Showing posts with label Simi K Rao. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simi K Rao. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Grand Finale: NOW AND FOREVER by @SimiKRao #Indian #Romance w/ @PrismBookTours

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Now and Forever 
by Simi K Rao

We hope you enjoyed this romance tour with a mix of American and Indian culture! If you missed any of the stops, go back and check them out now...

Launch - Note from the Author

This is the tale of a young Indian couple bound by an arranged marriage. Innocent Ruhi’s dreams are shattered when on her wedding night her husband Shaan announces that his heart lies elsewhere. Yet instead of bowing down and accepting it as her fate, Ruhi persuades Shaan to give her some time to break it to her parents thus save them from heartbreak and considerable social embarrassment. That is just the beginning. What follows is a roller coaster ride like you’ve never experienced. Read it for romance and culture, and delve into the quintessential connection between a man and a woman.


Then she saw a face in the river, but failed to recognize it.

Confused, she splashed in the water before realizing the face was none other than her own. She had changed. Ruhi Sharma had changed. She didn’t belong to herself anymore. Instead, she bore her husband’s indelible stamp and it frightened her. She urged herself to make a run for it, to take a breath that wasn’t enmeshed with his. But he influenced her every notion, manipulated every idea that occurred in her mind, thereby making her sway to his every tune.

Mythical Books - Excerpt

A few moments after the vehicle had disappeared from sight, she sank down to her haunches and waited patiently for the rumble of the Jeep, a signal of its return. She was pretty sure he would come back for her. He had to, didn’t he?

How long she stayed in the position, she couldn’t say as she was rapidly growing insensitive to the passage of time. Moisture was evaporating from her body even before it turned into sweat. Her delicate skin was starting to redden and char as the sun beat down mercilessly on her spine. There was nothing nearby for her to get shade from the sun under, and with the fire radiating from the asphalt, Ruhi felt as if she was being cooked alive.


Shaan saw his wife cast a suspicious glance at him before climbing in. For once I have her in the palm of my hand! he thought. Then he instructed her in a gruff manner while trying to keep from breaking into a smile, “Move over…”

“Shaan…” She looked terrified as she slid back on the seat. “I know I’ve annoyed you today, but I really don’t think I need to be chastised for it.”


But how will I go about it? she thought, absently popping a chocolate-covered strawberry into her mouth. It was delicious. She popped in another. Then a sudden anxiety gripped her. She rushed to her duffel bag where it lay on the floor, still packed. Unzipping it, she rummaged inside, then let out a tremendous sigh of relief on discovering her cell and all the plastic in her wallet intact.

An impish grin brightened her face. “So you’ve decided to trust me Mr. Ahuja, have you? Well, it’s gonna cost you dear.” A plan had begun to formulate in her brain.


Shaan was puzzled. He was very sure everything had been working perfectly on his initial submission. Then, what had come up in the interim? He ran the test again, and sure enough it got stuck, but without giving him any clue as to what had gone wrong. Almost as if a bug had sneaked its way into the system. 


It was a lovely dream. The loveliest Ruhi had ever had. It had to be a dream, because how could something so wonderful be true?

The occasion was the annual Quiz Show and she had been chosen to represent their high school as the most likely candidate to win back the coveted trophy they had so narrowly lost to Mt. Carmel last year. Everyone was sure she was the only one who could do it.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below if you haven't already...

Now and Forever (Inconvenient Relations Book 2)
Now and Forever
by Simi K Rao
Adult Romance
Paperback & ebook, 216 pages
October 10th 2016

Can Shaan and Ruhi face their biggest fears and unite together?

Shaan and Ruhi Ahuja, very much in love Indian newlyweds, discover each other in Simi K. Rao’s Now and Forever—the sassy and sexy sequel to Inconvenient Relations. After getting the scare of their lives while traveling in the Grand Canyon, Shaan and Ruhi go back home to one dilemma after another. Shaan’s job is in jeopardy, and one of Ruhi’s closest friends, Sunshine, needs her. How will Shaan and Ruhi handle life’s hurdles, while still trying to get to know each other as husband and wife? Will they be able to forsake all others and consolidate their relationship?



