Million Memories - Pallavi Kodan -Book Review

I was pleasantly surprised to recieve this cute little package from the author Pallavi Kodan.

I loved the cute little powder pink bag that it came in and the book itself appeared chic with pastel sand colour cover with the black seagulls and the female character with an umbrella. 

It gives a bit of a sad look and I thought this must be another heart breaker. 

Author–  Pallavi Kodan

Book- Million Memories

Publishers– Partridge Publishing

Number Of Pages- 210

Format– Paperback

Genre - Young Adult 

Well the blurb reads - 

 Follow Ashima and her friends through their roller coaster ride from teenage to adulthood, to being actual adults. A story about growing up together, crushes...love..fights..doubting and realizing self worth...failing and standing up for one self...struggles and challenges. A story, which is an amalgamation of many experiences and emotions.

Review - 

This is an honest book written by Pallavi Kodan it dwelves into childhood memories of coming up of age along with your friends. One can relate with it on every aspect. Kudos to the author for getting it so right in her first book itself.

The book is about the main three characters Ashima, Siddhant and Karishma. These three are best friends since childhood. Childhood friendships are most cherished ones and hold a special place in life. This book depicts exactly that.

Right from the start when all three of them come from different families and backgrounds, upbringing and social norms. How that affects their friendship and shapes them as individuals. How the struggle is real with them to keep the friendship alive being different personalities and growing up differently with a different outlook towards life in general. You actually hate Karishma and get irked when her character arrives, wish Ashima could be less sweet and it was time she gave it back. Or for that matter you want Siddhant to enjoy and forget his love. 

You relate with them, have your favourite too. Sometimes you even go back to your childhood menories. 

From first crushes, exams, goof ups, dates, love, highs and lows and life in general - this book follows it all from their separate point of view and what effect it has on each one as well as their friendship. 

The language the author has used is simple and easy to relate however the book is a bit slow at places. It wavers in engaging the reader, material is predictable and you know what is gonna happen every time.

There are lot of errors especially towards the end which require editing. 

All in all this book is a simple fast nice read. 

Thanks again to the author for sending this pretty little package and congrats on the first book. 

My verdict - 3 / 5 

Happy Reading folks !! 

xoxo

Bhakti 

UNNS ... The Captivation - Book Review

Check the entire book review video here.

Subscribe to my channel 

https://youtu.be/1spn4I1LA-o

Book– UNNS The Captivation
Author– Sapan Saxena
Publishers– Inspire India
ISBN-13 – 978-9385783876
Number of Pages– 244

Synopsis -
“Of course you know about the seven stages of love, but have you ever lived them?” Atharva Rathod and Meher Qasim. Lovebirds since adolescence. Bonded by love, separated by circumstances. They part ways only to meet again. But this time, he is on a secret mission… Are they in control of their own destiny, or its their destiny which is making them dance to its tunes? Only time would answer, as Atharva and Meher unwillingly and unknowingly transcend the seven stages of love. A quintessential tale of love and romance marked beautifully by its own rustic old school charm.

My Take -

When I read the tittle I didn't understand what it was or why so but when you start reading the book it describes the seven stages of Love beautifully each phase being experienced by the characters.
Meher Qasim the eternal love of Atharva Rathod. The love that blossomed in school and even after they separated the flame burnt strong for Atharva. However was it the same for Meher. She has so many shades, it's difficult to decipher. Atharva on the other hand is truly smitten right from the moment he saw her. So much so that his entire life revolves round her even though she is not in his life, she has his head and his heart.
Destiny has other plans though, does Atharva accept his destiny or does he defy it ?
What about Meher, what happened to the innocent eyes that Atharva fell for, what secrets do they hide or is it pain ?
The story has lots of twist and turns and the author tries to hold it all together crisply. However there are some lose ends and I wish the author had given more meat to the teenage love story and dwelved more into it. Atharva falling in love with Meher in school when she doesn't reciprocate the same intensity. The history of Meher and what exactly is she upto.
When Atharva knows about Meher from the professor, he still doesn't dig deep inspite of him being on secret mission.
Some of the twists are predictable and some come as disappointments. The author tries to maintain a firm grip and succeeds mostly.
The story is that of Love -the seven stages that the characters go through, of betrayal, of loyalty, of secrecy and and suspense, of missions and devotions. It also potrays in some way that good wins in the end ...
A lovely romantic suspense. A breezy read. Especially for those who like a romantic read with doses of mystery.

