The Guilt Of A Lie

The guilt of lie is always heavy to carry. A lie can rescue us from a trouble temporarily but the truth can never be hidden. Lying is always an easy escape from any problem but will lead to a dead end where one must regret the decision. My father used to tell me, ‘One easy lie always followed by numerous more and one tough truth can clear lot of hurdles.’ After getting an opportunity to write about an experience, I can recollect only one incident which I regret from the core of my heart.

I was a teenager then and like all others of my age I was careless. That age is always one tough time for any kid, the first glimpse of college, the new attire instead of boring uniforms and of course new friends. My parents always used to tell me to take wise steps but in that immature age my friends decisions and plans are much more important than my parents’ and lying was a style. Like I have done that and I lied so smoothly to my parents that they can’t even guess anything.

My parents was never over protective or stopped me for anything. One day, I along with my friends decided to bunk college and go to a nearby cinema hall because of a Shahrukh Khan movie. I didn’t informed my parents about the plan. I know if I inform them about my plan they won’t stop me. But in that age lying was fun. I thought. Call it fate or my luck but my parents somehow came to know about my bunking college and going to a movie. I still remember the eyes of my mother. He was not angry but hurt. They questioned me if they ever asked me not to do anything or stopped me going out with friends or to movies. My only answer was a pregnant silence and shameful eyes.

That night my father taught me the value of a truth and the wrath of a lie. He told me how shocked they were to know that I lied to my own parents, how one lie can make a man liar for the rest of his life, how one single innocent lie can broke a whole lot of trust. If I could have informed them about my plan or could have told them the truth, that situation can never arrive. That day I learned from him that a naked truth can come with a temporary trouble or after hearing the truth our parents can get mad on us but it will serve a greater good and will reinstall their trust. If I were given a chance I would go back and change that one day where my one lie have hurt my parent.

Note: This is a part of Kinley 2014 TVC and Indi Blogger Happy hour.

Lord of Darkness by Vikrant Shukla: Review

Title: Lord Of Darkness
Author: Vikrant Shukla
Publisher: YS Book International
Page Count: 267
My Rating: 4/5

Blurb: Arpita, a studious, grade seeking student from Pune University, finds it really hard to get a replacement for her old hard disk under a thousand bucks. But, when she finally finds a second-hand disk through the help of her friend, Shipra, she couldn't help but notice that things in her life are no more as they used to be-  the horrifying death of Anwar, the one who installed the disk, the presence of a mysterious, password protected folder in that disk, named ‘Billycan hill’, and a presentation that vaguely mentions a location where one can travel through past and future. After numerous efforts, they finally locate this bizarre spot and decide to visit Moghal Empire to sell a few electronic items to these ancient people to make some money. But, Dobler, an ardent follower of Satan, bullies them to change their plans at the last moment. Finally, Arpita and her chaps end up in the Satanic era near the ‘Church of Satan’ in the pursuit  of the mighty  Ring of Beelzebub, and this is where the deadly game of lust and power begins.

Verdict: ‘Lord of Darkness’ is the third novel by Vikrant Shukla. This plot of the book is different from the regular with spine chilling thrill and twists.

The first thing the reader will notice the wonderfully designed cover. The black theme and the blue face generates and eerie feeling among the onlookers. I loved the name not just because it suits the cover but it goes with the content too. The page quality was good but the book is pretty heavy to carry.

The forwards has a lot of eminent personalities praising the book which will raise the bar of expectations among the readers and gave the book a well needed start. The start of the book was a bit hazy and was looking like an unsolved puzzle. Several plots are running simultaneously and each plots has its own excitement. The thing I loved the most is the way the author linked the plots.  

The author very efficiently distributed the story in small and crispy chapters which keeps the flow alive and force the readers to complete the book in one go. The change of scenes in every second chapters maintains the buzz among the story. When the readers starts to get the missing part of the jigsaw puzzle the book becomes unputdownable.

The narrating style is not very good and remains in the down side of the book. The author has chosen a very simple narrating style, which is very much in the trend but the misplaced words or the average sentences disturbs the flow of the plot. I could have call the book a perfect if the narrating have been a bit more mature.

The characterization is exceptional and executed in a well-disciplined way. Almost each characters have a specific role to play. The detailing of the dark characters and the magic hexes makes this book all the more interesting.

The readers will appreciate the author for the amount of research he have done to frame such a delightful plot. This book is wonderful blend of science, history and imagination. There are few editing and proof reading errors are spotted but the twists in almost every page makes the readers overlook the errors. Overall a nice effort by the author and kudos to him for showing courage to come with something different.

