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Friday, September 28, 2012

Last-Minute Love by Romi Moondi (Author Guest Post / Contest Giveaway / Book Review)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Romi Moondi, author of Last-Minute Love (Year of the Chick Series - Book 2)!







Author Guest Post


Hi Kathleen, thanks for letting me write a post here for your lovely readers! 

Today I’m going to talk about the power of “fantasizing,” and how we should all do it! 

I don’t mean picturing yourself acting out scenes from a certain bestselling erotic trilogy (though if that’s your preference, go for it!); what I mean is fantasizing about your biggest and wildest dreams, because if you don’t…they’ll never come true! 

I will use myself as the case study to validate this theory. Ahem. 

Example A: It’s 2009, I’m writing Year of the Chick, and as I’m getting to the ending (SPOILER ALERT), I’m fantasizing about going to New York to meet a guy, this real-life Internet guy I’m kinda-sorta in love with. 

Fast-forward to summer 2010, I go to New York to meet some great friends…and then I meet a guy. Not Internet guy, but a brand new guy who’s amazing. I can’t have him of course, for circumstantial reasons, but that’s just a side detail (for more on this, read Last-Minute Love! haha). 

Example B: I’ve watched the movie “Serendipity” several times, and each time I always fantasize about being brave enough to hop on a plane like Kate Beckinsale’s character did and just go for it, even if there is a ninety-nine percent chance that it won’t work out. 

Fast-forward to 2011, and I hop on a plane for one last chance to see the amazing guy from New York I met in 2010. Even though it’s an “in-the-moment” kind of thing, it ends up being the best weekend ever, even better than I fantasized. 

Example C: go backwards to 2007, and for a couple of years straight I constantly fantasize myself being an author, signing books, and having strangers actually read my books and love them….and fan mail, there was fan mail in the fantasy! 

Fast-forward to 2012, and I’ve now released three full books, including a second book in the Year of the Chick series. I sign copies that friends and co-workers buy (and that contest entrants win), I’ve somehow managed to sell a few thousand digital copies to strangers, and some of these strangers wander over to my Facebook page to tell me they loved the series. And finally, in the past month….I’ve been getting at least one fan e-mail a week! 

In the fantasizing phases of examples A, B and C, I had no plan and zero know-how on making any of those fantasies come true. I’d never even been on a plane by myself before I went to New York; in short, I was an aimless and poorly-disciplined writer for years, and I rarely had the balls to tell people how I really felt about them. But in my head I could do it all! And the more I imagined doing it all, the more I started taking little steps to get there without even blinking. It’s like I was doing it without even knowing it. 

I encourage you all to “do it” too (not the erotic trilogy thing…unless you want to…well you know what I mean). 

These are the things I fantasize about today: 

-A movie studio buys the film rights to my Year of the Chick series, with Edward Burns directing because he’s so good at those New York/conversationalist stories that include some love. 

-I meet Ryan Gosling when I’m invited to some Canadian artists’ thing he shows up to. We hit it off friendship-wise, and he says he wants to star in the movie adaptation of Last-Minute Love. I say yes because the guy I wrote the book about kind of looks like him, and then we hit it off more-than-friendship-wise… 

-I am wearing the most AMAZING Hollywood gown (but with big shiny Bollywood-style earrings to represent my culture), and I get called up TWICE at the Golden Globes. Once to accept the award for best original screenplay, and the second time when I’m named as best actress in a comedy or musical (because I don’t look too old to star in my movies myself). I cry, but my speech is hilarious and awesome and inspiring. 

Check back with me in a few years so we can see how those fantasies turned out… :-)

"In order to make anything a reality, you have to dream about it first." -Adora Svitak

Romi



About The Author


I am Canadian, and here are some strange personal facts:

-I wore denim-top-to-bottom in high school (there is a direct inverse relationship between how much denim I wore and how few tongues were launched down my throat at school dances...or anywhere in high school at all).

-A homeless lady in New York once told me "You're just a bitch on vacation with no money!"

-I always hated those insufferable couples who would cuddle and make out on the subway...until I became half of one. But now I'm back to being none of one so I hate them again.

The thing I love most in the world is writing. When I first started publishing on Amazon it was my "crazy" humour side (The Book of Awful and NOT Love Poems For Real Life). Since then, everything has focused on my Year of the Chick series, because it's the most important thing to me in the world right now. I guess that would tend to happen, when your writing is inspired by real life, including all the satisfaction and risks that come from that.

My Year of the Chick series can be described as "edgy rom-com," which helps me account for the blunt conversations and mortifying family moments in the book ;-).

Book 3 in the Year of the Chick series will be written and released in 2013; until then I have some adventures to go on!


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Romi Moondi's Last-Minute Love Virtual Book Tour Page On Chick Lit Plus



Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway

Win A $10 Amazon Gift Card

Contest Dates: Sept 17 - Oct 8



Everyone who leaves a comment on Romi Moondi's Last-Minute Love Virtual Book Tour Page On Chick Lit Plus will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Last-Minute Love before October 8th and sends their receipt to Samantha@ChickLitPlus.com, will get five bonus entries.


Book Review


Last-Minute Love by Romi Moondi
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Publication Date: June 6, 2012
Format: Paperback - 292 pages / Kindle - 441 KB / Nook - 701 KB
ISBN: 1478148144
ASIN: B0089IG9BY
Genre: Contmeporary Romance / Chick Lit / Women's Fiction


BUY THE BOOK: Last-Minute Love
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS

BUY THE SERIES: Year of the Chick
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus.


