Fantastic Feathers: November 2017

30 November, 2017

Gratitude List for November 2017 #GratitudeCircle

Just one more month to say Bye Bye to this year. This has been the busiest month of this year except for the last week, where I got time to read a lot of books and do some freelance testing.

Here is my Gratitude List for the month of November:

Dance Practice and Family support

This is the top one for sure to be grateful for. I performed on stage and the dance came out well. Since I am performing on stage since childhood, a stage show doesn't give me any nervousness. I was more worried about getting ready :p (I am not very good at makeup). The kids' group for which I choreographed also performed well which is a relief. I am really grateful to my children and husband who were supportive for 2 months of dance practice on all weekends.

November Photo a Day Challenge

I am very grateful to participate in this Instagram challenge. I have enjoyed a lot searching my photo library for different prompts each day. I used to post a photo daily after getting up for the first thing in the morning. I am grateful to 'Google Photos' which stored a lot of my memories. The search feature and tagging are very helpful to participate in these type of challenges.

A collage of my Instagram photos

Free time in the last week

The last week of November is enjoyable with Black Friday shopping, more time for book reading, drawing, blogging and a visit to an Illumination light show. I watched a few good movies too. It was relaxing.

Light show

New Beginnings

Next month, I am looking forward to taking new students to teach dance classes and I am all set for this. I am excited to read more books and review them in December. I am happy with my new laptop and I am looking forward to learning new skills in software testing.

With just one more month to go for 2018, How are you feeling about November? I wish you a happy December.

Until next time,

Linking this to #GratitudeCircle by Vidya Sury.

29 November, 2017

Second Chances by Kimberley O'Malley - Book Spot Light

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 11/30/17

Publisher: Carolina Blue Publishing

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Dr. Charlotte Avery is the newest resident of Windsor Falls, North Carolina. Just back from the war-ravaged plains of Africa, Charlie only wants to settle into her new life and to reconnect with Elizabeth Fitzgerald, her best friend from residency. What she doesn’t expect, or need, is the instant attraction she feels for Elizabeth’s brother-in-law, Brendan. A single dad, Brendan Fitzgerald isn’t interested in anything that will further complicate his life. Will they be open to a second chance?

About the Author

Kimberley O’Malley is a recent transplant to Charlotte, North Carolina from the frozen North. She is learning to say y’all but draws the line at sweet tea. Sarcasm is an art form in her world. When not writing, she is a full-time nurse and part-time soccer Mom, but not necessarily in that order. She shares her life with an amazing husband of more than twenty years, two teenagers, and one very sweet Shetland Sheepdog, Molly.

Contact Links

Purchase Link

Until next time,

28 November, 2017

You came like hope by Jyoti Arora - [Book Review]

Book Details:

TItle : You Came like Hope

Author: Jyoti Arora

Genre: Romance, Fiction

Length of the book: 165 pages

Publisher : Jyoti Arora

Source: A free e-review copy from the author

About the Book:

Peehu:

“I heard them mourn my death. I lay in the next room. Motionless, silent, and staring at the ceiling.”

Adih:

“When it comes to a broken person, some of them are expert at blinding you. Spend an entire evening with such a person, but you may still not know how he is crushing inside.”

Uday:

“Who would say no to him? He is smart, intelligent, super handsome, rich, suave and sophisticated. He’s perfect!”

Pooja:

“Pooja gave no explanation. She asked no forgiveness. She just arrived in his home, resenting him for being her husband.”

Arunav:

“He had smiled as if nothing was wrong.

He had behaved as if he still had his dreams and hopes.

He had pretended as if it didn’t hurt.

But it did.”

Does Destiny hold the key to our happiness?

Is it always the feeble that is the victim?

Love can be the embrace of heaven. But what happens when it unleashes hellfire?

Lose yourself in the intense narrative of You Came Like Hope as it unleashes a rollercoaster of emotions, uncovers some bitter truths, challenges widespread prejudices, and forces you to reconsider your beliefs.

