Monday 30 April 2018

Three Weeks to Wed - Ella Quinn

I've been meaning to read one of Ella Quinn's books for quite some time now, but my ever growing to be read list meant that I just hadn't got around to it yet. I was lucky enough to win a book in a giveaway she did recently and with no other reviews due urgently, I thought I'd indulge myself a little and dive right in...

Three weeks to wed

three weeks to wedLady Grace Carpenter is ready to seize the day—or rather, the night—with the most compelling man she's ever known. Marriage would mean losing guardianship of her beloved siblings, and surely no sane gentleman will take on seven children not his own. But if she can have one anonymous tryst with Mattheus, Earl of Worthington, Grace will be content to live out the rest of her life as a spinster. 

Matt had almost given up hope of finding a wife who could engage his mind as well as his body. And now this sensual, intelligent woman is offering herself to him. What could be more perfect? Except that after one wanton night, the mysterious Grace refuses to have anything to do with him. Amid the distractions of the Season he must convince her, one delicious encounter at a time, that no obstacle—or family—is too much for a man who's discovered his heart's desire…

My review

One of the many reasons that I've wanted to read one of Ella Quinn's books, was the hope that it would be very historically accurate. Ella runs a facebook group for readers and writers of Regency Romance and has been doing a regular series of posts about regency trivia. I'm not a writer of Regency Romances, but I am a reader and I may have mentioned this before, but my degree was history (although the Regency was never my period) and I've always had a fascination with all kinds of history. I like my historical books (be they romance, mystery, or some other genre of novel) to have a real historical feel and make as few modern slip-ups as possible. There is always the danger that when you're expecting one thing, you end up being slightly disappointed when you do give it a go, fortunately, this time that was not the case. The novel has a real feel of the time and there were not the nasty little anachronisms that suddenly throw you out of the flow of the story that I've found in other books recently.

A well-researched background is always a good start for a romance novel, but obviously, it needs more than that.  I enjoyed this story immensely.  Our two leads, Grace and Matt were both very likeable and I enjoyed their growing romance as the book unfolded. Grace is an interesting character, on the one hand, she is clearly very strong, having taken on the guardianship of her brothers and sisters and fought for the right to do so. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, she cannot handle surprises and lives in fear of a scandal. 

Matt is delightful, he falls for Rose almost instantly. I know that some people don't like the whole instant love storylines, but for me, in this book it works. He clearly adores Grace from the first night that they spend together. They sit and talk for a whole evening and discover that they have lots in common. On Grace's part, this isn't a romance born of a chance encounter and an evening together, but she has held a candle for Matt since she first came out years previously. I think that they make a good couple and I enjoyed reading about their growing love.

There are of course obsicles to overcome, but something else that I particularly enjoyed was that it didn't fall back on the rather too well trodden path that many romance novels do; the misunderstanding. There was no sudden fall out or confusion that pulled them apart for a while. There were things to work through and problems to overcome, but on the whole they tackeled them together. 

I enjoyed this well writen, well researched, and in parts fairly steamy romance immencely. I'll be definitely checking out more in the Worthington's series very soon.

Corridors of time book blitz

About the Book:
Corridors of Time tracks the story of a sensitive young man who grows from carefree childhood to eventful manhood - one who stumbles before learning to stride through those dark and dense passages.
Set in Bangalore - a city of paradoxes. of gardens and garbage heaps. of technology and traffic snarls. of friendly people and failing infrastructure. when bungalows had gardens and pavements were meant for pedestrians. this is a narrative of the human spirit.
Rohan, an idealistic young sports lover experiences rejection, dark dejection and isolation and hurtles down the path to self destruction.
Shyla, attractive and successful is everything his heart yearns for and his body desires, except, she is married!
Chandrika, simple and devoted fails to understand the man she loves.
The shuklas long for justice denied by the system.
And khalid fears nothing and no one ...anymore.

Buy the Book:

Amazon

Read an Excerpt:


Chapter 1

The raw, earthly smell of the first drops of rain signaled the onset of the monsoon of 1962. Ten year old Rohan watched it from his window and inhaled deeply. He felt like he wanted to draw in as much as possible of this place that he loved so dearly. The rain had washed clean the gardens and roads of Bangalore. A city of sheer beauty, it was like a large painting suspended in time, being restored to its original brilliance with one masterly stroke. Bangalore with flower-laden trees, small lakes and numerous gardens was wonderful to behold. All was quiet, calm and serene.

