Lasting Love – THE MADRAS AFFAIR by Sundari Venkatraman

The Madras Affair
Love blooms between Sangita and Gautam, he is suave and handsome; a perfect gentleman. She is shy, beautiful, resplendent in her charms and yet innocently unaware as Gautam falls for her simplicity and sensuality. The Madras Affair is a story that reads itself; you end up turning the pages even as you wish the book would not finish so fast! 

But there is more to the story, when I read the book in beta it moved me. I say that the end product gleams like the glittering Diamond Rose Sangita receives is true for the book too! To address issues that affect women and to present the ‘happy ending’ as well has been dealt expertly. Society changes if we change and The Madras Affair shows how!
This book takes a look into the unfair and malicious society that preys on simple, young women and then blames them too. Forced marriages, strict control, and abuse are pretty common in our societies but not many women get a chance to break free. Gautam tries his best that Sangita soars and how!! We see women like Sangita but here the author has written a story that I feel delves into the heart of the matter. Most of the times these women do not know any different; that a better world, a happier world that awaits them, if only they embrace it.
 
Looking for the silver lining, the light at the end of the tunnel of despair; The Madras Affair is one such story, Sangita is married at 19 and then a widow soon, she knew little of happiness and love in her life. Sundari has written Sangita with a lot of thought, she represents the scores of young women who bow to their parents and husbands wishes, living their life as dictated by them. Life never offers a second chance to them but here Sangita gets another chance only she is so surprised and hesitant to take it that I wanted to push her towards Gautam at times! Ah! The girl!!
 
He is a gentleman and kind, thoughtful, charming and wants to love her, is besotted by her. Did I tell you he has intense, intoxicating blue eyes & a dimple? The guy is hot! Gautam Sinclair is a man who knows his mind and the moment he laid his eyes on Sangita, he knew he had found someone special. This is book is a statement that romance can be sensual and substantial. Not just fluff, misunderstandings and compromises but the epitome of true love.
 
To stand by your decision when everyone around you is against it and many are trying to sabotage the little chance at happiness you have requires a lot of confidence and faith for both partners. This story too had roadblocks at each turn but the help of supportive Rekha and Raghu made the path straightforward. The Sinclair family with their love and support add to the story.
 
The book has Giridhar, Radha and her vile tongue & Gopal; along with the slimy Rakesh to make her life hell. This book also has Sandeep; the cute little bundle of joy for Sangita and does he have a lot to say. The little boy & Gautam’s grandparents all do their bit to unite the two lovers.  I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters as they play an important role and are well written. Ritikha, with her bindaas attitude, is my favourite.
 
[bctt tweet=”To stand by your decision when everyone around you is against it and many are trying to sabotage the little chance at happiness ” username=”indywrites”]
Also, I think Sid needs his story; I hope you are already writing one for him Sundari! Sid, who? Well, you have to read the book for that!!

The language, story flow flawlessly, the flashback and the present are balanced and give a clear picture of the hesitation and hurt faced in the book. The words are well chosen and the occasional use of regional words add to the charm of the book.
 
Great chemistry, sizzling sensuality, endearing emotions, lots of reality and familial love all come together to form a dynamite mix for an absorbing read. Now it’s your turn, pick a copy today and experience love that celebrates the loved one!
 
(Thank you for the acknowledgment Sundari, it was easy to beta read this well-crafted book. The review is my own thoughts)
 
BOOK BLURB
 
The Madras Affair

Sangita Sinclair was not always this successful & passionate lady, heading the NGO “Penn Urimai” for downtrodden, abused and homeless women….

When Sangita catches the eye of Gautam Sinclair she is a simple, homely girl; utterly unaware of her charms & capabilities. She has the devil’s own time in overcoming her inhibitions, hesitation, and her family’s orthodox and outdated rules before recognising her love for Gautam.
Will Gautam be able to solve Sangita’s Dilemma or will she be forever trapped in her past?
 
Buy @ Amazon.in
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 
 
Growing up on a heavy dose of fairy tales and comic books, Sundari fell in love with the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end.
 
Soon, into her teens, Sundari graduated to Mills & Boon romances. And that got her thinking – how about such breezy romances in Indian settings? Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years.
 
Then came the writing – a true bolt out of the blue! Sundari had just quit her job as a school admin and was taking a break. She was saturated with reading books. That’s when she returned home one evening after her walk, took some sheets of paper and began writing. It was like watching a movie that was running in her head – all those years of visualising a perfect Indian romance had to be put into words. The dormant romantic storyteller in her finally found its calling and The Malhotra Bride was born. While she felt disheartened when publishing didn’t happen, it was her husband who encouraged her to keep writing.
 
In the meanwhile, she landed a job as copy editor with Mumbai Mirror. After working there for two years, she moved to the Network 18 Group and worked with two of their websites over the next six years, as content editor.
 
 Despite her work schedule, she continued writing novels and short stories and had them published in her blogs. She also started blogging voraciously, writing on many different topics – travel, book reviews, film reviews, restaurant reviews, spirituality, alternative health and more.
 
   
In 2014, Sundari published The Malhotra Bride (2nd Edition); Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom; Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set) and Matches Made In Heaven (a collection of romantic short stories) in form of ebooks.
Sundari Venkatraman can be contacted via her website, Facebook or via email.
Facebook : facebook.com/AuthorSundariVenkatraman
Website : www.sundarivenkatraman.com