Friday 24 June 2016

BOOK REVIEW - “CODE RED BY SHANTANU DHAR”




​ Although, I am not the one who enjoy reading horror or thriller when it comes to reading.  However, the cover page of the book was so intriguing that it kept me going.
Ardhendu Bose, the vampire, is now a hired mercenary working for the CIA. Damon Broadus, the African-American CIA agent, leads a covert war against vampires, using Ardhendu as a front. The MI6 and CIA have joined hands to wipe out vampires in a top-secret mission called CODE RED. The best scientists of the MI6 have taken over the research of the late Dr. Amitava Bose and they discover that vampires give off an invisible glow, which can be seen only by using heat-seeking satellite imaging technology. Through this, they discover that the vampires of the world are congregating in a hitherto unexplored, part of the Amazon rainforest.

CODE RED of The Red Trilogy is a horror-cum-psychological thriller that takes place across the UK, the US and the Amazon rainforest. An international thriller, CODE RED is a fast-paced story that raises several thought-provoking questions. ‘Code Red’ is an action packed fast paced thriller…  This book centers on an assembly of Vampires from all over in the Amazon rainforest as Ardhendu combats time, betrayal and power games.

The climax was quite interesting with twists and turns as they unfold. For that you need to read this book.

Now my Positive viewpoints:

The positives of the story are the characters easily identifiable. People tend to skip some words and move on reading fast (even I do that sometimes) but I'm sure that this book is going to hook them to read word to word just like I did.

The novel takes a closer look at the factual nature of the human kinds as Ardhendu battles to comprehend which side to remain on. On one side, are the avaricious feeble humans abolishing ‘Mother Nature’ to fulfill the hungriness of commercialization or the voracious Vampires who sought make us the target.

The book circles about his innermost demons as he races to meet what he actually set out to do. A fearsome, stimulating, challenging, interesting, and provocative fiction of quests clouding contours between vampires and humans is simply mind blowing.

Please Note: The Company RED: The first book in The Red Trilogy, is a dark and sinister unfolding of hunts, blurring lines between vampires and humans, that wreak havoc in the life of Ardhendu Bose, a fatherless, middle-class Bengali boy in search of an extraordinary existence.The author has been successful enough to connect with the readers, I loved it, and I am sure that the target audience will love this book too.

Some suggestive points:

At some places the story becomes static, although the narration of the story is wonderful. The too much detailing in the action and some gore stuff could have been avoided but it might appeal to readers who love this genre. 

 Final words:

Overall if asked I would say this is a good book, perfect accompaniment to anyone interesting in reading thriller cum horror on weekend pastime. Overall I would say...this is a good job done by Author (Shantanu Dhar) … I would give 4 stars to this book.


Thursday 23 June 2016

BOOK REVIEW - Second Chance at Love by Ruchita Misra.

BOOK REVIEW - Second Chance at Love by Ruchita Misra.





​ I am one of a big admirer for romance novels and love stories in books, and especially the ones written by various Indian authors.  The story was so intriguing that it kept me going, and every time I had to leave the book unfinished, my mind kept wandering around the characters and story in the book.

Samar and Bindiya, both the protagonists, are strangers till brought simultaneously to work. They both are sufferers of their past which continues to distress their present and perhaps their future. However, I really like the point that both have chosen different ways to deal with their past and try to move beyond it to look for happiness again.
Samar is troubled, and hides that under a facade of coldness, and absolute fortitude at work. It’s almost like he has built a wall around himself, he doesn’t let anyone get close for fear of getting hurt again.
Bindiya, on the other hand, is the absolute opposite. She too has a disturbing past, but she chooses humor as a way-out for hiding it and deals with it in a sporty, offhand manner, until some memory jars her intuitive and she’s jerked back, wallowing in compassion. Work is not her solace, unlike Samar, who finds working eases the troubled flow of memories. Work is a compulsion for Bindiya to support herself and her family.
This simple correlation, defines all human beings. No two are alike, and we all have our different ways of dealing with joy, pain, happiness, trouble, etc., forging different relationships in the process - of friendship, of love, of family, of gratitude, etc. And that’s the beauty of it all!
Second Chance at Love makes us question all that we know and traditionally believe about love and do we really get a second chance at it. Although in some instances it does get a little into Bollywood mode with its exaggerated metaphors, on the whole it stays sensitive to its primary readers and how they would react to the strong emotions of love, hope, faithfulness and joy portrayed brilliantly in story. The climax was quite interesting with twists and turns as they unfold. For that you need to read this book.