Available at –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/lord-darkness-english/p/itmdzndx87gtg9hf?pid=9789383793242&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=Lord+of+Darkness+by+Vikrant+Shukla&ref=76bc50f4-9b86-469b-8aa1-d54a8ee3ef3c

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/Lord-Of-Darkness-Vikrant-Shukla/dp/9383793244

Review of 'Warrior' by 'Olivier Lafont'

Blurb: JOIN SAAM, LAST SON OF THE DESTROYER, ON HIS EPIC QUEST TO SAVE ALL EXISTENCE.

In Mumbai, driven to its knees by a merciless blizzard, Saam the watchmender is corneres into an intolerable position. As Shiva’s only earthly demigod child, it falls upon him to stop his indomitable father.

Bred to war, the son of destruction Saam rides with six extraordinary companions into the horro of a crumbling world to face Shiva. He is forced to join hands with Ara, his half-brother he can never fully trust, and take with him his own mortal beloved, Maya, on this desperate attempt to stop the End of Days. But his path is littered with death, danger and betrayal.

Interweaving mythology, epic adventure and vintage heroism, this enthralling novel will change the way you see gods, heroes and demons.

Verdict: ‘Warrior’ is the first work of fiction by Olivier Lafont. This book is a nice thriller with a touch of Hindu mythology, history and fantasy.

The cover looks different and catchy. The sketch of a well-built guy holding a sword in hand gives this book a perfect action thriller look. The cloudy back ground and the grey flavor in the cover makes this book looks more appealing to the readers. The label of ‘Shortlisted for the Tibor Jones South Asia Prize’ will also tempt the readers to sneak a peek inside the content. The blurb is wonderfully written and gives a nice outline and start for the story. Overall the first impression of the book is impressive.

The author hasn’t wasted a time with boring introductions and has jumped into the story from the very first page. The first chapter is enough for any reader to judge that this book is going to be a roller coaster ride which they will enjoy on the edge of their seats. Snow and blood is falling from the sky in Mumbai city to indicate the end of the times when Saam (the main protagonist), the son of the destroyer, rises to the occasion to fight with the enemy to save the world. Saam commences his quest with a team of two more demigods and two mortals. The readers will love the whole story because this book has everything, from action to romance, from the unusual special power of the demigods to the wonderful touch of Hindu mythology. As the story heads towards the end the book becomes unputdownable because of the authors' efficient skill to maintain the thrill and speed. The readers will close the book with a satisfying sigh.

The narrating style is eloquent and goes with the story perfectly. The characterization is fascinating and the way the author has described all his characters with utmost clarity, they become visible to the readers quite easily. It is not easy to make the readers believe a character leaping a building or taking ten trained men single handedly or piercing through his gaze, but the author has done this effortlessly. There was not a single character which I can point out to be created unnecessarily, all characters has a special role to play in the plot or a special task to complete or an important clue to deliver.

At times I felt the author has exaggerated a few scenes with the descriptions to make them more clear to the authors, which I think could have been avoided. Apart from these scenes, there is no more error to talk about. The book is wonderfully edited and for that all the credit goes to the editorial team of the publisher. I would recommend this book to everyone who are looking for a thrilling and speedy read.

Final Words: The prompt narrating style and the way the author has framed the whole plot is a remarkable job by a new author. Such a story framing ability will take this author to a notable height.

Title: Warrior
Author: Olivier Lafont
Publisher: Penguin
Page Count: 375
My Rating: 4.5/5

Available at –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/warrior-english/p/itme2cfq3eg5ybuf?pid=9780143423638&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=Warrior+by+Olivier+Lafont&ref=9fe1a615-450d-490f-8431-65edb9ef5d50

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/Warrior-Olivier-Lafont/dp/0143423630/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1418655568&sr=8-1

Review of 'Letters from an Indian Summer' by 'Siddharth Dasgupta'

Blurb: A love story between an Indian photographer and a French artist, Letters from an Indian Summer is suffused with a strong sense of serendipity and spiritually liberal doses of the things Arjun Bedi and Genevieve Casta hold dear in this world. The past, though, lurks constantly around every chosen corner. Will the secrets they harbour end up destroying them, or will the unspoken belief in their entwined cosmic paths be much too strong a force . . . ?

Verdict: ‘Letters from an Indian Summer’ is the debut work of Siddharth Dasgupta. The most unique thing of this book is the author’s story telling skills.

After holding the book physically the first thing that left my mouth was the word gorgeous. It is one of the best cover I have seen for a story like this till date. The font in which the name is written, the color of the back ground, the dry rose and leaves scattered all over the cover, makes this look blissful. The name is different as the cover and will invite the readers to grab it. The blurb is small but gives a glimpse of the plot. The first look of the book is so good that it will definitely attract the reader’s eyes.

The books starts with Arjun Bedi (the male protagonist), an Indian photographer, meeting a French artist Genevieve Casta (the female protagonist) in a café in Pune. The first thing the readers will notice is the author saying Pune as Poona, but as soon the author describes why, it starts to sound perfect. The story moves on with their first meeting in Kathmandu and with describing exotic places like Kathmandu, Paris, Istanbul, Banaras and of course Pune, in small and charming chapters. The readers are going to like the way the author has framed the whole story and specially the end.

