My first few reviews on Amazon

On November 23rd I released my first novel When the Lotus Blooms, the story of two child brides in Colonial India.

In 10 days I have sold 35 books which is a good start. I have been promoting it through book clubs and was very excited to read the first review from one of them. Check out my new author website at www.kanchibooks.com

http://www.amazon.com/Lotus-Blooms-Kanchana-Krishnan-Ayyar/product-...

The book opens with the sordid truth of the "monthly sickness" that plunged women into darkness, to feeling unclean and akin to "untouchables". The vivid picture of this accepted tradition propels readers into very deep rooted experiences. Throughout the saga we are kept aware of the authority and rule of the "Nagammas" , the mother-in-laws of the world, their scathing treatments woven deep in the tapestry of the tale. What can we say about Muthu? The two parallels of Rajam and Dharmu, the subtle reference of the two travelling parallel is well written by "planting" little anecdotes'. The British rule, the perfect backdrop shaping the characters and the story, rich as the Indian backdrop and every page soaked with emotions and traditions. The reader is immersed into the culture, rituals, riches and wealth of the Rajam and Dharmu households. The Brahmin household well depicted and in contrast the author weaves Velandi, an untouchable. The Reader does wonder why Velandi? The sad lives of Revathi and Meera, Raman's deserved outcome all feed in and out of the saga as also the innocence of child marriages specially Rajam's discovery of the "stick". And all throughout the saga the heady scent of the Brahamakamalam surrounds the readers; the bloom and the scent heralding promises of new beginnings. A must read to fully savor the characters, the tradition, the profusion of color and smells, the strong visualizations and finally the knowledge that this is part truth and part fiction. The reader can marvel at the author's narration of stories heard and told by her family and this then twined together with fiction all within the bounds of truth.