Category Archives: Joys of Life

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

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thelongestridecover-680x1020Synopsis:

Ira Levinson is in trouble.  At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash.   Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him:  his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago.  Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families.  Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local bull-riding event, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change.  Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school.  Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward — even life and death – loom large in everyday life.  As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans —  a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth.  Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

My Thoughts:

This is the latest book that came out September 17, 2013. The story follows the lives of two couples; one that demonstrates a love that lasts till old age and the other a young couple who have just discovered love.

Nicholas Sparks has the ability to make everyone believe that there is magic and that love is magical. There is a certain charm and intensity in the way he writes that touches a person to the depths of their soul. Romance is a concept handled in many ways by different people, but Nicholas Sparks will take you on a magical journey that you never want to end.

This story starts with an old man, Ira who is in an accident, his car has gone off the side of a cliff and he is stuck inside for a duration that is unthinkable. He was on his way to visit a place that was both dear to him and his late wife. He survives for 2 days in the crash with broken bones and everything only with thoughts of his late wife. He relives their memories together and imagines her to be there beside him encouraging him to stay alive as help would come.

In parallel we are introduced to a young couple who realise that they like each other after a series of events. Initially we are shown the two different couples and their story is described separately. Later on we see how fates intertwine and the young couple end up finding the old man Ira in the car wreck. A letter they find on him touches them to the depths of their soul as they realise a special kind of love. The climax and ending of this story will take any reader’s breath away at the sheer beauty of the situation.

As usual Nicholas Sparks delivers a heart-warming story that will make every reader laugh and cry and go through so many different emotions all at once.

Sirens spell danger

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This is a novel which consists of 3 stories written by 3 different people. The is an anthology of crime novellas and are centered on murder, mystery, and crime. The authors: Suresh C, Karthik L and Radha Sawana brought together their love for reading and their passion for writing in their stories, Femme Fatale, Bellary and Bella Donna.

sirens spell danger

I read this book at the request of the author and with the promise of an honest review. So here goes. As an avid reader myself, I found this novel an interesting opportunity to explore new authors. I can frankly admit I was mind blown. I have observed that it is very easy to write a conventional 300 pages or more novel, but to write a story, to put out everything you want to say in about 100 pages and still convey everything you want to is an art and takes a lot of practice. Most authors may find this difficult, but the authors of this novel have tackled this with ease.

I am going to share my thoughts on each story separately.

Femme Fatale:

This is a story that kept me hooked till the end. The story follows the protagonist Vicky as he is mistaken for a secret agent and gets dragged into the middle of a plot which may mean the end of Bangalore. The character is portrayed beautifully and in a realistic manner with hardly any exaggeration. The story is well written and told in such a manner so as to keep the reader sitting on tenterhooks waiting to know what happens next. For a short story, this gets straight to the point and the author keeps true to his story line with no deviation. This story is full of twists and the ending is surprising and very well rendered.

Bella Donna:

Keeping true to her background, author Radha has used her expertise in the field of chemistry to write a beautiful story full of mystery, murder and intrigue. The story is well crafted and beautifully written. The plot is intriguing and  has been well tackled. The details of the deaths and how the bodies are placed when found and forensic evidence is interesting and a lot of research seems to have gone into writing these.The suspense is built up really well and twist at the end is brilliant. The few lines before every chapter that are dedicated to what the killer thinks are well written introspection’s and a good insight into the character’s mind. The characters are well thought out and well placed throughout the story and this makes it much easier to relate to them.

Bellary:

This story taps into mythology and the world or demons and is a good read. It is delivered precisely with no deviation from the plot whatsoever. A supernatural occurrence and all things supernatural are sometimes hard to comprehend and relate to, but the author handles it effortlessly and delivers a wonderful story that will keep the reader turning the pages. The plot is fast paced and all questions that may arise throughout in the readers mind are answered by the end. The characters are brought into the plot as required and the details necessary are presented neatly and concisely. I really enjoyed this story as it was handled differently from the conventional murder mysteries and crime stories that come out.

Sirens Spell Danger: An overall view

Overall, I loved this book. Each story made me feel like I was a part of the story and that I was also experiencing what the protagonist or any other character was. The situations and setting of each scene were so aptly described that it was easy to draw parallels in my imagination. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading stories from this genre.