But even his love for Bangalore could not match his passion for playing outdoors. His face registered dismay when the drizzle turned into a downpour and sheets of rain hid the verdant trees and the glitter of the rocks beyond the playing fields. He would lose valuable time waiting for the rain to subside to play cricket with his friends.

Drizzly weather or what his dad called ‘English weather’ never hampered him like a monsoon onslaught did. It was as familiar to him as the streets and their English names – Lloyds Road, Cline Road, Hutchins Road and Davis Road. The English had definitely made Bangalore into a ‘Little
England’ and left behind a large community of Anglo Indians. A proud community of mixed cultures, they were concentrated in the northern part of the city called the ‘Cantt’ (short for Cantonment) along with a cosmopolitan mix of settlers from other states and countries.

The southern part, the original old Bangalore was known as the ‘City’ area. The Cantt area, extending from Richmond Town to Frazer Town, had spacious bungalows with servant’s quarters, private lawns and gardens. It was a township by itself, with lakes, gardens, theatres, restaurants, bars and exclusive clubs. The Cantt area was nothing without the Anglo-Indians whose exuberance and fun loving nature enhanced the charm of life in Bangalore. They lived for the day and never gave the morrow a thought. Romantic at heart, partying was their greatest pastime. A few couples, country liquor, lots to eat and they would dance till the stars drooped and went down under.

Rain, rain go away, come again another day,” Rohan whispered urgently, and was gratified to see the rain gradually stop. Now, he could go out to the beckoning playground and join his friends for a game of cricket, yet another legacy of the British.
“Ma, I am going to play”, he yelled.
“Come back on time, Rohan”, his mother warned. “Or you know how your father reacts!” Rohan ran out, looking back to wave to his mother at the door.

They were all there – Peter, Oscar, Roy, Philip, Akbar, Kiran, Akshay, Arun, Joe, Allan, Mahmud and Inder. The stumps were up, the teams chosen and the game was on. Cricket was an obsession with Rohan.
“Come on Rohan, we must win today”, urged Inder.
 “What high hopes”, teased Oscar.

Peter always red in the face, yelled, “Oscar, shut your bloody mouth and start batting.”

Praises for the Book:

The book is simple in style and content, for often it is this simplicity that bewilders and rouses

Interest.
~ Shri S . Rajendra Babu, Former Chief Justice of India

The book has excellent literary craftsmanship, passion humour and adventure. Highly recommended.

~ Mr. Namboodiri, former Asst. Editor, Deccan Herald

This charming book about old Bangalore is written in a racy easy-to-read style.

~ Deccan Herald, Bangalore.

About the Author:


Vinay Krishnan describes himself as a ‘complete Bangalorean’. A student of Clarence High School, he graduated in Humanities from St Joseph’s College. Earning a diploma in Business Administration, he began his career at Usha International Ltd and rose to a position of Senior Sales manager. Vinay has now set up a construction firm of his own. He also writes and devotes his time to an NGO assisting people with disability. The city of his dreams, Bangalore, where he stays with his wife and daughter, continues to inspire and exasperate him. He can be reached at – vinaykrshnn@yahoo.com.











Friday 20 April 2018

Forsaken Norse Wind Book Blitz

About the Book:
A troll, a mortal, and a love hot enough to melt ice.

Trapped in a vicious life, Breanna Devion survives only by the strength of her heart. Determined to have more than what her abusive stepfather has planned for her, she's willing to risk everything to be free.

Axel Venrick is a troll who has spent centuries alone, isolated in his castle in Iceland. At the insistence of others, Axel crafts the ultimate tool to find his soul mate. He creates a beautiful ring which is bespelled, blessed by a god, and sent forth to locate Axel's other half.

The ring finds Breanna just in time to prevent her stepfather's disastrous plan from taking place. But angry gods, vengeful parents, and an evil lurking in the immortal world all conspire to destroy the love of the jaded troll and his innocent mortal. Can their love free them or will the evil spreading from the bowels of the earth destroy them first?