Book Description:

What's a girl to do when she meets the Internet man of her dreams, he's better than she expected, but he lives an ocean away? And let's not forget her parents,who are trying to lock her up in arranged-marriage doom...

In this fast-paced story of culture clash and romantic pursuits, there's a big fat Indian wedding, the struggle to keep a long-distance flame alive, and an unexpected mystery man who could set a new course in motion.

All the while, our heroine abandons what was once an all-consuming man-search, which helps her remember the person she used to be, and the person she hopes to become; the history-loving nerd, the hopeless romantic, and the emerging author with dreams of ditching the corporate rat race.

This is the book of living in the moment, making the grand gesture, and putting it all on the line. This is when Romi Narindra comes alive...


Book Excerpt:


(excerpt set-up: Romi’s first encounter with an intriguing new man...)

The man named Erik turned around in his chair, to reveal the warmest smile you’d ever find in a cutthroat place like New York City. I suddenly noticed the presence of dimples in that smile...not that I cared, I was simply observant when it came to these things.

“Ah Dave,” he said. “You made it!”

I furrowed my brow at his voice, trying to figure out what that European accent was. Dutch? German? Belgian? I was clueless.

My confusion didn’t end with the accent. Erik wore glasses which seemed like the epitome of banker nerdiness, but his light brown hair was all tousled like a rock star’s bed-head. He even had sideburns.

He rose from his chair and buttoned his expensive-looking jacket, as his fancy cufflinks glistened in the afternoon sun. There was a time when I would’ve gotten all hot and bothered by the glisten of a cufflink, back in the days when Laura and I would hunt for wealthy bankers in the trendiest bars. But these days? All it did was remind me of what I no longer wanted to be.

Dave extended his arm for a handshake, but Erik was having none of that. Instead it was a full-on man hug, as his frame of five-foot-eleven seemed to tower over Dave. With a perfect side view of Erik in the midst of this bromance moment, I had nothing else to do so I took a closer look. Erik’s impeccable suit was rather fitted from top to bottom. It reminded me of the way Ryan Gosling wore fitted suits at his movie premieres. Drool...On Erik this tailoring revealed a fit body. Like a runner. It was nothing like James and his burly forearms, but it was nice in its own unique way. But wait: why was I comparing him to James? This guy and his never-ending man-hug were probably gay. And why on earth was James crossing my mind in this moment? Get out, you Brit; you were only a nice idea!

My internal struggle went on as Erik made his way to Laura. “You’re more beautiful than ever,” he said warmly, in that still-so -mysterious accent. Their hug didn’t last quite as long as his hug with Dave. He's definitely gay.

When he pulled away from Laura his pale blue eyes found the doorway, where I’d managed to silently lurk all this time. I shifted my gaze to the massive window, which spared me from making any eye contact. This was a no-man trip, after all.


My Book Review:

In Year of the Chick we met sassy Indian-Canadian Romi Narindra, a twenty-seven year old non-traditionalist who embarked on a twelve month man-quest, and had been given a reprieve from being set up with a dreaded arranged marriage by her strict Indian traditionalist parents. When the story ended, Romi had met up with her internet "love" interest, English screenwriter James Caldwell in a whirlwind trip to New York City.

Now in Last-Minute Love, the second book in the Year of the Chick series, Romi has just turned twenty-nine, is still hell bent on not being set up with an arranged marriage by her parents, and has put her quest for finding love on hold in order to concentrate on following her dream to become a writer. With her parents concentrating on her sister Neema's upcoming wedding, Romi is unwillingly recruited to help in the wedding plans while Neema unleashes her inner Bridezilla. A quick escape trip from wedding plan hell to New York City with friends, which Romi dubs the "man-free, mini-break," is anything but that when she meets Danish investment banker Erik Thomson. But Romi sets her sights on concentrating on herself this time around as she dreams about going to Paris and gets ready to self-publish her first novel, Year of the Chick. So come along with Romi as her journey continues ....

Just like in Year of the Chick, author Romi Moondi's second book in the series, Last-Minute Love was another fun read that kept me entertained and in stitches. Written in the quirky first person narrative, sassy Romi Narindra continues on her adventurous journey of self-discovery, while taking the reader along for the ride. The author does a wonderful job of seamlessly picking up the storyline where it left off in book one of the series, I really enjoyed catching up with what had been going on in Romi's life. Rich in detail and wonderful descriptions of the settings, the author once again transports her readers to Toronto and New York City. I loved the descriptions of the settings, it was like taking a virtual guided tour of the various establishments and landmarks that make up both cities. This time around, Romi's story evolves beyond her quest to find love, we actually get to see her grow as she concentrates on obtaining what she wants out of her life. The author continues to weave a humorous and endearing fictional saga that is inspired and based loosely on her life.

I loved the characters, their individual quirky personalities and fun-loving camaraderie made the story so much fun to follow. I especially loved our heroine Romi, her witty, sarcastic and downright funny personality and sense of humor kept me snickering. The supporting cast of characters, quirky dialogue and interactions, and some pretty hysterical antics makes this book and the Year of the Chick series a thoroughly engaging and entertaining read. I look forward to reading the third book in the series, I can't wait to see what new adventures Romi will take us on!

Last-Minute Love is a fun-loving, laugh-out-loud story that celebrates the inner spirit of a young woman as she journeys down the road of life. Filled with humor and heartwarming moments, this story will make you smile and might even bring out your own inner sassiness!


RATING: 4 STARS ****



4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you for the opportunity to read, review and host the virtual book tour event. :)

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  2. I have read this whole series minus this book and it sounds like a great addition. Very funny!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Margaret! Thank you for stopping by! You'll have to read this book, it was really good. :)

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