Monday, September 16, 2013

Tour Kick Off - Meet and Greet - An Incurable Insanity by Simi K. Rao


Contemporary Romance
Date Published: 10/08/2013

 Her heart fluttered when she heard the sound of the key turn in the lock. She quickly adjusted her maroon silk sari with the yellow border, the one that had caught his eye, and waited eagerly for his footsteps.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven... Yes, exactly seven steps before he stopped, hesitated for a few moments, then removed his shoes one by one and arranged them neatly side by side on the shoe rack.
She smiled. He had been mindful of taking his shoes off every day now. 'I am not used to it, but I will if you want me to. It's probably a good thing to do anyway.'
As he settled down, he would pick up the TV remote and, without looking at her, would say in his smooth baritone, 'So how did you spend your day, anything interesting?'
Shaan Ahuja found himself bowing to tradition and agreeing to an arranged marriage to the beautiful Ruhi Sharma. He went through the motions but had no intention of carrying through on his vows. His last foray into matters of the heart with an American girl had left him scarred and unwilling to try again. Thoroughly disillusioned and disgruntled he wasted no time in making his intentions clear to Ruhi on their wedding night. But, he was completely unprepared for what his new wife had in mind.

"In Rao’s debut novel, an arranged Indian marriage sets the stage for an intimate look at the exasperating madness of love.
Shaan Ahuja and Ruhi Sharma’s arranged marriage has an inauspicious start. Shaan spurns his new wife on their wedding night, still pining over the American lover he left back in Los Angeles. However, the begrudging spouses soon make a pact: Ruhi will stay with Shaan in the United States just long enough to avoid embarrassment. The young bride hopes she can use the time to win Shaan’s heart, and although Ruhi’s beauty and attentiveness do change Shaan’s feelings, his immaturity and inability to express himself—and Ruhi’s lingering mistrust—keep them from reconciling. As they attempt to be “friends without benefits,” they start to reveal their true selves, including her needling puckishness and independent spirit and the reasons for his reserved nature and impulsive jealousy. Their eventual reconciliation comes not from forgiveness but from acceptance and understanding. The novel trades in a certain amount of melodrama that, thanks to its light tone, comes across as indulgent but satisfying. ...The novel seems highly aware of its influences, using cultural expectations and delayed gratification in the same spirit, if not with the same deftness, as Jane Austen. Shaan and Ruhi also sometimes mirror the star-crossed lovers from Casablanca (a film that the book directly
references). 
An often intoxicating,  will-they-or-won’t-they tale." - KIRKUS 





#1 – Do You See Writing as a Career?
I am a practising physician and writing to me is a favorite pass time. It is much more than a career. It is a passion; an outlet for my thoughts and emotions, thereby therapeutic. I simply enjoy it.
#2 – What was the Hardest Part of Your Writing Process?
The hardest part is writing down the ideas before they fly out of my head. There are times when I sincerely wish I had an automatic note taker in my brain.
#3 – Did you have any One Person Who Helped You Out with Your Writing Outside of Your Family?
There are a few dear friends who have provided me with continued encouragement and for that I shall be eternally grateful.
#4 – What is next for your writing?
I have a few story ideas that I’m working on including a book of poems. Yes, I am an amateur poet.
#5 – Do you have an addiction to reading as well as writing? If so, what are you currently reading?
I have this strange habit of reading two books at a time. Right now they happen to be The Borgias by G J Meyer and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
DESCRIBE Your Book in 1 Tweet: An Intoxicating tale, a MUST READ
This or That?
#1 - iPd or Mp3? Mp3
#2 – Chocolate or Vanilla? Homemade Vanilla
#3 – Mashed Potatoes or French Fries? Neither. French fries if you insist.
#4 – Comedy or Drama? Drama with elements of comedy.
#5 – Danielle Steel or Nicholas Sparks? Danielle Steele. I haven’t yet tried Nicholas Sparks.  
#6 – Fantasy or Reality? Reality.
#7 – Call or Text? Call. I like to deal with humans whenever possible.
#8 – Public School or Home School? Private School
#9 – Coffee or Hot Chocolate? Coffee, preferably Cappuccino as they make it in Rome.
#10 – eBook or Paperback? Paperback on my nightstand, eBook while travelling.





Simi K. Rao
Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several
years. This book is her first foray into writing. The inspiration for the story came
from what she has seen transpire among and within the immigrant community.
Some of the experiences included are her own; some have been garnered from
friends and casual conversations with acquaintances. She also writes poetry, is
an avid photographer, loves to travel, and is a practicing physician. She currently
lives in Denver with her family.

You can connect with the author and read more of her work on her website at
www.simikrao.com






September 17  - Livia Ellis - Review/Interview
September 18 -   Olivia Evans Books - Review/Guest Post
September 19 -   Alway's Jo Art- Guest Post/PROMO
September 20 -   Cruising Susan Reviews-  Review
September 22 -   Texas Book Nook - PROMO
September 23 -   Queen of All She Reads - Review
September 24 -   A Life Through Books - PROMO
September 25 -  E.M. Havens - PROMO
September 26 -   My Reading Addiction - PROMO
September 27 -  Books, Books, the Magical Fruit - Guest Post/PROMO
September 30 -   Book Suburbia - PROMO
October 1 -  This Girl Reads A Lot - Review
October 2 - Reviews of a Book Maniac- Review
October 3 - Mary's Cup of Tea - Review
October 4 - Reading With ABC - Review
October 5 - Sleepless Nights Romance Reviews - Review
October 7 - Books Are Love - Review
October 8 - Pure Jonel - Review
October 9 - Mythical Books - Guest Post/PROMO
October 10 - Overstuffed Princess - Review
October 11 -  RABT Reviews - Review



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