Romance gone Bad

For a change, I ain't going to blabber too much. There's a news that I wish to share and have been wanting to since a few days now. After the wonderful response of my debut work, I had a lot of mails coming up asking about my second book. At that time, I was clueless if I'd be able to bring it within one of the first book but then I guess, there's someone up there being more than kind to me.

One In A Million turned 1 on 2nd May. It released on my birthday last year and it's the same time of the year like last one and my second piece of fiction is finally up for pre-orders. Yes, I'm not kidding. Bad Romance, a story extremely close to my heart is finally coming up in the market in a few days and as of now, my publisher and HS18, both have been too kind to me by offering maximum discounts on my book bringing down the 165 bucks to just 99 bucks on pre-orders. So, probably all you can place an order for me. May be, give me a birthday gift. Trust me, for an author no gift is better than being appreciated for her book and getting to know that her book has just been sold.

This is the cover page. I kind of felt the book describes the story in a pretty nice way. Sensual, subtle, slow and romantic. Amol Karambe, the cover designer has been quite kind to me as he tackled all my whims and rejections and finally came up with such a beautiful cover.

Pulkit Gupta, my publisher has been my pillar of strength when it comes to writing my books. He has always been after me, constantly motivating me for bringing out the best out of my writing skills. But that doesn't mean that I'd deny the fact that he hasn't scolded me and been literally pinging all day and night to not waste even a single second. I believe, this is the best thing about getting a publisher who is a friend. He knows you inside out and makes sure that everything goes as per your comfort zone. The best part of Pulkit is that he has this amazing art of being firm and gentle in his ways at the same time. I do owe a lot of Bad Romace's progress to him. Thank you buddy!

And finally, sharing the pre-order link so that you can read the story of Tanishq and Kritika.

HomeShop18: http://bit.ly/1imCe6J 
Infibeam: http://bit.ly/1iSoV4b 

Please do order and yes, this time the books are going to be author-signed if you order it from HS18.

We have a Facebook Page too. Do like and share among friends.

https://www.facebook.com/BadRomanceTheBook

P.S: The discount offered ends in 3-4 days. 

Happy Reading! :)
~Stay blessed~

Tete-a-tete with HAC and Udita Pal

THE UYE-2 TEAM

Today, we have two wonderful writers on-board, Himanshu Chhabra and Udita Pal talking about their short story 'NCERT of Love' that will be featured in 'Uff Ye Emotions 2'. Himanshu happened to be a contributor in the first series too and received positive reviews for his entry. Both of them aren't a new name to us, while Himanshu is the person behind the popular blog 'Purple Pen', Udita Pal is an complete package of talent and beauty.

Moving onto the question I asked them was 'What inspired them to write their story?' and this is what they've got to say.

They say everyone has a story to tell. In my case, I have many. Maybe, I am bad at maths or I am the exception to this statement but I have surely more than one story to tell. Every passing day is a story; every sleepless night is a story. I just want to capture them as much as I can in my books. Because I know that at the end, everyone is a story and I want to be the one read for ages. 

About Himanshu:

Himanshu Appie Chhabra, owner of Purple Pen Blog, is currently pursuing CA. He belongs to the city of Hisar and is an avid reader. A complete package, Himanshu muses every one with his strings on guitar. He is popular with his pen name ‘HAC’ He can be reached at www.facebook.com/HACwrites or hactheauthor@gmail.com.

About Udita:

Udita Pal is a 17-year-old 12th standard student, pursuing commerce in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand. She’s obsessed with social networking websites and can be found online either updating funny one liner on her not-so-interesting-for-her-but-entertaining-for-others-life or posting pictures of her. She calls herself a walking scandal and a misunderstood personality. She believes that there is writer in everyone just takes time to come out and make magic with his words She made special place in heart of many people with her witty jokes and quotes. She’s all set to debut with her first full-fledged romance fiction novel by winter 2013. Her dream is to become filmmaker. She loves giving “Gyaan” about love , relationships , lust , friendship , family problems etc. You can reach her on Facebook.com/UditaPal or Uditapal96@yahoo.com or Twitter.com/SwagWomaniya

Incidentally, today happens to be a big day for HAC. The short story collection '25 Strokes of Kindness' published by Grapevine releases today and he shares his name with biggies like Preeti Shenoy, Nikita Singh, Anjali Kriplani, Somprakash Sinha and Sachin Garg. As I write this post, HAC attends his book launch at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj. We sincerely pray for Himanshu's success and I heartily apologize for not being able to be a part of his big day. Nevertheless, I expect to meet him during the UYE 2 launch and the rest of the participants as well.

We wish HAC and Udita all the luck.

Pre-order a copy of UYE-2 here:

Flipkart: http://bit.ly/BuyFlipKartUffYeEmotions
Homeshop: http://bit.ly/UffYeEmotions
SnapDeal: http://bit.ly/SnapDealUffYeEmotions

Done? Send us the screen-shot of your pre-order purchase with Purchase ID. Or, give us your order booking number too with ordering date on the event wall -

https://www.facebook.com/events/1470542753171388/

Uff Ye Emotions: Curtain Raiser

What is Uff Ye Emotions?

