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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Tornado Giveaway : Win Books..A lot of books!!

Welcome to The Book Club’s very first Giveaway

Tornado Giveaway

We’re extremely excited about it. You will be too…when you hear the details. Get ready to be blown away by Tornado Giveaway! 

A tornado of books is coming your way. We love our Authors. They give us hours of entertainment; they fill our lives with love and passion. Today, we want to do exactly that. Fill your life with love. This is a Romance Giveaway with a smattering of crime thrillers and a heartwarming family saga - to spice up your life.

Starting on the 1st of July we will introduce each of the twenty-three participating Authors on our Book Club page. Some you already know; some are new.  But all promise to keep you entertained with their words.

Believe it or not, we have 200 books to give away.  Didn’t we say, a Tornado is coming your way!  And there will be not one... not two ... but 17 Winners who will get 17 books each and 6 Mega winners will get a chance to grab 22 books each.

How do you participate in this Giveaway? It's simple... just follow the Rafflecopter(scroll down) and win all the books. 

So what are you waiting for?  Join us here as we introduce each author daily and get a sneak peek into their writing. Get ready to be swept away! 

The Rules....

Love Books of course :)

In the Rafflecopter follow the rules....

1. Like the Author Facebook Page - Mandatory - 1 point

2. Follow the author on Twitter -Mandatory- 2 points

3. Tweet on the dates mentioned in the Rafflecopter about the Author - Optional - 3 points

4. Like the Harlequin India Facebook Page - Mandatory - 5 points

5. Like the Indireads Facebook Page -Mandatory - 5 points 

6. Like The Book Club Facebook Page -Mandatory -  5 points

23AUTHORS; 23 NOVELS; 17 WINNERS; 6 MEGA WINNERS 

the tornado giveaway - Video Maker

Participating Authors

Name of the Book	Name of the Author	Date of Post
Scarlet Revenge	Ann McGinnis	1st July
Saving Justice	Tasman Gibb	2nd July
The Perfect Groom	Sumeetha Manikandan	3rd July
Wilde Riders	Savannah Young	4th July
Scorched by His Fire	Reet Singh	5th July
When I see your Face	Devika Fernando	6th July
The Malhotra Bride	Sundari Venkatraman	7th July
Butterfly Season	Natasha Ahmed	8th July
The Indian Tycoon's Marriage Deal	Adite Banerjie	9th July
Bootie and the Beast	Falguni Kothari	10th July
Full Circle	Yamini Vijendran	11th July
Bollywood Fiance For a Day	Ruchi Vasudeva	12th July
The Truth About De Campo	Jennifer Hayward	13th July
Twelve Hours of Temptation	Shoma Narayanan	14th July
Monsoon Memories	Renita D'Silva	15th July
His Captive Indian Princess	Tanu Jain	16th July
The Return of the Rebel	Jennifer Faye	17th July
Rapid Fall	Adiana Ray	18th July
Kingdom Come	Aarti V Raman	19th July
Crossing the line	Nicola Marsh	20th July
India was one	An Indian	21st July
Lily's Leap	Téa Cooper	22nd July
Love's Labour	Andy Paula	23rd July

All the Best Dear Readers...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 30TH JULY

Participating Blogs

Bloggers/Writers	Blogging @
Aarti V Raman	Rt_Writes
Adiana Ray	Rayyyydays
Adite Banerjie	AditeBanerjie
An Indian	India Was One
Ann McGinnis	Ann McGinnis
Arti Metroreader	Arti Metroreader
Bhavya NK	Ishithaa
Devika Fernando	Devika Fernando
Dola Basu Singh	Shiuli
Falguni Kothari	Falguni Kothari
Inderpreet Kaur Uppal	Eloquent Articulation
Janaki Nagaraj	Memoirs of A Homemaker
Jennifer Faye	Jennifer Faye
Jennifer Hayward	Jennifer Hayward
Jigar Doshi	Jigar Doshi
Parichita Singh	Parichita
Natasha Ahmed	Dear Rumi
Nicola Marsh	Nicola Marsh
Nikita Soni	Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff
Pooja Abhay	Thoughtless Ramifications
Reet Singh	Reet Singh
Renita D'Silva	Renita D'Silva
Rubina Ramesh	The Book Club
Ruchi Vasudeva	Ruchi Vasudeva
Savannah Young	Savannah Young
Shoma Narayanan	Shoma Narayanan
Sonia Rao	soniaraowrites
Sumeetha Manikandan	Books Reviews by Sumi
Sundari Venkatraman	Flaming Sun
Tanu Jain	tanurja's Blog
Tasman Gibb	Tasman Gibb
Téa Cooper	Tea Cooper
Usha Narayanan	Usha Narayanan
Yamini Vijendran	Straight from the heart
Andy Paula	Andy Paula

