Book Reviews -Best Kept Secret (The Clifton Chronicles, #3)

The book picks up after the events in The Sins of the Father, with the House of Lords having to decide who will be the heir to the fortune of Hugo Barrington. The vote ends with a tie, which prompts the Lord Chancellor to vote in favour of Giles Barrington. This leaves Clifton free to marry Emma Barrington and Giles soon falls in love with Lady Virginia, although his family greatly disapproves.

Emma decides to track down the baby found in her father's office on the night of his death and adopts her. Lady Virginia and Giles were married. Divorce and its aftermath were part of plot throughout the middle of the novel. To get back at Giles, Virginia employs the help of Major Alex Fisher, The Parliamentary Elections soon loom and by a combination of stealth and cunningness, Fisher gets himself nominated to stand opposite Sebastian returns to school and is focused on gaining admission to Cambridge University. However, he is rusticated because of certain misdemeanors he engages in.. Don is actually a notorious smuggler and had then been looking for ways to bring counterfeit currency from Argentina to England. He decides to use Sebastian by promising to pay him handsomely if he oversaw the deposition of a sculpture in London from Argentina. Unaware that the base of the sculpture actually held eight million pounds (in fake £5 notes) worth of counterfeit currency, Sebastian agrees to do so.

. Upon gaining hold of the piece, when Don Pedro finds out that he has been cheated, he assumes Sebastian is behind it and plans to get him killed in a car accident. However, by a twist of fate, his own son ends up in the car with Sebastian on the way to Cambridge and he is left stunned in horror. The novel ends with the tutor of admissions being vested with the responsibility of conveying the news of their son's death to his parents.

This is lost connect does not seem to belong to the series .Fist because it it does not take story much forward .Characters are introduced to make something happen. The curse of the sequel hits this book .Too many Twist without retaining flavor of the original.

You can really skip this on in the series. Not worth much read only if you have to . 

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Book Reviews -The Sins of the Father (The Clifton Chronicles, #2)

Only days before Britain declares war on Germany, Harry Clifton, hoping to escape the consequences of long-buried family secrets, and forced to accept that his desire to marry Emma Barrington will never be fulfilled, has joined the Merchant Navy.  But his ship is sunk in the Atlantic by a German U-boat, drowning almost the entire crew.  An American cruise liner, the SS Kansas Star, rescues a handful of sailors, among them Harry and the third officer, an American named Tom Bradshaw.  When Bradshaw dies in the night, Harry seizes on the chance to escape his tangled past and assumes his identity.

But on landing in America, he quickly learns the mistake he has made, when he discovers what is awaiting Bradshaw in New York.  Without any way of proving his true identity, Harry Clifton is now chained to a past that could be far worse than the one he had hoped to escape.

Harry now as twist in Jail for no fault of his.Where he get Job as a Library attendant to keep up with his literary escapades . He starts writing Diaries while in prison which are autobiographical .
Emma on other hand gets whip of chance that harry might have been alive inspite of wide spread beilief of his death .
 How Emma travel to London in search of harry & how Legal experts make way for Harry return is what makes this book .
This was able second book in the series . It lives u pto expectations how Lifes of Emma , Harry & Giles turns out . How the Order is reached at end for a Family reunion is exciting as well .

Archer clearly writes as if it actually happened. Most part of Fiction si believable altough too much of coincidences it may speculate.

You simply can not ignore this is if you read the first part .

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Book Reveiws- Only Time Will Tell (The Clifton Chronicles, #1)

Only Time Will Tell is a first part of the seven in Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer. The book was published worldwide in 2011.

The plot revolves around the main protagonist Harry Clifton, spanning the time between the end of World War I and the beginning of the Second World War. The novel is set in Bristol, England, from 1919 to 1940 and centers on Harry Clifton, a young boy destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and uncle and work on the docks until a new world is opened up to him. Harry has the gift of song, and when Miss Monday, the choir mistress; Mr. Holcombe, his elementary school teacher; and Old Jack Tar, a Boer War hero and loner all help him, his life is changed forever. Harry’s mother, Maisie, works as a waitress and scrimps and saves to send her son to school and give him a better life.

Maisie’s sacrifices and the secret of Harry’s parentage are the main focus of Only Time Will Tell. Harry has grown up thinking Arthur Clifton is his father and that he died in the war. Maisie knows the truth about Harry’s parentage, and a few people know the truth about Arthur Clifton’s death, but no one tells Harry anything.

While Harry is off at school befriending Giles Barrington, the son of the man who owns the shipping company where Harry’s father and uncle work and who knows what happened to Arthur Clifton, Maisie deals with countless personal tragedies and must make some tough decisions to continue Harry’s schooling. At the same time, it looks as though England may go to war with Germany, and Harry must consider what this means for his future

You get sucked in world of Harry .His Growth years are charming . How he meets his friends. How Old Jack Sessions make way for foundation which pave way wonderful future.Each and every character plays the part in story you can actually feel and imagine how characters would have been in that era .The Novel is So beautifully written that in spite its not being a thriller you get glued to the story .

This is must read if you love the drama .No doubt it will need the series to do justice to all the characters Archer is created .Hope for Awesome Second book 

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Mysore -Unexplored

I visited mysore over a weekend when i was in Bangalore on Official Trip .

I was apprehensive since whether i would be able to see all the places on my list as I just had  one day .
All these was achieved  only because of One Person .Mr. Akram Pasha .He was fisr person i met on Mysore Junction railway station .He not only dropped me to Good Hotel but also became my guide through out my stay in mysore.I patiently waited for me even when I over spent my stay at particular place.

STOP # 1-CHAMUNDI HILLS
First visit was Chamundi Hills .I am averse to visit to Temple specially when  I am short of time .But On Mr. pasha insistence  I visited the Temple .Some 4000 feet hill from the top of which you can see whole of Mysore Literally ,I am so much thankful to Mr. Pasha,without whom i would have not see most awesome Place in Mysore .

