Tag: people

More 5 #Star #BookReviews @EverDreamer7321 @teagangeneviene

Published on by balroop singh38 Comments

Today I have mystery and fantasy books, which I would like to share with you.

My Review: The Windwilder Haunting by Sandra Kopp

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‘The Windwilder Haunting’ by Sandra Kopp is a riveting saga of three generations, action packed with deceit, lies and mysterious happenings. Kopp builds up mystery around the mansion slowly, with amazing details of the Windwilder mansion and her exquisite language adds an aesthetic touch to this book. The prologue is enigmatic, as it grips you with poetic language on the one hand but proceeds with a lightning speed to reveal that the mansion is being set on fire! Then the story flows at an amazing pace, without a dull moment. It is much more than just a ghost story; it is the superb style, the narrator’s love for nature and an eye for detail that elevates this book above an ordinary period story.

 I like how Bella, with her inconspicuous presence, holds the plot and keeps you invested till the end. Lillian is another strange character, who doesn’t seem to like anybody but her contribution to the story is astounding. Madelyn’s connect with nature and her passion to know more makes her a likable protagonist. Though drawn by the mysteries of the mansion, she refuses to be manipulated by John and has a mind of her own. She is intuitive enough to understand where the secrets lie and follows her own path in discovering them. However, all hell breaks loose, as somebody is unhappy with her visits to the mansion.

I like how Sandra keeps a control over the horror element and doesn’t let it slip into gruesome details. I admire how she switches gears to the descriptions of nature to lighten the mood: “The sun touched down, and a final scattering of brilliant light ignited the wispy clouds into flaming orange plumes that blazed for just moments before turning red and then purple as they drifted north.” I would recommend this book to all book lovers.

My Review: Dead of Winter – Journey 1 by Teagan Riordain

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A riveting story, Dead Of Winter: Journey 1 would transport you to a world of fantasy yet Teagan’s characters seem absolutely real, as they are haunted by fears of religious fanatics who try to stamp out knowledge, brethren of Un’Naf have made oppressive rules for women and there is a fear of banishment for Emyln who is a gifted girl.

Osabide, an elderly widow has been banished from her village just because she is a healer and a person of great knowledge. She warns Emyln to keep silent about her ability to see and hear ghosts. The story is told from Emyln’s point of view; she knows she is not loved by anyone in her family, even her sister taunts her and she can’t share her thoughts with her. The refrain “winter is coming” dominates this novella and adds a touch of mystery to it. I can’t wait to read the next journey!

My Review: Dead of Winter – Journey 2

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Journey 2, Penllyn takes the story of Emyln forward; new characters are introduced and the shocking intentions of Emyln’s father are revealed. Deae Matres, a group of women brings in some hope but Teagan doesn’t divulge much about these mysterious women. Zasha, Osabide’s niece, is the member of this organization. I like the way the story is developing and Emyln is growing stronger with each experience. The style of writing is intriguing, the mood mysterious and the language is beautiful. 

You would keep wondering why Emyln’s father who never takes her anywhere is taking her to Penllyn. She could sense that he is sad and angry but dare not ask a question. It was such a relief that Afon couldn’t succeed in his mission. I am loving these journeys.

Please click on the links to view the book descriptions.

Thank you. Happy reading!
Balroop Singh.

Here is my latest release: Hues Of Hope 

Double #Etheree #Poetry Challenge

Published on by balroop singh51 Comments
Image of an Indian bride from Pinterest

The Bride

At
the door
she lingers
with brimming eyes
dreams and tears mingle
roses rise to welcome 
embers of love within her
innocence of youth far behind
adrift from her precious possessions 
an untrodden pathway of life awaits.

Passion exudes as she walks ahead
to meet inevitable changes
that life ushers in with new bonds
siblings watch the demure bride 
decked in red bridal robes. 
Moments halt in time –
A pause that is
remembered
the whole
life.
© Balroop Singh

Thanks to Colleen’s weekly TankaTuesday challenge, which has inspired me to create a syllabic poem based on color. I chose red, a symbol of passion, love, life, strength, courage, confidence and positivity.

I chose Etheree, which consists of 10 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 syllables. Etheree can also be reversed and written 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Thank you.

For more poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Here is my latest release  Hues Of Hope 

#BookReviews: 5 #Stars for each one!

Published on by balroop singh64 Comments

Mystery and romance is a deadly combination and these books have both. I enjoyed all the three books due to their themes and amazing visual details. I would like to share my thoughts about them with you. Please click on the links to view the book descriptions.

Genuine Deceit – My Review:

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I was lured by the name of this book, wondering how deceit could be genuine! I was not disappointed. All speculations about who deceived whom and why would fail and you have to wait till the end to know the truth. ‘Genuine Deceit’ deals with a multi-dimensional plot with its tentacles connected with the past of Reagan’s parents and complicated relationships.

