Deep Ties

The title of the book proclaims it a romance, but the reader is plunged into the tragic backstory of the Devgarh Royals on page one itself through a newspaper report, proving that this is much more than a romantic read. The main protagonists are His Highness Veerendra Singh and Nivy Sharma, around whom the whole plot is woven in a manner that is dexterous and intriguing. Veer’s sister, Yuvrajkumari Jayshree Devi aka the irreverent Jessie is all set to marry Deependra Singh Dogra, the portly son the Maharawal of Tejpur. Likewise, the Maharawal is keen on his daughter, the determined Anika, marrying Veer in an exchange marriage. Rani Ma, Veer’s mother’s only condition is that her son should marry a girl who will not bring shame to their family. The fast-paced and witty retorts between the mother and her offspring set the ball rolling to make the book a rib-tickler. Nivy Sharma, the so-called proverbial black sheep of her family, is a rebel who runs away to Mumbai to be an actress.

  When a lawyer needs to relax and makes cooking her hobby, the result is bound to be mouthwatering. Shail Thosani began cooking after her 12 th Board Exams, and as she puts it, there was no looking back. This book titled ‘Breads and Breakfast’ is divided into two sections, the first one dealing in bread recipes and the second in breakfast recipes. For a person who loves bread, this book is a godsend, for there are many tempting bread recipes with equally enticing pictures as well. However, there is also much beyond bread, as has been proven in the second section of the book. Potato and cheese are the heroes in the first section of Bread Recipes that has sandwiches with different fillings. Whether it is an aloo-tikki sandwich served with pudina chutney, pav bhaji toast or potato cheese chilly sandwich, the accompanying picture makes one’s mouth water. Bread besan chilla, paneer chilly sandwich and veg tomato omelette sandwich remind one of Mumbai street food, which is so popul

  ‘Xanadu’ by Harshita Nanda does not feel like a first-time novella, so well has the author created a story line that engrosses the readers and keeps them intrigued.  The characters are well etched out. Right at the centre is Miss Alice, the beautiful and lively daughter of an Englishman and an Indian lady, who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. However, as life goes on, her luck turns as her father is bedridden, and after his passing, she is “unable to pick up the strings of her old life”. Love enters her life for a short period, and then is lost to her, not once, but twice. Yet, she is no Miss Havisham from 'Great Expectations'. The other central character is Bhoomi, a little girl who is born to Ram Singh and Shalini, a couple who had been ostracized for marrying out of caste. When tragedy strikes and tears the family asunder, Shalini is forced to retrace her steps and go back into her past, to her parents and her old family, who accept them grudgingly. Bhoomi

                                                                     Unsplash “You are Destiny’s girl, born for fame!” smiled Maya’s mother, looking at her perfect little bundle of joy. Her husband had a grin on his face the whole time. They had both wanted a little girl, and now, here she was, the light in their life. As Maya grew up, she excelled at everything – academics, sports and the arts. Her parents were proud of her and spared no expense on her education. She was like any other girl, fond of clothes and make up, and enjoyed outings with her friends. Her mischievous streak got her into trouble often, but her endearing smile got her out of it as well. As they lived in the picturesque town of Shimla, Maya’s earliest memories were of the statuesque mountain peaks with the fluffy clouds that crowned them. She loved hiking and had her own special spots from where she would sit and gaze at the peaks. She called herself the free spirit of the mountains, and often, her voice could