Like the lyrics of an old song, which keeps repeating themselves in our mind or a fever dormant in the blood or an importunate lover impossible to get rid of, the memories of love or 'love' itself keeps returning in our lives again and again at the oddest of times and the strangest of places.

 Randomly, beautifully, haphazardly or passionately, love lives up again--for it has been waiting for you, waiting for this union, waiting to merge with YOU at last.

 So, keeping the trend alive and after the roaring success of our novice, Uff Ye Emotions, we are back once again with 'Uff Ye Emotions 2'.

With Love, comes many emotions--some of them being pain, betrayal, hatred, hope and friendship. We fall IN and OUT of love time and again, but we can never be tired of it--because it is one of the only few aspects of life we can-t keep ourselves away from, isn't it?

Selected and edited by Vinit K. Bansal, this time again 11 touching stories from authors across the country, will be delighting the readers who swear by love stories. And for those who don’t read love stories much, come and discover why they are so engrossing.

Starting from Monday i.e. tomorrow, I will be introducing every participant on Dreams V/s Reality. Stay tuned at the same place to know what inspired these writers to writer their story.

You can pre-order a copy from the following links:

Flipkart: http://bit.ly/1a0ZuY3

HomeShop18: http://bit.ly/UffYeEmotions

Snapdeal: http://bit.ly/SnapDealUffYeEmotions

Till then stay blessed and keep smiling.

Love

Harshita

A Very Special News

So there's a good news I have to convey. I have been away from my blog in the past but now it won't happen hopefully. And yes, so today was just another day and I called my publisher to know about the pre-order for my book and he said that they came yesterday and I was like 'OMG! How could I miss it?'
I searched it instantly and found my book on pre-order at HomeShop 18, Amegabooks, BookAdda and Infibeam. It will be on Flipkart very soon.

In the meantime if you wish to order my copy, you may try any of the following links:

HomeShop18

Infibeam

BookAdda

AmegaBooks

I hope you guys are going to like it.

Year Ends With Some Great Reads

Best selling authors are going to end this year with a bash. We readers have some great reads for the year end and new year with authors like Preeti Shenoy and Nikita Singh coming up with super awesome books.

Preeti Shenoy's fourth book 'The Secret Wishlist' is coming from 'Westland' and is now available on pre-order.

Book Summary of The Secret Wish List

Does true love really exist or is it just a cliche? Can a single kiss really change your life?

At sixteen, Diksha like any girl her age, finds her life revolving around school, boys and endless hours of fun with her best friend. But one day, all that changes.

What starts as an innocent crush explodes into something far beyond her control. Eighteen years later, she finds herself at the crossroads of life. Urged by a twist of events, a wish list is born. But can a wish list help her piece back her life together? Will she succumb to the tangled mess of an extramarital relationship? Once again, Preeti Shenoy brings an extraordinary story that tugs at the heartstrings, with insight and wisdom, as she explores the delicate matters of the heart.

The Secret Wish List is a captivating, engrossing, racy tale about following your heart, chasing your dreams and the meaning of friendship.

About the Author
Preeti Shenoy is a bestselling author and artist. She has several academic qualifications, but believes life is the biggest teacher. She is an avid blogger, poet, nature lover and yoga buff. She loves playing basketball, travelling and spending time with her family and her dog. Preeti Shenoy is currently based in Bangalore, India. To know more about her go to preetishenoy.com.

Grab your copy from Flipkart

Nikita Singh, the very beautiful young authoress is up with her fourth work too, 'The Promise'. The pre-orders have only begun on HomeShop18 presently and to get your copies, click here

The Promise Overview

Some promises are worth keeping...

She smiles wide, and under it, hides pain she barely manages to endure. Her happiness brightens up the room, while inside, her heart drowns little by little.

Elusive, charismatic and incredibly rich, money is the one obsession he loves and hates in equal measure. He runs away from his past and the grief it brings with it.

She is capable of breaking down all his barriers, making his heart implore to give love and trust a second chance. Caught in the waves of alien emotions, a promise is made a promise to be together, to make their love last.

But when disaster hits, does their love prove strong enough to withstand the brutal force of reality?

Or does the promise lay forgotten, as they struggle to regain balance of their lives?

About the Author
Nikita Singh an avid blogger and writer, is the author of three bestselling novels Love @ Facebook, Accidentally In Love and If It's Not Forever (co-authored with Durjoy Datta). She has also contributed in the books of The Backbenchers Series.

With a library stocked with over twelve thousand books, she is a voracious reader and loves her collection of fantasy novels. She graduated in pharmacy and works as an editor at a leading publishing house.

  

And the recent contest of short stories organised by Penguin metro reads has brought the winning stories in print now. The stories were to be selected and edited by the most romantic author of this era, Ravinder Singh.