This Giveaway is hosted by The Book Club. A group of Writers and Bloggers who have come together to spread the works of different authors from around the globe. 

Logo design by Natasha Ahmed

A special thank you to Adite Banerjie, Sundari Venkatraman and Dola Basu Singh. Without you this Giveaway was not possible. 

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Book Review : The Madras Mangler by Usha Narayanan

The Madras Mangler by Usha Narayanan

The Blurb

Five pretty girls from around the country, enjoying college life in Chennai, chasing their own dreams. Until a psychopath comes to town, killing girls and dumping their bodies in the rivers. The killer is smart, dangerous and very angry. Just like Vir Pradyumna, ace criminologist from New York, who is fighting his own demons from the past. Ruthless politicians, bumbling cops, beer barons and cyber criminals run amuck. The killer snatches a girl whom Vir has sworn to protect. A Hollywood action crew and the crowds at the India-Australia cricket one-dayer get sucked into the relentless buildup to a nail-biting climax. Will Vir be in time to stop the maniac and save the girl?

MY REVIEW 

Usha Narayanan's "The Madras Mangler" is a thriller set against the backdrop of an evolving modern Chennai which was, not-so-long ago, called Madras. The story is about five girls studying in a college in Chennai and the various situations that they are entrapped in their respective lives. There is also danger lurking around them with a serial killer on loose, who mainly targets college-going girls. Coming to their rescue is Vir Pradyumna , a criminologist who is bent upon nailing the serial killer so that he can put his own demons from the past to rest and also save his new found love, Kat from being a target.

Honestly speaking, when I started  reading the first few pages of the book that starts with a scene where a fresher is being bullied by a few notorious men, I felt I had come across the scene in many South Indian movies and for that matter, a few Bollywood ones too. I was a tad disappointed. 

Coming to the story line, I think it is very well etched. The main plot and the sub plots have been dealt with immaculately and blend very well with each other. As it should be with thrillers, this one is a fast paced thriller and keeps the reader hooked to it. The characterisation and the detailing is appreciable. Since it is a thriller, I am not going into the details of the story and will leave it to the reader to experience it first hand. But, I still think that a lot of scenes are very similar to scenes from movies or soaps that we come across, and it does feel very predictable at times.

But, there is one thing I should mention and it is the way the book is structured. The language and the grammar used, for the most part of it, is a delight to read. The editing is crisp and commendable. Hats off to the author for having achieved this feat, considering most books nowadays fail in this aspect. 

Overall, it was a nice weekend read which kept me guessing. I wish there was a little less movies/soaps kind of a feel, because, it kept my brain thinking that I have come across this many times before. If I have to rate this book, I would give it 3.25 out of 5 stars.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5

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Meet the Author

Be crazy, be creative. That’s been my mantra as a writer and a creative director ― in advertising, radio, corpcomm and web-writing. I turned up the craziness a notch by becoming a novelist, with the freedom to write exactly what I wanted. I started a romcom, changed it into a thriller and sweated and slogged to get the pieces to work together. Research, cliffhangers, suspense, clues, red herrings ― my brain was in a tizzy for days and months. 

Done, dusted off, dispatched. A few rejections, heartbreak. A contract from Leadstart, bliss. Creating a spooky book trailer with images and music I bought online. A tweak here and there, with my editor. Poring over images for the cover. Suggesting the artist turn ‘The’ in the title sideways. The book comes out on Flipkart and Amazon first. And after some nail-biting suspense, in bookstores. Organised a launch with Suhasini Maniratnam and Rudra Krishna. Great media reviews. Lovely, wonderful blogger friends. I love being an author 

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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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