The Maharaja's Fake Fiancée by Alisha Kay

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. She has her paragon of an older doctor brother, Aryan, who never puts a foot wrong and a Mrs. Bennett kind of mother who is desperate for her daughter to marry and settle down. When one reads between the lines, there are poignant hints, now and then, which indicate why she is the way she is.

 Enter the highly unsuitable Dr. Jay Malhotra, and in evading him, Nivy runs into the arms of Veer, all over again after five years.

The dialogues are hilarious and racy, and when Nivy and Veer get into a fake engagement, many feathers are ruffled. While they blow hot, blow cold, the readers are thoroughly entertained by the antics of the feisty heroine, the dashing hero and the incorrigible matchmaking mama. The minor characters also provide myriad moments of amusement. However, any girl who has to suffer a pain-in-the-neck mother like Nivy’s deserves oodles of sympathy.

How does the imbroglio get solved finally? Is there a happily-ever-after in store for the protagonists? The entertainment continues unabated as personalities clash, emotions explode, and fireworks ensue as Cupid aims his arrows at all and sundry, till the last exciting moment when everything falls into place.

The cover image is strikingly appropriate and sets the light tone that makes the book an easy and entertaining read.

 

 

 

 

BREADS AND BREAKFAST BY SHAIL THOSANI – BOOK REVIEW

 

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 popular that people across the country make special trips to savour it. What could be better than making these, sitting snugly in your own kitchen?

And for those with exotic taste buds, the double cheese bread pizza, corn toast and focaccia bread make a tempting meal.  As the author, Shail Thosani, says, “Being from an all-foodie family, experimenting has been my hobby; even classic recipes go through my experimentation.” She believes that the journey is always more exciting than the destination, and so it is in the case of food too.

Section two opens with Breakfast Recipes. Whether it is the South Indian appam, the oats idli, podi idli or ragi dosa, there is something for every palate. Besides, there are also recipes that are effective for weight reduction like the wheat jaggery chilla, yellow moong dal chilla, and the mixed vegetable pancakes. The cheesy moonglet looks different and sounds delicious too.

It is said that food needs to look good as well as taste good. Today, chefs take pains to present their dishes in a way that makes them first palatable to the eye, and then the tongue. There is no doubt that a beautifully presented dish is a sight for sore eyes. The pictures of the dishes in this book are eye-catching and colourful, having been taken by the author herself. An even bigger advantage is the fact that not only does she use easy-to-obtain ingredients to create her recipes, but that every recipe of hers is one that has been tried and tested.

A book that could be a keepsake for those who want easy, delicious and time-tested recipes!

 This post is part of #BlogchatterHalfMarathon

XANADU BY HARSHITA NANDA - BOOK REVIEW

 

‘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 finds solace in the company of her first-grade teacher, Miss Anita, “the lady with the kind smile” and Harish, the boisterous son of her gardener, Makhan Lal. She spends the happiest time of her life with them. Then, yet again, her life turns around, as she is forced to leave her loved ones behind and move to America with her mother and her new stepfather.

Do Shalini and Bhoomi find happiness in their new life? How does Makhan turn his life around? What happens to his son, Harish? Does Miss Anita salvage her life  and find love finally?

These and many other questions are answered beautifully, as the story dovetails into a finale that warms the cockles of the heart. Bhoomi needs closure, and she does get it as she goes back to her old home which has been rebuilt, as a result of a promise to her mother.

The story moves along with the changing situations in the lives of the protagonists. Harshita Nanda has the ability to make the reader feel for her characters. When Xanadu finally beckons to Bhoomi, the reader is carried along, hoping against hope that there is a happy ending for her.

A book truly worth savouring!

 This post is part of #BlogchatterHalfMarathon.

Destiny's Girl!

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“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 be heard singing a melodious tune as she strolled along the mossy paths.

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When Maya started winning prizes in various singing contests, her parents hired the best music teacher in the country. She had the voice of an angel, and when she sang, it was as if the world itself paused to hear her sing. Her teacher taught her all she knew, her heart swelling with pride when she heard Maya sing. Each note was perfect, the melody unbroken!

It was when Maya was in college that she got a scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in America to further study music. It was a dream come true for her and her parents.

“Ma, I will miss you and Papa so much!” she sighed. There was just a week left for her to leave and her heart was torn in two directions. She was looking forward to her new life, and all the wonderful music that awaited her there. However, she knew she would miss her family, her friends, and most of all, Rohan, who had just come into her life around six months ago. He had been in the first row when she was singing at a contest, and she had been aware of the slim, handsome boy who had not taken his eyes off her from the moment she had begun to sing.

They had become friends right away. Rohan would tease her unmercifully about her parents’ pride in her. “Destiny’s girl! Of course, you are! Only child and all that!” Maya’s parents were also fond of him, and he had become a regular visitor at their home.

In his own way, he was also proud of her. It showed in the way he took care of her when they were together, and in his possessiveness when any other man looked at her with admiration. Soon their feelings for each other grew stronger and as the day for her departure came closer, their hearts broke at the thought of being away for months at a time.

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Two Years Later:

Rohan walked into the drawing room where Maya’s parents sat watching television.   He knew how much they missed her. Two years had gone by since Maya had first gone to America. He remembered the day he had walked in and watched television with the older couple, so that they would not miss her too much. He shuddered as the scene came back to him... the shooting at Maya’s university, the lone gunman who had emptied bullets into a defenceless crowd who had gathered to watch a concert.

Maya’s garlanded portrait smiled down at him from the wall.

 

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This post is part of #BlogchatterHalfMarathon