Book Review: Nothing Ventured by Jeffrey Archer

Title: Nothing Ventured

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Publisher: Pan

Jeffrey Archer’s ‘Nothing Ventured’ marks the start of a brand new series featuring Detective Inspector William Warwick, who is a character written by author Harry Clifton in Archer’s Clifton Chronicles series.

The story opens with William Warwick wanting to join the Metropolitan Police force much to the dismay of his father Sir Julian Warwick QC, who hoped his son would join him in chambers and train to be a barrister. William doesn’t relent and is backed by his mother and his sister Grace.

Joining the London police force straight out of school, he quickly proves himself to his superiors and soon moves from being a patrol officer to fledgling detective for Scotland Yard’s Arts and Antiquities unit. There, he investigates forgeries, counterfeit antiquities, a missing Rembrandt, and a master art thief. 

Throughout the pages we see the character of William Warwick grow more endearing. He’s a well-bred youth full of intelligence and ambition. But we also find him naïve who’s got a lot to learn. Which he does while being surrounded by a distinctive cast of family and colleagues who have the best of intentions in their hearts for him. 

During investigating the theft of a priceless Rembrandt painting from the Fitzmolean Museum seven years ago, he meets Beth Rainsford, a research assistant at the gallery. He falls hopelessly in love with her and the feeling is mutual. However, Beth comes with her own baggage that she's terrified will come to light and strain their relationship. William, the gentleman that he is, rises to the occasion and helps Beth straighten things.

'Nothing Ventured' is wrought with twists, triumphs, and tragedy and Archer cranks it up further with an unexpected ending—a cliffhanger certain to create clamor for the next installment.

Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O’ Nine Tales, has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries). A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Of Swans and Songs by Rohini Paranjpe Sathe

Title: Of Swans and Songs

Author: Rohini Paranjpe Sathe

Publisher: Notion Press

Rohini Paranjpe Sathe’s Of Swans and Songs is a collection of seven short stories made up of a myriad of emotions and situations. Though rooted in India, the stories have a universal appeal. These are relatable tales of simplicity, bittersweet memories, loneliness, and understanding. Each short story holds up a mirror to our society and to the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Told in simple yet fluid language the stories seep into one’s psyche only to resurface long after the book has been laid aside.

The stories are eclectic in taste, each resplendent in its own way. 

When the Girl Died shows us the harsh reality of our society and how each person reacts to it differently. The story is about the turmoil in the life of the Mathur family when confronted with the news of a rape. The story, though, ends on a positive note and assures readers of the still-persisting humanity at the face of cruelty.

The Messenger speaks of how we feel even months or years later after we’ve lost a loved one. We continue to feel them around us—watching us, looking out for us. We keep holding on to unrealistic yet hopeful scenarios with wishful thinking.

The third story in the collection, Anuja Grows Up, is the story of family secrets. We each come from different backgrounds and yet it is safe to say that even while dealing with our circumstances in various ways, the underlying emotions are universal.

Amma celebrates the life of renowned classical singer and her relationship with her prodigy. There’s a poignancy that is laced throughout the story that tugs at the heart. The author's love for music shines through in this story.

Finding Shobha is a tale of a teacher’s tryst with the changes in her life. The story tells of how she deals with her fluctuating mood and comes to term with it.

Of Swans and Songs is a story of an extramarital affair that breaks up a surgeon’s family. It takes one through the chaos that ensues after an affair and the efforts thereafter to establish peace and harmony.

A Happy Diwali takes one down the memory lanes of Diwali celebrations and makes one long with nostalgia. It’s another good read dipped in emotions.

A collection of thought-provoking stories—captivating and uplifting.

Rohini Paranjpe Sathe studied and trained to be an economist but returned to her first and enduring love, the pursuit of Indian classical music (vocal). She sings and composes, the words and their melody coming to her spontaneously.

Writing since the past six years, she has published a series of articles comprising her reflections and memories on the website, Talking Cranes. Later, gravitating towards fiction, she started writing stories, both short and long, imagining and embellishing characters while delving essentially into their emotional flux.

This collection of stories is her first publication as a fiction writer.