An Incurable Insanity by Simi K Rao

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Book Blurb:
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Her heart fluttered when she heard the sound of the key turn in the lock. She quickly adjusted her maroon silk sari with the yellow border, the one that had caught his eye, and waited eagerly for his footsteps. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven… Yes, exactly seven steps before he stopped, hesitated for a few moments, then removed his shoes one by one and arranged them neatly side by side on the shoe rack. She smiled. He had been mindful of taking his shoes off every day now. “I am not used to it, but I will if you want me to. It’s probably a good thing to do anyway.” As he settled down, he would pick up the TV remote and, without looking at her, would say in his smooth baritone, “So how did you spend your day, anything interesting?” Shaan Ahuja found himself bowing to tradition and agreeing to an arranged marriage to the beautiful Ruhi Sharma. He went through the motions but had no intention of carrying through on his vows. His last foray into matters of the heart with an American girl had left him scarred and unwilling to try again. Thoroughly disillusioned and disgruntled he wasted no time in making his intentions clear to Ruhi on their wedding night. But, he was completely unprepared for what his new wife had in mind.
About the Author:
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Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several years. Her contemporary romance novel An Incurable Insanity, published by Tate Publishing, was released on October 8, 2013. An Incurable Insanity is her first foray into writing. The inspiration for the story came from what she has seen transpire among and within the immigrant community. Some of the experiences included are her own; some have been garnered from friends and casual conversations with acquaintances. She also writes poetry, is an avid photographer, loves to travel, and is a practicing physician. She currently lives in Denver with her family.
My Thoughts:
I found this book to be a refreshing reprieve from reading serious mystery or thriller novels. This is a light-hearted love story that deals with a topic that is very much relevant to life today. It deals with relationships and the bond of trust that forms between two people and holds them together through thick and thin.
Nowadays when most people discount the concept of arranged marriage or frown upon it, this story manages to convey how an arranged marriage can turn into something beautiful and how love can blossom between two people through this.
I really liked Ruhi’s character and the spirit she shows and the strength she has to hold her own is indeed an inspiration for most women. We can take Ruhi as an example of how to hold on to what is yours while at the same time holding on to your dignity and self-respect. Shaan’s character is an interesting mix and it’s easy to appreciate him once he starts realising his mistakes and makes an effort to correct them. The characters are wonderful and Sunshine’s character is perhaps the best as she helps bring the two together.
Overall this is a well written story that doesn’t at any point deviate from the plot and it will definitely get you thinking about your thoughts and ideas of marriage and how it should be. I strongly recommend this book for everyone.
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The Torturer’s Daughter by Zoe Cannon

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Synopsis:

When her best friend Heather calls in the middle of the night, Becca Dalcourt assumes it’s the usual drama. Wrong. Heather’s parents have been arrested as dissidents – and Becca’s mother, the dystopian regime’s most infamous torturer, has already executed them for their crimes against the state.

To stop Heather from getting herself killed trying to prove her parents’ innocence, Becca hunts for proof of their guilt. She doesn’t expect to find evidence that leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about the dissidents… and about her mother.

When she risks her life to save a dissident, she learns her mother isn’t the only one with secrets – and the plot she uncovers will threaten the lives of the people she loves most. For Becca, it’s no longer just a choice between risking execution and ignoring the regime’s crimes; she has to decide whose life to save and whose to sacrifice.

It’s easy to be a hero when you can save the world, but what about when all you can do is choose how you live in it? The Torturer’s Daughter is a story about ordinary life amidst the realities of living under an oppressive regime… and the extraordinary courage it takes to do what’s right in a world gone wrong.

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Torturers-Daughter-ebook/dp/B009UEVWCW

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-torturers-daughter-zoe-cannon/1113578832?ean=2940015509359

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=1230000026330

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247175

Excerpt:

Becca’s steps slowed as she approached Processing 117. The floodlights of the parking lot shone down on her, exposing her. Past the lot, the darkness threatened to close in. There was no other source of light nearby except for the dim glow of the streetlamps, nothing but trees for at least a mile in every direction.

