Author Archives: Namrata Ganti

Book Review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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About the Book:

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A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.

Misery Lark, the only daughter of the most powerful Vampyre councilman of the Southwest, is an outcast—again. Her days of living in anonymity among the Humans are over: she has been called upon to uphold a historic peacekeeping alliance between the Vampyres and their mortal enemies, the Weres, and she sees little choice but to surrender herself in the exchange—again…

Weres are ruthless and unpredictable, and their Alpha, Lowe Moreland, is no exception. He rules his pack with absolute authority, but not without justice. And, unlike the Vampyre Council, not without feeling. It’s clear from the way he tracks Misery’s every movement that he doesn’t trust her. If only he knew how right he was….

Because Misery has her own reasons to agree to this marriage of convenience, reasons that have nothing to do with politics or alliances, and everything to do with the only thing she’s ever cared about. And she is willing to do whatever it takes to get back what’s hers, even if it means a life alone in Were territory…alone with the wolf.

My Thoughts:

I read this book as a part of the #obsessedbuddyreads Book of the Month for March.

I have read some of Ali Hazelwood’s books and have generally enjoyed them. This book was a welcome surprise in terms of the genre and style of writing. Though this is a romance novel, bringing in Vampyres and Werewolves as well as elements of conflict, corruption, sinister plots makes this a very interesting read.

The author has created characters here who are very different from her usual ones. Having stepped out of the usual, the result is indeed worth reading. The reader steps right into a world where Vampyres, Werewolves and Humans co-exist dealing with treaties and agreements to keep the peace. With Werewolves and Vampyres on the verge of war, what happens when a Vampyre Bride marries the Werewolve’s Alpha? This forms the main thread of the plot that unravels slowly as the story progresses.

I loved reading about Misery Lark and her strong personality, her interactions and decisions as well as her determination. It is inevitable that readers will also fall in love with Lowe Moreland and the connection that he has with Misery. Once the barriers of misunderstanding fall away and they all realize that their goals are aligned, an unexpected truce is formed which paves the way for the rest of this story.

I read this book in almost one sitting, devouring each page until the very end. The author seems to have experimented a little more with her style of writing in this book and it truly brings the reader closer to the characters and the world that she has created. This paranormal romance is truly worth the read and I recommend it to all those who enjoy the mix of genres!

Book Review: Noticing Natalie by Belinda Mary

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About the Book:

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What happens when the boy you crushed on in high school—the one who crushed your heart—turns up 6 years later…and he needs your help?

Natalie Henderson was that girl in high school. The invisible one lost in her books; going unnoticed in the hallways. Until he paid her attention. Matthew Barkly was that boy in high school. The star of the soccer team and all-round Mr Popular, and he’d started noticing her. Under the guise of studying together, Natalie was swept into his spotlight and started believing that perhaps she wasn’t invisible after all. But turns out…it was all a lie.

Six years later, Natalie is taking her first steps into adulthood. Leaving behind the shy, awkward girl from high school and embracing her new role as a nurse in a busy hospital, she has everything carefully planned out. Until her one and only crush comes barrelling back into her life, disrupting everything.

Matthew is a national soccer hero and has the world at his feet. He’s also wondering if any of it—fame, attention, money—is worth it. And then he sees her again. The one he always wanted, the one he can’t forget. Grasping at any opportunity to spend time with her; he begs Natalie to pretend to be his girlfriend to help fix his playboy image. Unbelievably, she agrees to play along, and soon the lines between what’s fake and what’s real are blurred and all those long-forgotten feelings are flaring back to life.

But as Natalie navigates the pitfalls of fame and media attention that follow ‘dating’ a celebrity sports star, will the distrust and uncertainty from their past stand in the way of them becoming something more in the present? Or will Natalie have the courage to believe that Matthew could possibly notice her…for real this time?
Find out in this delightful celebrity romantic comedy with a splash of fake dating and no third act breakup. Noticing Natalie is a closed-door romance that will make your heart swoon with steamy kisses and has no explicit content.

My Thoughts:

Happy Publication Day to Noticing Natalie and author Belinda Mary!

I loved this novella! There are no other words for it. It is sweet, funny and full of warmth. The book is a quick read and follows Natalie and Matthew as their story comes to light both in the present and the past. Natalie and Matthew meet in high school, develop a sweet friendship that’s leading to more when a misunderstanding pulls them apart.