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I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Love in the Time of WhatsApp and Other Stories by Various

Title: Love in the Time of WhatsApp and Other Stories

Author: Various

Publisher: Juggernaut

Love in the Time of WhatsApp and Other Stories is Juggernaut's first digital to print anthology. It is collection of 12 stories where love has found, or un-found, fruition holding the hands of technology. The stories have a recurring theme that projects how technology has changed the way we love and even find love.

With smartphones replacing every other form of engagement in our lives, instant messaging has become the primary mode of communication for many people, especially for those involved in romantic relationships. This collection gives a tiny peek at this phenomenon.

All the stories are non-taxing; there are neither heart-racing disaster dramas nor wrenching emotional excavations in this collection. However, every story entertains or makes us think. Some more so than the others.

My personal favourites are ‘Wi-Fi Love,’ ‘Rent a Husband,’ and ‘Mrs Good Luck’ among others. Though ‘Chrysanthemums in Springtime’ doesn’t conform to the theme, it is nevertheless a good read. ‘TTYL’ made me realize how lonely we’ve all become even when the world is just a click away. 'The Glitch' got me quite worried while thinking where the world's headed.

Simple language, a conversational style, and relatable circumstances makes this anthology an easy read. Think of those utterly boring commutes and pick up this book. You won’t have wasted your precious reading time.

The anthology is a collection of entertaining and engagingly written tales that will please fans of its genre.

The twelve writers included in this anthology are some of the most popular authors on the Juggernaut app. Most of them were discovered on the Juggernaut writing platform.

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Book Review: 10 Indian Monarchs Whose Amazing Stories You May Not Know by Devika Rangachari

Title: 10 Indian Monarchs Whose Amazing Stories You May Not Know

Author: Devika Rangachari

Publisher: Duckbill Books and Publications Pvt Ltd

‘10 Indian Monarchs Whose Amazing Stories You May Not Know’ by Devika Rangachari is a lively, readable account of the lives of 10 monarchs who ruled over India and the adjacent lands during the late ancient or early medieval times starting from the 7th century.

Many of the rulers mentioned in this compendium are known names though their stories are not relayed as often. While some may be known to readers, most will not. Needless to say, the accounts we read here are the ones that the author found compelling and obscure to some extent.

Among historian and award-winning novelist Devika Rangachari’s subjects are those who will be familiar to most readers, such as Ajatshatru and Bindusara, and those who are not household names including Abbakka and Didda. Almost all overcame great odds to influence their world.

There are very few women rulers written about in history textbooks, not just in India but all over the world. Since most monarchies were patrilineal, the majority of the rulers were men. However, history has seen several prominent female rulers who left indelible mark in the sands of time. Rangachari’s attempt of including these forgotten heroines in this collection is commendable.

Packed with intriguing facts, this comprehensive volume is the perfect introduction to India’s rich and utterly fascinating royal heritage. As the language of this collection is fluid, it doesn’t come across like a history textbook. A small but charming detail about the book is that at the end of each chapter there is a short snippet about how the current geographical regions in India correspond to the kingdom of the erstwhile rulers. This helps visualize the country as it was ages ago.

The well-told stories can be read independently of one another and in any order.

A solid introduction for those who know little about the rulers of the yore.

Dr Devika Rangachari is an award-winning children’s writer whose book, Queen of Ice, was on the White Raven list, won the Neev Young Adult Book Award and has been optioned to be made into a movie/ television series. She is also a historian who has conducted post-doctoral research on gender in early medieval Indian history. Devika is inordinately fond of reading (especially historical fiction), chocolates, potatoes, and exploring bookshops and libraries. She would happily spend her time among her four loves were it not for her lovely-but-stern editors who occasionally compel her to write.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Author Interview: Iram Fatima Ashi, Author of A Pleasant Secret

I am Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’. I am a non-resident Indian staying in Saudi Arabia. I was born and raised in India. I have lived in different places and explored different people and their cultures. I am connected with my own country by soul and miss that.

Travelling has been an important part of my life. I have always felt as though borders are just the constructs of our feeble intellects, we have to look beyond them, only then will our hearts be free. After spending so many years in different cultures and places, my quest is far from over. I want to travel till my last breath and I feel I don’t belong to any particular culture. I have accepted whole world as my own and have a deep desire to be buried wherever I die.