Book Summary of Love Stories That Touched My Heart

An anthology of moving, inspirational, heartwarming or heartbreaking, love stories shortlisted in a nation wide contest by Penguin India!

Love only a four letter word, yet its so powerful that it can conquer anything in this world!

Weve all experienced the first flush of love and remember the lingering fragrance of it. For ages Love has remained one of the most cherished experiences that everyone wishes to live through at least once. Humanity, time and again, has coined many definitions to describe this beautiful emotion, but this small word is a feeling that cant simply be defined. It has to be narrated . . . in the form of stories love stories.

Love Stories That Touched My Heart is a collection of such stories from readers who have a tale to tell, shortlisted from over 2000 entries that were submitted in a competition conducted by Penguin India.

Selected and edited by Ravinder Singh, this anthology made up of the stories that touched Ravin's heart the most will make you believe that someone, somewhere, is made for you.

About the Author
Ravinder Singh is a bestselling author. I Too Had a Love Story, his debut novel, is his own story that has touched millions of hearts. Can Love Happen Twice? is Ravinders second novel. After spending most of his life in Burla, a very small town in western Orissa, Ravinder has finally settled down in Chandigarh. He is an MBA from the renowned India School of Business and is presently working with a prominent multinational company. Ravinder loves playing snooker in his free time. He is crazy about Punjabi music and loves dancing to its beat. The best way to contact Ravinder is through his official fan page on Facebook. You can also write to him at itoohadalovestory@gmail.com or visit his website www.RavinderSinghOnline.com.

Get your copies from Flipkart

So what are you waiting for? Gotta catch them all....

One In A Million..A novel

Have you fallen in and out of love?

How painful it is to let go off your first love?

But...Life goes on...and it gives you another chance too...

This January, get ready to witness a one of a kind love story

ONE IN A MILLION...a novel by Harshita Srivastava

Welcome to the roller coaster ride of Priyanka and her misadventures with Love...Coz it's not always about first love...It's about growing up in love with different people and different situations

Priyanka... A whacky Delhi girl

Shashank...A boy every girl wants to have

Vishal...Their best friend

Come and see how they collide into each other’s life...

Who will sweep her off her feet?

Shashank? Vishal? Or is there someone else who will finally make her realise the true meaning of love?

Why does love have to bump into her in most unusual situations?

Tune into the latest updates of ‘One In A Million’ on Facebook

Like the page

or 

Join the group here

Madhuri Banerjee's book on pre-order

So weren't we all waiting for the second part of Madhuri Banerjee's book 'Losing my Virginity and other Dumb ideas' and finally the wait is over. The sequel to the book named 'Mistakes like Love and Sex' is up for pre-order on Flipkart.

I personally loved reading about Kaveri and her tryst with love and relationships and I am sure the author is going to wave her magic wand here too..Let's have a look at what the book says.

Cheated by her young and handsome Spanish boyfriend, Kaveri is back in India to follow a career as an artist and to find her dream man. However, getting involved with an older man, making out with the hottest star in Bollywood, teaching a hot, upcoming actress Hindi . . . her goals seem nowhere in sight.
Starting afresh seems to have thrown her off completely and she begins to see the superficial life that she’s been leading. It’s time to take some hard decisions. With fresh hope and a new philosophy, Kaveri begins to focus on her goals.
Things begin to look up when there is a kindling of romance across Twitter and she starts to understand her true calling. She might finally be moving in the right direction! 

I am eagerly waiting to know what crops up in Kaveri's life now and how would love bounce back in her life.

And for all those who do not know about the author.

Madhuri Banerjee is a media professional as well as the author of Losing My Virginity And Other Dumb Ideas.

She started her career with content and film production and has worked for UTV Motion Pictures, Zoom Television and popular Bollywood personalities like Rohan Sippy and Anu Malik. Presently, she is the director of Gray Matter Solution, a production house. Madhuri is passionate about traveling, yoga, and reading. She is an English literature graduate from Delhi University and has done her Master’s in Mass Communication from Jamia Milia Islamia. She currently lives in Mumbai, India.

Pre order your copy here

Upcoming Novel: Chockolate Sauce by Arpit Vageria

Title: ChocKolate Sauce
Author: Arpit Vageria
Publisher: Mahaveer Publishers
Price: 125 INR

Arpit Vageria brings a yummy treat to the readers with his debut work 'Chockolate Sauce- Smooth. Dark. Sinful'. The book has a very fresh and slurpy title with an equally catchy cover page. Something that provokes you to lay your hand on this book. The book is now on pre-order at Infibeam and it's time to have a look at what the book has plans to serve the readers.

About the book

Arnab likes Jahnvi. Aditi likes Arnab. Jahnvi also thinks she likes Arnab. And Rishi.. well.. he likes everybody!!

Arnab, family loving guy, younger son and mummy’s pet! Emotionally blackmailed to stay back in Indore, pursues his Graduation from Renaissance College.

