Review: Emergence by SiriGuruDev Singh with Giveaway

EMERGENCE

Infernal Guard #1

by SGD Singh

January 30, 2016

YA Urban Fantasy

Seventeen year-old Asha's days are spent training in martial arts, attending homeschool classes, and helping in the kitchens of a luxurious Miami resort which she seldom leaves. Until the night her grandfather arrives home mysteriously injured, accompanied by a terrifying stranger. Asha begins to suspect that nothing is what it seems when she is abruptly sent to Punjab, India to live with relatives she never knew she had.

Joined by her best friend, Lexi, and her newfound cousin, Nidhan, Asha is soon drawn to an unusual place where the three of them learn that our World is much more than it appears. And there is a good reason people are afraid of the dark.

Meet The Infernal Guard: Shape-shifting Jodha warriors, Seers of various psychic Talents, Healers, Illusionists, and weapons-creating Tvastars. They are the gifted few who fight to protect our realm from demonic Underworlders escaping the seven lower dimensions of Hindu Mythology's Fourteen Worlds.

As the next generation of heroes from around the globe gathers to begin training, Asha discovers true love and a family in her friends and instructors. But something in the darkness knows that she alone possesses the rarest Talent of all. Now Asha must find the courage and strength to risk everything she has gained before a devouring evil like no other The Infernal Guard has ever faced destroys our realm's very existence.

You can find Emergence on Goodreads

You can buy Emergence on Amazon
It’s available to read with Kindle Unlimited.

MY TIDBITS

With exotic scenes, fantastical creatures, action, and heaps of emotion, this is a read not to put down until the last page.

Asha lives with her grandfather in Miami. Her teenage life runs smoothly, however, a little unusual considering she's homeschooled, has a wealthy best friend and is well trained in several fighting forms. Just an average, teenage girl. Until her grandfather comes home one night with horrible wounds and demands that she head to India immediately to finish up her schooling/training. Not happy about it, but not in a position to argue, Asha heads in India to live with the family of her grandfather's brother, one she didn't know existed until that day. But that's only the beginning. Soon, she discovers an entire realm of fighters, who have the goal to keep the evil creatures from the lower seven realms at bay. Asha was born to be one of them, along with her friends. And so much more.

This is one of those books, which immerses the reader in a fantastical world and an epic tale. The mixture of wonderful details, action and heart-touching moments keep the pages flying by until the very end. While the book begins in Miami, the scenes quickly switch to India and then again to a fantastical realm. Each one is vivid and full of life, and the quick slide from one to the next in just a few short chapters was a bit overwhelming at first. But Asha and her friends made it switch into place as her situation and struggles soon took center stage.

The characters in this book are rich and full of personality. It's easy to get lost in Asha's relationships with all of them be it teacher, commander, friend, acquaintance, enemy or lover. And it's this drawing in of each character which makes this an engaging read, especially when the battles begin and danger lurks in the shadows.

Asha needs to discover herself as well as the layers of secrets around her. There are unexpected twists and turns, and the tension constantly mounts like a ticking time bomb. All the while, there's a building romance and a bond of friendship which is inspiring.

In other words, this is a book for friends of magic, paranormal creatures, descriptive fight scenes, and a lovely romance on the side. It's definitely a story to get lost in, and it will be interesting to see what battles Asha and her friends will face next.

Later books in this series:

And here she is...

SiriGuruDev Singh lives in New Mexico and Punjab, India with her husband, two daughters, and various extended relatives and animals. She is the author of the YA urban fantasy trilogy The Infernal Guard and Exiled To Freedom, a YA historical fiction novel about India’s bloody Partition of 1947.

You can find and contact SGD Singh here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Pinterest
- Instagram
- Goodreads
- Amazon

GIVEAWAY!!!

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of Emergence. One winner will win signed copies of all three books in the Infernal Guard series by SGD Singh. Open International.

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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The blog tour runs from 30 July till 19 August. See the tour schedule here.

Review: India by Debra Schoenberger with Giveaway

Today, I have a lovely non-fiction book, which is actually classified for adults, but I see this one as a treasure for children as well. Growing up, I loved to grab the National Geographic magazines from my parents' shelves to gaze at the pictures--all the amazing things and far off, exotic places. And I know my own kids can't get enough of this type of knowledge either. Since this book is exactly about these sort of pictures (and pictures only), I highly recommend it for audiences ages 4 to 120 or even above.

INDIA

by Debra Schoenberger

Blurb

Non-Fiction

I have always been fascinated by the sheer beauty and diversity in Indian culture. "Sensory overload in a glance" is an apt description of a country that is always in movement. To be able to stand still in the middle of all that movement allows me to really "see" her people and absorb the flow of life from birth to death.

From learning how to make yellow ink from cow urine to watching funeral pyres burn in Varanasi, I realized that I would have to spend a lifetime here to grasp the immense value of her art, stunning architecture, fascinating food and love of all that is beautiful.

Buy the book:   Amazon   Blurb   iTunes   Website

Add on goodreads

MY TIDBITS

Through these captured moments, India comes to life in an amazing intensity, variety and beauty which can't be captured by written descriptions.

Not only are the photographs taken from various places in India--which is shown on a map toward the end of the book--but they depict a vast array of motives. Although there are several breath-taking 'landscape' pictures, most photographs grab real life moments in a simple but meaningful way. The culture, people and daily life circumstances are brought across in a pure form, allowing the reality of life in India to seep through. Many photographs invite for thought, although they portray sometimes the simplest situations.

The wide variety of emotions and circumstances surrounding the photographs make each one a treat to discover. There are always new details to discover, making this a book that can be taken in time and again. It's easy to get lost in each moment, and see the pain as well as the beauty--often more subtle than not.

While some photographs draw attention to concerning circumstances (electric wire spaghetti), most concentrate on the more simple life without rise of opinions or thoughts. The images allow the 'reader' to suck them in as they will. The collection comes across as a set of wonderfully well done travel pictures from the photographer/author. This gives it a more personal flair, and avoids the impression of having any sort of agenda. The photographs can be enjoyed in all their emotions and variety.

This is a book for all ages, since there are basically no descriptions. Even children can get lost in the reality of the pictures and gain a good feel for India and the people who live there.

And here she is. . .

Debra Schoenberger aka #girlwithcamera

"My dad always carried a camera under the seat of his car and was constantly taking pictures. I think that his example, together with pouring over National Geographic magazines as a child fuelled my curiosity for the world around me.

I am a documentary photographer and street photography is my passion. Some of my images have been chosen by National Geographic as editor's favourites and are on display in the National Geographic museum in Washington, DC.  I also have an off-kilter sense of humour so I'm always looking for the unusual.

​Connect with the author:    Website ~  Facebook ​~ Instagram ~  Pinterest

GIVEAWAY!!!

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