28 April, 2018

Corridors of Time by Vinay Krishnan - Book Spot Light

About the Book:
Corridors of Time tracks the story of a sensitive young man who grows from carefree childhood to eventful manhood - one who stumbles before learning to stride through those dark and dense passages.

Set in Bangalore - a city of paradoxes. of gardens and garbage heaps. of technology and traffic snarls. of friendly people and failing infrastructure. when bungalows had gardens and pavements were meant for pedestrians. this is a narrative of the human spirit.

Rohan, an idealistic young sports lover experiences rejection, dark dejection and isolation and hurtles down the path to self destruction.

Shyla, attractive and successful is everything his heart yearns for and his body desires, except, she is married!

Chandrika, simple and devoted fails to understand the man she loves.

The shuklas long for justice denied by the system.

And khalid fears nothing and no one ...anymore.



Buy the Book:


Amazon


Read an Excerpt:


Chapter 1

The raw, earthly smell of the first drops of rain signaled
the onset of the monsoon of 1962. Ten year old Rohan watched it from his window
and inhaled deeply. He felt like he wanted to draw in as much as possible of
this place that he loved so dearly. The rain had washed clean the gardens and
roads of Bangalore. A city of sheer beauty, it was like a large painting
suspended in time, being restored to its original brilliance with one masterly stroke.
Bangalore with flower-laden trees, small lakes and numerous gardens was
wonderful to behold. All was quiet, calm and serene.

But
even his love for Bangalore could not match his passion for playing outdoors.
His face registered dismay when the drizzle turned into a downpour and sheets
of rain hid the verdant trees and the glitter of the rocks beyond the playing
fields. He would lose valuable time waiting for the rain to subside to play
cricket with his friends.

Drizzly
weather or what his dad called ‘English weather’ never hampered him like a
monsoon onslaught did. It was as familiar to him as the streets and their
English names – Lloyds Road, Cline Road, Hutchins Road and Davis Road. The
English had definitely made Bangalore into a ‘Little
England’
and left behind a large community of Anglo Indians. A proud community of mixed
cultures, they were concentrated in the northern part of the city called the ‘Cantt’
(short for Cantonment) along with a cosmopolitan mix of settlers from other
states and countries.

The
southern part, the original old Bangalore was known as the ‘City’ area. The
Cantt area, extending from Richmond Town to Frazer Town, had spacious bungalows
with servant’s quarters, private lawns and gardens. It was a township by
itself, with lakes, gardens, theatres, restaurants, bars and exclusive clubs.
The Cantt area was nothing without the Anglo-Indians whose exuberance and fun
loving nature enhanced the charm of life in Bangalore. They lived for the day
and never gave the morrow a thought. Romantic at heart, partying was their
greatest pastime. A few couples, country liquor, lots to eat and they would
dance till the stars drooped and went down under.

Rain, rain go away, come again another day,” Rohan whispered urgently, and was gratified to see the
rain gradually stop. Now, he could go out to the beckoning playground and join
his friends for a game of cricket, yet another legacy of the British.
“Ma,
I am going to play”, he yelled.
“Come
back on time, Rohan”, his mother warned. “Or you know how your father reacts!” Rohan
ran out, looking back to wave to his mother at the door.

They
were all there – Peter, Oscar, Roy, Philip, Akbar, Kiran, Akshay, Arun, Joe,
Allan, Mahmud and Inder. The stumps were up, the teams chosen and the game was
on. Cricket was an obsession with Rohan.
“Come
on Rohan, we must win today”, urged Inder.
 “What high hopes”, teased Oscar.


Peter
always red in the face, yelled, “Oscar, shut your bloody mouth and start
batting.”

Praises for the Book:



The book is simple in style and content, for often it is this simplicity that bewilders and rouses


Interest.

~ Shri S . Rajendra Babu, Former Chief Justice of India



The book has excellent literary craftsmanship, passion humour and adventure. Highly recommended.


~ Mr. Namboodiri, former Asst. Editor, Deccan Herald



This charming book about old Bangalore is written in a racy easy-to-read style.


~ Deccan Herald, Bangalore.