Simi K. Rao

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years.

The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.


Tour Giveaway

$10 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends January 15th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Book tour: NOW AND FOREVER by @SimiKRao #Romance #India #FreeBook @PrismBookTours

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the Book Tour for
Now and Forever 
by Simi K Rao

Note from the Author

Hello book lovers!

A very happy New Year to you all! How about starting it with a sweet, sassy and sexy romance with the added flavor of culture in it? Sounds tempting? Then I have just the book (books) for you. In my novels Inconvenient Relations- ‘an often intoxicating will-they-won't-they tale--Kirkus reviews’ and its sequel Now and Forever, I take an ancient foreign culture and place it plumb in the middle of modern Americana.

This is the tale of a young Indian couple bound by an arranged marriage. Innocent Ruhi’s dreams are shattered when on her wedding night her husband Shaan announces that his heart lies elsewhere. Yet instead of bowing down and accepting it as her fate, Ruhi persuades Shaan to give her some time to break it to her parents thus save them from heartbreak and considerable social embarrassment. That is just the beginning. What follows is a roller coaster ride like you’ve never experienced. Read it for romance and culture, and delve into the quintessential connection between a man and a woman.

Though Now and Forever can be considered a standalone book, in order to enjoy it to the fullest along with all its nuances it is vital to read the first book in the series. Please follow the blog tour where you can read excerpts from the book and you will have the opportunity to enter a giveaway as well. As an added plus you can download the kindle version of Now and Forever FREE January 3rd through the 6th, 2017.


Happy reading!
Simi K. Rao

Now and Forever (Inconvenient Relations Book 2)
Now and Forever
by Simi K Rao
Adult Romance
Paperback & ebook, 216 pages
October 10th 2016

Can Shaan and Ruhi face their biggest fears and unite together?

Shaan and Ruhi Ahuja, very much in love Indian newlyweds, discover each other in Simi K. Rao’s Now and Forever—the sassy and sexy sequel to Inconvenient Relations. After getting the scare of their lives while traveling in the Grand Canyon, Shaan and Ruhi go back home to one dilemma after another. Shaan’s job is in jeopardy, and one of Ruhi’s closest friends, Sunshine, needs her. How will Shaan and Ruhi handle life’s hurdles, while still trying to get to know each other as husband and wife? Will they be able to forsake all others and consolidate their relationship?



Tour Schedule


Simi K. Rao

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years.

The inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.


Tour Giveaway

$10 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends January 15th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Behind the Scenes at an Indian Wedding by @SimiKRao




Simi K. RaoAbout the Author
You can connect with the author and read more of her work at:

www.SimiKRao.com   @SimiKRao


Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several years. Milan (A WeddingStory) is her third novel. Her previous novels are titled: Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. The inspiration for this book, and her other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances within the immigrant community.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.  Much of Rao’s down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.  A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver. with her family.


‘Behind the scenes at an Indian Wedding’

Indians in general are deeply rooted in tradition. Our culture gives us our identity. Most of us (especially those living away from the homeland) cling to it, even though several aspects in these particularly modern times, make no sense at all. Why do we do so? Perhaps because it brings us together as a community and provides us comfort in a foreign environment. The same I think applies to immigrants from all over the globe.

Marriages in India, in particular Hindu marriages are long drawn intricate affairs fraught with age old tradition. Little has changed over the centuries except for certain embellishments due to modernization. To non-Indians these ceremonies appear just that—elaborate colorful rituals flavored with plenty of pomp and show.

In the following story I take my readers on a ‘behind the scenes' tour at a traditional Indian wedding. I’ve tried to illustrate the proceedings from engagement to the wedding ceremony with “generalized” Indians---my characters, and have also made an attempt to expound on the emotional upheavals that occur in the background and often aren’t spoken out loud. Milan is more of a ‘short story’ concept where it shows the before/during and after of an event than it is a ‘long novel’ about characters with hopes and dreams and goals. And its purpose is exactly that, to show the emotions Indian couples go through during the process of a wedding. This story may help the reader get a better insight into the culture of marriage in India.

