Book Review : Scarlet Revenge by Ann McGinnis

Scarlet Revenge by Ann McGinnis

The Blurb

The FBI doesn't know what to do with Analyst Caycee Scarlet. She's brash, brilliant & brutally relentless when tracking a serial killer. But she also has a temper, problems with authority figures and recognizing the chain of command. Things go sideways for Caycee when she uncovers a lead that saves the Omega Killer's latest victim. Rather than working the system and making nice with her pompous boss, sparks fly and she gets into an altercation with the lead Special Agent on the case, resulting in a transfer to another assignment. Caycee finds herself transferred to an FBI interrogation facility where she assesses the most dangerous of criminals in custody. She struggles to get over the loss of her dream job, but her new boss, handsome Special Agent Gil Graham, may soften the blow. Sparks, of a different variety, fly between the Special Agent and his new Analyst, as they work together to crack the most difficult cases. Just when Caycee's wounds are healing from her expulsion on the Omega Killer team, she is dragged back into the thick of it. Caycee and her new team are front and center, focused on an interview of a bombing suspect, when Omega comes looking for revenge. His attack wounds her team, leaving Caycee with only one option for help-the devastatingly handsome bombing suspect. It will take all of Caycee's wits, and a kiss for luck, to stop Omega and save her co-workers.

MY REVIEW

If I could review this book in one line, I would say I loved it! But, a detailed review does more justice to an author and the readers. So, here is my take on the first book, "Scarlet Revenge" which is a part of a suspense series. 

Ann McGinnis' "Scarlet Revenge" is a thriller which involves an incredible heroine in the form of Caycee Scarlet, an Intelligent Analyst for the FBI. Scarlet's induction into FBI helps save a serial killer Omega's latest victim, which irks not only the serial killer, but, her power licking boss, Wilkes. She manages to rub him the wrong way on the first day of her stint and lands up in a team headed by Agent Gil. Agent Gil proves not only to be her boss, but there is also office romance brewing between him and her. Just when the storm caused by Omega seems to be settling down, there enters The Baseball Bomber, Hicks who manages to woo Scarlet's heart, or does he? It is the story of Scarlet being torn between Gil and Hicks and in the midst of all this, her mission to find the serial killer, Omega or is it the other way? I am not going into the details of this thriller, it is best to read it in person. It has so many twists and turns that will keep you hooked to it. 

The editing is crisp and flawless. The author has a good hold on the story, characters, and the language. Not once did I find the author to falter. The thriller is fast paced and thoroughly detailed. 

In one sentence, this book is unputdownable. Read it over the weekend with a cup of coffee to give you company and you would have created a perfect little weekend read for yourself and a thoroughly enjoyable one which will keep your heart pulsating. If I have to rate the book, I will give it 4.25 out of 5 stars. The onus now is on the author to keep the magic alive in the second book, "Scarlet Envy". 

Rating : 4.25 out of 5. 

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Meet the Author

Ann McGinnis writes about characters that let their egos and sense of justice rule their lives, while they protect the public from serial killers and unthinkable crimes. Of course, Ann's characters always find a way to blow off steam -- romantically!

As a writer, Ann comes from the world of action/thrillers and screenwriting. She has two scripts currently in development. A third script, about a spunky FBI analyst, is the basis of "Scarlet Revenge" and the main character Caycee Scarlet. It is the first book in a series, with Book 2 “Scarlet Envy” coming out in September 2014.

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Book Review : India Was One by An Indian

Every now and then, there comes a book that doesn't fit into any of the categories of books I usually read. When the author of "India Was One" asked me for a honest review, I was up for it thinking that this might be one of those books.  I was right, this book isn't like any of the books I have read before. It is different and hence, the review is going to be a lot different. 

I am an Indian and also a Non Resident Indian, and that makes me look at the book from two perspectives. I tried coming up with one view about the book, but my mind was in a conflict. So, my review is going to be from two different perspectives.

