Month: June 2017

Book Blitz of Breathing Two Worlds by Ruchira Khanna

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About the Book:

Neena Arya, a Delhi-born goes abroad for
further studies and decides to settle down there. Determined to be a ‘somebody’
from a ‘nobody’ she blends with the Americans via the accent and their
mannerisms while having a live-in relationship with her European boyfriend,
Adan Somoza.
 
When illness hits home, Neena rushes to
meet her ailing dad. Tragedy strikes and amidst the mingling with relatives and
friends, she finds herself suffocated with the two different cultures that she
has been breathing since she moved to the United States. How will she strike a
balance between both the cultures as she continues to support her widowed
mother? Will she be able to do justice to her personal and professional life
after the loss?
 
Amidst the adjusting she bonds with an
ally and learns about ties beyond blood. On what grounds will she be able to
form an invisible thread that she has longed for since childhood?
 
Breathing Two Worlds ventures into
cultures and ethnicity allowing Neena to ponder upon her foundation and
priorities.
 
Available
on Amazon
 
Book Trailer: 

 
Excerpt:
 
“Oh!” the Mom answered, but could not contain her curiosity with one hand holding the hyper toddler and the other on her hip she could not resist, “You two don’t look like brother-sister, hmmm. So, what is your relationship?” she inquired with a slight smile in a soft voice but without any inhibition. A handful of seniors sitting in the same room observed all the drama and nodded to each other while their fingers were moving on the Tulsi neck beads.
 
Neena rolled her eyes and thought to herself, “Jeez! We Indians are always darn inquisitive.”
Nikhil immediately got up and started walking towards the dining area. This was happening to them for the umpteenth time, and he was now tired of clarifying things. He had lived in this country for half a decade now and still he could never understand the fascination Indians had for marriage and children. 
 
Neena was confused at first because it was unlike Nikhil to be so rude. On the contrary, sometimes Neena referred to him on lessons in patience but today it was different. But then she didn’t have a choice; she felt it was rude to walk away from the young mother leaving the conversation unanswered. Moreover given Indian mentality in all possibility, she might even follow them till she had a convincing answer to her question. 
 
 
 
 
About
the Author:

Ruchira Khanna, a biochemist turned
writer, left her homeland of India to study in America, where she obtained her
Master’s degree in Biochemistry from SJSU and a degree in Technical Writing
from UC Berkeley.
 
After finishing her studies, Ruchira
worked as a biochemist at a Silicon Valley startup for five years. After the
birth of her son, Ruchira took a job as a technical writer, so that she could
work from home. Soon, she began doing freelance writing work as well.
 
Her love of writing grew and she started
working on her own books. After four years of freelancing, Ruchira published
her first book, a fiction novel for adults called Choices.
 
Then came the children’s book The
Adventures of Alex and Angelo: The Mystery of the Missing Iguana. She got a
thumb’s up review from Kirkus Reviews.
 
In January 2016, she has published her
second fictional novel Voyagers into the Unknown. It talks about the quest for
happiness as the heavy hearted tourists travel miles from different parts of
the world to Raj Touristry in Agra, India. Return to their respective home with
a healed heart. This book talks about their journey!
 
In Breathing Two Worlds, Ruchira talks
about ethnicity and cultures, and helps to strike a balance via a fiction-drama
novel as her characters breathe two worlds.
 
In addition to writing books, she is a
holistic healer associated with Stanford Healing Partners and also maintains a
blog of daily mantras on Blogspot, called Abracabadra. Ruchira currently
resides in California with her family.
 


Find
her on: Website Blog


 

Spotlight of The Wrong Turn by Sanjay Chopra , Namita Roy Ghose

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THE WRONG TURN:
Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji
by
Sanjay Chopra & Namita Roy Ghose
 
 
 
Blurb
 
1944, Kohima — a small, sleepy town in northeast India. Subhash Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army (INA) along with the Japanese, are on the brink of bringing the Empire to its knees and forcing the British out of India. But, inexplicably, the tables turn. The INA’s advance is thwarted and the victory march to Delhi is halted. Seventy years later, the British admit that the Battle of Kohima was the greatest battle they had ever fought. Even more so than the battles of Waterloo and Dunkirk. Was it then that old Indian curse — betrayal? Someone from within Netaji’s own ranks? Were there forces other than the British, waiting in the shadows closer to home, who stood to gain even more from the INA’s defeat? Or was it just love that irrevocably altered the course of India’s destiny? The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji, is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom struggle. Debraj, the rakish playboy and scion of a distinguished Calcutta family, and Nishonko, the fiery revolutionary sworn to the cause of the INA, must not only fight their common enemy, but also for the love of Aditi, the rebel with the healing touch. A haunting tale of love, friendship and betrayal of an entire nation, The Wrong Turn veers inexorably towards a poignant redemption.
 
Grab your copy @
 
 
About the authors
 
 
“The Wrong Turn is a story that traverses the cities of Calcutta, Singapore, Rangoon and Kohima caught up in the blaze of the Second World War. It is about the clash of four desperate forces as they come together in Kohima to vie for the brightest jewel in the crown — India. Victory will come to those who possess not just the coldest steel but even colder hearts.”
 