STOP #2 SAND MUSUEM

Now this was on the way to Chamundi Hills , though its unique in its make you wont find it is everywhere e concept  should be kept on changing

STOP #3  MYSORE ZOO

Some Amazing Birds which are not found in India .A white Tiger Live freely moving around .Two Bengal Tigers .A Lion ,African Elephant .A Chimpanzee .A Complete Zoo Really well maintained .

Yes I clicked the above Pic.

STOP#4 MYSORE PALACE 

I was really nice experience . Some awesome architecture at display .

STOP #5 BRINDAVAN GARDENS 
Perhaps my most disappointing experience .I heard a lot about the place .But didnt Find it such a great experience .


STOP #6 RAILWAY MUSEUM

The most neglected place of all .It was not only ill maintained and virtually empty on Sunday . It was decent museum with all the engine models on display .Some old Pictures as well

STOP#6 SHOPPING 

 Silk sarees are famous in mysore . So that what headed for next .THere are many fake Shops Selling 'Kcavery " Branded goods . But i still chose based on quality and price range which i found suitable .

All in all the good experience .

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Book Reviews- Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

I read a quote & liked it soo much that i tried to find out who is quote attributed to .that quote was from this book .I  picked this book just to read such quotes .Although it was romantic quote the book was anything but romantic .

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a 2005 novel by Jonathan Safran Foer. The book's narrator is a nine-year-old boy named Oskar Schell. In the story, Oskar discovers a key in a vase that belonged to his father that inspires him to search all around New York for information about the key.While looking through his father's closet, Oskar finds a key in a small envelope inside a vase he smashed; on the outside of the envelope the word "Black" is written in the top left corner. Curious, Oskar sets out on a mission to contact every person in New York City with the last name Black,The book spans many months of Oskar's journey, some of which he was accompanied by his elderly neighbour, Mr. A. Black. 

The novel has a parallel narrative that eventually converges with the main story. This narrative is portrayed through a series of letters written by Oskar's grandfather to Oskar's father Thomas, and by Oskar's grandmother to Oskar himself. The letters written by Oskar’s grandfather explain his past in World War II, his first love, and his marriage to Oskar’s grandmother. The letters written by Oskar’s grandmother explain her past in meeting Oskar’s grandfather, the trouble in their relationship, and how important Oskar is to her.
What i liked most about this book is its narrative style .Although books takes story forward for search of Mr. Black or for that mater Lock to a Key ,the essence of story is not about the lock . Its about relationship , human behavior. It explains human psychology through letter written  to each other . Jonathan Safran Foer comes up with some heart touching lines which can be referred as a Quote Still  Jonathan Safran Foer  makes you cringe with his awesome lines.

This book will live with you long after you have read it . Such is its quality of writing . Must read for every one who likes drama.

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Book Review- 60 Minutes

                      60 Minutes

by Upendra Nambur

Paperback, 1st, 372 pages

Published May 2014 by Westland Ltd

I picked up Upendra Nambur  debut novel 31 out of curosity .It turnout to be a bestseller .One of finest indian work I have read .So when His second book cam along it was no brainer to read.

His second book titled '60 minutes' is a unique story that spans a pulsating 60 minutes

Chief marketing officer of  FMCG company,BCL, Agastya is all set for the most important product launch of his career when things spin out of control. 60 minutes is all he has to save his job .Beautiful seductress, Maithili have to avenge herself & destruct Agastya marriage. she needs to turn his life upside down.

Sailesh is unsuited to corporate rivalry but he is forced to retaliate when someone crosses the line. He has  to destroy his foe.

High profile jobs, reputations, relationships and marriages are at stake. As the battle for supremacy continues, who will falter, who will persist and who will come out on top? all packed in 60 Minutes

Since its Thriller i cant comment most of stories because of spoilers.

The story is two-paced .The 60 Minutes  is fast paced .While background Stories almost hinders .You are tempted to skip the back-stories however you will completely miss the loose end , logic & justification for behavior .There are mysterious and complex characters some of whom  are poorly sketched.Some times their behavior seems random.There are sub plots which don't add to story. 

Main 60 minutes is so fast paced sometimes you loose the track who where what ? Its really bit complex .I wonder if corporate decisions are made like this ? Being Corporate Professional my self, I failed to digest this .One wrong decision can ruin your career but still 60 Minutes cant decide you fate .

Better characterization & Little less complexity would have wonder wonders to this Awesome Plot .

Some time expectations lets you down ,31 was brilliant but 60 minutes might not be that great .Still it rises above the rest .

Go read it for awesome plot and suspense not so for  characterization .

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Hampi Ruins- When Ashes raise to tell the story

Hampi Ruins- When Ashes raise to tell the story .

I have always heard about Hampi only because it was tourist spot near to Vijaynagar were My company had a steel Plant . Plant visit invariably meant vist to Hampi .So I have heard stories and perception people have about the place .


I was really excited for my plant visit after so many year in the company .Finally i will get to see the place i heard a lot about .


As I ventured out to see Hampi .I believe it one of the place or site . But it was not what people typically called Hampi is a ancient city with full fledged places , temples , lakes ,gardens ,darbaars  and what not .

Most of it Archaeologically restored after it was lost in transit of time .Imagine 400-500 years ago there were people who resided at same place with facilities.There was no modernisation but still human have made considereable progess.


To built a temple with stones with such beautiful carvings it requires lot more efforts with limited tools .

I took manyn many photos .But i realised beauty of Hampi is in Soaking th atmosphere rather than clicking . Its not enjoying in your Home on Computer .Its spending times in era gone by .

It was just as fascinating Tour 

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