I pursued graduation and post graduation in English. I have been writing since the age of 13 in Hindi, Urdu and English. I am currently working as an Editor in chief of Reflection, an online magazine; Editorial Executive Sub-Committee member of VIEW (Print journal) and my creative work is part of 43 international anthologies.

My articles, short stories and poems are published in Indian magazines and newspapers. Internationally, my work is published in Canada, Uzbekistan and US.

I feel blessed on being honored by ‘Aagman Gourav 2015, 2016 and 2017’ in India by Aagman group.

I like reading, writing, painting, listening to music and observing nature. I take inspiration from real life, nature and anything which touches me. I am a poetess, writer, painter and overall an artist by heart. 

My poems and stories are simple yet subtle. You don’t need much literary prowess to understand its depth.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller? 

Ans: I started writing when I was 13 years old and in 8th std. I wrote my first poem on ‘pen’ and a drama which was performed in annual function against dowry and after that articles, short stories and poems and no looking back.

What motivates you to write and where does your inspiration come from? 

Ans: My parents and my friends… they have always believed in me and are my constant support; they appreciate, they criticize and they never let me give up. 

What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine or do you have any weird, funny, or unusual habits while writing and what are they? 

Ans: I am a passionate writer and try to write regularly. I try to make a balance between my responsibilities and my passion. 

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? 

Ans: I suffer from writer's block many times and during that period I try to devote myself in reading classic and contemporary books. 

What are your current/future projects? 

Ans: Currently I am working on women oriented novel. 

Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them? 

Ans: I mostly write on romantic topic or any burning social issue and I can perfectly make balance these as I have many shades of emotions and I can express it well. 

Are you traditional or self-published, and what process did you go through to get your book published? 

Ans: I have experience of both publishing and I would prefer self-publishing because of transparency in it. 

What opportunities have being an author presented you with and share those memories? (i.e. travel, friends, events, speaking, etc...) 

Ans: My father had a transferable job and so I explored many places, culture and people because of that and all that experience shows in my writing too. 

What field or genre would you classify your book(s) and what attracted you to write in that field or genre? 

Ans: Mostly I write on ‘love’ and this is because I am a fun loving, romantic person in my life. 

What do you do if inspiration strikes in an inconvenient place like (car, restaurant, bathroom/shower, etc..) and how do you capture that moment before it gets away from you? 

Ans: I always carry a notepad with me and I pen down my ideas in short whenever I get it. 

How do you think you have evolved as a person/author because of your writing and do you believe your writing has helped others, how/why? 

Ans: No I don’t feel so as many people told me that they find my work inspiring and they too share their work or short stories after reading mine. 

Do you believe there is value in a review? Do you believe they are underrated, overrated, or don’t matter at all? 

Ans: Yes, good review inspires others to read that particular work, thankfully I never get bad review on any of my work. 

What is your biggest fear about having a book published? 

Ans: The biggest fear about having a book published is not to get enough readers because of lack of promotions. 

If you have multiple books published what do you feel is your greatest work, why? 

Ans: Till now my 42 anthologies and 5 individual books have been published and I think my best work is yet to come. 

What is the intended audience for you book? 

Ans: I write about human sentiments and want to reach common people through my book. 

If you had the chance to get one message out there to reach readers all over the world, what would that message be? 

Ans: Be positive in your life and spread love. 

What makes a good story, why? 

Ans: I think every reader has their own taste, few like adventurous, few love mystery and few enjoy romantic story. Being an author we express our ideas, it’s up to the readers to accept that or not. 

Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad? 

Ans: Yes, I read my reviews and give my response to that. I take bad review in constructive way to make my work better next time. 

What is the easiest/hardest scene for you to write, why? (Love, action, fight, death, racy, controversial, etc…) 

Ans: The hardest scene to write is about racism and death as people are fearful to accept both facts. 

What are some events you have attended or participated in that has been a positive experience/influence on/for your writing? 

Ans: As you know I stay out of India and my closest friends are in India, I love to spend my time with them and it recharges me and I feel more creative after that. 

What would you like to write about that you have never written about before? 

Ans: I want to write on women’s suffering and their fight against that. This would be in my next novel. 

Were your characters based on real life people/events or did you make it all up? 

Ans: I like to observe people deeply and try to understand their behavior pattern and relationship in their life that helps me to create characters in my stories. 