SANJAY CHOPRA is an airline pilot and author of two collections of short stories.  Said and Done and Tailspin stories . He believes that his  office forty thousand feet in the sky and his travels provide him with a view that fuels his vivid storytelling that cuts a wide arc through time and space.
 
His stories have won the Invisible Ink, the Millennium writers and Southport awards in the UK and USA. In the words of his readers, ‘He is a storyteller like those of the old days, yet his stories are as modern as tomorrow.
 
He lives in Mumbai with his wife Tisca Chopra, an actress and he is currently working on a film script and a web series. 


You can stalk him @
        Follow the Authors of The Wrong Turn @ Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This was a story waiting to be told. So much about Netaji was smoke and mirrors, partial views foisted on us by the British and other vested interests. Here was a man who was a personal hero, who was part of the lore of my childhood. And here was a chance to set the narrative straight – through the lens of a very human yet universal story of love.”

During a school project on ‘The most memorable day of my life’, NAMITA ROY GHOSE wrote about a Russian girl on the day WW2 ended. She got her first rejection slip from the teacher for making things up. Ever since, Namita has established her storytelling skills through her scriptwriting, screenplays poetry, fiction, legendary advertising campaigns, and as a renowned advertising film director. A Creative Director with HTA, she left after 13 years to start her own film company, White Light, one of India’s top ad film outfits. A social activist, she is the founder of Vanashakti, an NGO that works to protect the environment. Namita has done pro bono work on issues like domestic violence, child welfare, sexual harassment and forest preservation. She is an avid traveller, a photographer, foodie and teacher.
      You can stalk her @

 

 

               

 

   Praise for the book

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vidya Balan:  “I like historical fiction. This one is just gripping, racing along like a thriller. I am sure people will love it and I wish Namita and Sanjay all the best for the book”.

 

 

 

Shekhar Gupta: “Gripping reading. This is one writer duo with story-telling imagination and uncluttered turn of phrase”.

 

 

 

Jug Suraiya: “A sweeping saga of war, love and betrayal, set at a climactic point of India’s fight for freedom”.

 

 

 

 

Lord Meghnad Desai: “An absorbing and indeed thrilling story of one of the most crucial events in India’s history”.

 

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Guest Post of Half Pants Full Pants

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Hello lovelies,

I know it is been a while since I posted any guest post. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t invite any guests on my blog. The things have been so hectic that I hardly got the time to submit it. Today we have Anand Suspi, the author of Half Pants, Full Pants. I asked him a question and he answered that in a beautiful way.

What is the idea behind writing this book?

Let me break this up into 3 parts:

Before writing: This is an accidental piece of work. My advertising work keeps me so busy that I never had any notions of writing a book. As I have mentioned in the preface, I sat down to write a page or two to convince myself that I could write beyond advertising and ended up putting my childhood down.

 

While writing: A few chapters into the book, I harboured no thoughts of wanting to write a book. Several childhood incidents kept cropping up and I kept penning them. The only audience I had in mind was my childhood friends.

 

Post writing: Now on hindsight, I can surmise that the idea of the book is to re-live the innocence and simplicity of our growing up years. In the not-so-distant past, life was very real and meaningful. People led simple lives with much joy and contentment. Limited choices and exposure made us savour every little thing. Today, our lives have been twisted beyond recognition and reasoning. Technology has subtracted far more than it has added (at least, that’s how I feel) We are living vacuous lives consuming terabytes of idiotic stimuli, commenting upon anything and everything (where 99% of things have no relevance to our lives) and constantly comparing ourselves to the world around. For most people, the locus of control has become external. It’s a stupid way to live. I know that this book will take every reader back to his or her real days. There’s nothing big or fanciful that happens throughout the book. It’s a collection of small joys, little adventures, naïve dreams, idiotic experiments and modest lives that all of us have lived through. I happened to pen it down but it is really, everyone’s book.
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Confessions of an Immigrant-6

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Hello lovelies,

Life in Canada is so hectic and busy that you hardly get time to do your daily routine things. At times you forget to do your laundry or you hardly get a chance. At times you are so stuck with your assignments that you don’t get a single minute to breathe. Last week was a roller coaster ride for me. Can you imagine I was working hard on my assignment even during the weekends. I have not visited or met any of relatives in these past weeks which is really irritating.

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Wrote this quote for a contest!

Earlier I missed my Niagara Trip and this time I missed my cousin’s Bridal Shower. Well guys, Bridal Shower is a celebration and Gala time for the bride where they invite relatives and guests, bless the bride and enjoy their heart out. This was a theme based bridal shower where everyone wore White dress and the bride wore a Black dress. I can guess that she might have been looking good. But I missed the chance to see this as in India we never have Bridal Shower. It is the worst feeling when you are close to your family and still not be able to attend it.

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Side view of Centennial College

Another bomb that exploded in my Immigrant life apart from these hectic assignments is the mid term. Can you imagine that a teacher walks in the class and suddenly tells you that you have a mid term next week. Then another teacher says and its so hard to digest. Above all, the assignments, group work and everything goes hand in hand. Nothing stops, no prepatories given. Now I realised, this is Canada.