About the Author:




Vinay Krishnan describes himself as a ‘complete Bangalorean’. A student of Clarence High School, he graduated in Humanities from St Joseph’s College. Earning a diploma in Business Administration, he began his career at Usha International Ltd and rose to a position of Senior Sales manager. Vinay has now set up a construction firm of his own. He also writes and devotes his time to an NGO assisting people with disability. The city of his dreams, Bangalore, where he stays with his wife and daughter, continues to inspire and exasperate him. He can be reached at – vinaykrshnn@yahoo.com.

























Until next time,

24 April, 2018

Before we visit the Goddess by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - [Book Review]

Book Details:
Title: Before we visit the Goddess
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Genre: Fiction
Length of the book : 225 pages
Source : A copy picked from the local library

Book Review, Chitra Banerjee
Add caption


Blurb:
A beautiful, powerful new novel from the bestselling, award-winning author of Sister of My Heart and The Mistress of Spices about three generations of mothers and daughters who must discover their greatest source of strength in one another—a masterful, brilliant tale of a family both united and torn apart by ambition and love.

The daughter of a poor baker in rural Bengal, India, Sabitri yearns to get an education, but her family’s situation means college is an impossible dream. Then an influential woman from Kolkata takes Sabitri under her wing, but her generosity soon proves dangerous after the girl makes a single, unforgivable misstep. Years later, Sabitri’s own daughter, Bela, haunted by her mother’s choices, flees abroad with her political refugee lover—but the America she finds is vastly different from the country she’d imagined. As the marriage crumbles and Bela is forced to forge her own path, she unwittingly imprints her own child, Tara, with indelible lessons about freedom, heartbreak, and loyalty that will take a lifetime to unravel.

In her latest novel, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, and the different kinds of love that bind us across generations. Before We Visit the Goddess captures the gorgeous complexity of these multi-generational and transcontinental bonds, sweeping across the twentieth century from the countryside of Bengal, India, to the streets of Houston, Texas—an extraordinary journey told through a sparkling symphony of voices.

Purchase Link: Amazon


My Review :
Many of my blogger friends mentioned about the books of Chitra Banerjee earlier but I couldn't get time to read any of her books so far. Fortunately, this book is available at our local library. 

While reading the book, I just had one emotion - Wow! The book covers three generation of women and their lives in just 225 pages in a very detailed manner. Sabitri steals our heart as an ambitious person standing against all odds to start and run Durga Sweets and make it famous in Kolkata. Even though Bela is not very ambitious, her interests are different. She enjoys her dance performance on stage and takes her dance dress to the US even when she has to leave the house in a hurry for Sanjay. Tara is this generation girl who loves her freedom and is ignorant of her mother's love until she is married and settled. Bela comes out of her fears and does interviews, food shows on TV and even becomes an author of international cookbooks. Tara comes to know the importance of education after meeting with an accident in an unexpected way. At last all 3 characters are connected at the end dramatically. 

Chitra is a master storyteller for sure as she mesmerized me with the words and the layers of her characters. I wanted to know more about the characters and cannot put down the book without finishing it. The narration is so smooth and detailed that it didn't give me any inconvenience when the timeline moved from present to past and vice versa multiple times. The author could bring out the originality of each character by also highlighting their weaknesses and negative points. The story itself is natural and relatable, unlike fiction. 

I know, I am so impressed with the writing style, story, and characterization that I will read her other books soon. I recommend this to all readers who love good relatable stories. 

My Rating: 5/5

About the Author:
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an award-winning author and poet. Her themes include the Indian experience, contemporary America, women, immigration, history, myth, and the joys and challenges of living in a multicultural world. Her work is widely known, as she has been published in over 50 magazines, including the Atlantic Monthly and The New Yorker, and her writing has been included in over 50 anthologies. Her works have been translated into 29 languages, including Dutch, Hebrew, Hindi and Japanese. Divakaruni also writes for children and young adults.Her novels One Amazing Thing, Oleander Girl, Sister of My Heart and Palace of Illusions are currently in the process of being made into movies.

Chitra currently teaches in the nationally ranked Creative Writing program at the Univ. of Houston. She serves on the Advisory board of Maitri in the San Francisco Bay Area and Daya in Houston. Both these are organizations that help South Asian or South Asian American women who find themselves in abusive or domestic violence situations. She is also closely involved with Pratham, an organization that helps educate children (especially those living in urban slums) in India.