The concrete structure loomed taller than its five stories—maybe because of the invisible presence of the underground levels, or maybe because in a moment Becca was going to have to walk inside.

Heather can’t have been arrested. If she were a prisoner, they wouldn’t have let her call.

But when Becca remembered the panic in Heather’s voice, the thought wasn’t all that reassuring anymore.

Becca took the last few steps across the not-quite-empty parking lot. The windows of the upper floors glowed in a patchwork of lights, showing who was working another late night and who was at home sleeping… or down on the underground levels. Becca knew that in one of those dark offices, a phone had been ringing off the hook for the past half-hour, its owner oblivious to Becca’s pleas for her to answer, to find Heather for her, to fix this.

Becca reached the double doors of the entrance—and froze. Her heart thudded against her ribcage.

Heather is in there, she reminded herself. Heather needs me.

She pulled the doors open and stepped inside.

The doors slammed shut behind her, the noise echoing off the stark white walls. Security cameras stared down at her from the ceiling. The guards, one to either side of the metal detector, pinned her to the floor with their eyes, but said nothing.

Opposite the metal detector from Becca, the room was bare except for a huge metal desk with corners that looked sharp enough to cut. Behind the desk, a dark-haired woman with a headset clipped to her ear stopped mid-yawn and jerked up to face her.

Becca held her breath and stepped through the metal detector. Its light flashed green, and one of the guards waved her forward. She let her breath out and stepped up to the desk.

She eyed the woman’s crisp gray suit, and the desk that gleamed like it had never seen a speck of dust in its life. Then she looked down at her own clothes, the jeans and wrinkled t-shirt she had grabbed from her dresser after hanging up with Heather. She crossed her arms around her stomach.

The receptionist’s bleary surprise had vanished, replaced by a stone mask. “Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for…” Becca bit back the name on her lips. No. If she were in her office, she would have answered the phone. Anyway, Becca could imagine her reaction at finding out about this midnight walk to 117. Becca was on her own.

“…Heather Thomas,” she finished. “She called me half an hour ago and told me she was here.”

The receptionist’s expression didn’t tell Becca anything.

“She’s here… somewhere… she called me…” Becca’s voice trailed off. I’m not doing anything wrong, she told herself. I’m not a dissident. Heather’s not a dissident.

Which led Becca back to the question that had been circling through her mind since she had gotten Heather’s call. What was Heather doing here?

The receptionist turned away and tapped something out on her keyboard. It only took her a few seconds to find what she was looking for. She typed in something else and touched her earpiece. “We have a detainee in temporary holding,” she said to someone Becca couldn’t see. “Last name Thomas. Her file says she’s waiting for a relative to collect her. Right, that’s the one. Someone forgot to collect her phone, and she called a friend.” A pause. “No, that won’t be necessary. Just confiscate the phone.”

She turned back to Becca. “Heather Thomas is waiting for her guardian to arrive. Are you Lydia Thomas?” She gave Becca a skeptical once-over.

Becca considered saying yes, but even if the receptionist weren’t going to ask for proof, there was no way she could pass as Heather’s… aunt, she remembered after a moment. Aunt Lydia, the one who always looked at Becca and Heather like being in high school was catching.

The receptionist took her silence as an answer. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

Becca wanted nothing more than to do just that. But she couldn’t leave and let this place swallow Heather. “If she’s waiting for her aunt to get here, I can wait with her until she shows up.”

“I’m sorry,” said the receptionist, already turning back to her computer. “The policy is clear. The detainee will remain in temporary holding—alone—until her guardian arrives.”

Becca was losing ground. And somewhere in this building, Heather was waiting for her. “I’m not trying to take her home or anything. I only want to…” To make sure she wasn’t locked away underground. To make sure they hadn’t gotten her mixed up with somebody else, some dissident slated for execution. “…to let her know I’m here. I promised her I’d—”

“Your refusal to leave the building when instructed will be recorded.” The receptionist placed her hands on her keyboard. “May I have your name?”

“At least tell me what happened. Why is she here? Is she all right?”

“Your name, please,” the receptionist repeated.

