love Her by Priyanka M.A. Singh

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Hardly anyone ever understood where they will find love and what face will it carry. That’s True, I Love Her, the deal is a modern love story tale takes you from the heart of Hyderabad all the way to Thailand where Ammara is trying very hard to forget her boyfriend. Little does she know that after coming back to India, her life will never be the same.

That’s True, I Love Her will leave you wanting more when Ammara will realize her true sexual nature.

Spread across three novels and 2 different countries, That’s True, I Love Her tells the story of love, LGBT constraints in India, and how strong love is all you need to fight against all odds.

Release date: August 1st 2020

Published by: Kalamos Literary Services LLP

REVIEW: 

Coming across a female/ female romance by an Indian author had me sigh in relief as it’s often the L part of LGBTQIA+ that gets ignored. While the book cover isn’t exactly impressive, just knowing that it’s something refreshing was enough, which is the reason why I decided to pick up That’s True, I Love Her.

While there were many recurring errors in the language, author Priyanka M. A. Singh’s writing is easy to follow and understand, which automatically makes it accessible to a wider audience and that’s a huge advantage because it comes with a really simple message and that is: love is love. The story itself seemed to focus more on a holiday that the protagonist goes on, rather than the development of a same sex couple relationship, which wasn’t undesirable. A deeper look into the ways of the heart would have been better.

The standout in this book was the portrayal of a few other relationships, like the one between the main character and her parents and her friends Abraham and Shekhar, which, as a same sex relationship, was extremely well done. The scenes from a holiday in Thailand brought back many memories of the gorgeous country, which is always a plus.

Not exactly a unique or even great read, That’s True, I Love Her comes with the promise of more, so that’s definitely something to look forward to. An easy quick read, this book has to be applauded for talking about love in the simplest manner, just the way it should be.

Review: Catch Me 'Cause I'm Falling by Rathnakumar Raghunath

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Catch Me 'Cause I'm Falling
Digital Pride Series by Rathnakumar Raghunath


Lately, everything was making Abhi cry. He was kicked out of class for showing up drunk. His parents were getting a divorce. And to make matters worse, Shray, his boyfriend of two years, told him it was over between them.

From Rathnakumar Raghunath, the author of Elevator, comes a new piece of Flash Fiction just in time for Pride Month.

Release date: June 25th 2021

Page numbers: 9

REVIEW: 

With relatable characters, simple yet brilliant writing and a story that’s emotional and adorable, Catch Me ‘Cause I’m Falling by Rathnakumar Raghunath is a quick read that is guaranteed to leave you feeling warm and hopeful.

Review: Retrouve-moi ce soir (Meet Me Tonight) by Florian Parent

BOOK SUMMARY:

Une romance science-fiction moderne.

Et si rêver était la plus belle chose qu'ils avaient à vivre ? Une histoire d'amour hors du temps qui dépasse les frontières du rêve et les barrières de leur confinement.

Lior est un jeune Californien qui consomme l’amour en swipant sur son smartphone, à la recherche du coup de foudre. Suite à la pandémie du Covid-19, il décide de partir avec ses amis au Lake Tahoe le temps du confinement.

Quelques semaines plus tard, un midi, Lior leur raconte un rêve très étrange qu’il a fait. Étrange dans le sens beaucoup trop réaliste. Dans son rêve, il rencontre Julian, un homme brun et très séduisant. Une rencontre digne d’un film. Le genre de rencontre dont il fantasme depuis toujours, et bien plus excitante qu’un match sur une application dans la vraie vie. Mais, malgré son excitation, son réveil mit fin à son rêve et à sa romance avec Julian.

Ce qu’il ne sait pas encore, c’est que ce rêve n’est que le début d’une longue histoire.

Release date: March 2021

REVIEW: 

When I first came across Retrouve-moi ce soir, I was quite intrigued by the whole idea of a French novel set in San Francisco during the COVID-19 global lockdown of 2020. Author Florian Parent was kind to offer me a copy of his book, which I read in French but to make the review accessible to the majority of you, it’s going to be in English.