Book Links:

Read an Excerpt:

She ran her hand through his hair, playing with his braid. “I like your braids. They’re very attractive.” 
His eyes  opened, watching her. “They’re warrior braids.”
“They’re nice,” she said, and then his lips were on hers. She put her leg up over his, pressing
against him. “Take your trousers off.” She kissed his earlobe. Her hand sought his hardness. Axel
inhaled sharply. “I want to see what you have for me. It felt so big.” She pressed into him. Her
hand caressed his cock. “Can it get big again?”
“Yes, it can.” Axel rolled her on her back.
Her legs spread, and he lay between her thighs. The short gown rose to the top of her thighs, exposing her mound. His trousers were gone. Breanna stroked his back, then allowed her hands to travel over his firm buttocks. His powerful body felt wonderful. His thickening cock pressed against her thigh.
“You want me?” He kissed behind her ear. “Will you join with me in every way? Will you be my mate, the mate to a troll? Will you stay with me as mine forever?”
“Yes.” She kissed his shoulder. “Will you love me?” She gazed into his eyes. “Yes.” He nibbled at her neck. “I’ll love you, cherish you like no other.”
She rubbed her hands over his backside, enjoying the feel of his muscles. His large hands were all over her, caressing. His muscles tensed beneath her hands briefly before relaxing. He moved his hips against her. Then her gown was gone.
He cupped one of her breasts in his hands as he tenderly massaged it. “You have beautiful, full breasts.” He kissed the valley in between, up to the other breast’s nipple. “You taste marvelous.”
His lips found hers. They kissed passionately, making her feel lightheaded. Wrapping her legs around his, she gripped him tight and pressed against him. Dampness escaped her pussy, wetting the sheets beneath her.
“So wet for me,” he growled near her ear. “I like it.”
“Axel, I want you,” Breanna said breathlessly.
Axel kissed her again, making her see stars. He pressed the head of his cock into her. His fit was tight, uncomfortable at first. She clenched her legs and vaginal muscles, again hesitant to allow him. With loving patience, he stilled, kissing her neck and shoulders. He pressed more into her. Relaxing under his tender ministrations, she allowed him full entrance.
“Axel.” She whispered his name in breathless surrender as he deflowered her.
Holding her, he stilled. Rising up on his arms, he looked down at her. His eyes were warm, deeper blue, full of unspoken emotions. Leaning down, he kissed her lips sweetly.
“You feel so good.” His voice was full of emotion. He moved his hips forward then pulled back, repeating the motion in a rhythmic way.
“Oh, Axel.” Breanna squeezed her pussy muscles around his cock, milking it. His hardness filled her, his length throbbing within her. The pleasure was intensely breathtaking.
Axel moaned next to her ear. “Oh, sweetheart, I like it.”
Pushing harder, he increased his pace. The bed groaned under their passionate dance.
Breanna lifted up to meet him. Her hips worked in a rhythmic pattern. Wrapping her legs around his back, she arched her pussy for his access. Fully opened to him, she held onto him as he pushed in and out of her.
“Oh,” she moaned. “It feels wonderful, Axel.”
Her body shook, overcome with sensation. Tears rolled down her cheeks. He kissed them away. She shut her eyes to endure the overwhelming pleasure as it climaxed within her. The bliss, so powerful, like lightening, struck her core, filling her with its force, nearly causing her to pass out. Hanging on to consciousness, she yelled his name. She clung to him, her nails dug into his back as he held on. Axel moved powerfully against her, until his body tensed, then stilled.
The candles in the room flared brighter, and the fire roared loud, as if a beast was within the flames. The entire castle quaked, making the bed move. She was engulfed with the sensation of power pulsing through her, dazing her. The ring on her hand pulsed too. The pleasure ran up her arm, directly to her heart and down to her pussy, making her soak them both with wetness.
Axel looked down at her, his expression intensely passionate. Her mind went blank, except for appreciating how gorgeous he was, how magnificent he felt lodged within her. His cock was large, powerful, pushing against her tender flesh. The initial pain was now forgotten. She surrendered all of herself to him. Her heart ached, making her desire to open her soul to him. Closing her eyes, she relished the experience. His kisses covered her neck, face, and lips. His ardor was unrelenting.
“Breanna,” Axel murmured close to her ear. He pushed against her again, making the bed groan under his weight. Breanna’s hands were on his head, holding him as their tongues met, dueling together. Pushing in and out, he evoked pleasurable moans from Breanna.

