Book Blitz- Bewitched by Ruchi Singh

About the Book:

The eternal dance of attraction, lust and love has been going on since time immemorial.

The divine apsara Menaka descends to Earth at Indra’s behest to distract the sage Vishwamitra from the penance that would bring him unimaginable powers. Menaka succeeds in bewitching Vishwamitra, but her actions are destined to have dire consequences for both.

Eons later, their story is set to repeat itself.

Poorva has always played by society’s rules and ideas of decorum. But what happens when her own loved ones betray her in the worst way imaginable? Does she still have to remain bound by their rules?

Rudra plays with power and people like they are pieces on a chessboard. He has no qualms about indulging his desires, be it money or women, but is determined not to be bound by either.

What happens when these two diametrically opposite souls are brought together by fate?

In the game of power, lust, greed and betrayal, some win and some lose. But are there any winners or losers in the game of love?

Like Menaka and Vishwamitra, are Poorva and Rudra too destined to see their story end in tragedy? Or will the divine power prevail?

Standalone novel from the author of #Bestseller 'The Bodyguard' - Undercover Series #1

Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon India * Amazon US

Read an Excerpt from Bewitched

The seat had remained vacant, and it reminded her of the premiere night and Samar’s friend… no, Rudra Pratap Maurya. 

Well, he was something. Full of confidence and a little too forward, which normally was the result of being born with a silver spoon. Who would know that better than she? But she wasn’t brash, quite the opposite. Would she be meeting him again today? She might. The thought incited a flutter in her heart. 

Twice during her performance in the last month, she had experienced the same kind of flutter and was reminded of him. Why? She shouldn’t be thinking about another man. She had no right.

A loud noise in the living room brought her out of her troubled thoughts. Mansi was bustling around in the suite and must have dropped something. She would be busy packing their things. They had been living here for more than a month and it was almost like shifting house. 

With a stifled yawn, Poorva got out of bed. Mansi was ready with her morning cup of tea when she came out of her bedroom. 

“He is a womanizer, and from a gangster family to boot!” Mansi declared.

Poorva frowned and picked up the cup. “Who?”

“Rudra Pratap Maurya, or RPM as he is called in his circles. I googled him. His grandfather was rumored to be a don in Mumbai, involved in arms, drugs, and the like.”

“Rumored?”

“And this man RPM… though he doesn’t have anything illegal under his name,” Mansi went on as if she hadn’t heard her, “…last year he had hooked up with three different women.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“He is after you.”

“Mansi, come on!” Poorva sat in the balcony chair and yawned again.

“I saw him at the party and then yesterday, he was spinning a yarn about being there at the parking lot just like that. He must have been at the show last night. He has this glint in his eyes, full of lust when he looks at you.”

“Lust! Only?” She laughed at Mansi’s dramatic exaggeration, “Thank you. I’ll be on my guard if I meet him again.”

“If? You are meeting him in an hour.”

Amused, Poorva looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“I’ll not take this month’s salary if he is not present at today’s brunch.”

Poorva’s phone pinged bringing the bizarre conversation to an end.

About the Author:

Author of Amazon Bestseller Romantic Thriller 'The Bodyguard', Ruchi Singh is an IT Professional & Novelist, writing stories under Romance & Suspense Genre. She is a bilingual author and writes in both English & Hindi.

Winner of TOI WriteIndia Season 1, Ruchi also publishes romantic short reads under 'Hearts & Hots' collection, besides being a contributing author to many anthologies.

 

A voracious reader, she loves everything—from classics to memoirs to editorials to chick-lit, but her favourite genre is ‘romantic thriller’. Besides writing and reading, her other interests include dabbling with Indian classical dance forms.

