Book Review: X Factor, Confessions of a Naïve Fashion Model by Ivan Sivec

Title: X Factor, Confessions of a Naïve Fashion Model 

Author: Ivan Sivec

Publisher: ICO d.o.o., Slovenia

Pages: 246

About the book

It takes three mistakes to be swallowed up and spat out by the fashion industry. 

You trust the wrong people. 

You think you know everything there is to know about life. 

You take drugs. 

Review

Ivan Sivec’s ‘X Factor, Confessions of a Naive Fashion Model’ is a glimpse into the modeling world from the inside, rather than just the glamour that we are so accustomed to see and understand. The story revolves around a 17 year old high school girl, Maja, who gets her first break in the fashion industry when spotted by a Slovenian modeling agency headed by Mr. Egon. But things are not as easy as she had imagined. Countless photo shoots and tiring fashion shows leave her exhausted and questioning her talent. Then there’s her photographer boyfriend, Klemen. Even he is not what he appears to be on the surface. Maja tastes success for a while but then things start slowing down and she becomes tired of all the rigorous regimens she is supposed to follow to maintain her looks. She becomes disillusioned and seeks solace in drug addiction. She has no self-esteem and no true friends. But she is a lucky girl who escapes her spiraling world in the end.

The book is based on a true story and takes the reader on a frightening journey into the world of addiction. Sivec writes about the worse problems that models deal with and gives an insight into the seemingly attractive, but in fact very cruel world of fashion. The book is written in a third person POV with inserts from Maja's journal to give a glimpse of her inner thoughts as she navigates her new life on her own. Clearly, English is not Mr. Sivec’s first language. After every few pages he stops the story to define a word. Even though it keeps distracting the reader, I’d have let it pass but the problem is he defines such words that do not warrant any definition! It was a major turn off. The book is an average read and has nothing new to offer. That being said, it still is an eye opener for all those who are looking forward to naively step into the trap set up by the glamour industry.

Book link

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0141JSBC4?*Version*=1&*entries*=0&redirect=true

About the author

In his rich and thriving career the writer, poet and publicist has written in many genres. Ivan Sivec’s broad ‘repertoire’ includes historical novels and stories, biographies, psychological novels, adventure novels and travelogues, books with sporting themes, youth book series, picture books and books for the youngest readers as well as humorous stories. He published over 125 books and is one of the most popular Slovenian authors. As a poet he has written more than 2,500 lyrics for ethnic and entertaining music for which he received many awards. 

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

        

Blog Tour - Run by Holly Hood

TITLE: RUN 

AUTHOR: HOLLY HOOD 

Hate can take you places. 

Places far away from where you belong. 

When Kendall is taken by Aunt Wanda she knows nothing will ever be okay again. Aunt Wanda is an evil woman that cares about nobody but herself. The only thing keeping Kendall alive is Aunt Wanda's hatred towards her mother. Once their life of crime goes from bad to even worse, Kendall realizes if things don't change, she will go down alongside her Aunt Wanda. 
Mason, the one constant in her life of misery, believes that they can make a change, maybe even be happy if they just run. 
They've been friends for a lifetime, he loves her and she knows it. But she doesn't know how to return those feelings. 

Hate can turn you into a monster. 

Hate can hurt the people you should care about. 

Love gets in the way. 
Promises get broken. 
Nothing is ever the same again.

US  UK  CA

Holly is the romance author of such titles as Perfectly Hopeless, Wicked Little sins and the Ink Series. She lives in Sylvania, Ohio with her husband, 4 kids and 3 dogs. She is a lover of reality television and good music. You can find out more about Holly Here 

    Author Facebook Page     Author Central Account 

    Website       Twitter

   Pintrest:   Goodreads 

Spotlight: More Than Just Desire by Summerita Rhayne

About the book

The Bollywood diva who ran away

Piya walked out of an explosive situation three years ago. She married Arfaaz for security but left him facing social bedlam. Now she's back in Bollywood and searching for the crown she gave up. In the competitive world of starry glamour, the only way she can begin her career anew is to trash the past and get a divorce.