Now my Positive viewpoints:

The positives of the story are the characters which are massively likeable, and easily identifiable. Situations are very real and very life like, whether you want to be recognized for the efforts you put in at work, try to please your parents, find joy in spending time with your partner, the lust you feel for the one you love the most in this world, and countless others like that.
The passion between the two central characters is quite literally, page burning. It’s awesome how this is expressed so beautifully and in a very mature style in the book, without going over the top and moving into something like of  Mills and Boon territory.
 The author has been successful enough to connect with the readers, I loved it, and I am sure that the target audience will love this book too.

Some suggestive points:

Although the narration of the story is wonderful but at some places the story becomes stagnant. There is one thing that put me off he somewhat meandering tone in the later part of the book. A little more editing would definitely increase its appeal. Sometimes, descriptions of people and places are very exaggerated, which seemed somewhat unnecessary in this if not subtle, poignant love story.

 Final words:

Overall if asked I would say this is a good book, perfect accompaniment to your weekend pastime. Overall I would say...this is a good job done by Author (Ruchita Misra) … I would give 4.5 stars to this book.


Saturday 18 June 2016

लम्हें...

लम्हें...


तुम संग बिताए वो लम्हें...,दिल से जाते नही...,
प्यार भरे वो एहसास...,हमारे भुलाए जाते नही...!

वो देर रातों मे...,जग कर करना मीठी बातें...,
वो यादें...,वो बातें भुलाए जाते नही...!

वो पहरों पहर...,तेरे पेगाम का इंतज़ार...,
पल दो पल मे घड़ी देखने को चक्कर लगाए जाते नही...!

वो हर मुलाक़ात के लिए...,सवेरे से सजना सवारना...,
यू बिन बात...,नाज़ नख़रे उठाए जाते नही...!

वो कभी बिन बात रूठ जाना...,फिर खुद ही मान जाना...,
एहसास कुछ ऐसे दीप कभी कभी यू करे जाते...!!!

दीप 

Monday 13 June 2016

टुकड़े...

टुकड़े...



कश्मकश और उलझनों  से घिरी, मैं उम्मीद की ढाल लिए बैठी हूँ …,
तेरी हर चाल के लिए , ऐ जिंदगी मैं दो चाल लिए बैठी हूँ...|

आँख मिचौली का... लुत्फ़ उठा रही  हूँ मैं भी  …,
कभी तो मिलेगी कामयाबी हौसला कुछ कमाल ही लिए बैठी हूँ...l

 दो-चार दिन ही सही चल मेरे मुताबिक...,  
पहलु में अपने ये सुनहरा साल लिए बैठी हूँ...l

तुझे मुबारक़ ये गहराइयां, ये लहरें, ये तोफ़ा तेरा …,
नहीं फ़िक्र मुझे मैं कश्तियां और दोस्त बेमिसाल लिए बैठी हूँ…lll


दीप 

Friday 10 June 2016

यादें....

यादें....






सौगात जो मिली प्यार कि चैन से रहने नहीं देती...,
ये बैरन काली रात नहीं सोने देती...!


घिरी हुँ तेरी यादों के आगोश में...,
बदजात ये अब तो सोने नहीं देती...!


जो लुटाई मुझपे तूने जी भर के...,
एहसासों की खैरात वो नहीं सोने देती...!


कई मर्तबा आते आते रह गई मिलन की रात...,
बंद होठों पे वो बात सोने नहीं देती...!

दिल में जो रच बसी गयी मेरे...,
कुछ अधूरी वो मुलाकात सोने नहीं देती...!


गर जो हो जरूरत लड़ लू ज़माने भर से मैं...,
पर मुझ से ही तेरी घात सोने नहीं देती...!!!

 द्वीप

Friday 3 June 2016

AUTHOR’S Interview Questionnaire with Mallika Nawal


So, for this month  featuring  author from Indian Literary World  is Mallika Nawal writer of  I a woman & I 'm on Sale


Hmm…now, isn’t that a difficult thing to do - ‘Who Am I?’ … Well, I am a woman — brighter than the brightest star and darker than the darkest night. As for my profession? Well, I’m a writer. Of course, when I am not writing, I am still writing legal depositions, legal notices, legal petitions, etc. As for hobbies, the list is endless really. I enjoy a lot of things, especially reading, writing, trekking, knitting, playing piano, listening to music, playing games on my PS3, etc.