The pandemic and the lockdown which followed have been quite a rollercoaster for almost all of us, which is what made this book a relatable and heartwarming one. There was a sense of reassurance in knowing that although we all live in different parts of the world, emotionally, we’re all more or less the same and we go through similar experiences which connect us in a way even technology can’t.

Divided into three parts, the first two parts of Retrouve-moi ce soir are dedicated to a third person narration from the points of view of our protagonists Lior and Dorian, who dream of meeting their soulmate in a manner that seems real and super adorable. In the last part of the book, and this is where the science fiction aspect which I was apprehensive about, comes into the picture in the simplest, most brilliant manner. From confusion regarding lockdown announcements to work from home scenes to trying to make the most of the quarantine period to online sessions to experimenting with cooking and yoga, there was so much in this book that brought back memories of 2020- the nice ones, mind you. 

Florian Parent, with his true to life characters, endearing storytelling and impressive writing, has managed to create a lovely space for this book not only on the shelves of readers but in their hearts as well. An adorable, heartwarming and simply great read, Retrouve-moi ce soir is written in a simple, straightforward manner that left me with a smile on my face and a peaceful warmth in my heart.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Florian Parent in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- Ithalar Tea Party by Akshath Jaganmohan

  BOOK SUMMARY:

On 11 August 1950, Constable Selvam and the other policemen from the quaint little town of Ithalar in the Nilgiris, find the dead body of Anderson Quill, the owner of the English Ithalar Tea Estate.
The workers of the estate are acting mysteriously. They do not seem to care that their wages would be disturbed by the death of the unheired owner of the estate.
Selvam searches the history of the estate and finds the numerous enemies Anderson Quill had, making the case more difficult by the hour.
The killer, too, works tirelessly to give Selvam clues to get caught. Nobody knows why.
But the biggest mystery is yet to be revealed. Selvam hears one name which gives him the creeps, repeatedly. Velavan 

Release date: January 4th 2021

Published by: Readen Publishing

Page numbers: 240

REVIEW: 

Not super inclined towards picking up murder mysteries, the sole reason I decided to give Ithalar Tea Party a go is because it’s written by a 13 year old and because I hope that, somewhere, via The Readdicts, readers are able to know about this gem of a book.

I have no idea when was the last time I finished reading a book in a day. This book was truly unputdownable. I was hooked right from the first chapter and couldn’t wait at all to see what would happen next. Written in the simplest yet most detailed and meticulous manner that doesn’t get boring even once, this book is fast paced, action packed and truly engrossing.

When the owner of the Ithalar Tea Estate, Anderson Quill, is found dead in his house, inspector Selvam sets out on a mission to find the killer which ends up being one awesome adventure full of mystery and amazing storytelling.

Author Akshath Jaganmohan’s writing is so mature that it had me in awe throughout. Had I not known anything about him, I would never have guessed that it’s written by someone so young. The thorough background information and attention to detail is worth applauding and makes the book extremely interesting.

A tale that takes the reader back in time, keeps them on the edge of their seat, perfectly balances narratives from two different times simultaneously, has some pretty good and well developed characters, is easy to follow and packed with immaculate cultural and historical references, I would highly encourage you to pick up Ithalar Tea Party as it’s a super duper great read.

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Akshath Jaganmohan in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- If I Hadn't Met You by Shalini Ranjan

  BOOK SUMMARY:

“I am Ambika. No one can hear me because…” there was a brief, hectic silence, “I am dead… have been dead for the past eighteen years.”
Dead! No. No way!
It was one thing to suspect it. It was completely another thing to hear it from her.
Beautiful and witty, Tisha Mathur finds her life turn upside down on her eighteenth birthday when she interrupts a havan intended to bring peace to the soul of Ambika. Now, awakened from a slumber of eighteen years, Ambika is back in the real world. And if Tisha wants her normal life back, she only needs to do two things-
1. Help Ambika find her wedding chain that she claims to have never taken apart.
2. Go on a date with Rudra Singh Shekhawat - who Ambika thinks looks like Dev Anand.
What starts as a simple hunt of a lost chain quickly catapults into a somersault as Tisha realizes that someone doesn’t want her asking questions about Ambika… and a horrifying discovery that Ambika might not have committed suicide as is the general belief.

