Author Interview of The Curse of Brahma

Book Blurb

The man who became a Brahmarishi...
The curse that banished him to the hell of hells...
And the revenge that threatens to destroy the three worlds...

When Lord Brahma, the God of Creation, banishes his star pupil from Swarglok in a fit of rage, he does not foresee that his decision will alter the fate of the three worlds. Mortally wounded, and anguished at Brahma's unfair punishment, his pupil struggles to survive in TamastamahPrabha, the hell of hells. In time, he becomes the Dark Lord, the most feared figure in PataalLok, who swears to destroy Brahma.

The power of the Dark Lord soon begins to make its presence felt in the mortal world. Vasudev, the brave prince of Bateshwar, becomes the hunter of Asura assassins; his closest friend, Kansa, almost dies while trying to save his sister from a group of deadly monsters; and the most valiant kings in Mrityulok turn over to the dark side, driven by forces beyond their control.

Only one person threatens the Dark Lord's well-laid plans - Devki, the beautiful princess of Madhuvan, who is destined to give birth to the warrior Krishna.

Will the Dark Lord allow Krishna - the person who has been prophesied to destroy him - to be born?

Buying Links

Goodreads,  Amazon, Flipkart

Author Interview

1.     What inspired you to write the book?

I took a sabbatical from my banking career in 2004, I started reading whatever material I could find on Krishna, including Vedic texts that date back thousands of years. I happened to be very close to the subject of Krishna from a very early age. As I grew older and read more about Krishna, I realized there was far more to him than we made it out to be. I had resolved early on to research this.

And I realized that the story of Krishna as we know it could well be a myth....that the actual story might in fact have been so terrifying that history was compelled to hide the truth. After all, when we are talking of time dating back thousands of years, who can be certain where fact ends, and fiction begins.

2.     When did you realise that you want to write a book?

There are a multitude of stories hidden away in the recesses of my mind. And when an idea gets hold of me, it is like being driven by an ague. You can’t sleep, you can’t think of anything else. You have to write. And writing provides succour and peace.

The experience of seeing your characters come to life on paper is the biggest high. Creating a story where none existed before, is another.

3.     Who helped you in writing the book and please say about their contributions?

There are too many people to thank and it would take up a lot of space if I were to do that. Friends, business partners, journalists and several more people who read the first draft of the book and helped with suggestions.

Chiefly, I would like to thank my wife, Komal who read every chapter of the book as soon as I completed writing the same. And who gave immensely helpful inputs. She was my worst critic and my biggest support. The days I was writing the book – I would have gone completely maniacal if she wasn’t holding the fort at home and at office, enabling me to focus single-mindedly on writing.

4.     How is your book going to inspire the readers?

Mythology itself is immensely inspiring. It lets you know what we as a nation and as a people have been capable of. And that motivates us to yet again endeavour to achieve past glory. Secondly, it gives sound rooting to younger people who may not have been privy to a lot of things about the nation’s culture and practises; things that have been hidden under the dust of thousands of years, and which has the potential to inspire our new generation.

And finally, by posing questions that may be philosophical and compel people to ask themselves what is Evil and what is Good. And to try and recognize that good in even the most evil of people. And being cognizant that the line dividing the two is very thin and that the balance could tilt either way if one s not careful.

5.     If you are given the chance to change one thing in your book what would it be?

Haha. I would perhaps explain the shlokas a little more.

6.     How do you find time to write and which part of the day is best for writing for you?

Time can never be found. One has to create time if one really wants ot do something. If I haven’t written for a couple of days at a  stretch, I make sure that I stay up the third night and make up for those two days. And if one is really passionate about writing, they will not feel they have lost anything in the bargain. Even a  sleepless night, spent in writing will serve to energize!

7.     Which books have inspired you the most, in the journey of writing this book?

For as far back as I can remember, I have been an avid reader. I read on an average 100 books a year and I think it has been this way for as long as I can recall. My favorite authors are Charles Dickens, Thomas, Hardy, RohintonMistry,, Hemingway, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, George Eliot, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Prem Chand. The list is endless.

