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Archive for the tag “romance”

Spotlight: The Magician by Sonia Rao

 

THE MAGICIAN 

(The Tarot Trilogy Book 1)

by 

Sonia Rao

 

Blurb

Fashion designer Sasha Kapoor always felt she’d missed out on love as she had an arranged marriage. And when her husband turns up at their 15th-anniversary party with a strange woman, she knows that her marriage is dying. With constant surprises and disasters to contend with, will Sasha ever get a chance at true love?


Shantha is much sought after for her tarot card readings on love, but can’t seem to help her own love life with a string of broken relationships behind her. Now, sparks are flying between her and a sexy bartender but will this relationship fizzle out too?


Young professionals Nilima and her husband are so besotted with each other, they give the word ‘soulmate’ a complex. Theirs is a match made in heaven…till tragedy strikes.


The Magician is a heart-warming story of these three dynamic women as they discover the meaning of true love through loss and longing.

 

Thoughts from the Author, Sonia Rao
 

Who is a Magician? If it is a Tarot Card, then it the Major Arcana card in the deck and symbolizes life-changing issues.

But if it is a person, then it is Sasha, the main protagonist of my novel, The Magician. In this urban, contemporary romance, fashion designer Sasha, who caught within a loveless marriage, now seeks true love. It is also Shantha and Nilima who face their own challenges in love and try to rise above them.

It is also every woman. This is because, as Shantha says to Sasha in the book, “Imagination is your strength. You have the power to visualize and then manifest what you want. You are the Magician.” Each one of us is The Magician because we hold within ourselves the power to create the life of our dreams.

But how did this cover happen? There is a lovely story behind it. While researching the many tarot decks online, I saw this card on the Attic Shoppe website and I knew at once that this was my “Sasha.”

Go back and have a look at the cover again. Doesn’t it just grip you too? Part practical, part whimsical, part traditional, part digital, this card, like the book, is a labour of love.

The designer, Bethalynne Bajema, created this card for her Black Ibis Tarot card deck.  The love she put in is very evident in the vibe one gets from it. Every time I see it, I am inspired to bring a touch of magic to the everyday routines of mundane life.

Carrying on the serendipity, Bethalynne immediately and graciously agreed to my request to make this card my book cover. Such generosity is hard to come by and I believe it is the Universe’s way of saying “you’re right on track.”  
(Bethalynne can be contacted here: Instagram)

 

Read an excerpt


Grab your copy @



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About the author

 

 

“Sonia Rao is a writer, editor, and award-winning blogger. Her fiction has appeared in many prestigious anthologies such as Voices Old & New and Jest Like That (edited by renowned editor-writer Shinie Antony).

As NaNoWriMo’s Municipal Liaison for all-India and founder of the Wrimo India group on Facebook, Sonia has motivated thousands of people in India to write a novel every November since 2011. She has also curated and edited the first Wrimo India Anthology, Vengeance—A Sting In Every Tale.

Sonia likes to believe she is ‘high-minded’ but strangely, her fave hobby is thinking up torture devices for those autorickshawallahs who consider the roads to be their personal spittoon. Who knew?

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Catch Sonia Rao’s latest release, a sweet romance titled If You Let Me Go, here: mybook.to/IfYouLetMeGo

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Book Blitz: That Night Under The Stars by Alka Dimri Saklani

 
Print Length: 124 pages
Publication Date: July 11, 2020
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Romance, Literature and fiction
 
Blurb
 

Shaurya
Oberoi hates me the moment he sets his eye on me. I start hating him even
before that.

He is the estranged husband of my client, Arya, and I am here to fight her case. I challenge him bluntly that he needs to accept the terms demanded by Arya or rot in jail.

Then one morning I wake up with broken arms and limbs in his hospital bed, and apart from being my client’s husband, he is also my doctor now. I hate how easily he reads what lies beneath my relentless anger… but then sometimes I love it. I hate how his charismatic presence makes me feel, and how his absence affects me. I am in
danger of falling for a man whose marriage I am supposed to save.

But there is more to risk than my heart and my sanity. There’s my case. And I am forced to question, is it destiny or a well-planned conspiracy?

 

Read the Excerpt

“Women don’t cheat, men do.”  I looked at him, “You know what? All men are bastards.” My voice was edgier than intended and I am sure my face was fuming.

He stood still for a while as if I had thrown boiling water on him. Then he began shaking his head. “You are good to nurses and bitches to male attendants. Yesterday they were arguing about it.

