Tête-à-Tête with PG Van author of The Evil Twin

Today I have PG Van, a prolific author who pens romance genre novels. I have read her first release, and can vouch this one would be the same....sizzling...hawwt...could even burn your.....

PG Van Welcome!

PG Van what inspires you to pen romantic genres?

I am a romantic at heart and a die hard fan of eyes clapping, instant attraction and happy endings. All this put together lead me to the romance genre. 

Love plays such a huge role in our lives in many forms and the love between a couple is always special, especially when it is between an adamant and titanium shield woman and an unbelievably badass and loyal guy. When two strong and adamant characters come together every emotion is elevated to a new dimension and I absolutely enjoy writing about the conflicts, steamy interactions and their thoughts.

Even though all my books are listed under romance genre I like to write stories where other forms of love in the protagonist's lives make them who they are and aid in the journey that brings them together.

Evil Twin is your fifth novel...where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from every aspect of my life, people I see and the things I hear or read about everyday. This book fell into place when I connected incidents that happened years apart on my life and the day after the second event, I knew I had a story to write.

I was volunteering at a store when I had someone look at me like they recognized me but just kept looking at me, like they were debating if they should talk to me was when the story was born. The story was born out of my thoughts around the possibilities of a family looking for their long lost daughter.

Since I started writing, my mind is constantly setting aside information that I could potentially use for a story, to build a character, an event that I could use to bring the characters together. I started looking at strangers, while standing in line at a grocery store or even at a gas station and observe theory features, their behavior..anything I can use for my characters to the point where it is a bit weird. :)

My mom caught me checking out a very good looking guy and I HAD to clarify I wasn't drooling over him but was merely registering his facial characteristics so I could use them for my heros.

I also feel you have a ethereal aspect in your novels in spite of x loves y. How do you develop such intangible cord?

My goal is to give the readers the escape they want when they pick up a book. We all have a million things going on in our lives and if I am able to transport the reader into a world of love with an airy touch to enhance their experience the I am doing what I wanted to do with my stories.

Growing up in India, Bollywood was an escape into another world and I would say its probably ingrained in me and flows out when I start typing. :)

How has 'self published author' helped you with regards to sales and promotions. What are the steps you usually take? 

Amazon is great and I am a huge fan. I never thought I would publish my first book when I started writing it but Amazon makes it to easy to publish your work, I had to put my book out there for the readers.

I encourage every author to give Amazon a chance to connect the author with their readers. I have a lot of trust in Amazon and they are constantly working on developing tools that help indie authors. The latest feature I used was the option to submit a paperback and the process was easy and took me less than an hour to submit the paperback.

Amazon provides tools to help promote your book and I make sure I use all the features to the maximum extent. I list my books in KindleUnlimited and I see that as a huge opportunity to find the avid readers, the book addicts and bookaholics.

What can we expect next from you? 

I hope to eventually write Romance Thrillers and Romance suspense with a thick plot and I hope to get there someday. I published two parts of 'The Pure Destiny Series' and need to write the next part and it will be a historic romance.

I have a few other stories lined up and the one I am currently working on is called the 'The Marriage Contract'. It is a contemporary romance and My target release date is April 2017. It's story is a story of a woman who is willing to get into a marriage of convenience to protect what she had worked on and believes to make it big.

Wishing PG Van Good Luck in her future endeavors!!

Grab the book @

Amazon India | Amazon USA

Cloud Nine

I have been a writer for the last five years now so; it would be very realistic if sleep does not dim my brain and mind I will tend to play with words...right?

Wrong!

When I can't sleep, I am dreaming with open eyes (pun intended)

At first, I think of all the bad stuff that has happened to me till date. My arthritis and stiff joints, my stepping down from corporate life, etc. Needless to say, that keeps my eyes wide open, my mouth tends to become dry, and it leads to tossing and turning.

Now that is no fun! I tell my mind, as I am quite mindful (most of the times!)

Then I switch gears.

I dream of fame, fortune and that, in turn, brings me lots of skipped heartbeats thus, making adrenaline high. No doubt that makes my zzz's disappear but honestly being on cloud nine serves as a lullaby for me, and eventually, I snooze off with a gentle smile on my face.



No doubt when I wake up the next day I snicker over it, but then there is delight somewhere within me that makes me want to cling to hope and have a beautiful day.

A great day in spite of a rainy storm that has hit my town and citizens are advised to stay safe and indoors. In spite of overhearing what my bitchy friends/relatives had to say about me. The teen son who sneered at my limited knowledge of 'today's generation.'

I am immune to all! Since my mind is still full of those happy thoughts and it makes me continue to march like a warrior till the sun sets in my part of the world.

Experts say:

“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
Dale Carnegie

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh


 I can vouch for it.

 If the mind is in bliss, nothing in the world can prick a hole in that balloon that is filled with real happiness.

The hope that someday my books will have the tag as,"BestSeller" makes me euphoric and makes me strive upon my writing while continuing to correct my flaws so that one beautiful day when the sun will continue to shine. The energy that I will have inside and around me will not be due to the extra shot of oxygen let out by photosynthesis of the plants but will be the success that I tasted until I open the news to find the new government repealing the Obamacare!
(oh! well, that will be another mind game!) 