About the Author:
Welcome to Ciara Lake's World. Meet Gorgeous Werewolves, Vampires, Dragons, Mermaids, Wizards, Witches, Mythological Gods and Goddesses, Mere Mortals And More! Fiction has always been a passion of mine. Creating worlds and developing characters is a great way for me to relieve the stress and strain of my everyday world. In fantasy (paranormal) and sci-fi stories, the author has the unique ability to invent wonderfully exotic places and people. I do that in my books. These fantastic genres provide a limitless ability to be creative and inventive. My stories provide an escape into a special world filled with unique and otherworldly things. And there is always a happy ending.


Contact the Author:

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Fate's Design Book Blitz

About the Book:
When a kidnapper redeems his lost conscience and finds himself unable to murder the girl he has kidnapped, what does he do? Fate is cruel to him, and good intentions are never enough. 

At the same time, a woman dissatisfied with her existence flees from her home, not knowing what lies ahead of her. But all things come at a price, and she has a hard path ahead through storms and fire.   

Watch how fate has entwined these lives together, into a song through struggles of conscience and identity, through the deepest lows and greatest highs, and through the flame of madness and the stings of survival.     





Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon


Feedback for the Book:

5 Stars “An extremely well written thriller by an amazing fourteen-year-old. Written at an age when most teenagers find their boats floundering in the sea of words, Subhashish had not only managed to keep a grip on the plot, taking the reader along the journey of his well-drawn out characters, he had also shown a rare maturity in his choice of words. His insights are at times startling, coming from someone of his age.” ~ Supratim Kar on Amazon

5 Stars – “An impressive first novel. The author is still in his teens, but the narrative voice is one of maturity and experience. The story unfolds like a Russian romance novel, in a modern setting. The plot is complex and suspenseful and keeps one turning the pages until the climax.” ~ T.N.Badri on Amazon

“A thoroughly interesting read, Fate’s Design, plays out as a struggle to live, survive and not merely exist. There are flaws, which in any case, are there in every piece of writing, but, the author’s abilities to weave a story, which does not make you, cringe or question its validity, make it an interesting work worth going over more than once.” ~ Soumyabrata Gupta

About the Author:
Subhashish is a 14-year-old student of Chinmaya Vidyalaya Anna Nagar. He has been regularly contributing short stories to his school magazine. An avid reader, Subhashish believes that books open the doors to some wonderful insights in life. A brilliant student, Subhashish loves to explore different places and spends time trying to understand the culture of the people there. 

Subhashish lives in Chennai along with his parents and grandmother. This is his first attempt at writing a novel. Subhashish is passionate about music and loves singing and playing his piano. Incidentally, music forms the backbone of the story of his novel. 



Monday 16 April 2018

Let me love you - Jessica Jayne


Let Me Love You
Jessica Jayne
Publication date: December 18th 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Twenty-three year old Ren Haynes returns home after graduating college with two goals–start his engineering career and claim the heart of his parents’ thirty-one year old divorced neighbor, Stacey Williams.
Stacey is nursing her broken heart and shattered ego. Not only did her ex-husband have an affair, he got the woman pregnant. Picking up the pieces of her life isn’t easy, so when Ren taps into her need to feel desired again, she finds herself in a position she never imagined.
Can Ren help to rebuild her confidence and convince her that age is just a number?


Author Bio:
Jessica is a born and raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. She graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in English. What college major could possibly be better than one that makes you read novels and write about them! Now she is thrilled to be able to share all the hot stories floating around in her head!
Jessica loves to travel and travel often! She shares her love of travel with her husband and children. She’s a huge sports fan, especially football. She the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ohio State Buckeyes! She’s a wine-making (and wine-tasting) aficionado. She loves all music. And nothing is better than sunset at the beach!
In the journey of life, she also married a wonderful man and had three beautiful (and sometimes crazy) children. Life is always an adventure!