My verdict - light breezy read for summer

You can buy it over here UNNS-The Captivation 

Enjoying my summers....

xoxo

Bhakti 

P.S thanks to Half Baked Beans for the book. 

 

The Conspiracy at Meru by Shatrujeet Nath - Book Review

Check out the book Review.
You Can Buy It Here at Amazon .



xoxo

Bhakti

Hello March ...

Hi Guys, how are you all?
I am good and I know I have been kind of MIA in Feb. As you all know Feb is my favorite month and I was busy celebrating myself 😍😉
However that wasn't the only reason to keep me busy there was more.
As elections were there in this month and I coming from a political family was doing my bit. Now even if that was bot the case I still believe its we who bring the change. Hats off to the leaders for baring it all and wearing the weather and all the pressure and stress and still being there out for us guys .. let me tell you being a leader is no easy job .. lots to sacrifice ... that's if its the right kind of leader.
I did whatever I could and which was not too much, being the delicate darling that I am. I did less and fell ill more ... thanks to the extreme heat ... coming back to that in some time. However it was all worth it in the end.
Coming back to the heat ... March is here...

Hello March !! 

Hello Spring ........ 🍁
The poetry that nature does ... Orange ink of budding flowers on the blue hues of unending notes of sky.... the brawny brown holding them together at their respective places ..
How beautiful are you .....  I Love the flaming Buds against the clear blue skies.... don't you ?

Btw we were facing extreme temperature since Feb. I really don't know what summer holds for us this time ...
I am keeping my fingers crossed but going by the looks of it .. it looks like one harsh one coming for us ...
For that I kinda prepared myself a bit .. Hold your breath - some of you must have seen it in my birthday celebrations video

 which was fab by the way however for those who don't know - I chopped my hair before my Birthday and I went shortest ever since the time i started growing my hair long from my boy cut ( that's a long story for some other time).
Lots of people were shocked on my decision of going so short after having such a long mane but me being me ( rebel )
I go like my hair my way ... it will grow back eventually .. why stress so much ... its just hair ... and its one life ... do whatever you want... hai na 🤗
So here's my new look ...
The day I cut my hair...

Earlier 

Now.

Do you like it ? 

I feel it gives an edge. I like it, it has so many pros especially easy to manage and maintain ( I oil my hair more regularly now) however honestly i do miss my long mane... 

I don't regret my decision at all though, I am enjoying my short hair till they last which already have started growing. 

On another note ... March has already begun and I Love summer for the summery holiday vibes, long balmy nights, cool drinks, vacations, mangoes, nimbu paani, beaches, picnics and many of my favorite things.

For all summer fun 

Summer also means cool vibrant tones as well as pastels, big tropical and fun prints.

Comfort at its best. 

First thing i did was to change my nail paint and I just wanted to go a bit pastel a bit less bright.

I chose the last shade by Nyc .

May be i should apply another coat. 

Next time i will go for a bright summer shade but the summer definitely started on shimmery summer pastels. 

Talking about summer favorites. No sooner than summer arrived I pulled another gem out of the treasure trove. 

I was feeling a bit ... a lot low today .. so i whipped up a tall glass of Lassi sweet curd smoothie topped with some malai ( cream) and removed another jewel from my shelf .... I enjoyed the lassi and let the magic of Bond work wonders on my soul... and it sure did ... within minutes of getting lost in this treasure the umpteenth time... the words just soothed me and i never knew when i enveloped into dreams and napped like a baby ... The charm of Ruskin Bond ...

The power of the small little favorite things working wonders ... Do what you like ... what you love ... even if its the small little things .. for life is one big chapter made up of these small little simple things ...

 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁 #theseareafewofmyfavouritethings

Summer is made up of these Ruskin Bond stories don't you feel so .. 

There is so much to catch up with you guys .. but I don't want to bombard everything at one go... lets keep loads of stuff for future. 

For today I guess this will suffice.

Until we meet again.

Enjoy the summer and stay hydrated.