Contact the Author:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

Review- Girl Next Door by Arpit Vageria

 BOOK SUMMARY:

After that terrible night fifteen years ago, Ishaan had vowed to never
return to his hometown. But when has destiny been so kind to our
plans!
When Ishaan thought life was at its best, the world was hit by a deadly
pandemic. India went under complete lockdown, and he unwillingly
ended up at a house he once called home.
He isn’t prepared to stay in Bhopal for an entire month. That too
with the father he doesn’t relate to anymore, an elder brother who
broke his trust, and a mother who didn’t stand for him all those
years ago. He is figuring out what to do, when he fell in love with
The Girl Next Door.
Ruhi is a well-known choreographer and the chief minister’s daughter,
back home for the lockdown. As much as people were staying away
from each other, Ishaan’s and Ruhi’s hearts were coming closer to beat as one - in the 90’s way.
Their love was breathing the 1990s in 2020.
Will this lockdown teach Ishaan to love once again? Will he learn the true meaning of forgiveness?
Will his love story be eclipsed by the life-threatening pandemic?
This extraordinary story of love will melt your heart and make you believe in the power of true love.

Release date: September 14th 2020

Published by: Srishti Publishers & Distributors 

Page numbers: 216

REVIEW: 

Although the author has quite a few books in his name, Girl Next Door was the first book of Arpit Vageria that I read. There are two reasons why I was attracted to the book. I had watched Srishti Publisher and Distributor's Arup Bose interview Arpit and I found the author's personality to be quite energetic, positive and cheerful and so I was naturally inquisitive to know all about his book. Even though I do not read romances, I was drawn to the lockdown love story as I was quite curious to read about the worldwide lockdown in fiction. 

While we have all read heaps and heaps of articles and studies about the Coronavirus, and we have seen videos of stuff people were up to all over the world during the lockdown, we haven't read it much in fiction yet. Although the name of the virus and everything related to it was changed, it was quite refreshing to read about the memories created during the lockdown in a typical desi household. We all have some or the other interesting story to tell from the time, and the author managed to do it quite well. Most of the things going around the main characters' neighbourhood were relatable and brought back memories from the lockdown. 

The story of Girl Next Door was your typical filmy, entertaining story with loads of drama which sometimes got on my nerves because of how unrealistic it seemed. While the romance between the main characters Ishaan and Ruhi made me nostalgic as it brought back memories from the 90s, I felt it lacked depth at times due the lack of glimpses into their actual bonding. That is understandable though, because most Indian romances focus more on family than the actual romance. I would have honestly loved a few more deep talks that Ishaan and Ruhi must have (hopefully) shared. 

All the side characters in the book from Ishaan and Ruhi's families to their friends and neighbours were very well portrayed and developed. This story is all about being apart for years and how the virus was actually a blessing in disguise for both individuals and the wonderful planet we inhabit by making both better. Making mistakes, accepting them, forgiving those involved and yourself in the process... author Arpit Vageria portrayed it all amazingly well in his simple writing and captivating storytelling. 

Overall, quite an adorable romance and although at times over dramatic, this was still a wonderful story that will bring back memories from your childhood, from the lockdown and will leave you both smiling and heartbroken by the end. The biggest advantage is that it's also a quick paced read, so do give it a go! 

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

Book Blitz- In Debt To Her Millionaire Foe (Millionaire Quartet #2) by Aarti V Raman

 

She Hates Him But She’s In Debt To Her Millionaire Foe 

Releasing on 25th October

About the Book:

When the songbird owes the business tycoon...

Former gangster, Devansh Thackeray has finally managed to carve the life he’s always aspired to.
Building a chain of seven-star hotels all over the world, a reputation for being an honest businessman...and all the women he could ask for.
Ansh’s life is perfect. Or so he thinks.
Because he is about to hit by a lightning bolt from the past that’ll make him question everything he’s worked so hard for.
And her name is Kahini Palekar.
Kahini’s life is a nightmare.
She works three jobs to pay off the loan sharks circling her.
But, Kahini doesn’t mind because she also gets to do the only thing she’s always wanted to do.
Sing.
Even if it is at a shady nightclub in the backstreets of Goa, the beach paradise of India. 
Kahini’s day of reckoning arrives when Ansh arrives back in her life, right when she’s almost assaulted by the manager of the nightclub.
Ansh offers both salvation from her debt and a chance to sing at the most exclusive wedding of the decade.
But there’s just one catch.
Kahini hates Ansh’s living guts and blames him for the destruction of her life.
Even though he was the boy she once recklessly gave her heart to.
Can Ansh get to the bottom of the problems plaguing Kahini or will this songbird fly away again after repaying her debt to him? 
Meet the Millionaire Foes - rising from ruin through ruthless ambition, these self-made tycoons have everything. Except, the heart of the one woman who means everything.