Fast forward six years, circumstances bring them back face to face and as they discover that their feelings for each other never changed, perhaps they have a second chance after all. This novella has all the tropes that one could want in a sweet romance right from second chances to fake dating, friends to more and no 3rd act breakup.

Matthew is sweet and patient which I admire and his feelings for Natalie are genuine. Natalie on the other hand is one of those girls who truly doesn’t know how beautiful she is inside and out and is finally discovering her confidence in herself. As the two characters grow together we are in for a swoon-worthy romance.

I was fortunate enough to be a part of the eARC team for the author and I am grateful for the opportunity to read this prequel to the Love Always series, a series whose characters I adore.

Dear readers! If you haven’t read the Love Always series, don’t hesitate to pick up the books or even add them to your TBRs! They are truly worth reading!

Book Review: Murder in Manhattan (Lady Eleanor Swift #14) by Verity Bright

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About the Book:

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Glitzy parties, sightseeing at the Statue of Liberty and strolls through Central Park with Gladstone the bulldog… Lady Eleanor Swift is loving her first trip to the city that never sleeps, until she witnesses a murder!

After crossing from England on the SS Celestiana, Lady Eleanor Swift sets up her home-away-from-home in a lavish apartment in New York City. She is soon the toast of the town, with no high-class soirée complete without her presence. Of course, she drags her butler Clifford and Gladstone the bulldog along to every party too.

But when she witnesses the charming doorman of her building, Marty, knocked down and killed in a hit-and-run, she finds fashionable society suddenly closes rank. The only local detective interested in helping her find the culprit is street-smart beat cop, Officer Balowski.

Resolved to get justice for Marty and his family, Eleanor searches Marty’s tiny apartment and is shocked to find five rolls of banknotes tucked under the floorboards. Money talks, but Marty was struggling to make ends meet, so where did the cash come from?

The next day, wealthy entrepreneur and flashy philanderer Ogden P. Dellaney – a man Marty used to work for – is found dead downtown, miles away from his swanky Upper East Side mansion. Eleanor and Balowski are sure the deaths are connected, but not even Dellaney’s wife is willing to answer their questions.

Then Eleanor is served with an eviction notice and Balowski is fired from the NYPD. It becomes clear that something is rotten in the Big Apple and Eleanor is determined to get to the core of the mystery before the murderer strikes again…

My Thoughts:

This is Book 14 in the Lady Eleanor Swift series and I absolutely loved it. I have been a fan of this series and the characters, very much invested in Eleanor and her adventures. Though I haven’t read all the books and sometimes not in the right order, I enjoyed the ones that I read.

This book was a pleasant surprise and felt different than the others, perhaps due to the setting. In this story, we follow Eleanor on a trip to New York City as she navigates the glitz and glamour of the city. What follows of course is a murder and thus she is embroiled in another investigation, in a city where she isn’t as welcome as she thought she was.

Though the storyline continues from the previous and brings to us a lot of our beloved characters, this book feels different. The style of writing and the development of the plot is a little different from the rest and this is what set it apart for me. Though a little slow on the uptake, the author dove right into the plot, taking the reader along on a wonderful investigative adventure.

I truly enjoyed this book and cannot imagine missing out on further of Lady Swift’s adventures! I look forward to reading the next books.

Book Review: Maiden of Artemis by Eloise Bahr

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About the Book:

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Before the men of myth and legend, there was Otrera, first Queen of the Amazons.

It wasn’t until the prince’s blood coated Otrera’s hands that she realized she’d sentenced herself to death. In her darkest hour, Artemis offers her a second chance at life and freedom. But in return the goddess commands unwavering loyalty and sends her on a formidable quest.

Joined by women who swiftly become sisters along the way, Otrera’s journey is tangled by prophecy and unexpected discoveries, and she is faced with a decision that will alter her life forever.

Fleeing from men and monsters alike, Otrera and her companions travel across Ancient Greece in search of what was promised. Each day she learns more about herself and the dangers of her world. Yet the closer she gets to fulfilling her quest, the further Otrera drifts from her pledge to Artemis.

Pursued by a vengeful king and his relentless champion, Otrera discovers how far she’ll go to keep her sisters safe. But nothing, not even a divine weapon, can protect her from the wrath of the gods.

So begins the story of the tribe feared by heroes and kings alike.