You become what you read! So I guess my personality to an extent has been shaped by what I have read. And somehow that finds its way into what I write too.

8.     What is the best advice, you would give for writers who are trying to write a book?

Writing is personal. One shouldn’t give or take advice on it. If however, you would want me to share a few things I have picked up on the way, I could do that.  The decision to follow it lies with the other person.

If you are writing nonfiction, select a subject where you are the expert. If it is fiction that you want to focus on, write about what you are passionate about. Don’t emulate the writing style of other authors Develop your own brand of writing and your own expression. There’s a greater chance of being recognized that way. And finally, don’t wait for the perfect moment to start writing. The perfect moment seldom happens. Make time to write. Use the weekend or the flight time or any other time you can make use of. But start writing!

9.     What are your hobbies?

I love to read. That means I read at least 3 -4 books a week. If I can’t find time to read during the day, I will create time to read during a car ride to the office or back home, or even in the loo J

And if that is not enough, I will stay up and read till I have finished my reading quota for the week.

Music is another source of immense joy. I listen to Ghazals from old maestros and my varied taste in music allows me to listen even to stuff my teen aged daughter finds interesting.

Apart from that, taking time out to vacation at a mountain resort or at the beach is very thrilling.

10.  What can we expect from you in the future?

Pichai – The future of Google (with Hachette) – releasing Dec 2015

Click (with Hachette) releasing in April 2016

The Rise of the Yadavas (Vol 2 in the Krishna Trilogy) – releasing in April 2016

About the Author

Jagmohan Bhanver is rated amongst the Top 20 Executive Coaches by the GCF (Global Coaching Federation) & is the best-selling author of four books.

Executive Coach & Leadership Mentor to CEOs

Jagmohan is rated amongst the Top 20 Executive coaches in the world. He is referred to as the “Mentor’s Mentor” in corporate circles and has mentored Industry leaders, celebrity entrepreneurs, media people and CEO’s at leading org

anizations. In the International speakers circuit, he is rated among the most powerful speakers in Asia and one of the most popular Asian speakers across the globe by the Worldwide Speaker’s Bureau.

His latest paper on “leaders as super motivators” has been finding takers in various corporate houses globally and has also been introduced in top B-schools as part of management lessons for executive MBA’s.

Educationist & Public service

Jagmohan is the winner of the Indian Achiever’s Award for Excellence in Education in 2009. He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award for outstanding individual achievements and distinguished services to the nation. Subsequently, he was also the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award. He is also the recipient of the Shiksha Bharati Award.

Internationally bestselling author

Jagmohan’s first book (self help genre) titled "Get Happy Now" was on the best selling lists of most countries and on the Top ten list of leading bookstores in India. His second book, titled "Think your way to Millions" which is on the subject of Behavioral Finance was nominated for the best non-fiction award by Hutch-Crossword in India. This is one of the few books on behavioral finance. His third book was titled “Nadella – The Changing Face of Microsoft.” This book was published by Hachette, the largest publishers in the world. Jagmohan’s latest book is part of a three-volume trilogy on Krishna and is considered as the most awaited book in 2015. It is titled, “The Curse of Brahma.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Support My School

Support My School

In this world of infinite possibilities, you are born to make a difference and to leave a legacy. To create wonderful ideas, to imagine, believe on them, implement it and make world a better place to live in. An endeavour to create a win-win condition and put a smile to every face, you come across.

The only way to harness this unlimited power and to create a difference you need to be educated. The very first step is going to school.

Coca- Cola India NDTV and other NGO partners are on a mission to revitalise 1,000 schools in the country and to create awareness on the importance of education and to provide basic amenities for children in schools.