The man who wants her atonement

Arfaaz is determined to get his revenge on Piya for making a farce of their marriage and leaving him to face the mudslinging. He forces her to keep up the appearances and stay with him so she can play the loving wife and repent on her sins. But Piya drives him crazy with her antics. On the top of that, the attraction between them sizzles and threatens to make him forget reason.

A passionate conflict

Piya knows she has lessons to learn but she cannot let this man enter her heart. There is too much to risk and she cannot afford to forget the real reason she has come back. Success is her mantra and her worship. She can be faithful to only her goal 

About the author

Summerita Rhayne loves to write sensual and emotional romance. There's no knowing when some quirky - or sometimes even not so quirky - happening in daily life might trigger her right brain and then she's off craving a new story. She loves writing characters who learn and grow and find their way out of their troubles and emotional hang-ups. Hot, sensual heroes and sassy but sweet heroines mostly fit the bill in her stories. She also believes that a touch of humor never goes amiss in a book.

She divides her time between family, job and writing - and loves winding down with music, movies and the internet!

Author links

Amazon author page:

http://www.amazon.com/Summerita-Rhayne/e/B00MZQ0PUC

Website and blog:

www.summeritarhayne.com

Follow her at Twitter @SummeritaRhayne    

https://twitter.com/summeritarhayne

Friend her at Goodreads:

                 http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8505238.Summerita_Rhayne

Excerpt from the book:

Arfaaz exhaled slowly as he pressed down the pedal. He could feel it. The same old thing. He hated this feeling but obviously his libido didn’t know it. He could still feel the purely sexual thrill that just that eye contact had generated. It was still running up his spine. Flooding his veins.

In a black top and tight jeans with the ends encased in high boots, she formed an eye-catching silhouette. One bare shoulder gleamed against the black knitted material. She’d always been sizzling and now was no different.

The gold shadowed lids lifted and the dark gaze brushed against his glance again.

He cursed silently, fists curling on the wheel and reminded himself why he was here. Just to find out why she was back. Not to get riveted by her glamour.

He focused on the road. It rankled that she hadn’t informed him she was coming back. No word for him. No call. Not that he had expected any.

She flicked the cell phone screen rapidly then shut it off with an impatient movement of slender fingers. When he switched back to her from the road, she was taking out her lipstick. Quick nervous movements that always betrayed her as she ran it over her lips and again.   

‘Careful. Don’t use up the whole stick.’ Despite himself, he couldn’t hold back the sarcasm and he felt juvenile satisfaction clench his gut as her hand paused midair and her gaze clicked against his in the mirror, eyes wide and shocked.  

Piya froze. She’d have known that heavy slightly curt voice anywhere. The last time she’d heard, it had been edged and grating...

‘Arfaaz!’ she fairly screeched.

‘So you still recall the name. Brilliant memory.’ The explosive anger glittering in his eyes was only thinly veiled by the mockery. 

‘What are you doing here?’

‘Taking you home.’

‘Taking me...so you disguised yourself? What’s this? A kidnapping? Stop right now. I demand it!’

‘Your demands were always unreasonable, begum. I’ve learnt that a bit late in the day but I’m not likely to forget it in a hurry.’ She opened her mouth and he cut her off with, ‘Save your breath. I have no interest in what you say except what I need to know from you. From here on, I do the asking.’

Her jaw slacked a bit as she absorbed the authoritative tone even before she could assimilate the words. Arfaaz being so masterful? She shook her head slightly. Disbelievingly. He’d been so compliant always. Always. Never refusing her anything.

A fact she had taken enough advantage of...

Looked like he had decided not to forgive her. And really, in all honesty, she didn’t expect him to. Couldn’t. She didn’t expect anything from him, she told herself, trying to ignore the stab of despair that hit her unreasonably at the thought. It was better this way. If Arfaaz was still sore at her, surely he would be more amenable to divorce.

