Little Angel with a toothless smile

Pic credit: Google

Pic Credit : Google

Pic Credit: Google

In our journey of life, we come across some people who become a part of our life, just for a short period of time. But sometimes, they leave teaching us a valuable lesson.

Last week we lost a cute little angel. I am saying we because she was everyone’s sweetheart. A cute little angel, who had come in her mother’s life to teach ‘Never plan, life is unpredictable’ (as told by her mother) and in our lives, to teach ‘Keep smiling, Life is short’.

It was difficult for everyone who knew her, to believe that she is no more. I can’t even imagine what her parents went through. If it was difficult for me, it was devastating for them. 

Loss of dear one, especially, a little one is irreplaceable. What is left behind are the memories, bittersweet memories. Having lost my brother, twenty-five years back, I have seen my parents completely shatter.  I pray to God, no one ever experiences that grief. But as they say,

‘Man proposes, God disposes.’

Few lines in memory of the little one…

When I first saw her, she was a little mite nestled in her mother's bosom; small and cute.

There was something that pulled me towards her. When our eyes met, some connection happened. Her toothless smile made me go weak in my knees. Every time I met her, I felt a tug in my heart. Whenever she was in my arms, I felt complete. Slowly our bonding increased, so did my attachment.

Recently we had not been meeting much, but we were in touch, through calls and messages. She had been falling sick lately. But I was never able to see her as my daughter needed me too.

One day her mom messaged me, she is admitted in ICU and very sick. I rushed to see her. Seeing her in a semi-conscious state and in so much pain broke my heart. Hearing my voice, she opened her eyes, a flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes. She held out her swollen left hand.

I caught hold of that teeny weeny hand to soothe her. Even after some time, she was not ready to let go of my hand. Somehow her mom unclasped her hand and she slipped into painful unconsciousness.

With a heavy heart, I came home. Next day, just before dawn, the shrill ringing of the phone woke me up. 'We have lost Divu' her mother said.

I couldn't believe my ears. No... It can't happen... Not again... I can't lose anyone again I said. For half an hour I kept staring at her message which she had sent.

Divu... The little angel who entered my life just to spread love and cheer...Whose toothless smile captured everyone's heart, the little one, who will remain in my heart forever.

Wish I had not left your hand that day...

Wish I had prayed little more for her recovery...

Wish I had spent more time with you...

I wish.

Love you Divu...Will miss you...

Book Review-Alka Saklani's Beyond Scars

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Beyond Scars 
by 
Alka Dimri Saklani

BLURB

Hi, I am Avinash, but this is not my story. This is the story of Avni, my sister. I know the smell of cement and bricks still pulls her to the incident seven years ago where she made a daring yet ruthless decision. I know she is drifting away. I know she has begun to find comfort in Vivaan. But I don’t know if I like it. 

Hi, I am Avni, but this is not my story. This is the story of Vivaan, the stunning, vivacious painter. There is something sad about the paintings he has locked away from the world in his storeroom. But he never talks about it. But then there are a lot of things he doesn’t talks about, like how deeply he loves me. 

And what about Dev and Kangana? Isn’t this their story too? It wouldn’t have been if only we did one single thing differently on that ill-fated night, the night that changed the course of our destiny. And hey, I am Vivaan. 

And what about me? Why does nobody talk about me? Or talk to me? Because I am a little girl or because…Well, this is my story too. You will ask who I am? The answer lies somewhere in the pages of BEYOND SCARS.

My Review:

An incident or an event leaves an impact on any child. If it is a happy one, it stays in memories life long but if it is an unpleasant one it leaves a scar on the soul and mind of a child which doesn't fade away. Most of times children observe their elders and at some point of life turn either an exact replica of their parents or hate their parents and try their best as not to become like them.

If Beyond Secrets left a mark on my soul then Beyond Scars shook my soul. Beyond Scars is the second book of the Beyond series by Alka Dimri Saklani. The book is about Avni, Avinash and Vivaan with many other characters, who play a significant role.

The story of twins Avni and Avinash, their sibling love, their protectiveness towards each other is really touching. Vivaan aka Appoo's story really makes you cry. I liked the author’s style wherein she has maintained the suspense until the very end. The climax was different and not at all predictable.

Initially, I found the story little slow paced but then once the speed caught up there was no stopping to it.