Aditi — caring, helping and loving girl. Arnab's best friend. His agony aunt. Who knows and understands Arnab more than he himself can ever. Loves him? Does not love him? Neither knows that! 

Jahnvi, is a charming and pretty girl, with high values and family centric who would never want to hurt her parents in any way.

Rishi, a playboy and unfortunately Arnab's best buddy. He loves many and more! Only if he knew whom he really loves?!

Who loves whom more? Who leaves whom? And why? Does Arnab love Jahnvi or Aditi? Or does Arnab love both of them?

Love. Break up. Useless logics. Sex buddy. Money. Career. Parents.

And love again!

Fate throws them challenges, one and all. Will they fight and win?

Or lose? Read on the confused tale of love and lovers.

After reading the blurb, don't you feel some or the other character is like you or someone you know. Doesn't it arouse the feeling to pick up the book and know who will be bound together by the strings of love? Yes, it does, at least to me it does. The book has an absolutely lovable set up of the beautiful city of Indore, also called as Mini Mumbai. All of us have gone through the best friend or lovers confusions? Haven't we? And how things changed with time. Well this books might just take you back to the good old days of college life and the conflicts between love and relationship to be topped up with the responsibility towards family. 

Let's have a sneak peak into a poem you will find in the book

It had to happen someday, Might be in some or other way
The proposal did come out, I said it inside out
Though I tried holding back my emotions, To amount I succeed was still a question?
I did stop for once, But gathered courage and said it all at once
I love her to moon and back, She's the one for me now.
I hope she's not taken aback, I am the arrow and she's the bow.
Don't, Please don't say me NO baby, Try and understand the feeling
My heart is getting heavy, Your one YES would do the healing.
Every moment I spent with you are indeed forever special.
Your talks, eyes and innocence always keep me dazzle
Do agree on my love and I won't let you down.
I commit you happiness, I'll ensure it makes you drown.
You're the one and last on the grounds we call "Love".
So many of them come and go, You're doubtlessly one in all above.
With you I feel complete, There's much more to reiterate.
Rapidly increasing heartbeats, I hope life to give me a treat.
From Monday till Sunday, Always with you it's Funday.
It had to happen someday, Might be in some or other way.

-Arpit Vageria

The pangs of anxiety when a guy waits for his proposal's answer is portrayed exceptionally well. And which girl wouldn't say Yes after reading this?

And before you question about the title of the book, this is what the author answered when I asked him the same:

"As many people are already asking for the reason of an extra "K" in "ChocKolate Sauce". I would like to tell that I've kept it intentionally. Reason- It sounds jarring with an extra "K" and that's what the story is also about as its not a cheesy love story and i wanted to keep the same feel with TITLE of Novel."

About the Author

Arpit Vageria, born in Indore, is one amongst the young authors of India. Chockolate Sauce is his debut novel. Apart from writing, he is currently employed in a leading media group of Mumbai.

He is a commerce graduate from Renaissance College, Indore and has done a management course from IBS, Mumbai. His other interests are listening to music, travelling and reading.

Isn't it time to treat yourself with the yummy chocolaty book of Arpit Vageria. Pre-Order on Infibeam

Join him on Facebook..Get latest updates about the book on its Facebook Group..And don't forget to like the Official Page on Facebook

Upcoming Novel: The India I Dream of...and the Facebook Revolution Begins!! by Vikrant Khanna

This happens to be my 50th post. O Yeah after so long my blog has reached that number. Lazy me! Anyway coming up to the latest news on books. Today's hit list under Upcoming Novels includes 'The India I Dream of...and the Facebook Revolution Begins!!' by Vikrant Khanna. Yes, he is the same handsome Merchant Navy guy whose first book 'When Life Tricked me' made way to the Bestsellers. He is up with his new book and what else could girls ask for :P and the other readers too :D Why am I turning nastier day by day? I hope his lady doesn't kill me for this :P The title does seem interesting. Have a glimpse of the book here.

About the book:

How many of us complain about our country and believe nothing will ever change?

How many of us crib about the dirt in this country but still litter openly?

How many of us abuse our ministers and government but still never vote? Most of us, right?

Harsh. Dev and Nikita are three such Indians. Until one fateful day What do the three of them do then? Keep quiet and sulk about it for the rest of their life, crib and complain and forget about it like they always do or fight for justice. They do none of the above. Instead they turn to facebook.com.

But what are they fighting for? Will we Indians ever care? Can the new age social networking tools really help?

Will the country ever change or will the 'chalta hai attitude prevail???

Come and be a part of the change....... 

About the author: 

Vikrant Khanna is a captain in the merchant navy. He was brought up in Delhi and studied in Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar. His first book "When life tricked me" is a national bestseller and has been widely appreciated. His interests apart from writing include playing guitar, composing songs, cooking and teaching underprivileged children.

You can contact him at viks.khannaggmail.com or catch him gossiping on facebook.