The story is about Jai and Kaahi who fall in love with each other during their time in college. It is about the time they spend in college with their friends, their love, their marriage, their move to USA and their subsequent return to India when they get to know that India has got divided, again. The storyline is an usual college love story, set in the backdrop of modern India.

As an Indian who has spent most of her time in India, I felt the book was a bit of a drag because of the various details that was interspersed within the story, which an Indian already knows and is aware of. I also fail to understand the reason behind the use of vernacular words in the book that are written in the native language, considering the words are in English anyways. This makes the story lose the plot because we are hoarded with details in every paragraph. The smooth flow of a story is missing. I wish the details were either in the form of footnotes or should have been at the end of the book wherein people who wanted to know more about a particular thing could always look it up. But, this is only my take on it. I am sure the author would have thought of it differently while penning the book.

I contradict my own review here when I say that I believe the author made a brave attempt to write a book which is different and unique. As a Non Resident Indian, this book reminded me of what I was missing. The journey of Jai and Kaahi reminded me of our journey to the United States. The detailing is very accurate. Also, the emotions, the anxiety, the fear of Jai and Kaahi is something I could relate to. It was like a journey back in time when my husband and I came to the country about a year and half ago. I was emotionally very well tuned to this particular phase in the book. Again, there were details about how things work in USA and the like, which I skimmed through. 

If I have to put it briefly, I think I am going to get into the author's brain and think of it from his perspective. Here is a book wherein the characters and the story seems to be the background and the details about India, its culture, perspective of Indians seems to be the focus. I should say I liked the book though I feel the editing should have been crisp. The language is simple, the story is simple, but the essence of story where India gets divided into two seems to have lost its plot somewhere between all the details. I feel this book targets the international audience more than people residing in India, considering the minute detailing in the book. I feel this book is a good read for kids with Indian roots, who are born and brought up abroad, to get an insight of their roots. It is also a good read for people who want to get to know modern India and its culture, atleast to a certain extent. If I have to rate the book, I think I will give it a 3.25 out of 5 stars.

Rating : 3.25 out of 5

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Book Review : The Perfect Groom by Sumeetha Manikandan

The Perfect Groom by Sumeetha Manikandan

The Blurb

Very little has gone right in Nithya’s young life. So, when a proposal from a young, handsome NRI comes along, her mother jumps at the opportunity and packs her daughter off to the US with her perfect groom.

Nithya seems to have settled in with Ashok, ostensibly happy, if as yet childless, in her new life. When an old flame comes back into her life, however, the cracks in her perfect marriage begin to show…

MY REVIEW

Having read Mills & Boon, chicklits and romantic novels for over 15 years now, I get a bit skeptical when I come across a novel or in this case, a novella that falls into the romantic genre. It is easy to go wrong with this genre, isn't it? But, Sumeetha manages to do a good job with her book, The Perfect Groom.

The story line is different, but not unique. The "surprise factor" in the book has been dealt with many a times in both the literary world, as well as the entertainment industry consisting of daily soaps and movies. The story is all about Nithya's life, wherein the story moves back and forth with present day Nithya remembering her days back at her villainous uncle's house when she was younger. Present day, Nithya appears to be happily married to her perfect NRI groom. But in reality, the picture is anything but rosy. She is in a marriage that has nothing to offer and has no future. But, she doesn't want to give Ashok, her husband, a divorce because she has a younger sister, yet to be married, and she doesn't want to spoil her chances of getting married. The first thought that came to my mind was that it was a regressive portrayal of the main character, but, I realize that it might be true in most cases, considering how paranoid we are about the way our society thinks. Things change for better when Nithya meets her good old friend, Vasu and romance brews up between them. The story then explores the highs and lows of their relationship, entangled with Nithya's baseless marriage with Ashok. The hypocrisies hidden behind the labeled cultural values are dealt with in a very sensitive manner.  

The characterization of the 2 main characters, Nithya and Vasu are very well etched, whereas I feel Ashok's character could have been more elaborate. Other minor characters have been dealt with finesse. The story flows smoothly and Sumeetha does an excellent job at maintaining the pace of this lovely novella. The edition is crisp and pretty well done, though, I wish that the vocabulary for the Tamil words used was given on the same page below, and not at the end of the book. 