 

The only positive part was that I met my relative when I was unwell. He gave me the medicines which healed me so quickly. Another thing is, this is June, the month of holidays in India. My mom is in her maternal home and this is the first time I missed being there. The memories I had with them are memorable.

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New wind Sheeter!

I don’t understand one thing, inspite of getting so dead and tired how can anyone come up with a happident smile? This thought is so infectious. Some of the people I came across with are great. For the first time in Canada, I celebrated a friend’s birthday. This was something new. I realised that for the first time in my life I will celebrate my birthday without my parents and best friends. This made me nostalgic.

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I have started some of the reading but I realised my speed has slowed down. Assignments are the only monsters in my life. But when you get an A or A+ life seems bearable.

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Next week Father’s Day is coming and again this time I won’t be with him. Earlier, I used to be in Delhi and now I will be away from him. I miss my dad alot. I love him so much and I wish I could get a hug from him. He is unwell and I will pray that he gets well soon. Stay happy papa. I am your bahadur bacha. I love you..:)

Author’s Note: Sorry for updating so late! I will be back with more such confessions so stay tuned.

Confessions of an Immigrant-5

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This is wierd, whenever I write a new episode, my post starts with apologies. But can’t help it. Things are going on hectic and a running mode. My simple, stagnant life is running. Here time plays a major role. You can’t afford to be late. I was working on a Law assognment today but I realised that this is my limit and I need a break. So, I thought of venting out my thoughts.  These two weeks have been totally confusing and unpredictable. Many changes have taken place.

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The most important change is my eagerness to learn the Canadian accent. So, I have started watching Netflix. I am watching seasons of Pretty Little Liars, Supernatural, Riverdale and there are some which I am trying to watch. Moreover, I listen to English songs and I realised that they are relaxants. They serve as a catalyst in my life.

I got more interactive with my classmates and got to know many things about them. They help me with many things. They talk about their cultures and lives which interests me the most. They do tell me that they have some stories which they would love to share and it excites me alot. Groups have been made and my group is different. We have group discussions and we have a good understanding. The most horrible thing is APA citation. Actually, I am used to MLA citation and with APA style, I get confused sometimes. Last week we had 3 assignments. I was super tied up. Guess what, I missed the date of Niagara Falls trip. I thought its on 15 June but it happened last week on 3 rd June. Actually, 15 number was 15$ and this is pathetic. I so wanted to punch myself. Anyhow, why to lament for the gone chance. I will get many more chances to explore things. For now, assignments, scores and grades matter. Till now I am getting A+ or A which is great.

An improvement about playing pool is that, my balls finally hit the right point. I am still a slow learner but its great. Moreover, I got many new facts. I now know about Uber app, uber eats and many others. I have started writing about recipes I make. I made cornflakes sabji, banana chips snacks and many other experiments which turned out to be successful. Here, grocery shopping is the most dangerous thing for me. I always end up spending 3-4 hours which is worst.

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Since Ramzan is going on, it is difficult for muslims but they do the things religiously. I went to new Tim Hortons which is in Sheppard side. Mosque is just opposite it. The night view is just so awesome. I just can’t believe it. It is the most beautiful site one can ever notice.

By the way, I found one more place to sleep in the college. There are relaxing sofas in D block where you can see the site of college too. Moreover, the other place is near the cafeteria where you find a seat just like a bed. I feel relaxed but sleep is out of my side.

I always talk to my parents and friends. I miss them so much. I am not homesick though but their hug is the only thing that I miss. So, I have started this Magical Hug thing with my roommate. With this thing, I feel good and she thinks I am becoming her lucky charm. Whenever I don’t hug her, her day goes bad so I always make a point to hug her. This is wierd but its good as far as its going on a positive note.

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I am in love with Junior Chicken of McDonalds. I have stopped consuming French Vanilla because there are other things that I want to try and explore. I tried mcCafe coffee which is yuck as ever so you better never try it. I hate the sugar here. 6 spoons of sugar makes 1 spoon of sugar in India. So, soemtimes I feel I am sugarless things. Green Tea I always take without sugar. Its only black coffee that I take with some amount of sugar. Blueberry muffin is the best thing I have ever tasted. It keeps me pumped and happy. Begel with cheese is the stupidest thing I ever had. I seriously hate Begel. I want to try butter chicken and fish. I miss curry , rajma rice and even that stupid ghiya, rama tori prepared by my mom. I wish I had listened to her before. I just know some of the things.

I can’t believe it that its been more than a month that I am away from everyone and reading too. My reading has slowed down. I get cravings for book reading but the assignments, quiz keeps me busy. I just don’t want my writing to stop as that would be tragic. So, at times I force myself to write.

I have made friends. The reason I don’t write about them is, I don’t want to share their life stories. If I start writing, I will end up telling their stories which would be wrong. They trust me and so do I. But I have got caring friends. Thats all. Now going to write down my Law assignment. Will be back soon. Stay tuned.