What are the most important elements of good writing? According to you, what tools are must-haves for writers? 

Ans: I think in writing there should be easy language, relatable characters, realistic situations must be created so that readers can relate and enjoy your work. 

Do you view writing as a career, labor of love, hobby, creative outlet, therapy, or something else? 

Ans: Writing is my passion and my love, so I enjoy doing it. 

What are the advantages/disadvantages of self or traditional publishing? 

Ans: In traditional publishing you are not sure that your work would be justified by them or not, as you have to blindly trust them for everything and in self-publishing, you have to pay for your own hard work that seems strange but at least you have the right to bring your best in paperback. 

What makes your book stand out from the crowd? 

Ans: Simple words, realistic characters and situations in my novel definitely makes my book stand out from the crowd. 

Do you read? Who are your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style? 

Ans: I always like to read renowned authors like Jane Austen, Ernest Miller Hemingway, William Shakespeare and their stories always inspire me. 

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing? 

Ans: Be a good reader first and keen observer of real life and then pen down whatever you feel like worth saying. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers? 

Ans: Every person has their different passions like reading, writing, cooking, teaching, social work etc but somewhere we pack that and keep it aside while choosing our priorities. I would like to suggest that they should be a little mean to live for themselves too as they are also individuals with different identities and hobbies and passions. Take out the ‘me time’ for themselves… follow their passion… do what they love… to keep them happy and if they are happy then only they can spread happiness among others.

Definitely, all marriages are not made in heaven, and a few socially chosen partners turn their partners’ lives into living hell.

In this novel, Khushbu Khanna is the bold girl working as the C.E.O of a multinational company and lives her life on her own terms.

Sumit Aggarwal, who accepted all decisions of his parents and society and tries to be happy. Is he really happy in that fake cocoon?

Time and circumstances had separated Sumit and Khushbu. Then how did they become inseparable parts of each other and a pleasant secret of each other’s life?

Read and unfold the journey of the various characters layer by layer. It will leave you as a reader to ponder over questions like: Does something like soul-mates really exist? What is more important—Society and its norms or true love?

An exceptional story of separation and then the reunion of long-lost lovers...

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Thank you, Ashi for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!

Book Review: 10 Indian Women Who Were The First To Do What They Did by Shruthi Rao

Title: 10 Indian Women Who Were The First To Do What They Did 

Author: Shruthi Rao

Publisher: Duckbill Books and Publications Pvt Ltd

Award-winning writer Shruthi Rao’s ‘10 Indian Women Who Were The First To Do What They Did’ is a compendium of 10 strong, trailblazing women who have left an indelible mark in their respective fields for future generations to measure up to.

In this book of 'The 10s' series, the lives of women scientists, pioneers, athletes, and diplomats are explored and celebrated. The minibiographies introduces the major accomplishments of each featured female personality, helping this book to double up as a fun read and as an informative lead-in to further research.

Compressing an entire lifetime into a few pages is a feat and Rao has done a commendable work in providing the basic details alone of the 10 women who were the first female achievers in their chosen area. These women are from diverse fields and their stories are different as are the challenges they faced.

Of the 10 highlighted females, most are familiar names from the late 19^th century and early 20^th century. Rao acknowledges the difficult nature of choosing a select list but also claims that she was most inspired by the women about whom she has written as their stories are the most compelling. She has also included at the end of each chapter few other names from India as well as around the world who achieved greatness in their fields. This volume will surely awaken future change-makers.

As an introduction to women’s power and possibilities, Rao’s choices rise above the rest.

Shruthi Rao studied to be an energy engineer and worked as a software professional until her story-gobbling-monster-daughter pulled out the writer lurking inside her. She writes for both adults and children, and is a freelance editor. She loves books, science, trees, desserts, hikes and the internet.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Shakuni – Master of the Game by Ashutosh Nadkar

Title: Shakuni – Master of the Game

Author: Ashutosh Nadkar

Publisher: Juggernaut

Ashutosh Nadkar’s ‘Shakuni – Master of the Game’ is a retelling of the Mahabharata from the perspective of one of the important antagonists, Shakuni. The novel explores the circumstances that made him one of the greatest villains in Indian mythology.