Why hadn’t he sought it already? The question had haunted her these three years. Maybe in the glitterati world he’d been too absorbed to have the time...or to bother.

What did a wife tucked away on the other side of the world, matter?

Why was she feeling so upset at what he did or didn’t feel for her? He hadn’t forced her to go. She’d left on her own.

To find peace. No, not peace. She had it in hordes and she had to run away from it. What then? Even she didn’t know. But she knew it was still missing from her life.

The restlessness she had started feeling recently, gripped her again.

‘You wanted nothing more to do with me,’ she couldn’t help reminding him.

The rain started again but she noticed the fact only absentmindedly. Her gaze was stitched to the man driving the large car. To the brown almost stubby hands. Competent, square hands, with more strength than grace. Yet those hands moved eloquently when he described an action he wanted executed. He could carry out to perfection even the graceful flick of feminine fingers when he was in the directorial mode.

‘Why are you back?’ The question was stabbed at her, a fleeting eye lock in the mirror confirming that he was in no mood to humor her.

‘Why shouldn’t I be? Does it inconvenience you?’ she snapped back. 

‘Why should it?’ A dark eyebrow rose.

‘Maybe you’re too busy painting the town red to want a wife in the picture?’ Better to be offensive, she told herself. And who knew it might be near the truth.

Book buy links:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Desire-Summerita-Rhayne-ebook/dp/B0179U58YG

Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Than-Desire-Summerita-Rhayne-ebook/dp/B0179U58YG

Amazon.in: http://www.amazon.in/More-Than-Desire-Summerita-Rhayne-ebook/dp/B0179U58YG

Free book by the author

'Against All Rules', Summerita Rhayne's sensual workplace romance, a best seller in contemporary romance at Amazon.in, is currently available for free at Amazon. This Christmas giveaway is from 24th to 29th Dec.

Here's the link to download the free kindle book.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MY2QVRS

Book Review: Monkeys, Motorcycles and Misadventures by Harsha

Title: Monkeys, Motorcycles and Misadventures

Author: Harsha

Pages: 230

Price: 225.00 INR

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

Blurb

After having recurring dreams, a man considers retracing Lord Hanuman's epic journey from India to Sri Lanka. While rationality argues against the pursuit, the dream appeals to something deeper, and he sets out with two friends on a 1200 kilometer trek across South India. The journey however, doesn’t turn out to be quite what they expected. Along the way, through encounters with evil cans of pepper spray, wise men, pimps, hell hounds, and manic elephants, they are forced to confront their personal demons. At one of their lowest moments, plagued by doubt, they lose all hope. That's when they experience a sign, the first of many, which renews their spirits and helps them push forward.

Monkeys, Motorcycles, and Misadventures, provides a candid account of the trio’s incredible journey - their misgivings, sufferings, and triumphs, all in search of faith.

Review

A round trip and a search for lost faith, Harsha Vardhan’s ‘Monkeys, Motorcycles and Misadventures’ is a breezy yet insightful read. As you’ve already guessed, this book is a travelogue charting the course that Hanuman had taken in order to rescue the kidnapped Sita from Ashok Vatika in Lanka. The writer, after having recurring dreams, considers retracing the epic journey from India to Sri Lanka. He ventures out with two friends on a 1200 kilometer trek across South India. This book is a well written and balanced journal highlighting the journey of the trio and their many experiences gathered on the way.

I being an armchair traveler enjoyed every bit the author had to offer. Of course it was a gentler, more pleasurable journey for me than it had been for the writer simply because while I enjoyed his trek sitting in the comfort of my room, he had to brave the scorching sun and adverse terrains. Harsha, not one for crowds, doesn’t feel at home with the traditional way of rushing around tourist spots. In most places he visits, there’s a sense of man and nature being in harmony – Mahendragiri being a notable exception. But it was there that his faith was restored in god.