I so love to talk to you guys. ❤❤❤

xoxo

Bhakti 

The Tantric Curse - Anupama Garg - Book Review

Book: The Tantric Curse

Author: Anupama Garg

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Genre: Fiction| Thriller

Pages: 280

Price: 295 INR

Synopsis

On an amavasya night, eight-year-old Rhea mysteriously lands at the doors of Shaktidham, a Tantric house of worship, in a trance. Realizing that she is blessed with unusual faculties, the guru of Shaktidham, Satya, chooses her as a disciple over his own son, Krishnam, to carry on his lineage, a privilege previously bestowed only to males. But the lineage has been cursed for generations, and it is up to Rhea to either break the curse or perish in the attempt.
Will she succeed in her endeavour? Will her love for Krishnam become an obstacle in her path? The Tantric Curse, an unusual story set in the world of Tantra that aims to dispel most of the myths about the practice, will keep you spellbound till the very last page. 

My Take

I was really happy on receiving this book from the author as I was really intrigued By the subject of Tantra. In India or anywhere else this topic is always that of mystery, of hushed voices, suspicion, little knowledge and more gossip. 

Though everyone talks about it in whispers everyone sure wants to know more. 

I was all the more glad to Read this book as this is selected By the National Book Trust and is being showcased in Indian Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair (world's largest fair for books )

My first thoughts on this book were that it Might be boring with a lot of gyan (knowlwledge) and a slow Read. However I was in for a suprise, I underestimated this book. Once I started reading, I couldnt keep it down. 
A breezy read surely and made very interesting with a surreal love story in the background.
Its a page turner for sure and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

. 

The book has an intense story woven with a beautiful love story. The author has very cleverly imbibed the principles of tantra and narrated them through the story. The story progresses with different aspects being told of this subject. 

The pratogonist of the book is the disciple of Tantra and takes us into this world of ancient and authentic Tantra.

Tantra has originated from Lord Shiva himself. Though misrepresented and misunderstood this art is pure and positive. 

The author strives hard to tell this fact and I think she is successful in doing so through this book.

Anupama Garg herself is a disciple of  Baba Batuknathji , a well known Tantric and head of Bhoot Nath ashram, the main centre being Lucknow ,Uttar Pradesh India.

She took it on herself to shed some light over Tantra and show people the true meaning of this art. 

The author uses Simple language and holds the readers interest in the world of Rhea. Her journey compels one to think that all things are happebing for a reason in our life.. its a chain action. The purpose of our life is self discovery to attain the BEST of ourself to achieve self satisfaction By being true to our purpose in life.

Looking at life in reverse we can join all dots and understand why things happened. However it is us who have to keep going forward to discover our worth on this planet, to know why we are born and to fulfill our roles. It is this awakening that allows one complete satisfaction in ones life. While telling this and more the author holds the plot completely with the strong storyline and chatacters which are etched beautifully with utmost detailing. All questions are answered and the plot unfolds one mystery after another. 

The Guru Satya, the Sadhak Rhea, the saint Krishnam weave a magic on us and draw us into their world of Tantra, awakenings, beautiful love, principles, will and determination.

This book is a must read in all aspects. The author has done a tremendous job and has been successful in not only explaining the world on true principles of Tantra but also in giving a beautiful story who draws the reader in and keeps you mesmerised.
Looking forward to more books from her.

Thumbs up from my side - Must read.

Check out the complete video on the book review below.

Here is the link to buy The Tantric Curse from Amazon

Hope you have fun reading it.
Let me know.

Happy New Years Guys...

xoxo
Bhakti

The Guardians Of Halahala - Shatrujeet Nath - Book Review

Title: The Vikramaditya Trilogy:

Book 1 - The Guardians of the Halahala

Authors: Shatrujeet Nath

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Publication Year: 2014

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Fiction, Historical, Alternative History

No. of Pages: 428

Price: Rs 350

My Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Shatrujeet Nath has sold ice creams, peddled computer training courses, written ad copy and reported on business as a journalist and assistant editor at The Economic Times. His first book, The Karachi Deception, was published in 2013. He divides his time between writing fiction and poetry, reading, playing with his daughter, and dreaming of buying a small castle in Scotland. Till that happens, he plans to continue living in Mumbai.

Mythology and History is loved by all. We have grown up listening to stories about our heroes, of grandeur, of demigods, Asuras, Gods, wars, palaces, princesses, magic and much more all through our childhood. I Sure am a fan of this genre.

So when I get my hands on such a book which weaves spell through all these ancient fictions, magic, power, love, Gods, humans and more I just chance on the opportunity.

Retelling stories, Filming old folk lore's, history and mythology with liberties are trending now a days and everyone loves a good story.

The Guardians Of Halahala is just that written by Shatrujeet Nath its the first book in the series of Vikramaditya Veergatha and it sure makes an impact. This book right from its cover is captivating.