The thing that takes this book to a new height is the effortless describing style of this debut author. The narrating style is poetic and expressive. From describing scenes to conversations all through the story, the delightful words will keep the readers hypnotized. The chosen words are a treat to the reader’s eyes and they will appreciate the author for the rich literary touch. When the author describes outlandish scenes the readers will feel an urgent urge to visit the places or witness the beauty. The author has the ability to mesmerize the readers by his beautiful and calm narrating story telling style.

The way the author created his characters is perfect for a story like this. I loved the names of the characters because those names suits their personality and doesn’t confuse the readers.

There are a few scenes which can make the readers feel a bit bored because of the continuous descriptions and the slow speed. The speed being the one and only drawback of the story and I would say a story and a narrative like this should be enjoyed slowly by sinking himself totally under the author’s brilliantly created atmosphere. A story that will be loved by all those who can appreciate good literature and are in search of a wonderful and pure love story controlled by fate.

Final Words: The serenity and the composure of the author's narrating style and the author's command over the language will enthrall the readers to the core. Kudos to the writer for writing such a book in his debut attempt.

Title: Letters from an Indian Summer
Author: Siddharth Dasgupta
Publisher: Fingerprint!
Page Count: 317
My Rating: 4.75/5

Available at:

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/letters-indian-summer-english/p/itmefgecsxgmxeyh?pid=9788172345495&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=Letters+from+an+Indian+Summer+bu+Siddharth+Dasgupta&ref=b7b64bff-c32b-4c37-8034-f1bd31a0f2ce

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/Letters-Indian-Summer-Siddharth-Dasgupta/dp/8172345496/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418398949&sr=8-1&keywords=Letters+from+an+Indian+Summer+by+Siddharth+Dasgupta

To bring smile in every face

The smile on a child’s face is always as fresh as the warm breeze in a winter morning. No human being can turn their face against a smiling child but now a days this sight is nor more visible in our surroundings. One cannot smile with hungry stomach. And while cleaning a car a for the sake of food and watch children of his same age have the pleasure to go to school wearing shinning uniform and have the luxury to buy or eat anything they want, one definitely cannot smile.

When I came across this initiative by Blogadda I can’t stop myself to write because my one blog post can feed a child for a year. When I step out of the house whenever I turn I can see children working either to help their ailing mother and drunken father or because of the sake of food and shelter. The Mid-day Meal program is one wonderful program to feed the child and bring them to school. I feel only education can improve this situation and I often hear my Kaamwali Bai say to his six year old girl, whom she brings sometime to help her, ‘schools are not going to feed you’. But this program is changing the scenario. Any parent will sent their children to school just because they don’t have to work to earn food and education will be able to reach to all those children who are forced to leave school to earn.

I think education is the only medium which can change the current condition of child labor. When a mother gives birth to a child, she have dreams for him but soon because of their financial condition the child have to drop the school and work for food. But this program meets all the necessity – education and food. If we can educate every child they will not force their next generation to work for food at early age and the scene will change. Only then we can see every child smile and only their smile can bring the lost charm of India.

• Note: I am going to #BlogToFeedAChild with Akshaya Patra and BlogAdda.

Review of 'Life in a Rectangle' by 'Sujit Sanyal'

Blurb: Author Sujit Sanyal rambles down the memory lane in his candid memoir and narrates some revealing, some intriguing and other wacky stories about the advertising world from his Clarion days, his first agency, which he joined as a trainee and whose Kolkata branch he later went on to head.

Verdict: ‘Life in a rectangle’ is a yet another wonderful novel by Sujit Sanyal. This book has a charm of its own which makes this special to the audience.

Any reader are bound to fall for the book at the very first glimpse. The hardbound cover with a colorful jacket looks fascinating. The mention of the compliments this book has got from various eminent personalities on the cover completes the look and will attract the readers. The thing I loved the most is the feeling which one will get after opening the copy, lasts till closing of the book.

Only the author with such credibility can narrate a story like this. The author has narrated a story of that time which created history. Being a memoir of his own life, the author’s detailed description of the condition of advertising industry in seventies and eighties and the life of people of Calcutta is appreciable. Sujit Sanyal’s journey from an employee to the head of the company is definitely worth reading. The mention of the Bengali words inside the story and the constant presence of Calcutta in the backdrop helps me connect with the book but I can very well say that any reader with the urge to read something different can connect with the book.

The narrating style chosen by the author is not a trendy one but goes with the flow of the story. The words are wonderfully chosen and added to the charm of the book. The chapters are short and delicate which will help the readers complete the book in one go. Being a non-fiction, this book makes its way to the reader’s heart because of the flawless narrating style.

The characters are equally well described and came alive at times. The mention of well-known persons of that time will entice the readers to read more.

The eloquent descriptions and the way the author framed the whole plot, reflects the authors command over the language. The book is error free and there is not a single thing to point which disturbs the flow. The teenagers might not like the book because of its different content but apart from that this book is definitely one fascinating read.

Final Words: This book will take the readers to a journey down the memory lane filled with nostalgia. An absorbing read.

Title: Life in a Rectangle
Author: Sujit Sanyal
Publisher: Fingerprint!
Page count: 260
My Rating: 4.75/5

Available at:

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/life-rectangle-world-around-55b-mirza-ghalib-street-english/p/itmdepn4rbgahrcf?pid=9788172343989&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=Life+in+a+rectangle&ref=26b8856e-37e5-42cc-932b-acb9996335a8

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/Life-Rectangle-Sujit-Sanyal/dp/8172343981/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418202359&sr=8-1&keywords=Life+in+a+rectangle

Review of 'He Fixed the Match She Fixed Him' by 'Shikha Kumar'

Blurb: Shreya – I'm a highly qualified Delhi girl earning an enviable salary. My parents are having a tough time finding a suitable groom for me. However, recently they have a proposal from this very interesting guy from Mumbai. I almost get mesmerised when he starts talking to me. I think I like him very much.

Kunal – I'm owner of a textile company in Mumbai. My Mom wants me to get married. Again. She has recently suggested a suitable girl from Delhi. What my Mom doesn't know is that I've met Shreya before once in my life and I've been looking for her ever since. I have a vendetta to settle.

The author takes you along on a journey via roads of revenge, agony, remorse, attraction, titillation, tantalisation and romance. Do Shreya and Kunal make it, or do they fall prey to their past?

Verdict: ‘He fixed the match she fixed him’ is the debut work of author Shikha Kumar. The author has attempted to pen down a fresh story in the genre of love story.

After giving a single look at the cover, the first thing that came in my mind is, cute. The cartoon characters, the pink heart and the pink flavor on the cover gives this book a much needed feel  and will indicate the readers that this book is going to be yet another love story. If you hear the name without looking at the cover, you may guess this book is on match fixing but it is not and this name suits the content perfect. The blurb seems interesting too and I can say the readers will pick the book by its appearance.

The story starts with introducing the female protagonist Shreya and her family. Her recently retired father was searching for the perfect groom for her beautiful, elegant and intelligent daughter when the Kharbanda family form Delhi knocked their door. Just after Shreya’s marriage with the charming KunalKharbanda, the author landed up with a grand twist which will left the readers awe-struck. The story moves on with Shreya trying her best to cope up the challenges thrown by Kunal. But the main essence of the story lies under the way the hatred between these two transforms into love. The author hasn’t shown any hurry while portraying the transformation which makes this story different. There was a wonderful message for the readers at the end.

The narrating style is lucid and engaging. The simple words and the witty conversations will make the readers entertaining till the end. At times the readers might feel the narrating style is a bit slow but it goes with the story.

The characterization was good and to the point. I would appreciate the author for not dragging scenes and for not introducing unnecessary characters to make the story lomg. But apart from the main characters like Shreya, Kunal, Mahesh, Anuradha, Astha, Vineet, who have come alive by the description style of the author, other members of the two families lacked the lime light at times.

This book has a good story line and the author has narrated the whole story in an easy going language. The book has started with a regular note and hadn’t promised anything bigger in the first few chapters.The speed of the story is a bit slow and I felt the constant use of Scavin Eyewear instead of spectacles or sunglass is pretty annoying. Apart from this minor drawbacks, I felt this book is good and any type of readers can enjoy the book.

Final Words:  The debut writer has done a commendable job in jotting down a different love story and successfully dodged the chic-lit tag. A story that tells how divine the relationship of Husband and Wife is.

Title: He Fixed the Match She Fixed Him
Author: Shikha Kumar
Publisher: Vitasta
Page Count: 284
My Rating: 4.25/5

Available At –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/he-fixed-match-she-him-english-1st/p/itmef9bprgwj3c3g?pid=9789382711506&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=He+fixed+the+match+she+fixed+him&ref=01d3c14e-3c1d-459c-831d-50e392cd6bbe

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/He-Fixed-Match-She-Him/dp/9382711503/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417013695&sr=1-1&keywords=He+fixed+the+match+she+fixed+him

Review of 'Of Course, We Are Best Friends' by 'Sonia Bansal'

Blurb:  Aditya and Aditi, both bid adieu to their sheltered existence and walk in the world loaded with challenges.
When they began to sketch their perfect ending laden with joys and smiles then all of a sudden…
BOOM!!
Destiny gifted them another picture.

Have you ever fallen in love with your best friend..??
If yes, then fasten your seat belts and get ready to experience the most thrilling ride of your life, ride from the love to out of it, from school corridors to college campus blended with a maze of swirling emotions.

A true yet unusual saga of Aditya and Aditi imbued with traces of pleasure crunchy moments of happiness and togetherness.

Beaware!! It may change your definition of love and friendship.

Verdict: ‘Of Course, We are best friends!’ is the debut novel of author Sonia Bansal. The book is yet another tale of friendship and love in the backdrop of high school and college.

The cover looks very simple to me but goes with the title. The cover is not gorgeous enough to drag the reader’s eyes and I feel the book can easily be lost in the crowd of numerous romantic novels by Indian authors. The name sounds good but not intriguing and doesn’t help the book to stand out from the rest. I would say the first appearance of the book is pretty ordinary and nothing remarkable.

As the blurb suggests, the book starts on a regular note with the Aditi (the female protagonist) joining a new school and soon finds out a good friend in Aditya (the male protagonist). Without understanding the depth of the emotion, it was love at first sight for Aditya. An introvert guy at nature Aditya, can feel butterflies in his stomach whenever he talks to Aditi. Soon they became friends and started sharing every tiny details about each other. Like always, after few days Aditi starts to like him and soon they were dating. Their relation faces the problem when they were promoted to college and have to part ways. Can their relation survive the long distance? Can Aditya, who was more involved in the relation, find a solution to save his love? All these answer lies inside the story.

The narrating style is the main force behind the story which will keep the readers engaging. The author seriously got some skills to narrate a story but she have to work on framing a better plot. The narrating style is simple and very much in the trend. The narrating style helps the readers to understand the point of view of both of the protagonists which I like the most. Apart from Aditi and Aditya, the other characterization is not that impressive and would not be able to create any effect on the readers.

The book has few silly spelling mistakes and few grammatical mistakes too which disturbs the flow of the story. The story is not new and very much similar to the high school romance book available. The narrating style is remarkable for a debut writer. I will definitely be looking forward to read from this author in the future. Those who have experienced a school crush or teenage love, can enjoy this story. I would recommend this book to those who are in search of a light and refreshing read after a tired day. 

Final Words: This is a teenage love story with a sweet and simple narrating style. Kudos to the author for her wonderful skill of describing emotions. A light read.

Title: Of Course, We are Best Friends!
Author: Sonia Bansal
Publisher: Blackbuck Publishers
Page Count: 200
My Rating: 3.5/5

Available at –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/course-best-friends-english/p/itmdyz7gegzyrncf

Review of 'A Tug of War' by 'Yashika Nayyar'

Verdict: A very simple cover of two hands pulling a rope from both ends resulting in the rope to break in a light blue background makes for the cover of Yashika Nayyar’s debut novel A tug of war. Among the so fancy covers available in the market these days, the author choosing for this cover makes this book special in its own way. The first thing that caught my eye in the book was the quality for the paper that is chosen for the book.

For a non-fiction book of this genre the cover seems to be the perfect accompaniment. Coming to the story, the author has chosen a very new format of writing the book by giving story examples to her non-fiction book. I won’t call it a non-fiction book, it is more of a self help book. The author has done her best in writing about life and the several intricacies involved in it.

The poems used in the book as accompaniment gives this book a very lifelike feel. The narrative was also very fresh because it has been written in a very colloquial language. The author has been very kind with her words that the readers should know on his/her path of life. The way that she has described the situations one might face on his/her life is really thought enhancing. One is forced to sit and think about he has just read while reading the book.

The Tug of war has been used intricately in the book. One of my favorite quotations of the book is- “The choice is in your own hands, it’s your turn to choose the road now” The end to the book leaves every reader with a zeal to survive this world and with a smile on their faces. As far as the mistakes are concerned, I felt that there were a few grammatical errors in the book which slows the pace of reading at places.

Apart from that, if the book had been written in a different narrative, it would’ve suited the book to another level. There were a few articulated words which the readers might stumble upon while reading a very friendly written paragraph. A bit more compact version of the book could’ve been the masterstroke for the book. But still the book has potential enough to be a rage among every reader who reads it at least once.

Final Words: The book has the power to change the mind and educate its readers to the fullest. Kudos to the author for penning down such a book in her debut attempt. Waiting for a better version of the book to come up.

Title: A Tug of War
Author: Yashika Nayyar
Publisher: Sanbun Publishers
Page Count: 107
My Rating: 3.5/5

Review of 'It's for you... Mihi' by 'Md. Asif'

Blurb: Have you ever fought for a friend who was bashed badly while running nude on the way?

Have you ever climbed up a building through a mango tree, just for getting her glimpse?

Do you have a romantic girlfriend who follows your words as that of the God?

Have you ever surprised your girlfriend on the bank of a pond outside the town at 12 am?

Have you ever travelled around 1000 km for a girl who broke up with you around 270 days ago?

Have you ever got caught stealing diary of your berth mate in a train?

Have you ever gone under so much influence of a trauma that you tried to attempt a suicide?

How would you react when the reason of that trauma proves to be a fake one?

It’s for you MIHI will take you the journey filled with such overwhelming love story where the pit of your stomach will be sacked by all the emotions known to human world. Your skin will be filled with goose bumps and as you will feel the joys and sorrows you will eventually become the invisible part of this romantic saga.

Let’s join Asif in his encounter with the love of his life and the listless experiences that came along with the package.

Verdict: ‘It’s for you… Mihi’ is the debut novel of MD. Asif. As the name suggests this book Is a love story and a tribute by the author to his love.

The cover looks elegant and gives the book a perfect look. The font style suits the cover and the two gorgeous and shinning rings dangling from a chain completes the look. The name goes easily with the story. The two rings holds a very important role in the storyline and I would appreciate the author for placing those on the cover. The blurb gives an outline of the story and doesn’t mislead the readers.

The book starts with Asif traveling to Calcutta to find his lost love Mihika. While travelling in the train the protagonist encounters a fellow passenger and soon ends up narrating their love stories to each other. Asif has fallen for Mihika aka Mihi from his school days and the love blossoms throughout the school. There were lots of unanswered questions which will force the readers to turn the pages. Like every second love story in the list, this story too has different sides to enlighten, like Asif’s school friends, his family. What made Asif and Mihi part the ways, why he was traveling to Calcutta to find her, why he wants to apologise to her and what is the significance of the two rings in the cover? The readers will find all these answers towards the end of the book.

The narrating style was simple and ordinary. The chosen words are good but not up to the mark. The author has a good story to tell but if the author have concentrated more on the narrating style this book would have definitely touched the readers heart. The narrating style was very much to the point without describing necessary things which will not help the author visualize scenes.

The characterization is good and almost every characters hold a prominent role in the story but the same problem arises here too. The lack of description makes the characters invisible to the readers. The author has focused a lot on telling about Mihi and the rest of the characters somehow lost the lime light. The conversations are also quite regular and I was unable to find anything new and engaging.

I have spotted few editing errors here and there which needs the author’s attention. The language and the narrating style remains the main downfall of the book throughout the end. The author has penned down quite a beautiful story but the language takes the essence from the book and this book can’t be separated from those numerous Indian love stories. I would recommend this book to all those who are looking for a light read with a good storyline and would not care about the sappy language.

Final Words: The author has a nice story to tell and has framed it in a nice way. The way he has shown his feelings and the meaning of love, will surely attract the readers.

Title: It’s for you… Mihi
Author: Md. Asif
Publisher: Parlance Publishers
Page Count: 217
My Rating: 3.25/5

Review of 'When We Clicked' by 'Yash Pawaskar'

Blurb: Two strangers, one city, four days, one night, one lie and a fantastic journey. 'When We Clicked' is my twisted love story. I am Akhil Parlekar, a Mumbaikar in my early twenties. Like every other Mumbaikar I love my city, consider Sachin Tendulkar a God fantasize about Katrina Kaif, but I am about to die.

Before I was dying, I lived my life in four days, when we clicked. It was love at first sight for me, but not for her. I spent the four days with her wandering in the city, thinking that she would fall in love with me, but the night that followed the fourth day, changed everything.

This journey is about emotions like humour, lust, hatred, betrayal, heroism, friendship and the biggest emotion of them all; love. I am letting you in my heart as well as my brain, you be the judge if this is a love story or not.

'You are the protagonist of your life's story, the central character around which all the other characters and incidents occur. When the protagonist of your story changes to someone else, you are in love. That person becomes the central character of your story and everything else revolves around the person you love.’

Verdict: ‘When We Clicked – A twisted love story?’ is the debut work of Yash Pawaskar. This author has got some wonderful story telling skills and the way he has presented the whole plot makes it a show stopper.

The cover looks bright with red all around it. After giving it a close look the readers will find there are few scenes from the story fitted as a puzzle inside a heart and I have found this concept interesting. While reading the book, I kept on checking the cover to see which scene I have already read and which are about to come. The name is not that unfamiliar and gives a feeling that this is going to be another chick-lit novel. The question mark at the end of the title is tempting though. As far the story is concerned the name fits for this story and the tag line too.

The story starts with Akhil (the main protagonist) reciting his life’s last four days, which he claims to be his life’s most sparkling days, spent with a girl named Tamanna. He bumps into her in the Mumbai Airport and ends up introducing himself as a travel agent after knowing that she is here to explore Mumbai. The story goes around Akhil and Tamanna going to various tourist spots and exploring Mumbai. But when the readers have started anticipating the end after completing maximum of the book, there comes the twist which will lead the audience to such an end which they can never expect for a story like this.