Release date: March 24th 2021

Page numbers: 112

REVIEW: 

The sole reason why I decided to read author Shalini Ranjan’s If I Hadn’t Met You is because it’s a short story, and what an intriguing one it ended up being! The book starts with the untimely deaths of Ambika and her husband which lead to many questions that take a backseat because of a series of other events that are intertwined and interesting.

As someone who has read many books, I sometimes find it easy to figure out where a story is headed but with this, there was so much that I didn’t see coming. This had me on the edge of my seat throughout the course of this story that’s short but packed with action, romance and drama. The author’s writing was easy to follow and the language used is crisp yet simple so even young readers would be able to devour the book.

Starting on a mysterious note and ending on a satisfying one with heaps of engrossing stuff happening in between the two, If I Hadn’t Met You is a great read for when you’re in the mood for something fast paced, engrossing, creepy and fun. If you enjoy reading short stories, you won’t regret picking this one up!

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Shalini Ranjan in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

Review- Us Three by Mia Kerick

 Us Three on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

A Harmony Ink Press Young Adult Title

In his junior year at a public high school, sweet, bright Casey Minton’s biggest worry isn’t being gay. Keeping from being too badly bullied by his so-called friends, a group of girls called the Queen Bees, is more pressing. Nate De Marco has no friends, his tough home life having taken its toll on his reputation, but he’s determined to get through high school. Zander Zane’s story is different: he’s popular, a jock. Zander knows he’s gay, but fellow students don’t, and he’d like to keep it that way.

No one expects much when these three are grouped together for a class project, yet in the process the boys discover each other’s talents and traits, and a new bond forms. But what if Nate, Zander, and Casey fall in love—each with the other and all three together? Not only gay but also a threesome, for them high school becomes infinitely more complicated and maybe even dangerous. To survive and keep their love alive, they must find their individual strengths and courage and stand together, honest and united. If they can do that, they might prevail against the Queen Bees and a student body frightened into silence—and even against their own crippling fears.

Release date: April 3rd 2014

Published by: Harmony Ink Press

Page numbers: 180

REVIEW: 

This wasn’t the first book by Mia Kerick that I read. I have read quite a few of the author’s books in the past which I really enjoyed, that’s why I keep going back for more. Mia very generously offered to gift me a copy of Us Three, and honestly, this book helped me get out of a reading slump, which is awesome.

Something I have read about in Mia’s It Could Happen, Us Three is the story of three guys Nate, Casey and Zander (such beautiful names, eh?), who are in love with each other. It might sound weird, but trust me, Mia’s storytelling and character building make it hard to toss it aside as bizarre. The story is honestly amazing and everything about the three being together just feels right. As a reader, I found myself rooting for all three precious boys, individually and together.

Coming to the characters, Mia has done a remarkable job in not just making each character unique and loveable in their own ways, but also lending them a voice which is true to its character. I swear I could tell you whose pov it is from without any mention of the person because that’s how different and stellar each one was and I developed an emotional connect with each. This happens rarely but I couldn’t help but love all three of them.

An intriguing and engrossing read, there’s so much more I could say about Us Three, but honestly, I’d rather you pick up the book and find out for yourself how beautiful it is. From broken homes to loving families to bullying to standing up for and doing what’s right and so much more, Mia has nailed it with this one. I’m so glad and grateful that I got to read this gem that’s gonna stay with me for a long time to come.

Book Tour: Review- Rivals by Jennifer Lane

Title: Rivals

Author: Jennifer Lane

Genre: Sports Romance

Release Date: March 19, 2021

Cover Design: Dan Irons, Designs by Irons

“I embrace my rival. But only to strangle him.”
~Jean Racine

After landing her dream job as head volleyball coach at Ohio State University, Lauren Chase’s career has become a nightmare. Her only hope of saving her job is to recruit a star player to her team. Too bad the player’s twin has signed a football scholarship for OSU’s chief rival, Michigan. And too bad Michigan coach, Jeremy Trent, sends sparks through Lauren every time they cross paths. But no way will she pursue an attraction to a man who represents the university she hates.

