Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, short story

Crooked Creek: A Comedy about Writer’s Block and a Neurotic Home Owners Association by Fredrick Robertson | Review

Billy’s first novel launched him into literary stardom. Now all he has to do is write a second book. His decision to move back to his home town might not have been in his best interest. His Neurotic home owner’s association has different plans to manipulate and distract him.
This novella was created to make you laugh. If you have ever been part of a Home Owner’s Association than you know what I am talking about. The length of this novella was done on purpose so you could enjoy so many laughs by the pool, beach, or playground and then move on with your busy life. You will laugh out loud. Be prepared. This is the new Second Edition that has been professionally edited.

Title: Crooked Creek: A Comedy about Writer’s Block and a Neurotic Home Owners Association

Author: Fredrick Robertson

Pages: 73

My review

Crooked Creek is a perfect getaway from our hectic work life. The author is serving you a series of laughs with a pinch of satire.

Billy is an author who landed in literary stardom after publishing his first book. His agent and publishers are pushing him for another work. But he is struggling with writers’s block. He decided to move out to a condo in the quiet suburb to overcome this issue. All his plans get quickly derailed as the Home Owners Association decided to indulge and make his stay even more painful. Billy has to fight hard to cut himself loose from the strangling rules and sadistic people who determined to make his life miserable.

Although this is a hilarious account of the deceptive nature of people who pledged to make others life miserable, it offers more than that. Billy lands on a series of problems. All his attempts to boost his creativity are mercilessly crushed by these people. They are deliberately targeting him. People are squeezing others for their profits. They are eagerly waiting for new owners to hook their claws on. At some point, I felt sorry for Billy. He was helpless in some situations. I was pretty satisfied at the end because finally he turned around and used this circumstance for advantage. It was the befitting reply.

The author has done a fascinating job with narration and characterization. This novella might be tagged as end-to-end humor, but I can clearly see how he created empathy with very few words. That is the magic this book offers. It is a survival story but a hilarious one!

Check out the book here: Amazon.com Amazon.IN
Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, short story, Young-Adult

Judgmental: Serenade Short Reads Book One by Riley Manning| Review

PARKER:

After being away from home for nearly a decade, my mother summons me back to Serenade to celebrate my father’s sixtieth birthday. I don’t want to go back and I have good reason, too. But when I return home and run into the former quarterback, it’s like I’m in high school all over again. My memories are still haunted by the football team’s efforts to humiliate me and I can’t seem to let go of the past.

COOPER:

My quarterback days lay way behind me, as I find myself struggling to make ends meet. After my father has died, and my mother’s gone to travel the world, I’m left dreaming of starting my own family. I also have a dream of opening my own pastry shop, but that may be too big of dream for me. When I meet Parker, I’m starting to wonder if I might get both after all…

Title: Judgmental: Serenade Short Reads Book One

Author: Riley Manning

Pages: 100

My review

A slowly blossoming romance in the background of beautiful Serenade.

Parker and Cooper are two entirely different characters. There is no similarity between them. Above all, Cooper is the same person that made Parker’s life hell at once. But love knows no barriers. It will blossom in very unlikely situations. This beautiful story underlines that. Moreover, we can witness, sometimes love can be so powerful that it will unite two souls regardless of their struggles.

The author has adopted a dual narrative style. We can look into the situation through both protagonists perspective. This made the whole story somewhat like a thriller. We will be anxious to know what will happen next.

I was curious about the title of this short read from the beginning. But I realized that this whole story is about being judgemental. The contrasting perspective of both leads makes the core of the story. Being judgemental means, being deeply prejudiced. Here we can see this mindset is slowly dissolved as another strong emotion takes over their feelings, which is love. Love is the cure for all the hate. It can unite people magically.

A beautifully penned, romance story indeed.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, short story, Young-Adult

A man in church, a woman in temple: Romance of a couple of different-religious counselors by Dino|Book review

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Here are two man and woman of different religions. Man is Christian and woman is Buddhist. But both of them majored in counseling because they were interested in mind study, and they met at a seminar…
There is a part that they can communicate with each other about their hearts, so the two meet often and become closer, but they can’t ask each other to go out easily. It was because they had different religions, but at some point their minds broke down the barriers of religion and became one. It’s a full-fledged religious romance about how these two man and woman understand each other’s feelings and understand each other’s religions.

Title: A man in church, a woman in temple: Romance of a couple of different-religious counselors

Author: Dino

Pages: 19

My review

A man in church, a woman in temple is a short romantic novel filled with emotions. Over the 20 pages, the author narrates a simple story of a man and woman, who are from very different backgrounds but are connected by their mutual love. Peter is a Christian religious counselor and Achara is a Buddhist counselor. They met each other at a religious seminar. Amidst the difference in religions, they are drawn into each other due to their charismatic performance and knowledge of respective religions. Their mutual admiration slowly transformed into affection and then love. As the story progresses, they are trying to understand each other better and exploring their feelings to one another.

This is a simple story on love, the purest human emotion. This story is about understanding each other’s feelings and finding a mutual connection between souls. Although they are from different religions, the author never really included any religious conversations in the story. I think it is because the author is trying to convey the true message of love. Love is beyond boundaries and beyond differences.

Overall this is a nice short novel for every romance lovers.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Erotic fiction, Fiction, short story

The Unexpected by Avril Sellin|Book review

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Two strangers in the night are joined by audacity and danger.