Coca- Cola India & NDTV launched Support My School in association with the UN-Habitat, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) in 2011. It undertakes the following core activities:

• Provision of improved access to water

• Appropriate sanitation facility for girls and boys

• Improvement in the overall school infrastructure and environment

• Provision for sports and recreation facilities and

• Recharging groundwater through rainwater harvesting

The campaign has been able to improve the enrolment in schools from 6.95% (2013-14) to 14.77% (2014-15). The education system in rural areas of India is facing a lot of issues. Here are some issues that needs to be taken care of

Ø    The teachers in the government schools are asked to do various kinds of jobs apart from teaching. Like joining voting polls during elections, helping the government in National Population Registration, cooking mid- day meals. So, there isn’t enough time to spare to teach children, which isn’t a case in private schools.

Ø    The teachers are then asked to finish the syllabus in schools within a stipulated time period apart from doing the above mentioned work, which is why they don’t give their very best in teaching the children.

Ø    Lack of proper training and not being well versed with the advanced technology is leaving them to teach children the old fashioned way.

Ø    Many teachers aren’t paid well in Government schools, which again don’t motivate them to teach.

Ø    The parents who send their children to government schools aren’t well educated and live on a, hand to mouth income, which prevents them to invest on their child’s education. A survey reports in 2009, 55.6% children going to schools had mothers who have never been to schools as opposed to 40.8% children in private schools.

Ø    The Anti Child Labour programme is implemented but it doesn’t seem to impact a majority of India’s population. Children are still working at various under-construction sites and restaurants.

There are many small and big problems that can be added to the above list, which will only continue to grow, if we continue complaining and not take a step towards solving each problem one at a time.

The most important step we can take to ensure that every child is given proper education is to start with their parents. The parents should be taught or given a proper guidance on why they should send their children to school.

This will help the campaign give the much needed boost for a perfect launch.

Once the children reach schools, during the final years of study they should be guided by counselors who can guide the students according to their strengths on what they should study or which career they should pursue.

Education should enhance the creativity of the children, thereby making them capable enough to take their own decisions. Sports should be given priority along with the studies and other extra-curricular activities. This will help in all round development of the students.

Coca- Cola NDTV & NGOs campaign is an incredible step in fulfilling the dream of educating children and giving them a platform to launch their careers. I wish the campaign all the good luck in their mission and thanks for giving me an opportunity to be part of it in spread awareness about education.

Share a hug

Rajesh: Hi, Mohan let’s go for a cricket match.

Mohan: No, I don’t think it’s possible. Dad will scold.

Rajesh: Is it? Say him that, you are coming to my house to study. And we can go from my house to play.

Mohan: Good idea, meet you in an hour.

This is what friendship is all about to find a way out of nowhere and to create memories, rather than regretting about the opportunities missed. It’s all about creating memories and how we help a friend in need when he needs us the most.

Friendship is not what is taught in school, but if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship you haven’t learned anything.

Friendship is an alliance, an unbreakable alliance and an asset that stays with us till the very end of life and that we should celebrate responsibly.   

    

The visit into an unknown territory on bicycles, keeping secrets, telling lies for a friend, breaking the rules, late night hangouts, racing on highways, parties,  are all part of friends and is what describes friendship.

Friends share a very important part of everyone’s life, but with the passage of time they get far away from each other and get involved in their own life and jobs. The only way now of getting in touch is via WhatsApp or social networking sites.

The real celebrations begin when you meet them in person after a very long time and all those memories take a turn around and are played in a flashback. It is a moment that makes you feel, that you should never have, left them at the first place.

The hugs and laugh that follow are the true moments to treasure. It was what we had missed since a long time and now when we have all those, we want to cherish those valuable moments forever.

One such friend is Arati, with whom I have shared most of my secrets, got angry and also consoled each other and cherished each other’s company. In short "Arati" is the best friend I ever had.

If I have to describe Friendship, I can just say one simple thing “26 Alphabets of English isn't enough to describe friendship.”

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for audience above 25 years.