The cover depicts the action, storm raging within as well as all over. The mighty Vikramaditya amidst everything standing tall with fearless stride and his hell fire swords in hands is like the entire book summarised in one picture.

As soon as you open the book, an ancient kingdom map draws you in and just after you manage to read it you are taken by the glossary of names of characters from every kingdom with their short description.

The plot is laid and you are already in it, anticipation riding high all excited ready to lose yourself in the book and find new characters. No sooner than I started reading I couldn't stop, the narration is fast, captivating and the author builds suspense and entails you in it.

I found myself also wondering on the lines of Game Of Thrones (cant help, serious fan ) but the book does that to you.

The story is set in the middle of many kingdoms and all stories or happening are interwoven in one big plot. Be it the kings, their alliance, kingdoms, wars, devas, asura, enemies, relationships, loyalty, love, plotting, ghouls, magic and more - the crux the finality of it all is but one and that is power - supreme power.

Remember this book is not facts but fiction taking in from mythological stories and all the important characters and traits, happenings that we know of.

So the story revolves round Halahala - the poison that Lord Shiva consumed which made him blue in order to save the world from annihilation. So in this book a small portion of this poison - Halahala was stolen by a demon Veeshada and stored in his dagger.

Now after ages Lord Shiva himself entrusts the responsibility of this Veeshadas dagger to King Vikramaditya to keep it safe from the demons, the Gods and any other entity to safeguard the balance of power in the universe.

What follows is assaults on Vikramaditya's Kingdom from the Gods as well as Demons led by Indra and Shukracharya respectively in every form to attain the Halahala and achieve supremacy. On the other hand the book even follows the threats from Huna and Saka tribes, the disturbance of equilibrium in the Kingdoms. The ailing wife of Vikramaditya whom he loves dearly and can do anything for her but will he pay the price for her well being and in what way. Will she ever wake up from her deep slumber and recognise and love the king ever again.

The book revolves round the mighty Vikramaditya and his council of 9 and how they deal with this mayhem and emerge victorious on all accounts or not and at what price. The characters that the author has played with right from Betaal to the devas and asuras makes me want to get myself other books on them and relive these old characters and their stories (growing up on Vikram and Betaal series and tv serial too - what do you expect).

This is one of the good traits of a successful book - makes you want to read more and more about it and the characters involved in it.

The book ends on one of the battles- with lots of questions to be answered in the second part - The conspiracy at Meru.

Why and how did the Maruts disappear? What happened to Vishakha ? What will be the next step? What about Huna and Saka attack ? What price will this war incur? So many question - 2 more books.

I can hardly wait.

The book is a perfection in every way the author has been successful in involving, sketching and bringing to life so many characters with in depth research visible. There are no lose plots. The stories are interwoven beautifully. The author leaves you wanting for more with his immaculate descriptions of every scene. The grandeur, the seriousness, love, the war fare, mayhem, loyalty- every relationship is felt by the reader and every scene depicted and imagined to the hilt - such is the writing.

Must Read - Amazing book.

I was sent this personally signed book from the aurhor himself to review it however the views are completely mine and in no way influenced.
You can buy the book on Amazon for Rs 298 over here.

Check out the book review vlog 

Thanks To Jaico Books and the Author himself Shatrujeeth Nath enjoyed the book completely.

Cant wait to read The Conspiracy at Meru.

Until we meet again.

Happy Reading!

xoxo

Bhakti

The Stranger by Anna del Mar

The Stranger

Author Email: Anna@annadelmar.com

Book Title: The Stranger

Author Name: Anna del Mar

Author Location (for press releases) Florida

Name of series and book number in series: The Stranger, A Wounded Warrior Novel, Book Two

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary romance, SEAL romance, Military Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

Date of Publication: August 22, 2016

eISBN: 9781459294301

ASIN: B01EF3MHSU

Number of pages: 323 pages

Word Count: 110,000 words approx.

Formats available: Epub, Mobi

Cover Artist: Carina Press

Logline:

Ex-military pilot Seth Erickson is fighting his own demons, but when he finds Summer Silva, a beautiful, 

warmth loving, Miami woman stranded in the frozen wilderness, he’ll do everything in his power to keep her 

safe from murder, treason, and the ruthless Alaskan winter.

Back Cover Blurb:

When a mysterious stranger is your only hope...

The scars of the past have left their mark, both physical and emotional, on former military pilot Seth Erickson. 