Until next time,

22 April, 2018

A Different Kind of Reunion by Joanne Guiodoccio - Release Blitz






Cozy Mystery
Date Published: Spring 2018 (will send exact day later)
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

 photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

While not usually a big deal, one overlooked email would haunt teacher Gilda Greco. Had she read it, former student Sarah McHenry might still be alive.

Suspecting foul play, Constable Leo Mulligan plays on Gilda’s guilt and persuades her to participate in a séance facilitated by one of Canada’s best-known psychics. Six former students also agree to participate. At first co-operative and willing, the camaraderie is short-lived as old grudges and rivalries emerge. The séance is a bust.

Determined to solve Sarah’s murder, Gilda launches her own investigation and uncovers shocking revelations that could put several lives—including her own—in danger. Can Gilda and the psychic solve this case before the killer strikes again?



About the Author






In 2008, Joanne Guidoccio retired from a 31-year teaching career and launched a second act that tapped into her creative side. Slowly, a writing practice emerged. Her articles and book reviews were published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Romance Writers of America, Joanne writes cozy mysteries, paranormal romance, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.


Contact Links



Purchase Links 



RABT Book Tours & PR


Until next time,

20 April, 2018

Bharat Ane Nenu - [Movie Review] #SuperBloggerChallenge2018

This will be my last post for #SuperBloggerChallenge2018. It has been a wonderful journey with a lot of learning by participating and reading many good blogs in these 10 weeks. Thanks to Dr. Amrita, Dr.Bushra, and Utpal for organizing this. 

In this post, I am going to share my opinion on the latest Telugu Movie #BharatAneNenu. I am not a movie critic and also not someone who watches all movies. I am not a fan of Mahesh Babu but I consider him one of the handsome actors in Tollywood.


Bharat Ane Nenu movie is a political drama. You, of course, remember Rana's "Leader" and Arjun's "Oke Okkadu" movies while watching this, but the way this is filmed and the issues it raised are different than those 2 movies. 

Pros:

1. Mahesh Babu
He is the hero of the movie and you see him in almost every frame. His charisma is visible throughout the movie and it is a treat for Mahesh Babu's fans. He is getting younger day by day and has good style quotient in him. If you are a Mahesh Babu fan, don't even read this review, go to the theater and enjoy. You will be satisfied 100%.

2. Concept and Issues raised
The hero becomes the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh unexpectedly but uses his common sense and intelligence to solve the basic problems of the state. The movie raises good points about the development of villages, traffic problems, and self Governance. 


Cons:

1. More heroism dominating the story
Sometimes, it doesn't seem natural for hero fighting numerous villains and taking decisions on his own without fear. Of course, when we see other Telugu films, it doesn't look odd though. But, less heroism might have been good to connect to the character. Even though they show hero as a Super Man, he is a human too with follies. So, it won't connect with me much when a movie is far from the real world.

2. Music
The Background music and the title song are very good and enjoyable. 'Vanchindayya Sami' is good too. But all other songs fall flat. We might forget the other songs immediately after stepping out of the theater. 

3. Love sequences
When the concept is good, we don't need a romance angle much. If it is there, it shouldn't be incomplete and incomprehensible and it should blend with the story. But, this is not the case here. The love scenes look more like infatuation and there are no scenes to show their understanding or closeness in their relationship. There is not much shown about the heroine and it feels like a gap.

In my opinion, if taken well without more focus on commercial elements, the concept of the movie and acting are great. The characterization of Prakash Raj is superb as always. 

My Rating: 3.5/5

Did you watch the movie? Do you like it?
Do let me know in comments.

Until next time,











This article is written as part of SuperBloggingChallenge2018 conducted by Healthwealthbridge.com,Fashionablefoodz.com, and Allaboutthewoman.com and should not be repurposed, republished or used otherwise. SuperBloggerChallenge2018 is not responsible for any kind of infringement caused.

19 April, 2018

Rising from the Ashes by Rubina Ramesh - [Book Review]



RISING FROM THE ASHES: 
A Short Story: Prequel to Knitted Tales 2 
by 
Rubina Ramesh




BLURB

She was one of the most beautiful woman Asura Sambara had laid his eyes on. 