The book is up in the pre-order list of Flipkart. I have already ordered my copy. What are you waiting for? Grab your copies here

Upcoming Novel: I Caught Her Young by Upendra Kumar Dwivedi

So this month we have another treat for all the bibliophiles out here. 'I Caught Her Young' a romantic comedy by Upendra Kumar Dwivedi. Priced at 125 INR, the book will be released on the 30th of this month by Mahaveer Publishers and is up on Infibeam for pre-order. Let's have a short look at the novel.

About the book

MANU, a teenager, grows to be a dashing Indian Army officer, CAPTAIN ABHIMANYU.

Each day at Sainik School Rewa (a renowned boarding school), National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun infuse in him a full of life attitude and amazing wit.

But, was he equally confident and flamboyant as a child? 

To overcome his childhood fear of dealing with the fairer sex, he develops a science, CHICKOLOGY, with a set of well defined rules.  

"Chickology is a science that deals with all aspects of Chick behaviour, ways of attaining their propinquity leading to intimacy and also to drift apart, if need be." 

And .........his heart skips a beat.........many a times.

LAILA, a popular party chick of Goa.

DIMPLE, a 17 years old Girl Next Door.

AARAGYA, a high headed alumni of Air Hostess Academy, Dehradun.

Is he a confident flirt or a passionate lover?

Are Army cadets any different from other youngsters?

Are they stone hearted or humane?  

Can you hold yourself back from falling in love with defiantly close to real life story of the chocolate cream soldier, CAPTAIN ABHIMANYU?   

About the Author

Major Upendra Dwivedi is a serving Indian Army Officer. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Sainik School Rewa (Madhya Pradesh). He got trained at one of its kind military academies; the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.

He has been a bright student and qualified for National Talent Search Examination, Mathematics Olympiad and numerous other competitive Exams. He continues his track-record by achieving podium finishes in all the Army courses he has undergone till date.

He is an extensively travelled, a keen observer of life around and believes in cherishing each and every moment of life. He is an avid reader and has penchant for writing as well. He has written many short stories which were published in various Newspapers and magazines. The accolades from fans for his earlier writings inspired him to writing this novel.  

He can be followed on Facebook and Twitter. Like the Official Page of the book. The author blogs @       http://upendradwivedii.blogspot.in/

You may reach him through mail:

upendra_intel@yahoo.com

imaginationofupendra@gmail.com

The book seems quite interesting whether it's the title or the blurb. There aren't much love stories of army people so it will be a good change from the campus love stories that have been doing the rounds of the book market. The cover page is quite attractive and creative with the girl as the shadow and the guitar and gun on the Captain's shoulder. I am going in for this romantic comedy, what are you waiting for?

Grab your copies at Infibeam(103 INR) , HomeShop18(81 INR) or uRead(116 INR) now. It is up on Indian Bestsellers too.

Upcoming Novel: Once Upon The Tracks Of Mumbai by Rishi Vohra

The latest addition to Upcoming Novel section is 'Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai' by Rishi Vohra. This is his debut work and will be released this month by Jaico Publishing House. Priced at 175 INR(131 INR on Flipkart), the book looks quite promising. Have a glimpse of the book here:

About the book


Autistic. Schizophrenic. Psychotic...

They use these words to describe Babloo the doctors, his family, his teachers everyone except Vandana. She treats him the way he wants the world to see him.

Mumbai the city that defines his ultimate desires. Will it allow him the love and normalcy he so craves?

Vandana yearns for a soul mate to rescue her from the confines of the Railway Colony they all live in. Is she looking in the right place?

Rail Man a fearless, real-life hero who succeeds in doing all that Babloo secretly wishes to do is Babloo his inspiration or is it the other way around?

A random twist of fate on Mumbais endless, serpent-like, jangling local train tracks ties all these characters together in a complex weave of love, heartbreak, and courage.

Babloo draws the reader into his fascinating, heart-rending journey through the twisted, choked lanes of Mumbai, into an open space where he can finally exhale, be born again.

About the Author

Rishi Vohra recently relocated back to Mumbai after completing a Green MBA from San Francisco State University and a Masters Diploma in Environmental Law, prior to which he had a successful career in the Indian entertainment industry. 

Having been a guest columnist for various newspapers in India, he currently writes for delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine. This is his first novel. 

To know more about the author and book, check out his website www.rishivohra.com

Reviews about the book

Prahlad Kakar

AdFilmmaker, Restaurateur, Scuba Diving Enthusiast
"A man who lives in the wild fantasy of his mind. Shy, introverted and ineffectual. Surviving in the unforgiving landscape of Maximum City - Mumbai! Until one day, when fantasy and reality collide, changing his life forever! You'll find bits of yourself in this book.."

Kabir Bedi

International & Bollywood Actor, "Cavaliere" (Knight) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
"Once Upon The Tracks of Mumbai" is a fresh, well-plotted, human story about love against all odds in middle-class Mumbai, with a "hero" for whom you care deeply. It's an entertaining read!"

The Afternoon

"A nice and interesting story with lots of middle-class values and happenings, with the good trying to overcome evil."