Book Review of Umbilical Cord

About the book

"Here comes a compilation of 40 short stories by Meena R Chandawarkar and Santosh Avvannavar that uses The Umbilical Cord as a metaphor to bring social awareness and intends to draw the reader’s attention towards the society. The stories in this book revolve around love, forgiveness, empathy etc. as society is a cobweb of relationships. There is something for everyone in this book. Read on to find out which ‘cord’ is closer to your heart, as the Umbilical Cord is an attachment that remains forever…the name says it all…"

My Review:

The stories will heal and rejuvenate your soul. The stories connect to you, keeping you engaged with the characters till you finish reading the stories. The pages seem to turn automatically; with you being completely immersed in the voyage, the stories lead you to. The circumstances depicted in the book seem as if it has happened with you or will happen in near future. It makes you rethink about your life all over again and how you could have averted some situations along with changing the outcome of it.

The author has done a wonderful job in carving out the stories and putting it together. I would sincerely recommend everyone to read the book. It’s a 4 stars for me.

Buying Link:

http://www.amazon.in/Umbilical-Cord-That-Remains-Always/dp/1515293823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450091555&sr=8-1&keywords=UMBILICAL+cORD

Book Review of "She"

Book Review of "She" Elka Chalo Re

About the book

Set in the backdrop of 1990 Calcutta, She is a story about finding one’s own identity in spite of all odds. The story spins around the life of Kusum, a brave heart whose identity is often untitled and blurred; it does not belong anywhere, definitely not under the ‘he’ or ‘she’ bracket, thanks to our social conditioning. Will she be successful in her mission? Find out in “She”, an utterly absorbing read that derives inspiration from Tagore’s “Ekla Cholo Re” song, which urges everyone to move on despite the fear of abandonment from others

My Review

The story portrays the protagonist of the story Kusum as a person who is not accepted in the society because of her gender. It is a world where a person is trapped between “he” and “she” loop. A never ending loop!

She imagines a life without this trap and how her life could have been, if she had been either a “he” or “she”. World would have been completely different then. The never ending question for her is why? Why did this happen to her and what wrong has she done to deserve that?

It is not only the quest for Kusum, but also for thousands who share the same fate as hers.

Santosh and Dr Shayan have taken a bold step, to speak for people like Kusum and to change the attitudes of people who don’t treat them well. The world needs people like Santosh and Shayan who dare to be different and have the courage to speak. To speak for the greater good!

I loved the plot of the story which was a quick read; which delivers the message; treat everyone as the way you want to be treated.

Author Interview of Seeking Redemption

Book Blurb:

Story of a girl Meera, who is unwittingly drawn into a conflict from where she finds it difficult to emerge unscathed. It's her journey from being a simple, medical graduate belonging to a middle class family to the uncharted territories of corruption and caste based politics. Her path is crossed by the two men, both compelling yet completely contrasting characters, who are forever going to change her life. If it is Aman who can challenge her ideals and defy her resolves, and makes her the person she finally becomes, it is Abhay's sublime love which enables her to go through the vicissitudes of life. It's also the story of her loss as well as triumph against her own demons to find her true self.

Buy a Copy from Amazon

Author Interview

1. What inspired you to write the book?

Sometimes some crisis in life brings out what is lying dormant in you. Although I used to write but never at a big scale. A professional crisis gave me opportunity to look within and channelize my energy into something worthwhile. Instead of getting down by it, I chose to write and eventually won over my own demons.

2. When did you realise that you want to write a book?

As long as I can remember but couldn’t manage enough time from my busy professional life.

3. Who helped you in writing the book and please say about their contributions?

Namrata Madhira, my friend and editor tops the list. Not only she edited the final manuscript but all along she gave me unquestioned support and believed in my writing capabilities when I couldn’t believe myself.

4. How is your book going to inspire the readers?

The book is a love story in the backdrop of corruption and ills of cate based reservation prevalent in India. The main character Meera goes through a lot of struggles in life but she doesn’t give up and flows with the current of life instead of against it. I believe my readers would be inspired by her grit and determination.

5. If you are given the chance to change one thing in your book what would it be?

I doubt if I would like to change anything. I wrote it with full of conviction and don’t think any alteration is needed.