Mantra for today: My thoughts, they can either take me to the dungeon or make me float on cloud nine...My Choice!

------------------------


This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. This week’s sentence is “When I can’t sleep, I…”
Link up here, at Finding Ninee.

Every Breath...

Jack signed some papers, and waited patiently in a corner whilst expelling air with sound; that would make eyes turn in his direction.

Sighing with relief when the nurse called out his name; he was aware of the awful rattling noise along with each breath.

The machine was set, and he was asked to hold still as the MRI was taken.

A loud groan from the technician made him alert.

He inquired in a petrified tone, and was shocked to hear the diagnosis, "You have two marbles in the upper front of the body that clash upon each breath."


-------

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a rattling sound. Join in the fun with CarrotRanch

Review: Shadowed Promise by Sunanda Chatterjee

SHADOWED PROMISE
From riots in Bombay to the riches of Beverly hills...

by

Sunanda Chatterjee

Blurb

Moyna’s cousin panted at the doorway, heavy with child. “Who did this to you?” her father shouted. And Moyna knew that somehow she would be blamed for this unspeakable shame on the family. Her aunt blamed her for all the tragedies, from the death of Moyna’s own parents to the riots in Bombay. But, as her cousin lay dying of stab wounds, Moyna promised to protect the baby.

In a panic, eighteen-year-old Moyna made a hasty decision that would return to haunt her years later. 

Bullied as a child, Sameer wants to make the world a safer place.  He has spurned a cushy career in his father’s law firm for public service. Sameer is drawn to the mysterious Moyna when they meet in Los Angeles. The attraction seems mutual, but Moyna remains cautious and secretive about her past, insulating herself from love to protect others from her unlucky curse.

At the cusp of political victory, Sameer faces increasing gun violence and death threats leading to an FBI investigation. But his greatest challenge comes when a shadow from Moyna’s past threatens to destroy their future.

What hope do they have with the media hungering for a scandal?

A story of friendship, redemption, and forgiveness, “Shadowed Promise” is a journey from blind faith to triumphant love.

My Review

Shadowed Promise is another captivating tale by Sunanda Chatterjee. I have read her previous works, and she is not a newbie. Her style with words, characters, emotions have continued to captivate me. Thus, the immediate need to pick up her book when around. 

This is a story about Moyna who lost her parents at an early age and was living with her relatives where the aunt was crude and insulting to her, but they brought her up in their family for the sake of the society. Any tragedy broke out, this girl's fate was blamed thus, making her very cautious and anxious at every step of her life. When her cousin lost her life, the blame was put on her. In spite of the accuse, Moyna gave her cousin's baby her name and protection, but destiny had something else stored for her. She went abroad for further studies on scholarship thus, allowing her to flap her wings and test drive her potential on her own. Life had it's own challenges where she would halt now and then over any tragedy around her blaming herself for it, but she made it to the top as a practicing lawyer. She found her mate in her college friend, Sameer. Life was going at a reasonable pace where she continued to blame any adversity due to her fortune until Sameer came up with a tag line, "Lucy loves me" that would comfort her and help her come out of the shock. 

The story has unfolded beautifully regarding her cousin's child who was left with his grandparents in India, and how he united with her in the States. 

As a reader, I could not digest the fact Moyna settling abroad over the same mind-set of blind faith of she being the reason of all wrecks. Being a 'nobody' in a foreign country to ultimately becoming a thriving lawyer, and being scared, and anxious at every step of the way. Although glad she could kick that mentality aside and embrace her husband's injury over a shooting and unite the four as a family. Better late than never! 

Shadowed Promise is a story of keeping one's word, conviction, and forgiveness. Thus, making it a recommended read! 

Review: Shadow in the Mirror by Deepti Menon

BLURB

It all begins with a death. Nita, a pregnant woman falling from her balcony becomes the string that unravels the plot. Her death casts a shadow over many lives; her heartbroken father, her husband and Vinny, a young journalist, drawn in by the whiff of foul play and murder.

What follows are stories within stories, eras and worlds colliding with each other, leaving behind splintered relationships and mesmerizing slices of lives that appear to be drawn together and driven apart by the whimsical threads of destiny.

As events cast their shadows ahead to link the stories of Vinny, Kavita, Roma, Krish and Nita in an unrelenting knot, a journey starts to uncover the truth. What is the secret that links Nita’s death to the other characters? Will Vinny be able to unravel the mystery of Nita’s death?

From intimate diary entries and letters, to bantering over a meal and sharing memories while spring cleaning, this novel de-familiarizes the ordinary, presenting a kaleidoscope of our own pasts, broken edges and pulsating hearts.

My Review

Shadow in the Mirror by Deepti Menon starts off with a gripping story line making the reader glued for more. The plot constitutes of love, suspense, and some twists and turns that churn the reader as the characters and their backgrounds unfasten in the storyline. 