The Setting of MILAN:

Whenever I travel back to my homeland, I prepare for a culture shock. The crowds, the noise, the pollution have all increased several fold as the country races forward at breakneck speed to catch up with the rest of the world. There are very places left where it still seems like life goes on as it did a few decades ago, where people are laid back and nature is not at war with mankind.

MILAN is set in one such place; Coonoor-- a hill town located in the Nilgiri Hills, about 56 kms from the Coimbatore Airport, in the southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is part way from its more well-known cousin Ooty. I spent some time there during my last trip and was so enchanted that I chose to use it as a setting for my story. Known for its tea plantations, Coonoor is a lovely, rustic little town. With its abundance of greenery and quaint architecture it is a throwback to India as it used to be. The temperate climate and serene environment help the restless soul to relax and take a few breaths of peace. When you are there, don't forget to take a ride on the Nilgiris meter gauge train, as well as a personalized tour of the tea estates.

I want to thank Debdatta for giving me this opportunity to express myself and for hosting this blog tour. I also want to thank all the bloggers who are participating in this tour and have made space for my book on their blog. Your time and generosity is much appreciated. Please visit my website http://simikrao.com/ for more info on me and my work. You can also connect with me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/simikrao and twitter https://twitter.com/simikrao

Happy Reading!

Simi K. Rao

Inconvenient Relations (Arranged Match #1)

Inconvenient Relations

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.

Publication date: December 23, 2014
Formats: Paperback, Digital Ebook
ISBN-13: 978-1505694581

Inconvenient Relations, Kando Books, is found at your favorite book retailers:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Kobo
Smashwords


“In Rao’s debut novel, an arranged Indian marriage sets the stage for an intimate look at the exasperating madness of love.... An often intoxicating...will-they-or-won’t-they tale.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Sassy desi romance—5 stars!”
—Rachelle Ayala, bestselling author of Michal’s window

“A mixture of contemporary romance, coming of age tale and multicultural fiction, Simi K.
Rao’s An Incurable Insanity is a wonderful debut novel.”
—Maria of Queen of All She Reads

“As a whole this was a brilliant novel. Rao walks the line between traditional Indian culture and all that is Hollywood to create a tale that will pull at your heartstrings and keep you captivated throughout.” —Jonel Boyko

“To read An Incurable Insanity is to be completely immersed in another world, a culture that originates in deep roots and clashes with the world I’m familiar with. It’s fascinating.” —Laura of Prism Book Tours

“A well balanced novel that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.”
—Debdatta Sahay of Book Reviews

The Accidental Wife

The Accidental Wife

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets in search of a bride who would fit his ‘requirements’. But he could never have prepared himself for what awaits him.

Publication date: March 5, 2015
Formats: Paperback, Digital Ebook
ISBN-13: 978-1508757054

The Accidental Wife, Kando Books, is found at your favorite book retailers:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Kobo
Smashwords

“The Accidental Wife is an intriguing tale of the best-laid plans gone awry but set straight by the humbling hand of destiny. A delightful novel.”

—Shobhan Bantwal, best-selling author of The Dowry Bride and other books
“A traditional love story in a non-traditional setting. I loved it. It had all the markings of a romance…boy meets girl, boy does something stupid and loses girl, boy comes to his senses, problems happen, boy gets girl. But nothing else follows pattern. The story takes a nationality that often has arranged marriages and turns it on its head. The Indian culture is fascinating and this story takes all that is best and mixes it in. It is the perfect read for romance. I give this story 5 out of 5 clouds.”
—Dreamer2229 (Amazon Reviewer)

“Another amazing book by Simi. I love her books and the Indian culture in them. Being a nurse, it was fun with the medical aspect of it too. I can’t wait for her next book!” —D S (Amazon Reviewer)