Shocked by the murder of her grandmother, Reagan arrives in her childhood home and gets sucked in by the vortex of inexplicable discoveries. As she is trying to find a foothold, she sinks deeper into the whirlpool of mysteries. Her friends try to help her but it is hard to believe whom to trust. The story gets murkier with each chapter, each development entangles it more than expectations. It moves at a good pace but it could’ve been breathtaking if a few superfluous chapters were edited.

Characterisation has not received much attention, as the story is packed with events. However, Aiden emerges to be a perfect protagonist who could absorb emotions, support Reagan in all the situations yet give her the freedom to make her own decisions. Fiona’s character development is slow but stunning. Secondary characters sound nondescript. 

Too much has been compressed into this book and the baggage of back stories is so massive that you would wonder – what else? It finishes in a filmy style with amazing visual details, transporting you to the scene of crime. Such an outstanding plot doesn’t need profane language – (F and S words) could have been avoided. If you like mysteries, this is a must read! 

Things He Hadn’t Told Her – My Review:

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Things He Hadn’t Told Her by Vicky Whedbee captures your attention from page one, as it begins with a nerve-wracking incident of two teenagers pledging to be “blood brothers” when Chad saves the life of Cole. It introduces you to loving relationships within affectionate families, awesome friendships, beautiful description of a fairy tale romance and wedding. It has an amazing flow, realistic characters but their story is predictable. It makes you wonder how long should you hold your true feelings; it tugs at your heart and makes you think about the depth of love. Riding on the rollercoaster of emotions, Chad holds his secret in his journal, which plays a significant role in the book.

Vicky possesses an eye for detail; the way she talks about her characters and their dressing style adds another dimension to the visual effects of their appearance. She has a knack of carrying on the conversation for a long time and hold the interest of the reader. Written in a light-hearted style, a mixture of humor and realism makes it pure fun at places: “Cole was preoccupied with picking up more than two grains of rice at a time with his chopsticks.”

However, the book gets melancholy toward the ending and drags on for a long time. I wish Maggie had picked up the vibes, I wish she could have been more perceptive. On the whole it is an interesting book. Highly recommended. 

Between the Vines – My Review:

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Between the Vines recline entangled relationships, which need to be understood. Elena and Aaron’s attraction to each other is not new yet they try to dismiss it for their own reasons. Both have their doubts, Heather, the jealous hen tries to cash on their weaknesses and a superb story with an eternal triangle unfolds. Written in a breezy style, this novella banks on edgy relationships that cry for attention.

Who could define relationships better than Staci? She has crafted three couples, so different from each other. If the unconditional love of Larissa for Jace would melt your heart, you would like to shoot Heather for her selfish overtures to win Aaron and poke Elena for building tall walls around her to keep Aaron out intentionally. This may be a quick read but provide the lovers with some food for thought. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you. Happy reading!
Balroop Singh.

#NewRelease: Hues Of Hope #Poetry

Published on by balroop singh62 Comments

Hues Of Hope is the collection of readers’ favorite poems from my poetry books. These poems explore the hope that lies within our heart, hope that whispers each morning to look at the horizon, hope that inspires us to look beyond the chaotic world and take the next step to vanquish the fears that try to fetter us. It promises to take us to an oasis of peace, unravels magical moments of joy, as beams of love calm our senses. It guides us through dark alleys to show the streaks of light that shimmer through the clouds.

 

Like dew on our dreams,
Hope is the moonlight filtering through trees
Like whisper of breeze that warms our heart,
Hope is the promise that we make to ourselves
Hope is the silent prayer that we send in distress
Hope is the happiness that we visualize,
The horizon that we reach, if we try.
© Balroop Singh

Purchase link

Paperback link

I am extremely thankful to all my author buddies and blogger friends who always spread a word about new releases. Please feel free to share this post at your favorite networks. I look forward to your support.
Balroop Singh.

#Ekphrastic Challenge #Poetry

Published on by balroop singh37 Comments
Title: Russian Dancers
Artist: Edgar Degas (French, Paris 1834–1917 Paris)
Date: 1899 via https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/459097

Dissonance 

Dance is not just an art that enriches us emotionally, it conceals innumerable tales of time, of war devils who create their own tunes, of autocrats who gloat over their arrogance, of the mighty who forget that their power is illusionary, their greed perishable and their days limited. They all fall facedown, empty handed they leave; even misery scoffs at them but their lies live. Rivulets of hope flow in those hearts who know war bugles fail to halt spring.

“dance,” says the despot 
and the whip twirls around them 
innocent blood drips 
smoke sheathes their weary eyes
annihilated by whims
© Balroop Singh

Inspired from Colleen’s Ekphrastic #photoprompt. I followed her advice, “Remember, we can see what’s in the image, so write your poem using the image as an inspiration. Don’t just describe what you see in the image. Think about metaphor and allegory.”

This week, I chose tanka prose. There are two basic forms in classic tanka prose: Preface (explanation) and the Poem Tale (episodic narration.) 

For more poetry: click here to hear Magical Whispers

Have you checked my latest release? – Slivers: Chiseled Poetry