Anky's Book Bubble: 2018

Review: The Passenger

Author: Lisa Lutz

Genre: Psychological Thriller.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫

Blurb:

In case you were wondering, I didn’t do it. I didn’t have anything to do with Frank’s death. I don’t have an alibi, so you’ll have to take my word for it...

Forty-eight hours after leaving her husband’s body at the base of the stairs, Tanya Dubois cashes in her credit cards, dyes her hair brown, demands a new name from a shadowy voice over the phone, and flees town. It’s not the first time.

She meets Blue, a female bartender who recognizes the hunted look in a fugitive’s eyes and offers her a place to stay. With dwindling choices, Tanya-now-Amelia accepts. An uneasy―and dangerous―alliance is born.

It’s almost impossible to live off the grid today, but Amelia-now-Debra and Blue have the courage, the ingenuity, and the desperation, to try. Hopscotching from city to city, Debra especially is chased by a very dark secret…can she outrun her past?

Cover Review:

The cover is absolutely gorgeous and so in tune with the story. I like to think that all those strips are in fact part of the different layers of Nora's identity.

Book Review:

The Passenger was slow, spellbinding and the kind of book that keeps you waiting till the end, and then presents surprise after surprise.

Nora's story begins with her second identity as Tanya Dunois and then progresses through a number of identities until it comes to a full circle with her real identity.

Nora's story was chilling and heart wrenching. It was the kind of thriller that burns slowly and leaves you wanting for more. I really liked Nora's character, I felt like I went on an enlightening trip with her through this book.

All in all, The Passenger was an unputdownable, irresistible read and I wish it hadn't ended so soon!

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Review: Five Feet Apart

Author: Rachel Lippincott.

Genre: Young Adult.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫❤️

Can you love someone you can never touch?

Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.

The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.

Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.

What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?

The cover is gorgeous. I don't have a paperback, but I so want one. I'd be proud to display this book on my shelf!

Five Feet Apart was a beautiful story of love, loss and fighting for your life.

Being a person with a chronic illness, I related to this book on so many levels. I related to Will and his wish to see the world instead of succumbing to his illness AND I related to Stella and her wish to keep living.

I know my previous review on Goodreads said that it broke my heart, and it did. But not because it had a sad ending. No, it wasn't that at all. It broke my heart because it was too beautiful to be true, and I loved it for that. The ending was so hopeful, so... good.

I cried, sure. I cried a lot, but not at the end. Because unlike ALL the books I've read with characters who have chronic illnesses, neither of them died in this one. The story ended with a hopeful epilogue, and that's what made me give that ❤️ (heart) in my rating.

If I could, I'd make everyone read this book, but since I can't Imperio everyone, I am just going to have to request you nicely to please go read it 🤨

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Author Interview: Kevin Missal, Author of Kalki Trilogy

Hey everyone!

Today, I'm here with a short interview I did with Kevin Missal, author of the well known Kalki Trilogy!

Mythology is one of the most common genres written in by Indian authors. How does Kalki stand out among all the other mythological books?

Because it has heart.
Did you have to research a lot in order to write Kalki?

Yeah I did but it was very general. Most of it was fantasy.
Do you write in genres other than Mythology? Why/why not?

I want to but I like mythology than other genre is because you get to twist stories, ground them and show your interpretation.
What book are you currently working on?

Narasimha.
Your top five all time favourite reads?

1) Godfather

2) Alchemist

3) Devotion of Suspect X

4) Percy Jackson (any book)

5) Hobbit

Thank you for your time! I wish you all the good luck with your books!

Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an upsurge in unrighteousness, at that time, I take birth again.

- LORD GOVIND.

Born in the quiet village of Shambala, Kalki Hari, son of Vishnuyath and Sumati, has no idea about his heritage until he is pitted against tragedies and battles.

Whisked into the province of Keekatpur, which is under the fist of Lord Kali, Kalki sees the ignominy of death trumping life all around him. He learns that he has been born to cleanse the world he lives in, for which he must journey to the North and learn the ways of Lord Vishnu’s Avatar; from an immortal who wields an axe.

But trapped in the midst of betrayals, political intrigue and forces that seek to decimate him, will he be able to follow his destiny before the Kaliyug begins?

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Review: Knotty Affairs

Author: Chirag Bagadia.

Genre: General Fiction, Romance.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫

A land of countless customs, few things in India get bigger than a big fat wedding. A marriage is a celebration which brings families and friends together. And the ceremony ends with the tradition of the bride leaving her parents' home and moving in with her husband. The groom always has a choice-he can either stay with his parents or stay separately. However, for the bride her 'home' is now a strange place.

Meet Aakash, a young dental intern, who falls in love with Kashish. However, what he doesn't know is that winning her heart was never going to be easy. Kashish is resolute-nothing, not even their budding romance, will come in the way of her devotion to her parents.