“This a great read for anyone who wants a small insight into the Indian life. It’s a story of two very unlikely people who would have never crossed path had it not been for fate. It’s a story about the best laid plans that get turned upside down because it involves the matter of hearts. It’s a story of infallible human spirit that will fight to return to the arms of a loved one. It’s a story about the power of love and its power to heal. It’s a great story that grips your heart as you take the journey with Rihaan and Naina.” —Reshma Dave (Amazon Reviewer)

Milan (A Wedding Story)

Milan (A Wedding Story)

When a daughter turns marriageable age, what should a responsible father do? Easy—wed her to the most suitable boy who comes knocking on the door. Jai Bharadwaj, Mili’s father and owner of The Serenity Tea Estate in the idyllic Nilgiris would’ve probably liked to do the same, but being who he was, he had to ask her first. What would she say?

Publication date: August 31, 2015
Formats: Paperback, Digital Ebook
ISBN-13: 978-1517142865

Milan (A Wedding Story), Kando Books, is found at your favorite book retailers:
Amazon.com
Coming soon to:
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Kobo
Smashwords

“A captivating look into the developing relationship of a young couple falling in love for the first time while honoring family traditions. Throughout the wedding planning, the bride-to-be is in a constant state of nervous excitement and total confusion that will keep you guessing until the very end. An absolute joy to read.”

—Yvette Klobuchar, bridal dress designer and author of Brides Unveiled
“Milan is an interesting combination of today and yesterday in India, ultimately bringing Mili, twenty-four but innocent and immature for her age, together with Ahaan, a bit older but more in tune with the customs of their country. This story of their arranged marriage, (still practiced in their country), goes through the accepted steps of bringing their union to fruition. The story follows through the Roka (unofficial engagement), the Sagai (formal engagement ceremony) and other preparations for the magnificent wedding which her father insists on, taking the reader along for all the rituals and experiencing all Mili’s continuing uncertainties as she leaves her childhood home to make her new life with her husband’s family.”
—Nancy Sweetland, author of The House On the Dunes

“In Milan, Simi K. Rao has created a delightful story and a glimpse into of an enduring part of Indian culture. Mili’s family wants her to marry Ahaan, an old acquaintance, but as a modern young woman, Mili is reluctant, fearing that she’ll be forced to abandon her career in music. But fortunately, Mili isn’t the only modern person in the pair, and the two embark on a journey that includes old traditions and a promise from the groom that guarantees Mili her own passions in life. But the best part of the story is the realization for Mili that Ahaan appears to be much more than a husband chosen for her. Despite her initial resistance, she might fall in love. Rao writes with flair and includes the colors and scents and sounds that many of us associate with modern India. Without being the slightest bit didactic, Rao educates us, too, about Hindu traditions and the beauty of language describing the bonds and promises of love and marriage.”
—Virginia McCullough, award-winning author of Amber Light and The Jacks of Her Heart







Monday, March 23, 2015

Grand Finale: The Accidental Wife by @SimiKRao on @PrismBookTours

A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.

We're blitzing the Grand Finale for the TRAVELING INDIA TOUR for
The Accidental Wife
By Simi K. Rao

LAST DAY to get Inconvenient Relations for FREE!!

Inconvenient Relations (Arranged Match #1)
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.

This multi-cultural contemporary romance story of an arranged marriage is a beautiful blending of showing the Indian and American cultures. Readers will learn more about the Indian heritage and the romance that happens behind closed doors in an Indian relationship in Simi K. Rao's Inconvenient Relations. This coming of age story about true love explores multi-cultural issues.

Grab your FREE copy from AMAZON. Only through March 23rd!

Did you get a taste for India as we explored a little bit of the culture? 
If you missed any stops, go back and check them out now!

He frowned, straining to decipher her features obscured by deep shadow. “Deepika?”

“Naa…, not Deepika.” She stepped forward into the light, a bright smile illuminating her strikingly graceful features.

His heart sank. Not Deepika.

“I am Naina—the girl you married. Goodbye, Rihaan.”