This book is a travelogue cum memoir in which the writer, unmoored by the loss of his beloved grandmother and consequently that of his faith, seeks a resolution of some kind on a journey. It’s a joy to read. There’s right amount of humour, wit and insight. In addition, I really enjoyed the verbal exchange among the three friends. I’d recommend it to all those you enjoy reading non-fiction.

About the author

Harsha is a freelance writer and the author of ‘Monkeys, Motorcycles, and Misadventures’. After graduating with a Master’s in Business Administration, he worked with a large IT company for a few years, before taking a sabbatical to trek the Hanuman route. In 2013, he moved to a beach town, where he spent a year beach bumming, mooching off family, and writing ‘Monkeys, Motorcycles, and Misadventures.’

Website:

http://monkeysmotorcyclesandmisadventures.com/

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/MonkeysMotorcyclesandMisadventures/

Buy links:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.in/Monkeys-Motorcycles-Misadventures-Harsha/dp/9352013778/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445855750&sr=8-1&keywords=monkeys+motorcycles+and+misadventures

Flipkart:

http://www.flipkart.com/monkeys-motorcycles-misadventures-english/p/itmeca2rzfkf99zc?pid=9789352013777&ref=L%3A-2712312548252300589&srno=p_1&query=monkey+motorcycle&otracker=from-search

Landmark:

http://www.landmarkonthenet.com/monkeys-motorcycles-and-misadventures-by-harsha-books-9789352013777-31447943/

Giveaway:

Goodreads

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

  

Blog Tour - When Our Worlds Collide by Aniesha Brahma

About the Book

Akriti has led a pretty much sheltered life. 
Zayn has been shuttled from city to city when he was growing up. 
She is comfortable watching her life from the sidelines. 
He wants to feel rooted to a place he can call ‘home’. 
They meet each other quite by chance. 
And both seize the chance to be someone they both need in their lives: 
For Zayn, it’s a 'Partner-In-Crime'. 
For Akriti, someone who just knows how to be there for her… 
When their worlds collide, 
It is not what either of them expected it to be. 
Zayn has a steady girlfriend. And Akriti has a crush on him. 
What happens when these two become friends? 
The biggest adventure of their lives? Or the road to heartbreak? 
What happens when two completely different people collide? 
Do they become friends? Or, is their friendship doomed from the start? 
'When Our Worlds Collide' is the story of two twenty-three-year olds, Who are finally growing up and finding their feet in the world. 
A tale of friendship and love, crushes and betrayals, messes and second chances, Marriage and divorce… and the elusive happily ever after! 

Book Links

Goodreads I Amazon

Character Interview: Ayoub & Esha 

Hello Ayoub and Esha. Thank you so much for joining us. First question, could we know a little bit about you?

Esha: Yeah, totes! I am seventeen years old, extremely troubled and I have a crazy crush on Ayoub. 
Ayoub: And I am completely freaked out by that. I am 21 years old, and I help Akriti run her mother’s café. And I am pretty much Akriti’s only friend. Which honestly, is the unrealistic. How can someone be that unsocial?

Well, we can get to Akriti and her unsocial behavior later. Tell us, which is your favorite part in When Our Worlds Collide? 

Esha: When I almost force Ayoub to be my date. 
Ayoub: I guess when I’m trying to talk Akriti out of harboring a mad crush on Zayn, and everyone else mistakes it for us getting together.
Esha: You do get together, don’t you?
Ayoub: SHUT UP, Esha! 

If this book were to be made into a series, would we be meeting either of you again?

Esha: I do know that the next book tentatively named, Take On the World, is featuring the battle between me and my sister, Aisha. It would be like a companion novel.
Ayoub: *sigh* Which basically means, yes. You will be meeting both of us.

What is a companion novel, if we may ask?

Esha: A companion novel is when another story is set in the same timeline as the one you are currently reading. It is completely different from a sequel.
Ayoub: Yes, for example, Take on the World, would give you deeper insight into Esha and Aisha’s world. And it would feature same scenes when we are all together, as it had been in When Our Worlds Collide.

Why do you think readers should read When Our Worlds Collide?