Overall, an easy to relate, fast paced, entertaining book. Given the circumstances, the story could have been yours or mine. If I have to rate the book, I will give it 4 out of 5 stars. 

Rating - 4 out of 5

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Meet the author

The Author's Thoughts

An author and a freelance writer, Sumeetha Manikandan has been writing for many years now. After working in dotcom companies, like Sulekha for over a decade, she started freelancing from home. 

Her debut novella, 'The Perfect Groom' was initially written in a script format, which was later converted into a novella for Indireads. The Perfect Groom touches a taboo subject that is most often shrouded in secret whispers and exclamations in the tambrahm community. Inspired by a real anecdote, 'The Perfect Groom' is in parts the true story of a girl who rose above myriad challenges to make her own way in life.

     

  

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Book Review: Turquoise Silence by Sanober Khan

Turquoise Silence by Sanober Khan

A disclaimer: This book is a part of a blog tour conducted by The Book Club and all the reviews are done in exchange of a copy of the book from the publisher or author. No monetary trasaction takes place.

The Blurb

The book is a collection of free verse poems that encapsulate the poet's most heartfelt emotions about life. They speak of moments that sweep our breath away, of beauty that bewitches the heart, of people, memories, sights, sounds and smells that awaken a sense of wonder and wistfulness. With rich metaphors and eloquently flowing imagery, the poet's love for the simple things in life unfolds in different moods and tones, ultimately ending up in words felt, cherished, concieved and written... in turquoise silence

MY REVIEW

Reading poetry books is not something that I do very often. I enjoy poetry, but, I am not someone who has an indepth knowledge of the various poetic forms.  Hence, when I was asked to review Sanober Khan's Turquoise Silence, I readily agreed. 

The poems in this book are in the form of free verses, i.e., they do not follow any particular rhyme, meter or other musical pattern. Spontaneity is a key factor when it comes to free verses and Sanober does an excellent job in maintaining the spontaneity in all her poems. The words seem to flow effortlessly without any glitches.

Sanober's poems deal with emotions - emotions dealing with poetry, the moon, memories, wishes, seasons, senses and many other aspects that we come across in our lives. The metaphors used to convey the underlying emotions bowled me over, my favourite being "I begin as a single snowflake and end in an avalanche" from the very first poem, Poetry In My Heart (Page #7).

If I have to handpick 5 poems that I read and re-read many times, they would be:

Poetry In My Heart (Page #7)

Let Me Die (Page #35)

All Things Past (Page #40)

To The World (Page #65)

Night Soul (Page #67)

There are a few things that, personally, bothered me a little. Firstly, at many places, the "I" is in lower case. Secondly, the use of ellipses was overdone at many places. I wish these minute details could be taken care of, because, they stand out evidently in free verse poems.

Overall, I must say I enjoyed reading the book. If I have to rate the book, I would give it 3.75 stars out of 5.

A poet writes a poem keeping one thought in mind, whereas, when it reaches the audience, it is interpreted in many different ways and that is the beauty of poetry. As Sanober puts it rightly, poetry is mystical at its best. I wish Sanober the very best for all her future ventures as a poet. 

Rating - 3.75 out of 5.

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sanober

Meet the Poet

Writing poetry is a very different, mystical experience. There is no plot, no storyline, no characters…just a stage set for you and your own deepest self. When I wrote my first poem six years ago, I never imagined it would someday become such an important aspect of my life.

 I have always loved poetry for the creative freedom it offers, the minimal rules, its ability to elevate even the most ordinary moments. At the end of each poem I write, it feels as though I have not just evolved in my style, but also as a person.  My work first appeared in Cyberwit’s international journal, the Taj Mahal Review, which paved the way for me to getting two books published.

I have long been inspired by poets like Khalil Gibran, Rumi, Rabindranath Tagore ,Rolf Jacobsen, E.E Cummings, and John Keats. A voracious reader myself, I enjoy reading poetry and novels from around the globe. 

     

  

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