6. How do you find time to write and which part of the day is best for writing for you?

To find time to write is completely a conscious effort. I manage to squeeze from few words to thousand words in between my schedule, it all depends. I have no particular routine or timing. I write whenever I feel like as I can’t follow any routine.

7. Which books have inspired you the most, in the journey of writing this book?

I loved Kite Runner, Fountainhead, We the Living, Anna Karenina etc.

8. What is the best advice, you would give for writers who are trying to write a book?

Don’t ever give up! Writing is very lonely job and at times very demanding. Combined with that, you don’t have certainty that your effort will bear the fruit. You just have to write because you love it, it’s your passion.

9. What are your hobbies?

Reading, Travelling.

10. What can we expect from you in the future?

I am working on my third project which is love story. My second book which is a drama/romance/mystery is under publication.

About the Author:

Dr.Madhu Vajpayee- the writer was born somewhere in those hospital corridors where she has spent the last two decades of her life. Witnessing life at such close quarters pushed her to capture its enigma in her words and slowly it became her passion. After writing several scientific papers and chapters in books, this book is her first step in literary world.  

Having done her graduation, MBBS from King Georges Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow she went ahead to pursue her post-graduation, MD from AIIMS, New Delhi. She was a consultant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi having been associated with management of patients living with HIV/AIDS. She is now settled in Melbourne, Australia with her family, where she is devoting most of her time to writing, the passion that she couldn’t pursue earlier because of the demands of medical profession and commitment it requires.When not creating stories, Madhu enjoys reading and travelling.

Reviews for the Book:

It was a perfect book and can motivate one. ~ Nidhi Author on Goodreads

Wonder full book.Clearly highlights the current problems faced in India as a result of reservation! ~ Nikhil Dave on Goodreads

It is one of the amazing fiction I have read in the near past. Highly recommended. Cocktail of Corruption, politics and love. ~ Akshay_Tripathi on Amazon

What Madhu does well with this story is to highlight many factors that need change. She brings out facets like reservation. She talks about the more rigid mindset of an Indian family ~ Vinay Leo @ Booworm's Musings

Contact the Author:

Blog * Facebook Page * Twitter * Goodreads 

Check out the Tour Stops:

Author Interview of Michale's Mystery by Linze Brandon

*** BOOK  TOUR***

It was time for the Lords of the High Council to step in when the Grandmaster of Kryane is accused of murdering his own people. They had little choice but to prevent the collapse of the whole magicians order, so they sent Michael to investigate the allegations.

The people of the desert planet were an enigma, but none more than Andesine, the healer assigned to assist Michael. Why did she report the Grandmaster? Was she involved, or was there something more sinister going on?

The more people they interrogated the more they suspected that nothing was as it seemed. Not the murders, nor the Grandmasters' motive as everyone thought.

Unable to resist the growing attraction between them, Michael and Andesine learn that they had to trust each other with their own secrets, and risking any future they might have.

Time and again the High Lords had to step in to prevent chaos on Kryane, but time was running out for Michael and Andesine. They had to get a new Grandmaster in place before the Kryane Order collapsed completely. And they had to find the who the true culprit was.

Fortunate to escape an attack from this monster once, they were risking the lives of many others in the process. Before the High Lords could formulate a plan, Michael and Andesine were captured, leaving the High Lords helpless to prevent it.

Kidnapped and imprisoned, Andesine was confronted with the realisation that if they were to survive their ordeal, it was up to her and her long suppressed powers. But as a healer she saved lives, would she be able to destroy the monster before he forces her to unleash her power to destroy the future of mankind?

About the Author:

Teaching herself to read before she went to school, it was the start of her life long love affair with books. Trained as an engineer, Linzé has worked as an export consultant and is presently a project manager. Although she still loves to read, she also enjoys counted stitch embroidery, archery, tai chi, fly fishing, painting, her husband's medal winning photographs and watching Manchester United play.