My Review 

After the breakdown of her marriage, Stacey wants nothing to do with men and relationships. The son of her next door neighbour has very different ideas. Ren has had a crush on Stacey for years and now that he knows that she is available, he wants nothing more than to win her over. Stacey is far convinced, she thinks that Ren is far too young for her and wants different things. Ren decides to show her that he really is the man of her dreams

On the whole, I liked both Ren and Stacey. I didn't have a problem with their age difference, it is only eight years and they are both adults. It was clear that Ren really cared for Stacey and wanted to make her happy. Having said that, where this book didn't work for me, was the way that Ren went about things. He knows that Stacey is reluctant to get involved with him, but rather than slowly win her around, he pretty much forces himself on her in the kitchen. I''m not suggesting that she isn't willing, but he's just a bit too over the top. At this point, he's not sure if she likes him like that and if she didn't like him, then this book is suddenly very creepy. I know that some people find the whole overpowering man thing sexy, but I don't get it. He also gets very possessive when Stacey is out with another man, again, it's bordering on creepy.

On the whole, I didn't dislike this book. I just couldn't help that feel that there were a few things that just didn't sit right with me. Had Ren set out to win Stacey over first, before the hot sex scenes, or maybe if we'd seen more of their friendship beforehand, it might not have felt so creepy. I still think that it was a well-written book with good characters that are very likeable. 


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I Owed You One book blitz


About the Book:






Publisher: LiFi Publications Pvt. Ltd.
ISBN: 978-9386191281
Format: Paperback
Pages: 258 pages
Price: 275/-










Dev Khanna has a perfect life with his loving wife Radhika and son Neel in Melbourne, Australia. But there is something from his past that keeps gnawing him, an open wound that is a reminder of a debt. His present is very flourishing and future promising but what happens when the past comes knocking? As the skeletons begin to tumble one after other from the cupboard it is now threating his present.

Join Dev on a journey that spans across the tall skylines of Melbourne, the royal Dilwalo ki Dilli to the dingy streets of Moradabad as he battles love, religion, politics and fear questioning his own beliefs at every step. Will he be able to make peace with his past and save his future? Will humanity lose this battle against everything else?

Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon

Feedback for the Book:


5 Stars “With an intriguing and powerful theme, the author has chosen a realistic and suspenseful plot with all its subplots tied very well. The characters are realistic and believable. Descriptive writing style along with the confident tone of narration with the extremely good use of vocabulary made it easier for understanding. The suspense that starts building up in the midway is being handled with utmost care and is taken care that it does not loses its grip and holds the capacity to keep the readers engrossed till the last page.” ~ Nikita onAmazon

5 Stars – “Entwined in the backdrop of a courageous young man who let go his turmoiled past and commits himself to love and fulfill his duty without self-interest to be an ultimate winner, the author constantly reminds and beautifully conveys that secularism means humanism and peaceful coexistence. The book has all the makings of a Bollywood blockbuster. A must read for everyone...” ~ Namita Dimrion Amazon


4 Stars “The story line is no less than a thriller. It has all the elements for a perfect entertaining read. Romance, action, drama, mystery, socio-political angle and lots of thriller. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this unpredictable tale of Dev and travelling across continents with him to witness what is the extent one can go for a loved one. There are some scenes that left me goose bumps, because of how real it all felt.” ~ PrivyTrifles

About the Author:
Dr. Madhu Vajpayee- the writer is born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture the enigma of life in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several medical papers and chapters in books, she started her journey in the literary world. Seeking Redemption was her first fiction book which is now followed by I Owed You One.

Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a faculty at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.

When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and traveling.

Contact the Author:



Friday 13 April 2018

Preordained Book Blitz


New Release
~ Preordained by David L. Wallace ~

About the Book:


In the vein of Seven & The Devil’s Advocate, Art Somers is a detective tracking a serial killer in Murrells Inlet, S.C., a small-town, coastal community with deeply held spiritual and supernatural belief systems. He discovers while chasing down clues to ID the culprit that the killer has always had his family on his target list.
Things begin to unravel and materialize around and within him, calling into question his long held religious and paranormal beliefs. On the verge of apprehending the killer, he learns an irrefutable truth: Abraham, the father of faith, had to choose to either sacrifice his son or disobey a direct order from God; he must now make a choice - sacrifice his soul to save his son.