Beyond Scars is definitely a must read by all but it is definitely not a light-hearted read but a soul touching read which leaves you pondering about many things and for a very long time.

Grab your copy @

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About the author

"Alka Dimri Saklani writes contemporary fiction. Her books are labeled as ‘intense’ by most of her readers. Her debut novel ""45 Days in a Cancer Hospital"" was longlisted for Crossword Books Award 2013. Writing is her first love, the love that seized her when she was just 8.

She holds MBA degree in HR and worked with a leading MNC before turning to a full-time writer.

Born and brought up in Vadodara, a city in Gujarat, her roots hail from “Dev Bhumi” Uttarakhand. Apart from writing, she loves music, reading, traveling, and spending time with her two naughty kids."

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Book Review-Inderpreet Uppal's We Women Wonder

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WE WOMEN WONDER: Dreams, Desires, Struggles & Triumphs
by 
Inderpreet Uppal

BLURB

"When a woman becomes her own best friend, life is easier." 

– Diane Von Furstenberg.

Thoughts, quotes and determination can make a woman stronger, a survivor but she is a winner regardless. 

This book is the story of every woman, you might find your reflection too. 

A journey into what keeps us women ticking. 

What annoys the hell out of us? 

What are we women really about? 

How does the world see us? 

Is the world changing for us or are we just dreaming? 

What is our success and what it means to a woman? 

We Women Wonder, I often do, don’t you?

My Review:

First of all, We Women Wonder is not a collection of short stories. It is a collection of twenty-six blog posts written by the author during April A to Z challenge. So what is the book about?

It is about what We Women Wonder? About what's happening around us, to us, within us and by us?

Each chapter is the thoughts of the author put in words, about what she thinks or has experienced when she encounters a word or an emotion and when it is spoken with reference to women. It resonates with the voice of each of us and thus is easily relatable.

But the real gem of the book is a thought-provoking quote written by well-known people at the end of each chapter which relates to that chapter title and which Inderpreet has chosen wisely and aptly. That is a real sixer I must say.

While reading each chapter, which is easily relatable because it is what goes on in a woman's mind day in day out. Be it the way she is treated at home or at the office, by the spouse or a colleague, a friend or boss. The author has beautifully penned the thoughts, in some cases, I wondered if the author knew telepathy, as she has voiced some thoughts which are similar to what I felt when I had faced that situation.

Beautiful work by Inderpreet, lots and lots of applauds for penning down her rants, her thoughts, her opinion in such a unique and subtle manner.

We Women Wonder is definitely a must read and recommend to all irrespective of gender and age.

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Amazon.com |  Amazon.in

About the author

" Inderpreet writes for her love of writing, edits manuscripts and reads endlessly. 

A sprinkling of fiction, a dash of books, and a bit of opinion add to the eclectic mix that is Eloquent Articulation, her blog.

Books, editing, writing, and blogging keep her busy whenever she gets a breather from mothering her ‘too tricky to handle son’. 

An Army brat, she now joins her adorable Army hubby across the country. "

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Book Review-Tanushree Ghosh's From An-Other Land

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From An-Other Land
by 
Tanushree Ghosh

BLURB

Never has been the conversation on immigration more pertinent than now, post 2016 US elections. From cancellation of refugee protection and zero tolerance to undercurrent crackdown on H visas, the resurgence of nationalism is hitting the globalized population head-on. 

But what is immigration today? A question of life or death - fleeing of persecution? A compulsion? Or a mere pursuance of privilege? 

And what is the US today? A land of opportunities? Or a quagmire impossible to comprehend, inherently racist and selfish?

From An-Other Land dives deep into immigration today for the Indian diaspora and its many facets with characters who seek to define themselves in an intercultural setting that is less and less sure of itself. A reality check and a guide for anyone who wants to understand the modern-day US.

My Review:

First, when I picked up this book I just couldn't read beyond a few pages. Second time too same thing happened and I thought I won't be able to finish this book. Then I had to take a break from reading due to personal reasons. I have heard people say third time is lucky time. So with a clear mind and with no opinionated views in my mind, I started reading this book from start and I must say I absolutely loved it.

Though From An-Other Land is a hard read when compared to light-hearted romance or fast-paced thrillers, still I feel this book is definitely a must read.