Esha: One, I am sure everyone can relate to at least one of us. And two, because we are awesome! 
Ayoub: Because it is not a far-fetched fairytale. It is something people can relate to. And because it is a chance to get to know new characters, live a new story.

About the Author

Aniesha Brahma knew she wanted to be a writer since she was six years old. She was schooled in Dolna Day School and went on to pursue B.A., M.A., and M.Phil in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur Univeristy. She currently lives in Kolkata, with her family and five pet cats. The Secret Proposal was her debut novel, followed by The Guitar Girl. She was a contributing author with her story The Difference, in the anthology: Voices, Old & New. When Our Worlds Collide is her third work of fiction, and first novella.

Stalk Links

Facebook Page * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Website * GoodReads

Giveaway

Prize 1: One really Lucky Indian Resident can win a Handmade Book Jacket made by Diptee Raut of DIP & DIY

  

As Diptee says, its ideal to ~ "Keep your books cozy and warm and away from prying eyes with this book cover. A classy way to carry your book to your favourite coffee shop/library/park for a quiet read."

Prize 2: One really Lucky Indian Resident can win a  Surprise gift from the Author 

Lets keep you guessing ;) Rest assured, it is going to be something pretty!

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Blog Tour : Velicious Part Two by Shelique Lize

VELICIOUS PART TWO

By: Shelique Lize

Series: Velicious Series #2

Publication Date: November 30th, 2015

Genres: Paranormal Romance

* Velicious Part Two cannot be read as a stand alone.

Justice Labelle has lost too much in this war of monster and men, and it needs to stop now. After her run in with Erin, which left her lying in a hospital bed, black and bloody blue, Justice is no longer going to sit by and simply accept the twisted hand, that has been dealt. Especially since she now has superhuman powers, all thanks to her being a Doll. Her one and only passion– To get through College and practice law at a top tier firm, is fading from her grasp and its all because of Calvin, Dante, Vampyres and the Government. In fact the government has more secrets than kids have candy… And they’re all just as deadly as the enemies they hunt. But you know what? Justice has come up with her own master plan and heaven help the Vampyre, monster or human that gets in her way!

 

My phone beeped again, and before I was able to warn Angel, the twilight zone shattered. Within a blink of an eye, Nicolle disappeared from Audrina's side. Now she was behind Angel, grabbing her long, blonde hair. Too fast for me to comprehend, for anyone to really notice, Nicolle jerked her hand back. That sudden snag, bucked Angel's head back and Angel cried out as her whole body slammed to the hard ground. At first glance, the pull of Angel's hair didn't seem that rough, but the way Angel hit into the ground with a loud thwack confirmed the strength Nicolle had used.

I don't know when Nicolle had grabbed a knife, but she had one in her hand, and she swung her arm, aiming it at Angel's head. But Angel was able to shift, and Nicolle missed her head by inches. Then, without missing a beat, Angel grabbed the sides of Nicolle's head and brought up her knees, ramming them into Nicolle's face. It was a hard hit, and Nicolle fell backwards, her face bleeding.
Like an off switch, Nicolle cried out, holding her face as blood poured out from in-between her fingers. Her demeanor seemed to have gone back to normal. We were back in the twilight zone.
Jordan rushed toward Angel, helping his girlfriend up off the ground. Everyone was looking at Nicolle, cautious and confused.
Nicolle sat up awkwardly, holding her face as blood gushed out on her top, landing on her jeans and dripping on the ground. I looked at Nicolle, feeling sorry for her, and against Jordan’s protests, I helped Nicolle up.
Nicolle didn't know what had happened, but standing up, she removed her hands from her face. Nicolle's brows pulled together, and she looked down at her hands. Her palms were stained red and black with blood.
Nicolle gazed at her hands and asked, "Why am I bleeding?"
And no, that was not the right question. The question should have been, “Why is your blood black?”
In the seconds that followed, Nicolle fell to the ground unconscious. Before I think to call for help, Jessica was there, and took control of the situation. Jessica turned to my friends and I, requesting that we help with Nicolle.