Book Links:
Goodreads * Amazon * Kobo * Barnes & Noble * iTunes


Early Reviews:

“An expertly plotted and executed mystery, shot through with the supernatural...builds suspense effortlessly, hurtling towards a riveting conclusion.”
- Clarion Review

“Original and engaging…full of plot twists, surprises, and a substantial dash of the supernatural.”
– Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize in Fiction

“A gripping detective story with biblical undertones…aptly blends the horror and crime genres.”
– Kirkus Reviews


Chapter 1

From his crouched position in the woods of rural Georgetown County, South Carolina, and under the echo of his heavy breathing in the night air, he watched his favorite family’s movements inside their small brown home.

After much thought about the impression his outfit would make, he’d decided it was festive enough for the occasion. The complete ensemble consisted of a red and black head mask, aligned perfectly to the holes for his eyes, nose, and mouth and a form-fitting, black bodysuit with white wings painted on the back.

For years, he’d contemplated a befitting name for himself and finally settled on Star of David killer. He liked the way the alias reverberated in his head. It revealed a lot. It concealed everything. It hinted at his purpose and yet – it withheld the true essence of his aspirations, keeping them covered in a shroud of secrecy. He hoped an insightful reporter would have an epiphany and bestow that nickname on him. It was far more interesting than the one his parents had given him at birth. He breathed deep and exhaled slowly, taking in the ambience of the moment. He flexed his muscles. It was time to initiate the events that would lead everyone to recognize him by his self-appointed moniker.

He clenched and released his toes on each of his hospital footie–covered feet. Through the sheer curtains of the dimly lit dwelling, he watched the boy pick up the used plates from the table, which signaled the parents and their twelve-year-old son had finished their dinner. He knew them well. He’d cased their dwelling for years, observing every nuance of their behavior. He sat flushed as he watched them for the last time, shivering from time to time from the thrill of the thought of what he was about to do.

The music of the bullfrogs kept him company, along with the thought that all he’d longed for, all that he was meant to be, was about to be on full display on the world stage in a matter of hours. Like Heinz ketchup, he’d been waiting in anticipation for a long time for this moment.

He glanced at the scavengers in the clear sky above him, each casting its shadow across the moon as it circled. They were his favorite creatures—the redheaded, black-feathered, and partially white-winged turkey vultures of the Carolina skies. His outfit mimicked theirs. The birds squawked in the sky, seeming to know his plan for that evening. They’d followed his vehicle from his home until he’d parked, and now they circled directly above him. He could feel their hunger and impatience.

The boy walked outside his home and scraped the remains of their dinner plates into a slop bucket on the back porch. He picked up the hog’s food and headed out to the pigpen, which was located near the backend of their yard.

The Star of David killer watched the boy make his evening trek on pigeon-toed feet that turned inward with each step. Ever since the infant pigs were born, the boy fed the adult male hog an extra feeding at night to prevent him from dining on his offspring. That’s right, the daddy hog actually ate his own children. What a disgusting breed of animal.
The overhead undertakers began to shriek and shrill as the boy moved across his lawn, their voices echoing in the night.

The boy jumped at their sound and looked to the skies. He stared into the woods directly below them.

The Star of David killer remained as still as a stone as the kid’s gaze seemed to linger on him for a moment. The last thing he needed was for the boy to detect his presence and yell out for his daddy. The papa of the family had an itchy twelve-gauge finger that he didn’t want to deal with that evening.

Seemingly satisfied, the boy stopped searching the woods and continued his walk.
The Star of David Killer glanced overhead at the vultures, angry with them for almost giving away his position. For their carelessness, they wouldn’t be feeding on his handiwork that evening, and if they didn’t atone for their misstep, they wouldn’t partake in any of the festivities on his planned itinerary.

This was the first night—the evening of his coming-out party and the kickoff of his personal pilgrimage. It was the acknowledgment that the presence within him, who had compelled him to plan and now execute the initial steps of his mission, had chosen the right vehicle for the job.

He felt something biting him on his lower legs. Glancing down, he saw by the light of the rear porch that ants were advancing up his calves. He remained silent and didn’t move, not wanting to sound the alarm that he was out there in the dark. A small green garden snake slithered out of the brush toward him. He stepped on it and crushed its head.

The grunting male hog reveled in the slop the boy had dumped into his pen. The female hog stood to the side with her five remaining piglets cowering under her.