It is always exciting to know the backstory of an otherwise neglected character in an established myth. In this case it is Shakuni. The crown prince of Gandhara, Shakuni is often credited as the mastermind behind the Great War of Kurukshetra. He was considered the greatest illusionist of that era, second only to Lord Krishna. But is he really the bad guy? Or is he a man who has been wronged and only tries to punish the wrong-doer? In this book, Nadkar gives voice to a hitherto misunderstood, and supposedly vile, character

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Personally, I never thought about this side of the narration that Nadkar has put forth. I’ve always thought of Shakuni as evil and I’m sure so have many others. This book shows otherwise. We mustn’t forget that every coin has two sides. So does every incident. Upon reading the book, I found that Shakuni has a lot of redeeming qualities. It not only diminished the negativity associated with him but also evoked in me sympathy for him.

That Nadkar knows the Mahabharata well is obvious in his treatment of his characters, both important and inconspicuous. He keeps true to the original story and only changes the point of view of the telling.

For Nadkar, Shakuni is tragic rather than evil. He lets the latter raise certain questions in the novel— why all his schemes are seen as treachery even today while Kaurava adviser Vidura’s are considered ethical strategies and Pandava tactician Krishna’s are regarded divine play. Shakuni asks himself and the reader: “Was I the vilest of villains in that epic story?”

However, the book reads like a lengthy explanation by Shakuni. True, he has been wronged. But in this retelling the writer doesn’t let him shoulder any responsibility of his actions. Shakuni is shown to be doing the bidding of fate. In doing justice to this misunderstood character, Nadkar overlooks the fact that Shakuni did exact his revenge using his cunning. But he also lets Shakuni acknowledge the biggest mistake of his life: that he did not condemn Duryodhana’s behaviour with Draupadi after the game of dice. Nadkar lets Shakuni end his life on a philosophical note.

A passionate re-telling of the timeless Mahabharata and the literary characters it produced.

Ashutosh Nadkar is originally from Madhya Pradesh. He has been active in print, television and web journalism for the past two decades. He is currently working with the Network18 group as an associate editor.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Beast by Krishna Udayasankar

Title: Beast

Author: Krishna Udayasankar

Publisher: Penguin eBury Press

Krishna Udayasankar’s ‘Beast’ is an urban fantasy thriller inspired by India’s rich lore and myths.

The story begins with a gruesome triple homicide in a suburb of Mumbai which keeps the police guessing as to the identity of the killer. Is it a man or a beast who has committed the crimes? The bodies have been so badly mutilated that no human hand could have done it. It is then that ACP Aditi Kashyap is called upon to solve the gruesome murders. She has to partner with an Enforcer, Prithvi Narasimha, who’s been called to hunt down this seemingly otherworldly murderer. As the two set out to find the culprit, a greater conspiracy unfolds and the very survival of humankind is placed under threat. Together, Aditi and Prithvi chase the murderer through the dark underbelly of Mumbai—from quiet suburbs to gritty brothels, from forgotten colonial tunnels to the lights and glamour of the inner city.

However, everything is not as it seems and the world isn’t just the domain of humans alone. Prithvi, as it turns out, is a werelion. He’s part human and part lion. And he’s not alone. There is an entire clan populated by beings like him. They call themselves Saimhas and consider themselves descendants of the legendry Narasimha—Vishnu’s avatar—from the story of Bhakt Prahallad. The Saimhas believe they are soldiers of the gods and are meant to protect all that is good and pure in humans. When the world comes to an end and Vishnu rises again to destroy all evil, the Saimhas will serve him. Till then they must control the beast hiding inside them. But not everyone curb their desire to be what nature means them to be. One of them has taken it upon himself to serve justice, though unwanted.

A thrilling page-turner that keeps you hooked, ‘Beast’ is rich in imagery. Udayasankar’s world-building is deft. She brings up some thought-provoking questions about the conflict between free will and law through her story telling. There’s just the right amount of drama, suspense, action, and mystery in this story.

An engaging and carefully constructed thriller that is worth reading before it starts streaming. 

Krishna Udayasankar is the author of The Aryavarta Chronicles (Govinda, Kaurava, Kurukshetra), 3, Immortal and Objects of Affection. She lives in Singapore with her family, which includes three bookish canine children, Boozo, Zana and Maya.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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