The Millionaire Foe Quartet series contains four steamy romances set around the world, each of which can be read as a standalone. 

Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon India * Amazon US

Read an Excerpt from In Debt To Her Millionaire Foe (Millionaire Foe Quartet # 2)

Ansh entered the bar when the lights had dimmed, already in a foul mood from the altercation he’d had outside Grungy’s.

The term “bar” was a loose translation for what the seedy confines really were. It was set in a shady part of Calangute Beach, where the locals lived. It was not the area the posh, firang tourists frequented. The air here smelled of brine and fish and cheap liquor.

The smell of the ocean was everywhere.

It was, after all, Goa the beach paradise of India.

And to everyone who came here, it promised nothing but a good time.

The patrons of Grungy’s, the small-time bar that operated till four in the morning during season, had that look about them. They were local men, embittered and looking for cheap thrills. And some willing victim to provide that for them.

Ansh knew the type. They resented the tourists for showing up and flinging their foreign currency around and expecting their silly demands of room temperature water and late-night cruises to be catered to.

And they really resented needing the silly tourists and their foreign currency too.

A classic catch-22.

But, tonight, these patrons, and that was a loose term too for what the customers of Grungy’s were, were not looking for foreign currency or cheap thrills.

They were all gathered on the rickety tables that the bar owner had graciously provided and murmuring amongst themselves while the poorly-named stage was being set up.

She was the main act tonight.

Ansh frowned and sank deeper into his chair while the bar-back set him up with a glass of the local feni – a local toddy made from fermented coconut water and rum. He frowned deeper when he saw the lipstick mark around the edge of the shot glass and gingerly cleaned the lip with his monogrammed handkerchief.

Places like these reminded Devansh Thackeray of his squalid past.

He couldn’t stand them anymore.

Then, the spotlight hit the stage. The band struck a chord and a woman in black walked up to the mike.

Ansh sat up straighter.

Was she going to start stripping or something? He hadn’t heard the best things about these places on the wharf and this one didn’t have a stellar reputation either.

And, what the hell was she doing here anyway?

He’d sent her plenty of funds seven years ago, deposited in the account her brother had set up for both of them when he had turned eighteen.

Kahini had enough money to keep her in style, because he’d instructed the company’s bankers to always replenish the funds in that account should the need ever arise. The need had never risen, to the best of his knowledge. Even though he knew the money would never bring back her dead brother.

So, was she doing this for kicks?

Some poor little rich kid slumming it thing that all the society madams were doing these days?

He honestly had no idea. And that ate at his insides, like the strength of the feni he’d gingerly taken a sip out of.

Ansh had come here to find out what the hell she’d been up to the last seven years. Since the last time he’d seen her and she’d flung bitter, accusing words at him.

About the Author:

Hi, I’m Aarti V Raman aka Writer Gal. I have been a former journalist, editor, and even a sometime-teacher before I plunged into my dream job. That of being a full-time writer.

In fact, my three favorite words are ‘happily ever after.’

This comes in handy as I primarily write bestselling contemporary romantic women’s fiction, which is all about living happily, after going through some hard times.

My more notable works include the Geeks of Caltech and Royals of Stellangård series, Something Old, Something New, More Than You Want, and The Perfect Fake among others. My chicklit family drama, The Worst Daughter Ever, has been picked up for screen adaptation.

I always love to hang with you, my dear reader friend. I’ve created Writer Gal’s Reader Pals on Facebook for this reason and I hope to see you there.

If not, I’m there on all social media as @aartivraman but I’m most active on Instagram. 

Aarti on the Web:
Newsletter * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter * Facebook Group

Cover Reveal- Love, Scandal, and Second Chances by Shilpa Suraj

~ Cover Reveal ~

Love, Scandal, and Second Chances
by Shilpa Suraj

About the Book:

Arav has only ever loved one woman, Disha. But, she broke his heart to further her ambitions. 
Years later, she's achieved everything she set out to but at a steep price. She wants to come home but home doesn't want her and her work won't let her.
Arav knows Disha needs his help and the boy he once was can't walk away. 
But while his heart is large enough to forgive, it hasn't forgotten. 
Can they overcome the bitter hurt of their shared past, face the scandalous present and find their way back to each other? Is this their second chance at love or a first chance at redemption?