The nurses couldn’t stop praising you and the male attendants couldn’t stop cursing you. At that time, I couldn’t understand it, but now I do.”

“What?” What did it have to do with what we were talking about?

“It seems like your war is not against crime; your war is against men.”

His sentence punched me straight in the gut. But before I could respond he walked closer, bent down a little and stared at me with…disgust?

“What?” my brows merged, and my nose crinkled.

“It seems like you didn’t get to vent out your anger at the right place.”

“What do you mean?” I stiffened.

He bent a little more until his eye level matched mine, his voice measured, “What did he do to you to create so much hatred?”

A moment of blankness reigned before the full force of his words acted like acid on my soul. When his gaze shifted to my hand, I realised the bedsheet was crumpled in my tight fist, I immediately left it. My body had gone strangely stiff. I tried to relax, but it came out as a release of breath.

Shit.

“So much hatred can only be the outcome of so much love,” his pitch toned down, “I know that. I have been there.” his voice softened.

I wanted to shout at him and wanted to tell him to shut up, but my words dried on my throat. My frustration shot to a new level and I just wanted to walk away, like every time I did when I had to avoid confrontation. I tried to pull out the IV tube, but he held my hand in time.

His grip was tight, and his tone restrained when he spoke, “It shouldn’t be removed like that. But once you are out of here, go and vent out your hatred in the right place, that will help you. I was also hurt by someone I loved, someone I trusted, though I didn’t get the privilege to keep it private. You are the best witness, not only a witness, but a partner in crime of the ones who hurt me. But do you know why I don’t loathe the whole female species? Because I have vented out my anger at the right place.”

“That got you to court?” I hissed, jerking away his hand.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t carry as much hatred in myself.” He straightened to his monstrous height.

“What about the world that hates you?”

He pushed his hands in his pocket and his voice was calm, but determined, “I damn care. I can look in the mirror and recognize the man in there.”

His statement unfurled something inside me. A small conversation I have every day with the woman on the other side of the mirror.

The woman I don’t recognize anymore.

The woman whom I fail to connect with anymore.  

Alka Dimri Saklani is a novelist and author of the much-loved Beyond Series. Her debut novel ’45 Days in a Cancer Hospital’ was longlisted for Crossword Books Award 2013.

Her readers define her writing as intense, though she dreams of writing a breezy read someday. She has searched more baby name websites to find names of her characters than she did to select the names of her kids. Sometimes she talks to her characters more than she talks to real people. But believe me she isn’t crazy; she is just a writer.

 
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Book Blitz: Bewitched by Ruchi Singh

Love to read romance? Click here to read The Magician by Sonia Rao

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mythology, Folklore

Blurb:

The eternal dance of attraction, lust and love has been going on since time immemorial. 

The divine apsara Menaka descends to Earth at Indra’s behest to distract the sage Vishwamitra from the penance that would bring him unimaginable powers. Menaka succeeds in bewitching Vishwamitra, but her actions are destined to have dire consequences for both.

Eons later, their story is set to repeat itself.

Poorva has always played by society’s rules and ideas of decorum. But what happens when her own loved ones betray her in the worst way imaginable? Does she still have to remain bound by their rules?

Rudra plays with power and people like they are pieces on a chessboard. He has no qualms about indulging his desires, be it money or women, but is determined not to be bound by either.

What happens when these two diametrically opposite souls are brought together by fate?

In the game of power, lust, greed and betrayal, some win and some lose. But are there any winners or losers in the game of love?

Like Menaka and Vishwamitra, are Poorva and Rudra too destined to see their story end in tragedy? Or will the divine power prevail?

 

 

Excerpt:

Mumbling an apology, she sat up straight.

“It’s dinner time. You can sleep in the bedroom after dinner.”

“Bedroom?”

“Yeah, it’s just behind our chairs,” he said stretching his legs. 

“No, no. I’m fine here.”

“You are my guest, it’s for you.”

“No, no. I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

The flight attendant brought their dinner putting an end to the debate. She was surprised when the attendant brought another tray that had champagne cooling in a silver container with all the paraphernalia.

“I thought you didn’t take alcohol,” she couldn’t help but comment.

“Sometimes I do. This is an occasion which calls for a toast, don’t you think?”

“When others are doing all the thinking for me, I have stopped applying my brains.”

He chuckled and shook his head, “You know, I sometimes get the feeling you are more angry about my taking control of the events than anything else.”