My Thoughts:

I generally enjoy mythological retellings and the premise of this story intrigued me. The story follows Otrera, a slave who escapes from unwanted advances by a prince and is forced to go on the run. She is blessed by Artemis with some special powers and we follow her journey as she grows from a demure person into a strong warrior, fiercely protective of her friends and the people she comes to consider her family.

The premise of the story was quite interesting, but I found the plot to be quite slow and at some stages I could not fully understand what was going on. The actions of the characters were not clear and it was hard to connect with them at times.

However, I like the fact that the characters were strong female characters who were there for each other through the ups and downs. There were some meaningful themes touched upon through the story that stood out. The ending was abrupt but will leave the reader wondering what happens next. Overall, this was a good debut attempt by the author and I am grateful for the opportunity to have read the book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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About the Book:

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Set in 1960s California, this blockbuster debut is the hilarious, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is constantly derailed by the idea that a woman’s place is in the home, only to find herself starring as the host of America’s most beloved TV cooking show. Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the 1960s and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers.) The only man who ever treated her-and her ideas-as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee. He’s also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry. But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it’s the early 60s??) and the star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s singular approach to cooking (‘take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride’) and independent example are proving revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn’t just teaching women how to cook, she’s teaching them how to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

My Thoughts:

Set in the 1960s, this is the story of Elizabeth Zott, a chemist by profession trying to navigate the world of research and study filled with men and very few women. This is one of the most original stories I have read about a woman in STEM and the difficulties faced to find her place and make a name.

All Elizabeth wanted to do was pursue her research. All the world wanted from her was to dress prettily and stay at home. Calvin Evans, already famous in the field and a Nobel nominee, was the only one who saw her for the brilliant chemist that she was. Calvin was drawn to her as much for her beauty as her mind seeing her as an equal from the moment they started talking.

Elizabeth Zott defied the odds and stood out, even when she ended up through various twists and turns as the host of a cooking show on afternoon TV with chemistry as the central focus. She teaches chemistry through cooking and through her dialogue, empowers women to see themselves as more than housewives.

This story is mixed with laughter, heartbreak and so many special moments that it draws the reader in right from the first page. The various supporting characters are wonderful and so well thought out that each of them have a very special part to play in taking this story forward. Elizabeth’s story would be wholly incomplete without Six-Thirty, her trusty dog, Harriet, her next door neighbour and even Walter Pine to name a few.

This is a wonderful story, written in a style that will keep the reader yearning for more, wanting to know what happens next and ensures that the reader is invested in the lives of the characters. Elizabeth is inspiring and refreshing as a protagonist and really made my fall in love with Lessons in Chemistry!

Book Review: A Midflight Vampire’s Tale by Linda Ling

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About the Book:

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“And so at last, you reveal what it is you want from me. My story. The answer is no.”
“I’ve saved your life twice by now. You owe me, and you can’t run from me here.”

There are some things you can’t escape.

In a first-class aircraft cabin, on a red-eye flight from Singapore to Europe, sit two extraordinary passengers. They’re on the run. And they’re both vampires.

Cheng’s origins reach back to ancient China, while Henry is a vampire who can thrive in the day. For all intents and purposes, they are enemies.
Despite the chasm that separates them, they share a tragic connection rooted in the past, a connection which resulted in her becoming his people’s most dreaded adversary.
A chain of events has thrown them together and in return for saving her life, Henry wants her story.

What did Cheng do to make his people hate her so much?
How far will she go to redeem herself?
How many people will she entangle in the process?
And who is hunting them both?

The is the tale of her origins, told in midflight, vampire to vampire.

My Thoughts:

I came across the author’s eARC reading campaign on Instagram and was instantly drawn to the book by the premise. I quite enjoy reading about the supernatural and this book teased at something different in the genre. Vampire’s sharing their story during a flight! I was intrigued to say the least and joined the team to read and review this book!

I am grateful to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book blew me away from the start. The narrative is smooth and flows so well that the reader doesn’t pause even when it shifts from person to person, past and present but almost always told in first person. This is a story of origins, friends and enemies, love and honor among other things. Though slow to start, the story picks up pace towards the middle and gets more and more interesting as it unfolds with layers of Chinese history interspersed with the narrative.

There are multiple plot lines in this story and the author weaves them together seamlessly, without giving away anything very easily. It is a slow burn novel that takes time to unravel, drawing the reader in and ensuring that the attention of the reader is on the characters at all times. I was wholly invested in Cheng and curious to know her story. This is also a book that deals with a identity crisis, addressing the questions of ‘Who am I?’; ‘Who do I want to be?’ Cheng goes through so much in her life with friends, love, and makes a whole lot of enemies up until a point where when she does good, it is not always seen in the same light.