The killer frowned at the stench of the hogs. It wasn’t the last smell he wanted on his mind before he began his body of work. To get past it, he closed his eyes and thought of the fragrances inside the boy’s family home, smells that he knew all too well. He’d spent many nights there while they slept, enjoying their scents, with his favorites being the individual smell of each of their worn clothing. The laundry room was a treasure trove of delights. Each of the family members left their own unique and enjoyable stains in their underwear. He’d gotten to know the other families in just as much detail, meticulously taking in their routines and schedules, getting to know every nuance of each of them.

He removed his blade from his waistband and watched Rueben, his first victim, as he rinsed out the slop bucket with a water hose attached to the rear of his home. He squeezed the black-handled blade. The paring knife felt perfect in his hand, after having gone through an exhaustive testing process to find the right cutting instrument—one with just the right shape and size for optimal carving control against a moving body. He’d practiced his skills with it for many hours, initially on cantaloupes, cucumbers, and other fruits and vegetables, until he’d graduated to successful tests on small gerbils, kittens, and puppies he’d purchased at various pet stores.

Finally, the lights went out in the shack. It was time. As usual, Rueben’s parents were more than likely already fast asleep. Rueben, on the other hand, should be wide-awake in his darkened room, surfing Internet porn sites by the light of his laptop. The little fella loved to look at online pussy, but he wouldn’t live long enough to enjoy any.

As the final step of his preparation process, he extracted a bottle of removable glue from the front waistband of his outfit and placed another coat over his hands. It was an additional layer to guard against him leaving fingerprints behind, but he knew he didn’t need to worry on that score. Over the past year, he’d used razor blades every month to remove the top layer of skin on each of his fingertips, making them as smooth as a baby’s ass.

He had no fingerprints.

He could’ve easily used gloves, but he wanted to touch them, to feel his prey with his bare hands. He blew on the glue until it dried. Satisfied, he stood, stretched his legs and approached Rueben’s home on silent feet.

He hadn’t troubled himself to brush the ants from his lower torso. The stinging sensation of their bites would serve as a reminder that before that evening, he was once human.


About the Author:


Before publishing his debut novel in 2016, he served over 27 years as an information technology professional working initially for the US Navy, and then the Department of the Navy and various fortune companies. He’s a UCLA writing program alumnus who writes mystery thrillers and children stories. He has three wonderful kids who he enjoys immensely. Writing is his passion and his goal with each story is to capture the imagination in the opening pages and keep it engaged to the story’s riveting conclusion.




Contact the Author:
Website * Facebook * Twitter






Monday 9 April 2018

Transit Lounge Book Blitz

About the Book:
"Transit Lounge" is a contemporary book consisting of short incidents, observations and reflections while travelling to 30 countries across six different continents during the last 15 years.

The book is a personal account of travels to places in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

It was interesting to observe all these different cultures and people from an Indian perspective. The book is a compilation of small incidents and events during such travels; it includes losing an air ticket, dealing with difficult custom officials or getting mugged in a prime location in a foreign country.


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Snippets from Sunil's travel:


I remember visiting Croatia some time in 2005. It is a small but very beautiful country in Eastern Europe. It could be a must see place for people who enjoy the nature’s beauty.

Plitvice lake that I visited consists of multiple lakes surrounded by mountain and a good amount of plantation. It covers a large trekking area covering the lakes, mountains and the trees.

The lakes are interspersed with numerous waterfalls that make it a great natural sight. The color of the lakes change based on the sunlight, amount of minerals and vegetation around it. Some of these sights are picture perfect in true sense.


Invader in one country is a hero in another.This statue of Henry Havelock at Trafalgar Square, London reads :-
To Major General Sir Henry Havelock KCB and his brave companions in arms during the campaign in India 1857. "Soldiers! Your labours, your privations, your sufferings and your valour, will not be forgotten by a grateful country." H. Havelock


About the Author:
Sunil is a software professional with over two decades of experience in the field of banking technology. Currently he is working with Infosys and has earlier worked with McKinsey, Accenture and I-flex solutions. As part of work he travelled to more than 30 countries across six continents. This constituted the basis of his current book.

Sunil is an MBA from IIM-Lucknow and holds a B.Tech from IIT(ISM), Dhanbad. He completed his schooling in Bokaro Steel City.

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