Off grid in the far reaches of the bitter Alaskan wilderness, he wants only to be left alone with his ghosts. 

But he can’t ignore

a woman in need—beautiful, stranded and nearly frozen with fear.

Summer Silva never imagined that the search for her missing sister would leave her abandoned on a wintry

 back road, barely escaping with her life from a cold-blooded killer for hire. Now, hiding out in the isolated cabin of the secretive wounded warrior who saved 

her, Summer knows she must do what she fears most. Putting her trust in a stranger is all she has left.

All defenses are down

After a fiery first night together, Seth and Summer are bound by a need as powerful as a Bering Sea

superstorm—and vulnerable to enemies just as fierce. For Seth, reawakened by desire, there is no sacrifice

 too great, no memory too dark, to keep Summer safe. But murder and treason lurk everywhere and 

Summer may not survive Alaska’s ruthless winter.

A Wounded Warrior Novel. This book is approximately 110,000 words

Short Description:

When her sister runs away with a guy she met on the internet, a warmth-loving Miami architect chases her reckless sibling to Alaska and finds her life in danger from more than

 the elements. Only a stranger, a wounded warrior who is also Alaskan tycoon with a quarrelling family

 as complicated as her own and no time for a lady in distress—let alone one who walks on her 

sleep—can save her from disaster. Together, two strangers from different worlds and opposite

 spectrums of the thermometer must unravel the intrigues that threaten their lives to chase after a new

 dream, together, in majestic Alaska.

Review

 The book starts on a slow note but picks up speed fast.

The story revolves around Summer and Seth. Both strangers to each other and yet drawn together by forces unknown. The bond that keeps them together, their chemistry and hot romance, unravelling family secrets, murder plots, insecurities, the intensifying mystery makes this book a sure shot page turner. The author uses simple and precise language.

The character of Seth is that of a broken wounded soldier and yet very strong, mysterious and protective. He is the perfect gentleman, the stubborn bad boy, Mr powerful right, Hot lover, Romantic, Sensitive, Humorous, brave, strong protective and caring all rolled up into a macho body with good looks and of multi million worth. Exactly the guy of dreams of every girl.

Where as the character of summer is very relatable, she is todays girl. Independent, intelligent, dreamy, sensitive and taking care of herself as well as others.

Though they are so different than each other (chalk and cheese) yet they are same in their values, nature.

The Romance and trust that blossoms between two strangers brought together by situation, faith, destiny. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Alaska the simple language seeps you in the story and makes you day dream. Like a perfect book this one has the all the qualities too, the author keeps you intrigued by the putting in lots of twists, turns, mysteries and angles in the plot and yet the story goes ahead fluidly and everything fits in perfectly in the big fat puzzle.

The two very different families, thrown in together creating havoc in the story and yet its just meant to be for everything to function and be seen in a crystal clear manner. The small lessons you learn along the way just add to the value of the book.

This book is a classic case of perfect ingredients resulting in an interesting read. A complete page turner indeed. Must read especially for the die hard romantics. You will get your dose of Romance, Passion, Drama, Suspense, Mystery all in one.

Perfect Indeed!!

I give it a 4/5.

Disclaimer -I received this book to be Reviewed from the author, the review expressed and thoughts on this book are completely mine and are not influenced by anyone.

You can -

Buy Links For The Stranger:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Wounded-Warrior-Novel-ebook/dp/B01EF3MHSU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469123810&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Stranger+by+Anna+del+Mar#navbar

Carina Press:

http://www.carinapress.com/shop/books/9781459294301_the-stranger.html

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-stranger-anna-del-mar/1123670965?ean=9781459294301

Kobo Books:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-stranger-69

Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Anna_del_Mar_The_Stranger?id=j7T-CwAAQBAJ

Author Bio:

Anna del Mar writes hot, smart romances that soothe the soul, challenge the mind, and satisfy the heart.

 Her stories focus on strong heroines struggling to find their place in the world and the brave, sexy,

 kickass, military heroes who defy the limits of their broken bodies to protect the women they love. 

Anna enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and the sea. Writing is her addiction, her drug of choice, and

 what she wants to do all the time. The extraordinary men and women she met during her years as a 

Navy wife inspire the fabulous heroes and heroines at the center of her stories. When she stays put—

which doesn’t happen very often—she lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and two very 

opinionated cats.

