Friday 21 September 2018

Spotlight & Review: Bollywood Invasion by Ricardo Alexanders



Bollywood Invasion by Ricardo Alexanders
Series n/a; standalone
Genre Adult Historical Fantasy
Publisher Independent
Publication Date September 18, 2018



A fantasy novel of a modern-day American boy's journey back in time as the reincarnation of John Lennon.

Sixteen-year-old John Palmieri is living an average life in Brooklyn until one day he wakes up as a prince in India, thirty-five years before he was born. Suddenly, he finds himself with riches and power beyond his wildest fantasies.

Brooklyn is readily forgotten. Life becomes a constant stream of debauchery, coming to a stand-still only when he meets "the one." However, love doesn't come easy. He must become a better man and sing his way into her heart, a pursuit ignited by his memories of the vintage Beatles music on his iPod.

Will these legendary songs change John's life? Can he escape Lennon's tragic fate? Will he ever find his way back to Brooklyn at his own time?

His fate will unfold in Bollywood Invasion.



Barnes & Noble https://goo.gl/Jh5Pk6



John is a typical teenager who loves listening to music and secretly lusts after a girl at school until his tardiness and lack of concentration lead him into the path of an oncoming bus. He wakes and everyone calls him Raj. He's now in India, it's 1958 and he's a prince!

This is probably the most adventurous book I've picked up this year from a reading perspective. It's an intriguing mix of time-travel, romance and history. Unlike anything I've read before, I enjoyed the inventiveness of the narrative which kept my attention for the duration of the novel. I've purposefully not included any clues about the unexpected journey John/Raj make. This is a novel where diving into the text is the way to go, without any preconceived ideas.

Right from the opening page, I was drawn into John's life. After reading the book blurb, I really had no clue as to how the author would spin his idea and somehow against my reader apprehension it works very well. He's managed to pack a lot into the pages and it flows together beautifully as we follow Raj on an extraordinary life exploration where he finds love, loss and success.

The glossary of terms appears at the end of some chapters, is both useful and very convenient for readers unfamiliar with some of the vocabulary used during the Indian aspect of Raj's life. The use of The Beatles lyrics throughout adds a nostalgic feel.

Overall a wonderful and highly imaginative novel with a broad appeal which contrasts between the past and the present whilst incorporating a fascinating blend of culture and snippets of moments in history.

***arc received courtesy of the publisher via Pure Textuality PR***


Waking up in 1958 India:

Raj Babu1! Raj Babu!”
Help me!” John flailed his arms around like a newborn.
I must be dead, he thought, perhaps on my way to Hell.
Raj Babu! O’pun eyes!”
His eyes still closed, he felt the touch of a cold liquid all over his face.
Argh! What is happening? Please stop!” John covered his face with his hands to shield himself from whatever was being sprinkled onto his face. If he was in Hell, which to him seemed like the only reasonable explanation, it could potentially be a fluid meant to burn his face. Yes indeed, it had to be Hell. Why else was the ground beneath him burning? And why was his skin on fire?
Dimaag kharaab ho gaya hai Raj Babu ka to!2
Raj Babu!”
Please…” he wailed as the splashes grew harder. “Please don’t!”
His hands were snatched away from his face and his right cheek slapped hard. John opened his eyes to the sight of a dark face surrounded by a halo so bright that it made his eyes squint. Behind the figure stood another dark figure wearing what looked like a cloak, bearing a scythe on his back. John shut his eyes, horrified, body shivering.
Aur paani do!3
Slap!
It would seem odd to John if Satan had not resorted to corporal punishment.
Ek do aur maaro!4 Slap him harder this time!”
Slap! Slap!
Fur’give me, Raj Babu! I no want to slap you!”
Nauseous and weak, John kept his eyes shut, waiting for his fate to unfold.
Chaon me le jaate hain Raj Babu ko.5 He heard another incomprehensible spell.
1 A title used to address a man with respect.
2 Raj has lost his mind.
3 Get some more water.
4 Hit him a couple of times more.
5 Let’s take Raj in the shade.


Ricardo is a descendant of the Great Yyu, a.k.a. the first king of China. He lives in Massachusetts and enjoys experiencing all kinds of cultures around the world. After obtaining his doctorate in science, he became fascinated with time-travel. As an aspiring writer, he loves to write time-travel fictions that blend fantasy, science, and real history together.

In 2017, he published his debut time-travel novel Dragon Tomb, the first book of his TLR (The Last Resistance) pentalogy. This history science fiction series starts from World War II, during which a young archaeologist discovers the true origin of Chinese civilization and saves the world from Armageddon.






To celebrate the release of BOLLYWOOD INVASION by Ricardo Alexanders, we're giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and a $50 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner! Once your initial entry is confirmed, additional entry options are unlocked!


GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to internationally. Two winners will be chosen, one to receive a $25 Amazon gift card and one to receive a $50 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Ricardo Alexanders. Giveaway ends 10/1/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted.


Cover Reveal: Strand of Faith by Rachel J. Bonner



Cover Designer’s Social Media

Strand of Faith by Rachel J. Bonner


When the choice is between love and life, how can anyone decide?
A girl and a monk, both with extraordinary mental powers, have compelling reasons not to fall in love. But those from whom they expect support are manipulating them both because their choices will have consequences for the rest of the world.
After a stormy youth, Brother Prospero has found comfort and fulfilment in the monastery. That is, until he discovers something that forces him to reconsider his whole vocation. To follow his heart, he’ll have to face his demons again, outside the security of the monastery. Is it worth the risk? Can he beat them this time? Or will they finally destroy him?
Orphaned and mistreated, Leonie has found sanctuary and safety at the abbey. All she wants is to learn how to manage her unusual abilities so that she is not a danger to those around her. When she comes into contact with Prospero everything threatens to spiral out of her control. Whether she leaves or whether she stays, how can she possibly avoid destroying – yet again – those she has come to care about?
Abbot Gabriel is faced with an impossible choice. He can do nothing and watch the world descend into war. Or he can manipulate events and ensure peace – at the cost of two lives that he is responsible for. He knows what he has to do but is he strong enough to sacrifice those he loves?


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Rachel J Bonner is the author of the four book Choices and Consequences series, the first of which, Strand of Faith, is due out in November 2018.
Getting a degree in engineering, followed by a career in accountancy is probably not a conventional path to becoming an author, particularly in paranormal romance. Rachel says that, although accountancy isn’t anything like as boring as everyone thinks, writing is a lot more fun. When not writing, she can be found walking in the beautiful countryside near where she lives, which has influenced much of the scenery in her books, or shooting things with her local archery club. Target shooting only, honest. Nothing to worry about.
She also enjoys swimming, eating chocolate chip cookies and growing aromatic herbs, especially thyme and rosemary. It’s no coincidence that her heroine likes the same things.
You can find out more about her books and sign up for Rachel’s newsletters at www.racheljbonner.co.uk.