Sunday, August 30, 2015

Sharing: MUSIC IS THE LANGUAGE OF THE SOUL


I enjoy many kinds of Indian music – Carnatic, Hindustani and Bollywood. Recently, I have been lucky enough to attend three music programmes in the span of one month. First it was Shubha Mudagal at Birla Matoshree Hall with my family. The second was a show of old Hindi film songs at Nehru Centre. While the first was awesome, the second was good.

On Friday, I happened to see an event listed on Mumbai Mirror - Hindustani music, songs on Lord Krishna to celebrate the forthcoming Gokulashtami, sung by Kalapini Komkali. It was at NCPA at 6.30 pm. Many times, I have wanted to attend programmes there and decided against it because of the distance and late timings; mainly because I go for these shows by myself as no one else around me is too keen. But this time, some instinct made me just book a ticket through Bookmyshow.com and I left at 5.20 to go for it, all the way to Nariman Point.

Was it worth the effort? Oh Yes! Totally!

The show began on time with a beautiful introduction of the Dark Lord (Krishna, who else did you think it was?) that set the mood for the evening. Mr. Atul Tiwari presented a few stories in between the Bhajans sung by Kalapini Komkali. Those were in Hindi and English and I could understand and enjoy those.

The Bhajans that Kalapini Komkali sang were by Surdas, Meerabai and a couple of other poets. I didn’t understand one word of the lyrics. But the moment she started singing, I felt tears pouring down my eyes. No, I was not upset or anything. Just the music went directly to my heart.

That’s when I experienced for the first time what they mean by MUSIC IS THE LANGUAGE OF THE SOUL. 


Just in case you want to listen to the artist, here's a piece from YouTube...





Saturday, August 29, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No. 63: TROUBLE HAS A NEW NAME by Adite Banerjie






Name of the Book: TROUBLE HAS A NEW NAME
Author: Adite Banerjie

Read some reviews:

1. Rubina Ramesh 
2. Inderpreet Uppal
3. Dola Basu Singh

The Story:

“Will you pretend to be my fiancĂ© for the next few days?”

Recently-single model Rayna Dutt does not feel like flying to her friend’s big fat Indian wedding. But she does - and when a mix up with room allocations forces her to share a luxury villa on Emerald Isle with the gorgeous owner of the hotel - Neel Arora - and best man at the wedding, things begin to look up.

Until Rayna’s ex turns up with a new girl on his arm!

Hitting the panic button, Rayna searches for a solution. Surely Neel wouldn’t mind being her fake fiancĂ©…? In an instant the attraction they share is fever pitch, but when scandal comes calling, Rayna soon finds herself in more trouble than she can handle!

You can also buy @


About The Author 


Adite Banerjie 

Adite Banerjie discovered Mills & Boon romances and their amazing assortment of drool-worthy TDH heroes in her teens. Around the same time she fell in love with song-and-dance Bollywood romances. Growing up in a home with a filmmaker dad who worked in the world’s largest film industry (yes, Bollywood!) and a voracious reader for a mom, it was inevitable that she would come to love both films and books.

During her exciting and fulfilling career as a business journalist, she found the time to indulge her passion for both Bollywood romances and M&Bs. But after years of reporting and writing about the real world, she chose to return to her love for fiction and turned screenwriter. She turned Harlequin author after winning the 2012 Passions Aspiring Authors Contest.

The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal, based on the winning short story for the Harlequin contest, was released in December 2013 in India. Trouble Has a New Name was released in 2014. Both are available in paperback (India) and in the e-book format globally. Her third title (romantic-suspense), No Safe Zone, will be released in May 2016.

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Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No. 62: WEDDING BELLE BLUES by Mia Epsilon





Name of the Book: WEDDING BELLE BLUES
Author: Mia Epsilon

Read some reviews:

1. Christina Mcclellan
2. Kirsten 
3. Jen 

The Story:

Anna is planning the perfect wedding, but she doesn't anticipate her future mother-in-law's offer of help which translates into take over. Her groom-to-be avoids her and insists their growing problems are just 'bridal nerves'. Worst of all, her best friend, Robin, begins to act strange. Everyone around her has his or her own agenda. What's a girl to do when she begins to realize the perfect life she envisioned is all a lie?