Possessing a beauty of this magnitude became his passion. Sambara kidnapped her and whisked her off to his palace. 

Mayavati knows she has no option but to bow down to his wishes. But what about the young man who always haunts her dreams? She had no clue why she was in this palace but after speaking to the mischief making Sage Narada, it all started making sense to her. 

Who was Mayavati and what was she doing in Asura’s palace? 

Was Sambara her destiny? 

Disclaimer: This short story is a mythological fiction and should be treated as such. The author does not claim it to be a retelling of the Puranas. This piece is a product of her unbridled imagination. 

Grab your copy @


My Review

This is one of the shortest books that I read. First of all, I didn't know that it's a mythology by seeing the book cover. I love mythology and those numerous small stories that come in the middle of the epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. This book covers the story of Goddess Rati after she is cursed by Lord Shiva to become ash. Thus, the title of the book is apt.

The story is interesting as the characters are not very popular in our epics but known to some extent by their names. There are not many characters in the story and the focus is more on Mayawati. The story ends abruptly with Mayavati realizing her past life. I think, without reading the sequel 'Knitted Tales 2' , it cannot be said a complete story. So, have to wait for the sequel. 

The narration with twists is good. The book cover might have been different. Characterization of Mayawati is good and the author is successful in bringing Mayawati's thoughts, confusion, her pride, enchanting beauty and power clearly to the reader. 

Overall, I would recommend this to a Mythology lover. 

My Rating: 4/5


PS: I have received a free e-review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion on the book.


About the author

Blog Tour by The Book Club of DESTINED by Rubina Ramesh

Rubina Ramesh is an avid reader, writer, blogger, book reviewer and marketer. She is the founder of The Book Club, an online book publicity group. Her first literary work was published in her school magazine. It gave her immense pride to see her own name at the bottom of the article. She was about 8 years old at that time. She then went to complete her MBA and after her marriage to her childhood friend, her travel saga started. From The Netherlands to the British Isles she lived her life like an adventure. After a short stint in Malaysia, she finally settled down in the desert state of USA, Arizona. Living with her DH and two human kids and one doggie kid, Rubina has finally started living the life she had always dreamed about – that of a writer.

Click here to check out all the titles by the author...


You can stalk her @
      
        




This Tour is Hosted by 



We Promote So That You Can Write 


Until next time,

18 April, 2018

Ralphie Always Loved by Andrea Yerramilli - Book Spot Light and Author Interview



Book Details:



Book Title: Ralphie, Always Loved by Andrea Yerramilli

Illustrated by: Samantha Van Riet

Category: Children's Fiction, 32 pages

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Publisher: About Something Good, LLC

Release date: October 28, 2017

Tour dates: April 9 to May 4, 2018

Content Rating: G



Book Description:



This is the story of the life, love, and adventures of a beloved family dog, and how he delighted and touched his family and everyone he met.



Ralphie was born with a heart on his belly.

He loves food, his family, his friends, his neighbors.

He loves pretty much everything and everyone.

And they love him back.

And that's how it is all through his life.

Read the book and fall in love with him too.



Rambunctious and hyperactive, Ralphie had already been returned to the animal shelter three times, but when Andrea and her husband adopted him and gave him a loving home where he was understood, accepted, and taught, he learned fast. As Ralphie's human family grew, so did his capacity for love and the ways he could express it. He remained a loving and beloved family member who touched the hearts of the whole neighborhood until he was ready to say goodbye at the grand-old age of sixteen. Ralphie, Always Loved will remind you of all that is good, and reaffirm your belief in love's power to uplift and transform.



Follow the tour by visiting Andrea Yerramilli's page on iRead Book Tours.





Buy the Book:





Author Interview:



Q: How did you come up with the character of Ralphie?
A: Ralphie is based on my real-life dog named Ralphie. He was a rescue dog, and we were his fourth and forever family. Ralphie was a character: full of life and love, and always up to something. He made us laugh and stressed us out by “exploring the neighborhood” on a regular basis. Thankfully we always found him and brought him home. He was always underfoot, demanding attention and treats and never giving up till he got some. Ralphie loved everyone he ever met. He was an amazing dog and was very, very loved.