If she stayed much longer, the receptionist would order the guards to drag her out—or worse, in. She could end up in one of those underground cells… She shivered. They couldn’t do that to her just for asking about Heather, right?

“Your name,” the receptionist repeated again, with a glance toward the guards.

Becca slumped. “Rebecca Dalcourt.”

The receptionist blinked.

“Well,” she said, her voice suddenly warmer, “I suppose we can make an exception.”

Author Bio:

Zoe Cannon writes about the things that fascinate her: outsiders, societies no sane person would want to live in, questions with no easy answers, and the inner workings of the mind. If she couldn’t be a writer, she would probably be a psychologist, a penniless philosopher, or a hermit in a cave somewhere. While she’ll read anything that isn’t nailed down, she considers herself a YA reader and writer at heart. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and a giant teddy bear of a dog, and spends entirely too much time on the internet.

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

The story focuses on how the protagonist, Becca believes in standing by her friends and fighting for what is right even if it means going against those you love most dearly, in this case her mother, Raleigh Dalcourt. The story is set in a dystopian society where the government’s say is final and they can arrest anyone they think is going against them. Such people are called “dissidents”.

The way in which the protagonist deals with some truths she comes across and the way she handles the confrontation with her mother, who happens to work for internal and is their most infamous processor, forms the crux of the story. The decisions she has to make especially when your loved ones are involved is what this story deals with.We also become aware of the decisions people may take out of fear or love. Such decisions can prove to be the tuning point in some situations.

It is a well written story with a plot that unfolds smoothly and keeps you turning the pages for more. The characters are well rounded and are easy to relate to. This is a story that I recommend for everyone especially the young adults and people who love this genre out there!

 

 

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Spellweaver by C.J.Bridgeman

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Book One of the Spellweaver Chronicles:

Spellweaver (The Spellweaver Chronicles, #1)

Synopsis:

Felicity Lucas never really knew her mother. Even though they had lived together for all the fourteen years that Felicity had been alive, they had barely even had a meaningful conversation. It was a relationship that was far from perfect.

So when her mother dies in a car crash and Felicity is sent to live with her estranged father in a deprived London borough, she is determined to move on. It isn’t easy – content with her solitude, she’s never had friends before, but the most popular girl in her new school won’t leave her alone and she’s forced to attend counselling. To make things worse, it’s obvious that her father doesn’t want her around.

It is only after she discovers a book of spells and is attacked by a strange boy who can conjure flames in his hands that she starts to realise that her mother was far more than what she seemed. She had a great many secrets, secrets that promise to thrust Felicity into a terrifying world of magic and straight into the path of beings who are determined to destroy her…

My thoughts:

This book is like a breath of fresh air. The book is well written and crafted with a skill I can’t help but admire. It has been a while since I read a book in this genre that actually held my attention until the end. The book had me turning the pages yearning for more.

Felicity’s character is well thought out and for the heroine, she may come across as shy or timid/ a loner, but we are shown a glimpse of the strength that lies beneath. Her behavior is justified as she has never experienced a normal life the way her new friends have.

Holly’s character is quite interesting. Though she is extremely popular and social, she’s well meaning and a real good person. This is a wonderful change from the usual popular girls whose only ambition is to make other people’s lives miserable. Her equation with her twin, Jamie, a complete nerd, is fascinating especially as the two are polar opposites.

The story so far, as this is just the first book in the series, is interesting, it will keep you hooked till the end and when you put the book down it will be with the urge to know more. For a first time novel, Claire has done a wonderful job, keeping the language simple and sticking to the plot beautifully!

The various twists and turns and each characters’ reaction is covered delicately with a huge focus to detail. It takes a great deal to create a whole new world where magic is involved and so far I think she has nailed it.