Robin has two great loves in his life: his best friend Anna and his motorcycle. Not one to make a scene, he supports Anna in her plan to marry the wrong man and regrets she can't accept his 'dare devil' lifestyle. But when push comes to shove, he's more than willing to make the necessary sacrifice and prove he is the man she needs.

As the wedding date grows closer and plans shift into high gear, Robin and Anna grow closer and not just as friends. Each must decide what the perfect life truly means while trying to negotiate the maze of wedding plans, secrets, and hidden motives. Will someone be left singing the blues?

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About The Author 


Mia Epsilon 

Mia Epsilon is the author of the 'Weddings by C & C' contemporary romance series featuring a location wedding company and set in Hawaii. The first two books, Take a Chance on Me and Wedding Belle Blues, are available now with the third, fourth and fifth due out later this year. A feisty red head, Mia lives with her enduring hubby in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Appalachian Mountains, USA. She's an avid reader of almost anything and loves to be curled up with a great book. She never misses an episode of Doctor Who or Sherlock and happily suffers coffee and chocolate addictions. She can most often be found at her computer spinning new stories or in a quiet padded nook with her e-reader.


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Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No. 61: BOOTIE AND THE BEAST by Falguni Kothari




Name of the Book: BOOTIE AND THE BEAST
Author: Falguni Kothari

Read some reviews:

1. Adite Banerjie
2. Reet Singh
3. Aditi Saha 

The Story:

Opposites attract!

Diya Mathur (Aka Beauty), celebrated supermodel and party princess of India, is adored by everyone. She works hard, plays hard and has the biggest shoe fetish on the planet! But after she purchases one baby bootie, Diyas reputation is in ruins! Theres only one place to escape the rumors - Texas, under the protection of her life-long friend and secret love, Krish Menon (Aka the Beast).

Financial whiz-kid, CFO and entrepreneur, Krish is a brooding workaholic with a charisma that still brings beauty Mathur to her knees! He has no idea, of course! They have shared a bond since childhood - a special friendship that thrives on sparring, teasing and goading-but with Diya back in his life and under his roof Krish finds his latent desire for her explodes! And when he finally admits to the secret that has never allowed him to commit to any woman especially Diya, everything changes. Krish might finally realize how much he wants his Beauty but he wont get her until Diya has finally tamed her Beast!

You can also buy @


About The Author 


Falguni Kothari  

A Mumbaikar at heart, Falguni Kothari lives in New York with her family and a sweet as chocolate Maltese named Truffles. She loathes cooking and flying and holds a fervent hope that teleportation become a viable travel option within her lifetime.

When she is not playing Domestic Goddess, Soccer Mom or Canine Companion, she is found embroiled in some or other scandal—sorry, creating stories—on her ever-faithful laptop. She loves tales of all kinds and is partial to sassy ones with happy-ever-after endings.

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Now for the Rafflecopter: Gather as many points as you want to. The more points you get, the more you have a chance to win it all. Show your love for books.. Tweet, Like and Spread the Word... Thank you for being a Reader... You keep the Authors motivated... This is our way of saying a Thank you :) 

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Friday, August 28, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No. 60: RI: HOMELAND OF UNCERTAINTY by Paulami DuttaGupta





Name of the Book: RI: HOMELAND OF UNCERTAINTY
Author: Paulami DuttaGupta

Read some reviews:

1. Rubina Ramesh 
2. Ruchi Singh 
3. Privy Trifles 

The Story:

Ri- Homeland of Uncertainty is adapted from the National Award Winning Khasi film by the same name.

Trapped in the limbo between ideology and conscience, Manbha finds him himself part of a terror outfit. An unexpected opportunity, anger, squalor and disillusionment - followed by and armed combat and injury lead to the soul- searching that form the substance of this moving tale.

You can also buy @


About The Author 


Paulami DuttaGupta 

Born in Shillong, many moons ago, with schooling at Loreto Convent, and an English Honors from St. Edmunds College, Paulami Duttagupta started her career with All India Radio Shillong. She had written and also given her voice to a few shows there. Later she came down to Kolkata and got a post graduate degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University. She had also taken up a fancy to learning Spanish, but today confesses that she has forgotten most of it.