Q: But he’s no longer with you?
A: Ralphie passed away in October 2016, from cancer. He was diagnosed at age sixteen and was unable to be treated in any of the traditional ways. He lived for three months after he was diagnosed, and those are some of my most treasured memories. I will always love my Ralphie.

Q: Why did you write a picture book?
A: Ralphie had a very animated face. It’s almost like you could tell what he was thinking by looking at him. When it came time to writing his story, it was easy for me to visualize it in picture form, and that is why a picture book made sense to me. Picture books also have a way of eliciting emotions from children and the parents who read the books to them. I think any parent who has loved and lost a dog would understand the story on a deeper level and be able to associate with the book.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for the story?
A: I always wrote little stories about Ralphie. When I had children, I told them those stories. As Ralphie got older, I felt the need to make his story official and enduring, so I decided to write an actual book. The beginning of the book was pure imagination, based on the real-life Ralphie’s actual markings. The rest of the book was based on what actually happened. The ending was shaped by the fact that Ralphie’s long life was coming to an end, and I wanted a chance for closure. Also, the way the book ends, the reader can assume that Ralphie is still with us or that he is back up with the angels, painting clouds.

Q: Would you consider yourself to be a dog person?
A: I am definitely a dog person. I have rarely if ever met a dog I didn’t like. Over the past twenty years I have been a dog mom, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Q: Rescue or buy?

A: There is no real right answer; to each his own. However, I am a proponent of rescuing. There are so many dogs abandoned in shelters around the world, not to mention strays who could enrich any home. When you rescue, you save a life; you give hope and love a chance. I would always rescue. I hope everyone who is considering getting a new puppy would consider it too.


Meet the Author:



Andrea has always been an avid reader and that jumpstarted her imagination at a very early age. In fact she escaped to the Land of Make Believe more often than her mother liked.



She is a former marketing professional who is a mom to kids both with and without fur. Andrea says that it helps to have one foot planted firmly in reality while the other is foot loose and fancy-free in Imagination Land. She enjoys the best of both worlds.



In 2013, Andrea and her husband started About Something Good (ASG) as a vehicle to curate, inspire and share goodness in the world. In a world where negative images flood the media, and words like “hate” get tossed around so easily, Andrea felt she needed a space that encouraged and focused on the words like “love” and the beauty that is life.


Andrea is committed to finding the good in everything and believes: that a sense of belonging to someone's heart is what makes us feel complete, that kindness goes a long way, and that keeping your mind and heart open can help when things happen that you don't understand.



Andrea lives in New Jersey with her husband and children.



Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram



Enter the Giveaway!
Ends May 12, 2018


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Until next time,



17 April, 2018

The Secret of the lost Pharaoh by Carolyn Arnold - [Book Review]

Can Matthew Connor Save the World?





 Praise for City of Gold, a Matthew Connor Adventure:


“A nonstop, pulse-pounding ride.”
–I Read What You Write!

“A must-read for those who love mystery, history, [and] thrilling story lines,
with a touch of Indiana Jones/Ben Gates feel!”
–Lynchburg Mama“Carolyn Arnold has restored my faith in the archaeology/mystery genre with
her Matthew Connor Adventure series.”
–Nicki’s Nook


International bestselling author Carolyn Arnold returns to the gripping adventures of archeologist Matthew Connor in The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh as he searches for a mysterious treasure from an ancient Egyptian pharaoh that could destroy the modern world.

Matthew Connor has made a career out of discovering forgotten legends, but one elusive myth has captivated his curiosity for years: the Emerald Tablets. It’s said that the Tablets contain the knowledge of the universe and can grant humans the power to traverse Heaven and Earth, bestowing whoever possesses them with great wealth and wisdom. But should the Tablets ever fall into evil hands, they could cause complete global destruction.

When a former colleague of Matthew’s unearths ancient hieroglyphics promising the route to the Emerald Tablets within a pharaoh’s tomb, he leaps at the opportunity to seek out the artifacts. With his two most trusted friends and associates by his side, Matthew heads to Egypt’s remote Western Desert to begin his quest.

But they soon learn that they are not the only ones looking for the Tablets, and when it comes to hunting legends, no one can be trusted.  Now, what started out as an exciting journey has become a dangerous race to protect the fate of the world.

In an electrifying new take on the adventures of an archaeologist, The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh is a thrill ride that digs into the depths of human nature when one is tempted by power.


