Author: Anna Bushi

Has a book chosen you?

I read this book in two days. Like the wand chooses the wizard in Harry Potter, this book called out to me from the shelves. 

Two nurses swap places: one lives in London, the other in a remote part of Scotland. The nurses are male and female, and their romance happens on a sloooow burn. They don’t meet till the last few chapters.

Loved seeing London and Scotland through their eyes, the people, the culture, and the land. Reading this left me content and happy in a grinning-from-ear-to-ear way. Kudos to the author for tackling trauma in such a healing way.

Recommend it for clean romance and women’s fiction readers.

Book Review – Baptism of Fire

Baptism of Fire – this series is for readers who don’t mind twelve named characters appearing on a single page. I have to state that first because this series is not for everyone.

You can read my reviews of the earlier books in the series here.

Book three mainly follows the witcher’s storyline with glimpses at Ciri and Yen.

I am amazed at how easily the author moves from one POV to another. And each character is richly developed so that by the end of the story, you could almost call them your (one-sided) friend. And encountering mythological creatures is like going on an adventure. You never know what is going to turn up.

I loved how the author peeled the layers to reveal Ciri’s origin story. I am already itching to read the next book in the series.

I love reading fantasies because it allows me to experience a world beyond my imagination. This series has everything I love about epic fantasies.

Book Review – The Vibrant Years

This book is a story of three generations of women supporting each other as life throws them a curveball. The book starts at a slow pace and picks up speed in the second half when the twist and turns come fast and furious at you.

Bindu, the grandmother in her sixties, is a study of conflicts. A housewife, a mother, and a grandmother, who puts her family before herself as an atonement for her deeds as a teenager, discovers freedom in a retirement community. Her modern attire and outward appearance are in constant conflict with the traditional values she unconsciously holds.

Alisha, whose relationship with her mother-in-law is a highlight of the book, is putting her career ahead of her marriage and paying the price for it.

Cullie, the genius daughter, does not want to deal with the vulnerability that comes with opening one’s heart.

You cannot read a Sonali Dev book hungry because her vivid food descriptions will assault all your five senses.

As in her other books, family plays a central role in this novel. Their love and support for each other is the life vest that keeps them from floating in this ocean of unpredictability. Recommend this book for readers who love reading about women of all ages struggling with understanding their desires.

The Lady of the Rivers

I start and end May with a book by Philippa Gregory. I purchased a used copy of The Other Boleyn Girl at my library book sale. After reading that book earlier this month and falling in love with Philippa Gregory’s writing, I decided to start that series at the beginning with The Lady of the Rivers.

There is magic between these pages which brings Jacquetta alive though she lived six centuries ago. If Philippa lived in the 15th century, she will be accused of witchcraft for seducing the readers with her writing.

I love how the story starts with the young Jacquetta, and we get to witness her growth on the pages. Meera, my protagonist in Heir to Malla is a similar age in that book, and that trilogy spans three decades of her life.

The story is told from Jacquetta’s perspective which is wonderful because you can get a glimpse into the domestic lives of the royals. The author portrays her realistically with very human fears and flaws. The only drawback to having a female point of view is all the battle scenes are narrated secondhand. In a few instances, the author places her in the middle or sidelines of the battle actions. I overcame this challenge by using a male protagonist in my novels who provides a firsthand view of the battles. 

I enjoyed learning about the history of this period through this medium of storytelling. My goal as an author would be to evoke the feelings Philippa evoked in me as a reader. Such powerful mastery of her craft. I look forward to reading the next book, The White Queen. Highly recommend this book to all fans of historical fiction.

My virtual bookshelf

I use Goodreads as my virtual bookshelf. A good book recommended by a trusted source goes into my TBR pile. I use Goodreads to track the books I have read, and I am doing great against my 2023 Reading Challenge. Reading brings me joy, so I don’t see these Reading Challenges as a competition. I see it more as an accomplishment.

I have several fiction and non-fiction categories to shelve a book into. I find this organization useful to find books I have read, especially when friends ask for book recommendations. I create new shelves when I read a book that does not quite fit on my existing shelves, and I decide it needs its own space. I recently made a new shelf called women-in-stem for novels that featured female protagonists working in the stem field. I have three books filed under this, and I am sure I will be adding many more.

My newest novel, King in Hiding, can be shelved under Historical Romance, Medieval Romance, and Romance. If you have more create shelves for a novel like this, please let me know in the comments.

Book Review – A Train to Moscow

This book will linger in my memory for many years. I read Crime and Punishment as a teen. There are echoes of Dostoevsky’s writing in this novel.

There are some tales where the pursuit of happiness is a given. In others, penance and suffering are the norm. This book falls into the latter category.

Sasha, the protagonist, is a stubborn, wilful, and short-tempered creature. Her raw emotions drenched me as I read this book. Her anger and guilt come in waves, and kudos to the author for giving us a realistic portrayal of a girl, human and flawed. This book follows Sasha’s journey from eight years to twenty-five, and what a roller coaster ride.

I loved the glimpse into Moscow and Leningrad in the 50s and 60s. I enjoyed the sprinkling of Russian in the novel. Andrei, the boy she loves, what a heart-wrenching story there. The last two chapters, narrated from his point of view, were magnificent.

When it comes to reading, I crave a literary feast: a blend of awe-inspiring tales, a sprinkle of poignant sadness, a generous helping of courageous journeys, and a dose of happily ever afters.

Highly recommend this book to meet your quota of unexpected twists and heartfelt moments tinged with sadness.

Sneak peek into the Prophesied Prince

My first historical fantasy, Prophesied Prince, featuring Prince Atul and Prince Aggabodhi from the Land of Magadha trilogy, is taking shape. I have written 10,000 words so far. While readers can read this series on its own, knowing the backstory of Atul and Aggabodhi adds a nice layer to the tale. A new protagonist takes center stage in this fantasy. Sugandha means fragrance, and she is a layer of onions at the start of the series. What will she reveal as the layers are peeled?

The book starts with a prologue, something new for me. It offers a glimpse into what happened at the end of Burden of the Crown. At the start of the book, there is a only a trickle of magic.

Prophecy revealed in the Land of Magadha trilogy plays a key role in this fantasy:

“Queen she will be one day, her name will be celebrated, near and far. Her son will rule the three kingdoms and beyond.”

Exclusive Preorder Discount for my Loyal Readers!

I am thrilled to announce that my upcoming historical romance novel, “King in Hiding,” is now available for preorder! As a token of my heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support, I am offering an exclusive discount to my beloved readers.

You can preorder your copy of “King in Hiding” at a special discounted price. The price will go up after the launch on June 15, 2023. 

Amid a battle, a chance encounter between a young king and a spirited princess sets the stage for a passionate and unforgettable romance. 

With its compelling characters, captivating plot twists, and lush historical backdrop, this tale will transport you to another time and leave you breathless with every turn of the page.

As one of my loyal readers, I want to express my gratitude by extending this special offer to you. Seize this opportunity to be among the first to embark on this unforgettable journey. Preorder “King in Hiding” now at the discounted price and ensure you don’t miss a single moment of this enchanting romance.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support and for being a cherished member of my literary community. I can’t wait to share this extraordinary adventure with you!

PreORDER NOW