The Reading Corner

"A fast-paced book that catches the attention of the reader from the word go."

Verve Magazine

"Through the twists in the tale, the characters get tied together by random plot developments. Pick it up to read a nice narrative...."

Follow the Official Page of the book on Facebook

Pre-Order your copy on Flipkart

Check out the trailers

I have already ordered my copy. What are you waiting for? Order your copy on Flipkart

The Girl I Last Loved by Smita Kaushik..Releasing this August

Title: 'The Girl I Last Loved'
Author: Smita Kaushik
ISBN: 9789380914244
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Publisher: General Press
Price:125 INR(Available at 88 INR on Flipkart)


And we finally have another treat by Smita Kaushik. Her debut book,'Let's Get Committed' has been doing well in the market since the time it got released. Let's take a peep into her latest book that'll be releasing this August. Pre-orders have already begun at Flipkart. 

About the book:Love is all about flowers, gifts, movie nights, first kiss and then many more. Or is it? Then what about one sided love...

Being friends in spite of knowing your true feelings...

The incapability to read eyes...

Don't frustration, pain and loneliness lie on the other side of love?

Meet Akash, an over achiever, who aims to conquer it all but is unable to love. 

Kasam, a girl beyond his reach.

Though destiny keeps bringing them together, their world seldom collides.

When he was a naïve geek, she was the Style Diva.

And now when he is a corporate junkie, where faces are masked. She is a professional motivator, who sees even beyond the faces.

Two people.

Single love story revisited three times.

Four proposals.

A ten year journey of finding and losing love.

Countless moments of serendipity.

Yet not a single moment of confession.

He lived all his life fighting love...

Will he ever fight for love?

And especially for the readers, we bring to you the FIRST CHAPTER of the book:

Darkness all around. Vision getting blurred. It takes some time for eyes to get adjusted to sudden darkness or brightness. Just like in life we are always taken aback by sudden pleasure or pain. This same feeling of breathlessness, why does it always surrounds me. I am gasping for air and not getting much success. Someone pushing me from behind, in turn I am pushing the one in front of me. You gotta impel others to get what you want, you can’t blame others as everyone including you is doing the same I can feel the adrenalin rush. Everyone gotta run as they have a place to reach a place they call home. A home where some one is waiting for them, who will be worried if they are late. But me, I am just getting dragged along the crowd I have no place to reach, no place to call a home, no family to wait for me. Look at the irony of the situation life is making me smirk at my very own misery.
               It’s really funny even if you are making no effort to move on, you will as this time never stops. You feel nothing is going to change much but it does, slowly and gradually that you never notice.
People who are important will cease to matter six years from now if they walk out of life at this point. You won’t forget them but you won’t even recall them now and then. Be it the person you were once ‘deeply and madly in love’ with. You may still be in love with that person but other things will get in your head and your lovers memories will be enclosed in a door you would rarely visit.
         The time progressed a minute or few and I was out of that overfilled passage. Huh! It’s Friday so I am traveling by locals. This feels great to be around so many people whom you don’t know at all but you can somewhere relate to their lives. A great place to identify yourself with several emotions which either you can’t feel or no longer have the ability to.
I used to come here as a kid. Dad used to bring me here for having a walk and to get me my favorite cutlet which Bansi bhaiya used to make around the corner.
      Everything has changed since then but nothing seems different. Except few more lights, few extra waiting seats, increased shops, more beetle strains at nooks and corners. Increased security in an attempt to prevent another 26/11. Finally jostling young crowd running between different tuitions and home, under the pressure of cracking various competitions- bearing very few seats.
    I progressed a bit further and as I just missed the last local I was lucky enough to get a place to make myself comfortable. It’s a way of regarding the situation. Here it’s my weekly luxury to travel by locals which I am still enjoying even after missing my last train but for those whose traveling by locals is a compulsion missing train can be so much annoying, something adding to their misery.
     I stretched my arms and glanced around. Three young guys in their later teens were standing close in a circle. All of them were dressed in their funky vibrant T-shirts and on-purpose tattered jeans, vibrant slippers; big dial watches, spiked hair. I reflected back at myself. I am suited up, black and grey, rado watch, well set black shinning hair. Is there such a thing like young at heart? But I was more than relieved that I no longer carry a student bag .One of the three boys lighted a cigarettes and took a very comfortable puff. After two to three puffs he passed it on to his friend. During its lifetime the stick kept on rotating among three of them. I couldn’t help but smile remembering those good old days. Now I smoke sixteen a day and its not even near  to the fun we use to have puffing from a single stick. I have no idea why smoking or drinking bring guys closer. Although hard to grasp but it’s a truth. Most of the colleagues with whom I am acquainted with, I met them at the smoking zone itself. Besides its something that serves my loneliness well. Since past few months I am quite content with my career growth. So I was able to take this immense leap in down slicing my intake from more than thirty-eight to sixteen as a New Year resolution.  
What started as an infantile attempt to feel like an adult, is my most eminent companion now. I smoke to reward myself. I snapped a deal, I smoke. I completed a report, I smoke.
I survived yet another day of this purposeless life, I smoke; but most important of all it feels like being with a friend. When it glows in the dark, it assures am not alone. Same as being in a station feels to me.
All these years I have witnessed various flavors of life here.
A kid taking blessings from his parents before leaving home for the very first time. An innocent newly wed bride with all her expectations and fear entering her new found world. Children running after vendors; parents running behind them. Lovers hugging each other while parting away. Lovers passing smile when they spot each other amidst the entire crowd. Some promising new-bees leaving for work hanging their laptop bags in one hand and news paper in other which probably they will read before reaching work. Some tired fellows unwilling to begin yet another day. Few satisfied faces reflecting they have embraced life in its every form. People coming. People going. Several unexpected convergence. Several unwanted separation.
So many people, so many eyes holding so many dreams, hope, anger, pain, desire. Those wondering awaiting eyes.
     Those eyes…those eyes confirms that you are not the only one with unfulfilled desires, you are not the only one who have assimilated in this unusual mixture of emotions.
I have always been attracted to trains especially the leaving ones. I can’t reason it out but it gives a sensation of well being. Watching them leave reminds me one day I can refuse to be what I am. One day I can run away to a very distant place where nobody knows me.
There is always a start somewhere else if not here.
“Oh! I am sorry” a stranger who just spilled half her bag over me uttered.
My thoughts or rather my repeated thoughts were interrupted.
I lifted my head gave her an odd look and directed my sight elsewhere.
She bent down and some groceries out of her carry bag spilled again.
Virtue of feminism.
Now I was crossing the line, uncivil onto rude.
I bent down gave her a weary smile and started looking for and gathering her stuffs. As they were expected to, nobody halted to join us. Even the person sitting just next to me didn’t bulge a little, absorbed in texting.
I picked few tomatoes, some oranges, actually lots of them probably she attended some ‘buy 1 kg get 1 kg free’ offer and placed it her grocery bag . I often wonder these market analysts know women better than anyone else. ‘Sale’ gathers women together, makes them run, snatch and fight; they erroneously feels like a winner if they emerge with out with bunch of shopping bags.
This lady standing in front of me, only she would be knowing what she is going to cook with three bags of tomatoes and oranges.
‘Thank you!’ she hurriedly responded to my gesture. Just then one orange slipped from her bag and rolled along the platform.
I took a brief look at her. She was struggling with two plastic bags in one hand and one in another while adjusting her hand bag to shoulder …gripping her dupatta…managing her hair.
She progressed towards that orange I signaled her that I will get it.
I took long firm steps in its direction. I crouched to lift it up. At that moment only some train arrived and the platform was overflowing with people. I fastened to get up but was ceased. I stopped. Moved my eyes aimlessly, without any direction but I definitely was in search of something. Something which I haven’t seen but it wasn’t unknown. All I can see was shoes, speeding feet following random tracks. It gets hard to scan especially when you don’t know what you are looking for. Subsequently familiar steps of someone walking struck me. There it is among all those unknown jumbled pegs. A flash of lightening and I retreated. I tried to focus. It was the mirrors. Small pieces of colored glass studded in her slip-ons tangled in beautiful threads. That soothing skin texture. That shining pink enamel. Though what captured me was the sliver stoned toe-ring. A funky pink plastic toe-ring shaped as a Cinderella shoe flashed back in front of my eyes. It may not be true ….but every no exists along with a corresponding yes. I tried to concentrate on it, as with so many people bubbling in, I lost it maybe I lost her. I got restless I drifted my eyes sideways and again she was there. I couldn’t see her in full but I was getting more and more attracted to her. In few more attempts I saw a light blue jeans faded white at few parts. I froze. My heart started thumping. Is it ?? I was afraid to find out.
Still I followed her. In few more glimpses I saw her lemon colored kurti and purple-embroided jhola. I was nearing her. My speed continued to increase. I saw her hand, her sparkling multicolored bangles, a red color thumb-ring, a sea green ring in her little finger, when she tired to stop a man who was about to crash in her.
I quit. My feet struck at the ground still my eyes following her. Again there were several others between us. She tossed her stole up in the air onto her shoulders. Everything was new but it wasn’t different. All the action, the grace, was unlike her yet there was a striking similarity. She wore a silver metallic watch with complimenting bracelets hanging just below it on her other hand. Her long sleek nails stunned me. Her stole now rested on her shoulder. It was green with yellow patches here and there, several plain mirrors shinning… blinding people. Enchanting sound of  ghun -ghuru  hanging from her stole tried to drag me to her. I was tempted to put an end to it. To know. To confront. To feel. Still the push and the pull was equal. Her hair was flowing away from her face, long silky streaked in red, coursing up to her waist. The chase was over. She turned towards me. Few strands of hair obstructed her face. She placed them behind her ear with her long slender fingers.
A chill ran through my body. I was unable to move. I choked. My hands curled. I was ecstatic for a moment I was nervous for the next I was scared in the third. I struggled with myself. Half of her hair clutched behind her ear from which hanged a rotating jhumka. Same beautiful hairline, few strands flowing onto the face but ending before her eyes began. Her enchanting eyes, ever expressive, ever transparent, always innocent.
‘Eyes are windows to the soul’ was so true for her. Her pure white face it give you an illusion that it will turn red if anyone touches her. No straight guy can ever take his eyes off her golden nose ring. Her lips, pure pink, never needed any extra color. But her smile was something to hold out for. So lively, so perfect, captivating, bewitching, delightining, enthralling…. I never found enough words to describe it.
I reversed scared to face her. I was even more scared to let her confront me. I sided. I saw her coming. She was then parallel to me. She halted. I hid across a pillar. Then glanced back again at her. She searched her bag for something, then feeling assured on finding it she smiled, typically her. Finally she passed.
The girl passed.
The girl I last loved…
The girl who used to look at me and I used to forget everything going around me and could not stop but smile back at her.
The girl ..whose teeth used to sparkle on listening to admiration of her beauty.
The girl ..whose eyes used to twinkle on seeing chocolate pastry.
The girl ..who kept on adding words to my girl’s encyclopedia.
The girl..who used to love the sound of rain.
The girl..who used to explain everything along with hand movement.
The girl..who could spent million on clothing if she had but never on gadgets.
‘You say what’s more…’ was all what was needed to trigger her off on a never ending series of stories.
The girl who ruled my dreams but I was never there in her thoughts.
The girl who was there in my life but never really came into my life still changed every bit of it.
The girl I last loved….
….The girl ..who never loved me back.