The story line was ordinary but which makes this book special is the authors command over the language and his unimaginable sense of humor. From the very first half the author had shown that this book is going to be an interesting journey because of his witty conversing style. Sometimes it was funny scenes, sometimes it was the one liners or sometimes the name of the scenes which made me laugh out really loud. There are authors who can bring smile, but there are very few authors who can bring out laughter from his readers and Yash is definitely one of second group. The narrating style, the Light- Camera-Action style, the stereotyping style, everything was so fresh that it came like a cool breeze. It is definitely a light read but it is one of the best I have read in recent times.

I would have rated this book a bit more if the end was different. The author has presented the book wonderfully to the readers from the very beginning and there were no loop holes in the story but the end was not what was expected from the author. To create the trill the author lost the charm of the book. The end lacked the most important thing that was entertaining them throughout the story, the witty humor of the author. A bit editing errors are also spotted.

Final Words: This is such a book which can change your mood and you will laugh even after closing the book recollecting the scenes. The author has proved, it’s the presentation which matters. A perfect entertainer.

Title: When We Clicked – A Twisted Love Story?
Author: Yash Pawaskar
Publisher: Leadstart
Page Count: 225
My Rating: 4.25/5

Available at –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/when-we-clicked/p/itmdut9czvnrnrqv?pid=9789383562909&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=When+we+clicked&ref=2b8bcb6c-67ef-4a94-a579-47d4f73e83ce

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/When-We-Clicked-Yash-Pawaskar/dp/9383562900/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415378021&sr=1-1&keywords=When+we+clicked

Review of 'Dancing with Demons' by 'Nidhie Sharma'

Blurb: Karan Pratap Singh is on the brink of winning the Amateur Boxing Championship, when in a moment, he loses it all. His fall from glory seems fuelled by ruthless arrogance and an out-of-control anger management problem. That, however is just symptomatic of a deeper issue. Buried under layers of his fractured subconscious lies a childhood secret he cannot come to terms with.

Sonia Kapoor is a beautiful, volatile young woman with a secret that torments her at night but a secret that she feels no guilt for.

When fate throws Karan and Sonia together in Mumbai, their personal demons and pasts collide and stir up trouble in their fragile and uncertain present. But, is redemption possible without forgiveness?

Dancing with Demons is a fast-paced action drama of love, loss and resurrection.

Verdict: ‘Dancing with demons’ is the first work of fiction by Nidhie Sharma. This book is a combat sports novel where romance will linger at the back of the readers head.

The cover is designed to perfection. It has every element to catch the eyes of the readers and to describe the contents of the book. The boxing ring, the couple walking with hands wrapped around each others are the indication of the mixture of combat sports and romance inside the book. The most interesting thing which I think will surely make a mark is the badge on the front saying ‘soon to be made into a Bollywood movie’. The blurb is interesting and gives the book a good first impression.

There is no introduction or starter, the author has chosen to jump into the story from the very first page which will not give the readers any room to settle down. The book is divided in short and crispy chapters which is very much in the trend these days and keeps the readers hooked. The first chapter is written wonderfully and will definitely mesmerize the readers by the narrating style and the change of events. The author has a skill of describing scenes with perfect words which will attract the readers to read more.

The story starts with Karan Pratap Singh (the main protagonist) a prominent boxer and an uprising star in a combat sport fighting one of the most important fight of his life and the readers will witness, how that fight and the inner demons of Karan will change his fate. The author has efficiently changed the scene to introduce Sonia Kapoor. The story moves on with the lives of these two, fighting their past and taking a stand against their fate. This is a Harlequin book and the readers will not get disappointed by the way the romance is injected in the story, it matches the standard. The swift juggle between the scenes, the lucid narrating style, the witty conversations and the dark characters will keep the readers engaged till the end.

One more thing that will mesmerize the readers is the characters. The characters has different shades and a very creepy past to fight with which makes them unique. The describing style of the author makes them visible to the readers and the readers will woo over the protagonists.

The book has a lot of drama, from the very beginning to the end. At some part I felt the drama was crossing the limit and dropping the speed of the story. The tiny chapters are not helping the drama to unfold either. There are some scenes where the effort of the author to keep the suspense alive by hiding some facts, was visible to the readers. The first half of the book is better than the second half and I felt the story has ended in a jiffy and lacks the expected drama.

Final Words: The characters of this book has a come alive by the author's description skill and will leave a lasting effect among the readers. The fancy story with the speedy narrating makes this book a hit.