Book Blast: Cherished by Lakshmi Menon

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18403945

Book Blurb:

Grishma, accompanied by her father and four month old baby, boards the train to Delhi to join her husband Praveen. She decides to give him an unexpected visit. Little does she know that her journey will end in havoc to her life. 19 years later, Grishma’s daughter Jyothi, longing for her father’s love and support, determines to search for him, despite her mother’s strong protests. Will Praveen accept her as his daughter?
This is the story of Jyothi’s pursuit of parental love, which she considers as her legitimate right.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18403945-cherished?ac=1

About the Author:

CHERISHED-Lakshmi.Menon

Born and brought up in Kerala, Lakshmi Menon, after her primary education, moved to Karnataka where she did her graduation (BA) and courses in Journalism and Creative Writing.  Even while working with a prestigious medical institution, she continued her passion of writing on her free time. Her short stories, articles, children’s stories and travel articles have appeared in magazines, newspapers, anthologies and on the internet.  She has authored a novel “The Second Choice” and few children’s books. In Malayalam too, she has written a serial novel and a few short stories. Travelled widely and settled in Bangalore, Lakshmi is the Founder and Editor of the popular eMagazine Induswomanwriting.com, which  showcases the work of both the amateur and published writers.

Author Links:

Blog – http://travel-muse.blogspot.in

Twitter – https://twitter.com/indusww

Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/sindiat/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5132803.Lakshmi_Menon

Buy Book Links:

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Cherished-Lakshmi-Menon/dp/8182534410/

Flipkart – http://www.flipkart.com/cherished/p/itmdzq6zzwfh8yas

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THE RECKLESS ENGINEER by JAC WRIGHT

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SYNOPSIS:

Jac Wright author, mystery, suspense, crime fiction

The aftershocks of an affair reverberate out to those in the lives of the lovers, who will NOT take it lying down.

Jack Connor’s lives an idyllic life by the Portsmouth seaside married to Caitlin McAllen, a stunning billionaire  heiress, and working at his two jobs as the Head of Radar Engineering of Marine Electronics and as the Director of Engineering of McAllen BlackGold, his powerful father-in-law Douglas McAllen’s extreme engineering company in Oil & Gas.  He loves his two sons from his first marriage and is amicably divorced from his beautiful first wife Marianne Connor.  Their delicately balanced lives are shattered when sexy  Michelle Williams, with whom Jack is having a secret affair and who is pregnant with his child, is found dead and Jack is arrested on suspicion for the murder.

Jeremy Stone brings London’s top defence attorney, Harry Stavers, to handle his best friend’s defence.

Who is the bald man with the tattoo of a skull seen entering the victim’s house?  Who is “KC” who Caitlin makes secret calls to from a untraceable mobile?  Has powerful Douglas McAllen already killed his daughter’s first partner and is he capable of killing again?  Is Caitlin’s brother Ronnie McAllen’s power struggle with Jack for the control of McAllen Industries so intense that he is prepared to kill and frame his brother-in-law?  Is the divorce from Jack’s first wife as amicable on her part as they believe it to be?  Are his sons prepared to kill for their vast inheritance?  Who are the ghosts from Caitlin’s past in Aberdeen, Scotland haunting the marriage?  What is the involvement of Jack’s manager at Marine Electronics?

​While Jack is charged and his murder trial proceeds in the Crown Court under barrister Harry Stavers’ expert care, Jeremy runs a race against time to find the real killer and save his friend’s life, if he is in fact innocent, in a tense tale of love, power, and ambition.

Buy Links:      http://www.amazon.com/Jac-Wright/e/B00DAGN3J6/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

This is the new book cover!

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About the Author:

Jac Wright is a published poet, an author, and an electronics engineer educated at Stanford, UCL, and Cambridge who lives and works in England. He studied English literature from the early age of three, developing an intense love for poetry, drama, and writing in Trinity College Speech & Drama classes taken every Saturday for 14 years, and in subsequent creative writing classes taken during the university years. A published poet, Jac’s first passion was for literary fiction and poetry writing as well as for the dramatic arts. You will find these influences in the poetic imagery and prose, the dramatic scene setting, and the deep character creation.

These passions–for poetry, drama, literary fiction, and electronic engineering–have all been lovingly combined to create the first book in his literary suspense series, The Reckless Engineer. There are millions of professionals in high tech corporate environments who work in thousands of cities in the US, the UK, and the world such as engineers, technicians, investment bankers, and corporate lawyers. High drama, power struggles, and human interest stories play out in the arena every day. Yet there are hardly any books that tell their stories; there are not many books that they can identify with. Jac feels compelled to tell their stories in The Reckless Engineer series.

