Monday, September 4, 2023

Netflix Series Review: QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY

 

Pic Courtesy: https://www.legacyrecordings.com

I have watched the first two seasons of the Bridgerton series on Netflix. While I loved the first season, I did not exactly enjoy the second. As for the books, I’ve read them all. The first 7 books were brilliant. But the last one was drab and boring, as if the hero didn’t have any purpose to his life. 

Recently, I got to know that a separate series had been made for Queen Charlotte, taking off from the Bridgerton series and I had to see it.

I binge-watched the six episodes, totaling more than six hours, in two days; and loved every second of it.

It had the perfect masala for a wonderful, heart-rending romance. And what characters!!!

Right from the young Queen Charlotte (India Ria Amarteifio) and King George (Corey Mylchreest), to Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley), the queen’s attendant Brimsley (Sam Clemmett), the king’s attendant Reynolds (Freddie Dennis), and the young Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas), each actor has rendered his role so beautifully. 

The story is about the arranged marriage between Charlotte from Germany and King George of England; about the nervous disorder the king suffers from; and how the couple make a life together despite all odds.

The English royalty and their secrets are something which is world-renowned. The attendants’ loyalty towards their respective royals has been depicted so splendidly by Brimsley and Reynolds. 

The young Lady Danbury is such a strong character and so very real. I loved her!! 

The series brings the British royals to life and touches your heart. I have to confess that I cried a few times at the young queen and king’s struggles to live their lives away from the spotlight. 

Beautifully made! 

VERDICT: A must watch if you are a fan of regency romance!!



Monday, August 21, 2023

Book Blitz: AQUARIUS REBEL (Written in the Stars #6) by Sundari Venkatraman

  



Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: August 19, 2023
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Contemporary Romance

STORY-IN-BRIEF

Yoga instructor Shreya Udhas from Durban isn't at all interested in getting married, not when she's barely twenty-two. But she's unable to stop her mother from going bridegroom hunting when they are holidaying in Delhi for a couple of months.

Chirag Bhatia runs an ad agency and is based in Delhi. The youngest of three siblings, he's happy to let his older sisters provide the grandchildren for his parents to play with, while he himself prefers to lead the life of a gay bachelor.

Sparks strike when they meet each other for the first time. And it isn’t long before they enter a rocking affair. They don’t even let the distance cramp their style over the next four years.

Until one day, Chirag receives Shreya’s wedding invitation, to someone else. Shocked out of his wits, he’s finally ready to admit to himself that he might be in love. But what if it is too late? 




Sundari Venkatraman is an Indie Author who has 65 books to her credit, the latest book being AQUARIUS REBEL, which is the 6th and last book in the Written in the Stars series. These books have consistently featured in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.

These days, the author is independently publishing her novels in paperback format under her banner Flaming Sun, printed and distributed by Notion Press. 

Even as a child, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome and she grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, Phantom comics and Mandrake comics. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy ending after the protagonists surmounted all unexpected obstacles.

Once she entered her teens, Sundari switched her loyalties from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to local heroes and heroines. And of course, the joy of vanquishing the ubiquitous evil villains! Her imagination soared and she happily ensconced herself in a rosy romantic cocoon for many years.

Then came the writing—a true bolt from the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.


You can stalk her @
      

Grab Your Copy From



Friday, June 16, 2023

Book Blitz: DANCE WITH ME (Bollywood Bros #2) by Sundari Venkatraman

 



Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: June 12, 2023
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Contemporary Romance

STORY-IN-BRIEF

An arranged marriage...

At a meeting set up by common friends of the family, it’s instant attraction for Bollywood choreographer Rajiv from Mumbai, when he sets eyes on the beautiful Inaaya from Raipur. Inaaya feels drawn to a man for the first time in her life when she meets Rajiv.

Deeper feelings invoked…

The duo falls under each other’s spell during the few times they meet even before they tie the knot, but are still not sure enough to admit their feelings for one another.

Then the axe falls… creating a rift between the couple 

Despite that, the physical desire between them rages on. But is that enough? Will the hapless duo ever connect on other levels? Or will they go their separate ways?