She counts both novels and short stories to her publishing credit. Her fourth novel, Waiting for Adrian, is planned for publication early in 2016. Her story, The Vernal Equinox, was a finalist in a sci-fi flash-fiction competition in 2015.

Linzé Brandon lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her engineer husband and German Shepherds who are convinced that the world revolves only around them.

Author Interview:

1. What inspired you to write the book?

Michael’s Mystery is the third book in the Nations of Peace series. I decided to bridge the 12 year gap between Keeper of the Dragon Sword (book 2) and Waiting for Adrian (now book 4) with Michael’s Mystery.

The idea for the story came when I realised that the murders in Keeper of the Dragon Sword had not been resolved and it was the opportunity to do that, and introduce the characters of the Lords of the High Council.

2. When did you realise that you want to write a book?

I have always loved to read, even from a young age. About fifteen years ago, I decided that I wanted to try and write a book. Even without knowing what I was doing, I submitted the book to a publisher. While the book was rejected, they replied with a detailed response about the story. The feedback was great and I was hooked.

It took another few years before I could afford to do a good creative writing course, but it only reiterated what the publisher had said. It was after completing the course that I published my first novel, Géra’s Gift, the first book in the Nations of Peace series.

3. Who helped you in writing the book and please say about their contributions?

I didn’t have any help in writing any of my books. In fact the first few years, I never even told anyone that I was writing books.

I do ask for beta reading of a manuscript before it goes for final editing and proofreading. They are volunteers from online Facebook groups.

4. How is your book going to inspire the readers?

I write fiction, it is not intended as anything except a few hours of relaxing and escaping from the daily grind.

5. If it inspires someone to write their own books, that would be great.

If you are given the chance to change one thing in your book what would it be?

To be honest, I don’t want to change anything. The feedback from my editor and beat readers helped me to publish the story in the best way possible.

6. How do you find time to write and which part of the day is best for writing for you?

I decided a few years ago that if I want to be serious about my writing, I had to make the time to do so. For that to happen I have an allocated time where I don’t do anything else except write. In my case it is the two hours before I go to bed.

7. Which books have inspired you the most, in the journey of writing this book?

The story of Michael’s Mystery was inspired by the book that preceeded it in the series, Keeper of the Dragon Sword.

8. What is the best advice, you would give for writers who are trying to write a book?

Learn as much as you can about the craft, and if possible do a creative writing course where you receive lots of feedback on your writing.

I have done three creative writing courses and they have been the best thing I did for myself and my writing.

9. What are your hobbies?

I sketch and paint and do large cross stitch projects. I also enjoy fly fishing, compound bow archery and tai chi chuan. I try to watch Manchester United’s games, but seldom have the time these days.

10. What can we expect from you in the future?

My next book will be a non-fiction book, entitled Indie Author: The Good, the Bad and the Hard Work.

It deals with all aspects of the writing life, except the craft itself. A list of 102 topics are covered. The book will serve as a manual for a 3-day course to teach authors and aspiring authors the skills they need to be an authorpreneur. The accompanying workbook will be available for free to subscribers to my blog's mailing list. The book and the workbook will be released in February 2016.

I will soon be starting the final edit on the fourth book in the Nations of Peace series, Waiting for Adrian. It is the first of the Future Master books and is planned for release in March 2016.

On her sixteenth birthday Erin figures out why she had been having horrible nightmares about a war. When Adrian is chosen as her Protector, it changes everything for the people of the Nations of Peace.

The last book in my Third Gender series, Breathe, is planned for release in June 2016.

Past the age of transformation, Jar still came to Suicide Valley to provide support to third genders in their last moments. Jar had stood on that edge too. But Surina was female and still so young. They talk for a few hours when Jar knew that Surina could be the one. Now to convince her not kill herself and give them a chance, however remote it was.

Follow Linzé Online:

Blog * FB Author Page * Twitter * Pinterest * Smashwords * Goodreads * Google+ * Wattpad * IndieWriteNet 

Check Out the other Tour Stops: