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Saturday, October 17, 2020

Book Blitz - Nargis by Hermit Pen




About The Book

The book is a collection of 8 short stories, each unique and different from others, covering various facets of life, inspired by real-life characters and incidents.

The stories address contemporary social issues like loneliness, binge dating, domestic abuse, social media addiction, celebrity worship, and also contemporary environmental issues like pollution, dwindling water resources, declining fertility rate, chemical warfare, etc. 

The stories also attempt to illustrate the pain and wounds of contemporary political issues like lynching, conflicts, refugees, etc

All the characters seem very familiar and we can easily relate to them.


Book Purchase Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA



Book Excerpt


Nargis

It is 2030 and most of the water on earth is polluted.


In the beginning, it was industrial pollution that rendered most of the water beyond human usage, and then the water wars that followed resulted in the extensive use of chemical and biological weapons, which further left the remaining water sources toxic.


In less than 10 years, water had become the currency, and owners of non-toxic water source the new age kings, with their own militias, protecting their wells and supply chain.


Water trading was the most lucrative business now.


Namita


Namita had stopped thinking about resistance or confrontation long back. Domestic abuse and sometimes physical abuse had become part of life for her. She had accepted it. It was no secret either. Most people around her knew. It’s difficult to hide the scars, especially the physical ones. 


Lybched


Since that fateful day, he had wished for only two things. To meet the family of the boy he had killed and the people who had killed his brother. 


He couldn't make up his mind as to what will give him the closure he needed. 


The atonement of his sin or revenge. Guilt and vengeance had been consuming him.


Neha


All she could manage was “Why are you good to me Shoeb? Why do you still stick around when everyone else has given up on me, and now you brought my child to me”.


Neha could not control anymore, tears started rolling down her cheeks. 


Shoeb softly spoke almost in a whisper to Neha “We have taken him out of the shelter and legally adopted him. We will raise him as our own now”


Banaras


He had plans of getting married next year. An arranged marriage. His parents in Hyderabad had already selected the bride for him. He knew nothing about the girl and was not interested to know either. He believed that arranged marriage will ensure that his parents will be taken care of in their old age, which was his prime responsibility, being the only son, as has been repeatedly hammered into his head, by the society, since childhood.


Lipsticks


The night was beautiful, a bit cold though to be sitting in the balcony in only a t-shirt, this had been her ritual, night after night. 


The silence at this time of the night is addictive. It calms the volatile souls and tames the inner demons. 


TikTok


Finally, she read out Waheed’s post aloud “I respectfully decline The Smith Award, which is considered no less than Noble prize, awarded to me for my thesis “Impact of Social Media on the Psyche of Celebrities”, due to the sad and unfortunate demise of a subject during the course of an experiment.”


Oh Syria!


Qasim, on the other hand, was sad, very sad. He had this foreboding that his days on his homeland were numbered and he won’t be able to return, ever. 


This was the home of his ancestors. Their graves were here. His father used to tell him that for centuries his family had lived in this town. 



About The Author



The author Mr. Hermit Pen is a regular contributor to short stories and articles for various anthologies, magazines, and own blog. 


Mr. Hermit Pen is a Business Consultant by profession with a degree in Engineering and an MBA. He is well-traveled, having spent half of his life outside India; he is presently based in Gurgaon, India.


He is a movie buff, music connoisseur, and a cricket fanatic.  He also closely follows politics and current affairs. He is a vocal advocate of education, human rights, and equality, and he occasionally dabble in social activism.


At the cusp of reinventing himself once again, Mr. Hermit Pen with all humility showcases his debut book, Nargis.


Catch up with Hermit Pen On


Email Twitter Instagram | Facebook | Blog



Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Review: Superman, Volume 3: Multiplicity

Superman, Volume 3: Multiplicity Superman, Volume 3: Multiplicity by Peter J. Tomasi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Superman, Volume 2: Trial of the Super Sons

Superman, Volume 2: Trial of the Super Sons Superman, Volume 2: Trial of the Super Sons by Peter J. Tomasi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These volumes contain Superman comic issues in Rebirth Run this volume contains issues 7-13 and continues the story of Superman's son. The stories are varied and contain multiple 2-issue arcs. Superman and his family are living in a small town called Hamilton.

We have multiple stories first one shows us a simple day in the small-town life of superfamily. Then a couple of issues where Superman and his son Jon are mysteriously transported to a strange time and place where they have to fight off otherworldly monsters. Then a couple of issues where Superboy is pitted against Robin and they pit their heads against each other. And then, a couple of issues where few alien monsters fight and on and off.