She has written for ‘The Times of India’ in the ‘Guwahati-Shillong plus Edition’ and also ‘The Shillong Times’. Television had always attracted her and was connected to the Bangla TV industry for about 6 years. She was associated with ETV- Bangla, Akash Bangla and Sony Aath in this period.

Having left her day job in 2012, Paulami took up full time writing. Her first novel, “Pinjar” released in early 2012.

Her second novel “Unplanned Destiny” released in 2014. She is also the screenplay writer of the national award winning Khasi film – “Ri Homeland of Uncertainty”.

“Ri” has been adapted into a novel and is releasing in Sepember’14.

She is currently working on her next project as movie script writer.

Apart from writing full length novels, she has written several short stories and articles. She has also contributed to the “Minds@work Anthology” and the “Family Matters International Anthology” in 2013.

Recently she has contributed to the “Learning and Creativity Anthology” , “Her Story Anthology”, and “Celebrating India – Love across Borders Anthology”.

When she is not writing or watching movies, Paulami is either reading biographies or classic pieces of literature. Cricket, food, cinema, books and music are an integral part of her life.

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Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No. 59: THE NIDHI KAPOOR STORY by Saurabh Garg






Name of the Book: THE NIDHI KAPOOR STORY
Author: Saurabh Garg

Read some reviews:

1. Nimue 
2. book r3vi3ws 
3. Namrata Ganti 

The Story:

Two dogs and a cat are butchered at the home of Nidhi Kapoor, a leading Bollywood actress. Left behind is a mysterious letter threatening Nidhi and her family.

Nishant Kapoor, Nidhi’s father and a superstar of the yesteryears is confined to a retirement facility in the hills. Tormenting him are his recurring dreams of someone trying to hurt him and his family.

A film set where Nidhi Kapoor is shooting for her much anticipated film goes up in flames. Trapped inside are Nidhi and her sister, Payal.

ACP Prakash Mohile is forced to take up the investigation. Rujuta Singh, a photojournalist chronicling the lives of policemen in Mumbai and shadowing Prakash, gets embroiled in the case.

Unwarranted incidents continue to happen and in absence of any real clues or motive, Prakash and Rujuta are forced to dig deeper in the past of the Kapoors. They unknowingly stumble onto a violent tale of lies, betrayal, treachery, infidelity and murder.

Time is running out fast and the unknown assailant is adamant on taking away from Nidhi everything that she holds dear - her career, her home, her reputation, her family and her life. With each move, he seems to be getting close. The answers however continue to elude Prakash and Rujuta.

What is it in their past that Kapoors are hiding from the world?

What grudge does the assailant hold against the Kapoors?

And, can they save Nidhi?


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About The Author 


Saurabh Garg 

Curious marketeer by the day, Saurabh Garg is a storyteller by the night. The Nidhi Kapoor story is his first full-length story.

Apart from writing, Saurabh is passionate about startups, travel and poker. When he is not working on creating characters and plots for his upcoming stories, he likes to meet and talk to other interesting people and ask them stupid questions that often don't have answers.

Saurabh maintains a very elaborate bucket list. The item on top of his list is to visit every country in the world. So far, he's been to 15.

Originally from Delhi and based out of Mumbai, he went to Delhi university and MDI Gurgaon for his undergrad and postgrad respectively.

Stalk him @
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Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No. 58: TAKE 2 by Ruchi Singh






Name of the Book: TAKE 2
Author: Ruchi Singh

Read some reviews:

1. Sundari Venkatraman 
2. Inderpreet Kaur Uppal 
3. Devika Fernando 

The Story:

Priya’s idyllic world turns upside down when she realizes her husband considers her dead weight after stripping her off her inheritance for his ambitions and lavish lifestyle.

Instantly attracted to Priya, Abhimanyu knows getting involved with a married woman is inviting trouble. But despite common sense, cautions and hesitations, he is drawn to help her.

Happily ever after has become a myth for Priya and trying to keep the relationship platonic is becoming more and more difficult for Abhimanyu.

