The Malhotra Bride


BLOG TOUR OF 'THE MALHOTRA BRIDE' HOSTED BY THE BOOK CLUB


The Malhotra Bride by Sundari Venkatraman




The Blurb

Sunita Rishi’s just turned twenty, having completed her graduation. She wants to fly free as a bird, explore career options and travel the world. Does she have a choice when Mamma & Pappa insist on arranging her marriage? Born in a rich business family steeped in tradition, Sunita has a tough job on her hands. Can she stop the tide? 

Tall, dark and handsome, Akshay Malhotra is the catch of the decade. The only son of Billionaire Raj Malhotra, he’s in a strange fix. His father’s keen that Akshay meets Sunita with marriage in mind. He’s too close to his parents to say ‘no’ for the preliminary meeting. And then he comes face-to-face with Sunita…. 

Will Sunita be falling from the frying pan into the fire when she agrees to become The Malhotra Bride?

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The Malhotra Bride by Sundari Venkatraman (Romance-Drama)


Meet the author

The Author's Thoughts

Even as a kid, she absolutely loved the 'lived happily ever after' syndrome as Sundari grew up reading all the fairy tales she could lay her hands on, Phantom comics, Mandrake comics and the like. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end. Soon, into her teens, she switched her attention 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 a local hero and heroine.

Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years. Then came the writing - a true bolt out of the blue! She could never string two sentences together. While her spoken English had always been excellent - thanks to her Grandpa - she could not write to save her life. She was bad at writing essays in both school and college. Later, when it was time to teach her kids, she could manage everything from Science to Mathematics and History & Geography.

When it came to writing compositions, her kids found her of no help at all. All this changed suddenly one fine day in the year 2000. She had just quit her job at a school's office and did not know what to do with her life. She was saturated with simply reading books. That's when she got home one evening after her walk and took some sheets of paper and began writing. It was like watching a movie that was running in her head - all those years of visualising Indian heroes and heroines needed an outlet and had to be put into words. That's how her first novel, The Malhotra Bride, took shape.

While she felt discouraged when publishing did not happen, it was her husband who kept encouraging her not to give up. There was no looking back after that. While publishing took a long time happening, Sundari continued to write novels and then short stories. Her luck turned when Indireads approached her to write for them and Double Jeopardy was born.

Then came the self-publishing on Amazon. The 2nd edition of THE MALHOTRA BRIDE has been successfully published on Amazon and is available as an ebook since February 2014. The book has been very well received by the reading public.


You can stalk her @

               
                            



REVIEW BY DOLA BASU SINGH


Dola Basu Singh
I met Dola Basu Singh through The Book Club. I was quite thrilled when Dola agreed to review my book The Malhotra Bride as I have read a number of her reviews and found them very interesting. Thank you Dola! I am so glad you liked my book too.

About Dola Basu Singh in her own words:

"My name is Dola and I live in a small and picturesque village in Punjab, India. I am a high school teacher by profession and a writer by passion. I am also pursuing my Masters degree in Computer Applications. Being a lover of books, that’s what I am surrounded by most of the day. Except when I find myself in between the toy-battlefield of my seven year old, or when I am gulping down details of Bey Blades and Transformers, that is."

CLICK HERE to check out Dola's blog....

Book Review – The Malhotra Bride By Sundari Venkatraman

The Malhotra Bride is Author Sundari Venkatraman’s second novel, the first being Double Jeopardy. With this novel the author has forayed into the self-publishing world and I wish her lots of luck and hope she’ll sell lots of copies.

Sunita is a beautiful and lively girl who wants to chase her dreams of becoming an interior designer so when her parents ‘fix’ her marriage with the most eligible bachelor in town – Akshay Malhotra of the Malhotra Garments, she hatches a plan to get rid of the prospective groom. Even though Akshay is quite smitten by Sunita and is ready to allow her the freedom she desires, she doesn’t relent and sends Akshay packing. But when she comes to know that her very strict parents are planning to hold a ‘swayamvar’ for her, she hesitatingly signs a ‘contract’ with Akshay to be his bride. Whether she becomes the Malhotra Bride or not is for you to read and find out my dear readers.

CLICK HERE to read the complete review....


REVIEW BY NEELESH GAJANAN INAMDAR

Neelesh Gajanan Inamdar
It was a lucky day when The Book Club offered to launch the 2nd edition of my book THE MALHOTRA BRIDE (Kindle version available only on Amazon). I had sent a copy of the book to Neelesh Gajanan Inamdar for his honest review. I can only say that I am deeply touched by what he has to say about my book on his blog FromtheHeart-Neel.

About Neelesh Gajanan Inamdar in his own words:

"I am a qualified Chemical Engineer; worked as a director and executive producer for a few flop films and hit TV serials before shifting base to the United Arab Emirates. Was an avid reader since age 8 and have read a lot from Dickens to Kiran Desai, from Mills & Boon/Harlequin to The Old Man and the Sea/The Story of My Experiments with Truth (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi). Like to read anything from books to blogs to technical manuals to whatever paper the bhel-puri is packed in. B I G fan of William Somerset Maugham & Ernest Hemingway.  Fav books: The God of Small Things, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Anna Karenina, A Farewell To Arms, We The Living."

THE MALHOTRA BRIDE

Psychologist Zick Rubin proposed that romantic love is made up of three elements: attachment, caring and intimacy. Attachment is the need to receive care, approval and physical contact with the other person. Caring involves valuing the other person's needs and happiness as much as your own. Intimacy refers to the sharing of thoughts, desires and feelings with the other person.

I wonder if Sundari Venkatraman was inspired by this theory when she wrote her first novel The Malhotra Bride. Because Sunita, the protagonist, goes through exactly the same stages before she finally comes to terms with her own heart and accepts that she is truly in love with Akshay Malhotra.

CLICK HERE to read the complete review of The Malhotra Bride by Neelesh Gajanan Inamdar on his blog...


REVIEW BY NIKITA SONI

Nikita Soni
I have been extremely lucky to have a group of candid book reviewers from The Book Club to review my book The Malhotra Bride. Nikita Soni is an avid reader and has reviewed a number of books on her blog. I must mention here that I am thrilled to receive a 4-star review from her. Thank you so much Nikita, for taking the trouble to read my book and reviewing it. I am so glad you liked The Malhotra Bride.

About Nikita Soni in her own words:

"My name is Nikita and I am in my twenties (girls don’t give their specific age :D). I just love reading books and its my number one hobby. I don’t specifically remember when I started getting addicted to reading but it seems like forever. 

Books have been my best friends and in words of John Greene "Books are the ultimate Dumpees: put them down and they’ll wait for you forever; pay attention to them and they always love you back."

I have felt myriad of emotions, visited extremes of earth and lived through generations through reading.

Some of my fond memories comprise of me being curled up in a sofa or sometimes even on the floor with a book while it rained outside. I even used to bribe my friends to get books issued on their library cards as well so that I had some extra books to read aside from my own quota from the library and when I used to play exchange of books with my friends. 

Anyhow just the other day (I don’t remember the exact day), my husband gave me this idea to write a blog where I could give reviews on the books that I had read and also could share thoughts with other book readers. The idea appealed to me and here I am!!! 

I hope to hear from all of you and I hope we become great friends. I would love to hear your comments here on the blog which would mean that my voice is reaching you."

You can visit Nikita on her blog Njkinny's World of Books from the link given below.

Nikita Soni's review of my book The Malhotra Bride:

Sunita is just twenty and bubbling with excitement to start her dream life of a career woman where she is free and self independent. But her parents have different ideas. They want her married as soon as possible. Her father her even set his eyes on a most suitable match for her. The only son of the illustrious Malhotra family, who own the Malhotra garments, Akshay is his choice. Despite Sunita's objections, a date is set for the two families to meet and Sunita is told to be ready.

What will Sunita do?

She doesn't want to get married so soon. She wants to be someone. Stand on her own feet. But this is not the trend in her house. Gokul Rishi, her father, "was a very strict father and strongly believed that women should be occasionally seen and never heard". Ever since her childhood, Sunita had to fight for every single thing in her life and her ally in all these conquests was her grandfather. This time, however, even her grandfather is helpless and she is on her own.

CLICK HERE to read the complete review....


REVIEW BY RUBINA RAMESH

Rubina Ramesh
Rubina Ramesh has been a strong support in my self-publishing venture. I think the reason is that she just loves my books ;) I am super-thrilled that she has given THE MALHOTRA BRIDE no less than 5 stars.

On a serious note, Rubina is a voracious reader and serious reviewer of books spanning many genres. CLICK HERE to check out the various sections in her blog.

Rubina Ramesh's review of The Malhotra Bride

Sundari Venkatraman has taken a leap into the self publishing world with her second novel, The Malhotra Bride. When this book, landed on my Kindle, the first thing that struck me is the cover of the book. Illustrated by Mr. Prashant Kamble, this scene depicts an Indian marriage ritual being performed. A scene of Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge flashes in my inward eye. Got my bag of popcorn and clicked on the book in my Kindle and was soon  introduced to Sunita and Akshay.

She…

She is Sunita, a young girl from a rich business class family. Though very much loved by her family, she has one problem. She's bound by family traditions which are nothing short of male domination. [Itching to give a long lecture here, but don't want to divert from the topic :)] Sunita wants to work, but due to parental pressures, she is forced to agree to an arranged marriage. She does not take this kindly.

He…

He is Akshay Malhotra - the scion of the Malhotra family. The rich guy who is NOT a brat! He has a loving relationship with his parents, hard-working and OMG! without any vices. God! Make more like him, please. When he hears about his parent's arranging a marriage for him, he is a bit hesitant but when his dad insists he agrees to 'see'the girl. [This is another debatable topic.]

CLICK HERE to read the complete review on Rubina's blog....


REVIEW BY NILIMA MOHITE


Nilima Mohite
Nilima Mohite has taken the time out from her busy schedule with a full time job and a baby son to read and review my book THE MALHOTRA BRIDE.

Thank you very much Nilima for the positive review. I am so glad you liked the 2nd edition of my book.

Nilima's feedback:

Yes, another book review and that too for the book written by my author friend Sundari Venkatraman, The Malhotra Bride.

I had mentioned in the review of Double Jeopardy, that I will review the 2nd edition of The Malhotra Bride. So here it is:

Story:
Sunita, is the beautiful, drop dead gorgeous daughter of the Rishi garment business family. She is just 20, innocent, completed her graduation & looking to enjoy life which is a not an option she gets in the orthodox traditional business family. Her parents are hell bent on getting her married. Her father treats it as another business deal.

Her suitor is Akshay Malhotra, a handsome hunk, perfect modern day businessman, eligible bachelor, only son of billionaire of Malhotra Garmets. He has girls swarming around him, he likes to party, has never heard a No from any woman, doesnt go beyond one night stands. He loves his carefree life and wants to have a wedded life like his parents, love marriage at that.

CLICK HERE to read the complete review....


REVIEW BY SRIDEVI DATTA

Sridevi Datta
I got introduced to Sridevi Datta via THE BOOK CLUB. Thank you Sridevi for agreeing to do a review of The Malhotra Bride.

About Sridevi Datta in her own words:

"I strongly believe every word written or uttered serves a larger purpose in life. I am here to find that purpose and find myself nearing that goal every time I write.  Would love to connect with you all at many many levels."

Thank you Sridevi Datta for your honest feedback. 

REVIEW

Marriages in most Indian homes are not made in Heaven. Rather they are manipulated, calculated and weighed in all aspects by both sides before the parents of  the bride and the groom decide to take the plunge. If after everything, the bride and the groom are fortunate enough to fall for each other, an amalgamation of the most fruitful kind is formed.

TMB starts on this very premise. The parents of the bride and the groom without consulting their children fix their alliance. But the bride is Sunita - vivacious and pretty with her own aspirations of etching a career and the groom is Akshay - a tall dapper of a man who does not exactly want to get tied down to matrimony and wife at this stage. Yet when they meet for the first time, sparks fly, they are drawn to each other and begin falling in love.

CLICK HERE to read the complete review....


REVIEW BY JAIBALA RAO

Jaibala Rao
I am so thrilled with the 4.5-star rating Jaibala Rao has given THE MALHOTRA BRIDE. Thank you for the super review Jaibala!

About Jaibala Rao in her own words:

"Although new to professional writing and reviewing, Jaibala has lived in a world of books ever since she could read. Outside that Utopia of books, she is academically a Microbiologist and professionally has been an Event Manger and Content Writer. Just like her colourful professional background her interest in books is also spread across various genres. “There is something good in every book”, is a belief she carries while reading."

The Road To Being The Malhotra’s Bride

The Malhotra Bride is the second book I have read by the Author Sundari Venkatraman and is her first foray into self publishing. This is again a total Bollywood romance full of a few twists. Well, I did read the book in one go, so yes I was addicted to the story, waiting for the plot to unfold. Sundari has a way of tying her romances with some thrill and drama and the book ends up being an interesting and start – to – finish read.

CLICK HERE to read the complete review on her blog My School of Thought....


2 comments:

  1. I'm glad you didn't give up! It sounds like a wonderful story and the cover is colorful and engaging. Also, I love your blog banner--wow, what a pop of color! So glad I found you through the blog tour. Keep writing!

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    Replies
    1. Hi again Charli,
      I am also glad you found me through Ruchira Khanna's blog tour. And thank you for the lovely compliments :)

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