The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh is now available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover!
Amazon IndiaAmazon.com | Barnes & Noble | Apple iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Amazon UniversalFor more retailer links visit: CarolynArnold.net/The-Secret-of-the-Lost-Pharaoh.


Book Discription:Mystery lovers will need to hold on to their hats for this follow-up to City of Gold, which reviewers described as “a fast-paced action adventure” that is “akin to an Indiana Jones story set in modern times.” Now, the second in the series promises to bring much of the same excitement! Join archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor and his friends as they go after the Emerald Tablets to save the world in The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh.

In Egypt’s Western Desert lies the tomb of an unnamed pharaoh that hides a secret so powerful, it could destroy the world as we know it. Archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor has made a career of finding legends the world has all but forgotten. Though there’s one in particular that has fascinated him for years—the Emerald Tablets. Myth says that they possess the knowledge of the universe, allowing humankind to traverse Heaven and Earth, and have the power to bestow wealth and wisdom upon whoever possesses them. But if they fall into evil hands, it could cause a global disaster.

So when a former colleague stumbles across an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic map that promises to lead to a pharaoh’s tomb and the Emerald Tablets, there’s no way he’s turning down her invitation to join the dig. He only has one stipulation: his best friends Robyn Garcia and Cal Myers come with him.

The road ahead isn’t going to be an easy one, and their shared dream of recovering the Emerald Tablets is being crushed at every turn. And just when they think it’s all over, they learn there are a few clues they have overlooked. But they’re no longer the only ones searching for the Tablets. Now, the fate of the world hangs in the balance, and soon they’ll find out that when it comes to hunting legends, they can’t trust anyone.

My Review:
This thrilling adventurous novel takes us to Egypt to explore about the tomb of last pharoph and myths behind it. A team of experienced archeologists and passionate individuals come together to search for emerald tablets which are known to possess the knowledge of the universe.

With Mathew and his friends helping Alex and his team of experts, they start their expedition by going down a tunnel to find out the tomb of khufu by following through many clues and deciphering a map. The tomb is supposed to lead them to emerald tablets.  But, whom can they trust in their team? Can they pull off the adventure with flying colours and find the emerald tablets? You have to read the book to know the answer.

The writing style is interesting with twists, turns, clues and mazes of problems in the story. I loved the extra information given in the middle of the story about the Egyptian traditions and the terms related to their culture. I liked the turns in the story and enjoyed the mystery element throughout. I couldn't put down the book without finishing it.

Even though the plot is interesting and unpredictable, I felt the first few chapters boring as these are dedicated only to introduce the characters and there is not much story happening. It gets interesting later ofcourse. The book cover and title are very apt and all the characters are unique and believable. 

Overall, I would recommend this to readers who love historical fiction and adventurous thrillers.

My Rating: 4.5 /5

PS: I have received a free e-review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion on the book.


About the Matthew Connor Adventure series:Action-adventure books for the mystery lover. Does treasure hunting excite you? What about the thought of traveling the globe and exploring remote regions to uncover legends that the world has all but forgotten? If so, strap yourself in for an adventure with modern-day archaeologist Matthew Connor and his two closest friends. Indiana Jones meets the twenty-first century.

This is the perfect book series for fans of Indiana JonesLara CroftNational Treasure, and The Relic Hunter.

Other Books in the Series:City of GoldAbout the Author:Carolyn Arnold is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series and has written nearly thirty books. Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark, POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.


Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:
Website | Twitter | Facebook


 And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at CarolynArnold.net/Newsletters.

Until next time,

16 April, 2018

5 tips to rock a dance performance on stage #SuperBloggerChallenge2018

I am participating in #SuperBloggerChallenge2018 and have been posting every week from 8 weeks. This is my 9th post and I want to write about something general and which is also my forte.



Some of you might have known that I am a classical Kuchipudi dancer. I have been giving a lot of stage performances from childhood and this experience taught me some important things about how to avoid stage fear and perform well on the stage. So, here is a post on the tips that I learned on how to rock a stage performance.

1. Never stop smiling

A smile is a natural way to boost our confidence. It is vice versa as well. If we have confidence, we smile and perform. The main purpose of every performance is to please the audience. So, smile even if you are low in confidence and have hundreds of doubts in your mind about your performance. It eases your body and enhances the beauty of the show.