Cut to four years later. Akash has fallen in love with Aneri, the only daughter of her parents. However, his father is clearly miffed by this development, and enlists the help of a psychologist friend to help Aakash. Furthermore, his father is also not surprised at the couple's request of entering into a live-in relationship before the marriage. But is Aakash ready to challenge the existing customs for his love? Is he prepared to go to any lengths to see that his love does not shed another tear?

Take this tradition-defying journey with Aakash, Kashish and Aneri as they dare to delve deeper into the web of love and relationships. Warm up to their crazy antics which will leave you wondering-why can't this be my story?!

The cover is cute, not exactly beautiful, but a good cover nonetheless.

Knotty Affairs was the story of a guy who was on the quest to find a perfect life partner. It was full of humour as well as much needed pondering over the age old customs Indian marriages and societies still follow.

I loved the book because of its uniqueness and because someone finally went out there and said that it's NOT okay to force a girl to move out of her home when the boy clearly gets a choice. That's what made me like the book so much, more than anything else in the book.

There wasn't much romance. There were love stories, sure, but only a few instances of romance, and that's why I'd shelve the book under general fiction rather than under romance.

Knotty Affairs was a fun, light read at first glance, but it also talked about much more serious topics that need talking about.

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News Update: Himanshu Rai to Release His New Title

Himanshu Rai soon to launch his next Romance title...

Bestselling author Himanshu Rai soon to launch his next big Romance title, I am Always Here with You with Srishti Publishers.

Srishti Publishers & Distributors, one of India's leading publishing houses for mass-market paperback fiction, has announced the acquisition rights of bestselling author Himanshu Rai's forthcoming book called I am Always Here with You. His first book titled My Mute Girlfriend had not just started off impressively in the pre-orders itself, it had also gone on to grab top bestselling positions on all online and offline stores soon after release. While broadening Srishti's hugely successful portfolio in the contemporary romance category, this collaboration is to mark a trend of a romance story with a difference this time.

A Valentines Day release in 2018, Himanshu Rai's debut romance titled My Mute Girlfriend also got listed among 25 best romance reads of 2018. The list of good reviews, praise and appreciation was endless, as the story was quite different and woven with love, also trendsetting in a way.

Himanshu's way of writing is so visually rich that it is more like watching a story. Not just heart-warming, his stories are also different than the usual. We are delighted to be associated with Himanshu for his next venture and are sure it will charm the readers just as much," said Arup Bose, Publisher, Srishti Publishers.

Himanshu's book is most popular with the young in age and young at heart, as it explores the various shades of love.
On his association with Srishti Publishers for the second time, Himanshu said, "I am delighted to work on my next books with Srishti. Being a romance title, no one can give it a better platform than them. I am thankful and obliged to be part of their team.

The title of the upcoming book I am Always Here with You is already trending and much loved.

Review + Giveaway: A Hollow Sky

Author: M. Sean Coleman.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍬

Jane Hewitt had been miraculously healed—cured of a terminal cancer that had been eating away at her body for months. After one meeting with an incredible young woman, Jane rose from her wheelchair and walked out, believing her lifetime of devoted faith had been rewarded.

The next day, Jane died in her husband's arms, devastated that her God had deserted her. Her husband, Ian, blames her hastened death on the faith healer she visited. But that faith healer is a teenage girl called Megan, who has been in a coma for five years, and has no say over how her gift is used.

When Ian is arrested after being accused of breaking in to Megan's house and trying to tamper with her life support, he turns to the only person he knows can help clear his name, and stop this family deceiving any other victims—Dr Alex Ripley, the so called Miracle Detective.

Fascinated by Megan's case, and needing a distraction, Ripley finds herself on Holy Island, off the coast of North Wales, caught up in an investigation that will prove more sinister and dangerous than she could have imagined. Ian is not the first person to complain about Megan and her supporters, but he seems to be the only one still alive. For now.

The cover syncs well with the cover of the previous book in the series and is just as mysterious. I like it.

Hollow Sky, the second book in the Alex Ripley mysteries, deals with faith healers, cons and another well knit village community.

To be quite honest, I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous book in the series. For one, there were way too many unnecessary descriptions, and they started getting dull after a while, making me skip paragraphs.

Secondly, it ended with the perpetrator escaping. And that annoyed me. A lot. Though I guess it's how it is.

Overall, Hollow Sky wasn't the kind of mystery that would keep you on edge, but it'd definitely hold your attention until you turned the last page.

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Win paperback copies of The Cuckoo Wood and A Hollow Sky, a cool tote bag with book quote from the publisher, a branded bookmark and some chocolates (Open INT)

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Review + Giveaway: The Cuckoo Wood

Author: M. Sean Coleman.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫

Samantha Jaynes took her life in the cold lake. Now Rosie Trimble has done the same. Both claimed they had seen an angel. And they're not the only ones.