Coffee Books & Art - Sari: Traditional Costume or Functional Attire?
The image of a woman wearing a sari conjures up both the remarkable beauty of women and the exquisite artistry of textile and embroidery. The sari is a garment created from a single piece of fabric five to nine yards. Its ingenious design allows for wrapping around a woman’s body in different ways. This allows for a variety of effects: stunning traditional gown, alluring eveningwear, or simple utilitarian work attire.

Mythical Books - Sensual Spices & Excerpt
It is one thing to prepare food for ourselves because we need to eat. It’s mealtime, we’re hungry, what do we have in the cupboard? But it is a whole different thing to cook a special dish or an entire feast because we want to shower someone we love with a caring gesture.

Rihaan stepped into the tiny kitchen to find it dwarfed by his lanky frame. Folding wiry arms across his chest, he leaned gingerly against the wall and watched as she went about her task in a haphazard fashion. Her attempts at putting on a show of neatness and method were failing hopelessly.

Rihaan gave a wry shrug.

“Okay, then let your mom choose your wife and live happily ever after with my blessings,” Rudy said, grinning widely.

“No! Never! I can’t!”


It's like I can't describe it- but The Accidental Wife had me HOOKED! I loved how Naina and Rihaan slowly fell for each other, how things kept happening thatnmept them from being together, it was so realistic, how they let their pride get in the way of things, how they decided to stick to their stubborn ideals despite the obvious love and desire they were feeling! . . . All I can say is- for an insight into Indian Society- READ THIS!

Sarah's StoryLines - Indian Elephants + Excerpt
Inside it, she found some clothes just like the oversized ones hanging in the closet. They were of no interest to her. What caught her eye was a beautiful silk sari, tie-dyed in a rainbow of colors with decorated elephants marching along the borders and tiny shiny mirrors that caught the light and sparkled like diamonds. She flung it around her neck like a shawl and felt deeply comforted by the strong fragrance of sandalwood.

He soon found himself engaged in the activity of browsing through the huge databanks of boys and girls seeking potential life partners. He was shocked at the variety he saw and equally surprised at the way they presented themselves, especially how particular they were about the kind of mate they wanted. It was just as Rudy had described—a huge marriage market.

Finally after having amused himself for a few hours, Rihaan fell asleep thinking there might just be a solution to all his problems.



“I’m getting married. Time to celebrate.”

His mother, as he’d guessed she would, immediately dismissed him. “Rihaan, if that’s supposed to be a joke then it is a very bad one.”

“Maa… I’m telling the truth,” Rihaan said. “I’ve found a suitable girl and the deal is set.”

alwaysjoart - Heroines in Literature and Real Life & Excerpt
Who is your favorite heroine? With so many incredible women in literature who are often trailblazers for women in real life, it is hard to choose just one.

He emerged a few minutes later with a Wonder Woman pin that he fastened to her coat.


Mary Terrani - Review
The Accidental Wife had me hooked from the start. I love reading about different cultures and this is a perfect example of it. The depth of the characters and how real they came across had me wanting more. I couldn’t put it down.

Beck Valley Books - The Tradition Behind Arranged Marriages
Marriage is a sacred relationship. It is not just the meeting of two individuals but of two souls. Its purpose is for the continuation of family and to practice one’s Dharma. There is no concept of divorce. Once married, a couple is wedded for life. Divorce is a modern concept introduced through the Hindu Marriage Act of India.

The Accidental WifeThe Accidental Wife
Simi K. Rao
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 270 Pages
March 4th 2015

Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?


Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. Inconvenient Relations is her first published novel.

The inspiration for this book, and her other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world. A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family.



Tour-Wide Giveaway

$50 Amazon gift card
5 ebooks of The Accidental Wife
Open internationally
Ends March 29th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prism Book Tours

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Traveling India Tour with The Accidental Wife by Simi K Rao on @PrismBookTours

A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.

We're Launching the TRAVELING INDIA TOUR for
The Accidental Wife
By Simi K. Rao

Come with us as we travel around India and get a taste of its culture and sites!