She spooned the chicken curry on her plate refusing to reply. The food was awesome, and she was hungry.

“Isn’t that so?” he asked goading her again.

“I’m angry about everything. Every damn thing and every damn person.”

“I think you are angry with yourself too.”

“Oh really! Care to elaborate?”

“There are two reasons. You have been a good girl all your life. You thought that was the best thing to do, but you got nothing out of that. And now forbidden things are appealing to you, which goes against your first philosophy, so you are angry all the more.” He opened the champagne with a pop and poured the sparkling liquid into two flute glasses. He had taken off his coat and rolled up his sleeves.

“Forbidden things are appealing to me!” The blood flow accelerated in her veins at the sight of his hands and broad wrist. He had beautiful long fingers like those of an artist.

“Yes, didn’t you enjoy rehearsing and performing for the show?” He handed her the glass and clinked his with hers. “Aren’t you enjoying this meal with me high up in the sky?” 

“Hats off for turning the argument around and making it about me and absolving yourself for the entire mess.”

“It is not a mess and I’m just the instigator. In fact, I have done you a favor. I have taken you out of your boring life and given you a chance to enjoy the way you deserve.”

“Wow!” She chuckled, actually enjoying herself.

He went absolutely still, then leaned towards her and said softly, “You deserve the best, Poorva. You are a very nice person and should get everything you want from life.”

The air was thick with undercurrents as she looked into his sincere eyes. The brown specks in his black eyes glowed with goodwill and admiration. He came closer and glanced at her lips, then the spell broke and she turned her attention back to the flute in her not-so-steady hand.

“That was a nice thing to say,” she muttered.

“You are welcome.”

 

_______________________________________

About the Author:

Author of the Amazon bestseller romantic thriller ‘The Bodyguard’, Ruchi Singh is an IT professional and novelist, writing stories under Romance and Suspense genre. She is a bilingual author and writes in both Hindi and English.

Winner of TOI Write India Season 1, Ruchi also publishes romantic short reads under ‘Hearts and Hots’ collection, besides being a contributing author to many anthologies.
Ruchi On Social Media

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Book Blitz: Shades Of Love by Candy Laine

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Publisher: Candy Laine (Indie published)
Publication Date: 11 May 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Romance
 
BLURB
 
An anthology of short stories exploring the emotion of love in all it’s aspects. The love between a mother and son, a criminal and a stranger, an army officer and his wife, painful teenage crushes, second chance romances with twists in the tale and more.
 

Reader Reviews

These are sweet, romantic short stories (though not necessarily ‘romance’) similar to what you might find in Guideposts. Most of the stories are set in India. All have an uplifting feel, with wonderful imagery and a realistic cadence which will make you feel like you are visiting that country. Some of the stories have the unusual theme of romance centered around film production, something you don’t see everyday. My favorite story was ‘Grace’s Miracle’ which had a fun twist that I don’t want to spoil, but you will laugh and say ‘a-hah!’ I also enjoyed ‘Afghan Adventure’, to see the troubles through a India Army soldier’s eyes.” – Anna Erishkigal
 
This is a heartwarming book, perfect for cozying up during the long winter evenings. All short stories are woven with love and sparkle with many hues. The stories flow easily and all have an element of surprise, an unexpected twist. These are not run of the mill romances. Pick a copy to read on a flight or gift one to someone dear. These are all stories to stir your soul and bring a smile.” –  Neyz
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR

Read an excerpt

Available on Kindle Unlimited
Candy Laine worked as a Search Engine Optimization content writer and dabbled in Social Media Marketing for nine years before she realized she was starving her creative soul. That’s when she went back to creative writing. Today she enjoys feeding her soul as she drinks green tea, meditates, burns candles, practices Reiki and occasionally smacks people who annoy her.
 
Her husband and son usually keep her busy baking cakes and pies. She’s lived in over 30 homes following her fauji father and husband all over the country. Currently she calls the city of Pune her home. In her spare time, which isn’t much, she manages to escape into her make belief world populated with eccentric characters who just want to be loved.