Justice Labelle always had her life perfectly planned.

Her goals were to graduate from University and get into law school.

Then one day, Justice tried to kill herself.

Well, not her technically. It may have been her body, but those actions weren’t intentional and the suicidal thoughts were not hers. Or, so she keeps telling her therapist and family. Justice is afraid she’s losing her mind and just wants to forget everything. But when her best friend is murdered, another one is being mind-screwed by a Vampyre, and her ex is back in town, looking as scrumptious as ever and very suspicious, maybe she isn’t all that crazy!

Christmas is right around the corner, so besides the Rafflecopter,

Shelique Lize has decided to give The Velicious Series away for free!

PART ONE CODE: 8UJISKZYYN

GRAB YOUR FREE COPY

PART TWO CODE: 6MDJUOCHB1

DOWNLOAD HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

  Shelique Lize is an awesome mother of two beautiful baby girls, and a wife to the luckiest man on the planet. It took her five years to write Velicious Part One but once her first daughter was born, she decided to revisit the world that she had created. Falling in love with her characters all over again, she wanted to finish their story. Velicious Part Two was written in half the time. Shelique loves anything to do with the paranormal world. She’s a proud Canadian but dislikes winter. She prefers watching the snow falling beautifully from inside a warm home. Currently she likes to listen to The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey, and she’s pretty open to every other genre of music.

 

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Book Review : The Last Soul Children by Aman Chougle

Title: The Last Soul Children
Author: Aman Chougle
Pages: 108
Publisher: Partridge India

About the book

The Last Soul Children is a look back at the childhood and youth of the author through the people surrounding him during his formative years; realizing himself as much as he traces his memories through them.

Whether it be your first infatuation or the realization that you are not a kid anymore; the stories here are a quintessential blueprint of deliverance from innocence for many of us who grew up like anybody else, muzzled from one institute to another: school, college, and finally into the mouths of big business. Forever repressed, forever the victims of false ideals.

Review

I had no idea what ‘The Last Soul Children’ was all about. Since I was asked to review it among several others, I picked it up with not much expectation. But I was wrong and the book did surprise me to say the least. Initially I thought it was a novel. I read two chapters, felt lost, and was about to give up. There were no names to the characters and I couldn’t string the two people together from the two chapters that I had already read. I was almost nearing the end of the third chapter and then it struck me. The chapters were actually different episodes from the writer’s life and that each chapter was going to be about a different friend from the author’s life. Finally I realized why Aman Chougle had described it as a look-book. From there the reading became interesting. It was a pleasant break from all the fictions I had been reading. There’s nothing make-belief in this book. All that has been written is something each of us have felt or experienced sometime or the other.  

Each chapter marks a reconciliation with a long lost friend. What Aman has described is specific to his life but it is definitely relatable. As I read I thought about all the friends that I’ve left behind. Of how so much is not with me even though I’d have liked them to be a part of my present. Throughout the book the author has tried to visualize for the benefit of the reader not only his life but that of each one of us. What he has narrated is easily the story of every generation past and present.

 The book makes for an easy read. The only downside is the grammatical errors that jump out of the pages and threaten to spoil that which the author has created so painstakingly. Some words have been oft repeated and not too appropriately. A good story should have a good language I believe. The novel has potential and there’s no denying that I read it cover to cover. I’m glad I got to read this book.

About the author

Aman Chougle is a poet and writer from Thane, Maharashtra, India. He also enjoys making short-films, and dabbling into music from time to time. He has published his short-stories and poems in various literary journals. Currently he's working on his first collection of poems, a self-exploratory endeavour to realize the best for himself, and for the ones close to him.

Buy link

http://www.amazon.in/Last-Soul-Children-Aman-Chougle/dp/148284799X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444917027&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Last+Soul+Children

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/148284799X?keywords=The%20Last%20Soul%20Children&qid=1444917116&ref_=sr_1_2&s=books&sr=1-2

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