Jac also writes the literary short fiction series, Summerset Tales, in which he explores characters struggling against their passions and social circumstances in the semi-fictional region of contemporary England called Summerset, partly the region that Thomas Hardy called Wessex. Some of the tales have an added element of suspense similar to Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected. The collection is published as individual tales in the tradition of Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers and Thomas Hardy’s Wessex Tales. The first tale, The Closet, accompanies the author’s first full-length literary suspense title, The Reckless Engineer.

Connect with the author:

Website:          http://jacwrightbooks.wix.com/jacwright
Blog:               http://mysteriescrimethrillers.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/jacwrightbooks
Twitter:           @JacWrightBooks

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jac-Wright/e/B00DAGN3J6

My thoughts:

This murder mystery is a page turner with a wonderful plot. The story is well thought out and written in a way that all questions that may arise in the reader’s mind will be answered. The story starts off in the present and supporting information about past events are provided as and when required. This provides a good understanding of the story.

The hero of the series, Jeremy Stone, an engineer receives a phone call from his best friend Jack Connor, who has been charged with murdering Michelle, his co-worker with whom he was having an affair. Jeremy asks his friend Harry Stavers, an attorney, to step in as Jack’s lawyer. The story follows the mystery surrounding the murder as Harry and Jeremy work to prove Jack’s innocence.

Every character we are introduced to in the story becomes a potential suspect with a strong motive to have killed Michelle, and just when you think you have figured out who the murderer is, a new twist is brought in so subtly that your entire focus shifts to another character.

The scenes are described vividly making it easy for us to recreate the image in our mind and follow the story as it progresses.The characters are well thought out and give us a sense of reality. They are all described in shades of grey and no one person is perfect. I really liked the way each character had a definite reason to be in the story. There were no unnecessary deviations from the plot either.

Overall this is a wonderful fast paced story which is definitely worth a read!

 

Book Review Tours : Venice in the Moonlight by Elizabeth McKenna

Posted in Book Reviews, BookWorld, Joys of Life, Uncategorized by

Paperback: 194 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace

ISBN-13: 978-1492720195



A story of vengeance, forgiveness and love…



After her husband’s untimely demise, Marietta Gatti is banished from the family’s villa by her spiteful mother-in-law. She returns to her hometown of Venice and her only kin—a father she hasn’t spoken to since her forced marriage. Her hope of making amends is crushed when she learns she is too late, for he recently died under suspicious circumstances. Grief-stricken, Marietta retraces her father’s last night only to discover someone may have wanted him dead—and she may be next. When the prime suspect turns out to be the father of the man she is falling in love with, Marietta risks her future happiness and her life to avenge the death of a man she once hated.



Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel takes you back to the days of Carnival and Casanova, where lovers meet discreetly, and masks make everyone equal.