Tour Schedule
16th: Launch
17th:
The Written Adventure
Coffee Books & Art
18th:
Mythical Books
My Life Loves and Passion
19th:
A Thousand Words A Million Books
Sarah's StoryLines
Deal Sharing Aunt
20th:
Underneath the Covers
alwaysjoart
22nd:
Mary Terrani
Beck Valley Books
23rd: Grand Finale

Inconvenient Relations is FREE!!

Inconvenient Relations (Arranged Match #1)
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.

This multi-cultural contemporary romance story of an arranged marriage is a beautiful blending of showing the Indian and American cultures. Readers will learn more about the Indian heritage and the romance that happens behind closed doors in an Indian relationship in Simi K. Rao's Inconvenient Relations. This coming of age story about true love explores multi-cultural issues.

Grab your FREE copy from AMAZON!  March 19-23

The Accidental WifeThe Accidental Wife
Simi K. Rao
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 270 Pages
March 4th 2015

Some accidents are meant to happen…

Dr. Rihaan Mehta is a brilliant young neurosurgeon who has no inclination for love or marriage. According to him wives and girlfriends are annoying accessories that one can do without. But when his mother dangles the sword over his head in classic Bollywood style, he succumbs, and sets out in search of a bride who would fit his 'requirements'. But can Rihaan deal with what he gets instead?

Rihaan’s reluctance to marry clashes with his emerging feelings for his photojournalist wife. Will their contemporary lifestyles and ideas of romance be reconciled with their family's traditional expectations? When an accident results in amnesia, both Rihaan and his 'accidental wife' will begin to re-examine their relationship, but can they discover love together?


Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. Inconvenient Relations is her first published novel.

The inspiration for this book, and her other projects, comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.

Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.

Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.

A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her next novel, The Accidental Wife, will be released in early 2015.



Tour-Wide Giveaway

$50 Amazon gift card
5 ebooks of The Accidental Wife
Open internationally
Ends March 29th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prism Book Tours

Friday, January 24, 2014

Grand Finale!!! An Incurable Insanity by Simi K Rao - tour at a glance! & Giveaway!!

To post this Grand Finale and add your Social Media to the Rafflecopter, email Tressa at wishfulendings(at)outlook.com with "Insanity Grand Finale" in the subject line!


The Review Tour for
An Incurable Insanity by Simi K Rao!

Welcome...

We offer flowers in traditional welcome.
You are our honored guest...

You saw The Exotic Tour... you got a taste for the beautiful culture and the romantic attraction of our spunky young characters... now we've reviewed it and have shared the Prologue and first four chapters with you. Did you miss any of them? Read them now!

1/13 Launch - Prologue

"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..."

Mel's Shelves - Chapter 1, Part I and Review

"I wasn't impressed with Shaan at the beginning. We find out why he married Ruhi, which didn't paint him in the best light, either, but he shows a lot of growth and maturity as time goes on and redeemed himself to me in the end. There were some crazy, dramatic parts and also some calm, tender moments. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Rao's books in the future!"

Tressa's Wishful Endings  - Chapter 1, Part II

"Ruhi closed her eyes; she could now repeat every movement, every word by rote. He was a creature of habit…and she was bored.

What was supposed to be the most exciting time in every young woman’s life had turned out to be the worst…Well, not really. He wasn’t mean. rather he was the perfect gentleman, too perfect!..."

My Love For Reading Keeps Growing  - Chapter 2, Part I and Review

"This really is a sweet love story.  I found it very hard to put down.  I love reading about different traditions and cultures, even if it's fiction.  I love how each MC talk to themselves in their head. We always make things out to be worse than they really are in our minds, and this book made me chuckle sometimes because there is a lot of "in head" struggle, fighting, and talking.  Silly things that make you want to find out if they are every going to get the nerve up to say to each other!"