Why? Well, for many reasons... The fluid language used to portray each and every protagonist life in the USA, their dreams, their struggles, their heartbreaks, their achievements and many more which actually touches you and makes an impact at right place and pace. The author has so wonderfully painted (written) struggles of NRI's who go to a foreign land with dreams in eyes, with those rose-tinted glasses and hopes of a better life than what they are leaving behind.

I appreciate Tanushree’s effort in writing such a wonderful book which gives all an insight into what NRI's go through in foreign land.

So if you want a light read please avoid this book. Only if you want to do some serious, thought-provoking read From An-Other Land is definitely a must read.

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About the author

Tanushree Ghosh works in the technology sector in the USA and is also a social activist and a writer. She has a Doctorate in Chemistry from Cornell University and has worked at the Brookhaven National Laboratories and is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and Presidency College Calcutta.

Her blog posts, op-eds, poems, and stories are efforts to provoke thoughts, especially towards issues concerning women, social justice, and immigration - which is the topic of her first solo-author work From An-Other Land published by Readomania publishing. 

As a contributor to the Huffington Post US, she has published several posts on topics that affect the under-represented and the lesser privileged, whether that's a population, a nation, or an individual. Her first article for the Huffington Post went viral and was picked up by the Yahoo news. She has since written on the Syria war and its children, open borders, the unfair coverage in the Western media of the Brazil Olympics, societal differences in outlook on issues like gun control in the US, and off-course - women. She has written on postpartum depression, acid attack and its state globally, #MeToo and a myriad of related topics and was interviewed for Reddit and the Indian Express. She is a regular contributor to several popular publications (incl. The Tribune (Sunday Diaspora segment), Thrive Global, The Logical Indian, Youth Ki Awaaz, Café Dissensus, and The Women's Web). Her literary resume also includes poems and stories featured in national and international magazines, including Words Pauses and Noises, UK; TUCK, Glimmer Train honorable mention, and inclusion in seven anthologies (through winning national and international contests), including Defiant Dreams (Oprah 2016 reading list placeholder) and The Best Asian Short Stories 2017 (published out of Singapore by Kitaab). She has served in coordinator and chapter head roles of ASHA and AID India and has affiliations with several women's organizations and non-profits. She is also the founder and director of Her Rights (www.herrights.website), a 501(3) c non-profit committed to furthering the cause of gender equality and supporting victims of gender violence.

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Book Review-P G Van's Dance With Me

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Dance With Me 
by 
P.G Van

BLURB

When a video of Suhana dancing in her own home goes viral, the first thing she does is panic. Suhana got out of a loveless marriage and is trying to prove to her ex-husband that she can live her life without him or the money she got as part of the divorce. She had been a housewife all along, but now she is trying to rebuild her life. However, life throws her a wrench in the form of a viral video—a video that creates a sensation on the internet. 

Samyan is her elderly neighbor’s son who is staying at his mother’s place while she is away, and Suhana keeps bumping into him wherever she goes. His very looks instigate new thoughts and sensations within her that she tries to ignore because of the man she thinks he is. But, when he helps her in the direst of situations, she finds out more about him and starts to feel a connection to him. 

Dance with Me is a sweet, light-hearted and passionate love story with a happy ending. 

Note: This is a standalone romance with content recommended for mature readers.

My Review:

Author P G Van is well known for her hot romances. With her new book Dance With Me, the author has not only broken her image of hot romance writer but has created a different identity for herself, as Dance With Me is not only a romance with hot and steamy scenes but much more than that.

Suhana is a modern day woman with Indian upbringing but settled in the US. Her sole purpose in life is to give her son a better life. Even though she has been separated from her cheating husband she doesn’t want her son to be deprived of his father's love and attention. But is she right in doing so?

Having read the author’s previous works, which were hot romances, I was expecting something similar from this book too. But I was in a surprise as it has many topics, one of which highlights the plight of a housewife who with no proper qualification or job is at mercy of her husband’s taunts and jibes.

I loved reading this mature love story of Sam and Suhana. I loved reading this multi-genre book which has romance and suspense. Dance With Me is definitely a must read. 

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About the author

P.G. Van published her first novel of The Pure Destiny Series in October 2015 and cannot stop writing. She loves to spend time with family and is a strong believer of retail therapy (mostly shops for boots and purses!!). She enjoys giving her readers an escape to the world of love and romance.

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