Henry was an interesting character to pit against Cheng, striking wits right from the very beginning. His angle and interest were not always clear but as the story progresses, it is easy to see how important he is to this entire story. This story is told as a conversation between Cheng and Henry in the present with narrations of the past from Cheng’s point of view. There are some 3rd person POVs (very limited) to add some more perspective to the story telling.

I truly fell in love with each of the characters as well as their journeys. If this is how the origins are presented, I am truly looking forward to reading more about the characters and the events that unfold.

Book Review: The Empress of Indraprastha – Entering Kuruvansh by Sonali Raje

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About the Book:

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Draupadi’s mother, Maharani Prishati, was influential in building her charismatic daughter’s strong character as a proponent of human rights and a shrewd politician. Why would such an independent thinker blindly follow something that Ma Kunti said accidentally? Did all the Paandav brothers agree to marry her immediately? The brilliant Sahdev and the far-sighted strategist Draupadi collectively argued for a partition to give Duryodhan his rights to half the kingdom. The intricate complexities of a dynamic polyamorous marriage and a sibling bond promoting gender equality are showcased through the series. Over five parts unfurl – the untold memoirs of an Empress…

My Thoughts:

I have recently been re-reading the Mahabharata and was intrigued to come across this re-telling and re-imagination from Draupadi’s point of view. The author delves into Draupadi’s origins, bringing to us a narrative from her point of view. We see the world as she sees it, hear her thoughts and feel her emotions as she navigates the ups and downs of her life.

The author tries to bring out a different side of the epic, focusing on Draupadi’s interactions with the Paandav brothers and building on her relationship with each of them. Their journey was not without difficulty and to have been accepted in the time when the events occurred is quite interesting. The flow of the story is good and as the plot deepens, so do the emotions and dialogues among the characters. The authors maintains a level of sophistication both in how the characters are portrayed as well in the style of writing which I really liked.

However, I felt that the way in which the story is told is more in tune with the world today, which dilutes some of the customs and thoughts as depicted or told in the original epics. There is always scope for interpretation and considering this, the author has done a good job in bringing to us an interesting point of view and focus. Even though the reader may know the original story, the development of this series is one to take note of and follow. Overall, this was a good read and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

Book Review: The Rise of The Legends by Jake Zortman

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About the Book:

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Mikaela Kadono is bummed when her parents move the family to a creepy, old, fixer-upper house, leaving behind her friends, school and familiar neighborhood. But things quickly look up when she meets her new neighbor, George, who invites her to join a cool club called Drone Legends. Little does Mikaela know that this will be the first step in a life-changing adventure!

On The Drone Legends very first mission, a nearly tragic accident brings a mysterious, talking AI drone into their lives. But was it really an accident? And who created this drone that seems to be far beyond any available technology? As they search for answers, Mikaela discovers that the old house her parents bought holds a secret – a cryptic message from the past, hidden in riddles and codes. With the help of her new friends, they embark on a quest to solve the mystery, which takes them on a perilous journey from adventure on the high seas to secret tunnels deep beneath the ground.

The team applies science, math, cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned gadgets as they solve the clues and battle a mysterious foe who always seems to be one step ahead. The closer they get to solving the mystery, the more it seems that the messages were left specifically for them. But how would someone living a century earlier know that Mikaela and her friends would even exist? And what role is this strange, intelligent drone playing? Is it a friend, or part of a conspiracy to change the course of history?

It’s a nail-biting adventure full of twists and turns, as Mikaela and her friends race against time to stop an evil plot to take over the world. Are they following their destiny, or are they in over their heads? The fate of world and future of humanity hangs in the balance.

My Thoughts:

The Rise of the Legends is a joy to read! Filled with adventure, lots of twists and turns and a world of gadgets Mikaela and her friends will fascinate everyone who reads about them.

The story is well-written and easy to follow. The science behind everything is explained very well making it quite simple and relatable as well as easy to understand and follow. The author focuses on strong friendships, learning to face adverse situations and helping one another. Everything is not black and white in life and thus it is necessary to understand another person’s situation/circumstance before judging them. Mikaela teaches us this through her interactions with the different characters.

All the characters are a pleasure to read about and though at times it feels unbelievable that these children know so much, I think that if we have an interest to learn, age is no barrier. The book is the start to the series and sets the pace and tone for the rest to come! I am looking forward to reading about the Legends and their future adventures!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book Review – The Making of Heroes: The Adventures of Zoe and Scruffy by Maya Spark

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About the Book:

What would you do if things disappeared from your doorstep? Would you stand up to a King if you thought he was a crook? Have you ever wondered how your dog spent their free time? Meet Zoe the Fierce and her brand new BFFE Rita the Sane as they jump headlong into a world of mysteries. Along their adventures they add Alex the Brave to their enterprise. Little do they know though that Zoe’s dog Scruffy has a huuuuge secret! And it’s not just that his best friend is a M…! Are their cases dangerous? Do they solve them on time? What is Scruffy’s secret? And what on earth is a M…?

About the Author:

Mamathi Chari is a proactive humanist, storyteller and fact-seeker, a hugely popular and pioneering television host, actor and content producer from Tamil Nadu. She writes books for children and young adults under the name Maya Spark—the eternal child in her, living in a world of illusion.

My Thoughts:

The Making of Heroes: The Adventures of Zoe and Scruffy is truly a pleasure to read! I love reading children’s books, they’re usually fun and wonderful for light reading. This book has just the right amount of fun, adventure and small lessons weaved into the story.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mamathi Chari at the Bangalore LitFest. She is enthusiastic and full of life and this is reflected in her writing through her characters. Zoe is a delight to read about along with her friendship with Rita, her love for Scruffy and her budding investigative skills.

The story follows Zoe as she moves to a whole new country to live with her mother and focuses on how she settles down. She is observant and a huge fan of Nancy Drew which brings out her investigative skills, leading her to solve many small mysteries. The most delightful part of this story is indeed Scruffy and his secret! I cannot reveal what it is but I’m sure the little readers will be intrigued and will really enjoy this twist in the story.

Overall a truly enjoyable read, this book had me smiling throughout and I’m sure that children will enjoy it too! I am looking forward to picking up Book 2!

Book Review: Beautiful Shattering by Grace Costello

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About the Book:

What if you meet the love of your life, but he’s already lost the love of his?

Raven is pure sunshine. Really. She even wakes up early enough to greet it. As a triathlon coach and kindergarten teacher, her life looks perfect. She’s thriving, except for her daddy issues and a string of commitment-phobic ex-boyfriends, of course.

Briggs is a sexy CEO. He’s also grieving the loss of his late wife with zero intentions of ever moving on, despite his work suffering. So when Briggs is threatened with a leave of absence, he hires Raven to prove that he’s working on himself. But training for a triathlon is no small feat, and neither is denying his attraction to his peppy coach. They’re opposites in every way, and she deserves more than a grumpy widower, but damn it if he can’t stay away from her sunshine—and she can’t stop her racing heart.

Blending the genres of contemporary sports romance, women’s literary fiction, and romantic comedy, Beautiful Shattering is a swoon-worthy read about second chances, forgiveness, and inner-strength.

My Thoughts:

I have enjoyed reading the books written together by authors Nina Walker and M.F. Lorson under the pen name Grace Costello in the past. Therefore choosing to read Beautiful Shattering was an easy decision to make.

Beautiful Shattering, as the name suggests, or even as the reader comes to know later, is a story of forgiveness and healing. Raven is sunny and bright, full of life and truly a different character than those I’ve encountered in the past. There’s a strength in her that shone beyond her other qualities and her determination to help the people whom she trained was something to behold. Briggs was the opposite, but underneath all his brusque exterior is someone hurting and dealing with self-hate. He refused to move on or forward in life as a punishment to himself, thinking he deserved it.

The authors handled the feeling of loss, learning to forgive oneself and even acceptance very well and in a way that helps even the reader to understand and perhaps relate to it. It is beautifully handled and the way the other characters come together to help each other as well as Briggs to find his way is wonderful. Though the plot is relatable, the characters bring life to the story and make it remarkable. What I liked most is how the authors brough out the different ways of healing and dealing with trauma. They also showed us, through the interactions and experiences of the characters that it is ok to not be ok and also to seek help not just from family but also from a professional.

With so many different messages coming together, this is at the base of it, a story of two people who fall in love and find their way to each other through acceptance, healing and a whole lot of patience. I enjoyed reading Raven and Briggs’ story and I cannot wait to see what the authors, Nina Walker and M.F. Lorson, write next!