Beck Valley Books  - Chapter 2, Part II

"It goes without saying that the youngest Ahuja was by no means lacking in looks. He was unusually handsome, of good build, and above average height who liked to maintain an athletic physique with regular exercise. But despite being inundated with innumerable suitable matches, each willing to part with unbelievable amounts in dowry, he had steadfastly declined. In fact, he had even refused to pay a visit to his hometown until now. His hand finally being forced by the news of his dadaji’s terminal illness, whose final wish was to see his youngest grandson married and settled in life..."

Deal Sharing Aunt  - Chapter 2, Part III and Review

"This was a great look into the life of married couples in India. It was a nice romance story that the author really showed the readers about India and all its customs."

Colorimetry  - Chapter 3, Part I and Review

"This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian culture!!  It's a thousand times better than any text book on the subject and should be a required compainion. Lol. It's similar to being immersed in the culture. It's also a must-read for romance lovers and everyone looking for something unique. And exotic."

Laurie’s Throughts and Reviews  - Chapter 3, Part II


“Son? Is it okay if I call you beta?” his father-in-law asked him; he had kind eyes.



Shaan looked over to his wife (what an odd-sounding word), and she mouthed a silent, “Please.” Then she smiled, her eyelashes drifting down in shy discomposure, carrying on as though this was one of the happiest days of her life..."


Books with Bree  - Chapter 4, Part I

"He has agreed! Oh, Mama, he has agreed!

The happiness and relief was so immense that Ruhi wanted to jump up, grab her mother, and do a little dance around the room like she had done on the day she had won her first ever trophy at school..."

Vvb32 Reads  - Chapter 4, Part II and Review

"I found this to be a gentle romance read set in Los Angeles, California and India. Being that I grew up in the L.A. area, it was a treat to read about some of the sights mentioned.

Things start off rocky with plenty of back-and-forth tugging of the heart and playful banter sprinkle these pages."

Dividing by Zero  - Chapter 4, Part III and Review


"Worth reading – the storyline is both humorous and sentimental, and I cared about the characters and what would happen to them. Ruhi in particular experiences a lot of personal growth as she adapts both to a new culture and the unexpected limitations of her marriage. (I was rooting for them to work things out, but you’ll have to read the book for yourself to see if that’s what happens!)"


An Incurable InsanityAn Incurable Insanity
by Simi K Rao
Paperback, eBook, 376 pages
Published October 8, 2013 by Tate Publishing

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.



Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several years. The inspiration for An Incurable Insanity 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...

I am a physician–and to many I may appear serious and solitary. But once people get to know me better, they often think that I am frank, down to earth, with quite a quirky sense of humor. And that is what I bring to my writing—read and you shall see.

I was born in the dead center of India, but had the privilege of spending time both in the north and south. Therefore I have been able to sample and absorb to some extent the vastly diverse cultures and languages of both these regions (the very quality that imparts tremendous richness to our country’s heritage,) —a phenomenon perhaps not seen anywhere else in the world.

After immigrating to the United States in my early twenties and spending several years in this country, whenever I travel back to my homeland now, I find that I appreciate my roots a lot more. Still there is so much to see and learn, that a lifetime won’t suffice.


Tour-Wide Giveaway

1 Signed Print Copy + Swag Pack!  (US Only)
4 Signed Print Copies of An Incurable Insanity (US Only)
5 eCopies of An Incurable Insanity (International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE
Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

An Incurable Insanity by Simi K Rao - My review on Tour with #PrismBookTours #Giveaway


The Review Tour for
An Incurable Insanity by Simi K Rao!

Join the #Talk daily on Simi's Facebook 


An Incurable InsanityAn Incurable Insanity
by Simi K Rao
Paperback, eBook, 376 pages
Published October 8, 2013 by Tate Publishing

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.


I knew I wanted to read Simi's book when I stumbled upon an excerpt and read the entire thing, losing track of time. I followed some links to another excerpt and lost myself in that one, too. Lol. 

To read An Incurable Insanity is to be completely immersed in another world, a culture that originates in deep roots and clashes with the world I'm familiar with. It's fascinating.