About the author: Smita Kaushik became author by chance and is now pursuing it by choice. Her first novel Let’s Get Committed not only created waves among the young generation but also pitched some notes with others as well. Though her forte lies in romance with hint of comedy, she sometimes tries to lay hands on philosophy. An ex-DPSite, she did her graduation from KIIT University and is currently based in Hyderabad. Always a creativity inclined person, she has excelled in different art forms like contemporary, madhubani & warli and has won many national level art competitions. For fun she likes to watch rom-com and read novels.

My view: I am a die hard romantic at heart and I personally enjoyed reading Smita's first book. The first chapter is quite promising and gives us an impression that the book wouldn't let us down in any perspective. the magical weaving of words is well visible in the first chapter itself. Each and every scene described could easily be pictured in my mind. This possibly explains the art of story telling the author possess. I would really love to read this book, know Akash and Kasam and their ten year journey of finding and losing love. I guess the most challenging part for an author is writing in the first person as the opposite gender. The present project that I'm working deals with the same, thinking like a guy, the kind of emotions he goes through is really a typical task for a girl because we all know Men and women differ in their nature almost poles apart, as the saying goes men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. And this is one thing I am really forward to reading in this book. While in the first chapter, it actually doesn't feel that a girl has written it all. Oh and btw did I tell you, I love the book cover :)

My fav line from the above extract is:

"People who are important will cease to matter six years from now if they walk out of life at this point. You won’t forget them but you won’t even recall them now and then"

And of course the last line:

"The Girl I last Loved...The girl who never looked back"

~SNEAK PEEP INTO A FEW LINES PRESENT IN THE BOOK~

Being Friends with someone you love is roughly equivalent to...
This is roughly equivalent to the scenario where a guy goes to a job interview and the company says, “You have a great resume, you have all the qualifications we were looking for, but we are not going to hire you. We will however, use your resume as the basis of comparison for all other applicants. But we are going to hire somebody else who is far less qualified and is probably an alcoholic. And if it doesn’t workout we will hire somebody else still not you. In fact we will never hire you. But we will call you from time to time to complain about the person we hired.

And this one's the author's favourite:

I missed her all the time. When I opened my eyes in the morning I missed her not lying by my side. When I got up I missed not seeing her brushing her wet hair with towel. I missed her not passing me the juice during the breakfast. I missed not yelling out about my wallet or mobile and getting them for me. I missed not saving her image in my eyes before leaving for work. I missed kissing her good bye at the door. Whenever I looked at my kitchen’s window from the parking I missed her not standing there, watching me till I leave...waving to me. I missed not getting abrupt calls during meetings. I missed the anxiety to reach home early. I missed the way she would have opened the door for me. If sometimes I would have arrived early I would have made coffee for her. I missed her massaging my head if I had some work related issue. I missed trying to knit her hair. I missed sitting on this sofa together fighting for remote. I missed letting her win and then watching romantic comedies. I missed lying on the corner of this hall. Her sitting in my lap.. Me smelling her hair knowing its forever. I missed her, kneeling her head onto my chest and then going to sleep. I even miss the fight we never had. I missed the kisses. The hugs. The warmth.

I missed not making all that happen.

I missed the every possibility of her being with me.

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You can also order Smita's first book Let's get Committed