Questioniare with Mallika Nawal 

1.                 How did you first get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?

  I have been writing since school. That’s when my first writing was published internationally, a poem titled, ‘Touched By An Angel’. Yes, I am immensely imaginative.

2.                 What do you find most challenging about your writing?

Nothing really…it’s as instinctive as breathing!

3.                 What do you do when you are not writing?

I am thinking of writing. It is really weird being a writer…Every person you meet sort of becomes a character that you analyse, every situation becomes a plot…in short, even when I am not writing, I am still writing (albeit in my own head).

4.                 Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

I live in the present and I take each day as it comes. So, you’ll have to come back and ask me that question after 6 months and 5 years respectively.

5.                 How do you keep coming up with material / content for your story?

I wish I could tell how those ideas germinate in my head…but I can’t really. There isn’t any method to my mental madness, I’m afraid!

6.                 Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

Keep working on the craft… and read a lot. I have never met a good writer who does not read.
7.                 What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

His/her heart and soul. Every story a writer writes contains a part of his/her heart and soul.
8.                 A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

Good writing earns good money! I don’t think there are any shortcuts to it. If you want to earn money through your writing, you need to be effective at what you do. If you write well and it connects with the target audience, you will be able to make money.

9.                 What motivates you most in life?

Failures! They are the backbone of success.

10.            What has been your strategy for creating visibility to yourself and your writing?

To be honest, I rarely think about all that… I write to express myself and for the causes I want to take up. Which is also why I enrolled for my LLB so that I can do more than just write against them.

11.            What was the most challenging moment in your writing content development process and why?

I have been lucky that ways, I guess. I wrote for fun and somehow my writing caught the attention of publishers/editors, who approached me and I started writing for them. I haven’t really faced rejections…or challenges. Though occasionally I do face the proverbial writer’s block, but I don’t consider them a challenge really…after all, it’s just my brain telling me to take a break, which I always do![Smiles]

12.            Everyone has a favourite / least favourite post. Name yours and why?

If you are referring to Facebook Posts, I am not such a social media fan. I do post, from time to time…but I spend less than 5 mins on Facebook…so I don’t really have a favourite or least favourite post. Besides, I think people need to stop spending so much time in the virtual world, and go explore the real world for a change.

13.            Name some of the writinggers whom you look up to and why?

I really like the writing style of Irving Wallace. His writing is crisp and informative…exactly how writing needs to be.

14.            What is the story behind the name of your book? 


Well, if you are really interested in knowing that story… just pick up Swarajya’s March issue (Women’s Day Special), which describes in detail why the novel’s titled - ‘I’m a Woman & I’m on SALE’. You can, of course, read it online on the Swarajya website. The article’s titled - ‘My Freedom Nests In My Mind, Safe and Sound’!

15.            Which genre do you feel gets the raw deal?

I don’t think any of them gets a raw deal. Each comes with its own unique set of audience. Of course, it is a known fact that most audiences flock to romances and thrillers, but that’s just how  humans are programmed.

16.            Five adjectives that describe you?

Crazy, Witty, Lively, Adventurous, Scary

17.            What book would you say has made the biggest impact good or bad on you?

I don’t think there’s any one book that has made an impact. I am a voracious reader and I read a lot…so I believe they all have made an impact for better or for worse…it’s hard to tell.

18.            Do you get easily provoked by positive / negative comments?

Not at all. I have, what they say, an internal locus of control.

19.            Do you plan to write more books, as every author dream it is?

Like I said, writing is living to me. So, I write a lot and also have a lot of books in the pipeline. I recently finished a management book for an ivy league management college located in Bombay. There are 4 other books in the pipeline, apart from the myriad articles.

20.            Are you a judgmental person, do you prefer to take sides instead of standing neutral?

No. I am not judgmental but I do have strong convictions. Once I know something’s wrong, I cannot stay neutral. For I believe in what Dante said, ‘The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.’

21.            What genre attracts you the most and which genre you avoid?

I have a very eclectic taste when it comes to books, writers, and writing.

22.            Your Views on increasing plagiarism?

It’s just plain ol’ fraud. It’s a crime! And writers who indulge in that are just plain ol’ criminals - lazy and uninspired!

23.            What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?


Honesty!