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Book Blitz: The Floundering Author by Sundari Venkatraman

Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: August 3, 2020
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Romance
 
Jai Wadhwa aspires to be a published author only to find that the path he has chosen is full of thorns. He’s almost on the verge of giving up his dream when Ishika Chatterjee walks into his life.
The commissioning editor of a major publishing house based in Delhi, Ishika is keen to have Jai’s book as part of Cooper Publishing House India’s catalogue, only to find her path blocked from all directions.
Heartbroken, Jai goes underground to lick his wounds. Will he ever get to realise his dream or is it doomed forever?
While Ishika isn’t one to give up so easily on a project she strongly believes in, she has nothing less than a battle on her hands. And what about the floundering author himself—the one she has fallen in love with? Will he take on the world and launch his writing career or fade away to nothing?
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR

Read the Excerpt
 
 
Sundari Venkatraman is an indie author with forty-five titles to her credit, which have sold more than 1.75 lakh copies around the world. Her books consistently feature in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon in both Romance and Asian Drama categories. Her latest romance novels have all been on the #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.
 
As a child, Sundari loved to read books with ‘lived happily ever after’ endings. They were all about good triumphing over evil. As a teenager, her favourite books were romance novels from Mills & Boon. She was fascinated by them, so much so that she began to visualise the stories set in India.
 
Sundari was forty when she began her writing journey, completing the first draft of her first novel in thirty-five days. She has not looked back since.

Click here to check out all the titles by the author…

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Spotlight: The Passionate Princess by Sundari Venkatraman

Love to read romance? Click here to read The Magician by Sonia Rao

Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: September 9, 2020
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Historical Romance
 
All it took was one look. And they were in love…
Princess Hemangini is mesmerised by Prince Devendra when she falls into his arms while rushing across the royal gardens.
 
The Prince of Indrapuri is amazed that the Princess of Mahendrapuri is even more beautiful and graceful than what the visiting bards sang in praise of her.
 
Their mutual attraction blooms into love and they decide to get married. Tying the knot is easy, but consummating the marriage is another matter altogether.
 
As their love and passion draw them towards each other, Devendra’s mother, Queen Kanchana Devi, keeps throwing obstacles in the path of the lovers; sometimes in the name of rituals and sometimes inflicting doubts in their minds; doing her best to keep them apart.
 
As the frustrated bride and groom tolerate the intervening time with impatience, something happens to shake up Hemangini; something that makes her refuse to let her husband touch her.
 
What will the proud prince have to do to make his princess fall into his arms once again?
 
Read this historical romance from India to find out if the passionate princess finds happiness with her prince or not.
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR

Read an excerpt


Sundari Venkatraman is an Indie Author who has 40+ books to her credit. These books have consistently featured in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.
 
The Passionate Princess, Book #1 of The Princess Series, is the author’s first attempt at penning a historical romance. 
 
Even as a child, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome and she grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, Phantom comics and Mandrake comics. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy ending after the protagonists surmounted all unexpected obstacles.
 
Once she entered her teens, Sundari switched her loyalties from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to local heroes and heroines. And of course, the joy of vanquishing the ubiquitous evil villains! Her imagination soared and she happily ensconced herself in a rosy romantic cocoon for many years.
 
Then came the writing—a true bolt from the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.

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Book Blitz: The Ramyeon Girl by Nethra A.

One afternoon, Lee Jung-Su, a star at the peak of his career meets Meena at a ramyeon shop, and thenceforth things take a turn. He gradually grows to like her, but encounters racism first-hand as he falls for the Indian girl. Celebrities don’t have it easy, especially not in South Korea. His fresh approach towards acting and the consequences of his relationship with Meena changes his perspectives of black and white, of good and bad, of reality and fantasy.
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR

 
Based in Bangalore, Nethra is a post-graduate in Business Administration from Christ University Institute of Management and is a graduate in Computer Science & Engineering from University Visvesvarya College of Engineering-Bangalore. She is a voracious reader and a fiction writer, who puts quality writing over everything else. Her interest in good stories and writing made her start Fablery Mediaworks, a media house and a publisher of novellas and graphic novels.
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Book Blitz: ASHERAH by Rubina Ramesh

 

ASHERAH: THE WARRIOR PRINCESS

A FANTASY ROMANCE

(The Goddesses Trilogy Book 1)

by

Rubina Ramesh

A personal note: Editing Asherah: The Warrior Princess has been an extremely rewarding experience. I recommend this book highly for the fabulous story that Rubina Ramesh has penned down in her absolutely unique and gripping voice. A must-read.

 

Print Length: 257 pages
Publication Date: May 21, 2020
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
 
Blurb
 
Bound by duty…Longing for love.
 