It starts off with the death of a young pregnant woman, Nita. 

Vinny, a journalist, gets an insight that it is murder, and begins to investigate. Thus, starts the reel where characters are unfolded, lives open up from the year 1958. There are a couple of flashbacks and fast forwards as the story spreads out.

My 2 cents:

 At times the back n forth was confusing the reader in me, but in the end, the climax was noteworthy although I would call it a mystery, not tag it as a thriller. Maybe I as a reader did not get the subtle pointers that the author was trying to objectify! Although, I felt the constant backward and forwards could have been avoided to confuse the reader and could have tightened the plot by preventing the introduction of many characters for example Roma, Vinny's friend. 'Felt it was superfluous to the plot. 

The author has used simple language to describe each character, and every detail has been captured very well thus, making it an interesting read. Not to forget the mention of an attractive book cover where those eyes could captivate anyone! 

Spotlight: Shadow in the Mirror by Deepti Menon

Shadow In The Mirror 

by

Deepti Menon

Publisher: Readomania 

Blurb

It all begins with a death. Nita, a pregnant woman falling from her balcony becomes the string that unravels the plot. Her death casts a shadow over many lives; her heartbroken father, her husband and Vinny, a young journalist, drawn in by the whiff of foul play and murder.

What follows are stories within stories, eras and worlds colliding with each other, leaving behind splintered relationships and mesmerizing slices of lives that appear to be drawn together and driven apart by the whimsical threads of destiny.

As events cast their shadows ahead to link the stories of Vinny, Kavita, Roma, Krish and Nita in an unrelenting knot, a journey starts to uncover the truth. What is the secret that links Nita’s death to the other characters? Will Vinny be able to unravel the mystery of Nita’s death?

From intimate diary entries and letters, to bantering over a meal and sharing memories while spring cleaning, this novel de-familiarizes the ordinary, presenting a kaleidoscope of our own pasts, broken edges and pulsating hearts. 

Grab your copy @

Amazon.com| Amazon.in | Amazon.co.uk

Also Available on #KindleUnlimited 

About the Author

Deepti Menon has always believed in the power of the pen. Having done her post graduation in English Literature and her B.Ed. in English, she had the option of teaching and writing, and did both with great enjoyment. She started writing at the age of ten, long before she acquired a Diploma in Journalism. She also had the advantage of being an Army kid, and later an Army wife, and loved the idea of travelling around India, meeting new people and acquiring new skills. She firmly believes that much of her personality was honed during those travels.

In 2002, her light hearted book, ‘Arms and the Woman’, depicting life as seen through the eyes of an Army wife, was published by Rupa Publishers, Delhi. This was written mainly to reveal the warmth and camaraderie within the great institution. She is now working on her second book that is a work of fiction, and not- to-be divulged yet! 

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Review: His Drunken Wife by Sundari Venkataraman

HIS DRUNKEN WIFE

by

Sundari Venkatraman

Blurb

The badass Shikha is startled when the nerdy Abhimanyu proposes marriage. She loves... herself, and Abhimanyu doesn't figure on her list anywhere. For Abhimanyu, however, it was love at first sight when Shikha walked into RS Software, where the two of them work. 

When Abhimanyu shows her that he just might be rich enough for her, a pleasantly surprised Shikha accepts his marriage proposal and moves into his swanky apartment. 

But it looks like the love is all from only Abhi’s side as Shikha continues to drink herself crazy. Yeah, even at their wedding party. 

And then Abhi sets out on a honeymoon to Thailand with His Drunken Wife... 

*MARRIAGES MADE IN INDIA is a five-novella series that revolves around the characters you have met in The Runaway Bridegroom.

My Review

His Drunken Wife by Sundari Venkatraman is one of the many published books (have stopped counting books from this author, as I have tagged her as a 'writer who pens as she breathes')

This is a story about unconditional love from Abhimanyu who is a partner in a business firm with Ranveer and falls for his secretary, Shikha. Sparks fly, but when lust was kept on a back burner, there would be conflict and exchange of heated conversation over a subject that would be out of control for Shikha. She is an addict towards alcohol and would land up being drunk in most of the occasions when they would try to mingle with other adults.

The story moves forward as a couple thanks to the absolute dedication from the male protagonist, Abhimanyu. His genuine emotions were forthright but sometimes misunderstood as a reader since justice was not given to the scene. Example: when the secretary Shikha was given work by her new boss, Abhimanyu. The challenges were kept superficial thus, not making the reader actually understand the character, Shikha. The second instance when jealousy was portrayed by Shikha when her ex-boss, Ranveer declared his love for Chanda. That raised confusion since she was already in a relationship with Abhimanyu. Thus making me find her very arrogant, and disconnected and not being able to sympathize with her past as it was not evolved well. Being a novella, each scene should have been downright explicit to get the attention of the reader; unfortunately, the author was in a hurry to resolve things and move further. 

Needless to say kudos to the character, Abhimanyu to help his better half (Shikha) come out of the addiction of alcohol and make her drunk with his love! 

Overall a light, breezy read.