Free sample of novel at: https://jyotiarora.com/came-like-hope/

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36618483-you-came-like-hope

Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPiBAdZOT5M

You Came Like Hope is available at:

Paperback:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iBQ0gF

Flipkart: http://fkrt.it/3kjTW!NNNN

Ebooks:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jIFkjH

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2AhUN1b

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2AjYcww

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2AjO1rP

My Review

It's been some time since I read a romance. This book is a cool breeze of subtle romance. This is the story of Peehu, who thinks herself as an unlucky girl. Peehu overcomes many failures in different stages of her life but still feels depressed as she is not smart, lucky and good looking like her twin sister Pakhi. But, everything changes on one day when Pakhi dies and Peehu replaces her sister's place. However, she realizes, being herself is more rewarding than pretending like her sister. The story is about being ourselves with our own imperfections and proving ourselves to the world.

I like the characters of Peehu and Adi. They are really fighting with their emotions to get over their past. The character of the little girl Mani is very good and motivating. The character of Uday is very real too with jealous, smartness, hatred and with an ambition to become a successful enterpreneur. The narration kept me glued to the book until the end and the words flew easily between chapters and scenes connecting them well.

One thing I didn't like is Adi misunderstanding Peehu from a small incident and making a big mistake which decides the future of both their lives. Anyways, it's good that he realizes his mistakes and escapes from his insecurities in the climax. I don't want to reveal anything more from the story, but all is well that ends well. So, I just say that climax is positive.

The cover of the book is simple and the title is relevant to the story. The pace is just right and romance is subtle. I recommend this to fiction lovers who enjoy some real characters.

My Rating: 4.5/5

PS: I have received this e-book from the author through book r3vi3w tours and this is my honest opinion on the book.

About the Author

Jyoti Arora is a novelist and blogger from Ghaziabad. You Came Like Hope is her third novel, coming after Dream’s Sake and Lemon Girl. She is Post Graduate in English Literature and Applied Psychology.

Jyoti has over five years of experience working as a freelance writer. This experience includes abridging over 24 famous English classics like Jane Eyre, Moby Dick etc.

Jyoti Arora is a patient of Thalassemia Major. But she does not let this stop or discourage her. For her determination and achievements, Jyoti has received appreciation from Ms Sheila Dixit, Ms Maneka Gandhi and the Ghaziabad wing of BJP. Her life story has been covered in various local and national TV shows, radio programs, newspapers, magazines and websites like YourStory and Inspire India. She was also one of the ‘100 Women Achievers of India’ that were invited to witness the Republic Day parade of India (2016) as special guests.

Besides reading and writing novels, Jyoti also enjoys blogging and has won several blogging competitions. She loves checking out latest technological innovations, watching movies, and listening to old Bollywood songs. Reach her at jyotiarora.com.

Contact the Author

Website/Blog: https://jyotiarora.com/

Twitter address :Jy0tiAr0ra

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jy0tiar0ra/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jy0tiar0ra/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5028317.Jyoti_Arora

Until next time,

26 November, 2017

Prem Purana by Sudha Narayanan - Book Spot Light

Book Blitz by The Book Club of PREM PURANA by Usha Narayanan

Print Length: 272 pages

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Publication Date: September 18, 2017

Language: English

Genre: Romance

No one is untouched by love, not even devas and asuras, kings and nymphs. And when they face life’s unexpected tribulations, their love also undergoes trials. Read how Ganesha took myriad forms to please Riddhi, Siddhi and Buddhi, how Ravana shared an unbreakable bond with his true love, Mandodari and how Nala and Damayanti’s relationship was tested till almost nothing remained.

Tormented by passion, wracked by betrayal, torn by the agony of separation, love in its many splendored forms is the origin of these incredibly endearing stories of Prem Purana.

It would be great if you can add this book to your TBR

Usha Narayanan had a successful career in advertising, media and corporate communications before becoming a full-time author. She has written several books, including 'The Madras Mangler', a suspense thriller, and 'Love,Lies and Layoffs', a Harlequin romcom. Her latest is 'The Secret of God’s Son', the sequel to her bestselling book,'Pradyumna: Son of Krishna', both published by Penguin.

When she’s not juggling travelling, writing and interviews, Usha reads everything from thrillers to romances, provided her cat isn’t fast asleep on her Kindle.

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