Title: Dancing with Demons
Author: Nidhie Sharma
Publisher: Harlequin India
Page Count: 289
My Rating: 4.25/5

Available at –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/dancing-demons-english/p/itmdy8edcuf3qeau?pid=9789351064930&sid=bks&affid=INAmanblo&query=935106493X&q=935106493X

Amazon – http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/935106493X/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=goodreads_in-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=935106493X&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Fraudster by R V Raman

Title:  Fraudster

Author: R V Raman
Category: Fiction

 Publisher: Hachette
Date: 2014
Price: Rs. 250
Pages: 272

ISBN: 9350098008

Fraudster : The Story of Corporate India’s Black Sheep:

Fraudster is a suspense thriller from R. V. Raman set in the world of corporate finance.

Summary of the Book

Some people will do anything to silence anyone they think are obstacles. They won’t stop at anything, not even murder. In this thrilling novel, a young banker deposes before a commission investigating large-scale financial fraud. She is found dead the very next day. Meanwhile, a leader of corporate India falls to his death from his South Bombay flat. In a multinational accounting firm, the high-security server room is hacked. The hackers want more than just company secrets. Illegal finance, high-profile crimes and brutal manipulation combine in this tale of greed, treachery and corruption amidst corporate India’s worst members.

About R. V. Raman

R. V. Raman is an Indian writer and the former head of KPMG's Consulting Practice and the co-head of their Risk Advisory Services. He was also partnered with A.T. Kearney and Arthur Andersen, and boasts an experience of over three decades and covering four continents. Currently a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management, Trichy, he teaches Business Strategy. He is based in Chennai and this is his first book.

Copies Available at all online stores:

1.      Flipkart: http://www.flipkart.com/fraudster-story-corporate-indias-black-sheep-english/p/itmdzwremrxkzpga?pid=9789350098004&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=fraudster+by+RV+Raman&ref=aa380f32-7bd9-474b-9aec-6be0feaa924b

2.      Amazon:  http://www.amazon.in/Fraudster-Story-Corporate-Indias-Black/dp/9350098008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415539773&sr=8-1&keywords=fraudster+by+RV+Raman

3.      Infibeam: http://www.infibeam.com/Books/fraudster-r-v-raman/9789350098004.html#variantId=P-M-B-9789350098004

      Know More Inside Stories, Connect with The Author:

Twitter: RvRaman_

Read the book? Write a review on Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22585967-fraudster

Review of 'Who told men, not to cry' by 'Azar'

Blurb: Raj, a typical school boy from a middle class family, who was also born unlucky.

Living with his aunt, he had a good life at school and great friends.

But everything changed when a girl entered his life. Everything changed and he himself believed he was unlucky.

His school life no more to be great and his friends no more trustworthy.

His love..?

After years of tragedy he meets his love and life doesn't stop being crazy.

But how crazy is it going to be for Raj?

Verdict: ‘Who told men, not to cry?’ is the first work of fiction by Azar. This book is a light read which the readers might consider as a one-time-read.

The cover looks good and bright. The yellow color is bright and would definitely attract eyes. The name is good but not that impressive. The author could have put some more effort in choosing a more appealing name for this book. The blurb seems to be a bit dull to me and I can’t say that all readers will go for the book after reading the blurb. The blurb indicates that the book has nothing surprising and new. Which I liked about the book is its size and quality. It fits perfectly in the hand and the readers will feel comfortable holding this book.

The story starts on an ordinary note with the main protagonist Raj recalling his story. The story moves on with Raj being a nerdy, studious guy spending some good time at school with his few friends until that fateful day when Keerthi, the female protagonist enters the story and every one of his friends started drooling over the new girl in the class. The story goes on Raj leaving his old school and friends after some incident and shifting to a new school to begin a new journey. In the new school, the readers comes to know that Raj is a good athlete too. The competition among the students and the loose ends left by the author at the beginning of the book will make the readers complete the book. For me, the best part of the book was the end. The end was unanticipated and came with full drama. The readers will love the end and will close the book in a happy note.

The characterization was not so good and the direct narrating style had only made the matter worse. The characters were missing necessary description and the narrating style lacked the focus on the supporting characters. The author was so busy with Raj and Kreethi, that maximum of the characters lacked the limelight.

I always believe if the book starts well, it will create an instant effect on the readers. The very first sentence of the book has grammatical errors which brings the readers down. Not only the first sentence, but the whole book needs a round of editing badly. One more thing I didn’t like about the book is the author’s consistent effort to inject laughter through the conversation which wasn’t working. It is the end that will make the readers feel good about the book. I hope the author will come with a better novel next time.

Final Words: The author has tried to pen down a light read and somehow has succeeded to do so. A simple narrating style and a twisted end is what this has in store for the readers.

Title: Who Told Men, Not to Cry?
Author: Azar
Publisher: Blackbuck Publication
Page Count: 249
My Rating: 2.75/5

Available at –

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/told-men-not-cry-english/p/itmdyz7g4zhb6h4g?pid=9781630414306&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=who+told+men+not+to+cry&ref=f8cd4906-7b4e-4e21-8c62-18a3cffa50df