Author links: 

Email: 

Anna@annadelmar.com

Website: 

http://www.annadelmar.com/pages/home.html

Blog: 

http://www.annadelmar.com/blog/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnadelMar/?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/anna.delmar.376

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/anna_del_mar

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/author/anna_del_mar

Let me know your thoughts on reading this book.

Until we meet again.

Stay happy and cheerful!!

xoxo

Bhakti

Ambushed - Nayanika Mahtani

Check out the complete book review video above.

The author sent me the book Ambushed and I am so glad she did and I got to read this gem. 

Rooted very much in the real world. 

So suited for today's world, the story is so real, so true it tugs at your heart deep down. 

Especially for me, it just my kind of book. As you all know I am a complete nature lover. I believe in balanced living having said that my inclination is still towards the jungles, the mountains, nature, wild life. I want to live with the nature away from city hassles and enjoy the simplicity of life leaving behind the chaos and fast paced race. 

Human beings are evolved and they use this knowledge, technology to destroy what is so pure, so natural. We should be using our technology to help the nature, protect the wild animals and our universe instead by all means we are destroying them completely. Forests are being cut, animals poached. So many species extinct and we are to be blamed for most of them. We humans for bringing life to extinction. Where we should be the ones to safeguard all. 

The younger generation is getting so addicted to technology they don't know the joy of being in nature or being one with it.

We need to inculcate in them the love for nature, the outdoors, animals and fresh air. 

This book just touches the right chords. 

The book is such a breezy read I completed it in one sitting. It's fast paced and the characters are sketched beautifully. The author had managed to pen down the emotion of each character thoroughly yet simply, you can connect with each one of them. 

There are no lose plots, everything is precisely written and well conceptualised with reasoning and background. 

The book follows Tara a 10 yrs old smart and toity city girl. She belongs to a well to do small family having all luxuries and a complete gadget freak. 

The story then takes us with Tara on an unexpected and unwanted holiday to a Himalayan Forest. The twist and turns that the story takes. This is where Tara experiences an adventure of her lifetime. Meeting a tribal boy, living in nature, finding her strengths, experiencing the real beauty, finding herself amidst poachers, rescue mission, saving tigers all this and more on a holiday which she thought was the most boring and enforced one. 

The author takes up the issue of Toger poaching and declining population of the species. 

This is the dire need of the hour and like the tiger many animals in the world are on the brink of extinction. The nature, forest are all declining in statistics snd it's a sorry state that the human beings are to be blamed for. 

It's high time that we need to teach our kids our generation, everybody needs to take steps to stop this. 

We need to take pride in our universe and nature and safeguard and inculcate the same feeling amongst the children, others. 

I think this book is beautifully written and covers the gist in a nutshell of the present scenario. It's a must read for anyone and everyone. 

All children must must read this book. 

All royalties from Ambushed go to Tiger Watch, an NGO in Ranthambhore, for a school set up for the children of tribal (ex) poachers, to give them a window to alternate livelihoods (short video clip below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahB17NYuysw 

You can buy this book over here at Amazon for Rs 146.

Hope you liked the post, do watch my YouTube review video at the starting of this post. Comment, like, share and let me know what are your thoughts. 

Do let me know must read books, I am looking for good reads. 

Until we meet next time

Stay happy and cheerful !! 

Lots of love ❤️❤️

xoxo

Bhakti 

Daughter of the Sun - Cult of the Cat Book 1 - Review

Title: Daughter of the Sun (Cult of the Cat series, Book 1)
Author: Zoe Kalo
Genre: YA mythological fantasy
Word count: 93,000 words
Release date: May 1, 2016

I was lucky to get my hands on this book before it launched.

This book is so good from the word go. 

The story revolves around Trinity and her amazing life and reason for it. The story starts in London and is set against the rich, cultural , mysterious and abundant backdrop of an island a little further away from Istanbul. It begins with Trinity at an orphanage in London. An unexpected visitor taking her to meet her only living family member living on the Island of cats - her grandmother who dies immediately when Trinity lands to see her. She is left in the huge mysterious palatial house with its secrets by herself with no one to give her answers or guide her. The hundreds of cats who are grieving for her grandmother, the will, her first love and the dangers it holds. Her changing body and traits, coming of age. Magic and mystery surrounds her and answers keep evading. The ever cunning and mean Dr Nassri and her ever suspicious ways, what is she hiding?

The heart of Egyptian mythology is the core of this book. Its rich in traditional tales, knowledge and way of life. The three feline goddesses—Bastet, Sekhmet, and Mafdet are the centre of this story.