In the tussle between ethics, fears and desires... will Priya embrace a second chance at happiness?

You can also buy @


About The Author 


Ruchi Singh

Ruchi Singh is a novelist, and writes in two genres; romance and romantic thriller. She has a degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as Quality Consultant in the IT field. She began her writing career writing short stories and articles, which have been published on various online forums. She has been a contributing author to many anthologies and has published her first book Take 2, which is a contemporary romance with a spice of social drama.

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.

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Now for the Rafflecopter: Gather as many points as you want to. The more points you get, the more you have a chance to win it all. Show your love for books.. Tweet, Like and Spread the Word... Thank you for being a Reader... You keep the Authors motivated... This is our way of saying a Thank you :) 

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Thursday, August 27, 2015

Tornado Giveaway 2: Book No. 55: THE RUNAWAY BRIDEGROOM by Sundari Venkatraman







Name of the Book: THE RUNAWAY BRIDEGROOM
Author: Sundari Venkatraman

Read some reviews:

1. Rubina Ramesh
2. Inderpreet Kaur Uppal 
3. Sumeetha Manikandan 

The Story:

Chanda Maheshwari’s family is shaken when her thirteen-year-old bridegroom Veerendra runs away immediately after the wedding. The eight-year-old child doesn’t even understand the impact on her life. Unable to face their neighbours and friends, the Maheshwaris move from their village to Jaipur and begin a new life in the city.

Fourteen years later, Chanda is studying in a Delhi College. She takes up a temporary job at RS Software Pvt. Ltd. and falls head-over-heels for the boss of the operation. But what about Ranveer Singh? Is he interested in her?

Ranveer’s secretary Shikha is desperate to make him fall for her. All she wants is life-long security with a rich man. But it’s nerd Abhimanyu who keeps getting in the way. Abhi is Ranveer’s second-in-command and Shikha isn’t keen on him as she’s eyeing the main chance.

When Ranveer appears to show interest in Chanda, she’s faced with a new problem. Astrologer Vidyasagar insists that she would get back with her husband Veerendra. Does anyone want to know what she wants?

Chanda feels torn between the man she has fallen for and the family values that have been instilled in her. Will she ever find happiness?

You can also buy @


About The Author 


Sundari Venkatraman 

Even as a kid, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome as she grew up reading all the fairy tales she could lay her hands on, Phantom comics, Mandrake comics and the like. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end.

Soon, into her teens, Sundari switched her attention from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to a local hero and heroine. Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years.

Then came the writing – a true bolt out of the blue! She could never string two sentences together. While her spoken English had always been excellent – thanks to her Grandpa – she couldn’t write to save her life.

All this changed suddenly one fine day in the year 2000. She had just quit her job as a school admin and didn’t know what to do with her life. She was saturated with simply reading books. That’s when she returned home one evening after her walk, took some sheets of paper and began writing. It was like watching a movie that was running in her head – all those years of visualising Indian heroes and heroines needed an outlet and had to be put into words. That’s how her first novel, The Malhotra Bride, took shape. While she felt discouraged when publishing didn’t happen, it was her husband who kept encouraging her not to give up.

In the meanwhile, she landed a job as Copy Editor with Mumbai Mirror. After working there for two years, she moved to the Network 18 Group and worked with two of their websites over the next six years, as Content Editor.

Despite her work schedule, she continued to write novels and then short stories and had them published in her blogs. She also blogs voraciously, writing on many different topics – travel, book reviews, film reviews, restaurant reviews, spirituality, alternative health and more.

Her first eBook Double Jeopardy – a romance novella – was published by Indireads and has been very well received by readers of romance.

In 2014, Sundari self-published The Malhotra Bride (2nd Edition); Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom; Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set) and Matches Made In Heaven (a collection of romantic short stories).

2015 brought yet another opportunity. Readomania came forward to traditionally publish this book – The Madras Affair – a mature romance set in Madras.

Stalk her @
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Now for the Rafflecopter: Gather as many points as you want to. The more points you get, the more you have a chance to win it all. Show your love for books.. Tweet, Like and Spread the Word... Thank you for being a Reader... You keep the Authors motivated... This is our way of saying a Thank you :) 

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