Asherah…
Warrior Princess Asherah’s mission is to destroy the cruel godling, Sandor, who was feared both by men and gods. She is forced to seek the help of the ancient God and her husband, Lord El, whom she married at a young age. But there she falls in love with Lord El’s stable hand, Hanish.
 
Hanish…
Hanish knows his limits. He knew falling in love with Asherah was forbidden.
 
The Love…
They’re both bound by duty – one to her kingdom and the other to his master – and so they try their best to fight the growing attraction between them.
 
Will this forbidden love ever reach fruition? When Asherah discovers the truth about Sandor, will it sabotage her love for Hanish? Or will the truth about her marriage to Lord El destroy her forever?
 
Caught between three men, Asherah has to travel to her past to know her present. Will her heart finally recognize her true love? Grab a copy of Asherah now to find out.

Grab your copy @
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Blog Tour by The Book Club of DESTINED by Rubina Ramesh
Rubina Ramesh is an avid reader, writer, blogger, book reviewer and marketer. She is the founder of The Book Club, an online book publicity group. Her first literary work was published in her school magazine. It gave her immense pride to see her own name at the bottom of the article. She was about 8 years old at that time. She then went to complete her MBA and after her marriage to her childhood friend, her travel saga started. From The Netherlands to the British Isles she lived her life like an adventure. After a short stint in Malaysia, she finally settled down in the desert state of USA, Arizona. Living with her DH and two human kids and one doggie kid, Rubina has finally started living the life she had always dreamed about – that of a writer.

Click here to check out all the titles by the author…

 
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Book Blitz: Arjun’s Penance by Sundari Venkatraman

Print Length: 168 pages
Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: March 1, 2020
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Romance
 
Young Arjun feels betrayed and heartbroken when his girlfriend of two years dies in an accident. In a moment of agony, he does the worst thing possible…
 
Ten years later, Kiara walks into the office of the Mathur Group of industries, falling for its managing director, Arjun Mathur, who is a ruthless businessman nowadays, and also completely sworn off women.
 
While the ethical hacker gathers evidence against the ex-finance director of the company who has been swindling money bigtime, she tries to woo the MD into falling in love with her.
 
Will Kiara be able to persuade Arjun to break his penance?
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR


Read the Excerpt
 
 
Sundari Venkatraman is an indie author with forty-five titles to her credit, which have sold more than 1.75 lakh copies around the world. Her books consistently feature in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon in both Romance and Asian Drama categories. Her latest romance novels have all been on the #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.
 
As a child, Sundari loved to read books with ‘lived happily ever after’ endings. They were all about good triumphing over evil. As a teenager, her favourite books were romance novels from Mills & Boon. She was fascinated by them, so much so that she began to visualise the stories set in India.
 
Sundari was forty when she began her writing journey, completing the first draft of her first novel in thirty-five days. She has not looked back since.

Click here to check out all the titles by the author…

You can stalk her @

Grab Your Copy From


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Book Blitz: Gobsmacked by Sundari Venkatraman

Print Length: 133 pages
Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: March 29, 2020
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Romance
 
It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR

 
The city bred Amit and the village-born Radhika fall in love at first sight, getting married three years later.
 
Looking forward to a wonderful life with her husband and family in Delhi, Radhika begins her new journey with stars in her eyes…
 
…only for things to come crashing when Amit’s mother Shanti ill-treats her. Hating her small-town daughter-in-law, Shanti is determined to break her son’s marriage from Day One.
 
And it looks like she has succeeded when Radhika leaves her husband one fine day, apparently giving him no explanation for her action.
 
While Radhika waits for her husband to pacify her and take her back, Amit is too hurt and upset to even contact her.
 
Will the heartbroken couple ever get back together? Especially after being separated for nearly two years? And even if they did, will Shanti let them live in peace?
Grab your copy @

 

 

 
Sundari Venkatraman is an indie author with forty-six titles to her credit, which have sold more than 1.75 lakh copies around the world. Her books consistently feature in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon in both Romance and Asian Drama categories. Her latest romance novels have all been on the #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.
 
As a child, Sundari loved to read books with ‘lived happily ever after’ endings. They were all about good triumphing over evil. As a teenager, her favourite books were romance novels from Mills & Boon. She was fascinated by them, so much so that she began to visualise the stories set in India.
 
Sundari was forty when she began her writing journey, completing the first draft of her first novel in thirty-five days. She has not looked back since.

Click here to check out all the titles by the author…

You can stalk her @

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We Promote So That You Can Write 


 

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