2. Strive for perfection but aim for excellence

We have to work hard and practice well before the performance but the main focus should be to improve and perform better than earlier. We can strive for perfection but our main goal should be our limit of excellence. Instead of comparing with others or imitating others, it is better to understand our weakness and improve on those. We should compete with ourselves and challenge ourselves to be better.

3. Focus only on dance while you perform

Many people have stage fear as they think of hundred things while performing. 
For ex: What my friends/ family are thinking? Did I meet their expectation? Why isn't anyone clapping? etc., If we focus on dance and keep everything else aside on the stage, there will not be any fear. Usually, every stage is set at an elevation and when the performance is going on , there won't be a focus of light on audience and focus in on the stage and performers. All these are for a good reason. While the light focuses on the performer, it is good for the performer as he/ she cannot see the faces of the audience. 

4. Show uniqueness and Originality

Every dancer is unique in his/ her style of doing movements, agility, smile, the capability to attract the attention of audience etc. So, if you are not good with one thing, that doesn't make you any less. We have to follow the natural flow and use our positives. So, don't shy away and show your originality and uniqueness. 

5. Practice, Practice, and Practice

This is the foundation of a good performance. Practicing more makes you memorize sequences. Even when you are good at remembering the dance steps, the nervousness before getting on to the stage might mess up with your memory. But, more practice allows your subconscious mind to remember the steps which allow you to remember even in the middle of a sleep. One more advantage is it helps to you to improve day by day if you analyze and know the things that can go wrong. With more practice comes a lot of confidence that nothing can go wrong on the stage.

So, that was about some tips to perform well on stage from my experience. Do you have stage fear? Have you ever performed on stage and were apprehensive ? What tips help you? DO let me know in comments.

Until next time,









This article is written as part of SuperBloggingChallenge2018 conducted by Healthwealthbridge.com,Fashionablefoodz.com, and Allaboutthewoman.com and should not be repurposed, republished or used otherwise. SuperBloggerChallenge2018 is not responsible for any kind of infringement caused. 



Why Colorado springs is ranked #2 in "Best places to live" list?

I knew Colorado springs as a good tourist destination for a long time, but I didn't know that it is one of the best places to live. If you are following the news recently, you know that Colorado Springs is ranked #2 by U.S News & World Report as the best place to live. 
colorado springs



Being a resident of this place for around 2 years, I can think of many reasons behind this.  Colorado Springs Real estate, Good job market, High quality of life, Low cost of living etc.,

1. Less traffic

Since the population is increasing everywhere and more cars on the road, having the ability to reach office early without much traffic is bliss. Don't you agree? I would definitely vote this as the best reason for the people to prefer living here. When compared to metro cities like Denver, having less traffic means more time at home, peaceful time at the office, less frustration while driving and overall satisfaction.

2. Quality of Life

Colorado Springs is a good place to live in when it comes to Environmental quality and outdoor satisfaction. It attracts more students and military people as it has more colleges and a military base. As it is already a scenic place with tourist attractions, it is satisfying to live here.

3. Low cost of Living

Daily living costs like the monthly gym membership, food, movie tickets, public transport etc. are 23% less here when compare to a city like San Francisco. Colorado Springs ranks 11th for salaries among 265 cities. Average house rent is between $1300 to $1700 for a large apartment. **

4. Good Job Market

As per the survey by Manpower group, Colorado Springs job market was ranked 3rd in the nation in 2017. The unemployment rate in Colorado Springs is quite low at 3.3% in Elpaso County when compared to 4.1% nationwide. Some of the industries in need of employees in Pikes peak region are healthcare, manufacturing, Information technology and cybersecurity. 

5. Real Estate
With competitive affordability and many people moving in here, the real estate is also booming. There is also industry and business development fuelling the increase in jobs. The average price per sqft (square foot) in Colorado Springs is $176 which is an increase of 8% when compared to the last year. **

With beautiful scenery and all these above-mentioned benefits, who wouldn't love to stay in Colorado Springs? What do you say?

Until next time,








** Sources:
https://teleport.org/cities/colorado-springs/
https://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Colorado_Springs-Colorado/
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