The writing style is unique and smooth-flowing.  Then the conversations POP! revealing a lot about the Indian culture beyond the story. It almost felt like there was a secret code with layers of polite communication in which words were a part - a very precise part - but were combined with actions and reactions resulting in... an exotic experience.

I soaked up the details Simi shared last fall. It was a deeper look into a beautiful culture that I had never understood to the same extent before. I've seen Saris worn, even seen the vermilion red dot, but I had no clue what they meant. With the tour and the story, Simi doesn't just share the details, it felt like she took me by the hand for a personal tour of her cultural roots.

I connected quickly with Ruhi. Her reaction to Shaan was totally justified, beginning to end, in my mind. Ha!  She is strong and confident while still remaining true to her culture. Some of her expectations of herself surprised me, but I came with no presuppositions, already recognizing that I was in unfamiliar territory and LOVING it.  I guess I really enjoy experiencing new cultures, but usually I don't get to learn of them as a proficient insider.  :-)  I loved that thoroughly.

Shaan grew on me slowly, the stinker.  What is interesting is how immersed in the American culture he had become. Trying to combine the two cultures inside his home caused a big storm. His realization of things he had misunderstood and his shock of realizing what he had thrown away... these are so well expressed. I rarely dislike anyone so much... and then really like him sooo much. Very well done.

After I realized that the side characters all came from the same Indian culture, I just rolled with it.  Lol. "It" was entertaining conversations that were wildly different than anything in my experience. The way everyone communicated with each other is remarkable and singular.  

I began second-guessing my email communications with Simi, to be honest. Sometimes I am so blunt and skip over niceties... something every character in this story would never, ever, ever, ever do.  My respect for anyone & everyone coming from the Indian culture grew like a magical beanstalk. In this story, it was as if their culture demanded they follow their rules of polite engagement even if everyone around them does not... and if I was in their story, I would never know how horribly I was insulting everyone. With every encounter! 

To be completely... uh, blunt, this book did drive me insane.  It is aptly named.  Just when I thought Ruhi was coming around, Shaan would do something stupid. Again. When Shaan was finally responding the way he wanted to and was actually amazing, Ruhi remembers something and the moment is shattered. I could have strangled both of them before I reached the end of the book. Lol. 

4.5 Stars.  This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian culture!!  It's a thousand times better than any text book on the subject and should be a required compainion. Lol. It's similar to being immersed in the culture. It's also a must-read for romance lovers and everyone looking for something unique. And exotic.

I really don't know how to say "Thank you very much" properly, Simi, but you're welcome at my house for tea any time.  It was an honor to read your book.


You saw The Exotic Tour... you got a taste for the beautiful culture and the romantic attraction of our spunky young characters... now we're reviewing it and posting a new excerpt at each stop! Here's today's:





Read with us!

Simi K. Rao was born in India and has been living in the United States for several years. The inspiration for An Incurable Insanity 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...

I am a physician–and to many I may appear serious and solitary. But once people get to know me better, they often think that I am frank, down to earth, with quite a quirky sense of humor. And that is what I bring to my writing—read and you shall see.

I was born in the dead center of India, but had the privilege of spending time both in the north and south. Therefore I have been able to sample and absorb to some extent the vastly diverse cultures and languages of both these regions (the very quality that imparts tremendous richness to our country’s heritage,) —a phenomenon perhaps not seen anywhere else in the world.

After immigrating to the United States in my early twenties and spending several years in this country, whenever I travel back to my homeland now, I find that I appreciate my roots a lot more. Still there is so much to see and learn, that a lifetime won’t suffice.



Tour-Wide Giveaway

January 13 - February 3, 2014
1 Taste of India Collection from World Market (US Only)
2 Signed Print Copies of An Incurable Insanity (US Only)
2 eCopies of An Incurable Insanity (International)

See Rafflecopter for restrictions

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow along on the tour:

Are you a blogger and want to receive information about new tours? Go HERE.
Are you an author or publisher and would like to have us organize a tour event? Go HERE.