A spate of teenage suicides rattles the rural community of Kirkdale, in England's Lake District. Before they died, each of the girls talked about seeing an angel. Is this collective hallucination, or is something more sinister leading these young girls to their deaths?

That's a question for Dr Alex Ripley, the so-called Miracle Detective. Brought in to help the police, she finds a community rooted in fear and suspicion, bound by their strange faith, unwilling to help, unable to forgive.

Because the people of Kirkdale have buried their dark past once, and theyre not about to let Ripley dig it up again.

The cover is simply gorgeous. I love the matte finish and how the red of the title stands out. It's beautiful. (My copy has a slightly different cover than the one above.)

The Cuckoo Woods was a slow, mesmerising suspense, that pulled me in slowly, steadily.

I wasn't all into it in the beginning, but as it progressed, it got better and better.

Dr. Alex Ripley was a fun, adventurous protagonist, unafraid of poking into anything. It was fun to follow her as she solved the mystery of the Kirkdale Angel.

The mystery itself could've been better. I felt some of it wasn't as explained or as clear as it could have been. There are bits that could've been drawn out for more impact.

But overall, The Cuckoo Wood was an engaging read, light yet suspenseful.

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Win a paperback copy of The Cuckoo Wood, a cool tote bag with book quote from the publisher, a branded bookmark and some chocolates!

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Review: Dethroned

Author: G.I. Eldredge.

Genre: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

For eighteen-year-old Rouen Rivoche, being a fairy princess isn’t about fancy parties and happily ever afters.

Rouen’s people are the dark Fae whose powers of lightning, thundersnow, and all things Winter make them cold, severe, and 100% intolerant of rebellion.

Too bad being a rebel is in Rouen’s blood.

Against tradition, she’s teamed up with Syl Skye, the sleeper-princess of the fair Fae—a mortal enemy who Rouen should want to kill but only wants to kiss. Plus, to be with Syl, Rouen’s masquerading as a glam goth-rock star and human high school student. Honestly, Rouen doesn’t think things could get any more complicated.

Then, she discovers she must become Queen of the Winter Court or all her people will die. No pressure.

Now, dark forces are amassing in the Winter Court, turning Rouen’s people against her and blocking her path to the throne. Even Syl with all her powers of white flame and Summer can’t stop this new kind of evil.

Because betrayal cuts close when it’s someone you love… and now it looks like Rouen’s going to be dethroned before she ever becomes queen.

Like all the covers in the Circuit Fae Series, this one is beyond gorgeous and I absolutely love it! I wish I could have all of these gorgeous books on my shelf!

Dethroned is a novella from the Circuit Fae series, and though it was short, it wasn't any less fun than all the other books. In fact, it eas packed full of action and mushl romance.

Now, I may be biased in my review because of a crush I may have on one of the protagonists (shhh!) but I assure you that this book really is pretty amazing!

Syl Skye and Rouen Rivoche are the most entertaining and fun characters! I love how the author so deftly writes both of their perspectives in such contrasting tones! While Syl is all warm and bubbly, Rouen is the embodiment of dark and gothic.

All in all, I'm totally taken with the series, and can't wait to read the next awesome book!

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Review: Seduction by Truth

Author: Mukul Kumar.

Genre: Romance.

Rating: 🍫🍫🍬

Shiva is handsome, an irresistible talker, well-off, lives in Delhi's poshest suburb, is a dutiful husband to the attractive Akriti and is a perfect father to their little son. So why is he the picture of disenchantment?

Is it that not-so-uncommon human condition-boredom that sometimes accompanies fidelity-that haunts him? In Shiva's case, the discovery that Akriti has already found distraction with someone else frees him to look for excitement on his own-but with a mind conflicted between dharma and desire. Which is the path that he will choose to walk on?

Shiva embarks on a journey to empirically explore different options-the sexually vibrant Sana and Mary, to name a few-but at the end, winds up with more questions than he started out with. To confuse things further, Akriti continues to occupy a tender place in his heart-as a woman first and a wife later.

A slice-of-life tale, which is part reality and part legend, Seduction by Truth dares the modern reader to solve civilization's oldest puzzle-marriage.

The cover is intriguing, though even after reading the book, I've yet to understand its symbolism.

Seduction by Truth was way different than what I'd expected. Reading the blurb, I'd assumed it was a quick romance read with a touch of adultery.

But reading the book, I realized that it was way different. To me, the book seemed more like a thesis on Adultery than an actual story. It was full of mythological references regarding adultery.

There was no depth to the characters, and all that happened in the story was Shiva cheated on his wife with three different women, and also spent the whole time thinking whether adultery is just or not.

So as you can see, I was very disappointed with it. The 2.5 stars are just because atleast there weren't many grammatical errors to suffer through.

If you're a huge mythological buff, I'd definitely recommend you to check this book out. Otherwise, I'm not so sure you'll enjoy it.

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