Jeremy detests his boss, and he hopes that signing the nation’s #1 recruit is the ticket he needs to become a head coach himself one day. Lauren Chase is already a head coach, and Jeremy has to admit that she intrigues the hell out of him. He wants to know why her performance has tanked after winning a national championship. He wants to see beneath Lauren’s fast pace and dirty mouth. But he can’t get with a Buckeye, right?

Maybe rivals don’t have to remain enemies. Maybe they can learn to appreciate their opponent’s strengths. And, if they’re lucky—if they excel at the game—maybe rivals can bring out the very best in each other.

 

"Absolutely loved this book. The rivalry was spot on. This book has it all, humor, love and sports." ~Michelle from Besties & Books

"The uncanny portrayal of recruiting high-profile athletes in Rivals completely transported me into the story. I became so invested in Lauren Chase's success! When Coach Chase met Coach Trent, the chance of finding love on the recruiting trail turned into such a charming contest--a game more meaningful than they could ever imagine on the court or field." ~Gwynn Harrison, Head Swim Coach, Bridgewater College

"Fun read that captures the best of the greatest sports rivalry in the midst of a smoldering romance."~Kevin Kropf

REVIEW: 

When I had the opportunity to read an ARC of author Jennifer Lane’s book, Rivals, I had to grab it because she’s one writer who does romances really well, mixed with sports and psychology- two of her fields of interests, and I’ve previously read and loved her sports romances Streamline and the Blocked series. Besides, I trust her fully and blindly to write and share the most awesome stories. I knew Rivals would show a newer, better and more brilliant side of Jen as it’s an adult romance (the others were young adult), and it didn’t disappoint even one bit.

While not the most well versed (in fact, not all all) with American sports, I found myself having a great time trying to understand how the system of college sports works when coaches of rival teams, Lauren and Jeremy who, while on a mission to recruit student-athletes, start to fall in love. From the twins Emma and Evan, they each get one and it was adorable and amusing to read about their journey with the students. As a teacher myself, I really loved the student teacher bond which was portrayed in the most astounding and relatable manner.

For someone like me who isn’t into reading about it, reading the sports scenes was fun and I never once felt lost or disinterested in knowing what was going on. The highlight of the book, however, was the romance was sizzling, saccharine and super fun. I found myself enjoying the banter between our two main characters. Jeremy’s firm, calm and understanding personality was the perfect match for Lauren’s feisty, fun and strong one- a perfect couple whose romance was enjoyable, hot and sweet.

Rivals is another great read by Jen Lane. While I do find it difficult to read e-books, this one had me wanting to read more and more, to the point where I hope Jen is considering writing a sequel (hint, hint) as I’d love to know more about the excellent couple that’s Lauren and Jeremy.

I did some makeup inspired by the state sports team colours mentioned in the book! Here's the look: 

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Psychologist/author (psycho author) Jennifer Lane invites you to her world of sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist!

Jen fell in love with sports at a young age and competed in swimming and volleyball in college. She went on to become the Honda Award Winner for Division III Athlete of the Year. She still gets high from the smell of chlorine and the satisfaction of smashing a beautiful volleyball set.

Jen’s latest novel is Rivals, a romance between coaches from rival universities. Her Blocked trilogy also explores the transformation from hate to love. Particularly in this time of division, Jen’s favorite theme is finding common ground.

A romantic suspense trilogy (The Conduct Series) and a psychological thriller (Twin Sacrifice) complete Jen’s collection of stories. She calls Ohio home and shares writing space with her two trusted feline collaborators: Tuxedo and Tessa.

Whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry. In her spare time, she likes to exercise and visit her amazing sisters in Chicago and Hilton Head.

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