 
Buy Links:
Createspace I Amazon I Barnes & Noble
 
Excerpt
Nico shrugged in the French wingback chair they had placed by the fireplace for his portrait. He looked regal in a black silk suit trimmed in gold and a waistcoat of burgundy and gold leaf-patterned brocade. It seemed Raul had excellent taste in men’s fashions.
Marietta rolled her eyes before she settled in a chair behind the easel. “Please keep still while I draw.”
“May I talk?”
“I’d rather you didn’t.” Looking at him was going to be enough distraction. She didn’t need to listen to him also.
He ignored her request. “I have to ask—why Palladino?”
Marietta blew out an exasperated breath. “I can’t sketch you properly if you talk.”
“You could have chosen any man at the Consul’s villa. Casanova himself expressed interest in you, yet you leave with that pig.”
“It’s not what you think.” She compared her drawing to Nico and frowned. His shoulders were no longer in the same position.
“You didn’t have to suffer the man’s dismal lovemaking. What were you thinking?”
“We did not make love,” she replied through clenched teeth.
He continued as if not hearing her. “You’re the first woman in years that he didn’t have to pay, though he would never admit to his need for courtesans. I just don’t understand how you could find him appealing.”
“We did not make love.” She practically shouted it this time. “I’m not attracted to Palladino or any other man for that matter.”
This silenced him, gratefully, but only for a few moments. “Well, in that case, I know of a few courtesans that can accommodate you. I am told they are quite beautiful and skilled.”
Marietta threw down her charcoal and marched over to him. She grabbed his shoulders and repositioned him. “That is not what I meant and you know it.”
He smiled up at her innocently. “I didn’t mean to offend you, but you have refused my charms, so what should I think?”
She glared at him for her own benefit, knowing it would have no effect on the man. “You need to stop talking and moving.”
When he didn’t respond, she said, “That’s better.”
He lasted almost fifteen minutes. “So, what kind of man are you attracted to? Perhaps, I could suggest a few potential lovers.”
“How about one who has fewer conquests than fingers and toes? Or one that values honesty and fidelity over all else? Do you know any like that?”
From the thoughtful look on his face, he took this as an earnest question. “I’m afraid, Kitty, a man like that will be hard to find in Venice, especially this time of year.”
“Well, then, I guess I’ll have to go without.”
“How depressing. What will you do for amusement if you don’t take a lover?”
Marietta rubbed at her temples and decided she deserved more than the coins she’d already been paid. “There’s more to life than pleasuring oneself.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Signore, really.” She placed her stub of charcoal on the easel’s tray and rolled the stiffness from her neck and shoulders. “That is all for today. I have another appointment.” It was a lie, but she felt the need to rest and the bed in the corner was tempting her tired body.
 
About the Author:

Elizabeth McKenna works as a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. Though her love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). She had always wanted to write fiction, so when a psychic told her she would write a book, she felt obligated to give it a try. She combined her love of history, romance and a happy ending to write her debut novel Cera’s Place. Her short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, is available for free on her website http://elizabethmckenna.com/. She hopes you will enjoy her latest novel, Venice in the Moonlight, as much as others have enjoyed her previous works.



Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

 
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The Longest Ride

Posted in BookWorld, Joys of Life, Uncategorized by

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I am back with more on books by Nicholas Sparks, but this time I am not giving a book review!! The Longest Ride is Nicholas Sparks latest novel which is going to release on the 17th of September 2013!! Being an ardent fan of his books and writing I simple cannot wait to grab a copy of his book and immerse myself in the world of his characters. His books have been my source of experiencing such love as can never be imagined in real life and his characters are not perfectionists or unreal people but someone who seems just like a normal person!!

Reading the summary or synopsis of the story on his official website (link will be at the end of this post for those fans out there like me) I felt a compelling urge to get the book already. It is so difficult to wait. So next I am including the synopsis of the book taken from the official site:

Summary:

Ira Levinson is in trouble.  At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash.   Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him:  his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago.  Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families.  Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local bull-riding event, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change.  Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school.  Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward — even life and death – loom large in everyday life.  As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans —  a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth.  Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

From the above summary we can see that this book is another one of his signature love stories with a lot of meaning and messages conveyed as well as some values in life. I will definitely post a review of the book when i read it. But until then, this teaser of the book should suffice!!

The official website of Nicholas Sparks is : http://www.nicholassparks.com

Do visit the site, and fans like me can register to receive to email updates!!

– Dark Warrior

THE JOYS OF READING

Posted in BookWorld, Joys of Life by

There is a saying that goes – Books are a man’s best friend. When I say books, I am talking about fiction, stories made up or inspired by real events but still changed to suit the writer’s imagination. It all comes down to imagination. When we read a novel, our imagination is fired. We are able to visualize characters, places and every scene as we interpret the description. Everything is left to our imagination and interpretation.

Reading takes a person to a whole new world where there may be magic or dragons or witches or fairies. Where people can fly or animals and insects and even vehicles can speak. Once you immerse yourself in a book, you develop a relationship with the characters, the kind you would never have imagined. You can share their happiness and their sorrows, we laugh at jokes, smile at the most wonderful of situations and cry when the character cries. We cry for them, for their sorrows for their life. We develop a rapport that surprises us and makes a lot of people feel out of depth. But that is okay. It is enough to realize that you have entered the world created by the writer and are now experiencing everything he/she did while writing the story for us. I encourage more and more people to read so that they experience the joys of reading and the joy of disappearing into a new world for a while.

images          – Dark Warrior