About the Author:

Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.

Contact the Author:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Newsletter

How to Host a Virtual Book Swap

 Title: How to Host a Virtual Book Swap 

Need something new to read but you’re not quite sure what? Why not try hosting a virtual book swap with your friends and family? (Sometimes the people who know you the best can give you the best book recommendations!) 

The team at Wikibuy created these fun virtual book swap wishlists. 

Here’s how the idea works. It’s sort of like Secret Santa — but for books. You gather a group of people and have everyone fill out these wishlists. Then, everyone lists the last few books they’ve read and what they want to read in the future. 

After everyone has filled out their wishlist, you redistribute the wishlists so that everyone has someone else’s. Then, everyone finds a book from their personal library that matches the wishlist they received and mails that book to the wishlist recipient. Exciting, right? 

There’s a kid-friendly version where the little ones can draw pictures relating to the types of books they’d like to receive, as well as an adult version. Give this fun book swap idea a try! 

Review- The Rules of Enchantment by Wendy Tardieu

The Rules of Enchantment on Goodreads

It had been a long time since I read a fantasy novel, so when the publishing house TCK Publishing contacted me about The Rules of Enchantment, I knew I had to pick it up because the summary sounded quite interesting. While I've been on a break from fiction for quite some time now, I thought it would be difficult for me to get into the book and while it did take me longer than usual to finish it, I must say that the minute I started reading this book, I was immediately drawn into a new world full of magic and madness. 

The Rules of Enchantment at its heart is a teacher student romance where Kyler, a scribe, is sent to change the fate of magic under her Master, the sorcerer Leith. While the tension between the two was quite obvious, the romance seemed to be ever so slightly sprinkled here and there. I wouldn't really call this a romance as other than a few sensual scenes, there really wasn't much of a romantic development between Kyler and Leith. 

Coming to the plot of the book, it was quite well thought of and written. Author Wendy Tardieu's writing is easy to follow and her storytelling has a very intriguing charm to it. A short read that'll keep the reader wanting to know more, this book is of the perfect length- not too long, not too short, it's just enough to keep the reader curious and solve all their doubts and problems. 

Overall, this book was a refreshing change from the books I have been reading recently. I did find it hard to stick to it, and at times, even keep a track of what's going on, but overall, the joy of getting into a new world provided an escape to reality, which pretty much fulfils the purpose of a fictional story. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to get into fantasy. A die hard fan of the genre has definitely read better, but this is a great one for a beginner! 

Cover Reveal- The Wrath of Hellfires by Shatrujeet Nath

Patience is a Drawn Bow.
Rage, its Relentless Arrow.

Shukracharya’s plan to break the unity of Vikramaditya’s Council has borne bitter fruit. Friends have become sworn enemies, and brother has turned against brother, setting Avanti on the path to self-destruction.

Even as Vikramaditya prepares to counter a Huna invasion, a rebellion brews within Ujjayini, while a devious conspiracy is hatched to humiliate him. With Indra’s spies swarming the palace and Shukracharya making a bold bid to take the Halahala, the king is dangerously close to the brink of defeat.

Alone and abandoned by those dear to him, fighting to protect his wife and his people, trying his best to keep his promise to Shiva, will the Samrat rise one last time to defend his love, his city and his honour?

As the asura and deva forces muster in a final, desperate gamble to claim the Halahala, The Wrath of the Hellfires brings an explosive conclusion to Vikramaditya’s epic tale of action and adventure.

Other Books in the Series:

About the Author:

Shatrujeet Nath is the creator of the runaway national bestseller series Vikramaditya Veergatha, a four-book mytho-fantasy arc which comprises The Guardians of the Halahala, The Conspiracy at Meru, The Vengeance of Indra and The Wrath of the Hellfires. Described as “a new face to Indian mythology” by DNA, Shatrujeet writes for movies and web shows as well. His also the author of The Karachi Deception, an Indo-Pak spy thriller.

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