The stories are ok but although the volume is subtitled - Trials of Super son, although not all stories feature Jonathan that's okay because original stories were not printed to be included together in a volume and it's okay because we are getting to read the volumes in bulk for a little bit cheaper. Time to continue through the series, I had read the first volume a long back and then waited till now to continue through the series.

I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

View all my reviews

Review: Joker

Joker Joker by Brian Azzarello
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Release Day Blitz ~ Love, Truth, and Taking Chances by Shilpa Suraj

~ Release Day ~


Love, Truth, and Taking Chances
(The Kapoor Brothers #2)
by Shilpa Suraj



About the Book:



Losing his wife to breast cancer has left Arjun Kapoor a broken man. He vows to never risk his heart again. Until the day Vihana Luthra turns up on his doorstep. Vivacious, optimistic, and bursting with life, she believes in taking each day as it comes.

Unwilling to love but unable to resist the force of nature that is Vihana, Arjun finds himself drawn into the manic chaos that is her life. And he starts to believe again; in hope, in dreams, in love...

But Vihara has a secret... one with devastating consequences. Will they be able to survive it or will it tear them apart?




Buy Links:
Goodreads * Amazon


Check out a few Quotes from Love, Truth, and Taking Chances







About Shilpa Suraj:


Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler, and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency, and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present-day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.



Shilpa on the Web:

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Book Tour - A Barren Heart by Shilpa Suraj

~ Book Tour ~ 

A Barren Heart by Shilpa Suraj



About the Book:
When having it all isn’t enough…

Aman and Rhea seem to have the perfect marriage. They are madly in love - with each other, with their own careers and the home and life they are building in a quiet Mumbai suburb. 
Rhea is a successful interior designer with a thriving business while Aman is a commercial pilot who is at peace with his life, on the ground and in the skies! What could possibly be lacking in their picture-perfect marriage?

A baby. 

Like most women, thirty-plus Rhea Chakraborty wants to hold her own flesh and blood in her arms. And Aman too wants the same. 

Or does he? 

After another unexplained miscarriage that takes a severe emotional, physical, and psychological toll on them, Aman isn't sure if having a baby will complete them or destroy them. 
Suddenly, Rhea and Aman find the fabric of their stable marriage fraying beneath the strain of their failed conceptions. Where once they were a team with a common goal, they now find themselves on opposite sides with shifting goalposts. 

A Barren Heart is set in so-called modern India and is the story of the struggle of an affluent, educated couple who are still fighting the shackles of societal indoctrination and expectations and losing each other in the process.

Book Links:

Read an Excerpt from A Barren Heart


“Aman.”
He powered off his kindle at the sound of her voice. He hadn’t yet made peace with the concession he’d made this morning, but he knew it was the only way forward for them. As a couple. As a family.
“Amannnnn,” she yelled out again. He couldn’t miss the excitement in her voice.
“I’m in here,” he called out. She appeared in the doorway of their guest bedroom a second later. Her hair was a mess, her clothes damp which meant she’d gotten caught in the sudden downpour that had hit earlier that evening and she looked…incandescent. His heart throbbed the hurt a silent reminder of how much he loved this woman.
“You are not going to believe what happened today.” She launched herself into his arms. He caught her, the motion more reflexive than anything else. Setting her back, he looked at her glowing face. “What happened?”
“Sakshi Garewal, my client from hell recommended me to a friend of hers.”
It lightened his heart a bit to see her so excited about something as normal as a new project. It had been a very long while since she’d found joy in the simple parts of their life. “Congratulations,” he said.
“Guess who it is,” she squeezed his hand.
“Someone famous?” he smiled, her happiness was contagious. “Bollywood or cricket?”
“Bollywood with a bang.” She flopped back on the bed her arms spread out like she wanted to hug the room. “Amyra Sareen.”
“You’re joking!” A low whistle escaped him. “That is the big-time.”
“Yes, it is.” She pumped a fist in the air. “I’m going to be designing Amyra Sareen’s apartment. I’ve finally broken into the big league.”
“Congratulations,” he said, again. He was so proud of her. She’d worked her butt off to get to this point.
“We should celebrate.” Rhea shot up from her prone position. “Get ready. We’re going out to dinner. My treat.”
She was halfway to the door when she slowed. “Why are you in the guest bedroom?”
It had taken so long to penetrate. Curiously numb, he watched her as she turned to face him, a frown marring the smooth lines of her brow.
“Aman?”
“I just needed a little space.” The numbness was turning icy now that he had finally said the words.
“Space?” she repeated. “Space from me?” Confusion warred with anxiety as she took a step forward. Aman didn’t answer.
“If this is about the appointment with the doctor, we don’t have to go.”
“We do,” he said, gently but firmly.
“Why? It’s obvious you don’t want to go and I won’t force you.”
No, she wouldn’t. Not overtly. She wouldn’t realize it, but it would fester and she’d resent him. And it would kill him to see her love for him turn into something else. To see her turn into a bitter, frustrated shell of the vibrant, joyful woman he loved.
“We’ll go because you want to.” He stood up from the bed and moved towards her. “Set it up for tomorrow. I have a flight to Dubai scheduled day after.”
“No.” She shook her head, tears standing in her eyes, her earlier excitement leaching away. “I don’t want it enough to lose you.”
“You’re not losing me,” he said, his chest feeling like someone had tightened a vice around it. “I just needed a little space to clear my head.” And he couldn’t do that surrounded by her and her emotions all the time.
“I haven’t left home or you, Rhea. I’m right here. Just in another room for a couple of days. I need to think and I can’t do that clearly if we’re in each other’s faces.”
A single tear slipped out, trailing down her cheek. He cradled her face gently and wiped it away with his thumb. “Go get ready. We have to go out to celebrate.”
“I don’t feel like it anymore.” Rhea pulled back, looking lost and confused. “I think I need to clear my head too. I’m going for a walk.” She left before he could say another word. He heard the front door shut a minute later.
Be careful what you ask for, people often said. As Aman stood alone in the silent, darkening room, he realized that he had all the space he’d asked for, but he wasn’t sure he wanted it anymore.
He wanted to call her back. To bring back the excitement, the happiness she’d come home with. He wanted their life to go back to what it had been before this whole baby story began. He wanted his wife back. The wife who’d radiated joy, whose ambition had driven her to reach for the stars, whose love for him had been his anchor.
But he didn’t know how to turn back time. He didn’t know how to recapture that shiny bubble they’d lived in. He didn’t know how to go back to where they’d been before this whole baby story had taken over their life. So, he took the space he’d asked for and used it to think. To figure out where they went from here because they couldn’t go back to the past and the present was a ticking time bomb.


About Shilpa Suraj:


Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler, and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency, and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present-day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.




Shilpa on the Web:









Review: The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review: Before They Are Hanged

Before They Are Hanged Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Saturday, May 30, 2020

Book Release Day Blitz - A Barren Heart by Shilpa Suraj

~ Release Day Blitz ~ 

A Barren Heart by Shilpa Suraj


RELEASING TODAY!
Get Your Copy NOW!


When having it all isn’t enough…

Aman and Rhea seem to have the perfect marriage. They are madly in love - with each other, with their own careers and the home and life they are building in a quiet Mumbai suburb. 
Rhea is a successful interior designer with a thriving business while Aman is a commercial pilot who is at peace with his life, on the ground and in the skies! What could possibly be lacking in their picture-perfect marriage?

A baby. 

Like most women, thirty-plus Rhea Chakraborty wants to hold her own flesh and blood in her arms. And Aman too wants the same. 

Or does he? 

After another unexplained miscarriage that takes a severe emotional, physical, and psychological toll on them, Aman isn't sure if having a baby will complete them or destroy them. 
Suddenly, Rhea and Aman find the fabric of their stable marriage fraying beneath the strain of their failed conceptions. Where once they were a team with a common goal, they now find themselves on opposite sides with shifting goalposts. 

A Barren Heart is set in so-called modern India and is the story of the struggle of an affluent, educated couple who are still fighting the shackles of societal indoctrination and expectations and losing each other in the process.

RELEASING TODAY!
Get Your Copy NOW!


About Shilpa Suraj:


Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler, and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency, and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present-day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.



Shilpa on the Web:


Saturday, May 16, 2020

Cover Reveal - A Barren Heart By Shilpa Suraj

~ Cover Reveal ~ 

A Barren Heart by Shilpa Suraj



Coming to Your Kindle on 29th May
Pre-Order your copy NOW!



When having it all isn’t enough…

Aman and Rhea seem to have the perfect marriage. They are madly in love - with each other, with their own careers and the home and life they are building in a quiet Mumbai suburb. 
Rhea is a successful interior designer with a thriving business while Aman is a commercial pilot who is at peace with his life, on the ground and in the skies! What could possibly be lacking in their picture-perfect marriage?

A baby. 

Like most women, thirty-plus Rhea Chakraborty wants to hold her own flesh and blood in her arms. And Aman too wants the same. 

Or does he? 

After another unexplained miscarriage that takes a severe emotional, physical, and psychological toll on them, Aman isn't sure if having a baby will complete them or destroy them. 
Suddenly, Rhea and Aman find the fabric of their stable marriage fraying beneath the strain of their failed conceptions. Where once they were a team with a common goal, they now find themselves on opposite sides with shifting goalposts. 

A Barren Heart is set in so-called modern India and is the story of the struggle of an affluent, educated couple who are still fighting the shackles of societal indoctrination and expectations and losing each other in the process.


Coming to Your Kindle on 29th May
Pre-Order your copy NOW!


About Shilpa Suraj:


Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler, and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency, and as an entrepreneur provide colour to her present-day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.



Shilpa on the Web:




Saturday, May 2, 2020

Book Blitz - Karma's Dilemma by Karma


~ Book Blitz ~
Karma's Dilemma
by Karma



About the Book:
Karma, a young man, knows very well who his soulmate is. Or so he thinks.

But, really, who is the one?

The posh Angela who he worships. Or is it Sana, the wild racer, who drives him crazy. Or is it Simi, the sensible psychologist, who puts him back together.

Or maybe there is no one for him because of Karma’s deeds in his all-consuming quest as he scours the world has broken so many rules that, one day, karma, the immortal and unrelenting collector of soul-debt, comes calling for Karma, the mortal, himself.

The novel demonstrates the lengths one is willing to go to, the rules one is willing to break and the soul-debt one is willing to accumulate in the quest for a soulmate. Truly, everything is fair in love, even if not in war.

Will Karma the mortal outwit karma the immortal? Or will karma wipe Karma away...

Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon




Read some Snippets from Karma's Dilemma



~ Snippet 1 ~


That night, I had a dream based on a story in Hinduism. A gem of a boy, Prahlad, a favorite of the gods, had a demon for a father, Hiranyakashipu. One day, the gods had enough of the demon and dispatched God Vishnu to put an end to the demon. Legend has it that Vishnu, in his half-man and half-lion avatar, emerged from a pillar in the demon’s palace and, despite the good son’s pleas, disemboweled the demon. So, in my dream, Vishnu emerged from the wall just behind Father’s armchair. As soon as I saw Vishnu, I pointed towards Father and cried out: “There he is! Lingaraja, my father, the enemy of love. End him!” as Father trembled.

“Yes, but, first, where is the Amrutha (nectar)?” Vishnu asked me.

“Which Amrutha?”

“The Amrutha of Angela’s lips; the proof of your love.”

“I…I don’t have it. I mean, I didn’t complete the kiss.”

“What! Then, it is not your father, but you are the culprit. Karma, the coward, the true enemy of love, must die!” Vishnu roared and ripped open my stomach. I woke up with a cold sweat.


~ Snippet 2 ~


“How do I find Angela?”

“I will have to cast a spell to bring her back into your life; she won’t return otherwise.”

So saying, the psychic chanted some mantras for a few minutes, took out a fresh acupuncture needle from a sealed packet, pricked my right forefinger and drew blood to drip on a lamp-flame; it reminded me of the story I once read in school, where the devotee gives his blood to keep the lamp burning for his Goddess. The psychic held my finger over the frame, squeezing firmly, as drop after drop of my blood fell upon and fed the flame.

“Now wish for her, with all your heart.”

“Angela, my dearest, I wish for you more than anything in the world. I love you. Come to me!” I whispered and the lamp flame, fed by my own blood, seemed to burn brighter as I made my wish.

“It’s done,” he said, after some more chanting.

“Supposing that she does return, how will it go?”

“On that, I will be very frank. What I am doing goes against vidhi, the natural order of things; it’s risky. It’s even possible that you might very much regret her returning. But if you have that fear, you shouldn’t love.”




Download a copy on 2nd May!


About the Author:
Dear Readers,

Before I tell you more about myself, I want to answer a question that might arise in your mind. Given there are already so many writers (some might think too many), the question is: Why should I write at all?

Simply, I write because I was not allowed to write. Or read any book which had the word love in it. In my family, it was believed that reading about love lead to rebellion. I myself picked up the pen when my only child was six-months-old. At that time, I was without a job. I wrote because there was a lot that I wanted to tell my child, even if one day in the future, to make sense of this world. Writing also helped me keep hope alive, one page at a time, as I went from one fruitless interview to another.

As my child took the first steps, I reached a milestone of my own. I completed my first book; the story of a young man's quest to find answers to life's questions. A boutique publisher in Paris loved it and translated my work into French. I even found a job soon after.

I am choosing to write under a pen-name because I am at a stage in my life where I prefer and love anonymity. Once my child is older, I intend to write under my own name.

Many thanks for reading my post and I hope you enjoy reading my novels.

Happy Reading!
Karma



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