On a dark, deserted beach in Los Angeles, a wealthy man in an Armani suit and sleek Bugatti is approached by a wandering twenty-something woman in tattered leather. She boldly interrupts his brooding, refusing to leave as he urges her to move on. In an effort to get rid of her, he promises to take her where she needs to go.

However, a trip intended to be quick ends up turning the night into something out of a nightmare, and the two strangers become linked by an unexpected bond.

My review

The Unexpected is the tale of two strangers. They are drawn into each other’s company by some unexpected circumstances. Garret, a wealthy businessman who was brooding in a deserted beach is approached by Rhea, a homeless twenty-year-old girl, rather fearlessly. He tries to get rid of her but some unexpected turn of events pushes them to spend more time together than they thought. One thing leads to another and they are now all set to start a road trip. But both these characters have their reasons to justify these situations. They have their justifications. Both of them are escaping from some mysterious past. They are met in the way of escape. They are connected by a mysterious bond.

The author carefully builds up a dark mystery on both characters. Both of them are in pain. The pain that they are trying to escape rather than facing them. The story doesn’t give any hint about the character’s background. This makes the plot even more mysterious. The story has much potential to develop into a thriller or horror considering the various events that took place in the plot.
Overall it is a very engaging short read which leaves you with questions at the end.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, short story

Lucky the Turtle by Tylin Pratt|Book review

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Title: Lucky the Turtle

Author: Tylin Pratt

Pages: 30

Genre: Children’s fiction

Blurb

Lucky is a kind and happy turtle who lives in a small pond, on a big farm. He has many friends and many aspirations, but doubts he’ll be able to achieve them because he’s a small turtle, living in a big world. Lucky finds the courage to follow his dreams and on that journey, he discovers his inner greatness.

My review

We all have many dreams and goals. But often we are discouraged by the people around us. We lose focus due to this unwanted influence. People who can rise beyond these hurdles can only achieve their dreams. “Lucky the Turtle” illustrates this meaningful concept very well. This is a beautiful story of overcoming challenges and believing in oneself. These beliefs can work magic on your way. The beautiful illustrations certainly add brightness to the story.

Stories like this help our children to not only dream big but also to believe that every dream is achievable, no matter how big it is. But we can only achieve it through the right guidance, meticulous practice, and laser-sharp focus. No matter, how small you are, how slow you are, if you are perseverant enough, nothing can stop you from reaching your goals.

The story also conveys another message about good and bad friendships. How people around you can pull you down and how good friends can turn your mindest quickly. It is important to circle yourself with meaningful and supportive relationships to achieve every goal.

Through this small story, the author has imparted timeless wisdom to budding minds. A must-read for children and adults alike.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Memoirs, Self-Help, short story

My happily ever after by Sanjay Sharma| Book review

Title: My happily ever after 

Author: Sanjay Sharma

Blurb

Keshav is a small-town guy, who lands up in Delhi for his engineering degree in a well-known college. The twist in his tale is – he does not want to be an engineer. He wants to be an author. When fate brings him face to face with Aditi, he is stumped by her beauty and heavenly voice. Like him, her dreams lie elsewhere. She aspires to be a singer, and not an engineer.

They bond over their dreams and passion, and a deep bond is forged. But just when things are going great between the two, a turning point pulls them apart. While she leaves him to pursue her dreams, he plunges into depression and anxiety.
My Happily Ever After is a heartwarming tale of electrifying friendships, life-altering dreams, and everlasting love which will motivate you to live the life of your dreams.

My review

Romance stories always bring calm and gratitude to everyone’s heart because it is a story that we can relate to. The peace that they pour to our hearts is unmatchable. Keshav and Aditi’s love story is indeed a beautiful one. It is also narrated passionately. Everyone can pick up this book and read them without any hassles.

I must say, it is not an entirely a love story. I liked this plot very much because it is more relatable to our lives. We all are trapped and living a life that others want to. We have dreams and we bury them because of unbearable stress and expectations. But some will stand straight until they achieve their dreams. This is the story of that someone.

An inspiring read indeed. The simple yet powerful language is the biggest plus point. Overall a good and nice story.
Rating:4/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors, short story

The Untold Stories by Maheshwar Narayan Sinha

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  • Title: The Untold Stories
  • Author: Maheshwar Narayan Sinha
  • Paperback: 164 pages
  • Publisher: 24by7Publishing

The Untold Stories is a collection of 6 short stories and one long story. The stories included are:
1. The Genius
2. The Deal
3. Kaala Dupatta
4. God in Chain
5. A word of Silence
6. The Guest

and the Long story is “The Untold Stories”

The variety in the themes used in each story is the main highlight. The author has explored many themes such as love, sorrow, education system, child abuse, unemployment, etc. The similarity of the themes of the stories with real-life will help the reader to connect with them.

Among the stories, I liked God in Chain most. The subject which is taken by the author for narration is absolutely good.  There is no similarity between the stories which is a good trait of short story collections. This will help a reader to read smoothly without the fear of getting lost if you take a break in reading.

The language used to express the plots are largely good except some typos here and there. Though the author has tried to tell a new plot in each story, some may fall in already written subjects. The effort taken by the author to innovate his writing style through these plots is appreciable.

The design of the cover is something that has to be appreciated. The unique design in the shade of green is perfect for this book. Altogether, it is a good short story collection for a weekend reading.

Rating:3.5/5