An ordinary kid with extraordinary gifts. The life she lives and the life that awaits. Is she really an orphan? What is so special about her bloodline? An unexpected visitor, the turn of events, propelling her headfast in the world of mystery, questions, prophecies, Egyptian goddesses, demons and a house as well as an island filled with cats - Will Trinity find her way out of this ? Will she get her answers and how ?

The book is a fast paced read and I finished it within two days as I couldn't resist keeping my hands away from it. A hard core adventurous, mysterious thriller. It kept me hooked on the edge of my seat till the very end. 

The suspense is well maintained and I really loved it. The language is easy and simple, the author tells the story in the most fluid way. The characters are well sketched and in depth research and knowledge on the subject is evident in the book.

However I was not very satisfied with the end though, Needed a few answers, a clearer picture on Seth and what happens to them how she rules? what happened to her father? What about church ownership, Dr Mildred Taylor ?  what does Arya do? How does everything come together?

May be its kept for the next part but I really would have loved one chapter more at the end giving the story a clean finish and a happy ending.

Its a nice breezy suspense mystery, I really liked it. I cant wait for the second book.

I give it a 4 rating.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Its a must read, highly recommended.

Here's the Amazon Purchase Link:

Hope you guys like it, let me know your views.

Thanks a lot for sending this book to me.

until we meet again

Stay cheerful and happy

xoxo

Bhakti

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This Review is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by <a href="http://b00kr3vi3wtours.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">b00k r3vi3w Tours</a></div>

Disclaimer - This is a sponsored post however all the opinions are my own.

The Monk who Sold his Ferrari

I love reading books on life, lessons on simple living, slow living, living fully. I myself believe in these concepts.

Life is an art and the more one hones this skill it's more beautiful. 

This book 'The Monk who sold his Ferrari' by Robin Sharma does exactly that in the most simple and direct ways.
More know about Robin Sharma and his books over here and here. 

The language is kept really easy and simple and the author directly comes to the point of living life to the best of our abilities. 

This book is an old Treasure box to which I just got the key to and I dived in it to lap it all. I sure not only enjoyed it but actually enriched my mind and am trying to do the same with my life. 

Nourishing my body and soul ❤️

The author tells a story which is a crafted fable by him with a few characters and the whole plot revolving mostly around the interaction of Julian Mantle (a cut throat, high profile lawyer changed into a monk by his encounter with the monks of Himalayas) and his colleague and how his entire life changed with the help of these easy principles and how he finally found happiness and enriched fulfilment.

The fable that the Author built is loosely based on his own life and teachings that he came to learn and were useful for him. 

The book is more or less fast paced. 

The teachings are written and divided into chapters. What I love most is the short synopsis of the whole chapter at the end with tools to utilise the teaching and everything the chapter tells on one page. This really helps. It's like quick revision. 

The philosophies to live a blissful life in this book are nothing new but the teaching of the past masters which are written and presented to us in simple ways using simple tools to enhance and fulfil our life further. 

Simple teachings and wisdom which was always there, present but we always overlooked.

He presents to us tools to make our life and time more effective and fruitful. 

It's a small DIY manual for life and it is really good at that.

One may not be able to use each and every tool every day, the way the author tells us. However the beauty of the book lies in moulding these teaching to suit yourself and your life. As the author says you don't have to give away your jewels and ferarris (example) you just have to mould the teaching to suit your life and make it better in the best possible manner just as a well fitting suit.

The small stories shared, examples given and especially the quotes are very inspirational and motivating. 

One really relates to this book and the need to change our lifestyle, to get ourself out of the rat race living that we call life. 

I recommend this book to be read strongly if you haven't read it as yet (like me ). 

It's worth a read and reread. Truly belongs in your library or book collection. 

It's a true gem. 

I give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4stars out of 5 for its sheer brilliance. 

That one star gets lost due to the slow pace at times and the tools which are kind of a little difficult to apply everyday all together. But this is just a very small blip. 

This book is a classic. Please do read. 

You can also follow Robin Sharma on Facebook or at www.Robinsharma.com for his inspirational anecdotes. He is an author of 11 international bestseller. This book being his first. 

I hope this review was of some help. 

Until we meet next time. 

Stay happy and cheerful. 

Do let me know what are your views on this book through comments below. 

Also do let me know your recommendation for books in the same genre or any other, I would love to read them. 

xoxo

Bhakti