Sundari Venkatraman is an Indie Author who has 64 books to her credit, the latest book being DANCE WITH ME, which is the second book in the Bollywood Bros trilogy. These books have consistently featured in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.

These days, the author is independently publishing her novels in paperback format under her banner Flaming Sun, printed and distributed by Notion Press. 

Even as a child, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome and she grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, Phantom comics and Mandrake comics. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy ending after the protagonists surmounted all unexpected obstacles.

Once she entered her teens, Sundari switched her loyalties from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to local heroes and heroines. And of course, the joy of vanquishing the ubiquitous evil villains! Her imagination soared and she happily ensconced herself in a rosy romantic cocoon for many years.

Then came the writing—a true bolt from the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.


You can stalk her @
      

Grab Your Copy From



Saturday, March 18, 2023

LOVE... NO CONDITIONS ASKED by Sundari Venkatraman

    



Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: March 16, 2023
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Contemporary Romance

STORY-IN-BRIEF

“I want a divorce.” Shrikant is shaken when his wife of sixteen years greets him with those terrible words when he lands in Singapore, after being separated from her for two long years because of the lockdown which had crippled the world.

Savita knows that she doesn’t deserve a wonderful man like Shrikant, even though she loves him from the bottom of her heart. Which is the reason why she’s ready to leave him; and their teenage daughter, forever.

His heart refuses to let him believe that the woman he loves more than life itself, wants to divorce him. And he tries his best to dissuade her from taking such a drastic step.

But will she listen to him? And what about Shrikant, is his love strong enough to face the truth of why Savita wants to go her separate way?





Sundari Venkatraman is an Indie Author who has 63 books to her credit, the latest book being LOVE... NO CONDITIONS ASKED, which is a standalone novel. These books have consistently featured in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.

These days, the author is independently publishing her novels in paperback format under her banner Flaming Sun, printed and distributed by Notion Press. 

Even as a child, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome and she grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, Phantom comics and Mandrake comics. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy ending after the protagonists surmounted all unexpected obstacles.

Once she entered her teens, Sundari switched her loyalties from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to local heroes and heroines. And of course, the joy of vanquishing the ubiquitous evil villains! Her imagination soared and she happily ensconced herself in a rosy romantic cocoon for many years.

Then came the writing—a true bolt from the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.


You can stalk her @
      

Grab Your Copy From





Monday, February 6, 2023

Book Blitz: LIBRA'S FLAME (Written in the Stars #5) by Sundari Venkatraman

     



Publisher: Flaming Sun (Indie published)
Publication Date: February 2, 2023
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
Genre: Contemporary Romance

STORY-IN-BRIEF

Dipika Sanyal is an established, internationally renowned business woman, running a modelling agency. She is swept off her feet by the handsome Mudit, who simply refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer. The Libra woman is completely floored from the word go.

Mudit Trivedi is the financial director of a multi-million crore business. He is deeply attracted to Dipika the moment he sets eyes on her. The Gemini does not want to wait for even a moment before getting to know her better.

Things go really well for the two in the beginning, until his estranged family enters the picture. Dipika has never met a ruder person than his father. Will their relationship survive the strain placed upon it?

Read the book to find out if this hot and sizzling pair of Libra and Gemini can have a life together.



A preview of #LibrasFlame


Sundari Venkatraman is an Indie Author who has 62 books to her credit, the latest book being LIBRA'S FLAME, which is the fifth book in the Written in the Stars series. These books have consistently featured in the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.

These days, the author is independently publishing her novels in paperback format under her banner Flaming Sun, printed and distributed by Notion Press. 

Even as a child, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome and she grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, Phantom comics and Mandrake comics. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy ending after the protagonists surmounted all unexpected obstacles.

Once she entered her teens, Sundari switched her loyalties from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to local heroes and heroines. And of course, the joy of vanquishing the ubiquitous evil villains! Her imagination soared and she happily ensconced herself in a rosy romantic cocoon for many years.

Then came the writing—a true bolt from the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.


You can stalk her @
      

Grab Your Copy From